VERO BEACH — For the second time in a decade, Craig Fletcher has been named Mayor of the City of Vero Beach.
Fletcher garnered the most votes – 3,462 – in a seven-person race for three seats on the council up for grabs Nov. 6. He bested then-Mayor Pillar Turner by 42 votes. Rejoining Fletcher and Turner on the council is Jay Kramer.
When the call for nominations was put out on the table, nearly 15 seconds went by before a word was uttered.
Kramer broke the silence suggesting that if he didn’t, the council would continue to sit in silence. After Fletcher was nominated as mayor there was another stretch of silence.
Because no other names were suggested, Fletcher was named mayor.
At the close of the organizational meeting, which preceded the regular Vero Beach City Council meeting, Fletcher thanked Turner for her tireless work as the city’s mayor.
“I have seen her absolutely everywhere that this city has had an event,” Fletcher said of Turner. “Thank you very much, Pilar. You’ve done a damn fine job.”
Tracy Carroll was selected as vice mayor, but only after a 3to 2 vote.
Turner nominated Carroll for the position while Councilman Dick Winger nominated Turner for the No. 2 spot.
Elections for Vero Beach City Council are held every year. Each term is for two years.
The positions of mayor and vice mayor, which are largely ceremonial, are for one year until another council is selected by city voters.