Indian River Shores Council weighs in on County Commission races

A new third-force, the Indian River Shores Town Council, has injected itself into the campaign for seats on the Indian River County Commission by urging residents to vote for candidates not backed by the Indian River Neighborhood Association (IRNA).

While the Town Council, in a "voter alert" mailed to all of the community's residents, does not endorse specific candidates running in the Aug. 26th Republican Primary, it urges residents to not vote for candidates supporting county charter government.

This oblique anti-endorsement is clearly aimed at candidates backed by the IRNA, which is mounting a major effort to elect new commissioners to replace those who opposed charter government when it failed to gain approval this past year by a 3-to-2 margin.

The IRNA has endorsed the re-election of County Commissioner Gary Wheeler (one of the two commissioners who supported charter government) in District 3, together with new candidates Susan Boyd in District 1 and Honey Minuse in District 5.

While Indian River Shores lies entirely in District 2, represented by Joseph Flescher, who is not up for re-election this year, the town's residents can vote for candidates for all three County Commission seats that are being contested in 2008.

If the Town Council proves able to influence the votes of many Indian River Shores residents, it could become an important third-force in this battle.

Indian River Shores has approximately 3,650 year-round residents, and hundreds of additional residents who summer elsewhere are expected to vote by absentee ballot.

"The next County Commission may make a decision regarding County charter government," the alert said. "The Town Council does not support County charter government."

The letter to residents -- urging them without naming names to support someone other than Wheeler, Boyd and Minuse -- was signed by all five members of the Indian River Shores Town Council. It reads:

"You need to know that your vote for County Commission could have a major impact on the manner in which the Town functions independently, operates, and provides services under municipal government.

"During the past year or so, the County has studied the possibility of forming a 'charter government' as a method of solving growth problems.

"Whatever the initial form, County charter government, if approved, would interpose a layer of County control over our Town's decision-making power and have the potential to usurp our autonomy and municipal authority.

"For example, our Town ordinances currently prevail over any conflicting County ordinances. The County Commission generally cannot impose laws on the Town without the Town Council's consent.

"The Town Council desires to maintain this independence and local decision-making authority, which was established when the founding fathers incorporated our Town, for the benefit of the citizens of Indian River Shores."

The letter explains that since the winner of Republican primaries in Indian River County is frequently elected, it is important that residents familiarize themselves with candidates running for the District 1, 3 and 5 seats and vote in the primary.

"The Republican candidates for County Commission have stated their position on the issue. We encourage you to know their position and vote for candidates that support preserving our Town's independent authority," the alert concluded.