You can tell a lot about a person by how they conduct themselves when no one else is watching.

In fact, it’s the very definition of character.

Before I tear-off on a rant here – trust me – I’m no saint.

I drink to excess, smoke a pack of cigarettes a day, and no one enjoys a classic dirty joke more than I do.

Sometimes I stay up late, drink whiskey, and tell tall tales with friends – and my frequent use of salty language is as notorious as my gluttonous appetite.  I’m rude, selfish and stubborn as a mule when I think I’m right – and I’m right all the time.  Just ask me.

I can be mean-spirited and judgmental, too.

Sadly, these personality traits fit my enormous ego just fine.

I’m a piece of work.  I admit it.

Last week, I read a piece by Dustin Wyatt in the Daytona Beach News-Journal regarding yet another wacky screw-up by freshmen members of the Volusia County Council – one more loopy brain-fart by Heather Post, Billie Wheeler, and our doddering Chairman Ed Kelley.

Or was it?

During last Thursday’s County Council meeting, Heather Post – who was apparently home recuperating from pneumonia – sent a series of text messages as she watched the proceedings online.

At first, Post’s messages to Kelley were rather innocuous – she didn’t grasp the concept that when the council takes a lunch break – the live-feed is interrupted briefly until the meeting resumes.

Then, while council members gave their always illuminating closing comments, Post thought it necessary to let Kelley know that she had received a report on the Veteran’s Foundation – a note that Kelley acknowledged receiving.

Then, things got more ominous.

In a clumsy text message to Billie Wheeler, Mrs. Post advised that she would not be appointing Paul Zimmerman, president of Sons of the Beach, Florida’s premiere advocacy group, to a beach advisory committee recently proposed by Councilwoman Deb Denys:

(“I’m not appointing Paul. Illspoint Tony.”)

Instead, Post communicated to Wheeler that she would appoint Tony Grippa – a former Vice President at Brown & Brown who left J. Hyatt’s employ during the great July 2016 exodus of the company’s top brass – and reported “brainchild” of the advisory committee.

I have no idea what involvement Mr. Grippa has with beach advocacy issues.  Maybe he’s a virtual Jacques Cousteau – I’ve just never seen him around.

Regardless, it was important that Mrs. Post distance herself from Paul Zimmerman and Sons of the Beach – and if she had to violate the spirit, if not the letter, of Florida’s Sunshine Law to do it – so be it.

The rules are different here.

To her credit, Ms. Wheeler didn’t respond to Heather Post’s text messages – and she kept Mr. Grippa as her personal appointment to the beach advisory committee.

Then, the right people started asking the hard questions.

Enter County Attorney Dan Eckert – whose entire practice has devolved into quibbling the facts, obfuscating the obvious, suing his own constituents, running interference for elected officials and serving as muscle for Little Jimmy Dineen and his cabal of shadow players.

You see, Dan tidies up the sticky messes – on our dime.

Naturally, Mr. Eckert’s immediate response to the serious allegations that Councilwoman Post engaged in blatantly illegal two-way communications regarding public business with another elected official outside an open, and in-progress, meeting did not even rise to a “technical” violation of Florida’s Sunshine Law.

Heck no!

My ass.

In what is becoming an all to frequent fallback – Mrs. Post again refused to accept responsibility for an official misstep – then went into one of her weird stream-of-consciousness, babbling excuses – like a demented child caught with their hand in the cookie jar:

“I have been out with pneumonia. I have not been able to speak or move around without coughing/choking. There was no violation of Sunshine Law,” she wrote in an email. “I am sure my constituents will be glad to hear that even in my condition, I made arrangements to view the County Council meeting live online to stay abreast of the issues of importance to Volusia County. This is a reflection of my true dedication to the job.”

Either that, or she really didn’t want to support Paul Zimmerman’s appointment to the beach advisory board after Sons of the Beach rightly supported her opponent during the 2016 election.

You see, Mrs. Post is chummy with Daytona Beach Boardwalk magnate and beach driving opponent, George Anderson.

In other words – her communications had nothing to do with a self-described “dedication to the job,” and everything to do with cheapjack politics.

You know, I’m really trying to give Heather Post the benefit of the doubt – but how much more of this dodging and gibberish are we expected to take?

Of course, Chairman Kelley demonstrated the brand of cool-headed leadership he’s become known for when he immediately accepted responsibility for the possible violation of state law, commissioned an outside inquiry into the matter to assure openness and transparency, then restored confidence in his constituents by pledging that communications of this type would never happen in the future.

Yeah, right.

“It’s no big deal. … I did nothing illegal,” Kelley confidently crowed on Thursday.

Of course you didn’t, Ed.

(Word to the wise:  You can lie to us all you want – just don’t lie to yourself.  That’s a dangerous indulgence for an elected official.  Don’t believe me?  Just ask Corinne Brown.)

This serves as another prime example of the hubris and political arrogance that permeates every aspect of Volusia County government – from the top down.

The rules are for the little people.

Don’t like it?  Screw you.

Folks, there is a malignancy in our county government – a bastardized oligarchical system that serves the influential and well-connected, while dismissing the true needs of their long-suffering constituents.

And it appears nothing is off-limits.

In my view, recurring public integrity questions and transparency issues such as this highlight the “I do what I want, when I want” culture that exists whenever those appointed to high public office lose their sense of service.

And their sense of honor.

When you look at successful businesses and organizations they all have one thing in common – they get the small things right.

All the time.

For instance, if you take a trip to any Disney property, you can tell that customer service and satisfaction has been studied down to the subliminal level – sights, sounds, color, texture, aroma, lighting, host interaction, atmosphere – all carefully crafted to ensure that each guest receives the same consistently pleasant experience.

Every time.

Flexibility is reserved for those dealing with incidents of customer dissatisfaction, accidents and service disruption.

The core standards of the brand are never compromised for any reason.

This laser focus on the comprehensive “customer experience” is true of successful restaurants, retail outlets and vacation destinations.

Trust me.  This doesn’t happen by accident.

Success is universally the result of effective professional management and oversight which ensures the impeccable standards, values and ideals associated with the destination are adhered to by every person and entity associated with the “brand” – all the time – constantly and emphatically.

Without identifiable standards, chaos ensues.

When the carefully crafted system is subjected to favoritism and undue influence – the natural result is disorder and turmoil.  Equilibrium can only be restored by harmony and balance.

The same holds true for “successful” governments.

The development of acceptable regulations – followed by fair and consistent enforcement – serves to uphold standards and enhances the quality of life and marketability of the community.

Ask yourself this question:  Does any of this resemble the “Daytona Beach Resort Area”?

Hell, does any of this resemble Volusia County government?

In my view, the Daytona Beach News-Journal has done outstanding work of late.

Their ‘Tarnished Jewel’ series documenting the historic mismanagement and colossal incompetence of our beachside Community Redevelopment Areas – negligence that saw hundreds-of-millions pissed away over 30-years – coupled with the City of Daytona Beach’s quick response to correcting these deficiencies – shows the benefits of bringing difficult issues into the sunlight.

City officials are going back and reexamining what works – and what doesn’t.

They are dusting-off and updating tired ordinances, developing innovative code enforcement strategies and giving officials the tools and support they need for success.

Most important – they are holding those responsible accountable.

Last week, the City of Daytona Beach announced that it is aggressively pursuing some $4.46-million in past due fines and fees from some 395 violators – with nearly 300 of those owing more than $10,000.

The sad reality is that each of these violations represent a dilapidated – even dangerous – structure, many of which are being used as commercial rental properties, and all of which bring down adjacent property values and erode community standards.

That effects all of us.

It’s easy to point a finger at the police department or code enforcement officials – but the reality is, the blame lies squarely at the feet of elected officials who have historically lacked the vision and foresight to set community priorities – then insist that the city’s administration direct assets to enforce and maintain those standards.

As I said earlier this week, Daytona Beach City Commissioner Aaron Delgado is proving to be the kind of change agent we have needed in local government for far too long.  His ‘See a need and take charge’ attitude, and unique ability to build consensus on difficult issues like homelessness and code enforcement are truly impressive.

I believe that effective revitalization efforts and the power of creativity and enthusiasm can be just as contagious as cancerous blight.

The key is strong and effective management – something that is universally accepted as Problemo Numero Uno here on the Fun Coast.

For instance, for the past decade, County Manager Jim Dinneen has proven that his lock-step loyalty to deep-pocketed political insiders – coupled with the near continuous bullying of the municipalities – is counter-productive and contrary to progress.

Don’t believe me?  Take a look around.

Why are our elected officials so afraid of positive change?

When pressed, County Chairman Ed Kelley falls back to his goofy corn-pone delivery and points to worn out “accomplishments” and tax-funded private projects which continue to create and expand an artificial economy totally dependent upon the infusion of public funds.

All while our core tourist district rusts and rots into oblivion.

No vision.  No leadership.  No hope.

I challenge anyone in a position of authority to look at the condition of the Daytona Beach Boardwalk – and other areas where beach driving has been removed – and study the malignant blight that is literally destroying one of America’s great tourist destinations, right before our collective eyes.

It is time to face the hard facts that the failed ideas of those who control our collective fate – the Five Families of Volusia County who pass the same nickel around – are ruining our “brand” and diminishing our quality of life with their self-serving edicts and focus on profits over progress.

If you haven’t seen first-hand the desolation of a private beach, I suggest you visit one.

These barren places are the antithesis of a tourist destination.

And all the off-beach parking lots in the world won’t change that.

Folks, I know I can sound like a broken record – but I am convinced that by bringing attention to our deficits we can grow and become something stronger than we were before.

We simply cannot accomplish that with the failed leadership, gross mismanagement and lack of effective vision that has brought us to this tragic place.

Hell, our current administration has proven they can’t manage a portable toilet emergency on the beach – let alone access and development issues.

I guess Mori and Hyatt haven’t gotten together and given Jim direction on the matter just yet. . .

In my view, the solution to our collective problems begin and end with effective management – not exorbitantly paid posers who lack the will, creativity and vision to speak truth to power and begin the difficult process of correcting the sins of the past.

Hey Kids!

Barker’s View is on the road in warm Ft. Lauderdale this beautiful Friday morning.

Look for a new installment of Angels & Assholes this weekend!

Also, as the city’s lawyers continue to pick over the bones,  I’ll have my take on the incredibly expensive and terribly embarrassing “Debacle in DeBary” early next week.

As always, thanks for reading!

Mark

Everyone knows the old idiom, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

Or, in my case, 1,200 words.  I get insufferably wordy.

According to Wikipedia, the phrase refers to the notion that a complex idea can be conveyed with just a single still image – or that an image conveys its meaning or essence more effectively than a lengthy written description.

Last week, I read an interesting article in the Daytona Beach News-Journal by Eileen Zaffiro-Kean – with an accompanying editorial by the great raconteur, Mark Lane – reporting the demise of amusement rides from the Daytona Beach Boardwalk for the first time in some 80-years.

Both pieces were enlightening – and spurred my interest in learning more.

I couldn’t tell you the last time I visited the Boardwalk – but it had a Ferris wheel when I did.

In November, I wrote a post entitled, “The Thrill is Gone,” which discussed a decades-old lawsuit that has hampered any substantive change on the Boardwalk, and lamented the loss of a place that made so many great memories when I was a kid:

“Greedy investors, strategic bankruptcies, family monopolies, unscrupulous developers – to include convicted grifter, Bill Geary, of Ocean Walk Shoppes fame who is finishing a stint in federal prison – promises of pie-in-the-sky panacea hotels and tony shopping areas, a stubborn inability to reasonably negotiate with the best interests of the community in mind, government overreach and interference, insider maneuvering, piss-poor planning, no leadership, etc., etc.”

“Whether we want to admit it or not, what we are collectively hearing over the roar of the surf is the sad death knell of one of America’s great tourist destinations.” 

Last week, a very smart friend and I decided to take in the sights and sounds of the boardwalk and see for ourselves exactly what the demise of these amusements portend for our core tourist draw.

After navigating the two left turns required to get onto Ocean Avenue from A-1-A, I drove slowly north toward the southern façade of the Daytona Hilton, past the 20-foot diving girl who has graced the old Stamie’s Swimwear Shop for at least a half-century, waiting for grey-bearded men with backpacks to cross the street.

To the left was a paid parking lot entirely littered with a collage of handmade signs warning potential customers what they cannot do – “No Reentry,” “No Cards Accepted,” “No U-Turns,” “No RV’s, Semi’s or Trailers,” “Cash Only,” “$10.”

The sign that caught my eye – the one which serves as a fitting metaphor for the sordid bait-and-switch scheme that is Daytona’s tourist trade – was a hand-scrawled: “Have $ Ready.”

Indeed.

I found a public parking space and fed the meter just outside the entrance to the Joyland Amusement Center – an arcade that hasn’t seen any significant renovation in decades.  Walking through the dimly lit passageway and down the stairwell is like entering a weird time machine, where the sounds and smells evoke memories of a time long ago.

Frankly, I was glad to see that the live dancing chicken had been removed.  When I was a kid, for a dime, a tired rooster trapped in a small painted case would dance and peck out a tune on a little piano until the music stopped and a feed pellet rewarded his performance.

One gets the distinct feeling that Joyland is either a once Grand Dame now indignity waiting to die by the sea, or – it is what it is – a long-neglected coin-operated business holding on by its fingernails until the lawyers stop their money-grubbing arguments, appeals and motions –  or the “next big thing” hits the strand.

As we exited onto the wide colonnade of the Boardwalk, I was struck by the fresh sea breeze and the initial impression of just how physically deserted it all felt.  Except for a few ambulatory homeless – and a smattering of young families eating pizza and corn dogs alfresco – the strand was vacant.  Dead.

On a glorious spring afternoon.

Walking south, we took in the expanse of what had been the Boardwalk Amusement Center – where once a great Ferris wheel stood, Go-Kart’s zoomed, and various whirligigs, roller coasters, bumper cars and kiddie rides brought a true sense of fun and excitement.

Now, the place looks like a wasteland – a twisted mess of steel girders, rusting ride cars, dilapidated ticket booths emblazoned with a tax levy notice, and an eerie go-kart track that looks like it was abandoned in place.

Because it was.

A place that once brought so much joy and excitement to vacationing families and locals alike – now quietly rotting into a trash strewn lot.

At the risk of sounding hyper-dramatic, I was moved by what I saw.

A mix of sadness and anger, accompanied by the nagging question – “How could this be allowed to happen?”

 I took a few pictures to document the state of things.  Then, we moved along.

As we reached the Mardi Gras Fun Center – an aging arcade very similar in feel to the Joyland – I noticed two 20-somethings fist-bumping a guy perched on a bar stool near the front entrance.

Having spent the better part of my law enforcement career investigating drug trafficking, I got the distinct feeling from the snippets of conversation I overheard that something was up.

As we walked to the south terminus of the boardwalk then east near Zeno’s Sweet Shop, the pair fell in close behind us – one jabbering into a cellphone as we stepped over urine stains and what appeared to be a bloody miasma of dried vomitus on the sidewalk.

Gripping the handgun in my front pocket, I overheard the gist of the conversation two-steps behind us.

The pair were working the logistics of a street-level, parking lot drug hand-off.

My friend looked at me with a trace of fear in her eyes and we stepped away toward Ocean Avenue and the safety of our parked car.  As we passed the sign pollution of the private parking lot, I quickly snapped a few more photographs of the trash, broken fencing, and twisted steel that greets visitors.

When we reached our vehicle, I was angry.

On Friday – rather than post my usual ramblings about life and politics in the Halifax area – I simply posted the pictures I took – a silent exhibition of the cancerous results of the cycle of greed, blight and utter dilapidation that is slowly killing the beachside.

How tragic.

In a few weeks, some 20,000 Shriner’s will arrive.

They are coming at the invitation of the City of Daytona Beach and the County of Volusia.

They have a right to expect the beauty and splendor portrayed in a slick Danica Patrick ad – and the upscale experience they were sold by the Halifax Area Advertising Authority, the Chamber of Commerce, and the bevy of tourism hucksters who continue to lure unsuspecting visitors to an area that is neither ready to receive them – nor equipped to entertain them.

Just Have $ Ready – and screw your convention/vacation experience on what was once the World’s Most Famous Beach.

We know you won’t be back – and nobody who scrounges a fast buck cares.

In my view, this represents the epitome of an unconscionable bait-and-switch ruse – and our elected officials deserve the fall-out that will inevitably ensue.       

Look, I have a sound 10^th grade education – my final two-years of high school are a blur of beer and bad decisions.  But I feel like I have a pretty good grasp of the Volusia County School District’s sophomore curriculum circa 1975.

I don’t presume to have the intelligence, insight or intellectual creativity that comes with a college education – and I never enjoyed the stamp of professional competence that a degree naturally, and universally, implies.

During my law enforcement service, I was a Mustang.  I came up through the ranks, basically riding on a smile and a shoeshine, and ultimately took command of the agency that hired me as a 22-year old uneducated nitwit.

Truth be told, I often felt inferior to my peers who earned the requisite academic title prior to promotion.

Although I had amassed an impressive portfolio of in-service training and practical experience, because I never felt equal, I often kept my suggestions to myself and rarely engaged in policy matters or other discussions I felt were “above my pay-grade.”

Then, in 1990, I applied for acceptance to the prestigious FBI National Academy at Quantico, Virginia.

At that time, I was a patrol sergeant in a small department – and no one in the history of the agency before me had ever applied.  Everyone thought that a small agency like ours could never compete for a spot with “major city” departments.

After all, less than one-half of one-percent of officers around the globe are invited to participate in the world’s premiere law enforcement leadership training program.

Six years later, while serving as a supervisor in the detective division, I received a letter from the FBI’s Jacksonville Field Office requesting a meeting to discuss my potential acceptance to the 187^th Session.

I was overjoyed – so full of pride and gratitude!  And I think my chief and co-workers were as elated as I was.

It proved, in some small way, that we measured up.  All of us.

After an extensive federal background clearance, physical examinations, interviews, and the difficult loss of the 40-pounds required to meet the stringent height/weight standards – on September 29, 1996, I joined the best-of-the-best in Quantico.

During the next three-months, I lived in a cramped dormitory room with a Sheriff’s Captain from Rutherford County, Tennessee.  We shared a common bathroom with an agent from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and a police lieutenant from Texas.

Across the hallway was a police chief from a suburb of Chicago, and his roommate, the head of the federal kidnapping task force for the Philippine National Police.

The first friends I made were a weapons trafficking expert from the Republic of Macedonia and an elected sheriff from Minnesota.

During this wonderful experience, I had the opportunity to discuss modern policing issues in an environment that encouraged open and honest discussion.

We studied controversial legal decisions, discussed civil rights legislation and consent decrees, and learned from international students how the rule of law and investigative techniques differ in other cultures and countries.

To avoid the subliminal intimidation that can come with the use of rank and titles in quasi-military organizations, everyone was addressed by their first name – and over beers in the evening a sergeant from a 30-person department in the deep south might learn that his new friend is the head of a major international police counterintelligence agency – or the chief of a department with over 7,000 employees and a $1.5 billion-dollar budget.

We were friends, equals and colleagues – and while we didn’t always agree – we learned from each other – and about each other – and our unique life experiences.

The FBI National Academy was the closest thing to “higher education” I will ever experience.  And it gave me confidence, proved my contribution potential, and taught the importance of honest dialog in understanding the views, intellectual perspectives and values of dissimilar people and societies.

While I may not have an advanced degree, I do understand the importance of exposing oneself to diverse social opinions and political positions as a means of rounding out an informed point-of-view.

Perhaps this explains why I felt so disappointed by the backlash to Bethune-Cookman University President Edison Jackson’s important decision to invite U. S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to speak at the universities spring commencement exercises.

I was under the impression that a college campus was the last bastion of free speech, a place for freedom of thought and the civil debate of competing ideas?

When did that change in this country?

Given the number of speakers who are being “disinvited” or outrighted banned from colleges and universities around the nation, it is increasingly clear that the right to free speech and open expression – and a well-rounded education – only exists for some.

Now, the Florida conference of the NAACP is calling for Dr. Jackson’s removal.

How incredibly sad.  And shortsighted.

Imagine an entire generation of our nation’s future leaders who lack the basic skills to successfully resolve interpersonal and situational conflict because college administrators feared that developing those aptitudes might offend the students delicate sense of self-esteem?

I don’t believe that every speaking engagement requires a time for open rebuttal and angry refutation.  Sometimes it’s merely an opportunity to simply listen, contemplate the message, then either accept the information into your knowledge base – or dismiss the views out-of-hand.

Your choice – but only if you are given the opportunity.

And sometimes a boring speech is simply something one must endure as a ceremonial formality of accepting your sheepskin.

In my view, B-CU students deserve the opportunity to hear and ponder the thoughts of influential decision-makers, academics, contrarians, politicians, activists and others with diverse views on the issues of the day – even those they don’t necessarily agree with.

Especially when the speaker holds a cabinet-level position in a new administration – and the purse strings for institutions of higher learning, including historically black colleges.

Without listening to competing ideas, how else does one learn the fine art of discussing and settling political and social differences in a civil and constructive way?

How else does one learn to collaborate, research, develop solutions and work shoulder-to-shoulder with others in a diverse professional environment?

I applaud Dr. Jackson’s decision to invite U. S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos as the 2017 spring commencement speaker.

As Dr. Jackson said, “Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, our venerable founder, did all that she could during the nascent stages of this institution to equip her students with the necessary skills to navigate the precarious waters of fundamental disagreement.”

In my view, Dr. Jackson has demonstrated incredible courage in remaining true to Dr. Bethune’s legacy.

Throughout our history, fundamental change in public policy and the evolution of creative social solutions, germinates in grassroots advocacy and the right of citizens to petition their government for redress of grievances.

From the momentous events of the civil rights movement – to relatively insignificant local issues – positive change always begins life as a few pissed-off people joining together in someone’s living room, church social hall or a public space to discuss their collective fury over a social injustice or the town council’s inactivity and neglect of an important issue.

Hell, the very foundation of our nation was born of revolt and revolution.

In 2017, rage is still the motivating factor for significant political change.

Don’t believe me?

Attend your Congressman’s next town hall meeting – or attempt to take-in a political speech on any college campus in the nation – and I think you’ll come around.  Angry shouts, provocative taunts and violent “protests” involving mask-wearing vandals are the new norm in America.

Add to that global external forces that want to annihilate us and crush our way of life, and you find we really are living in historically interesting times.

Don’t get me wrong – agitation and challenging the status quo is a good thing, especially in an environment where our elected officials, at all levels of government, are mere handmaidens of a shadowy oligarchy.

Given the current obstreperous nature of dissent in the United States, it is refreshing to see local advocates engaging in positive demonstrations and openly voicing their views on the pressing issues of the day.

For instance, in my view, Florida’s premier beach advocacy group, Sons of the Beach, has demonstrated the leadership, consistency and perseverance necessary to protect and maintain our heritage of beach driving and access for Volusia County residents.

This was never more obvious than last week’s revelation that a bill working its way through the state legislature contained language that could have been disastrous for our tourist-based economy, and our way of life, by weakening customary use doctrines resulting in the potential privatization of our beaches.

To my mind, the fact that this controversial measure passed unanimously in the House tends to expose the depth of special interest influence in Tallahassee.  And the strategic silence and inaction by County Manager Jim Dinneen and the Volusia County Council perfectly telegraphs their true intentions on beach access issues.

During the initial confusion, Sons of the Beach provided a clear explanation of the potential problems with the legislation, and offered sound encouragement to stand firm and never quit trying.

In my view, that is the epitome of community advocacy and demonstrates the strength of citizen activism when the forces of power and greed are howling at the door.

In addition, Sons of the Beach have used the court system as it was intended – to provide an impartial arbiter of the facts who can apply the law to civil disagreements, to ensure citizen input in the process – and to hold our government officials accountable.

Unfortunately, over time, our elected officials have legislatively stacked the deck to the point that taxpayers – you know, the ones who pay the bills – have no standing in important issues affecting their lives and livelihoods, especially as it relates to beach policy.

I don’t know about you, but I’m sick and tired of hearing County Attorney Dan Eckert crow about the “ultimate power” of the county council over us impecunious peons in all matters beach-related.

In my view, Dan’s near-constant focus on using the courts to protect the supremacy of a self-serving “system” – over the will of the people – speaks volumes about the Dinneen administrations true loyalties.

Trust me.  This vantage point on the maneuverings of county government would not be possible without the incredible efforts of Sons of the Beach.

I was also very impressed by those intrepid members of the South Atlantic Neighborhood Association who took the message to the masses last weekend to protest the cycle of blight in Daytona’s core beachside.

It is truly heartening to see grassroots organizations like SANA take such a proud public stand against dilapidation, squatters, slum lords, trash, debris and years of government neglect.

Residents have had enough.  And it’s beginning to show.

These public demonstrations and curbside protests bring the frustrations of residents to the forefront – and put elected officials on notice that their constituents are “Mad as hell, and we’re not going to take it anymore.”

In my view, thoughtful public awareness campaigns like SANA’s are critical to bringing positive and lasting change.  In fact, last week the Daytona Beach City Commission – in response to recent newspaper coverage and citizen outcry – began the process of reviewing and strengthening outdated ordinances and bolstering code enforcement procedures – measures that could spark the resurrection of the beachside.

Regular readers of this forum know that I have little, if any, faith in the near-constant drone of our elected and appointed officials telling us all how great we have it here on the Fun Coast.  In that theme, on Friday, cheerleaders for Volusia County “economic development” agencies touted their progress during a meeting at Daytona “International” Airport.

We’re told that tourism is on the rise, unemployment is at historic lows, and area new car and truck sales rose to new heights – along with new home starts – and real estate brokers are apparently lighting cigars with hundred-dollar-bills.

We were also led to believe that a report by the Milken Institute lists the “Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach” metro area as the most improved local economy in the United States.

Interesting.  (I wonder if anyone from the institute visited the Fun Coast – or just relied on the artificial injection of millions of dollars in “economic incentives” from local governments to private interests as a measurement of progress?)

You remember the Milken Institute, right?

The California-based think tank founded by Michael “The Junk Bond King” Milken – formerly of Drexel Burnham Lambert – who went to federal prison and paid hundreds-of-millions in fines and restitution for securities fraud and financial crimes against investors?

He’s a convicted racketeer whose unchecked greed set the pace for other thieves in the bad old days.  Now, he’s reinvented himself – both in business and philanthropy.

Mr. Milken is the reason we still look down our noses at all bankers.  Even their family members keep them at arm’s length and know the only truly safe investment is in a shoe box under the bed. . .

I also took notice of Ms. Jane Glover’s excellent Community Voices piece in Sunday’s Daytona Beach News-Journal, calling for increased county oversight and regulation of blighted rental properties in Ormond-by-the-Sea.

Perhaps we are beginning to see a renaissance here on the Fun Coast.

The signs are encouraging, anyway.

Not because those who stand to profit tell us so – but because citizens are beginning to throw off the traces of apathy and political oppression to rail and kick against the blight, dilapidation and corruption that have hampered substantive growth and real economic development for decades.

Just don’t expect government to take this challenge to the status quo quietly.

In my view, the rebirth of our community begins with grassroots organizations forcing the important process of changing the foul image of the Halifax area and improving the quality of life for everyone – even if it takes waving posters on the curb and publicly humiliating every elected official in Volusia County.

So, take a minute to drop a note of encouragement to these resolute citizens and organizations – maybe even provide some financial support to keep them in the fight, if possible – and let them know how much we appreciate their hard work on our behalf.

Thanks for reading.  And have a great week, kids.

Photo Credit: The Daytona Beach News-Journal