COMMENTARY

“When the music stopped, Turner was left sitting where the mayor has traditionally sat, with two fellow council members on her left and two on her right.”

MARK SCHUMANN

At its organizational meeting today, the Vero Beach City Council elected Jay Kramer to serve as Mayor for the next twelve months.  Randy Old, who is now serving the second year of his first term, was elected Vice Mayor.

Richard Winger nominated Kramer. Pilar Turner and Harry Howle nominated Old, who declined, saying the position of mayor should be held by someone with more experience on Council.  Old was then elected Vice Mayor.

After the vote to select a vice mayor, Old was asked to move to Kramer’s right.  Kramer, who as mayor has the authority to make the seating assignment, asked Winger to sit next to him, on his left.  Turner then moved to the second seat from the far right of the dais.

Before the meeting ended, though, Turner thought better of having to sit where she might at times be off camera.  Essentially, Turner demanded her old seat back. “Mr. Mayor, I would request that my seat be reinstated to your left, having served on the Council for five years and having seniority,” she said.

“I have no objection,” Winger said.

When the music stopped, Turner was left sitting where the mayor has traditionally sat, with two fellow council members on her left and two on her right.