VERO BEACH — In a surprise decision after much confusion regarding the ranking process, former councilman and runner-up in the Nov. 3, 2009 election Ken Daige has been appointed to fill the vacant seat on the Vero Beach City Council.
Daige, who previously served one term from 2006 to 2008 but was defeated in his Nov. 2008 reelection bid, was returned to the Council on a 3-1 vote with Vice Mayor Sabe Abell dissenting. He replaces Charlie Wilson who was removed from office on Dec. 7. “This appointment is for 10 months and the person appointed can obviously choose to run, or not (in the next election),” Mayor Kevin Sawnick said.
Limited public comment was allowed during a point in the meeting where the council was waiting for results to be tabulated, over the objection of Vice Mayor Abell to the public input. Abell stated, “I don’t think it’s appropriate.”The one resident who was allowed to speak urged council members to choose Daige, as this would signal an intent to honor the wishes of the voters who went to the polls in November.Daige’s answer to one question from Brian Heady is a signal to Vero residents what the new appointee hopes to bring, or rather to bring back, to the city. Heady had asked what, at the end of the 10-month period, each candidate would want the public to say about what they had accomplished.
“I would want people to say that Ken Daige has always been a hard worker for us, that Ken Daige will continue to work hard and that Ken Daige is for good government,” he responded.
Daige emphasized that he has a very good understanding of the issues and of the sacrifices and time required to serve on the council. Councilman Tom White probed all the applicants about this expectation and made this an important part of his questioning, to make sure the five fully realized the responsibility and commitment required to serve.”Are you willing to take phone calls for complaints and comments and even when the power goes out? Believe me, they call at any hour. I want you guys to be aware of what goes on,” White said.
Daige responded that, as a former councilman and recent candidate, as well as being a neighborhood leader, he has never ceased getting calls at home and being stopped on the street by citizens wishing to express their concern and opinion about issues.”It’s not going to change, even on the street,” Daige said. “Nothing’s changing.”
Council members ranked the five applicants on a point system, with a possible five points per person with 5 being the highest and 1 being lowest. This resulted in a three-way tie with Daige, Richard Kennedy and Al Benkert all netting 14 points. A motion made for beachside real estate broker Al Benkert failed in a 2-2 split. Daige was then nominated by Sawnick with Councilman Tom White seconding.
Though he was probably not the favorite going into the two-hour meeting, Daige showed himself to be the most knowledgeable on a wide variety of issues. He was also able to adeptly articulate his positions. This knowledge, combined with Daige’s willingness to “get all options on the table” in relation to the electric utility and the looming challenges of the city’s pension plan most likely earned him some points.
Councilman Brian Heady admitted that he had started out the process ranking Bill Mills in first place and Ken Daige in last place, but that Daige had changed his mind and moved up his list.
“It’s tough to get inside my head, so I wanted the public to know how I ranked these candidates,” Heady explained, detailing his change of heart. He had initially felt that Mills would be the best replacement for Wilson because they share many of the same views, especially on the electric issue.
Heady noted that he gave Benkert top ratings because of his courage to answer a couple of tough questions.
“On council, it’s our job to answer tough questions,” Heady said.
Daige is expected to run in November, “it is my intention to stay in politics,” he answered when asked by Heady if he would run for one of the four seats that will be up for grabs.Candidates Tracy Carroll had 10 points and Bill Mills 8 points in the Council rankings.
