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.”…