COMMENTARY
MARK SCHUMANN
This week, InsideVero.com published a special election print edition mailed to nearly all residences within the City of Vero Beach. This print edition is the first step in expanding our mission as an alternative source of news, news analysis and commentary on important issues facing Vero Beach and Indian River County.
Going forward, my colleague, Milt Thomas, and I will be to broadening our coverage to include more reporting on countywide issues. We will also be offering more Sebastian River Area coverage.
Clearly, what InsideVero.com offers is advocacy journalism. We make no excuses or apologies for our commitment to protecting and improving the quality of life for all who choose to make Indian River County their full or part-time home.
To that end, we seek to offer readers reporting that will help inform their decisions about whether and how to engage in issues of importance to them, be it the quality of municipal services, the health of the Lagoon, economic development, land development, education policy, and more.
More broadly, it is our view the public is best served when community leaders and elected officials communicate, collaborate and cooperate in pursuit of the common good. When they fail to do so, we believe they should be held accountable.
Next year, we plan to offer print editions with countywide circulation at least quarterly. To support these print editions, we will be soliciting additional advertising. We also invite those who appreciate InsideVero.com’s coverage to consider supporting our efforts. Because transparency is as important in journalism as it is in government, we will ask those who desire to support us to agree to be listed among our sponsors, though contribution amounts and contact information will remain confidential.
If you see value in InsideVero.com’s reporting, and would be interested in helping make possible our expanded efforts, please feel free to call or write.
Mark Schumann: editor.insidevero@gmail.com, 505-901-2544
Milt Thomas: miltthomas@aol.com
Indian River Guardian 
Delighted you are doing this. You have certainly made me aware of local issues that are important to me. Already voted in city election and feel positive about it. Jean Bass
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I am very happy to hear such good news. A publication with integrity is needed to counter balance the propaganda filled newspaper and the pulp magazine filled with non objective writings by a few less than classy writers.
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What a relief! Now, I won’t have to explain to readers of other publications that there is more to Vero Beach than municipal power and property taxes. So much is there for this city and County to offer – but it comes at a price. What doesn’t? Years ago (1980’s) a neighbor in the county ran for Co. Commissioner. He claimed to have a workable plan to keep things running smoothly. When asked what it was, he stated, “I’ll ask that taxes be increased.” Obviously, being straightforward and honest didn’t get him elected, but ultimately his solution did come to pass. Maybe several times over. We need balance from media and know you all will come through. Thank you!
Thank you, Cathy. I will acknowledge this, though. There have been time, perhaps many times, when my frustrations with the hypocrisy has moved me to be unnecessarily sarcastic. I have determined that, if I am going to continue covering the major issues facing Vero Beach and Indian River County, I am going to offer more news and news analysis and less commentary. When my father and grandfather published the local newspaper, they did not even endorse candidates. They both believed that if you offer readers and voters and unbiased presentation of the facts, they can make their own decisions and cast their own vote.
We just returned from our summer in Rhode Island and found a Howle sign in our yard. We removed it immediately. He did not have our permission to place his campaign sign on our property. We support Dick Winger and Amelia Graves. I wonder how many of his signs are placed without homeowner approval. I think it speaks well for his lack of integrity.