COMMENTARY
MILT THOMAS
If you have been following recent stories and comments regarding the Taxpayers Association use of our Indian River County seal on its website and business cards, you might think the issue is whether the “three oranges” is legally our county seal, right?
Wrong. That isn’t the issue. The issue is mis-use of those “three oranges” by the Taxpayers Association, creating the illusion somehow they represent county government, which they do not.
If they are allowed to do it, then why can’t we? Inside Vero would be delighted to put the county “three oranges” logo on our website, print editions and business cards. Our fans and supporters might think it’s a great idea that the County Commission is finally on the right track, appointing us to represent all Indian River County taxpayers and voters. But there are probably some detractors who would be up in arms that we had the nerve to display the county seal and suggest that the County Commission in any way agrees with us.
Of course, we would never use the county seal or logo as part of our logo because we are not spokespeople for county government. But neither is the Taxpayers Association.
Now, let’s clear up any confusion about legality of the county’s seal. This issue came up for discussion back in 2008. The legal seal of Indian River County, believe it or not, features an elk. It was apparently the seal for St. Lucie County back when we were part of St. Lucie County and when Indian River County was created in 1925, we just stuck with the same seal artwork. Few people know, or have ever seen the elk logo (pictured here), but just about everyone knows the three oranges. So in January 2008 the County Commission decided whether to stick with the elk or officially change our county seal to the three oranges everyone knows. The majority decided to stick with the elk. After all, many more people know Indian River County for its elk population than for its citrus.
That was sarcasm.
Possibly at the time, commission chambers were filled with members of the local Elks Club and that influenced their decision. The Elks Club is certainly a fine tradition here in Indian River County (as is the Moose Lodge, but let’s not add to the confusion).
And it is possible that some direction-impaired elk wandered this far south centuries ago, but he was probably eaten as a delicacy by pre-European residents. Who knows, the Vero Man dig might unearth some elk bones along with woolly mammoths and early human remains.
So now that we know our official Indian River County seal features an animal that has nothing in common with the area, what can we do about the oranges? The county attorney back in 2008 (Marion Fell) determined that if the elk was our seal, then the three orange symbol was our logo. Logos are trademarks like the Nike “swoosh” or the Prudential rock. Okay, the three orange symbol is our logo. Do you know what would happen if you tried to use one of those logos on your website without authorization?
Whether you’re talking elk, oranges, seals or logos, it is the county’s identity at issue here, and who has the right to assume that identity. The legal precedent might not be clear cut, but certainly there is an ethical precedent.
Indian River Guardian 
This sounds like one of those no-brainer things. At least it might be in most parts of the world. I am anxious to hear from IRC Board of Commissioners in regard to this matter. I’ve see lots of deer in the west part of IRC but never an Elk (2-legged, yes–4-legged, no). Saw lots of the latter far, far away. Truly, you are so right about logos being off-limit However, if IRC government allows the logo to be used by the TPA, there is little doubt that logo will be popping up all over the place.
Milt, Mark said earlier that the issue was the legality of the use of the county logo which he referred to inaccurately as the county seal. Now you say that that is not the issue it’s just about the TPA creating an allusion. Which is it? You can’t have it both ways let’s not be hypocritical here. It appears to be apparent that InsideVero has a problem with the taxpayers association, could that be because you disagree with their position on Vero beach power? It’s disappointing to see insideVero take one position and then when challenged completely change that position to another. I know both of you and would have expected more objectivity when you placed this or anything else in a newspaper. I am. Disappointed
Gary, first thanks for bringing our attention to the fact we have an elk in our county seal. I came here in 1956 and never knew that. So now we are talking about a county logo and need to determine if the use of a logo has the same legal restrictions as a seal. In either case though, it is clear that by co-opting the county identity – whether seal or logo – TPA gives the mistaken impression that tit is a county-affiliated organization, which it is not, nor has it ever attempted to represent itself as such until last year. The terms ‘limited government’ and ‘essential services’ have not been defined by anyone – tea party, libertarian, TPA – as it pertains to Indian River County locally, other than attempts this past year to slash Vero Beach budgets without a stated end game. We have not changed our position that the current position of the TPA, Tea Party etc. does not represent the will of the people. We label all our opinion pieces as “commentary” to distinguish them from news and therefore are meant to reflect our opinions.
Gary, I’ve answered this already, and more than once. I’ll try it one more time.
Call the emblem hanging over the dais in the County Commission chambers a seal, a logo, an emblem, a visual motif, call it whatever you want, it is the visual image of Indian River County government, and it has been unilaterally appropriated by the Taxpayers’ Association.
THAT is the point.
Thank you Milt for the education about the elk on the official county seal and how it came into being. This background provides the necessary information that is useful in also understanding current issues and how they are handled.
Apparently the lessons learned by the Elk organization still play a role in government decision making. If you are against Common Core, you pack the hearing room until you get what you want frrom your elected officials. If you are agaInst being a part of the Seven50 agenda to be a part of multiple county long-term planning, you pack the hearing room until you get what you want from your elected officials.
Now John Q. Public knows that if they want their elected officials to do something specific all that you need to do is to pack the hearing room with like minded people. Some people would call this TRYANNY BY THE MINORITY.