Promising 30% savings on electric bills, corporate money funding misleading campaign to elect Howle, Turner, Wilson
MARK SCHUMANN
After investing some $125,000 in the spring of 2013 to persuade Vero Beach voters to sell their electric system, and after spending more than $40,000 last fall in a failed effort to re-elect Tracy Carroll, Florida Power & Light has now given half of the $18,000 raised by an electioneering communications organization supporting Harry Howle, III, Pilar Turner and Charlie Wilson.
The group, Alliance For Better Florida Communities, paid for an earlier post card urging voters to support Howle and Turner. Their latest mailer, though, includes Wilson.
According to the most recent bill comparisons available from the Florida Municipal Electric Association, Vero Beach’s rate is $123.93 per 1000 kilowatt hours. FPL’s rate is $$99.19, but would be $105.14 accounting for a utility franchise fee. Though the current rate differential between Vero Electric and FPL is 20 percent, and would 15 percent allowing for a franchise fee, the post card paid for by the Alliance for Better Florida Communities asks, “What would you do with the 30% savings on your electric bill?”
Other major contributors to Alliance For Better Florida Communities include George E. Warren Corporation, The Hill Group, Riverfront Packing, Hogan and Sons, IMG Citrus and Quality Fruit Packers.
Indian River Guardian 
My name’s Philip Katrovitz, and I reside in the city of Vero Beach. Years ago, I lived in Alabama, during Governor George Wallace’s reign. At that time it was my belief the corruption and conniving politics of that State could not be surpassed. However, judging by the wheeling and dealing of some candidates in our area – and the greedy, behind-the-scenes role-playing of some of their supporters, including large corporations, I may revise my thinking. That FPL has forked over $9,000 in support of Turner, Howle, and Wilson is a reminder voters are up against corporate stockholders. If you want a takeover by people outside the city of Vero Beach who have their own agendas, no one can stop you. The future of Vero Beach involves more than just the power system; the people who work that system are concerned about this community. Those who maintain the parks and other public areas take pride in what they do. My name is Cathy Katrovitz and I care about more than a low electric rate. Our property taxes are currently quite low. We have hard-working and caring people who pick up our yard debris and household trash. It would seem our County Commissioners and nearby northern island town are determined to destroy what we have for their own gain. We are putting our trust in candidates who have no alliances with outside corporate entities.
Tracy Carroll, Pilar Turner and Craig Fletcher were the iron fisted leaders of Vero Beach for several years and could NOT complete the sale to FPL. Now this year , the same Pilar Turner who had served as the mayor during this groups reign and still the representative to the FMPA, has missed five meetings or more, but now claims she can complete the sale. She knows that it only takes one “NO” vote by a member city to stop Vero from exiting the FMPA. And don’t forget the once removed from office Charlie Wilson and his past history ;his vial verbal attacks at council meetings and his lies. Moving into the city a few days before filing does not show commitment to the city, A vote for Charlie will be a wasted vote since he probably will be removed from office again if elected, which I doubt will happen based on his past history and an on going investigation into this matter. Don’t forget Pilar Turner tried to sell Crestlawn cemetery and brought to the council the name of a buyer. DON’T FORGET THE ALL ABOARD FLORIDA LOBBYIST KNOCKED ON DOORS WITH HER . DON’T FORGET THE LOBBYIST WAS HOLDING CAMPAIGN SIGNS OUTSIDE THE LIBRARY FOR HER. WHY, WHY,WHY???? A sellout is just about to happen by her and others.
When I got the slick ad yesterday from the pro raise my property tax group I knew FP&L was back on the campaign trail. Doesn’t FP&L get tired of backing losers? As I said no one world by the sell group about property taxes.
What a group, Matt ,AAF lobbyist,Mohler, Pilar ,Sell the dog park and cemetery, Turner, Charlie under investigation,Wilson, and Harry ,I will force the sale ,Howle along with with out of town Glenn Heran and his FPL money . Vero will get sold down the railroad tracks if these three are ever elected. Yes, sold out at 110 mph.
Keep reminding the voters that the people who have the “heart” of Vero in their sights are the three people who are not being bought out by Corporate FPL, not being paid by Indian River Shores residents, they are not threatened by angry Developers who want to tear our water front apart. They don’t have County Commissioner seats on their minds. The three people running on council have the “Vero Vero” imagine implanted in their souls. They are proud to campaign on small contributions from community workers who have little to give but support and a few hours of a day for their campaign. I once heard one of our candidates say “that when you travel for a while and drive back into Vero, the minute you arrive you know and instantly feel you are HOME.” So true. There is no place like Vero Beach. That of course will change if people don’t see the mindset of Wilson, Howle, and Turner. I have been proud of the clean race that Kramer, Old and Shupe have been running. We need to change the divisiveness, dissension that is on our council towards other council members, towards the public whom agree to disagree with a members decision and towards other department heads of Vero Beach City. Voting is essential, and voting for the right candidates is imperative, educate out city voters. Drive one voter to the polls, talk about this community and it’s uniqueness…. vote for OLD, KRAMER, and SHUPE. Don’t sell our river, our waterfronts, our parks, cemetery,our beaches and soul to the devil. Vote OKS