COMMENTARY

MILT THOMAS

Dan Stump and Charlie Wilson of “Charlie’s Chamber of Commerce” made a presentation at the January 20 County Commission meeting, reviewing the group’s 2014 accomplishments and 2015 plans. Stump stated that the chamber achieved its goal of 100 members in 2014 and stands at 104 as of the meeting. Their website however, only lists 71 members as it did last August.

Stump and Wilson claimed credit for requesting $38,000 in the Vero Beach city budget last year for extra lifeguards. The City Council minutes from that period do not indicate they had anything to do with the extra money. Indeed, when Wilson ran his unsuccessful campaign for City Council last year, he promoted his ties to Pilar Turner, his ideological counterpart promoting acceptance of the now discredited sale of Vero Electric to FPL. Coincidentally, Turner opposed extra funds for lifeguards and was on the losing end of a 4-1 vote approving the funds.

Focusing on tourism and economic development, Wilson announced that on March 5 the Columbus replica ships, the Nina and Pinta, would be anchored at an as-yet undisclosed location once they determine a suitable depth. The Columbus Foundation, based in the British Virgin Islands, commissioned the reproductions, which visit ports around the world. According to Wilson, the visit was arranged through Ben Costello, director of the 1715 Fleet Society. Costello is also behind another event Wilson is taking credit for, a celebration of the 300th anniversary of the 1715 Spanish fleet destroyed off the Treasure Coast in a hurricane. It is scheduled for the week of July 28-August 2. Commissioner Tim Zorc added, “Costello brought this to me a year and a half ago.”

The county’s official tourism and economic development agency, the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce, did not comment on whether Zorc contacted them about the 300th anniversary plans although they did already know of plans for the celebration.

Wilson also announced another one of his chamber’s upcoming events, Pirate Week, to be held that same week at Royal Palm Pointe. Wilson added that, “Historically, up to 25,000 people attend such an event.”

Captain Hiram’s in Sebastian has held a Pirate’s Fest for several years.

Wilson announced plans for a July 4 parade covering Beachland Boulevard and Ocean Drive in Vero. Al Benkert of the Oceanside Business Association and organizer of the successful annual Christmas parade, is unaware of any such plans.

In the economic development arena, Wilson then announced an event called Shark Week, named after the popular annual cable TV  series. He says, “Five residents called the Vero Sharks are donating $1 million in prizes for companies that agree to bring a business to Vero Beach.”

This is similar to the Research Coast Business Plan Competition started last year by attorneys John Moore and Kevin Barry through the Research Coast Principium Foundation, a not-for-profit entity. Wilson added in his presentation that the Vero Sharks were not required to give the $1 million, “but it is available.”

Wilson also announced an innovative plan to purchase three to five visitor information centers with touch screen technology placed around Vero Beach so tourists could check out attractions, restaurants and accommodations.

Aside from the events he is taking credit for, but are in fact being organized by others, his plans have a familiar ring to them. He offered the same visitor information centers in his 2014 plan as well. At that time he also announced in veronews.com that his chamber would publish an attractive, hardcover coffee table book of Vero Beach annually to be placed in hotel rooms and other places where it will be seen by tourists.

Neither of those projects came to fruition. Time will tell if the July 4 parade, Shark Week or visitor information centers will happen in 2015.

To end the presentation, chamber co-organizer and chairman, Dan Stump, requested a seat on the Economic Development Council. “The City of Sebastian has a seat and the City of Vero Beach should have one as well.”

What he and Wilson seem to ignore is that Vero Beach does have a seat on the EDC, held by the Chamber that has represented Vero businesses for almost 100 years – the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce. It must be frustrating to them that when Googling “Vero Beach Chamber of Commerce” on the internet,  IRC Chamber is what comes up.