COMMENTARY
As they say, it’s not cool to not know what you are talking about.
MARK SCHUMANN
State Representative District 54 candidate Lange Sykes has taken to using public comment time during Vero Beach City Council meetings as a platform for his campaign. Often, right there before the cameras, Sykes reveals a level of ignorance of the facts and a naiveté that should give pause to voters come the Republican primary in August.
When Sykes, the self-appointed spokesperson for “the majority of residents in Vero Beach and for all residents living outside the city” finished berating the Vero Beach City Council, Mayor Jay Kramer and Vice Mayor Randy Old, both gentleman, offered the only appropriate response, laughter.
In addition to serving up recycled talking points, Sykes charged special utility council Schef Wright is “compromised by his relationship with the leaders of the Florida Municipal Power Agency.”
One wonders if Sykes is aware that Wright, upon being retained by Vero Beach, received congratulations from a key FPL executive on the company’s legal team.
What really bothers Sykes is that Wright is effectively representing the interest of the residents and taxpayers of Vero Beach. On the City’s behalf, Wright has prevailed again and again in court and before the Florida Public Service Commission. Sykes, it seems, would rather see the people of Vero Beach steamrolled by the Indian River County Commission and the Town of Indian River Shores.
“Municipalities don’t turn profits,” Sykes said. Now that is an amazing statement, given that many thousands of municipalities across the country own and operate profitable enterprise funds.
Sykes said these profits “should be returned to the people in the form of tax reductions.” Enterprise fund profits actually help to provide much needed revenues that would otherwise have to be raised through taxes.
Sykes’ campaign appearance continued. “You have had several opportunities to complete this sale,” he claimed. You cannot help but wonder if the young candidate has been taking advice from political operatives like Charlie Wilson, who regularly make and repeat outlandish talking points totally disconnected from reality.
Sounding a little like a Tea Party extremist, but much more like Donald Trump, Sykes ended his campaign speech saying, “We’re sick of funding a growing government.”
If Sykes should be elected to Florida House Seat 54, let us hope he learns a thing or two about government and about finance before he arrives in Tallahassee.
As they say, it’s not cool to not know what you are talking about.
Indian River Guardian 
Had a brief visit from Mr. Sykes, who was going door-to-door in our neighborhood not too long ago. He sounded good, but after he left I took time to read his political literature. His agenda did not appeal at all, and after hearing his use of COVB meeting time for his own purposes, I’ll have to say there’s no chance I’d want him representing me in Tallahassee. Add to that he is attempting to take over for those who’ve attempted to ram FPL down our throats, and I’d have to conclude he’s tied in with the same group who’ve cost the City a lot of money having to hire a fantastic attorney like Mr. Wright. Since we City residents are also county residents, we’re helping to pay for the County’s lawsuit against us. Yes, it gets confusing, knowing we are helping to sue ourselves. No thanks, Mr. Sykes.
Having viewed the Sykes political promo at the most recent council meeting, I had a different reaction than Mayor Kramer and council Old had. I didn’t laugh because I do not laugh at sad spectacles ,and Sykes gave a very sad performance. A poor grade of D, at best. We in the city of Vero Beach are growing tired of “would be’s”,”hacks” and washed up “has been’s” using valuable council time for their personal self promotion. His prepared statement which he read lacked the facts and was poorly delivered. I do hope Sykes tells us who he has employed to be his public relations manager. It will prove to be very interesting.
Caroline Ginn
Sykes has done us a favor by appearing before the City Council. I’m so glad Vero Beach residents have other choices for District 54 representation.