COMMENTARY
MARK SCHUMANN
If Tallahassee lobbyist Joe McCann was in the hearing room yesterday during the House Energy and Utilities Subcommittee meeting, it must have been awkward for McCann when Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank C. Ortis testified against State Rep. Debbie Mayfield’s proposed House Bill 813.
Though McCann is a registered lobbyist for the City of Pembroke Pines, he also represents the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners, who hired his firm, Ballard Partners, at $78,000 a year to help push through the very legislation opposed by Pembroke Pines and by the Florida League of Cities. Between McCann and his partners, Brian Ballard, the two lobbyists represent no less than eight Florida cities.
In an effort to help secure passage of utility legislation proposed by State Rep. Debbie Mayfield, the Indian River County Commission hired Ballard Partners last September. The firm, which also represents Florida Power & Light, was selected with input from utility activist, Glenn Heran. Heran is known to work closely with FPL, having run two recent campaigns, largely with contributions from FPL.
Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers columnist, Russ Lemmon, reported Feb. 5 that Ballard Partner’s role would be to “work behind the scenes” to help pave the way for the proposed sale of Vero Electric to Florida Power & Light. Lemmon quoted McCann as saying, “We’ve been working with Rep. Mayfield and House leadership to draft a bill we feel we can pass.”
Two of Mayfield’s local bills and one general bill have yet to be reported out of committee. By an 8-6 vote yesterday, the House Energy and Utilities Committee declined to refer her fourth utility bill, HB 813, to the House floor for consideration.
Neither County Administrator Joe Baird, nor McCann could be reached for comment.
Footnote, Ron Brook, a lobbyist who was among the three finalists considered by the County Commission last September, took the unusual step for a lobbyist yesterday when he testified before the House Energy and Utilities Subcommittee in opposition to Mayfield’s bill.
Indian River Guardian 
Does the term “Conflict of Interest” ring a bell? Or maybe. “I’ll do anything for money”!
Unbelievable! Hope the County Commissioners are proud of the way they are spending our money.
Glenn Heran was the “prime mover” for the selection of this conflicted lobbying firm. The county commissioners bear lots of responsibility also for this poor decision. Bob solari was the behind the scenes champion of this company. The commissioners selection of the company is indefensible .
To go one more step, the fact that the County Commissioners would even consider paying a lobbyist for ANY reason is indefensible. They get paid a pretty good sum to represent Indian River County. If there is an issue of great importance there are ways for County Commissioners to get to Tallahassee and do some face-to-face lobbying on our behalf.
This is just another indication, with actual proof, that those involved in anything with the selling of the power plant have zero credibility whatsoever.
Why people of alleged credibility, including elected officials, cater to these charlatans, just shows the agenda those on the dias have for their community.