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…

Waterlogged Residents of Edgewater vs. City Engineer Randy Coslow

Safety experts who study mishaps speak of the “accident chain” – the series of contributing factors that end in an adverse outcome.  The thought being, if at any point leading up to the disaster a link was broken by sound decisions and intervention, catastrophe could have been averted.

By any metric, the recurring disaster resulting from overwhelmed infrastructure and development-induced flooding is a tragedy of epic proportions.   

Throughout Volusia County, residents and business owners are now routinely faced with the destructive effects of floodwater as gravity inexorably pulls it from elevated and impervious new developments into lower lying existing neighborhoods. 

Few places have been harder hit that the waterlogged citizens of Edgewater… 

You don’t need to be an expert on disaster theory to understand that there are elected and appointed officials – people who accept public funds to serve in the public interest – who have intentionally weakened or ignored environmental safeguards, concurrency requirements, density regulations, and best practices for stormwater retention and growth management so influential developers could increase profits by slashing, burning, filling, and elevating wetlands, pine scrub, and aquifer recharge areas.

The consequences of ‘fill and build’ construction which changes the topography of the land were undoubtedly known to civil engineers and “growth management” experts.  For years, the United States Geological Survey and environmentalists have warned that as development and impervious surfaces increase severe flooding events occur with greater frequency.

This isn’t rocket surgery… 

In my view, that makes what has been permitted by certain local government officials’ willful negligence.

As evidence of that, for the past twenty years, entrenched bureaucrats like Volusia’s Growth and Resource Management Director Clay Ervin, have paid cheap lip service to “smart growth” concepts and sustainability practices by hosting timewasting dog-and-pony shows complete with droning PowerPoints, useless “summits” and politically insulating “steering committees.”

Yet nothing of substance ever happens in terms of smart growth practices, sustainability, environmental protection, or resilience. 

That’s called strategic procrastination, and it has successfully put time and distance between regulations to control malignant sprawl and the aggressive profit motives of influential real estate developers’ intent on filling every square foot of available space with more zero lot line cracker boxes “…starting in the $300’s.”

In my view, Mr. Ervin and others like him did exactly as they were told by their superiors, establishing a culture favorable for rubber stamping development.  Now, existing residents of Volusia County and beyond are paying the horrible price for the bureaucracy’s ability to run interference while looking the other way. 

But one thing is certain – you can bet your bottom dollar that both Ervin and County Manager George “The Wreck” Recktenwald – will receive another hefty pay increase this year.

Just like clockwork…

In the City of Edgewater, sodden homeowners are beginning to look beyond cause and effect. 

Now, they want those responsible for the piss poor decisions, laxity, and faulty engineering that has repeatedly destroyed their properties held to account. 

Last week, reporter Brenno Carillo writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal explained how some Edgewater residents feel set upon by the very official who should be mitigating active and future flooding risk:

“The city of Edgewater is considering a third-party investigation into City Engineer Randy Coslow after some residents accused him of intentionally allowing their homes to flood from Hurricane Milton.

Residents voiced their concerns during Monday’s City Council meeting — the first after the storm.

Kimberly Penny, a resident of Kumquat Drive in the Gaslight Square subdivision, relayed her experience with flooding in her home, which has happened twice in the past few years.

“Each time, the time, the emotional, physical and financial toll is overwhelming,” Penny said. “Not just for me but for so many of us living here.”

In September, just minutes into a special meeting, the Edgewater City Council summarily fired former City Manager Glenn Irby to the applause of soggy residents demanding answers to continuing flooding in Florida Shores and elsewhere. 

Perhaps Mr. Coslow should have taken out his slide rule and gauged the handwriting on the wall? 

The allegations brought by members of the community against Mr. Coslow are alarming…

According to the News-Journal, “Penny said “there is growing suspicion that Randy Coslow … may be retaliating against citizens who have voiced concerns and criticisms.”

She said Coslow was responsible for closing the grate to her home with silt fencing ahead of the storm, “and caused my home to hold water and flood yet again.”

Whoa.

Another resident suggested the lack of citizen confidence in Coslow is due to the “…waste of taxpayer money, lack of services, and attitudes and disrespect to the citizens by a certain city employee.”

To their credit, Edgewater’s man-child Mayor Deizel Depew and several Council members have agreed to explore a third-party investigation into allegations that Coslow targeted vocal residents. 

For now, Interim City Manager Jeff Thurman has said he would “pursue” the idea.

You bet your ass he will…or meet the same fate as Irby.    

Now is the time for transparency in Edgewater and elsewhere as taxpayers begin to look beyond their clueless elected officials and demand that those who hold the titles, call themselves “experts,” and demand exorbitant salaries and benefits are held to account. 

In my view, residents are right to demand answers for the effects of habitually deferring repair and replacement funding, the lack of utilities concurrency, our horribly failed “hurt here/help there” wetland mitigation bank strategy, impotent impact fees, and the relentless rubber stamping of development based on “staff recommendations” that is now destroying their property values – and their quality of life…

Can Brown & Brown Save Downtrodden Downtown Daytona?

I’ve preached this vocabulary lesson for years, but any denizen of Florida’s “Fun Coast” is familiar with the word dichotomy.   

Because it represents our collective reality.

The word defines a “stark division or contrast between two things that are opposed or entirely different,” the partition of a whole into sets or subclasses, something completely dissimilar.

When you point out a dichotomy, you draw an unmistakable distinction between two things:

Yin/yang, love/hate, night/day, micro/macro, public/private, rich/poor, objective/subjective, east/west Volusia, Old Daytona/New Daytona.

A duality.  Polar opposites.

While reading an excellent piece by The Daytona Beach News-Journal’s business editor Clayton Park entitled, “Brown & Brown buys a huge chunk of downtown Daytona; Here’s what they bought and why,” I was reminded of the glaring differences that separate old/new Daytona Beach – the optimism and investment on LPGA’s “Boomtown Boulevard” – and what many believe is the decades of strategic blight and intentional neglect that has placed Downtrodden Downtown Daytona in the bargain basement bin in terms of commercial real estate prices…

According to the report, last week, Brown & Brown “…announced its $10 million purchase of the seven contiguous commercial properties known as “Burgoyne Village” that takes almost the entire block bordered by Bay Street on the north, North Beach Street on the east and Palmetto Avenue on the west.”

Considering that the e-commerce behemoth Amazon recently paid “nearly $393.9 million to acquire its yet-to-open five-story 2.8 million-square-foot robotics fulfillment center at 2519 Bellevue Ave. in Daytona Beach” – a warehouse that sits on what was once a vacant cow pasture – and ranked 10^th on the News-Journal’s “Top Ten Biggest Real Estate Deals of 2024” (just behind the August sale of a “small” DeLand office/warehouse building) – I’d say J. Hyatt and the Boys got a hell of a deal… 

Real estate opportunities like that never come my way – but regardless of the who, what, when, where, why, and how Brown & Brown’s subsidiary “Beach Street New Horizons LLC” acquired damn near an entire city block of commercial properties – the heart of the Halifax area’s traditional downtown – for $10 million, the purchase represents a chance for substantive change to the blight and ‘down at the heels’ feel that has hampered revitalization for generations.

In my view, the “renaissance” we were all promised when the glass-and-steel monstrosity that is the Brown & Brown headquarters – and the now complete “Brown Esplanade” – hasn’t materialized as quickly as the hype would have had us believe. 

That’s okay.  We’re used to that.

Let’s hope Brown & Brown continues to use its significant resources to acquire and redevelop large swaths of Downtown Daytona to expedite the much-needed revival of this historic district.

Piecemeal projects aren’t working.    

Look, I admit – if Brown & Brown put up the cash to purchase the block, they can do whatever they please, but I think most will agree, Downtown Daytona is one of those places near and dear to the heart of any resident of a certain age who grew-up shopping there…

That said, my hope is that J. Hyatt will be open to a community charrette – a process which will allow residents, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders a say in “what will be” as the area begins its rebirth.

As I travel around, I’ve noticed that those places where I want to return all had sense-of-place initiatives built into the regeneration of the community – an exclusive civic identity – intentional placemaking that took advantage of local assets and potential. 

That begins with comprehensive planning – where private investors collaborate with visionary professional design and planning firms (getting those stuck-in-the-mud government obstructionists out of the mix) – to develop unique mixed-use infill projects which incorporate the areas historic attributes and encourage a more inviting and walkable city center that improves urban vitality. 

Ultimately, input from all stakeholders helps form a collective strategic vision – an aggregate conception – leading to designs that draw people back to visiting and living downtown, bolstered by complementary creative and entertainment districts that repurpose existing façades to house galleries, eateries, and eclectic businesses with artistic leanings while supporting the interrelationship of existing tenets with a proven commitment to the areas prosperity.    

In my view, the comparative experience between the economic progress and civic revitalization of carefully restored places like Winter Park, Thomasville, Georgia, Charleston, or Downtown DeLand – and the chronic stagnation that permeates much of the Halifax area – remains palpable to residents and visitors alike.    

Frankly, we should be able to dream bigger than the boring, predictable, same ol,’ same ol’ cookie cutter crap that now blankets most of LPGA Boulevard over in “New Daytona” – a placeless hodge-podge that traded the all-important sense of community for sticks-and-glue apartments and more ugly strip centers…  

Time will tell.

It the short-term, we can look forward to more than 600 “market rate” apartments downtown (with a smattering of “workforce housing” units thrown in to make everyone feel warm and fuzzy about it.) 

Yaaaawn…  Excuse me, sorry.

Unfortunately, our ‘powers that be’ have proven repeatedly they don’t give two-shits what the unwashed hoi polloi have to say – especially when it comes to crafting our collective future.

Let’s hope this unique opportunity is different. 

Pssst, Florida Legislators…Growth Didn’t Pay for Itself

The incestuous relationship between many Florida politicians and the deep-pocketed real estate development industry that fuels their campaigns has now painted their constituents into a sopping wet corner.

Last year, an investigation by USA Today determined that some 42% of Florida lawmakers have occupations or sources of income directly tied to the real estate industry – not to mention the millions in campaign contributions received by hand-select candidates at all levels of government from developers, investors, and realtors.  

Thanks to the political influence that massive contributions naturally buy, greed-crazed developers have been granted carte blanche to build across the width and breadth of the state, resulting in rampant flooding of existing homes, ecological destruction, gross overcrowding, and the resultant impacts on local transportation infrastructure, public utilities, and essential services.   

Perhaps the most pernicious aspect of this pay to play scheme has been repeat legislation that whittles away at the concept of “home rule” – limiting local government’s ability to control growth and development in their community.

Utilizing what some watchdogs call “legalized bribery,” developers have effectively suppressed impact fees, gutted local growth management regulations, attempted to shield themselves from the consequences of construction defects, skewed the concept of “property rights” (while ignoring yours and mine), disregarded concurrency requirements, and permitted environmentally destructive slash/burn/fill land clearing, all to facilitate more, more, more development without any consideration of the long-term effects.  

Now that the fallacy that “growth pays for itself” has been exposed as a gross and dangerous fraud – it is time for complicit Florida legislators to accept responsibility and do something about it.

In the view of many, it is time for the state of Florida to assist struggling municipalities with direct funding for infrastructure upgrades – to include stormwater management and public utilities – essential services that have been overwhelmed by the malignant sprawl facilitated by unfunded and burdensome legislative mandates that always benefit the profit motives of gluttonous developers.  

I’m not talking about some trickledown program administered by Volusia County who will suck the pool dry with “administrative costs” and byzantine foot-dragging processes as it uses the funds to expand the bloated bureaucracy while the cities clamor for the dregs…  

In my view, the actions of state legislators to line the pockets of their industry and political benefactors has left many Floridians feeling helpless and disoriented while local elected officials are left handcuffed by state decrees without a means of controlling the destiny of their communities. 

Now that we know the true and devastating cost of growth, it is time for those who helped get us into the mess to help get us out. 

Quote of the Week

“When the News-Journal met with Ormond Beach mayoral candidate Susan Persis, it was over a Starbucks beverage. When the paper met with her opponent Jason Leslie, he had wolfed down some lunchtime Taco Bell while manning his early voting tent.

The race is a study in contrasts, with Persis as the consummate insider and member of the local political elite, and Leslie, an outsider from New Jersey who says his perspective puts him in a better spot to see the city’s problems.

Inside versus outside

Persis, 69, is a retired school principal who served on the Ormond Beach City Commission since 2018. She has lived in Ormond Beach for the last 35 years and the Volusia County area for most of her life, having graduated from Seabreeze High School. Her husband Carl, a Volusia County School Board member, was mayor of Ormond Beach from 1999 to 2003.

“I’m a local. I was born and raised here, so I know that community. I know the culture. I know the climate of Ormond Beach and even the surrounding Daytona Beach area,” Persis said. “This guy has been here three years. He’s from New Jersey and he doesn’t understand how we work in Ormond Beach.” 

–Ormond Beach Mayoral Candidate Susan Persis, as quoted by reporter Mark Harper writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “Ormond Beach City Commissioner Susan Persis faces newcomer Jason Leslie in mayor’s race,” Halloween, 2024

Inside versus outside…. 

Once again, reporter Mark Harper hits the nail on the head – calling local elections in this foul season what they are – an age-old battle between those civic, financial, and social elite on the “inside,” and the rest of us rubes who are forced to stand outside the closed political portcullis straining to see into the inner-sanctum where the real public policy decisions are made.

A “study in contrasts,” indeed.

In Ms. Persis’ world (which looks nothing like yours or mine) she deserves to be elevated to the mayor’s seat not on merit, but by osmosis.

Because that’s the way things “work” around here.  When you kiss the right asses, rub elbows with the influential donor class long enough, go along, get along, and prove your worth to those powerful few who control everything but the ebb and flow of the Atlantic tide here on the “Fun Coast” – you are naturally rewarded with a seat at the table.

I mean, we can’t have some Jersey transplant coming in here and upsetting the balance of power with a new vision, ideas, and insights, now, can we? 

That just won’t do…

In the view of many learned political observers much smarter than me, it is inevitable that those exalted members of Volusia County’s “local political elite” will ultimately be hoist on their own petard – ousted by newcomers who have settled in massive subdivisions like Margaritaville, Mosaic, and others that current elected officials rubber stamped – and now form substantial voting blocs who will ultimately want their own representation.

And they don’t give a Tinker’s damn about some perennial politicians antiquated political pedigree.

Perhaps Ms. Persis should understand that this is what happens when the Frankenstein’s Monster of uncontrolled sprawl inevitably turns on those who foolishly created it… 

And Another Thing!

Veteran watchers of the Wild and Woolly World of politics and governance here on Florida’s “Fun Coast” know we get our most unobstructed view of those weird relationships and murky behind the curtain machinations during times of transition – never more obvious than in the waning days of hotly contested races…   

Earlier this week, social media was abuzz with the news that within days of his primary loss to incumbent Volusia County Chair Jeff Brower – “Car Guy” Randy Dye made a well-timed $5,000 personal donation to the Republican Executive Committee of Volusia – who, in September (and some believe in return) took a controversial vote to support Dye by excluding Brower from the “official” Republican voter guide.

Yeah.  I know.

From the “Politics makes strange bedfellows” file, I found it interesting that billionaire local businessman J. Hyatt Brown – who is listed by multiple sources as a Democrat – has donated $5,000 to Dye’s campaign both personally and through entities he controls – and another $10,000 to the RECV… 

Guess it never hurts to cover all bases, eh?

In a move The Daytona Beach News-Journal later called “potentially difference-making,” the tyrannical RECV Chairman Paul Deering invoked something called “Rule 8” – which allows a County Executive Committee to “endorse, certify, screen, or recommend a Republican candidate in a contested Republican primary, or a registered Republican in a nonpartisan election (including judicial races where it is legally permissible)” – essentially shunning those Republicans who fail to receive the anointment of cliquish party leaders. 

Just like that, the fix was in.

Apparently in the Kingdom of Paul Deering, all Republicans are equal – but those willing to pay to play are more equal than others…

Not a good look for “Car Guy” Randy Dye this close to the nut-cutting hour. 

Many inside the Republican Executive Committee and out have openly accused Deering of using the Rule 8 endorsement to ensure Dye – the darling of Volusia’s elite Donor Class – received preferential positioning on the voter guide, while excluding and marginalizing fellow Republican Jeff Brower, who handily won the primary with 42% of the vote to Dye’s 28%.  

I’ve seen some shit in my day, but the brazenness of this screw-job is unprecedented…

According to the News-Journal report, “Jeff won the majority of the … primary votes,” Tim Ryan, a precinct committeeman and former REC treasurer, wrote in a text. “The division and anger is unbelievable.”

On Wednesday, a windy op/ed appeared in the News-Journal describing how growth and development are inevitable, “…and NIMBY is just not the real world,” before gushing about all that Randy Dye “offers.” 

The blatant campaign piece failed to mention that it was penned by Tom Coriale – who is listed as the Vice Chairman of the Republican Executive Committee of Volusia… 

Now, there is growing back-alley whispering of an old-fashioned coup d’état – which means Deering and Company’s days at the helm of the powerful RECV may be numbered.

It’s about time. 

Let’s face it, even partisan hard-liners oppose this internecine throat cutting of an identified primary winner in the leadup to a general election, knowing well the same fate awaits them (or their candidate) should they fall victim to Deering’s legendary vindictiveness… 

The fact is politics in 2024 is a blood sport.

Why?

Because elections have profound consequences – especially for those who have paid handsomely for their lucrative spot in the political pecking order… 

For instance, on Tuesday, Chairman Brower held a press conference at the City Island courthouse in Daytona Beach to announce that he plans to call for a temporary countywide moratorium on further development until a comprehensive flood mitigation strategy can be developed.

“I’m asking for us all to come together, get on the same side of the desk and do the morally responsible thing and answer the people’s demands for action.  “It’s time to put action behind words. It’s time to stop the obstructionism that prevents anything from moving forward.”

An appeal for unity.  A call for action over hot air – an impassioned plea to move forward with lasting solutions to a universal threat.

That’s when the “Old Guard’s” fangs came out…    

During the presser, high-profile Dye supporters – to include Daytona Beach City Commissioner Stacy Cantu, Volusia County District 3 Councilman Danny Robins, and At-Large Representative Jake Johannson – went on the attack. 

Look, by any metric Danny Robins personifies political kabuki in its worst form. 

His hyper-dramatic, long-winded, time-wasting, and nonsensical stream of consciousness oratories from the dais are legendary – and “Jake the Snake” Johannson has proven himself a shameless animatron wholly controlled by special interests from day one…

Then, in keeping with the choreographed plan of attack, Mayor Derrick Henry took to social media, to excoriate Brower, calling his announcement a “campaign stunt.”

Really?

Coming from someone who’s performed more political stunts than Dar Robinson, that’s rich… 

Even Nancy Keefer, president and CEO of the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce, was convinced to wade into dangerous political territory when she publicly put the boots to Chairman Brower in the News-Journal, “If you’re stopping things completely, you’re … using an elephant to kill a flea,” she said.

With piles of moldy carpet and flood-damaged furniture still piled on the streets of Volusia County, something tells me that’s not going to age well for Keefer and the Daytona Regional Chamber…

Of course, Mr. Dye followed up with a lame stump speech listing all the reasons (read: contrived talking points) why even a short-term moratorium isn’t possible.

In other words, the “M” word went through powerful pro-growth and development circles like an ice water enema – and their handmaidens did exactly what they were told by their political benefactors. 

In my view, these sitting elected officials who came down on the wrong side of the single most galvanizing issue of our time should realize that once a leaky ship sets sail – it’s almost impossible to get off before it sinks…    

In 2020, when Brower soundly defeated an entrenched and well-funded “establishment” (a media moniker, not mine) candidate with a citizen mandate of substantive change – those bought-and-paid-for political marionettes on the dais of power turned their sights on marginalizing his campaign promises, openly shitting on the will of Volusia County voters – systematically blocking Brower’s initiatives at every turn, all while painting him as an “ineffectual” loser.

What’s changed?

Based on Mr. Brower’s impressive primary win, it appears an increasing number of Volusia County voters suffering the ruinous effects of unchecked growth on their quality of life haven’t forgotten this stalling and political sabotage…   

As election day grows near, Volusia’s entrenched “Old Guard” – and those stalwarts of the status quo who do their bidding are rightfully nervous – chilled by the thought that We, The Little People have finally decided that protecting our threatened environment and already overburdened infrastructure outweigh the insatiable wants and whims of influential developers with a chip in the game.

Vote your conscience.

Elections have consequences.   

That’s all for me.  If you haven’t taken advantage of early voting, please go to the polls on Tuesday! 

And take a friend with you…

This one’s important.

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…

Biketoberfest 2024    

A fact of life on Florida’s fabled “Fun Coast,” is that many of our neighbors are dependent on the feast or famine nature of the Halifax Area’s artificial economy – still very much reliant on “Special Events” for their livelihoods – while much of our core tourist area remains mired in blight, dilapidation, and botched opportunities.  

A place where some red-faced store owners still apologize to tourists for the condition of the place… 

Earlier this year in an excellent article by investigative journalist Eileen Zaffiro-Kean writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, entitled “‘We’ve gone to the bottom’: Does Daytona’s party-central image scare off investors?” we learned the tragic reality facing many Beachside small businesses: 

“A good portion of Main Street businesses only come alive for about a week during Biketoberfest in October and two weeks during Bike Week in March. Those businesses can afford to go dark for the rest of the year because they make huge amounts of money during the two biker parties.

Many nearby empty lots used for biker event vendors and parking also sit empty for most of the year and then burst to life during Bike Week and Biketoberfest.

“Main Street has not made any of the leaps we would have hoped,” said Mayor Derrick Henry. “Part of the problem is people make money off the way it is now. We’re not opposed to Bike Week, but I want to see Main Street thrive.”

When?

Earlier this year, the Main Street Merchant’s Association made an impassioned plea to those mute Gargoyles on the Volusia County Council asking that beach driving from International Speedway Boulevard to Auditorium Boulevard be reopened as a means of supporting beleaguered shops, restaurants, and bars in the core tourist district.   

Per usual, the idea of trying something new and innovative was ignored – which brings us back to our interminable reliance on “Special Events.”  Unfortunately, for the financial security of many, these disruptive boom-bust bacchanalias must roll regardless of the condition of our community, infrastructure, or residents…   

As a shiftless retiree, most days, by the time you have finished a grilled cheese and bowl of tomato soup for lunch, I’m already three cocktails deep. 

My one rule is that I never drink and drive, which makes me solely reliant on my long-suffering wife and close friends to haul my inebriated arse from point A to B safely.   

Late last week, I was riding with a friend enroute from Barker’s View HQ to my favorite watering hole – the omnipresent roar of Biketoberfest motorcycles radiating from North Beach Street – when I heard the faint sounds of AC/DC wafting over the drone.

Continuing through my north Ormond neighborhood, the strains of Angus Young’s screaming guitar got louder as we navigated receding water, the massive debris piles from Hurricane Milton still moldering in and out of the roadway – logs, leaves, fencing slats, and rotting vegetative waste stacked high (dangerous eyesores we are now told might not be fully collected before the first of the year?) – with one large mound of brown palm fronds and the remnants of a toppled Oak obscuring motorists’ view of the opposing lane. 

Then…

“IT’S A LONG WAY TO THE TOP IF YOU WANNA ROCK-N-ROLL!”

Out of nowhere, a speeding Harly-Davidson – the bike’s onboard stereo blasting at concert pitch – weaved around the obstructing debris pile, pulling directly into our traffic lane, eyeball-to-bloodshot eyeball, closing so fast I could see the abject horror on the face of the bearded and leather-clad rider.

Whoa!  

Instantaneously, my friend braked hard and deftly swerved right – the now leaning motorcycle threading the needle, narrowly avoiding a head-on collision by a fraction on the left – a hard, fast, and frightening lesson on the perils of inviting tens-of-thousands of motorcyclists to party hardy in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster… 

I get it.  We do what we must to survive. 

In my view, stability and long-term prosperity begins by getting government (at all levels) out of the way and allowing those actually in the arena – entrepreneurial investors who have put their blood, sweat, tears, and money into building a business – to use their experience and expertise to blaze a path forward and turn things around, rather than continue to pour untold millions in public funds into attracting the next panacea project…

Yeah.  I know.

Here’s hoping everyone who feeds their family on the proceeds of Biketoberfest got everything they needed, and that our ‘powers that be’ finally realize that the Daytona Beach Resort Area needs a year-round draw, an inviting atmosphere, and a break from the stagnant status quo if we hope to maintain our important hospitality industry here on the “World’s Most Famous Beach.”     

Aura-Aero

Strike up the Volusia County All-Star Goodtime Band!

Happy Days are Here Again!  Again! 

Last week, everyone who is anyone in Volusia County’s public and private elite were falling all over themselves with the announcement that French hybrid-electric aircraft manufacturer Aura-Aero announced its intention to build a 500,000-square-foot manufacturing and assembly plant at the Daytona Beach International Airport.

Once operational, the manufacturing facility will create more than 1,000 of those “high-paying jobs” we are always promised whenever the next big thing comes to town…   

In an informative article by the News-Journal’s Clayton Park, we learned that Daytona Beach took the prize over Flagler County after the obligatory “economic incentive” cake walk.

“Volusia County offered $500,000 in performance-based incentives the company would receive only if it makes good on its pledge to create 1,000 jobs paying an average of $72,000 a year. Daytona Beach agreed to provide $100,000 in matching funds of that “Grow Volusia” incentive package.

The city sweetened the county’s bid further by offering a break on property taxes over six years worth a total of $3.58 million.

Flagler County offered an even more lucrative incentive package that would have paid Aura Aero $1 million annually for five years in the form of reimbursements on ad valorem taxes collected from the company as well as $650,000 or more a year based on the value of the plant’s equipment.”

And, friends and neighbors, that’s how you and I became investors in the nascent electric aircraft business… 

Now, I hate to be the proverbial turd in the punchbowl, so I’m going to assume our economic development sagamores at Team Volusia and that camara stellata over at the CEO Business Alliance (or any of the half-dozen other redundant “economic opportunity” agencies) did due diligence on our behalf before using our money to add more sugar to Aura-Aero’s cloyingly sweet “incentives” package? 

I’m asking.

Because, to the best of my knowledge, Aura-Aero’s initial prototypes – single-engine aircraft known as the INTEGRAL models – have yet to receive final FAA or EASA flightworthiness certification. 

Tragically, two test pilots lost their lives in the crash of an INTEGRAL R prototype in April 2022, a mishap European safety investigators later disturbingly attributed to “technical, organizational, and human causes…” 

Aura-Aero responded in a statement following the release of the accident report which read, in part:   

“The study of the events that led to the loss of the aircraft and crew results in several recommendations, some of which concern us.  Our own investigations had also led to the same conclusions, already taken into account for the development and production of the INTEGRAL R, INTEGRAL S, and INTEGRAL E aircraft.”

According to reports, flight testing of the INTEGRAL R variant resumed last year, 19 months after the fatal crash, and the company reports FAA certification is in the final stages.  

Although orders for a reported 570 units have already been placed for the company’s larger ERA (Electric Regional Aircraft) in both 19-seat passenger and cargo configurations – I’m not sure a prototype has yet been constructed. 

According to a report earlier this month at the industry site Aerotime, Aura-Aero “…is planning to fly a prototype of the ERA airliner by 2026.”  In my view, that sounds like an incredibly aggressive timeline… 

Look, I’m certainly not an aeronautical engineer, but the dates don’t add up to this uneducated rube, and one would think the “before 2030” estimated delivery date would put serious time constraints on testing and certification of the ERA models before production could begin on orders promised.     

But what do I know, eh? 

I’m sure Volusia County Manager George “The Wreck” Recktenwald and our “economic guru’s” who play fast and loose with our tax dollars have confirmed all of this well in advance of committing us to another multi-million-dollar corporate support package, right?

Sure they did…  

Former Volusia County Councilwoman Joie Alexander 1940-2024

Earlier this month, Joie Alexander, a universally respected paragon of Volusia County governance, volunteerism, and selfless service passed away at her home in Spruce Creek.  She was 84.    

Following a quarter-century of service with Volusia County Schools – including eight years as principal of Samsula Elementary School – Ms. Alexander sought public office, running against the late great Big John in what the Orlando Sentinel described in 2002 as “a two-fisted political brawl” for the ages. 

At the time, Ms. Alexander labeled Big John an “obstructionist,” while he accused Alexander of having been “recruited” by east Volusia developers seeking to oust him from office when he opposed spending millions in tax dollars on oceanfront development in Daytona Beach.

Figurative blows flew back and forth with each accusing the other of accepting campaign contributions from “big-money” interests… 

Funny how the more things change, the more they stay the same, eh?

When the heated contest was over, Ms. Alexander garnered 64 percent of the vote to Big’s 36 percent.  

Ultimately Ms. Alexander served admirably for eight years as the at-large member of the Volusia County Council – seven as vice chair – and two years as the District 3 councilmember, including service as a member of the Florida Association of Counties Board of Directors.

As could happen in times past, Big John and Ms. Alexander later became friends, and their collective efforts to ensure a brighter future for Volusia County remained a constant throughout their remarkable lives.

A moving obituary in The Daytona Beach News-Journal this week recounted Ms. Alexander’s significant leadership and contributions:

“Joie spent her retirement years giving back to the community. Joie’s extensive volunteer service included serving on the board of directors or committees of the following: Crime Stoppers of NE Florida, Florida’s Coast to Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs of Volusia/Flagler Counties (S.H.I.E.L.D. Award recipient in 2022), Daytona State College Women’s Center (Advisory Board), the United Way Women’s Initiative, the Bethune-Cookman University Mary McLeod-Bethune Status committee and Keep Daytona Beach Beautiful. She was a member of several civic and service-oriented groups such as the Rotary Club of Daytona Beach, the NAACP West Volusia Chapter, the Volusia County Women’s Network, the Civic League of the Halifax Area and the Halifax Health Associates. Many other local organizations also benefited greatly from her involvement.

Of Joie’s service over her decades to Volusia County, she once said, “Volunteering is a greater gift for the giver than the receiver. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to be an active part in improving lives.”

Words to live by from a dedicated servant-leader, gone too soon, whose wisdom and insight is needed now, more than ever.    

Thank you, Ms. Alexander.  We’re glad you passed our way…

Quote of the Week

“The Hand Avenue extension to Avalon Park won’t be used by Ormond Beach residents. Instead, the costly road and bridges will allow Daytona Beach Avalon Park residents to travel to and through Ormond Beach and return home. During the current two-year term, the Ormond Beach City Commission, with three new members, has not heard reports on the proposed Hand Avenue extension or updates on the Avalon Park water and sewer service impasse with Daytona Beach.

The 3,000 acres west of I-95 have a troubled history, and now the Avalon Park mega development will construct 7,878 homes, on lots engineered with truckloads of legal fill and excavations of massive retention ponds.

Funding a $100 million Hand Avenue east-west access for the Avalon Park Daytona homes is now a Volusia County obligation. The county agreements were approved with no estimated project cost, no defined funding from four levels of government, no citizen mandate, and no public input from the Ormond Beach City Commission. Meanwhile, long-neglected streets in unincorporated areas of the county remain in desperate need of repaving.

The $100 million Hand Avenue extension and bridges will waste taxpayer dollars to accommodate growth that will never pay for itself.”

–Former Ormond Beach City Commissioner Jeff Boyle, as excerpted from his op/ed in the Ormond Beach Observer, “My View: Hand Avenue extension bridges are not needed,” Monday, October 21, 2024

The rest of Mr. Boyle’s insightful thoughts on the costs, environmental impacts, and ulterior motivations as Volusia County (read: you and me) agree to pick up the estimated $100 million tab for extending Hand Avenue west from Ormond Beach, with a bridge over eight lanes of Interstate 95 and a second new bridge over the Tomoka River to accommodate Avalon Park can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/58mpx3js

In my view, Mr. Boyle’s cogent commentary tells a disturbing story of how (and why) the dominos were stacked – and the pernicious reasons our elected developer shills continue to perpetuate the myth that the Hand Avenue extension will relieve already crippling traffic congestion on Granada Boulevard/State Road 40 – knowing full well the extension that existing residents will pay for opens even more environmentally sensitive lands between I-95 and the Tomoka River for development.    

I found it interesting that on Wednesday, the Observer published a piece on the Frankensteinian animation of the monstrous Ormond Crossings as the “first amendment” for the massive mixed-use development comes before the Ormond Beach Planning Board next week…

According to the report, “The request also seeks to update the overall conceptual master plan for the residential part of Ormond Crossings, which once built out, could be composed of 2,500 homes.”

Insanity.

In my view, Mr. Boyle’s timely essay is a must-read for anyone concerned about the slow and agonizing death of our environment, sense of place, and quality of life in Ormond Beach and beyond…

And Another Thing!

Last week, as you and were navigating Milton debris still piled high on the shoulder of every side street in town – then grimaced and groaned through three cycles of a traffic signal on hyper-congested West Granada Boulevard – our ‘movers and shakers’ gathered at the exclusive Oceanside County Club to listen to Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington tell the chamber of commerce set how wonderful we all have it… 

In his final State of the City address – “Partners For Prosperity” – clearly a subliminal nod to his friends and campaign contributors in the development community, Hizzoner reminded us:

“This theme embodies the essence of what makes our city thrive, our ability to come together, collaborate and support one another in our shared pursuit of a prosperous future…”

Whatever that means.

During the posh luncheon, the Ormond Beach City Commission’s shining example of success was the proposed redesign of the I-95/US-1 interchange (a project just entering the ‘design phase’) which has, for the entirety of Mr. Partington’s tenure, rivaled East International Speedway Boulevard as the most uninviting, unkempt, and physically unattractive gateway to any community on the Eastern Seaboard from Newark to New Smyrna Beach…   

According to a report in the Ormond Beach Observer, “Once completed, it will significantly enhance the traffic flow and reduce congestion,” Commissioner Susan Persis said.

Construction of the new interchange is expected to begin in 2027, she said.”

Great.  Something to look forward to as a septuagenarian… 

At the risk of seeming unkind, neither Mr. Partington, nor his heir apparent, Susan Persis, are considered deep thinkers by most political watchers.  

In my experience, these perennial politicians aren’t problem solvers – and have proven time and again that they lack the mental capacity to understand multifaceted civic issues or the analytical ability to form complex solutions. 

But they possess the most coveted (and marketable) of political attributes – malleability – the flexibility to bend to the wants and whims of special interests, to go along and get along.   

Unfortunately, Partington and Persis are not alone when it comes to political pliability in Volusia County.

Now, after twenty-one years on the Ormond Beach City Commission, following his speech, Mayor Partington stepped down to complete what I am certain will be a successful run for the Florida House of Representatives District 28 seat. 

For reasons my pea brain can’t quite understand, “Fun Coast” voters have a weird way of rewarding bought-and-paid for political puppets by elevating them to higher office – then complain about why things never change…     

Bizarre. 

In most communities suffering the disastrous effects of our area’s “shove ten-pounds of shit into a five-pound bag” growth management strategy – elected officials who played the distracted referee routine while the out-of-control development that has slashed/burned greenspace, overburdened inadequate transportation infrastructure, outpaced utilities, and flooded homes and businesses – are publicly humiliated at the ballot box and drummed out of what’s left of their claustrophobic communities.   

Not here.

Earlier this week, already distracted residents sloshed through their front yards, collected their newspaper, and read a piece from The Daytona Beach News-Journal’s executive editor John Dunbar, who used his vast editorial talents to clean up Volusia County Chair candidate “Car Guy” Randy Dye’s massive $457,727.47 war chest by shamelessly name dropping a few of his “Rich & Powerful” donors:

“For example, Dye got a personal donation of $1,000 from J. Hyatt Brown, chairman of local insurance giant Brown & Brown Inc. Brown’s wife Cici also gave $1,000 and companies controlled by Brown gave another $3,000. Yes, this is a very wealthy man.”

Then, we got Editor Dunbar’s interpretation of “The rest of the story…”

“But there’s more to the story. Dye is on the board of trustees of the Museum of Arts & Sciences, which, over the years, has benefited greatly from the Browns’ generosity. The Browns recently announced they were giving upward of $150 million to the museum, a transformative gift, as The News-Journal recently reported.

If you are going to be on the Volusia County Council, this is a good man to know.”

By contrast, Mr. Dunbar described incumbent Chairman Jeff Brower this way:  

“As for Brower, he has been focusing lately on flood issues, especially in Edgewater.

His focus has been on slowing new development so it won’t cause flooding in older neighborhoods. And he opposes the construction of the fuel terminal near Ormond Beach. His critics say his heart is in the right place, but they haven’t seen much progress.

He is, however, but one vote on a governing body that has seven members.”

Maybe I’m hypersensitive to the near-constant skewing of the political playing field by those with a chip in the game, but it sounds like Mr. Dunbar is implying that while Dye gives generously of his time and rubs elbows with influential moguls and millionaires – Brower is frittering aimlessly with “flood issues” – or as most waterlogged residents refer it: 

The single most electrifying issue of our time – one that has galvanized Volusia County taxpayers into a growing grassroots movement to protect their homes, lives, and livelihoods from development-induced inundation under the battle cry, “Throw the bums out!”    

Unfortunately, I fear the takeaway for many of our apathetic neighbors will be:

“Oh good, I knew Randy Dye was just another altruistic do-gooder with powerful and incredibly wealthy friends, always giving of his time and talents to serve his fellow Fun Coasters.  Nothing to see here, folks, we can go back to sleep – never mind the roar of those bulldozers…”   

But what about us, “We, The Little People,” who don’t have rich and influential friends in high places?

Who looks out for us in the cloistered Halls of Power in DeLand?

Because it has become frighteningly clear that struggling residents without the wherewithal to purchase a chip in the game with massive campaign contributions have few friends on the Volusia County Council…

Read Mr. Dunbar’s interesting take here and form your own conclusions: https://tinyurl.com/4xy4yx3e

With early voting underway in Volusia County – please vote your conscience. 

This one’s important.

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

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…

In Recognition of “The Helpers” (and the no-so helpful…)

We learn a lot about ourselves and our community – good and bad – during times like these. 

In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, as we continue the important process of assessing damage, restoring power to affected homes and businesses, cleaning up the mess, and returning a sense of “normalcy” – I want to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who continue to help with recovery efforts.   

Times like these remind us of hometown pride, and the importance of small, nimble, and responsive local governments, and the civic reflex of neighbors helping neighbors…

Throughout the week, I have seen poignant examples of the care and compassion that defines the character of our communities; acts of selflessness that speak to our collective resilience and resourcefulness.

Earlier this week, it was refreshing (and infuriating) to see so many committed residents rise and address the Volusia County Council and their municipal governments to denounce the insanity of growth at all cost sprawl and the resultant development-induced flooding that has destroyed so many lives.  Openly calling out those developer shills on the dais by name – with many flooded homeowners demanding a moratorium on future growth until flooding and infrastructure concerns can be addressed. 

Truly heartwarming.

Other aspects weren’t so encouraging… 

For instance, just hours prior to Hurricane Milton’s arrival, many were outraged by a social media post from One Daytona “reminding” us rube’s that their parking lots and garage were for residents of the on-site apartment complex, tenants, and “customers while on-site only” – meaning, “don’t even think of moving your vehicle to their parking lot to keep it on high ground and out of harm’s way.”

I found that less than neighborly given that taxpayers in Volusia County and the City of Daytona Beach collectively bankrolled the project to the tune of $40 million in public funds… 

On second thought, I found it downright tone-deaf and insensitive to the needs of our community – help should be reciprocated – and I can assure One Daytona that my vehicle will never darken their parking lot again for any reason. 

Of course, I couldn’t help but laugh at the post-storm antics of certain petty politicians who always resort to their base instincts to campaign during an emergency (especially in an election year), completely oblivious to the horrible optics of peacocking while their weary constituents sit in their dark and flooded homes worrying about a thousand-and-one things – including what comes next when the foul water finally recedes…    

Given the dire circumstances, I cringe at the absurdity of D-list politicians having their photograph taken with C-list politicians, then posting their smiling visage on social media.  Preening and posing in official-looking embroidered polo shirts standing outside some time-wasting “briefing” that emergency managers hold to keep elected officials occupied and out-of-the-way while their constituents slog their waterlogged belongings to the curb.

Just once I wish these self-absorbed incompetents would realize that their role is establishing sound public policies and requiring engineering that can help mitigate the devastating effects of these events before the wind blows and the water starts to rise.   

Fortunately, the best of us shined brightly when the chips were down. 

I saw examples of resolute local elected and appointed officials up to their hips in floodwaters, physically helping constituents in dire need, filling sandbags, organizing grassroots volunteer work, authentically engaging with those in need, allowing emergency management officials the space and resources they need to perform their important work, and keeping their communities updated on recovery efforts and ways they can help.   

Good stuff.

During times of crisis, I have always taken comfort in a quote by the great Fred Rogers – better known as the beloved children’s television host Mister Rogers, who said:

“My mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.”

To all the helpers out there, please accept my sincere thanks and appreciation for your gallant service and generosity of spirit.  Your efforts bring optimism for a quick recovery from Hurricane Milton – and restores faith in our collective future here in Volusia County.

Volusia County Emergency Management

We Floridian’s are a resilient bunch – and those of us who have been here awhile understand that the events of last week will eventually come to all of us who live in the National Hurricane Center’s “Cone of Confusion.”

During my productive life, after years of preparation, study, and the accumulation of hard-earned practical experience, the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association bestowed the Professional Emergency Manager designation on me. 

It was a point of professional pride for this uneducated bumpkin.   

In addition to my law enforcement duties, I had ancillary responsibilities as my community’s Emergency Management Coordinator.  When I retired, I was honored to remain as a reserve police officer, assisting with emergency coordination during storms until I hung-up my spurs for good three years ago.

I miss it. 

No matter how much you learn about meteorological phenomena, I have always been awed by the incredible power and cruel efficiency of these extreme weather systems.

In my view, local first responders, utilities workers, public works employees, power restoration personnel, and the various specialized teams who went in harm’s way to save lives, secure shelters, reduce flooding, and maintain infrastructure are the true heroes of Milton.

Did everything go as planned? 

It never does. 

That is why professional emergency managers conduct a thorough “hotwash” – an immediate after-action review of an agency’s performance following a major emergency – as a means of identifying strengths, weaknesses, what needs to be improved, and who is responsible for making it happen.

That introspection can be humbling, but the “lessons learned” – best practices that are ultimately compiled into a comprehensive “After Action Report” – further the collective knowledge that helps avoid repeat mistakes when key personnel are tired or lose situational awareness during a similar incident.     

In the leadup to a hurricane, “confusion reigned” is not the lede you want to read in The Daytona Beach News-Journal. 

Unfortunately, that was exactly what was reported, and an accurate summation of a puzzling evacuation order issued as Hurricane Milton made its approach last week. 

In my view, there were many aspects of the Hurricane Milton preparation and response that VCEM got right – and those local professionals coordinating resources and providing operational and logistical support in the municipalities did an excellent job under difficult and dangerous circumstances.  

But there were several times during the preparation phase that I questioned the information that was pushed to the public from the Volusia County Emergency Operations Center – and elsewhere.

I wasn’t alone… 

For instance – last week, Volusia County issued an evacuation order for areas east of the Intracoastal Waterway, a directive that was later expanded to include a hodge-podge of areas east and west of the river – including one that (I think) may have included the Old Barker Place, which read “Residents east of Bulow Creek State Park and any locations east of U.S. 1 before it crosses the Tomoka River in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea…”

I still don’t know if that meant residents north or south of the Tomoka River Bridge…and neither did my neighbors. 

Then we learned the order was more of a suggestion, “encouraged but not required,” except for 21 properties in Wilber-by-the-Sea who were mandated to evacuate…    

Oddly, for reasons known only to him – the morning before Milton arrived, our local hospitality guru Bob Davis fired off a weird email to the News-Journal apparently countermanding the official beachside evacuation order.   

According to the News-Journal:

“The confusion started early Tuesday morning when Lodging & Hospitality Association President and CEO Bob Davis sent an email to the News-Journal and others saying that the evacuation order did not apply to everyone east of the Intracoastal Waterway.

His understanding was that it only applied to beachside residents who live in low-lying areas, campgrounds, manufactured homes, mobile homes, RV parks, and flood-prone areas. That was wrong. The actual county order says those folks are “encouraged” to relocate.”

I’ve got my suspicions as to why Mr. Davis issued his interpretation of the beachside evacuation order; you probably have yours. In my view, keeping profitable “heads in beds” is a sorry excuse for jeopardizing public safety…

As someone who has cultivated a position of trust in the community, in my view, Davis should stay in his lane – restrict his epistles to lodging and hospitality issues – and leave emergency management to the professionals. 

At this hour thousands of our neighbors throughout the region are still inundated by floodwater, and in need of physical, financial, and emotional support – and Volusia County residents have been assured help is coming from a variety of local, state, and federal sources. 

Overall, I’m giving Volusia County Emergency Management a “B+” for the preparation and response to Hurricane Milton – which is about as good as it gets. 

Now, let’s hope our elected officials on the Volusia County Council listen to the fervent pleas of their waterlogged constituents and begin the incredibly expensive process of mitigating further destruction, hardening utilities, and limiting overdevelopment before the next blow…   

Residents of Rural Volusia County

Outside of consuming copious numbers of Martinis and Marlboros – I have few “hobbies.”  Those nonsensical pastimes that retirees like me find to occupy the boredom of their idle hours following the excitement of our productive lives. 

The American Dream personified…   

In retirement, my home has become an elaborate all-inclusive support system for two spoiled dogs whose every comfort occupies my day – and I keep a ten-gallon freshwater aquarium with four hardy neon tetras.   

The small fishtank is something of a compromise with my long-suffering wife following the catastrophic failure of a 55-gallon saltwater tank that flooded our living room, carpet, walls, etc., resulting in messy and expensive repairs.

In my view, becoming a home aquarist – or better yet, teaching a child the hobby – is the best way to understand the symbiotic relationship of a healthy ecosystem.  The delicate balance between biological filtration, the nitrogen cycle, and the toxic effects of overcrowding and pollutants on the biome. 

Farmers and ranchers who live and earn their livelihoods in rural areas will tell you the same is true when the natural carrying capacity of the land is exceeded.  The inviolate ecological principle of maximal load – that habitat, water, and natural resources in a given area can only support a limited density of livestock, crops, or people.   

I was reminded of the interconnectedness of things while watching frightened residents approach their elected “representatives” on the Volusia County Council earlier this month – pleading with those stone-faced marionettes on the dais to consider a rural boundary charter amendment – something many believe is an effective means of protecting what remains of our countryside and agricultural lands from the steady creep of malignant sprawl.   

Frankly, it was frustrating to watch.  A classic exercise in futility. 

A maddening example of what happens when the serious concerns of claustrophobic property owners meet the immovable object of bureaucratic paralysis, lockstep conformity, and mediocrity – made worse by subservient elected officials dedicated to the greed-crazed wants and whims of their political benefactors.

One by one, Volusia County property owners approached the podium and cited examples of development-induced flooding, lost farm production, and the grave implications of unchecked growth and density on their quality of life.    

Never more evident than in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton… 

Some residents asked that those who have made their lives and livelihoods in rural and agricultural areas be appointed to an advisory committee and assist with the development and dimensions of the boundary amendment. 

What rural residents got in return was more of the same from those malleable perennial politicians practiced in the art of double-talk and strategic procrastination…

As usual, County Manager George “The Wreck” Recktenwald wants to maintain total control over the process, product, and narrative by keeping things inhouse (Read: Turning the planning over to those same bureaucratic jacklegs who got us in the mess in the first place…)

“We have the professionals here that will come up with alternatives,” Recktenwald said at the October 1 meeting. “We will put together some scenarios of what other people have done and how it’s been done in other places.”

Always protecting the status quo… 

Sad. 

In the grim aftermath of Hurricane Milton – and the widespread recurrent flooding many experienced before the storm – some believe we have already reached the carrying capacity of the land. 

Now, existing residents of certain municipalities are worried about growth that was approved years ago and has sat on the books like a latent malignancy waiting to come out of the ground with thousands of homes and millions of square feet of commercial space.    

Other pending insults, like the specter of Avalon Park and Ormond Crossings – gargantuan “City within a city” developments that will have a regional impact on transportation, water, utilities, emergency services, stormwater management, healthcare, schools, hospital access, and our quality of life – are slowly coming to life while our elected officials fritter away precious time.

In my view, we are witnessing the moral ambiguity of politics at its worst – the ability of ostensibly smart, civically engaged elected officials to ignore the basic principles of growth and resource management – relying on inside “experts” for cover while ignoring our cries for help, selling their political souls for a seat at the table, then strategically procrastinating while more, more, more obscene development makes its inexorable spread across the land…   

First Step Shelter Debacle

The farcical discussion of turning a publicly funded housing program known as First Step Shelter – one constructed by a public entity, using public funds, located on publicly owned land, and largely supported by tax dollars – into a private not-for-profit organization exempt from Florida’s open meetings law continued this week. 

Why? 

Because the beleaguered executive director and a gaslighting board member prefer to conduct business behind closed doors – away from the prying eyes of We, The People and those increasingly wary donors who pay for it all…

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

According to an excellent article by Eileen Zaffiro-Kean writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal this week, we learned:

“Mayor Derrick Henry, who is also the president of the board of directors of First Step Shelter, spoke out forcefully Monday against the idea of making the organization private, a move that would exempt it from Florida’s open meetings and records laws.

Board member Mike Panaggio suggested turning the shelter into a privately run agency, something Executive Director Victoria Fahlberg has also said she would prefer.

Henry objected to First Step Shelter no longer operating as a public agency with public records and public meetings. He said he doesn’t think there’s “a snowball’s chance in hell” that local residents will be OK with that, and he isn’t going to even ask Daytona Beach city commissioners if they want to let the shelter go private.”

Mayor Henry is right. 

The Florida Constitution protects the public’s right of access to governmental meetings and public boards, to include any gathering of two or more members of the same board who discuss issues which may come before them for action.

In essence, if we pay for it, the public has a right to see how the sausage gets made.

Following the ugly debacle surrounding whistleblower complaints of financial, managerial, and harassment allegations against Executive Director Fahlberg – credible accusations that were essentially swept under the rug with an incomplete quasi-investigation (again, paid for with public funds) – recently, the Daytona Beach City Commission gifted the shelter another $400,000 a year for the next five years, and renewed First Step’s lease on the city owned building.

To their credit, the Volusia County Council has deferred a decision on whether to commit an additional $400,000 annually until next month, when they are expected to discuss the fiduciary irresponsibility of throwing another $2 million of our hard-earned tax dollars at the troubled facility over the next five years…

At Monday’s board meeting, Panaggio claimed he feels “handcuffed” (?) by the open meetings law, explaining “…he would still like to see the shelter go private in the coming years so board members can talk to one another outside of meetings, and so the agency can operate more like other nonprofits.”

Of course, Director Fahlberg agrees.  I’ll bet she does… 

In another mind-bogglingly negligent action, there was discussion of using even more shelter funds to pay $3,500 in private attorney fees Fahlberg accrued defending against the whistleblower complaints – and an asinine suggestion that Fahlberg be gifted additional “protections” in her contract – including severance pay…

“I don’t think any of this is her fault,” Panaggio said. “If we had found something, I would have asked for her resignation.”

Bullshit. 

Since these allegations became known, Panaggio has done his best to destroy the personal and professional reputation of the whistleblowers, call their motivations into question, and shield Fahlberg from serious questions regarding her fiscal management and oversight of the enigmatic program.  

Why is that?

In my experience, when an appointed board member and the executive director of a publicly funded social service have goals and opinions that no longer align with those of the governing organization – in this case Mayor Henry and the City of Daytona Beach – then it is time for them to do the honorable thing and resign. 

In the view of many, it is past time for Mike Panaggio and Victoria Fahlberg to take their leave and allow the First Step Board of Directors to begin the arduous process of restoring the public’s trust in this important program.  

Quote of the Week

“I can assure you that I’ve never taken one contribution from anybody, be it a developer a lawyer or any other business that can influence my vote,” Dye said. “As a matter of fact, I intend to be able to — the reason to have accepted these contributions is to take some of the smartest people in the industry to sit down and help us craft real solutions that will stop the conditions that both of us are talking about today.”

After launching his campaign in May of 2023 through the end of that year, Dye raised about $235,441 in monetary contributions. Dye’s contributions included at least $20,000 from developer Mori Hosseini’s associated businesses, family members and a trust.

“There’s no question, I have received plenty of contributions from developers, from attorneys, from landscapers, from painters from plumbers — by the way if you want to put 36,000 people out of business (and) on the unemployment line, just run all the construction out of here because that’s what we keep saying,” Dye said. “We keep talking about how we’re not going to build anything and there’s 36,000 people employed in this industry in this community.”

–“Car Guy” Randy Dye, candidate for Volusia County Chair, as quoted by The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “Dye, Brower square off over leadership,” Sunday, October 6, 2024

Sound familiar? 

Every Volusia County politician who ever accepted massive campaign contributions from all the right last names has said the exact same thing: “My vote can’t be bought!”

Reassuring that if we elect them, their very important “friends” will help “craft real solutions.”

Then, once they take their seat on the dais, we watch as those same idealistic wannabes transmogrify into everything they hated, falling into lockstep conformity, and selling out to the wants and whims of those influential special interests who lavishly funded their rise to power…

As of this writing, Randy Dye reports campaign contributions of $452,102. 47.

By any metric, that’s a lot of money for a county chair race… 

By contrast, his opponent, incumbent Chair Jeff Brower has accumulated $97, 733.65.

Those who observe “Fun Coast” politics with a critical eye have long understood that Volusia County’s artificial economy is essentially based on the same group of extremely wealthy power brokers passing the same nickel around.

With increasing frequency – that nickel originates from our tax dollars…

For years, I have opined that the outsized influence of the economic elite on Volusia County politics is best exposed during the political season. Thanks to campaign finance reporting requirements, come election time, the behind-the-scenes work of influential insiders is more difficult to conceal.

In my jaded view, it exposes a mini-oligarchy, controlled exclusively by our “Rich & Powerful” who trade in hand-select political candidates – malleable puppets who ultimately shape public policy – all controlled through unnatural infusions of cash into campaign accounts and the undeniable personal influence that money buys.

What mystifies me is why so many voters in Volusia County continue to tolerate it?

Look, Randy Dye is a smart businessman who understands the concept of “ROI” – Return on Investment – better than I do.  (What little money I have is tied up in what chartered accountants call frivolous spending and “crippling liabilities…”) 

Look, these individuals who make multiple $1,000 donations in their names and the numerous entities they control did not amass massive personal wealth without the ability to control their environment, and, in my view, that is exactly what the political influence they purchase provides. 

It also places them at the very nexus of public funds and private interests and buys them a chip in the incredibly lucrative game of corporate welfare masquerading as economic development enticements.

In my view, you don’t need an MBA from Harvard Business School to understand that one does not invest large sums of money without expecting a return.  After all, the road to the poor house is paved with the bones of those who ignored the simple analytical formula – Net Profit v. Cost of Investment.

These individuals did not become incredibly successful by shoving money down a rabbit hole expecting a bean stalk to rise into the heavens where the golden goose resides.  These are extraordinarily savvy businesspeople who are very adept at accumulating personal and corporate wealth.

I’m all for free-market capitalism – innovate, outmaneuver the competition, do it better, more efficiently, then build a better mousetrap and make a fortune – just leave government largesse, political favors, and the skewed playing field that results out of the formula for success… 

Despite Mr. Dye’s tired affirmations, in my jaded opinion, the local donor class make these massive campaign contributions with the full knowledge that their personal, civic, and professional interests will outweigh those of We, The Little People every single time.

Am I wrong?

That is what they must consider an appropriate return on investment, and given the astronomical amount of “economic incentives,” zoning changes, laughable impact fees, the complete disregard of concurrency requirements, and massive development approvals that our elected officials have continued to shower upon this exclusive group in recent years, I would have to say they’ve done extremely well on the risk/reward scale.

Is what we experience in Volusia County a legalized form of quid pro quo influence peddling – campaign dollars for political favors?

I don’t know.  But it has a whiff of shit about it…

What I do know is that when these very same powerful insiders appear – individually or en masse – in the Volusia County Council Chambers, invariably – and I mean 100% of the time – the issue, project, or development they support is handed to them on a gilded platter, wrapped up in a bow, with all the trimmings.

Now, I may be crazy, but I’m not a fool.  Neither are you.

So, I would encourage Volusia County voters to ask Mr. Dye at the next stilted hobnob or political soiree the $452,102.47 question: If they don’t expect favorable treatment on issues important to their bottom-line, why would a few uber-wealthy power brokers spend a small fortune to support his candidacy for Volusia County Chair?

Here’s another quote I’m fond of:

“There is a growing disconnect between average citizens and elected officials.  Part of the blame lies with a campaign finance system that unfairly stacks the deck in favor of the few able to give exceptionally large contributions.”

–The Brennan Center for Justice

Cui Bono?  Follow the money, y’all…

And Another Thing!

For most of my adult life, like my father and grandfather before me, I was a registered Republican. 

I consider myself a fiscal conservative and social moderate who has always rejected extremism on all sides of the political spectrum, and like my ultraconservative father, I am also a staunch supporter of environmental conservation.  Someone who thinks for himself, researches the issues, forms an opinion, then votes my conscience. 

The campaign nattering of some well-coiffed shit-gibbon in a television ad, names on a slanted “voter’s guide,” or the exaggerated pap and fluff on a glossy mailer mean nothing to me…

A decade ago, as the fringe elements of both major political parties began the radical polarization – the “Us vs. Them” mentality – that now permeates all aspects of politics, governance, and our everyday lives, I split from the Republican party and registered No Party Affiliation – a designation that is beginning to rival both Democrats and Republicans here in Volusia County.   

For me, it became apparent that the Republican Party no longer represented my interests – while the Democratic Party never did…

While the local Democratic apparatus has become little more than a neutered moon bat – the Volusia County Executive Committee continues to be populated by the stagnant “Old Guard” – wholly controlled by an ossified coterie of lockstep insiders – dedicated to preserving the lethargic status quo (and maintaining the suckling order of those who feed at the public teat) against all internal and external threats to the horribly bloated bureaucracy. 

Now, it appears conditions have worsened in the cloistered halls of the Volusia County Republican Executive Committee…

Earlier this month, in an informative article by Al Everson writing in the West Volusia Beacon, we learned that a “…Deltona woman and member of the Volusia County Republican Executive Committee is suing the organization to which she belongs and county Republican Chairman Paul Deering.”

According to the Beacon’s report:

“Rosa C. Campbell, who is herself a member of the local Republican Executive Committee, alleges Deering and others engaged in discrimination “against certain types of Conservative members of VCREC by turning them away from joining [the] committee.”

Campbell’s complaint was first filed with the West Volusia Branch of the NAACP, but she has in recent days delivered a refined complaint to the U.S. District Court in Orlando. Contacted by phone, Campbell told The Beacon that she has not yet hired a lawyer to represent her, but she is searching for one. In the filing with the NAACP that accompanies her federal complaint, Campbell writes that Deering, on Feb. 11, 2018, “referred to me as the token Black” in the REC and “made negative comments about Hispanics.

Since that time I tried to get along with Chairman Deering at the General meetings, but he would always ignore me when I raised my hand,” she wrote.

Campbell also wrote that Deering “had me removed from a candidate endorsement meeting on June 25, 2024 because I was taking pictures of candidates speaking, that I would vote on their endorsement by the Republican party and listed in the voter guide.”

Unfortunately, the article concluded that the Beacon was unable to contact Chairman Deering for a response…

If these allegations are true – I have a problem with that. 

You should too.  Especially if you are a registered Republican in Volusia County.  

In my view, petty tyrants have always been a problem in local political organizations – typically clubbish cliques that operate in diametric opposition to the egalitarian principles they claim to represent. 

Discrimination, bullying, and exclusion have no place in our democratic system, despite what some high-powered partisan martinets like Paul Deering might think, and perhaps it is time for Volusia County Republican’s to ask state party officials just how long they intend to tolerate it? 

That’s all for me.  Here’s wishing everyone a happy, safe, and prosperous Biketoberfest!   

Let’s put the crazy away for now…

With the common threat of Hurricane Milton bearing down, now is the time to consider the many things that unite us as a community.

We can argue petty politics later.

As Florida faces another major tropical system, I’ve seen several people reach out on social media to report they recently moved to the “Fun Coast” and are experiencing their first Hurricane.

That’s a frightening prospect for many of our new neighbors.

In my experience, if you have a proper family preparedness plan, follow the directives of emergency management officials, stay informed, take caution with generators and power tools, remain inside a substantial structure or evacuate if directed, you can drastically increase your odds of weathering the storm just fine.   

The power of Mother Nature’s magnificently efficient natural processes serves many purposes, and our very survival depends upon them.

We human beings have adapted to natures wrath through advanced technology, scientific forecasting methods, and our well-evolved sense of self-preservation; but every so often, we are reminded in the most extraordinary way that there are some things our “superior” intellect and engineering simply cannot control.

Though we have developed sophisticated insurance and financial systems that allow us to build our homes and sources of income where we probably shouldn’t – and replace them in the exact same spot when we are invariably caught out – the power of nature can be difficult to comprehend when we come face-to-face with it.

As I write this, Hurricane Milton is a strong Category 5 storm, rapidly bearing down on the State of Florida, and everyone in the region should be prepared at this hour.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and the devastating floods that have left much of the southeast underwater or worse – with heartbreaking scenes of total devastation in Southern Appalachia and beyond – and Milton churning in the Gulf of Mexico – I’ve heard some ask why? 

A natural meteorological cycle?  Climate Change?  Bad luck?

I don’t know.

What I do know is that while we have harnessed many natural powers, developed complex civilizations and system of governance, split the atom, and even transported ourselves to other planets – we still need the essential elements, seasonal changes, and temperate climates to survive.

Look, I’m not an overly religious sort, but even an unrepentant sinner like me can see that a power greater than all of us has developed a wonderful natural order – systems and patterns that constantly supply us with the fundamental processes necessary to sustain and propagate life on Earth.

Despite our strange desire to kill one another with mindless efficiency and pollute our only environment like a foul bird shitting in its own nest…

Meteorologists tell us that hurricanes are the earth’s air conditioner, efficiently transporting warm air from the mid-latitudes to the colder polar regions.  They also serve to move warmth from the lower levels of the atmosphere vertically, conducting solar heat from the surface into the troposphere, “mixing” the atmosphere, and ensuring a temperate balance and climate.

This natural quest for global thermal equilibrium requires a powerful force to transport all that latent heat produced by the Sun – and that is the exact purpose of these monster storms.

We just happen to get in the way sometimes.

According to scientists, hurricanes also oxygenate seawater, help replenish barrier islands and deposit a massive amount of quantifiable energy into other parts of the globe.  While we can measure it, the purpose of this energy exchange isn’t fully understood.

I suspect it has something to do with Mother Nature’s constant search for balance.

To our physical and financial detriment, when these tropical weather systems interact with land, the human toll can be catastrophic. 

Look, I complain a lot about politics – but trust me – our local and state first responders at all levels, are experienced and well-equipped to deal with the response and recovery phases of this emergency.

Let’s quibble over our differences of opinion later.  Now is the time for unity – and generosity.

When the chips are down, neighbors helping neighbors is what community is all about.

Please continue to follow the directives of emergency management officials – and, most of all – please lend a hand to assist one another whenever possible.

Godspeed and good luck. 

Talk soon,

Mark

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…

Daytona Beach City Commissioner Stacy Cantu

Daytona Beach City Commissioner Stacy Cantu and I haven’t always seen eye-to-eye.

In fact, our differences of opinion on the issues facing our region are legendary.  But I have always admired the fact that she has the courage to engage – and she gives as good as she gets in the competition of ideas and heated debate.  

I respect that.  And when Ms. Cantu is right, she deserves all the credit. 

Wednesday night’s meeting of the Daytona Beach City Commission took a strange turn, I thought, when Commissioner Paula Reed read an open letter from “Concerned employees of the City of Daytona Beach” essentially taking Ms. Cantu to task for her “treatment” of City Manager Dereck Feacher. 

In my view, the frequent friction between the two stems, in part, from the ongoing controversy and miscommunication surrounding the city’s consideration of a 63-year-old, 32,000 square foot, multistory office building at 230 North Beach Street to house just 28 employees of the city’s permits and licensing department. 

A building Ms. Cantu and many others in the community believe should have been struck from the list weeks ago for a multitude of reasons…   

In my view, Daytona Beach taxpayers have no greater advocate than Stacy Cantu.  As an elected representative, it is clear that she will not have her voice or enthusiasm suppressed by anyone’s notion of “civility” – nor should she.   

As an elected official, her role is to remain vigilant on behalf of the taxpayers of Daytona Beach, and Ms. Cantu does an outstanding job of that – always remaining fiercely independent, and incredibly attentive to the concerns of her constituents. 

Besides, any elected body should have a variety of opinions, personalities, and approaches – because the alternative is a hollow echo chamber full of lockstep conformists where the tail consistently wags the dog…

Sound familiar?

With an active Florida Department of Environmental Protection investigation into the possible illegal removal of asbestos containing materials from the North Beach Street building underway – along with growing concerns over the cost and source of funds for a possible renovation – this week’s City Commission agenda had a single cryptic line under Comments and Inquiries that said:

“Deric C. Feacher, City Manager, will present options to the City Commission for the Permits & Licensing fund spending during his report.”   

No contracts.  No reference material.  And few answers to the growing question of “Why”?

At least none that I found… 

Thanks to Ms. Cantu’s independent investigation – and the excellent reportage of The Daytona Beach News-Journal’s Eileen Zaffiro-Kean – last week, wary residents learned that Mr. Feacher planned to bring back discussion of a proposal to purchase the building, a contract originally presented on July 3 with a price of $4.4 million, along with other properties for consideration. 

“Although the DEP investigation remains in full gear, City Manager Deric Feacher said he still plans to bring a measure to city commissioners offering them another chance to buy 230 N. Beach St. He wants to put the 28-employee permits and licensing department in the 32,000-square-foot building.

That measure commissioners will vote on will also include other buildings they could consider buying for permits and licensing, Feacher said.”

We also learned of the ongoing attempts by DEP and local regulators to determine when and how possible asbestos containing materials may have been removed from the building – and how much of the dangerous carcinogen may remain inside. 

According to the News-Journal’s report:

“City Commissioner Stacy Cantu is surprised Feacher still wants commissioners to consider buying 230 N. Beach St. When she checked out the property in July, she saw work being done inside and both Dumpsters and trash cans jammed full with building materials she suspected contained asbestos.

She grew concerned for the workers hauling out the debris who weren’t wearing protective gear, and the waste removal workers who would be hauling away what was put in trash cans.

In early July she filed a formal complaint with the DEP that sparked the investigation.”

Good for Commissioner Cantu. 

Perhaps most disturbing, in June, it was reported that the City of Daytona Beach was under time constraints to spend at least $11.4 million in accumulated permits and licensing funds no later than October 4, something Mr. Feacher later refuted.   

“At a meeting in June, Feacher said $11.4 million of the $19.7 million in excess funds had to be spent by the beginning of October. When Cantu reminded him of that at the commission’s Sept. 18 meeting, Feacher said he didn’t recall saying it. He now says there is no deadline to spend the money.”

That confusion clearly didn’t sit well with Ms. Cantu.

Find the News-Journal’s informative exposé here: https://tinyurl.com/3rpe83mv

Oddly, during the subsequent discussion, we learned that the North Beach Street building is still in play – along with the former Cobb Cole and Wells-Fargo buildings on Ridgewood Avenue – although there were no specific contracts, appraisals, engineering reports, or items to be voted on.

What followed was a presentation by Deputy City Manager James Morris, who authored a report based upon the work of a committee of senior city administrators – which included Chief Building Official Glenn Urquhart and City Business Enterprise Director Michael Stallworth – discussing the pros and cons of the three properties under consideration. 

Ultimately, Mr. Morris announced that the troubled building at 230 North Beach Street was the unanimous vote of the committee to recommend for purchase. 

Disturbing.   

After Mr. Morris expended a lot of hot air, his selling point (as I understood it), came back to the old real estate trope – location, location, location – essentially, the building would serve as another lure to draw people to Beach Street.

(Didn’t we hear the same sales pitch for the Brown & Brown Headquarters when it was billed as the panacea for all the woes of Downtown Daytona?)  

To her credit, Ms. Cantu actually took the time to read the Florida State Statute governing how excess permits and licensing fees can be spent.  The plain language of the law states that the funds may only be used for the “construction of a building or structure” related to code enforcement activities – not for the purchase of a building or property.

That began a convoluted discussion by City Attorney Benjamin Gross, who (as lawyers like to do when gambling with someone else’s money) quibbled the language in the law – ultimately coming to the conclusion:  If they proceed with using the excess fees to purchase the building and rehabilitate it, a lawsuit could be filed against the City of Daytona Beach, and there would be potential liability… 

So, why is the Daytona Beach City Commission being led by the nose by its senior staff to purchase a questionable building currently under DEP investigation – one with mounting questions over the purchase price, and potential cost of rehabilitation and renovation?

Also, to Ms. Cantu’s point, why would the municipal government want to remove the building from the tax rolls?    

Time will tell… 

City staff has been asked to bring back more specific information regarding each of the buildings under consideration within 45-days.

I don’t always agree with Ms. Cantu, but in this case, her exhaustive investigation into the health and safety issues surrounding the North Beach Street building – and her increasingly pointed questions for senior administrators – serve as an excellent example of how servant-leaders sometimes must use sharp elbows to push their way behind Oz’s velvet curtain to protect taxpayers – and the public trust.   

Carl Persis v. Donna Brosemer – Volusia County School Board District 4

Let’s call this continuing saga “A Tale of Two Candidates…”

Last week, entrenched Volusia County School Board incumbent Carl Persis stomped his sequined shoes and continued his personal pity party in the Ormond Beach Observer with a “C’mon guys, this is serious!” rehash of recent vandalism to six of his campaign signs.

I guess the 900-word self-promotion the previous week wasn’t enough free publicity?

As I understand it, the damage included a sign belonging to his wife, the other half of what passes for Volusia’s ‘Power Couple,’ Susan Persis, who is running against Jason Leslie for mayor of Ormond Beach.   

In this case, someone placed crude stickers over Carl’s smiling visage on the signs – his mouth to be exact – which said, “be yourself, You Suck!”  At least one of Susan Persis’ signs showed spray paint scribbled over her picture.     

Look, I abhor political violence or vandalism in any form.  In fact, I can’t think of anything more un-American.

But I also dislike chronic whiners who attempt to wring every drop of civic sympathy out of a goofy political statement…

During his egocentric mewl and pule, Carl fanned the damage as the crime of the century, decrying the fact his opponent in the District 4 School Board race, Donna Brosemer, “…dismissed the significance and seriousness of these actions…”   

My ass.

In the interest of equal time, the Observer gave Ms. Brosemer a chance to respond.

To her credit, Ms. Brosemer returned the discussion where it belongs – to an examination of the myriad issues facing Volusia County students, parents, teachers, and staff – and the abominable history of the current board, who not only refuse to hold failed Superintendent Carmen Balgobin accountable, but recently heaped lavish praise on her during a review… 

A confused, insular, and arrogant board who slavishly serve a Superintendent (you read that right) with an almost pathological inability to effectively communicate with stakeholders.

According to Ms. Brosemer, “The district budget is equally bloated. He raised no objection when, with the Board’s knowledge, they mishandled $200 million in Covid funds. He has allowed schools to be without media specialists, students to get home at dinnertime because of a lack of buses, classes and programs to be cancelled — things that are his job to fix, and which actually matter. He apparently cares more about his own budget than that of the public.

Mr. Persis isn’t used to having to defend his record. In eight years on the school board, he has played the part of a cheerleader who doesn’t have to care whether his team wins or loses. He can just keep smiling and telling the fans how great their team is doing. If he admits anything needs improvement, he might have to do some actual work.

The team is losing. The damage to his signs is trivial. He wants someone to be held accountable. The voters will do that on November 5.”

The back-and-forth continued with Mr. Persis calling any mention of the issues a “negative attack”:

“Another negative attack from Donna Brosemer, who moved here three years ago. Rather than condemn the actions of the lawbreakers, who defaced six of my signs, she continues to downplay their trespassing and vandalism. She criticizes me for wanting to hold the people, who were responsible for damaging my signs, responsible.

She attacks me for being a positive voice for public education. She attacks the school district and speaks in half-truths. For example, I do not have a $135,000 campaign war chest. The balance is closer to $15,000. The District did not mishandle $200 million in COVID funds. We strategically invested the money to hire more teachers to enable students to learn in smaller class sizes at school, online at home, or a hybrid of staying home and learning from their teachers, who were at school.”

Speaking of half-truths, as of earlier this week Mr. Persis’ campaign account shows total contributions of $113,145.48 – with expenditures of $91,666.53 – leaving a balance of $21,478.95. 

That’s over $6,000 more than he claims in the Observer, but who’s counting, eh?   

I guess when you’ve drug on the public teat as long as Carl has, keeping track of money and account balances isn’t an issue.

Last Friday, Ms. Brosemer published a thought-provoking essay in the Observer entitled, “Severe classroom behaviors at Volusia County Schools need to be addressed,” wherein she quoted teachers who recently addressed the School Board regarding the physical and emotional toll of students who destroy classrooms, assault teachers, hurt classmates, and the frustration of dealing with an entrenched administration who refuses to listen.   

According to Ms. Brosemer, “When it was the board members’ turn to speak, all five commented about threats to shoot up a school. Only two referred to the teachers’ concerns, with no solution offered, beyond the need for documentation before action can be taken.

In other words, the bureaucracy decides, the situation remains, and nothing changes.”

Well said.  And disturbingly true…  

In my view, the one constant in Volusia County governance – regardless of countywide office – is the insistence by our influential powers that be that the stagnant status quo be protected and preserved at all costs. 

And absolutely nothing is off-limits in defense of lockstep conformity and averageness.   

That is why for far too long, weary Volusia County taxpayers have been yoked with malleable finger-puppets like Carl and Susan Persis – political chameleons who embrace mediocrity and dutifully pace the ramparts of their respective Ivory Towers of Power – totally detached from the harsh realities faced by their constituents.

In my view, pasting on a cheesy grin and singing Everything is Beautiful in the face of gathering storm clouds at Volusia County District Schools isn’t leadership – its lunacy.

Now is the time to demand better.  That positive change starts at the ballot box.    

Public Defender Matt Metz

“Public shaming serves no rehabilitative or deterrent purpose.  Children that are willing to do something despite the threat of arrest won’t be deterred by a Facebook post. However, children that are rehabilitated by the criminal justice system can still have their future ruined by that same Facebook post.  Absentee parents aren’t changing their ways because someone posted a child they didn’t know on the internet.  Instead, we are assuring that a child shamed online will never be able to outlive their past. We are putting the entirety of our frustration on our inability to stop these horrendous shootings on the shoulders of any child who makes a threat.

It is easy to applaud this action for those who, like me, grew up in a world where every mistake wasn’t transcribed for eternity on the internet. However, the reality is that these mugshots and videos will live on forever. That is before we even consider that a juvenile under arrest has the same presumption of innocence as everyone else in this country. A child arrested has not been convicted of any crime.”

–Matthew Metz, Public Defender, 7th Judicial Circuit, as excerpted from his essay in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “’Perp walking’ children will not make community any safer,” Monday, September 30, 2024

Since my retirement from law enforcement, I now have the time to read, learn, and contemplate the many contemporary issues facing my former profession, and I am consistently amazed at how fast public opinion on police tactics can change. 

Now that I have the luxury of spending most of my time alone – I find that sometimes when you sit in silence, you hear the meaning of things – gaining the sense of “why” that is often lost in the din and clamor of one’s productive life. But I’ll be honest, my feelings remain torn on the issues brought forth in Public Defender Matt Metz’ thoughtful essay…    

In recent weeks, amid a spate of threats against area schools, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood made headlines across the globe (literally) when he made the decision to ‘perp walk’ children – a practice where a person in law enforcement custody is led into a jail facility in such a way as to enable the media to publicize the event.

In this case, Sheriff Chitwood apparently used the practice as a means of publicly humiliating those charged with the crime as a deterrent.

Effective?  I don’t know – but time will tell.

The first suspect to receive Sheriff Chitwood’s ‘walk of shame’ was an 11-year-old boy with a cache of realistic BB guns, knives, and a horrific family history.  According to a News-Journal piece, the juvenile has had a less-than-ideal homelife, along with other challenges, none of which justifies his making threats against two Port Orange schools… 

Another child charged with making threats is a 15-year-old said to be living with autism. 

To his credit, Sheriff Chitwood refrained from publicly humiliating the autistic boy, although we have been assured, he will face the consequences of his actions.  

School shootings around the nation have proven the extreme violence children are capable of, and these threats must be taken seriously, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. 

While I am frequently critical of the Volusia County School Board and Superintendent Carmen Balgobin, it is clear they take school safety extremely seriously – sending a clear message to parents of the importance of taking an active role in their children’s lives and education – and I join with many throughout Volusia County and elsewhere in commending law enforcement and school authorities for their excellent outreach and vigilance.     

I can’t think of anything more important.  

From experience, I can tell you that one of the worst homicides I ever worked ended in the arrest of two teenagers who butchered a taxi driver, selected at random, and brutally stabbed to death just for the “thrill” of it. 

A tragic story written by absentee parents, feral children left to their own devices, and the callous savagery that parental neglect and mental depravity can produce.    

I’m certainly not a child psychologist, but I know kids are capable of weird shit, perhaps that’s because their pea brains are still developing.  That said, I also don’t know what this 11-year-old may have experienced at school that prompted him to make threats to kill, but given the life altering implications, perhaps someone should explore that?

In recent days, I’ve spoken to some of my former colleagues in law enforcement – hardboiled veterans, some of whom said they supported the measure before watching the video of a small child, otherwise compliant, being shackled hand-and-foot, paraded in front of a camera then led into a holding cell as part of a staged production specifically designed to shame and degrade…   

Look, desperate times require drastic measures.  That I understand.  

But others aren’t too sure Sheriff Chitwood’s official humiliation of children is appropriate – or effective.  This week, retired Orlando radio personality Jim Phillips asked in an opinion piece published in the Orlando Sentinel, “who benefits?”  

Although Mr. Phillips agrees that Sheriff Chitwood is correct in being angry with children who threaten to shoot up schools, he also suggests the juvenile ‘perp walks’ are more for the aggrandizement of Sheriff Chitwood. 

“Chitwood is grandstanding. Taping and distributing a video of a handcuffed 11-year-old accomplishes what? The risk of violence against school students must not be taken lightly, However, shaming a child via a perp walk is a type of tough love that should raise eyebrows. Unfortunately, Sheriff Chitwood (to paraphrase Shakespeare) is full of sound and fury signifying nothing.”

Personally, I struggle with the practice for many of the same reasons so compassionately articulated by Public Defender Matt Metz – not the least of which is the slippery slope of law enforcement becoming judge, jury, and final arbiter of “justice” for those charged with a crime in our American system of justice – based upon the principle that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.   

That concern is leavened by the fact I have school aged grandchildren, whose safety I worry about every day…

In my view, Defender Metz showed great courage in speaking out on this controversial topic – and for giving us all something to think about. 

Quote of the Week

“Avalon Park, said Ormond Beach resident Connie Colby, is a “definite problem” for Ormond Beach.

“Hand Avenue is already used as the alternate for Granada in Ormond Beach,” she said. “It’s heavily trafficked and it’s getting widened now just for the residents, us.”

Ormond residents, she said, do not need a Hand Avenue extension.

County Council Chair Jeff Brower voted against accepting the agreements, saying he wasn’t in favor of taxpayers funding any roads in the development.

“This is one of the areas that I believe we just should have never developed west of I-95, right here,” Brower said. “It’s all very wet.”

–Reporter Jarleene Almenas, Ormond Beach Observer, “Volusia to fund bridges for Hand Avenue extension,” Wednesday, October 2, 2024  

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the sad beginning of the end of the City of Ormond Beach as you know it… 

And Another Thing!

Despite the foot-dragging and obstructionism that has become the modus operandi of the stagnant status quo, this week, Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower did what he had been warned not to do when he used his authority as granted by charter to agenda the discussion of a possible rural boundary charter amendment to limit further malignant sprawl and the resultant development-induced flooding.

Last month, At-Large Councilman Jake Johansson attempted to preemptively postpone the important discussion by kicking the issue down the dusty political trail until March 2025, and requiring the measure be taken up by the Charter Review Commission next year.

In effect, Mr. Johansson sought to 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.

As Chairman Brower, area environmental advocates, and flooded residents have said, this will not be a quick or simple process – an issue that elicits strong emotions and varied opinions – but the overriding push from existing residents is to begin the discussion, find collective solutions, and tailor an amendment that preserves rural lands, protects landowner rights and investment, and at least slows the encroachment of out-of-control development on remaining wildlife habitat and agricultural lands. 

On Tuesday, with Councilmen Johansson and Danny Robins conspicuously absent, some 19 residents from throughout Volusia County approached the dais of power in Deland to passionately express their concerns, argue the importance of maintaining rural lands, and limiting growth and density to protect the public’s health, welfare, and quality of life.

By my count, only one resident spoke against a rural boundary amendment – and most of their argument was explaining what the speaker thought motivated Councilman Johansson’s procrastination – backed by a misguided and premature letter from the president of the Volusia County Farm Bureau’s board of directors to Councilman Robins (?) opposing the measure before a preliminary discussion has even been held. 

Perhaps most important, anxious residents of unincorporated Volusia County asked that their elected representatives consider putting property owners on a rural boundary advisory committee – people who have invested their lives in rural lands and now feel surrounded – and are suffering the devastating effects of development-induced flooding.

Sadly, during the well-thought presentations of several speakers, some of our elected gargoyles just got up and left – apparently cowering in the bathroom until their absence became too flagrant to ignore – rather than face the glare of their concerned constituents. At least one speaker pointed out the “body language” and “level of engagement” by those glazed over “policymakers” on the dais. 

Perhaps most horribly frustrating was watching demonstrably pro-growth politicians – some of whom have held various elective offices for years – while this “growth at all costs” development was expanding exponentially across the width and breadth of Volusia County – who now sit there and paint themselves as smart growth advocates committed to limiting the ooze of urban development into rural areas.

All while approving even more zoning changes and Planned Unit Developments…

They call that talking out of both sides of one’s mouth – a political ventriloquist act employed by those hypocritical “representatives” who pay lip service to their constituents – while ensuring every want and whim of voracious developers with a chip in the game.

That’s why it does my beat-up old heart good to see such committed and engaged citizens demanding action on issues of regional concern from those who held themselves out for high office – then ignored the collective welfare of the many – to protect the greed-crazed motives of those who hold the paper on their political souls… 

I’ve said this, ad nauseum, but this issue exemplifies the importance of elections – and informed voters doing their due diligence to determine who and what funds the political campaigns of those marionettes who continue to strategically dally and dawdle while the bulldozers roar.

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