Hi, kids!

Can we flush this foul year already? 

Before we do, let’s take a look back at a few people who helped foster the success of this blog site during the past year as we proudly unveil the 2020 Barker’s View Honor Roll!

Some who tried to screw us – and some who tried to save us during the year that was.

The only honor in Volusia County you can’t buy!

I am fond of an expression that some purport to be an ancient Chinese curse: “May you live in interesting times.”

Be it a blessing or bane, we long-suffering denizens of Florida’s fabled Fun Coast definitely live in a weird era – a political Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride – careening through a civic, social, and economic maze, white knuckled, only to find the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming SunRail 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 is 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 to eke out a living in this artificial economy while being bled dry with exorbitant taxes and fees – we are all collectively dedicated to the proposition that we can be better.

That we deserve better.

So, it is 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 of us who pay the bills and suffer in silence.

This includes those hardworking civic activists who fight valiantly to protect our quality of life – from beach driving to clean water, environmental advocacy, eradicating hunger and beyond. 

In my view, these grassroots efforts form the very backbone of our community.

When I began trying to provide an authentic alternative opinion five years ago, I could not have imagined how many of you would take the time to read, to welcome a different perspective, and consider these diatribes for what they are – and what they are not.

Thanks to your engagement, this blog continues to open doors, shine a light, and influence opinion – and I have 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 on the issues, point out where we differ and agree, and provide constructive criticism.

So, it is appropriate that we recognize those who have impacted our lives and livelihoods – both positively and negatively – and those who supported, or rejected, this blog site 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, and know it was not intentional. 

Please drop me a note and I’ll make the correction with a sincere apology.    

While this roll is not all inclusive, it begins and ends with YOU – those who read, contribute, opine, comment, argue, agree, disagree, disparage, elevate, share, search for solutions, think deeply, offer criticism, offer hope or a word of encouragement – political allies and foes alike – especially the ones who “get it,” and can still be my friend when the debate is over.

All of you.

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 – then 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.

This year saw the largest increase in readership since our inception, with thousands of views each month – including readers from 87 countries from around the globe. 

I could not possibly know everyone who regularly accesses and shares this site, but it is important to me that each of 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 insight. 

You are making a difference in our beautiful community.

The only thing I can promise you is that in the coming year I will be watching from the cheap seats – a rheumy-eyed, half-drunk witness to the machinations of our local governments – providing you, the devoted members of the Barker’s View Tribe, with my jaded thoughts and skewed perspective on the issues of the day.

Thank you for your friendship.

That’s all for me – here’s wishing everyone a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

2020 Barker’s View Honor Roll

Patti Barker

Jeff Brower

Ed Kelley

Ben Johnson

Billie Wheeler

Deb Denys

Rev. Fred Lowry

Heather Post

Barb Girtman

Danny Robins  

Jarleene Almenas

Governor Ron DeSantis

The Daytona Beach News-Journal

Mayor Bill Partington

Dwight Selby

Troy Kent

Susan Persis

Rob Littleton

George Recktenwald

Danny Fuqua

Travis Hutson

Mayor Chris Via

HRH J. Hyatt Brown

Deltona City Commission

City of Holly Hill

Susan Lutz

Patricia Boswell

Sheriff Michael Chitwood

Anonymous Teacher

Josh Vedder

Richard Nisbett

Sheriff Guindi

Dan Ravan

Jenny Nazak

Bret Douglas

Troy Olson

Sharon Raffel

Robert Augusto

Jamison Jessup

Scott Markham

Shelia Prather

Valerie Joiner

Angela Dempsey

Holly Smith

Rich Felisko

Cindy Hale

Kelly Schulz

Charleen Smith

Edgewater Environmental Alliance

Step-Up Volusia

Valerie Duhl

Tulapuppy

Eveline Kraljic

Kadie Hayward Mullins

David Isenberg

Brandy White

Hubert Grimes

Lang Every

Mark Harper

Colleen McDevitt

Kristine Tollefsen-Cunningham

Donna Maxwell

Joe Petrock

Gregory Trent

Alvin Mortimer

Patricia Miracle

Mori & Forough Hossieni

Dr. Kent Sharples

Kenny Franks

Joe DeAngelo

Erick Piskator

Elbert Bryan

Gary Owens

Valerie Manning

Richard Bellach

Linda Scheibener-Boardman

Edward Somers

Hon. Chris Miller

Laurie Cromie

Russ Cormican

Manny Chevrolet

Rene Coman

Troubled Men Podcast

Bryan Soukop

John Hawkins

Andrew Grosso

Eileen Zaffiro-Kean

Daytona Beach Black Clergy Alliance

Maryam Ghyabi

Jenny Nazak

John A. Peters

Harvey Morse

Ken Bradley

Steven Burk

Natalie Brunner

Mary Connor

Peter Grosfeld

Bethune-Cookman University

Big John

Mindy McLarnan

Amanda Brower

Rob Brown

John Penny

Gerard Witman

Steven Narvaez

Jane Glover

Greg Akin

Curtis Wayne

Ginny Maccio

Volusia CEO Business Alliance

Dana McCool

Elaine Barnicle

David Simmons

Elaine Gibilisco

Marilyn Stumpf

Jim Chisholm

David Mims

Chris Nabicht

Kelly McGee

Steve Ridder

Ryan Ridder

Lynn Caniglia

Florida Legislature

Mayor Derrick Henry

Ruben Colon

Carl Persis

Derrick Orberg

Sophie’s Circle Dog Rescue

Tom A. Wright

Clayton Park

Rob Jackson

Tom Rebman

Cyndi Ritchey

Paul Renner

Don Shinnamon

Sheriff Rick Staly

Dan Eckert

Mayor Bill Hall

Paul Stevenson

Pat Rice

Mike Scudiero

Tom Leek

Tony Ledbetter

Dana Paige-Pender

Hon. Mike Orfinger

Roundtable of Elected Officials

Milissa Holland

Elizabeth Fetterhoff

Stetson University

Chief Craig Capri (ret.)

Chief Jakari Young

David Santiago

Richard Myers

Bob Davis

Evelyn Fine

Hon. Joan Anthony

Hon. Cyndi Stevenson

Mike Philbrick

Brown & Brown

Mayor Heidi Herzberg

Clay Ervin

Hope Place

Craig Albright

Dustin Wyatt

Michael Dorsett

Tim Curtis

Mike Springer

Ida Wright

Frederik Coulter

Linda Cuthbert

Jamie Haynes

Minto Communities

Volusia Building Industry Association

Rob Merrell

Carmen Balgobin

P&S Paving

Tony Walsh

Robert Giebel

Root Family Foundation

Eileen Zaffiro-Kean

Jimmy Buffett

Robert Gilliland

Jewish Federation

CTO Realty Growth, Inc.

Lee Ann Luedeke

Deltona Strong

L. Gale Lemerand

ERAU

Jeff Feasel

Dan Ryan

Volusia Issues

ICI Homes

Bellaire Community Group

Eddie Hennessey

Kimberly Hennessey

Steve Koenig

Riverside Conservancy

Volusia County Government Forum

James S. Purdy

Lisa Lewis

Hard Rock Daytona

FAITH

Carmen Rosamonda

Larry Bartlett

Rev. Kathy Tew-Ricky

First Step Shelter

Larry French

Raquel Levy

FREE Daytona Beach

Harry L. Burney, III

Tanger Outlets

John Boyer

Larry Newsom

Dinah Voyles-Pulver

Foundation Risk Partners

Daytona Tortugas

Santiago Avila, Jr.

NASCAR

Teresa Morford Rice-Peck

The Civitas Project

Will Roberts

Paul Deering

Deltona – A City on the Move?

Volusia Politics

Larry Arrington

Geraldine Morgan Clinton

Joe Forte

Volusia County Schools

Glenn & Connie Ritchey

Daytona Beach Regional Chamber

Jerry Cameron

Security First Insurance

Joe Woody

Dr. Sandford Kinne

Bob Lloyd

Arthur J. Byrnes

Jameson Distillery

Libby Ann Higbee

Elaine Stewart

Anne Ruby

Glenn Storch

Connie Colby

Bryon White

Karen Jans

Dru Driscoll

Terry Cady

Ann Ryder

Chief Jesse Godfrey

Mike Dyer  

Sherrise Boyd

Rocky Norris

Barbara Kincade

Kevin Wallace

Bobbie Stricklen

Pat Finn

Babe’s Blue Room

Weegie Kuendig

Robert Taylor

Amy Pyle

Glenn Irby

Richard Thripp

Chief Matt Doughney

Greg “F-ing” Smith

Lu Witton

Barbara Bonariggo

Krista Goodrich

Roland Via

Joe Hannoush

Ormond Einsteins

Suzanne Johnston

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

Randy Ast

J. Mark Barfield

Sandra Bass Van Cleef

Laura & Greg Ward

France Family

Troy Shimkus

Laura Berglund Weast

Jack Driskell

Joyce Cusack

Kim Morris

Lynn Swenson

Debbie Darino & Justice for Ponce

Linda Williams

Missy Phillips

Sheila Hancock

Keith Chester

Barry Chantler

Ron Wright

Paul Rice

W. R. Dalla Rosa

Daytona International Speedway

Elizabeth Albert

Martin J. Favis

Tom Russell

The Bridge

Pat Northey

Marc Antonie-Cooper

Troy’s Pub

Debbie Phillips

County of Volusia

Eric & Vanessa Lewis

Wayne Harris

G. G. Galloway

Allan Brewer

Mayor Russ Owen

Andy Esterhay

Mark Watts

Tom Ryan

Gail Gianfelice

Chief Stephen Aldrich

GateHouse Media

Volusia County Voters

Michael Booker

St. John’s River Water Management District

Mark Geallis

Anthony Recascino

Nancy and Lowell Lohman

Michael Von Kreuzfaufsteiger

Rainer and Julie Martens

E. LaBrent Chrite

Theresa Doan

Rich Malkus

Rob Gilliland

Kevin Bowler

Charlie Lydecker

GovStuff.org

Doug Pettit

One Daytona

Tim Grigsby

William Jones, Jr.

North Turn Beach Bar & Grille

Jason Davis

Chief Stephan Dembinsky

George Anderson

Tito’s Vodka

Brenda Hahn

Clay Henderson

Jon Wong

Pat Balona

The West Volusia Beacon

Rev. L. Ronald Durham

Daytona International Airport

James Pericola

Seminole Curmudgeon

Warren Shaw

Laura Roth

West Volusia Hospital Authority

Brian Soukup

Ken & Deborah Strickland

Halifax Health

Roger Sonnenfeld

Rose Ann Tornatore

Noah McKinnon

Doug Kinney

Jeffrey Dees

Derek Catron

Sandi Snodgrass

Jayson Meyer

Commissioner Quanita May

Claire Metz

Deputy Frank Scofield

Rick Karl

Wray Gillette

Tennessee Hills Distillery

Anita Burnette

Gloria Max

Richard Bryan

Roger Eckert

Nancy Long

Rep. Michael Waltz

Mainland High School

Coach Morris Small, Jr.

Protogroup

Sir John Albright

Cassidy Alexander

Roy Johnson

Michael Politis

Joe Pozzo

Alex J. Kennedy

First Step Shelter Board

Robin Hanger

James Connell

Joe Roebuck

Jim Pappalardo

Sons of the Beach

Daytona Beach Police Department

Chief James Bland

Ed Connor

Christopher Cloudman

Michael Schottey

Synergy Billing

Jim Landon

Nancy Keefer

Coastal Cloud

EVAC

Charles Paiva

Col. Jack D. Howell

Chuck Duva, M.D.

Sen. Rick Scott

Taxpayers of Volusia County

AdventHealth

Julio David Sosa

Les Cantrell

Denny Hockenberry

Chuck Marcus

Laurie Massfeller

Cheryl Espy-Dalton

Chase Herbig

Nancy Capo

Jim Judge

Saralee Morrissey

Tom and Kayti Caffrey

Juanita Garza

Jay Maher

Angry Mom

Tony Servance

Kathy Yingling Weaver

Krys Fluker

Colleen & Rob Corrozza

Paul Zimmerman

FitUSA

Pictona at Holly Hill

Tim Egnor

Oliver Du Bois

Penny Currie

Scott O’Connell

Donald Freeman

Christopher Alcantara

Mike Shekari

Jane Bloom

P. Barry Butler

Sonya Wiles

Doug Quartier

Volusia County Sheriff’s Office

Bill Bernardo

Reed Berger

Casmira Harrison

Daytona State College

Scott Simpson

Catholic Charities

Kurt Ardaman

Bill Milano

Bob Jagger

William Freebern

Chase Tramont

Donald Moore

Rep. Bill Posey

Spencer Stratton Hathaway

Judy Rock Bergevine

The Avion

John Danio

Rhonda and Walter Glasnak

Lori Campbell Baker

Jamie Seaman

Tanner Andrews

Mike Panaggio

HAAA

Mary Synk

City of DeBary

Tadd Kasbeer

Ormond-by-the-Sea Association

Buc-ee’s

Ted Doran

Joyce Shanahan

Richard Klein

R. J. Larizza

Victoria Fahlberg

Rhonda Kanan

The Pallet Pub

Lori Graf

Cheryl Bagshaw Frederick

Steve Puckett

Kelli McGee

Bill Fletcher

Team Volusia

Chief Jason Umberger

Glenn Ring

Jason Wheeler

Alan Lowe

Nick Conte

Kurt Swartzlander

Daytona Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau

Josh Wagner

Jonathan Edwards

Paula Reed

Matt Metz

Patrick Gavin

Betty Goodman

Flagler County Sheriff’s Office

Ruth Trager

Jason McGuirk

Jeaneen Witt

Shelley Szafraniec

Rose Schuhmacher

World’s Most Famous Brewery

James D. Sass

Mary Reid Morelly

Robert Sprouse

Douglas Gibson

Jonathan L. Squires

Ken Doremus

Betty Landrum

Robert Jagger

Elliott Hagood

Robert W. Krause

Randy Hartman

Deborah Joy Williams

Douglas Bell

Riverside Conservancy

Bill Albert

Lisa Scartelli

The Frye’s

Alan Burton

Susan Cerbone

Michael Dye

David Romeo

Michael Mc Bride

Susan Scofield

Bill Partington II

Linda Ann Brownlee

Henry Wolfond

Marilyn Ford

Bob LaRue

Rocky Lawrence

Andy & Debbie Cotton

Aaron Delgado

David Brannon

Susan Brehme Park

Catherine Craig Fisler

Bill Lindlau

Karen Roby

Hon. Belle Schumann

Ben Butera

Stephen McGee

Maureen France

Cindy Rivera

Marti Smolinski

Mark Lane

Hopcycles

Larry Steele

Marla A.

Dr. Mark Soskin

David Lamotte

Gwen & Rev. Larry Edwards

Alexey Lysich

Enrique Zahn

Jim Weite

Stacy Cantu

Keith Norden

Dannette Henry

Claudia Archer

Jason Greene

Julie Sipes

Jim Whittet

Framework Group

Stacy Wager Day

Stan Schmidt

Ray Hill

Kevin Gelnaw

Edward Gist

Linda Gatewood

Alicia Page

Kevin Walsh

Nancy Epps

Liz Wade

Roxanne Hallahan

Michael L. Young

Ted Hordecky

Iron Head

Gene Crouch

Palmer Wilson

Claudia Vanderhorst

Sandra Walters

Zetta Baker

Raymond Johnson

Liz Murdoch

Thomas Akin, Sr.

Sam Bell

Ron Andersen

Thom Morris

Stan Kapp

Christina Gerson

Katherine Wanamaker

Sandy Walters

Frank Sawyer

Nancy Niles

Sandy Murphy

Psycho Magnet

Diane Reynolds

Niki Yanakou

Lori Bennett

Rita Ware

Gordon Brown

Jim Annett

Cumiskey Consultants

Yogi Martin

Gary Mostert

Billie Barker

Gary Wandelt

Dr. Scott Fritz

Barry du Moulin

Daniel Apker

Barb Shepherd

Darren Zoeckler

Stephanie Bidlack Cox

Gus Massfeller

Joel Paige

FDOT

Laurel Foley

Diane Choquette

Chris Belflower

Dawn Starr

Volusia United Educators

Kat Brown

Jared Crawford

Sherry Purdy

Phyllis Clark Hogan

Chuck Siple

Bryan Glaze

Rusty Ford

Abraxas Books

Mark Annitto

Susan Barrie

Jeffery P. Terzini

Suzanne Scheiber

Brian Smith

Sherry Gilreath

Sandy Kauffman

Linda Parkin

“T” & Bill Lawson

Don Bok

Melissa Lammers

Ed Gist

Linda Leary

Terry Heisler

H.V. Grantham

Bill Offill

Volusia Deputies Association

Chuck Collins

Al Smith

Eric Breitenbach

Beth and Jim Legary

Ron Martin

Jim Purdy

Bill Hyde

Rob Hougham

Robert Augusto

Bob Renforth

Bob Walker

Maritza Avila-Vazquez

Brodie Hughes

The Bulman’s

Timmy & Annemarie Groarke

Rob Bobek

Jessica Winterwerp

Deana Sallee

Victor Ramos

Jeff White

Janet Kersey

Bruce Williams

Chip Olden

Dr. John Hill

Jeff Terzini

Diane Crisp

Bo Brewer

Jennifer Finno Ellis

Linda Smiley

Jeff-A-Rooski

John & Sue Lyle Reynolds

Rich Waters

Kimberly Taylor-Bandorf

Lisa Martin

Kayleen Garcia

Noreen Morris

Volusia Firefighters Association

Cheryl Reed

Andy Grosso

Rob Bridger

John Difiore

Kevin Callahan

Jerry Ficco

James Alford

Margie Padgett

Don Burnette

Loren King

Bob Apgar

Diane Clow

James Gillis

Joe Stitch

Pete Lynch

Keith Prewitt

The Nines Parlor

Beat Kahli

Jake Johansson

Paul Milward

Brian Smith

Kevin Lowe

East ISB Dead Zone

Pam Lawler

Paul Skinner

Anita Bradford

Alan Rosen

Dan Luby

Lisa Rinaman

Pat Katzenstein

Dr. Fred Costello

Dave Seyse

Pat Hodgkins

Gigi Bennington

St. John’s River Keepers

Richard Kane

Mike Denis

William Sell

Mayor Mike Thomas

Linda White

Karen Waters

Johnson Bros.

Robert D. McFall

Pat Zuegg

Chuck Guarria

Sherry Huskey-Hopson

Fredrik Coulter

Stephen Bacon

Steve Weaver

Kevin Duffy

Bill Barber

Joe Bungart

Jay Barton

The Nowinski’s

Michael Pleus

Kathy Josenhans

Steve Thomas

Volusia County Concerns

Dorothy A. Fogg

Megan O’Keefe

Jim Fogg

Leo J. Vidal

Bill Boots Bouthillette

Noel Bickford

Christine Power

Dayle Whitman

Chris Graham

Roberta Richardson

Vicky Jackson

Alycia Severson

Joe Balona

John and Sue Lyle Reynolds

Ruth Norman

Parker Mynchenberg

Dede Siebenaler

Luke Zona

Sue Barnes

Brad Carter

Katherine Hurst Miller

Linda Morse Dixon

“High Paying Space Jobs”

Greg Gimbert

Jonah Powers

Ted Teschner

Randy Cadenhead

Bud Baldwin

Katie Kustura

Daytona Times

Robert Stolpmann

Flaglerlive.com

Pierre Tristam

Natalie Pilipczak

Amazon

Lynn W. Thompson

Michael J. Arminio

Hometown News

Richard Waters

Phyllis Butlien

Patricia Stevenson

Volusia ECHO

Volusia Forever

Jack Jarrell

Ormond Beach Observer

City of Flagler Beach

Karen Chasez

Volusia County Deputies Association

Frank Thomas Graham

Volusia County School Parents Forum

All who contribute and wish to remain nameless

And,

Well, you know who you are. . .