Just the Facts

Monday

Rhett Palmer is away this Monday so I will be hosting the Rhett Palmer Show. My guest will be Glen Heran. We will discuss alternatives to the City of Vero's power problem. City officials will no doubt be listening and will be given an invitation to call in with their point of view.

Tune in to Waxe 1370am from 8am to 10am with a replay 3pm to 5pm. Then stick around and listen to Lisa and Leo from 5 to 6.

Marcia Littlejohn

A Vero Beach icon, Marcia Littlejohn, has announced her retirement from her regular television show. Littlejohn has been a regular visitor into our homes for many years on WWCI television and WTTB radio.

I had the great fortune to co-host a show with Marcia for several years. Marcia knew something about everything. She could hold a conversation on any subject with anyone from authors to zoo keepers. Just a guess but I predict that we haven't seen the last of Marcia Littlejohn.

Meet Dwayne Gordon

Yes folks meet Dwayne Gordon. At 21 a real community asset. In 2007 Mr. Gordon at the age of 19 was arrested for resisting arrest with violence. Judge Dan Vaughn gave him 90 days in the county jail.

After serving his term and living as a model citizen for less than a year Mr. Gordon was arrested for armed burglary of a residence. Judge Bob Pegg sentenced him to one year in prison.

This weekend Mr. Gordon was arrested for attempted murder and is being held in the county jail awaiting trial.

Note to judicial system: Cops are doing their job...we have had fair warning...now it's time to do yours and keep this guy away from innocent citizens.

Tea Party

Less than one year ago a group of citizens led by Paul Tanner, Toby Hill, Karl Zimmerman and many others hosted several thousand of their closest friends to a "Tea Party" in front of the County Administration building. The theme, "No More".

At the time the Tea Party focused on incredibly irresponsible spending by Congress who had just passed a 1,000 page, largely unread, stimulus bill. Buying cars, holding mortgages, bailouts and healthcare spending were yet to come.

The organizers of the Tea Party have just announced a second event to be held on October 14th at the Vero High School Performing Arts Center. This evening event will feature candidates for City Council. Maybe this time the City of Vero Beach will hear the public and understand the meaning of "no More"!

We're Number One!

OK, so we're not number one. According to the latest statistics offered by web information provider, Alexa.com, the most popular website in the world is Google. Another site in the top 10 is Google in Chinese.

Indian River County Tourism is 3,715,711th. St. Lucie Tourism is 1,501,124.

What key word is most used to access the Indian River County Tourism site which is hidden in the Indian River Chamber of Commerce site? The answer is..."Vero Beach". Remember that the unique Vero Beach lifestyle is a brand worth keeping. Do you know anyone who visits Palm Beach County to see Rivera Beach? Me either.

IRNA

The Indian River Neighborhood Association has announced its active opposition to the Wild Turkey Mine on 82nd Ave. The organization has asked its members to write the state to record opposition.

The IRNA has opposed the Wild Turkey Mine and The Ocean Concrete Plant. Its members have mounted opposition to Humiston Park improvements, voiced opposition to flight schools and the Crusty's conversion. IRNA backed leaders have limited reductions in Commercial Impact Fees designed to stimulate business development, proposed the elimination of cities through Charter Government.

On Tuesday Commissioners beholden to the IRNA for their jobs will oppose a provision that allows changes in projects when they are shown to have a clearly better design. Tune in see which way the 3 to 2 vote goes.

2008 Elections

Hopefully the 2009 city council elections will be nothing like the 2008 elections. 2009 like the 2008 elections have a record number of local races. The difference? According to the final tally on the Supervisor of Elections website, not counting the thousands of dollar for statewide and national office, local candidates raised and spent in excess of $1,150,000 for campaign expenses. Wow!

It could be worse.

Bloggers in Ft. Pierce are making news. Recently bloggers discovered that Ft. Pierce city officials were handing out favorable mortgages to City employees and their families. One family got three of the special mortgages that were intended for regular citizens. The terms, $250,000 at 1% for thirty years and then forgave the closing costs, all at taxpayer expense.

Flu Vaccines

Question? If the City has a Government only clinic as proposed and there is a shortage of Swine flu vaccine, does that mean government employees get the preventative shot before and to the exclusion of citizens and taxpayers? Does a 30 year old government employee get protected before a senior citizen or more vulnerable toddler?

Yes, Mr. Edwards, there are two Americas. There are also two Vero Beaches. One for elected officials and government workers and one for the rest of us poor, struggling, taxpaying slobs.

Simchick Enters Race

Dale Simchick has entered the race for County Commission District 2. The seat current held by Commissioner Joe Flescher. Simchick is backed by Commissioner Gary Wheeler who hopes to use Simchick to obtain his number one goal in public office...Get Flescher.

Simchick has talent and is very personable but she is fighting history. No one has ever been elected to higher office as a sitting City Councilman.

Simchick hopes to have the backing of the Indian River Neighborhood Association. Former Mayor Nate McCollum may have a different idea. Nate could enter the race and hijack the IRNA support.

Commission races are only 47 weeks away. Here we go again.

Sawnick Returns Pay

During recent budget hearings city employees were required to take pay reductions through furlough days. During discussions it was suggested that Councilmen also be required to take similar reductions. The suggestion was met with silence and laughter.

Councilman Kevin Sawnick has become the first to announce that he would take a voluntary cut in pay to match cuts being demanded of other employees. OK the cut amounts to $45 but hey, it's the thought that counts.

Russ Lemmon

Russ Lemmon sees the problem. Doing business in Indian River County is not for the faint hearted. He has used Route 60 Hyundai's problems with landscape ordinances and a small produce stands problems with sign ordinances as examples. There are many more.

Unemployment for residents is at 15.3%. Unemployment for government workers 2%. Unemployment for IRNA members 0%. Unemployment for Vero Beach Press Journal editorial writers is 0%.

Oh, I see the problem.