Hi, kids!

You’ll notice some changes to this week’s column… 

Even before the unthinkable events of last weekend, I did some naval-gazing, thinking long and hard about the future of this alternative opinion blog in an age where even local political divisions have digressed from ideological disagreements and conflicting ideas to a blood feud between rival gangs – all fostered and funded by dark forces the average Joe Lunchpail like me can’t begin to comprehend – weaponized fear and real hatred that is tearing at the fabric of our society.

Given the hateful rhetoric and ad hominem attacks that pervade our political dialog, I have questioned whether blogsites like this help or hurt those divisions? 

I’ve come to the realization that what the public discourse doesn’t need is another jackleg editorialist like me subjectively categorizing politicians and public policies as “Angels” or “Assholes.”   

I naturally assume that whether we agree or disagree on the issues of the day, anyone who takes time out of their day to read Barker’s View is an engaged citizen and informed voter – someone who seeks and considers various points of view – then forms their own unique opinions and internal dialog on the issues we face.   

Here are my jaded thoughts on the news and newsmakers of the day.  Yours may differ. 

I sincerely hope we can agree to disagree… 

Volusia County Council

“As with most programs administered by Volusia County government, in the lead-up to the vote to renew ECHO and Forever, taxpayers became concerned about the manner and means by which the funds were being administered – including a lack of transparency in the process – which resulted in the formation of citizen oversight committees.

It became known as the “trust issue” – and is the exact reason Volusia County voters rejected a proposed half-cent sales tax in 2019.

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that most Volusia County residents were under the distinct impression that ECHO funds would be used to bring new and innovative opportunities to life by partnering with non-profits and municipal governments with an innovative project of countywide interest who agreed to the grant match and performance requirements.  

Instead, on Tuesday, by unanimous vote, the Volusia County Council approved a “Direct County Expenditure” bundled as a “5-year plan” which will now place divisional capital improvement expenditures – specifically the repair and replacement of existing infrastructure – on the back of the Volusia ECHO program.”

–Barker’s View, Angels & Assholes for March 10, 2023

Earlier this week, those self-described “fiscal conservatives” on the Volusia County Council once again dipped into voter approved ECHO funds – adding approximately $10 million in “direct county expenditures” (read: “It’s our piggybank and we take what we want with the wave of a wand”) – to include $3.5 million for Councilman Don Dempsey’s indulgent motocross facility…

Really? 

I’m not sure how much more of this weird brand of “fiscal responsibility” strapped Volusia County taxpayers can stand… 

In my view, supplanting recurring repair and replacement expenditures with funds earmarked for ECHO grants, then wrapping it in some bureaucratese and shoving it down our throats, is not a proper and compliant use of these dollars – it’s bait-and-switch sneak thievery.

As history repeats, to ramrod another massive expenditure, Community Services Director Brad Burbaugh hid behind an obscure 2020 resolution passed by the Volusia County Council authorizing the ballot initiative and permitting the council to use ECHO funds for “direct county expenditure for County government projects or by grants-in-aid awards.”

(You remember that resolution, right?)

I’ve said this before, but when I voted to extend the ECHO and Forever programs, I had no idea that those dollars would ultimately be used for “cultural and historic” amenities like repairing long neglected beach ramps, walkovers, and docks, renovating public restrooms and parking lots at county facilities, and building a multi-million-dollar motocross facility to eliminate overhead for a yet to be identified private for-profit contractor. 

Most responsible government entities without a tax supported piggybank at their disposal properly budget for capital asset repair and replacement obligations each year. 

They don’t quibble resolutions, twist ballot language, and stretch programmatic intent to shoehorn anything and everything – including the pet personal projects of sitting politicians – or turn funds for additional ecological, cultural, historic, and outdoor recreation amenities into a slimy slush fund where our tax dollars are regularly looted to cover ongoing mismanagement in the preventive maintenance, repair, and replacement of existing public assets.  

At the same meeting – after years of sitting on their thumbs while development spread like a malignancy across the width and breadth of Volusia County, quickly outpacing any notion of concurrency, and overwhelming transportation and public infrastructure – councilmembers are now wringing their hands over how to pay for these long-ignored civic necessities. 

As always, Volusia’s stagnant “Old Guard” would prefer to smokescreen the issues with “look, we’re doing something!” eyewash – this time proposing a property tax increase (because their repeated attempts to push a sales tax increase have failed miserably) that would generate a relatively miniscule $5 million in additional tax revenue for road improvements. 

County Manager George “The Wreck” Recktenwald advised that amount would add about one mile of road expansion….  

Wow.

According to a report by Sheldon Gardner writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal this week, “District 3 Councilman Danny Robins suggested the idea as a starting point for raising money to tackle the county’s backlog in road projects. The council plans to discuss the matter further as part of the budget process, including how big that backlog is and how a dedicated millage rate for road infrastructure could be used.”

“If not now, when?” Robins asked. “I’d like to start chipping away at this.”

Other’s saw it for what it was, with District 1 Councilman Don Dempsey, District 4 Councilman and Vice Chair Troy Kent, and Chairman Jeff Brower all voting against the increase.

According to the News-Journal, “Kent said he would support a workshop to talk about road needs, but he didn’t want to raise taxes on people for what he called a minuscule difference in road funding.

“I’m not just a no, I’m a hard no on this,” he said.”

Look, I’ve come around to Councilman Kent’s way of thinking on many issues, but I’m not sure another hot-air generator is going to amount to a hill of beans when it comes to our now insurmountable infrastructure shortfalls – but that never stops them from kicking the can down that dusty political trail…   

Maybe they can bookend another do-nothing “workshop” on transportation needs with next weeks “Permitting and Zoning” workshop – which will no doubt consist of Growth and Resource Mismanagement Director Clay Ervin putting us all under the ether with another multi-slide PowerPoint presentation…   

Whatever.

I don’t know about you, but in my view, it is time we begin the hard discussion of “right sizing” Volusia County government, focusing scarce resources where they are needed most, rather than perpetuating an unsustainable environment where taxpayers now shovel $1.3 billion annually into the insatiable maw of this massive bureaucracy with little tangible benefit year-over-year beyond another sad chorus of the Poormouth Blues…    

First Step Shelter

“Fiduciary maleficence. Fraudulent activities. Discriminatory bias in employment procedures and policies. Ongoing harassment and retaliation against employees who speak up. Breaches of confidentiality, unethical behavior and fostering a toxic work environment.”

–Eileen Zaffiro-Kean, The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “Employees of homeless shelter accuse director of fraud, discrimination, other misdeeds,” June 17, 2024

I’ve never been a fan of the First Step “Shelter” concept. 

In the view of many, the incredibly expensive and enigmatic program that seeks to move certain homeless people who meet established criteria into permanent housing continues to sponge the bulk of Volusia County’s scarce resources leaving large gaps in services and outreach – while those unfortunate souls who don’t meet the program’s entrance standards remain a very visible and underserved presence on our streets. 

According to reports, First Step’s $1.5 million annual budget remains underwritten by $800,000 in public funds split between the City of Daytona Beach and Volusia County governments; with additional funding coming from a few other cities, grants, churches, and individual donations – while major fundraising still relies on an incredibly tone deaf black tie “Mayor’s Gala” – a glamorous soiree where black tie, glittery gowns, ostentatious jewelry, fancy cocktails, and a theme dinner seem to fly in the face of the needs of those sleeping behind the dumpster outside…   

Sad. 

Now, the First Step program is facing its most pressing questions since the lucrative no-bid “deal” that has allowed a private for-profit paving contractor to haul publicly owned fill dirt off publicly owned property adjacent to the First Step site during the most prolific development boom in our region’s history…       

The drama unfolded last month when current and former ranking employees of First Step Shelter came forward with disturbing allegations of personal, professional, and fiduciary misconduct centering on Executive Director Victoria Fahlberg.

According to a June report in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “Their complaints run the gamut, and include accusations that Fahlberg submitted to an accountant a fabricated receipt for the sale of a car donated to the shelter, and that Fahlberg put a sexual device in a former employee’s box of belongings to make the employee uncomfortable.”

Other claims include client-on-client bullying, internal theft, weapons, and drugs entering the facility, violations of admission policies, and other procedural and safety violations that has put staff and residents at risk.   

The allegations also suggest that Fahlberg directed an employee to backdate and create fraudulent records of donations to the City of Daytona Beach’s “Discourage Panhandling” campaign. 

In addition, the News-Journal reports that Patrick Smith, the shelter’s director of philanthropy and engagement, “…alleged that Fahlberg told him she suspected a local elected official was trying to undermine her because she refused to go on a date with him.”

Whoa…

After some initial debate, the First Step Shelter Board, under the leadership of Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry, opted to pay local attorney Scott Simpson $5,000 to conduct a “preliminary investigation” that will include interviews with the “shelter’s” fifteen employees, and (one would assume) a forensic review of internal finances and controls. 

No word on whether Mr. Simpson will seek to determine and expose the identity of the jilted “local elected official” mentioned in Smith’s allegation… 

Following Mr. Simpson’s inquiry, the News-Journal reports “…shelter board members will decide whether to look deeper into the allegations, consider corrective actions, or end the investigation without further response.”

In my experience, very few organizations – public or private – are immune from misconduct, malfeasance, and general assholery from those in positions of trust.   

When issues arise, it is important that those in an oversight position mount an effective and transparent investigation – especially when public funds are involved – and take affirmative steps to remove the threat, establish stability and continuity of services, and establish protocols to prevent similar events in the future.   

Time will tell how the First Step Shelter Board reacts to protect the public trust, restore the confidence of donors, and best serve the needs of those less fortunate in our community. 

Debbie Darino and the Ponce Animal Foundation

Last year our dog Nola, in one of her frequent fits of excitement, made a running jump and injured the tendon of her right knee.  She was a spry nine-year-old – the absolute light of our lives – and it was pitiful to watch her hobble around on three legs.  After consultation with our veterinarian, it was decided Nola was healthy enough for surgery. 

As we searched for the best possible care, Debbie Darino, the valiant hero of the tragic story of Ponce – a 9-month-old Labrador puppy that was beaten to death by a cowardly shitbag in 2017 – reached out and put us in touch with Dr. Jay Erne of the Veterinary Orthopedic Clinic in St. Augustine. 

Thanks to Dr. Erne’s incredible skill and the rehab that followed, our Nola is good as new today!

But that is Debbie’s way. 

Whenever and wherever an animal is suffering – she moves heaven and earth to be the positive difference in the outcome. 

From her tireless efforts to enact Ponce’s Law, a much-needed Florida statute that increases penalties for animal cruelty, to her work with the Ponce Animal Foundation, a nonprofit organization that has raised more than $45,000 to help pet owners cover veterinary bills and provide housing for the pets of domestic violence survivors, her care and compassion continues to be a blessing in the lives of defenseless animals in Volusia County and beyond.     

God’s work.

These vital services are made possible by your tax-deductible donations.  To learn more about how you can help further Debbie’s mission of advocacy, education, and support for injured and abused animals, please see www.theponceanimalfoundation.org (Make a Donation button). 

Thank you, Debbie Darino, and the Ponce Animal Foundation.  We’re glad you passed our way. 

Quote of the Week

“On Monday night, Edgewater resident Anthony Kianvar walked up to the podium in what appeared to be a packed council meeting room and said: “On or about June 5 of last month, our mayor, Mr. DePew along with Donald Burnette, the mayor of Port Orange, decided to have an evening at a business serving alcoholic beverages in Port Orange. And during their visit, Mr. DePew attempted to use a Georgia ID with a 2000 birthdate.”

DePew interrupted Kianvar and asked him to stick to city business.

“OK, well, I think that this is city business, sir,” Kianvar said. “Now, you may be thinking our mayor is 19 years old. You may be thinking he is not 24.”

DePew asked Kianvar to address the council regarding city business matters only.”

–Reporter Mark Harper, writing in The Daytona-Beach News Journal, “Edgewater resident cut off from comments after alleging 20-year-old mayor used fake ID,” Wednesday, July 3, 2024

It got worse… 

“If the kid did something knuckleheaded, he wouldn’t be the first 20-year-old to do something,” Burnette said. “And I didn’t even know he was underage, to be honest with you.”

–Port Orange Mayor Don Burnette, as quoted by The Daytona Beach News-Journal

Say what? 

Look, I’m not a political scientist, just another bemused spectator up here in the cheap seats – but in the history of political campaigns – no candidate, regardless of context, wants to be quoted in the newspaper saying, “I didn’t even know he was underage, to be honest with you…” 

Sorry.  I got a chuckle out of that one. 

When I was a kid growing up in the Halifax area the drinking age was 18 and we didn’t need fake ID’s.  In fact, I can’t recall too many beachside bars that bothered to check – which means I was a regular at The Silver Bucket on Seabreeze Boulevard by sixteen…    

As I understand it (and I’m not sure I do) last month, Edgewater Mayor Diezel DePew – who was just 18 years old when he was elected in 2022, becoming the youngest mayor in Florida – attempted to shutdown Anthony Kianvar during the citizen comment portion of an open public meeting when he alleged an apparent incident involving DePew at a Port Orange restaurant last month.

According to Kianvar’s allegations, DePew is said to have attempted to use a fake identification card to purchase an alcoholic beverage. 

If true, that’s not “knuckleheaded” – it’s against the law. 

Penalties include fines of up to $500 and 60-days in jail for anyone under the age of 21 who purchases, possesses, or consumes alcoholic beverages.  The law also includes any establishment who serves someone under the legal drinking age…   

It is also illegal to use an altered or counterfeit identification card – in some cases, a third-degree felony. 

I agree with Mr. Kianvar – when credible allegations of criminal conduct involve the sitting Mayor of Edgewater, Florida – that’s a significant issue of public concern.

Regardless, Mayor DePew was less than forthcoming, repeatedly claiming the allegations involved a “…personal matter that may be addressed later” – arrogantly talking over Kianvar, and at one point reportedly calling for an “officer” ostensibly to silence a concerned citizen addressing duly elected officials about a matter of public concern.   

Adding to the awkwardness was Port Orange Mayor Don Burnette, a candidate for Volusia County Chair, who did an impressive version of Sergeant Shultz’ “I know NOTHING!” when asked about the incident.   

According to the News-Journal’s report:

“On Wednesday, Burnette, the Port Orange mayor who is also running as a candidate for Volusia County Council chairman, said he was at the Port Orange Half Wall restaurant and beer house on what might have been June 5, eating dinner with a friend and DePew asked to join him.

“He didn’t stay long and left,” Burnette said. “Don’t know much about it.

“I’m not sure if there’s something personal between him and some guy,” Burnette said, “because the server made some comments about him when he left, and frankly, I wasn’t involved, didn’t see much and wanted to stay the hell out of it, so I was like, ‘OK.'”

Burnette said he did not see any police at the restaurant.” 

That’s beyond embarrassing, and the lack of transparency only results in deeper, more disturbing questions…   

In my view, making a mistake is one thing, but knowingly uttering an altered or counterfeit identification card in an attempt to purchase alcohol is an intentional act. 

That’s concerning.

The citizens of Edgewater deserve clear answers from Mayor DePew.   

And Another Thing!  

Our participatory democracy demands civil, pointed, and critical discourse – coupled with citizen oversight of government at all levels.   

In fact, the First Amendment of the United States Constitution preserves our inalienable right to free speech and peaceable assembly, the ability of a free people to come together and collectively express, promote, pursue, and defend our individual and shared ideas.

There is no place for political violence. 

Attempting to silence, intimidate, or eliminate others who hold a differing viewpoint is a direct attack on our democratic system of governance – and our sacred freedoms. 

When I started writing down my thoughts and floating them on this blogsite eight years ago, I wasn’t searching for a political identity or following (maybe an egocentric need to stay relevant in retirement?) and I vowed to never require a subscription fee, accept advertising revenue, and always put my name on anything I write. 

The fact is, I write these screeds for me – and profiting from this blog would cheapen the purpose.      

These jaded observations are a cathartic release, a means of purging my political frustrations by venting my spleen, one man’s hypercritical hyperbole – neither always right, nor always wrong – a constructive outlet for voicing my opinions on the issues of the day.

Sometimes we agree, and many times we don’t.  That’s okay. 

That’s what this exercise is all about.  I learn best when proven wrong.     

Unfortunately, the escalation in the tone and incivility of the rhetoric at all levels of politics, including the vicious, terrifying, and unwarranted demonization of public servants that I saw during my recent return to public service, gave me pause.    

Last week, I was profoundly moved when reading the sincere thoughts of Barker’s View readers – all of which were exceedingly kind – even those who vehemently disagree with my every thought on the issues we collectively face. 

Humbling. 

Some generously compared these jeremiads (or at least the motivation behind them) to the extraordinary work of the late great Big John and Marc Bernier in furthering a larger discussion in the community.   

Look, I cannot hold a candle to either of those great souls (who are no doubt rolling in their respective repositories at the mere thought of being mentioned in the same sentence together…) 

However, I still believe that those who care about the civic, social, and political challenges on Florida’s “Fun Coast” need somewhere to gather, to think, and honestly consider – a salon, of sorts – a place for the debate of unique ideas adjacent to the din and hullabaloo of social media, the lopsided spin of paid mouthpieces, or partisan echo chambers.   

That’s important.                                                          

While I cannot promise we will always agree, I will endeavor to point out what I see as the absurdity of it all, with the same bite and sarcasm you’ve come to know and love or loathe, and hopefully provide a starting place for a larger discussion of the issues.

Thanks for being here.

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