VERO BEACH — The Taxpayers Association of Indian River County honored two local heroes and a former congressman at its annual December meeting, recognizing their contributions to the community amid a festive theme centered on constitutional officers.
Sergeant Terri Sweeting-Mashkow and David Long received the group’s highest civilian honor, the 2025 Ted Brown Award, for “heroic sacrifice and exemplary service to the citizens of Indian River County.” The award, first given in 1980 and named for longtime Vero Beach civic leader Ted Brown, celebrates outstanding civic improvement. Past recipients include Alma Lee Loy, Victor Hart Sr., Freddie Woolfork, and Mike and Leslie Swan.
Sheriff Eric Flowers accepted the awards on behalf of both recipients, respecting the privacy of their families. TPA President Lance Lunceford praised the honorees, saying, “Today, the Taxpayers Association can find no two individuals who better embody this award than Terri and David. Let us all dignify their lives by moving forward with the character that so defines Indian River County in these moments of hardship.”
Lunceford added a message to Flowers: “Sheriff, I think I speak for everyone here when I say that there are 177,000 people in Indian River County, and the men and women of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office have now gained 177,000 new family members. I hope we continue with that spirit.”
The association also presented its top honor for government officials, the 2025 Fiscal Conservative of the Year Award, to former U.S. Rep. Bill Posey for his commitment to saving taxpayer dollars during his time in Congress. Tax Collector Carole Jean Jordan introduced Posey, highlighting his record from state Senate service in Tallahassee to his House tenure.
In his remarks, Posey discussed efforts to advance a constitutional amendment for balanced budgets, the art of negotiation in Washington, and his guiding principle: “representing you how I would want you to represent me if the roles were reversed.” The crowd gave Posey a standing ovation as Jordan and Lunceford presented the award.
The luncheon, themed “Christmas with the Constitutionals,” featured speeches from four of Indian River County’s elected constitutional officers: Jordan, Property Appraiser Wesley Davis, Clerk of the Court and Comptroller Ryan Butler, and Flowers. Each discussed key issues and priorities in their offices.
The TPA, founded in 1933, also elected its 93rd board of directors from its membership during the event.
