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:

Dempsey’s Folly: Letting Volusia Taxpayers Know Where We Stand

I have a theory that any initiative developed and pushed by government is rarely in the interest of We, The Little People.  Normally, it is legislative sleight-of-hand – a way to appease a special interest, satisfy a pet project of some self-absorbed elected official, or provide a campaign donor with the requisite return on investment. 

An excellent example of that pernicious political legerdemain is the ongoing fiasco that saw Volusia County purchase land off SR-44 using Volusia Forever and ECHO funds to accommodate Councilman Don Dempsey’s controversial (and increasingly expensive) taxpayer-funded motocross facility. 

You read that right.

With the acquiescence of his “colleagues” on the dais of power, Councilman Dempsey ramrodded a multi-million-dollar publicly funded nice-to-have so he and his friends will have a place to ride competition motocross (you know, a popular passive outdoor pastime everyone can enjoy…) on land designated as part of a wildlife corridor.   

Of the myriad issues facing Volusia County residents – real threats, like recurrent flooding, water quality, malignant growth, inadequate utilities, funding uncertainties, transportation infrastructure, etc. – a motocross facility wasn’t on my bingo card… 

This from the same Volusia County Council that crowed ad nauseum about those bare bones “core government services” we heard so much about last year when the same elected dullards cut grant funding for arts and cultural pursuits countywide.

That shortsighted political gaslighting essentially abandoned art festivals, concerts, museum exhibits, children’s programs, and historic preservation – a true investment in economic and cultural development that returned $2 in tax revenue for every $1 spent.

As if you need another reason to vote out every incumbent on the Volusia County Council up for reelection this year, put “Dempsey’s folly” at the top of the list… 

Earlier this year, DeLand resident Lourdes Gonzalez stood tall and took action on behalf of all Volusia County residents – taxpayers who are sick and tired of being steamrolled (literally) by the wants and whims of those with no qualms looting public funds to further private interests.

Earlier this year, Ms. Gonzalez filed pro se litigation alleging that, as a Volusia County taxpayer, she has been adversely impacted by the proposed motocross track, claiming inconsistencies with Volusia’s Comprehensive Plan, and describing the project as “unlawful in both process and substance.”

Because it is.

According to Ms. Gonzalez’ suit, “The county has committed public funds, selected a site, and advanced procurement without establishing a lawful public purpose, evaluating environmental impacts, or maintaining a consistent administrative record.”

In an article by reporter Sheldon Gardner writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal last week, we learned the unfortunate fate of Ms. Gonzalez’ grassroots effort in the headline, “Lawsuit over Volusia motocross facility tossed. Resident isn’t done.”

A circuit court judge recently determined that Ms. Gonzalez “…lacked standing to bring the lawsuit because she “is not an ‘aggrieved or adversely affected party’ whose interest ‘exceed[s] in degree the general interest in community good shared by all persons.'”

Whatever that means…

I was reminded of the heartbreaking 2016 ruling by the 5th District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach that affirmed a judge’s finding that the Let Volusia Vote charter amendment, which would have required a referendum for changes to beach access policies, was “facially unconstitutional in its entirety.”

I’m not a lawyer – just another hapless rube, wandering the wilderness – but, at the time, it was an eyeopener watching Volusia County sue its residents with our own money.  Frankly, I still can’t think of anything more constitutional that allowing taxpayers a say in how we access and manage our greatest natural amenity, but what do I know?

So, how did that extensive (and expensive) fight work out for Volusia County beaches?

To her credit, Ms. Gonzalez said she will be retooling her lawsuit and refiling the challenge to Councilman Dempsey’s incredibly expensive boondoggle at a later date.

I admire her grit.   

If Mr. Dempsey – or anyone else – wants to purchase property with private funds and establish a commercial motocross facility consistent with environmental and zoning regulations, I hope they are wildly successful. 

In my view, blatantly pilfering tax dollars set aside for conservation and passive outdoor recreation to finance the personal hobby of a sitting elected official then calling it a “public/private partnership” – using public funds to underwrite a for-profit enterprise – isn’t fair, equitable, or in keeping with what most of us voted for when we overwhelmingly approved Volusia Forever and ECHO.   

Daytona Beach Shores: Protecting the Brand

“Daytona Beach Shores has long been recognized for its high quality of life and strong sense of community. Over the years, the City has received increasing inquiries and comments from residents and local business owners regarding the possibility of renaming the City to better reflect the identity by which it is commonly known — “The Shores.”

–Daytona Beach Shores City Commission Agenda Memorandum, Tuesday, July 7, 2026

According to a recent unscientific survey taken by the City of Daytona Beach Shores, some 65.7% of respondents supported a charter amendment dropping the association with “Daytona Beach” from the beachside municipality’s name and rebranding with the local patois, “The Shores.”

Given the near constant sturm und drang that has befallen their larger neighbor to the north – can’t say I blame them… 

Let’s face it, The Shores is everything Daytona’s faltering beachside isn’t – upscale, affluent, intentional, inclusive, with a bright civic identity planned and built over decades.  A palpable community pride that contrasts with the blight, neglect, and pervasive sense of hopelessness just to the north that has become a cautionary tale for other seaside communities.

Bordering communities that share the same barrier island, but with diametrically opposed trajectories.  In my view, the difference is leadership, stability, and a longstanding focus on identity and placemaking. 

I think they call it sustained civic vision.

The Shores is a small municipality that, by necessity, grew vertically; always careful to avoid the claustrophobic “condo canyon” feel that has befallen some overly aggressive coastal communities in Florida and beyond.

In my jaded view, Daytona Beach has become a poorly planned monstrosity of self-identified cracker box subdivisions, big box stores, and sticks-and-glue apartment complexes – rubber-stamped with a growth at all cost mentality – that continues to languish as a down-at-the-heels former tourist destination with an image problem.

Protecting ‘the brand’ is important.   

How a community is perceived, internally and externally, is worth defending because it is what attracts residents, visitors, and businesses.  A carefully cultivated identity fosters a sense of civic cohesion, shared values, and a feeling of belonging. 

I’m not sure the City of Daytona Beach ever grasped that important concept.   

In my view, our wonderful variety of civic personalities is what makes the mosaic of communities that form the backbone of Volusia County so important to our collective quality of life.  Small and mid-size cities that remain cooperatively interdependent while offering unique amenities, natural places, independent civic focus, and individually tailored essential services.

That hometown feel of where we call home is just one reason the citizens of Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna Beach, Holly Hill, The Shores, Ormond Beach, Pierson, DeBary, Orange City, DeLand – established communities that honorably serve, protect, and enhance the quality of life of residents – want to protect and preserve their unique individuality and have steadfastly refused to become consolidated into a faceless, homogenized, and horribly inefficient bureaucracy.

On Tuesday, City commissioners unanimously approved placing the charter amendment on the November 3 ballot on initial reading.  A second reading will be held on July 28.

Here’s wishing residents of The Shores much luck with their new name. Time to let the unique attributes of The Shores shine bright.  

Quote(s) of the Week

“On this extremely crowded July 4 weekend, we tried something new on Volusia County Beaches

In front of several off-beach parking lots, we set up temporary no-parking areas on the beach to give families a little more space, visibility and peace of mind, clear of vehicles pulling in and out.

The hope was that we could prevent another tragedy that costs a child’s life.

It worked: We had zero children hit by vehicles on a packed beach with high tides this July 4 weekend.

Unfortunately our feckless County Chair Jeff Brower immediately got his panties in a twist.

He wasted no time interfering and spreading lies about the professionals at the Volusia Sheriff’s Office and Beach Safety.

Lying Jeff Brower and his minions want you to believe that a temporary parking change on one of the busiest beach holidays of the year is part of a secret plan to ban beach driving.

I didn’t see Brower out there this weekend. But I can tell you that every single beachgoer we talked to really appreciated what we did. See it for yourself in this video.

Our plan accomplished the goal: A safer beach on July 4 and a lot of happy families.

Today, the crowds are gone, the temporary no-parking zones will open back up for regular beach parking, and beach driving continues.

Jeff Brower should stick to what he knows, whatever that is, and leave public safety to the professionals.”

–Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, Monday, July 6, 2026

“No Sheriff, I didn’t make it to the beach to join my family to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. When we got to 44 the signs were already on: Beach Closed No Access. Open the beach, let the people park and get out of their cars to enjoy the World’s Most Famous Beach! 

Our lifeguards do an outstanding job and I have not criticized them. On the contrary, I personally encourage them. Don’t drag them into your argument. You have a habit of confusing leadership with using the Lord’s name in vain and hurling insults at anybody who doesn’t agree with you. That’s not leadership, it’s being a bully. That doesn’t work with me.”

–Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower, Monday, July 6, 2026

Here we go again…

According to a report by News6 reporter Molly Reed, “The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office quietly launched a pilot program reducing on-beach parking near the county’s busiest beach parks, aiming to cut down on dangerous interactions between vehicles and beachgoers.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood says the decision came after a series of troubling incidents involving children being struck by vehicles on the beach.

“Myself, the deputy county manager, all the beach staff, and my command staff sat down and talked about, ‘Is there something differently we can do to protect children on the beach?’” Chitwood said.”

The enhanced safety measures were in response to the tragic death of a child in New Smyrna Beach who apparently entered a traffic lane during the Memorial Day weekend and an April incident when a three-year-old was struck by a vehicle during Jeep Beach.

Being proactive with beach safety is admirable and expected from public safety professionals.

The problem is – somebody forgot to tell beachgoers ahead of the July 4^th weekend – or their elected officials on the Volusia County Council who debate and establish beach policy… 

In fact, the child safety program’s rollout was so quiet it sparked controversy when the parking closure was announced by The Volusia Waterman’s Association – the union representing beach safety personnel – in a Friday morning Facebook post.

Not Volusia County government.

Further questions arose when confused beachgoers who didn’t see the social media message found their normal parking spaces in front of county owned parks cordoned off with “No Parking” signs.    

Why wouldn’t Volusia County officials formally publicize this important safety program before its implementation?

To his credit, Sheriff Chitwood has built his reputation on a willingness to share information through the media, berating “scumbags,” squaring up with his detractors, and cultivating a hardnosed image.  

Florida’s elected sheriffs are famous for political tough-talk, and few do it better than Mike Chitwood.

But this is different.

While I don’t always agree with Chairman Brower (and frequently take him to task in this space) everyone involved in the decision should have known that a child safety program involving the removal of some 125 parking spaces from the beach during a busy holiday weekend would draw questions. 

Considering that beach driving and access have long been considered the “third-rail” of Volusia County politics – a controversial topic guaranteed to spur passionate debate on both sides of the issue – Deputy County Manager Susanne Konchon should have notified Chairman Jeff Brower and the other members of the Volusia County Council so they could explain the purpose to their constituents. 

Having learned of the parking closure from the Waterman’s Association social media post, Chairman Brower rightfully voiced his opposition to eliminating more on-beach parking.

According to News6, “The solution is to open up more beach. Beach access is beach driving, so we have to open up more beach to where the cars can get there, park and get out of the car and enjoy the beach,” Brower said.”

“Don’t take away more parking. Don’t take away more beach access. That’s what’s happening,” Brower added.”

Unfortunately, it appears that lack of communication – and a difference of opinion – caused the simmering Brower/Chitwood feud to flash on social media… 

In my view, just as Sheriff Chitwood has ultimate responsibility – and political accountability – for protecting the lives of Volusia County beachgoers, Chairman Brower is equally answerable to his constituents.  As such, Brower should have been extended the courtesy of a briefing by County staff prior to implementation of a safety program limiting on-beach parking during busy weekends. 

Learning about important changes to beach access from a social media post (and calls from perplexed citizens faced with “No Parking” signs) is understandably embarrassing for the chair of the Volusia County Council.  Given his role, Chairman Brower had every right to express his concerns without being personally disparaged, labeled a liar, and accused of getting his “panties in a twist.”

Senior elected officials don’t have to agree on everything.  In fact, the competition of ideas coupled with stakeholder input (and public education) results in sound public policy.    

In my experience, effective safety programs require buy-in and should not be kept in the dark – that’s counterproductive.  Now, Volusia County residents deserve answers as to why they weren’t partnered with (or at least notified) in advance of the parking change by Volusia County’s ample communications apparatus.

More important, I believe our leaders have an obligation to remain civil, cooperative, and collaborative in their official dealings and communications. 

They also have a right to be prepared and informed without being bullied by the biggest guy in the sandbox.   

Incendiary personality conflicts, silly turf wars, and abusive name-calling every time a difference of opinion occurs only leads to further conflict in a county government increasingly known for its instability… 

And Another Thing!  

“We don’t have, nor will we have, the water capacity to support 22,000 additional equivalent residential units. Even with the water utility capital bond and the improvements that are coming with that commitment, it’s estimated that those additional 22,000 units will require, at minimum, 5 million more gallons per day. Our consumptive use permit (CUP) allows 11.9 million gallons per day at this time, and we are currently producing around 9.3 million gallons per day on average. Not to mention the remaining units that have already been approved in Palm Coast proper, which was estimated at 19,000 units just a year ago. So, the city of Palm Coast will have to increase its consumptive use permit and water production up to approximately 20 million gallons per day to sustain those housing units.

I have no intent to make current residents pay for more development.

Economy of scale says more users should mean lower prices. That hasn’t been Palm Coast’s reality. Our rates and service fees have increased dramatically to the breaking point we are at now. We, the residents of Palm Coast, have learned the hard lesson that development does not pay for itself.

Palm Coast deserves leaders who fix water lines before building loop roads, not leaders who bow to developers and special interests. The current council inherited this mess. Voters need to know how we got here and how we can stop it from going any further.

Lobby your representatives to “Just say no!” We have every right to refuse approval if a project will put undue financial burden on our community.”

–Mike Norris, mayor of Palm Coast, as excerpted from his essay in the Palm Coast Observer, “MY VIEW: How we got here: the road to westward expansion and 22,000 more houses in Palm Coast,” Friday, July 3, 2026

Please find the full text here: https://tinyurl.com/3aywkwc6

It’s no secret, Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris is rough around the edges – in fact, he can be downright grating.  But he doesn’t kowtow to deep-pocketed developers and isn’t afraid to mix it up with those “growth at all costs” shills he shares the dais with.

That’s a rare character trait in regional politics. I admire that.

As often happens around these parts, for having the audacity to speak out on behalf of his longsuffering constituents, Mayor Norris has been maligned, marginalized, and officially sanctioned by his “colleagues.”  Through it all, Norris never lost sight of the core issues important to those who cast their sacred vote for him.

That’s also a rarity in “Fun Coast” politics, because it takes courage to stand up to influential special interests.

I believe if you care about good governance in your own hometown, you should care about good governance everywhere.  In my view, our region deserves policymakers who prioritize the needs of existing residents over the mercenary wants of voracious speculative developers who continue to sacrifice all we hold dear on the altar of greed.

In sprawling Palm Coast, the stage has been set by previous pro-development councils who rewrote the city’s Comprehensive Plan to benefit developers, to include approvals for massive residential and commercial projects that will have far-reaching regional impacts.

In his essay regarding the city’s “westward expansion,” Mayor Norris explained, “Now Rayonier/Raydient is here, PowerPoint ready, asking “How did we get here?” We got here because the last council changed the rules to benefit developers instead of residents.

Now the push is to approve Rayonier/Raydient’s MPD, and annex what is essentially swamp land before the current council term ends in November. Two appointed officials will have a say in that vote. One took a campaign contribution from a direct representative of the developer. It’s legal by Florida standards, but it ought to be a concern for residents.”

(Find more information on Palm Coast’s “westward expansion” here: https://tinyurl.com/57fr6b78 )

Mayor Norris’s op/ed reminds us of the consequence of not knowing which special interests are funding the campaigns of political candidates.   

That’s important, because it speaks to influence and access, who purchases it, and why.

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

Based upon previous performance, each election cycle special interests make campaign contributions – both individually and through various entities under their control – with the understanding the leverage they purchase will ensure their corporate and personal interests outweigh those of John and Jane Lunchpail.  Every. Damn. Time.

That’s called return on investment.

I get a chuckle when I listen to some apoplectic elected official – puffed up with all the righteous indignation they can muster – spew and sputter about how no campaign contributor has ever asked them for anything.

They don’t have to – their contribution buys the status quo.   

Once a campaign treasurer cashes those $1,000 checks, it seems the candidate/incumbent never has an original thought again…    

Why is that?

Hell, in Volusia County, I’ve seen the physical temperature in the County Council chambers change when a member of the Donor Class – our High Panjandrums of Political Power – enter the room.  The deep-pocketed Fat Cat’s mere presence is enough to make their hired hands on the dais sit up straight – and it became immediately apparent how the vote on an issue of particular concern would go.   

Given the astronomical pace of development throughout the region – growth that has been facilitated by the allowances, zoning changes, and preemptions that our elected officials at home and in Tallahassee have showered upon this exclusive group in recent years – I would say they’ve done extremely well on the risk/reward scale…

To his credit, Mayor Norris countered the great lie increasingly claustrophobic existing residents have been told: “We, the residents of Palm Coast, have learned the hard lesson that development does not pay for itself.”

Vote like your quality of life depends upon it…

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