COMMENTARY
MARK SCHUMANN
Vero Beach City Councilwoman Pilar Turner never ceases to amaze those who thought she was committed to serving the best interests of the City, its residents and taxpayers. It is increasingly clear Turner’s allegiances are somewhere else.
During today’s City Council meeting, Turner objected to a public records request the City’s special counsel, Schef Wright, made of the Indian River County Commission and the Indian River Shores Town Council. Both governing bodies have taken legal action against the City in an effort to essentially take Vero Beach’s utility infrastructure and out-of-city customer base without compensation.
“My issue is that I have seen this extensive public records request that went to the County. Now we’re looking at a more adversarial relationship within our own community,” Turner said.
“Council member, we’ve been sued,” responded City Attorney Wayne Coment, who added, “…and that’s adversarial. I’m sorry. It’s a fact of life. And he, (Schef Wright) needs to get whatever he needs to get for back up to defend the City. And so that’s what he has done. We’re not going to control how he develops his case to defend the City. We are not going to tell him to not ask for records. He’s got to do that. It’s his duty to do that.”
Presumably, Turner would, if she could, direct Wright to not seek the documents he needs to properly defend City from the clearly predatory legal actions now being prosecuted by the County Commission and the Shores Town Council. After all, Turner has already proposed the City join the Shores and the County in their legal actions against the City.
It is hard to believe, but it is true. Turner actually wants to see the City sue itself. And, more amazingly, she wants Vero Beach voters to give her another two years in office.
Indian River Guardian 
Mrs. Turner may have forgotten we did NOT start this “adversarial” relationship. It is definitely in OUR own best interest to have the facts – ALL of them. I, too, found her comment rather odd, given she is an elected Councilwoman representing the City of Vero Beach. There is no way I would vote for someone whose loyalty to a community is in question.
I always have my radar on high alert when I learn of an elected official who does not want to comply with public records requests. All elected officials have an obligation to operate with transparency.
You know, this is the kind of stuff you could not make up if you tried. I pray every day that we get three decent human beings to run for the three vacant seats. The citizens of Vero Beach does not need the likes of Pilar Turner, Charlie Wilson or Brian Heady. What a mess they would leave the city in if they were running the show. Thank you Mr. City Attorney for telling it like it is.
What’s next!!! Does Councilwoman Turner propose that the citizens of Vero Beach pay the attorney fees for the county in order to sue ourselves? Oh yeah, we are paying the county’s attorney fees to sue ourselves. Thanks a ($) million Bob Solari.
Pat Lavin, I think you hit the nail on the head. There has been a horrendous amount of back room maneuvering between the Three Little Puppets, the Two Little Accountants, the worst lawyer in the world, FPL, Solari, Mayfield and God knows who else. The truth will set you free (or send someone to jail.)
Pilar Turner has said and done some bizarre things while sitting on the city council, however this is the wildest thing she has ever said.. It is so obvious now that she does not belong on the city council. Lets not forget she was in favor of having all Vero Beach Electric ratepayers fork over $26,000,000 to FPL;she also missed many FMPA meetings even though she is Vero’s representative to that group. A terrible record to run for re-election on.