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:

Angel               City of Holly Hill

When I was young, my late father taught me that things are rarely as good or bad as we think they are. 

The events of last week proved the exception to that advice, and to say I am heartbroken is an understatement… 

Longtime readers of this alternative opinion site know that I rarely give my views on those things closest to me, including the faults and human foibles of law enforcement officers (my former career) and the City of Holly Hill (where I served for over three-decades) – neither of which are perfect – because I have an admitted bias, a conscious favoritism toward those people and institutions that I love unconditionally. 

We’re allowed to have imperfect heroes.  Is there any other kind?   

As a result, I cannot objectively express my thoughts on those subjects with any degree of honesty. 

So, I don’t.   

That doesn’t mean that I never get angry with them – question the actions and judgement of individuals, or frown on the impetus of incidents that bring discredit across my beloved organization, community, or profession. 

Despite the fact I have developed some hard bark over the years, my feelings can be hurt by those I put my faith in.   

How about you?

That’s the natural vulnerability required of those who trust, care, and love something larger than themselves.   

Anyone who doesn’t understand that should stop reading now.    

Since news broke of the Holly Hill police chief’s abrupt departure last week, I’ve heard the terrible rumors and speculation that you have – and I’ve absorbed the cheap shots and piling on from those who seized the chance to land a few low blows on me and my much-loved community. 

That’s okay.  Those things naturally circulate in times like this. 

The fact is, I know little more about the facts and circumstances than what has been reported in the media – but now, ten-years into my retirement – anything that hurts the institution of the police service I still feel like a deep phantom pain.   

While there is much I don’t understand about recent reports – what I do know is that the great privilege of my life was doing work worth doing with some incredible professionals in service to a grateful community who genuinely appreciated the effort.

What I know of honor, commitment, and service to a cause greater than my own self-interests I learned from them.

Nothing takes away from that.

My long association with the Holly Hill Police Department fulfilled my life’s dream – and gave me everything I have or will have – most profoundly an incredible sense of pride in service.

What a truly special place…

May God bless all who have ever worn the badge with pride and honorably served that wonderful community – and those beautiful and eccentric souls I had the great fortune to protect and serve those many years.

For now, I trust the process – and I believe in the resilience of a city that will celebrate 123 years this summer…

When the broken places heal (and they will) I am confident the department will be stronger on the other side. 

For all my former colleagues active and retired – and the wonderful citizens of The City with a Heart – please take care of yourselves and each other. 

I’m here for you always.

“It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: “And this, too, shall pass away.” How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! — how consoling in the depths of affliction!”

“And this, too, shall pass away…”

–President Abraham Lincoln, September 30, 1859

Asshole           Volusia County Councilman David Santiago

“Draft ordinance limiting comments to verbal comments during the general comment period.”

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:

Sec. 2-66. Public participation and opportunity to be heard.

“Public comment procedures.  The Council welcomes and encourages comments from the public…”

Bullshit. 

The opening line of a now tabled draft ordinance to amend the Volusia County Council’s stilted “Rules of Order” and further limit your right as a taxpaying citizen to be heard and understood by those we elected for redress of grievances was a baldfaced lie.   

Under the ridiculous “goal” of Supporting a Solution-Oriented Culture, on Tuesday, the Volusia County Council took up another time-wasting solution looking for a problem when they discussed a draft ordinance pushed by Santiago that would have prohibited the publics ability to use electronic media – such as videos, photographs, audio recordings, or any other means of helping illustrate their point during public comments.

The mere attempt was a slap in the face to everyone who has ever taken time out of their busy day to prostrate themselves before those stone-faced gargoyles on the dais of power in DeLand.  

In my view, this was another skeevy move by Councilman David Santiago – a shameless elitist with a huge opinion of himself – who doesn’t care what you have to say. 

Apparently, since November 2023, Volusia County’s best legal minds have spent countless hours determining how to further disenfranchise citizens and discourage public participation by drafting an amendment prohibiting the use of any form of electronic media by substituting the Monarchical diktat:

Achtung, pissants!

“Comments shall be limited to verbal comments.”

Of course, Mr. Santiago disingenuously couched the amended ordinance as a means of prohibiting offensive or inappropriate material.  That prompted At-Large Councilman Jake Johansson to hare off down a dark hole that would have seen citizens submitting their supporting media to the individual council members with sufficient time to allow our detached potentates to decide (outside the public view) what they will hear and see of our petty problems – and what they will not. 

Ultimately, Councilman Santigo saw which way this brazen attempt to further muffle his constituents was heading, decided to punt this political football, and made a preemptive motion to “permanently table” any further action on the item. 

Yeah.  I know…

Don’t let your guard down, folks. 

Look for variations on the theme to be brought back in the future cloaked as a “decorum” issue, being silenced because you speak at the “wrong time” or on the wrong issue, or some other thinly veiled gag – because when it comes to formulating unique ways to censor, silence, and suppress the concerns of Volusia County residents the bureaucracy’s work is never done…

The fact is, if our elected “representatives” gave two-shits about what their long-suffering constituents think about anything – let alone the development of public policy that directly effects our lives and livelihoods – they would encourage a dialog, answer timely questions, engage in the competition of ideas, or at least acknowledge the physical presence of We, The Little People who are expected to pay the bills and keep our pieholes shut.             

My God…

Residents watching from the often-packed gallery in the chamber – or straining to hear the proceedings from home on the worst audio/video feed since Alexander Graham Bell called for Mr. Watson – are routinely forced to sit through interminable “staff reports” consisting of the monotonous drone of some senior jackleg’s emotionless recitation of a mind-numbing PowerPoint presentation…   

So, why should Volusia County taxpayers be prohibited from using digital media during their three-minute audience before our elected dullards on the dais?

In my view, despite Mr. Santiago’s eleventh-hour attempt to wipe the egg off his face – it remains the hope of Volusia County Council members that marginalized taxpayers will simply disengage from the process and go away – because their time is more valuable than yours…

I’ve said this, ad nauseum, but it has become painfully apparent that most official decisions are a foregone conclusion – hashed out ahead of time in the cloistered confines of the County Manager’s office, based solely on the political insulation of a “staff recommendation” or “public policy by off-the-agenda ambush” – which all but eliminates the need for public input or strategic thought on the critical issues.

This sense of remoteness between the average citizen and those we elect to serve our interests is becoming institutionalized, an accepted part of what passes for county governance in an environment where public policy is formed in seclusion by politically unaccountable bureaucrats.

Asshole           Palm Coast City Council

“In a stunning move, Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin this morning motioned to fire City Manager Denise Bevan, without cause. The motion carried, 3-2, with Alfin and Council members Ed Danko and Cathy Heighter in the majority. Assistant City Manager Lauren Johnston was appointed acting manager.

The three votes came from the three most pro-development members of the council, with an explicit explanation from one of them: “Denise has done a well job but I do feel that we’re moving into a different era in this city,” Council member Cathy Heighter said. “We are a rapidly growing city and we do need strong management and we do need someone that’s going to address issues.

The vote and Heighter’s comment were as clear a pair of indications as any that the council majority wanted a more development-minded manager at the till…”

–FlaglerLive!, “Palm Coast City Manager Denise Bevan Unceremoniously Fired Without Cause in 3-2 Vote on Mayor’s Motion,” Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Once again, Palm Coast Realtor/Mayor David Alfin has (literally) paved the way for more malignant sprawl with the summary termination of City Manager Densie Bevan.

Apparently working in concert with Vice Mayor Ed Danko – Realtor/Mayor Alfin passed the gavel to Danko and made the motion to fire Bevan without cause.  When things shook out, Alfin, Danko, and Councilwoman Cathy Heighter were on the winning side of the 3-2 vote, with Council members Theresa Pontieri and Nick Klufas dissenting.

Following the vote, Councilman Danko showed the complete lack of class he’s become known for, abandoned his responsibilities at the business meeting, and left the dais to campaign for a seat on the Flagler County Council at the public library – a move that drew the rightful criticism of both Pontieri and Klufas. 

According to a report in FlaglerLive!:

“Both council members hinted that Danko had shown up to the meeting only to cast the firing vote, and that he therefore knew about the vote ahead of time – what would amount to a sunshine law violation. Mayor David Alfin and Council member Cathy Heighter were also in the majority. Danko said he had no knowledge of the vote. He’d shown up just for public comment, and was intending to leave after that regardless, until Alfin told him he was passing the gavel so the mayor could make the firing motion.  

“This is going to be controversial but it is what it is,” Pontieri said at the tail end of a three and a half hour council meeting. “Our vice mayor decided to show up today to remove our city manager and then get up from the dais. I have it on very good authority that he is campaigning right now at the library and Facebook-living while doing it.”

Councilwoman Pontieri continued, “To me, this indicates two things, that there was a violation of sunshine that occurred before today’s vote, because he showed up to clearly take the gavel to support the motion, and then he left, which if there was something so pressing that he had, why even come to the meeting today. He clearly came to cast his vote for this motion. And now he’s campaigning from the library when we have a business meeting that requires voting on serious city matters. This person is running for a county position. And I take real issue with this. I know we don’t have the ability to censure up here. But this needs to be addressed. This is a problem.”

(Find the rest of this sordid story here: https://tinyurl.com/ekr6msmz )

Unbelievable.

The fact is the move to oust Bevan was politics at its worst.   

Realtor/Mayor Alfin was admittedly upset that Ms. Bevan had not delayed a shocking utility rate study that found Palm Coast will need to raise $635 million over 10 years just to keep up with growing demands on the city’s water and wastewater infrastructure. 

According to a subsequent rationalization in FlaglerLive!, the pompous Alfin said he “…wanted Bevan to be more politically attuned to the reality of an election year, and to have delayed a controversial utility rate study that could be turned to political ends until a non-election year.”

Say what?

“The utility rate hike study was presented at the beginning of an election cycle,” Alfin said. “I think that’s wrong because I think it could have been done a year ago and not become part of political pandering or footballing or whatever. The problem is when you allow it to fall on the calendar this way, I don’t know that you debate and consider it on its true merits without a thought of how this will affect the upcoming campaign, and I think at the top level of leadership, those kind of questions are very important.”

My God. 

Realtor/Mayor Alfin should understand that no one gives a damn about his self-centered political aspirations.  It is time for Mr. Alfin to put the mounting needs of his constituents over the greed-crazed profit motives of his developer friends placing people over politics…   

With Realtor/Mayor Alfin’s hastily choreographed coup d’état complete, the door is open for the pro-development majority to continue the rapid buildout of Palm Coast in the same asinine ‘cart before the horse’ strategy that is destroying the quality of life for residents across the region. 

My sincere hope is that the anxious residents of Palm Coast and Flagler County remember Alfin and Danko – and their shocking irresponsibility in the name of power and greed – come election day… 

Quote of the Week

“If your people who are best able to pay the taxes are leaving your state, and not (paying taxes), the tax burden remains the same but is now spread across fewer people who are less able to support those taxes,” he said. “So you start to see the spiral.”

A couple of the questions from Tiger Bay Club members touched on Florida’s property insurance crisis, a subject Leek − whose day job is chief legal officer for Foundation Risk Partners, a Daytona Beach insurance brokerage − has contended with for years.

“You have to think of this as a macroeconomic problem,” he said. “In the state of Florida, you are going to pay more for your property insurance than you will in many other states because the demand to get into the state of Florida is so high. People want to live here.”

Fraud led insurance companies to leave the state, so lawmakers reformed the system to make it more attractive to carriers, Leek said.

“Over time, we have had six new carriers come back into the state. We need about another six carriers, maybe a dozen, before you’ll start to feel some of what I think is going to be a more moderate increase in insurance premiums, and that’s about the best I think you can hope for in a state with this much demand on it.”

–State Representative and Chief Legal Counsel for a local Insurance Brokerage Tom Leek, Ormond Beach, as quoted by reporter Mark Harper of The Daytona Beach News-Journal, during a question-and-answer session at last week’s meeting of the Tiger Bay Club of Volusia County, Monday, March 18, 2024

I like Tom Leek. 

He’s a hometown guy.  Smart, approachable, and, in my view, he has our best interests at heart. 

However, when he says, “Fraud led insurance companies to leave the state,” I question which side of the equation Representative Leek is talking about? 

As Mr. Leek knows far better than me, there are two ways insurance companies make money – the obvious is by taking in more in premiums than they pay out in claims.  The other is investing premiums that have not yet been paid out in claims then banking the accrued interest – something the industry calls “float.” 

As many Floridians have found following hurricanes, flooding, and other disasters – getting their insurance carrier to pay legitimate claims has become a virtual impossibility – a drawn-out exercise that requires engaging public adjusters, hiring attorneys, and saber-rattling threats of lawsuits… 

An incredibly protracted and time-consuming process that certainly doesn’t benefit the policyholder… 

Last month, we learned in a News-Journal piece of a U.S. Army retiree who took the fight to Tallahassee after property insurance rates on his Daytona Beach Shores condominium skyrocketed 563% last year.

Unfortunately, that story is not an isolated incident here in the Sunshine State, where homeowners are finding astronomical increases in rates and deductibles – with a corresponding reduction in coverage. 

That’s tailormade for disaster…

Something else I question is the mindset of state and local politicians who refuse to see that allowing massive sprawl then reaping the resultant increase in state coffers results in an overcrowded and claustrophobic feeling that ultimately destroys the attraction – especially when residents, both new and established, come to realize they exist to feed the ever-expanding bureaucratic machine…

According to the News-Journal’s report:  

“Leek said Florida’s economy has been “remarkable” and “resilient,” attracting high earners who bring their income with them, helping the state to continually beat revenue projections, while states where some of those new residents are leaving, California, New York and Illinois, to contend with budget deficits.

“If your people who are best able to pay the taxes are leaving your state, and not (paying taxes), the tax burden remains the same but is now spread across fewer people who are less able to support those taxes,” he said. “So you start to see the spiral.”

That’s what I like about politicians, they can justify anything to make a partisan political statement – including finding the ‘silver lining’ in explosive development and the resultant population growth as “luxury” subdivisions blanket the width and breadth of Florida – even as longtime residents are being driven out of the state due to onerous insurance rates (if they can get coverage at all), ever-increasing taxes, fees, a lack of affordable housing, and crushing congestion…

Have you seen a corresponding decrease in your tax burden now that more, more, more “high earning” taxpayers are being shoehorned into the state like ten-pounds of shit in a five-pound bag?

Do you sense more of that “remarkable” tax revenue being used to fund necessary transportation, water, and public utilities improvements – I mean, outside those pet projects preferred by wealthy insiders who need a road here, or interchange there, to facilitate even more growth?   

Me neither.   

An ugly spiral indeed…

And Another Thing!

Well, that’s a done deal. 

The “alternative education” program known as the Riverview Learning Center is moving to the once dilapidated/now perfectly suitable campus of Osceola Elementary School.

And guess what?

There’s not a damn thing blindsided beachside residents of Ormond Beach can do about it. 

On Monday, Volusia County District Schools reluctantly held a public information meeting after School Board member Carl “Namby-Pamby” Persis received permission from his boss, Superintendent Carmen Balgobin…

In a report by Mary Ellen Ritter writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal this week, we learned:

“The district led Monday’s meeting. Board member Carl Persis, Riverview Principal Thomas Soli and Volusia’s Chief Operating Officer Patty Corr welcomed attendees, informed them about the alternative education program, and provided context about the district’s recent rezoning and program transfers.

They led a question-and-answer-style discussion, using questions that had previously been asked at school board and city meetings. Attendees to Monday’s meeting were also able to submit questions on an index card to be answered that night. After all questions were answered, attendees could raise their hands and when called on, ask additional questions or share personal statements.”

From what I was told by some in attendance, the “Q&A” did little to alleviate the concerns of many area residents who were kept in the dark – and rightly felt the decision to relocate the Riverview students was done without sufficient notice or the benefit of citizen input.

Sound familiar? 

One astonished Barker’s View reader described the tone of the meeting as defensive and condescendingly indifferent, with flippant or non-answers to questions.  In one instance, the district’s Chief Operating Officer Patty Corr is said to have responded to two shouted questions by threatening to end the meeting – and later admonished a citizen by scolding “Sir, don’t roll your eyes at me.” 

Whoa. 

Although district officials tried their best to couch community pushback as a NIMBY issue – derisively insinuating that citizens and nearby homeowners who oppose the relocation lack compassion for “these kids” who are experiencing “a second chance” – in fact, the primary concern of residents and city officials remains the complete lack of transparency by Volusia County Schools.

On December 5, prior to the board’s vote, the district held an informational meeting regarding the relocation – but only notified students and parents involved in the program – effectively keeping area residents and city officials in the dark.

According to the News-Journal, “While some community members came to the meeting worried about an alternative education program moving into their neighborhood, Jennifer Schwartz, a neighbor to the school, said that wasn’t the sole concern.

“I don’t want the connotation being taken out of this meeting that we’re horrible neighbors that are all up in arms because we don’t want those kids,” she said. “We want the people who are responsible for the communication and upkeep of the property to do their job.”

In a follow-up article by Jarleene Almenas writing in the Ormond Beach Observer this week, we learned that during Tuesday’s Ormond Beach City Commission meeting, Commissioner Travis Sargent called the district’s info session the “most hostile, unorganized meeting” he ever attended – and blasted the district for trying to blame the City Commission for not notifying area residents of the Riverview transfer. 

“I’m just absolutely flabbergasted at the way they treat our residents,” Sargent said. “It’s absurd.”

In addition, during Monday’s klatch, Ormond Beach City Manager Joyce Shanahan made it perfectly clear that the responsibility for this debacle lays squarely with the district.

“It is not a city commission or city staff position. It is 100% the decision of the Volusia County School Board, not Ormond Beach,” she said. “We are just like you … This is not a city commission issue. This is 100% a School Board issue.”

Kudos to Commissioner Sargent and Ms. Shanahan for standing up for Ormond Beach residents.  

On Monday, once again, Mr. Persis was left awkwardly explaining himself to suspicious constituents – hoping to convince anyone still listening that the School Board acted appropriately, regardless of how it was perceived:

“Was it anyone’s intent to keep it from you?” Persis asked. “No. Was it anything shady, underhanded? No, I guarantee you that. It’s just that we hadn’t done anything like this, and we notified the group that we thought we should and that wasn’t really what we should do.”

My ass…

In most public and private organizations that value their relationship with those they serve, leadership is held to account by those elected to represent the interests of stakeholders – and when things get so far afield that the credibility of the institution is jeopardized – conscientious leaders understand the importance of stepping aside as a matter of honor.

Apparently, that’s not the case in the district’s cloistered Ivory Tower of Power in DeLand…   

In my view, the time has come for the Volusia County School Board to ensure this is Superintendent Carmen Balgobin’s final embarrassment. 

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