VERO BEACH — Councilman Joe Graves resigned last week, saying he and his family will soon be moving to unincorporated Indian River County, outside of the city limits.
“I can’t hold the seat because it’s outside the city limits,” said Graves, who is also an attorney with Graves Thomas Injury Law Group, based in Vero Beach.
Graves, 57, submitted his resignation letter March 5 to Vero Beach Mayor Robert Brackett and other city councilmembers. Graves’ resignation was also effective March 5, he said.
In the letter, Graves said he and his wife, Carole, recently decided to sell their home.
“I know I leave this council in good hands as our current council has good, smart and hardworking members that love our city,” Graves said in a statement.
“We may not always see eye to eye, but I believe every member truly wants what‘s best for our community and is honest in their approach. My family and I will continue in our efforts to make our community a better place for all with our primary focus to assist in raising funds to build a community track/sports complex across from Vero Beach High School.
I want to thank the citizens of Vero Beach for the trust they placed in me. It has been a great honor to serve.”
Graves started working as a Vero Beach councilmember in November 2019. He had a $13,000 annual salary for the position.
Graves made a Facebook post last May saying he would resign that next week, noting concerns of public scrutiny. He later changed his mind.
Graves and Carole, founders of the Jimmy Graves Foundation, donated an 11-acre parcel to the local school district last month. The land, near Vero Beach High School, will be turned into a modern running track and a community walking path.
The foundation was created in memory of Graves’ son, Jimmy Graves, who died in a 2016 boating accident in the Indian River Lagoon.
Graves said he has worked as an attorney since Sept. 1992. His law group specializes in personal injury, car wrecks, construction accidents, wrongful death, consumer fraud and more.