Follow the money

COMMENTARY

MARK SCHUMANN

Apparently desperate to derail progress in cutting rates, the island weekly's editors ran two sensational stories and a poorly reasoned editorial on the from page of their current issue. — Apparently desperate to derail progress in cutting rates, the island weekly’s editors ran two sensational stories and a poorly reasoned editorial on the from page of their current issue.

The island weekly, “Vero Beach 32963,” is headed by a former professional journalist gone rogue. The master of yellow journalism was once an executive with the Washington Post, and for a brief time headed United Press International. The worldwide news organization eventually went bankrupt.

At least at one time, the weekly was partially owned by Bob Gibb, the broker of John’s Island Real Estate. Gibb’s real estate company is the island weekly’s largest advertiser, running two full pages and a 2/3 page ad in every issue. Based on published advertising rates, the Indian River Shores based real estate company is spending $196,300 a year with 32963. Even if Gibb is getting an off-the-rate-card deal, his advertising commitment is significant and has undoubtedly help make the weekly viable.

Though 32963 enjoys significant advertising revenue, the island-centric newspaper once solicited donations, but never disclosed its donors. Is the island weekly pushing for the sale of Vero Electric, and attacking all things Vero Beach, in service to its Indian River Shores patrons? In the absence of transparency, we will never know.