COMMENTARY
“They are also working to raise money for Vero Beach City Council candidates Laura Moss and Normal Wells. Sixty percent of Moss’ money has come from Shores residents, while Wells has so far received 77 percent of his contributions from Shores residents who are essentially seeking to buy three seats on the Vero Beach City Council.”
MARK SCHUMANN
Vero Beach City Council candidate Lange Sykes’ campaign treasurer’s report submitted last week reveals that 89 percent of his total contributions of $8125 received through Sept. 30 have come from 14 wealthy Indian River Shores donors. Some Shores patrons gave Sykes the maximum of $1,000.
Sykes, who has publicly said he supports selling Vero Electric’s Shores customer base to Florida Power & Light for what some fear is a discounted price, was recently introduced by Shores mayor Brian Barefoot as part of the “Shores team.”
Shores leaders are seeking to pressure the Vero Beach city Council to accept FPL’s $30 million offer to buy Vero Electric’s Shores customers. A team of five utility experts hired by the City, determined it will take $47 million, not $30 million, to be able to carve up Vero Electric, without causing higher taxes and higher electric rates for everyone else. City Councilman Randy Old, who is running for re-election, has said accepting just $30 million for Vero Electric’s Shores customer base would be a break of his fiduciary responsibility to the people of Vero Beach.
The wave of generous contributions to Sykes’ campaign account appears to be a direct response to fundraising efforts on his behalf by Shores residents Bill Grealis and John McCord. Grealis and McCord have sent multiple email solicitations urging their fellow Shores residents to contribute the Sykes campaign. They are also working to raise money for Vero Beach City Council candidates Laura Moss and Normal Wells. Sixty percent of Moss’ money has come from Shores residents, while Wells has so far received 77 percent of his contributions from Shores residents who are essentially seeking to buy three seats on the Vero Beach City Council.
Sykes recently lost a bruising Republican primary election in which he was vying for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives. By many accounts, Sykes ran one of the most negative campaigns anyone can remember in local politics.
| Sykes’ Shores Contributors | |||
| Charles Long | 781 Manatee Cove | 1000 | |
| Edward Dayton | 90 Oyster Court | 500 | |
| Charlez Moritz | 260 Coconut Palm Road | 250 | |
| Barbara Brugh | 850 Beach Road | 325 | |
| Lee Miller | 636 Ocean Road | 500 | |
| Linn Bealke | 470 Sea Oak Road | 100 | |
| Francis Teller | 285 Coconut Palm Road | 250 | |
| John Keen | 176 North Shore Point | 500 | |
| Paul Pecker | 111 Dove Plum Road | 500 | |
| Teresa Winslow | 100 Paget Court | 1000 | |
| Robert Smith | 320 Coconut Palm Road | 150 | |
| Barry Sullivan | 320 Island Creek Drive | 150 | |
| John Hull Dobbs | 91 Dove Plum Road | 1000 | |
| Richard Dewolfe | 750 Beach Road 303 | 1000 | |
| From Shores Residents | 7225 | 89% | |
| Total Collected | 8125 | ||
Indian River Guardian 
The accepting of Shores money is a sickening development. The voters of the city should reject those candidates who will be beholden to the wealthy overlords from the Shores . Selling Vero Electric will hurt both city and county ratepayers. The more important question is : Do we want Indian River Shores voting on the Vero city council? The “Shores” three will not protect Vero and its residents since they will owe their allegiance to Indian River Shores and its money. Follow the money it tells all that is needed as proof. It has been said, “you cannot serve two masters” : this will be the case if the “Shores” three are elected. Beware Vero!
Sadly, there are few who adhere to “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” when they are elected to even local government. We’ve been fortunate to have THREE good ones who are looking out for the people of our little city. We do not want to look like Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, or Palm Beach…..with huge (or yuge) developments crowding out grove lands, ranch lands, and other wide open spaces in our county. Hoping the Shores folks will be unable to buy our City Council. If they do, you can bet we will do our best to make Council meetings interesting….