COMMENTARY

Editor’s note: Apparently the Press Journal, which has long supported the sale of Vero Electric to Florida Power and Light, understands that the deal is stalled, not because of anything the Vero Beach City Council has done or failed to do, but because legal impediments to the sale have so far been insurmountable. Recently the newspaper, which at times appears to filter out guest commentary unsupportive of its editorial positions, published a guest column written by local attorney, Lynne Larkin. Larkin, a former member of the Vero Beach City Council, effectively debunks claims made by a political action committee calling itself “Flip the Switch.” The committee, which has raised $106,000 to fund its campaign, is supported entirely by contributions from wealthy Indian River Shores residents and by FPL.  So far, the utility giant has contributed $55,000 to the cause of electing to the Vero Beach City Council three candidates, (Laura Moss, Lange Sykes and Norman Wells), who have pledged to support the Shores and FPL in their dispute with Vero Beach.

LYNNE LARKIN

Every year at this time we vote. Most years there isn’t a national sideshow to our local elections, as is now the case. City of Vero Beach voters must make decisions on their governance each fall. This year, if it’s convenient, you can also choose a president.

For the past several years (it seems eons) the city has been targeted for abuse by many who claim to be much more knowledgeable about contracts, utilities and finances than those whose actual job it is to run our utilities. This is in spite of the baskets of proof to the contrary. Those people should be disabused (or abused, if that’s what it takes) of that notion by now. Anyone still claiming, after all the sturm und drang from 2004 until today, that it’s a “simple” matter, that any council member has wanted higher electric rates than necessary, needs an intervention. Or exorcism.

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