VERO BEACH — A second Vero Beach resident has announced his interest in serving on the Vero Beach City Council. Attorney Richard Kennedy, who lives on the barrier island and is a former Indian River Shores resident, sent in his resume to the city Thursday.
“The foremost reason I am interested in this job is (to) offer my abilities in the resolution of the various issues facing Vero Beach, including utility regulation, land sales, economic development, unemployment, budget restraints and espirit de corps,” Kennedy wrote. “I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to help my City.” Kennedy’s experience includes serving as an attorney for the Federal Communications Commission in the early and mid-1970s, privately practicing telecommunications law through the mid-1980s, and then as president of the National Foundation for Housing, according to his resume.
He has also served as a member of the City of Vero Beach Planning Commission from 2007 to present.
Kennedy joins fellow beachside businessman Al Benkert, who is the president of the Oceanside Business Association.
Both men are now in the running to fill City Councilman Charlie Wilson’s seat on the council dais after a judge ousted Wilson for not meeting the city’s residency requirements.
However, Wilson has been informed by his attorney that he might very well still remain on council until the end of his 30-day appeal period or when the appeal – if filed – were overturned.