SEBASTIAN — As expected, the Indian River Neighborhood Association Thursday endorsed two candidates for Indian River Board of County Commissioners — current Chairman Peter O’Bryan and former Sebastian City Councilwoman Dale Simchick.
Both Simchick and O’Bryan had been previously endorsed by the IRNA, so the members were, in fact, rewarding them for maintaining an excellent voting record on its key issues of managed growth and building an economy based on something other than the housing industry.
“The State of Florida and Indian River County is a Ponzi scheme,” said IRNA founder and president John Higgs. “That works as long as new people are moving in, but every Ponzi scheme eventually comes to an end.”
About 80 people assembled at Captain Hiram’s to congratulate the candidates and encourage them in their upcoming elections.
Simchick, an administrator with the Indian River County Sheriff’s office and previously a 911 dispatcher, is running against fellow Republicans Charlie Wilson and Joe Flescher in the August primary. The winner of that race will face Democrat Davis Snell and newly-minted Independent Carolyn Corum on November 10. She said she was “humbled” by the nod from the IRNA.
“I really do have to credit the IRNA for being involved citizens and concerned citizens,” Simchick said. “If you make a commitment to me, I’ll make a commitment to you to serve you with passion.”
Simchick said she would listen, be accountable, serve with integrity and be an ambassador with agencies, officials and with businesses. She urged the IRNA members to hold her and every elected official accountable not only for their votes, but for their actions.
O’Bryan is engaged in a heated Republican primary rematch with former Commissioner Tom Lowther, who he defeated in 2006, despite the fact that Lowther outspent him more than three to one. In a brief speech to the group, O’Bryan acknowledged the profound affect that the support of the IRNA had on that underdog victory.
“I want to thank you, not so much for what you’re doing today, but for what you did four years ago,” O’Bryan said. “I hope I earned your trust the last three and-a-half years by my voting record. I voted exactly the way I campaigned on, I do my homework and I do my research.”
O’Bryan, who had already endorsed Simchick last month, detailed efforts he’s worked on as a commissioner, especially those related to economic development.
“I make decisions based on the best interests of the residents of Indian River County, not just today, but 30, 40, 50 years down the road,” O’Bryan said.
Thus far Lowther has raised $9,695, including $1,700 he has loaned his campaign, while O’Brien has collected $8,254, including $1,000 of his own money. The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Steven Deardeuff and independents Timothy Adriance and Kenneth Holmes in the general election in November.
The IRNA, through its outreach and get out the vote efforts, holds sway with about 2,000 absentee ballots cast by some of its 7,000 members each election. Members also donate to recommended candidates individually and promote issue advocacy through the IRNA’s Political Committee.
“Honest candidates need money from the public because the developers and such are not going to give money to these people,” Higgs said.
After candidates begin to qualify in late summer and early fall, the IRNA may recommend or endorse candidates for city races as well.
