Hi, kids!

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

Let’s look at who tried to screw us – and who tried to save us – during the week that was:

Angel               Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program of St. Augustine

For the second time in four months, volunteer archaeologists from the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program (LAMP) of St. Augustine have descended on Volusia County beaches like Indiana Jones and The Doomed Condominium to investigate a wooden shipwreck from the 1800’s. 

As Mother Nature slowly reclaims that which is hers – scouring the shoreline, eroding, and redistributing more sand each time a Nor’easter or tropical cyclone roars through these parts – the temporarily exposed bones of our seafaring past provide a brief window on antiquity.

With each revelation, we learn a little more about our rich history – something that has become more of a hindrance to “progress” than a means of learning the struggles of our ancestors and how local society evolved – a modern impediment to be erased and replaced by something “new,” then quickly forgotten. 

As a curious child growing up on the barrier island – back when coastal scrub covered the vast dunes north of Granada Boulevard and the Halifax area was far different than the gridlocked mess it is quickly becoming – I listened to stories of fierce storms and shipwrecks along the coast, and enjoyed riding my bicycle past the unique Nathan Cobb Cottage on Orchard Lane, built from flotsam salvaged from the schooner Nathan F. Cobb that ran aground in 1896. 

But the tall tale I found most intriguing was the legend of the ill-fated City of Vera Cruz, a 300-foot brigantine rigged wooden steam ship which met its fate thirteen miles off the easternmost point of Cape Canaveral one stormy night during the summer of 1880. 

On August 25, 1880, the ship, with 29 passengers and 48 crew departed New York enroute to Havana and Vera Cruz, Mexico, with the experienced Captain Edward Van Sice at the helm. 

Unfortunately, the Vera Cruz encountered severe weather along the Florida coast during the harrowing overnight hours of Saturday, August 28, 1880.

The late local historian Alice Strickland, in her seminal work “Ormond on the Halifax,” quoted a local settler who recalled, “We are in the midst of the severest and most disastrous gale that has occurred upon the coast within the memory of anyone living upon it.”

Sixty-nine souls perished when the ship broke up just after daybreak on Sunday morning…

Over the next several days, the battered bodies of victims were pushed north with the current and began washing ashore on Volusia County beaches.  The gruesome scene was described in a 2018 article by T. S. Jarmusz in The Daytona Beach News-Journal:

“Strickland’s book tells of scavengers known as “wreckers,” who picked over the dead for any valuables they could find.

“Bodies from the wreck were strewn along the beach for miles,” wrote Strickland, who died in 2003 at age 91. “And one settler reported that ‘beachcombers stripped the bodies, even tearing the rings from the women’s ears.’”

Settlers formed a makeshift burial brigade to dispose of the bodies, which were being attacked by the area’s wild hogs, she wrote.

“Sixty-seven of these bodies were interred in one huge pit dug back of the first row of dunes just north of Number Nine Plantation,” Strickland wrote. “For many years a large timber set upright in the ground marked the spot, but was finally destroyed by woods fires.”

Although old-timers have long speculated about the unmarked grave, the exact site has never been identified. 

Interestingly, in 2004, efforts to stop a condominium project led to an archeological examination of a vacant parcel between Sandpiper Ridge and Beau Rivage in Ormond-by-the-Sea. 

According to Mr. Jarmusz’ report, the exploration with ground penetrating radar failed to find any evidence of the victims of the Vera Cruz, leaving the archeological consultant to speculate on the accuracy of Ms. Strickland’s anecdotal report:

“…he wondered whether Strickland was misinformed or if her book had a misprint. The development team thought the site may have been further north or east, in which case it could’ve been washed away by storm surge. Still, development plans were set aside, and the site remains vacant.”

I guess good can emerge from tragedy… 

It seems not even a Florida developer wants to market a luxury condo called “The Mass Gravesite at Poltergeist Dunes.” 

I can’t help but wonder what future generations will think when underwater archeologists uncover the rusted rebar and hulking concrete foundation of a still unfinished high-rise tower at what was once the ancient seaside intersection of Oak Ridge Boulevard and A-1-A – scratching their heads and questioning aloud, “How could an ostensibly advanced civilization allow this to happen?”

Another Halifax area mystery for the ages, eh? 

Kudos to the members of LAMP for their dedication to the scientific practice of marine archeology and furthering a better understanding of our 500 years of maritime history in Florida. 

Angel               Deltona City Commissioner Dana McCool

There are some elected servant-leaders who instinctively understand their role:

To place the needs of others above their own. 

This week, Deltona City Commissioner Dana McCool exemplified that sense of selfless sacrifice when she turned her courageous fight against Stage 4 metastatic bone cancer into a means of helping others. 

Recently, Ms. McCool began losing her hair as a side effect of chemotherapy and decided to turn it into a positive by raffling off the chance to shave her head with all proceeds going to the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation – a 501(c)(3) organization that provides non-medical financial assistance to those undergoing cancer treatment in Florida allowing them to focus on fighting the disease. 

True to her word, on Monday, Commissioner McCool bravely took a seat in front of some two-dozen friends, constituents, and well-wishers at Deltona City Hall as Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood stood in for the out-of-state raffle winners and went to work shearing Dana’s locks. 

Aptly calling the event “May 1 More Be Saved,” Ms. McCool reached her goal of raising $5,000 for the foundation – assisted by a generous $500 donation from the Rotary Club of DeBary-Deltona-Orange City.

Commissioner McCool, who previously defeated breast cancer, gave hope and inspiration to others during the event:

“This is going to empower other women because we are not our hair, we are not; we are strong of spirit, mind and body.  This is for every woman, every man going through cancer right now that feels like they will be losing something; you are not, you are starting the fight.”

Dana McCool is a class act and a true warrior – a public servant of great conviction who never backs down from a fight – or an opportunity to help others.     

I have had the pleasure of appearing with Dana and her talented co-creator, Eric Raimundo, on their popular public affairs podcast “The Smoking Truth” – two civically engaged and incredibly smart people with distinctly different political views who can refreshingly agree to disagree – a fun hour which is always a wonderful learning experience for me.   

This informative podcast is just one of the many ways Ms. McCool gives back to her community by keeping Deltona residents informed on the issues of the day. 

Please find The Smoking Truth here: https://tinyurl.com/mr2um7ty

In a recent article by the News-Journal’s intrepid Wild West Volusia reporter Katie Kustura, a member of Ms. McCool’s eclectic circle, former Volusia County Council member and longtime civic activist Pat Northey, said:

“I think, considering all that she’s going through, for her to be this open about her health issues is remarkable,” Northey said. “She’s not running from her cancer battle, she’s facing it straight on, and she’s trying to make something positive out of what is a difficult health concern.”

Amen. 

Please join me in sending Deltona Commissioner Dana McCool all best wishes for a quick and effective fight against this scourge.  May her bold spirit continue to serve as a positive example for others battling cancer.

This is what true courage and leadership looks like…   

Asshole           Volusia County Council

The purpose of “Diversionary Politics” is to distract the short attention spans of We, The Little People, from the serious social, civic, and economic issues our elected dullards refuse to address.    

We’ve seen that deceptive strategy at play during the 2023 Florida legislative session (which mercifully ends today) as the “culture wars” overshadowed those issues that directly threaten our quality of life – such as the ability to control growth and density at the local level.  

On some level, I think busying themselves with controversial, yet inconsequential, horseshit – reinventing the wheel, procrastinating, and “solving” nonexistent problems – is a way compromised elected officials have of living with themselves after selling their political souls to the highest bidder…

For reasons known only to them, on Tuesday the Volusia County Council began cobbling together something known as a “stupid motorist law” – an ordinance proposed by Councilman Danny Robins at a meeting in March – which would create enhanced penalties for drivers who disregard traffic control measures during a state of emergency, including forcing motorists to pay up to $2,000 for rescue services (not including ambulance fees, of course.)  

According to Councilman Robins, “I think it could possibly be very fitting here locally especially after what we experienced when it came to public emergency response after Hurricanes Ian and Nicole.” 

As a former law enforcement officer, Mr. Robins should know that Florida already has a statute requiring motorists to obey traffic control devices (FSS 316.074) – defined as signs, signals, markings, and devices that are placed by a public body for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic. 

It carries a stiff penalty, too – with fines of $264.00 per incident – including three points assessed against a violator’s license and increased insurance premiums. 

But Mr. Robins wants ‘deterrence and repercussions.’

Wow. 

I can tell you from the vantagepoint of over three-decades in law enforcement – if we are going to start charging citizens for emergency services based upon their own stupidity – Volusia County is going to be swimming in fines and fees! 

Cha-Ching!

With appropriate laws and regulations already in place, why does this bunch spend so much time devising ways of squeezing more, more, more out of their already strapped constituents?

Or is this merely another diversionary hot air generator?

At the end of the day, the council voted 4-2 (with Chairman Jeff Brower and Councilman Troy Kent voting “No”) to send Robins’ Folly back to the legal staff for more expensive hemming, hawing, and timewasting research before we are subjected to yet another longwinded presentation on creating a “new” emergency power that already exists in state law… 

In explaining his logical opposition to the proposed “stupid motorist law,” Councilman Kent said, “Pun intended, I think it would be stupid to waste any more time on it because of state law.”

Me too. 

In my view, perhaps it is time taxpayers start pushing for a “stupid politician” law – a means of holding those dapper dullards we elevate to high office accountable for their gross inaction on the environmental destruction, malignant sprawl, threats to our water quality and quantity, polluted rivers and streams, and increasingly overwhelmed transportation, medical, and utilities infrastructure in the face of the massive overdevelopment they continue to rubberstamp.

A law that demands accountability from those who sold us the steaming crock o’ shit that says radically changing the natural topography and flora of the land to shoehorn even more zero-lot-line wood frame cracker boxes on every square inch of vacant pine scrub would not result in destructive flooding on roadways and established adjacent properties.  

An ordinance that requires those who accept public funds and serve in the public interest to stop the over-the-top corporate welfare schemes that piss away millions of our hard-earned tax dollars to lure the low hanging fruit of industrial warehouse scutwork – dead-end jobs doomed to be replaced by robotics and automation – ensuring the for-profit projects of billionaire corporations, and attracting no-name airlines to Daytona “International” Airport offering twice-weekly service to the “premium” destinations of New Haven, Connecticut and Wilmington, Delaware.    

A statute to stop the crisis of leadership that has resulted in a scarcity of safe and affordable workforce housing as council members “took no position” – sitting on their thumbs while the Florida legislature made decisions for them – gutting local controls, neutering zoning regulations, and lavishing tax abatements, refunds, and other incentives on developers.    

And, with beachfront homes crumbling into the ocean, how about a toothy federal diktat requiring a comprehensive beach management strategy that will protect existing structures by limiting future development seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line to prevent additional damage to protective vegetation and dunes?  

When will our elected representatives address those critical issues that the strapped taxpayers of Volusia County truly care about?

Don’t hold your breath.  It’s not about us. 

It is about putting more smoke in the air to distract us from questioning the lucrative status quo…

Quote of the Week

“What’s making some local government officials shift uncomfortably in their seats and find a quiet place to pore over the new law’s requirements?

For one thing, local governments must (that’s right, must) OK multifamily and mixed-use residential developments in any area zoned for commercial, industrial, or mixed-use as long as at least 40 percent of the rental units will be affordable for at least 30 years. For mixed-use projects, at least 65 percent of the total square footage will have to be used for residential purposes.

That means an affordable housing complex could open along much of Granada Boulevard, Beville Road, International Speedway Boulevard in the heart of Daytona Beach, or in an area zoned for industrial uses where city planners had never envisioned housing.

It will not mean affordable housing developments have an automatic right to build in single-family home neighborhoods. But a developer could create affordable housing on commercially zoned land within a residential area or on the edge of the neighborhood.

Also of note: A city or county won’t be able to require a proposed multifamily development to obtain a zoning or land use change, special exception, conditional use approval, variance, or comprehensive plan amendment for the building height, zoning, and density.

Local governments also won’t be able to restrict the height of a new development below the highest limit allowed for a commercial or residential building located within one mile of the new structure.”

–Reporter Eileen Zaffiro-Kean, writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “Florida’s new affordable housing law strips power from local government officials,” Thursday, May 4, 2023

In my view, those “local government officials” who are now shifting uncomfortably in their seats have no one to blame but themselves – and their own paralytic inaction on the growing issue of workforce housing. 

After decades of procrastination during the orgy of greed that resulted in a blanket of urban sprawl across the width and breadth of our state – many believe the Live Local Act is a godsend for strapped Floridians who have been priced out of an exponentially expanding housing market (in Volusia County, estimates show that some 56.22% of households who rent are overburdened with many living far below the national median income).

But one thing is certain, it is clearly a boon for insatiable developers looking for the next lucrative workaround of local land use and zoning regulations.

For years, civic activists and organizations like F.A.I.T.H. have begged local “leaders” to create a countywide housing trust fund using American Rescue Plan funds in a place with a median renter wage of just $13 an hour – where a one-bedroom apartment now requires a $16 an hour wage – and a current shortage estimated at 16,000 affordable housing units. 

Now that any reasonable local control has been undermined in this vacuum of inaction, can we expect Cabrini Green South on East Granada Boulevard?

If there’s enough money in it, you can bet your sweet bippy we will…   

Based upon our experience with speculative developers, prove me wrong?

In my view, this proves once and for all that kicking the can down the dusty political trail on the pressing civic, social, and economic issues we face has consequences.

So do elections…   

And Another Thing! 

Admittedly, I don’t know much. 

Like you, I’m just another hapless rube wandering the wilderness seeking a glimpse of truth.    

But during my productive life serving the City of Holly Hill, one of my responsibilities involved coordinating emergency management services for the community – ultimately earning the Florida Professional Emergency Manager designation from the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association. 

After years of training, certifications, and practical experience, the one overriding principle I learned was the importance of carefully developing and exhaustively exercising comprehensive emergency management plans when things are calm, so that everyone in the organization, partner agencies, and the community, knows how to respond during an actual threat. 

During the planning phase of the emergency management cycle, when everyone on the team begins reaching the same conclusions, it is important for leaders to employ the argumentative theory known as “The 10^th Man Rule.”   

The tenth man is also known as the “devil’s advocate” – a contrarian whose key role is to disagree with the majority, point out flaws, criticize the status quo, and strengthen the decision matrix by pointing out unintended consequences, raising options, and developing alternatives. 

(That concept might sound familiar to regular readers of these screeds…)

I was reminded of that important process this week when I read the disturbing details of a lawsuit filed by some 40 unfortunate residents of the Stone Island community against The Lost City of Deltona. 

“In bringing this suit, we are simply asking that the City compensate the residents of Stone Island for the losses that the residents have sustained based on the City’s action. And for some, those numbers may well be significant, but decisions have consequences, even for a municipality,” Allison and co-attorney Andrew Doyle said in a statement.

Deltona does not comment on pending litigation, city spokeswoman Catherine Barker said Friday.

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida in late September as a Category 4 hurricane.

On Oct. 1, “Deltona unilaterally opened the flood control structure,” which redirected “hundreds of millions of gallons of floodwaters “from Deltona over to Stone Island,” the lawsuit said. “Deltona did not notify residents of Stone Island of this action. Deltona has never taken responsibility for damage caused by these actions.”

At an Oct. 3 City Commission meeting, a city engineer reported the city opened the flood control structure without permission from the St. Johns River Water Management District, the lawsuit said.

At that same meeting, “a representative of Deltona stated and asked whether Deltona would rather flood 100 houses or flood 1,000 houses,” the lawsuit said. “In other words, would Deltona rather redirect floodwaters to and through Stone Island or leave the floodwaters in Deltona?”

–Journalist Gabrielle Russon, writing in Florida Politics, “Volusia County homeowners blame City of Deltona for sending Hurricane Ian floods right at them,” Saturday, April 29, 2023

Like I said, during an emergency, well-informed decisions matter.

With proper planning, many of those Sophie’s choices that arise in the confusion of an actual emergency can be avoided – because bad decision-making can have lasting consequences for the lives and livelihoods of others. That’s a key reason why preparedness actions should always include communicating with affected residents so they know what to expect when disaster strikes.

Anything less is irresponsible. 

And dangerous.     

For instance, what would have been the outcome had someone in the City of Deltona’s often shambolic hierarchy opened the floodgates, knowing that residents of Stone Island would be inundated, and someone drowned as a result? 

By the grace of God that did not happen – or Deltona city officials may well be facing criminal prosecution rather than another expensive lawsuit – which is why I drone on, ad nauseum, about the importance of leadership and accountability in government.   

What I find incomprehensible is that Deltona officials knew the destructive outcome in advance – yet purposely shunted their floodwater on an unsuspecting community in unincorporated Volusia… 

In an informative report by Patricio Balona writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, we learned:

“According to the lawsuit, the city of Deltona built the drainage system in 1991 to push floodwaters from Deltona to Lake Bethel, which is east of Stone Island, and then to the St. Johns River.

In 2005, after a lawsuit by the Stone Island Community, Deltona closed off the drainage system by building a dam that stopped floodwaters from flowing through the community.”

Perhaps most disturbing, the News-Journal reported, “Deltona opened the dam even though the city’s stormwater masterplan made officials aware that the Stone Island community would flood, the suit claims. And Deltona’s knowledge of the impact of flooding was also highlighted when the St. Johns Water Management District refused to give Deltona permission to open the dam in 2008 during Tropical Storm Fay and in 2017 for Hurricane Irma, the suit said.”

One would think that in the 18-years since the last Stone Island lawsuit, someone in Deltona government would have considered how to mitigate the threat before this disastrous dilemma presented during Hurricane Ian?

In my view, taxpayers and elected officials should use these legal actions as an early warning system – a window into potential organizational dysfunction and lack of effective oversight – and a means of exposing (and correcting) weak spots in the management chain. 

It should also be a wakeup call. 

In my view, this lawsuit transcends the petty politics and internecine warfare The Lost City of Deltona has become known for – and speaks to the importance of moving away from the perpetual (and expensive) “acting manager” revolving door.

It is time to bring forward-thinking, professional, and personally accountable leadership to City Hall.

That’s all for me.  Have a great Cinco de Mayo, y’all!

Hi, kids!

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

Let’s look at who tried to screw us – and who tried to save us – during the week that was:

I’ve got a confession to make. 

Despite living in blissful denial – I’m getting older. 

Look, I realize that my boyish good looks – the result of a healthy diet of Tullamore Dew and Marlboros – can be deceiving, but the evidence is mounting that I am no exception to Chaucer’s proverb, “Time and tide wait for no man…”

This week, I underwent cataract surgery to correct this horrid gauze-like glare in my left eye – and by the time you read this – the exceptionally talented ophthalmic surgeon Dr. Todd Geis and his wonderful team will have restored Superman’s X-Ray vision!     

Unfortunately, the preoperative drops have made it all but impossible to focus on this damnable computer screen…   

So, I hope you will forgive this week’s mercifully abbreviated edition of Angels & Assholes.

With any luck, your curmudgeonly scribe will be back next week with clearer vision – and more weird thoughts and asides on the political horseshit and civic machinations that make life here on Florida’s fabled “Fun Coast” so incredibly interesting – and infinitely frustrating… 

Thanks so much for your support and loyal readership.  It means more than you know.

Now, let’s take a look at the week that was:

Asshole           Volusia County Council

For the uninitiated, the term “Political Posturing” (a/k/a “Moral Grandstanding”) is defined as the use of hollow speech, handwringing, and superficial legislative action as a means of generating political support through emotional appeals. 

It often manifests as a weird form of limbic synchrony where elected poseurs ape the actions of politicians at the next level of government – mirroring the faux-concerns and partisan diversions of their counterparts by seeking solutions to problems that rarely exist – then tout their moral superiority while camouflaging the resultant censorship and heavy-handed overreach as necessary societal protections.    

Trust me.  This théâtre de l’absurde is not limited to one political party or the other…

Meanwhile, the real threats facing those unable to protect themselves from the true civic, social, and environmental evils that exist in our society go unaddressed while politicians primp and preen. 

Recently, the Volusia County Council used routine appointments to the innocuous Library Advisory Board to find answers to the non-existent problem of “inappropriate materials” in the children’s section of Volusia County Public Libraries… 

In fact, the “problem” is so infrequent we typically trust trained librarians to use a reasonable and effective vetting process to keep harmful material out of the hands of children. 

According to reports, of the tens of thousands of books available in Volusia County libraries, just four were challenged in the past two years. 

Only two were removed. 

But Councilman Don Dempsey is not satisfied with what works.  He feels we need a new, more controversial and timewasting mechanism for “monitoring” content.

“How can we monitor the materials that are put in the library, so that if we have something that’s been controversial, that we could vote on it – or this board could vote on it?” Dempsey asked.

“How do we monitor what’s been given to our kids?”

Let’s see…  How about trusting their parents? 

So, instead of relying on qualified librarians, vigilant parents, and proven processes, the County Council – sitting as self-styled omniscient inquisitors – will now use their infinite wisdom to rule on suspected heresies and sorcery – giving a thumbs up or down according to the rules of the Directorium Inquisitorum?

Whatever.   

Look, as a grandfather of two children under the age of six (with one on the way!) I do not want them subjected to inappropriate material – especially at a public library – no parent or grandparent does.

And that is why there are effective processes already in place.       

Of the myriad civic and social issues we face here on the “Fun Coast” – serious threats to the public welfare, environment, beaches, infrastructure, and our quality of life that are within the actual purview of our elected and appointed dullards – public libraries are rarely on the list of things keeping Volusia County families up at night.    

What I found most disturbing was the fact At-Large Councilman Jake Johansson began the theatrics by making a motion to disband Volusia County’s Library Advisory Board altogether – a citizen committee that makes recommendations to the County Council, County Manager, and Library Services Director on matters relating to the development and improvement of one the few county operated services that works well.

In my view, by condescendingly bashing the contributions of committee members, Councilman Johansson telegraphed that he’s not interested in hearing from those who dedicate their time and talent to advisory boards – suggesting that if a group of people want to get together to discuss library issues and “wear the same color t-shirts,” they can merely genuflect before the Monarchy, prostrate themselves as any other villein, and express their suggestions during the allotted “public participation” period gifted to their subjects.

“I question the reasoning behind having this board, as well,” he told his fellow council members. “Is this more of a group of people getting together and chatting about how to make our libraries better? Can this not be done outside the constraints of a committee or a board?”

My God.  The abject arrogance of these ill-informed assholes is mind-boggling…

And our ‘powers that be’ question why no one wants to serve on boards and committees? 

Equally disturbing, during the ensuing discussion, the two highest paid bureaucrats in all the realm – County Manager George “The Wreck” Recktenwald and County Attorney Michael “I’ll Get Back to You on That” Dyer, who collectively command a combined annual salary (minus benefits and perquisites) of some $478,000 – were unable to articulate the process by which books and materials are selected for Volusia County libraries.   

Baffling…

Another area that Mr. Recktenwald is personally responsible for – yet remains utterly clueless of the essential functions and processes he ostensibly oversees.

Why is that?

In my view, at the prices “The Wreck” commands, his bureaucratic ineptitude is getting too blatant to ignore.  Or are we expected to wait until another inmate is found tacked out in four-point restraints, in the nude, in the bowels of the Volusia County Jail – or worse? 

I’m asking.  Because those on the dais of power won’t – and this routine inability of senior appointed officials to respond to policymakers with even rudimentary answers in a public setting is concerning…  

At least it should be.

So, you and I will now be subjected to yet another infamously longwinded Dog & Pony Show to address a threat that does not exist (to be held at a time when Councilman David Santiago doesn’t have something more important to do and can attend the meeting) by Library Services Director Lucinda Colee (who, no doubt, has better things to do than read some phonics-based PowerPoint to our elected dullards).

Folks, this contrived virtue signaling and political posturing is what happens in the absence of strong leadership, commons sense, or substantive citizen input…     

Asshole           Thin-skinned Politicians

“I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.”

–Thomas Jefferson

Wow.  If Mr. Jefferson could see us now, eh?  

During my professional life, I was often accused of having “sharp elbows” – moving through the world, as William Safire wrote, “…giving and receiving offense” – a strong advocate for those policies and initiatives I thought were important to the community I served. 

Guilty as charged.

Only now, looking back, can I see both the necessity, and folly, in that aggressive approach…

With experience, career civil servants learn that, in government, sometimes the only way to make things happen is to challenge the status quo, make a conscious effort to avoid the “that’s the way we’ve always done it” mentality, and develop relationships with subordinates, peers, and superiors that can survive honest differences of opinion and allow the vigorous debate of complex issues without creating animosity and destroying relationships. 

In my view, anything else is disingenuous and a disservice to constituents.

In February, Orange City Mayor Gary Blair got his gilded knickers in a twist over a contentious encounter with another council member who (God forbid) addressed him using “foul language.”

As a result, Lord Blair took offense and called for a formal “code of conduct” for elected officials to “ensure a civil discourse at public meetings, in public arenas, or when communicating via electronic means.”

Bullshit. 

In my view, Mayor Blair – or any other elected official – who enforces “respect and courtesy” through official edict as a means of projecting a faux sense of collegiality is being less than honest with those who pay the bills – and setting a dangerous precedent for limiting free expression on the dais of power.

What is it with these thin-skinned elected officials today? 

Many politicians we elect to high office at all levels of government seem capable of the most despicable and meanspirited forms of personal destruction during what passes for political campaigns – real cutthroat politics – then, once elected, clutch their pearls, and suddenly transmogrify into a sniveling Caspar Milquetoast…  

Typically, the first time a politician learns that not everyone agrees with them – or fails to genuflect in reverence when they pass on the street – their massive ego recoils in horror and they begin looking for a legislative means of forcing “civility” from their constituents and colleagues.

Because a terse exchange in a public park “didn’t sit well” with Mayor Blair, the taxpayers of Orange City dished out public funds to City Attorney William Reischmann to research, craft, and present a meaningless “civility pledge” at a recent meeting. 

In an informative overview by reporter Chris Berger writing in the West Volusia Beacon, we learned:

“According to the pledge, the goal is to “ensure a civil discourse at public meetings, in public arenas, or when communicating via electronic means.”

Reischmann said he believes being kind to each other won’t be that difficult.

“I don’t think it’s a hurdle too high, but it’s something that shouldn’t be taken lightly,” Reischmann told the council.

The pledge, Reischmann pointed out, was not a guarantee of civility but a recognition of it.

“This basically says we just all play nice in the sandbox and we treat each other with respect,” Blair summarized. “When we’re out and in public, we watch our language. You know, we just treat each other like decent human beings, as we should.”

Really? 

Orange City needs a formal public policy for that?

Now that Mayor Blair has had his 15 minutes of unwarranted attention, I sincerely hope his delicate sensibilities have been soothed.  Because I am certain the taxpayers of Orange City will be thrilled to know their City Attorney’s valuable time can now be focused on more pressing civic matters…

Look, in my view, the legislative process should be raucous – a spirited debate of the issues – a freewheeling, transparent, and public competition of ideas with substantive input from those whose lives and livelihoods will be directly affected by the resultant policy – not some sterile exercise by restrained elected officials who fear offending the Mayor Blairs of the world… 

Robust debate is one of the foundational principles of good governance, but as recent bills filed by state lawmakers have proven, many politicians have no qualms using the power of the legislative process to silence their critics, preempt home rule, and further consolidate power at a higher, and far less responsive, level of government.   

In my experience, respect and professional courtesy are earned – not legislated.

If an elected official has cultivated the respect of their colleagues by admitting mistakes, giving credit to others, showing compassion to those who can do nothing to help them, holding fast to a strong moral compass, following the rules, setting an example, responsibly stewarding public funds, and diligently representing the interests of all citizens – they will naturally agree to disagree on certain issues, develop ways to compromise, and find common ground on those matters most important to their constituents – all without pledging allegiance to a toothless and artificial civility code.  

Angel               Charlene Greer & Jeep Beach 2023

Today begins the final weekend of Jeep Beach 2023!

Now celebrating its 20^th year, Jeep Beach has become a true benefit to the Halifax area and universally embraced by locals as a quality annual event that gives back to the community.   

Unlike many “pop-up” invasions and “truck meets” – mechanized insanity that leave area residents trapped in their homes as rowdy enthusiasts turn our streets into a congested dragstrip and our beachside neighborhoods into Party Central during three days/two nights of gridlocked debauchery – Jeep Beach brings thousands of visitors to our area for a great week of fun at various venues throughout the area.

According to a recent article by Jim Abbott writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal:

“The hashtag this year is #chasingamillion,” said Charlene Greer, the event’s executive director and chairwoman, a reference to the goal of raising $1 million for area charities through this year’s weeklong celebration of the famed automotive brand that runs April 23-30 in Daytona Beach.

That total would exceed the $650,000 that was raised and donated to 70 area charities at the 2022 Jeep Beach. Incorporated as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity in 2017, Jeep Beach Inc. over the past decade has raised a total of more than $3.8 million to support recipients that include the Boys & Girls Clubs of Volusia & Flagler Counties, the NASCAR Foundation and the Childhood Cancer Foundation.”

The event continues this weekend with “JB23 20^th Anniversary Main Event Show at Daytona International Speedway,” a celebration of all things Jeep – to include an obstacle course, promotional giveaways, food truck vendors, live musicians, and sand sculptors – with a special performance by Colbie Caillat on Saturday beginning at 7:05pm. 

Tickets for all events are available at www.jeepbeach.com  

Kudos to Charlene Greer and her legion of dedicated volunteers who work hard to make Jeep Beach an incredibly special Daytona Beach tradition!  

Quote of the Week

“Conservative grassroots organization Americans for Prosperity-Florida and its Hispanic outreach arm, the LIBRE Initiative-Florida, are bringing on former Rep. David Santiago as LIBRE-Florida’s new Strategic Director.

Santiago, a Republican, brings extensive legislative knowledge to the AFP-FL team following his years of service as an elected member of the Deltona City Commission and the state House.

AFP-FL touted Santiago’s reputation as a “dedicated” Representative known for his work with grassroots leaders and his fellow lawmakers on what the organization described as “transformational policies.”

Santiago’s legislative product focused on the insurance industry, with priority bills tackling topics including workers’ comp, travel insurance, surplus lines insurance, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, pharmacy benefit managers, car insurance, reinsurance, civil remedies, rate making, construction defects, and condominium loss assessments.

Santiago represented the Volusia County area in the House from 2012 through 2020, when term limits prevented him from seeking re-election. Post-legislative service he worked for the law and lobbying firm Colodny Fass and held the top position at Floridians for Lawsuit Reform.”

–Publisher Peter Schorsch, Florida Politics – Legislative, Influence, and Policy, “Personnel note: David Santiago named strategic director at LIBRE-Florida,” Tuesday, April 25, 2023

When not otherwise occupied, David Santiago serves as the District 5 representative to the Volusia County Council…  

And Another Thing!

Are you getting your monies worth? 

It’s a legitimate question.

Something strapped families ask themselves all the time when evaluating where to trim their monthly budget amid rising inflation and precious few of those “high paying jobs” our economic development shills keep promising…     

When it comes to Volusia County government, are you getting the best bang your buck? 

After all, it is your money. 

The Daytona Beach News-Journal’s Sunday edition included an informative article by Sheldon Gardner, “Who Takes Top Salary?” which provided a shocking list of the highest paid bureaucrats in Volusia County government:  

“Volusia County Manager George Recktenwald tops the list of highest-paid government officials across the county government agencies surveyed, earning just under $247,000 per year followed closely by Volusia County Schools Superintendent Carmen Balgobin at $245,000.”

Not including benefits…

According to Volusia County mouthpiece Kevin Captain, “The county benefits package has a total that rivals the amount paid in salaries/wages.”

Whoa.  And that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg…  

When you figure that every department, division, and donjon within County government has a bevy of directors, deputy directors, managers, assistant managers, supervisors, dinosaurs, sloths, protégés, consultants, mandarins, toadies, arbiters, etc., etc., etc. – also drawing six-figure salaries, that adds up to real money.

For those of us here in the real world, anyway…

In my view, one inherent problem with perpetually expanding bureaucracies is their top-heavy structure – where a few senior executives command exorbitant salaries in exchange for running interference and providing political insulation – while those delivering public services at the tip of the spear often make less than their counterparts in entry level jobs in the fast-food industry. 

For instance, according to the report, “The county is offering starting pay of $15.94 an hour for full-time emergency medical technicians, $17.88 for paramedic trainees, and $20.49 for paramedics,” while Buc-ee’s is advertising a starting pay of $17.00 an hour for cashiers, cleaning and maintenance attendants, and grocery stockers.

But everyone is fat and happy in the Ivory Tower of Power in DeLand…

Yet, time and again, We, The Little People, who are expected to pay the bills and suffer in silence, watch in slack jawed amazement as these highly compensated dullards are repeatedly caught off guard or learn of internal scandals after the fact – incapable of answering simple questions regarding governmental processes and systems they are directly responsible for – always couching requests with “I’ll get back to you on that” – an effective means of creating time and distance to avoid any level of official accountability.   

Now, Councilman Jake Johansson is suggesting throwing citizen advisory board members “out of the club,” and – one assumes – only receive information from inside the tightly controlled confines of a bloated bureaucracy where grossly overpaid senior officials both manufacture and monitor the narrative while steering public policy from deep inside the inner-sanctum.    

Make no mistake, they do consider our government a very exclusive “Good Old Boys Club.”

One that you and I will never be members of – until we begin electing true servant-leaders who care more about the needs of their constituents than protecting this incredibly lopsided system… 

That’s all for me.  Have a great final weekend of Jeep Beach 2023 weekend, y’all!

Hi, kids!

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

Let’s look at who tried to screw us – and who tried to save us – during the week that was:

Asshole           Protogroup

“The city still lacks an overall strategy as it relates to A1A and the beachside corridor, and this is what happens when you put all your eggs in one basket.”

At this point, however, completion of the project is imperative, Grippa said.

“It would be absolutely devastating to have, in addition to all the old boarded-up buildings, now a new partially completed building,” Grippa said. “That sitting vacant and empty would really hurt the beachside, optically, economically and emotionally.”

–Chairman Tony Grippa, Volusia County Beachside Redevelopment Committee, as quoted in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, October 2018

Tony Grippa was quite a soothsayer, eh? 

Despite my penchant for strong drink and its deleterious effect on both the structure and function of what remains of my pickled grey matter, I distinctly remember my gut reaction to a November 2018 article by Eileen Zaffiro-Kean writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal entitled, “Shell Game“:

“Oh, shit…” 

In my view, that eye-opening exposé of Protogroup and the many questions surrounding financing for its $192 million Daytona Beach Convention Hotel & Condominiums, was a forewarning of things to come – a portent sign that should have triggered official inquiry, heightened oversight, and clear performance assurances.   

Not to travel too far down that dark and treacherous road known as Memory Lane, but you may remember that Protogroup’s proposed twin-spires were once touted by some very heavy hitters – including former Daytona Beach Mayor Glenn Ritchey, who reportedly negotiated the original “deal” with the Russian developer – as the next “game changer.”

The great panacea project that would solve all our civic and social ills, serve as the catalyst for reversing decades of neglect and resultant blight, and return the Halifax Resort Area to its former prominence as a world class destination.

But to weary Halifax area residents, it sounded an awful lot like that proverbial egg basket Mr. Grippa described…

Then, as many feared, the wheel came off the cart. 

Repeatedly. 

While the south tower s-l-o-w-l-y went vertical, the rusting bones of the languishing north tower remained frustratingly stagnant. 

Through the years, concerned residents complained as the on again/off again project blocked traffic on A-1-A, constructed an unpermitted “contra-lane” on Oakridge Boulevard, obstructed beach access, mysteriously swapped contractors, sat idle, ignored deadlines, and refused to respond to questions from the working press, while everyone in a regulatory position seemed to treat the developer with kid gloves – careful not to upset what passed for “progress.” 

Then, in September 2022, the City of Daytona Beach issued a condemnation and demolition order citing the lack of construction activity and questions surrounding the structural integrity of the exposed rebar – ordering that the site be cleaned up and that an engineer create a plan to ensure the columns are strong enough to support the proposed 31-story tower – which, if it ever sprouts, would be the tallest structure in Daytona Beach.

Unfortunately, many were disappointed when that order was rescinded, and a new work order issued – good for six months – so long as Protogroup adhered to a city mandate to “keep things rolling.” 

Obviously, that did not happen…

Then, earlier this month, The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that the project had once again stalled out and quoted Daytona Beach Chief Building Official Glen Urquhart:

“When the city agreed in September to give Protogroup another chance, the company was told it would have to show work was well underway on the condo tower by April 9 and undergo a city inspection by that date. Urquhart said the agreement was clear: No progress and no inspection, no more construction permit.”

To Mr. Urquhart’s credit, this week the City of Daytona Beach made good on its promise, pulled the construction permit, and denied the Protogroup’s request for a 180-day extension. 

I know, I know, “We’ve heard this ruse before, Barker – just another time-buying exercise by perplexed city officials who don’t have a clue how to clear this monstrous eyesore from the epicenter of our core tourist area and prevent Mr. Grippa’s prophetic words from coming true.”  

Well, maybe you infernal naysayers are right.

Time will tell. 

But in my role as Volusia’s resident Pollyanna, I am willing to give Mr. Urquhart and his colleagues at City Hall the benefit of the doubt.

For the umpteenth time…

According to reports, if the City of Daytona Beach has the courage to allow this latest punitive action to hold – Protogroup will be required to apply for a new construction permit – subject to current building codes and a site inspection, including the requirement that a structural engineer sign and submit plans demonstrating how the exposed columns will “…be fortified to support 31 stories above them.”

Let’s face it.  Barring some Copperfield-level legerdemain, this fetid shit show is going to remain an ever-present splinter in the public eye until the north condo tower either comes out of the ground or the corroded bones of its foundation are demolished and hauled away.

And the public’s patience is waning…

Angel               Volusia County Councilman Troy Kent

I have not always been kind to District 4 Councilman Troy Kent in this space. 

During his long political tenure with the Ormond Beach City Commission, I opposed his stance on growth management, and often took exception with the development approvals that continue to tax our grossly inadequate infrastructure. 

However, I can also remember a time when Mr. Kent worked hard to protect the character of Ormond Beach by supporting building height limits, his willingness to listen to concerned residents, and strong advocacy for beach driving and access.

In my view, as Volusia’s Old Guard continues to walk the crumbling ramparts of this bloated bureaucracy to protect the stagnant status quo from innovation, ingenuity, or reform – it is nice to see Troy Kent’s sense of grassroots representation being resurrected in service to his long-suffering constituents.

Upon taking his seat on the Volusia County Council in January, rather than spout a laundry list of pie-in-the-sky ambitions with no articulable plan to accomplish them – Mr. Kent outlined a set of attainable goals – including free beach access for double-taxed residents, the establishment of a dog friendly section of beach, and returning entertainment offerings to that white elephant known as the Ocean Center.

For reasons that were never made clear, over the past decade, the Ocean Center went from one of east Central Florida’s premiere concert venues to little more than an extravagant (and terribly expensive) home for quilting bees, the annual “State of the County” soiree, and myriad underpublicized specialty events and trade shows.  

For instance, did you know that during March Madness the Ocean Center played host to a four-day Division 1 college basketball tournament with the championship game nationally televised on ESPN2?

No one else did either…

Long-time residents of Volusia County have fond memories of attending top tier concerts, sporting events, and productions at Ocean Center – big names, such as Jimmy Buffett, Elton John, AC/DC, Alan Jackson, standup comedians, semi-pro hockey games, rodeos, and professional wrestling events.     

Then the curtain fell on high-end entertainment options at the Ocean Center… 

The official reasons behind the Ocean Center’s fall from grace with national touring acts were never fully explained to disappointed taxpayers – even as we watched the popularity of the St. Augustine Amphitheater and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall blossom – attracting quality artists virtually every weekend.

Thanks to Councilman Kent’s initiative, earlier this month, the Volusia County Council voted 6-1 to change the restrictive booking model that has caused concert promoters to give Ocean Center a wide berth. 

While Volusia County has no qualms showering millions of dollars in risky “incentives” and corporate welfare “gimmes” to attract a no-name airline to Daytona “International” Airport – and gifting tax breaks, infrastructure, and public funds to all the right names – when it came to bringing quality entertainment to the masses, our ‘powers that be’ had previously adopted a disastrous “all for me, and none for thee” approach. 

According to Ocean Center Director Tim Riddle, the county’s “virtually zero risk” booking policy – which allowed the Ocean Center to keep all revenues, including lucrative ticket fees and proceeds from food and beverage sales – leaving the event promoter only the net proceeds of ticket sales, “…is not getting a lot of traction out there in the live entertainment world.” 

Really?  Who woulda thunk it?    

God knows how much revenue Volusia County has lost in recent years as tour buses bypassed the Ocean Center for packed arenas in Melbourne, Orlando, and St. Johns County before Mr. Riddle and other senior administrators finally came to the painfully obvious realization that their booking model was flawed? 

In my view, none of these highly compensated dullards gave a damn.

Because in the bureaucratic donjon of the Thomas C. Kelly Administrative Building, performance and outcome have never been a metric of success – or failure – for senior staff.   

After years of sluggish stagnation and low-hanging fruit – prove me wrong? 

In my view, had Councilman Troy Kent merely fell in line and accepted the status quo – you and I would still be required to leave Volusia County to attend quality music and cultural events…

In addition, Volusia County is considering raising beach tolls for out-of-town visitors – and the possibility of charging tourists for off-beach parking – both were suggestions Mr. Kent brought forth as a means of generating additional revenue to alleviate the burden of beach access fees for taxpayers. 

During his sales pitch to his “colleagues,” Mr. Kent explained that Nassau County allows resident beachgoers to drive on the beach for free, while charging out-of-towners to take their cars onto the strand.

Unfortunately, this well-thought plan fell on deaf ears…

In response to Kent’s radical idea of affording citizens more liberties and access, Councilman Don Dempsey crowed, “C’mon, there’s no free beach. I’m more concerned about not raising taxes than I am about people driving on the beach for free,” while At-Large Councilman Jake Johansson reminded us helot’s that “Parking on the beach is a privilege. I’m pretty comfortable with paying for that privilege.”

It didn’t used to be. 

There was a time before this money-grubbing bureaucracy assumed its iron-fisted control of our beaches when driving and access were a right of all taxpaying citizens – and the “third rail” of Volusia County politics.  

I don’t think Mr. Johansson has lived here long enough to remember those freedoms – but Mr. Kent certainly has.

As history repetitively proves, any Volusia County councilmember who demonstrates a smidgeon of independent thought will ultimately be crushed under the bootheel of conformity, forced to kowtow to the foot-dragging strategies of County Manager George “The Wreck” Recktenwald and his lethargic legion of bureaucrats who monitor and control the narrative and steer public policy from behind closed doors.    

With this latest revelation of lost opportunities (and revenue) comes the gnawing question:

How many other antiquated policies and sacred cows are being protected in the inner sanctum of Volusia County government simply to avoid upsetting the bureaucracy’s delicate applecart? 

Quote of the Week

“When it comes to the Tymber Creek Apartments development proposal, Ormond Beach City Commissioners face two options: approve as presented, or risk the possibility of a higher density development.

Though the public hearing for the development’s rezoning and development order requests was held on Tuesday, April 18, the commission decided to table the items until its May 16 meeting due to the impact of a new law that would allow developers to circumvent local land use and zoning regulations if their developments set aside at least 40% of units for affordable housing.

The Live Local Act, previously known as Florida Senate Bill 102, was signed by the governor on March 29 and will go into effect on July 1. It affects properties currently zoned commercial, industrial or those with a mixed use zoning, and would allow developers to build multifamily or mixed-use residential buildings at the highest allowed density.”

–Senior Editor Jarleene Almenas writing in the Ormond Beach Observer, “City Commission tables decision on Tymber Creek Apartments,” Wednesday, April 19, 2023

It seems every piece of legislation coming out of the 2023 session is designed to consolidate state government’s power and authority over every facet of our lives and livelihoods – from corporate governance to local home rule.

In my view, there is a concerted effort to undermine the ability of county and municipal governments to control their destiny by preempting local decisions to the state – coupled with direct attacks on our inalienable right to the free expression of grievances and criticism of those bold enough to hold themselves out for high office (and do the bidding of their campaign contributors) – yet fold into shrinking violets when We, The Little People complain about it…

Depending upon how you look at it, the Live Local Act was either a godsend for strapped Floridians who have been priced out of an exponentially expanding housing market (in Volusia County, estimates show that some 56.22% of households who rent are overburdened) with many living far below the national median income – or a boon for developers looking for the next lucrative workaround of local land use and zoning regulations.

For instance, I can’t see where this legislation does a damn thing to help stabilize Florida families who are currently struggling to meet monthly living expenses – but you can bet your sweet bippy a few developers of large-scale affordable housing projects are about to make bank…

Did I mention that a recent exposé by business editor Clayton Park of The Daytona Beach News-Journal found that over 40% of current Florida lawmakers have direct financial ties to the real estate and development industry? 

Yeah.  I know…

In addition to circumventing local land use requirements, the Live Local Act throws $711 million into affordable housing, and provides additional tax incentives to attract affordable housing projects – including changing zoning laws to allow building in commercial and industrial areas – while effectively crushing community self-determination and banning local governments from enacting rent control measures for existing low-income workers.  

Ain’t no money in that handout shit, right? 

Unless, of course, you happen to be an industrial warehouse, insurance conglomerate, or billionaire with a profit motive demanding millions in publicly funded corporate welfare…

Whatever.

The act also places the Ormond Beach City Commission in an untenable position vis-à-vis frightened existing residents of neighborhoods along Tymber Creek Road:

Either approve the proposed 270-unit apartment complex and shoehorn more traffic onto already packed local roadways east and west of I-95 – or risk the possibility of an even higher density development once the Live Local Act takes effect in July. 

With the Florida legislature, it’s always give with one hand and take with the other – so be careful what you wish for, folks.   

Oh, I almost forgot – to add insult, last week, the oddly named Ormond Beach “Planning” Board voted 5-1 to recommend the City Commission approve a zoning map amendment, development order, and preliminary plat allowing a developer to build 286 units – including 84 “duplex townhomes” – on 103.45-acres along Plantation Oaks Boulevard north of the Village of Pine Run. 

So, while our elected dullards on the Ormond Beach City Commission clutch their pearls for the amusement of anxious Tymber Creek residents – their political insulation committee hilariously titled the “Planning Board” is leaving the backdoor wide open for more, more, more…

In my view, this is one more glaring example of why electing the same compromised shitheels while expecting a different result is the true definition of civic insanity.

And Another Thing!

“Recently, you may have seen headlines in the news highlighting the aggressive push by Sheriff Mike Chitwood to assume control of the law enforcement officers currently working under the Beach Patrol, (Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue). The Sheriff’s argument for doing so hinges on the looming passage of two state bills that are working their way through the Florida Legislature. If they pass, the sheriff’s powers could be greatly expanded. This is the main reason why he has spent the last few years lobbying in support of those bills. It’s a power grab, plain and simple.”

–Retired Beach Patrol officer and founding past president of the Volusia Waterman’s Association Bryon White, The Daytona Beach News-Journal Community Voice Extra, “Battle Over Beach Patrol,” Sunday, April 16, 2023

“This transition to the Sheriff’s Office has been described as a “power grab” by the sheriff, as if I had anything to do with the legislation that’s been proposed by state lawmakers I’ve never met, spoken to or had any contact with. That’s just another lie the beach union is peddling. The truth is this is part of a larger legislative initiative to establish uniformity of authority of sheriffs and other constitutional officers across the state of Florida.”

–Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, The Daytona Beach News Journal Community Voice Extra, “Status quo on the beach isn’t sustainable under the existing state law,” Sunday, April 16, 2023

Normally I am a sucker for a good “point-counterpoint” dueling op/ed – a no holds barred debate of competing ideas fueled with simmering animosity – but Sunday’s escalating Battle Royale between the union representing the Volusia County Beach Patrol and Sheriff Mike Chitwood just left me feeling sad…

I know Bryon White and Sheriff Chitwood, both former colleagues, each of whom care deeply about Volusia County. 

They are also passionate bareknuckle scrappers with the smarts, agility, and tenacity to hold their own in a fight.  However, in this case, I give the advantage to the incredibly popular Sheriff Chitwood – because he holds all the cards.

What saddens me is that this internecine bickering and resulting bad blood seems so – unnecessary. 

Like two family members fighting over something neither can control, using words and tactics that can never be taken back.   

Now, this growing legislative bruhaha is dividing residents as various factions begin to take sides – and that is the last thing we need in this horribly polarized age where divide and conquer is the operative ethic.   

I disagree with Bryon White on one point – this is not a “power grab” by Sheriff Chitwood. The proposed law is not specific to Volusia County and the bills originated in South Florida. 

The current iterations of the house and senate bills working their way through the legislative maze in Tallahassee state that there will be an elected sheriff in each Florida county and reaffirms that the sheriff shall have exclusive law enforcement authority in all unincorporated areas, and concurrent jurisdiction within the municipalities.

That’s nothing new – and it certainly doesn’t “greatly expand” Sheriff Chitwood’s powers.   

Where the proposed law directly affects the Beach Patrol is in prohibiting a county’s legislative body from establishing or maintaining a separate “policing entity” in any unincorporated area of a county, stating that “Only the duly elected sheriff may provide such policing and police functions in the unincorporated areas of any county.”   

The law would also protect the budgets of municipal law enforcement agencies by providing a means for either the state attorney for the circuit – or a member of the municipality’s governing body – to request a hearing before an administrative law judge and challenge any funding reduction of more than 5% as compared to the current fiscal year’s operating budget. 

This matter will ultimately be settled by vote of the Florida legislature and Governor DeSantis’ signature. 

While the bills are supported by the Florida Sheriff’s Association – I haven’t seen any overt lobbying efforts by Sheriff Chitwood as the Volusia Waterman’s Association suggests. 

Unfortunately, it appears the hostility between the Beach Patrol and Sheriff Chitwood is growing more confrontational by the day.   In a subsequent article by reporter Sheldon Gardner writing in Sunday’s News-Journal, we learned that Sheriff Chitwood is now challenging the Beach Patrol’s legitimacy. 

“The sheriff writes in his column that Volusia County Beach Safety officers might not have law enforcement authority anyway. “The section of the Volusia County Charter granting that authority was repealed in 2020. The legality of every ticket, every arrest, every law enforcement action taken by Beach Safety since 2020 is now called into question,” he wrote.”

Of course, the Volusia County Council disputes that assessment, and in a move to protect the status quo – reminiscent of the former council’s asinine pushback on Amendment 10 which brought the Sheriff’s Office from under the yoke of a politically unaccountable County Manager – “…recently voted to send a letter to its lobbyists and lawmakers to try and get a change to the proposed legislation to exclude Volusia County, and if that effort fails to give the county more time to adjust to whatever changes may come.”

Look, I understand the best instinct of the Volusia County Beach Patrol to fight like rabid badgers to preserve their agency’s identity and proud history of providing law enforcement, lifesaving, and beach-related services to residents and visitors – and Sheriff Chitwood has the right to defend himself (in his own inimitable way) when he feels unfairly attacked. 

There is no denying that the Volusia County Beach Patrol brings a lot of experience and expertise to the table – a specialized, well-equipped, and well led agency staffed with triple-certified professionals adept at providing law enforcement, lifesaving, and emergency medical capabilities in a dynamic environment.     

According to preliminary reports, Sheriff Chitwood has committed to incorporating a majority of the 58 Beach Patrol members into his agency – with remaining personnel assigned as lifeguards or to other beach safety responsibilities – with no anticipated change in pay or benefits. 

How that ultimately shakes out is yet to be seen, and there are a lot of moving parts to sort through, but this week Sheriff Chitwood announced to the Volusia County Council his willingness to cooperate with county officials – while reassuring Beach Patrol members all is not doom and gloom:

“Don’t throw everything away in a panic mode. This is going to be a really good thing. I know I’m a knucklehead, but jeez I’m never going to hurt my employees, for crying out loud.”   

My hope is that anxious Beach Patrol officers – and Volusia County residents – will see a more fully formed transition plan soon.     

I feel confident that Sheriff Chitwood and his staff – with a modicum of cooperation, collegiality, and compromise from county management – can accomplish an orderly and effective transition without the apocalyptic upheaval that naturally accompanies any substantive change in Volusia County’s lockstep bureaucracy. 

Unfortunately, with the busy summer season looming, this building animus could prove a real impediment to the strategic planning, identification and alignment of goals, engagement with stakeholders, and the systemic and personnel integration that will be required to ensure the best possible outcome for all concerned.     

That’s all for me.  Have a great Jeep Beach 2023, y’all!

(Note: Angels & Assholes will return next Friday. In the interim, I find it fun to look back and see how much things have changed – or stayed the same – here on Florida’s “Fun Coast.” During a trip to Virginia last week, I saw firsthand how unchecked sprawl has inexorably changed the character and landscape of Volusia, Flager, St. Johns, and Duval Counties – with more development on the way – and precious little evidence of the infrastructure expansion and improvements we so desperately need to cope. Here’s a look back from April 2022 on the most important topic of our time – now from the vantagepoint of 20-20 hindsight… See you next week!)

“A favorite theory of mine [is] that no occurrence is sole and solitary but is merely a repetition of a thing which has happened before, and perhaps often.”

–Mark Twain

I am an observer – and a student of history.   

Rather than participate officially, I watch the action and analyze things from the sidelines – with a hard-earned ability to discern both the minute and significant – gaining insight into all aspects of a situation, determining patterns, and comparing modern issues with historical outcomes. 

Invariably, motivations become apparent once you learn that leopards are incapable of changing their spots. . .

With practice, one can see through the cosmetics, drapes, and disguises used by politicians (and those who control them) to craft an image of themselves relative to the perennial problems we face – especially true during an election year – hoping those they “govern” won’t peek behind the well-crafted façade and connect the dots (and the dollars).     

In time, we find the issues we face bear striking similarities to other events in our history and ignoring this convergence often results in that painful sense of “déjà vu” – the experiential learning that only comes from touching a hot stove twice.

These recurrences are often called “history repeating itself” – and, as Winston Churchill warned, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

This week, I took notice as a giddy sense of excitement built ahead of Tuesday’s Volusia County Council “growth management and development permitting workshop” – which will be held in council chambers between the intentionally inconvenient hours of 9:30am and 2:30pm – putting it off the table for most concerned citizens who work for a living. . . 

Incredibly, some smart people are pinning their hopes to yet another hot air generator – one more mind-numbing PowerPoint presentation hosted by the same do-nothing “growth management” drones who remain comfortably mired in the same incestuous relationships with real estate developers and insiders – another time-wasting diversion for the masses while the bulldozers continue to roar. 

No thanks.  I have seen it all before. 

Look, I hate to be the proverbial turd in the punchbowl – but I remember the sense of excitement I felt in the leadup to the “Smart Growth summits” of 2003 and 2004.

And who can forget the Great Smart Growth PowerPoint of November 2008?  With its ominous conclusion, “Where do we go next?”

(Unfortunately, hindsight tells us the answer to that question was a “cram ten-pounds of shit in a five-pound bag” growth management strategy that continues to allow our elected dullards to maintain their paralytic grip on the stagnant status quo while ensuring their political benefactors can squeeze every dollar they can out of our decimated natural places. . .)

Remember that heady horseshit?

“The concept of Smart Growth emerged as communities have been increasingly impacted by “sprawling” development patterns and related infrastructure and service delivery costs. Locally, this pattern cannot be sustained without permanent destruction of vast ecosystems and wildlife corridors”?

I do. 

Or how about that collective feeling of keen anticipation ahead of the exalted “Smart Growth Policy Review Committee of 2013-2014” – the council commissioned Blue Ribbon political insulation committee charged with recommending a host of planning and zoning policy initiatives? 

No?

Oh, I know!  How about the “Smart Growth Policy Review Committee of 2015-2016”?

Just me?  Okay.

Wait, I’m certain you will recall the impressive presentation by Clay Ervin, our long-serving director of Growth and Resource Management, at a Volusia County Council meeting in January 2019.

Or Director Ervin’s subsequent ‘Dog and Pony Show’ at the Knights of the Roundtable conclave in June of that year, to “…explore the idea of “smart growth” within the county, with the input from municipalities and other community stakeholders.”

If it sounds like “déjà vu all over again,” that’s because it is… 

Have you seen evidence of “smart growth” initiatives or “low-impact” development rules resulting from these decades-old shim-shams?

Me neither.

So why are we so eager to expect a different outcome?

This weekend, a very smart friend of mine sent a front-page clipping from the Tallahassee Democrat – published 50-years ago this week – with the glaring headline, “Halt Florida’s Chaotic Growth, Experts Plead.” 

The lede, written in April 1972, by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Mike Toner of the Democrat-Miami Herald News Service, explained, “Florida’s growth is outstripping the efforts to plan properly for it, and, in some parts of the state, growth should stop until planning can catch up. . .”

In the report, Mr. Toner quoted the recommendation of two groups with seemingly competing interests – the American Institute of Architects and Florida Defenders of the Environment – who promoted a list of “temporary solutions,” which included “A halt to all major transportation programs, especially I-95 and I-75 in south Florida and I-10 in north Florida, while a comprehensive study of their environmental impact is made,” and “…a moratorium be placed on areas “of new and potential growth” where the growth is certain to affect natural resources…”

Wow.

The more things change, the more they stay the same, eh?

The one common denominator is a long stain of compromised politicians – and the developers and special interests who own the paper on their political souls – who continue to approve malignant sprawl (with a building tsunami of approved projects already on the books) that look us in the eye and tell us there’s “nothing we can do/hands are tied” while approving zoning changes, increasing density, and always ensuring a malleable “planning process” that is quickly destroying our environment and quality of life.    

In my view, tomorrows “growth management workshop” represents more bureaucratic gaslighting, more nonsensical rehashing of “low-impact” development concepts that have been intentionally suppressed for years – yet another diversionary tactic – a means of putting time and distance between now and any substantive action to reduce the malignant sprawl that has already outpaced our transportation and utilities infrastructure and is now rapidly threatening our water supply. 

They do it because we allow it, and in this election year, it is time to determine who has our back and who is content with ‘more of the same.’

I often sound like some demented Henny Penny, but as I have previously said, please take a moment from your busy lives and truly reflect on what the basic principles at the heart of these matters mean – not for us – but for our children and grandchildren. 

As we have seen in recent elections, there remains one fundamental mechanism which, if exercised broadly, will allow us to prevail over the political insiders and well-heeled donor class that seem intent on promoting this “growth at all costs” insanity for personal enrichment:

In this election year, it is the ultimate power of the ballot box.

In truth, it is the only thing that strikes concern in the heart of these self-serving bastards who are actively selling their political soul – and our unique quality of life – all while wasting precious time with these insulting diversions.

Don’t be fooled again.

_______________________________________________

Thanks for reading.

A&A will be back next week. Have a great weekend, y’all!

There’s an old joke that asks:

“Want to make a little money in aviation?”

“Start with a lot of money…” 

This week, Volusia County taxpayers learned the hard lesson of that punchline as the majority of our elected officials in DeLand ignored the lessons of history, threw caution to the wind, and entered a lopsided “partnership” with the then unknown “ultra-low-cost air carrier,” Avelo Airlines. 

So, beginning in late June, you can wing your way from Daytona “International” Airport to the “premium destinations” we were all teased with:

New Haven… 

(The second much sought-after destination remains a mystery?)

I find it fascinating that ostensibly bright elected officials can be sold a pig in a poke – literally appropriating our tax dollars to support some enigmatic entity who remains cloaked in secrecy until the corporate welfare demand is approved – then theatrically sweeps from behind the velvet curtain for the ‘Grand Reveal’ – as We, The Little People who pay the bills scratch our heads and silently muse:

“New Haven…?”

Yeah.  I know.

During Tuesday’s VCC meeting, the very capable Cyrus Callum, Volusia County’s Director of Aviation and Economic Resources, switched hats – morphing into a highly effective shill for the two-year-old airline that, we were told, originally demanded $3 million in a “minimum revenue guarantee” scheme on a promise of twice-weekly flights to two “premium destinations.”  

As the sales pitch droned on, Director Callum held our clueless council members in suspense like a cagey gameshow host, dropping perplexing hints like, “Somewhere in the Tri-State…” and “The Mid-Atlantic area…”

If our elected decisionmakers still had the capacity for shame and self-awareness – the spectacle of them playing twenty-questions with a senior staffer before being asked to appropriate public funds for a secret private entity would have been mortifyingly embarrassing…

According to Mr. Callum, after “negotiations,” he and the DAB team were able to reduce the impact of Volusia County’s assurance to $1 million in guaranteed revenue – a fund described as a weird insurance policy to be held in reserve and used as a bailout if/when the carrier fails to meet quarterly estimates.

In keeping with the typical cloak-and-dagger horseshit that allows corporations with their hand in our pocket to keep their identity legally secret until giddy politicians can be convinced to vote in the blind – Mr. Callum did an extraordinary job of anesthetizing the council – glossing over our abysmal history of underwriting airlines who invariably leave us in their jetwash after gorging greedily at the public trough – ultimately coaxing a 4-2 vote (Councilman Jake Johanssen was absent).  

To their credit, Councilmembers Danny Robins and Don Dempsey had trouble reconciling the fact that Volusia County does not routinely cover overhead for local small businesses – and, in my view, it appeared they were struggling with the current logic that has government skewing the playing field and meddling in the marketplace.

Unfortunately, the remainder of our self-described “small government/fiscal conservatives” were somehow able to convince themselves that – despite our hard-earned experience with JetBlue, Silver Airways, Sunwing, etc. – risking public funds to cover the operating and start-up estimates of a small airline with just 24-months experience in a highly competitive industry (that already offers flights from Orlando International Airport) is a rational financial decision.

In a free and fair marketplace, entrepreneurial investors take educated risks based upon an estimated return on investment – while government stewards our tax dollars to deliver those services, infrastructure, and utilities we cannot provide for ourselves.   

In my view, when government insinuates itself into the marketplace – picking winners and losers (or, in the case of enticing airlines to DAB, pissing away good money after bad), voting in the blind, ensuring ludicrous minimum revenue guarantees, building private infrastructure, gifting tax breaks, and lavishing public funds on private entities – it flies in the face of fairness and is counter to the time-honored principle of due diligence – mitigating risk by entering “partnerships” with eyes open, terms negotiated, and all players identified – rather than gagged and blindfolded in the ultimate act of fiduciary irresponsibility.   

When we question the practice, Volusia County’s economic development shills – career bureaucrats who accept public funds to serve in the public interest – assure us this grift is now a required practice in the murky world of corporate welfare and “public/private partnerships” – where our tax dollars are used to underwrite the for-profit motives of private entities. 

Bullshit.   

I wonder if Chairman Jeff Brower and Councilmen Matt Reinhart, Troy Kent, and David Santiago would invest their family’s personal savings in a mysterious business entity that refused to identify itself? 

So, why are they comfortable doing it with our hard-earned money? 

Now, we’re being told that another anonymous airline has designs on a spot at Volusia’s patent public teat…

In my view, it is time our ‘powers that be’ stop playing this expensive game of corporate hide-and-seek which requires the allocation of public funds with no substantive information, public debate, or transparency.

Only in the weird world of Volusia County government – where throwing caution to the wind and playing fast-and-loose with other people’s money is considered a professional competency – could our “economic development” shills shamelessly dream up the asinine acronym MRG (“minimum revenue guarantee”) on the hope of luring the umpteenth “ultra-low-cost” airline to Daytona “International” Airport. 

On Tuesday, senior staff will use wildly subjective booking and economic impact estimates to sell the Volusia County Council another pig in a poke – a shadowy undisclosed air carrier that has apparently agreed to provide twice-weekly flights to two equally mysterious “premium destinations” (which, I assume, means anywhere other than Atlanta or Charlotte?)

Wait.  Haven’t we heard this horseshit before?  (More on that later…) 

Here’s the rub:

According to reports, the “secret” carrier wants Volusia County taxpayers to secure “start-up shortfalls in revenue” (read: operating overhead) with a pot of public funds – dubbed a “minimum revenue guarantee” – to be held in reserve, just in case they need it. 

Yeah. 

According to an informative article by business editor Clayton Park writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal:

“If approved by the County, the proposed minimum revenue guarantee fund would only be made available to the mystery airline if the revenues it generates from the new service at Daytona Beach International Airport were to fail to meet its pre-determined minimum targets. Should that occur, the airline would only be able to draw from the fund the amount needed to make up for its revenue shortfall.

The money for the fund would come from the county, with the source up to the discretion of the council to decide. Helga van Eckert, the county’s economic development director, confirmed that her division, for example, does have several million dollars in reserves to be used for “business support and economic development programs.”

Van Eckert said she would not be opposed to designating a portion of those reserves for the airline fund, but added that option would be up to the council, not her.”

As only happens at the nexus of government and corporate welfare schemes, our elected representatives will be directed by senior staff to put $1 million in the proverbial brown paper bag to be doled out to the unnamed airline in the event the carrier fails to meet arbitrary revenue levels conjured up by the company itself…

Sounds logical, eh?    

I mean, your small mom-and-pop business – the one that jumped through myriad government hoops to get started, pays taxes, employs area residents, spends local, and scrimps and saves to make it in this artificial economy – receives monthly bailouts from the several million dollars Helga keeps squirreled away in the cookie jar for “business support programs” whenever you fail to meet monthly revenue goals, right? 

Right…

Look, I no longer possess the cognitive skills to remember all the bargain basement carriers that have attached themselves to the public teat, slobbered down hundreds-of-thousands in incentives from Volusia County taxpayers, then left us in their jetwash – but here’s a few:   

Anyone remember our short-lived relationship with JetBlue – who, in 2016, entered the Daytona Beach market following a $2.3 million package that included the use of local hotel bed tax revenues from Volusia County’s three tourism advertising agencies to market Daytona Beach in the New York market, waiving airport fees, and promises by numerous local businesses to fly JetBlue via a “travel bank” established by the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce?

Despite those lucrative perquisites, in late 2018, JetBlue flew off into the wild blue yonder while senior airport officials mewled about what a “blow” the carrier’s departure was for the community…

So, rather than learn from their very expensive mistake – those with a fiduciary responsibility to steward public funds in a rational and responsible manner did the same damn thing while expecting a different result.

In JetBlue’s wake, “Silver Airways” accepted a publicly-funded goody bag filled with expensive inducements which included some $100,000 to market a once daily Daytona Beach-Ft. Lauderdale route, a partnership agreement with the Daytona Tortugas organization (remember Tortuga One?), waiving landing fees and “facilities costs” (read: rent and utilities), a year of free ground handling services (estimated at $91,250) and a quarterly payment of $25,000 for one year to help “offset some of the airlines startup costs.”

For travel to Ft. Lauderdale?

In 2019, Silver suspended service at DAB, explaining “…the flights were not operating at a fare level that is financially sustainable to continue in current market conditions,” – which (I think) translates to English as, “No one wanted the hassle of flying from Daytona Beach to Ft. Lauderdale when they can drive it in just over 3-hours…”

So, rather than step back and analyze why DAB is routinely jilted by “low cost” domestic carriers, our powers that be opted to throw more Chanel No. 5 on the hog – spending $12 million renovating the terminal – because if millions in economic incentives aren’t working, it must be the carpet, right?   

Whatever.

Then came our short fling with the Canadian tour operator Sunwing. 

According to a 2018 News-Journal article:

“Sunwing agreed to give nonstop Toronto-Daytona Beach service a try in part thanks to an offer of economic incentives from the airport, the CVB and Visit Florida, the state’s tourism arm. The agreement calls for the airport and visitors bureau each to chip in $125,000 towards a tourism marketing campaign aimed at the Toronto market, with Visit Florida providing matching funds as well as funds provided by the airline.

The airport also has agreed to waive facility and landing fees for the first two years of service here by Sunwing.”

Despite these money-flushing incentives, freebies, and marketing funds – when Canadian flights resumed in 2021, our friends at Sunwing apparently forgot to return DAB to the list…

Now, senior county administrators are asking Volusia County taxpayers to underwrite some enigmatic “ultra-low-cost-carrier” to the tune of $1 million – even though the council agenda package confirms that neither the terms of “MRG agreement,” nor the airline use/lease rental agreement, have been negotiated? 

Wow.  Talk about a pig in a poke…

Rather than take advantage of the valuable hindsight gained from our failed strategy of “throw more money at it” – tomorrow, the Volusia County Council will be blindly sold on another “game-changer” – led like lumbering oxen by our highly paid resident “experts” and encouraged to piss even more of our hard-earned money away on a mystery carrier that isn’t sure it wants its name associated with us at this point. 

My God…

George Santayana was right: “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”      

Hi, kids!

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

Let’s look at who tried to screw us – and who tried to save us – during the week that was:

Asshole           The DeLand & Greater West Volusia Chamber of Commerce

Growth management, economic vitality, and sustainability in this era of malignant sprawl elicit strong emotions from residents across Volusia County. 

Wherever people gather, in community forums, and across social media, the seminal issue under discussion is the impact of growth and unchecked development on our environment and quality of life.

Unfortunately, as the bulldozers continue to roar, there are always more questions than answers…

On April 27, The DeLand & Greater West Volusia Chamber of Commerce is hosting a “3-Day Mega Event” known as “Vision 2023”:

“This annual Chamber event brings together the Mayors of the 6 municipalities in the West Volusia region to deliver their Mayoral Addresses and participate in a moderated Q&A.  Stay informed!”

Day two is billed as, “An educational, interactive Summit for professionals interested in pro-active planning for business success.  Panel and roundtable discussions, workshop breakouts, and luncheon keynote.  Gear up for success!” 

According to the Chamber, the event is sponsored, in part, by land use attorneys Cobb Cole (Diamond) and Mattamy Homes (Platinum) an Orlando real estate developer responsible for the Addison Landing project in DeLand. 

Here’s what bothers me:

If you have a passing interest in what your mayor may (or may not) have to say on the issues of explosive growth, jobs and economic stability, our overstressed transportation and utilities infrastructure, environmental impacts, water quantity and quality, and their “vision” for 2023 and beyond, it’s going to cost you:

$35 for Chamber members/$40 for non-members…

You read that right.

Sorry.  Call me hyper-sensitive, but I have a problem with that.

In my jaded view, if the DeLand & Greater West Volusia Chamber of Commerce want to hold a klatch and discuss “pro-active planning for business success” – or host a paid huddle so that those so inclined can listen to the nonsensical ravings, handwashing, and historical rewrites of those “Volusia Visionaries” who got us into this fetid mess in the first place – that’s fine by me. 

Like P. T. Barnum so aptly said, “There’s a sucker born every minute.”

But I am suspicious of any “summit” which brings together sitting elected officials representing the mosaic of unique communities in Wild West Volusia – one sponsored by some very heavy hitters in the real estate development community – ostensibly to discuss the most important issues of our time behind closed doors, in a publicly owned building, restricted to those willing (and able) to pay the access fee.

I realize this is a recurring meeting of the minds – and if history repeats (and it always does here on the “Fun Coast,”) – absolutely nothing of substance will be revealed during these hot air generators known as “Mayoral Addresses,” but the nature of the sponsorships and fees have some residents concerned. 

For instance, when a resident of Deltona expressed concern about having to “pay” to speak to the mayors – Mayor Santiago Avila, Jr. (one of the featured speakers) bristled on social media, calling the citizen’s comments “…very obvious attacks and unfounded insinuations,” and reminded the resident that they were welcome to “make an appointment” to meet with him.

(Since when did these D-list politicians – who spent most of last year incessantly banging on our doors, accosting us in parking lots, and littering our mailboxes with glossy mailers announcing how “accessible” they would be if elected – get so damn busy that those who pay the bills need to make an appointment for an audience?) 

Apparently, Mayor Avila missed the glaring point that We, The Little People – his constituents who cannot afford the $40 access fee to participate in a “moderated Q&A” – have no way of knowing if what he tells them in a public meeting will be different than his address before some very influential members of the real estate development community.

In my view, this is why the public’s business should be conducted in public view – not behind a paywall – and the senior leadership of The DeLand & Greater West Volusia Chamber of Commerce should understand the importance of that.    

Asshole           Volusia County Council

“It’s déjà vu all over again…”

–Yogi Berra

My thoughts on the Volusia County Council being led around like a bull with a ring in it’s nose by senior staff on the issues of toll-free beach driving for residents, and the establishment of a trial dog friendly beach near Andy Romano Park in Ormond Beach, generated a lot of interest last week. 

Regardless of their individual thoughts on the plans, most agreed that watching the tail wag the dog at the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Building is disturbing. 

Following an election that overhauled the bulk of the Council, by careful design, the decision-making process is still controlled exclusively by entrenched bureaucrats and those uber-wealthy insiders who historically use our elected officials like dull tools – a means to a very profitable end. 

Add to that the Old Guard’s continued focus on protecting the status quo and frustration builds for those of us who see their quality of life destroyed by malignant overdevelopment, gridlocked traffic, increasing fees and taxes, and a lack of substantive public input in the process.   

In my view, an excellent example of this corrosive obstructionism occurred last week during the discussion of Councilman Troy Kent’s well-thought plans for a pilot dog friendly beach and toll-free resident access.

Although both themes have been floated numerous times by various iterations of the VCC, this felt different to me. 

Why?

Admittedly, I am a compulsive rube – and during their swearing-in ceremony in January – I naturally bought into the hype and horseshit of putting the divisiveness of the past behind, the council’s vow to work collegially to achieve goals, and, most important, At-Large Councilman Jake Johansson’s inspirational call to employ the “Four C’s”: “Cooperation, Collaboration, Communication, and Commonsense.”

Remember?

The lofty promise that our “new” elected officials would finally work as a mutually respectful “team” – a group of independent thinkers, each devoted to the best interests of their constituents, who respect differing opinions and find consensus through respectful debate? 

Didn’t take long for things to go to shit, eh? 

To his credit, Councilman Kent came prepared. 

His proposal for a trial dog friendly section of beach was supported by the City of Ormond Beach – and included a generous $100,000 gift of start-up funds from area philanthropists Nancy & Lowell Lohman. 

In addition, Mr. Kent unveiled a forward-thinking plan that would charge out-of-town visitors slightly more for vehicular beach access and off-beach parking, generating enough additional revenue to reduce the burden on Volusia County residents. 

In my view, Kent’s well-thought initiatives exemplified the “Four-C’s” – not mere suggestions, but workable strategies for making our greatest natural resource a more fun and accessible place for Volusia County families – plans that were uncomplicated, well-organized, and clearly communicated without asinine acronyms and bureaucratese.

There are certain hot button issues that always uncover the malleable mindset of those who tell us what we want to hear each election cycle – then metamorphose into something completely different upon taking their seat on the dais of power.

Beach access ranks at the top of that list.

After reading my thoughts on the council’s weird, almost choreographed machinations, several Barker’s View readers reached out to express their frustration with how those who hold themselves out as “fiscal conservatives” and “small government republicans” continue to allow this bloated and insatiable bureaucracy in DeLand to influence public policy in a way always beneficial to county government, rather than those it exists to serve. 

As “Fun Coast” history proves, any discussion of changes to Volusia’s incredibly expensive ‘beach mismanagement’ strategy is guaranteed to end on the side of the bureaucracy – ensuring a patent flow of cash now totaling over $24 million annually – to feed the wholly ineffectual Coastal Division and its various support functions. 

Look, I hate to break it to you, but toll-free beach access for locals was never going to happen. 

The deck was stacked before the discussion even began. 

Days before the public meeting, Councilman Danny Robins published a laundry list of dubious “facts” on social media, openly shitting on both of Kent’s ideas, so everyone (including his “colleagues” on the dais) knew how he planned to vote – telegraphing to anyone paying attention how the “discussion” would go. 

After listening to Councilman Robins drone on with his disjointed and hyper-emotional monologs – including his petty point of order designed to silence Chairman Jeff Brower – one respected political observer accurately described Robins as little more than a “staff member with a vote.” 

Spot on.

To make matters worse, Councilman Robins took to social-media this week to goad those who disagree with the direction and dysfunction of Volusia County government – a tactic that looks petty and meanspirited at what should be the most accessible and responsive level of community governance.   

Another disturbing revelation last week came when Councilman Don Dempsey callously admonished tax strapped Volusia County taxpayers from the dais to “suck it up” – suggesting residents should pay even more for beach access, including off-beach parking.

Many took Mr. Dempsey’s tone-deaf scolding as an elitist slap to thousands of area families struggling in a place where 14% of the population live south of the poverty line with a per capita income well below both the state and national average. 

A socio-economic reality where “pennies a day” is more than a political punchline.

Whatever.

For most of the meeting, Councilman Matt Reinhart seemed out of his element – because he was – and it quickly became clear that nothing of substance was going to happen on either front as the incredibly well compensated “senior staff” once again succeeded in protecting the status quo, crushing innovation, and kicking the can down that dusty road of political procrastination…

As our elected dullards quibble over “process” (as though there were rhyme or reason to any of this), debate who can talk and when, and silence each another with parliamentary sleight-of-hand as the bureaucratic hierarchy drowns them in excessively complicated minutia on another PowerPoint – We, The Little People, ponder our future in an environment where policymaking has been gifted to a politically unaccountable bureaucracy.

Quote of the Week

“I strongly believe that land can be used to preserve animal habitats and natural resources. This is a smart move because when you think about it. If we ever wanted to study animals or other natural resources, those would be there for us to study at our expense.

Also, the reserved land can be used as a getaway place. Does anybody ever go home and think, “I just need a place to get away from everything?” Well, that land that was reserved would be that one place. When people go to places like this, they have a certain state of mind that is like you found that place.

Lastly, places like parks can be used to appreciate nature. When you feel like you need a place to sort things out, parks can be that calm, serene place. As an added bonus, they could probably help lift your mood.

I hope that we, as a society, play an important role in preservation of our undeveloped land for future generations.”

— Erick J. Palacios II, age 12, Boy Scout Troop 403, as excerpted from The Ormond Beach Observer, Letters to the Editor, “Reserving land for recreation,” Monday, March 27, 2023

Far wiser than his years…

And Another Thing!

I frequently refer to the State of Florida as the “Biggest Whorehouse in the World.”

Because it is.

My fears were reconfirmed this week in a fine piece of investigative reportage by The Daytona Beach News-Journal’s intrepid business editor Clayton Park – with contributions by Editor John Dunbar and USA TODAY Florida Network – that demonstrated the importance of local journalism while shining a very bright light on why many in the Florida legislature are hellbent on circling the wagons, drawing the shades, silencing critics, and further weakening public records laws. 

In his excellent article, “Strength or conflict of interest? Florida lawmakers’ real estate ties spark debate,” Mr. Park helped answer the age-old question, “Qui Bono?” by uncovering the disturbing connection between certain key legislators and the incredibly lucrative overdevelopment that has blanketed what remains of the Sunshine State with zero-lot-line cracker boxes over the past decade.

At present, some 40% of state lawmakers have ties to the real estate and land development industries.

According to the report:

“Ben Wilcox, research director for a citizens watchdog group in Tallahassee called Integrity Florida, said he finds it troubling that so many state lawmakers have personal ties to the real estate industry.

“The (Florida) Legislature is meant to be a citizens legislature where they have other jobs, (but) it creates obvious conflicts of interest when you see developers and homebuilders sponsor legislation that benefits their industries,” said Wilcox. “They do bring expertise and experience, but more often than not, it’s a cause for concern.”

Connections include a land-use lawyer sponsoring growth management legislation; a homebuilder co-sponsoring legislation on building regulation; a big developer sponsoring legislation that would take away local control of setting limits on development; and a high-paid executive at a giant development firm co-sponsoring a bill to cap the fees his employer pays for economic impact.”

Of course, in keeping with the prevailing political ethic “It’s only a crime if you get caught,” former state Sen. Fred Dudley, who now serves as a construction attorney for a law firm in Tallahassee, was quoted, “There’s nothing illegal about it unless it’s beneficial only to that legislator.”

Whatever you say, Fred…

The article also exposed the current legislative push to gut long-standing home rule authority – essentially neutering local governments by barring them from passing ordinances designed to manage growth, protect water quality, control pollution, and conserve wetlands.

In my view, it doesn’t require Sherlock Holmes to deduce the very bright connection between massive campaign contributions from influential forces in the real estate development industry and those local and state elected officials who legislatively facilitate the slash-and-burn land clearing and “help here/hurt there” mitigation strategies that have allowed malignant sprawl to destroy wildlife habitat, eliminate environmental buffers, and change both the character and topography of the state.  

A situation many believe is contributing to disastrous flooding throughout Central Florida and beyond.

The informative article did an excellent job juggling the competing interests of the usual obsequious apologists for influential development interests, our elected marionettes who rubberstamp projects with Pavlovian efficiency, and those – like Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower – who are encouraged by the recent uptick in citizen pushback:

“We’re not going to stop growth. It’s ridiculous to think that. But we need to grow responsibly. Part of that is to not build on wetlands,” Brower said. “We can’t maintain this cavalier attitude of ‘build at all costs.’ But I’m encouraged that the pendulum may be swinging back towards more growth management. Every town hall I go to, among the biggest concerns, No. 1 is over-development. They (citizens) know it’s affecting their quality of life.”

Mr. Brower should be careful.

It’s that kind of ‘Crazy Talk’ that got him politically castrated by Volusia’s Old Guard…

If you live here on Florida’s increasingly claustrophobic “Fun Coast” and care about our dwindling quality of life – I highly recommend picking up a copy of The Daytona Beach News-Journal and perusing this important piece of journalism.

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

______________________________________

Barker’s View will be on hiatus for a couple of weeks as I take some time away.   

I find it interesting to look back at how many things have changed – and remained the same – on this salty piece of land we call home.   If you are so inclined, while we take a short break, please enjoy a look back at the extensive archive located at the bottom of this page. 

On Tuesday, I’ll be co-hosting “The Smoking Truth” podcast with Deltona City Commissioner Dana McCool for an always raucous hour of competing opinions on the news and newsmakers of the day. 

Please find The Smoking Truth here:  https://tinyurl.com/mr2um7ty – or wherever you receive your favorite podcasts! 

See you soon!    

Hi, kids!

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

Let’s look at who tried to screw us – and who tried to save us – during the week that was:

Asshole           Volusia County Council

“One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It’s simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we’ve been taken. Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back.”

–Carl Sagan

Call me a soothsayer, but I just knew the innovative ideas of creating a dog friendly section of beach – and freeing Volusia County residents from the odious burden of double-taxation in the form of beach access fees – were dead on arrival when the bureaucracy started presenting its own “facts” ahead of the public meeting last week – prefaced by the fearmongering line, “What you are not being told about Free dogs on the beach and Free beach driving passes…”

Upon taking office in January, District 4 Councilman Troy Kent expressed interest in establishing limited dog friendly sections of beach in each coastal community – and resurrected the possibility of allowing residents to drive on the beach toll-free by charging out-of-county visitors a little extra for vehicular access and parking in beachfront parks. 

The idea had originally been a campaign promise of Chairman Jeff Brower – but, of course, the initiative was universally shit-on by the previous iteration of the council because, well, it was a campaign promise of Chairman Brower…

Sadly, in lockstep conformity with the bloated bureaucracy he serves like an errand boy, in February, Councilman Danny Robins moved to squash the idea early, wringing his hands and crying the Poormouth Blues, championing the cause of nickel-and-diming strapped residents at every turn:

“The big elephant in the room is, how are we going to pay for it?  I don’t want to hear that we have a $1.2 billion budget — that’s not a sufficient answer … We’re in an economic decline.”

Yeah.  Let’s get the inconvenient fact “…we have a $1.2 Billion budget” off the table early… 

The truth is, area families are the ones suffering from inflation, rising housing costs, and “economic decline” – while Volusia County government remains flush with cash – as the increasingly unwieldy bureaucracy gets larger and more distended by the day.

Jesus…

On Monday, literally one-day prior to the discussion, Volusia County officials received an email from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service warning that opening a dog friendly pilot site near Bicentennial Park in Ormond-by-the-Sea could violate provisions of the Incidental Take Permit that protects shorebirds, sea turtles and other threatened species – which, some warn, could potentially end our century-old tradition of beach driving. 

So, after sitting stone-faced as over twenty residents spoke both for and against the proposal – and the hyper-emotional Councilman Robins engaged in a few of his nonsensical stream-of-consciousness histrionics – some of our elected representatives suggested ruthless penalties for anyone found in the company of a dog without a “doo-doo bag” in their hand, more signage, adding a full-time animal control officer to patrol the short stretch of sand writing citations commanding hundreds of dollars in fines, having pet owners pay a fee and register with Volusia County, and generally making it so burdensome that no one in their right mind would visit the “dog friendly” area – the council deferred their decision on creating a test site near Andy Romano Beachfront Park in Ormond Beach until staff can obtain more information from the feds.

It was interesting to watch Deputy County Manager Suzanne Konchan at work – a true Master of the art of Bureaucratese and Pettifoggery – as she dispassionately inflated costs for the trial program by swinging a wild-ass guess that the dedicated animal control officer would cost $104,000 and a few waste bag dispensers would set us back nearly $6,000.

(Just for grins, I did a quick Google search and found durable aluminum pet waste bag dispensers with keylock holding up to 700 bags for $61.00 each – and 6,000 replenishment bags for less than $200.00…)

While we’re talking about inflated costs for services – another Google search found that the combined salaries of the three senior staff members who spoon-fed the canned PowerPoint presentations to council members totals almost $500,000 annually (2021 govsalaries.com) excluding benefits. 

Wow.  Talk about the Old Bamboozle…

In my view, this was a perfect example of government taking a simple suggestion – the establishment of a small area of our 47-miles of beach to accommodate dogs on a leash – and making it so onerous, complicated, and expensive that it takes the fun out of the concept, paints any elected official who supports it as a spendthrift, and exasperates supporters until they simply give up and go away. 

Even with a generous donation of $100,000 in start-up funds gifted by Ormond Beach philanthropists Nancy and Lowell Lohman – and an anticipated favorable nod from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – it would be at least November before the proposed trial period would begin, giving senior staff something to micromanage, analyze, trifle over, dissect, worry, and bicker about for the next, oh, seven-months.

Look, most people of average intelligence could create a dog friendly section of beach before lunch with little consternation, additional staff, or added cost – but not county government.  

In the cloistered Halls of Power in DeLand, by splitting hairs, arbitrarily setting an astronomical budget estimate, bringing to bear multiple levels of government and federal regulatory agencies, parading high-paid lawyers, division directors, and deputy managers before the dais of power – the bureaucracy ensures the status quo – and innovation is quickly suffocated to the strains of, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Well, mission accomplished, fellas…    

When talk finally turned to Councilman Kent’s well-thought plan for increasing revenue using paid off-beach parking for out-of-town visitors to allow Volusia County residents toll-free vehicular access to our beach, Councilman David Santiago immediately employed some parliamentary slight-of-hand to effectively cut Kent off at the knees to ensure nothing of substance could be done to change the current fee schedule.   

Once the status quo was safe, “staff” began down a byzantine path as the lawyers were once again trotted out to explain why a “uniformity requirement” of the County charter demands the general fund “buy down” the difference in the cost between residential and non-residential annual passes.

I don’t get it, either. 

But it apparently means you and I – the stoop-shouldered Volusia County taxpayer – will continue to pay twice for the privilege of accessing our beach for the rest of our lives…

As the “discussion” continued, to ensure that We, The Little People keep paying through the nose for a day at the beach, those stalwarts of the status quo used their patented scare tactic – raising the specter of burying us with even higher property taxes – never once considering hacking the thick rind of fat off the redundant, ever-expanding (and grossly ineffective) Coastal Division and its various and sundry support functions.

Look, you and I both know they were never going to let us off the hook for beach tolls. 

That was telegraphed last week, well before Tuesday’s hot-air session, when Councilman Robins published a laundry list of “facts” on social media so everyone (including his “colleagues” on the dais) knew how he planned to vote – announcing that the “Beach Budget is roughly $14 million dollars” (the beach management budget is actually $24,527,613.  The $14 million represents the amount the “beach budget” is subsidized by the general fund under the “buy down” requirement). 

He also embroidered a fancy dress for this tax by another name and labeled it a “user fee.”   

$24.5 million annually? 

For what? 

To ham-handedly “manage” a natural shoreline that could manage itself without any interference from Volusia County?  

I defy anyone to point to a single beach management service – from closed ramps to officious wardens, impassable walkovers, the lack of a comprehensive erosion control plan, a chronic lifeguard shortage, and the ever-expanding ugly forest of poles, signage, and cones littering the strand – that works well for residents and visitors.   

Ominously, in a weird (but not unexpected) twist, Councilman Don Dempsey showed us serfs the whip by threatening an increase in beach access and parking fees for residents as well.   

You read that right.  

That will teach us ungrateful helots from getting our hopes up, eh?   

I realize that getting the government’s heavy hand out of our pockets and away from every aspect of our daily lives – including a day at the beach – is frightening to our powerful elected elite and those entrenched mandarins who control our lives and livelihoods from the Ivory Tower of Power in the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Building.

As things stand now, the Council voted 6-1 – with Chairman Jeff Brower casting the lone “No” vote, to direct staff to bring back recommendations for charging out-of-town visitors for off-beach parking.

Now, many are wondering who this “new” iteration of the Volusia County Council exists to serve – We, The Little People who pay the bills, or the omnipotent bureaucracy, now containing so much mass and internal momentum that antiquated notions of oversight, policy implementation, and political accountability no longer matter?   

On Thursday, Paul Zimmerman, president of Sons of the Beach, wrote an excellent summation of this latest exercise in futility on social media:

“The County Council kills the dog beach, AND free beach access for their own residents…miraculously the FEDs send a letter to the county the day before the vote threatening the ITP (Incidental Take Permit) and HCP (Habitat Conservation Plan) if dogs are allowed…

The bureaucratic staff flexing their muscle…just showing who is in charge and how they can sabotage any action that runs contrary to the bureaucrat’s agenda. Sadly most of this new council are too dim to realize they are being manipulated…or they are part of the problem…hard to believe but this council may be worse than the last one…we seem to have 2 that represent the citizens and 5 the status quo, 5 are incapable of independent thought or investigation.”

Well said.

I sincerely appreciate the fact that Councilman Kent made good on his promise to bring these innovative ideas to the table, working to make our beach a more fun and attractive draw, and presenting a commonsense plan for increasing revenue to feed the insatiable machine while removing some of the burden from Volusia County residents.

Stay tuned, folks. 

When Councilman Don Dempsey callously admonished struggling Volusia County families to “suck it up” and expect to pay more, something tells me enjoying a day at the beach is about to get more expensive for everyone – even as annual pay raises and perquisites for senior administrators expand exponentially.

Sadly, the tail continues to wag the dog in DeLand…  

Angel               Florida Commission on Ethics

No.  I haven’t suffered a closed head injury. 

Just like a blind hog finds an acorn on occasion – sometimes even those toothless and somnolent watchdogs over at the Florida Commission on Ethics get it right.

Last week, the Ethics Commission exonerated Deltona City Commissioner Dana McCool after spurious allegations she misused her public position were brought by thin-skinned Vice Mayor Maritza Avila-Vasquez.

In dismissing the frivolous complaint, the state’s ethics apparatus rightfully determined that the mishmash of butt-hurt babbling and hyped-up horseshit that Avila-Vasquez cobbled together in an attempt to destroy her “colleague” lacked legal sufficiency. 

Good.

According to Avila-Vasquez’ grammatical nightmare of a formal complaint (I’ll spare you the transcript) to the Ethics Commission, the entire tempest in a teapot stemmed from a testy off the dais tête-à-tête between the two elected officials last year during which Commissioner McCool is alleged to have dropped the “F-bomb” (the Vice Mayor’s word, not mine). 

In my jaundiced view, the pettiness of the complaint had a whiff of political revenge about it and it rightfully backfired.  I’m glad the Florida Commission on Ethics (which, given the shady nature of politics in the Sunshine State, should be working in shifts) dismissed Ms. Avila-Vasquez’ ridiculous complaint for what it was. 

I’ve said it before, if the Lost City of Deltona is to restore the public trust, then the elected officials must begin the painful process of sorting through the divisive baggage and set a collective vision, putting aside the mean-spirited “gotcha” politics, self-serving collusions, and accusatory maneuvers, then find a means of working cooperatively with community stakeholders to achieve civic equilibrium.

Perhaps that healing process could begin with a sincere and public apology from Vice Mayor Avila-Vasquez to Commissioner McCool for her wholly disproportionate reaction to a perceived personal slight – and for putting a colleague through the emotional wringer of an Ethics Commission review.    

Or maybe it is time to vote petty politicians/shit-stirrers like Vice Mayor Avila-Vasquez out of office altogether?

Regardless, the good citizens of Deltona deserve better.

Quote of the Week

“In a blockbuster investigation published last week, the Washington Post may have cracked at least part of the code. The Post spoke with five independent insurance adjusters, hired by insurance companies to deal with the crush of Ian claims. Each and every one of them reported the same thing: Their professional appraisals of damages was altered – always downward, in some cases as much as 90%. Photos documenting ravaged homes were removed from reports. Descriptions of damages were changed. Jordan Lee, an adjuster who inspected dozens of homes for Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance Co., said that when he looked back at the final version of his reports, 100% had been altered.

The Post spoke with adjusters who were working with three insurers, none of whom would talk to reporters. There’s no proof that other insurers were engaging the same tactics to avoid paying claims. But there’s also no getting around the fact that more than one-third of claims filed after Hurricane Ian are seriously overdue, or were denied any payment at all.

Yet lawmakers thought insurance companies needed more leeway to deny claims – and put them at risk of having to pay their own insurer’s legal bills if they took them to court and lost.”

–Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, “This is what a real insurance emergency looks like, Florida,” The Orlando Sentinel, Sunday, March 19, 2023

Imagine that.

While the legislature is in session, perhaps it should consider making Florida’s new state slogan: “Prioritizing profits over people…”

And Another Thing!

As regular readers of these screeds have no doubt noticed, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the importance of our sacred rights enshrined in the United States Constitution – and how quickly our foundational truth that all humans are granted certain freedoms and liberties by God, and the state does not have the power to usurp or infringe upon those rights – is being rapidly eroded by those we have elected to represent our interests at all levels of government.   

The farther afield things get in Tallahassee and Washington (and DeLand, for that matter), I’m quick to let people know that I am a proud No Party Affiliate. 

After spending most of my adult life as a staunch Republican – I came to the realization that neither the Democratic nor Republican parties represent Lincoln’s idea of a “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”   

It is a feeling secretly shared by many, who now whisper their fears in private, careful not to be seen as disloyal to the lockstep conformity required by those partisan firebrands on both sides of the Great Political Divide determined to seize power at any cost. 

As the wild-eyed fringe elements of both political parties wrested control from moderates – those more interested in good governance than fighting the never-ending “culture wars” – we watched as national politics descended into chaos, the pandemic proved how willing we were to be locked inside our homes and have our businesses shuttered by cowardly politicians who now deny their Draconian measures, inflation strained family budgets, and we collectively came to the frightening realization that both state and local governments are actively figuring out ways to operate independent of We, The Little People by trying their best to assure us the omnipotent bureaucracy knows best.     

Scary stuff.

I have a theory that it’s easy to bury someone alive if you convince them each scoop of dirt is a gift, and that you are doing them a favor by lavishing them with rich soil. 

After a while, they no longer have the ability to complain…

It is all in how you spin the “facts.”

Sound familiar?      

As a practiced observer with enough experiential scars to recognize when someone in an expensive suit is pissing down my back and telling me it’s raining – I believe what is happening in Tallahassee this legislative session (and closer to home at the Volusia County Council) is truly alarming.

In my view, the théâtre de l’absurde that passes for all levels of government has grown so outrageous that many people I speak with have simply tuned-out – always expecting the worst – refusing to watch or read the “news,” constantly pushing the boundaries of what they once vowed never to accept, and suppressing that queasy feeling that our freedoms enshrined in the Bill of Rights are being usurped for the convenience of tetchy politicians seeking to suppress the legitimate criticism and participation of those citizens who cannot afford a chip in the game.  

Trust your best instincts, folks.

That weird feeling in your gut is right – these asinine bills working their way through the Florida legislature that suppress free expression, demand that bloggers register with the government, lower the bar to allow petty politicians to sue anyone who speaks out against their money-grabs and incompetence, and wield the full might of the state government like a cudgel to punish political opposition, limit our access to public records, and silence critics – are inherently wrong – and a damnable slap in the face to every veteran of the United States who served and fought to defend our sacred democratic principles. 

You know, those same veterans that shameless politicians embrace for photographs each election cycle?

The next time a politician asks for your vote (because you will rarely see them again after they get elected) remind them that the government did not give us our rights – and it cannot take them away with the wave of a legislative wand. 

The United States Constitution is not there to tell American’s what our rights are.  It exists to limit the power of tyrannical despots when they infringe on those inalienable rights. 

In my view, that is something all citizens should remember. 

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 newsmakers of the day – the winners and losers – who, in my cynical opinion, either contributed to our quality of life, or detracted from it, in some significant way.

Let’s look at who tried to screw us – and who tried to save us – during the week that was:

Angel              Atlantic High School Students – “We Are United”

Volusia County residents were shocked following the arrest of Arin Hankerd, 42, of Ormond Beach, a teacher and football coach at Atlantic Hight School in Port Orange, on multiple charges related to alleged “sexual contact with a student” at the school.

That shock turned to righteous outrage when it was disclosed that Hankerd had a documented history of inappropriate conduct with students during his previous tenure at Mainland High School.

According to a February 14 report by Katie Kustura writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal:

“The Port Orange police report shows this isn’t the first time concerns have been raised about Hankerd and his contact with students.

Daytona Beach police took two reports in recent years when Hankerd was the physical education teacher at Mainland High School; both reports were closed without criminal findings.

In the first report, a student said Hankerd made her feel “uncomfortable by hugging her and asking her personal questions, such as if she would date older men.” In the second report, a student said Hankerd touched her shoulders and thigh and asked her personal questions.

The Port Orange police report states Hankerd told the victim he transferred to different high schools frequently, and “a rumor went around the school he transferred because he was talking to young girls.”

The police department’s Facebook post regarding Hankerd’s arrest received more than 550 comments and 800 shares by Tuesday. In at least a dozen comments, parents and former students said they or someone they knew had raised concerns about Hankerd or had interactions with him that made them uncomfortable.”

It was later reported that the Port Orange Police Department is now investigating four more cases of sexual abuse “involving females Hankerd met in his role as a high school teacher.”

During a subsequent court hearing, Circuit Judge Karen Foxman said that it appears Hankerd is someone “…who took that environment that’s supposed to be safe for children and turned it into somewhat of a hunting ground in order to sort of prey on minor children…”

Naturally, many students and parents at Atlantic High School were frightened and confused – high emotions made worse by the typically tepid response by Volusia County District Schools. 

According to a follow-up report by the News-Journal, in response, senior Sofia Valle and other Atlantic students formed the unofficial club “We Are United” and held a peaceful silent protest outside the school on February 27 to “…raise awareness about the situation and sexual abuse as a whole.”

To their credit, some one hundred Atlantic students participated in the protest.

“I was just really nervous that when (the school administration) would shut it down that I would get in trouble, which I was prepared to face because I feel like I’m fighting for something that’s right, and I would have no problem getting in trouble for that,” Valle said.”

An inquiry by News-Journal reporter Brenno Carillo found that Volusia County Schools felt that a student assembly to address the situation “would not be adequate” (?) since the law enforcement investigation of Hankerd is ongoing.

Instead, a District mouthpiece gave the typical canned response to horrific events that always involves “having extra counselors present during the week…” 

Fortunately, the We Are United protest appears to have opened a desperately needed line of communication between the Atlantic administration and concerned students, who rightfully questioned how a teacher and football coach could have engaged in sexual relations with a student on the school campus? 

In my view, considering his previously identified conduct at Mainland High School, the circumstances surrounding Hankerd’s arrest should sound an alarm in the Ivory Tower of Power in DeLand. 

But it won’t.

If history repeats (and it always does here on the Fun Coast), rather than initiate a top-to-bottom review of how process, procedures, and personnel may have contributed to this dangerous situation – especially one where serious indicators of predatory behavior by a teacher were missed or ignored, allowing him access to more victims on a different “hunting ground” – Volusia County District Schools will simply circle the wagons – obfuscate, deny, spin the facts, explain, play things close to the vest, and make excuses why senior officials were caught flatfooted and became uncommunicative in the aftermath of a traumatic event. 

Tragic.

Kudos to Sofia Valle and those courageous members of We Are United who stood up for the safety of their fellow students by fighting against sexual abuse, providing a safe place for victims, and starting a serious discussion of how this horrific crime can be prevented on school campuses and beyond.   

Sounds like senior administrators at Volusia County District Schools could learn something from these young student activists…   

Angel               Daytona Beach City Commission

This space prides itself on one man’s subjective divination of “who tried to screw us – and who tried to save us.”

I’m the first to admit, some days I get it right – and sometimes I miss the mark completely.  

In my view, the four members of the Daytona Beach City Commission who voted to deny a rezoning request this week that would have paved the way for a massive 1,600 unit residential and commercial development – including 340,000 square feet of commercial, institutional and light industrial uses – on 415 acres between Interstate 95 and Tomoka Farms Road had the best interests of everyone in east Volusia County at heart. 

Look.  I may be a rube, but I’m not stupid – and neither are you.    

We all know this is merely a momentary reprieve from a development that will ultimately be approved – adding more pressure to our already overburdened traffic, utilities, environment, medical, and water infrastructure and resources – even as the specter of the gargantuan Avalon Park looms on the horizon…

It is clear that the increasing grumble of disenfranchised existing residents (and some of our vocal new neighbors/voters/potential candidates in sprawling subdivisions west of that Monument to Mediocrity at the LPGA Boulevard pinch-point) who see their quality of life crumbling as the bulldozers roar, is having an impact with more elected officials who sense the increasing frustration of those of us stuck in three light cycles on any main roadway in the Halifax area. 

It is heartening that so many are beginning to push back on the detrimental effects of the asinine “shove ten-pounds of shit into a five-pound bag” growth strategy that has many residents feeling claustrophobic – and betrayed by those they relied upon to protect our best interests.

According to an excellent report by Eileen Zaffiro-Kean in The Daytona Beach News-Journal:

“The mayor and city commissioners have been taking heat from local residents who are worried that Daytona Beach is building too much too quickly. They worry about increasingly congested roads, and whether the city’s water and sewer infrastructure can handle the expansion.”

According to the report, “Commissioners agreed to reconsider the project’s rezoning after traffic concerns on the county’s Tomoka Farms Road are hashed out between city and county government leaders.”

I was surprised to read that some in attendance encouraged the Daytona Beach City Commission to approve the rezoning citing the quality of the project.   

Unfortunately, we are well beyond the point of cherry-picking “smart growth” development that enhances area aesthetics and attracts those elusive “high paying jobs.”

That would have required strategic thought and creative planning – selecting quality projects that respected Florida’s natural environmental processes, retained and reused stormwater, and protected neighboring properties from runoff and flooding and saying “No” to the mediocre – demanding distinctive and attractive communities with a strong sense of place that would have complemented Daytona Beach’s unique history as a vacation destination and prompted infill and revitalization in our core tourist area.   

Instead, with over 12,900 units set to sprout west of I-95 alone – our ‘powers that be’ have approved every sticks-and-glue apartment complex, zero-lot-line cracker box, and strip center that came across their dais, while interfacing industrial warehouses with existing neighborhoods and thoroughfares – blanketing the community with a hodge-podge of ugly sprawl in a cart-before-the-horse orgy of greed that has left existing residents suffering the natural consequences of too much, too soon. 

Ah, what “could have been,” eh? 

In my view, now that Daytona Beach and beyond is reaching build-out – it is refreshing to see that the voices of so many residents are finally being heard by those with the power and ethical responsibility to protect our quality of life from the dramatically destructive impacts of malignant overdevelopment. 

Right? 

Right…

Stay tuned.  It will be interesting to see how this project ultimately worms its way to approval…

Asshole           Volusia County Council

Whenever one of my cockeyed observations on our life and times here on Florida’s Fun Coast ruffles the feathers of our highbrow illuminati – those “Rich & Powerful” (the News-Journal’s descriptor, not mine) who control everything but the ebb and flow of the Atlantic tide – they accuse me of being a “bully.” 

I’m not bullying anyone. 

In my view, our social and civic elite aren’t accustomed to hearing the unvarnished opinions of a plebeian – or having their loyalties and motivations questioned by someone who hasn’t purchased a chip in the game. 

For instance, last week in this space, as a longtime resident of Ormond Beach, I mentioned that some of my neighbors and I lost confidence in Commissioner Susan Persis, and her husband, Volusia County School Board Member Carl Persis, last September when they posted pictures of their vacation on social media from Europe while the rest of us were hunkered down in our homes, many without power, as the raging winds and rain of Hurricane Ian howled outside our windows.    

Trust me.  I was not alone in that assessment. 

It had an aloof air of “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche” about it – and I said so. 

Now that Commissioner Persis has filed to run for Mayor of Ormond Beach, I felt in was politically pertinent to express my concerns about her personal commitment to the job – and her willingness to put the needs of her constituents over vacation plans when the chips are down.

For speaking my mind, I was accused on social media by another member of our moldy civic ‘upper crust’ of “having it out for Susan and Carl,” and told that I went “out of my way to hurt them.”

Bullshit. 

In my view, this was just another example of the elitism that continues to separate We, The Little People from those we elect to represent our interests in municipal and county government – which should be open, accessible, and responsive to residents – yet, when us lower caste taxpayers call foul on those who hold themselves out for high office, no matter how irresponsible or outrageous their behavior may be, our criticism is considered out-of-bounds whenever the right last names are involved. 

Although our “high and mighty” deny it, the “trust issue” is still a major problem here in Volusia County, and those who measure these things say that public confidence in government can be best assessed by two elements – perceived competence and positive intent.

While judging basic competence should be obvious – it is said that determining positive intent is gauged by the local government’s humanity and transparency – something often based upon a citizen’s interaction with the bureaucracy, and the accessibility and responsiveness of their elected representatives. 

Sadly, since our “new” Volusia County Council was seated in January, I have received several calls from Barker’s View readers lamenting the fact that obtaining an audience with their district council member now requires going through a county gatekeeper who schedules the appearance.

Then, the meeting is shepherded by “staff” under the guise of providing “expert” guidance on whatever topic the citizen may wish to discuss with their representative. 

That’s called controlling the narrative.

Like a malignant tumor, the purpose of a bureaucracy is to expand and multiply – that begins with self-protection. 

While the names and faces on the council may periodically change – those at the top of the bureaucratic pyramid rarely do – and the “system” quickly learns the importance of indoctrinating and controlling the elected officials as key to protecting the status quo.  

Recently, Paul Zimmerman, a lifelong area resident and respected civic activist who serves as president of Sons of the Beach, Florida’s premiere beach driving and access advocacy, wrote an open letter to the Volusia County Council asking, in part:

“Why then are some members of the council insisting on having county staff present during meetings with citizen’s groups or individuals? It has been my experience in these meetings where staff is present, staff acts as a nanny, filtering information from a status quo perspective, a roadblock to open discussion between citizens and their representatives.

These chaperoned style meetings leave some in the public coming to the conclusion that the council is being groomed to follow the lead of the staff. That is not why the council was elected. The council was elected to represent their constituents, not reflect the status quo of county staff.

If the council is only going to follow the directions of staff, then why bother with elections?”

In his predictable response, District 3 Councilman Danny Robins used the opportunity to confirm my worst suspicions about the intellectual capacity of some area elected officials – and take a not-so-veiled swipe at Chairman Jeff Brower.

Here’s an excerpt:

“From my time on the council, countless community meetings and seeing what’s said on social media, I believe it’s crucial to have specialized people within our organization at public meetings.

Not only to keep notes and write down the questions of our citizens, but to answer any technical questions that ordinary people including elected officials may not know.

As you know, some politicians aren’t qualified to own a pet rock. Imagine a plumber trying to answer questions within an electrician’s wheelhouse?

Often I see elected officials at community meetings just like the last Sons of the Beach meeting providing a tremendous number of agenda driven, misinformation catering & pandering to the people in the room, telling them what they want to hear knowing they are not qualified or equipped with the factual information to do so. Then at another meeting saying the complete opposite, kind of like we saw at this year’s State of the County.

That in my opinion sends a mixed message to one’s colleagues, citizens, leads to chaos and causes confusion to our constituents. That is not OK and I believe the role of the government is to be truthful, use the tools (staff) the people pay for, get the factual information out and let the public decide its direction.

In my opinion, the only reason why you or anyone else wouldn’t want a resident expert at community meetings shows me that you aren’t interested in the facts or the truth.”

In closing, Councilman Robins made it perfectly clear he only wants to hear from those who agree with him – and those dull “tools” on the senior “staff” who tell him what he wants to hear regarding the intractable issues we face:

“In closing, please do not include me on these emails anymore in the future. They are self-serving, lack all facts and do not take into consideration the best overall interest, health, welfare, and safety of all 564,000 Volusia County residents.”

Wow.

For all you “ordinary people” – it appears Councilman Robins believes only the all-powerful bureaucracy generates “factual information” – and anyone interested in speaking with their elected representative outside a supervised setting must have ulterior motives that threaten the status quo.

And that, my fellow Dalits, is the true state of Volusia County’s increasingly cloistered and insular government.

One might ask Mr. Robins – and our other elected “independent thinkers” who occupy the dais of power in DeLand:

If they won’t provide oversight, accept everything “staff” tells them with Burning Bush certainty, have no interest in a legitimate performance evaluation of the County Manager and County Attorney, refuse to communicate with constituents without a monitor present, and are only interested in hearing “the facts” as generated by some pseudo-expert in the bowels of the bureaucracy – Why do we need them at all?

Quote of the Week

“HB991 is officially called the Defamation, False Light, and Unauthorized Publication of Name or Likenesses Bill. But First Amendment activists like me who have read it call it the “Death to Public Discourse Bill.”

Key supporters of HB991 want you to believe the legislation is about taming the excesses of the “liberal corporate” media by giving the “little guy” a chance to avenge “bad” coverage. But the truth of this bill is all about making it easier for government officials and their rich and powerful allies to use the courts to punish those who criticize them.

And despite the belief by some conservatives that HB991 would only affect The New York Times, the Miami Herald and CNN if it were to become law, the reality is no information outlet would be spared the depredations of punitive lawsuits under its provisions. Fox, Newsmax, conservative talk radio stations will all feel the sting of this new law as public figures across the political spectrum look to exact their vengeance against inconvenient news coverage and commentary. The fallout would just as likely crush Fox’s Tucker Carlson as it would The NYT’s Paul Krugman.

More than that, this legislation would also subject bloggers, community groups, average users of social media — in short everybody who wants their voices heard — to the untold financial and emotional burdens of lawsuits.

And the way HB991 is currently written, a story doesn’t have to be wrong and damaging to an official to land a reporter, blogger or housewife Facebooker in court. It can merely cast the subject of the story in an unfavorable light.”

–Bobby Block, executive director of the First Amendment Foundation, as excerpted from the editorial, “Bad for Florida, bad for America,” West Volusia Beacon, Tuesday, March 14, 2023

And Another Thing!

I hear well-meaning people talking about decorum and civility in everything from the public discourse to the personal conduct of the butcher, baker, and candlestick maker we elect to represent our interests at all levels of government. 

Last week, reporter Al Everson published a thought-provoking piece in the West Volusia Beacon, “Do Orange City’s leaders need rules to be nice?” which explained that just before the end of the Orange City Council’s February 28 meeting, “Mayor Gary Blair asked his colleagues to consider adopting a “code of conduct” for themselves.”

According to the report, when asked why he proffered the suggestion, Mayor Blair explained, “Another [City] Council member used foul language on me in a public park in a public event.” 

In December, the Lost City of Deltona was rocked when that self-righteous arbiter of free expression Vice Mayor Maritza Avila-Vasquez filed a formal complaint against Commissioner Dana McCool with the Florida Commission on Ethics alleging that McCool dropped the “F-bomb” (her word, not mine) on her during a testy off-the-dais tête-à-tête in October 2022.

You read that right.  A formal ethics complaint…

Then, the self-described “uncommonly well-educated” Deltona City Commissioner Tom Burbank reaped a whirlwind of public criticism – and the official censure of his “colleagues” – after he directed a hate-filled and homophobic screed against a private citizen who announced he was exploring a run for public office. 

Recently, another sitting Deltona official responded to citizen concerns of possible violations of Florida’s Sunshine Law by reasoning, “It’s only a violation if someone reports it” – in other words, it is only a crime if you get caught…

My God.

The natural response to this almost universal feeling of helplessness is that what passes for public participation in government continues to take an increasingly confrontational tone as taxpayers become frustrated by factors they see destroying their quality of life that are now completely out of our control, such as:

The uncontrolled sprawl that our elected representatives continue to rubberstamp, citizens being told they don’t have a voice because they supported the wrong candidate for public office, the abhorrent personal behavior of some sitting officials, the backbiting, nastiness, and political dirty tricks that pass for Volusia County elections, the sickening corporate welfare lavished on those who pay to play with massive campaign contributions to malleable candidates, and now, the refusal of some elected officials to meet privately with their constituents as “the system” ensures they stick to a scripted storyline that ensures the status quo.

I mean, imagine if your son were incarcerated at the Volusia County Jail and reported that he had been tacked out nude in a four-point restraint somewhere in the bowels of a cellblock (which, according to recent reports, is not out of the realm of possibility). 

Then consider if you tried to report this humanitarian atrocity to your elected Council member – only to be told the meeting would be monitored by a “resident expert” from the Volusia County Department of Corrections? 

Now, our elected officials tout ignorance as a virtue – and the bureaucracy is allowed to control the narrative, “spin” the facts, while independent thought and contrary opinions are dismissed as “self-serving” misinformation and deemed a danger to the “best overall interest, health, welfare, and safety” of the blissfully uninformed masses.

Frightening.  

Rather than open lines of clear communication, improve transparency, and listen to the criticism of their constituents – instead, Florida legislators propose asinine laws weakening our right to free expression, prohibiting citizens from speaking ill of the King – ordering bloggers to register with the state and file financial disclosure forms, lowering the bar and encouraging petty politicians to silence critics and activists by suing them for “libel” whenever we call out their autocratic assholery for what it is.

Bullshit.

How patently un-American. 

A slap in the face to anyone who ever took an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.

I’m going to say this again:

In my view, this “civility and decorum for thee, but not for me” push by some officious politicians is further eroding the fundamental freedoms once protected by our democratic institutions – and widening the chasm between government and the citizens from which its power originates – setting the stage for the dire proposition of our elected elite exercising the all-encompassing dictatorial power to do anything they damn well please without editorial challenge.

We live in strange times, friends. 

That’s all for me.  Have a great St. Patrick’s Day, y’all!

Hi, kids!

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

Let’s look at who tried to screw us – and who tried to save us – during the week that was:

Asshole           Florida Senator Jason Brodeur, Seminole County

You don’t have to agree with me.    

In fact, I learn best from those who look at civic issues through different eyes and engage in thoughtful debate – the vigorous competition of ideas and diversity of opinion that spurs a larger discussion of the issues we collectively face here on Florida’s Fun Coast.

Apparently that free and open exchange of ideas across the “blogosphere” is making some very important policymakers nervous – I guess because it lets them know We, The Little People are paying attention to how the sausage gets made.

In my jaundiced view, that is the true contribution of even crude blogsites like Barker’s View.

Before I became a hyper-opinionated blowhard, I enjoyed a productive professional life serving as Chief of Police for the wonderful community of Holly Hill. 

As a visible representative of local government, I often took the brunt of public criticism – in coffee shops, on the streets, in living rooms, and over the phone – I listened to residents’ concerns, never forgetting the importance of accessibility and allowing an opportunity for citizens to ask questions, provide a suggestion, or just vent.  

In retrospect, it was one of the most important and fulfilling parts of my job.

When serving a small town, you come to understand that acting as a sounding board for your constituents is a healthy part of community life.

Naturally, I was also subject to withering criticism – most of it deserved, some not – and sometimes the name-calling (especially those barbs questioning my lineage) became quite pointed and personal. 

That comes with the territory.

With experience, smart public officials learn to use even misplaced criticism as a civic barometer – because there is often a kernel of truth in even the most cock-eyed point of view.  

Unfortunately, some self-centered politicians take these gripes personally – an affront to their massive ego, political ambition, and the false sense of infallibility that often accompanies powerful positions where everyone laughs at your jokes…   

The fact is, if you serve in government – that dark and cloistered place where tax dollars feed the machine that both makes and enforces the rules – then I suggest you grow some hard bark. 

Fast.

I subscribe to what remains of The Daytona Beach News-Journal because (occasionally) it contains the last remaining flakes of local reportage – area stories, explanations, and editorials told by some incredibly talented journalists who actually live here. 

That’s important in an era where corporate media conglomerates are busy regionalizing and homogenizing hometown newspapers across the nation – and staying apprised of area happenings now comes with being lectured, ad nauseum, by some moonbat from the Palm Beach Post and other Gannett properties – all spewing slanted sermons that are bulk packaged and passed off as “news.”

But as an informed citizen – I hold my nose and read it anyway. 

Then, I think critically about the issue, sort fact from conjecture, consider sources and motivations, view the information presented through the prism of experience and perspective, then form my own opinions – neither always right, nor always wrong.  

Because the thought of living in an echo chamber controlled by partisan political tribes determined to suppress any message not in lockstep with their party line is grim. 

In my view, censoring the views of others and demanding conformity – even fealty – to state-sponsored spin is counter to our democratic principles and inalienable freedoms.

Frighteningly, we seem to be inching closer to that dictatorial precipice everyday…

Now that local governments are doing everything in their considerable power to curtail the ability of the average citizen to address their elected representatives and make themselves heard on the issues – passing insidious “civility ordinances” and subjective rules of decorum that only apply to taxpayers (as our elected overseers behave anyway they see fit) while limiting when, where, and how the governed can prostrate ourselves before our increasingly monarchal rulers – blogs, podcasts, and social media platforms remain the few citizen soapboxes left for those who cannot afford to purchase a chip in the game. 

In my view, this censorship cloaked in a velvet glove is morally and constitutionally wrong.  

In fact, there is nothing more damaging to the fabric of an open society than state sponsored suppression of free speech, silencing alternative opinions, and squashing the unfettered competition of ideas – especially when those ideas stir strong emotions, challenge the status quo, and ruffle the feathers of those in positions of power.  

Last week in this space, I hit the pinnacle of editorial unanimity by pissing off literally everyone who read my rambling screeds – especially my goofy take on Volusia County Chair Jeff Brower’s State of the County Address.

Hey, “I call ‘em like I see ‘em,” and eventually I get around to goring everyone’s sacred ox…  

However, that animus was quickly followed by real concern from many Barker’s View readers who were shocked by a now squashed senate bill introduced by Florida Senator Jason Brodeur, which, among other tyrannical edicts, would have required:

“If a blogger posts to a blog about an elected state officer and receives, or will receive, compensation for that post, the blogger must register with the appropriate office, as identified in paragraph (1)(f), within 5 days after the first post by the blogger which mentions an elected state officer.”

Under the proposed law, the failure of a blogger to file these state mandated reports would have resulted in fines of “$25 per day per report for each day late, not to exceed $2,500 per report.”

You read that right.

I cannot think of anything more patently un-American. 

In my view, Bobby Block, executive director of the Florida First Amendment Foundation, said it best:

“From my own experience, the only places where journalists would ever have to register with the government have been apartheid South Africa, the countries behind the Iron Curtain, the USSR, Zaire, Burkina Faso, and socialist Ethiopia,” Block said. “… I don’t think Florida being in that company of those countries is a good thing.”

More to the point, last week, Charles C. W. Cooke, senior writer for the acclaimed conservative editorial magazine National Review, accurately called Sen. Brodeur a “moron,” and described his bill as “…an unconstitutional, moronic disgrace, and the guy who wrote it, Senator Jason Brodeur of Seminole County, is an embarrassment to the GOP.”

Finally, Governor Ron DeSantis – who is said to have been “caught off-guard” (?) by Brodeur’s proposal – addressed the growing national firestorm following his State of the State Address on Tuesday:

“Every person in the legislature can file bills. I see these people filing bills and there are these articles with my face on the article, “bloggers are going to have to register with the state,” attributing it to me.  That’s not anything I’ve ever supported, I don’t support. I’ve been very clear on what we are doing.”

With that, Brodeur’s asinine legislation was dead on arrival. 

Now, the darker questions remain.

How could a senior elected official propose a bill in direct contravention of the First Amendment and Florida’s state constitution which holds, “…no law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press”?

And to what strategic purpose did Governor DeSantis wait so long to address this blatant attack on our fundamental right to criticize powerful policymakers without the chilling effect of requiring government registration?

Being an incredibly astute politician and Harvard trained lawyer, Gov. DeSantis must have known of Sen. Brodeur’s ill-thought intent to propose this baldfaced censorship and the righteous shitstorm of controversy that would ensue?

And what will become of our fundamental liberties if/when another despotic asshole ramrods a similar bill through a supermajority giving “elected state officers” the all-encompassing dictatorial power to do anything they damn well please without editorial challenge? 

I’m asking.

Because, at this point, the only thing I am certain of is that I will never register my personal and political thoughts with the “appropriate” Thinkpol office in Tallahassee. 

Ever.

Nor will I pay a fine for expressing my independent views and opinions on the ethics, acts, omissions, abject idiocy, and shady motivations of those who accept massive campaign contributions from influential special interests, then enshrine themselves on a pedestal in the Ivory Tower of Power.

Yeah.  Not going to happen.

That’s not bluster and braggadocio.

It is an incredibly difficult and hard thought stand by a disenfranchised citizen who took an oath and devoted my life to public service – someone who, if Senator Jason Brodeur had his way, would be considered a criminal and formally sanctioned by the state for expressing an opinion contrary to that of the burgeoning Monarchy in Tallahassee.

Stay vigilant.

Gideon Tucker was right: “No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the Legislature is in session.”

Asshole           Volusia County Council

In 2020, Volusia County residents took a strong leap of faith, ignored their best instincts, and overwhelmingly voted to continue the Volusia ECHO and Forever programs. 

Originally established in 2001, then renewed by voters in 2021, these tax supported programs were created to fund environmental, cultural, historic, and outdoor recreation opportunities and the acquisition of environmentally sensitive lands for conservation. 

In fact, the ECHO Volusia Forever Alliance sold us on the continuation of the programs by answering the question, “What are ECHO Grant Awards?”

“They are matching funds that are granted to successful applicants to help pay for facilities that are open to the public, in one or more of the four ECHO categories.”

Further, the Alliance explained to wary voters, “To qualify for a grant, applicants must show that they have matching money equal to the amount of the grant they are seeking from the ECHO fund.”

As with most programs administered by Volusia County government, in the lead-up to the vote to renew ECHO and Forever, taxpayers became concerned about the manner and means by which the funds were being administered – including a lack of transparency in the process – which resulted in the formation of citizen oversight committees. 

It became known as the “trust issue” – and is the exact reason Volusia County voters rejected a proposed half-cent sales tax in 2019.

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that most Volusia County residents were under the distinct impression that ECHO funds would be used to bring new and innovative opportunities to life by partnering with non-profits and municipal governments with an innovative project of countywide interest who agreed to the grant match and performance requirements.   

Instead, on Tuesday, by unanimous vote, the Volusia County Council approved a “Direct County Expenditure” bundled as a “5-year plan” which will now place divisional capital improvement expenditures – specifically the repair and replacement of existing infrastructure – on the back of the Volusia ECHO program. 

Trust me.  Our councilmembers did not come before the taxpayers with their hat in hand, a novel idea, and matching funds in their briefcase like other ECHO applicants are required to do.

Instead, with the wave of a bureaucratic wand, the Volusia County Council approved a list of 43 projects at 32 sites to be funded using $15.4 million in ECHO funds – with 24 of those projects identified as “improvement of current assets.” 

Increasingly, council meetings are like Wednesday on the Mickey Mouse Club – “Anything Can Happen Day” – and it helps when you have a staff of professional shills, fluent in bureaucratese, who can justify any appropriation using a liberal application of bullshit, smoke, and mirrors.

For instance, Brad Burbaugh – who holds the lofty position of Director of Resource Stewardship (a title you will only find in government) said – “It’s a strategic investment plan, informed by the grassroots needs of our community that balances both improvement of current assets, new construction projects and restoration.”

My ass.   

Call it what your conscience allows, Brad – I call it sneak thievery – supplanting normal and recurring repair and replacement expenditures with funds earmarked for ECHO grants, then selling it to us rubes who pay the bills as a cost savings…

To ramrod the massive expenditure, Mr. Burbaugh exhumed a dusty 2020 resolution passed by the Volusia County Council authorizing the ballot initiative and permitting the council to use ECHO funds for “direct county expenditure for County government projects or by grants-in-aid awards.”

(You remember that resolution, right?) 

In addition, Burbaugh masked the foul odor of another bait-and-switch shim sham wafting from the council chamber by assuring our “new” elected officials that their previous counterparts dipped into ECHO funds for 22 projects totaling $16,119,596 by “direct county expenditure” since 2007…

Look, I don’t know about you, but when I voted to extend the ECHO and Forever programs, I had no idea that those dollars would ultimately be used for cultural and historic amenities like repairing long neglected beach ramps, walkovers, and fishing docks, renovating public restrooms at county parks, and replacing aging playground equipment.

You know, those preventive maintenance, repair, replacement, and improvement obligations that most responsible government entities budget for each year – rather than quibble resolutions, twist ballot language, and stretch programmatic intent to shoehorn anything and everything that has long been overlooked but can no longer be ignored?

Apparently, Councilman Don Dempsey wasn’t concerned about the county dipping into ECHO funds, only why more of the loot wasn’t coming to West Volusia. 

According to a report by Jarleene Almenas writing in the Ormond Beach Observer, Dempsey questioned:

“…why many of the projects were located on the east side of the county, with only a couple facilities in the northwest side of the county being included in the plan.”

Burbaugh said that the proposal was based on the county’s needs and that the projects were taken from the divisional budgets.

“It may be worth to look at finding more needs on the west side,” Councilman David Santiago said. “Balance it off.”

Seriously.  I don’t make this shit up, folks…

Frankly, this harkens back to the bad old’ days, when ECHO became little more than a slimy slush fund – our tax dollars looted to purchase off-beach parking lots – and millions of dollars squirreled away to fund a mysterious (now defunct) plan to extend the Daytona Beach Boardwalk – with little, if any, public input in the process.   

I hope this serves as a wake-up call for those lethargic watchdogs on the ECHO and Forever Oversight Committees – those We, The Little People who pay the bills rely on to recognize these shameless money grabs – and preserve the integrity of these vital programs for future generations.

In Volusia County, the more things change, the more they stay the same…

Asshole           Deltona City Commission

Some conspiracy theorists define a “Shadow Government” as:

“…a family of theories based on the notion that real and actual political power resides not only with publicly elected representatives but with private individuals who are exercising power behind the scenes, beyond the scrutiny of democratic institutions. According to this belief, the official elected government is subservient to the shadow government, which is the true executive power.”

If you live in Deltona, that should sound eerily familiar…  

At this abysmal time in the city’s history, is there another explanation? 

On Monday evening, despite the vehement objections of civically active residents – and two incredibly capable alternatives, the Deltona City Commission sidestepped the venerated century-old Daytona Beach law firm of Cobb & Cole – and Winter Park attorneys Fishback Dominick, who have served Central Florida for over eight-decades – instead opting on a 5-2 vote to recycle the civic lightening rod Marsha Segal-George as the city’s “new” legal counsel. 

To their credit, Mayor Santiago Avila and Commissioner Dana McCool stood firm for the residents of Deltona – remembered the hard lessons of history – and voted against doing the same thing while expecting a different result… 

Following the most divisive period in Deltona’s shambolic history, why would any conscientious elected representative vote to retain an attorney who is still listed as a “senior associate” with the very law firm they opted to fire just weeks ago?   

Shocked Deltona residents were extremely vocal in their opposition to more of the same from Segal-George – who has been enmeshed in every civic nightmare this tormented community has experienced in recent years.

Before the vote, one by one, citizens approached the dais and used terms like, “screwed us over,” “hasn’t served the city well,” “has brought division,” “too much baggage,” and “someone who has wronged us in the past,” to express their experience with Ms. Segal-George during her tenure as city attorney.

When the vote was taken, the uproar from the outraged audience required that Mayor Avila gavel a five-minute recess. 

In my view, a recent social media post by Deltona civic activist Dayle Whitman accurately summarized the crooked road that brought the commission back to the very place they started – and gave voice to the utter exasperation many residents are feeling:

“They pretended to be interested in the candidates, who gave up their time to be put on display, so the commission could make us feel like they gave a shit, when they didn’t.

The request to get residents input on hiring a new legal team was in fact Deja Vu, an instant replay of the October 12, 2022, special commission meeting.

Well guess what Deltona they pulled the same shit sham on all of us last night. 

The only hope we have is to get outside help involved in saving our corrupt city.

It’s going to take more than the handful of people who stand up and fight for our city at every commission meeting.

And I’m not sure we can do it. Deltona is the laughingstock of Volusia County, maybe even the state.”

A “shit sham” is right… 

For instance, despite the raucous opposition of residents – and with questions still unanswered about when and how Interim City Manager Jim “The Chiseler” Chisholm will be replaced by a permanent charter officer – on Monday, by unanimous vote, the City Commission contractually ensconced him in the position for another year. 

With The Chiseler now commanding “$200,000 per year in equal bi-weekly payments of $7,691.31” plus the perquisites and privileges of a High Potentate – concerned residents are demanding to know when a legitimate process will be finalized to recruit a permanent manager.

Unfortunately, per Mr. Chisholm’s modus operandi – hard answers to these important civic enquiries are less than forthcoming – leaving more Deltona taxpayers beginning to question exactly who, or what, is controlling this puppet regime behind closed doors… 

My God.

Deltona’s leery residents are right.

Something stinks in Deltona.

Quote of the Week

“For the low, low price of $3 million, you could be the next owner of the parcel that once housed the Hotel Putnam in Downtown DeLand.

Earlier this week, a for-sale sign sprung up outside of the dirt lot that, as of just last month, no longer boasts the 100-year-old hotel. The building was torn down when an engineer reported that it had become structurally unsound and could collapse at any time.

Realtors with Colliers are hopeful that Florida’s hot real estate market will lead to a quick sale.

“Developers are still very active in these challenging times. They’re looking beyond what people think will be a short-term recession,” Colliers Executive Vice President Casey Babb told The Beacon. “Florida continues to grow very well, and we don’t see that slowing down in Central Florida.”

The location is a prime piece of real estate, he said, and he thinks the City of DeLand will be receptive to a housing project that looks to capitalize on the Putnam’s history, possibly allowing as many as 120 units on the site, which has Downtown Commercial zoning and is in the Downtown Historic District.

Real estate firm Axia Partners purchased the building in September 2021 for $2.3 million. When The Beacon spoke with a representative from the company in January, he said the plan, if the building were to come down, would be to build something “meaningful” in its place.

A representative from the company was unable to immediately be reached…”

–Reporter Noah Hertz, writing in the West Volusia Beacon, “FOR SALE: The site of the former Hotel Putnam,” Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Welp.  There you have it, folks.    

Now that the historic Hotel Putnam has been reduced to dust and hauled off – 100 years of West Volusia history and memories gone in a roar – it’s salvaged bricks now being sold as a fundraiser by (ironically) the West Volusia Historical Society – the vacant lot is on the real estate market…

So much for the assurance from our now uncommunicative friends at Axia Partners – the Utah-based real estate investment group that purchased the hotel last year and promised DeLand resident’s that the firm was “…committed to finding a use for the Putnam site that pays tribute to the once prestigious hotel and the history of DeLand that it reflects.”

Personally, I like the idea of Beacon readers Frank and Kim Schnidman, who suggested asking “…Axia to simply deed the property to the City of DeLand for the purpose of a downtown park and green space The lasting legacy Axia Partners can create for themselves and their investors is to donate the $3 million property to DeLand for a City Park, “Putnam Park, a gift of Axia Partners.” Then the company and its investors can take a tax deduction for this charitable contribution. This would truly “leave a lasting legacy in the market”!!

Don’t hold your breath…

And Another Thing!

“Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on (political) offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct.”

–Thomas Jefferson

Things are beginning to heat up for the 2024 elections with Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington announcing his run for the District 28 Florida House seat now held by incumbent Rep. Tom Leek who has filed to run for Florida Senate District 7.

The announcement came following Tuesday evening’s Ormond Beach City Commission meeting.

I found it incredibly interesting that political opportunist and sitting Ormond Beach City Commissioner Susan Persis filed to run for Mayor Partington’s still warm seat on Tuesday morning at 11:00am… 

Great.

Personally, I lost all confidence in Commissioner Persis in September 2022, when – with Hurricane Ian’s winds still raging outside – I received a message from a Barker’s View reader who was rightfully mad-as-a-hornet over tone-deaf “Vice Mayor” Persis, and her husband, Volusia County School Board member Carl Persis, aloofly posting their European vacation photographs on social media while their frightened constituents were weathering the howling onslaught here at home.

What I found most cringeworthy was when Vice Mayor Persis doubled-down on her cluelessness by marking herself safe from Hurricane Ian – from Europe…

Remember?

I do. 

Although Commissioner Persis evacuated to Europe and wasn’t there for Ormond Beach residents when we needed the leadership of our Vice Mayor most – it appears her unbridled hubris and pathological political ambition won’t permit her to do the right thing and step aside for someone (anyone?) who would put the needs of their constituents over their own when the chips are down.

Old Thomas Jefferson said something else that rings true:

“The government you elect is the government you deserve.”

That’s all for me.  Have a great final weekend of Bike Week 2023, y’all!