Tampa-based PAC attacks Winger and Graves

COMMENTARY

Anthony Pedicini, head of the Tampa-based political action committee, Citizens for Florida's Economy and Strategic Image Management. Since March of this year, the PAC Pedicini heads has paid his company $31,000. — Anthony Pedicini, head of the Tampa-based political action committee, Citizens for Florida’s Economy and Strategic Image Management. Since March of this year, the PAC Pedicini heads has paid his company $31,000.

“The tax increase was also supported by Councilman Randy Old. Vice Mayor Jay Kramer approved the 2015/16 budget, but preferred to draw from reserves rather than raise taxes. Councilwoman Pilar Turner opposed the tax increase and the 2015/16 budget. But like candidates Laura Moss, Harry Howle and Brian Heady, Turner has consistently refused to specify where she thinks the City’s budget should be cut.”

MARK SCHUMANN

When Vero Beach voters go to the polls Tuesday to elect two members to the City Council, the day could mark a defining moment in the history of the city.

Voters have a clear choice between incumbents Amelia Graves and Richard Winger, and three challengers – Laura Moss, Harry Howle and Brian Heady. Perhaps more importantly, the Vero Beach electorate must also choose between embracing or rejecting the disruptive influence of outside political interests.

For the second day in a row, the city has been blanketed with a post card mailing sent by a Tampa-based political action committee run by Anthony Pedicini. Even Pedicini’s defenders describe him as a mudslinger. In truth, his political action committee, Citizens Alliance for Florida’s Economy and his consulting firm, Strategic Image Management, is little more than a far-right propaganda house.

Ironically, Pedicini appears to be attacking Winger, a member of the Indian River County Republican Executive Committee, with money given his PAC by the Republican Party of Florida. In June, the state Republican Party gave CAFE $6,000.

Because Graves and Winger recently approved an increase in city property taxes, Pedicini’s PAC likened the Mayor and Councilwoman to presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Pedicini did not mention numerous tax increase passed under presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. Bush, just as he made no mention of the explosion in deficit spending presided over by George W. Bush.

Pedicini’s mailer also ignored the fact that even with the recently approved tax increase, Vero Beach will take in less in property tax revenue in the coming year than it did in 2007.

The tax increase was also supported by Councilman Randy Old. Vice Mayor Jay Kramer approved the 2015/16 budget, but preferred to draw from reserves rather than raise taxes. Councilwoman Pilar Turner opposed the tax increase and the 2015/16 budget. But like candidates Laura Moss, Harry Howle and Brian Heady, Turner has consistently refused to specify where she thinks the City’s budget should be cut.

Make no mistake about it. Pedicini, a Tampa-based political hatchet man, is attempting to hijack Vero Beach’s municipal election, and his doing do so is a clear effort to aid challenger Harry Howle. It seems fair, then, to suggest Pedicini is little more than an election hijacker.

One comment

Is it true – if elected – Mr. Howle will propose having bake sales every month, along with Trash & Treasure Sales, to boost Vero’s general fund? And we will have City-backed Bingo games every week plus 50-50 jackpots every two weeks? Nope…I didn’t think so. He’s just going to wrap OUC and FMPA around his finger – make them see the light – and miracle of miracles…..everything will turn out just hunky-dory.