COMMENTARY
MARK SCHUMANN
State Representative Debbie Mayfield plans to submit two bills in the coming legislative session that, if passed, could do a great disservice to the residents and taxpayers of Vero Beach.
This is not the first time Mayfield has worked against the interests of many of her Vero Beach constituents. Last year, she sided with the county in its dispute with the city over water and sewer service to the south barrier island.
Mayfield sought to pass legislation that would have stripped the city of 3,000 utility customers, and would have pitted the city against the county in a long and expensive legal battle over ownership rights to utility infrastructure on the south barrier island, infrastructure which the city installed and/or has maintained for some 30 years. It was a slap in the face to the city, for the south barrier island, from which the county collects millions in property taxes, would never have been developed, had the city not been willing to serve the area with utilities over the past three decades.
This year, Mayfield is at it again. In complete disregard for constitutional issues relating to equal protection, Mayfield now proposes to place only one of the state’s 33 municipal utilities under the regulatory arm of the state Public Service Commission. Mayfield’s proposed “local” bill would apply exclusively to Vero Beach.
Ironically, because the city would have to hire lawyers and consultants to represent it before the PSC, Mayfield’s bright idea would likely lead to higher rates for the customers of Vero Electric. She and her supporters know not what they do.
In a move that is patently unfair to the residents and taxpayers of Vero Beach, who are the owners of Vero Electric, Mayfield plans to introduce another gem of “local” legislation intended to force the break up of the city’s electric system. If opponents of a so-called “partial sale” are right in their predictions, Mayfield’s plan to force Vero Beach to sell its out-of-city customers to FPL would have dire consequences for the city and its customers.
If FPL is unable to make a deal with the Florida Municipal Power Agency or the Orlando Utilities Commission to assume Vero Beach’s power entitlements, the city may well need to explore a partial sale as the next best alternative. Having to negotiate under a legislative mandate, however, would only weaken the city’s bargaining position relative to FPL. Which begs the question of who Mayfield considers to be her constituents.
Indian River Guardian 
Miss Mayfield can be relegated to our past as far as I’m concerned. She’s certainly indicated her disregard for the residents of Vero Beach. She has done little to support us – I won’t support her or anyone cut from the same cloth.
It is important to remember the Debbie Mayfield track record in the Florida legislature. The only legislation that she sponsored that received the approval of the Florida legislature was the vote to name the 17th Street bridge in honor of Alma Lee Loy.
The voting pattern of Debbie Mayfield clearly relfect that she has ambitions well beyond representing the citizens of Indian River County. She is demonstrating the same pattern as did Bill Posey in his rise in the Republican Party.
Once again Mrs Mayfield has proven herself to be anti COVB. The question is , why ? Does she represent Vero or FP&L. We do not need a pawn in the state capital or anywhere else. i hope she goes the way of her friend Tracy Carroll on election day.