COMMENTARY
MARK SCHUMANN
Vero Beach City Council candidate, Charlie Wilson, recently posted the following comment on his Facebook page.
At the very least, Wilson’s post confirms the sole pillar of his platform is his advocacy of the sale of Vero Electric to FPL, regardless of the cost to the community. Pushing to conclude the sale, despite the shifting terms and rising costs, appears to be the sum total of Wilson’s vision for the community – nothing more and nothing less.
Wilson, who fancies himself a white knight, seems to believe he stands above other politicians as a shining example of honesty.
The second irony in Wilson’s post is his use of the word “out,” perhaps a mistake, perhaps a Freudian slip. There are, to be sure, some who are working to “take out” Vero Beach by forcing the city into disincorporation.
Indian River Guardian 
Poor Charlie — he does not understand that the real issue at hand — like any other candidate for elective office is his integrity and his platform. An election is not about just one issue — particularly an issue that has captured the voters’ attention during the course of multiple elections.
An elected politican must also be a leader and have a honest conversation with the voters. This is why it is so critical that Charlie Wilson be open and honest with the voters on ALL issues including his residency. He needs to spell out how the city will be able to fulfill its obligations without the revenue from the power plant. The voters need to know if he will work with the Florida legislature to repeal the nuclear tax that is a burden on all electric customers in Florida.
The task before Charlie Wilson is to now persuade enough of the City of Vero Beach voters to consider what he would do that is different from what others have attempted to do not just in regard to the sale of the utility but also on other issues. For example, retirees from the city utility operation need to know if he would have voted for or against the 1% cost of living adjustment to their pensions which was a topic just recently voted on by the City Council.
A political campaign is like auditioning for a theater performance. Charlie Wilson needs to use his audition time to address all kinds of issues that come before the City Council on a routine basis.
Maybe at his September 9th candidate forum….the Professor of Baloney will be ” open and HONEST ‘” to the people of Vero Beach whom he thinks will vote for him… (and Heran, Ferharty, Solari and Turner).