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 who tried to screw us – and who tried to save us – during the week that was:

Asshole           Senator Tom Wright

I shared my thoughts on this shocking low point in the all-too-weird political career of Florida Senator Tom Wright earlier this week – but today’s “Asshole” column seemed the perfect showcase for his recent behavior.

As this ugly tale continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Wright is wrong…

In my view, Saturday’s incident at The Beacon Center, Volusia County’s only certified domestic violence shelter, embodies all that I abhor about egotistic politicians – those craven shit-heels who use their elective honorific for a dinner reservation – or throw their considerable weight around with “Don’t you know who I am?” arrogance. 

Then, there’s this:

As I said earlier in the week – this is not a Republican v. Democrat issue.  As a confirmed No Party Affiliate, I despise what has become of both major political factions, now equally ruled by influential billionaires, massive corporations with a chip in the game, and “Super PAC’s.” 

Rather, it is an incredibly illuminating scene that transcends petty party politics and peeled back the cloak of power to expose one pompous politician’s true character.      

In a mind-boggling story originally told by reporter Mark Harper writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “Senator angrily confronts domestic violence worker after shelter leadership resignations,” we learned that Sen. Wright put his hand on a female employee of The Beacon Center – then launched a savage verbal barrage that left his victim reeling – during a heated confrontation in the presence of domestic violence survivors and their children.

According to the report, “State Sen. Tom Wright put his hand on a worker outside Volusia County’s only domestic violence shelter Saturday in an angry confrontation that later involved Daytona Beach police, witnesses said.

Wright has been at the center of an implosion of the Domestic Abuse Council of Volusia County Inc., which oversees the operation and programs at the Beacon Center. Approximately 26 women and children were living there last month in an effort to escape dangerous situations at home and rebuild their lives.”

We also learned that Sen. Wright, and what the report described as his “ally,” Beacon board chair Carmen Ruiz, apparently engaged in a campaign to sully former CEO Angie Pye – including filing outrageous allegations with state oversight officials – in an internecine conflict which led to the resignations of Pye, Program Manager Valerie Brooks, and several board members as the Domestic Abuse Council spiraled out-of-control…

“He went to the inspector general’s office. He had me investigated and told them I was trafficking children and doing drugs with the residents in the shelter,” Pye said, adding that there were no such findings and she mostly ignored him even as he continued to make similar allegations elsewhere in the community.

Misty Sanders, a former employee at the Beacon Center, has been attempting to build support around Pye.

“The accusations (Wright) threw around were as absurd then as they are now,” Sanders said.”

My God…

Last Saturday, Wright was reportedly “touring” the shelter with officials from the Department of Children and Families.  In keeping with state statutes protecting the identity of domestic violence victims, the residents of The Beacon Center were displaced and moved to a bus (reportedly to be taken on a “field trip”) while Wright and DCF completed their sightseeing jaunt.   

Inexplicably, in apparent contravention of state confidentiality laws, Pye and other witnesses told the News-Journal that “Wright started to board the bus when a worker told him he was not supposed to enter in order to protect the residents’ identities.”

According to Harper’s report, a video camera captured the rest:

“Wright can be seen stepping off the bus placing his right hand on the worker’s left shoulder or chest as she stepped back. He then stepped away for a moment before returning to yell in her face, as another worker attempted to stand between them.”

In the video, Sen. Wright can be seen stepping onto the bus, momentarily turning to his left and looking into the passenger compartment, as the shelter employee approached to protect the privacy of those onboard.  

In turn, Wright can be seen reaching out and touching the woman on her shoulder, briefly turning away, then returning in a rage – screaming in the employee’s face – placing his hands behind his back, aggressively leaning forward, bearing down, and advancing on the employee as she recoiled from the Senator’s tirade, while another female courageously attempts to put herself between Wright and the target of his wrath…  

Don’t take my word for it, watch it for yourself here:  https://tinyurl.com/4zsa7xrk

Then, in an unbelievably boorish demonstration of political power run amok, Sen. Wright responded to a request for comment by the News-Journal with a deluded and self-centered message, painting himself as the victim, and publicly withdrawing his support for Volusia County’s lone domestic violence shelter:

“This is the thanks I get for trying to help DCF in The Beacon Center, and yet nobody but nobody today other than Carmen stood up for me and said no that isn’t what happened. So I can’t stand up for you all anymore either and I wish you all the best.”

Really? 

So, nobody would protect your sorry ass by bearing false witness against your victim, Senator? 

And who are we supposed to believe, Sen. Wright – you – or that damning video that captured you menacing a smaller female alongside a busload of domestic violence survivors?  

My God…

On Tuesday, we learned in a follow-up by the News-Journal that the employee told Daytona Beach Police “…she tried to explain to him their need for safety and anonymity, but Wright spoke to her “in an aggressive manner” and placed his hand on her shoulder.

“Do not put your hands on me,” she told Wright, who she said lunged at her face attempting to intimidate her. When he walked away, he “loudly thanked her for her concern towards the survivor’s safety.”

Another shelter employee stood between Wright and the first worker and said Wright refused to de-escalate.

The report stated the officers at the scene could not talk to Wright because he had left the scene, but he was later interviewed at the business owned by Ruiz.”

According to the News-Journal, when officers interviewed Sen. Wright away from the scene, he “…stated as he approached the bus to speak with the driver, (redacted) begins to yell while advising Wright he is not allowed on the bus. Wright stated (redacted) continued to scream at him, at which point he tries to explain to (redacted) he was not getting on the bus. Wright stated (redacted) was directly in his face so he places his hand on her shoulder and advised her again, he was not going on the bus. Wright stated (redacted) advised him not to touch her so then he walked away.”

Wow.

Yeah.  Watch the video again…

To their credit, at the request of a Beacon employee, officers issued a trespass warning to Sen. Wright barring him from returning to the shelter for the time being… 

How long are residents of District 8 – which covers most of Volusia and northern Brevard – expected to suffer this walking personality disorder? 

Sen. Wright should be held accountable for his abhorrent conduct. 

In my view, touching a female without her permission, aggressively invading her personal space, and shouting in her face – physically dominating and belligerently backing her down – in the presence of traumatized women and children seeking safe haven from physical and emotional abuse is reprehensible.

It should be criminal.

As I said earlier this week, I have nothing but contempt for so-called “men” who bully, oppress, and intimidate others – especially domineering tyrants with “Senator” in front of their name.

Based on this incriminating video, it is clear to me that Sen. Wright is comfortable menacing others when he explodes in fury.  In my view, Wright’s demonstrated lack of impulse control should prohibit him from holding the reins of political power. 

Look, maybe “Little Tommy” has always been an abusive ogre – a craven bully who seeks to dominate those who cannot fight back – or maybe Sen. Wright is a lycanthrope who becomes a whole different person when someone tells him “No.” 

I don’t know. 

But in the wake of his appalling actions at The Beacon Center, many believe Sen. Wright has lost the moral authority to govern.

In my view, anyone holding public office who does not immediately condemn this creep’s repugnant conduct is an obsequious coward. 

Now, nearly a week after this shameful incident, Sen. Wright has yet to show his face or publicly apologize for his belligerent conduct in the presence of already traumatized domestic violence survivors and their children in a place of refuge. 

Despicable – and clearly contrary to the rules regulating legislative conduct and ethics.    

According to the Rules of the Florida Senate:

“1.35 Every Senator shall conduct himself or herself in a manner that promotes respect for the law, upholds the honor, integrity, and independence of the Senate, and justifies the confidence placed in him or her by the people.

(1) By personal example and admonition to his or her colleagues, every Senator shall avoid unethical or illegal conduct.”

So, what happens when they don’t? 

I guess we’re about to find out… 

In an age when politicians seem to have lost the capacity for shame, We, The Little People will now learn if the rules apply to everyone – or if they are merely window-dressing.

Regardless, Sen. Tom Wright should do the honorable thing and resign. 

Angel               Deltona City Commission

Yeah.  I know…

The fact is, last week, the majority of the Deltona City Commission did the right thing, took a symbolic stand, and voted to terminate Interim City Manager James “The Chiseler” Chisholm after he abruptly resigned – taking his two redundant (and incredibly expensive) deputy managers with him – effectively decapitating the municipality’s leadership, leaving the rudderless ship adrift during the all-important budget cycle.  

The lone vote to keep Chisholm dragging on the public teat was Commissioner Tom Burbank – a congenitally stupid lump – who, once again, stabbed his long-suffering constituents in the back from his high perch on the dais of power…

As only a haughty asshole like The Chiseler is capable of – upon resigning his post on August 15, Chisholm ordained himself by imperial edict on paid “administrative leave” until September 14 (?) – effectively remaining on the city payroll while ensconced on his fat ass at home – squeezing even more public funds from an asinine $200,000 agreement (that included the perquisites of a potentate) which would have seen Chisholm at the helm until a permanent manager could be found.

If ever…

According to a report by Al Everson writing in the West Volusia Beacon this week:

“Chagrined by Chisholm’s decision to leave the post for which he had been hired in October of last year, the commission opted to cut its ties with him and stop paying him immediately.

“I move to accept James V. Chisholm’s resignation effective the day that he left, Aug. 15th,” Mayor Santiago Avila Jr. said.

In keeping with parliamentary procedure, Avila passed the gavel to Vice Mayor Anita Bradford for her to preside over the debate.

Former City Commissioner David Sosa urged the City Commission to cease paying Chisholm.

“He took his football and went home on Aug. 15. Why would we start making it effective Sept. 14?” Sosa said.

Avila subsequently rescinded his motion and offered a stronger alternative motion.

“I move to terminate James V. Chisholm effective Aug. 15 and with a day of pay until Aug. 15,” Avila said, drawing some applause from the audience.

Commissioner Dana McCool seconded the mayor’s motion.”

Kudos to those Deltona City Commissioners who took action to excise this parasite from the public dole.

Now, the important work of finding a permanent city manager can begin.

During my career in municipal government, I had the opportunity to serve with some of finest city managers and senior department heads in the business – many of whom achieved extraordinary success in public service and private industry.

These folks all had similar characteristics. 

They spoke truth to power, accepted personal responsibility for their acts and omissions and those of subordinates, maintained 360-degree situational awareness, listened to their constituents, used criticism to their advantage, supported those who deliver essential services, lived their values, led by example, and served with honor, integrity, and a personal commitment to preserving the public trust.

These professionals were not perfect.  They made honest mistakes – and learned from them – earning the respect and admiration of citizens, elected officials, and their colleagues.

Conversely, I have endured the worst of the worst – craven posers who proved themselves the foulest examples of those charlatans who hold themselves out as “managers” and set upon unwitting communities.

The destruction and distrust that results can take years to overcome…

Boards, councils, and commissions have the right to hire who they want, and sometimes “managers in transition” are escaping political shitshows not of their own making.  However, in my experience, the best predictor of future performance remains past performance.

Before Deltona taxpayers are saddled with another perennial failure, nutjob, or itinerant mercenary looking for a settlement on the way out the door – they should demand a strong internal vetting process that includes a thorough personal and professional background investigation as an integral part of a transparent selection where citizens have meaningful input.

Recruiting and retaining senior leadership remains among the most important decisions an elective body will make – and these choices should not be taken lightly.

As the great author and political theorist Dr. Hunter S. Thompson figuratively wrote:

“Those who fail to learn from the brutal stomping’s visited on them in the past are doomed to be brutally stomped in the future…”

Asshole           Volusia County School Board

All right, students.  Open your books, time for a history lesson… 

In 2019, the West Volusia Beacon reported that during a five-week period that year, the DeLand Police Department arrested some fourteen children, ages 11 to 14 at DeLand Middle School.

In addition, officers responded to the school 87 times for both routine issues and to investigate assaults, battery, fighting, suicide threats, or take children into protective custody under the Baker Act, which indicates they were a danger to themselves or others.

A deeper dive found that the previous school year, nearly 30% of the student population of DMS had been given in-school or out-of-school suspensions or placed in an alternative education program.

Unbelievably, parents of DeLand Middle School students were left completely in the dark… 

When parents were notified of on-campus violence, it often came from frantic calls from their kids, social media posts, or a network of parents – not district administrators – and one parent of a sixth grader at DeLand Middle said it was common to repeatedly call the school with no answer or leave messages that were never returned. 

Perhaps most disturbing, during the Beacon’s groundbreaking exposé, district officials remained uncommunicative – the reporter shunted to the Volusia County School’s Community Information Office – that citadel of non-communication, evasion, and obfuscation that protects senior administrators from outside oversight who refused to allow anyone in the publicly funded school system to be interviewed.

Eventually, a highly paid district mouthpiece issued a canned release which, per usual, said nothing – other than spewing some responsibility-dodging crap about “…taking matters seriously.”

Remember?    

So, other than the name on the superintendent’s door, what has changed? 

It is common knowledge that those in the Ivory Tower of Power at Volusia County Schools like to take their sweet time addressing serious issues facing students, staff, faculty, and parents – even the clear and present danger of escalating violent crime, disruption, and victimization – and has been s-l-o-w-l-y revamping the district’s Student Code of Conduct & Discipline…

According to a recent report in the Ormond Beach Observer, “Volusia County Schools has a total of 149 policies. Of those, the district has reviewed 56 in the last three years. The batch of 22 proposed policy changes approved for advertisement on Aug. 22 would put the district on schedule to have all the policies that were created before 2016 updated by the fall of 2024.”

Bravo!  Just shy of a decade. 

No sense rushing things when some bureaucrat can reach retirement reviewing 149 policies, I guess…

Now, considering their experience, it is natural wary parents will suspect Volusia County school officials are looking for ways they can use a new law to cover their own asses by preventing the release of embarrassing incidents on school campuses.

Earlier this year, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill prohibiting students from using cellphones during instructional time unless directed to do so by a teacher.  Interestingly, last year, China banned cellphone use by students nationwide – and studies indicate that 77% of U.S. schools have moved to prohibit cellphone use for nonacademic purposes.  

Depending upon where you fall on this controversial issue, cellphones and electronic devices in the classroom are either a monumental distraction or a powerful teaching tool. 

Probably both…

In my view, the ability to properly utilize and manage technology is far more important to this generation than mine (when scholastic research was limited to an ancient set of Encyclopedia Britannica) – and, given the information vacuum of Volusia County schools – many parents rely on these devices as an important source of real-time information to protect their children. 

Now, Volusia County School Board members are suggesting that students who use their cellular telephones to video fights and disturbances – then post them to social media – should be subject to disciplinary action.

According to the Observer, “Board member Ruben Colon asked if the new law covers students who film fights on campus — particularly high school campuses, where students are allowed to use cell phones during lunch period.

“We’ve said we hold that student accountable too,” Colon said. “… One of the things that has happened with the recording is that [students] fight like Rocky, because they’re being recorded.”

Would that infraction now be a criminal act? Colon asked.”

Good question. 

Would those students at DeLand Middle and elsewhere who used their cellphones to protect themselves by bringing to light the dystopian anarchy that reigns at many Volusia County schools be considered criminals for exposing what students are subjected to each day they enter the Thunderdome?

I’m asking.  

Unfortunately, we live in a place where our political leadership has adopted a “loose lips sink ships” policy which keeps public business limited to a tight circle of insiders (don’t take my word for it, watch any stilted Volusia County School Board meeting) – and employs politically unaccountable gatekeepers to ration information to the masses in a form most advantageous to protecting those in the Ivory Tower of Power.

That breeds distrust. 

Members of the Volusia County School Board should consider that this circle the wagons strategy is counter to the idea that “an informed public is the most potent of all restraints upon misgovernment.”

In my view, it is time for the ‘powers that be’ in DeLand to realize – they can either be open, honest, and transparent with stakeholders – something that cultivates public confidence – or continue to hide behind a wall of silence and perpetuate this toxic “Us vs. Them” mentality that fosters division, suspicion, and discord. 

Quote of the Week

“I received my annual “Notice of proposed property taxes and assessments” in the mail the other day. I haven’t reviewed the Ormond Beach government’s proposed budget for next fiscal year. But if it includes some of the same fund allocation areas as previous years, there are means to offset the proposed 13.7% increase passed by the City Commission (4-1, Mayor Partington voted against).

1. Ending corporate welfare, or “economic incentives,” as they’re sometimes called. Government should not be using taxpayer money to pick winners and losers in a market. If a business wants to stay or relocate to Ormond Beach, they should have the same playing field as other businesses.

2. Florida-friendly landscaping. The St. Augustine grass in our medians requires a lot of watering and high-frequency cutting, as well as chemicals, to maintain. Using micro-clovers instead will reduce or eliminate all those high-cost concerns.

3. Sponsorships for baseball fields. Sports and advertisements go together like peanut butter and jelly. Selling ad spaces around the field and even naming rights for a field could help offset their regular maintenance and repair costs. After a year of multi-decade record-high inflation, it seems reasonable to me to look at ways to reduce the high rise of future costs.”

— Joe Hannoush, Ormond Beach, Letters to the Editor, Ormond Beach Observer, “Property taxes are too damn high,” Thursday, August 28, 2023

And Another Thing!

“I’m excited to announce that I have officially filed to run for the City of Deltona Commission in District 6.

District 6 is located in the southeastern part of our great city, bordering Osteen.

Deltona deserves a great future.

Thank you for your support and I look forward to our conversations through the 2024 election and beyond!”

–Nick James Lulli, Deltona, announcing his campaign for the Deltona City Commission District 6 seat in 2024, Friday, September 1, 2024

As regular readers of these screeds know, I have a long-held conviction that if you care about good governance in your own hometown, you should care about good governance everywhere. 

I live in Ormond Beach (“The Fingerbowl District” as the late great Big John liked to say) but for reasons I cannot easily explain, I have a soft spot in my beat-up old heart for the citizens of the Lost City of Deltona.

Despite having been effectively abandoned by their government – Deltona residents have a true sense of community – a civisme exemplified in their passionate engagement at often raucous public meetings and on social media forums. 

Having watched the once tumultuous City of Debary emerge like a phoenix from the ashes to become a relatively stable and effective presence in West Volusia – I happen to (naïve as it may sound) believe that positive change is still possible in the largest municipality in Volusia County.

Look, I don’t know Nick Lulli – but I admire his civic conscience. 

Periodically, I like to highlight candidates for public office who are not yet bought and paid for by special interests, wholly owned by powerbrokers, or hand selected by Volusia’s stodgy “Old Guard.” 

(Like unicorns, those are exceedingly rare in these parts…)

Earlier this year, Mr. Lulli began exploring the possibility of serving his community as a member of the Deltona City Commission. 

It was clear from the beginning that, despite the rancor and roil inherent to Deltona politics, his heart was in the right place – no hidden agenda, at least none that I could discern – with an apparent desire to serve and help bring positive change to a place that desperately needs it. 

That is when Mr. Lulli got a down and dirty lesson in the cheapjack political thuggery that has turned the Lost City of Deltona into a cautionary tale… 

In February, Citizen Lulli became the target of a brutal cyberbullying social media post attributed to sitting District 1 Deltona City Commissioner Tom Burbank (yes, the same guy who voted to keep The Chiseler snout-deep in the public trough) which read (verbatim):

“I’ve traveled the world, I’m uncommonly well-educated and have had two successful careers. I’ve been a Squad Leader, a Supervisor, a Manager, a Director, a Chairman, and now I’m a Tribal Elder. Given that, I like to think I’m a fair judge of people. On the subject of Nick James Lulli I offer the following personal impressions:

IMHO…The man (I use the term loosely) is: A tool, a sycophant, a wannabe, a stooge (too diminutive to be a goon), a puppet, a kiss-ass, ingratiating, obsequious, an apple polisher, a parasite, mealy mouthed, a brown-noser, more follower than leader, a bottom feeder, a remora, a leech, (probably) an impulsive liar, in prison terms…somebody’s wet-butt boy.

I’ve run out of pejorative adjectives. I don’t get to use them much as I normally give people the benefit of doubt.

He claims to be a marketing professional and communication expert, and yet has no website to peruse. He accepts fees for his work and yet I can find no record of his having a business license.

He may have one, we’re looking into it.

The notion that anybody would elect him to lead is beyond comprehension. Tb”

So much for the quaint notion of ‘free and fair’ elections in the City of Deltona, eh? 

Most would have taken Commissioner Burbank’s threatening shot across the bow for what it was – an ominous attempt to smear and coerce Mr. Lulli from running for office… 

To his credit, Mr. Lulli publicly called his tormentor out and refused to be intimidated. 

I admire that.

Earlier this year, the Deltona City Commission voted 6-1 (with the “uncommonly well educated” Burbank shamelessly casting the lone “No” vote) to publicly censure Commissioner Burbank for his blatant character assassination of a private citizen who had the guts to challenge the status quo, wade into the fetid swamp of Deltona politics, and consider a run for public office.

In the view of many, if Deltona is to be saved – and whether that is possible remains open for serious debate – that transformative process will begin with engaged citizens electing neighbors who care about the community’s collective needs, have the confidence to use the frequent public criticism and dissent as a civic barometer, and serve in a transparent way without petty personal agendas.    

Given Deltona’s short but grim history, it is heartening to see civically minded people willing to meet that challenge.

And Mr. Lulli is right about one thing – Deltona deserves a great future. 

For more information, find Mr. Lulli’s campaign social media page here: https://tinyurl.com/3ejf4425

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