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!