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           Deltona City Commission

Last week, we learned that during a “shade meeting” in August – a statutorily permitted secret conclave held outside the public eye to discuss litigation – the Deltona City Commission approved an $8,000 settlement with resident Nick Lulli following an unprovoked and hate-filled social media attack by Commissioner Tom Burbank earlier this year.

In September, Mr. Lulli issued a statement announcing receipt of the award from Deltona’s insurance carrier, Preferred Governmental Claim Solutions of Orlando, after he filed a small-claims action against both the city and Burbank which claimed Sunshine Law violations and that the Commissioner made untrue statements described as causing “irreparable harm to any political, business or personal transaction.”:

“In February, Burbank, the District 1 Commissioner, wrote untrue statements on Lulli’s Facebook page in an attempt to influence the 2024 election. The statements included homophobic tropes that caused community outrage and led the Commission to censure Burbank for his actions. Lulli, who is now officially a candidate for the District 6 Commissioner seat, did not know Burbank prior to the social media assault.

Lulli subsequently sued the City and Burbank in Volusia County Small Claims Court, alleging the statements were libelous and also claiming the City and Burbank had violated the Sunshine Laws by secretly coordinating potential legislation outside of a public meeting. The $8000 lawsuit was considered symbolic in nature and only intended to compensate Lulli’s legal fees and time. Lulli represented himself and wrote the historic lawsuit which was settled for its original value.”

In my view, given the vicious nature of the attack, the settlement should have been ten-times that – and come directly from the reprehensible Burbank’s pocket…

Sadly, it appears the only ones held accountable for Burbank’s abhorrent (and expensive) conduct was the good citizens of Deltona. 

In February, the City Commission voted 6-1 on a symbolic (read: toothless) measure to censure Commissioner Burbank for his ad hominem attack on Lulli (with Burbank voting against censuring himself…). 

Last week, when reading the shocking transcript of the August 21 shade meeting, I found it disturbing how most of the commissioners seemed more concerned with the public and political perception of the settlement than seeking justice for Mr. Lulli.

For instance, it was clear that Commissioner Jody Lee Storozuk was nervous about how the agreement would adversely affect his reelection as he faces Lulli for the District 6 seat next year. 

“I don’t want to give him a penny, not an ounce, not a drop,” Storozuk said during the shade meeting. “I don’t want to give him a ride home.”

As though this was somehow the victim’s fault…

Personally, I think Storozuk (who serves under the moniker “Commissioner Jody Lee”) should have seen his political aspirations flash before his eyes last month when it was announced he was caught in a surreptitious three-way confab with Commissioner’s Dana McCool and Steven Colwell as they met with City Manager candidate David Lynch at Storozuk’s home in May.

This potential violation of Florida’s Sunshine Law was rightfully reported to the Office of the State Attorney by Mayor Santiago Avila, Jr.

Although Assistant State Attorney Jeanne Stratis recently found “…no evidence of any city business being discussed” (other than Lynch playing the role of the 800-pound gorilla in the room…) it was clear to most that the presence of three sitting commissioners and an active applicant for the open chief executive position would infer that at least the spirit of the Sunshine Law means little in the cloistered confines of Deltona City Hall… 

What a damnable disappointment for beleaguered residents who were promised an open and transparent process to find the municipality’s first permanent manager in nearly three-years… 

For his role in besmirching the character and reputation of a private citizen, rather than do the right thing and immediately resign – or compensate the taxpayers of Deltona for the $8,000 he cost them by forfeiture of the $10,520 annual salary he receives in public funds – Mr. Burbank apologized to his “colleagues” in private, openly admitting he tried to keep Lulli out of public office by subjecting him to abuse to “make him go away.”   

“I barely know where to start.  I apologize, I had no idea this would become such a disservice. I snapped when he announced his candidacy for public office, which would make him a public figure, which would elevate him to a whole new level of subjective to abuse.  And make him go away and let this thing rest…”

My God.

Who in the hell anointed Tom Burbank – who does little more than sit on the dais like a dry turd and push the envelope of Florida’s Sunshine Law with nonsensical emails to his fellow sitting commissioners – as the gatekeeper of who can serve in elective office? 

If there is anything positive to come from this latest debacle in Deltona, it is that long-suffering citizens now have all the information they need to mount a credible recall petition – and where to cast their votes in 2024 and 2026. 

As I have said before – after 28 controversial years – it is now safe to say the Lost City of Deltona has been a failed experiment, a cartoonish sideshow that has destroyed the public trust and organizational effectiveness of the largest municipal government in Volusia County – something that negatively impacts our region.    

It is equally clear that the current crop of self-absorbed elected officials are either unable or unwilling to change tack and restore equilibrium to this foundering ship.

That’s unfortunate.

Now, as always, the onus is on Deltona voters to remain vigilant, give voice to their frustrations, identify the special interests who continue to control the political environment, and support candidates with the ability to put the growing needs of the community above their own ego, loyalties, and self-interests. 

Angel               Hyatt & Cici Brown and the Citizens of Daytona Beach  

At long last, the much anticipated “Brown Riverfront Esplanade” opened to the public last week! 

What? 

You didn’t hear about the big ‘Grand Opening’ of the southern expanse of the long-awaited 22.5-acre botanical garden and “premiere gathering space” in Downtrodden Downtown Daytona?

Me neither…

That’s okay. 

Apparently, last Thursday evening, our benevolent benefactors Hyatt and Cici Brown – who, to their immense credit, single-handedly underwrote the massive renovation of the historic park with a $36.5 million investment (more than double the original estimate) – held another “invite only” soiree, this time for downtown business owners ahead of Friday afternoon’s grand reveal.

According to Eileen Zaffiro-Kean’s excellent reportage in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, Mrs. Brown took the opportunity to commiserate with downtown merchants who have been subjected to a series of natural and manmade disasters in recent years. 

“I feel like this is a celebration for Beach Street merchants,” said Cici Brown, who along with her husband Hyatt have donated tens of millions of dollars to make both the north and south ends of the esplanade possible.

“She listed all the struggles Beach Street businesses have been through over the past several years, including the Orange Avenue bridge and road project that disrupted their operations, severe flooding from multiple tropical storms, COVID and construction of the esplanade.

“It just has to come to an end, and I think we’re there,” she said.”

Damn.  I hope so…

Something else I found interesting in the News-Journal’s report is the fact that the $800,000 annual commitment from Daytona Beach taxpayers “originally earmarked for maintenance” is now being used for “capital costs” – with the $2.2 million operating and maintenance budget coming from generous donations from Advent Health, Brown & Brown Insurance, Halifax Health, ICI Homes, Jon Hall Chevrolet, NASCAR, and P$S Paving.

In addition, “The Browns also donated another $3 million to create an endowment that will cover the salaries of the park manager and an assistant.”

In my view, the Brown’s are to be commended for their extraordinary vision and philanthropy – this is truly a gift to the entire Halifax area that will pay dividends for generations to come. 

Just a damn shame nobody knows it’s open… 

On Saturday, the City of Daytona Beach Communications & Marketing Division posted an inviting video of a fountain setting announcing, “Beautiful morning at the Riverfront Esplanade. Plenty of activities to enjoy in the Esplanade today.”

A subsequent comment on the post made my point: “What sort of activities?”

Unfortunately, many people I speak with tell me they view the Brown Esplanade as just another Halifax area “panacea project” – an over-hyped and incredibly expensive pearl in a sow’s ear – a mysterious “public/private” amalgam that seemed perpetually under construction.   

They feel alienated by “invitation only” celebrations and accolades for our “Who’s Who” – the political elite many hold responsible for the overdevelopment, overcrowding, stressed infrastructure, low wages, strategic blight, and corporate welfare schemes that seem to benefit all the right last names while their small businesses and civic contributions are all too often treated as an afterthought.    

Perhaps Mr. and Mrs. Brown might consider having another go at a better advertised and more welcoming – “Grand Opening” – one that increases civic buy-in, builds a sense of place downtown, shows appreciation for the community’s investment, and better showcases the Riverfront Esplanade’s beautiful amenities to a larger audience of appreciative stakeholders, residents, and visitors. 

Or not. 

Just my $.02. 

With $36.5 million of their personal fortune invested, the Brown’s are free to do as they wish…

For more information on this community gem, please see www.riverfrontesplanade.com  

Asshole           Volusia County School Board

The senior administration of Volusia County District Schools has come to be defined by terms like bumbling, fumbling, clumsy, lumbering, shambling, inept, ham-handed, careless, clueless, and blindsided. 

Add “a sad mishap” to that growing list of descriptive adjectives…

Last Friday, I received an email from a distraught stakeholder at Read-Pattillo Elementary, a school serving some 350 students in New Smyrna Beach, who attached a shocking PowerPoint panel announcing the proposed closure of the campus which has served the community since the 1950’s. 

The slide was unmistakable – boldly headed “Closure of Read-Pattillo Elementary” – and cited a laundry list of serious safety concerns, including “Roofing, Plumbing, Site (7 acres), Electrical, Parking, Flooring, HVAC, Ceiling, and Lights” and a proposed redistribution of students to other area schools, such as Chisholm, Edgewater, and Indian River, for the 2024/25 school year.   

Damn. 

The exhaustive list of discrepancies gave those who discovered the information on last Tuesday’s Volusia County School Board’s agenda concerned about the physical safety of Read-Pattillo students, teachers, and staff – and left taxpayers questioning how an active elementary school campus was allowed to fall into such gross disrepair?

According to an excellent report by Mary Ellen Ritter writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal:

“A presentation attached to the agenda for Tuesday’s board meeting originally included a slide titled, “Closure of Read-Pattillo Attendance Zone Options,” and the agenda noted that board members would make decisions regarding school attendance boundary changes for the 2024-25 school year. 

This slide has since been deleted from the document, as board members unanimously approved a motion to remove it from the presentation. No other decisions regarding the elementary school were made Tuesday.

Chair board member Jamie Haynes said that prior to reading the agenda, she “had no idea that in the presentation there was a slide that said ‘Closure of Read-Pattillo.’ That was nothing that had been discussed with me as chair nor, as far as I know, any of the other board members because … they themselves did not see it until such time.”

Interesting. 

After learning of a petition to save Read-Pattillo signed by some 1,500 people, School Board member Jamie Haynes suggested the slide be “removed,” Carl Persis made the motion – seconded by Ruben Colon – and, by unanimous vote, the suspicious PowerPoint vanished into the bureaucratic ether… 

Yeah.  Wow.

I guess if elected officials don’t like the public record as published and presented – just take a unanimous vote to avoid further political embarrassment and get rid of it – like it never even happened, eh? 

Perhaps more disturbing, Superintendent Carmen Balgobin would have us believe that the closure of Read-Pattillo has never been discussed inside the Ivory Tower of Power in DeLand…

According to reports, Ms. Balgobin – apparently without much thought to the fact the slide had been uploaded to the agenda by her staff and seen by, oh, I dunno, thousands of Volusia County residents, claimed:

“Really, this is just a sad mishap at this point in time.  The intention — and I know it doesn’t come across that way — but the intention was merely to provide an update. So again, as your superintendent, I apologize to you because it does send a connotation with that wording that it’s been predetermined or that a conversation has occurred … So really, we apologize to the community for this mishap and how it was presented, but that’s not the intention, so at this point, we’re trying to correct that.”

I think the “intention” is crystal clear, Superintendent Balgobin…

What has yet to be adequately explained to an outraged community is how this active public asset has been allowed to deteriorate – with and estimated $20 million in repairs needed – which left at least one Read-Pattillo parent rightfully claiming, “intentional and direct neglect” by Volusia County Schools.

Unfortunately, in Volusia County, the tail often wags the dog, and those we elect to represent our interests are admonished to view things from the “30,000-foot level” rather than focus on their fiduciary responsibilities to protect taxpayers from deception – and public assets from destruction.  

That is just one reason they are perpetually “blindsided” by administrators who continue to operate in the shadows, outside any politically accountable oversight, and their long-suffering constituents are told to ignore a briefing slide detailing active plans to close a school serving over 350 families in Southeast Volusia.

I don’t make this shit up, folks…  

In September, the Volusia County School Board approved a budget of over $1.4 billion – an increase of more than $40 million over the current year and still the county’s largest budget – yet critical infrastructure is still allowed to strategically rot while constituents feel their way through the smoke and mirrors for answers. 

Quote of the Week

“At the intersection of Granada and Tomoka Avenue, construction has started while other “pad-ready” development sites are available. Granada Pointe is a project of Holub Development of Ormond Beach.

Local residents have been for and against Granada Pointe. Some residents vehemently opposed the development from the beginning while others, including City Commission and Planning Board members, strongly support the project.

Paul Holub said other construction is starting on a Culver’s on the North side of Granada with an IHOP next door where construction will begin in November.

The high traffic, signalized Granada Boulevard location has great visibility. About 3.4 miles to Interstate 95, the property is open for grocery, discount store, fast food, restaurant, financial services, offices, pharmacy, indoor recreational facility, garden center, retail, insurance and medical offices with 798 feet of frontage on Granada.

John W. Trost of SVN Alliance Commercial Real Estate Advisors is leasing the retail spaces.

Mr. Holub is a long-time Ormond Beach resident, winning the Citizen of the Year award for Ormond Beach from the Volusia League of Cities earlier this year. In honoring Mr. Holub, the award nomination noted, “His selflessness and generosity are truly remarkable, and his contributions have made a tangible difference in the community.”

He has tried to allay fears about the Granada Pointe project since 2018.

The citizen group CANDO 2 (Citizens and Neighbors Dedicated to Ormond) has been the most outspoken opposition to it. Former City Commissioner Jeff Boyle is one of its founders. The group’s concerns included damage to the environment, noise and traffic.

Mr. Holub addressed the concerns of the group and much of the original opposition has calmed.

He said people need to understand the public benefits and the long process these projects take, which include meetings with many different groups. His hope is that, like his other projects, “eventually people will shake his hand being happy with the finished product.”

Past projects of Holub Development, which has been in business since 1986, include Tuscany Shoppes on Granada, and Chili’s, Applebee’s and Steak & Shake on Williamson Boulevard, just south of Granada.”

— Correspondent Regina Barkley, writing in Hometown News Volusia, “Shoppes at Granada Pointe moving forward in Ormond,” Thursday, October 5, 2023   

Many thanks to Hometown News Volusia’s Regina Barkley for so eloquently pointing out why the Volusia League of Cities has become little more than a tax supported fraternity for local elected officials – and an apologist for a developer whose “selflessness and generosity” resulted in the wholesale destruction of 2,061 specimen hardwoods – the decimation of an old-growth suburban forest, wildlife habitat, and natural buffer that was clear-cut and ground into splinters to accommodate another convenience store and drive-thru car wash… 

Remember?  I do.

In many ways, that February 2018 environmental atrocity served as an ominous warning to Halifax area residents of the wave of nonsensical and poorly planned development to come in a greed-crazed cart-before-the-horse strategy that continues unabated.  

At the time, civic activist Jeff Boyle spoke before the Ormond Beach City Commission, as quoted in the Ormond Beach Observer:

“With obvious heavy hearts, we join thousands of Ormond residents who mourn the senseless devastation on West Granada.” Boyle said. “None of us were prepared for the massive deforestation or to be told by this commission developer property rights required you to vote yes.”

He said Ormond’s Tree City designation has become a joke and that environmental standards seem to be “turning the wrong way” with the current city commissioners. He added that the city trusts them to look after their quality of life.

“The tragedy on Granada violates that trust and our sense of place,” Boyle said.”

Sound familiar Ormond Beach and Volusia County residents? 

It should, because sacrosanct “property rights” will be the same dodge used by our craven elected and appointed officials when Belvedere Terminals finally breaks ground on their threatened 20-million-gallon bulk fuel terminal on Hull Road… 

Now, what the developer promised would be a tony retail complex with a specialty grocer, posh “shoppes,” upscale retail outlets, possibly a bank, restaurant, and other amenities has sat vacant, an ugly and often overgrown veld – complete with a mudhole that rivals a Namibian warthog wallow – most mornings little more than a commercial parking lot that now serves as the centerpiece of Granada Boulevard – a highly visible monument to the malleability and acquiescence of the Ormond Beach City Commission.

Inconceivably – five-years on – much of the property (including 1.3 acres of “mitigated” wetlands) that were publicly sacrificed on both sides of the street remains empty – with a vacant lot and washed-out dirt road replacing the “reforestation” we were promised.

Guess what, suckers? 

Last week we learned in Hometown News Volusia that, instead of the elegant shopping and dining outlets we were sold, residents of Ormond Beach will be getting just another godawful strip center – a 20,000 square foot conjoined eyesore, you know, “…now that much of the original opposition has calmed…”

Bullshit.

A cursory search finds hundreds-of-thousands of square feet of retail space currently available for sale or lease in the Halifax area – much of it in half-empty strip centers – but it appears not even the law of supply and demand can stop the insatiable appetite of those who seek expediency and mediocrity over quality of life, desirability, and sense of place.  

How sad. 

And Another Thing!

Look, it truly pains me to say this – because I believe the quaint City of New Smyrna Beach is one of the few communities in Volusia County that consistently “gets it right” – carefully conserving those amenities that enhance its ‘livability’ and working hard to preserve the unique coastal lifestyle residents and visitors have come to expect. 

Unfortunately, in my view, the NSB City Commission got one wrong last week when they decided to pass over a known entity in search of the elusive “expert from out-of-town” when opting for a national search after City Manager Khalid Resheidat announced his retirement next August. 

At a recent workshop, the commission was presented with three options – to include promoting current Assistant City Manager Ron Neibert, who has served under Resheidat’s tutelage since last year – a “localized” recruitment process, or the hiring of a consultant to conduct a national search.

In my experience, one of the many benefits of small and mid-sized communities is the ability to develop talent outside the bulk and static inherent to unwieldy bureaucracies, an opportunity to know (and grow) key senior staff members – to truly understand them warts and all – then promote based upon identified competencies rather than roll the dice on an unknown commodity who appears out of the mist with a smile and shoeshine. 

After serving over three-decades in a municipal government that once experienced a revolving door of city managers – I can tell you that institutional knowledge beats a glossy resumé every time – and the only one who wins when a “consultant” is brought in to parade a host of retreads before the elected decisionmakers is the consultant…

When I read that the NSB City Commission elected to bring in an outside ‘expert’ to throw a nationwide net, I thought, “Hey, maybe they know something about Neibert’s suitability the rest of us don’t?” 

Then Mayor Fred Cleveland said he would “favor the option that says Ron Neibert is a candidate and applies, regardless of whether we go inside or outside,” while Commissioner Jason McGuirk remarked that Neibert is “…going to be the bar for me,” and “Is there somebody out there that I feel is head and shoulders or above that?”

Probably not.  Because education and experience elsewhere mean exactly jack squat if the manager is not a ‘good fit’ for the organization and the community. 

Trust me.  I have seen quality internal candidates passed over for an odd ball with an impressive sheepskin who didn’t possess the common sense to pour piss out of boot with the instructions on the heel…  

All of which makes me wonder why NSB taxpayers are spending $25,000 to $50,000 for a cattle call? 

In my experience, because Mr. Neibert is a known commodity – he will have a tough time competing against candidates presenting the best version of themselves during a stilted interview process – even though most “Managers in Transition” come with a fair amount of baggage in tow…

Unfortunately, I suspect if Mr. Neibert does not receive some concrete assurance that the job is his – he will quickly move to a community that values his talents – which means another expensive trial-and-error process for a suitable assistant during the instability inherent to any senior leadership transition.

Best of luck to Mr. Resheidat on his well-deserved retirement – and to the good citizens of New Smyrna Beach as their ‘powers that be’ undertake this crucial decision for the future of their community.  

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