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:

Another Unfortunate ‘Misunderstanding’ in Ormond Beach

I served in municipal government for over three-decades.  During a long and necessarily tumultuous career, I learned that in politics the fumble doesn’t matter, it’s the recovery that counts…   

In my experience, disagreements surrounding essential services, budget allowances, and operational focus are inevitable.  Not everyone in the community is going to agree on how funds are allocated or concur with policy decisions that affect their lives and livelihoods.  That’s why elected officials need to be open to citizen input, welcome the competition of ideas, and grow some hard bark.   

Because contentious debate comes with the territory – and honest mistakes are inevitable in a bureaucracy with a lot of moving parts.     

Then there are the flagrant foul-ups.  Governmental gaffes that are purely self-inflicted – and worthy of widespread criticism.   

Purely unforced blunders – like the mystery of the Ormond Beach City Commission’s strategic foot-dragging in selecting an employee benefits provider – something many residents now suspect may involve undue lobbying and internal influence that has postponed (undermined?) the selection process (is there another reason?)

Add to that the withering backbiting and confusion on the dais that dominated recent budget negotiations – coupled with the incessant squabbles, political torpedoes, and petty power plays that continue to hamper progress on pressing issues – and you see why many are convinced Ormond Beach City Hall has descended into a factious and dysfunctional dumpster fire.

In my view, none of that explains why five reasonably intelligent elected officials (and their ample “staff”) once again snatched defeat from the jaws of victory when they missed a golden opportunity to do the right thing.   

Last week, Ormond Beach mom Anni Suadi appeared before the Ormond Beach City Commission to ask that her son, Lance Avery, 25, a resident living with Down syndrome, be returned to his two hour a day/two day a week volunteer role at the Nova Community Center, a position he enthusiastically held from October 2023 to November 2024, under a job training program sponsored by the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. 

For reasons still not clear, Lance was terminated from his role in November 2024 when the “temporary” program ended. 

According to a report by Brenno Carillo writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “To this day, he does not understand why his dream job got taken from him and has an emotional breakdown whenever at Nova Rec or even gets near it,” Suadi told the City Commission.

Suadi told The News-Journal last year that former Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington, who now serves as the district’s state representative, helped Avery secure his job at the center to serve “as an example” for other special needs young adults to do the same as part of a future pilot program idea.

More than 10 people spoke in support of Avery, calling on the board to rehire the former Seabreeze High School student to his previous post at the center.

Jennifer Bright, a candidate for City Commission, said the program gave special needs residents “an opportunity to learn job skills so they can build self-confidence and be more productive members of society.”

According to the city’s flummoxed Leisure Services and Parks and Recreation Director Robert Carolin, all the City of Ormond Beach did was provide space for the training course, stating that the vocational program “…possibly could have been construed as (was) an opportunity for employment within the city of Ormond Beach, but traditionally that’s not the case, and it hasn’t been.”

Seriously? 

After Lance served in a volunteer role for the City of Ormond Beach for over a year performing functions normally assigned to paid employees – sweeping floors, moving nets, shredding papers, preparing rooms for programs and special events, cleaning windows, and putting away gym equipment – Director Carlin disingenuously questions how he could have interpreted that his contributions might translate to a job opportunity with Parks & Rec? 

Bullshit.

By any measure, Lance had the right to believe he was proving himself and working towards a goal.

According to the News-Journal, “…Suadi said Avery kept volunteering at Rec Center until November, when she was told by city officials her son required some supervision.

“He can work independently, without supervision,” Saudi said.

When Partington left as mayor, the idea for the program did not continue, which prompted Suadi to ask the commission to vote to adopt it.

“It is not the primary role of government to directly employ individuals with special needs,” Deputy Mayor Lori Tolland said, indicating the board would not hold a vote. “It’s hard on our hearts, there is no doubt about it … but it’s not the role of government to provide jobs and training for individuals.”

Excuse me?  What in the discriminatory hell is Lori Tolland blathering about?

In my experience, smart government organizations at every level routinely recruit qualified individuals with disabilities to ensure essential services and equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of personal challenges.   

That’s the law.  It’s also the right thing to do…

During the public meeting, individuals who spoke to the City Commission on Lance’s behalf touted his value to the rec center, and our community.  In a report by Jarleene Almenas in the Ormond Beach Observer, Lance’s job training coach Chris Bond touted his potential:

“Lance is a very capable young man,” Bond said. “He thrives on a strong routine in any place that can offer him that strong routine. He is a very hard worker. He is very capable and I know that we’re going to find success, whether in the future with the city, if that’s something that is in the cards, or elsewhere in the competitive job market. Lance makes his own success.”

What a terrible shame for the tone-deaf City of Ormond Beach.

When they had the chance to demonstrate a firm commitment to their constituents with special needs – going beyond faux sympathy and a few leisure programs – rather than invest in gainful opportunities for disabled residents who aspire to public service, they cruelly claim helping people isn’t a “role of government.”    

(Where have I heard that before?)

I find it difficult to believe that a city government currently employing two redundant Assistant City Managers – each commanding $173,000 annually, plus perquisites – cannot find 4-hours of entry-level compensation to retain an inspirational and demonstrably loyal asset? 

I’ll just bet if State Rep. Bill Partington wanted to, he could look under the couch cushions in Tallahassee and find a modicum of funding to support occupational training for Ormond Beach’s special needs population to help them succeed personally and professionally.

In his “State of the City” address on Tuesday, Mayor Jason Leslie themed his speech “It all starts here!” 

That is, unless you happen to be disabled… 

Then, you can find your start elsewhere.  Because while your plight is “hard on the hearts” of our callous elected officials – it’s not their “role” to provide a hand up to “individuals” like you…

In my view, qualified individuals living with special needs like Lance Avery who have proven their worth through volunteerism, job training, solid personal and professional references, and demonstrated proficiency, should have the right to expect a chance for gainful and personally rewarding employment through the competitive process, just like everyone else.   

Anything less is morally wrong, systemically exclusionary, and patently discriminatory. 

Deputy Mayor Tolland should know that – and understand she has now an opportunity to recover with grace and do the right thing to the benefit of all Ormond Beach residents.  

Bold Leadership Brings Hope for Volusia County Arts & Culture Funding   

The unfortunate fallout from Volusia County Councilman Danny “Gaslight” Robins’ political showboating – a self-promoting eleventh-hour parlor trick that cut all previously appropriated grant funding for 33 nonprofit organizations and impacted numerous art shows, festivals, community theaters, educational opportunities, and musical productions – continued this week with an inspiring community effort and extraordinary leadership from an impressive alliance of former County Council members.

More on that important development later. 

Shockingly, all public funding for arts and cultural programs in Volusia County was eliminated and returned to the general fund last week after Councilman Robins discovered that – in an effort to become self-sustaining – the iconic Athens Theater in DeLand, and the tiny Shoestring Theater in Lake Helen, rented their venues to third-party producers who held an adult only “drag show” ahead of a screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” and a Volusia Pride event, respectively.   

In an effort to make up for the $611,758 denied by the Volusia County Council and maintain critical funding for area arts programs, Grace Boynton, development director at the 103-year-old Athens Theater, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $700,000 to support “…the theatres, museums, galleries, and cultural spaces that give our community its soul…”

Please find the Volusia Arts Lifeline here: https://gofund.me/6f4178b21

In an unprecedented show of bold leadership and solidarity with community cultural organizations, this week nineteen former Volusia County Council members – from both sides of the aisle and all political persuasions – stood strong and signed an open letter to Chairman Brower and current council members calling their action “a shock to the system,” and reminding them of the estimated $50 million in annual economic impact artistic programming brings to our region.

As previously stated, I believe that arts programs should be self-sufficient to the extent possible – supported by fundraisers, philanthropy, volunteerism, and productions that help offset costs. 

However, given the sheer number of visitors festivals like the DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts, the Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts, Daytona Beach Arts Fest, and the IMAGES festival bring to Volusia County each year – promoting tourism, stimulating the local economy, and highlighting area communities – you begin to understand that the paltry budget allocated to arts funding for the past 36 years has resulted in a handsome return on investment countywide.

Not anymore.

In an article that appeared in the West Volusia Beacon this week, reporter Robin Mimna exposed some disturbing facts about how our elected representatives cloister themselves and refuse to explain their petty machinations to either the working press or their constituents.   

According to the report, only County Chair Jeff Brower and Councilman Matt Reinhart responded to the reporter’s request for comment:

“I do not believe government should be in charge of defining or funding art,” Brower wrote. “Government should not take our residents’ income with the threat of seizing their homes and property to use it for charitable donations.”

Brower said he wants the grant funding redirected to sidewalk construction, which he described as a “core government responsibility.”

Reinhart, who supported the grants, told The Beacon he made a motion to approve all the applicants but it died without a second. Because he was on the losing side, he said, he cannot bring the matter back; only one of the four opposing council members can.”

According to the report, Robins did not respond to The Beacon’s request for additional comment following the meeting, and the remainder – Jake Johansson, Don Dempsey, Troy Kent, and David “No Show” Santiago – couldn’t be bothered…

Cowards.

While Chairman Brower’s rationale sounds noble, when you consider this council has done essentially nothing when it comes to funding desperately needed transportation infrastructure, while blatantly misusing ECHO and Forever dollars to bankroll Councilman Don Dempsey’s multi-million-dollar publicly funded motorcross facility, his “core government responsibility” argument rings hollow.

Why didn’t Mr. Brower and his “colleagues” allocate the funds to sidewalks during the normal budget process?

Instead, they waited for Volusia County nonprofits to complete applications, jump through hoops, have their requests vetted and ranked by the now unnecessary Cultural Council, only to have the rug publicly pulled out from under them so Councilman Robins could preen and peacock with his pompous puritan act…

The Volusia Arts Lifeline request for donations reads, in part, “For generations, the arts have shaped Volusia County into a place where imagination is nurtured, where children discover their voices, and where neighbors come together to feel inspired, connected, and part of something beautiful.

Now, those same organizations are fighting to keep their doors open, their lights on, and their programs alive.”

Please join me in supporting the arts in Volusia County this fall – attend a festival, take in a live performance, or enjoy a concert – your patronage fuels creativity in our community and enhances the quality of life for everyone.  

Quote of the Week

“In 1989 the County Council established the Cultural Council as the official arts agency and tasked them with establishing a program for review of annual funding requests. This action followed a recommendation from Leadership Daytona together with an economic study which showed significant economic impact to Volusia County by cultural and arts programming.

For more than three decades, the economic rate of return for cultural and arts programming has been extraordinary. Every dollar invested in the arts produces two dollars in return.  A recent study by United Arts of Central Florida demonstrated that local arts programming had a nearly $50 million annual impact. Culture and the arts support nearly 1000 local jobs, and hosted events which attracted over 800,000 people.

A recent exhibit at the Museum of Arts and Sciences attracted over 30,000 people from around the state. Images Art Festival annually draws a crowd of over 50,000. Atlantic Center for the Arts has earned a national reputation.  While the economic gain is tangible, the benefits to our quality-of-life is even more significant.

Volusia voters have long demonstrated their support for funding culture, arts, and history.  In both 2000 and 2020, voters overwhelmingly supported taxing themselves through the ECHO program, but these funds are restricted to capital improvements.  Annual programmatic funding is essential to the vitality of these museums and venues.   

The recent action of the county council to reject the annual award of community cultural grants was a shock to the system…”

–As excerpted from correspondence signed by nineteen former Volusia County Council members and chairs to Chairman Jeff Brower and Councilmen Johansson, Robins, Reinhart, Kent, Santiago, and Dempsey, asking they reconsider their recent action and approve the recommended cultural and arts funding for 2025-2026.

“Bravo!” Many thanks for your courage and thoughtful leadership when we need it most:

Pat Northey

Clay Henderson

Deanie Lowe

Ed Kelley

Frank Bruno

Joyce Cusack

Judy Conte

Pat Patterson

Deb Denys

Roy Schleicher

Joe Janynes

Jim Ward

Doug Daniels

Carl Persis

Billie Wheeler

Barbara Girtman

Phil Giorno

Ben Johnson

Josh Wagner

And Another Thing!

“Over the years, the county has seen debate over where and how to spend (ECHO) money and the process itself.

(Clay) Henderson said he’d like to see changes to the direct expenditure program, which enables the county to spend Volusia ECHO money for its own purposes.

“It’s a concern to many that the county can just say, ‘Well, (we) want to appropriate some of this money for our own projects,” Henderson said.

Some have criticized the County Council for setting aside $3.5 million from Volusia ECHO funds toward a motocross facility. The Volusia County Council hasn’t voted yet on whether to build the facility, but the Council approved buying land for the site with part of those funds. The idea is being spearheaded by District 1 Councilman Don Dempsey.”

–Reporter Sheldon Gardner, writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “ECHO at 25: Volusia grant program has spent $117 million so far, has it been worth it?” Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Kudos to former Volusia County Council Chair Clay Henderson for saying the quiet part out loud.

In a timely report on the health of Volusia County’s ECHO program, voter-approved revenue earmarked for ecological, cultural, historical, and what has traditionally been passive outdoor recreation; this week The Daytona Beach News-Journal gave the good, the bad, and the ugly of the program over the past quarter-century.

Although Volusia ECHO was sold to voters as a means of partnering with nonprofits and municipal governments who compete for funding with innovative quality-of-life projects – a process that normally requires a vetted plan demonstrating countywide interest, matching funds, and clear performance requirements – what we got was a cheap backdoor slush fund. 

Inexcusably, two years ago, the Volusia County Council approved a “Direct County Expenditure” bundled as a “5-year plan,” which placed costs for the repair and replacement of existing infrastructure on the back of the Volusia ECHO grant program.

According to a March 2023 report in the Ormond Beach Observer, “Over the next five years, Volusia County plans to fund 43 projects at 32 facilities — a request totaling over $15 million — through its voter-approved Volusia ECHO program.”

In addition, since the program’s inception in 2007, “…the council approved 22 projects to be funded by direct county expenditure, at $16.1 million.”

At the time, the county’s facilitator, Community Services Director Brad Burbaugh, hid behind an obscure 2020 resolution passed by the Volusia County Council that both authorized the referendum to renew the ECHO program while permitting the council to route programmatic funds for “direct county expenditure for County government projects or by grants-in-aid awards.”

In my view, wrapping the ballot initiative in some bureaucratese then misappropriating what was billed as competitive grant funds to supplant recurring repair and replacement expenditures is not an accepted use of ECHO grant dollars – it’s bait-and-switch sneak thievery.

In my view, when 72% of Volusia County voters opted to extend the ECHO and Forever programs for 20-years, they had no idea that funds earmarked for new and innovative amenities would ultimately be used for “ecological, cultural, and historic” features like repairing long neglected beach ramps, walkovers, and docks, refinishing ceilings, renovating public restrooms and parking lots at county facilities, and building a multi-million-dollar motocross facility…

Unlike Volusia County, most responsible government entities without a tax supported piggybank at their disposal are required to budget for infrastructure repair and replacement obligations each year in an honest and transparent way.

They don’t exacerbate a growing “trust issue” by stretching a voter-approved program’s intent to shoehorn anything and everything – including the pet projects of sitting politicians – into a slimy slush fund where our tax dollars are regularly looted to cover the ongoing mismanagement of preventive maintenance, repair, and replacement of existing public assets. 

That’s all for me.  Have a safe and fun Biketoberfest 2025, y’all!