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 School’s Ministry of Truth: Silencing Dissent to Perpetuate the Lie

“The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it.”

–George Orwell, 1984

The scourge of censorship is often defined as “the manipulation, suppression, or prohibition of speech or writing that is deemed subversive by those in power.” While censorship is frequently associated with oppressive government officials, private entities can also endanger our First Amendment freedom of expression by proxy, especially when acting on behalf of those in public office by using their position of power and access to suppress criticism through intimidation.

I find the practice of limiting a citizen’s right to dispute a publicly funded entities message with their own truth despicable in all its forms. 

In my view, the true danger to our individual freedoms comes when an orchestrated effort to hide truths, distort perception, and suppress opposition through bullying and marginalization becomes official public policy.  

For instance, last week saw the release of a professionally produced video featuring recognizable community leaders enthusiastically flogging the dubious notion that Volusia County School’s received back-to-back “A” grades. 

I was particularly taken by one presenter who said “We’re 100% proficient, Wow! That’s incredible!” 

It’s also a bald-faced lie.

For the uninitiated, the state’s school grading system was established by the Florida Department of Education and is calculated using twelve components, to include student achievement, learning gains, and graduation rates.

Under this ridiculously skewed grading system, just 64% of available points is considered an “A” grade…   

In my view, that’s not just intentionally misleading – its obscene. 

Especially when you consider that 40% to 50% of Volusia County students cannot read or perform mathematics at grade level – basic skills needed for success in life.  In my view, that represents academic victimization and should be prosecuted as criminal deception…

Most frightening, now it appears the majority of our elected representatives on the Volusia County School Board seem content to allow Superintendent Carmen Balgobin to perpetuate her sick version of the Illusion of Truth Effect, the practice of repeating statements – true or false – until they gain a sense of familiarity, which people begin to interpret as accuracy.

In short, a lie repeated often enough becomes accepted fact – especially when you enlist respected community leaders to parrot the district’s puffery and manipulate public perception in a choreographed video paid for by Volusia County taxpayers.  

Another facet to Balgobin’s propaganda campaign is her pathological focus on awards and accolades as a means of self-promotion – a smokescreen of toxic optimism and perceived success to camouflage the abject dysfunction that seemingly permeates every aspect of district operations and administration.

In an effort to confirm my worst suspicions, I decided to have a closer look…

Last month, I submitted a public records request for information relating to two of the district’s most recent highly publicized awards – one recognizing Superintendent Balgobin by the Florida Association for Career and Technical Education – the other a “Certificate of Excellence” presented to the finance department for completion of the district’s annual comprehensive financial report.

Sadly, I wasn’t surprised to find that in both cases the nominations originated in-house. 

The award applications were completed by senior administrators at Volusia County Schools, highly compensated directors who apparently have little else to do outside of feeding Dr. Balgobin’s incessant self-idolatry.

In the case of the certificate of excellence – amid embarrassing and incredibly expensive problems with the district’s payroll and benefits system that continues to plague employees – Volusia County taxpayers were on the hook for $1,375.00 to pay for the finance department’s award application… 

That’s one way to get recognized, I guess. 

Last year, with much congratulatory fanfare, Superintendent Balgobin widely announced that she had been named the 2025 Superintendent of the Year by something called the National Association of School Superintendents.  Not surprisingly, a check of the NASS website finds that Superintendent Balgobin nominated herself; writing in the third person and using the “A” rating ruse to full effect, she completed the application, signed it on May 31, 2025, and shamelessly submitted it. 

I don’t make this shit up, folks.

Here’s a question for sitting School Board members and those who aspire to be this election season:

What exactly are we paying that senior clique in the Ivory Town of Power to do when they aren’t nominating each other for contrived tributes, protecting Dr. Balgobin’s veneer of competence, and ginning up school grades? 

I thought the role of Balgobin’s “cabinet” was ensuring classroom teachers have the tools and ability to educate students and achieve a level of academic proficiency that will allow them to survive in an increasingly competitive world.

Silly me…

During Tuesday’s Volusia County School Board meeting, with critical elections looming, board member Donna Brosemer threw back the velvet curtain and exposed the dark side of the district’s effort to push the “A” school narrative by suppressing opposing voices who dare speak their truth and champion the plight of students and teachers.

According to Ms. Brosemer, the district has become akin to a mafia “protection racket,” an organized intimidation campaign that uses both district employees and outside influencers to silence dissent.

That should shock the conscience of anyone who cares about basic fairness – and our inalienable right to free speech.

Apparently, certain outspoken critics of the regime have experienced bullying by some local heavy hitters who would prefer the district’s well-crafted façade of success not be revealed for what it is. 

After all, it’s hard to retain bragging rights if your source of pride is unmasked as little more than an educratic lowering of the academic bar… 

As I understand it, the district’s thuggish tactics include contacting employers and threatening the jobs of those who speak out, refusing to allow certain businesses to participate in charitable efforts benefitting area schools, and blacklisting specific companies and services from working with Volusia County schools as a means of punishing them.

In a local economy based upon the same five people passing the same nickel around, that can have profound consequences for those in the private sector who refuse to toe the line…  

It is apparent that Superintendent Balgobin understands that true power lies in controlling the narrative, manipulating information and statistics, suppressing dissent, and fabricating “facts” to shape an alternative reality.

Tragically, it appears this well-crafted cult of personality and forced obedience to the district’s storyline is now being enforced at the point of a spear.  But what about the voices of those students, teachers, staff, and taxpayers who are being silenced to protect the guise?

In his work “1984,” Orwell warned of the trivialization of academic standards:

“If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them.” 

In my view, impressionable Volusia County students who are repeatedly told by respected authority figures that their district earned an “A” grade – even as they struggle to read, express themselves, develop job skills, communicate effectively, think critically, and perform basic calculations – have a reduced resistance to manipulation. 

As a result, they eventually come to rely on the official spin of “authorities,” asinine social trends, and algorithm-driven misinformation to shape their understanding, values, and beliefs. 

That doesn’t produce active, engaged, and productive citizens of a healthy representative democracy.   

In fact, it churns out malleable victims who lack the intellectual autonomy to reject contrived narratives – like those created by self-serving adults with a lucrative chip in the game – who use artificial school “grades” to prop up their for-profit motives while ignoring the fate of those who will suffer most…   

Vote your conscience.  

Quote of the Week

“The Florida State Fraternal Order of Police believes Florida taxpayers deserve meaningful property tax relief,” the organization said in a written statement Friday. “We understand the financial pressures facing homeowners, and we support thoughtful, responsible reforms that provide relief while protecting the essential services our communities depend on.

“However, we oppose the current Amendment 3 because it creates far too much uncertainty about how local governments would continue to fund law enforcement, fire rescue, emergency medical services, and other critical public safety functions. Public safety should never become collateral damage with uncertain fiscal consequences.”

If approved, the proposed amendment would increase homestead exemptions for Floridians who own primary residences by the end of this year to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. Further increases would be tied to the Consumer Price Index.  The amendment would cap assessment increases on other property to 5% a year.

Last week, the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association became the first major statewide public safety organization to formally oppose Amendment 3, saying providing tax relief and reliable emergency services “are not mutually exclusive, but both require responsible long-term planning.”

–Mitch Perry, The Florida Phoenix, as excerpted from his report “Fraternal Order of Police latest group to oppose property tax constitutional amendment,” Friday, July 24, 2026

“…responsible long-term planning…”

That’s an interesting concept. 

During my productive life, based upon years of extensive advanced training and practical experience, I earned the Florida Professional Emergency Manager designation from the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association. 

The certification required that I demonstrate diverse skills and expertise in the mitigation, prevention, protection, response, and recovery phases of emergency preparedness and management.  In my experience, in the emergency services – preparedness is the key to success – especially when planning for potentially life-threatening situations.   

As old Ben Franklin was fond of saying, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

Through the years, the School of Hard Knocks taught me that hope is not a strategy when lives – or the continuity of essential services – hang in the balance.

That experience is just one reason I am shocked that our state legislative delegation didn’t insist on responsible planning before passing Amendment 3. 

A comprehensive blueprint for how Florida cities and counties can reduce spending, determine what resources will be available from the state, identify alternative revenue sources, and prepare for how essential neighborhood services will be funded when our reasonably equitable ad valorem tax system is extinguished.    

Oh, I forgot. 

Sen. Tom Wright recently explained they were bullied into it by Gov. Ron DeSantis who refused to sign the state budget – holding their paltry local allocations hostage in an election year – so, they said “screw it,” and passed the incredibly risky ballot measure in less than 48-hours while in special session…   

So much for that ‘political courage’ we hear so much about each campaign season, eh?

Perhaps you should ask those local legislators currently seeking reelection at the next haughty ‘hobnob’ why they would foist this half-baked (and incredibly dangerous) tax shift on the very communities who sent them to Tallahassee? 

Ask them how they could be so grossly irresponsible as to approve an ‘all or nothing’ ballot question with no plan for funding emergency services for existing residents, let alone serve the massive future sprawl already approved by those same politicians who preempted local growth management controls to appease their sugar daddies in the development industry.     

Amendment 3 is bad for Florida. 

So are those craven politicians who forced this impossible dilemma on their tax-strapped constituents who now fear for their quality of life…

And Another Thing!

As regular readers may have figured out, I’m something of an eccentric.   

A rube wandering the wilderness, as I like to say; staggering through the darkness like a half-drunk Diogenes, dim lamp raised, always searching for those rare public servants who hold themselves out for high office, then live up to their promises and actually put their long-suffering constituents before their own self-interests, or those of the powerful forces who control them. 

Foolish, I know…    

But my one superpower is a precision-tuned bullshit detector and a keen penchant for pointing out political posturing whenever I see it. 

In my view, grandstanding, symbolic gestures, and taking policy positions without substance on emotional topics merely to gain political support ultimately erode the public trust.  That adds to the disillusionment experienced by voters after an election when they discover it was all a well-choreographed Kabuki…

Last week, the Volusia County Council took up the hot button issue of AI data centers – not because a hyperscale facility is pending (or even planned) here on the “Fun Coast” – but because a couple of incumbents up for reelection want to make themselves appear relevant to the growing national discussion. 

They aren’t.   

According to a report in the Ormond Beach Observer, Volusia County Councilman David “No Show” Santiago, a perennial politician scrambling for reelection in District 5, suggested a pointless “six-month moratorium” on artificial intelligence data centers “…while the County Council studies how the rapidly expanding industry could affect water resources, utility infrastructure and environmentally sensitive areas.”

“I think it’s just getting so much more attention that I wanted to consider the thought process of — and I usually don’t say these words — but a six-month moratorium on data centers in Volusia while we get an understanding of what the trends are and understanding what protocols we can put in place to protect our community,” Santiago said.”

In other words, Santiago hitched his political wagon to a high-profile (if locally nonexistent) issue, associated his name with it, then pretended to take a proactive approach to “protect our community.”

Bullshit.

In turn, Councilman Danny “Gaslight” Robins – who is running for reelection in District 3 – joined the cause, tut-tutting “I don’t think there’s been one proposed in Volusia.  But we do need to look at it and make sure if we do go forward … my biggest concern was in accordance with our charter because there were water resources in our sensitive areas.”

Trust me.  Neither Santiago nor Robins give two-shits about water resources, public infrastructure, or “environmentally sensitive areas.”

To show you how much “No Show” Santiago cares about infrastructure, as a voting member of the Volusia-Flagler Transportation Planning Organization – the body responsible for conducting urban transportation planning across our desperately congested region – Councilman Santiago recorded unexcused absences at every TPO meeting last year.

Inexplicably, he has so far failed to attend any TPO board or executive committee meeting in 2026… 

He just never shows up. Desperately needed transportation improvements be damned.

Don’t take my word for it, find the attendance roll here: https://tinyurl.com/nzuysfxy

Is Mr. Santiago even aware we have a transportation planning organization?  Or that he represents the good people of Volusia’s District 5 as a voting member of the board? 

In 2024, Mr. Santiago – the King of Political Procrastination – led the charge to kick the can on a proposed new construction moratorium in the face of pervasive countywide flooding.  After years of inundation, heartbreak, and recurrent property damage, Santiago had the impudence to tell affected residents, “I don’t have enough information to make a decision.”

In February 2026, “No Show” Santiago marshalled a majority vote that sold the health and safety of your grandchildren and mine on the altar of greed when they crushed the hopes of residents who sought both a county ordinance and a charter amendment prohibiting the disgusting use of “blackwater” (a.k.a. Toilet to Tap) to supplement drinking water in the county’s unincorporated service areas. 

During a lengthy discussion (that had the feel of a scripted production) those compromised shills trotted out every possible argument for denying Volusia County residents the opportunity to vote to ban ‘toilet to tap’ for county utility customers.

The excuses ran the gamut from “This is a solution in search of a problem!” “We have no plans to develop a potable reuse program at this time,” “Let someone else deal with it in the future.”

What they really meant was, “Let’s keep kissing the sizeable asses of our benevolent overseers in the real estate development industry and Tallahassee,” fearful that proactively protecting our drinking water and limiting development to the natural capacity of available resources would provoke the wrath of state legislators – and their own deep-pocketed campaign donors…

Cowards.

Typically, Councilman Santiago engaged in his tiresome bitchery on the dais, claiming Chairman Jeff Brower was guilty of “misstatements,” and labeling the entire effort by the grassroots advocacy Let Volusia Vote a “con game.”

Which is rich, coming from “No Show” Santiago – the original political grifter…

At the time, reporter Jarleene Almenas wrote in the Observer about the “potable reuse” debate:

“Volusia has zero plans to do this,” Councilman Santiago said. “Don’t be fooled by what you’re seeing in social media that that’s what we’re doing. It is a con game as it pertains to Volusia County.”

A toilet to tap ban, Santiago said, is a “county solution looking for a county problem.” Additionally, the county only controls 7% of total utilities in Volusia; municipalities control the majority. A charter amendment that only pertains to 7% of users would be a “disservice” to the county residents, some of whom might believe this would impact their city utilities.

After the obligatory posturing, preening, and spit-pats – Councilmen Jake Johansson, “No Show” Santiago, “Gaslight” Robins, and Matt Reinhart – voted in the majority to remove the citizens right to choose on an issue of collective concern.

Now Santiago wants a six-month halt on nonexistent data centers ahead of an election? 

Again – Bullshit.

If they were serious about the issue, the VCC would immediately move to ban the use of tax incentives, corporate welfare giveaways, and those secretive non-disclosure agreements employed by “economic development” shills when negotiating with data center operators.

Trust me – these bought-and-paid for political hacks could care less about the threat of these facilities on our already threatened environment (and pocketbooks). In my view, long-suffering Volusia County residents will just have to wait and see how data centers ultimately benefit Santiago and Robins – personally or politically… 

For now, this is just another skit in a long line of self-serving charades performed by Councilman Santiago, a professional opportunist who attaches himself to an issue solely for personal aggrandizement, visibility, and political gain, while ignoring genuine public policy priorities like transportation, flooding, and unchecked growth.

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