COMMENTARY
MILT THOMAS
In my February 14 commentary about the Short Term Rental issue, (http://insidevero.com/2016/02/14/not-in-my-backyard-guess-again/#more-36499), I invited readers to watch the video of the February 11 Short Term Rental Committee meeting on the county website in order to form your own conclusion as to what happened. Unfortunately, that video wasn’t posted until yesterday February 18. That means I could not see it either in order to report on what was specifically said at the meeting as I did the previous month. That recap will follow, but first I want to report on an incident that occurred after the meeting.
I sat down with committee chairman Glenn Powell at his request for him to explain his views on the short term rental problem and the committee’s efforts to solve it. But as I reported on February 14, any independent observer of that meeting would have to come away with the feeling the proceedings were stacked in favor of short term rentals. That is not the fault of anyone on the committee (they did not select themselves for this role, they were appointed), but it is the fault of the county commission, for failing to recognize that the overwhelming majority of Indian River County residents do not want to reside in neighborhoods where public lodging establishments are free to operate. The tiny percent of Indian River County residents who want short term rentals wherever their properties are located have been given priority standing in this issue.
It was also evident that most people attending that meeting – both on the committee and in the audience – were there to support the concept of short term rentals in residential communities. The only vocal opponents to that concept were the three representatives of the Indian River Neighborhood Association facing the committee. On their shoulders rested the concerns of an overwhelming majority of residential homeowners.
So, after the meeting ended, as Chairman Powell and I held our private discussion, Dr. Miles Conway, one of the aforementioned three representatives, interrupted the conversation. Clearly, Dr. Conway was upset with the meeting and Chairman Powell’s handling of the other two representatives. Powell immediately told him this was a private meeting, at which Dr. Conway then essentially told him off. The entire exchange lasted about 60 seconds and does not appear on the video now provided on the Indian River County website.
Four days after the meeting, Powell sent an email to Attorney Bill DeBraal (who attends the committee meetings) saying, “Miles Conway assaulted me after the February 11th Short-Term Vacation Rental Advisory Committee meeting.” He goes on to say, “I was sitting down in the conference room with Milt Thomas of InsideVero.com (of all people)…” and explains his report of the incident.
Commissioner Solari was again on the Bob Soos Show Wednesday morning talking about the “assault” on Powell. Solari then went on to complain about my February 14 commentary mentioned above. He said, “After my show last week progressive bloggers led by Milt Thomas went on the attack.” He then made the comment, “Anybody with the name Thomas in Indian River County, whether Milt Thomas, Nick Thomas, Steve Thomas, they are all progressives.”
Schoolyard stereotyping aside, we should keep in mind that Commissioner Solari is running for re-election and certainly “has a dog in the fight” on this short term rental issue. Anyone who disagrees with him is apparently fair game. Glenn Powell agrees with him, which is the only logical reason to appoint him on a committee where as a short term rental business owner he has a vested interest in the outcome.
So, regarding Solari’s comments, the only assault was verbal, which seems to be today’s standard form of communication (seen the anything-but-presidential debates lately?). Yes, Dr. Conway did wag his finger at Mr. Powell and yes, he was emotional, possibly too emotional if you did not see what happened in the meeting just completed.
But this is all political theater. As I said in the February 14 commentary that Commissioner Solari refers to as “negative,” the real issue is not about short term rentals – it is about short term rentals in residential communities. Painting opponents as against the business of short term rentals is merely a smokescreen designed to deflect the real issue. Solari hopes it provides enough “smoke” to cover his run for re-election.
Indian River Guardian 
Progressive: Favoring or advocating progress, change, improvement, or reform, as opposed to wishing to maintain things as they are, especially in political matters.
That Bob Solari uses the term “progressive” as a pejorative is really quite telling about him. He is a politician whose thinking and whose views have become encrusted and calcified.
Other words that might describe Solari are stilted, wooden, self serving, dense, egotistical ,vain, imperious and too many others to list in this short space .
What a shame the Indian River County residents have not had an opportunity to vote on whether short-term rentals in neighborhoods are appropriate for our area. We’re aware of the influence of special-interest groups here (and probably everywhere). It does not make us feel any more comforted.
To those who believe they are never going to have to deal with short term rentals and the problems associated with them should think it over a little more.While the city of Vero has some legal protection against them ,those living in the rest of Indian River County are at risk of a short term rental suddenly making its presence felt right next door . They will know it when it arrives,but by then it will be too late. The county commissioners, led by Bob Solari, are not protecting us from this very real possibility and its life altering consequences. Many have been affected by short term rentals already, and it has not been very pleasant for them or their families
I was there when the alleged incident occurred, as were several others, and none remarked on it. It was a lot like the many other Powell-Conway conversations, that is to say, aggressive and animated.
Let Mr. Powell press charges and see how far that gets him. If this is the standard for “assault” half of Indian River County would be in jail.
Rather than making a complaint to law enforcement– which would the normal thing to do in assault and battery, Powell instead waited five days, then advertised his complaint in a letter to the entire County Commission.
This was obviously calculated to sensationalize immediately public in a very visible way. This was followed immediately by Mr. Solari broadcasting the letter on radio.
This looks to me a lot like libel, which is intent to defame a person by making public written statements about them known to be false, with malicious intent.
Moreover, this smear campaign appears to have been executed in coordinated fashion. It is clear from the precise account that Powell wrote the letter with the benefit of having reviewed the videotape, specifically, the portion of the videotape that was not released to the public.
Solari’s radio comments were similarly precise.
So, how might Powell have gained access to that videotape footage if it was not released to the public?
Why would anyone, seeing the footage, mislead the Public?
Most importantly, was this latest publicity stunt by Chairman Powell coordinated with the help of county staff and elected officials?
Glenn Powell’s email to Assistant County Attorney Bill Debrall was sent at 9:50 a.m. on February 15. Within three minutes, Powell received a reply from Solari. Solari’s immediate response suggest he may have known of Powell’s email in advance of receiving it. I have requested copies of any phone records that would evidence communication between Solari and Powell prior to February 15 at 9:50 a.m. The County attorney’s office contends no such records exist. Perhaps when Solari and others are deposed by Mr. Conway’s attorneys it will be known whether Solari and/or County staff participated and/or collaborated with Powell in his effort to defame Mr. Conway by making public accusations that he committed “assault.”
What I do know is that Solari went on a local radio program questioning why InsideVero would not report Mr. Powell’s libelous claims against Mr. Conway. Our position is that if and when Mr. Powell files a formal complain with local law enforcement, then his assertions against Mr. Conway will become newsworthy. Presently, what I find more newsworthy is the prospect that Solari and County staff collaborated with Mr. Powell to defame an outspoken critic of the County’s policy of allowing largely unregulated short-term rentals to threaten the tranquility of the community’s neighborhoods.