INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — During his last County Commission meeting, Commission Chair Gary Wheeler switched between dabbing his eyes and laughing as his fellow commissioners and members of the community shared their thoughts on his impending retirement and move to Tennessee.
“I do have a flowered hanky here for you in case you need it,” led off Commissioner Peter O’Bryan, garnering a hearty laugh from Wheeler.
Before the end, though, Wheeler got the laugh on O’Bryan, handing back the handkerchief as O’Bryan’s voice began to crack with emotion while reading a proclamation extolling Wheeler’s accomplishments over his 22-year political career in Indian River County.
O’Bryan wasn’t the only one to give Wheeler a hard time.
Paul Teresi, past president of the Indian River Taxpayers Association, joked that Panera’s stock dropped 10 percent with the news that Wheeler was moving away.
“Mr. Wheeler used to hold court there at least three or four times a week,” he said.
The association presented Wheeler with a plaque thanking him for his service as both the Indian River County Sheriff and a County Commissioner.
“Thank you,” Wheeler said in response. “That’s unexpected.”
Wheeler, 67, moved to Vero Beach in 1972, and ran a donut shop, then became Indian River County Sheriff in 1992, which he served as until January 2001, when he ran for the Board of County Commissioners.
Under his leadership, the Sheriff’s Office offered its Citizens Academy and began the annual Indian River Sheriff’s Youth Ranch Barbecue, which has raised more than $542,000 over its 15 years.
After more than 40 minutes of person after person sharing fond memories and well-wishes, Wheeler addressed the audience, telling them that today was one of the most difficult days at the dais.
“It’s very humbling,” Wheeler said of all the kind words shared. He added that he has wondered what his funeral would be like and thought Tuesday’s send-off kind of felt like it.
Rep. Ralph Poppell joked that he had hoped to say something nice of Wheeler and was still trying to come up with something when he took the podium.
He said that he and Wheeler were proponents on many issues and opponents on others and that Wheeler served the county in “an honorable way.”
“The community’s going to miss you,” he said.
School Board Vice Chair Carol Johnson thanked Wheeler for his support of the School District in all his posts.
“It has been a true pleasure,” she said.
Others who spoke included Undersheriff Bud Spencer, Rep. Debbie Mayfield, Brian Carman of the Indian River Neighborhood Association, developer Joe Palladin, Indian River Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Penny Chandler, Carole Jean and Bill Jordan, and Fellsmere City Manager Jason Nunemaker.
Nunemaker called Wheeler a “real gentleman,” adding that was probably highest compliment that could be paid to a politician. He said that there has been an erosion of the public discourse over the years but Wheeler sought to elevate it – listening to all sides.
Commissioner-elect Tim Zorc also addressed Wheeler. He said that he observed the way Wheeler championed public input and that he would continue on that same path.
Before leaving the dais, Wheeler urged his fellow commissioners to listen to a few of the organizations in the community – namely the IRNA, the Taxpayers Association and the Civic Association.
These are organizations “you should listen to; weigh what they say, and then make a decision based on what your philosophy is for the future of the county because I believe they are trusted.”
Wheeler again noted how difficult it was for the send-off, finishing with, “It’s a whole lot easier to take criticism.”
The audience gave him a standing ovation.
