"Laura Moss was the Mayor who lived up to her 2016 campaign pledge to sell the city’s electric operation to FPL.
She has been a woman of the people, engaging the public wherever and as often as she can."
-TC Palm Endorsement, 10/14/2018 & 2/3/2019
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Jim Romanek
Special to Treasure Coast Newspapers USA TODAY NETWORK – FLORIDA
VERO BEACH -- City of Vero Beach Vice Mayor Laura Moss has become the first civilian to be elected to the board of directors for Veterans Council of Indian River County.
“As an organization, we are seeking to diversify our board with members who reach out to the community in new ways and create new partnerships. Laura Moss is well-known for her ability to do this. We are pleased to have her aboard, “ said Veterans Council Chairman Martin Zickert.
Moss responded, “It is an honor to be the first civilian on their board. I appreciate their willingness to embark on a new path and their choosing me to do so.”
Moss, who served a four-year term on the steering committee of The Circle at Vero Beach Museum of Art, was instrumental in establishing a Veterans Art Program at the Museum.
The program is available to all veterans of the county at no charge. No previous experience is necessary. To register, veterans may contact the Vero Beach Museum of Art at 772-231-0707.
Veterans Council of Indian River County was incorporated in 1987 to support all Indian River County veterans through the collective efforts of veterans’ organizations, civic associations, and the local community. The Council provides a forum for veterans to serve the needs of each other and the community.
For further information about Veterans Council, visit veteranscouncilirc.club.
Richard Baker
Excerpts from Special to Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY NETWORK – FLORIDA
The Pelican Island Audubon recently recognized members who inspire others to work together to improve our quality of life and make Indian River County and the Treasure Coast a sustainable, environmentally excellent, and happy place to live.
The winners include:
❚ Environmental Landscaping Award to Vero Beach Mayor Tony Young, the City Council and city manager Monte Falls have implemented the replacement of grass with Floridafriendly and native plants and rain gardens at City Hall.
❚ President’s Award to vice mayor Laura Moss for promoting the replacement of city grass lawns with native plant and trees for birds.
❚ Phyllis Stockburger Award to a long-time supportive PIAS member Judy Orcutt for her many years promoting thecounty’s Clean Water human- waste management from septic systems and boats.
❚ Special Service Award to Dr. Juanita N. Baker for all her efforts in composing Florida Birds Exposed, arranging publication, and donating all proceeds to Pelican Island Audubon.
❚ Board Member of the Year to Ricky Ray for raising and maintaining the plant and tree nursery, trailering kayaks, helping when needed, and taking Audubon Advocates kayaking.
❚ Environmental Youth Award to Trenton Rosario, a graduate of the Audubon Advocates program.
Excerpts from Treasure Coast Newspapers
VERO BEACH — Two-term City Councilwoman Laura Moss wants to move to county politics.
Moss filed paperwork to run in 2020 for the Indian River County Commission District 5 seat, currently held by Bob Solari.
Moss, 66, filed Sept. 10, one day after Solari announced he would not seek re-election.
County commissioners have to live in the district for which they are seeking election, but voters cast ballots for all seats, regardless of where they live. Moss has filed as a Republican for the seat.
In 2016, Moss was first elected to City Council and was named mayor the same year. She said she planned to run for the county seat, even if Solari had decided to run.
"It's a natural fit," she said. "I've already been doing it."
Moss has been the city's representative for the county Tourist Development Council, Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.
As mayor, Moss was the city's representative to the Florida Municipal Power Agency, a statewide electrical co-op of cities and governments. She was instrumental in restarting conversations between the city and FMPA, which held contracts that made it difficult for the city to sell its electric system.
Moss sees the transition from City Council to County Commission as a natural one, similar to her move from city Utilities Commission chair to City Council, she said.
"I feel I can do the same thing with the County Commission," she said. "I can hit the ground running."
". . . it's clear Vero Beach Mayor Laura Moss immediately knew how to get things done in office."
"Though Moss, since her election last fall, has attracted a great deal of criticism for her very direct and sometimes harsh style of getting things done, she has led the city to this moment (electric sale). Moss said, 'My power comes from the people. They recharge my batteries'."
"Only Laura Moss has perfect attendance (Vero Beach City Council meetings)."
"'I personally believe that open space would be one of, if not the defining feature of the City in the decades to come,' said Councilwoman Moss."
"It is open space that differentiates us from others and creates the context for the civility, gentility, and livability within our beautiful City. We literally are able to breathe more freely here as a result of it. One need drive only a short distance south to be reminded how precious a place Vero Beach is,' summarized Councilwoman Moss."
"Laura has demonstrated her ability to work with and create strong, trusted working relationships with various stakeholders even with divergent views in the community and beyond to achieve the goals of those who elected her and to do so in a refreshingly
transparent manner."
"I have known Laura for more than 4 years and have seen her commitment to the city of Vero Beach first-hand . . . through her dedication and enthusiasm in bringing the Vero Beach community together, making it a better place to live."
"Vero Beach elected Laura Moss mayor with a mandate to effect a sale of its utility . . . ‘You make progress by having good communication and good will’, Moss said. With fresh perspectives and a collaborative approach, the parties reached a rapid resolution.”
“‘As an organization, we are seeking to diversify our board with members who reach out to the community in new ways and create new partnerships. Laura Moss is well-known for her ability to do this. We are pleased to have her aboard,’ said Veterans Council Chairman Martin Zickert.”
2016/17
2019 - Present
2016 - Present
2016 - Present
City's Representative
2016 - Present
City's Representative
2018 - Present
2019 - Present
2018 -2019
Present
Present
Vero Beach Museum of Art, 2015-2019
vbmuseum.org
Successfully re-instituted, 2017
St. Helen Catholic School 2017
2015 - Present
rotaryverooceanside.org
Mayor Laura Moss supporting the Vero Beach Dog Park improvements with President Bob Joy (left) in 2017.
verobeachdogpark.org
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Jim Romanek
Special to Treasure Coast Newspapers USA TODAY NETWORK – FLORIDA
VERO BEACH -- City of Vero Beach Vice Mayor Laura Moss has become the first civilian to be elected to the board of directors for Veterans Council of Indian River County.
“As an organization, we are seeking to diversify our board with members who reach out to the community in new ways and create new partnerships. Laura Moss is well-known for her ability to do this. We are pleased to have her aboard, “ said Veterans Council Chairman Martin Zickert.
Moss responded, “It is an honor to be the first civilian on their board. I appreciate their willingness to embark on a new path and their choosing me to do so.”
Moss, who served a four-year term on the steering committee of The Circle at Vero Beach Museum of Art, was instrumental in establishing a Veterans Art Program at the Museum.
The program is available to all veterans of the county at no charge. No previous experience is necessary. To register, veterans may contact the Vero Beach Museum of Art at 772-231-0707.
Veterans Council of Indian River County was incorporated in 1987 to support all Indian River County veterans through the collective efforts of veterans’ organizations, civic associations, and the local community. The Council provides a forum for veterans to serve the needs of each other and the community.
For further information about Veterans Council, visit veteranscouncilirc.club.
Richard Baker
Excerpts from Special to Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY NETWORK – FLORIDA
The Pelican Island Audubon recently recognized members who inspire others to work together to improve our quality of life and make Indian River County and the Treasure Coast a sustainable, environmentally excellent, and happy place to live.
The winners include:
❚ Environmental Landscaping Award to Vero Beach Mayor Tony Young, the City Council and city manager Monte Falls have implemented the replacement of grass with Floridafriendly and native plants and rain gardens at City Hall.
❚ President’s Award to vice mayor Laura Moss for promoting the replacement of city grass lawns with native plant and trees for birds.
❚ Phyllis Stockburger Award to a long-time supportive PIAS member Judy Orcutt for her many years promoting thecounty’s Clean Water human- waste management from septic systems and boats.
❚ Special Service Award to Dr. Juanita N. Baker for all her efforts in composing Florida Birds Exposed, arranging publication, and donating all proceeds to Pelican Island Audubon.
❚ Board Member of the Year to Ricky Ray for raising and maintaining the plant and tree nursery, trailering kayaks, helping when needed, and taking Audubon Advocates kayaking.
❚ Environmental Youth Award to Trenton Rosario, a graduate of the Audubon Advocates program.
Excerpts from Treasure Coast Newspapers
VERO BEACH — Two-term City Councilwoman Laura Moss wants to move to county politics.
Moss filed paperwork to run in 2020 for the Indian River County Commission District 5 seat, currently held by Bob Solari.
Moss, 66, filed Sept. 10, one day after Solari announced he would not seek re-election.
County commissioners have to live in the district for which they are seeking election, but voters cast ballots for all seats, regardless of where they live. Moss has filed as a Republican for the seat.
In 2016, Moss was first elected to City Council and was named mayor the same year. She said she planned to run for the county seat, even if Solari had decided to run.
"It's a natural fit," she said. "I've already been doing it."
Moss has been the city's representative for the county Tourist Development Council, Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.
As mayor, Moss was the city's representative to the Florida Municipal Power Agency, a statewide electrical co-op of cities and governments. She was instrumental in restarting conversations between the city and FMPA, which held contracts that made it difficult for the city to sell its electric system.
Moss sees the transition from City Council to County Commission as a natural one, similar to her move from city Utilities Commission chair to City Council, she said.
"I feel I can do the same thing with the County Commission," she said. "I can hit the ground running."