Hi, kids!
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 everyone who helped foster the success of this blog site during the past year as we proudly unveil the 2019 Barker’s View Honor Roll – the only award in Volusia County you can’t buy!
I’m fond of an expression that some purport to be an ancient Chinese curse: “May you live in interesting times.”
Be it a blessing or a bane, we long-suffering denizens of Florida’s fabled Fun Coast most definitely live in a fascinating era – something akin to the old Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride at Disney World – careening through a political maze, white knuckled, only to find the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train. . .
Whatever.
But the one constant on this wacky political thrill ride is that, regardless of our unique hopes, dreams and vision, we all coexist on this salty piece of land, and, each in our own way, want what’s best for the place we call home.
From what The Daytona Beach News-Journal have dubbed our “Rich & Powerful,” the movers and shakers with infinite power and influence – to those of us who struggle mightily just to eke out a living in this weird economy – all while coughing up exorbitant taxes and fees – we are all collectively dedicated to the proposition that we can be better, that we deserve better.
So, it’s my pleasure to honor all those who fight the good fight – who persevere, overcome and make a life here in Volusia County – those who courageously stand for public office and endure the slings and arrows of harsh criticism – those who have devoted their professional lives to public service – and those who pay the bills and suffer in silence.
This includes those hardworking civic activists who fight valiantly, time and again, to protect our quality of life – from beach driving to environmental advocacy and beyond. In my view, these grassroots efforts form the very backbone of our community.
When I began trying to provide a genuine alternative opinion four years ago, I could not have imagined how many of you would take the time to read, to welcome my perspective and consider these diatribes for what they are – and what they are not.
Thanks to your engagement, this blog continues to open doors and influence opinion – and I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people – including a few of our “movers & shakers,” some of whom still have the humility and sense of humor to laugh at themselves and our situation.
Invariably, whenever I meet people who are familiar with Barker’s View, including those in powerful public positions who I frequently write about – they are incredibly kind to me – and take the time to offer their own unique opinions of the issues, point out where we differ or agree and provide constructive criticism for the blog.
So, it is appropriate that as we start a new decade, we recognize those who have impacted our civic lives – positively or negatively – in a significant way over the past year.
The problem with lists is you will invariably miss someone important – and if I have overlooked your contribution, please forgive me. It was not intentional.
While this Honor Roll isn’t all inclusive, it begins and ends with YOU – those who read, contribute, opine, comment, argue, agree, disagree, disparage, elevate, share, find solutions, think deeply, offer criticism, offer hope, offer a word of encouragement – political allies and foes alike – especially the one’s who “get it,” and can still be my friend when the debate is over.
All of you.
But most of all, the faithful readers of Barker’s View – the independent thinkers who analyze and contemplate my often warped thoughts on the issues and newsmakers of the day – often vehemently disagreeing with my assertions – and use these screeds to continue a larger discussion in the community, an important exercise that can lead to new ideas and solutions to the myriad problems we face.
With over 382,000 page views since our inception – including readers from 81 countries from around the globe in 2019 alone – I couldn’t possibly know everyone who regularly accesses this site, but it is important to me that you know how much I appreciate your interest.
Whether you hate everything I stand for – or support an alternative point of view in a place that desperately needs someone to question the status quo – I am forever thankful for your attention, insight and critique.
You are making a difference in our beautiful community.
The only thing I can promise you is that, in the coming year, I’ll be here, watching from the cheap seats – a rheumy-eyed witness to the machinations of our local governments – providing you, the devoted members of the Barker’s View Tribe, with my jaded opinions and skewed perspective on the issues of the day.
As always, I appreciate your taking the time to read and consider.
And for your support and friendship.
That’s all for me – here’s wishing everyone a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
2019 Barker’s View Honor Roll
Patti Barker
Ed Kelley
Ben Johnson
Billie Wheeler
Deb Denys
Rev. Fred Lowry
Heather Post
Barb Girtman
Governor Ron DeSantis
The Daytona Beach News-Journal
Mayor Bill Partington
Dwight Selbey
Troy Kent
Susan Persis
Rob Littleton
George Recktenwald
Travis Hudson
Mayor Chris Via
CiCi and J. Hyatt Brown
Deltona City Commission
City of Holly Hill
Sheriff Michael Chitwood
Josh Vedder
Jane Shang
Scott Markham
Kelly Joyce Schulz
David Isenberg
Hubert Grimes
Mark Harper
Joe Petrock
Mori & Forough Hossieni
Dr. Kent Sharples
Hon. Chris Miller
Maryam Ghyabi
Jenny Nazak
Harvey Morse
Bethune Cookman University
Big John
John Penny
Jane Glover
Greg Akin
Ginny Maccio
Volusia CEO Business Alliance
Dana McCool
Elaine Barnicle
David Simmons
Marilyn Stumpf
Jim Chisholm
John Miklos
Chris Nabicht
Kelly McGee
Steve Ridder
Ryan Ridder
Florida Legislature
Mayor Derrick Henry
Ruben Colon
Carl Persis
Sophie’s Circle Dog Rescue
Tom A. Wright
Clayton Park
Cyndi Ritchey
Paul Renner
Don Shinnamon
Sheriff Rick Staly
Dan Eckert
Mayor Bill Hall
Pat Rice
Mike Scudiero
Tom Leek
Tony Ledbetter
Dana Paige-Pender
Roundtable of Elected Officials
Elizabeth Fetterhoff
Stetson University
Chief Craig Capri
David Santiago
Richard Myers
Bob Davis
Evelyn Fine
Brown & Brown
Mayor Heidi Herzberg
Clay Ervin
Hope Place
Dustin Wyatt
Tim Curtis
Mike Springer
Ida Wright
Linda Cuthbert
Jamie Haynes
Minto Communities
Volusia Building Industry Association
Rob Merrell
P&S Paving
Robert Giebel
Root Family Foundation
Eileen Zaffiro-Kean
Jimmy Buffett
Jewish Federation
Consolidated-Tomoka Land Company
Deltona Strong
L. Gale Lemerand
ERAU
Jeff Feasel
Dan Ryan
Volusia Issues
ICI Homes
Bellaire Community Group
Eddie Hennessey
Steve Koenig
Riverside Conservancy
Volusia County Government Forum
James S. Purdy
Lisa Lewis
Hard Rock Daytona
FAITH
Larry Bartlett
Rev. Kathy Tew-Ricky
First Step Shelter
FREE Daytona Beach
Tanger Outlets
Dinah Voyles-Pulver
Foundation Risk Partners
Daytona Tortugas
The Civitas Project
Deltona – A City on the Move?
Volusia Politics
Larry Arrington
Joe Forte
Steve Vancore
Joe Yarbrough
Volusia County Schools
Glenn & Connie Ritchey
Daytona Beach Regional Chamber
Jerry Cameron
Security First Insurance
Dr. Sandford Kinne III
Bob Lloyd
Arthur J. Byrnes
Jameson Distillery
Libby Ann Higbee
Elaine Stewart
Anne Ruby
Bryon White
Karen Jans
Kevin Wallace
Babe’s Blue Room
Weegie Kuendig
Amy Pyle
Greg “F-ing” Smith
Krista Dowling Goodrich
Roland Via
Joe Hannoush
Ormond Einsteins
Marc Bernier
Jim Cameron
Norma Bland
Randy Dye
Dan Merrithew
Frank Fabrizio
Lodging & Hospitality Association of Volusia
Ormond Issues
Helping Hands Through Arts
Frank Van Pelt
France Family
Joyce Cusack
Debbie Darino & Justice for Ponce
Tony Grippa
Jeff Brower
Linda Williams
Sheila Hancock
Keith Chester
Barry Chantler
Ron Wright
Paul Rice
W. R. Dalla Rosa
Daytona International Speedway
Elizabeth Albert
Martin J. Favis
Tom Russell
Pat Northey
County of Volusia
Eric & Vanessa Lewis
Mayor Russ Owen
Mark Watts
Chief Stephen Aldrich
GateHouse Media
Volusia County Voters
Michael Booker
St. John’s River Water Management District
Mark Geallis
Nancy and Lowell Lohman
Rainer and Julie Martens
E. LaBrent Chrite
Theresa Doan
Jim Dinneen
Rob Gilliland
Kevin Bowler
Charlie Lydecker
The Sheltering Tree
GovStuff.org
One Daytona
William Jones, Jr.
North Turn Beach Bar & Grille
Jason Davis
Stephan Dembinsky
George Anderson
Tito’s Vodka
Clay Henderson
The West Volusia Beacon
Rev. Ronald Durham
Daytona International Airport
James Pericola
West Volusia Hospital Authority
Brian Soukup
Ken Strickland
Halifax Health
Gary Conroy
Derek Catron
Sandi Snodgrass
Jayson Meyer
Quanita May
Claire Metz
Deputy Frank Scofield
Rick Karl
Gloria Max
Rep. Michael Waltz
Mainland High School
Coach Morris Small, Jr.
Protogroup
John Albright
Cassidy Alexander
Roy Johnson
Joe Pozzo
First Step Shelter Board
Robin Hanger
Sons of the Beach
Daytona Beach Police Department
Chief James Bland
Ed Connor
Synergy Billing
Nancy Keefer
EVAC
Chuck Duva, M.D.
Sen. Rick Scott
Taxpayers of Volusia County
AdventHealth
Saralee Morrissey
Tom and Kayti Caffrey
Krys Fluker
Colleen & Rob Corrozza
Paul Zimmerman
Tim Egnor
Penny Currie
Jane Bloom
Sonya Wiles
Doug Quartier
Volusia County Sheriff’s Office
Bill Bernardo
Reed Berger
Casmira Harrison
Daytona State College
Catholic Charities
Kurt Ardaman
Bill Milano
Bob Jagger
Gina and Dan Farmer
Chase Tramont
Rep. Bill Posey
Spencer Stratton Hathaway
Judy Rock Bergevine
John Danio
Rhonda and Walter Glasnak
Lori Campbell Baker
Jamie Seaman
Tanner Andrews
Mike Panaggio
HAAA
Mary Synk
City of DeBary
Ormond-by-the-Sea Association
Buc-ee’s
Ted Doran
Joyce Shanahan
R. J. Larizza
Victoria Fahlberg
Team Volusia
Glenn Ring
Nick Conte
Daytona Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau
Josh Wagner
Jonathan Edwards
Paula Reed
Matt Metz
Patrick Gavin
Betty Goodman
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
Dr. Ronald Fritz
Ruth Trager
Jeaneen Witt
Shelley Szafraniec
Rose Schuhmacher
James D. Sass
Robert Sprouse
Elliott Hagood
Michael Mc Bride
Bill Partington II
Linda Ann Brownlee
Henry Wolfond
Aaron Delgado
Mark Lane
Larry Steele
David Lamotte
Alexey Lysich
Keith Norden
Dannette Henry
Claudia Archer
Jason Greene
Tony Walsh
Julie Sipes
Stan Schmidt
Ray Hill
Kevin Gelnaw
Edward Gist
Linda Gatewood
Alicia Page
Nancy Epps
Liz Wade
Michael L. Young
Ted Hordecky
Iron Head
Claudia Vanderhorst
Sandra Walters
Zetta Baker
Liz Murdoch
Paul Skinner
Thomas Akin, Sr.
Sam Bell
Ron Andersen
Julie Hart Lantier
Christina Gerson
Katherine Wanamaker
Sandy Walters
Frank Sawyer
Psycho Magnet
Diane Reynolds
Niki Yanakou
Lori Bennett
Yogi Martin
Gary Mostert
Billie Barker
Barry du Moulin
Barb Shepherd
Gus Massfeller
Robin Michaels
Charles Pickens
Michael Harley
Joel Paige
Laurel Foley
Chris Belflower
Dawn Starr
Kat Brown
Jared Crawford
Sherry Purdy
Phyllis C. Hogan
Chuck Siple
Mark Annitto
Susan Barrie
Jeffery P. Terzini
Suzanne Scheiber
Brian Smith
Sandy Coffman
Linda Parkin
“T” & Bill Lawson
Don Bok
Melissa Lammers
Linda Leary
Al Smith
Eric Breitenbach
Beth and Jim Legary
Ron Martin
Rob Hougham
Robert Augusto
John Lawrence
Maritza Avila-Vazquez
Deana Sallee
Victor Ramos
Jeff White
Dr. John Hill
Linda Smiley
Rich Waters
Lisa Martin
Kayleen Garcia
Noreen Morris
Cheryl Reed
Andy Grosso
Rob Bridger
John Difiore
Kevin Callahan
Jerry Ficco
James Alford
Don Burnette
Loren King
Bob Apgar
Diane Clow
Pete Lynch
Brian
Pam Lawler
Anita Bradford
Dan Luby
Pat Katzenstein
Dr. Fred Costello
Dave Seyse
Richard Kane
Mike Denis
William Sell
Linda White
Karen Waters
Robert D. McFall
Sherry Huskey-Hopson
Fredrik Coulter
Steve Weaver
Kevin Duffy
Bill Barber
Michael Pleus
Steve Thomas
Dorothy A. Fogg
Jim Fogg
Leo J. Vidal
Bill Boots Bouthillette
Noel Bickford
Dayle Whitman
Roberta Richardson
Vicky Jackson
Alycia Severson
Joe Balona
John and Sue Lyle Reynolds
Ruth Norman
Dede Siebenaler
Luke Zona
Judge David Hood
Katherine Hurst Miller
Linda Morse Dixon
Volusia School Parents Forum
Greg Gimbert
Ted Teschner
Randy Cadenhead
Bud Baldwin
Katy Kustura
Robert Stolpmann
Flaglerlive.com
Amazon
Michael J. Arminio
Richard Waters
Jack Jarrell
Ormond Beach Observer
City of Flagler Beach
Volusia County Deputies Association
Frank Thomas Graham
Volusia County School Forum
All who contribute and wish to remain nameless
And,
Well, you know who you are. . .
Thank you very much. I appreciate your constant research.
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Never any bull, always on target! Happy new year to you.
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I am honored to be named on the Barkersview Honor Roll. May the new decade provide all of us with the gifts of insight and wisdom flavored with a little BS and served with a side dish of wit. Thank you for being the catalyst for our thinking processes as well as a source of some good ol’ fashioned discord. It’s been a long time since Holly Hill PD and the 345th MP Company – who knew we would all end up like this? Kevin
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Happy Ney Year to you and yours! Your willing, on point candor has illuminated so many, who may have walked passed an issue hoping “it’s going to be alright”. But now, stop to take a 2nd and 3rd look to educate themselves – more than ever before, because of your efforts to pull back the veneer. Thank you again, and for the Honor Roll placement.
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Mark,Thank you for sharing your wisdom, candor and fact based knowledge of Volusia County’s state of affairs.I have noticed, the New Smyrna Beach development explosion impact has not been included in the scope of your eagle eye assessments.May I inquire as to why?I look forward to hearing from you.Happy 2020!Claudia Vanderhorst562 Aeolian Dr.NSBSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
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FYI Mark, per my earlier email to you.My Best,Claudia VanderhorstSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
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Just in case you haven’t seen this, I thought you would thoroughly enjoy “Scientists have discovered the heaviest element yet known to science. The new element, Governmentium…”
https://blog.independent.org/2017/12/18/governmentium/
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I’m honored to have made your list! I love your blog and it’s always on point! I’m signed up at work and you liked my handle (psychomagnet) & you included that but I’m Lori Bennett so I’m on there twice (double trouble-that’s me!) Thanks for sharing your awesome views-they make my day every time I read them! A very happy healthy & prosperous 2020 to you and yours!!
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Greg “F’ing” Smith…Classic and so f’ing accurate of a moniker. Made me laugh.
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Ah, shucks…. thanks!
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Oh dear.
As much as I would like to feel flattered, being in the company with Ed Kelley, Deb Denys and John Miklos has me incredibly discomfited. I really want to have a good impact on our Volusia community. So I am not sure whether to feel complimented or insulted.
Lisa Martin
Lisamartin999@gmail.com
408-205-6842
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