MARK SCHUMANN
During recent budget workshops, Vero Beach Public Works Director Monte Falls told the City Council his department needs $600,000 a year to keep up with regular street maintenance. Councilwoman Pilar Turner questioned Falls’ number, saying it “needed vetting.”
Reluctant to raise taxes, the City Council allocated $200,000 in the 2014/15 budget for street maintenance, one third of what Falls said is needed. Mayor Richard Winger said he is concerned that by leaving street maintenance underfunded, the City is “living on borrowed time.”
Of the $200,000 allocated for street maintenance in the 2014/15 budget, $20,000 will be spent widening the street that circles the cul-de-sac in front of Pilar Turner’s home on Indian Bay Drive. According to Falls, his department also plans to spend another $20,000 for road work along Indian Bay Drive next year.
City Manager Jim O’Connor and Falls both said Turner did not pressure them to do the roadwork in her neighborhood. “It comes down to priorities,” Falls said, explaining other residents living along Indian Bay Drive approached his department with concerns about street crowding caused when lawn maintenance vehicles and other service vehicles are parked along the curbing on the narrow streets.
Indian River Guardian 
I am surprised no one on Bethel Creek Drive or on Live Oak has complained about street crowding when construction, lawn maintenance and other business vehicles are around. No, I don’t live there, but have occasions to travel the roads. There are a few nice potholes on 6th Avenue north of 17th St. For the most part, I think the City, considering budget constraints, is doing a remarkably fine job with what they have to work. I’m sure there are areas on the west side of the lagoon that could use a little improvement. Apparently, the squeaky wheel gets greased. (In the last five years I’ve begun to understand all these old-time sayings.)
What a joke, Widening a street so when lawn maintenance trucks trucks are parked, the Turner’s are not inconvenienced. Contrary to what Mr O’ Connor and Mr Falls have to say about the widening it is not a top priority. Pilar Turner’s attitude reminds me of the quote of one high toned french lady ,who said,”let them eat cake.”
We’ll see if the road widening is a top priority on November 5th, a day after the election.
Good, when I hit a pot hole and I need a $200.00 front end alinememt who do I send the bill to? So instead of raising my property tax bill by $30.00 a year I get to pretend I am driving in Ethopia! Thanks a lot Turner.
Turner sounds a lot like the ousted Tracy Carroll. Me Me Me. Next, she would like to cost the taxpayers millions to liberate the sewer plant that is viewed from her million dollar back yard but, first things first.
Councilwoman Turner needs to get out of her ivory tower and drive around the city. In addition to roads in need of repair, there has been a marked increase in debris and litter lining the gutters.
Neglecting our infrastructure is not an effective cost savings.
I just spoke to a person who read the Turner road widening project. He said he had planned on voting for her until he read your article. He hoped she loses10% of her voters because of this . It seems fair, spend 10% of road budget and lose 10% of your voters. He has a pot hole in front of his house.
city Council members are considered to be part time and the City of Vero Beach does not give benefits (hospitalization) to part time employees except to the elected officials who choose to rip/rape the city of that benefit….and…guess who takes this benefit from the City. Yep, Pilar Turner. So, she gets free hospitalization and a $20,000 road widening project in her front yard. I ask you this…how many taxpayers drive down her little cul de sac street who will benefit from this road widening? Hmmm.
Park landscape people in the driveway not on our streets.