Can’t See the Forest for the Trees
With few exceptions, the past 40 years of Commission meetings in the Town of Melbourne Beach have endured an embarrassing reputation of contentious behavior by elected officials fueled by personal agendas, misinformation, and a glaring lack of collaboration. As we approach the critical November 4 election, the choice before us is clear: Will we perpetuate this legacy of dysfunction by voting for Steve Walters and Bruce Larson, or will we elect leaders committed to transparency, stability, and the common good by voting for Sherri Quarrie and Terry Cronin?
At the heart of the deception by candidates Walters and Larson lies a failure to prioritize truth. Presenting half-truths—omitting critical facts or distorting reality—has become a political tool for these two candidates. Their tactics mislead voters and undermine trust. For instance, candidates Larson and Walters are campaigning on their personal and unsubstantiated opinions about the fire department. Their false claims about our Fire Chief and the volunteer fire department are misleading residents, claiming they will “save taxes.” They omit a glaring truth: transferring fire services to the county would not only reflect an increase on our county tax bill, it would also relinquish local control of the fire department, subjecting residents to unpredictable annual increases set by county officials. CLICK HERE to see a 2025/2026 Proposed Property Tax notice on a 2,068 sq. ft. residence in unincorporated Brevard County. The County’s Special Fire Assessment does not appear on the example because it is not based on property taxes, but IS a yearly special assessment that is based on square footage. Brevard County’s Resolution No. 2025-93, Schedule A, shows that this size property will be assessed an additional $474.70, bringing the total to $830.29
As an average, the total intake from the Town residents to Brevard County in 2025/2026, based on $830.29 x 1600 homes = $1,328,464.00. It is important to note that the special fire assessment for commercial properties is not included in this number, but will be added to the amount of money that the County would receive from our Town, making the money paid to the County much higher!
Truth and Accuracy Matter mailed a chart with this information out to every resident in the Town of Melbourne Beach and it was presented at our Hot Topics Ice Cream Social in July. We were disparaged because we presented the actual truth with the FACTS for residents to understand the situation. One has to ask, what do candidates Walters and Larson, and Mayor Dennington, gain by spinning the truth and deceiving town residents? CLICK HERE to see the chart.
It appears that Walters and Larson don’t understand the long term affects this could have on our town. Telling taxpayers they will save money by letting the County take-over our fire department is blatantly misleading. Will Larson and Walters stop at the fire department? Could this lead to the dismantling of our local police department next, then possibly even our entire Town governance? This would quickly eliminate our Town Charter, opening the door to total control of our town by Brevard County. What would this mean to our town…? Unchecked development, no height restrictions, drive-through restaurants, etc. Who knows, we may end up with a Walgreens after all, if we leave it up to Walters and Larson. They have no vision or foresight for our future. They seem to be lost in the forest…
The consequences of spewing misinformation has already affected our town. Our efficient and well-respected Building Official, Robert Bitgood resigned, and former Commissioner Corey Runte resigned, both citing relentless disparagement from Mayor Al Dennington. Town Manager Elizabeth Mascaro chose not to renew her contract after nine years of loyal service to our Town due to continuous accusations and attacks by Dennington and Walters. This exodus of skilled professionals not only threatens the functionality of our town, it has cost the taxpayers $35,000.00 alone to hire an Executive Search Firm to find a new Town Manager. Now, as the fire department discussions continue, the Mayor and her allies, Walters and Larson, disparage our loyal Fire Chief, Gavin Brown, stating inaccuracies and accusations about “cooking the books”.
Effective governance requires leaders who seek consensus, not conflict. Mayor Dennington has prioritized personal vendettas from the dais and allows her ally, Steve Walters, to exhibit combative behavior during town meetings: yelling, finger-pointing, and name calling to anyone who opposes his agenda. Such behavior isn’t leadership—it’s intimidation. Similarly, Bruce Larson’s fixation on “processes” and sharing his personal opinion at every opportunity distracts from tangible outcomes that benefit our town. Larson’s need for bureaucratic rigidity does not help the process, it slows progress.
The Town of Melbourne Beach deserves better. We need commissioners who listen, collaborate, and respect facts. Sherri Quarrie and Terry Cronin exemplify this ethos. Cronin, a local doctor, business owner and leader with national experience, has a proven track record of bridging divides. Quarrie, likewise, brings years of leadership and commission experience focused on practical solutions. Both understand that progress requires humility, not hubris.
This election is a reflection on the identity of the Town of Melbourne Beach. Candidates like Walters and Larson advocate outsourcing core services, risking higher costs and loss of autonomy. Their rhetoric ignores the full truth, preferring soundbites over substance. Meanwhile, Quarrie and Cronin offer a clear alternative: protecting local control, supporting town staff, and fostering respectful dialogue.
We are looking forward to the upcoming JLAC (Joint Legislative Auditing Committee) audit which will soon expose the misinformation peddled by Mayor Dennington and her chosen candidates. Until then, we cannot afford to let baseless accusations drive away more dedicated public servants.
Our strength as a Town lies in its community spirit—a commitment to preserving our small town charm while nurturing progress. This requires leaders who value truth over theatrics. Let’s reject the divisive and self-serving candidates, Steve Walters and Bruce Larson, who thrive on drama and misinformation. Instead, let’s elect the common sense candidates, Sherri Quarrie and Terry Cronin, whose integrity, true leadership and experience will maintain the dignity that Commissioners Butler, Barlow and Baldwin bring to our current Town Commission.
On November 4, vote for stability, sensibility, and a future where truth prevails. Our town’s legacy depends on it.