Hi, kids!

It’s time once again to turn a jaundiced eye toward the news and newsmakers of the day who, in my cynical opinion, either contributed to our quality of life or detracted from it in some significant way…

Volusia County Council

Last year, the Volusia County Council and the City of Ormond Beach were caught flatfooted after their respective staffs had preliminary meetings with Belvedere Terminals, a bulk fuel supplier owned by Grupo México, who has announced plans to place an industrial petroleum farm and distribution facility in an unincorporated area adjacent to the Florida East Coast Railway tracks. 

As the City of Ormond Beach would provide utilities for the terminal, the city would be required to annex the 60-acre property, putting it dangerously close to residential areas, light industry, the city’s airport, and a public sports complex.

Some of us learned about the terminal when an obscure Department of Environmental Protection air permit was published in the Hometown News, other residents weren’t made aware until a shocking story appeared in The Daytona Beach News-Journal – and none of us were informed by embarrassed Volusia County or Ormond Beach officials – leaving our elected dullards looking like the out-of-the-loop know-nothings they are…

The ensuing shitstorm of controversy has proven to wary Volusia County taxpayers that when the chips are down, there are precious few elected and appointed “representatives” looking out for our interests in the cloistered Halls of Power in DeLand, or elsewhere.    

When their physical safety, property values, and quality of life are at stake, concerned citizens will always take a stand, band together, and find ways to protect their families despite the blunders and omissions of an unresponsive, out of touch, and fumble fingered bureaucracy. 

Recently, concerned residents and environmental advocates proposed a charter amendment to address what the Volusia County Council and some municipal governments continue to ignore – namely development-induced flooding, a complete disregard of concurrency requirements, and the claustrophobic effects of sprawl, increased density, and explosive growth.

According to a petition proposed by civic activist Cathrine Pante and others, “…a Rural Boundary Charter Amendment to the Volusia County Charter is a potential solution to this issue. The Amendment will act as a tool to control development within our rural areas, allowing the County Council to better manage and restrict expansions that pose a threat to our homes, our livelihoods, and our natural surroundings.”

“We urge the Volusia County Council and Staff to create and put forward this amendment for a vote on the 2026 Ballot. No longer can we stand by and accept the excuse that the County cannot stop city annexations. Let’s protect Volusia County’s rural areas and the people who call it home.”    

Naturally, the very notion of requiring a rural margin between malignant urbanized sprawl and more of the same – typically by requiring a majority vote to approve development in those areas or before a city can annex unincorporated areas – caused a panic among those developer finger-puppets on the Volusia County Council intent on protecting the very lucrative status quo for their campaign contributors. 

On Tuesday, we got another nauseating peek at just how far some on the Volusia County Council will go when At-Large Councilman Jake Johansson attempted to tee-up the issue and kick it soundly down the dusty political trail by moving to postpone discussion of the issue until March 2025 and requiring the measure be taken up by the Charter Review Commission next year.

In effect, Mr. Johansson put time and distance (and what his cronies hope will be the defeat of Chairman Jeff Brower) between starting the lengthy process many disenfranchised residents are praying will result in the charter amendment being placed on the ballot in 2026.

Another example of the Volusia County Council’s pernicious practice of off-the-agenda “public policy by ambush.”  

Per usual, when Chairman Brower pushed back, describing the rural boundary amendment as an effective way of preventing what he described as “hostile annexations,” announcing that he was setting a discussion of the matter on the October Volusia County Council agenda – he was badgered by the likes of Councilman David “No Show” Santiago, accused of making “inaccurate statements,” and “rewriting the dictionary” – in one of Santiago’s hyper-theatrical displays of legislative time-wasting.

The ensuing wriggling and squirming turned downright ugly when Chairman Brower sought clarification from County Attorney Michael Dyer regarding his rights as Chair under the County Charter to place items on the council agenda.

In perhaps the worst display of civic insubordination I’ve ever witnessed, Dyer chirped that while the Chair can place items on the agenda – the majority can merely override it and control the timing of the item through obstructionism and procrastination – a politically risky ploy, especially when We, The Little People who pay for all this sabotage and stalling turn up to speak on the item.

It went deeper…

When Mr. Dyer raised his voice and openly quibbled whether the October agenda has yet been “published” – then accused Brower of putting “staff” between himself and the majority of the council – in my view, he crossed a very bright line between legal advice and political strategy – presented by an argumentative asshole clearly trying to publicly knee-cap Brower while preening for his protectors…

Ultimately, Councilman Johansson’s motion was approved on a 4-3 vote – with Councilmen Troy Kent and Don Dempsey siding with Brower – and the completely confused Councilman Matt Reinhart initially voting with the majority (as he undoubtedly intended), then somehow claimed he “misunderstood” what he was voting for? 

Really?

I don’t make this shit up, folks… 

Before we move on, let’s talk about Councilman Danny Robins’ – that ventriloquist dummy with the disingenuous ability to speak out of both sides of his mouth – on the growing issue of development-induced flooding, downplayed by his constant self-congratulatory gaslighting.

Unbelievably, on Tuesday, Robins directed failed senior staff to look sopping wet residents throughout Volusia County in the eye and tell them all the wonderful things they are doing to mitigate flooding while the water continues to rise – and the bulldozers continue to roar…

Sick.   

When Robins advised he attended a meeting in Edgewater where inundated residents (who are literally mad as wet hens) were passionate about flooding threatening their homes and accused Volusia County of not doing enough to help struggling property owners (because they haven’t) – he proceeded to parade his clique of senior department heads to the podium in what we are to believe was an unrehearsed defense of the bureaucracy’s ineptitude.   

Bullshit.

To show the behind-the-scenes nature of these well-choreographed productions that pass for “public meetings,” Councilman “No Show” Santiago pivoted the narrative, somehow assuming that Robins was speaking of Chairman Brower as being the one who disparaged county flood control efforts at the Edgewater meeting (he was) insinuating that Brower made “false statements” to the public – something Robins readily agreed with.  

It was clumsy, weird, and incredibly telling…

In my view, this coordinated campaigning from the dais – coupled with the near-constant marginalization of Chairman Brower in an internal and external attempt to gain a rubber stamp majority on the council to do the unfettered bidding of their “friends” and political benefactors – is inexcusable. 

It’s probably criminal in the context of Florida’s public meeting law… 

Trust me.  These shameless shills do not represent your interests. 

In fact, Danny Robins and “No Show” Santiagos view you as little more than an inconvenient impediment to the wants and whims of those influential insiders who own the paper on their political souls.

This is why we have elections. 

Vote like your lives and livelihoods depend upon it…

First Step Shelter Board

The concept of fiduciary responsibility is a legal duty that ensures elected and appointed members of boards, councils, and commissions hold themselves to the ethical obligations that come with the oversight and direction of public and private organizations.

A solemn bond of trust between decisionmakers and stakeholders.

Does any of this sound remotely familiar to the conduct of the tumultuous First Step Shelter and its disheveled, disorganized, and wholly unaccountable “leadership” and governance? 

As things deteriorate – with public confidence in the enigmatic publicly funded program at an all-time low – rather than commission a comprehensive investigation into credible allegations of malfeasance and misconduct brought by three former senior staff members against executive director Victoria Fahlberg, the First Step Board intentionally fumbled and completely ignored their fiduciary responsibly to Volusia County taxpayers. 

Look, bad things happen in the best organizations.  It is how leadership responds to controversy and scandal that speaks to their values and internal character.

To that end, at First Step, some board members went so far as to openly besmirch the honor and reputation of the whistleblowers – painting the allegations as a “scam” – and voting to end their incomplete investigation in what many see as a blatant cover-up that marks the beginning of the end for a program that was never fully explained or understood by those asked to pay the bills.

To their credit, last week, we learned that Volusia County is taking a cautionary pause before considering throwing another $2 million of our tax dollars to First Step over the next five-years – a program wracked by controversy and unresolved questions of financial improprieties, personnel issues, and safety concerns.

Now caught between a rock and hard place, the Daytona Beach City Commission and Mayor Derrick Henry – who also serves as president of the First Step board – recently voted to renew the “shelter’s” lease and continue funding the troubled program with $400,000 in public funds annually. 

What else where they going to do?

My hope is that this signals a pending change in leadership at First Step. 

During pointed comments at a recent board meeting, Mayor Henry remarked “There are things at the shelter that rise to a deep level of concern,” Henry said. “The situation we’re in is because of leadership.”

He’s right. 

However, in my view, the “leadership” issues plaguing First Step go far deeper than Victoria Fahlberg.  Recently, there were murmurs that the board wanted to take the program private as a way of exempting their meetings and governance from the public eye.

Why is that? 

What’s the big secret that no one is talking about at First Step?

Trust me.  Nothing would make Daytona Beach and Volusia County taxpayers happier than to get First Step off the public teat – but that’s not going to happen.   Not now.

In the view of many weary taxpayers, the program needs a fresh start.  Open the windows and let the disinfecting sunlight in, then establish some basic ground rules for the management and independent oversight of First Step. 

That process begins by accepting the resignation of Director Fahlberg and the current board members, then establish a governing apparatus with volunteers more concerned about the organization’s mission than in listening to themselves spew hot air. 

According to reports, the County of Volusia can revisit First Step funding after the start of the fiscal year in November or December.   

Let’s hope our elected representatives on the County Council have the courage to demand answers to these lingering questions before allocating one more dime of our hard-earned tax dollars to this growing civic quagmire.

New Smyrna Beach City Commission

“Before casting his vote to approve, Cleveland said he was “delighted with the public participation tonight, and the passion with which I see our concerned citizens.”

“There are some that just say ‘no,’ a group that just says, ‘I want us to be like we used to be and don’t want anything to change,’” the mayor said. “To you, I’m very sorry — the clock will tick, and we will change.

“I want to protect our coastal community, the environment, I want to protect what we have today. But the genie is out of the bottle, it does not go back, and I know that. So caution, and math, logic and science when we make decisions like that is important, just as much as transparency and getting everybody’s opinion on it,” he added.”

–New Smyrna Beach Mayor Fred Cleveland, as quoted by reporter Brenno Carillo writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “NSB approves rezoning of 1,618-acre land where Deering Park is proposed,” Thursday, September 12, 2024

“I’m very sorry – The clock will tick, and we will change…”

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to mourn the passing of the quaint beach community of New Smyrna Beach – a sad epitaph engraved in asphalt and concrete – by spineless politicians who pay arrogant lip service to passionate citizens seeking substantive participation in decisions that will drastically and forever effect their quality of life… 

I don’t know Mayor Fred Cleveland – but I know many shortsighted political hacks like him. 

Bobbleheads who know what’s best for the rest of us, and prefer the soothing tone of a polished land use attorney selling them a pig in a poke, over the impassioned pleas of their frightened constituents, then have the chutzpah to claim their decisions are based on “…caution, and math, logic and science…” 

My ass.  

Let’s call this latest insult to the worried citizens of New Smyrna Beach what it is – abject greed in a growth at all cost environment – facilitated by mealy-mouth politicians who lack the vision and will to protect what made their once quaint community unique.  

Before his reelection in the August primary, Mayor Cleveland promised existing residents on his campaign website:

“As your Mayor, I am focused on safeguarding all that makes our city wonderfully unique as well as our city’s challenges and opportunities.”

So, what happened? 

I guess a comprehensive plan amendment rezoning 1,618 acres of property once set aside as agriculture, forestry resources, and conservation (a/k/a flood control, aquifer recharge, wildlife habitat, conservation, etc.) to accommodate a developer’s desire for 2,150 houses, apartments – millions of square feet of pavement – in a mishmash “planned unit development” incorporating mixed-use/commercial/residential called the Deering Innovation Park must be one of those “opportunities” Mayor Cleveland crowed about…

Of course, land use attorney Glen Storch reassured everyone that his client isn’t looking to build anything right now. 

Of course not.  This is all just fun-n-games.  

“This is a planning exercise.  “This is not a development exercise,” Storch told The News-Journal last week.”

Sure…

While other NSB Commissioners puled and mewled over their weighty decision – always coming back to their rock-solid confidence in the developer’s mouthpiece to do the right thing and assuage the very real fears of existing residents buy claiming their every concern will be addressed in the master development agreement and planned unit development.

You know, real fears – like widespread flooding, increased density, additional traffic on already overwhelmed streets – and the rapid demise of greenspace and wildlife habitat in western reaches of their community. 

To her credit, Commissioner Lisa Martin cast the lone “No” vote on the comp plan amendment – rightfully describing the proposed development as “massive” – and voicing her opinion that city officials need “to have more citizen input.”

“This will definitely impact the city of New Smyrna Beach,” Martin said. “Shouldn’t the stakeholders have more of a say?”

Not according to Mayor Fred Cleveland. 

That greedy genie is out of the bottle, and he doesn’t give two-shits what existing residents forced to live with the lasting impacts have to say…

Quote of the Week

“The libertarian principle holds that government’s legitimate role is minimal, focusing on protecting individual rights and property. This principle extends to ensuring that any development does not infringe upon the rights of current residents to safely and securely enjoy their properties. It is neither anti-development nor anti-growth to demand that infrastructure issues be resolved before further burdens are placed on it. Indeed, it is a demand for responsible, sustainable growth that respects the rights and safety of all citizens.”

–Matt Johnson, DeLand, as excerpted from his Letter to the Editor in the West Volusia Beacon, “No to Rezoning,” Tuesday, September 17, 2024  

What he said…

And Another Thing!

Share a secret?

I can’t do long division or figure a tip in a restaurant without counting on my fingers, and those things they call the “multiplication tables” remain an abstract mathematical mystery to me.  They call it dyscalculia, an inability to comprehend basic arithmetic. 

I can tell you from experience; it can be exasperating – and embarrassing.  Afterall, a grown man who can’t calculate basic addition and subtraction… 

Perhaps in exchange for accepting this disability, I was gifted with the almost paranormal ability to detect political bullshit in all its forms. 

A finely-honed sixth sense originating in the parietal lobe of my gin-soaked brain – a supernatural sagacity, carefully cultivated after years of repeatedly touching the hot stove, sharpened by repeat victimization, an extrasensory insight that allows me to perceive political chicanery before I step in it… 

A blessing and a curse, I suppose.  

Which brings me to this week’s jumbled musings on why some local political candidates receive fawning special treatment (and astronomical campaign donations from all the right last names) while others receive a swift kick in the crotch by paternalistic insiders with a chip in the game…   

As a dilettante opinionist and concerned taxpayer, I’ve become a champion for solid local journalism. 

In fact, our civic, political, economic, and social wellbeing depend upon strong oversight, advocacy, and unvarnished facts from trusted area media sources as reported by those of, by, and for the community they cover.   

Unfortunately, what remains of The Daytona Beach News-Journal is increasingly a hodge-podge of homogenized stories from Gannett properties with precious few investigative digs – in a place desperately in need of a major excavation. 

That’s unfortunate.  Because the News-Journal has some of the best investigative journalists in the business. 

Admittedly, I’m far from objective when it comes to the absurdity of politics here on Florida’s “Fun Coast,” a dark warren inhabited by self-serving marionettes, hand-selected by extremely wealthy insiders, to protect the stagnant status quo.

Shameless tax-and-spend shills masquerading as “fiscal conservatives” who marginalize anyone who stands against the growth at all costs overdevelopment that has made the few insanely rich at the expense of our quality of life.

I could be wrong (I’m not), but earlier this week I got the discomforting impression The Daytona Beach News-Journal was playing favorites in the Volusia County Chair race…   

For at least the second time this election cycle, the News-Journal gave special treatment to a 2023 speech County Council Chair Jeff Brower gave to something called the Republican Liberty Caucus of West Volusia which contained references to God and his deep faith.

During the speech, Brower expressed his personal thoughts on the religious guidance and values of our nation’s founding fathers in the context of what he believes is today’s “…corrupt national and local government that cares nothing about the rule of law or the Constitution.”

The article, which appeared on Constitution Day, was not an op/ed – and it wasn’t the first time the speech has been publicly dissected by the newspaper. 

Curiously, the first mention was just days before the August primary when a clip of Brower’s speech appeared in the News-Journal – and was subsequently posted to social media by the Democratic Club of Southwest Volusia with the hashtag #weird…  

This week’s News-Journal piece was published under the header “politics” – entitled, “Brower responds to criticisms regarding his views on the role of religion in government” – couched in the context of the separation of church and state on the 237th anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution.

According to the report, “Brower retold that story as part of his 41-minute speech to the Republican Liberty Caucus of West Volusia in June 2023. He veered off the history in describing a nation about to erupt into civil war over the prosecution of former President Donald Trump, public education under “Satan’s deception,” “inaccurate” voting booths, Democrat-controlled cities as cesspools, politicians and press trying to destroy the republic, and a gay pride flag flying over the White House was giving “the finger” to God.”

That set the stage for some Tallahassee mouthpiece for what remains of the fossilized American Civil Liberties Union to accuse Brower of “indoctrinating” his constituents and “evangelizing” instead of serving the public in his elected role.   

Then, Rabbi Merrill Shapiro, the Atlantic Coast president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, put the boots to Brower, opining that “…Brower’s comments belie his oath to “support, protect and defend the Constitution” of both the United States and Florida.”

“In both those constitutions, We the People have agreed not to permit an ‘establishment of religion’ by our government. Yet, Brower clearly seems to desire to establish his brand of Christianity in Volusia County,” said Shapiro, of Palm Coast.”

Say what? 

Did I mention that Chairman Brower was speaking within the confines of the ultra-conservative Republican Liberty Caucus of West Volusia, not pontificating from the dais of power in DeLand?

Of course, the News-Journal then invited Mr. Brower’s opponent in the upcoming general election, “Car Guy” Randy Dye – the darling of the donor class – an opportunity to provide his thoughts. 

Apparently, during his speech Mr. Brower, a longtime proponent of smart growth initiatives – suggested that Dye (whose campaign has been widely funded by real estate development interests) supports increased growth for his own self-enrichment, “If our population doubles, his (Dye’s) personal wealth doubles.”

According to the report, Mr. Dye responded:

“Dye said he anticipates his business “will do well,” but he’s not planning on working for the business for the rest of his life.

“First off, I don’t want to see our population double,” Dye said. “Our quality of life in our community is what’s most important to me.”

Dye said he’s an elder at his church of 25 years, City Sanctuary in DeLand, and that he aims to give grace when he has received much of it.

“I’ve probably learned more over the years from people I started out disagreeing with more than the ones I agreed with,” Dye said. “This election is really about trying to unite a community and not trying to decide who doesn’t fit in a community. (It’s about) erasing lines that separate us and building bridges that will bring us together.”

Although Chairman Brower declined an interview request, to their credit, the News-Journal included his emailed statement:

“I am a follower of Christ. Christ offers an invitation, not an imposition. Our Constitution guarantees there will never be an imposition of a state religion, and I support that. I encourage everyone to embrace their faith on a personal level in both good times and bad.”

Believe me, Brower’s fellow self-described “Conservative Republican” colleagues – some of whom have openly endorsed his opponent – weren’t falling all over themselves to defend the Chairman’s right to express his personal religious beliefs to a partisan political club.

(Find the News-Journal’s full report here: https://tinyurl.com/3jr32her )

My third eye tells me the News-Journal’s multiple reporting on a 15-month-old speech was designed to hurt Mr. Brower by painting his religious beliefs as extreme or a violation of their view of civic secularism.

In addition, earlier this week those stodgy curmudgeons who comprise Volusia’s stagnant Old Guard over at the Volusia Republican Executive Committee (a group even veteran area Republicans call divisive and angry) voted to endorse Randy Dye over Chairman Brower – even though Brower won the primary election with 42% of the vote? 

Things that make you go Humm…

I was equally disappointed by a disturbing article in the Ormond Beach Observer this week reporting the recent vandalism of political signs displayed by Carl and Susan Persis – who are running for Volusia County School Board and Ormond Beach Mayor, respectively. 

According to the report, earlier this month, someone defaced several Persis signs by placing stickers over the candidates photographs which said, “Be Yourself, You Suck!” and “You Suck!” with at least one sign damaged with spray paint.   

That’s unacceptable.   

But what followed was essentially a 900-word campaign advertisement in the Observer detailing what dandies Susan and Carl are – complete with not-so-veiled accusations that Mr. Persis’ opponent in the School Board Race – Donna Brosemer – could somehow put a stop to the criminal mischief if she wanted to…   

“The hate that’s out there is very unsettling to me,” she said. “I don’t feel like Carl and I have ever done anything to anyone to deserve such hateful behavior, ever.”

Who would vandalize or remove their signs?

“That’s a good question, ‘Who’s going to benefit?” she said. “Well, the answer is quite obvious.”

Carl, the incumbent School Board member, is running against former lobbyist Donna Brosemer, who has the governor’s endorsement for the race. In 2023, Gov. Ron DeSantis identified 14 school board members he wished to remove from office in a meeting with House Speaker Paul Renner, Moms for Liberty and Education Commissioner Manny Diaz. Carl was among the 14.”

Adding to the “Hate Crime of the Century” sensationalism was an inset announcing Mr. Persis is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of anyone responsible with directions to contact the Ormond Beach Police Department…

Whatever.

Strikingly lacking from the Observer’s Persis campaign promotion was an opportunity for Ms. Brosmer to defend herself from the pretentious power couple’s baseless allegations…

In my view, that was also unacceptable.

On Tuesday, five-days after the original Persis sign article appeared, Ms. Brosmer was quoted by the Observer in a follow-up article, rightfully calling the tempest in a teapot what it was. 

“Brosemer told the Observer that Carl Persis has made “a mountain out of a molehill” as he still has plenty of signs around the district, especially in Ormond Beach. Despite having her own signs damaged, Brosemer said, she feels it’s a trivial issue compared to what needs to be discussed in the school district.”

In addition, Ms. Brosemer described similar issues with vandalism and the theft of her campaign signs but doesn’t plan to file a police report. 

According to the report, “The Persis name is very well known,” Brosemer said. “And he, Carl in particular, has quite a following, a very dedicated following. Sometimes passions get carried away. If any of that has happened on my side, I’m not aware of it.”

Look, I may lack basic math skills – but I can spot the exact second the exalted “Movers & Shakers” of Volusia’s oligarchy get nervous as election day approaches. 

And I know why…    

You do too. Vote your conscience.    

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