VERO BEACH — Mayor Tony Young said he won’t seek re-election to city council this November and will instead focus on family, health and other goals.
“I’ve put a lot of things on the back burner. I haven’t been to the gym in four years. I haven’t visited my daughter in Annapolis (Maryland),” said Young, who served in the U.S. Army for 30 years and toured in Iraq, Bosnia and The Gulf War. “My wife would like to do some traveling.”
Young, who retired from the army as a colonel, was first elected to Vero Beach City Council in 2016. Young was appointed as mayor in November 2019, marking 100 years after Young’s grandfather A.W. Young served as the first mayor of Vero Beach, a town that now has nearly 18,000 residents.
Young helped to organize the Vero Beach Centennial events last year, including the parade in historic downtown. The mayor also served on committees for the Three Corners project and Leisure Square Pool.
“I’m confident the people we have on the council right now are moving in the right direction,” Young said. “Going forward I’m convinced the council will be in good hands.”
Young’s salary as mayor was $1,125 per month, he said. Vero Beach Vice-Mayor Laura Moss has also decided not to run for city council in the upcoming general election.
Moss won a seat on the board of county commissioners District 5 in the Aug. 18 primary election. Moss will start her new position Nov. 17 as a county commissioner, Young said.
The qualifying period for the upcoming city council election ends Sept. 4, Young said.
“People who love this town and community should reach out and be part of it,” Young said. “That’s how we became strong. We’re a neat little community and I’m proud of it.”