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Dancing in the street Tropical Luau was the theme for the Downtown Friday Festival Page 18

Social network Chamber of Commerce holds its ‘After Hours’ meet and greet at Pointe West Page 20

PHOTO BY BETSY MCKEAN

‘Using Photoshop, I can change reality,’ says artist Betsy McKean of her work. Story page 23

Is Vero’s future in fiber optics?

Officials seek improved network Page 7

In their memory Col. Anthony Young is telling of county veterans who died in combat Page 28

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get into the system and then you engineer it out by either burying the cable or stringing it from utility poles." It is difficult to say exactly what percentage of the county is fiber optic ready, but Kramer says in the developed parts of the county most businesses are within 16 blocks of a splice point. And those connection boxes run from the barrier island all the way to the county line. County Commissioner Peter O'Bryan has been working with Kramer to revive the area's dormant fiber optic capability. "The county, the city and the school district have had an agree-

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world. The process of communicating using fiber-optics involves creating the optical signal with the use of a transmitter, relaying the signal along the fiber, ensuring that the signal does not become too distorted or weak, receiving the optical signal, and converting it into an electrical signal. The infrastructure put in place by the city, county and school district consortium has put into place the skeleton of the network and it would be a relatively easy process for businesses now to hook into that grid. "It's really very easy," Kramer said. "All you have to do is find your splice point where you can

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VERO BEACH -- Vero Beach Councilman Jay Kramer has been investigating with other county officials different ways of developing and promoting the area's fiber optic capabilities. To Kramer, whose private business interests are in that field, the possibilities are limitless and the economic impact could be enormous for the city and the county. "Think about it, of all the industries that you would like to have here, of all the businesses you would like, which ones would you want? he asked. "It is the intellectual property companies. They all use up office space they pay higher wages and are looking for high capability employees. And they use minimal resources." And everywhere Kramer goes around the city and the county he sees opportunity. The City of Vero Beach, Indian River County and the School District have been working together since 1999 to put in fiber optic cables through-

out the county. "The infrastructure is already in place, it is already there," he said. "For me being in the business that is the frustrating part because I see it. I drive around the county and I look up and see that third connection on that utility pole, that is the fiber optic and it is going nowhere and any of the businesses on this street could use it." According to Wikipedia, fiberoptic communication is a method of transmitting information from one point to another by sending pulses of light through an optical fiber. The light forms an electromagnetic carrier wave that is modulated to carry information. First developed in the 1970s, fiber-optic communication systems have revolutionized the telecommunications industry and have played a major role in the advent of the Information Age. Because of its advantages over electrical transmission, optical fibers have largely replaced copper wire communications in core networks in the developed

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BY IAN LOVE VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY

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Kramer sees Vero, Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future in fiber optics

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FIBER OPTICS FROM PAGE 3

ment for years for a shared fiber optic network that connects the schools, the fire stations, the city utilities and things like that," O'Bryan said. "Over the years the county has installed quite a bit of fiber optic cable but it is underutilized for our purposes. We started talking with Martin County and the Fort Pierce Utility Authority about some joint interlocal agreements that would be beneficial to everybody." The plan is to eventually make connections all the way to Miami where the county would then be able to hook into an international network. Such a connection could literally bring the world to every tapped in keyboard in Indian River County. "Fiber optic is an infinite capacity medium," Kramer said. "Tech-

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nology has not found the limits to what a fiber optic cable can carry. You could easily be looking at speeds that exceed the speed of your computer system." Cost is still a factor in making Indian River County a focal point to attract high tech industries. There simply isn't the critical mass to attract businesses and more service providers that would bring down the cost of the network. "If you are a high tech company and you are shopping for office space what are you going to do?" Kramer said. "You are going to be looking for a place that has a very high quality internet capability. If you have fiber optic you can offer it, if you don't chances are they are going to gloss you over and move on." Kramer also noted that the limits of the current network, also limits companies to grow in the area. He said one high tech company had considered putting in a call center here, but because of the limits of current network decided to place it elsewhere. "For these high tech businesses you have to have a high quality service to match it," he said. "In that case it got outsourced outside of the community. These are local jobs that could have stayed here, that is real estate that could have been upgraded and rented out locally instead of being sent somewhere else." Kramer's grand vision is to market and attract high tech businesses and then let market forces take over. Right now he says he just wants to "sell the hell out of it." "I want to get as many people involved as we can," he said. "I see it as pure economic development tool that has many facets. It brings in new businesses, it helps out our commercial properties and it helps out our existing businesses."

Camp Haven supporters take to the streets

For weeks signs told drivers to “watch this corner on June 28th.” What popped up were dozens of wave signing supporters of Camp Haven. Camp Haven is a movement of The Source to build an open homeless camping shelter for displaced people who currently are living oﬀ the grid in woods, campgrounds and hidden spots through the county. They say they want to oﬀer a safe, legal place to sleep while providing

case management support and life skills education. Proponents of the plan include many public oﬃcials, city and county police as well as homeless and family support agencies. Camp Haven will provide showers, community cooking areas and bathrooms as well as assistance to the individuals and families who have come to ﬁnd themselves without the resources to have mainstream housing.

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LOCAL NEWS COUNTY COMMISSION CANDIDATE PROFILES

Bob Solari on a mission to reduce size of government

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County Commissioner Bob Solari is running for a second four-year term representing District 5. BY J.G. WALLACE VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY -Ask County Commissioner Bob Solari what he’s passionate about and his first answer is his wife Jackie. “Liberty,” follows close behind, so much so that when he campaigns for a second term as District 5 Commissioner he hands out trading cards with his name on the front and different quotes about liberty on the back. “This election is about the basic principles that you support,” So-

lari said. “If you believe in liberty or limited government you’ll support me. If you believe in progressivism, bigger government, and more intrusion in your life you’ll support one of my opponents.” Solari said his focus on reducing the size of local government has resulted in a lower county budget and lower property taxes, along with smaller government. “The biggest thing is the work we’ve done on the budget in the last four years. We’ve reduced the budget 30 percent, almost $107 million,” Solari said. “I think the metric which

is most easily grasped by people is the amount of ad valorem (property) taxes that we now take in. “Four years ago it was $100 million roughly, now it’s less than $70 million a year. That’s $30 million dollars a year that we’re leaving in the pockets of our residents – the people that actually earn the money, and I think that’s a very good thing,” he said. Solari’s term started at the beginning of the economic crisis, in his words, “Just as it hit the fan.” “It’s just one of the realities that we have to deal with. I don’t know

anybody who wanted this economic downturn, but we needed to deal with it in the best way we could,” he said. “The Board of County Commissioners didn’t want to increase the burden on any people who were already having a very difficult time. The high unemployment rates, the high foreclosure rates. Many people are having a difficult time.” Solari said the commissioners were able to achieve those savings by focusing in on essential services and what was needed. Solari said over the years many things

LOCAL NEWS

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Taxpayer’s Association, and is an avid hiker and bicyclist. He is facing two challengers in the District 5 Republican primary; former Vero Beach Councilman Brian Heady, and local attorney Nick Thomas. Because no independents or Democrats filed for the seat, the primary remains open to all county voters and will decide the outcome of the race.

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planning and zoning board from 1988-1992. A Republican, he was first elected to the Board of County Commissioners in 2008. A former New Yorker, he has a law degree from Fordham University, and an M.B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is involved with the Rotary Club in Vero Beach, the Republican Club, the I.R.C.

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paid after an employer has met its employment commitments. He noted the county is positioned well for economic development because of a lower tax rate and less regulation, and a commission which actively seeks business to set up shop in the community. “The proof is in the pudding over the last three years,” Solari said, pointing to Nylacarb, SpectorSoft, and an un-named Michigan ammunition manufacturer that have already set up operations or are expected to operate in Indian River County. Solari is a contrast in ideals. He argues against what he terms, “progressive,” issues like environmentalism, yet is passionate about the county’s environmental problems, which he believes can be helped through government intervention and are linked to the county’s dependence on tourism as a revenue stream. Beyond cost-cutting, he is proud of the commissioners’ efforts to improve water quality in the Indian River Lagoon with projects like the man-made Spoonbill Marsh. While he favors smaller government he noted that an effort such as Spoonbill Marsh, which mixes the brine by-product of water treatment with lagoon water, and uses oysters for biological filtration, cannot be achieved by private citizens and requires government input. Solari, 59, has been a county resident since 1980. He met his wife Jackie, “on the beach in Vero Beach.” He has worked as a financial consultant, citrus executive, and as a full-time commissioner. He is proud to have lived “in the same house with the same wife,” for more than 25 years, a rare achievement in Florida in his words. He is a former Vero Beach City Councilman, serving from 20052007, and also served on the city’s

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were added to the budget which were nice but not needed. “We kept drilling down to needs and essential services,” he said. Solari is an advocate of privatization to get government out of the business of providing services that the private sector can handle. “If there are things that the government doesn’t need to do then why are we doing it?” he asked. Among the savings Solari points to that have been achieved during his first term are privatization of the transfer stations, the landfill, and landscaping services in parks and along the beach. “All these things weren’t essential government services. They are things that the private sector could do and sometimes do better and cheaper than us. Those were all positive things we did and they seem to be bearing out.” Another area Solari points to in budget cutting was his helping to eliminate13 different committees such as the Historical Committee, the Marine Advisory Committee, and the Land Conservation Committee. Solari said those committees were, “nice but not needed.” He noted when he took office the county had more than 40 committees. By making the reductions he estimates taxpayers have saved over a million dollars a year without any loss of services. “It has been two years on and not one person has ever mentioned those committees to me,” Solari said. “Basically what had happened was that during different times there was probably a need for a committee, so they created it but they never sunseted’ it.” In the area of expanding the local economy, Solari said the county’s jobs credit program has laid a good foundation for economic development. The program establishes credits for creating and maintaining jobs, with wage-linked credits

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School district makes its case for tax levy extension Few members of the public show up as oﬃcials explain why they are seeking $32.7 million over next 5 years BY PAT LAVINS VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – A town hall meeting held last week drew only about a dozen people to hear Indian River County School District officials explain why they need more tax dollars to cover education needs. If approved by the voters, taxpayers will pay 60 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value in addition to the regular school district tax. The additional tax would go into effect in the 2013-2014 budget year. District officials say the 60 cent tax replaces two other existing special tax rates set to expire in 2013. The 2013 budget year is the last year the district can assess

the voter-approved 2010 critical needs tax and debt service tax from the 1990 bond referendum that paid to build Sebastian River High School and Oslo Middle School. The essential operating tax is expected to generate about $32.7 million by 2017 and could pay for instructional materials, school computers, technology and 31 positions currently paid for by the 2010 critical needs tax. Among those in attendance for the presentation were members of the Taxpayers Association, the Tea Party and a small assembly of people who routinely attend functions sponsored by the school district. At least one group has come out

against the tax extension. Mark Mucher, a Taxpayers Association board member, told the Press Journal the association took a position against it before the school board’s presentation. In looking ahead to future budget years, Carter noted the district is facing escalating costs of operation in an environment when revenue and property values are expected to decline, but state and federal mandates continue to rise. Bruce Green, executive director of instructional and information technology, said revenue from the special tax would allow the district to upgrade its outdated business computer systems, developed in the 1970s. Student computer stations and technology could also

be updated, he said. Currently, the district’s 9,000 school computers are on a sixyear replacement cycle, Green said. That cycle will be stretched to seven years because no money is budgeted for the new computers, he said. The 100 computer servers are also on a ﬁve-year refresh cycle, he said. “We have stretched these refresh cycles to the limit,” Green said. The proposal made by the Indian River School District is different from the proposal made by the Brevard County School District, which is faced with the same economic challenges. In Brevard County, the school district has proposed the implementation of a sales tax.

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enue for the utility. “I’m excited to get somebody with this kind of experience. To me that is a critical part,” O’Connor said. “He is familiar with our types of units and when you go into an overhaul like we’re going to have, plus this period of time (in the Summer) where we are going to be called upon for peak demands that really helps.” According to a biography posted on the FPUA website, Richards has more than 44 years of experience in engineering, administrative, supervisory, marketing and management capacities related to electric and natural gas utilities. Prior to his work in Ft. Pierce, he worked as an engineering consultant in Ohio, and in administrative and engineering capacities for electric utilities in Michigan for 19 years.

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Summer Beach Tunics

sidered retirement. “I had an idea at the time that I might want to retire but I wasn’t quite ready to hang it all up and sit around the house watching soap operas,” he said with a laugh. “It’s no long term commitment and if the job goes away in a year that would suit me just fine.” Richards said he sees some challenges in the plant’s future even as the city pursues a sale to FPL. “Despite the fact that people think the plant isn’t used, it is used and we’re required to be available and useful in the summertime when we have peak loads,” Richards said. “And the overhaul this year needs to be managed.” Richards also said he plans to look for opportunities in the Florida Municipal Power Pool to sell some power when the city has excess capacity, as a means of generating additional rev-

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As the City of Vero Beach navigates a course toward the potential sale of the electric utility, a new and experienced hand will be at the helm of the city’s power plant on an interim basis. Thomas W. Richards, who has worked in various capacities at the Ft. Pierce Utilities Authority since 1991, most recently as Director of Electric & Gas Systems, will be starting as the city’s new Power Plant Director on July 16. Richards will be considered a fulltime temporary employee according to City Manager Jim O’Connor, and will be paid $117,000 per year. As a temporary employee he will not be eligible for pension contributions or a severance package, and his current contract is for a 24-month period, O’Connor said. “It’s timed to coincide with the potential sale of the utility,” O’Connor said. Richards will replace former Power Resources Director Jim Stevens who retired on May 1. Stevens took a position in New York after 14 years working for the City of Vero Beach. O’Connor said he has no plans to fill the position of former Customer Service Manager John Lee who re-

tired on March 2, and that Richards will report directly to him. O’Connor said Richards would be a good fit for the city at an important time for the electric utility. “Tom Richards has experience in our type of power plant and extensive knowledge of power transmission and distribution also,” O’Connor said. The former downtown power plant in Ft. Pierce is often referred to as a sister plant to the Vero Beach plant, as both use gas and oil and have similar equipment. O’Connor said he gave consideration to replacing Stevens because the city has a long-planned overhaul of two of the plant’s units in the fall, a project that represents nearly $3 million in capital expenditures. In addition, O’Connor said Richards’ experience would help the city address air quality issues, and assist in the budget process which begins next week. “It’s a relatively short term assignment and that suits me fine,” said Richards, a resident of Vero Beach. “I’m near the end of my career. This will be an interesting and challenging job for me.” Richards is still working at the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority on a parttime basis, but recently gave the city his two-week notice. Richards con-

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BY J.G. WALLACE VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY

City hires new power plant manager

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Heart failure clinic improving outlook for patients BY STEPHANIE LABAFF VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – The recently opened Heart Failure Management Clinic at the Indian River Medical Center is earning rave reviews from doctors and patients alike as an invaluable tool to monitor the incurable condition once it has been diagnosed. The Indian River Medical Center opened the Heart Failure Management Clinic in January of this year and is one of a growing number of such specialized services to emerge over the last 10 years. The goal of the clinic is to help patients return to normal

activities as quickly as possible by helping them to manage the symptoms of their heart failure. It offers an outpatient disease management program with a focus on educating clients about the condition. The current national rate of re-admission for heart failure patients is around 25 percent. The IRMC’s Heart Failure Management Clinic has been able to cut that number by more than half, with only a 10 percent re-admission rate among its 40 active patients. “The cardiologist provides the lion’s share of the care,” said clinic administrator Jason Nance.”We are here to be a re-

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Covering of Vero Beach Because no community is an island The neighborhoods that make up our greater community continue to become more, not less connected and interdependent. Don’t settle for just a fraction of the news you need. Read the Newsweekly, your community weekly newspaper from cover to cover. Inside T H U R S D A Y

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The Vero Beach Newsweekly gives you the barrier island and more. To learn more, call Martine Fecteau at 772-696-2004 or Mark Schumann at 772-696-5233.

source for both the cardiologist and the patient. We are a weapon in their arsenal against heart failure.” According to the American Heart Association, heart failure is the leading cause of death and hospitalization in the developed world. It affects at least 5 million Americans and is the top reason people over 65 are admitted to the hospital. Heart failure occurs when the heart is not pumping blood around the body efficiently. It usually develops after an injury to the heart. Some of the more common causes of heart failure are coronary artery disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, valve disease, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, endocarditis, myocarditis, and diabetes. Left untreated, 50 percent of heart failure sufferers die within the first five years of their diagnosis. These statistics demonstrate how crucial it is to begin the education process as soon as a patient has been diagnosed with the condition. After a patient has been admitted to the IRMC, a cardiologist will assess the cause and severity of the patient’s heart problem. Once the patient has been treated and released from the hospital, he is seen by Patricia Draper, nurse-practitioner at the HFMC within seven days. The care plan prescribed by the cardiologist is reviewed with the patient. Medications are carefully monitored. “The model we are following is a multidisciplinary, team approach,” said Nance. “The car-

diologist, pharmacist, endocrinologist and dietitian are consulted as needed for each individual patient. Hospitals are focusing on reducing readmissions in all aspects of health care. This type of program is more prevalent in communitybased hospitals like IRMC.” Vero Beach resident Suzanne Penney can attest to the benefits of the Heart Failure Management Clinic. She was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy in 2008. Her condition was serious enough to consider a heart transplant. When the HFMC opened earlier this year, her cardiologist, Seth Baker referred her to this program. “She’s the poster child for a program like this,” Baker said. “Suzanne wants to feel good. She is willing to do whatever it takes.” Baker is thrilled with the work the clinic is doing. “They do a terrific job,” he said. “It’s difficult for doctors to diagnose, educate, and monitor every aspect of a patient’s care. The clinic offers a hands-on, comprehensive addition to what the physician does. I have referred all of my heart failure patients there and most are taking advantage of this great resource.” You wouldn’t know that Penney has chronic heart disease if you passed her on the street. She attributes her cardiologist and the HFMC as being a crucial part of her current good health. “I can’t say enough about Pat,” Penney said. “It is so comforting knowing that someone is there to answer my questions 24/7. “Being healthy enough to

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work, helps me to stay healthy. If I had to sit around all day without something to occupy my mind I don’t think I would have made so much progress.” When Draper works with a new patient she takes into consideration all aspects of their life. “I have to consider each patient’s educational ability, coping skills, life style issues (smoking cessation, medication compliance, etc.), when determining a course of action. “Suzanne has been a great patient. She does whatever I ask of her. During the course of her visits, we discovered that she wasn’t taking the level of medication that her cardiologist had prescribed. We worked together and got her where she needed to be,” Draper said. The clinics goal is to increase the patient’s life expectancy, avoid hospitalizations, slow the progression of the disease, improve the length and quality of life, monitor and manage symptoms, educate, support and manage medications. In addition to the services already provided through the HFMC, this fall they will be offering a support group in association with Mended Hearts and the ICD (Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator) support group.

PHOTO BY STEPHANIE LABAFF

Suzanne Penney patient Patricia Draper, ARNP, MSN, CCRN, BC

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Veterans saluted at Memorial Island

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LOCAL NEWS

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL BIELECKI

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary was dedicated April 28, 2012. BY MICHAEL BIELECKI VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY

Retired US Army Colonel Anthony Young helped save the lives of countless soldiers as the chief of staff for the Medical Service Corps in Operation Desert Storm. Some 20 years later, the Vero Beach native has found a calling, once more, on the intelligence and organizational aspect of war. The grandson and namesake of Vero Beach’s first mayor, A.W. Young, ‘Tony’ (as he is known to his friends) is well served by his passion for preserving the history of local combat veterans who were lost in combat. As president of the Indian River Genealogical Society, Young has pooled his organization’s resources for well

over the past year in an effort to tell each fallen soldier’s story “When I retired and came back here to Vero Beach in 2006, I offered to help conduct ceremonies with the veterans on Veterans Day and Memorial Day,” Young said. “One of the things that disturbed me was that when I would walk through the square on Memorial Island, as a local boy, I could recognize names but I didn’t know their stories. Once I was on the Memorial Island Committee, I offered Alma Lee Loy and the committee that the Indian River County Genealogical Society might be interested in researching the names. The committee welcomed that, and I was determined to do my best to learn all of their

stories.” According to Young, the challenge was choosing where the starting point would be on the project. “For most of these men, we only started with a name on a stone,” Young said. “Some names are easy to look up and others were difficult. To date, we’ve been successful with obtaining information on over 90% of the men. There are still some mysteries out there, but we’re working on it.” Acquiring data nearly a century old not only requires research, but also time and patience. For Young, it took him back to a time in Vero Beach’s past when the city was a part of St. Lucie County. It was Young’s grandfather, A.W. Young,

Retired US Army Colonel Anthony Young

who defied St. Lucie County’s Blue Laws in 1919 and helped pave the way for the 1925 establishment of both Indian River County and Martin County. “It was amazing when to think that by beginning our research on World War I, Indian River County was part of St. Lucie County,” Young said. “Then you go all the way up to the USS Cole where Petty Officer 2nd Class Ronald Scott Owens was killed by a terrorist attack. If you look around Vero, you will find a lot of patriotic families who have relatives that served. Go to the Crestlawn Cemetery on Memorial Day and you will see it covered in flags.” Further, Memorial Island is a huge testament to Vero Beach’s

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collective and long-standing respect for our country’s armed forces. “There are 73 men that are recognized on Veterans Memorial Island, and the majority of them— 55—were recognized when the island was dedicated in 1964,” Young said. “Originally, there were palms on the island that were surrounded by stones, but in the mid-90’s the park was reconfigured and more money was put into it.” Located next to Riverside Park on the Barrier Island, just south of the Merrill Barber Bridge, the island was purchased by the City of Vero Beach in 1947 and later dedicated as Memorial Island Park. The name was changed to Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary in 2004, and it is currently considered one of the best parks of its type in the country. “Having been to Normandy, Arlington, and a lot of other memorial locations, Vero Beach, FL is

very fortunate to have what they do in Memorial Island,” Young said. “Where else can you look at tributes to the veterans and then look up and see dolphin playing near the edge of the island? Alex MacWilliam had the dream after WWII for the park, and I’m thankful it became a reality.” MacWilliam, much like A.W. Young, had a direct hand in shaping Vero Beach into what it is today. Although he had only lived in Vero Beach for six years by 1925, he was right alongside Young when all of the important decisions were made in creating Indian River County. And although he went on to be Vero Beach’s mayor for 20 years, the apex of his legacy is the creation of Memorial Island. “After World War II, the Army Corps of Engineers was widening the Intracoastal Waterway and Mr. MacWilliam convinced the agency to realign their original channel in anticipation of building the Bar-

ber Bridge,” Young said. “He asked them to pump the extra spoil into a marshy area next to the proposed bridge that would eventually become Riverside Park. He also envisioned taking one of the spoil islands created from dredging and establishing a memorial dedicated to local servicemen who had been killed in action during the two world wars. He had the agency dump sand exactly on the spot he wanted that memorial.” After the island was purchased by the city in 1947, the Veteran’s Council of Indian River County appointed a committee to advise and aid in the development of the memorial and to raise the necessary funds. Two of the original 87 committee members still remain with the passing of Helen MacWilliam Glenn—Alex MacWilliam’s eldest daughter—June 19. Glenn’s passion for the island her father created was equaled by the hard work she put into it over the years.

“Helen was there when the original committee was formed for the island, and she has worked hand in hand with both the city and county to put it together,” Young said. “She was the catalyst that made all the improvements come together by having groups like the Garden Club—which she was president of—and the Indian River County Veterans Organization work with one another.” According to Young, it was paramount to Glenn that the island be used as a place where people could come and reflect on the sacrifice that was given by the veterans—it was to always be a sanctuary, not a park used for recreation. “Like her dad, she was singleminded—adamant—that it be set aside as a place of reflection,” Young said. “Helen did it not only as a tribute to the veterans, but also to her father. You won’t find a better realization of a dream—she was very pleased with the island.”

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Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary was established in 1964, and has since undergone upgrades and improvements which have made it a unique piece of American military history.

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Community Forum

Twin Pairs study is not a waste of taxpayer dollars BY MILT THOMAS VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY

The downtown Twin Pairs configuration has again emerged as a problem, but why do another study? Probably because the only benefit ever cited for keeping the status quo is that it enables drivers to travel unimpeded between the beach and I-95. So there must be more to this story. Here it is. Back in 1970, Interstate 95 ended at State Road 60, where traffic was diverted through downtown to U.S. 1 south. To accommodate the increased traffic volume, the Florida DOT decided to create two one-way streets through the city. Thus, the Twin Pairs were (or was?) born. But I-95 was completed before work began on the Twin Pairs. So, not to be deterred, DOT decided to build the road anyway – but not until 21 years later! By 1991, downtown Vero was virtually a ghost town. You could shoot a cannon down 14th Avenue and not need liability insurance. So, when DOT announced

plans to build the Twin Pairs, no one in local government objected. Apparently unnoticed, was an effort by local residents and MILT THOMAS business people to revitalize the downtown district. After all, it was historical heart of our community and work had just been completed on a brand new Main Library. A new courthouse was also on the way. All city government offices were downtown. Revitalizing downtown made sense for other reasons, too. Just about anyone visiting or living in Vero Beach had to pass through downtown. Think of it as our community’s living room, and for most residents, the living room needed redecorating. The Twin Pairs were completed and traffic flowed easily through town on five slick, interstate-width lanes. Meanwhile, downtown stakeholders Mark Schumann, Publisher 978-2246 Mark.Schumann@scripps.com

“Doing well by doing good.” Vero Beach Newsweekly is distributed throughout Vero Beach and the barrier island. Visit us on the web at www.VeroBeachNewsweekly.com Mail may be sent to Vero Beach Newsweekly, 1801 U.S. Hwy. 1, Vero Beach, FL, 32960

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invested in dormant buildings to attract shoppers. A group of business owners and residents formed the Downtown Vero Beach Association and held fund raisers including the popular Downtown Friday. Money raised was donated to the city for improvements to 14th Avenue downtown, known as the Model Block, including street pavers, banners, old fashioned street lights and other embellishments. Businesses and people began returning to downtown. The DVBA applied for Main Street status with the state and it was granted in 1998. Property values began to rise, increasing tax revenues to the city. Then in 2000, the city of Vero Beach financed a study of downtown and what could be done to take it to the next level of success. The Hunter & Associates study was presented to City Council in January 2001. Highest on the list of recommendations was to do something about the Twin Pairs. It was bisecting Marsha Damerow Graphic Designer Judy Graziosi Graphic Designer Lisa Rymer Contributor Milt Thomas Contributor

Scott Alexander Contributor Michael Birnholz Contributor Barbara Yoresh Contributor Martine Fecteau Account Executive

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downtown Vero and hindering its redevelopment. The City Council then decided to conduct a workshop in March 2001. That resulted in an Ad Hoc Committee to determine a list of priorities and a timetable to accomplish them. The Ad Hoc Committee presented its report in October 2001 to City Council. Highest among the recommendations was to do something about the Twin Pairs. City Council decided to hold another workshop. Since then more studies, vision teams, charettes, EAR reports, hand wringing and most of all, no action. I think you get the point. Downtown Vero Beach has become a hub of community activity marred only by the superhighway that cuts right through it. Yes, downtown businesses – all of them city of Vero Beach taxpayers – do benefit from this growth in revenue and property value, but so do the rest of us. It is easy to have a knee jerk reaction against change. But downtown Vero Beach is more than a way to get from point A to point B. It is the heart of our community, with the courthouse, main library, city government complex, historic Pocahontas Park and now great restaurants and an art district. So much of our community’s uniqueness lies right there where our community began, on both sides of the Twin Pairs. Downtown should be a destination, not a bypass.

COMMUNITY FORUM

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Carroll to be specific about what reductions in city services and increases in taxes and fees they are prepared to ask the public to accept in exchange for lower electric rates. The public deserves to know – and now rather than later. No well-run organization would sell a subsidiary or division that is supplying 30 percent of its gross revenue without first developing detailed financial models. Before such a move was seriously contemplated, contingency budgets would enumerate - in detail - cuts in expenses and new sources of revenue. City Manager Jim O’Connor and Budget Director Cindy Lawson have been working to identify possible cuts. But none of the three members of the Council who are most eager to sign a deal have publically addressed the

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to join this conversation, Kramer and Winger are left with the sound of one hand clapping. Next week the City Council will begin holding workshops to develop a budget for fiscal year 2012/2013. Because the Council and staff will be focused on developing a plan for expenses and revenue only through the fall of 2013, the public will still be in the dark about what to expect in 2014 and beyond. Turner, Fletcher and Carroll may be right in their belief that the city can adjust to the loss of 30 percent of its general fund revenue, but that doesn’t mean the public should be expected to trust the survival of the city, or the quality of life here, on little more than their assurances that all will be well. It is time for Turner, Fletcher and

question of specifically what cuts in services and increases in taxes they would be willing to support. Quite simply, there is a missing conversation about where Turner, Fletcher and Carroll plan to take the city. One reason given for not doing the kind of contingency budgeting described above is because the final numbers are not yet in on what it will cost the city to settle its obligations to the Florida Municipal Power Agency and the Orlando Utility Commission. At the very least, it seems clear there is no willingness on the part of the City Council to borrow money to sell the system. So, a starting point might be to assume the system can be sold for exactly what it will cost the city to hand it over to Florida Power and Light. That still leaves the question of how much of a gap in the general fund budget the city will need to close by cutting services and/or raising taxes. Estimates of what this shortfall is likely to be are near $4 million. Would it seem prudent, then, to build a few financial models around assumed budget gaps of $3 million, $4 million and $5 million? This kind of contingency budgeting would give the members of the City Council an “opportunity” to be forthright about what levels of cuts in services and increases in taxes they are prepared to ask the public to accept in exchange for lower electric rates. Are Turner, Fletcher and Carroll ready to have this difficult conversation, or are they going to sell the electric system while promising all gain and no pain? It is time to put the cards on the table.

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Discerning individuals with the resources to live almost anywhere say they are proud to have settled in Vero Beach. Describing the qualities that set this community apart, many speak of cultural offerings, including the Vero Beach Museum of Art and the Riverside Theatre. Beautiful and well-maintained parks, and the high quality of city services in general, are among other reasons people give for choosing to live in Vero Beach. You will not likely find anyone who claims to have moved to Vero Beach after first searching the state for the city with the lowest utility rates. But you will find many people who say they moved to Vero Beach because, for its size, the city has so much to offer. Mayor Pilar Turner, Vice Mayor Craig Fletcher and Councilwoman Tracy Carroll, the three member of the council most enthusiastic about selling the electric system, say they are confident the likely benefit to the community in lower electric rates will far outweigh the costs in terms of cuts in services and increases in taxes. Yet, to date Turner, Fletcher and Carroll have not been specific about what reductions in services or increases in fees and taxes will be necessary when the city is no longer buttressing its $20 million general fund with $6 million in revenue from the electric system. The Council’s other two members, Jay Kramer and Richard Winger, appear ready to have a public conversation about what the city will need to ask of its residents and taxpayers in order to be able to sell the electric system. Unfortunately, unless Turner, Fletcher and Carroll are willing

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COMMUNITY FORUM

Kicking the city around doesn’t solve anything MARK SCHUMANN

One member of the Indian River County Commission indicated recently he believes Vero Beach’s ﬁnancial challenges are rooted in ineﬃciencies and wasteful spending. Along with his colleagues, this commissioner is understandably proud that the County Commission has not increased the tax rate assessed property owners, despite steady and sharp declines in home values. With the downward slide in property values, holding the county’s property tax rate at 3.01 mills means the county is learning how to do with less, as it should. After all, if there ever was an example of expenses rising to meet income it would be the increase in coun-

ty spending from $14 million in 2002 to $19.6 million in 2007 – a 39.6 percent increase. Over those same ﬁve years, the city’s general fund grew just 19.7 percent. If and when the city turns its electric utility over to Florida Power and Light it will lose some $6 million in revenue it has used each year to help pay for city services such as police protection, popular recreation programs, guarded beaches and well-maintained parks and other facilities. Because the city has proﬁted over the years from owning and operating a water and sewer system and an electric utility, it has been able to provide excellent services while assessing a property tax rate only half that of com-

parable cities in Florida. Now that the city is negotiating to turn its electric utility over to FPL, many are asking questions about how the city can and should adjust to the anticipated loss of 30 percent of its general fund revenue. Can the city reduce its general fund budget $6 million, as some suggest? That is doubtful, partly because it is by no means clear the residents of Vero Beach are willing to accept drastic cuts in services. City lifeguards were at the ready recently when a tourist was attacked by a shark at a central city beach. Fortunately that tourist was not at the county’s unprotected public beach. Would the city’s most vocal detractor on the County Commission suggest the city cut

County City Budget Comparison County*

25 M

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$14,865,133

$20,221,311

$15,791,194

$21,373,422

$17,001,988

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$18,387,973

$22,997,509

$19,612,060

$23,395,500

$19,567,454

$22,335.739

$17,224.316

$21,644,144

$16,190,280

$20,413,340

$15,478,016

$19,545,022

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$14,045,401

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2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008 2008/2009 2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012 *Note: The Indian River County Commission General Fund budget does not include the budget for the county's constitutional officers: Sheriff's Office, Supervisor of Elections, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Clerk of Court. +Note: The City's General Fund budget included the police department, but does not include enterprise funds: Marina, Airport, Water and Sewer, Electric.

back on lifeguard protection, as the Commission has done? If less government is good, is none better? Should visitors to local beaches bring their own lifeguards? Should victims of shark attacks be responsible for having at the ready their own rescue helicopter? Libertarians are reluctant to accept this, but there really are many appropriate services best provided by government. Anyone convinced the city’s budget problems will go away if only its government could learn to do with less might be interested to know that many coastal counties in Florida provide lifeguard protection for the public beaches within their jurisdictions, including beaches within municipalities. In contrast, the Indian River County Commission makes no contribution to the cost of protecting the public beaches within the city, though it does provide limited protection at a public beach in the Town of Indian River Shores. The City of Vero Beach bears the full $680,000-a-year cost of protecting South Beach, Humiston Beach, and Jaycee Beach, even though some 65 percent of the people using the city’s beaches, parks, boat ramps and other facilities do not live in the city or pay city taxes. Kicking the city around may be a popular sport locally, but the exercise does absolutely nothing to help ﬁnd a way for the city to aﬀord to turn its electric system over to FPL. Perhaps at least a partial solution to the city’s looming budget problems would be for the County Commission to step up to the plate and begin sharing in the cost of providing city services that are enjoyed by so many county residents.

COMMUNITY FORUM

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V E R O

When I was a boy growing up in Wisconsin, we never hesitated in summer to go swimming. Whether it was in a pristine REVEREND spring-fed pond, a SCOTT ALEXANDER swift flowing river, or one of the clear and deep Great Lakes there was nothing swimming in the water which could do you harm. I always felt safe in the water in my home state, and loved to swim without fear, anxiety or caution. But such is not the case here in Florida. It was a real intellectual and behavioral adjustment for me when I moved to the Sunshine State to realize that whether you are talking inland or ocean waters, there are creatures out there that can do you harm. There are more than 1.3 million hungry alligators prowling the fresh and brackish waters of our beautiful state, and in the pristine ocean waters swimmers must be wary of countless sharks, barracudas, stingrays, and poisonous jellyfish. All this got me thinking about the paradoxical nature of this amazing creation we live in. On the one hand, here in Florida we share the natural environment with many critters that can do us physical harm – simply put, this is not a danger-free world. But we also have some of the gentlest and most endearing creatures on earth. Sharing the intra-coastal waters with the predatory alligators are the friendly manatees and dolphins. The oceans (with their prowling sharks) also teem with bright and beautiful fish of count-

less varieties to both please our eyes and palates. All of this leads me to spiritually conclude that this natural world is really quite neutral to our human presence. While life on this planet – with its mixture of manatees, alligators, sharks and dolphins -- is not out to get us, neither does it promise us a free ride. The natural world in which we find ourselves is clearly not singularly designed with all our human needs and wants in mind, but neither is it openly or systematically hostile to our presence here on earth. The world we have been given just is and I think it is spiritually unwise to begrudge creation for all the many ways in which it challenges our safety, security and comfort. A couple of years ago, my best friend in the world, Paul, was diagnosed with an aggressive and terminal cancer. Ever the nononsense scientist and stoic, Paul refused to take this sad turn of events personally, pointing out to all who loved him that cancers do grow in human bodies. Whenever he talked about the cancer that was spreading within him, rather than begrudge creation he simply said, “There it is.” I too see the world in this way. Ours is a world with alligators and manatees, cancers and chrysanthemums, hurricanes and rainbows. It’s both a dangerous and delicious world, and it is definitely not all about us and our human needs. Rev. Scott W. Alexander is the minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach, and has been a minister, author, and educator for almost 40 years. He is an avid cyclist and outdoor enthusiast who loves living in Vero Beach.

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Alligators, manatees and the rest of God’s creations

Downtown Friday Fest holds summer tropical luau BY CHRISTINA TASCON VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY

Usually the summertime in Vero Beach is the quiet season, but that was not evident by the hundreds that came out for June’s Downtown Friday Festival. A Tropical Luau theme offered pina coladas and hula skirts as the band “Tightrope” played reggae and party music to get the

crowd dancing in the street. “This is the only time I get to see some of my friends and neighbors,” said Karen Penney on why she came out to the event. Her friends and husband, Bill Penney, agreed that it was a great turnout. “I don’t like to drink beer and have fun, but my wife made me come,” joked Penney’s friend David Millwood on why he was there.

On top of the regular bounce house, junior trolley ride and the food, drink and gift vendors, the street was chock full of local candidates and supporters campaigning for the coming election. Wesley Davis was one of the scarce politicians attending who was not in a political battle this year and he said he missed the energy of being on the campaign trail.

“I encourage everybody to run and get out and show their support,” said Davis. “I really respect and admire all of them and especially what their families go through too.” Whether politician, partier, observer or participant, one thing was very clear -- it may be the off season in Vero Beach, but a crowd will come out to enjoy a good time.

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Social | Lifestyle

PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA TASCON

Ryan Wilson looks for something to buy at the vendor tents

Ava Partlow blows the train whistle her uncle bought her after her trolley ride

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David Suter enjoys the bounce house

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Lacrosse team’s Michael Spielman, Bill Cluck, Chris D’Autrechy, John Miller, Zach Martin and Dan Rey look for new members and sponsors

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Emcee Hamp Elliott makes sure no hands touch the floor or heads touch the TV’s former “Doublemint Gum” twins Cindy & Sandy Acker enjoy the festivities with friend Dr. Frank Gavin limbo stick as the crowd looks on

The Dermody Family takes in the music and dancing held in the main bandstand area

Naomi & Caroline Scott with their new puppy Ruby

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VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY

by Christina tasCon

One of the more successful networking events held in Indian River County is the Chamber of Commerce’s “After Hours” held each month. Allison McNeal, the Chamber’s membership director, says there is a waiting list well into 2013 for members wanting to host an “Af-

ter Hours.” Business owners view the event as a way of introducing themselves to a large number of other local business owners. “It’s about collaboration and working together in our community to thrive,” said member Cindy Hejlik of Harvest Food Outreach. Over 80 Chamber members attended an event last week at Pointe West. Although the food, drinks and

general networking are a big draw, it is also about generating business. “We have done various Chamber events,” said Karen Mechling, Sales & Marketing Director of The Club at Pointe West. “This is our introduction to the second phase of our construction.” Kerry Firth, owner and publisher of Inside Track Almanac, was able to conduct some business and sold

a space in her Discover Love Bridal Guide to Curt Lienemann of Culinary Capers during the event. “This is what networking is all about,” said Firth. “Sometimes during the regular work day clients are too hard to catch since they are doing business and handling customers. Here you have time to explain your product and make a connection.”

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Photos by CHRISTINA TASCON

Lynne Fiske (EGP), Kerry Firth (Inside Track Almanac), Sasha Zebryck (Sasha Speaks), Will Schlitt (Schlitt Tax & Acct.) and Cindy Hejlik (Harvest Food Outreach)

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Tom Barclay (Barclay Financial), John Adams (Adams Locks), and Ashley Cullen Curt Lieneman (Culinary Capers), Debbie Chastain (The Arbors), and Theresa (Caribbean Lawn & Landscape) Woodson (American Cancer Society)

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Dan Savage (ASG Printing), Karen Mechling (Pointe West) and Howard Darvin Chamber Ambassadors Rosalie Webster (VNA) and Cindy Goetz (Mary Kay (D.R. Horton Homes) Cosmetics)

Betsy McKean making art out of every day objects BY CHRISTINA TASCON VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY

Betsy McKean is a well respected artist whose work has evolved with the emerging technologies that computers have brought into the art world. Born in Wisconsin to an artist father, McKean constantly watched him paint as she grew up. His art and skill led to her interest in the arts. Studying at the University of Wisconsin in Art Education and continuing on to receive her Masters at the University of Virginia, McKean was on a path to teach

fine art and also continue her career in painting as an artist using acrylics. While teaching at a college in Petersburg, Va., she took a photography class as a treat when a trip she had planned fell through. Perhaps that was fate or divine intervention for McKean, but it began a journey onto her new artistic path. “I remember putting my images in the processing chemical the first time and an image just floated up,” said McKean as she recalled her first photo classes. “It was like magic.” Absorbing everything she could

about photography techniques including hand coloring and imaging, McKean embraced the advantages of using computer technology hand-in-hand with her photography. McKean maneuvered composition of one or a series of objects to form a design pattern which pleased her eye and to create the mood she wished to convey. Superimposing each piece over another; altering the opacity on the layered photographs and repeating items to complete a pattern to her liking make her work distinct. McKean creates visually stim-

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This memorable piece is McKean’s “Homage” which is digital collage tribute to Chihuly Glass

ulating finished collage pieces which draw the viewer in to the depth of each layer she adds one on top of the other. Many of her subject objects are also manipulated in such a way as to no longer distinguish the original object photographed while still maintaining a sense of familiarity and recognition of each piece. Her piece “Converging Containers” was the result of a challenge by the Brevard Museum of Art to have artists take a common object and have it take on a new form. They sent McKean one Chinese take-out carton from which her piece should flow. “My aim was to create a poetic visual puzzle,” McKean explained. “I was Interested in the challenge of creating art from everyday containers, I wanted to imply spatial illusions, invent intriguing patterns and transform real objects into abstract images.” She was not content to capture just an interesting photograph in a unique way, McKean wanted to present a vision she had to create an illusion of the object symbolically. She basically wanted the viewer to recognize the object but not see the object as a photograph of itself. McKean conquered the challenge and her piece was accepted into the All Florida Juried Competition and Exhibition at the Boca Raton Museum of Art and won two awards at the Indian River Photo Club and Vero Beach Museum of Art. Success spurred her on to continue the exploration in duplicating patterns and using objects from everyday items for her art such as CD’s, envelopes, translucent gift bags and the like.

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! J U L Y 5 , 2 0 1 2 ! V E R O B E A C H N E W S W E E K L Y PHOTO BY CHRISTINA TASCON

Artist Betsy McKean with her latest piece, “Converging Containers”

Her medium is considered photography or digital art and her tools are her camera, scanner, computer and the Photoshop program which she calls “powerful.” “Using Photoshop, I can change reality,” she said. Although McKean still creates acrylic oil paintings of mostly tropical Florida scenes photography consumes most of her time. Recently she created a new fine art book titled “Pieces of Time”

which has been quite successful. Combining poetry or bits and pieces of notes she has collected by others and of her own with older items which carry certain memories, McKean allows the photographs to suggest a story or memorable place and time. “Sometimes I photographed the objects just as I found them and sometimes combining them made for a more intriguing picture,” said McKean. “The objects speak to us

of times gone by and bring these pieces back to life.” McKean’s work has been shown in numerous exhibitions in the United States including the Virginia Museum of Fine Art; Smithsonian American Art Museum; HeadleyWhitney Museum and many others of note. Her work is also included in many private and corporate distinguished collections. When asked if she would ever retire, McKean said that she

would never quit. “Once you are an artist, you are always an artist until your last breath,” she said. “In art age is really a bonus because you have more experiences to draw upon.” Her most recent and local exhibition may be viewed at Darby Fine Art Gallery located in Historic Downtown Vero Beach and may also be seen on her website, BetsyMckean.com through Fine Art America.

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Community Calendar EVERY FRIDAY ! Farmer’s Market

JULY 21 & 22 ! Christmas in July

3-6 pm, downtown Vero, corner 14th Ave. & 21st St. 772-480-8353.

At Waldo’s Driftwood Resort to benefit the Love Doctors Charities, Toy Drive, Poker Run, Pub Crawl and Golf Tournament. 772231-7091.

EVERY SATURDAY ! Oceanside Business Association

Farmer’s Market, 8 am-noon. Ocean Dr. & Dahlia Ln. 772-532-2455.

! Treasure Coast Marine

Flea Market & Seafood Festival, Indian River Fairgrounds, 8 am-4 pm. Under the Sun Productions, 954-205-7813.

JULY 6 ! Downtown Gallery Art Stroll

Historic Mainstreet art district, art galleries and businesses offer open house receptions. Free. 772299-1234.

JULY 22 ! Treasure Coast Twins Meet-Up

Humiston Park, 3 pm, 3000 Ocean Dr. 772-473-3163.

JULY 6-7 ! Riverside Children’s Theatre

PHOTO BY MELINA NELSON BAIR

Dance Festival, paired dance per- If you’d like to see one of your photographs published in Vero Beach Newsweekly, formances by professional and please send them to us at verobeachnewsweekly@gmail.com. Photos need to student dancers of Ballet Nebras- be at least 200 dpi and in jpeg format. ka, 1:30 or 7 pm, $8-$12, Stark Stage. 772-231-6990. mammal rescue speaker, Johnson ! Comedy Corner Center 1-3 pm, free, hot dogs & Flip Schultz, Sunrise Theatre, 117 JULY 7 South 2nd St., Fort Pierce, 8:30 popcorn. 772-242-2559. pm, $15. 772-461-4775. ! Roller Girls Sonic Fundraiser Sonics, 1760 US 1, 10 am-5 pm, JULY 13 & 27, AUG 3 & 10 JULY 20-22, 27-29 benefits Vandalettes non-profit ! Sunset Boat Tour roller derby league. 772-538-4700. cruise Indian River’s native man- ! Summer Stage grove coves with Capt. Chop, Ft. Riverside Children’s Theatre, LitJULY 8 & 22, AUG 5 & 19 Pierce City Marina, $15-$20, res- tle Shop of Horrors, Anne Morton ! Dancing in the Streets ervations. 772-464-4445. Theatre, 6280 Riverside Dr., $6Songs of the 60s, Theatre-Go-Round, $9/$12-$18. 772-231-6990. Joey’s Bistro, 2075 Indian River Blvd., JULY 13 4 pm, $45. 772-252-9341. JULY 21 ! “State of the County” luncheon With Gary Wheeler and Joe Baird, ! Vero Beach Community Center JULY 9-13 hosted by IRC Chamber, Execu- Indoor Air Conditioned Garage ! Missoula Children’s Theatre tive Courthouse Center, noon, Sale, over 50 tables, sign up to Presents Rumpelstiltskin work- $15. 772-567-3491 x110. participate or come to shop. 8 shop, $100, 10am, performance am-12:30 pm. 772-770-6517. July 13 at 7pm, Tickets: $10, Sun- JULY 14 rise Theatre. 772-461-4775. ! Bioluminescent Kayak Tour ! Vero Beach Book Center Campfire Saturdays, Children’s At Merritt Island National Wildlife JULY 12 Store with Miss Julie, stories, gui- Refuge, depart Vero Cracker Barrel tar sing-a-long, snacks and more, at 4:30 pm, return midnight, $35. ! Harbor Branch Reservations, 772-242-2559. Showing of Dolphin Tale plus 11 am. 772-569-6650. THURSDAY, JULY 5

FRIDAY, JULY 6

SATURDAY, JULY 7

SUNDAY, JULY 8

MONDAY, JULY 9

! Space Coast Symphony Orchestra

Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Symphony, 3 pm, Trinity Episcopal Church, 2365 Pine Ave., $20. 855-252-7276. JULY 27 & 28 ! In the Ruff Golf Tournament

Benefits HALO Rescue and Stray No More, Cocktail party 27th at 6:30 pm, Tournament 28th at 8 am, Indian River Club. 772-3609294. ! Comedy Zone SUMMER NIGHTS!

Grilled food from Hale Groves and treats from Kilwin’s available. CeeJay and Chris Cope, 7:30 & 9:30 pm, $15 plus food, prices vary. 772-231-6990. JULY 28 & 29 ! Tour de Turtles Migration Marathon

Barrier Island Center, 8385 South Hwy A1A, (just north of Sebastian Inlet, $20/$35, Saturday cocktails & hors d’oeuvres 6 pm; Sunday 8 am for Sea Turtle Release. 321-723-3556. To submit your calendar listing please email: verobeachnewsweekly@gmail.com

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VERO BEACH – South Florida Sports Hall of Fame member Kent Smith doesn’t usually wear his 1985 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse National Championship ring. However, he put it on recently for a photo shoot at his Stickhead Lacrosse store, which is quickly becoming Florida’s rising lacrosse epicenter. “I was the first player from Florida to earn one of these,” said the two-time high school All-American as he showed off his championship bling. “When I went to Hobart College, I was the only Florida guy on the team, and to this day I tell kids now not to give too much credit to these players up north. There are some great athletes here at Vero and at St. Ed’s, and we can play lacrosse, too.” Smith definitely speaks from experience, as he was one of the first Florida-bred lacrosse players to attend high exposure national lacrosse camps almost 30 years ago. He was admittedly “psyched out with all of the northern guys at first, but after his coming out party at a Rutgers University-held recruiting camp, things changed in a hurry. “There were 569 guys at that camp, and my friend and I were the only two from Florida,” Smith said. ”Something like 150 of the kids there were high school AllAmericans. We’d show up, and they would joke, ‘You play lacrosse in Florida?’” Some 30 years since Smith was voted best midfielder of that lacrosse camp, he is still blazing the trail for the sport he loves for his home state. “Kent has been a mainstay in lacrosse here in Vero Beach for

Mike Perez with coaching duties for that country’s world team. “Those are some exciting things he has done, and that continues with the next step in the evolution of the lacrosse culture here in Vero Beach,” Dean said. “He has now brought the boys’ and girls’ together to be a part of a league where they can play in South Florida. We’re broadening our horizons here, and he’s been able to put it all together.” The evolution Dean was speaking of is the Treasure Coast Sun Devils, which Smith founded and serves as its director. Formerly, Smith’s organization had been the Treasure Coast Lacrosse League with just a middle school-aged program. Starting this year, boys and girls grades K-8 participated under the umbrella of the South Florida Youth Lacrosse League. This league covers almost the entire southern half of the state, starting at the Keys to the south, spreading to Naples in STAFF PHOTO the west, and extending to Indian Local lacrosse legend Kent Smith likes to keep his skills sharp while working at River County to the north. his Stickhead Lacrosse store on 14th Ave. By creating a league that starts many, many years,” said Vero man who ended up going to Syra- kids off playing lacrosse at age 5, Beach high school girls’ lacrosse cuse -- the most storied lacrosse and with local coaches involved coach Shannon Dean. “Whether program in the country. As an like Perez, Dean, former All-Amerit be coaching at St. Edward’s, uncle and mentor, he was instru- icans Lacey and Megan Vatland, running a lacrosse store, or run- mental in the development of his Amanda Wilton, Margaret Dickey ning the Treasure League -- he’s niece, Mackenzie Smith, into a and Kelly Hall, the area’s lacrosse had his hands in a lot of things high school All-American who culture will be well-nurtured. “I think there is a lot of respect earned a scholarship to prestigtrying to promote lacrosse here.” out there now for lacrosse in our Dean, who operates perhaps the ious Vanderbilt. Currently, his Stickhead La- area, and that is something we’ve strongest sports dynasty in the FHSAA with seven straight Florida crosse store services not just the always wanted,” Smith said. “I alHigh School Athletic Association programs in Indian River Coun- ways knew Florida would be a machampionships, has seen how the ty, but programs running from jor recruiting state sooner or later sport has emerged in Vero Beach Brevard, St. Lucie, Martin and and that it has gotten to this level over the past decade and how Palm Beach counties. Smith also is great. I think the kids around does business in Texas, and it here now have evolved to the Smith has been a major catalyst. As head coach at St. Edward’s, even extends over to Ireland, Swe- point where they’ve shown that Smith groomed midfielder Gavin den, and Austria, where he helps being from Florida, as opposed to Jenkinson into a top-flight face-off St. Edward’s girl’s lacrosse coach a northern state, is irrelevant.”

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BY MICHAEL BIELECKI VERO BEACH NEWSWEEKLY

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Obituaries K. August Busacker K. August Busacker, 56, died June 11, 2012, at VNA Hospice House. He was born in Grand Junction, Colo., and lived in Vero Beach since 1994, coming from Denver. He worked as a machinist in the rice mill industry. He was of the Catholic faith. Survivors include his wife, Jami Busacker of Vero Beach; son, Michael Busacker of Victor, Mont.; daughters, Cheyenne Lukat of Palm City, and Sarah Johnston and Rebecca Johnston, both of Vero Beach; sister, Lori Lawrence of Freemont, Calif.; stepfather, Dick Armocido of Colusa, Calif.; father, Karl W. Busacker of Arizona; and one grandson. Memorial donations may be made to the VNA Hospice of Indian River County, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. A guestbook is available at www. lowtherfuneralhome.com. Robert James Bradley Robert James Bradley, 74, died peacefully on June 12, 2012, after a brief illness. He became a resident of Vero Beach in 1981, spending summers in Sunapee, NH. He was a member of Hawk’s Nest Golf Club and John’s Island Club in Vero Beach. He is survived by his loving wife, Jacqueline Colgan Bradley whom he married in 1998, and granddaughters Caitlin Bradley and Kristen Bradley and greatgranddaughter Londyn Faiella. He is also survived by nephews, Robert, Jay and Joseph Bradley and niece, Marcy Bradley Light. Memorial donations may be made to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (Please note: The Robert J. Bradley Scholarship Fund), 909 N. Washington St., Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314 (www. MCSF.ORG) or the Indian River Medical Center Foundation, 1000

Catholic Church and served as the first president of the parish council. Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Kathleen M.; daughters, Peggy Fisher and Lauren Connolly; and two grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Literacy Services of Indian River County, 1600 21st St., Vero Beach, FL 32960. A guestbook is available at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.

Magner, as well as his six children, three stepchildren and 20 grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please send donations the Gonzaga College High School Annual Fund, 19 Eye Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001 or the Fairfield University Fairfield Fund, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, Connecticut 06824. For online guestbook go to: Magnerfuneralhome.com.

Lee E. Dennerline Lee E. Dennerline, 83, died June 11, 2012, at Indian River Estates, Vero Beach. She was born in Philadelphia and lived in Vero Beach for 12 years, coming from Stuart. Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Fred W. Dennerline Jr.; son, Fred W. Dennerline III of Indianapolis; daughters, Sandra Early of Homer, Alaska, and Janice Davis of San Diego; sister, Sophie Rolston of Boonton, N.J.; brother, Ted Elkins Sandra Cook of Philadelphia; four grandchilSandra E. Cook, 61, died June dren; and seven great-grandchil14, 2012, at VNA Hospice House dren. A guestbook is available at in Vero Beach. She was born in www.coxgiffordseawinds.com. South Charleston, W.Va., and Francis J. McNamara, Jr. lived in Vero Beach for 5 years, coming from Galloway, Ohio. Francis J. McNamara, Jr., a Survivors include her husband prominent Connecticut trial atof 34 years, Paul D. Cook of Vero torney and philanthropist, passed Beach; mother, Virginia Ellis of away June 8 in Vero Beach, at the Missouri; brother, James Ellis of age of 84. During his illustrious Altamonte Springs; and sister, De- 35-year career in litigation, he borah Ellis of Grover, Mo. rose to managing partner of the law firm Cummings and LockHoward J. ‘Spike’ Connolly wood, Stamford, Connecticut, Howard J. “Spike” Connolly, 89, and argued cases in courts from died June 12, 2012, at VNA Hos- the Connecticut Supreme Court pice in Vero Beach. He had a long to the U.S. Supreme Court. Durcareer in the Florida citrus busi- ing the same time period, he also ness, working for various com- led the Charles E. Culpeper Founpanies and ultimately starting his dation in New York City as it disown company in Vero Beach. He bursed over one hundred million was involved in the Literacy Serv- dollars in charitable funds to worices of Indian River County, where thy health, educational and culhe served two terms as president. tural institutions. He is survived He was a member of Holy Cross by his loving wife of 26 years, Lois

Zenobia Goode Zenobia Aldrenna Watson Goode, 61, died June 6, 2012, at VNA Hospice House, Vero Beach. She was born in Kissimmee and has lived in Indian River County since 2000. She was self-employed as a caregiver in the health care industry. Survivors include her son, Alex George Jr. of Vero Beach; daughters, Miyoshi Green of St. Cloud and Sonya Brown of Vero Beach; mother, Johnnye Bracey Watson of Vero Beach; brother, Gregory Watson of Vero Beach; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A guestbook is available at www.stonebrothersfuneral.com.

36th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Online condolences may be sent at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.

Roy Carter Roy Gordon “Captain Roy” Carter, 76, died June 13, 2012, at Indian River Medical Center. He was born in Orlando and lived in Vero Beach for 30 years, coming from Jacksonville. He was an Air Force veteran, serving during the Vietnam War. He worked as an aircraft mechanic for the government. Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Gail Carter of Vero Beach; daughters, Dee Dee Williams of High Springs and Teresa (Tessie) Miller of Pensacola; stepsons, Guy Etter and Tony Etter, both of Vero Beach; sister, Martha Blair of Vero Beach; and 10 grandchildren. A guestbook is available at www.lowtherfuneralhome.com.

Helen M. Nemcheck Helen M. Nemchek, 87, died June 8, 2012, at the VNA/Hospice House in Vero Beach. She was born in Stamford, Conn., and lived in Vero Beach for 20 years, coming from her birthplace. She was of the Catholic faith and a member of St. John of the Cross Catholic Church. She was a member of the Polish American Club. Survivors include her daughters, Sharon Ialenti of Gardner, Mass., and Judy Wentz of Vero Beach; son, Frank Nemchek Jr. of Fairfield, Conn.; sisters, Sophie Kelly of Stamford and Wanda Gworek of Daytona Beach; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchil-

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Katherine A. ‘Kay’ Speir Katherine A. “Kay” Speir, 81, Gertrude Sinclair died June 8, 2012, at her home. Gertrude Marie Sinclair, 97, She was born in West New York, died June 14, 2012, at The Place N.J., and lived in Vero Beach for at Vero Beach. She was born in 23 years, coming from Fort Lee, West Hoboken, N.J., and lived in N.J. She attended Holy Cross

Barbara Gordon Spiegel Barbara Gordon Spiegel, 77, died May 26, 2012, in Portland, Ore. She was born in Swampscott, Mass., and lived in Andover, Mass., and South Freeport, Maine, before moving to Barefoot Bay, then Vero Beach. She was a member of Temples Beth Shalom and B’nai Emet. She was a member and volunteered at American Association of University Women, Indian River Skidmore Club, National Pen Women representative to the Indian River County Cultural Council, Vero Beach Theatre Guild, Indian River County Historical Society, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, McKee Botanical Gardens, Vero Beach Art Club and Vero Beach Museum of Art. Survivors include her daughters, Lisa Spiegel Morasch of Vancouver, Wash., Patricia Spiegel Gives of Redmond, Ore., and Marsea Spiegel of Freeport, Maine; and six grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Skidmore College Alumni Association, Class of 1955, 815 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 12866. A guestbook is available at www.holmansfuneralservice.com.

Anna O’Leary Anna Mickle O’Leary, 92, died June 10, 2012, at Rosewood Manor of Vero Beach. She was born in the Bronx, N.Y., and lived in Vero Beach for 30 years, coming

Nathan Shapiro Dr. Nathan Shapiro, 87, died June 3, 2012. He was born in Suffolk, Mass., and lived in Vero Beach for 19 years, coming from Willimantic, Conn. His professional career spanned more than 20 years as a biology college professor in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Shirley of Auburn; sons Jeffrey; and Steve; and four grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethany House, 1171 Gatewood Drive, Building 100, Auburn, AL 36830.

Winston George Spears Winston George Spears of Vero Beach died on June 12, 2012 at Indian River Memorial Hospital at the age of 90. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Kathleen Young Spears. He is also survived by his brother Bernard Spears of Manchester, Conn. and children Susan Szakall of Miami Beach, Donna Handy and her husband Robert of Dunedin, Thomas Spears of Port St. Lucie, Timothy Spears and his wife Diane of Port St Lucie, Deborah Caulfield of San Antonio, Texas, and Steven Spears and his wife Karen of Vero Beach. His grandchildren include: Shelly Moye, Kelly Baker, April Spears, Alexander Caulfield, Erin Mancuso and Nicholas Spears along with 6 great-grandchildren: Naomi Moye, Solomon Moye, Michael Baker, Zachary Spears, Kalavati Caulfield and Leo Minato. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Helen’s Catholic Church building fund 2085 Tallahassee Ave. Vero Beach, FL 32961. Online condolences may be expressed at www. coxgiffordseawinds.com.

Catholic Church in Vero Beach. Survivors include her husband of 60 years, William Speir of Vero Beach; sons, John O’Dwyer of Waldwick, N.J., James O’Dwyer of Mechanicsville, Va., Joseph O’Dwyer of Sacramento, Calif., and Jerald O’Dwyer of Cleveland, Ohio; daughters, Kathleen Merrill of Allendale, N.J., and Kristine Ell of Vero Beach; brother, Frank Granich of Florida; sister, Anne O’Dywer of San Diego, Calif.; and nine grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to VNA/Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. A guestbook is available at www. strunkfuneralhome.com.

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Omie Mays Omie R. Mays, 73, died June 8, 2012, at her home. She was born in Vero Beach. She was a graduate of Gifford High School, Class of 1956. She was a member of Word of Faith Teaching Ministries, where she served as the church mother. Survivors include her husband, Forrest Mays of Vero Beach; sons, Reginald Penny and William Mays, both of Georgia; daughters, Dawn Penny-Jones of Vero Beach and Natasha Mays of Georgia; 11 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. A guestbook is available at www.stonebrothersfuneralhome.com.

Charles Pulliam Charles T. Pulliam, 69, died June 14, 2012, at his home. He was born in Martinsville, Va., and lived in Vero Beach for eight years, coming from Punta Gorda. He attended the Senior Resource Center in Vero Beach. Survivors include his sons, Tim, Chris and Scooter, all of New Mexico; brother, David Pulliam of Vero Beach; and sister, Sylvia Hampton of Melbourne. Memorial contributions may be made to Senior Resource Association, 694 14th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960. A guestbook is available at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.

Vero Beach for 35 years, coming from New Milford, N.J. She was a parishioner at St. Helen Catholic Church and a member of St. Helen Women’s Club. Survivors include her daughter Nora Sinclair of Roslindale, Mass.; and sister, Evelyn Gretcher of Rochelle Park, N.J. Memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. A guestbook is available at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.

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Mary Hills Mary Hogan Hills, 95, died June 13, 2012, at home. She was born in Ansonia, Conn., and lived in Indian River Estates West, Vero Beach, coming from Rock Hill, Conn. She was parishioner at St. John of the Cross. Survivors include her son, Michael Hills of Wilmington, Conn.; daughter, Gloria Marion of Putnam, Conn.; 11 grandchildren; and 13 greatgrandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John of the Cross, 7550 26th St., Vero Beach, FL 32966. A guestbook is available at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.home.com.

from Peekskill, N.Y. She belonged to Redeemer Lutheran Church in Vero Beach. Survivors include her daughters, Patricia LaBoda of Spring, Texas, and June DiLucente of Fort Pierce. Memorial contributions may be made to The Roof Fund at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 900 27th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32960. A guestbook is available at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.

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dren. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, 7550 26th St., Vero Beach, FL 32966; or VNA/Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. A guestbook is available at www. coxgiffordseawinds.com.

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The Paragon on North Hutchinson, it’s all about the ocean

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Walls of glass create a gateway to the outdoors and a fabulous oceanfront view from this 2,800-square-foot home in the Paragon condominium tower located at 4400 North A1A. The windows are crowned with woven horizontal blinds that allow a choice of space bathed in sunshine or a tranquil subdued light. This 3 bedroom 3 ½-bath haven includes a private l’ascenseur. Like a breeze, the elevator sweeps a visitor up to the grand entrance foyer. The expansive great room features sandyhued porcelain tile ﬂoors and walls of white. Sliders access 340 square feet of terrace overlooking the silky, pristine shores of North Hutchinson Island. Watch the waves roll in! A patterned area rug delineates a conversation area in front of a white mantled gas ﬁre-

place. A vignette of Asian-inspired upholstered furnishings adds a flash of color and texture. Over-stuffed pillows apply softness to the contours and invite friends to gather and relax. The island kitchen acquaints contemporary lines with the warmth of tradition featuring light colored wood cabinets, white appliances and tiled countertops. An expansive master bedroom grants access to the balcony. Early risers can greet the new day with a hot beverage while watching the sun peep over a lavender seascape. A jetted porcelain ‘sweet heart’ tub, kissed by a backdrop of iced block-glass, is the focal point of his and hers master baths. Perfect for entertaining, this third floor resi-

dence has been designed for a casual lifestyle in understated luxury. It is complete with a two-car garage plus one assigned parking space under roof. The Paragon has gated access and contains only two condominiums per ﬂoor, each with sunset views over the Indian River Lagoon and sunrises over the sea. Pampering amenities include tennis, a ﬁtness room and clubhouse. Make this supreme COLDWELL BANKER PREVIEWS home yours for $649,000. For a personal tour, call Sharon Wininger at 772713-4602 or email her at Sharon.Wininger@ ColdwellBanker.com. To search hundreds of listings, go to www.FLColdwellBanker.com . We are everywhere along the Indian River on the Treasure and Space Coasts.

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Lemon Tree – Love it! great breakfast, great lunch

0-$(1#(,+. ;RS8E3+L8 : +! E .. +! )*/'!. ;RS8E3+L8 .. +! E BF5Q P! "*/&(% 0-$(1#(,+. :F5Q +! E SRRS Costa d’Este Beach Resort 3244 Ocean Drive | Vero Beach | 32963 HOTEL DIRECT: 772.562-9919 | The WAVE Kitchen & Bar: 772.410.0100 | SPA: 772.410.0101 costadeste.com | facebook.com/Costadestebeachresort

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From

Ocean Drive California Chicken Salad

• Breakfast • Lunch • Lite Dinner • Dessert Indoor & Outdoor Seating 7 days 6:30am-10pm

Chicken Club

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FULL COURSE Early Bird Dining

Seafood Combo $17 Apricot Chicken $13 8 oz. Sirloin Steak $17

Weekly Ice Cream Specials Waffle Cone Wednesday

Buy 1 Get 1 Free Topping it off Thursday

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The legendary JACK BAKER’S LOBSTER SHANTY combines extraordinary value and an unmatched waterfront setting. Full course meals including soup or garden salad, choice of 13 entrées, dessert and beverage starting at just $13.

Free Topping Milkshake Sunday

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VERO BEACH One Royal Palm Point • Vero Beach, FL 32960 772-562-1941 www.verobeachlobstershanty.com

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EARLY DINING DEAL: Monday thru Friday, 3pm - 6pm Saturday & Sunday 11:30am - 6pm

mrmanatees.com

AND WINGS 1/2 PRICE APPETIZERS Everyday 11:00am-6:00pm

$1.50 DOMESTIC MUGS $2.50 HOUSE WINES (Blush, Burgandy and Chablis)

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772-569-9151 TCN2720900

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