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:

Building Trust Through Transparency in Daytona Beach

I’m certainly not the sharpest knife in the drawer. 

In fact, I’m an uneducated rube so obtuse and monochromatic that I quickly fade into whatever environment I find myself in.  But I have two things going for me – an incredibly sensitive “bullshit detector” – and the innate ability to learn from touching a hot stove.

Having spent the bulk of my life in municipal government, I’ve seen the incredible devotion and selflessness common to those who are called to public service.  I have also witnessed the strength and frailty of human nature – the ability of some to overcome adversity, develop solutions, change tack, and correct mistakes under extraordinary pressure – while others abdicate responsibility and choose career preservation over accountability.   

With the benefit of age and hard-earned experience I have also learned, as Oscar Wilde suggested, the truth is seldom one-dimensional, “rarely pure and never simple…” Perhaps that’s what makes the search for it – especially in the fetid shitpit of local politics – such an interesting (and infinitely frustrating) pursuit.

Now long removed from the fray, I remain firmly ensconced here in the cheap seats, watching the action from afar and analyzing the mini-moves with the acquired ability to discern both the minute and significant. 

My observations allow insight into the various aspects of a civic issue, determining patterns and personalities, always comparing current events with historical outcomes with the understanding that personal and political motivations rarely change. 

I made my share of mistakes in public service – in fact, I embraced my professional faults, foibles, and missteps and shared them with others.  All part of the learning journey, passing along painful knowledge that others might use to their benefit. 

Humility is a learned trait. 

The first police chief I worked for refused to accept excuses or explanations – only personal acceptance of responsibility – and a clear understanding that the same mistake would not be tolerated twice…   

A valuable lesson for a young police officer.

Now, when I feel the benefit of my three-decades of experiential learning can help, I use this space to offer unsolicited (and terribly annoying) insights to those still ‘in the arena’ who are dealing with an acute civic crisis.

Everyone knows that hectoring and lecturing from a washed-up “has been” can be hard to listen to – so, they can take it or leave it.

But one thing is certain, any government official (elected or appointed) who falls victim to the infallibility of position and comes to believe they know it all, will soon find themselves escorted out of their comfortably appointed office (usually by a former subordinate) and thrown on the moldering ash heap of history where arrogance and dodginess inevitably lead…   

The burgeoning purchasing card catastrophe in the City of Daytona Beach is well into its second week – which means it has taken on a life of its own – and this unfolding bruhaha demonstrates the importance of transparency to building credibility, protecting the “brand,” and maintaining confidence when the chips are down.  

It’s called crisis management, a comprehensive process essential to alleviating the concerns of stakeholders and protecting an organizations reputation.                               

The process of rebuilding internal and external trust begins with proactive communication – putting the cards on the table – providing clear information on what is known, and what is being done to mitigate the situation.

In my experience, it helps to establish trusting relationships with the media then make oneself accessible to reporters, answering community questions, admitting mistakes, and humbling oneself to righteous criticism.                                 

Honesty, openness, and complete transparency in the early hours allow leaders to control the narrative with facts while staying ahead of a building crisis by reducing the inevitable conjecture, gossip, and speculation that can quickly spread like a destructive wildfire.

Issues involving fraud, waste, and abuse of public funds will rightfully (and rapidly) draw public attention.  How leadership responds before the crisis crests will determine the long-term outcome – and ultimately the professional fate of those in positions of responsibility.  

Government executives who maintain proper situational awareness will develop 360-degree relationships up and down the chain – and listen to the advice of others – then use their training, skill, and insight to perceive organizational issues before they fester. That creates time and space to think analytically, develop an effable plan, and work through a problem systematically rather than flailing chaotically.

This fact-based decision-making is important because it defines future options, just like bureaucratic spin, clumsy cover-ups, painting the issue as a meanspirited “narrative,” and wallowing in defensive self-pity limits alternatives. 

That’s why the ‘duck and cover’ response of circling the wagons, retreating into the cloistered environment of the executive suite, employing slant and deflection, and limiting external communication to impersonal canned responses quickly results in an “information vacuum” – an unhealthy environment where speculation grows…

In Daytona Beach, City Manager Deric Feacher maintained an almost hermetic seal on information related to the P-card crisis for over a week.  In the ensuing void, WFTV-9 Volusia County correspondent Demi Johnson – a tenacious investigative journalist with a knack for ferreting out the truth – began pouring over raw purchasing data and extrapolating approved spending from perceived misappropriations.

To counter what Mr. Feacher originally described to city commissioners as “misinformation,” he made the compounding mistake of appearing on a sympathetic radio forum (one paid for by the City of Daytona Beach) where the moderator all but body blocked reporter Johnson when she called the program and attempted to ask hardball questions.

It added to the public perception that Mr. Feacher was dodging the issue…

Then, almost a week after the scandal broke, Demi Johnson reported receiving a ‘calendar invite’ for a meeting with City Manager Feacher scheduled for Monday.  During that meeting, Mr. Feacher essentially explained that while he didn’t see anything “nefarious” in his review of the P-card issue thus far, there is a clear problem with outdated policies and procedures, and he will be taking measures to correct the issues.  

By last Friday, the first positive signs emerged when The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that city officials have established a “…purchasing card information webpage to give the public a clear, easy-to-understand overview of how city and contract employees use the cards and how they’re monitored.”

Find the website here: https://tinyurl.com/5xcyfxrc (The full-access site will return December 8, 2025)

In addition to a frequently asked questions section, the informative site provides the city’s explanation of several P-card expenditures under review.  In a section entitled “Recent Media: Expanded Context,” a $12,852 payment to Seaworld covered an end-of-year trip for youth in the city’s summer camps, while a $37.72 charge to Krispy Kreme provided refreshments for a Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meeting.

Unfortunately, earlier this week, somehow the city’s Information Technology staff allowed a data breach which resulted in employee social security numbers and birth dates being inadvertently posted to the P-card website compromising their personal identifiers.

Another major gaffe that added to the instability as many onlookers asked, “How could this have happened?”

In addition, some questions arose regarding the city’s explanation for the “Marina Manager’s attendance at the Annual Marina Industries (AMI) Conference and Expo in Fort Lauderdale.”  Apparently, under terms of the city’s contract with F3 Marina, for “Fiscal Year 2024, the City Commission approved $5,000 for Travel and Per Diem and $5,000 for education and training for the marina.”

For a private contractor?

In my view, using tax dollars to pay for a private company’s attendance at industry conferences, fund training for its employees, and cover per diem expenses is counter to the reasons governments contract specialized services in the first place…

On Tuesday, WFTV-9 released an interesting report detailing a recent travel audit conducted by Daytona Beach City Auditor Abinet Belachew. 

In my view, the results prove that Mr. Belachew is a fearless defender of the public purse and an indispensable public asset.

According to the report, the travel audit identified “…multiple areas of concern, including outdated policies, weak internal controls, the use of business-class travel, excessive meal and parking costs, insufficient documentation, and noncompliance with best practices.”

Even with the best controls and oversight honest mistakes can still occur – and it is difficult to hold employees accountable for following lax and horribly outdated spending policies – but I found the lack of cooperation reported by Mr. Belachew disturbing:

“While most staff members we interacted with during this audit were cooperative and professional, there were a few isolated instances of uncooperative behavior and unwarranted defensiveness. Although limited, such occurrences should be addressed promptly to maintain a culture of accountability and transparency.”

Specifically, Mr. Belachew noted that the Chief Financial Officer’s office was less than cooperative during the audit. 

According to the report, “During our audit, we encountered several challenges in obtaining information from the CFO’s Office. Specifically, the team appeared defensive and uncooperative in providing the requested documents in a timely manner, and their approach at times created an atmosphere of hostility…”

That’s troubling.  Given the fact the city’s financial oversight is being questioned on several fronts, this lack of internal cooperation is something Mr. Feacher should rectify immediately.

Now, Mr. Belachew will turn his finely tuned microscope on the purchasing card questions, only – at the urging of Mayor Derrick Henry – the inquiry won’t be a “priority.” 

You read that right…

According to Mayor Henry, “I’m of the mind that rather than allowing our city to just become hostage to some idea that we’ve run amok, I want to let the P-Cards run their course in the way that we have previously because I don’t believe that that’s the case.”

Whatever in the bureaucratic foot-dragging procrastination that means?

In my view, the city’s explanatory website is an excellent step towards answering constituent questions, perhaps defusing another distracting controversy at a time when municipal finances are under serious scrutiny. 

In my experience, most people can forgive what they see themselves doing. 

Taxpayers simply require an honest explanation, open communication with decision-makers, and a transparent portal into the bloody abattoir where public policy is made, and their hard-earned dollars are spent…   

A Destructive Delima in Flagler Beach

The death of ‘Old Florida’ has been hard to watch for some of us geriatrics who remember what used to be – pristine beaches and quaint communities, set in a time when our natural amenities were preserved and protected as a big part of our quality of life – not stressed, exploited, and destroyed on the altar of greed.

A time before the onslaught of speculative developers bought every square inch of greenspace (and the loyalty of our state legislators) then set about paving over paradise in favor of thousands of zero lot line wood frame cracker boxes “…starting in the mid-$300’s.”

And how could I forget those ugly and ubiquitous half-empty strip centers that have replaced pristine old-growth forests.

Now, our view of the beach is obscured by a phalanx of concrete and steel “condotels” and overpriced “five star” resorts, built by South Florida entrepreneurs intent on exporting that godawful faux glitz and “SoBe aesthetic” to us yokels in points north. 

For some reason (read: $$$), those members of the community we once elected with a vested interest in maintaining our collective quality of life – the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker – have given way to hand-select marionettes of the development industry, shills who are bought and paid for by those with a mercenary interest in subverting “growth management regulations” and building when, where, and what they want.

To the exclusion of most every other pressing civic issue, it increasingly appears our local councils, commissions, and state legislature are desperately focused on running interference for those greed-hogs who own the paper on their political souls – flooding, environmental destruction, and the exploitation of our finite resources be damned…     

In some cases, encroaching development has forced elected officials to make tough decisions (before those decisions are made for them) compelling small cities to annex adjoining sprawl as a means of keeping the impacts of even more unchecked growth away from their doorstep.

A losing proposition that always results in the loss of the quaint feel and natural amenities that made their community special in the first place.

Last week, the Flagler Beach City Commission voted 4-1 on first reading to approve the annexation of approximately 545 acres stretching south from State Road 100 along the west side of John Anderson Highway.  Once approved, the annexation will incorporate the proposed “Summertown” development, a part of the expansive Veranda Bay, which is also winding its way through the annexation process in Flagler Beach.

If both subdivisions are approved, the annexations would expand the City of Flagler Beach by nearly 30%, eventually doubling the population of the once quaint beachside hamlet.

To his credit, Flagler Beach City Commissioner Eric Cooley understands the dynamics at play, and said the only way the city will have a say in the development is to annex it.

According to a report by Sierra Williams writing in the Ormond Beach Observer this week, Commissioner Cooley said, “It’s real simple: you don’t annex it, you’re out,” he said. “You have no control over anything. You’re not protecting the city. You’re not protecting anything. You’re turning it over to the universe.”

The majority of the other commissioners and Mayor Patti King agreed with Cooley.

But the projects, both Veranda Bay and Summertown, have left many residents with concerns, even beyond the number of rooftops. Flagler Beach residents urged their commissioners to protect the city’s roadways and water and wastewater infrastructure, as well as Bulow Creek, which abuts the Summertown property.

The developer has committed to multiple concessions in the name of annexing the project: building out a spine road before constructing a certain number of residential units; using 40% of the property, including some directly around Bulow Creek, as open space; applying additional buffers around the property, including a 100-foot natural buffer around Bulow Creek.”

In my view, Commissioner Cooley is right – and it is a damnable shame.   

Since neither the State of Florida, City of Palm Coast, nor Flagler County have the best interests of this small community at heart, it leaves one of the last vestiges of ‘Old Florida’ on the east coast in a terrible dilemma:

The necessity of killing the very civic attributes that make their community special in order to protect it from a worse fate…

Quote of the Week

“The audit identified multiple areas of concern, including outdated policies, weak internal controls, the use of business-class travel, excessive meal and parking costs, insufficient documentation, and noncompliance with best practices.

We would like to note that we provided only a few illustrative examples. However, even a single incident of wasteful spending by City employees is cause for concern. Public funds are held in trust for the benefit of the community, and every dollar must be used prudently and in alignment with the City’s policies and fiscal responsibility standards. Allowing even isolated cases of wasteful or unnecessary spending to go unchecked can set a poor precedent, weaken accountability, and erode public confidence in the City’s stewardship of taxpayer resources. Strong financial controls and ethical standards require that all expenditures, regardless of size or frequency, be fully justified, properly documented, and aligned with a clear public purpose.”

–City of Daytona Beach Internal Auditor Abinet Belachew, as excerpted from the “Summary of Audit Findings, Travel Audit Report,” Wednesday, November 19, 2025

To say that City Auditor Abinet Belachew’s in-depth report detailing the findings of his examination of employee travel for FY 2024 paints a less than flattering picture of the city’s transparency, accountability, and compliance with 26-year-old travel policies is an understatement… 

In my view, the report – and the painstaking efforts it documents – proves Mr. Belachew’s worth to the residents of Daytona Beach and speaks to his commitment to the highest ideals of government accounting, effective internal controls, and adherence to best practices that prevent wasteful or unnecessary spending.

It was eye-opening. 

In the view of many, Mr. Belachew’s description of the lack of cooperation and hostility toward auditors by the Daytona Beach Chief Financial Officer’s team was disturbing…   

That obstinance was especially concerning since the city’s Deputy CFO was identified as “…having used taxpayer funds to purchase a business-class airline ticket for official travel,” while refundable economy fares were available along the same route, without documented justification or pre-approval for the travel.

In addition, the report states that the Deputy CFO “overstated mileage reimbursement by approximately 96.8 miles, resulting in an excess payment using taxpayer funds.”

Disturbing indeed…

Most notably, the internal audit found a glaring lack of oversight and accountability for employee travel – including a failure to set per diem amounts or establish spending limits for meals and lodging, no pre-justification/approval or post travel verifications, weak internal controls, and the CFO’s inability to readily provide supporting documentation and receipts for travel related expenditures.

Now that the problem has been exposed to the healing light of day, the onus is on the Chief Financial Officer, and City Manager Deric Feacher, to ensure that up-to-date policies, procedures, and controls – compliant with modern government accounting standards and best practices – are put in place to ensure “transparency, accountability, and the prudent use of taxpayer funds.”

As Mr. Belachew so eloquently stated, “Working for the City of Daytona Beach is a privilege. All employees share a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and stewardship of public resources, recognizing that we ultimately serve the citizens of Daytona Beach.”

I like that guy…

And Another Thing!

I’m not sure the slack jawed Volusia County Council understood what they were watching during Tuesday’s raucous meeting.

To me, it looked a whole lot like participatory governance in action. 

Look, I don’t care where you stand on the late Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, who was tragically assassinated during an open mic debate with a liberal ‘influencer’ on a Utah college campus in September.  Without question, Mr. Kirk was a galvanizing figure in the contemporary American zeitgeist and an icon of conservative youth.    

Admittedly, national politics isn’t my thing. 

For reasons that should be self-explanatory, I don’t pay more than a passing glance at the raging partisan rhetoric and retribution from both sides of the aisle that spews from the sewer pipe of my television 24/7.  Mostly it is because I have no way of influencing outcomes in Washington (neither do you, but that’s a discussion for another day). 

Prior to that horrific day in Orem, I had not heard of Mr. Kirk.    

In my view, by design, Mr. Kirk’s opinions on contemporary political issues and his views on religion, race, sexual orientation, and foreign/domestic policy were provocative; tailored to ignite debate and stimulate public dialog across the massive political chasms that divide us – something that made him incredibly popular with conservatives – and equally vilified by liberal progressives, particularly on college campuses, once considered bastions of free speech. 

As a charismatic and controversial figure, whether you agreed with Mr. Kirk’s politics and views on contemporary society, or hated everything he stood for, there is enough material, soundbites, and anecdotal “recollections” available online, both with context and terribly exaggerated, to fuel your position. 

(Isn’t that true of everything these days?)

In the aftermath of Mr. Kirk’s murder, Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower recently waded into the fray and announced he was planning to seek the approval of his “colleagues” in designating Ormond’s Scenic Loop as “The Charles “Charlie” James Kirk Memorial Highway” citing his “dedication to civic engagement and free speech, while acknowledging the tragedy that occurred.” 

The idea went over like a turd in the proverbial punchbowl with environmentalists and others who rightfully consider “The Loop,” and its historical significance to Volusia County, sacrosanct – a roadway already designated as a scenic byway – something to be preserved and protected. 

Then Chairman Brower shifted his sights to a section of Maytown Road from Oak Drive in Osteen to Gobblers Lodge Road. 

If you know anything about the residents of the unincorporated settlement of Osteen – they are righteously fanatical about being residents of Osteen – and they have strong opinions about preserving their heritage and unique rural lifestyle and would prefer to designate their roadways in honor of those forefathers who had a more direct impact on the tiny community. 

On Tuesday, some Osteen residents joined a parade of their neighbors from across the width and breadth of Volusia County to oppose designating any roadway in honor of Charlie Kirk – citing everything from his lack of a physical connection to Volusia County – to angry accusations of racism, sexism, homophobia, and all points in between… 

While there were a few who supported Mr. Brower’s sentiments, the vast majority of those who made their feelings known with angry hoots, hollers, shouts, and swipes from the gallery, made it abundantly clear they did not want Mr. Kirk’s name on a Volusia County roadway. 

At the end of the day, Councilman David “No Show” Santiago used his patented strategy of legislative procrastination to lead his “colleagues” out of the uncomfortable quagmire…

In order to kick the can out of sight – Mr. Santiago motioned to indefinitely table the matter until senior staff can come back with a policy for memorial designations of roadways and buildings in Volusia County. 

Expect that policy to come back before the council sometime after the return of the Comet Kohoutek… 

Regardless, it did my heart good to see so many residents of Volusia County turn out to a public meeting.  Those on both sides of an issue who courageously stood before their fellow citizens and let their elected officials know where they stood on a matter of community concern. 

It was the essence of participatory governance – the active involvement of citizens in the decision-making process – an exercise that promotes engagement and inclusivity in shaping public policy and stimulates citizen interest and participation in civic affairs.

If inspiring passionate public dialog and fostering the civil discussion of ideas and ideals was truly Charlie Kirk’s calling, he certainly succeeded in strengthening that purely American notion during a seemingly inconsequential county council meeting on Tuesday evening. 

Even with the intractable divisions we face as a nation, the discussion reminded us in the most wonderful way that, at least at the local level, we can remain neighbors and friends, still capable of enthusiastic debate – and peaceful disagreement…   

That’s all for me.  Enjoy the 52nd Annual Daytona Turkey Run, y’all!

Note to Readers:

Dear Members of the Barker’s View Tribe,

I’m taking next week off to enjoy time with family and friends. 

Writing Barker’s View continues to be incredibly cathartic for me during these weird times we find ourselves in. 

This blog continues to be a source of pride that provides a much-needed sense of purpose, and the process of contemplating the issues and expressing my thoughts keeps my Gin-soaked mind limber.

I sincerely appreciate the many wonderful, often unlikely, relationships this blog has built.  The effort has supported my long-held belief that we all want to be heard – to have our opinions considered and valued – especially by the decision-makers who establish public policy.

Thank you for listening to mine.

The best part of this forum remains your feedback, discussing differing opinions, and good-naturedly arguing the fine points.  In my view, that drives a larger discussion of the myriad problems we face in our community.

Sometimes you agree with me – other times you vehemently disagree – but we can remain friends.  Through our dialog, we gain a better perspective of the issues we collectively face, and how to solve them.

I can’t think of anything more purely American than that.

May God bless each of you, and our brave men and women in uniform, at home and abroad – our heroic military members and first responders – those who willingly go into harm’s way to protect us. 

Godspeed.

From the Barker Family to yours – have a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!

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:

Sounding the Klaxon in the City of Daytona Beach – A Cause for Concern?

They say the benefit of experience is hindsight. 

Having spent the bulk of my adult life in municipal government, I’ve seen instances of waste and the misuse of public funds – and I’ve been guilty of honest mistakes that cost taxpayers.

Those who manage budgets often say you can’t get blood out of a turnip. 

Trust me, I’ve tried when asked to make draconian cuts to my department’s costs and services during lean times. Based on that experience, I can attest that deep cuts to spending sounds good to some, but you won’t always like what the turnip looks like when your done with it…

In government, like the private sector, those painful errors, omissions, and extravagances allow smart elected and appointed officials to look back at successes and failures, analyze the good, the bad, and the ugly of past decisions, then apply those difficult lessons when making future judgements.

They call it “experiential learning” or “institutional knowledge,” but getting older I realize life is really a gradual release from ignorance – the hard-earned wisdom that comes from touching a hot stove – and understanding the importance of controlling the controllables.

During my productive years in public service, I used the discretion afforded my position to develop an internal policy to protect public assets in the use of government issued purchasing cards – known colloquially as “P Cards.” 

Rather than have authorized individuals carry their p-cards, I directed that the cards assigned to my department be kept in a lockbox maintained by my trusted administrative assistant.  When the need arose, the individual would sign out their respective card, complete the transaction, then both the receipt and p-card would be returned and signed for.  

The straightforward process strengthened existing internal policies governing requisitions and purchasing, and ensured every expenditure was preapproved and the transaction documented before it was routed for proper accounting and external audit.

In my experience, those simple physical safeguards eliminated the problem of “Oh, I must have gotten my city card and personal credit card mixed up,” or “I used my personal car for a work errand, so I got gas on my p-card,” or the on-the-spot conundrum of determining whether a lunch, incidental, or other expense was authorized.

It wasn’t an issue of trust – the controls merely helped ensure accountability in the expenditure of public funds.  Given the fact I was personally responsible for the assets and personnel entrusted to my department, it was something I could mitigate with little hassle or inefficiency with a high degree of integrity.

I was reminded of that process last week when The Daytona Beach News-Journal’s investigative journalist Eileen Zaffiro-Kean published an exposé headlined “Are Daytona Beach city workers abusing purchase cards? An internal auditor wants to know,” detailing potential problems with the issuance of some 280 purchasing cards provided to both city employees and private contractors.

The question arose after Daytona Beach Commissioner Stacy Cantu, a resolute watchdog who keeps the best interests of her constituents at the forefront, examined city p-card purchases and found “some of the transactions to be alarming.”

According to the News-Journal’s report, “You can’t make this stuff up,” Cantu said at the Wednesday, Nov. 5, City Commission meeting. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

Cantu has been shocked to discover about 280 of the 1,000 city employees have P-Cards. And she was especially dismayed to see even 10 contract employees who manage Halifax Harbor Marina for the city had P-cards.

City Manager Deric Feacher has department heads checking their employees’ P-Card purchases for any possible improper use. The head of the Utilities Department is reviewing more than 1,300 P-Card statements from the 57 cardholders in her divisions, and so far she doesn’t see anything “that doesn’t look reasonable.”

During a recent City Commission meeting, City Manager Deric Feacher directed the city’s new internal auditor, Abinet Belachew, audit purchases and examine the issuance and use of p-cards across all city departments and contractors.    

Last week, Mr. Feacher sent a prepared statement to WFTV-9’s Demie Johnson – a tenacious investigative reporter doing the Lord’s work who has requested an in-person interview with the City Manager for over a week (?) – which read, in part:

“Taxpayers deserve confidence that every dollar we spend is handled responsibly, and I take that responsibility very seriously. The city has significant oversight and review processes in place for employee purchasing cards, including multiple levels of approval and regular monitoring of transactions.”

According to the statement, Mr. Feacher claimed that, in addition to the city’s internal audit, he was “…assembling an internal committee of senior staff to take a fresh, comprehensive look at all of our policies and practices.”

Unfortunately, many were confused last Friday when Mr. Feacher adamantly refused to speak with the WFTV reporter and was last seen on camera getting into his car and skedaddling out of a City Hall parking lot without comment. 

Never a good look…   

With Mr. Feacher seemingly dodging the issue, on Tuesday, WFTV’s Johnson contacted Sen. Tom Leek for his thoughts on the still unexplained purchases appearing on city P-cards. 

According to Sen. Leek, “Their CFO needs to come forward with receipts. Show us what these things are being spent on. Don’t just give us a report. Show us the receipts and what it was actually spent on,” said Leek.

We asked Leek if he thinks any of this could be criminal.

“I don’t know yet. You know a couple of years ago when this stuff first started to come out. It stunk. Today it smells rotten. So, I don’t think you can rule out criminal,” said Leek.”

Whoa.

According to the report, Sen. Leek said he would not rule out involvement by the state’s chief financial watchdog, Blaise Ingoglia…

Let’s hope, as Mr. Feacher has suggested, that there are adequate controls and oversight in place to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse – and sound explanations for the expenditures.  More important, now is the time for the city’s new internal auditor to prove his worth by restoring the public’s trust in the purchasing process.

Kudos to Commissioner Cantu for remaining vigilant. 

From her work uncovering asbestos contamination at a Beach Street building slated to be purchased by the city, to her efforts to find solutions to dangerous sidewalks in the Mosaic community, clearly Ms. Cantu takes her sworn duty as an elected representative seriously. 

In my view, Ms. Cantu’s watchfulness – and willingness to ask the tough questions when it matters – is paying big dividends for Daytona Beach taxpayers.    

Lowell L. Lohman, Requiescat in Pace

Last month, the Halifax area lost not only a titan of business, but an important philanthropic source of good. Someone who, despite personal health challenges, made our lives better by his extraordinary generosity. 

According to Mr. Lohman’s beautiful obituary, “The ultimate example of positivity and perseverance, Lowell Lohman taught us that living with Type 1 Diabetes does not have to be limiting. He rose to the daily challenge and regiment required with diabetes and lived a vibrant, adventurous life for 80 years.”  

As visionary entrepreneurs, Mr. Lohman and his wife Nancy owned multiple successful businesses, including Lohman Funeral Homes.  Most recently, the Lohman’s partnered with son Ty and his wife Tova in owning apartment complexes and the development of The Cupola luxury townhome community which has enhanced North Halifax Drive in Ormond Beach.

However, Mr. Lohman will best be remembered for his incredible generosity, the enormous scope and diversity of his impactful giving, and his true sense of care for our community. 

According to his obituary, “His giving resulted in the naming of the planetarium at the Museum of Arts and Sciences, MOAS, in Lowell’s and Nancy’s honor. Lowell often shared how fascinating and humbling it was to study the universe.  Lowell’s hope was their support of the planetarium would inspire others to keep learning. They sponsor the school field study program that continues to enable 6,000-10,000 5th and 8th graders in Volusia County Public Schools to attend a day at MOAS free of charge each year; an idea his best friend, Carl Persis, presented to Lowell several years ago.

Lowell’s generosity also included the support of the Halifax Humane Society Lohman Pet Adoption Center, the Halifax Health Lohman Diabetes Center and the Nancy & Lowell Lohman Art Center at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens.” 

Lowell Lohman’s life of dedicated service to others, both personally and professionally, has left an indelible mark on our community.  He left us better than he found us, and we join in mourning his passing at age eighty.

Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Lohman.  We’re glad you passed our way…

Go DOGE Yourself…

With Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis crowing to anyone who will listen about his incredibly risky ploy to eliminate property taxes in favor of funding essential governmental services by, well, who the hell knows? – local governments across the state are attempting to head off Gov. DeSantis’ attack dogs by “DOGE-ing” themselves…

For instance, last week, Daytona Beach City Manager Deric Feacher directed the city’s internal auditor to establish a Department of Government Efficiency using self-audit guidance from the state – a wise move – considering the mounting questions surrounding the city’s fiscal stewardship… 

According to an article by Jarleene Almenas writing in the Ormond Beach Observer, “The City of Ormond Beach will begin the process of “DOGE-ing” itself.”

“On Tuesday, Nov. 4, the Ormond Beach City Commission held a joint workshop with the city’s Budget Advisory Board to discuss the state’s Department of Government Efficiency framework to self-audit for efficiency. City staff walked the officials through where they believed they may find cost savings, such as the travel policy for staff and commissioners, memberships to various organizations, take-home vehicles, its bid platform and contract management. Based on previous discussions, the city will be focusing on reducing spending and streamlining operations.

The self-DOGE process was kickstarted by City Commissioner Travis Sargent, who presented the state’s guidelines to the commission during the recent budget discussions.”

I found that interesting.

Especially when you consider that during what passed for budget hearings earlier this year, City Attorney Randy Hayes told Ormond Beach taxpayers that a tax increase was imperative because “Sound fiscal management and responsible leadership require it.”

According to Hayes, commissioners were encouraged to vote for the increase due to “…financial risks and liabilities associated with the mayor’s (Jason Leslie’s) intention to seek deep reductions in the millage rate and the budget, and the uncertainties those reductions would have on the ability of the city to deliver quality services to residents.”

In fact, Commissioner (and current mayoral candidate) Lori Tolland – who, for dramatic effect, directed that Mr. Hayes’ handwringing missive be read aloud by the city clerk – openly accused Mayor Leslie of threatening Ormond Beach’s quality of life by even suggesting a tax cut.

Remember?  I do.

At the end of the day, Ormond’s “In-Crowd” got what they wanted – a substantial tax increase – with an annual budget now set at $142 million.  According to a September report in the Ormond Beach Observer, “From the 2020-2021 fiscal year to 2025-2026, the budget has increased by about 48%.”

In just five-years?

As a result, Ormond Beach residents are now asking the obvious: If city staff is just beginning to focus on spending reductions and streamlining operations, what have they been doing for the past five years?

Considering we are now being told there are “budget duplications,” frivolous memberships, throwing good money after bad for the asinine annual “State of the City” pep rally, redundant positions, ignored suggestions, etc., etc. – questionable expenditures that may represent unnecessary spending – why did our elected officials convince us any further budget reductions would result in financial Armageddon? 

In a recent editorial in the Observer this week, former Budget Advisory Board member Joe Hannoush, added to the concerns of chary taxpayers when he divulged:

“I am reminded that as a member of the Ormond Beach Budget Advisory Board for four budget cycles, I advised to reduce spending on several line items. The city’s budget has gone up significantly since then with none of my suggestions being implemented in any meaningful way I am aware of.”

What gives? 

Why were we blatantly lied to by those we have elected and appointed to represent our interests?

In my view, after the dumpster fire that was the 2025-26 Ormond Beach budget process – a turbulent time when Mayor Jason Leslie was publicly eviscerated for caving to the prevailing wisdom and ultimately supporting the tax increase – I think someone at City Hall has some explaining to do…

Although I have serious reservations about the motivations (and potential outcomes) of Gov. DeSantis’ proposal to eliminate property taxes, perhaps the difficult discussion – and the resultant self-audits and belt-tightening – is exactly what we need to curb overspending, reign in exorbitant executive salaries, limit Taj Mahal public facilities, and stop the clockwork annual tax increases that pay for it all.    

Quote of the Week

“Daytona Beach needs to quickly whittle its excess permits and license fees to $4.4 million or less to come into compliance with state law.

A $9.4 million proposal to build an addition to City Hall would drop the tally back into legal territory, but that project still doesn’t have a contractor, solid timeline or final City Commission approval. In March, three of the seven city commissioners voted against putting out a request for proposals to expand the 60,000-square-foot City Hall.

(Daytona Beach Mayor) Henry told the seven state representatives and seven senators on the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee that Daytona Beach “is fully committed” to coming into compliance with state law.

The mayor said Daytona Beach experienced a surge in new development over the past five years, so building permit fee revenue spiked and led to the accumulated money.

(State Sen. Jason) Brodeur asked the Daytona contingent what was being done with the roughly $500,000 in interest income that was being earned off the $10 million of unspent permitting fees. Morris said neither he nor anyone else in the group could immediately answer that question.

“You don’t know where $500,000 is?” Brodeur asked. “I hope on your four-hour drive home you realize this is getting serious.”

–Investigative Reporter Eileen Zaffiro-Kean, writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “Florida legislators unleash frustration on Daytona city government leaders,” Tuesday, November 4, 2025

One fixed rule for public officials, especially at the local level, is either the elected body sets sound policy based on strategic planning, maintains oversight, and provides responsible stewardship of public funds – or someone else will make those decisions for them…

As Sen. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, put it during last month’s meeting of Volusia’s legislative delegation in DeLand, “…when local governments do things that are “so out of whack,” then the “state’s going to step in.”

Last week, high-ranking officials from the City of Daytona Beach – to include Mayor Derrick Henry, City Manager Deric Feacher, Deputy City Manager Jim Morris, and Chief Building Official Glen Urquhart – were summoned to the lion’s den in Tallahassee for a thorough thrashing before the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee.

The board, comprised of surly senators and representatives, demanded answers to why the municipal government has failed to follow statutory guidelines governing the accrual and expenditure of permits and licensing fees.

It was ugly.

And the legislators were right… 

There are legally established rules for how permit and licensing fees can be used – including set limits on how much of the unexpended balance can be carried forward.  According to reports, over the past four years, the City of Daytona Beach has maintained some $11 million in unspent fees collected during a period of explosive growth – far exceeding the statutory mandate. 

During the hearing, committee members openly questioned the delegation’s veracity, and panned the city’s spending plan, which appears (on its face) to be a hodge-podge of expensive nice-to-haves that Daytona Beach officials hope will comply with the state’s rules. 

According to the News-Journal, “The proposed projects included 17 pickup trucks that would cost close to $1 million, drones tallying $210,000, a $250,000 City Commission chambers upgrade and $250,000 for virtual desktop infrastructure.

Under budgeted items was about $4 million for land and facility acquisition; $3.1 million to renovate, furnish and equip a facility; $1.2 million for a mobile permitting center; $993,100 for a permits and licensing boat and boathouse; $660,000 for vehicles and equipment; and $400,000 for new permits and licensing staff.

Some of those projects came to fruition, but several did not. The mobile permitting center idea was dropped, as was the purchase of a Beach Street building that was to be used for permits and licensing staff.” 

The original plan included the ill-fated purchase of an antiquated building at 230 North Beach Street where officials planned to house the permits and licensing division.  However, that plan was abandoned when an investigation by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (spurred by City Commissioner Stacy Cantu’s concerns) found deadly asbestos in the building.  

Now, it appears as if the City of Daytona Beach is unable to develop of viable plan for properly spending the permit and licensing fee balance, and the state is prepared to step in and ensure that the funds are returned to the developers who paid them… 

The political mauling at the Capitol didn’t sit well at home. 

At the November 5 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Ken Strickland punched back, saying “Tallahassee needs to mind their own business.  They should be representing us, not ridiculing us. I’m disgusted with our representation up there.”

In my view, the meeting took on the appearance of a passel of thieves squabbling over the loot when a representative of the Volusia Business and Industry Association – who would obviously prefer the excess fees be returned to developers – appeared at the hearing to gloat and tattle on the City of Deltona’s use of impact fees (?). 

The VBIA’s peripheral involvement in the state’s vicious gibbeting of Daytona Beach officials was obvious, excessive, and extremely telling – and, in my view, it stained the state’s haughty attempt to publicly correct (denigrate?) their local “colleagues.”

Unfortunately, city officials have no one to blame but themselves.   

During the scathing hearing, Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson rightfully admonished “A city with a vision would have created a plan…” 

In my view, that lack of vision – and a viable plan – isn’t limited to Daytona Beach, and continues to plague local governments across the width and breadth of Volusia County. 

During this period of unprecedented growth when strategic financial forecasting is imperative, it appears the City of Daytona Beach is about to become an expensive example of what happens to local governments who fail to establish a civic vision… 

And Another Thing!

Few things stimulate more interest on this blog than discussions regarding Volusia County District Schools. 

Perhaps it’s because we all have a personal stake in the success of our children’s education – or the importance of high performing schools to the social, civic, and economic development of our communities – or maybe it’s because we all pay for it, whether we have kids in school or not.

In my experience, a natural curiosity emerges when the disturbing things we see with our own eyes doesn’t comport with the pap and fluff that oozes from spinmeisters in public information offices, or the gloating of senior officials intent on creating a flattering picture, regardless of evidence to the contrary.

Last month, at the bitter end of the Volusia legislative delegation’s meeting in DeLand – that stilted annual spectacle when “We, The Little People” and our local representatives, have an opportunity to grovel before those we have sent to Tallahassee – saw another embarrassing example of how things work (or don’t) in the District’s Ivory Tower of Power in DeLand.

In an odd and unexpected turn, Dr. Gilbert Evans, who serves a conflicting role as both the District’s General Counsel and the School Board’s attorney, surprised the legislative delegation with an eleventh hour, half-baked, and incredibly expensive list of requests – some of which clearly had not been vetted or approved by our elected representatives on the Volusia County School Board…

Among other requests, Dr. Evans reminded our legislators that the state currently pays for 50% of costs associated with student transportation in Florida.   

Inexplicably, during his bizarre presentation, Dr. Evans – apparently serving as a lobbyist for all 67 school districts in the state (?), asked legislators to consider covering all school transportation costs – including funds required to “attract, hire, and maintain bus attendants” – as a means of relieving school districts from the burden of “diverting resources from instructional needs.” 

Say what?

In addition, Dr. Evans asked that, due to a shortage of licensed mental health counselors in schools, the state take action to allow unlicensed supervised interns to provide critical psychological services to Florida students and permitting that “on-the-job” training to count toward the requirements of licensure.

Really?

He also asked for “some kind of bill” that would permit cameras in classrooms “for non-verbal students for safety and accountability.” 

Whatever that means… 

To his credit, Sen. Tom Leek asked Evan’s the clear and unvarnished question everyone else in the room was thinking: “How much money do you need?” 

“How much money do you need today, if we give it to you, you say, “Okay we’re good?”

The mortifying silence that ensued (broken only by raucous guffaws from the audience) made it clear that, once again, Volusia County District Schools had failed to do their homework…

Eventually, Dr. Evans explained to a perplexed Sen. Leek that he “wasn’t expecting that question.” 

Making a point, Sen. Leek explained that the honest answer to his rhetorical question was – “There is no answer,” because enough is never enough…

In taking Dr. Evans to the woodshed, Sen. Leek directed that when Volusia County District Schools comes before the state legislative delegation asking for money, they should breakdown the request into a reasonable and logical explanation of need – especially one that represents a “monumental shift in policy and cost,” like funding all transportation costs for Florida students everywhere.

In turn, Sen. Leek asked Dr. Evans if Volusia County Schools is still requiring public employees to sign nondisclosure agreements regarding public business, and Evans responded they were “asking” – not “requiring” – some employees to sign NDA’s who serve in “sensitive areas.”

A testy exchange ensued with Sen. Leek asking Dr. Evans if he felt the practice of telling public employees to sign NDA’s to prevent them from discussing public business was wrong? 

Given Florida’s venerated commitment to government in the sunshine, it remains a serious public policy question that School Board member Donna Brosemer has been demanding answers to for months…

In holding the district’s party line, Evans replied, “No sir.”

Embarrassing.

The ugly scene was reminiscent of a similar debacle two-years ago this week when District Superintendent Carmen Balgobin sent the “B-Team” – consisting of a brand-new Interim Chief Operating Officer and a clueless Deputy Superintendent – to appear before the Volusia County Council seeking $350,000 to fund additional School Resource Deputies.

Like Dr. Evans’ half-assed “presentation,” the ask to the County Council was devoid of financial and operational specifics, and Balgobin’s conspicuous absence, coupled with the ham-handed way the district’s request was brought forth, left veteran elected officials shaking their heads in a fit of fremdschämen…

At the time, Volusia County Councilman Troy Kent, a school administrator himself, remarked, “It’s borderline disrespectful, in my opinion, to come hat in hand asking for money and not having your ducks in a row, with basic statistics ready to go.”

Obviously, the repetitive nature of these public gaffes proves our “Superintendent of the Year” Balgobin hasn’t yet learned the valuable lesson that preparedness, presentation, and professionalism are the keys to securing alternative funding…

Anything less is amateurish – and humiliating.

If the benefit of experience is hindsight, what do we call those who refuse to learn from their mistakes? 

In my view, that’s the textbook definition of a fool…

That said, what do we call the majority of our elected representatives on the School Board who continue to permit these embarrassing blunders from highly compensated senior administrators time, and time again?

That’s a disturbing point to ponder come election time…

That’s all for me.  Enjoy a great final weekend of the Volusia County Fair, 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:

Sen. “Terrible Tommy” Wright Has Heard Enough From You Pissants…

While I was taking a break in the hinterlands of Northern Virginia last week, getting a different perspective, refueling the soul in the deeply healing environment of nature at the autumnal peak of fall colors, a wonderfully rejuvenating time enjoyed with lifelong friends; here on the “Fun Coast” our state legislative delegation was granting their annual audience to local elected peons who grovel for crumbs of the tax dollars we send to Tallahassee.

A sick kabuki where the legislators sit ensconced on a dais, literally and figuratively above our local representatives, civic activists, and concerned citizens who approach, hat-in-hand, to plead with those we have sent to Tallahassee for our rightful share of state funds, all while being admonished as compulsive wastrels by the pompous intelligentsia.      

It reminds me just how far from a government “…of the people, by the people, and for the people” we’ve strayed…

Rightfully, the most pressing issue of our time – malignant overdevelopment and its devastating effect on widespread flooding – was at the forefront. 

One-after-another, various community council members and commissioners dutifully approached, reverently genuflected, and explained how Senate Bill 180 (which each legislator on the dais voted to approve) has eliminated local control of planning and development while granting developer’s carte blanche to build when, where, and what they want.

That is before Senator “Terrible Tommy” Wright issued an arrogant edict – “Enough!”

According to The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “Before the end of the more than four-hour hearing, state Sen. Tom Wright said he had heard enough, asking one speaker if she planned to speak against Senate Bill 180.” 

“We’ve heard it enough times. We know that there’s issues with 180 and we’re working hard to try to correct them,” Wright said. “To save everyone’s time, if there’s anything else you’d like to talk about, we’re well aware of 180 being a problem.”

Save everyone’s time? 

What in the hell else does Senator Wright have to do on a Wednesday other than listen to the fervent concerns of his anxious constituents – including many of the same local elected officials who have run interference for the delegation’s kowtowing to their political benefactors – by refusing to join a lawsuit challenging SB 180? 

Where is the gratitude for those obsequious elected local yokels who bowed down and knuckled to their threats and legislative bullying – hoping for “amendments” to the horribly flawed law during the next legislative session?   

Look, I get it.  Sen. Wright has a history of intimidation and harassing behavior toward those who cannot fight back – like the ugly incident two-years ago when Wright angrily put his hands on a female employee of a domestic violence shelter when she rightfully ordered him off a bus full of residents, then charged at her screaming “‘Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!’”   

Sound familiar?

In my view, given “Terrible Tommy’s” reported history of “flirty and grooming” behavior toward vulnerable young women, the shelter employee had damn good reasons to protect the victims under her care.

According to a 2023 report in the News-Journal, another domestic violence survivor recounted “…an experience she had in 2017 with Wright during a bus evacuation ahead of Hurricane Irma.”

The victim said “…Wright rode on the bus with shelter residents, adding that she believes he paid for the trip. At one point, she told the News-Journal, he talked about prostitutes in Cuba, topless women on a boat and offered to fly her to Las Vegas.

Nothing else untoward happened, she said, but she found the situation “kind of embarrassing,” and “now I realize, you know, he was a creep.”

The young victim was reportedly “…around 20 years old at the time. Wright was in his mid-60s.”

A “creep” indeed…

It appears when things get politically uncomfortable for Sen. Wright – he simply demands that members of the servile class who pay the bills and suffer in silence “‘Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!’”  

Fortunately, “Terrible Tommy” won’t have to listen to us much longer as he is termed out in November 2026. 

Let’s hope whoever is elected to the seat understands the importance of listening to “We, The Little People,” rather than focusing solely on the mercenary wants and whims of their political benefactors in the development industry. 

Vote like your lives and livelihoods depend on it…

NSB Mayor Fred “Captain Queeg” Cleveland is Watching You

While New Smyrna Beach Mayor Fred Cleveland may tremble in his boots at the mere thought of what those bullies on the Volusia County legislative delegation may do to any community who stands their ground, defends the right to home rule, and challenges the overreach of SB 180 – it appears he has no problem using the iron boot of government to police your right to free expression of your views and opinions on the ‘everyman’s soapbox’ of social media.

Like the mad Captain Queeg in The Caine Mutiny, somewhere along the way Fred Cleveland has cracked under the pressure, obsessing over carping social media posts and mean memes, while the much more serious flooding problems aboard the good ship New Smyrna go haywire…

During a public meeting last month, Mayor Cleveland’s cheese publicly slipped off his cracker on the dais as he fumed over social media posts he found offensive, which resulted in City Attorney Carrie Avallone dutifully (if not unconstitutionally) sending a letter on official letterhead to Volusia County Council District 3 candidate Bryon White – an outspoken opponent of overdevelopment and its effects on our natural places – demanding that he “correct or remove” statements critical of NSB officials from social media.

You read that right…

In my view it was an abject abuse of power, a heavy-handed attempt to silence a political critic, and it does not appear the New Smyrna Beach City Commission is stopping its crusade to champion the “Truth According to City Hall” with Mr. White. 

In addition, during his rambling diatribe against anyone who expresses a viewpoint different from those espoused by the NSB spinmeisters – Mayor Cleveland ominously asked if one of the city’s two Public Information Officers (they have two?) could “monitor” the social media posts of residents and “set the record straight” with anyone who “berates” city officials or tries to “further an agenda.”

Wow.

I suspect Mayor Cleveland’s rampant paranoia and willingness to silence critics with the full force of government is just one reason New Smyrna Beach residents approved just two of the seven city charter amendments during Tuesday’s election.  That included righteously rejecting extending the mayor’s term from two to four years and increasing the salaries of the mayor and city commissioners.

No wonder the elected officials don’t like what their constituents have to say, eh?

In turn, the residents voted to prioritize cultural arts and mandate city charter reviews every ten years.

Interesting.

In my view, social media surveillance by the City of New Smyrna Beach or any other government entity raises serious concerns for the civil rights and liberties of citizens – and has a chilling effect on our right to free and unfettered expression. 

Our right to speak our minds on matters of public concern is not subject to the filter of Attorney Avallone, some highly compensated public mouthpiece, or anyone else – and Mayor Cleveland should know that.

If Mayor Cleveland and his Milquetoast “colleagues” can’t stand the heat of public opinion, then they should get out of the kitchen.

Quote of the Week

“Now, with reelection on the horizon, Councilman David Santiago is attempting to rebrand himself as compassionate. His latest proposal would divert those same arts funds to food banks, citing the federal shutdown and temporary suspension of SNAP benefits.

At first glance, this sounds benevolent. Don’t be fooled, this is not compassion, it’s political grandstanding.  By framing this as a moral choice, Santiago is playing a cynical game: pitting the arts against hunger.

Feeding people matters, no one disputes that. Only, this is calculated optics, the devils bargain disguised as virtue.  With a 1.4 billion county budget, Volusia can feed struggling families and fund the arts.

If the Council truly cared about priorities, or core government responsibilities it could start by cutting Councilman Don Dempsey’s 10.2 million motocross facility.”

–Intrepid Civic/Environmental Activist Cathrine Pante, as excerpted from her Facebook Post on Slow the Growth Volusia, Tuesday, November 4, 2025

You can tell election season is nigh when you hear sitting politicians – and those vying to be – puff and preen, “I will put my constituents first and serve all people of (insert local, state, federal jurisdiction here).”   

Squawking about inclusiveness and feigning interest the kitchen table concerns of struggling residents.

Horseshit…

The fact is, as anyone paying attention knows, the Volusia County Council – in toto – don’t give a tinker’s dam about the myriad issues facing “Fun Coast” families, and even less about finding effective long-term solutions to the multifaceted problem of hunger, poverty, homelessness, and basic household survival. 

On Tuesday, during what should have been a routine approval of the recommendations of the Children and Families Advisory Board, which helps fund things like Boys and Girls Clubs, Easter Seals, Council on Aging, swim lessons for children, and basic needs services, Chairman Jeff Brower took a cue from Councilman Danny “Gaslight” Robins and used it as an inappropriate opportunity to showboat.

According to an article in the West Volusia Beacon this week:  

“Although the storm over the Volusia County Council’s defunding of several arts and cultural organizations has not subsided, the governing body Nov. 4 waded into another budget controversy: appropriations for programs aiding the elderly and people with special needs.

“We spend far beyond our core government responsibilities,” County Chair Jeff Brower said, reading from a prepared statement. “Today we are being asked to spend the money we have taken from one family to help with the needs another family faces. We are a generous people, and our constituents are always willing to help those in need. But it should be their decision, not ours.”

This time, the “core responsibilities” argument didn’t go over well.

Per usual, Chairman Brower was alone and adrift – as none of his hard-shelled “colleagues” would consider voting against children’s programs and elderly assistance…

Later in the meeting, in a contrived twist Councilman David “No Show” Santiago, an unconvincing liar with the political morals of a broke back snake, tried to convince us he has conjured up a compassionate means of feeding the hungry (while further humiliating Volusia’s arts community).

In another of Santigo’s clearly choreographed sideshows, “No Show” all but held a cartoon lightbulb over his head when he announced he had suddenly found a way to use the $611,000 budgeted for arts funding – that just two-weeks ago was reallocated for an in-name-only “road and sidewalk maintenance program” – to underwrite the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as the US Government shutdown stretches into its sixth week.

In doing so, Councilman Santiago (who feeds greedily at the public trough) telegraphed to anyone watching that he doesn’t have a clue how many families in Volusia County (or his district) suffer from food insecurity – or even the number of food banks and pantries Volusia County “partners” with. 

Which makes it convenient for me to say – I’ll just bet Mr. Santiago has never met a hungry person (unless he was laughing at them on the sidewalk).  In my view, that makes his whopper “Feeding people is important to me” seem that much more cruel, calculated, and disingenuous.

In doing so, the demonstrably meanspirited Santiago exposed that he has no qualms using the anxiety and suffering of others to paint arts organizations as taking food from the mouths of hungry children should they continue to complain about the council’s bait-and-switch deception.  

That is Santiago’s brand of petty politics – quick on self-serving solutions – while dragging his tiny little feet, demanding more time and information, and throwing up inane roadblocks on issues of critical concern for Volusia County residents. 

Meanwhile, as Ms. Pante so eloquently points out, $10.2 million in taxpayer funds wait to pay for Councilman Don Dempsey’s family folly – a publicly funded motorcross facility…

Make no mistake, “No Show” Santiago and his “colleagues” on the dais are hoping against hope the shutdown resolves before they are forced to make good on their chaotic virtue signaling and reallocate funds from transportation infrastructure (originally earmarked for culture and arts funding) and provide $611K in unbudgeted and nonrefundable public assistance to area food banks – something that sticks in their collective craw like a fishbone.

Volusia County residents deserve better.

And Another Thing!

“The Florida Department of Transportation will host an open house next week to discuss a project that will resurface almost 4 miles of Nova Road, from Flomich Street in Holly Hill north to U.S. 1 in Ormond Beach.

The open house will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive. According to a city notice, the project will include a raised median that will replace portions of the center two-way left-turn lane on Nova Road between Granada Boulevard and Willmette Avenue.

The project will also add a new traffic signal at Old Kings Road and a directional median at Arroyo Parkway, which FDOT states will allow left turns onto Arroyo Parkway from Nova Road; traffic turning from Arroyo Parkway to Nova Road, however, will only be able to turn right.

Other improvements include upgraded traffic and pedestrian signals, enhanced lighting at signalized intersections and the reconstruction of pedestrian curb ramps to comply with ADA standards.

The design phase of the project is estimated to cost $2.6 million. The total construction cost is $16.8 million and construction is slated to start in summer 2026.”

–The Ormond Beach Observer, “FDOT to host open house for Nova Road improvements,” Tuesday, October 28, 2025

FDOT: “You rube’s like the “improvements” we gave you on Granada Boulevard and A-1-A?  You ain’t seen nothing like what we got planned for Nova Road!  

Please.  Say it isn’t so… 

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