MARK SCHUMANN
According to campaign finance reports filed today, Straticon, a Stuart-based construction firm, gave $1,000 each to the campaigns of Harry Howle, III, Pilar Turner and Charlie Wilson. When asked about his company’s interest in the Vero Beach city council election, Straticon’s, Jeff Hardin, said he would prefer not to comment.
According to Straticon’s website, among the company’s successes is a $60 million high rise development in Hollywood, Florida. Currently, Straticon is managingconstruction on the $100 million Trump Doral project, and is involved in a new Indian casino project. Though pro-sale advocates dismiss the suggestion, some wonder if the persistent push to sell Vero Electric has to do with making the power plant site and the waste water treatment land available for a commercial development, such as a high rise marina resort.
Is a public statement that may well signal Wilson’s interest is “liberating the waterfront” for development, he said the proposed sale to Florida Power & Light is not about lower rates, but about getting Vero Beach out of the electric business.
Another notable contribution reported today was $500 from Indian River County Commissioner Wesley Davis to Charlie Wilson. Davis this week suggested the County might seek an injunction to prevent Vero Beach from negotiating lower rates with the Orlando Utilities Commission.
Though Davis and his fellow commissioners assess a six percent franchise fee on Vero Electric’s county customers, they want the City to stop transferring six percent from its electric utility revenue in the general fund. If elected, Howle, Turner and Wilson seem ready to oblige the Commission, even though the move could cost city residents some $4 million a year. Howle, Turner and Wilson have all taken in more than half their campaign contributions from outside interests.
Indian River Guardian 