Hi, kids!

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

Volusia Forever?  For The Moment…

On Tuesday evening the Volusia County Council did the right thing. 

Then they didn’t.

I guess old habits are hard to break…

During a goal setting session in December, some members of the council wanted to discuss the venerated Volusia Forever program, a voter approved mandate that uses dedicated tax dollars to purchase sensitive lands for conservation and obtain easements from private landowners to prevent future development.

Given the council’s preternatural aversion to listening to the concerns of their constituents, mandating low impact development strategies, or reducing malignant sprawl in the face of repeat flooding, many saw their interest in discussing “policy considerations” related to Volusia Forever as a bad omen… 

That widespread community concern prompted an outpouring of support for the program – to include letters from area municipalities, environmental advocacies, and hundreds of residents – all urging councilmembers to keep their hands off Volusia Forever.

To his credit, District 3 Councilman Danny Robins quickly read the political smoke signals (and the standing room only gallery) and made a motion to remove the much-anticipated discussion from the agenda citing overwhelming citizen support in his district and beyond:  

“It’s a testament and a clear indication of how this program is widely accepted, and the public does understand pretty much what they voted for.  But in my opinion, any further discussion in terms of modifications to it goes against the will of the people,” Robins explained.

Councilman Don Dempsey (who passive-aggressively claims to support the program?) appeared to take the item’s removal as a personal affront.  In turn, Dempsey began bellowing at his wary constituents – thundering away from the dais about his legal prowess and arguing that contractual restrictions contained in the easements are too prohibitive and limit options for future generations.

Despite Dempsey’s incessant caterwauling, everyone understood that protecting sensitive conservation lands and guarding what remains of rural areas from development in perpetuity (read: Forever) is exactly what over 70% of voters wanted when we cast our ballots…   

Per usual, Councilman David Santiago followed Mr. Dempsey’s bombastic rant by speaking out of both sides of his mouth – claiming (once again) that all problems stem from “social media” (the everyman’s soapbox he can’t legislatively suppress) this time resulting in a “frenzy” of false information that led people to believe the Volusia Forever program was under threat.

Because it is…

Regardless of Mr. Santigo’s malicious use of the illusory truth effect – repeating the lie that We, The Little People are too stupid to form cogent opinions based upon our own educated observations – thousands of people throughout the region clearly understood the ramifications of eroding the perpetuity provisions of Volusia Forever.

The free and open information exchange of social media isn’t the problem.  In my view, it is gaslighting perennial politicians who are responsible for perpetuating the “trust issue.”

Perhaps one day David Santiago will awake from the egomaniacal ether and understand that, outside of a small bubble of entrenched bureaucrats, no one trusts him.  Unfortunately, from the experiential learning that only comes from repeatedly touching a hot stove, residents don’t trust Volusia County government, either.   

After those who came to be heard on Volusia Forever had left the building, the discussion continued during closing comments… 

Councilman Dempsey returned to the issue – claiming he had been gagged by his “colleagues” and prevented from speaking on partnerships and easement obligations (bullshit) – bringing partisan politics into the argument to openly embarrass and pressure his fellow elected officials:

“Are we preserving all this water just for the turtles?” he asked. “Is this people over fish, or fish over people? I feel like I’m amongst a bunch of Gavin Newsoms out here. This isn’t California, guys,” Dempsey said.

I guess if you can’t get your way by putting it on the public agenda where citizens have a right to provide input – pout about it – then pull an ambush and move it to a workshop where the public is prevented from speaking; a comfortable echo chamber where the only voice that can be heard is yours…

To his credit, Chairman Jeff Brower said what wary citizens were thinking, “I’m not comfortable with it (the workshop) because we just told the public we’re not going to touch it; we’re going to leave it alone.”

Of course, Councilman Santiago attempted to camouflage Dempsey’s intent by labeling the workshop an “educational session” – which prompted County Manager George “The Wreck” Recktenwald to cut the stench of betrayal in the room by reminding the elected officials that narrowing the focus will help calm public fears – suggesting the tactic of taking things in “small bites.”

The “Wreck” cautioned, “When you bring the whole thing, I think that it brings the impression that you are trying to overhaul.”

A frightening glimpse at the inner workings of what passes for county government.

The workshop (“educational session”) passed 6-0 with Councilman Troy Kent absent… 

Just like that, Mr. Dempsey got what he wanted – a second bite at this rotten apple – a chance to keep the discussion alive, a chance to eventually modify the program into something unrecognizable from what we voted for.  

In my view, the majority of our elected representatives let themselves be kowtowed by the buffoonery of a hyper-dramatic lawyer.  At the end of the day (literally), they didn’t have the intestinal fortitude and moral courage to listen to their constituents and tell Don Dempsey to pack sand and respect the will of the voters.

Stay vigilant.  The threat to the perpetuity provisions of Volusia Forever is far from over.  

Volusia County District Schools: A Matter of Trust

Apologies ring hollow without accountability.

A lack of ownership and avoidance of responsibility leaves victims of negligence, mismanagement, or system malfunctions with feelings of resentment resulting in an irretrievable breach of trust.

The permanency of that suspicion and cynicism is why strong leaders rarely accept excuses or explanations and demand immediate acceptance of responsibility.  An institutional commitment to correcting mistakes or errors in judgement to the satisfaction of those who were adversely affected.  

The culture and standards of a well-managed organization demand independent investigations into how human factors, procedural failures, and lack of effective oversight conspired, and how that chain of errors can be disrupted in the future. 

That isn’t finger pointing or scapegoating; rather, the methodical process of gaining a better understanding of how missteps occur, then mitigating the risk of them happening again. That process requires a high degree of integrity, organizational transparency, and open communication.

Unfortunately, those attributes are sorely lacking in Volusia County District Schools.

In February, thousands of district employees erroneously received excess retroactive pay after negotiations for salary increases concluded.  According to reports, in some cases, the amount paid was double – even triple – what was actually owed.

According to a report by Mark Harper which appeared in The Daytona Beach News-Journal last week:

“After the Volusia United Educators and the district settled negotiations on a pay raise, the district agreed to a retroactive paycheck. In February, those checks went to some 9,000 people, and in many cases, the amounts were double or even triple what was owed. The district was able to claw back most of that money within hours, but officials admitted this week that 152 workers still owe money.”

In addition, between August and October 2025, some 307 transportation employees were paid $56,587.07 in unearned overtime, while other employees experienced discrepancies with accrued leave time.

Apparently, the problems originate from a new “enterprise resource planning” system called FOCUS that incorporates a variety of financial and inventory processes, to include payroll.  According to reports, FOCUS remains in transition, and the software still overlaps with the district’s former Oracle system which is set to be retired next month.

District tech officials pointed the finger at the vendor, claiming staff received “erroneous” information from a FOCUS representative which resulted in the program being run “twice and three times,” resulting in multiple overpayments.

Once the problem was identified, the district began to “pull back the money as fast as we could.”

To add insult, we’re now learning that some of the amounts the district “clawed back” were incorrect as well…

What a shit show.

The district’s trite explanation is little consolation to the thousands of district employees who have lost confidence in the payroll program – and those who administrate it.

Last week, rank-and-file staff members – many living paycheck-to-paycheck – approached the Volusia County School Board to express their fear and frustration.  Their entreaties included disturbing stories of how their families have been directly impacted by this colossal blunder, to include the necessity of taking high interest loans, missed payments, and trepidation over future payroll errors.

According to the News-Journal report:

“Elizabeth Albert, president of the Volusia United Educators, said the problems with Focus are widespread and have been occurring for months.

“This system, I believe, was meant to improve efficiency, but instead has created instability, anxiety, and confusion, and has broken the trust that employees should have in their employer’s ability to pay them correctly for the work that they do,” Albert said.

Albert said 307 transportation employees who were overpaid in September had that money deducted from their retro payments. And 118 of those workers “learned that their retro wasn’t enough to cover the overpayment when they had their regular paycheck two days later docked the difference.”

Albert cited legal precedents that employees should be given an option to repay the funds through a monthly installment plan, rather than a lump-sum payment.

“These unilateral and isolated decisions to take away pay from employees without their consent is fundamentally wrong,” Albert said.”

Unfortunately, the better-late-than-never apologies and hollow suggestions from school board members and Superintendent Carmen Balgobin – which included asking employees to “screen shot” payroll errors to document recurrent problems (?), explaining that the district has “limited options” for terminating FOCUS and replacing it with a system that works, along with the usual bureaucratic attempts to mitigate the district’s responsibility for the mess.

Bullshit.

According to Board Chair Board Chair Ruben Colón – while he’s really, really miffed over this latest SNAFU – the Chairman attempted to downplay the crisis, pointing out that all but 2% of the overpayments were corrected within hours…

That’s cold comfort to those families still dealing with the financial fallout.

“Now don’t get me wrong,” Colón tut-tutted. “If I tell you there’s a 2% chance of rain and there’s rain that morning and it’s raining on you, that’s a 100% chance for you.” “There was about 150 employees who — we messed with their money — and that’s something I made very clear to FOCUS.”

I found it interesting that during the board meeting no one in the Balgobin administration had immediate access to the district’s contract with Focus School Software LLC – not the Superintendent and not the district/board attorney… 

Really?

Perhaps in times of crisis, Superintendent Balgobin should learn the importance of taking time away from self-nominating herself for awards or choreographing ego massaging tributes, and focus her efforts on providing the strong leadership, strategic thought, and sound solutions she is being compensated for.

In my view, rather than “workshop” the issue – the school board should immediately demand that the vendor mitigate continuing impacts to the household budgets of staff members whose lives have been upended – and obtain written assurances with clear financial penalties to ensure the problem doesn’t happen again.

That’s called accountability.  

As Volusia County teacher Robin Bradshaw explained:

“For many of us, our paycheck is not just a number on a screen. It determines whether we can pay our rent, our mortgage, buy groceries, cover gas to get to work and provide for our families. When payroll errors occurs, even small ones, they can create a domino effect in our lives. Bills do not pause because FOCUS makes a mistake.”

Daytona Beach Tourism: “Did we make a mistake coming here?”

I like Sheriff Mike Chitwood when he’s playing offense. 

After last weekends “pop-up” event that saw an estimated 9,000+ people drawn to the core tourist area of Daytona Beach after an online promoter announced the unsanctioned event on social media, there seemed to be some finger pointing between Volusia County and Daytona Beach officials…  

Not a good look. For anyone.

The first weekend of Spring Break was marred by gunshots, multiple street fights, mob scenes, and various other offenses and infractions that resulted in 133 arrests on Volusia County beaches.  Which tells me the men and women of the Daytona Beach Police Department and Volusia Sheriff’s Office did yeoman’s work controlling the event to the extent these “invasions” can be moderated.

Unfortunately, the event resulted in international media attention that painted Daytona Beach and its historical association with illegal takeover events in an extremely poor light.   That results in fear and does long-term reputational harm to our tourist and hospitality industry. 

In a report by Brenno Carillo writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal this week, he interviewed Kayce Royce, who was visiting the area with her family from Washington.  I’m sure the quote – the worse thing a visitor can say about a destination – was gut-wrenching for the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (at least it should be):

“Then I was like, ‘Did we make a mistake coming here?’” Royce said. “Because these guys (her family) are going to come the next day, and then I was like, ‘Is this what it’s always like at spring break down here?’”

Another devastating blow for struggling merchants on our beleaguered beachside.

Earlier this week, Sheriff Chitwood did what he does best, got his feet back under him after the criticism from last weekend, and went on the offensive – sending a message far and wide that anyone who promotes these unsanctioned events will be subject to aggressive civil litigation to recoup law enforcement and emergency services expenses related to the mayhem.

“If you promote an unsanctioned event and we incur cost and police, fire, EMS and trash cleanup, you are responsible for the cost of that event,” Sheriff Chitwood said at a news conference Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Sheriff Chitwood announced he would be declaring much of the core tourist area a “special event zone” this weekend, a designation which allows officers and deputies to impound vehicles for up to 72 hours, doubles fines for traffic violations, and allows officials to limit the number of vehicles entering the zone.

That action is the result of a 2022 law enacted by the Florida legislature on the recommendation of a beachside event task force formed after residents grew tired of being held hostage in their homes while (insert unsanctioned invasion here) seized control of our community.  

At a press event earlier this week, Sheriff Chitwood explained, “We’re going to be the first county – and my attorneys are working on it now – we are coming after you financially. And if I could come after you criminally, I would. So, don’t sit behind a keyboard in Georgia or Orlando or wherever and think you’re going to do these truck events and these takeover events because it’s not going to happen. There is a way to do business. Get permits and do things the right way.”

Kudos to Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young and Sheriff Chitwood for working tirelessly to limit the impacts of these invasions on beachside residents, merchants, and tourists. 

In my view, these events and other threats remind us why the officers and deputies who go into harm’s way to provide a blanket of protection for my family and yours deserve our admiration, cooperation, and support. 

Quote of the Week

“That was my primary concern when I approached Sen. Leek about the issues I was having in being on the school board,” Brosemer said. “…I’ve been on education boards in the state of Florida for 22 years. I have never encountered a situation where I either was refused documents, or had to pay for them, but I encountered both of those in Volusia County.”

–Volusia County School Board Member Donna Brosemer, as quoted by The Daytona Beach News-Journal reporter Mark Harper, “Senator’s ‘School Board Members’ Bill of Rights’ passes,” Thursday, March 12, 2026

So, how did Superintendent Carmen Balgobin’s administration respond to the news that the district’s pernicious tactic of blinding and spoon-feeding our elected representatives into lockstep conformity has now resulted in a promising new law that provides school board members with the access and independence to perform their critical oversight role?

“We’re grateful to Senator Leek for the time and effort he took to engage with us and refine House Bill 1073, which passed earlier today.  The policy the bill addresses largely reflects practices already in place in Volusia County.  Through his collaboration, the bill recognizes the work already being accomplished, while providing a framework we can responsibly support moving forward.”

–Volusia County Schools

Wow.

For the uninitiated, that’s called ‘gaslighting.’

An insidious sham increasingly employed by troubled public entities and politicians that uses quibbling and deception to distort reality, dupe constituents into questioning their own eyes and ears, while painting a false narrative.   

This bill wasn’t the result of the district’s “collaboration” with Senator Leek or anyone else, and it damn sure wasn’t a recognition of “work already being accomplished” in Volusia County.  It was a direct rebuke – a legislative kick in the crotch – on a level that normally gets recalcitrant superintendents and bumbling general counsels fired.

Although this new law will cover all school districts in the state, it’s origin and purpose was to level the power dynamic in Volusia County. 

It was a specific response to the district’s entrenched practice of keeping our elected oversight in the dark, charging board members for public records, forcing employees of a publicly funded organization to sign non-disclosure agreements, and hiding important budget information from those who are required by law to approve it. 

Don’t take my word for it. 

During the byzantine maze of hearings that the legislation was required to clear on its way to the Governor’s desk, several lawmakers specifically commented on the incompetence and obstruction by senior administrators in Volusia County Schools. 

For instance, during a February hearing, Sen. Rosalind Osgood (D-Tamarac) asked Ms. Brosemer whether Superintendent Balgobin was elected or appointed.

Brosemer explained that she was appointed.

“Y’all should fire ’em…” Osgood said.  

I agree…

Volusia County students, teachers, staff, and taxpayers deserve better.

And Another Thing!

Speaking of kicks to the crotch…

During a special meeting last Friday evening, Ormond Beach residents who have fought valiantly for the past five-years to prevent a development group from shoehorning hundreds of homes onto the former Tomoka Oaks Golf Course were left reeling from the acquiescence – and base cowardice – of their elected representatives.

On a 4-1 vote – with Commissioner Kristin Deaton casting the dissenting vote – the majority of the Ormond Beach City Commission surrendered to development interests and approved the disingenuously named Tomoka Reserve.

Just like that, another long-established neighborhood was marked for destruction…  

Many disenfranchised citizens left the meeting feeling like the hearing was an orchestrated sellout by clay-footed elected officials who abandoned them to ensure the success of developers seeking to exploit what was once their neighborhood amenity…   

In my view, their capitulation will fundamentally change the character and composition of that beautiful and long-established neighborhood; and the radiating impacts on surrounding subdivisions and the greater Nova Road corridor will see increased pressure on our already stressed utilities, public infrastructure, essential services, and horribly clogged roadways. 

Perhaps most troubling, many residents felt the vote was a shocking reversal from the “responsible development” platform that many on the commission campaigned on – a sense of civic betrayal – and a communitywide feeling of abandonment by those we elevated to high office who, when the chips were down, shrugged their shoulders and mewled, “Welp.  Nuttin’ we can do, folks.  It checks all the boxes…”

The fact is, absent defending the lawsuit with a persuasive argument regarding appropriateness, flooding concerns, traffic impacts, etc., there is little the City Commission can do now that the development industry owns the Sunshine State (and its lawmakers). 

That is little consolation to longtime residents whose lives are about to be upended by 254 new homes on what was a beautiful suburban greenspace…

By Saturday morning, social media was abuzz with crestfallen citizens venting their anger and frustration:

“After a 5-year fight, for the city to suddenly cave now is a complete betrayal of the residents who have been sounding the alarm from day one.”

“(Deputy Mayor) Lori Toland showed exactly how she’ll govern if elected as Mayor of Ormond Beach: siding with developers, not residents.”

“City commissioners…what a pathetic group of low life politicians. Typical bought and paid for by developers.  Not to mention we run our campaign on ” anti-development” bullcrap. Well it got you elected mayor didn’t it. Liar and a traitor.”

“The whole time most of the council texting on their phones and not paying attention to comments. Two citizens even stated they were there early and say most of the council discussions on voting to approve before the meeting.”

“Absolutely disgusted by their vote tonight. Disgusting. We TRUSTED them to do the right thing for the citizens.”

“This was disgusting to watch tonight and I hope people remember this come voting time.”

“They have shown they can not only NOT be voted back in – but not voted into ANY public office. There is absolutely zero trusting their blatant bs.”

Unfortunately, venting one’s spleen on the community soapbox of social media may help soothe the instant rage and resentment, but the tragic fact is, it does nothing to change the minds of our compromised elected representatives or the trajectory of a project that was once unimaginable in a place like Tomoka Oaks.    

Once again, the rights of a small development consortium have won out over the fervent pleas and logical arguments of established homeowners and taxpayers seeking to preserve the remaining shreds of Ormond Beach’s unique character. 

Soon the damage will be done. 

The bulldozers will roar and claustrophobic homeowners in Tomoka Oaks and adjacent areas will be subjected to the churn of toxic soil inherent to former golf courses and the destruction of greenspace as more, more, more homes are wedged into a space where they were never meant to inhabit.  

In an incredibly tone-deaf monologue, Deputy Mayor Lori Tolland – a current candidate for mayor – attempted to commiserate with a roomful of grievously injured constituents after voting to approve the oddly named Tomoka Reserve development.

“This really stinks.  I’m just going to say it right now. I look out there and I see a lot of friends, a lot of people that my kids have grown up with, and I respect everybody in this audience right now.”

For reasons known only to her, Ms. Tolland then crushed any hope she may have had of being elected mayor with a whiny self-pitying reminder of the weight of the crown:

“We take an oath and we have certain responsibilities, but one of those responsibilities is to manage land use and growth.  Nobody likes to see growth in our community that impacts people negatively, and you all are here because you feel like it’s going to impact you negatively. But it’s my responsibility to evaluate my decisions based on our land development code, our comprehensive plan and remain compliant to state statute.”

Now that Ms. Tolland has made herself the face of this debacle – and given the fact a host of developers, builders, and real estate interests are financing her mayoral ambitions, a groaning war chest now stuffed with over $87,000 (for an Ormond Beach mayor’s race?) – it is going to take a herculean effort to convince angry Ormond Beach residents who she works for…  

I suspect Commissioner Tolland’s inability to read the room, limit her emotional indulgences, and authentically empathize with those who have been hurt, has destined her mayoral run to the political ash heap – that fetid place where the political careers of those who turn their back on those they were elected to serve invariably end.

Elections have consequences…

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:

Volusia County Schools: “In the District of the Blind, The One-Eyed Superintendent is King…”  

True public servants – those who devote themselves to a cause greater than their own self-interests –understand the importance of conducting their personal and professional lives in a manner that avoids raising ethical questions or casts doubt on one’s integrity. 

Careful to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, always mindful of maintaining the public trust.

It’s an important life lesson for young people as well.  Acting with honor, even when no one else is watching…

That means respecting both the letter and spirit of the laws that should rightfully govern everyone equally – including the conduct of governance.  In Florida, the most venerated statutory protection citizens enjoy is our commitment to Government in the Sunshine. 

With limited exceptions, under provisions of both the Florida Constitution and Sunshine Law, We, The Little People are guaranteed access to meetings of governmental entities at the state and local level, the right to reasonable notice, and the ability to inspect and copy meeting minutes. 

The open meetings law is broadly applicable “…to any gathering, whether formal or casual, of two or more members of the same board or commission to discuss some matter on which foreseeable action will be taken by the public board or commission.”

As a result, most responsible elected bodies prominently post adequate notice of events where two or more members of the same governing body will be in attendance, even if no official action will be taken. 

That’s called transparency and avoids the perception of collusion or prohibited communication.

Last week, Volusia County District Schools held its second annual State of Our Schools – Superintendent’s Address at The Center at Deltona, an event attended by all but one elected member of the Volusia County School Board. 

What?  You weren’t aware of it? 

Me neither…

Because this year’s soiree was “invitation-only.”

You read that right.

There was no mention of it on the VCS website and not even a blip on the district’s event calendar.  In fact, the first “Press Release” I saw was posted on March 6 – one day after the address – which contained a cobbled together overview of the program’s talking points.  

According to an after-the-fact post on the district’s Facebook page, invitees included the district’s senior administration and “elected officials, business partners, nonprofit organizations, and education advocates,” with the presentation “sponsored” by a host of vendors, professional service providers, and contractors doing business with Volusia County District Schools…    

In my view, the program appeared to be another over-orchestrated coronation for Superintendent Carmen Balgobin, a shameless self-promoter who frequently sets elaborately embroidered stages to tout her “accomplishments,” always in a place and form not favorable for public challenge.  

According to a report by Mark Harper in The Daytona Beach News-Journal last week:

“Mid-year data suggests Volusia County Schools’ A rating will be maintained again when the Florida Department of Education issues grades in 2026, a top administrator has announced.

Speaking at the district’s State of Our Schools event on Thursday, March 5, Chief Academic Officer Julio Nazario-Valle made the prediction before an audience of about 250 people at The Center of Deltona.

“The data does not lie, right?” Nazario-Valle said. “What happens at the end of the year is what we have seen throughout the year, so I will say that I am expecting…”

He paused, as Superintendent Carmen Balgobin egged him on.

“… For the second year, consecutive, another A,” Nazario-Valle said.”

Rah, Rah, Sis-Boom-Bah…

Call me jaded, but the answer to Mr. Nazario-Valle’s curious question is, “It depends on who’s gathering the “data” – who is interpreting it – and to what end.” 

Unfortunately, Superintendent Balgobin never seems to “egg on” that level of external scrutiny, preferring that School Board members – and those of us who pay the bills – simply accept the gilded “data” as presented.

To her credit, District 4 School Board member Donna Brosemer chose to uphold the highest standards of the public service when she opted not to attend what was clearly an unannounced invitation-only event involving two or more of her elected “colleagues” – who chose to ignore the optics – and the concerns of those of us on the outside looking in…     

In an email dated Monday, February 23, that was forwarded to me by someone who received an invitation, an administrative assistant in the district’s Community Information Services, wrote:

“As this is an invitation-only event with reserved seating, the event has now reached full capacity.  Admission will be reserved exclusively for guests whose names appear on the final guest list.”

Disturbingly, on March 5, in response to an inquiry regarding the propriety of an unnoticed event which included the majority of the Volusia County School Board, Gilbert Evans, an attorney who serves as general counsel to both the district and the school board (?), quibbled and wiggled:

“The event is purely celebratory in nature, and no School Board action or decision-making occurs” (Says who?).  To ensure full transparency, the complete presentation is made publicly available following the event so all families and community members can share in the accomplishments of our students and schools.  

The event was publicly advertised on the Volusia County Schools website (No. It wasn’t.).  Community stakeholders and partners were invited with an RSVP process that ensured seating for all guests. After all pre-registered attendees were accommodated, walk-in guests were welcomed, and no individual was denied access.”  

Then, on Monday, in an email explanation of the event disseminated to all school board members, Mike Micallef, Executive Director of “Graduation Assurance” and Student Services in Dr. Balgobin’s “cabinet,” wrote:

“The State of the Schools event was not invitation-only.  It was publicly posted on the Volusia County Schools website and open to all community stakeholders.  The RSVP process was used solely to guarantee seating for those who pre-registered.  After all RSVP guests were checked in and seated, walk-in attendees were welcomed and offered any available remaining seats.”

Unfortunately, (for the district’s basement-level credibility), I have it on good authority that at least one person was denied entry to the event…

During the Volusia County School Board meeting on Tuesday, the incredibly bright and civically active Kim Short, who serves on the Education & Workforce Committee for five area Chambers of Commerce, with an extensive history of volunteerism and boots-on-the-ground support for our schools, confirmed the event was never properly noticed on the website, social media, or community calendars.

She also confirmed that a citizen was denied entry to the State of Our Schools after being told, some people inside “…did not want her there.”

Whoa. Having a gatekeeper to sort the wheat from the chaff at the velvet ropes doesn’t sound very welcoming to me…

Most powerfully, Ms. Short set board members and Dr. Balgobin straight: “Strong leadership doesn’t just welcome applause.  It welcomes criticism, different viewpoints, and sometimes honest disagreement…” 

She’s right.

Sounds like Dr. Balgobin and her coterie over in the Ivory Tower of Power in DeLand desperately need to get their stories straight… 

Before I condemn the bulk of our school board for gathering to “celebrate” without reasonable public notice to the rest of us “stakeholders and partners” who pay for everything, I am going to suggest that this is what happens when what passes for our elected oversight takes everything the administration says and does at face value.

“It must be okay if Dr. Balgobin says so, right?”

“Everyone gets an ‘A’!  How?  Because I said so…”

In my view, the awkward optics surrounding the Superintendent’s Address is another prime example why fiercely independent school board members like Donna Brosemer need the access and protections afforded by Sen. Tom Leek’s “Bill of Rights,” which will expand oversight for elected officials seeking the truth for their constituents.

According to reports, the bill is well on its way to becoming law, thanks to Ms. Brosemer’s diligent efforts and the good work of Sen. Tom Leek, Sen. Don Gaetz, Rep. Traci Koster, and others. 

In a state that ostensibly values transparency in governance, bad things happen when elected boards, councils, and commissions come together behind closed doors for “invitation-only” soirees where elected officials, government contractors, and other “partners” doing business with their district are in attendance.   

So much for that whole ‘avoiding even the appearance of impropriety’ horseshit, eh?

In my view, someone with the responsibility for enforcing Florida’s open meetings law should do something about this. 

They won’t – but they should…

Maybe it’s time for Volusia County voters to put an end to this lockstep conformism and dedication to protecting the status quo – elect independent leadership that will actually put the needs of students, teachers, and stakeholders first – and provide the strong administrative and fiscal oversight we deserve.

Whatever the event was, I hope Volusia County voters remember this gross elitism and arrogant snub at the ballot box in November.  

Bait-and-Switch: “Volusia Forever” Means Just That.  Or Does It?  

As a resident of Volusia County, I voted (twice) to ensure our threatened wild places – woodlands, wetlands, springs, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and other environmentally sensitive areas – were protected from greed-crazed exploitation in perpetuity.   

We knew what we were doing – and why. 

In fact, in 2000, Volusia County voters overwhelmingly voted to tax ourselves for the purpose of land acquisition, along with environmental, cultural, historic, and outdoor recreation opportunities through the Volusia Forever and ECHO programs. In November 2020, Volusia Forever was renewed with over 75% percent of voters supporting this important conservation initiative.   

Then, in January, the County Council discussed potential “goals” (sorry, I just upchucked in my mouth a little..) for 2026, which included the possibility of turning the venerated Volusia Forever into “a non-in perpetuity program (example 100 years).”

Next Tuesday, in their infinite imbecility, the Volusia County Council of Cowards will take up what many believe is a bait-and-switch attempt to make changes to the conservation program, to include possible changes to how conservation lands are selected, limiting or eliminating matching funds for local, state, and federal partnerships, reducing the millage that supports Volusia Forever acquisitions, and reversing the program’s voter mandated intent to protect conservation properties in perpetuity (read: “forever”).

Yeah.  I know…

Kudos to the cities of Edgewater, Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Daytona Beach, and Deltona for their letters and resolutions supporting leaving Volusia Forever’s time-honored provisions intact – along with the support of great environmental activists and advocacies, such as the Indian River Lagoon Council, the Deleon Springs Community Association, 1000 Friends of Florida, Dream Green Volusia, ECHO Volusia Forever, Southeast Volusia Audubon Society, and others.

Most of all, my sincere appreciation goes out to the countless citizens of Volusia County who have made their voices heard. 

The matter will be discussed as Agenda Item 03 on Tuesday, March 17, beginning at 4:00pm, in The Frank T. Bruno, Jr. County Council Chambers, 123 West Indiana Avenue, DeLand. 

It’s going to be a barnburner, folks…  

If you care about clean water, wildlife habitat, and what remains of our critically endangered environment – and would prefer that your sacred vote for Volusia Forever not be subject to the whims and wants of elected shills intent on manipulating the tenets of the program to allow conservation lands to be sold for development in the future – you’ll want to attend the meeting, voice your opinion, or watch the proceedings online here:  https://tinyurl.com/uz7f6ab8

This one’s important.

Quote of the Week

“I’m not worried about seeking outside employment,” Petito said. “This item was scheduled to return on March 16 at a workshop. I think putting it on today is unnecessary. I just think that it continues to display a very sloppy approach to trying to find a transition.” Petito normally sets the agenda. She said the county attorney’s office did so this time, because the March 16 agenda was overloaded, Pennington said.

“When you decided that you wanted a change in leadership,” she continued, “I said that I would be willing to stay on to tentative budget. I still feel that way, because the budget is the most important thing that you guys are responsible for in county government. I said I would stay on until we got to tentative.

We deliver that on July 13. My last day would be July 14.

There was discussion among the board that that wasn’t happy. Rip the bandaid off. I think somebody said, make the separation immediate. Let her go. Now. This is sloppy. This is not a professional look. I’m here as a professional. I will stay on. But if we could continue to act as professionals and move forward with the budget while you all search for a permanent replacement, that would be wonderful.”

–Departing Flagler County Administrator Heidi Petito, as quoted from the FlaglerLive.com article, “Heidi Petito Scolds Flagler Commissioners For Unprofessional Handling Of Her Pending Summer Resignation,” Monday, March 9, 2026

Admittedly, I’ve given Flagler County Administrator Heidi Petito some heartburn through the years, much of it related to her selective communications skills that frequently blindsided the Board of County Commissioners and kept the municipalities guessing…

But when she’s right, she’s right.

In my view, the effort to terminate Ms. Petito has been “sloppy” and unprofessional from the beginning, a ham-handed rout that has adversely effected morale among county employees, resulted in the exodus of at least one promising senior administrator, and exposed disturbing differences between the elected officials.   

Most problematic, things like this cause potential candidates for the position to raise an eyebrow and question the stability of the county government before applying…  

In December 2025, three of the five Flagler County commissioners – Leann Pennington, Kim Carney, and Pam Richardson – opined on an evaluation that Petito “does not meet expectations,” while Commissioner Greg Hansen found that Petito “significantly exceeds expectations,” and Andy Dance found that she “exceeds expectations.”

In January, during the waning minutes of a BOCC meeting, Commissioner Carney made a motion to fire Petito out-of-hand citing a lack of confidence and poor communications.  The motion died for lack of a second, but it gave Commissioner Dance an opening to criticize Carney’s tactic, explaining the move was in “…bad faith, and it lacks transparency.”

“On its face, you’re doing it at the end of a meeting when nobody is an attendance and nobody knows about it.”

Regardless, the handwriting was on the wall.  Petito’s days were numbered…

In February, deputy county administrator Percy Sayles resigned for undisclosed reasons; however, many felt his departure was related to the deteriorating relationship between Petito and the majority of the BOCC.

Then, Ms. Petito also tendered her resignation – effective July 14, 2026 – to provide an opportunity for the county’s annual budget to be prepared and passed.  Later a “mutual separation agreement” was approved by the BOCC which finalized the transition and granted Petito a generous severance package.

Disturbingly, with things reasonably settled and a plan in place, during a special meeting held earlier this week, Commissioner Pam Richardson upset the applecart by asking Petito if she wanted to leave before July 14…    

That’s when Ms. Petito took off the gloves and spoke candidly to the BOCC.

Good for her.

With Ms. Petito, an experienced administrator with institutional knowledge in place for the next four months, the clearly fractured Flagler County BOCC now has the opportunity to put differences aside, conduct a professional search, and find the ‘right fit’ for Flagler County.   

In my view, the success and stability of our region depend upon it. 

As we have seen in Volusia County, Palm Coast, Deltona, Orange City, etc., etc., etc., tension, toxicity, and petty internal squabbles do nothing to cure the myriad ills we face or bring about the positive change this infinitely challenged metropolitan statistical area of ours so desperately needs.   

Here’s hoping Ms. Petito’s delayed departure leads to healing.  

And Another Thing!

“If we truly think “optics” are important, perhaps we should be asking ourselves – what are the optics of casually dismissing those the organization is intended to serve?”

–A. J. Fawver, Community Planning Professional

I was having a conversation with a smart friend of mine this week when talk turned to why so many local government organizations have a growing aversion to public engagement. 

A manufactured “Us v. Them” mindset where bloated bureaucracies turn insular and convince elected officials they are infallible – that all solutions to the innumerable issues we face here on the “Fun Coast” are the exclusive domain of an entrenched senior staff – and “public input” is unwanted, time-consuming, and unrealistic.

It has become a weird contradiction – most noticeable during the campaign season – when politicians talk, ad nauseum, about the importance of citizen involvement and make disingenuous promises, then fall right back into lockstep conformity, doing everything in their considerable power to protect the status quo, and limit We, The Little People’s ability to participate once they return to the dais.  

It dominates the local political discussion.  So why do our ‘powers that be’ pretend to be oblivious to it?

For instance, I watch elected officials shake their heads and commiserate about the lack of quality applicants for advisory boards and oversight committees – while those same “decision-makers” routinely ignore the strategic insight and hard work of their current volunteers. 

To add insult, some compromised politicians ostracize those they appoint (and serve) when their advice doesn’t conform to a prearranged narrative – besmirching the character and reputation of individual committee members simply for having the courage of their convictions – and a willingness to hold firm to their values when providing guidance to the elected body.

I’m talking about a growing number of so-called “public servants” who actively suppress public participation then sit like stone gargoyles – ignoring citizens who work for a living and take the time to appear before a board, council, or commission to speak for exactly three-minutes. 

That includes those smallminded martinets who wield the gavel like a cudgel and order citizens physically removed from the peanut gallery when their demands for good governance exceed the overly subjective bounds of “decorum.”

Unfortunately, it is getting worse, and at the risk of sounding like a conspiracist, it seems carefully choreographed across a number of challenged jurisdictions…  

A concerted effort to silence public participation in all forms – an institutional attempt to control the dialog by labeling dissenting opinions as falsehoods and fabrications – while those who pound on the closed portcullis of government seeking a voice on pressing civic issues grow increasingly disillusioned and marginalized.

The result is widespread apathy. 

The sad reality is most people don’t know the name of their mayor, or care who represents their district on a municipal commission or the county council…

Each week I hear from bone-weary neighbors – committed citizens and activists who seek positive and authentic change on a variety of issues facing Volusia County and beyond – who vent the utter frustration they feel as our elected dullards ignore their educated entreaties while unfailingly granting those extremely wealthy special interests who underwrite their political ambitions carte blanche. 

As a result, the insanity of unchecked development in the absence of adequate infrastructure is overshadowing every aspect of our lives as local governments continue to permit a “shove ten-pounds of shit into a five-pound bag” growth management strategy as demanded by our wholly compromised state legislature and the power brokers who control them…  

My unoriginal encouragement is to quote my favorite mock-Latin aphorism: Illegitimi non carborundum.

Don’t let the bastards grind you down…

Never quit.  Never forget.  Vote your conscience.

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:

State of the County: “Driving the Future.  Honoring Tradition.”  Seriously?  

We live in a time when our elected officials on the Volusia County Council blatantly obfuscate and procrastinate, muddying the water (literally) on some of the most critical issues of our time. 

In fact, it has become so common that many no longer bother to sort the wheat from the chaff. 

As a result of the near constant manipulation, many of my neighbors say they simply don’t pay attention to it anymore, choosing instead to apathetically bury their heads in the sand and shut out what passes for governance in Volusia County.   

Most troubling, good people increasingly refuse to participate in the political meat grinder that devours those who run for local office.  A process that is now limited to hand-select marionettes, malleable shills born without the emotion of shame, supported by wealthy special interests, and passionately devoted to protecting the stagnant status quo.

I guess it’s true, we get the government we deserve…

Each year we are reminded of just how far afield things have gotten when our politicos, hangers-on, and a smattering of concerned residents come together for the State of the County Address. 

This year our elected officials, senior staff, and those residents with the constitution to stomach it, gathered in the Lost City of Deltona for a “free lunch” usually paid for by government contractors doing business with the County of Volusia (?). 

Read that last line again…

A chance for our political elite to preen and posture, rub elbows, cackle, and backslap, while touting last years “accomplishments.” 

A stilted afternoon where our elected officials desperately try to hide their utter distain for Chairman Jeff Brower and the tragicomedy that plays out around his efforts to slow-the-growth, defend what remains of unspoiled Volusia County, and protect our finite natural resources from the threat of malignant development.  

This year, the dubious theme of the address was “Driving the Future.  Honoring Tradition.”

Really?

A trite line, no doubt concocted by some spinmeister in the “Community Information Division,” that denies the fact our elected officials – and those entrenched senior enablers on staff who craft the narrative – have done nothing to drive our collective future or honor our cherished traditions – such as beach driving/access, supporting a vibrant arts community, or the reverence and respect the vast majority of Volusia County voters have for the protection and conservation of our environment.

I’ve said this before, but we now find ourselves in a time when our quality of life – and that of our children and grandchildren – is threatened by abject incompetence, bureaucratic procrastination, and an institutional dedication to protecting the profit motives of those who can pay-to-play at all levels of government.

And no one who accepts public funds to serve in the public interest seems to care. 

During his speech, Chairman Brower spoke of the importance of maintaining local control and defending our right to self-determination in county and municipal governance. 

He’s right.

With the growing threat of state preemptions to home rule authority increasing every day that the Florida Legislature is in session – and the ongoing assault on local governance as state officials threaten the elimination of small, accessible, and responsive representation – it is clear to anyone paying attention which special interests own the high ground in Tallahassee (hint: It damn sure isn’t We, The Little People who vote those compromised shills into office…)

According to an excellent piece outlining Chairman Brower’s speech by Sierra Williams writing in the Ormond Beach Observer last week:

“At the same time, we understand that responsible government means planning ahead,” he said, “anticipating challenges and making decisions that serve both today’s residents and future generations.”

The United States was designed, he said, to be accessible to the people through a system built on balance.

“The government closest to you is best suited to make local decisions,” Brower said. “Local leaders understand those conditions. Volusia, cities and county governments, understand our communities, our environment, our economy and the real-world effects of policy decisions.”

Even well intended policies can produce unintended consequences. While the county regularly engages with its state and federal partners, he said, it is local officials’ jobs to ensure “decisions made beyond our borders are informed by local realities.”

Well said – and infinitely true. 

That’s something I hope everyone in Volusia County and beyond can get behind this election season – “The government closest to you is best suited to make local decisions” – especially in terms of controlling growth, protecting our threatened environment, and defending our dwindling quality of life… 

Dollars and Sense: Turning Volusia County into a Cultural Wasteland

In a nasty display of bait-and-switch deception, last October, the Volusia County Council put citizens and not-for-profit arts and cultural organizations across our region on an emotional rollercoaster when they voted to deny previously vetted, approved, and budgeted grant funding.  

The vote to cut funding followed a staged Pageant of Pomposity which included some of the worst political grandstanding in the history of the artform…

In June 2023, councilmembers sat stone-faced through two-hours of supportive public comment before voting 6-0 (with Councilman David “No Show” Santiago absent…) to continue the Volusia Cultural Council and the Community Cultural Grant program which has provided assistance to area arts, cultural, and heritage organizations through a competitive process for the past 36-years.

Then – completely out of the blue – last fall, Councilman Danny “Gaslight” Robins took faux-offense to the fact the Shoestring Theater, a Lake Helen playhouse that has served Volusia County for 75-years, allowed a privately funded “Volusia Pride Pageant,” while the iconic 103-year-old Athens Theater in DeLand permitted an outside group to rent the venue to screen an adult only production of the “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” which included a “drag show” before the movie.

Just like that, over thirty area arts and cultural organizations – legacy programs that have supported Volusia County’s economic viability and enhanced the lives of residents for decades – saw their grant funding completely eliminated when the council voted 6-0 (you guessed it, Santiago had something better to do…) to return the traditional $611,758 allocation to the general fund.

Undeterred by having the rug pulled out from under them in the eleventh-hour, patrons, activists, and concerned citizens continued to voice their support each month – speaking out at Volusia County Council meetings, establishing petitions, and organizing alternative funding – including an incredibly selfless sacrifice by both the Athens and Shoestring theaters to defuse Councilman Robins’ tempest in a teapot by pulling their grant applications from consideration. 

The opportunity to reconsider the vote was made possible thanks to the efforts of County Councilman Matt Reinhart, who made a motion to bring the matter back at the council’s February 17 meeting.

On Tuesday, before a packed house, the council voted 5-2 to authorize some $572,000 for the grants, partially fulfilling their broken promise to arts and cultural organizations.  Councilmen Robins and Troy Kent voted to deny funding and continue the gross betrayal of those groups, fairs, festivals, galleries, and productions that enhance our quality of life and add millions of dollars to our regional economy annually.

Unfortunately, it appears this asinine bruhaha may be the end of future arts and cultural grant funding in Volusia County…

Why? 

Some of our shortsighted elected “representatives” tut-tutted about “priorities,” claiming the arts are not a “core government service” – which has never been a problem before – especially when corporate welfare and pet projects (like a multi-million-dollar publicly funded motorcross facility?) need our greenbacks… 

According to a report by Sheldon Gardner writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal this week:

“Some also pointed to the possibility that taxpayers could vote for significant property tax reductions in November, which would take a large chunk of county government funding away.

“Things have greatly changed in Florida. The Florida Legislature is going to put some kind of a property tax reform on the ballot. When they do that, it will pass because no one likes property taxes,” Volusia County Council Chairman Jeff Brower said.”

Call me a naïve rube, but I happen to believe Floridian’s are (by and large) smart enough to see this property tax initiative for the rushed shim/sham it is – a means of legislatively skewing the playing field in favor of their political sugar daddies in the development industry – by eliminating small, responsive, and attentive local governments as a means of reducing the mosaic of growth management regulations that form a chainmail to protect what’s left of the Sunshine State.    

Most people understand the need for quality governance and well-tailored essential services and don’t mind paying fair and reasonable taxes to ensure their quality of life, protect our unique culture and heritage, and preserve the beautiful natural amenities that Florida offers.

For now, politicians at all levels of government will use this legislative sideshow to their advantage, right up until voters tell these bought-and-paid-for shills to stick their “property tax elimination” scam where the Florida sun don’t shine.

Maybe then those we send to Tallahassee can get serious developing workable and sustainable tax reform for all Florida residents and business interests.  

Volusia County Government: Where Common Sense Goes to Die…

“Public infrastructure should never be installed without appropriate due diligence,” Willacker said. “There should be a required review to ensure that any solution is effective, legal and safe for all users before it is built, not after a complaint is filed.”

The Beacon sought additional information from Volusia County regarding the decision-making process, including who authorized the installation, what design standards were used and whether the project received an ADA or administrative review before construction.

Multiple requests for clarification were sent to Volusia County Parks and Recreation Director Tim Baylie, County Manager George Recktenwald and County Council Member David Santiago. None of the officials responded.”

–Reporter Robin Mimna, writing in the West Volusia Beacon, “Deltona trail bollards to be widened after ADA concerns,” Wednesday, February 25, 2026

According to reports, in 2023, Deltona residents expressed concerns over unauthorized all-terrain vehicles, golfcarts, and other motorized traffic unlawfully accessing the Coast-to-Coast/St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop trail. 

Apparently, the best efforts of county officials, law enforcement, surveillance cameras, and signage failed to resolve the problem. In response, Volusia County hired a contractor (?) to place bollards (concrete filled metal pipes) at the Courtland Boulevard crossing to physically prevent vehicular traffic from entering the trail.

Sounds like a logical solution, right?

According to the Beacon’s report, “Soon after installation, trail users reported the openings were too narrow for some legitimate users, including people using adaptive bicycles, wheelchairs and strollers. Advocates said the original spacing measured about 29 to 30 inches, below the 36-inch minimum clearance generally required under the Americans with Disabilities Act for accessible routes.”

Doh! (facepalm…)

Yep.  It seems everyone up and down the line – including the myriad senior bureaucrats who must have been involved in the project’s research, development, approval, and supervision (or lack thereof) – forgot the old craftsman’s adage, “Measure twice, cut once,” or to ask the commonsense question, “Is this physical impediment we’re erecting ADA compliant?”

That expensive and laborious point wasn’t lost on Ann-Marie Willacker, a DeLand resident and wheelchair user who regularly travels the C2C trail.

According to the report, “I think we’re looking at two separate problems,” Willacker said. “The first is that the bollards installed are an ineffective, dangerous and illegal solution to the very real issue of unauthorized vehicles on the trail. The second, and the more concerning one, is that the county does not appear to have a clear procedure for installing barriers on public property.”

Volusia County officials don’t seem to give two-shits, either…

When the West Volusia Beacon and others reached out to Volusia County Parks and Recreation Director Tim Baylie, County Manager George Recktenwald, and Councilman David “No Show” Santiago – senior appointed and elected officials who are incredibly well compensated with public funds to serve in the public interest – they couldn’t be bothered to return their calls…

So much for that “responsive” county administration we hear so much about, eh?

I can’t wait to see how “No Show” Santiago attempts to spin his way out this latest SNAFU…

Whatever.

In most organizations, there are formal processes in place to ensure accountability – the ownership of outcomes – one that evaluates individual responsibilities, sets clear expectations, investigates failures, and builds internal and external trust through transparency.

Not here.

In Volusia County, mediocrity remains the operative ethic…     

Quote of the Week

“It’s time for Ormond Beach residents to come out again to witness two commissioners meetings in Ormond Beach, one on March 13 at 6 p.m. and the other on March 24 at 7 p.m. at the City Commission Chambers at City Hall in Ormond Beach.

The meeting on March 24 at 7 p.m. will be a regular commissioners meeting with the Tomoka Oaks Golf Course issue on the agenda.  The meetings will focus on the developers’ five-year fight to convince everyone that their idea of building homes on the golf course is not a safety or a quality-of-life issue.

I assume that the developers who want to build on the golf course in the middle of the Tomoka Oaks Development will present their case to the city, and the public, about what has changed that makes this the right time to build 254 homes on the golf course.

Could it be that since we last met with the developers that sidewalks have been put in on the sides of the roads leading to the proposed new development or perhaps roads have been widened?  Have the 119 species of wildlife packed their bags and moved out of harm’s way?  Maybe the residents have convinced themselves that their property values will increase despite the incompatible new homes that would be built in the middle of their long-established neighborhood?

Will the developers be able to convince us that the inevitable traffic congestion accompanying the new homes will not be a public safety issue?”

–Ormond Beach Resident Darla Widnall, as excerpted from her “Letter to the Editor,” Ormond Beach Observer, “Has anything changed?” Wednesday, March 4, 2026

To quote the clairvoyant child Carol Anne from Poltergeist II: The Other Side – “They’re back…”

And Another Thing!

“Hey kids, it’s time for another episode of correcting Mr. Mark “Bad Information” Barker also known as Roscoe P. Coltrane, the small town sheriff who never gets the story right.

There you go again defending Greg Gimbert as a “civic activist” and calling me out for supposedly labeling someone who disagrees with me a liar.

No, Mark. I asked him to clarify to the people that Volusia County has no plans for this. Big difference. But I wouldn’t expect Roscoe P. Coltrane to understand the nuance of actual facts versus fiction.

Greg Gimbert, in my opinion is a bad person. You may like him I get that. Your favorable stories about him clearly show that. It looks like you failed that FBI Academy class on investigations or at least the part about attempting to get the truth. I can only assume when you were the top cop in your local small town there were several cases left unsolved if you did similar quality work there.

That’s why the name Roscoe P. Coltrane suits you so well.

Another great thing about this? I’m grateful to the several people who have reached out to me thanking me for taking you and your silly blog to task and also for taking on your con artist friends that you defend so religiously.

I decided to do some research and asked AI to suggest what you may look like during your “Blog Fiction Articles” writing time and this is what it came up with. See attached image

Looks about right to me! The “Hazzard County Sheriff’s Department” sign the “Barker’s View Blog” on the computer Flash the dog looking embarrassed at his owner’s work the failed FBI Academy report card the martini and gin bottle for inspiration and of course the nameplate “Roscoe P. Coltrane.”

So until next time kids stay tuned for another episode of Roscoe P. Coltrane’s Fiction Hour. Let’s see what tall tale he dreams up next while Flash hides under the desk in shame. Keep watching because the show never disappoints even if the facts d (sic).”

–District 5 Volusia County Council Member David Santiago, as posted to various Facebook sites, Thursday, February 26, 2026

Gotta admit the above oddly framed grammatical nightmare – the apparent official response of a sitting Volusia County Councilman and voting member of our River-to-Sea Transportation Planning Organization – is among the most cringingly creepy diatribes I have ever received.    

Trust me. I’ve received a few dispatches from Bizzarro World in my day, but this takes the cake. 

Hell, it takes the whole damn bakery…    

Does Councilman Santiago really have the time to “…research AI to suggest what I may look like”? 

Seriously? 

Environmental destruction, threats to perpetual conservation, and overdevelopment?  Screw it.

Widespread flooding?  Not a pressing concern.

Countywide transportation infrastructure and critical utilities shortfalls?  Not now, maybe later.

Sunrail?  Another day.

Citizen fears about ongoing pressures on our finite natural resources?  Nah. 

Santiago’s got the pressing issue of Barker the Bitcher to deal with…   

My God. 

This is what passes for civic “leadership” in Volusia County, folks…and it is why we are doomed.  

Civically engaged residents who dare to speak out on the myriad issues we face and exercise their inalienable right to free and unfettered speech do so to their own detriment. 

Citizens of Volusia County are increasingly subject to the wrath of petty tyrants who cloak themselves in a false sense of infallibility, label differing opinions as “lies” and “half-truths,” then engage in personal attacks from the dais and social media designed to destroy the character and reputation of anyone with a dissenting view.  

In my view, given the power dynamic – the difference in influence, power, and control – between elected officials and their strategically suppressed constituents, it reeks of abuse of position by thin-skinned politicians and appointed administrators who get their knickers in a twist when We, The Little People attempt to hold them accountable for their dereliction.   

For instance, on Monday, residents of the Lost City of Deltona found that not only has the public participation portion of what passes for a City Commission meeting been omitted from Deltona TV – a public access channel ostensibly broadcasting in the public interest – now they are being punished by having public input on agenda items intentionally obscured from view as well. 

What do they fear from engaged citizens seeking to participate in their government?

In addition, the commission voted to postpone a resolution that would have authorized City Attorney Gemma Torcivia to initiate a lawsuit against a resident who voiced concerns about the city’s water quality after ‘forever chemicals’ were found in Deltona’s drinking water.

I guess between the chilling “cease and desist” order and the saber-rattling of a lawsuit, someone decided to take a closer look at the First Amendment…

While I don’t agree with anything this guy says, it is important that anyone who cares about the sanctity of constitutionally protected free and unfettered speech – especially political speech – defend his right to express concerns free of government funded intimidation.  

Most sitting politicians and senior bureaucrats I frequently take to the woodshed on this blogsite are smart enough to consider the source – just one man’s view on the issues – neither always right, nor always wrong.

They possess the political instinct to consider the slings, arrows, and trivial criticisms from the outside looking in, then use them to their advantage as a barometer of public perception and engage constructively.      

Then there are a few self-important simps who cannot resist getting down in the mud and wallowing around in it.  Protecting the official narrative (and defending the indefensible) with their gaslighting and histrionics – adding to the suspicion and speculation that runs rampant among their confused constituents.

As an example, last week in this space I spoke out on a recent majority vote of the Volusia County Council that denied residents the right to vote on a proposed charter amendment that would have prevented the future possibility of potable reuse – the so-called ‘toilet to tap’ process – from supplementing drinking water in the county’s water utility service area.   

Why? 

Because I happen to disagree with the practice of augmenting our finite water supply with treated sewage simply to allow more, more, more malignant development across our already claustrophobic region.   

In turn, Councilman “No Show” Santiago, a techy perennial politician with little visible means of support outside government/politics/influence, decided it was in the public interest to take to social media and denigrate my former law enforcement career, and publish a blatant falsehood that I “failed” the FBI National Academy (the world’s premiere law enforcement leadership and professional development course) from which I proudly graduated in 1996.

He even took time away from the pressing issues facing his district and Volusia County to create a cartoon of me to reinforce his bullying and bluster, I assume for the benefit of his half-bright minions who can’t read…

Frankly, it was weird.

Like, really weird…

Look, I realize these screeds can be provocative (good!) and after all these years I’ve grown some hard bark.  It takes a lot to get under my skin, especially when the source is some pint-sized martinet with a history of defamation, deceit, and character assassination.

I’m still not sure what to make of Santiago’s cringy invective, but I hope it tells the citizens of Volusia County all they need to know about David Santiago’s worst instincts… 

I believe if you care about good governance in your own backyard, you should care about good governance everywhere.

If you are reading this, I assume you are an educated voter and concerned citizen who respects and learns from diverse opinions on the issues facing the “Fun Coast.” 

Despite the official obstacles placed in your way – I ask you to please stay involved.  

Speak your truth despite bullies who punch down from their exalted dais – keep calling attention to the issues we collectively face – and never accept the carefully orchestrated and self-serving narrative pushed by our ‘powers that be’ as the unvarnished truth. 

Ignore those self-anointed arbiters who stand in their echo chamber and decide which views and opinions are acceptable, and which are “lies,” “half-truths,” and “con games.” Most important, stand up against their intimidation, and voice your opinions on the issues that face your family and mine.  

Then vote your conscience…

That’s all for me.  Have a great final weekend of Bike Week 2026!