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Three City Council seats are coming open this March: Those of Councilmen Michael Wangen, Craig Fletcher and Tom White. By Katie Campbell staff writer VERO BEACH — For Tom White, 58, being a Vero
Beach City councilman is more than attending meetings
"I got on the council because I wanted to make a difference in the
city of Vero Beach, I haven't lost sight of that yet and that's why I want
to stay," White said. |
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White, of 2185 Victory Blvd., filed this week to run for his fourth term on the Vero Beach City Council. In the past three elections, he was the highest vote getter. If elected, he said he hopes to be chosen by the council to be mayor.
White also plans to continue his extensive involvement in community clubs.
White currently represents the city's interests on the county Beach and Shore Preservation Committee, county Marine Advisory Narrows Watershed Action Committee, National League of Cities Public Safety Committee and Florida Atlantic University board of trustees.
He also is on the board of directors for the Indian River County Council on Aging, the Kiwanis Club of Vero Beach, the Palm Glades Council for the Boy Scouts of America and the Indian River County Taxpayers Association. He's also the treasurer of the Men's Republican Club of Indian River County.
White is in the Indian River Corvette Club. He used to be the president, but since he got too busy with council duties, he said, "Now I just enjoy the meetings."
He said he attends one meeting almost every weekday.
"A lot of people who run for this job think it's just two meetings a month, but it's important for a council person to be involved in other things besides the council," White said.
"When you're out doing things, people come up and talk to you and express concerns or criticism. You get a feel for the heartbeat of the community that way and it helps me when I'm making decisions."
Coming up, many important decisions will need to be made involving the city's process for developing a vision for the city, and hiring a new city manager and utilities director, White said. And he wants to be a part of those decisions.
"We have a lot of work to do. We're not a quiet little city anymore," he said.
Three City Council seats are coming open this March: Those of Councilmen Michael Wangen, Craig Fletcher and White. So far Fletcher, White, Wangen, Mary Beth McDonald, the city's former communications director, and government critic Brian Heady have filed to run for the at-large positions.
Filing deadline is Jan. 9.
Tom White
Age: 58
Residence: Vero Beach for 30 years
Family: Wife, two children.
Occupation: Retired Sheriff's Office detective and county Property Appraiser's Office manager. Co-owner of TeeJays' Awards, a custom awards company on Aviation Boulevard since 1978.
Political experience: First elected to City Council in 1998, serving three consecutive terms. He was vice mayor in 1999, 2000 and 2003, and mayor in 2001.
