Vero Beach vice mayor and Kilted Mermaid prompt hours of public comment; supporters and critics clash

Dozens of residents and local business representatives used the public-comment period at a Vero Beach City Council meeting to address performances at the Kilted Mermaid — a downtown venue owned by Vice Mayor Linda Moore — with speakers both defending Moore and calling for review or resignation. Jennifer Pippen, who identified herself as an Indian River County resident, told the council she had filed complaints with state offices and said the office of statewide prosecution had opened an investigation and issued a subpoena to Moore; Pippen urged Moore to resign.

Why it matters: The owner of a private downtown business also serves on the council, and several speakers asked the elected body to consider whether city codes or state law apply to live adult performances held at the venue and whether children’s attendance was appropriate. Others pressed the council to avoid local action and instead defer to state enforcement or to parents’ choices.

Vice Mayor Linda Moore opened the public-comment portion by…