COMMENTARY
MARK SCHUMANN
At several points during the Taxpayers Association candidate forum Wednesday, Charlie Wilson apologized for the intensity of his zeal in pushing forward the electric sale. During his closing remarks, Wilson became visibly emotional, his voice breaking at times.
When I consider Wilson’s almost fanatical, single-minded focus on this one issue, I am reminded that passion is like lightning without a lightning rod. It can blow fuses and burn the house down.
Wilson may have a “passion” for the electric sale, but his miscalculations have been astronomical. In 2009, Wilson was elected promising to sell Vero Electric to Florida Power & Light in 12 months or less, with net proceeds to the City of $90 million.
Without offering details, he told those in attendance at the Taxpayers Association forum he now has a “plan” to sell Vero Electric within 24 months. Wilson made no mention of sale proceeds, for it is now obvious there will be none.
“When I was a kid, I met Barry Goldwater. And one of the things Barry Goldwater said is that passion in a righteous cause is not wrong. A lot of time, people ask me, ‘Why are you so angry?’ I’m not angry. I’m determined…If I’ve been uncivil, I really am sorry. If I have offended anyone, please forgive me. I am sorry. But, I absolutely, positively will not stop having the truth be known,” Wilson said.
Below is the full text of the closing remarks Wilson gave at the Taxpayers Association forum:
I apologize for being so passionate about this issue. I’m used to a spirited debate. I’ve worked in the Legislature and in the Congress, and I understand that I can be caustic. But this is so, so important; and I’d like to take just a second to tell you why. In 2009, when I was elected, (Wilson was removed from office after less than a month on the Council.) I ran into a person on the street, and elderly lady. She came up and she said, “Are you Mr. Wilson?”
And I said, “Yes I am.”
And she said, “Mr. Wilson, I voted for you because I trust you to not let me down on selling Vero Electric.”
She said, “I’m 75 years old, and I never though in my life I would have so little and government would have so much.”
To some people, the electric issue is a problem of money. To me, as she showed me her oxygen machine, she said, “If I can’t pay my electric bill — my electric bill is more than my mortgage — if I can’t pay my electric bill, I’m going to die.”
And she said, “I’m counting on you.”
And I promised her (voice breaking), I promised that woman. And I will not give up, and I will not quit, and I will not get over it. And if she’s still out there, I want her to know, don’t give up on me, because I absolutely will not going to give up on you.
Indian River Guardian 
When did Charlie Wilson work in the legislature and the Congress?
My hubby has an oxygen machine on all night to sleep. I’ve known of people who required oxygen machines (electrical) all the time. Somehow I find it hard to believe that an oxygen machine would use more electricity than my TV, computer, microwave, and washer & dryer. If I had a dishwasher–don’t, I’d be filling it up before using it. If the lady’s utility bill (assume she is in city) was or near the same as her mortgage, I’d be wanting a power evaluation of my home. Or, be grateful my mortgage payment was that LOW. We need people in office who can deal with matters in as calmly a manner as possible. Mr. W.’s wild outbursts do not seem compatible with that.
So what he wants to do is cut her electric bill and more than double her property tax.
A 75 year old lady, on oxygen and with a mortgage on her home. I doubt it
Just imagine what we would all be subjected to if Wilson ever got elected. Wilson lacks the decorum necessary to sit on our city council. He displayed no common decency with his verbal attack on Jay Kramer. He did all this and he isn’t on the council. What would we all be subjected to if Wilson ever had the power of a councilman, worst still remember he stated he will be the mayor. It is scary to think of either of these seats being occupied by him. This power hungry person must never be seated.
Hey, I was there and when he gave his little old lady sob story you should have seen his nose growing. If this man were not so dangerous it would all be very laughable.