MARK SCHUMANN

Since the Vero Beach City Council’s organizational meeting last fall, Richard Winger has been serving a second consecutive term as mayor.  In asking his fellow council members for more time with the gavel, Winger said he wanted to continue pushing forward several initiatives, including reducing electric rates and stepping up the city’s response to the Lagoon crisis. At the time, Winger indicated that by mid-summer he would be willing to step down as mayor to allow someone else, presumably Jay Kramer, to preside over the council.

At the close of yesterday’s budget workshop, Winger made good on his promise. Kramer, though, who is now challenging Bob Solari for his seat on the Indian River County Commission, told the council he thought it would be best for Winger to finish out the council year as mayor.

Winger, who has announced his bid for a third term on the council, if re-elected, he would not seek another term as mayor.