There is no shortage of civic spirit in Indian River Shores these days.

Since the death of Councilman Judge William Dane in December, three residents with impressive resumes have responded to the town’s call for applicants to become the next Indian River Shores Town Council member. Whoever is selected will serve until the next election in November.

The deadline for applying was 4:30 p.m. today (Jan. 8). As of press time Monday, Rob Stevenson, Peter Tedesco and Roseann Salerno had submitted letters of interest and a resume or summary of relevant professional experience.

Stevenson lives in John’s Island, Tedesco in Sea Forest and Salerno in Park Shores.

Stevenson, who has a bachelor’s degree from Wabash College in Indiana, retired after 38 years with Morgan Stanley and its predecessor companies in wealth management.

He said he was approached by fellow John’s Island resident Councilman Sam Carroll to run in 2028 when Carroll’s own term expires, which is how he became interested in serving.

“We are blessed to live in such a wonderful community. It would be my goal to build upon the solid foundation laid by previous town councils,” he said.

“Following my grandparents and parents before me, I have frequented Indian River Shores for over 50 years. My wife Cathy and I have been members of John’s Island Club since 2000,” Stevenson said in his letter of interest to the town.

“I would like to preserve the safe, quiet nature of Indian River Shores while ensuring it stays on a strong fiscal path. Thirty-eight years in the wealth management profession, along with a long history in Indian River Shores, provides a strong foundation to achieve my stated objectives.”

Tedesco, a 20-year Indian River County resident who moved to Indian River Shores in 2012, is retired from a 40-year career in marketing and strategic management with Westinghouse Electric Corp. and Eaton Corp.

He holds an electrical engineering degree from Lehigh University and an advanced business degree from the University of Virginia. He has served on six club or HOA boards and currently is a member of the Town of Indian River Shores Finance Committee, which reviews the town budget.

In his letter, Tedesco explained that he’s lived in New York, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois and North Carolina. “In each location, I became familiar with local government. In comparison to all the other places I have lived, I find Indian River Shores to be by far the best governed and managed town. The most effective and efficient. It makes me proud to be a resident. I would find it an honor to be considered to serve,” he wrote.

Salerno is a six-year town resident and president of the Park Shores Condominium Association.

“In this role I have had the opportunity to experience firsthand the strengths that make our town such a special place to live. I understand the challenges that come with responsible growth and long-term planning. I’m passionate about maintaining a balance between preservation and growth of our town,” Salerno wrote in her letter of interest.

“If selected, my priorities would include supporting responsible development, fiscal accountability, transparency in local government, and maintaining open communication with residents. I value respectful dialogue and believe that effective local leadership begins with listening to the community and acting with integrity,” Salerno added, addressing the four sitting council members who will make the selection.

A human resources professional for more than two decades, Salerno also managed her family’s rental, residential and commercial property business in New Jersey for 30 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human resources management from Kean University in New Jersey and a certificate in leadership development from Eckerd College.

Town Manager Jim Harpring said the plan is to have the new member selected and seated in time for the regular January council meeting on Jan. 22.

“Council members will have individual meetings [with the candidates] at their discretion in advance of a special call meeting on Jan. 21. At the special call meeting, council members will vote for an individual to take the vacant seat. That way, we will have five seated council members for the regular meeting the next day,” Harpring told Vero Beach 32963.

Council members must schedule individual sit-downs with each candidate due to Florida’s Sunshine laws.

Dane was elected unopposed in 2024 but only served for 13 months, so the election in November will chose a member to serve out the balance of his four-year term until 2028.