VERO BEACH — More than 100 people gathered Thursday at C.J. Cannon’s to show their appreciation for Commissioner Gary Wheeler who will step down in November.
Not only did three of Wheeler’s former commissioners attend the event, but also members of the School Board, the Vero Beach City Council and the Sebastian City Council. Candidate for Sheriff Bill McMullen came out for Wheeler’s sendoff, as did Supervisor of Elections Leslie Swan and Vero City Manager Jim O’Connor.
Though first elected to public office in 1986, Wheeler became interested in local politics long before cobbling together a small group of friends to help mount his first, unsuccessful run for Sheriff.
When he retires in November, Wheeler will have served four terms on the Board of County Commissioners, with eight years as Sheriff in between. A career law enforcement officer from New York, Wheeler owned a small business in Vero Beach before becoming a commissioner.
Old friends, supporters and colleagues shared poignant, funny and even slightly raucous stories about Wheeler during his “roast” hosted by the Indian River Neighborhood Association.
IRNA Chairman George Christopher called Wheeler a leader on many issues, “but particularly on growth management issues.”
Overall, Wheeler was characterized as a leader who has always taken the job at hand more seriously than he has taken himself. He was praised for his no-nonsense approach to problem solving and his loyalty and service to friends and constituents.
He was also poked fun at for his tendency to be impatient and to grow bored and restless very easily, especially when traveling. More than one speaker joked about Wheeler’s very public battles with his weight and his health over the years, something Wheeler himself talks about quite openly.
Long-time friend, Indian River Shores Attorney Chester Clem, recalled the early days when Wheeler came to him with a desire to run for office, but also with a great deal to learn about politics and about what it takes to get elected in Indian River County.
Commissioner Peter O’Bryan described Wheeler as a great storyteller and a lover of fishing stories. O’Bryan shared a memory about fishing with Wheeler in a small boat and the two men trying to gaffe and reel in a large fish and Wheeler nearly falling out of the boat.
“I thought, if Gary goes in, what am I going to do?” O’Bryan said. “And I really wanted that fish.”
The IRNA presented the 66-year-old Wheeler with a plaque, words engraved on a cutting board, and also honored Wheeler’s wife Donna with a bouquet of red roses to recognize her importance as the driving force behind her husband’s long and successful run in politics.
The event offered a fitting tribute to a dedicated public servant with an often irreverent and biting sense of humor.
