PHOTO BY SAM WOLFE Members of the Vero Beach High School girls’ lacrosse team are jubilant after winning the state championship, capping an undefeated season. Story, ACTIVE LIFE CLASSIC CAR WASH ENTREPRENEUR MINDS HIS BUSINESS PERSONALLY, DAY BY DAY BUSINESS NEW CURATOR AT VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART IS A BUSY MAN WITH CREATIVE PLANS ARTS INDUSTRY IS NOT A DIRTY WORD COUNTY COMMISSION BIG ON JOBS INSIDE NEW LEADER PICKED TO GUIDE VERO CITY STAFF LOCAL FORUM 20 CALENDAR T H U R S D A Y M A Y 1 2 , 2 0 1 1 V O L . 1 , I S S U E 6 23 OBITUARIES 24 TO ADVERTISE, CALL MARTINE FECTEAU 772.696.2004 MARK SCHUMANN 772.696.5233 Vero Beach NEWSWEEKLY
Transcript
PHOTO BY SAM WOLFE
Members of the Vero Beach High School girls’ lacrosse team are jubilant after winning the state championship, capping an undefeated season. Story, ACTIVE LIFE
CLASSIC CAR WASH ENTREPRENEUR MINDS HIS BUSINESS PERSONALLY, DAY BY DAY BUSINESS
NEW CURATOR AT VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART IS A BUSY MAN WITH CREATIVE PLANS ARTS
INDUSTRY IS NOT A DIRTY WORD COUNTY COMMISSION BIG ON JOBS INSIDE
NEW LEADER PICKED TO GUIDE VERO CITY STAFF LOCAL FORUM 20CALENDAR
T H U R S D A Y M A Y 1 2 , 2 0 1 1 V O L . 1 , I S S U E 6
“Being a physical therapist, mother and triathlete I know the importance of staying in shape!Running is my passion, but competing in the World Championship Triathlon in Hawaii was sensational! After a high intensity training session I started noticing I could not recover quite as quickly. Not only did I feel tired, my legs felt unusually heavy and achy. When discussing thiswith a fellow runner, she suggested I see Dr. Beckett about my varicose veins. It never occurredto me they could be the culprit behind my slowed workouts.
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Local News
CONTINUES ON PAGE 4
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City manager favorite gets good reviews in Virginia
Jim O’Connor
BY MICHAEL CROOKVERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY
Jim O’Connor, now in negotiations to become Vero Beach’s next city man-ager, is described as pragmatic, person-able and straightforward by those who know him in Winchester, Va.., where he has been city manager since early last year.
“Vere was an awful lot of uncertainty,”said Winchester City Council PresidentJeffrey Buettner, president of the CityCouncil of Winchester, a city of 26,000 inVirginia.
“Employees wanted to know what thecity’s direction was for them, and someof them asked if they were part of thatdirection. When we were looking for Jim,we were looking for someone who couldcome in and provide a sense of order, and
I think he’s done that. From my perspec-tive looking in, city hall is a much betterplace,” he said.
A sense of order. Among Vero Beach City Council
members and civic activists and regularfolks from the island to West Vero, thereis a strong desire for a new leader who willsort out the mammoth problems and op-portunities that face the city. And bringorder to city government itself.
It’s a city that is on its way toward di-vesting itself of much of what we call Pub-lic Works: power, water and sewer. At thesame time, there is a critical lack of depthat the highest level of leadership, thoughthe interim city manager and interim cityattorney, for example, have clearly hadthe best intentions for their stewardship.
Vere arebudget puz-zles to besolved thisyear, and dif-ferent puz-zles for thefuture, likerunning acity withoutthe incomefrom waterand power.
O’Connor impressed Vero councilmembers with his candor, they said. Inface-to-face meetings, O’Connor didn’tplay the “yes man,” said Councilman CraigFletcher, who was particularly emphaticthat he wants to work with a city managerwho is unafraid to argue with him, but
would tow the line when the council setspolicy..
Josh Didawick, Winchester’s interim di-rector of administration, said O’Connor’spersonality and style make him a goodsounding board for many people.
“He’s truthful. Whether [the idea is]good or bad, he just lays it out there,”Didawick said. “Ve other thing is if youtake him a problem, he’s got great per-spective — it’s another hurdle, and we’llget past it.”
One of O’Connor’s most recent Winchester adversaries, Valley Health President and CEO Mark Merrill, said the city manager was professional and candid as city and hospital officials sorted out its tax and zoning situation.
“I’d much rather have somebody say,
‘I don’t agree with you, and here’s why,’than have them say what they don’tmean,” Merrill said. “I want someonewho can tell me what their objectionsare, what they can support, so we don’twaste time.”
Back homeBack in Winchester, O’Connor met
with members of that city council.“As I told them, we’re still undecided as
to what we’re doing,” O’Connor said. “It’sone of the hardest decisions of my ca-reer because my wife and I are very, verycomfortable here in Winchester.”
However, he said, “cis is a career is-sue. It’s one of those things that this is thetype of opportunity that’s coming alongat the wrong time, and timing is some-thing you can’t control.”
A staffing consultant hired by VeroBeach contacted O’Connor about theposition.
O’Connor said he spoke with the con-
sultant Monday, explaining “some of myanxiousness, of being torn, because Iwanted to make sure everybody under-stood.”
A contract still has to be negotiatedwith O’Connor, who is making $145,000a year, but O’Connor expressed confi-dence that a deal could be struck.
A five-member contract commit-tee that will include Councilman CraigFletcher will discuss the terms. Fletcherdid not see $145,000 as a necessary start-ing point in salary. He also expressed op-position to including a severance pack-age in the contract.
In Winchester, O’Connor negotiated agenerous severance package. If he is firedin his first three years on the job, the citygovernment must continue to pay hissalary and benefits for 12 months.
O’Connor, 62, has worked as a citymanager for 26 years, the last 16 monthsin Winchester. He worked in the Floridacities of Bartow and Mulberry for a totalof 14 years.
Vic Bradshaw of 6e Winchester Starcontributed to this report.
LOCAL NEWS
CITY MANAGERFROM PAGE 3
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BY MICHAEL CROOKVERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY
If you’re looking for an up-side to theextreme drought through which we aresuffering, you might wonder if all thisdryness would lead to a fewer itchy weltson your skin during the upcoming wetseason, when mosquitoes and bitingmidges spawn clouds of offspring.
ce message from Indian River Coun-ty Mosquito Control is: Don’t count onit.
“cere really is no down season formosquitoes, even in drought,” said DonShroyer, medical entomologist for themosquito control district.
Salt marshes are still breeding theskeeters that fly the farthest to feed onhuman and animal blood. And midges(most of us call them no-see-ums, or“flying teeth”) breed in moist muck alongthe river.
So, “mosquito control” is something ofan oxymoron.
“We’re really like the Dutchman with afinger in the dike,” Shroyer said.
Indian River County, in fact, is some-thing of a historic epicenter in the strug-gle to live with mosquitoes and midges.
Florida’s first Mosquito Control Dis-trict was organized here, and its initialmission was to kill as many biting bugsas it could. “John’s Island was uninhabit-able in the ‘50s because of the salt marshmosquitoes,” so voracious they can kill acow through blood loss.
cere were air attacks with pesticides,ditching and draining along the river andbarrier island to get rid of standing poolsof water where mosquitoes breed, trucksthat sprayed chemical clouds alongstreets. cere are still trucks and planes,but the chemistry and the dosages havechanged. No more DDT; the pesticidesare a lot like the stuff used to kill headlice, only used in much lighter concen-trations.
Shroyer said there is no way to pre-dict the intensity of summer bug seasonbased on today’s weather. But his job re-mains a matter of life and death, becausemosquitoes carry viruses that can becontracted through mosquito bites.
If you’ve got a midge or mosquito prob-lem, you’re welcome to call 772.562.2393to report it. And visit www.irmosquito.org for helpful tips and bulletins.
Mosquito Control ready todeploy weapons in bug war
STAFF PHOTODon Shroyer, medical entomologist for the Indian River County Mosquito Control District, explains innovations in pesticide spray trucks.
BY IAN LOVEVERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY
Ranger Construction, the con-tractor in charge of restoring 6.6miles of north county beaches, hasoffered to pay an estimated $60,000in mobilization fees to finish theproject left incomplete with the on-set of turtle nesting season.
The second phase of the two-year beach restoration project wasto have been completed April 30.However, permitting delays and theloss of one of two dredges, slowedthe process and Ranger was un-able to finish a more than mile longstretch from Seaview subdivision toTreasures Shores Park.
The county must now ponderwhether to extend the project intoa third year or to end it now withsome work left undone.
“Ranger has offered to not tocharge us any mobilization fees ifwe decide to re-start in December,”said county coastal engineer JamesGray.
Bob Schafer, vice president of FortPierce-based Ranger Construction,told the Press Journal this week hiscompany needs to get a go-aheadfrom the county or risk losing adredge it has been renting to anoth-er job in Florida.
“We need to start (stockpilingsand) as soon as possible next time,so the dredge at Ranch Road Lakedoesn’t leave,” Schafer said.
Schafer has blamed permitting de-lays with slowing the stockpiling ofsand and has said that left his com-pany unable to finish the project ontime. It has been estimated to costbetween $50,000 and $75,000 tobring in a new dredge.
The mobilization fees Rangerwould not charge the county in-clude costs associated with rentingequipment to produce, prepare andmove beach-worthy sand and mon-
ey spent to cover damages to theroads and beach vegetation as partof the hauling process. The countyhad budgeted $500,000 for mobili-zation for the entire two-year pro-ject.
While Ranger said it will coverthe mobilization costs, it will stillbill the county an estimated $2 mil-lioin to $2.5 million to completethe overland sand-hauling project.The county is still working on thebooks to determine final costs andgivebacks for the second year of theproject before it can determine howmuch money is left in the budget.
Commissioners have not officiallydecided whether they want to placesand on the last mile of northernbeachfront, but Gray said he hasbeen working on getting all the per-mitting in place for such an eventu-ality.
“Everybody really wants to seethe project completed,” Gray said.“Ranger’s concession to not chargemobilization fees is to make surethe project is done 100 percent.”
Ranger is charging the county$15.66 per cubic yard of sand, withan up to additional $1.01 fuel sur-charge depending on the price ofgas.
The construction company start-ed the second, 2.2-mile northernphase of the project in February andwas supposed to haul 280,000 cubicyards. However, Ranger was able toplace just 180,000 cubic yards be-fore the onset of turtle nesting sea-son and work had to be halted.
One of the considerations for thecounty is that some of the sand forthe northern portion of the projectwas expected to erode, but wouldhave drifted south and ended up oncounty beaches slowing the erosionprocess on those sections of water-front.
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Board certified in family medicine, Dr. Asha Shah joined the medical staff of Indian River Medical Center in 2010.
Dr. Shah completed her family practice residency training at St. Clare’s Hospital in Schenectady, NY, and internal medicine externship at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, NY. Prior to joining IRMC, she practiced family medicine in Troy, NY.
Dr. Shah provides personal,comprehensive medical care for:
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Dr. Shah’s office is located next door to IRMC’s Urgent Care Center in the Pointe West Medical Suites building. Pointe Westis located on Route 60, between 74th and 82nd Avenues, westof Indian River Mall.
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STAFF PHOTOConstruction is underway for an ethanol plant at the old Ocean Spray facility on Oslo Road.
BY IAN LOVEVERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY
Indian River County is open to busi-ness.
^at is the message the Board ofCounty Commissioners have worked topromote since before the recession hit.
Commissioners Wesley Davis, JoeFlescher, Peter O’Bryan, Bob Solari and
Gary Wheeler, have focused their at-tention the last five years on attractingbusinesses interested in moving to thecounty or expanding their operationswith tax breaks, incentives and just ageneral atmosphere that they would bewelcome in Indian River County.
^at has not always been the case.
Indian River County Chamber ofCommerce Economic Development Di-rector Helene Caseltine says there was atime when county leaders put the wordout that business was NOT welcome inthe county.
Caseltine said when she first startedwith the Chamber of Commerce in 2003she was told that back in the early 1990sthe county had actually told Florida De-partment of Commerce officials, therewas no need to send any business in-quiries their way.
“^ere literally was a black mark onIndian River County as far as economicdevelopment and business recruitment,”she said. “It came from the people in In-dian River County, it wasn’t the state de-ciding to do that. ^e way it was relayedto me was the (local) leadership at thetime just didn’t feel it was necessary.”
Linda Schlitt Gonzalez, current presi-dent of the county Chamber of Com-merce Board of Directors and whoserved as chamber president in 1998,says back then promoting business sim-
ply was not a priority in the county.“I remember an optical company one
time many, many years ago was lookingat moving into the county, we thoughtit was moving along, I think my dad(county real estate pioneer Ed Schlitt)was involved in the talks,” she said.“^en the owner ran into somebody atthe post office who was negative aboutmoving to the area and it was enough todissuade them from coming. It seemedlike things like that were always happen-ing.
“In conversations with governmentofficials years ago, it was always that weneeded economic growth and that jobswere important, but behind the scenesit was always seemed things happenedthat dissuaded people from moving tothe area.”
But that insular attitude is a thing ofthe past. After failing twice, Indian RiverCounty residents joined voters in VeroBeach and Fellsmere last year in passinga tax abatement package for incomingand existing businesses that create new
Industry no longer a dirty word in Indian River County
to Brevard County because of a need toswitch to natural gas as a power sourceinstead of propane.
ae commissioners approved a jobsgrant of up to $152,000, with $75,000 ofthat to be paid up front as a loan to helpthe company relocate its specialized
equipment from Sebastian to a formercitrus-packing house at 17th Place and90th Avenue west of Vero Beach.
In addition, the chamber is workingwith a South African firm interested in
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CONTINUES ON PAGE 8
The Knight Armament building now sits empty after the company was unable to come to terms with local government o?cials about expansion back in the 1990s.
jobs. ae city of Sebastian had earlierpassed the same such measure.
“Helene has worked very hard andnow we have a wonderful relationshipwith (what is now Enterprise Florida),”Schlitt Gonzalez said. “Everyone hasbeen very supportive; you can see therehas been a significant change in attitudeand agreement that to have a strongand vital economy it is critical to havegood businesses and enterprises in ourcounty.”
aat message clearly hit home duringthe height of the recession when IndianRiver County’s unemployment rankedamongst the highest in the state, soar-ing above 15 percent. But Schlitt Gonza-lez said the recognition that the countyhad to diversify its economic base cameeven before the economy turned sour.
“ae change in attitude actually start-ed to happen before the recession, manyof the changes were already underway,”she said. “But the recession really made itcritical, we had some significant unem-ployment numbers. I think the improve-ments that have been made will reallyhelp us once this economy improves,e itis going to put us in a very competitiveposition.”
Schlitt Gonzalez points to Commis-sioner Peter O’Bryan as one of the driv-ing forces behind the more businessfriendly outlook of the County Com-mission.
“It’s hard to pinpoint when it changed,but I thought Peter was very instrumen-tal in creating a much more positive en-vironment for economic development,”Schlitt Gonzalez said. “When he tookover as (the commissioner’s liaison tothe Economic Development Council ofIndian River County) we re-wrote a lotof the wording in the brochures, insteadof can’t, won’t and shan’t, it was convert-ed to be very positive.
“Now if we get a company that is in-terested in the county, Peter or anothercommissioner, depending which districtit is in, will pull a meeting together andget all the department heads and every-body necessary to get decisions madeand have them all at the table.”
ae changes have also garnered thesupport of the Indian River Neigh-borhood Association, which lists 300neighborhoods in its constituency and
has carried a reputation of being anti-growth. aat is not necessarily the casesaid IRNA Executive Committee chair-man, Honey Minuse.
She said while her group has beenagainst the county using residential con-struction as the sole driver of economicgrowth, it has always favored sustain-able industries coming into the county.
“We were among the first groups tosupport the tax abatement that the vot-ers approved,” she said. “We are for care-ful measures to expand our local econo-my. It has to be the kind of business thatis going to stay here, we don’t want to bepart of another boom and bust, we de-serve better than that.”
ae County has seen some solid suc-cesses recently. ae highlight was thegroundbreaking of the INEOS NewPlanet BioEnergy ethanol plant at theold Ocean Spray plant on Oslo Road.ae BioEnergy Center, slated to beginproduction in 2012, is anticipated toprovide 50 full-time jobs once the facil-ity is completed.
INEOS New Planet BioEnergy soughtout the county a couple of years agowhen commissioners put out a requestfor parties interested in using its garbageto create clean energy. ae company isa joint venture between INEOS Bio, (asubsidiary of INEOS, the third largestchemical company in the world) andNew Planet Energy a California outfitwith an expertise in developing com-panies and plants centered around newtechnologies.
ae plant will produce fuel-grade eth-anol and will also have the capacity togenerate 6 megawatts of electricity.
ae company will take vegetativewaste from the landfill next door andthrough a patented process turn thatinto ethanol. ae Indian River plant willbe the first of its kind in Florida and ifthe technology proves successful will bemarketed around the world.
Dating back to 2009, the county hasprovided support to SpectorSoft Corp.,OcuCue, eMindful, AlgaGen, NetBossTechnologies, all of which have createdjobs in either the “green” or software/computer technology space. In addition,the county worked quickly to shore up adeal with Powder Coat Specialists of Se-bastian when it was considering a move
building an aquaculture farm to pro-duce fish for commercial sale. Also onthe horizon are two European firmsconsidering the county for a plant tobuild solar panels. One of those compa-nies, from Sweden, could bring as manyas 500 jobs to the county.
Schlitt Gonzalez said the county’s willingness from commissioners on down to roll up their sleeves and work with business leaders has been a boon to changing the tone and attracting new companies to the area. She noted Indian River County has been success-ful in enticing some businesses which were also being pitched by Brevard County.
“We have been able to capture a cou-ple of companies from Brevard just because we have been able to move quickly,” she said. “Today time is of the essence, companies want to see in a community that things will happen quickly and that there won’t be a lot of delays. Most businesses are in the busi-ness of making or creating whatever their product is. ^ey aren’t develop-ers, they just need to have a system as user-friendly as possible.
“I think the county works with them to make sure things get done. One of the things I have heard from compa-nies that have set up in different loca-tions is that we have a very competent staff in the county, they feel that we have very strong professional people to work with the client.”
Tim Keithahn, NetBoss Technolo-gies Chief Financial Officer said that was his experience, when his newly formed company was considering op-tions about where to set up shop.
“^e County Commissioners fast-tracked it for me on their own,” he said. “We were in a unique circumstance in that we needed to pick a location for our headquarters fairly quickly. We were a non-existing company that bought the (NetBoss software) product line. We considered a couple of other site alter-natives in Brevard County, but at the end of the day Indian River County and the County Commissioners were very responsive. ^ey not only in pushed it
through quickly, but had a program in place that made it very easy for us as a business compared to Brevard County, which was much less structured and not nearly as responsive.”
^e Chamber’s Caseltine says that the new businesses coming in are start-ing to bear fruit in another way by at-tracting other businesses that want to cluster around partners or potential investors.
“Our local businesses are some of our best salespeople in promoting Indian River County for new business,” she said. “^ey are encouraging their ven-dors, their partners and their clients.”
One such success story on that front is SMI Technologies, a small telecom company based in the United Kingdom that has worked on some projects with NetBoss in Sebastian.
“We have done business with them for a while,” Keithahn said. “^ey were looking to open a U.S. office, they picked Sebastian to be their U.S. head-quarters. ^ey are a small company, I don’t want to overplay it, but we are partnering with them and are very ex-cited to have them here with us.”
Caseltine is also busy promoting the county from a regional perspective as part of the Florida Research Coast Eco-nomic Development Coalition, which has been around since 1998. Caseltine works with counterparts in St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties to bring businesses to the area.
^e theory of this group is that what is good for one is good for all.
“When a prospective company is looking at an area they don’t care too much about jurisdictional boundaries,
at least to start,” Caseltine said. “So working together with my counterparts we have a lot more to offer regionally than perhaps we might locally in terms of workforce, infrastructure, things like that. Companies that are into research and development, like Torrey Pines (in St. Lucie County), they like to cluster together. ^ey want to be around like-minded firms. “
With the county attracting some software and technology companies, they may well be creating the possibil-ity for such clustering to begin to hap-pen here.
“When it comes to software technol-
ogy companies, there is a lot of cross pollination between different software products and different developers,” Keithhan said. “If you develop a core competency in an area, you see compa-nies grow together. For example, if you look at the Research Triangle (in North Carolina) or places in Southern Cali-fornia and northern California, they started with a couple of beta companies if you will and once you start getting that mindshare other smaller compa-nies spawn around it. Up in Melbourne around the Harris Corporation you see a lot of companies that have blossomed around that space.”
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The 400,000 square foot CVS Distribution Center west of I-95 needed a special variance from county commissioners because the building surpassed height restrictions.
CVS employs more than 250 workers and was named a 2010 winner as Best Places to Work in Indian River County by Workforce Solutions.
INDUSTRYFROM PAGE 7
BY MICHAEL CROOKVERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY
\e Schlitt family is so thoroughly inter-woven in the history and the present day ofVero Beach that, along the way, they evengot their own joke, told down the decadesby friends and strangers alike.
“When you’re out of Schlitts, you’re outof Vero.”
\at’s the joke. Obviously, you’ve got tobe old enough to remember the Schlitzbeer slogan, “When you’re out of Schlitz,you’re out of beer.”
But it still gets a laugh, especially at Satur-day’s Vero Heritage Pioneer Dinner, wherethe Schlitts (sorry, it’s inevitable) were hon-ored first as pioneers whose matriarch andpatriarch arrived in Vero in 1918, and sec-ond, as a family that has contributed sig-nificantly to the growth and developmentof Indian River County.
Hard work. Farming. Entrepreneurialspirit. Devotion to family, especially chil-dren. Civic activism. Development and realestate. \ese are the themes heard most of-ten when people talk about this family.
Linda Schlitt Gonzalez said she shecould count 1,500 homes in Vero Beachwere built by the one or more members ofthe Schlitt family.
And they didn’t just build homes.\ey’ve taken part, over generations, inprojects like the original Miracle Mile, andthe first Press Journal building on U.S. 1.Louis Schlitt developed what’s now theFirst United Bankers building
\e Schlitts entered a variety of ca-reers. Ed Schlitt was known for get-ting his brothers involved in projects, architecture, painting, construction, whatever their speciality.
“In the 93 years the family has lived
in this area, they have been involved intrying to keep this community a won-derful place to live and raise a family,”said Vero Heritage Inc. in a tribute to
the Schlitts. \e Loy family, includingAlma Lee Loy, will be honored at nextyear’s Pioneer dinner, Vero Heritage an-nounced.
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Linda Schlitt-Gonzalez, Barbara Schlitt, Ollie Willmont-Crosby, Alma Lee Loy
Schlitt family honored at annual Pioneer Dinner
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Lewis and Kathy Schlitt
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Mary Ellen and Michael Schlitt Debbie and Greg Schlitt
Phil Barth, Kimberly and Brian Ciccarelli Ester Rymer, Alex and Jean MacWilliam
Richard Schlitt, Bob and Betty Rollins Helen Schlitt, Monsignor Nugent, John Schlitt
Steven, JeG and David Schlitt Peter and Gail Burg, Bernie St. Pierre
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Don and Sandy Wright Craig Schlitt, Barbara Schlitt, Linda Schlitt Gonzalez, Steven Schlitt
Whitney Mills, Jessie Schlitt, Katie and Megan Gibson, Allison Mills Ann and Robert Paugh
Christine and Suzanne Schlitt Maureen Schlitt, Fran Prossick, Mary Kathryn and Jennifer Malone
Carol Fennel, Carol Osmer, Elizabeth Graves-Bass, Celeta Arden Nancy and Herb Whittall
BY SIOBHAN FITZPATRICKVERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY
Every morning just after the sun has risen, a group of people start to con-gregate at the dog park adjacent to the River House with their canine compan-ions.
As any “animal person” knows, the bond that forms among this group is strong and unique.
“A lot of friendships—long-term friendships—have been made here,” said Richard Brown, who has been bringing his English Cocker Spaniel, Buster Brown, to the park for nine years, accompanied by his wife, Diane.
Another park patron, Roman Nevo-lin, who is “father” to Wookie, a Wei-maraner mix, only joined the others three months ago, but said he feels completely welcome-and more impor-tantly, so does Wookie.
“I come here twice a day and she ex-ercises. For a puppy, it’s the best thing that you can do,” said Nevolin, who added that when Wookie gets home, she’s so tired she won’t do typical
naughty puppy-stuff like chew socks. Another park regular, Jeffrey Little,
recounted that when his dachsund, Barney, was a puppy he wasn’t a big chewer, but he did have another chal-
lenge: He was afraid of other dogs. Un-til he started to go to the park and hang out with the other canines.
“Now he’s not afraid,” said Little. For Little, the camaraderie offered by
his fellow dog-walkers and also from Barney is priceless.
“Zis place is therapy for animals and humans,” Little said, adding that he is ever-grateful to Barney for helping him through some rough times..
“He’s been my life support between my parents passing away and my di-vorce. He feels like home.”
Currently, the park is open to the public free of charge, but Little won-ders if this might change with city budget cuts.
“I really hope not,” said Little. Richard Brown concurs, adding “I just think it’s a wonderful facility and I hope we can continue to use this a long, long time ... the city has been very good about it.”
Because for Brown and Little—and numerous others—meeting at the dog park is an important ritual.
“All of us are born to do something. Barney’s meant to hunt moles. People who come here come for social events. People need to congregate, socialize. We all need to do what makes us hap-py,” Little said.
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FIT President Catanese, Jon Skrapits, Spencer Day, Marlon Dayes, Yamilet Cendejas, Rotary President Brett Ringeinsen
Man’s best friends make friends at the dog park
Ze Rotary Club of Orchid Island,with the Florida Institute of Technol-ogy, recently awarded four outstand-ing Indian River students with schol-arships to assist in their matriculationat Florida Tech. Ze awards werepresented by Rotary President BrettRingeinsen and FIT President An-thony Catanese for the students, theirfamilies, and college guidance counse-lors.
Each scholarship is for a minimum of$10,000 assistance and were presentedto the following Indian River Countyresidents:
Marlon Dean Dayes is a senior at In-dian River Charter and expects to pur-
sue a degree in aviation managementtogether with the University’s com-mercial pilot license component.
Yamilet Cendejas is a senior at Se-bastian High School and will major incivil engineering and looks forwardto someday creating environmentallyfriendly buildings.
Spencer Day is a senior at MastersAcademy and plans to apply his mathand science skills in the University’scollege of science where he plans tomajor in marine science.
Jon Skrapits will be transferring fromIndian River State College and will bestudying oceanography with a focus oncoastal zone management.
Four local studentswin FIT scholarships
STAFF PHOTOEarly morning at the dog park.
BY MICHAEL CROOKVERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY
How do you count the number ofchildren whose spare time has beenenriched by soccer in Vero Beach andaround Indian River County?
As the county’s premier soccer organ-ization celebrates its 25th anniversary,how do we do the arithmetic? Each year,about 800 kids learn soccer and growproficient in Indian River Soccer Asso-ciation.
How many in 25 years? Impossible tobe precise, but it’s fair to say that morethan 10,000 kids have been part of “theultimate team sport.”
“It’s possibly the only sport where youcan start a group of six kids age 4 withall sorts of motor skills running, kickingthe ball, getting some fantastic exercisewhile they’re learning about their sport,”said Frank Schlitt, a coach for years“since I walked out on the field one day
and they asked me if I wanted to coach.”Later, “when they found out I was anaccountant, they asked me to be treas-urer,” Schlitt said.
On Saturday, Indian River soccerwill be celebrated at the Hobart SoccerComplex, 6310 77th St.
First, there’s a Family Carnival at Ho-bart, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Tickets are $5 perchild and the fun will include unlimitedaccess to bounce houses, slide, obstaclecourse and more.
Later, the World Cup Soccer Celebra-tion begins under the stars and a bigtent at Hobart from 7-11 p.m. Ticketsare $30 single, $50 double. It’s an adults-only event with music, party fare, a cashbar, a DJ, and goods and services to besold at silent and live auctions.
It’s the social side of soccer.Perhaps the biggest draw for parents
to get their children involved in socceris the socializing … among the parents,
Schlitt said. You see your friends, andmake new friendships on the sidelines.
he IRSA is not a county-subsidizedathletic program.
he association relies completely oncorporate team sponsors and playerfees for its budget, which must pay foryear-round field maintenance, fieldequipment, referee fees, uniform fees,and maintenance of concessions and re-strooms.
If you would like to make a donationto the event, for the live or silent auc-tion, please contact
Do you have a timely anniversary, wedding, college graduation or birth announcement you would like to have published free of charge in Vero Beach Newsweekly? Would you like to have your club and organization published? Send your news to us.
Announcements and photos may be e-mailed to [email protected]. We reserve the right to edit for brevity and clarity. Photos must be 200 dpi or higher resolution to be considered for publication. Texts may be sent by mail if necessary to Milestones, Vero Beach Newsweekly, 1801 U.S. 1, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
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ANNIVERSARY
James and Doris Geary Stud-er of Ballinger, Texas, formerly of Vero Beach, celebrated their50th wedding anniversary March 18 with family and friends with a renewal of vows ceremony atSt. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Churchin Ballinger. A reception at the churchhall followed the Mass. he couple weremarried at St. Helen Catholic Church inVero Beach. hey were residents of Flor-ida for 30 years before moving to Ball-inger. Children include Edward (Kristen)Studer, heresa (William) Hunter, Cathy(Shane) Landers and homas (Carolyn)Studer, all of Ballinger; Rita (Chris) Har-man of Opelika, Ala.; and Jean (Scott)Zertuche of Jourdanton, Texas. heyhave 22 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Soccer Association events to help to keep kids kicking
STAFF PHOTOGirls on an Indian River Soccer Association team get their kicks during practice last week at the Hobart Soccer Complex.
BY SIOBHAN FITPATRICKVERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY
Ue Vero Beach Ueatre Guild mayhave another winner in “Leading Ladies,”a comedy by Ken Ludwig, that opensMay 11. Ue campy show includes a lotof cross-dressing and double entendressure to make audiences laugh.
Ue show begins with two EnglishShakespearean actors, Jack and Leo,who are so broke that they’re performingShakespeare sonnets before the MooseLodge circuit in rural Pennsylvania. Ueindigent duo learn of a very wealthy ladywho lives nearby who is going to leave herestate to her two English nephews whomthe rich woman apparently wouldn’tknow if they were standing right in frontof her.
Ue two men decide they will imper-sonate the two nephews, Steve and Max,and woo the old dame so she will leavethem her fortune. But to their dismay,they find out that “Steve” and “Max” arereally short for two girls’ names: Steph-anie and Maxine.
Time for cross-dressing. As the mendon their costumes, and go back andforth between their masculine selves andtheir female double, the play becomescampier-and funnier-particularly as oneof the men starts to fall in love with theailing lady’s true niece.
Patty Carreau, who is making her mainstage directorial debut with “Leading La-dies,” and who performed last year in theUeatre Guild’s rendition of “Cabaret,”
said she has loved working on the com-edy.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” said Carreau.“And, I have happily discovered that I amreally an actor’s director,” a talent she at-tributes to her 30-plus years as an actress.
Carreau is not the only talent in thehouse venturing into a new career as thisis lead actress Rebecca Caswell’s thirdtime ever performing in a show.
“It’s been so wonderful, “said Caswell.“A lot of fun.” By trade, Caswell is a hyp-notherapist, author, and interfaith minis-ter. She is also a public speaker, and gets
hired to give talks at various companieson subjects such as “how to listen,” anexperience that she said has really trans-lated over to acting and has helped hertremendously with her part as “Meg” in“Leading Ladies.”
For producer Ed Dessureau, “LeadingLadies” has been another enjoyable showto put on.
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PROVIDED PHOTOActors rehearse “Leading Ladies” at the Vero Beach Theatre Guild
Arts|Entertainment
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BY SIOBHAN FITZPATRICKVERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY
Talk about hitting the ground run-ning.
Jay Williams, new curator of theVero Beach Museum of Art, hasbarely been at his job for four weeksand has already helped choose a ma-jor new work of art for the museumand has launched a new show.
Super busy, Williams welcomes thechallenge.
“It’s really unusual for a curator tohave the opportunity to make a markso quickly,” he said.
In his first week on the job, Wil-liams helped present informationto the museum’s Athena Society, agroup of top donors who pool theirmoney once a year and purchase amajor work of art for the museum’spermanent collection.
Williams was responsible for pre-senting the group with a numberof paintings from top artists, whichthe Athena society members narrowdown to one.
“It’s like choosing from a box ofGodiva chocolates,” said Williams.“You can’t choose a wrong one.”
The group ultimately decided uponan Andrew Wyeth painting.
“It’s a remarkable watercolor,” saidWilliams, “and a real feather in themuseum’s cap. A work like this is noteasy to come by that’s available forsale.”
Immediately following the majoracquisition, Williams spearheadeda show of the museum’s perma-nent collection entitled “What’s theStory?” that opened last weekend.To prepare for it, he went throughthe museum’s voluminous racks ofpaintings and came upon a concept:works of art with a narrative themewhere the stories being told leavesomething to the viewer’s imagina-tion.
Prior to his new position at theVero Beach Museum of Art, Wil-liams, who has over 30 years experi-ence in the art field, had worked as
the curator at the Museum of Artsand Sciences in Daytona Beach.
He decided to move south becausehe was so impressed with the VeroBeach museum’s quality of exhibi-tions and “their ambitious plan to ex-pand the collection.”
What also impressed Williamswas the school that is attached tothe Vero Beach Museum of Art thatoffers several educational courses,from drawing to art history. A for-mer art educator in his 20s, Williamssaid that while many museums offerlectures or docent-led tours, few
provide art instruction. “It’s not verycommon, but it goes back to an oldermodel of art instruction,” said Wil-liams.
The few museums in the countrythat provide educational institutionsinclude the venerable Art Institute ofChicago and the Corcoran Gallery ofArt in Washington D.C.
“One reinforces the other,” saidWilliams, who also loves the fact thatthis museum allows people to sketchin the galleries.
A native of Florida, Williams saidthat the east coast is still pretty new
to him as he spent most of his life onthe west coast--and he welcomes thechange.
“Vero reminds me of the way Flori-da used to be. People here have donegood job of encouraging growthwithout compromising the quality ofthe natural environment. That’s re-ally a good sign,” he said.
And despite his busy schedule, heand his wife make a point of goingoutdoors and enjoying the sun, sandand water-and may even take up anew sport.
“We’re thinking of buying a kayak!”
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New curator of Vero Beach Museum of Art is a busy man
STAFF PHOTOExecutive Director Lucinda Gedeon and Vero Beach Museum of Art Curator Jay Williams
BY SIOBHAN FITZPATRICKVERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY
ge fashion statement of Vero Beach boutiqueclothes stores this spring and summer is decidedlycolorful and relaxed, with a bit of fancy thrown in forthose special occasions, both cocktail and black-tie.And Trish Hickey-Reid, owner of Blondies on OceanDrive, can’t get enough of it.
“I love this time of year,” said Hickey-Reid. “We’regetting into bright colors. gey always make peoplefeel good.”
It seems Vero is following a national—and even inter-national trend—where fashionista experts who writefor Vogue, Glamour and Allure magazine, to name afew, are touting bright reds, oranges, soft yellows andkelly greens as ‘the’ look for the warmer seasons. Notsurprisingly, they’re correct. Just take a look at BCBGMaxazria’s pink and red chiffon cocktail dresses, ora myriad of designers who are all about the flowery,uber feminine sundress in hues of coral, blue, butterand jade that are being sold for $19.99 at bargain storeslike H&M and $1,000 at more upscale stores like Nor-dstrom.
And of course, labels including Benetton never failto offer skirts, dresses and all things sartorial in varioushues of the rainbow. Even Prada has joined the color-scheme and has numerous beautiful numbers this sea-son with plenty of color, including its fun and strikingcotton-drill dress with a ruffled hem featured in theMarch issue of Vogue magazine.(ge woman wear-ing the dress was none other than ‘80s and ‘90s supermodel, Amber Valletta; is it possible that the preppycolors from 25 years ago are having a resurrection ofsorts in 2011?)
One of the top sellers for Hickey-Reid of Blondiesis her one-shoulder dress, which was also popular inthe fall and winter. Other best-sellers are her dressesthat hit slightly above the knee, a new trend that shewelcomes.
“gis is a great look for a lot of women,” she said,adding that she has customers from all walks of life.“I have 13-80 year olds who shop in here.” Some ofHickey-Reid’s favorite designers that she carries in-clude Weston Wear; Analili, Petit Pois and more re-cently, Bailey 44.
Besides her dresses, Hickey-Reid said that her Before+ Again tees are “flying off the racks. People just adorethem. gey. come here just to buy them.”
Just a few doors down on Ocean Drive from Blondiesis another fabulous women’s clothing store, Penelope’s.Owner Libbie Ely just relocated her shop from its Bea-chland Avenue address, along with Mary Lavin, ownerof the children’s clothing store Twirl; the ladies nowshare the same space for their separate businesses.
According to Ely, colorful prints are all the rage. Herlove of this trend is obvious as her dresses, shirts andblouses are replete with bright reds, yellows and blues,and offer a distinctly laid-back California look—pre-cisely her intention.
“I carry a lot of California brands which works well inSouth Florida,” she said. Some of these brands includeJohnny Was, who she said is “known” for colors.
Lavin is geared toward the much younger set, butdon’t think that means sacrificing fashion. Her tweensline could easily be mistaken for an adult line, and thatis what she likes about it.
“It’s a more grown-up line. I’ll match an Ella Moss shirtwith Joe’s jeans or shorts. It’s an ensemble,” said Lavin.
Even Lavin’s toddler section is hip, with its “groovy”handkerchief dress that a girl or woman of any agemight drool over. And while her boys’ section is sig-nificantly smaller, she forgets no one.
“We even have a Charlie Sheen look,” which features a
bowling shirt and shorts that the fallen star was knownfor on his show, “Two And A Half Men.”
To date, Lavin and Ely have both enjoyed a “fantastic”seasons. “We really appreciate the locals and seasonalpeople who shop locally. It keeps us alive,” said Ely.
Carolyn Redfield, owner of Pineapples, another near-by women’s boutique store echoed Lavin’s and Ely’ssentiments that the season has been a success--and thatcolor is “in.” Her best-sellers have been mostly dresses,“all kinds, casual, special occasion.. For daytime dress-es, my most ‘breathable’ ones have been exceptionallypopular.”
Some of Redfield’s favorite lines include Joseph Rib-koff, whom she loves for his “classic” style, and JudeConnally, a new modern designer who studied with oneof today’s top designers, Tory Burch. Another top choicefor Redfield is not a designer per se, but a generic design.“I love tunics. gey are doing so great. Everyone lovesthem, me included.”
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STAFF PHOTOSLeft: Relaxed California-style blouses are popular at Penelope’s. Right: Trish Hickey-Reid of Blondies models her own clothes.
Vero Style
Vero Beach fashion today is all about fresh colors
BY IAN LOVEVERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY
For Mark Heyer, owner of ClassicCar Wash, rolling up his sleeves, set-ting the pace and making sure thejob gets done right has him cleaningup.
It is a tried and true strategy for thesmall business owner, but one that isparticularly important for Heyer ashis workforce sometimes comes andgoes with more frequency than hewould like.
“They key to running a car washas with any business, is you haveto be there and you have to workalong with the guys,” Heyer said. “Itell them every car that comes out ofhere has to be treated like you werewashing my car.”
Heyer bought Classic Car Washin 2006 with wife Nina because, ashe put it, ‘it was time to get back towork’ after a successful career in thewholesale produce business in NewJersey.
“I was familiar with Vero Beach,because I used to source grapefruitsand oranges,” he said. “I had alwaysbeen interested in the car wash in-dustry, I had friends in the business.”
The original plan was to buy aroundBoca Raton where he has family, buthe was unable to strike a deal. So,in November of 2006 Heyer boughtClassic Car Wash and he has beenon the premises ever since. He is ahands-on owner and can be foundthere every day, including Sundays,talking with customers, moving carsalong and just generally making surethings are run to his satisifaction.
With his hands-on philosophyHeyer has been able to put togethera core staff, but he said one of hisbiggest headaches is staying fullystaffed with competent help.
“I have some really good employ-ees that I have been very fortunateto hire and then I have employeesthat come and go like you brush yourteeth,” he said. “Where I am from,the job needs to be done. Down here
you have guys that have not workedin two years and the come in say it’stoo hard and quit in a day, it’s sad.”
Heyer said that one of the adjust-ments he has had to make is to learnthe difference from being a whole-
saler to dealing with the public at theretail level.
“I would do millions upon mil-lions of dollars with my wholesalebusiness,” he said. “Now I am in re-tail and it was always my concern totry and make everybody happy, butsome people are such that you willnever make them happy. Some peo-ple come in for a $20 car wash andwant a $200 detail job, that is not thesame thing and they can’t be satis-fied.”
Judging from the cars he waspushing through on a recent Mon-day morning, Heyer is doing some-thing right and he says the businessis growing. While summers are stillslow he has noticed more peoplestaying here as full-time residents.
“There are more and more peoplestarting to move here year round,” hesaid “People are telling me they can’tafford to have homes in two differentplaces, so Florida with no income taxbecomes desirable to a lot of people.”
Heyer works to bring in repeatbusiness with a VIP card that pro-vides a 25 percent discount for hisregular customers.
“We don’t coupon here, I find itjust makes people mad if it has ex-pired or you don’t take it anymore,”he said. “The people like the VIPcard, they can save a lot of moneyand it is good whenever they want touse it.”
One of the boons to Heyer’s busi-ness, has been the little black pestswe call lovebugs.
“The first spring I owned thisplace, the snowbirds left and all ofa sudden the lovebugs started,” hesaid. “They were so bad that year, Ithought I had bought a gold mine.The three years after that there werehardly any.”
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Business
STAFF PHOTOClassic Car Wash owner Mark Heyer brings a hands-on approach to running his successful business.
Classic Car Wash owner cleans up by showing up
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Active Life
BY IAN LOVEVERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY
_e seeds for the Vero Beach High School girls’ la-crosse team’s sixth straight state championship were ac-tually sewn at the championship game the year before.
In that 2010 final, the Lady Indians defeated LakeBrantley by a single goal and that was simply not goodenough for the most dominant girls’ high school lacrosseteam in the state if not the nation. _ey set out this yearto correct any impression that there was a team playingin the state that was their peer.
“We came in with high expectations, we were nothappy with last year’s ending even though we did win itwas bittersweet in the way it was done,” said Vero BeachCoach Shannon Dean. “It is just a tribute to these girlsand their high expectations. It was in the back of ourminds the entire off-season. When the season startedthey wanted to show the state of Florida, their parentsand their school that they were better than what thatscore reflected. _ey wanted to dominate everybodythis year.”
And dominate they did.Vero Beach improved to 22-0 last weekend en route
to their sixth straight state title, outscoring their oppo-nents 122-14, including a 16-4 drubbing of Lake Brant-ley in the semifinals. In fact, the last time the Vero Beachgirls’ team lost was 14-9 in 2009 to Archbishop Spalding(Md.). _e team has won 60 straight games (70 straightover Florida teams) and holds the No. 6 ranking in theESPN/RISE Fab 50 rankings.
“We have been doing this for a while, we have a greatphilosophy and a great direction where we need to go,”Dean said. “We are reaping the rewards of a lot of hardwork five and 10 years ago. _at is a credit to all the greatplayers, coaches and parents who helped build this along time ago.”
Dean, who took over as head coach in 2003, stressesthat what sets his program apart is clear messaging andtraining from middle schools all the way up to the highschool.
“_e feeder program was already in place at Gifford,Oslo and Sebastian River middle schools,” he noted. “Mycontribution to that was I consolidated everything. Weknew we needed to get everybody on the same page,the same philosophy. _at meant all the middle schoolcoaches up through junior varsity and the high schoolcoaches. We needed to be teaching the same things, thatis what we have in place to this day.”
It is clear that Dean has developed something very spe-cial with this program. _e success on the field stands onits own, but what is just as special to the coach is how itis preparing these girls for life beyond the athletic field.
“I think for the girls when they move on in life whetheror not they go on to play college lacrosse, they can lookback at high school and that we taught them the build-
Vero Beach High School girls’ lacrosse: Winning the right way
PHOTOS BY SAM WOLFEThe Vero Beach girls’ lacrosse team has not lost a game since 2009.
There was no stopping Vero Beach and they were by far the dominant team this postseason.
ing blocks of being a young adult,” he said. “Wey learnedwhat it means to be disciplined, to be committed tosomething, that is what they are learning now and that isa tribute to coaches I had in my lifetime and is one of thevalues that I wanted to pass on.”
With a program as dominant at the Lady Indians, con-sistency and repetition is drilled into the team from thevery start.
“All the middle school coaches have coached with ourclub team, they have assisted in team summer camps, sowhat you see is a lot of routine, a lot of coaches teachingthe same thing,” Dean said. “Most of the girls on this teamhave been with me for seven years, that is a long time intheir lives considering they are only 17 or 18 years old.Were is no doubt the lacrosse season takes a tremendousamount of time out of their lives.”
During season the team practiced a minimum of 2 1-2hours a day, Monday through Friday with some Saturdaypractices thrown in for good measure. In all there are fivefull or part-time coaches at the varsity level.
“I run it at a pace and intensity of that of a collegiateteam, because our expectations are always high and withthose expectations comes the practice regimen that is go-ing to be very intense,” Dean said.
Dean also laid much of the success of his team to sen-iors Courtney Swan, Kalani Peirce, Erin Schroeder, Sa-mantha MacCurdy , Katie Sonier, Lindsey Dunne, andMadison Howard.
“What made it easy for me this year was the leadershipon this team,” he said. “Wey were seven seniors who eve-ry day at every practice at every game came ready to play.”
With six straight state championships and ranking inthe national lacrosse polls, the program is starting to benoticed.
Andy Segal is a Vero Beach girls’ lacrosse booster andalso video tapes all their games. He recalled a trip recentlyto visit his in-laws in Newark, Del., where he was wear-ing a Vero Beach girls’ lacrosse sweat shirt and someonementioned to him that they had heard how good the girls’team was.
“I remember going up north and I would say I wasfrom Vero Beach and people would ask where is that andI would mention the Dodgers and they would say, ‘Oh,yeah, I’ve heard of Vero Beach,”’ Segal said. “Believe it ornot, these girls are replacing the Dodgers as the most rec-ognizable team in Vero Beach, these girls are putting aspotlight on our town.”
For his part Dean says he is plans to seek a seventh statetitle next year.
“I am just going to keep riding this ride as long as itgoes,” he said. “We have had some rough years in the past,but now that I have gotten older and more experiencedas a coach I have been able to appreciate different aspectsof the game.
“I love doing this, I love this job, I love seeing a new groupof freshmen every year, as I said it is a way of life now.”
AC TIVE LIFE1
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The Lady Indians celebrate state title No. 6.
The girls’ lacrosse team is replacing the Dodgers in name recognition around the country.
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Editorial
Last week the Vero Beach City Council and representatives of Florida Power and Light ironed out a letter of intent to nego-tiate the sale of the City’s electric utility, commencing a bargaining process long in coming, one which we hope will enable the city to divest itself of a business it is increas-ingly challenged to operate profitably.
While there are some who might urge the City Council to “sell, sell, sell,” per-haps even at a fire sale price, we hope and expect that the Council will negotiate skillfully in the best interest of the city, and of its customers.
In their seminal treatise on negotiating, “Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In,” Roger Fisher and William Ury explain the value of devel-oping what they call a BATNA, your best alternative to a negotiated agreement.
Fisher and Ury go on to explain what’s almost obvious, which is that there are times when the best way for each party to advance their respective interests is to simply accept that a mutually beneficial agreement cannot be reached.
Presumably FP&L’s interest is to acquire Vero Beach’s electric utility at the lowest price it possibly can, and for a price at which it can expect a reasonable rate of return. Who could blame them for seek-
ing such a deal? Any price above one that would yield
an acceptable return would be a price too high, in which case FP&L’s BATNA would simply be to let the City continue to navi-gate the minefields of owning and operat-ing its electric utility.
[e City, on the other hand, seeks the highest price it can possibly justify for its asset. And certainly it is the Council’s re-sponsibility, at a minimum, to insist on a price at which it would make sense for the City to sell. To do otherwise would be a disservice to taxpayers.
In “How to Negotiate Like a Pro,” Mary Greenwood writes, “If you remember one thing about negotiating, it should be this: It’s not the maneuvering once you’re in the trenches, but rather the preparation be-fore sitting down at the table that counts. [at means taking the time to define what you want, what you are willing to accept, and at which point you will walk away.”
Surely the City has determined, or is in the process of determining, its bottom line, that price below which taxpayers would be left holding a handful of nothing but higher taxes. Surely the City Council members are heading to the negotiating table with a clear idea of their best alterna-tive to a negotiated agreement. At least we
hope that is the case. One gets the sense that for some coun-
cil members there is nothing that would make them walk away from a deal. And even more concerning, they are telegraph-ing that to FP&L.
A case in point, when city staff sent a re-sponse to the FP&L letter of intent, propos-ing to insert language intended to protect or expand the rights and interests of the city, one Council member apologized for what she considered the snarky tone of the letter. [is public expression of regret to FP&L for city staff perhaps overreaching in its efforts to protect the city, reminded us a little of Congressman Joe Barton’s apolo-gytoBPofficials,offeredduringaCongres-sional hearing, for what he characterized as a “shakedown” by the White House.
Let’s all be clear, while many have grown tired, even exasperated with the string of blunders the city has made in the op-eration of its electric utility, there is a price too low. [ere is a point at which, despite its challenges, the city might well be bet-ter off tiptoeing its way through the mine-field, if you will.
Yes, negotiate for a sale, but do so skill-fully.
Which brings us to one last point. All organizations are alternately in stages of
orientation, disorientation, and reorien-tation. [e changes inaugurated with last November’s election have inevitably put city government into a period of disori-entation. Tempers have flared between members of the City Council, staff and sometimes the public. While we would never suggest that debate and discussion ought to be toned down in a democracy, it seems reasonable to encourage a more cordial approach in conducting the peo-ple’s business.
[e same goes for interactions between the council and staff. [ere’s no gain from the pain of humiliating a civil servant in a public forum. If staff are not doing their jobs, resolve the problems through rec-ognized processes such as performance evaluations, which the council adamant-ly wants to put in place. To berate staffin public only perpetuates the poisonous narrative taking hold that ALL our pub-lic servants are incompetent. If the city is going to run itself more like a business, one place to start would be for Council to praise staff in public and criticize in pri-vate. At the same time staff would do well to remember that they were not elected to set the city’s sails. [eir proper role is to advise, and to carry out the policies set by the Council.
Negotiate neither so3 nor hard but skillfully
Community Forum
Vero Beach Newsweekly is distributed throughout Vero Beach and the barrier island.
Mail may be sent to Vero Beach Newsweekly, 1801 U.S. Highway 1, Vero Beach, Florida, 32960To advertise call Martine Fecteau at 772-696-2004, or Mark Schumann at 772-696-5233.
I read your piece “Remembering a schoolyard lesson” in the recent pub-lication with a great deal of interest. Your analogy is perfect and very well-done. `e publication in question has exhibited a lack of ethics and proper attitude in its writings in most of the issues. `is has also been a source of lack of ethics and good judgment for some time and had I been paying for the subscription I would have canceled long ago. Ethics is very important in all business relationships, and especially in the media where you are judged by what and how you express yourself.
`ey maybe in some way feel a sense of importance in ridiculing the PJ, but in the long run has proven otherwise. Let’s hope “Spike” learns from you and changes his ways, but I would not hold my breath.
I also wish to compliment you on your new venture with the “News-weekly”, the layout is very attractive and attention-getting. It is very interesting reading and a pleasure to read. We needed something like your publica-tion to supplement the PJ.
Ed DavisVero Beach
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Sorting fact from 3ction 4e most important story of my journalism career
Ethics vital, especially in media
COMMUNIT Y FORUM
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
BY MICHAEL CROOKMANAGING EDITOR
You’d think a journalist would be most proud of the stories he wrote that helped win a Pulitzer Prize for a major metropolitan newspaper.
I’m not.We didn’t break out champagne
when we got that prize. It was a som-ber afternoon in the newsroom. We all realized that a disaster of massive proportions had just happened to land on top of our fellow South Floridians. `ere were editors and reporters who lost their homes.
Let me clarify. I said I’m not mostproud of my Hurricane Andrew cover-age, which was environmental and in-vestigative in nature. I’m proud of the people with whom I worked. I’m proud of the toughness it took to work for days on end with little sleep, plenty of bottled water, and a cache of Snickers.
But story of which I’m most proud, is buried in the archives of `e Tampa Tribune.
I was a police reporter in 1985, hav-ing come to the Trib from Florida TODAY, when one morning I got a call from a local woman with a son in elementary school who had been mo-
lested by a school volunteer. At school.I asked why I hadn’t seen anything on
the jail blotter – we still called jail inmate logs “the blotter” – and she explained.
After her son reported being mo-lested to a vice principal, this child was marched into the principal’s office and made to face the principal and the vol-unteer who abused him and recount his accusation. `is was done without a call to his parents..
I imagined this boy in the principal’s office, a place of dread for just about any child, even if they’ve done nothing wrong, face to face with a child molest-er and two authority figures.
I channeled my outrage into figur-ing out how that volunteer got into the school. It turned out that all he had to do was give his name, phone number and a list of things he’d like to help with.
`e result of the most important sto-ry I ever broke: ̀ e Polk County School Board instituted criminal background checks for all school volunteers.
I learned that I couldn’t protect peo-ple from hurricanes, but I could do my part to protect the vulnerable through effective community journalism. `at’s what I hope to continue doing here at Vero Beach Newsweekly.
BY MARK SCHUMANNPUBLISHER
In another one of its seemingly end-less rants against a competitor, the bar-rier island weekly with the bubble gum blue logo used its editorial page last week to again attack the Press Jour-nal. After recounting the basic facts surrounding a fight which took place at Sebastian River Middle School on February 17, this “editorial” went on to falsely claim that “there was no news of this Feb. 17th event in the Press Journal the next day, the next week, or even the next month.”
In fact, a report on the fight appeared on TCPalm.com February 18, and on the front page of the Press Journal’s local section the following day. `ose are the facts, but who cares about facts, when one’s apparent objective is to titillate, and entertain? When one is frothing at the mouth to attack, attack, attack, where is there time to exercise stewardship with the truth?
Unlike earlier assaults, where facts were presented gratuitously, and where conjecture and imagination seem to have provided much of the fodder, that weekly’s “editorial” was without any ba-sis in fact. To fail to do the basic re-search necessary to confirm its asser-tion seems a reckless disregard for the truth.
`ough the Press Journal is the most frequent target of these “attack edito-rials,” at least two other local publica-tions have wound up in the cross-hairs. Criticism of its competitors is such a
favorite and frequent subject that this island weekly has even created a stand-ing logo for these so-called editorials, which it suggests are reports on the “news business.”
`ese recurring tirades, and the squandering of valuable editorial page space to discuss, not the public’s busi-ness, but the “news business,” is little more than an exercise is self-absorp-tion.
While I admire the Press Journal’s editorial team for refraining, as they have, from stooping so low as to get into a slugfest with the upstart weekly, I also find it concerning the extent to which these constant, unanswered at-tacks have gained traction at all in the community.
Perhaps the currency these accusa-tions have been given has something with the tendency people have to be-lieve what they see in print. Or maybe it has more to do with the growing pop-ularity of the “infotainment” industry. “Infotainment” is certainly the catego-ry into which I would cast this weekly, given its relentless attack mode, and its inclination toward what sure looks to me like tabloid “journalism.”
If this weekly with the bubble gum blue logo really wants to be more than a temporary distraction, then it might do well to practice responsible com-munity journalism. After all, when a newspaper regularly uses editorial page to attack its competitors it has, in all likelihood, begun the long, slow march to irrelevance.
Vero Beach Newsweekly invites you to send Letters to the Editor on topics of interest pertaining to Indian River County. Letters should be 250-300 words and may be edited for length. We encourage an open dia-logue, but reserve the right to refuse publication of letters that do not meet our editorial standards.
E-mails may be sent to [email protected] or by regu-lar mail to Letter to the Editor, Vero Beach Newsweekly, 1801 U.S. 1, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
As a lawyer, I have defended a lotof defrauded consumers. And overtime, I feel like I have a developed asixth sense for sniffing out bad guys.So I take it personally when some-one tries to snow me.
I’m not talking about shady realestate deals or investment swindles,this hits closer to my Florida soul –fake grouper. I’ve been burned somany times that I rarely if ever ordergrouper off a restaurant menu.
But that’s not to say that I don’tcrave the stuff. Like many Floridians,I have a particular affinity for group-er because it’s our home-grown gem,and it has a texture, moistness andflavor like no other fish I know.
So like a fool for love, I put myheart out there every so often to takea chance. In fact, I rolled the dice ata high-end restaurant just this pastweek. But to my eye, to my taste,and even at $30 per plate, I don’tthink the grouper I ordered was ac-tually grouper.
If you haven’t followed this well-reported story, grouper’s popular-ity grew to such an extent in Florida
ten or fif-teen yearsago, thatour lo-cal com-m e r c i a lfishermentook, of-ficials say,an unsus-t a i n a b l eharvest ofthe thesem e a t yreef dwellers from State waters. Itgot so bad that the State imposedserious limits on the hooking anddistribution of the fish. So we wereleft with the economic imbalance ofhigh demand and low supply, which,as we all know, is a vacuum intowhich bad guys clamor.
To understand the problem, youjust have to think about the supplychain for grouper. Since grouperis no longer available in sufficientnumbers from our local waters, res-taurants have to turn to commercialsuppliers, who source their fish from
far-away shores. And from the boat,to the dealer, to the kitchen, to therestaurant table, there are plenty ofopportunities for laziness, if not out-right fraud.
On the boat, we’re often dealingwith third-word fishermen who haveno economic incentive to cull similarbut non-grouper species from theircatch.
Once the fish have been brokendown into fillets and packaged intobulk shipments, who’s to know thedifference?
Similarly, the distributors have noeconomic interest in checking thefishermen too closely. Genetic test-ing for each sample costs around$200. And these large corporationsdeal in fish by the ton. So when theyare penalized for “overlooking” theactual species they are selling asgrouper, the penalties are meagercompared to the cost of running anhonest shop.
In 2008, the St. Petersburg Timesreported that giant food distributorSysco Food Services, was tagged fora mere $300,000 by the State, aftera lengthy investigation determinedthat more often than not, the fishSysco was marketing as grouper wassomething far different, at times
species as lowly as tilapia or Asiancatfish.
At the individual restaurant, thesimple reality is that “Grouper Sells.”So as with the fisherman and the dis-tributor, there is money to be madeby looking the other way. But to me,it is the unscrupulous restaurantowner who is to blame for the fauxfish problem. Some of the betterrestaurants in the State have sim-ply taken grouper off their menus,knowing that they cannot guaranteeto the quality of the product. That’sone sure way to deal with the prob-lem, and I’m confident the distribu-tors get the message, as do the fish-ermen up the line.
But barring that, all we Floridaconsumers can do is trust the restau-rant or order something else. As anavid cook, I feel like I can spot a truepiece of grouper from ten paces, butI don’t love the idea of forcing a res-taurant to show me my fish before itis cooked. So when I crave grouper, Ibuy from an honest retail fish seller,trust my own eyes, and cook it up athome.
Nick Thomas is a lawyer and cer-tified family mediator. Reach him [email protected].
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3500 Ocean DriveVero Beach, FL 32963772.469.1060
DAILY DEALSMonday Sweet Start: $5 desserts all day
Tuesday Half off all bottles of wine priced $100 or lessWednesday Wine Down Wednesday: all house wine glass pours $5 all dayThursday Thirsty Thursday: extended Happy Hour drinks until 7:30 pm
Friday Live music beginning at 7:00 pmSaturday Bottomless Mimosas at brunch for $20Sunday Bloody Mary Bar from 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Was that a grouper <llet or an impostor on my plate?
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on all American, European & Asian vehicles. We install premium and original equipment parts only!
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at the same location.
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Under New Management
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Through May 14: Juried Student Pho-tography Show at IRCHS VAPA Cam-pus’ Fine Art Gallery. 772-567-6600.
Through May 22: ge Vero Beach Museum of Art presents “American Masterworks: 150 Years of Painting” from the Butler Institute of Art. Also on exhibit through May 22 is “Impressions: Selections from the Manoogian Collec-tion.” (Admission to general exhibitions and education wing exhibitions is free. For some special exhibitions, a variable admission fee will apply. Members and young people 17 years of age and under attend all exhibitions free of charge. Do-nations are welcome). 772-231-0707.
Through May 22: ge Vero Beach geatre Guild presents Leading Ladies,a comedy by Ken Ludwig. ge theater is located at 2020 San Juan Avenue, Vero Beach. To purchase tickets, contact the Box Office at 772-562-8300.
Through May 28: Gallery 14 presents “Life grough Our Lens,” an exhibit fea-turing VBHS advanced photography stu-dents, grades 11 & 12. All proceeds will go to the Hibiscus Childrens’ Center in Vero Beach. Also, featured will be works in oil, acrylic, watercolor, graphite, col-lage, pastel, mixed media, jewelry and photography by Gallery 14 partner art-ists Edgardo Abello, Lila Blakeslee, Bar-bara duPont, Mary Ann Hall, Virginia Knapp, Barbara Landry, Deborah Mor-rell Polackwich, Dorothy Napp Schindel, and Exhibiting Artists: Minakshi De, Francis Mesaros, Carole Keller, Carol Staub and Viola Pace Knudsen. Hours: Tues.-Fri. 10am-5pm, Sat. 10am-2pm. Closed Sun. & Mon. Gallery 14 is located at 1911 14th Ave. For information please call 772-562-5525 or visit: www.gallery-14verobeach.com
Through May 31: Homeschoolers Art Contest & Exhibit at the IRC Administra-tion Building, 1801 27th Street, Building A, Vero Beach, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.
Through June 11: ge Vero Beach Museum of Art presents “Celebrating 25 Years: Sculpture from the Perma-nent Collection.” (Admission to general exhibitions and education wing exhi-bitions is free. For some special exhi-bitions, a variable admission fee will apply. Members and young people 17 years of age and under attend all exhi-bitions free of charge. Donations are welcome.) 772-231-0707.
Through July 14: Indian River County Courthouse Vero Beach Art Club Member Exhibition, 2000 16th Street, Vero Beach Monday through Friday 9am-5pm.
May 12: Dune to Lagoon – Cross
Barrier Island Plant Identification Stroll at Sebastian Inlet State Park 1pm
May 12: Sunset Saturday Night Con-cert Series at Humiston Park in Vero Beach from 6:30-9:30pm.
May 13: 3rd Annual Hurricane Hangar Party to benefit the Ameri-can Red Cross, North Treasure Coast Chapter. 5:30-8:30pm. Sun Aviation, Vero Beach. 772-562-2549.
May 13: Bodega Blue presents Matt Wood, 7-9pm, 2115 14th Avenue, Vero. 772-569-4400
May 14: Indian River Soccer Asso-ciation hosts two events to celebrate 25 years of soccer in Indian River County: “Family Carnival” at Hobart 11am-3pm, $5 per child unlimited access to bounce houses, slide, obstacle course and more. From 7-11pm, “World Cup Soccer Cel-ebration” at Hobart Under the Stars and
Big Tent. Adults only. Music, dance, food, drinks, silent auction and live auc-tion. www.irsoccer.com
May 14: Bodega Blue presents Ernie Southern, 7-9pm, 2115 14th Avenue, Vero. 772-569-4400.
May 14: Stop the Tears 5K Run to benefit United for Families. 8am South Beach Park, Vero Beach. 772-528-0362.
May 14: IRC Recreation Department hosts its Annual City/County Golf Tour-nament at Sandridge Golf Club in Vero Beach. All employees, retirees and elect-ed officials of the Cities of Vero Beach, Sebastian, Fellsmere, the Towns of Indi-an River Shores, Orchid and ge County of Indian River are invited to participate in a fun filled day of golf. Shotgun start at 8am. Each team will have to submit an application form with their team mem-bers and a fee of $40.00 per player. Con-tact the Recreation Department at 772-567-8000 x1729.
May 14: Mother-Daughter Tea Party at Vero Beach Community Center 2266 14th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32960. 772-567-2144.
May 15: Space Coast Symphony Or-chestra at Waxlax Center for the Per-forming Arts at St. Edward’s School. 3pm
May 17: Heritage Bluegrass Band at the Heritage Center, 7:30pm. 2140 14th Avenue. 772-770-2263.
May 19-20: Spring Dance Festival to benefit Riverside Children’s geatre. 7pm AnneMortongeatreatRiversidegeatre, Vero Beach. $6 per person. 772-231-6990.
May 19: 46th Annual Dollars for Schol-ars Awards Night. 7pm First Church of God, Vero Beach. 772-569-9869.
Community Calendar
THURSDAY, MAY 12 FRIDAY, MAY 13 SATURDAY, MAY 14 SUNDAY, MAY 15 MONDAY, MAY 16 TUESDAY, MAY 17 WEDNESDAY, MAY 18
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STAFF / VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY
If you’d like to see one of your photographs published in Vero Beach Newsweekly, please send them to us at [email protected]. Photos need to be at least 200 dpi and in jpeg format.
2011, at Indian River Medical Center. She was born in Jersey City, N.J. and lived in Vero Beach since 1992, com-ing from New Jersey. Survivors in-clude her husband of 62 years, Louis H. Benzing of Vero Beach. Memorial donations may be made to the Hu-mane Society of Vero Beach, PO Box 644, Vero Beach, FL 32961. Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crema-tory, Vero Beach.
Donna BlackDonna Jean Black, 60, died May 2,
2011, at Indian River Medical Center, Vero Beach. She was born in Roches-ter, N.Y. and lived in Vero Beach for 16 years, coming from Chicago, Ill. She was a member of the Red Hat So-ciety. She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Edward; and her daughter, Nicole. Memorial con-tributions may be made to the Ameri-can Cancer Society at PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718. Ar-rangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.
Dorothy ClarkDorothy Brown Clark, 91, died May
3, 2011, at Consulate Health Care. She was born in Frisco City, Ala. and lived in Vero Beach for 13 years, com-ing from Pensacola. She was a mem-ber of the Olive Baptist Church, Pen-sacola. She worked after the war at the Dainty Dell Restaurant, Pensac-ola. Survivors include her son, James Henry Clark of Pensacola; and daugh-ter, Dorothy Emileen Silliter of Vero Beach. She was preceded in death by her husband; Elven James Clark. Memorial donations may be made to the Consulate Resident Activities Department, 1310 37th Street, Vero Beach, Florida 32960.
Arrangements are under the direc-tion of Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
Edward Dancy Jr.Edward C. Dancy Jr., 83, died May
1, 2011, at Indian River Medical Cen-ter, Vero Beach. He was born in Jack-sonville and was a lifelong resident of Vero Beach. He was a Veteran of World War II, he served in the Navy. He was a member of the Jaycees of Vero Beach and helped to create the Jaycee Park. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Rosanna S. Dancy of Vero Beach. Strunk Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
Constance PeaseConstance R. “Connie” Pease, 74,
died May 3, 2011, at the Indian River Medical Center, Vero Beach. She was born in Montvale, N.J. and lived in Vero Beach for 56 years, coming from Woodcliff Lake, N.J. She was pre-ceded in death by her husband, Carl E. Pease. Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse Asso-ciation & Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach.
Richard RistauRichard Allen Ristau, 59, died May
1, 2011. He was born in Albany, N.Y. and came to this area in 2006 from Bellvue, Colo. He was a graduate of the University of Maine.
Survivors include his wife, Janell Anne Blackmore Ristau. He was pre-ceded in death by his father, Richard G. Ristau. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer So-ciety, 865 S.E. Monterey Commons Blvd., Stuart, FL 34996. Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society, New Smyrna Beach, is in charge of ar-rangements.
Bobby AskinsBobby Askins, 79, died May 3,
2011, at VNA Hospice House, Vero Beach. She was born in Memphis, Tenn. and has resided locally for 55 years coming from her birthplace. She was preceded in death by her
husband, Wilbert W. Memorial Con-tributions may be made to VNA Hospice of Indian River County 901 37th Street Vero Beach, FL 32960 or www.vnatc.com. Arrangements are being handled by All County Funeral Home & Crematory Treasure Coast Chapel.
Betty DezzuttiBetty Swords Dezzutti, 91, died
April 30, 2011, at Palm Garden of Vero Beach. She was born in Peoria, Ill. and moved to Vero Beach in 1945 from her place of birth. She was a member of the First United Method-ist Church of Vero Beach where she served on the Altar Guild, of which she was the chairperson for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, John P. Dez-zutti. Memorial contributions may be made to the Florida United Method-ist Children’s Home, 51 Main Street, Enterprise, FL 32725. Arrangements are under the direction Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home & Crema-tory, Vero Beach.
Elaine GenettElaine Genett, 69, died May 3, 2011,
at VNA Hospice House, Vero Beach. She was born in Scranton, Pa. and lived in Spring Brook Township, Pa. and Vero Beach. Survivors include her husband of 48 years, Frank Ge-nett of Spring Brook Township, Pa. and Vero Beach. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Michael and Richard. Memorial Contributions may be made to American Cancer So-ciety, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home and Crema-tory, Vero Beach.
Dr. Steve SchulteDr. Steve T. Schulte, 58, died April
14, 2011, at his home. He was born in St. Petersburg and lived in Durham, N.C. and Vero Beach. A funeral mass
is planned for 10 a.m. May 13 at Holy Cross Church, Vero Beach. A lunch-eon celebrating his life will be held afterward in the Village Walk South clubhouse in Vero Beach.
Pastor William WolfeWilliam David Wolfe, 78, died April
29, 2011, at his home. He was born in Willard, Ohio and lived in Vero Beach. He served congregations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Florida. He was the Mission Devel-oper of Living Lord Lutheran Church, Vero Beach. Survivors include his wife, Barbara. Memorial contribu-tions may be made to Living Lord Lutheran Church, 2725-58th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32966. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gif-ford-Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.
Dr. Willard FitchDr. Willard M. Fitch, 88, died May
5, 2011, at the VNA Hospice House, Vero Beach. He was born in Oraville, Ill. and lived in Vero Beach for 17 years, coming from Richmond, Va. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Ann.Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Hospice House, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.
Robert OatesRobert E. Oates, 87, died May 2,
2011, at Vero’s Hospice House. He was born in Caldwell, N.J. and lived in Vero Beach since 1988, coming from Roseland, N.J. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Geraldine. Arrange-ments are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
Earl PassmoreEarl Leon “Lee” Passmore, 63, died
May 4, 2011, at VNA Hospice House.
Obituaries
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Vero Beach. He was born in Frank-lin, N.C. and was a resident of Vero Beach for 21 years, coming from cen-tral Florida. Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Gay Passmore of Vero Beach. Memorial contributions may be made to The American Can-cer Society 3375 20th Ste. 100, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home and Crema-tory, Vero Beach.
David CuffeDavid Graham Cuffe, 65, died
May 6, 2011, at VNA Hopice House in Vero Beach. He was born in Bridge-port, Conn., and lived in the area for 33 years, coming from Troy, N.Y.Survivors include his daughter, Kim-berly Brasfield of Nashville, Tenn.; mother, Jean Cuffe of Vero Beach; and brother, Douglas Cuffe of Vero Beach.He was preceded in death by his fa-ther, Alfred Cuffe. Memorial contri-butions may be made to VNA Hos-pice House, 901 37th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960; 772-978-5600; www.vnatc.com. Services: Arrangements are by All County Funeral Home & Crema-tory Treasure Coast Chapel.
Arnold KleineArnold B. Kleine, 80, died May 2,
2011, at Indian River Medical Cent-er in Vero Beach. He was born in Queens, N.Y., and lived in this area for 48 years, coming from Miami. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Alice M. Kleine. Memorial contribu-tions may be made to any veterans charity. Arrangements are by All County Funeral Home & Crematory Treasure Coast Chapel.
Donald BricknerMr. Donald Thomas Brickner,
85, died May 5, 2011 at his home in Vero Beach. He was born in Cleve-land, OH and lived in Vero Beach for 29 years coming from his birth-place. Mr. Brickner was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn Brickner in 1991. Memorial contributions may be made to Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, 6070 South Eastern Ave Suite 200, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
in memory of Donald T. Brickner. Ar-rangements by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory Vero Beach.
George C. Whealton, Jr.George C. Whealton, Jr., 87, of Vero
Beach, FL died Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach. Mr. Whealton was born in Chincoteague, VA. He was a resi-dent of Houston, TX, before becom-ing a permanent resident of Vero Beach, FL in 2008. He is survived by his wife Robin Whealton of Vero Beach, FL.
Arrangements are under the direc-tion of Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funer-al Home and Crematory, Vero Beach, Florida.
Marilyn D. DockMarilyn D. Dock of Williamsville,
NY died May 3rd in Vero Beach, FL after a long illness. Mrs. Dock and her husband of 58 years, John Wil-liam, have spent winters in Vero Beach for 20 years. Born in Pullman, WA Marilyn Dock also lived in Pe-tersburg, VA and Niagara Falls, NY, Jackson and East Lansing MI. Mrs. Dock was a member of North Pres-byterian Church. Mrs. Dock is sur-vived by her husband. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations can be made to VNA Hospice of Indian River County, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Arrangements are under the direction of Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
David Edward GerardDavid Edward Gerard, 82, of Vero
Beach, Florida, died Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at Indian River Medical Center. He was born April 17, 1929 in Oys-ter Bay, New York and had been a resident of Vero Beach for 25 years, 12 of those years as a permanent resident, coming from New York. He was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church, Vero Beach. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Alice Janet Noble Gerard. Arrangements are under the direction of Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
GreenHouse CafeChamber of CommerceHeritage CenterCommunity CenterSunny DaysBeach Bum Bagel Cafe Bodega BlueBarefoot CaféTea and ChiJetsonPipe DenThe Apple Computer CenterCompass MedicalSynergy SalonJoseph’s Breakfast TowerFirestoneABC PrintingLowe’sStarbucks
Vero Beach AirportSun Jet CenterCJ Cannon’s
South Vero BeachJoey’s Seafood ShackPress JournalStarbuck’sDoughboy’s DonutsOrchid Island Bikes & KayaksAll Thru the HouseSmokehouse BBQ GrillSubwayAct Computers
Listed below are just some of the many local businesses where you will :nd
Vero Beach Newsweekly.
www.tcpalm.com/vbweekly
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Real EstateBarrier Island Real Estate Sales – April 28-May 4
Address Subdivision List Date List Price Sell Date Sell Price Listing Broker Selling Broker660 23rd Avenue Laurel Pointe 9/8/2010 $269,000 5/4/2011 $255,000 Coldwell Banker Ed Schlitt VB Real Living All Florida Realty6400 McRae Place Amelia Plantation 3/21/2011 $264,900 4/29/2011 $245,000 RE/MAX Premier Prop Showcase Dale Sorensen Real Estate, Inc.8365 93rd Avenue Vero Lake Estates 2/12/2010 $249,900 4/29/2011 $225,000 David Walsh & Associates RE David Walsh & Associates RE4125 16th Square E Indian River Courts 3/16/2009 $240,000 5/2/2011 $225,000 Dale Sorensen RE North Dale Sorensen Real Estate, Inc.418 34th Avenue The Crossings 8/9/2010 $229,900 5/4/2011 $220,000 RE/MAX Premier Prop Showcase RE/Max Premier Prop Showcase
Address Subdivision List Date List Price Sell Date Sell Price Listing Broker Selling Broker2180 Captain’s Walk Oceanside 1/24/2011 $489,000 4/29/2011 $442,500 Alex MacWilliam, Inc. Alex MacWilliam, Inc.9230 Spring Time Drive Seasons 1/12/2011 $449,000 5/4/2011 $420,000 Alex MacWilliam, Inc. Alex MacWilliam, Inc.2700 Ocean Drive #201 Gables of Vero Beach 5/23/2009 $419,000 4/29/2011 $375,000 Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc. Star`sh Realty8795 Orchid Island Circle W #303 Sea Oaks 10/1/2010 $450,000 4/29/2011 $375,000 Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc. Dale Sorensen Real Estate, Inc.1354 Winding Oaks Circle W Sea Oaks 5/2/2010 $349,000 5/2/2011 $310,000 Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc. Dale Sorensen Real Estate, Inc.1880 Bay Road #I-118 Spinnaker Point Conto 10/1/2010 $299,000 5/2/2011 $290,000 Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc. Moorings Realty Sales Co.200 Sable Oak Lane, #204 Sable Oaks Condo 3/10/2009 $275,000 5/2/2011 $260,000 Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc. Dale Sorensen Real Estate, Inc.200 Greytwig Road #111 Riverside Gardens 12/1/2009 $249,000 5/2/2011 $210,000 Norris & Company Peters Cook & Company8725 Lakeside Blvd., #303 Sea Oaks 5/5/2009 $199,000 4/29/2011 $189,000 Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc. Treasure Coast Sotheby’s Intl215 Park Shores Circle #215B Park Shores 2/8/2010 $198,000 4/28/2011 $180,000 Treasure Coast Sotheby’s Intl Continental Group Realty300 Harbour Drive 205C Porpoise Bay Villas 3/8/2010 $170,000 5/4/2011 $154,000 Alex MacWilliam, Inc. Ron Rennick Auctions109 Park Shores Circle W #36W Park Shores 1/20/2011 $145,000 4/29/2011 $135,000 Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc. Coldwell Banker Ed Schlitt400 Beach Road, #118 John’s Island 12/3/2008 $125,000 5/3/2011 $95,000 Clia Norris Real Estate Clia Norris Real Estate
Vero Beach NEW
SWEEK
LY1801 U.S. 1Vero Beach, FL 32960
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