Hi, kids!

Earlier this week, I had an unexpected encounter with an intrepid member of the Barker’s View tribe that made my heart feel good.

A few weeks ago, the windshield on the Lone Eagle developed a small nick which quickly developed into a foot-long serpentine crack.  So, I immediately contacted the great folks at USAA Insurance and they arranged to have the glass replaced by a local company.

When the piece was received, I drove to the Nova Road business at the appointed time, but became confused (as I often do) and inadvertently entered a neighboring business instead.  A lady and gentleman were seated behind the counter of the small automotive shop as I happened in, and kindly redirected me to the glass installation place next door.

While maneuvering out of the parking lot, I noticed that the man had followed me outside.

I pulled up and he introduced himself as Steve – then asked my name.

As we shook hands, he told me how much he enjoys reading Barker’s View!

Wow!

The support and encouragement offered by Steve was truly heartening – and I was incredibly humbled that he would take the opportunity to say hello and offer his thoughts on my often-weird take on current events.

I want to say a big “Thank You!” to Steve for being so gracious in his praise of these crude screeds – and  to let all loyal members of the BV tribe know how much I appreciate the fact you take time out of your busy day to read, consider and engage in a larger discussion of the issues that face us here on Florida’s fabled Fun Coast.

I believe that, despite our differences, community engagement and neighbors taking the opportunity to exchange their diverse views develops cohesion and strengthens our community.

In my view, this chance meeting demonstrated in the most wonderful way how we can either agree or disagree, come at problems from similar or differing points of view – yet remain friends and neighbors – always seeking to enhance our common experience and improve the place we call home.

That’s special.

Whenever I get the opportunity to meet Barker’s View readers, you have been incredibly kind – and the feedback and creative suggestions you bring help make this space something unique – a salon, of sorts, for furthering the debate of entrenched civic and social issues facing our community.

Thank you for your thoughtfulness, civic involvement and continued support.

It means more to me than you know.

On Thursday, May 16^th – I’ve been invited to talk issues with those good souls at the Bellaire Community Group!

Our discussion will be moderated by long-time grassroots activist and President of Sons of the Beach, Paul Zimmerman, and will cover a wide range of interests, topical concerns and opportunities facing the Halifax area and beyond.

The meeting will be held at Schnebly Center, 1101 North Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach.

A delicious meal is served at 6:00pm and the meeting gets underway at 6:30pm.

If you can make the time, please stop by and say hello – and spend time with some great people who are firmly committed to the betterment of the Halifax area.

I would love to say thank you in person – and hear your take on the many pressing issues we face.

I hope you’ll join us!

It’s time once again to turn a jaundiced eye toward the newsmakers of the day – the winners and losers – who, in my cynical opinion, either contributed to our quality of life, or detracted from it, in some significant way.

Let’s look at who tried to screw us – and who tried to save us – during the week that was:

Asshole           Volusia County Councilwoman Deb Denys

In my view, the antithesis of leadership is exemplified when a sitting elected official makes political hay during an unfolding crisis – criticizing those who are desperately trying to find answers and make a difference – sniping from the cheap seats and piling on while offering no credible solution to perhaps the most malignant social issue of our time.

That’s my job. . .

Earlier this week, the always arrogant Volusia County Councilwoman Deb Denys took the opportunity to kick the beleaguered members of the First Step Shelter Board while they’re down – publicly putting the boots to her municipal colleagues who boldly stepped up to serve the effort to bring Volusia County’s first homeless assistance center to fruition despite years of political obstacles – many of which were erected by the Volusia County Council’s obstinate refusal to assist beyond throwing our money at the problem.

In an excellent article in The Daytona Beach News-Journal penned by the intrepid Eileen Zaffiro-Kean, entitled “Shelter trudges through upheaval,” taxpayers got an up-close-and-personal view of the myriad problems that have plagued the First Step project since its inception – and a dire warning that this incredibly expensive option for reducing chronic homelessness may, once again, be headed for the rocks.

But rather than provide moral support for members of the executive board – or add constructive suggestions for bringing the board and the City of Daytona Beach together – the always arrogant Ms. Denys uses this low point to say “I told you so,” and tout her prognostication that the project (which is slowly, but surely, under construction in the hinterlands off US-92) was doomed to failure when she cast an obstructionist “No” vote two-years ago.

“Leadership starts at the top. You can’t cloak it anymore,” Denys said. “You’ve got a governing board whose hands are tied to govern.”

Look, Ms. Denys wouldn’t know decisive leadership if it bit her on the backside.

In fact, she remains a big part of perhaps the most dysfunctional and inept elected body in the history of Volusia County governance – and that’s saying something.  In my view, her near-constant self-serving antics and weird grandstanding in defense of this lopsided system she helped create says everything you need to know about Ms. Denys’ loyalties.

Many agree, the problem of chronic homelessness is a countywide issue that ultimately needs a countywide solution.  It’s part of why some municipalities are balking at throwing more money at First Step.

As board member Joe Forte recently pointed out – the First Step project and its board remains a wholly controlled entity of the City of Daytona Beach – and that gives some cities cause for pause.

While some may disagree, the City of Daytona Beach stepped up when Volusia County would not – and to their credit (or detriment) – the municipality has struggled to find a lasting solution to one of the most critical issues of our time.

During a recent meeting, First Step Executive Board Chair Mayor Derrick Henry, was quoted as saying, Daytona Beach “doesn’t want to be in the homeless business.”

I’m afraid it’s too late for that now, Mayor Henry – and its high time the CODB begins to play nice in the larger sandbox – which means sharing information and supporting the board’s important work.

It’s also time for the Volusia County Council to get off their sizable ass and help.

Unfortunately, several iterations of the Volusia County Council saw more political benefit in ignoring the issue – forcing the municipalities to cobble together fragmented solutions – with Daytona Beach ultimately stepping up to the plate to accept responsibility for developing a workable shelter.

Has it been a smooth ride?  Hell no.

But what alternative is Ms. Denys – or her “colleagues” on the dais of power in DeLand offering?

According to Ms. Denys, “. . .the shelter needs “a local champion” to get everyone excited and committed, as happened with Forough Hosseini leading the charge for the Hope Place family shelter.”

Hey, Deb – believe it or not – it is possible, with a modicum of leadership and vision, for our local elected and appointed officials to develop and implement workable solutions to entrenched civic, social and economic issues without the direct involvement of J. Hyatt Brown, Mori Hosseini or Lesa France-Kennedy.

Try it sometime – you might be surprised what you can accomplish.

When Ms. Denys received this dubious distinction in Barker’s View in 2017, I wrote:

If there is one consistent obstruction to substantive progress on the myriad issues facing residents of Volusia County, it is the abject arrogance of Councilwoman Deb Denys.

On issues large and small, Ms. Denys always finds a way to protect “the system” – to ensure the best interests of county government are protected, while the true needs and wants of her constituents are ignored or openly opposed.

From her bald-faced lie on preserving beach driving, to her blatant obstruction of a compassionate solution to homelessness, Deb Denys exemplifies all that’s wrong in Deland.

As Councilwoman Joyce Cusack led the majority vote approving county funding for the First Step shelter – an intractable Denys voted in opposition – then continued to grandstand with her self-important “prove me wrong” challenge.

Screw that.  How about helping for a change?

After countless years and setbacks, public, private and faith-based organizations came together to see a plan to fruition that will, for once, provide basic shelter for homeless persons and serve as a catalyst for alleviating an issue that has hampered true economic development and contributed to the malignant blight that effects all of us.

How do you oppose that?

In addition, at the same meeting, Ms. Denys gave us all a brief glimpse into the future when she openly voiced her support for increasing beach access fees for out-of-county visitors – you know, the “tourists” we’re always crowing about – and spending to attract.

How terribly sad.

As usual, Deb – thanks for nothing.”

What’s changed?

Angel               City of Palm Coast

Believe it or not – for a brief moment in my life I served as Interim City Manager for the City of Holly Hill during a dark and stormy period of the community’s history.

Truth be told, it was the worst experience of my professional life. . .

Within days of taking my place in the wing-back hot seat in the manager’s office, I began receiving laudatory notes and introductory phone calls from a few of the Halifax area’s ‘Rich & Powerful’ – and one prolific government contractor even sent a nice box of Belgian chocolates to congratulate my temporary promotion.

It was all pretty heady stuff for a flatfoot cop on a day pass.

But the chocolates bothered me. . .

Rather than do it myself, I thought I would turn it into a “teaching moment” and directed a junior staff member to return the sweets to the corporate office of the company that sent them as an example of the importance of avoiding even the appearance of impropriety.

You see, at my core, I’m an East Tennessee Hillbilly – which means I’m too stupid to take money and too prideful to let those who offer unethical incentives get away with it – and it was clear to me what the expensive goodies represented.

At times, I am also a raging hypocrite who holds others to extremely high standards while often overlooking my own faults and foibles. . .

Look, in a 31-year career in government, I made my share of procedural and ethical mistakes – God knows, I’m not perfect – and, as a functional binge drinker with a darkly cynical outlook – I struggle daily with life’s moral imperative of trying to be a better person today than we were yesterday.

For example, as a law enforcement officer, I have enjoyed countless cups of “free” coffee from local businesses – or half-price meals offered by restaurateurs who want to show their appreciation to local first responders.

It’s unavoidable (if you want to have meal on-duty, anyway) – an uncomfortable part of being a uniformed member of the most visible arm of local government – and, for me, the ethical antidote to this practice was to always leave a tip which covered both the gratuity, and the full cost of the coffee or meal.

Maybe that strategy falls short – but any law enforcement officer who has ever had the agonizingly embarrassing confrontation at the point of sale – refusing a discount, only to be told by the adamant clerk that it’s “company policy” to offer a public safety discount knows what I’m talking about.

Recognizing the sensitivity of this issue – and the fragility of the public’s trust in their government – I was incredibly proud of the City of Palm Coast’s strong stand in launching an investigation and taking decisive action after some seven municipal employees were suspected of accepting gifts of top-shelf whiskey and candies from a local government contractor.

As I understand it, last December, internal auditors from something called the Palm Coast “Internal Control Ethics Team – ICE” (I like that) interviewed employees in the planning, building and utilities departments after a security camera at City Hall captured a planning technician accepting gift sets of Crown Royal, a bottle of Jack Daniels and eight boxes of chocolate candy over the front counter.

Apparently, the improper gratuities were provided by Sergey Nevod – co-founder of Palm Coast residential developer Blue Crown Construction. . .

According to a report at www.flaglerlive.com (where you can read the ICE report in its entirety):

“The intended recipients, whom Nevod specified by name and type of gift to be handed, were mostly employees of Palm Coast’s building department, who work with builders and developers. Accepting gifts is a violation of policy as it sets up the potential for corruption. Most of the employees took the gifts, some of them hiding the booze in cabinets then dissimulating it out of City Hall under their clothes.”

One public employee – Ricky Lee – a Palm Coast building official, was “incensed” by the gift (apparently the Jack Daniels had Mr. Lee’s name on it), and when the booze was transmitted to him concealed in a box – he rightly refused it – and ordered it be returned to Nevod.

In my view, Mr. Lee’s actions in recognizing the ethical implications and doing the right thing stands as an outstanding example of the moral character of thousands of true civil servants who represent the very best the public service has to offer – dedicated government employees who accept public funds and serve admirably in the public interest – never using their position for personal gain or to benefit others with an ulterior motive.

I find that refreshing – and it restores my faith in the institution.

Thank you, Mr. Lee.

Your small act of courage in refusing to compromise your personal and professional ethics stands as an example of how we expect our elected and appointed public officials to conduct themselves when no one is looking.

Asshole           Former Florida Governor – now Senator – Slick Rick Scott

It appears Floridians are finally awakening to the inevitable environmental impacts of former Governor Rick Scott’s embrace of development-friendly policies and weakening of regulations –  while stripping state regulatory agencies of experienced staff and replacing them with industry insiders – then populating oversight boards with horribly conflicted shysters with a clear financial incentive to undermine rules protecting Florida’s sensitive natural resources.

It’s not like we weren’t warned. . .

We are extremely fortunate to have one of the finest environmental reporters in the nation working for us in the News-Journal’s Dinah Voyles-Pulver.

Since 2016, Dinah’s explosive articles have shone a very bright light on how the St. Johns River Water Management District, a wounded regulatory agency charged with protecting our precious water supply, dissolved into little more than a one-stop shop for greed-crazed developers and land-rapists seeking to subvert environmental regulations and make a quick buck.

Earlier this week, in her excellent piece entitled, “Investigation searches for cause of sick fish,” we learned that state officials are investigating reports of freshwater mullet suffering from lesions, open sores and scale loss – a horrific condition one observer equated to “zombie fish” – which coincides with a massive algae bloom in the St. Johns River, Lake George and a growing number of feeder springs.

Look, I’m no micro-biologist – but I am an aquarist – and keeping fish in the closed environment of an aquarium is a great way to learn the biological processes of natural filtration and the importance of the nitrogen cycle to a healthy ecosystem.

If you have children, I encourage you to establish an aquarium as a means of teaching them the extreme sensitivity of our own ecosystem.

Trust me, it doesn’t take the loss of too many $50 fish to gain a quick understanding of how the introduction of external contaminants and high nutrient loads contribute to a proliferation of nitrates, algae and aquatic plants resulting in anoxic water conditions that stress fish and wildlife making them susceptible to infections and parasites.

So, why in the world would any civilized society allow human waste sludge from water treatment plants in South Florida to be dumped anywhere near this sensitive and incredibly beneficial watershed – Florida’s only EPA-designated American Heritage River? 

Because that is exactly what has been allowed to happen.

In turn, rains allow the nutrient-rich runoff to enter the St. Johns River near its headwaters where it begins its 310-mile journey north to the Atlantic Ocean.

Inexplicably, with residents being told not to eat fish and crabs from the once bountiful river – and ostensibly smart state scientists seemingly baffled by the cause (?) – our elected representatives in the Florida legislature have gone home without any substantive effort to stop the statewide pollution of our sensitive waterways.

What gives?  

Fortunately, Governor Ron DeSantis has introduced new leadership in Florida’s water management districts – stopping the dangerous “fox in the hen house” strategy encouraged by Slick Rick Scott – and sending a clear message that the culture of Florida’s environmental protection apparatus is about to change.

In my view, that’s a good place to start.

Quote of the Week

“I just received my glossy color flyer implying tourists don’t pay their fair share of taxes and is one reason we should vote for the half-cent sales tax increase. Being in the tourist business for over 40 years, I find this flyer a slap in the face to every tourist that has ever visited this county.”

–David Lamotte, Ormond Beach, writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, Letters to the Editor, “Sales tax flyer,” Wednesday, May 8, 2019

I commend Mr. Lamotte’s excellent commentary on the stated desire of those who support this shameless money grab to tax the eyeballs out of “visitors” to Volusia County – otherwise known as “tourists” (that we spend millions in public funds to attract) as they work overtime to ram this sales tax increase down our collective throat.

Interestingly, on the preceding page was a massive op/ed by Nicki Junkins, president of the League of Women Voters of Volusia County – a group that just exposed themselves as yet another apparatchick of the Big Money Consortium at the Volusia CEO Business Alliance – rehashing the same tired laundry list of talking points cobbled together by a privately paid marketing consultant who specializes in selling local option sales tax increases throughout Florida.

We’ve heard it all before.

In fact, our elected officials have done an incredible job of toeing the party line, rarely venturing off-script – knowing well that any chink in the armor makes them all vulnerable – but it’s getting monotonous.

It also demonstrates, in a most disappointing way, the intellectual limitations of the “No Plan B” crowd we have elected to represent our interests – and the propensity of once politically savvy organizations to turn a blind eye to the abject mismanagement, cronyism, corporate welfare and wholesale giveaways of public funds and assets that has brought us to this dark place.

And Another Thing!

According to reports, as of mid-week, just 23,618 of the nearly 400,000 ballots mailed to Volusia County voters – both dead and alive – have been cast in the special half-cent sales tax referendum.

As we reach the halfway point in this first-of-its-kind mail-in election – voter participation in the process doesn’t impress. . .

Perhaps this was part of the tax grabbers strategy all along – or maybe things will turn around in coming days and Supervisor of Elections Lisa Lewis will be deluged by a wave of ballots in the mail – I don’t know.

But I can tell you that there was a clear method to the madness of those who have choreographed every step of this shameless pass-through – and the confusion many are experiencing is leading some to fear voter fraud.

Look, I trust Supervisor Lewis to do the right thing, and I’m not one of those who see a conspiracy afoot to manipulate the vote beyond an incredibly well-funded propaganda machine – but more disturbing – these misconceptions have once again mystified an important civic process and further eroded the public’s trust and confidence in this important function of local government.

If our ‘powers that be’ were counting on this chaos as part of their strategy to give the sales tax initiative it’s best chance of passage – mission accomplished.

I hope it was worth it.

Because many in Volusia County are beginning to question how much longer we can afford this level of external manipulation of our sacred systems of governance by uber-wealthy insiders who have clearly demonstrated just how pervasive their influence truly is.

In my view, the realization that Volusia County voters are slowly awakening to the real threat posed by this oligarchical control of our government processes should scare the living hell out of petty politicians – who have now been exposed as little more than two-bit shills for entrenched special interests – while blatantly ignoring the needs and wants of their long-suffering constituents.

That’s all for me, folks.  Have a great weekend!

 

After reading The Daytona Beach News-Journal’s full-spread marketing campaign in Sunday’s edition flogging Volusia County’s half-cent sales tax increase – a shameless money grab that asks every man, woman, child and visitor to throw good money after bad to the same compromised politicians who got us into this quagmire in the first place – I thought long and hard about the Editorial Board’s almost condescending suggestion to Volusia taxpayers:

“Here’s what will help: Take a look at each of these politicians as they come up for re-election, decide whether or not they’ve done a good job, and vote accordingly. Look for those candidates who offer better decisions about growth management and fiscal stewardship, and then hold them to the promises they made.”

Really?

Isn’t that exactly what well-informed voters should do every election?

Unfortunately, here on the Fun Coast we live under a weird oligarchical system – driven solely by abject cronyism – the ritualistic worship of the ‘Rich & Powerful,’ and the resulting out-of-control corporate welfare which continues to drive an artificial economy designed to benefit the few who can pay-to-play.

A place where a handful of incredibly wealthy insiders artificially skew the political playing field with massive campaign contributions to hand-select candidates – providing them an almost insurmountable advantage over grassroots challengers – or setting up a “best of two evils” choice.

As a result, these Big Money overseers now control votes on important public policy by the power of their mere presence in the gallery of council chambers.

Since early times, in war or politics, the winner of a contest not only vanquishes his or her opponent – but also receives the lucrative benefits of high office and political power.

For instance, in the early-1800’s many local governments in the United States operated under a “spoils” or patronage system where the party or individual winning an election would award lucrative civil service jobs and contracts to friends, family and financial supporters as a means of political recompense.

In 1883, the civil service system was reformed, strengthening security for public employees, and jobs and promotions were awarded based on a merit system.

These changes provided continuity and ensured a level of professional competence in the delivery of essential public services, while guarding against political interference at the operational level – but, unfortunately, wink-wink favoritism in government contracts and access to public funds continued.

What’s changed? 

In Volusia County’s no-holds-barred political environment, where a few wealthy individuals pick winners and losers – and perennial politicians essentially sell their very soul for elevation to positions of power – seeking a return on the resulting quid pro quo relationship has become the accepted norm.

After all, why wouldn’t powerful insiders and the corporations they control seek the incentives they have bought and paid for as long as they are being offered and routinely granted by their hired chattel on the dais of power? 

In my view, this symbiotic relationship between the donor class and our elected policy makers is at the epicenter of Volusia County’s proposed half-cent sales tax increase.

Something tells me the News-Journal’s editorial board understands this issue better than I do. . .

Yet, our newspaper of record – and many municipal officials – continue to dismiss the very real concerns of the much-maligned “vote no crowd” as though we haven’t been continually lied to, watched as impact fees were strategically suppressed for the benefit of campaign contributors in the development community, or suffered the years of abject blight and dilapidation in Downtown Daytona as the area decomposed into an economic wasteland until real estate prices made it advantageous for the Big Boys to buy it up – then ride in like heroes and build a publicly-funded high-rise insurance office that we’re told will solve all our problems.

And how long will those with the ability to sway public opinion and bring fundamental change stand idle for the utter buffoonery that has become our Volusia County Council under the abysmal “leadership” of our doddering fool of a County Chair, Ed Kelley?

Bullshit.

In recent days, residents of Volusia County have been bombarded with glossy fliers and a carefully contrived marketing campaign on local government websites (some funded by our own tax dollars – others by a pro-development PAC) touting the benefits of self-inflicting a sales tax increase, knowing well that many residents are struggling to make ends meet – living at or below the poverty line with precious few means of escape.

The full-court press is on – and it will only get worse with ballots now in the mail – before the May 21^st deadline for this weird, $490,000 mail-in referendum that many are already befuddled by.

For instance, some folks are receiving ballots for family members or former residents that haven’t voted (or lived) in Volusia County for years – and social media posts are showing similar issues in other households countywide.

I don’t blame Supervisor of Elections Lisa Lewis.

Clearly, she’s doing her best – and this referendum is like walking on Mars – a mail-in ballot scheme has never been attempted in Volusia County before (which says something about the way this process been managed from the start.)

In my view, these issues add to the sense of confusion – and hopelessness – that has marked this incredibly clumsy initiative since its inception in the backroom of the Volusia CEO Business Alliance. . .

As a Charter Member of the VOTE NO! crowd, I encourage you to reject this shameless money grab for what it is – then negotiate the real issues of unchecked growth, environmental destruction and corporate favoritism from a position of power – and demand that our elected officials represent the best interests of all citizens.

I happen to agree with The Daytona Beach News-Journal on one point:

If not now – when will Volusia County voters finally say, “enough is enough”?   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi, kids!

Daddy’s home!

A little jetlagged – a tad discombobulated from transatlantic flights, but glad to be back in the good ol’ U.S.A. – and the fray.

Over the last couple weeks, Patti and I finally did some of the much anticipated “travelling” we promised to do when I put my papers in five years ago – time away to recharge the batteries, a return on the investment of 31-years of service and sacrifice – a chance to get a different perspective through exploration and discovery.

Plus, we needed the break. . .

A dear friend and former colleague who recently entered retirement has embraced the wanderer’s motto, “Travel.  As much as you can.  As far as you can.  As long as you can.  Life is not meant to be lived in one place,” and she is now on the final legs of an adventurous around-the-world cruise.

That’s doing it right.

As we get older, there are very few “firsts” left in life – and ours was definitely a trip of firsts.

England and Ireland were the magical places I read about as a boy – realms of castles and knights – and these fascinating countries, and the wonderful people who inhabit them, were everything I hoped for and more.

From the bustle of London with all its pomp and circumstance (and protests, and people, and traffic…) – to the relaxed seaside villages of Folkestone, Sandgate and the famous White Cliffs of Dover in southern England, where on a clear day you can see the port city of Calais, France – the U.K. was a “bucket list” experience.

Then, a quick flight on Aer Lingus across the Irish Sea took us to the fun pace of Dublin and, later in the week, a beautiful train ride through the lush Irish midlands delivered us onto the quaint Medieval streets and stone alleyways of Galway – a magical place where we came away with wonderful new friends and memories to last a lifetime.

Needless to say, I spent a lot of time in the pubs of London and Dublin where talk invariably turned to American politics.

Like here, people seemed equally split on their support for President Trump – and most Londoners had a better grasp on current events in the United States than many of my fellow citizens – but they love talking issues.

When I arrived at Heathrow, all I knew about England was that I really enjoyed their muffins.

But after meeting the incredibly friendly people of the London suburbs, I learned a lot about the intricacies of the “Brexit” quagmire, and the proposed cradle-to-grave social policies that are causing concern throughout the European Union.

In a dark pub on Pearse Street in Dublin, I listened over a proper pint of Guinness as a local from the rough streets of the city’s public housing projects spoke painfully about the still raw feelings of many in Ireland regarding “The Troubles” in the north – the centuries-old, often bloody fight for Irish independence and a voice in the future of this beautiful island.

Regardless of where we visited, when talk turned to local politics, I was amazed at how similar the problems are to our own problems here on Florida’s fabled Fun Coast. . .

To my new friends in Ireland – thank you for the warm hospitality and enlightening late-night conversation over good Irish whiskey.

You taught me that no matter where we live – everyone wants essentially the same good things – safety, security, the right to self-determination and a better life for our children – and that we all have the same frustrations with government, and a universal distain for petty politicians who have lost sight of their sworn duty to serve the needs of all constituents – not just the wealthy few who can benefit them personally and politically.

Like any hardened “news junkie,” while travelling I kept a close eye on The Daytona Beach News-Journal’s website and tried my best to make sense of current local events from afar.

I couldn’t help myself. . .it’s like trying to avert your eyes from a train wreck.

In an ever-changing world, it seems Volusia County is the one constant.

For instance, I was more than a little taken back last Sunday when I perused a piece by my normally reasonable friend, News-Journal editor Pat Rice, who took a page from my playbook and used an inordinate amount of space – going over-the-river and through the woods to explain the pleasures of a jog on our beach – just to take a cheap shot below the belt of my fellow residents and taxpayers over at the Volusia Issues Facebook page.

What gives, Pat? 

In his piece entitled, “Volusia beaches wash away the crazy,” Mr. Rice opined:

“On some Facebook pages, people will suggest things without any basis in reality, and then they’ll stake out positions as if they’re debating actual facts. Visit the “Volusia Issues” Facebook page, where those who seem to be against everything congregate. It’s bizarre.”

You know what I find ‘bizarre’?

The fact that our local newspaper of record repeatedly publishes stories flaunting everything Volusia taxpayers fear – including the all-too-cozy relationship of our elected officials with their uber-wealthy political benefactors who continue to receive millions in public funds to underwrite their personal for-profit projects and the resulting complete lack of public trust – then essentially rub our noses in it and belittle our passionate desire for fundamental change.

To add insult, the News-Journal routinely praises in print our elected officials historic lack of vision, unprecedented ineptitude and shit-through-a-goose spending policies that continue to benefit those who can pay-to-play – extolling the virtues of a dangerous pro-growth strategy that has solely benefited powerful real estate development interests – while leaving the rest of us facing the specter of gridlocked traffic and fouled drinking water if we refuse to self-inflict an obscene sales tax increase. . .

During the recent Volusia County sales tax push – the N-J provided a moderated forum which was heavy on local politicos spouting canned answers crafted by a marketing consultant – and light on those who oppose this shameless money grab.

On the very day the News-Journal ran an opinion piece lamenting the nightmare that has befallen the languishing First Step homeless shelter project – they printed a front page/above the fold swoon about the pompous groundbreaking ceremony for the exalted Brown & Brown headquarters building in downtrodden downtown Daytona – which is still being billed by our elected and appointed officials as yet another panacea for the years of strategic neglect that has reduced the area to a cesspool of blight – and incredibly cheap real estate. . .

The accompanying photograph depicted the Reigning Monarchs of Daytona Beach – J. Hyatt & CiCi Brown – perched resplendent upon their front-and-center thrones – surrounded by our preening political and oligarchical aristocracy and their respective hired political chattel – while Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry took the stage and soft-soaped this grand gathering of the only constituency our elected officials seem to care about anymore.

In my view, the juxtaposition of these articles perfectly exposes the divergent issues we continue to face – a hopelessly gridlocked shelter project originally designed to assist one of the most malignant social issues of our time, and the ease with which tens-of-millions our hard-earned tax dollars can be allocated to meet the profit motives of one incredibly wealthy political insider.

And no one who should seems to question that. . .

In an excerpt from his speech, I noted with interest that Mayor Henry said of the massive, publicly-underwritten glass-and-steel monument to J. Hyatt’s self-importance:

“This says more about how we should feel about ourselves.”

 Amen, Mayor.  Amen.

In my view, Mr. Rice should understand that what our ‘powers that be’ are experiencing on social media is the direct result of an information black hole they created – where those we elect and appoint to represent our interests communicate with working journalists through paid media hacks and canned, electronically transmitted press releases – and public tax policy is cobbled together behind the scenes by consultants paid for by millionaires – then the idea is rammed down our throats through direct mail and slick marketing campaigns underwritten by those who stand to benefit most.

When citizens rightly vent their growing frustrations through Facebook pages – ostensibly hosted by their own elected officials – they are blocked, deleted and marginalized as “citizens against virtually everything” – and now castigated as fools by their hometown paper. . .

In my view, it’s beginning to look like a bad tag team match.

Perhaps the News-Journal should look carefully at the very real concerns of their readership – rather than merely accepting the smoke and mirrors of those with demonstrably self-serving motivations.

Congratulations on finding your ‘Happy Place,’ Pat – I hope you enjoy zigging and zagging your way through the maze of wooden poles and ‘do this – don’t do that’ sign pollution that has turned the beach I grew up on into anything but the paradise it once was.

And while you’re busy rinsing out the “craziness” the rest of us have endured for decades – those who are expected to pay the bills and suffer in silence will remain here, in the trenches, screaming fervently to anyone who will listen, that we truly deserve better than this – from our elected officials – and our newspaper.

It’s time once again to turn a jaundiced eye toward the newsmakers of the day – the winners and losers – who, in my cynical opinion, either contributed to our quality of life, or detracted from it, in some significant way.

Let’s look at who tried to screw us – and who tried to save us – during the week that was:

Asshole           Citizens for Better Roads and Clean Water 

At the end of the day, I hope it was worth it. . .

Somehow politicians have the unique ability to justify their decisions to voters – regardless of the ethical, moral or civic implications of their acts and omissions – by insulating themselves with consultant reports, dubious studies and group-think – then ensuring their political survival by invariably siding with their political benefactors on the important issues of the day.

In the case of Volusia’s money-grubbing half-cent sales tax initiative – win or lose – this asinine comedy of errors that has been wholly orchestrated by a passel of uber-wealthy political insiders and ramrodded by a politically unaccountable retired city manager – will have dire political ramifications for years to come.

Why?  Because it has further polarized an already fragmented Volusia electorate.  Despite the claims of those seeking to line their pockets with the windfall – a sales tax increase sold with threats to the safety of our very drinking water is not a unifying force. . .

In recent days, Volusia County residents have been targeted by a direct mail campaign pushed by a Political Action Committee known as Citizens for Better Roads and Clean Water – comprised of millionaire government contractors and other members of the Volusia CEO Business Alliance – who repeatedly benefit from their bought-and-paid-for place in the suckling order at the public teat.

A recent report provided the tale of the tape:

“The committee has raised $222,156 from donors such as Hyatt Brown, chairman of Brown & Brown Insurance, John Albright, the CEO of Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co., and Michael Panaggio, the owner of DME Sports Academy.

Former Daytona Beach Mayor Glenn Ritchey has also contributed money through his business, John Hall Chevrolet. His daughter-in-law, Cyndi Ritchey, was tabbed to chair the committee after managing political campaigns for former sheriff turned Volusia County Councilman Ben Johnson and former state representative Fred Costello.”

Interesting.

I’ll bet if you review the campaign finance reports of the majority of sitting politicians on the Volusia County Council you just might find an interesting correlation between major league political donors and Citizens for Better Roads and Clean Water. . .

In my view, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that these entrenched political insiders have determined that Volusia County’s proposed sales tax increase will generate some $42-million annually – funds that their political marionettes will ensure ultimately passes from our wallet to theirs.

A recent professionally produced glossy mailer attributed to the pernicious PAC depicted a water-filled pothole with the tagline –  “Join local business leaders and community leaders who want to improve roads, sidewalks, and bridges in Volusia County by voting yes on May 1st.”

How dumb do these conniving shits think we are? 

Most thinking people rightfully see a gaping pothole in the road and immediately equate it to the abject neglect and abysmal attention to the repair and replacement of transportation infrastructure foisted on them by a disinterested local government.

Am I right?

I mean, who in their right mind spots a pock-marked roadway and immediately thinks – “Humm, maybe I should throw more money at the same people who ignored this problem in the first place, hoping against hope that they’ll be more responsible with my families hard-earned tax dollars the next time around. . .” 

Bullshit.

Please VOTE NO! on the Volusia County half-cent sales tax scam.

Let’s let our elected officials and their puppet masters know that there is some shit we won’t eat – and begin the important process of returning trust and accountability to local government.

Angel              Mark Geallis

Kudos to Mark Geallis, the former executive Director of the languishing First Step Shelter, for having the courage of his convictions, speaking the unvarnished truth and telling the shelter’s executive board – and the City of Daytona Beach (the real power behind this failed project) to – in the immortal words of Johnny Paycheck – Take this job and shove it.

Less than a year after taking the reigns of this catastrophically flawed plan to build a homeless assistance center in the hinterlands between Daytona Beach and DeLand – a weird social conglomerate somehow owned by the City of Daytona Beach, operated by Catholic Charities of Central Florida, administered by the First Step Executive Board (a body comprised of municipal representatives whose communities have pledged financial support and a few private sector participants) and operated by an Executive Director charged with begging operational funds with absolutely no guidance or real understanding of the projected financial requirements – Mr. Geallis has had enough.

I don’t blame him.

With the building still under construction, last week, Geallis notified members of the First Step Shelter Board that he would resign his position within the next 90-days.

Earlier this week, the board accepted his resignation – while lamenting whether or not to disband the advisory board altogether and turn the whole shit show back over to the City of Daytona Beach.

According to a reports, board members are becoming increasingly frustrated by the city’s total lack of substantive communication on key issues – such as exactly what the board will be required to fund – and other lingering operational and administrative questions that Daytona Beach officials seem unwilling or unable to answer.

Look, I know some of the board members personally – and I trust them implicitly.

For instance, Holly Hill City Manager Joe Forte is one of the most inherently trustworthy men I know – and South Daytona Mayor Bill Hall is a man of incredible character and talent who has spent his life in service to the citizens of Volusia County.

Both men personify the best public service has to offer.

Earlier this year, we learned that the shelter project was hemorrhaging some $15,000 per month in salaries to Geallis, his assistant, and some weird vigorish to Catholic Charities (apparently for use of their name alone) – all of whom were hired to operate a facility that is still months away from opening.

Obviously, this instability and abject dysfunction made fundraising virtually impossible – especially when Mr. Geallis was denied a mark of passage for an audience with Daddy Warbucks himself.

When questioned about his difficulty raising funds to support this raging dumpster fire, Mr. Geallis lamented, “I can’t get a meeting with Hyatt,” Geallis said, referring to Hyatt Brown, chairman of insurance giant Brown & Brown Inc. “A nonprofit board opens those doors. I don’t run in those circles.”

Indeed. . .

Add to that the hell-broth of controversy over myriad operational issues – to include the basic question of which segment of the homeless population will be served and which will not.

Catholic Charities – who have been accepting some $7,500.00 a month to operate a facility still under construction (?) – wants the “First Step” for someone seeking shelter to be a formal background check by law enforcement. . .

According to a report in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, on Monday evening, after accepting Mr. Geallis’ resignation, the executive board discussed their exasperation over  “…the limited power and crumbs of information they feel they’re getting from the city leaders who set up the board and appointed them.”

The board’s chair, Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry, was quoted as saying the project has been a “political nightmare,” before reassuring his frustrated colleagues that the board could “be as relevant as we decide to be.”

I think Mayor Henry better speak to his boss, City Manager Jim Chisholm, about just how “relevant” he wants the board to be. . .

On Wednesday, the Daytona Beach City Commission changed tack yet again, signaling they may not want the current board members involved at all going forward – probably in favor of turning control of the project over to some hand-select overseers, who would serve as “an executive fundraising commission” made up of non-elected, politically unaccountable players with all the right last names and a chip in the larger game.

After all, it seems the only entity to have been served by the shelter to-date is P$S Paving – a massively successful government contractor (whose owner just happens to be a member of the Volusia CEO Business Alliance) who is busy getting fat selling public dirt from the site for private profit. . .

Perhaps someone should remind the current members of the First Step Executive Board that you can’t pick up a turd by the clean end – and, with no plan, no policies and no hope – there is honor in distancing yourselves from this imminent catastrophe.

Quote of the Week

 “Voting yes to increase our sales tax gives a green light to business as usual. That means more mega developments in all the wrong places to add thousands more vehicles on our roads.

It means millions of gallons of polluted water dumped into our waterways that ultimately end up in the aquifer. It continues to send most of our West Volusia tax dollars to the east side.

A yes vote increases the likelihood we all drink and bathe in toilet-to-tap water. It is already being tested in Daytona Beach.

There is another solution, a sustainable Plan B. First, we have to vote no on the proposed sales-tax increase. If passed, it would be a green light to continue the same failed policies that got us into this mess.

Second, any politician who had the temerity to say he or she has no plan other than to raise your sales or property taxes must be voted out in 2020.

Only then can a real conversation about the kind of community we want to live in occur.”

–Civic Activist and former Volusia County Council candidate Jeff Brower, writing in The West Volusia Beacon, “Vote no on sales-tax hike; let’s have a real conversation about growth, instead,” May 2, 2019

In my view, Jeff Brower continues to be a strong voice for the citizens of Volusia County.

And he’s right – with ballots already in the mail for this $490,000 “special referendum” which asks We, The People self-impose a half-cent sales tax on every man, woman, child and visitor in Volusia County to pay for the continuing sins of those who long-ago abdicated their sworn responsibility to their constituents – it’s time to VOTE NO, and send a strong message in the process.

As I have previously written, the number of civically active citizens opposed to the Volusia County half-cent sales tax initiative is growing daily as our family, friends and neighbors – many of whom have never been politically active before – stand firm to the core belief that handing more of our hard-earned money to the same inept assholes that created this “infrastructure emergency” through unchecked sprawl and an exploitative corporate welfare culture is fundamentally wrong.

These active and engaged members of our community should be applauded for their efforts – not maligned and marginalized.

In my view, it is refreshing to see so many Volusia residents rising in unison against this bloated, plodding bureaucracy that now exists to serve the needs, wants and whims of millionaires who view our tax dollars not as a sacred responsibility, but as a means to an end.

It is the very essence of good citizenship to fightback – to scream ‘enough-is-enough’ – then begin the arduous process of reestablishing a government that serves all of its constituents as we work collaboratively to restore the public’s trust in our once-revered political processes.

And Another Thing!

I want to send a special Barker’s View “Thank You!” to the intrepid Dede Siebenaler – a staunch local civic activist who keeps our elected and appointed officials on their toes by voicing her opinion on the issues of the day and asking the hard questions – often in the wide-open badlands of the internet.

Trust me.  Politicians know the inherent value of social media.

From using various platforms for distributing their campaign message to posting self-aggrandizing photographs of themselves doing some contrived civic good or facilitating cheap fundraising efforts – social media sites are the 21^st Century version of shaking hands and kissing babies – only at lightning speed with the ability to reach thousands of potential voters instantly.

But they can’t have it both ways.

Social media is not an amplified soapbox – it’s a two-way interactive platform – comment and response – and elected officials should understand the frustrations of their long-suffering constituents will often result in strong opinions.

If you need more proof of the political power of social media – subscribe to President Donald Trump’s Twitter feed – then hold on tight to your digital device. . .

In many ways, social media has made our elected representatives more accessible to the “little guy” – those of us who don’t have the money or political clout to get their civic concerns and issues in front of those with the power to affect change.

A few months ago, our doddering fool of a County Chair, Ed Kelley, impudently blocked Ms. Siebenaler from his Facebook page.  After all, it’s infinitely easier for small-minded elected officials like Ed Kelley to simply block criticisms than form cogent explanations for the bizarre machinations of government.

Inexplicably, District 4 Councilwoman Heather Post was recently found to have “blocked” News-Journal reporters from her Facebook page, effectively shutting the working press out of her official online presence – and the always arrogant Councilwoman Deb Denys had blocked some 60 people from her personal page – while Old Ed now has a cheap disclaimer posted to his official Facebook site which states:

“For those few who continue to complain legal confirmed that having a page for information only is LEGAL. If you wish to share thoughts or information you can do so by email at: ekelley@volusia.org  I answer all emails that are received. Thanks.”

Whatever.

Thanks to Ms. Siebenaler’s questioning – Volusia County’s legal department recently agreed that the act of blocking constituents’ access to the social media sites of their elected representatives could be considered a violation of constitutionally protected rights and sent a letter of guidance advising against the practice.

In my view, it’s time our all-powerful ‘movers & shakers’ – those who hold themselves out for high office, campaign for our vote with firm promises, then do the exact opposite when it benefits a select few – come to the realization that We, The People are demanding transparency – and equal access.

We have a right and civic responsibility to hold those who accept public funds to serve in the public interest accountable – including voicing our critical opinions on the important issues of the day.

Thanks to galvanizing issues like this disastrous half-cent money grab, the decimation of our century-old tradition of beach driving – and a hundred other backhanded slights – more Volusia County residents than ever before are taking a true interest in the workings of their government – and demanding better from those who have sworn an oath and accepted the privilege of public service.

That’s all for me.

Have a great weekend, my friends!