The passing of one of Indian River County's true unsung
heroes cannot go unnoticed. Indian River Hospital Board Trustee Harry Bolwell was a true treasure. He single handedly built the Gifford Clinic and
contributed to the health and welfare of all Indian River County citizens.
I worked with him during the decision to renew the Hospital
lease. He was fair minded and insightful. I am honored to have known him. There
are serious issues now before the Hospital Board. It would be crass to even
discuss them at the same time as remembering Mr. Bolwell so we will table that
discussion to another time. Let it be said that Mr. Bolwell made the world a
better place. It will be next to impossible to fill his shoes.
The Split
Efforts by several Republican leaders with strong allegiance
to Tea Party organizers to convince the Republican Executive Committee that
former Democrat Tony Donadio was on an even footing with Republican Primary
winner Tim Zorc fell on deaf ears Wednesday night. Zorc received the
overwhelming support of executive committee members as well as a commitment for
financial support.
"Mr. Zorc is the Republican nominee and will receive
the backing of the Republican Party" said R.E.C. Chairman Tom Lockwood.
"You may support Mr. Donadio personally if you wish but you will be in
violation of your oath and must resign," Lockwood concluded.
"Don't get excited if you see Donadio use the
Republican name in signs and ads", said Karl Zimmerman who is retiring as
Republican State Committeeman, but that did not sit well with his Republican
members.
Donadio is a lifelong Democrat who switched parties in April
to run as a Republican. Donadio has a history of supporting liberal Democrats
and voted in the Democrat presidential primary in 2008 for Obama or Hillary
Clinton.
Despite Donadio's personal appeal, he is the odds on
favorite to lose to lifelong Republican Tim Zorc who will then replace Gary
Wheeler on the Commission.
Baird in Charge
A little behind the scenes fireworks at the Commission.
Seems responsibility for supervising their own assistants has been transferred
from individual Commissioners to County Administrator Joe Baird. We'll see how
long that lasts. Joe Baird is not well known for his negotiation and people
skills.
Uniforms
City Council races should require uniforms this year as the
7 way race for three Council seats heats up. There are three Council Candidates
that favor a sale: Turner, Fletcher and Stump. The two that oppose a sale are
Kramer and Thomas. One, Brian Heady that has been for it, but may now be
wavering and one who is unknown.
The race is pretty clear. For the sale Turner, Fletcher and
Stump. Kill the sale Kramer, Thomas and one of the other two take your chances.
Blog Game
We have a new Board Game. It is called blogger profiling. A
cross between Clue and Criminal Minds, we take one of the TC Palm bloggers each
week. We print out the history of blogs and develop clues. Much like Clue, by
process of elimination we guess the real Bloggers name. Then a week later we
compare notes and clues to see who it is.
We have already identified several IRNA members, firefighter
union members, a State Attorney employee, wives of office holders, City
electric employees, and we think all of the six old grouches from Sebastian.
Once confirmed we plan to publish profiles and excerpts from some on their
previous posts. Funny how people will write some pretty awful things when they
are anonymous. Wonder what it will be like when people see who they really are
and what they really said.
If you want to play just email us at
WheelerandWilson@gmail.com and we will put you on the list. This weeks subject
"Truth Always Hurts". Good Luck.
This is off the subject, or more accurately it's off the five subjects you addressed this week, but did you get a chance to read the independent valuation of the city's power contracts? The value place on the OUC contract was a negative $33 million to $52 million, which make the $20 million exit cost look reasonable. When are you going to give up the notion an exit cost is the same as a "penalty." You make it sound like the city is being slapped with an arbitrary and capricious fine. Repeat that falsehood as often as you please, but doing so won't bring your view any closer to reality.
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