There is a mysterious hex which says, “May you live in interesting times.” 

The provenance of this grave malediction remains the subject of great philological debate – with some modern scholars employing powerful search engines that can simultaneously pour over and cross-reference the world’s recorded history – in their hunt for the origin of what Garson O’Toole described as a most “piquant and controversial expression.”

Regardless, even dullards like me agree that the expression does not extend best wishes to the unfortunate recipient – rather an imprecation for evil, chaos, and tumult.  

I think it safe to say that residents of Florida’s fabled “Fun Coast” are now living through that accursed and star-crossed age, leaving many to question how in the hell did we get here?

Last week, many of my frightened neighbors in the Halifax area descended on the Volusia County Council chambers to support a proposed moratorium on heavy-industrial (I-2) development in unincorporated areas – a clumsy eleventh-hour response by flummoxed officials to pending applications from Belvedere Terminals, LLC – a company plowing ahead with plans to build a controversial 13-million-gallon bulk fuel storage facility on property currently zoned I-2 along the Florida East Coast Railroad abutting the City of Ormond Beach. 

Both Belvedere Terminals and the FEC Railway are subsidiaries of Grupo Mexico, a Mexican transportation, mining, and infrastructure conglomerate with a grim history of environmental contamination in the United States and Mexico. 

For many, the thought of allowing a bulk fuel terminal adjacent to the busy Ormond Beach Municipal Airport, the city’s sports complex, and rapidly expanding residential areas, is inconceivable – and has residents wondering how our ‘powers that be’ in Volusia County’s dubious “growth and resource management” apparatus could have been so horribly negligent – completely ignorant of strategic planning concepts and future land use considerations? 

That’s dangerous – and leads one to ponder what other revelations are ominously looming on the horizon?  

In my view, this bureaucratic ineptitude is tantamount to so-called “professional planners” facilitating explosive development and sprawl without first ensuring adequate transportation infrastructure, flood control, wastewater treatment capacity, the quality and quantity of potable water supplies, schools, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure.

Oh, wait… 

What I found most disturbing is that while angry residents watched some of the same hacks who got us into this mess describe their scheme for temporarily thwarting the fuel terminal under the flimsy guise of a “countywide” moratorium – accompanied by much hue and cry from the dais about how resident’s should craft comments due to the potential of a lawsuit – our elected and appointed officials were well aware that just two-days earlier Belvedere Terminals had already filed a lawsuit against Volusia County.

Yeah, I know…

In an informative article by Sheldon Gardner writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, we learned the reasoning behind Belvedere’s legal action filed Tuesday in Circuit Court:

“The County has made clear it opposes the Project and is attempting ‘at all costs’ to prevent Plaintiff from developing its property in direct contradiction to the existing I-2 Zoning Ordinance,” the lawsuit reads, using part of a quote from District 4 Councilman Troy Kent.

Though the moratorium hasn’t been approved, the county is using the “pending ordinance doctrine” to stop development progress at the fuel terminal site. The county rejected the conceptual site plan in December.

Belvedere Terminals filed the lawsuit, which is 39 pages long, not including attachments, on Tuesday in Volusia County Circuit Court through their attorneys with GrayRobinson law firm. The business is asking the court to find that the development pause doesn’t comply with Volusia County Code and how the county is using the pending ordinance doctrine isn’t valid.

“This lawsuit results from a deliberate and concerted effort by the County Council to rob Belvedere of its Property and constitutionally protected rights,” according to the lawsuit. “The Property is in an enclave surrounded by heavy industrial uses to the north (railroad and alcohol warehouses), south (concrete production and waste disposal), and east (heavy recycling).”

In addition, according to a shocking excerpt from the lawsuit by WKMG-6:

“Volusia County Council members stated they first ‘became aware’ of the Project at some time in August 2023, despite Belvedere’s direct coordination with County staff in June 2022,” the lawsuit reads. “Upon finally ‘learning of the Project,’ the County Council began a crusade to stop Belvedere’s Project, as one Councilmember put it, ‘by any means necessary.’”

In addition, the lawsuit says that the councilmembers knew there was no rezoning or land-use change necessary for Belvedere to go ahead with the project, so they “panicked and began devising cloak-and-dagger schemes to stop this project.”

Wow.  Damning…  

Why wasn’t this critical information made available to residents during Thursday’s public hearing on the moratorium? 

Playing devil’s advocate (and thinking strategically) it is hard to deny the factual basis for Belvedere’s lawsuit. 

(Read Belvedere’s complaint for yourself here: http://tinyurl.com/y56fp42u )

This is setting up to be a terribly expensive and time-consuming fight – one that could have been avoided with a modicum of prior planning and diligence – and I suspect John & Jane Q’s risk tolerance will now depend upon their home’s propinquity to the potential explosive impacts of 13-million-gallons of flammable material…

I hope Volusia County residents realize this isn’t a NIMBY issue.

With the pending expansion of the massive Ormond Crossings development – and the proposed facilities proximity to established neighborhoods and the airport – I believe it represents a grave public safety concern. 

In my view, despite the fact council members have vowed not to make the Belvedere debacle a political focus during this year’s election season (it already is, because they are all equally culpable) – perhaps it is time for taxpayers to demand across-the-board accountability – and begin the process of changing the culture of Volusia County government? 

Look, I reason under the assumption that most people believe government should work in the interests of those who struggle under the yoke of excessive taxes and fees, participate in what remains of our democratic processes, and elect representatives who promise that a modicum of our tax dollars will return to the community, assure that essential services will be provided efficiently, and pledge that the administration will be accessible and responsive to our needs.

That quaint notion becomes blurred when struggling taxpayers see local elected officials serve the mercenary wants of a few influential string pullers and the industries they represent – who have purchased a very lucrative chip in the game through massive campaign contributions – while our role is relegated to paying the exorbitant bills, executive salaries, and corporate “incentives” in silence (or within our allotted three-minute audience before the aloof elite…) 

But this is different.

Perhaps most corrosive to the public trust is that those ensconced in the “inner sanctum” at the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Complex in DeLand have diminished and ignored the professional ethic of accountability.

That time-honored concept has been replaced with strict adherence to the stagnant status quo, crafting public policy in a way that no one inside government can ever be held accountable for the consequences, coupled with a pernicious scheme where senior appointed officials “befriend” those we elect, welcome them inside the tent, control information, and convince them that they alone hold the answers. 

A highly effective strategy that ensures job security for senior executives – until the very moment those with political vulnerability on the dais of power are caught with their pants down and a confused look on their faces – as the behind-closed-doors machinations of the bureaucracy are exposed to public view…  

As a result, the once sacrosanct concept of answerability is becoming a quaint artifact of what was once a government of the people.

In my view, now is the time to start terminating the tax-supported employment of anyone and everyone in county government responsible for this ongoing outrage. 

That should begin with the Volusia County Council removing County Manager George “The Wreck” Recktenwald and his coterie of not-so-useful idiots – and replacing them with competent and accountable leadership during this deplorable period in our history. 

It not now, when?

If this insult isn’t the final straw of the Recktenwald administration’s dismal history of mismanagement, what is?

How long are Volusia County taxpayers expected to accept this incompetence as “business as usual”?

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               Volusia Supervisor of Elections Lisa Lewis

One of the benefits of Amendment 10 – a 2018 measure adopted by 63% of voters that established the constitutional offices of Tax Collector, Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Clerk of Court, and Supervisor of Elections – is it took these politically accountable officers from under the yoke of an appointed County Manager and gave them the independence to serve their constituents in a responsible way.     

Of course, Volusia’s Old Guard appealed the measure and fought like rabid badgers to preserve the status quo…

Fortunately, the will of voters prevailed. 

In my view, the result has been an extraordinary transformation of those essential services overseen by constitutional officers who now enjoy the autonomy to innovate, find efficiencies, increase public access and transparency, and live up to their campaign promises. 

I am a huge fan of Volusia’s Supervisor of Elections Lisa Lewis – a proven servant/leader who does a difficult job very well.  Despite what must be a hectic schedule spinning the myriad plates of preparing for and managing local, county, state, and federal elections, Ms. Lewis remains accessible to her constituents – with a longtime open-door policy that welcomes citizens to observe the electoral process firsthand. 

Recently, Ms. Lewis announced that her office will be hosting a “Candidate Bootcamp” for aspiring elected officials, a means of helping neophyte politicians navigate the requirements for public office, such as candidate registration, qualifying periods, the responsibilities of the candidate and their campaign treasurer, required disclaimers on campaign material, and financial reporting requirements.

In a News-Journal report announcing the training, Ms. Lewis said:

“Candidates need to know the dos and don’ts of what you’re supposed to do, how to fill out the campaign finance forms, what they need to do to qualify and the changes within municipal government,” Lewis said.

According to reports, the one-day training starts at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 20, at the Supervisor of Elections Office, 1750 S. Woodland Boulevard in DeLand.

Because I’m full of “good suggestions,” perhaps Ms. Lewis should consider adding a plenary session covering the all-important personal attributes of public service – individual qualities such as honesty, speaking the unvarnished truth, candidness, holding firm to one’s word and promises, keeping your public and private life unsullied as an example to all, preserving the public trust, the art of compromise, focusing on the needs of those you ultimately serve (regardless of who funded your campaign), listening to the concerns of constituents, etc.

That could involve a breakout forum to discuss the importance of refraining from three-way sexcapades while holding high office (perhaps Christian and Bridget Ziegler could serve as guest lecturers?), how to avoid “sexting” pictures of your genitals to others, reinventing yourself after being photographed in the fetal position in a hotel room with a sex worker and suspected methamphetamine, and why it’s never a good idea to grope staffers in government offices or engage in tawdry dalliances while in Tallahassee for “the people’s business…”  

That should include a symposium headed “Lowering the Bar 101” presented by Sen. “Terrible Tommy” Wright – explaining his Houdini routine of how to avoid sanction after being caught on video physically accosting the interim director of a struggling domestic violence shelter as she tries to protect the identity of survivors after having been banned from that same shelter for making lewd come-ons to a frightened young mother and her infant… 

Hey, just my two cents. 

Kudos to Lisa Lewis and her outstanding staff for serving the citizens of Volusia County with such grace and commitment to open, fair, and transparent elections!   

Angel               Flagler County Tax Collector Suzanne Johnston

In most places, a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles is like a slow descent into bureaucratic hell – a four to six-hour disorganized trudge that pushes the limits of human endurance and frustration – where disinterested office drones wear inefficiency like a badge of honor and move at a snail’s pace while the ever-expanding line wraps around the building…

No thanks.   

Whenever I need to renew my Florida driver’s license, without hesitation I travel to the Flagler County Tax Collector’s Office on Moody Boulevard in Flagler Beach – a place where the attentive staff always make me feel welcome and valued – like a “customer” should. 

That extraordinary experience is thanks to Suzanne Johnston, a 54-year veteran of Flagler County government, who has held the constitutional office of Tax Collector since 2004. 

Last week, Ms. Johnston announced that she will not seek reelection as she retires from an extraordinary life of public service later this year.   

In a fitting tribute to Ms. Johnston in FlaglerLive!, we learned of Ms. Johnston’s dedication to “Swiss watch precision and Magic Kingdom customer service”:

“Suzanne Johnston attended the University of Florida, got married, then went to work and raised her two children, deepening her local roots as she went. She’d made three promises when she first ran in 2004: to put all tax records online, which she did. To open a satellite office in palm Coast in her first year, which she accomplished. (The Flagler Beach satellite office opened in 2017.) And to open a walk-up window for after-hours, which she also did once the new Government Services Building opened in 2007. “And I promised my mother that as long as I was tax collector, the phones would be answered by a real live person,” she said. That’s remained true, at least to the extent that, once a caller now navigates past a recording, a live person will pick up.

Though she’d known for a while that she’d not run again, she made her decision with a lump in her throat, “because when you’ve worked somewhere basically 54 years is what I’d been here in county government, you feel responsible for the future years,” she said.”

In my view, Ms. Johnston’s commitment to those she was elected to serve is a shining example of true public service – a transformational leader whose legacy will live on in her protégée, Shelly Edmonson, a seven-year veteran of the Tax Collectors office who will announce her candidacy to succeed Ms. Johnston soon.   

Thank you, Ms. Johnston.  We’re glad you passed our way.

Your commitment and dedication to government efficiency set the gold standard for customer service. 

Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement!

Asshole           Deltona City Commission

Rumors and disinformation are corrosive to the public trust.  

The buzz of gossip and unsubstantiated “reports” cause people to speculate and form conclusions with limited information, and when those rumors involve government, those responsible for the dissemination of public information understand that the continued influence effect can result in people recalling discredited or demonstrably false information—even when the original message has been proven wrong by competent authority. 

After hearing a spate of rumors and speculation from confused Deltona residents, earlier this week I reached out to a trusted contact at the City of Deltona and confirmed that veteran District 2 Commissioner Anita Bradford resigned last week citing health concerns that have kept her off the dais for several meetings. 

That’s unfortunate. 

While I did not always agree with Ms. Bradford’s policy decisions – I always felt her heart was with the long-suffering citizens of Deltona – and she continued to show up, even when it became difficult for her to communicate. 

I respect her commitment and courage. 

Unfortunately, both Ms. Bradford and her constituents deserved better from the senior staff at the City of Deltona last week.

During my three-decades in municipal government, serving a small community where things, both good and bad, can be blown out of proportion – had a sitting elected official resigned unexpectedly – the City Manager would have ensured that information was immediately pushed to residents before rumor and conjecture took hold, especially over a long Holiday weekend.

That didn’t happen in Deltona.

As a result, the community was abuzz with inference and hearsay as wild assumptions swept social media, with some suggesting Ms. Bradford resigned to avoid the new financial reporting requirements for municipal officials.  On Tuesday, I went as close to the horse’s mouth as I could get without risking one of Deltona’s abusive fees that accompanies any reasonable public records request…

In the Lost City of Deltona, important community information often comes at constituents from all directions – usually in bits, pieces, speculation, half-baked allegations, manifestos, and politically motivated diatribes issued at all hours on social media – leaving constituents horribly confused and increasingly frightened.

Then, during Tuesday evening’s City Commission meeting, things took a typically accusatory turn when residents found a stack of handouts in the chamber which alleged Mayor Santiago Avila, Jr. had rented a home (purportedly purchased by unidentified Deltona developers for that purpose) at a rate below current market value. 

These allegations became known just weeks after Mayor Avila announced his family was struggling to find affordable housing in the community he serves. 

During his comments, Vice Mayor Jody Lee Storozuk gave further detail in a disjointed “special report” explaining that he received a call from an unidentified “developer’s attorney” who asked him to “look into” an allegation that individuals described as “developers and friends” got together and “supposedly” purchased a rental home to be used exclusively as a rental for Mayor Avila. 

In turn, Vice Mayor Storozuk explained that he turned the information over to the State Attorney’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and independently contacted the Florida Ethics Commission.    

In addition, Mr. Storozuk also alleged that Mayor Avila directed Interim City Manager Glenn Whitcomb to have the water utility turned on at the home – something Storozuk described as “malfeasance,” claiming the mayor’s actions constitute a violation of Deltona’s charter.

When it was his turn to speak, Mayor Avila gave an overview of how he and his wife located the house they ultimately rented and moved into on December 1 – citing a weird incident in which his wife and young daughter were photographed outside their former home by an unnamed “friend” of Mr. Storozuk in an incident that was apparently reported to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (?) – before asking Interim City Manager Whitcomb to confirm that he did not direct him to turn on the water or waive the utility deposit. 

In my view, if Vice Mayor Storozuk had information regarding possible criminal conduct by Mayor Avila and others – he had an ethical obligation to safeguard that information and protect the integrity of the evidence until the allegations have been investigated by law enforcement – then let the chips fall where they may.

Tuesday evening’s performance of Deltona’s detective series gives the unmistakable appearance of political vengeance – a payback for Mayor Avila’s May 2023 report to the Office of the State Attorney regarding a possible violation of Florida’s Sunshine Law by Storozuk, two other sitting commissioners, and a candidate for the open City Manager position.

A subsequent investigation by the State Attorney’s Office failed to develop evidence of a criminal violation.   

Unfortunately, this week’s melodramatic shit-show didn’t end there.

During her comments, Commissioner Dana McCool apologized to resident and current District 6 Commission candidate Nick Lulli after another wanton social media attack was foisted on him by Commissioner Tom Burbank – who, you may recall, cost the City of Deltona a financial settlement with Mr. Lulli last year after Burbank besmirched his character and reputation with an unprovoked and homophobic attack on Facebook…

My God. 

Look, I’m not sure how investigators proceed from here – now that what amounts to their case file has been printed, collated, bound, and left for public consumption on a table in the City Commission Chambers – then discussed in detail by both the accuser and accused from the dais – but I think it is time for the State Attorney’s Office to get someone’s attention…

Unfortunately, it appears the Lost City of Deltona is now beyond redemption – and whenever Governor Ron DeSantis is finished slogging around Iowa – his first order of business should be an immediate intervention to rescue beleaguered Deltona taxpayers from what smacks of systemic misfeasance by elected policymakers. 

Now, many fear that without outside intercession, longsuffering residents are doomed to repeat history like trapped passengers on some weird hypersonic carousel…

Asshole           Volusia County Council

The Moonwalk

“The moonwalk, or backslide, is a popping dance move in which the performer glides backwards but their body actions suggest forward motion…”

–Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Sound familiar? 

I really wanted to begin the new year differently… 

During Thursdays Volusia County Council meeting, it was interesting to watch our elected officials doing their best interpretation of the popular dance step – going backward while giving the illusion of moving forward…

During a heated agenda item, our elected dullards took up the thorny matter of what amounts to a 12-month moratorium on development applications for all properties in the Heavy Industrial (I-2) zoning classification throughout Volusia County.   

Ostensibly, the moratorium will allow a “pause” so that what passes for Volusia County’s “planning staff” can “…review the list of permitted uses and special exception uses for I-2 and to develop amendments to those uses.  Dimensional standards and buffering requirements will be reviewed to ensure that there is minimal impact on surrounding properties.”

Laughably, during the public participation portion of the item, Councilman David Santiago cautioned frightened residents of Ormond Beach not to refer to Belvedere Terminal’s plan to place a 13-million-gallon bulk fuel storage farm on perhaps the most inappropriate I-2 zoning on the Eastern Seaboard – even though everyone within 50-miles of the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Building understands this “pause” is designed to stop forward progress on the fuel facility. 

The people came to speak about the greatest threat to their property values and general safety anyone could imagine – not become unwilling participants in another Volusia County political charade…

In my view, Santiago’s ridiculous ploy to conceal the 800-pound gorilla in the chamber in the thin drapery of an across the board “planning review” is indicative of the ham-handed fumbling and deflection that has beset this crisis from the onset. 

During public participation, an attorney from the mega-firm Gray-Robinson representing Belvedere Terminals (who, like everyone else looking on, saw through the “wink-wink-nudge-nudge” ploy) exposed the obvious in stating that the Council’s avoidance of a “quasi-judicial” hearing – one that would have allowed them to give mitigating testimony – was, in fact, a tactic designed to “stand in the way” of the company’s property rights and nothing more, before raising the specter of the Bert J. Harris, Jr. Private Property Rights Protection Act…

Make no mistake, like so many of my anxious neighbors here in Ormond Beach, I wholeheartedly support the moratorium.  In my view, it is something that should have happened years ago when the property was improperly zoned – or when Volusia County still had standing to oppose the FDEP air construction permit.

In my view, this latest attempt at an after-the-fact remedy further exposes the horrific lack of planning and preparation by Director Clay Ervin, County Manager George “The Wreck” Recktenwald, and the perpetual farce that is Volusia County’s “Growth and Resource Management” apparatus. 

The building frustration of Volusia County residents became clear when Councilman Danny Robins attempted to explain his weird position on the controversial matter by taking a clear swipe at Chairman Jeff Brower’s open opposition to the terminal, resulted in angry shouts and profane invective from the emotionally charged gallery. 

Ultimately, the Council voted 5-2 to move the second reading of the development moratorium to February 6 – a daytime meeting – when you have to work…

In my view, now that the horse of explosive growth and intrusive heavy industry has bolted from the gaping barndoor – our elected officials finally come to the realization that they and their enabling “growth management” staff have allowed massive sprawl and potential public safety hazards without an ongoing process to reevaluate zoning classifications.

How is that possible?

It is increasingly clear that the county’s brewing legal fight with Belvedere Terminals (and perhaps other heavy industrial operators effected by the moratorium) will be a long and terribly expensive proposition for Volusia County taxpayers – and that’s okay – because the alternative is grim. 

Some things are worth fighting for.   

Now, the question becomes:  How much longer will our elected representatives allow the same inept assholes who got us into this mess to keep their hand on the switch? 

Quote of the Week

“Lindauer, one of two Shores commissioners who resigned, contends the new law is driving good people away from public service.

He said the previous disclosure, Form 1, required of city elected officials shows the public the sources of income, which is purposeful, as it might point to possible conflicts of interest.

“Form 6 is totally invasive. The first question is what is your total net worth,” he said, adding that every account he holds, every piece of jewelry over $1,000 and more invites more than public scrutiny. He sees it as an invitation for criminals looking for a score.

“What difference does it make if one elected official is worth $100,000 and the other is worth $10 million?” he asked. “That’s totally irrelevant.”

Lindauer said he lives a modest lifestyle after a successful 30-year career and building an investment portfolio, while also finding a niche as an author of articles and books on investment. If forced to reveal his net worth and holdings, he feared it would change the way people viewed him.

“People like me, who live a middleclass life and don’t flaunt wealth at all, now people see you in a different light and treat you different,” he said. “All I want to know is: Am I doing a good job or not?”

–Former Daytona Beach Shores City Commissioner Mel Lindauer, as quoted by reporter Mark Harper of The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “Daytona Beach Shores officials quit – 2 resign over stringent financial disclosures,” Friday, December 29, 2023

“When a feller says: “It hain’t th’ money, but th’ principle o’ th’ thing,” it’s th’ money.”

–Abe Martin, 1916

I guess when it comes to political vanity vs. transparent public service – egotism wins every time, eh? 

According to Mark Harper’s coverage of the Daytona Beach Shores exodus, we learned that former Commissioner Richard Bryan – who left City Hall hand-in-hand with Mr. Lindauer last week – announced in his resignation letter he was leaving anyway, citing a change in priorities now that he is “…working on another project examining public health” (?). 

Bullshit.

In addition, “Bryan wrote in his resignation letter that he doesn’t feel his voice is needed, as many of the Shores City Commission votes are 5-0, and that he is also working on another project examining public health.

He said the Form 6 issue affected the timing of his resignation and also complained about Florida’s Sunshine Law requiring elected city officials to discuss city business only during an open meeting.

“The Sunshine Law prevents effective oversight on issues that are complex and/or involve wrongdoing,” he wrote.”

Wow.  I don’t make this stuff up, folks…

Makes one wonder why former Commissioner Bryan holds government in the sunshine in such low regard? 

In Orange City, two council members resigned rather than submit to the enhanced financial reporting requirement. 

According to an article in The Daytona Beach News-Journal this week, “William O’Connor and Casandra Jones of Orange City say Form 6, which has been used by state and county elected officials in the past, asks questions too invasive to disclose publicly for them to continue to serve.”

Further, Ms. Jones called the legislation “abhorrent” and went so far as to suggest the requirements of Form 6 placed her at increased risk of victimization (?), “It would also require me to have family heirlooms and antiques to be appraised and announced to the world,” O’Connor wrote. “Making my personal assets public record puts me and my family at immediate risk from scammers and potential robbers.”

Okay… 

Mr. Bryan’s thoughts aside, in my view, the Sunshine Law is the only thing we have left that provides a modicum of transparency in the cloistered halls of power – that dank place where taxpayers are forced to peer through the greasy pane in the closed portcullis of government – while appointed administrators provide differing information and access to elected officials based upon their willingness to go along and get along…

Look, I’m not suggesting this factor is at play here, but no one likes to be exposed as a poseur – least of all those elected megalomaniacs who present a carefully crafted façade of financial and material “success” to their peers and constituents – only to have their personal situation laid bare as a condition of elected service.    

That’s embarrassing… 

However, given the ‘anything goes’ climate here in Florida – the Biggest Whorehouse in the World – it’s not unfair or intrusive for constituents to expect at least translucence from those they put their trust in. 

Perhaps in this new era of enhanced financial transparency for municipal elected officials, we should begin placing increased emphasis on the individual’s service – their demonstrated commitment to the highest ideals of elective service, duty, honor, loyalty, putting the needs of others over their own self-interests – as the true metric of a servant/leader’s success.

In my view, regardless of whether an elected official lives in the largest mansion on the tallest hill in town – or is poor as a church mouse – their core values and the nature of their service to others, willingness to defend our inalienable rights, and ability to put public interest above their own are the ideals that We, The Little People should admire (and demand) from those who hold high office. 

And Another Thing!

I once spoke to a fellow rube (i.e., “Volusia County Taxpayer”) who recounted a conversation with a high-powered local elected official.  As often happens during “Fun Coast” political chit-chat, the constituent asked their aloof politico if they read Barker’s View?

With a wave of the hand, the monarchical stuffed shirt scoffed at the very notion, “I never read that crap!” 

Of course he doesn’t. 

Because considering any point of view that doesn’t comport with the stagnant status quo – the “that’s the way we’ve always done it” stratagem that keeps our decisionmakers legislating public policy in effective darkness (and ensures senior appointed administrators remain the highly paid gatekeepers to the inner sanctum) is anathema in the cloistered Halls of Power. 

The fact these screeds make our “movers and shakers” uncomfortable is also why I don’t get invited to cocktail parties… 

Eight years ago, this alternative opinion blogsite was founded on the democratic principle that in the United States citizens are free to speak out, to voice dissent, and express their thoughts on the issues of the day.

In fact, it is a primary duty of citizenship.

The First Amendment to the Constitution protects our inalienable right to say exactly what we think – regardless of how embarrassing that may be to those in power.  In fact, the United States Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld our fundamental right to criticize our government and those we elect and appoint to administrate it. 

Unfortunately, over the past several years, craven politicians and those influential insiders who control the legislative rods and strings behind the scenes, have changed tack. 

Instead of a transparent airing of the facts with sufficient time for public input, they revert to secrecy – cloaking controversial issues from public view, passing subjective “civility ordinances” by imperial edict that regulate the ability of We, The Little People from speaking out – while refusing to answer constituent questions from the dais. 

In a recent collaboration between CNHI Newspapers and The Associated Press as published in The Daytona Beach News-Journal entitled, “Locked out of local government,” we learned of disturbing trends nationwide of local governments refusing to adhere to public records requests, using the full might of government to silence critics and reporters, officials refusing to speak with the press, negotiating public policy in private, and intentionally making it difficult for constituents to attend or actively participate in meetings.

According to the disturbing report, “From school districts to townships and county boards, public access to records and meetings in many states is worsening over time, open government advocates and experts say.

“It’s been going on for decades, really, but it’s accelerated the past 10 years,” said David Cuillier, director of the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida.”

In local bureaucracies throughout Volusia County, concerned residents often get the impression that things happen despite their elected representatives – not because of them – as public policy is crafted by staff, homogenized, repackaged, presented in a canned PowerPoint, and approved with little, if any, substantive input from those whose lives and livelihoods will be directly impacted.

Don’t take my word for it.

Take a strong antiemetic and read the execrable history of the Belvedere Terminals debacle – a shocking revelation that was sprung on an unsuspecting public in a bombshell article in the News-Journal article that alerted hapless Ormond Beach residents (and, apparently, our elected city/county officials who are now clumsily playing catch up?) of a proposed 13-million-gallon bulk fuel storage facility in the most inappropriate location on the Eastern Seaboard…

Or peruse the abominable events at Volusia County jail facilities – conditions that have repeatedly been brought forth by beleaguered corrections officers forced to serve in incredibly dangerous circumstances – replete with horrific stories of inmates being tacked out nude in four-point restraints for extended periods of time in some Medieval behavior modification experiment.

(All of which occurred on the watch of County Manager George “The Wreck” Recktenwald and County Attorney Michael Dyer – both of whom received glowing performance reviews and obscene pay increases last month…)

Yeah.  I know… 

As we start 2024 – an election year – my sincere hope is that you will question candidates on their dedication to transparency, inclusiveness, and public input (we already know where incumbents stand) then vote your conscience.   

Trust me.  With the Florida legislature set to begin their 2024 session next week – anything is possible as they continue to undermine Home Rule, limit local government’s ability to control its own destiny, and seek to silence critics. 

In an era of extreme divisiveness and diminishing expectations, let’s hold those we elect and appoint to the lofty standards of clarity and openness we have a right to expect in a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. 

That’s it 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:

As a Barker’s View reader, you are obviously someone who thinks deeply about the issues that touch our lives and livelihoods here on Florida’s “Fun Coast” – an informed participant concerned about the direction of local government and those who practice it.     

Responsible citizens, who reason critically and view the world around them with an analytical eye, tend to read and evaluate differing points-of-view – including alternative opinions that are counter to the posturing of our elected elite – then form their own take on the motives of policymakers and string-pullers.  

In my view, it is this independent thought that separates the sheep – and those partisan navel-gazers who never look beyond the confines of their close-minded camps – from active, informed, and involved citizens from which all political power originates.

It is a fundamental duty of citizenship to remain vigilant – even fiercely skeptical – of outsized political power, government overreach, and those murky insider forces that seem intent on shaping our future based on some mysterious plan which does not need or want our input – only our money and apathetic acquiescence. 

Thank you for reading and contemplating my opinions on our shared experience.

As we close out this strange year, I want to take this opportunity to send my sincere appreciation to the loyal Barker’s View tribe – those who follow this alternative opinion forum and perpetuate a larger discussion of the issues in the community.

Thank you for indulging my views and rants.  Your curiosity about the news and newsmakers lets our “powers that be” know someone is watching – and oversight is a fundamental element of accountability.

But that pie in the sky notion is for another day…

Now is the time to hoist our glass and celebrate new possibilities!

From the catbird seat of caustic criticism at Barker’s View HQ, here’s wishing all of you a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2024!

Angel               West Volusia Chamber of Commerce

Earlier this year, the United States Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General reported that of the approximately $1.2 trillion that was rushed through Congress in 2020 and 2021 in COVID bailout cash for businesses in the form of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program and the Paycheck Protection Program, some $200 Billion was ultimately lost to theft.

You read that right.

Tens of thousands of grifters across the nation used PPP funds to splurge on exotic cars, vacation homes, jewelry, and luxury vacations by private jet – representing what government watchdogs are calling the worst public fraud in history…   

I don’t think the West Volusia Regional Chamber of Commerce – comprised of community business owners who worked hard to build a symbiotic network of area civic leaders and commercial interests – is one of those thieving scumbags who so blatantly abused the system.

Yet, the venerated organization has fallen victim to the same ill-conceived bailout…     

According to a disturbing article by Noah Hertz writing in the West Volusia Beacon last week, the regional business network announced it was shutting down on December 19 after determining it was “…unable to move forward after covering the cost of an unforgiven COVID-19 business loan.”

Fortunately, members of the now defunct West Volusia Regional Chamber of Commerce are being welcomed by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, who have promised to continue many of the former organization’s popular programs and networking opportunities. 

According to the report, “The decision to dissolve the WVRCC came suddenly when the chamber received news that their $17,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan would not be forgiven, DeCrenza said. The chamber filed for the loan in 2020 to cover the payroll of staffers as the COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench in business as usual.

DeCrenza said the money was all spent correctly, but the paperwork that was initially filed had many discrepancies.

The chamber, she explained, was filed as a corporation, and the then-president of the board of directors was indicated to be its sole owner. The Small Business Administration was never able to come to terms with those errors.

“I tried so many avenues,” DeCrenza said. “It’s very disheartening this is happening.”

Wow…

Look, don’t get me started on all those “movers & shakers” (including elected officials) here and elsewhere who have had dubious PPP loans forgiven like clockwork.  I doubt the names and amounts would surprise you any more than they did me… 

In my view, the loss of this regional grassroots economic development organization is a blow for all Volusia County – and a grim testament to the pitfalls of showering astronomical amounts of public funds on private entities with little, if any, direct oversight, or accountability.   

Damnable shame…

Asshole           Flagler County School Board

“Anthony Zaksewicz, a 45-year-old resident of Lema Lane in Palm Coast and a veteran history teacher at Matanzas High School honored last year with a state award, was arrested on felony charges in connection with an alleged thieving scheme at Walmart that stretched over six months and aggregated thefts of nearly $3,200. Zaksewicz has taught in Flagler schools for 17 years.

According to his arrest report, Walmart reported the alleged thefts to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office in mid-October, by which time the store’s asset protection investigator had concluded that Zaksewicz had chronically used ticket-switching and skip-scanning methods in innumerable transactions involving hundreds of items from May 13 through Oct. 1.”

–FlaglerLive!, “Tony Zaksewicz, Honored Matanzas High Teacher, Arrested over Walmart Theft Scheme Stretching Over 6 Months,” Wednesday, December 6, 2023

That shocking headline greeted Flagler County students, parents, and faculty in early December when FlaglerLive! reported the disappointing story of a veteran teacher charged with his involvement in an organized theft scheme. 

Perhaps more shocking was what followed in a FlaglerLive! article a couple of weeks later:

“Anthony Zaksewicz, the Matanzas High School teacher arrested in early December on charges resulting from a long-running shoplifting scheme at Walmart, has been reinstated at Matanzas High School following a plea deal and pre-trial intervention program that, if abided by, may lead to the dropping of all charges in a year. Zaksewicz pleaded before Circuit Judge Terence Perkins on Wednesday.

Zaksewicz over half a year had used different methods to steal merchandise from Walmart, totaling over $3,000. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office initially charged him with three third-degree felony charges and 10 misdemeanors. When the State Attorney’s Office filed its charging information, it dropped all charges, replacing them with one count of grand theft, a third-degree felony.”

(Please read the rest here: http://tinyurl.com/wafh38th )

According to the report, under the terms of the agreement, “…12 months from now, if Zaksewicz has abided by all the PTI’s conditions, the state will be required to drop the charge, essentially scrubbing Zaksewicz’s record in most ways. Meanwhile, the case is removed from the court’s active docket.”

Whatever.

After thirty-years in law enforcement, Mr. Zaksewicz is certainly not the first person I’ve seen who acted out of character or engaged in abhorrent conduct that destroyed their personal reputation and tarnished their professional credibility.    

That goes with the territory when one holds a position of public trust. 

And it should.  

Regardless, he is entitled to the same considerations under the law as anyone else.

The fact is, I could give two-shits about the trials, tribulations, and plea agreements of Anthony Zaksewicz or his highly publicized fall from grace…   

Unlike the Flagler County School Board, my thoughts are with those impressionable students who will be expected to sit attentively before an individual who, at best, exhibited notoriously poor judgement by engaging in an ongoing pattern of criminal conduct.

I also question what message senior administrators are sending to students about personal accountability, the limits of trust, and the importance of character and self-worth to the development of core values, trustworthiness, honor, and personal responsibility. 

The fact is classroom teachers are invaluable.

They leave an indelible impression on their students that goes far beyond the ‘Three R’s’ as evidenced by the fact that, at 63, I still vividly remember the important lessons imparted by my wonderful first-grade teacher, Ms. Vaughn – a beloved mentor and educator – and the horrible browbeating I received at the hand of my fourth-grade teacher – an ill-tempered crone whose cruelty and callousness left a lifelong imprint on the way I learn. 

In my view, with powerful influence comes an important responsibility to conduct oneself in a manner that comports with the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida – behavior that sets a good example, both inside and outside the classroom, of ethical conduct and personal integrity.

That’s something the Flagler County School Board should have considered before sending mixed messages to students who trust senior district officials have their best interests at heart…

Angel               Sons of the Beach

Strike another win for the “forces of progress” – that cabal of greed-crazed assholes whose pursuit of more, more, more – has left established residents wondering why our ‘powers that be’ are so quick to sell our dwindling quality of life for a few dollars more?

Recently, the Daytona Beach City Commission voted 5-2 (with Commissioners Ken Strickland and Monica Paris dissenting) to approve a rezoning that will allow another out-of-town developer to build a monstrous “luxury high-rise condo-hotel” on the crumbling shoreline at State Road A1A and Silver Beach Avenue.    

To their credit, those intrepid civic activists at Sons of the Beach, Florida’s premiere beach driving and access advocacy, stood strong in the long fight to oppose this wholly inappropriate atrocity – which will stand taller than surrounding properties on a 2.66-acre site – leaving neighbors subject to a daily total eclipse of the sun, as the concrete behemoth obliterates the sunlight and casts nearby residential homes in its shade. 

In fact, Sons of the Beach and the group’s intrepid attorney Dennis Bayer, joined with nervous area residents to point out the glaring consequences of building another high-rise on the dune line during this period of historic beach erosion and instability – to include a complete lack of adequate traffic infrastructure while cramming all 265 vertical feet, 270 rooms, and two swimming pools on a site that the SOB’s claim requires at least 27.5 feet of additional buffer both north and south of the building – something Mr. Bayer aptly described to the City Commission as “…trying to put 20-pounds of potatoes in a 10-pound sack.”

The response to these very real concerns from Daytona Beach City Commissioner Paula Reed was frightening, “We have to stop being afraid of change…”

Of course, those who stand to benefit financially from the project (before scurrying back to South Florida) claim the $120 million project will be the Halifax areas latest panacea – the providential answer to our fervent prayers – another glass-and-steel monolith with the supernatural power to transform our horribly neglected beachside into an effervescent hub of tony retail, dining, and upscale tourist entertainment. 

Except, that never happens… 

Now, civic activist and former Sons of the Beach president Paul Zimmerman is calling bullshit in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, as quoted by reporter Eileen Zaffiro-Kean:

“Longtime beachside resident Paul Zimmerman said he’s heard too many promises for the oceanfront that weren’t kept.

One too many times, he’s heard the refrain, “If we build this monstrosity our lives will be improved,” he said.”

Unfortunately, no one (who should) seems to give a tinker’s damn about the obvious consequences of continuing to populate our fragile shoreline with more high-rise construction, and many are lamenting that the power dynamic is so skewed in favor of deep-pocketed donors in the real estate development industry – who have received carte blanche from their malleable marionettes in state and local government – that their incredible influence is now impossible to reverse. 

Well, the one thing I’ve learned is:  Nothing is impossible in government…

I still believe there remains one fundamental mechanism which will allow us to prevail over the self-serving insiders and well-heeled influencers that seem intent on shitting in our overcrowded nest and substituting grift and greed for comprehensive planning and strategic vision:

The ultimate power of the ballot box.

To that end, I like to humor myself into believing that We, The Little People still have some fragments of our traditional democratic process remaining amongst the ruins of bitter partisan infighting and our wholly skewed farce of a campaign finance system – like the sacred tradition that permits one person, one vote.

If enough like-minded citizens hold firm to the basic belief that we can control our destiny by electing strong, ethical, and visionary members of our community to high office – true servant/leaders who will tell powerful self-interests that there is some shit we won’t eat, and stand firm in defense of the rights, responsibilities and privileges of taxpaying residents who work hard to carve out a life here – we can once again balance political power and restore transparency, fairness, and the spirit of democracy on Florida’s “Fun Coast.”

Trust me.  You won’t find those candidates on partisan “Voter Guides” – or swimming in cash donated from all the right last names with the wherewithal to purchase a very lucrative chip in the game. 

This election year, do your homework.  Become an informed voter.  Become a member of Son’s of the Beach at www.sonsofthebeach.org

Now, more than ever, our livelihoods, environment, and coastal quality of life depend upon it…

Asshole           Deltona City Commission

“In a season when peace and goodwill are supposed to be evident, Deltona’s government remains divided and troubled amid harsh words from critics.

Just in time for Christmas and just minutes before its last meeting of 2023 ended, City Attorney Marsha Segal-George survived an attempt to oust her. The City Commission Dec. 11 voted down a call to terminate her as the city’s chief legal officer, according to the motion offered by Mayor Santiago Avila Jr. Avila cited as his reason for wanting Segal-George out “the lack of a contract.”

“We’ve been waiting 12 months,” the mayor said, referring to the lack of an agreement — which she was supposed to draft and submit to the commission for approval.

Avila’s motion set a 60-day transition for Segal-George to wind down her work at City Hall and for the city administration to solicit and receive proposals from other lawyers or law firms interested in handling Deltona’s legal needs.

Avila also said Segal-George was not giving adequate legal advice, often resorting to, “I don’t know.”

–Reporter Al Everson, writing in the West Volusia Beacon, “Deltona city attorney safe for now,” Sunday, December 24, 2023

With all due respect to Mr. Everson’s outstanding reportage, in my jaded view, “divided and troubled” does not adequately describe the raging dumpster fire that is the Lost City of Deltona’s governing body – a shambolic shitshow that continues to defy any measure of logic – a clusterfuck of epic proportion, something often defined as the “…debacles and disasters caused by a heady brew of illusion, impatience, and incompetence that afflicts too many decision-makers, especially those in powerful, confident, and prestigious groups.”

Earlier this month, Deltona Mayor Santiago Avila, Jr. – supported by Commissioner Jody Lee Storozuk – attempted to jettison City Attorney Marsha Segal-George, who, in the view of many, has been the architect of much of the tumult and turmoil that continues to hamper substantive progress in the largest city by population in Volusia County. 

That instability – marked by a virtual parade of acting and interim city managers since the horrific five-year regime of Jane Shang nearly destroyed the community from within – has resulted in many of those abrupt exits ending in lawsuits and payouts, all while flummoxed commissioners blundered on without benefit of competent and timely legal advice. 

During many City Commission meetings, Deltona residents – who Segal-George billed a whopping $319,164 between April and December 2023 – were stunned as their City Attorney gazed absently into space, frequently mumbling “I don’t know,” seemingly lost in her own world, absently fiddling with her hair, utterly confused by events transpiring around her while the elected officials ran amok on the dais of power.

According to the Beacon, in opposing Segal-George’s rightful termination, Commissioner Dana McCool lamented:

“I did not vote for it because I don’t think that’s the way to go out,” McCool said. “I have asked Marsha to examine herself. It’s no secret that she is dealing with some issues.”

“Segal-George ought “not to be terminated unceremoniously,” McCool said, because of her legacy and knowledge of Deltona’s history and its current state of affairs. McCool added she has asked Segal-George for “an alternative plan” for catching up on mounting legal work for the city.”

My ass.

Look, we’re not talking about cashiering a valued servant/leader here.  The fact is, Ms. Segal-George is an unfortunate holdover from the very law firm the dissatisfied City Commission fired in March – an “independent contractor,” only without the “contract” …

Normally, Commissioner McCool exhibits excellent instincts in defending the best interests of those who elected her, and frequently has moments of careful introspection during deliberations on the dais.       

This wasn’t one of them…

Frankly, I could care less what unfortunate personal or professional “issues” Ms. Segal-George is dealing with – her foul “legacy” is written on the checks to plaintiffs and the ongoing clamor and confusion that marks what passes for City Commission meetings…    

The cold fact is Commissioner McCool’s first responsibility is to protect her constituents (and the imperiled City of Deltona) from further harm at the hands of an absentminded city attorney. 

Like a trusted airline pilot, train engineer, or surgeon – as a professional, Ms. Segal-George does not have the luxury of losing focus and mentally disconnecting during the performance of her important services.   

In my view, those who pay the bills deserve their attorney’s undivided attention and legal expertise – pursued with a sense of confidence and enthusiasm – because the implications of her disengagement (as history has proven) can result in grim consequences for the community.

This sham has gone on too long – and the good citizens of Deltona deserve stability. 

The Deltona City Commission should begin the new year with a clean slate as they begin the important process of selecting a permanent City Manager and establishing a civic vision for the future of their troubled community. 

Quote of the Week

“Brown & Brown

300 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach

Dec. 12

Follow-up required: Warning issued.

Twelve total violations, with five high-priority violations:

High Priority – Fish not held frozen before, during and after being packaged onsite using a reduced oxygen packaging method. See stop sale.

–Per manager mahi is frozen after sealing bag **Warning**

High Priority – Fish packaged in the establishment using a reduced oxygen method not bearing a label indicating that it is to be kept frozen until time of use. **Warning**

High Priority – Raw animal food stored in same container as ready-to-eat food.  Bag of liquid eggs stored on shell eggs. **Warning**

High Priority – Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. ROP (reduced oxygen packaging) of mahi not frozen prior to sealing in bags. Does not appear to be in 10k bags. **Warning**

High Priority – Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.  Liquid egg whites 52f less than 4 hours. **Warning**”

(Disclaimer: The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation describes an inspection report as “a ‘snapshot’ of conditions present at the time of the inspection.” On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in its most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not represent the establishment’s overall, long-term conditions.)

–The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “Volusia County Restaurant Inspections with High-Priority Violations,” Tuesday, December 19, 2023

As the Swedish Chef likes to say, “Vurt dur Furk?” 

The week between Christmas and the New Year is always a time of reflection for me. 

So, I thought we would take a leisurely stroll down the Barker’s View Promenade, back to those heady days of December 2017, when it was announced that the much-heralded Brown & Brown Headquarters – billed as the ultimate panacea project that would cure the myriad ills of Downtrodden Downtown Daytona – and bring untold prosperity to Beach Street merchants. 

Remember?  It was all the rage…

There was gushing adulation from all the right last names as then City Manager Jim “The Chisler” Chisholm said, “It’s a game changer for the downtown area,” and Dr. Kent Sharples of that mysterious camera stellata over at the CEO Business Alliance swooned, “It’s the biggest and best thing that’s happened since General Electric in terms of the number of jobs created, salary and impact on our community.”

As the News-Journal reported at the time, the lucrative public spiffs and incentives demanded by Brown & Brown (called “government help” at the time) were championed by “some of the city’s heaviest hitters,” to include the formidable former Mayor Glenn Ritchey, past County Chair Frank Bruno, and representatives from Halifax Health, the Regional Chamber of Commerce, Cobb Cole, ad infinitum. . .

“I am just absolutely delighted,” said Mori Hosseini, chairman and CEO of ICI Homes.”

“John Albright, president and CEO of Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co., said the new headquarters would be “an important spark to the redevelopment of downtown.”

After sopping up millions of state and local dollars in “economic incentives” – in my view, good, old fashioned corporate welfare that everyone agreed to ignore on the promise of prosperity – HRH J. Hyatt Brown shocked everyone when he announced a French food service group would open a full-service restaurant and 24-hour food kiosk inside the headquarters building, all but ensuring that employees did not need to leave the campus.

At the time, it was reported that “The Sanctuary” would also provide “fully prepared meals that people can bring home for dinner.”

Yeah.  I know. 

What about the jampacked local establishments as young, upwardly mobile executives noshed at posh restaurants and bistros? 

What about the “bustling downtown experience”?

In my view, that bait-and-switch deal stunk like poorly handled Mahi… 

Perhaps this latest news will result in that boon for Beach Street eateries we were promised as the smart crowd at Brown & Brown avoid “The Sanctuary” and venture outside the confines of HQ for something more, ah, appetizing than “…adulterated food product”?

Urrrrrp.  Excuse me. 

Gross.  

And Another Thing!

On Sunday – New Year’s Eve – some communities in Florida could see a threatened exodus from city councils and commissions ahead of the state’s requirement that municipal elected officials fully disclose their financial interests on Form 6 beginning January 1.

Locally, as of Wednesday, Daytona Beach Shores city commissioners Mel Lindauer and Richard Bryan have resigned citing the updated reporting requirements. 

In in the interest of complete financial transparency – the little money I have is tied up in what chartered accountants call “crippling liabilities” – and the few shekels that remain go to keeping this cracker box out of receivership and, of course, a few drams of whiskey at my favorite watering hole (not always in that order…)

So, in my cynical view, a mass resignation of those who place personal privacy over public service is not necessarily a terrible thing… 

For many years, county and state officials have been required to periodically submit Form 6 – which provides a full and public disclosure of financial interests for both candidates and sitting officials.  Prior to the Form 6 mandate, most municipal officials were only obligated to file Form 1 – which provides a simple overview of fiscal interests without a net worth requirement.

Now, some municipal officials are claiming the new requirement goes beyond transparency to invasive overreach, an onerous state edict that forces certain professionals to disclose confidential client information making them ineligible for public service, while others claim the information will be weaponized by their political detractors.   

Bullshit. 

The fact is you can’t swing a dead cat in most state legislative chambers without hitting a passel of lawyers – all equally governed by attorney/client confidentiality doctrine – each of whom are required to file Form 6.     

Of course, the stated purpose of the disclosure is to allow “…the public to evaluate potential conflicts of interest, deters corruption, and increases public confidence in government,” while helping expose prior relationships of candidates that may create the appearance of impropriety.   

That public accounting is only effective if an elected official is receiving direct and recorded financial benefit from a person or entity regulated by, or coming before, the elected body with an expectation of a favorable treatment.

But that’s not the way most acts of public corruption occur, and politicians at all levels of government – and those insiders who manipulate them like malleable sock puppets – understand that.

They also understand the gigantic legal loopholes that allow them to get around the – wink-wink – “rules.”   

In my view, the real problem is the pernicious effect of a campaign finance system that allows the “Rich & Powerful” (and the industries they control) a direct means of influencing politics and governance by showering hand-picked candidates with massive campaign donations, then anticipating a return on investment from those who are politically dependent on their largesse.

All perfectly legal and publicly available to anyone who cares to review a candidate’s campaign contributions on the Supervisor of Elections website.

A smart friend of mine who participates in local politics calls it “corruption in plain sight” – because it is. 

While much stomach acid is expended debating the non-issue of Form 6 and its privacy impacts on a few techy municipal officials, the appearance of quid pro quo corruption – defined as giving something of value in return for a specific action – continues to raise eyebrows.

Although politicians vehemently deny a “this for that” relationship with their largest donors, We, The Little People can’t help but notice that those same contributors (and the commercial interests they represent) invariably enjoy favorable outcomes, direct access to the public tit, and maintain their suckling position by funneling obscene amounts of cash into the campaigns of “likeminded” candidates each election cycle.

Typically, those politicians who receive the nod from Volusia’s “Big Money” donors have remarkably similar personal characteristics:  They are extremely loyal to the hand that feeds them and maintain lock-step fealty to our entrenched power structure and the bureaucratic status quo it demands.   

Perhaps by design, those selected to “serve” seem physically incapable of independent thought…

In exchange, their powerful puppet masters allow them the trappings of social and political standing commensurate with their high office – all the ego massage and sense of superiority our egomaniacal elected literati require – while they serve as figureheads of a “system” that uses them like dull tools.  

In the end, this Faustian bargain extracts a heavy toll on the public’s trust – and the resultant corporate welfare giveaways, “incentives,” and uncontrolled development which permits massive sprawl to outpace infrastructure – leaves the unmistakable impression that this cliquish arrangement benefits a well-heeled few at the expense of many. 

I’ve said this repeatedly, but if politics truly is the art of controlling one’s environment – then it appears those who possess the financial wherewithal and an unquenchable thirst for more, more, more – have perfected the cycle of crony capitalism here on this salty piece of dwindling pine scrub we call home.

In my view, it’s called ‘ROI’ – Return on Investment – and our wide-open campaign finance system is tailormade to ensure that the nexus of public funds and private interests remains accessible to those who can pay-to-play.

That’s all for me.  Happy New Year, y’all! 

Hi, kids!

“There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

–C.S. Lewis

Gosh.  I hope so…

As we prepare for the excitement and uncertainty of an election year, I still believe our democratic processes work best when vigorous political discussion produces a variety of views and opinions. This is why the United States Constitution places such emphasis on protecting our inalienable right to free speech, allowing the competition of ideas to elevate the best solutions, resulting in informed and inclusive public policy.

That begins with an informed and involved electorate.  If you are reading this, I naturally assume you are an educated voter who cares about the future of our area – something politicians fear the most… 

Each year, I like to recognize those intrepid souls who, in my cynical opinion, either contributed to our quality of life – or detracted from it – in some significant way as we proudly unveil the 2023 Barker’s View Honor Roll!

In coming weeks, the annual Halifax area rubber chicken banquet season will be in full swing.

That time of the year when various chambers of commerce, political organizations, non-profits, and exclusive civic clubs dress up in their finery and bestow honors and accolades on all the right last names – while We, The Little People sit in gridlocked traffic wondering how in the hell anyone would want to take credit for…this. 

However dubious, the Barker’s View Honor Roll remains the only prize in Volusia County that our “Rich & Powerful” cannot buy!

This honor is reserved for you – all of you – from the Gilded Halls of Power to the thousands of strapped families trying desperately to find safe and affordable housing on a warehouse workers wage.  

From our social, civic, and economic elite – the ‘movers and shakers’ with outsized influence – to us lowly rubes who struggle desperately to eke out a living and raise families in this weird artificial economy – we all have a personal stake in improving our quality of life here on Florida’s fabled “Fun Coast.”

That proposition has become increasingly difficult in an era when elected bodies have become little more than an elaborate rubber stamp – malleable marionettes who enact rules to prevent substantive citizen engagement and interaction.

A time when addressing The Monarchy for redress of grievances is a frustrating exercise in futility as the important decisions are predetermined by influential insiders then laundered through political insulation committees long before the choreographed theater of a public meeting.  

Don’t take my word for it.

Take time out of your busy day to attend a meeting of the Volusia County Council – or approach your elected officials on the dais of power in the community where you live – and see if they so much as acknowledge your physical presence, let alone answer your questions…

As a result, the prevailing ‘Us vs. Them’ mentality has many rightly convinced that we deserve better from those who control our fate and are increasingly willing to speak truth to power.  

Thank you.

You are my heroes.

I honor all who fight the good fight – those who stand for elective office for the right reasons and endure the slings and arrows of harsh criticism, the administrators and career civil servants who have devoted their lives to public service – and the watchers, the critics, the informed voters, and dedicated gadflies who so courageously let their voice be heard.

Thank you.

To those hardworking civic activists who struggle valiantly to protect our natural places, improve amenities, preserve our unique traditions, keep our history alive, and enhance our quality of life – from committed environmentalists and those who fight for animal rights to beach driving and access supporters, smart growth advocates and beyond – your dedication and perseverance is inspiring.  

Thank you.

Look, I never lose sight of the fact that the opinions of cynical blowhards like me do not matter.

As Theodore Roosevelt said, the real credit belongs to those “who are actually in the arena” – who spend themselves in a worthy cause – the elected policymakers and staff, the grassroots efforts of neighborhood organizations, the philanthropists who give so generously, and the volunteers who form the very backbone of our community.

Thank you.

Eight years ago, I launched Barker’s View as one man’s soapbox, a place to vent my jaundiced spleen and provide an alternative opinion on the news and newsmakers of the day – neither always right, nor always wrong.

I could never have imagined how many of you would take the time to read, welcome a unique perspective, and consider these diatribes for what they are – and what they are not.

Thanks to your engagement, this blog continues to open doors, shine a light, and influence opinion – and I appreciate the opportunity to meet and correspond with so many wonderful people – including a few of those “power brokers” and politicians I often take to the woodshed – some of whom still have the humility and sense of humor to laugh at themselves and our collective situation.

While I cannot know the many hundreds-of-thousands of you who have visited this site – including readers from over 80 countries around the globe this year alone – I appreciate each of you who took the time to connect with Barker’s View.  

Thank you.

Invariably, whenever I meet Barker’s View readers – you are incredibly kind to me – and take the time to offer your own unique perspective on the issues, point out where we agree or differ, provide constructive criticism, and give suggestions for future content.  

Thank you.

To everyone who reached out this year, stopped to chat in the grocery aisle, wrote a note, or sat down next to me on a barstool to discuss the world’s problems, pass along gossip, commiserate, share a joke, argue a fine point, buy me a drink, or just lend a word of encouragement.

Thank you.

I appreciate that more than you know. 

The problem with making lists is you will invariably (and inadvertently) omit someone most deserving, and if I have overlooked your contributions, please forgive me – it was not intentional.

Please let me know where I fell short.  The mistake is mine alone.

While this Honor Roll is not all inclusive, it begins and ends with YOU.

Those who read, contribute, opine, comment, argue, offer solutions, moderate a social media site, participate in politics, educate our children, speak out, campaign for public office, serve on an advisory board, run a business, seek justice, plan for our future, offer criticism, demand accountability, serve their community, care for the sick, risk their lives in service to others, raise the bar, give generously, provide encouragement, and anyone who can still be my friend when the heated debate is over.

Thank you.

Most of all, to the faithful readers of Barker’s View – the independent thinkers who contemplate my warped thoughts on the issues of the day – and those who further a larger discussion in the community, an important exercise that can lead to innovative ideas and solutions to the problems we face.

Thank you.

You are making a difference!

In the coming new year, I will be here, spectating from the Peanut Gallery – cocktail in hand – a rheumy-eyed witness to the machinations of our local players, power brokers, and politicians – providing you, the devoted members of the Barker’s View Tribe, with one man’s jaded opinion on the important issues that affect our lives and livelihoods.

Thank you all. 

May God bless each of you and this beautiful place we call home.

That’s all for me in 2023, y’all! 

Here’s wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!

The Honor Roll 2023

Aaron Delgado

Aaron Van Kleeck

Abraxas Books

Adam Bucher

AdventHealth

Aja West

Al Everson

Al Jorczak 

Al Moore

Al Smith

Alan Blythe

Alan Burton

Alan Lowe

Alan Rosen

Alex J. Kennedy

Alex Zelenski

Alexander Haff

Alexey Lysich

Alice Popour

Alicia Page

Allan Brewer

Allan Gochall

Allen E. Harrell

Allen Espy

Alvin B. Jackson

Alvin Mortimer

Alycia Severson

Amanda Brower

Amanda Gang

Amazon

Amy Pyle

Andre Vidrine

Andrea Miller 

Andrea Totten

Andrei Ludu

Andrew Barrett 

Andrew Baumgartner

Andrew Ethridge

Andrew Gant

Andrew Grosso

Andrew Hall

Andrew Sandall

Androse Bell

Andy & Debbie Cotton

Andy Dance

Andy Esterhay

Andy Grosso

Andy Kelly

Angela Dempsey

Angelique Nelson

Angelo Figueroa 

Angie Pye 

Angry Mom

Anita Bradford

Anita Burnette

Ann Johnson

Ann Marie Sikorski

Ann McFall (RIP)

Ann Russell Hylton

Ann Ryder

Anna Hannon

Anna Wright

Anne B. Evans

Anne Ruby

AnnMarie Groarke

Anonymous Teacher

Anthony DeFeo

Anthony Recascino

Argentina Tavarez

Arlene AL

Arthur J. Byrnes

Astrid Deparry

Austin Spivey

Avalon Park Daytona

Avanu

Avelo Airlines 

B&B Cheetah

Babe’s Blue Room

Barb Girtman

Barb Shepherd

Barbara Bonariggo

Barbara Deering

Barbara Kincade

Barbara Whitehouse

Barbara Zimmerman Phillips

Barry Allen

Barry Chantler

Barry du Moulin

Barry Gear

Bear Creek Residents

Beat Kahli

Beck Crush

Belinda A.

Bellaire Community Group

Belle Schumann

Ben Butera

Ben Johnson

Benjamin Bartlett

Benji Shiflette

Benjiman Jerkins

Benny Barker

Beth Branton

Beth Legary

Beth Rogan

Beth Sutherland

Bethune-Cookman University

Betty Goodman

Betty Landrum

Betty Ledyard

Big John (RIP)

Biggins Gentlemens Club

Bill Albert

Bill Barber

Bill Bernardo

Bill Boots Bouthillette

Bill Chaffin

Bill Fletcher

Bill Fraser

Bill Hall

Bill Hyde

Bill Koster

Bill Lindlau

Bill Milano

Bill Navara

Bill Offill

Bill Orpinuk

Bill Partington

Bill Partington II

Bill Posey

Bill Wastrel

Bill Willis

Billie Barker

Billie Wheeler

Billy Flash

Billy Rose

Blaine Lansberry

Blanca A. Maldonado

Blowing Off Steam in Deltona

Bo Brewer

Bob Apgar

Bob Bennett

Bob Davis

Bob Finch

Bob Fitzsimmons

Bob Jagger

Bob Kates

Bob LaRue

Bob Lloyd

Bob Manley

Bob O’Connor

Bob Renforth

Bob Walker

Bobbi Glass Cline

Bobbie Stricklen

Bobby & Tracy Parks

Bobby Block 

Bobby Thigpen

Bobby Wise

Bobby Woell

Body Exchange

Bonnie Ness Whaley

Brad Burbaugh

Brad Carter

Brad Hoisington

Brad Lackey

Brad Nordin

Bradford Gonzalez

Brandon Young

Brandy Lee White

Brandy Peterson 

Brass Against

Brenda Hahn

Brendan Frey Brenno

Carillo Brent Brown

Bret Douglas

Brian Hazen

Brian Holt

Brian Lapointe

Brian Nave

Brian Smith

Brian Soukup

Britney Miller

Brodie Hughes

Brown & Brown

Bruce Heugel

Bruce Robb

Bruce Williams

Bryan Feigenbaum

Bryan Glaze

Bryan Jaquish

Bryan Soukop

Bryn Rawlins

Bryon White

Bub Robson

Buc-ee’s

Bud Baldwin (RIP)

Bud Ritchey

Bunnell Police Department

Buz McKim

Buz Nesbit

Buzzy Windle 

Byron Cogdell

Byway Chairperson

C. Bear

Caitlyn Casey-Parker

Cameron Lane

Candace Chelf

Griffey  Carl Cote

Carl Cusumano

Carl Persis

Carmen Balgobin

Carmen Rosamonda

Carol McFarlane

Carrie Baird

Carson Kapp

Casmira Harrison

Cassidy Alexander

Catherine Craig Fisler

Catherine Pante

Catherine Robinson

Cathleen “Kat” Atwood

Catholic Charities

Cathy Heighter

Cathy Wharton

Celeste Morgan

Celia List

CEO Business Alliance

Chad Lingenfelter

Charleen Smith

Charlene Bishop

Charlene Greer

Charles “Chuck” Duva

Charles Barkley

Charles Cino

Charles Guarria 

Charles Lichtigman

Charles Moskowitz

Charles Paiva

Charles Puckett

Charles Sintes

Charlie Lydecker

Charlotte Hope Gillis

Charlotte Price Carr

Chase Herbig

Chase Tramont

Cheryl Bagshaw Frederick

Cheryl Espy-Dalton

Cheryl Reed

Chez Paul

Chief Tomokie

Chip Olden

Chip Wile

Chobee Ebbetts

Chris & Christine Daly

Chris Belflower

Chris Bonner

Chris Bowler

Chris Challis

Chris Cloudman

Chris Conomos

Chris Gollon

Chris Graham

Chris Jarnagin

Chris Long

Chris Nabicht

Chris Pruner

Chris Quarles

Chris Sanders

Chris Via

Chris Yates

Christian Miller

Christina Gerson

Christine Power

Christine Ratti-Sprowl

Christopher Alcantara

Christopher Cloudman

Christopher France

Christopher Jenkins

Christopher Kelly

Christopher Marlow

Christos Mavronas

Chuck Collins

Chuck Gittner

Chuck Marcus

Chuck Siple

Chuck Tindall

CiCi Brown

Cindy Gambrell Fleishmann

Cindy Hale

Cindy Nour

Cindy Rivera

City of Daytona Beach

City of Daytona Beach Shores

City of DeBary

City of Deland

City of Deltona

City of Flagler Beach

City of Holly Hill

City of New Smyrna Beach

City of Ormond Beach

City of Palm Coast

Claire Metz

Claudia Archer

Claudia Vanderhorst

Clay Carpenter

Clay Ervin

Clay Henderson

Clayton Park

Clement Nadeau

Cliff Colby

Clifford Windle

Clinton F. Smith

Coach Morris Small, Jr.

Coastal Cloud

Cobb Cole

Colleen & Rob Corrozza

Colleen McDevitt

Conklin Center

Connie Colby

Connie McNamara

Connie Rutter

Corunna Stevens Goris

Cory Cavanaugh 

Cory Mills

Costa Magoulas

County of Volusia

Craig Albright

Craig Capri

Craig Hickcox

Craig Lee

CTO Realty Growth, Inc.

Cumiskey Consultants

Curtis Colee

Curtis Wayne

Cyd Lichter-Khayter

Cyndi Ritchey

Cyndi Stevenson

Cyrus Callum 

D. Gray Leonhard

D. J. Lebo

D. W. Smith

Dale Anderson (RIP)

Dale Martin 

Dallas Seibert

Dan Apker

Dan Eckert

Dan Lowe

Dan Luby

Dan Merrithew

Dan Ravan

Dan Ryan

Dana C. Dougherty

Dana McCool

Dana Paige-Pender

Dana White

Daniel Apker

Daniel Escalera

Daniel Perez 

Dannette Henry

Danny Erwin

Danny Fuqua

Danny Oakes

Danny Robins 

Danny Rodriquez

Danny Ron 

Danny Yanesh

Darcy Lynn

Darius M.

Darla Widnall 

Darlene Kochendoerfer

Darlene Weincouff

Darren Zoeckler

Dave Jeffries

Dave Seyse

Dave Stokes

David Alfin

David Allen Potter

David Brannon

David Butlien

David Carroll

David Cromartie

David Fisher

David Foxman

David Giles

David Hague 

David Higgs

David Hudson

David Isenberg

David Jarvis

David Jones

David LaMotte

David Loh

David Lowe

David Mims

David Romeo

David Santiago 

David Simmons 

David Sosa

David Sullivan

David Swanson

David Vukelja

David W. Acuff

David Wilkerson

Dawn Fields

Dawn Glaczenski Petrella

Dawn Larson

Dawn Nichols

Dawn Smith Tharpe

Dawn Starr

Dayle Whitman

Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest 

Daytona Beach Black Clergy Alliance

Daytona Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau

Daytona Beach News-Journal

Daytona Beach Police Department

Daytona Beach Regional Chamber

Daytona Crab

Daytona Dog Beach, Inc.

Daytona International Airport

Daytona International Speedway

Daytona State College

Daytona Times

Daytona Tortugas

Deana Sallee

Deanie Lowe

Deanna Newkirk

Deb Denys

Deb Lord Lafreniere

Debbie Darino & Justice for Ponce

Debbie Dolbow

Debbie Kruck-Forrester

Debbie Phillips

Deborah Joy Williams

Deborah Phillips

Debra Berner

Debra McCall 

Dede Siebenaler

Dee Dee Stahl

Defend the Loop

Deltona – A City on the Move?

Deltona City Commission

Deltona Strong

Deneen Mangan

Denise Bennett

Denise Brewer

Dennis Bayer

Dennis Breo

Dennis Craig

Dennis Creamer

Dennis Futch

Dennis Norman

Dennis Simpson

Dennis Thomas

Denny Hockenberry

Derek Catron

Derek Lamontagne

Derek West

Deric Feacher

Derrick Henry

Derrick Orberg

Developing Daytona Beach

Diana Malik

Diana Webster

Diane Carney

Diane Choquette

Diane Clow

Diane Crisp

Diane Garrity

Diane Howley

Diane Kirvan

Diane Reynolds

Diane Severini Smith

Diane Vandervoort

Diane Whitby

Diezel Depew

Dinah Voyles-Pulver

Don Bennington

Don Bok

Don Burnette

Don Dempsey

Don Lepore

Don Quixote

Don Shinnamon

Dona Butler

Dona McIntire

Donald Freeman

Donald Moore

Donald Needham

Donald O’Brien

Donald Parks

Donald Williamson

Donelle Evensen

Donna Craig

Donna Dea

Donna Fitzpatrick

Donna Maxwell

Dontpooponputnum.org

Doris Catauro

Dorothy A. Fogg

Dorothy Prasek

Dot Brown 

Doug Daniels

Doug Fisher

Doug Kinney

Doug Pettit

Doug Quartier

Doug Rumery

Douglas Bell

Douglas Denison

Douglas Gibson

Dream Green Volusia

Drew Bastian

Dru Driscoll

Duane De Freese

Duffy Dyer

Duncan Demarsh

Durenda West Durrance

Dustin Wyatt

Dwight Selby

E. LaBrent Chrite

Earl

Earl Sullivan

Earnest Murphy, Jr.

East ISB Dead Zone

East/West Volusia Forum

Ed Connor

Ed Danko

Ed Gist

Ed Kelley

Ed Noseworthy

Eddie Branquinho

Eddie Hennessey

Edgewater Environmental Alliance

Edith Shelley

Edward Gist

Edward Somers

Edwin Ferrari

Eileen Zaffiro-Kean

Elaine Barnicle

Elaine D’Amore Tillard

Elaine Gibilisco

Elaine Stewart

Elbert Bryan

Elena Jarvis

Elena Krafft 

Elizabeth Albert

Elizabeth Blackburn

Elizabeth Caswell

Elizabeth Fetterhoff

Elizabeth Lendian

Elizabeth Wade

Ellen Hayden Needham

Ellen Wintermuth

Elliott Hagood

Emily English

Emily Nice

Enis Qosja

Enrique Zahn

ERAU

Eric & Vanessa

Lewis Eric Breitenbach

Eric Cooley 

Eric Lewis

Eric Raimundo

Eric Sander

Erick Piskator

Erika Barry Webb

Escondido Residents

EVAC

Evans Smith

Eveline Kraljic

Evelyn Fine

FAITH

FDOT

First Christian Church 

First Step Shelter Board of Directors

Flagler County Sheriff’s Office

Flaglerlive.com

Fletcher’s Pub

Florida Department of Health

Florida Legislature

Food Brings Hope

Forough Hosseini

Foundation Risk Partners

Framework Group

France Family

Francis Snipes Himes

Frank Bruno

Frank Castle

Frank Costa 

Frank Fabrizio

Frank Fernandez

Frank Garaitonandia

Frank Molnar

Frank Sawyer

Frank Thomas Graham

Frank Van Pelt

Fred Cleveland

Fred Costello

Fred Lowry

Frederik Coulter

Fredrik Coulter

FREE Daytona Beach

G. G. Galloway

G. L. Crews

Gail Gianfelice

Gannett

Gary Blair 

Gary Crews

Gary Libby

Gary Mostert

Gary Owens

Gary Smith

Gary Wandelt

Gaulden Reed 

Gayle Giaccobbe

Gene Crouch

Georgann Carnicella

George Anderson

George Butts

George Cameron

Lane George Colby

George F. Ritchie

George Miller

George Mirabal (RIP)

George Pappas

George Recktenwald

George Smith

Gerald Fieser

Geraldine Morgan Clinton

Gerard Pendergast

Gerard Witman

Ghyabi Consulting

Gigi Bennington

Gil Adams

Gina Baker

Gina Joseph

Gina Marie Legler

Ginger Adair

Ginny Maccio

Glen Urquhart

Glenn & Connie Ritchey

Glenn Irby

Glenn Ring

Glenn Storch

Gloria Max (RIP)

Gloria Nitz Crescenzo

Godwin Kelly

Gordon Brown

Gordon Meyer

GovStuff.org

Green Lion Café 

Greg “F-ing” Smith

Greg Akin

Greg Burns

Greg Fretwell

Greg Gimbert

Greg Hansen

Greg Knapp

Greg Vernam

Gregory Trent

Greg’s Local Politics Page

Grit, Grace & Inspiration Podcast

Gus Colarusso 

Gus Massfeller

Gwen & Rev. Larry Edwards

H.V. Grantham

HAAA

Halifax Health

Halifax Urban Ministries 

Hard Rock Daytona

Hardy Smith

Harold Briley

Harry Black

Harry Jennings

Harry L. Burney, III (RIP)

Harry Newkirk

Harvey Morse

Harvey Sutton 

Heather Post

Heather Rutledge

Heidi Herzberg

Heidi Petito

Helene Wetherington

Helga van Eckert

Helping Hands Through Arts

Henry Springer

Henry Wolfond

Heraclitus

Hero’d Out…

High Paying Space Jobs

Highland Park Fish Camp

Holly Hill Historic Preservation Society

Holly Hill Police Department

Holly Rose

Holly Smith

Homeless2Home

Hometown News

Hope Place

Hornitos Tequila

Howard Bailey

Hubert Grimes

Hugh Watkins

Hunter S. Thompson

ICI Homes

Ida Wright

Indigo Lakes Residents

IRL Council

Iron Head

Itsaboutgreen

Itz Princess P’earl

IUPA

J. D. Bushdid

J. D. McGurk

J. Hyatt Brown

J. Mark Barfield

J. Scott Green

J. Suzy Peterson

Jack D. Howell

Jack Driskell

Jack Gonzalez

Jack Jarrell

Jack Surrette

Jack White

Jack Williams

Jaclyn Carrell

Jacob Johnson

Jacqueline P. Kelly

Jakari Young

Jake Beren

Jake Johansson

Jake Sachs

James & Ashley Brodick

James Alford

James Bland

James Clayton

James Connell

James D. Sass

James Fulcher

James Gillis

James Manfre

James Newman

James Pendleton

James Pericola

James Powers

James S. Purdy

James Shuler

James Smith

Jameson Distillery

Jamie Gill

Jamie Gogarty

Jamie Haynes

Jamie Overfield

Jamie Seaman

Jamison Jessup

Jan Shinnamon

Jane Bloom

Jane Glover

Jane Mealy

Jane West

Janet Kersey

Janet Nutt

Janet Schmutz

Janet Tomlinson

Janice Smith

Janie Gagne

Jared Adams

Jared Crawford

Jared Thompson 

Jarleene Almenas

Jason Brodeur

Jason Davis

Jason Greene

Jason Kilker

Jason McGuirk

Jason Raynor (RIP)

Jason Umberger

Jason Wheeler

Jay Barton

Jay Maher

Jay Young

Jayson Meyer

Jean Lord

Jean Lowe

Jeaneen Witt

Jeanne Hertan Savoie

Jed Smith

Jeep Beach, Inc. 

Jeff Boyle

Jeff Brower

Jeff Feasel

Jeff Martin

Jeff Miller

Jeff Phillips

Jeff Terzini

Jeff Thorla

Jeff White

Jeff-A-Rooski

Jeffery P. Terzini

Jeffrey Ault

Jeffrey Bender

Jeffrey C. Seib 

Jeffrey Dees

Jelly Bean

Jennifer Dean Shaffer

Jennifer Finno Ellis

Jennifer Leigh

Jen Lowe

Jennifer Whittet

Jenny Nazak

Jerry Cameron

Jerry Chow

Jerry Ficco

Jessa Monroe

Jesse Godfrey

Jessica Davis

Jessica Fentress

Jessica Gow

Jessica Matthews

Jessica Melton

Jessica Rivers 

Jessie Thompson

Jewel Dickson

Jewish Federation

Jim Abbott

Jim Annett

Jim Arthur

Jim Bayer

Jim Berkley

Jim Cameron

Jim Chisholm

Jim Connell

Jim Evans (RIP)

Jim Fogg

Jim France

Jim Goempel

Jim Judge

Jim Kotas

Jim Landon

Jim Legary

Jim McCammon

Jim Melady

Jim Meyers

Jim Morris

Jim Neviaser

Jim Pappalardo

Jim Patton (RIP)

Jim Purdy

Jim Rose

Jim Stewart

Jim Weite

Jim Whittet

Jimmy Buffett (RIP)

Jimmy Paul

Jo Glennie

Jo J. Reeves

Joan Anthony

Joan Campanaro

JoAnn Mancuso

Jodi Beard

Jodie Samman

Jody Lee Storozuk

Joe Bungart

Joe DeAngelo

Joe Don Lewis

Joe Forte

Joe Hannoush

Joe Martincic

Joe Mullins

Joe Petrock

Joe Pozzo

Joe Roebuck

Joe Stitch

Joe Washburn 

Joe Will

Joe Wolfing

Joe Woody

Joel Paige

Joey Gallagher

John & Karen Bulman

John A. Peacock

John A. Peters

John Albright

John B. Henderson

John Boyer

John Bozzo (RIP)

John Cavanaugh

John Clukey

John Danio

John Difiore

John Dunbar

John Garrett

John Gibson

John Guthrie

John Hawkins

John Hill

John Holton

John Kirvan

John McCormick

John Miranda 

John Nicholson

John Penny

John Peters

John Power

John R. Rogers

John Reid

John Reynolds

John Rossi

John Szaroleta

John T. Anthony 

John Thomas 

John Warsinske

Johnny Frisbie

Johnson Bros.

Jon Cheney

Jon Wong

Jonah Powers

Jonathan Abraham Eid

Jonathan Brokaw

Jonathan Edwards

Jonathan Foley

Jonathan L. Squires

Jordan Tyler Hobson

Joseph DeMore 

Joseph Hopkins

Joseph Prince

Joseph Valerio

Josh Fogarty

Josh Vedder

Josh Wagner

Joy R. Myers

Joyce Cusack

Joyce Shanahan

Juanita Garza

Judith Campbell

Judy Gillingham

Judy Rock Bergevine

Julian Fojon-Losada

Julie Bowers

Julie Cafiso Sanderson

Julie Sipes

Julio David Sosa

Jungle Den Villas 

Juno Wright 

Kadie Hayward Mullins

Kandi Schromm

Karen Chasez

Karen Foxman

Karen Jans

Karen Robey

Karen Stokes Stone

Karen Townsend Diedo 

Karen Waters

Kat Brown

Kat O’connor Atwood

Kate Brady

Kate Perez

Katherine Hurst Miller

Katherine Wanamaker

Kathleen Arny

Kathleen DeVaney

Kathleen Dulco

Kathleen McNeilly

Kathleen Passidomo 

Kathryn Disbrow

Kathryn Voltoline

Kathryn Weston

Kathy Jean

Kathy Josenhans

Kathy Tew-Ricky

Kathy Yingling Weaver

KathyAnn Zimmerer

Katie Kustura

Kayleen Garcia

Keith Chester

Keith Norden

Keith Prewitt

Kelli McGee

Kellie Whitton

Kelly Dillman

Kelly Frasca

Kelly Kwiatek

Kelly Pancratz Nixon

Kelly Schulz

Kelly White

Kelvin Miller

Ken & Deborah Strickland

Ken Bradley

Ken Bryan

Ken Doremus

Ken Edwards

Ken Fustin

Ken Sipes

Ken Smith

Kendall Acques

Kenneth Parker

Kenneth Wintermuth

Kenny Franks

Kent Sharples

Kerry Orpinuk

Kevin Bowler

Kevin Callahan

Kevin Captain

Kevin Duffy

Kevin Gelnaw

Kevin Kilian

Kevin Lowe

Kevin Para & Ashley’s Ride 

Kevin Parkinson

Kevin Reid

Kevin Smith

Kevin Wallace

Kevin Walsh

Khalid Resheidat

Kiki Bobo

Kim Harty

Kim Morris

Kim Olden

Kim Vukelja

Kimberly Hennessey

Kimberly Sheeter

Kimberly Taylor-Bandorf

Kimberly Yaney

Krista Goodrich

Kristen Gregor

Kristine Cunningham

Kristine Tollefsen-Cunningham

Krys Fluker

Kurt Ardaman

Kurt Sniffin

Kurt Swartzlander

Kyauta Ezekiel Kadala

Kyei Anchor Solomons

Kyle Bainbridge

Kyle Bryer

Kyle Capsaicin

Kyle Daly

Kyle Powell

Kyle Totten

L. Gale Lemerand

L. Ronald Durham

Langford Every

Larry Arrington (RIP)

Larry Bartlett

Larry Denham

Larry Edwards

Larry French

Larry Newsom

Larry Steele

LaShakia Moore 

Laura Berglund Weast

Laura Devlin

Laura Martincic 

Laura Roth

Laurel and Mike Foley

Laurel Lynne

Laurel Webster

Lauren Olsen

Laurie Cromie

Laurie Elaine

Laurie Massfeller

Lawrence Drake 

Lea Bartos

Leah Case

Leann Pennington 

Lee Ann Luedeke

Lee Evett

Lee Strong

Leo J. Vidal

Leonard Marinaccio III

Les Abend

Les Cantrell

Lesa France Kennedy

Lesley Blackner

Leslie Burnett

Let Volusia Vote

Libby Ann Higbee

Libby Lavette 

Linda Ann Brownlee

Linda Cuthbert

Linda Gatewood

Linda Gaustad

Linda Leary

Linda Morse Dixon

Linda Norris

Linda Parkin

Linda Scheibener-Boardman

Linda Smiley

Linda Smith

Linda White

Linda Williams

Linnie Richardson

Lisa Lewis

Lisa Martin

Lisa O’Neal

Lisa Rinaman

Lisa Scartelli

Liz Murdoch

Liz Wade

Lloyd Bowers

Lodging & Hospitality Association of Volusia

Lois Paritsky

Lonnie Groot

Loren King

Lorenzo Bizzio

Loretta Arthur

Lori Bennett

Lori Campbell Baker

Lori Graf

Lori Koontz

Lori Richards

Lori Tolland

Lori Weakly Galvis

Lou Bonnell

Louana Cordaro

Lowell Lohman

Lu Witton

Luke Delaney

Luke Zona

Lynda Fitzgibbons Tarus 

Lynda Kessler

Lynn Caniglia

Lynn Curley Ney

Lynn Dehlinger 

Lynn Swenson

Lynn W. Thompson

Lynne Newell

Lynne Weremay

Lyonia Preserve 

Mad Mom

Maggie Thompson

Main Street Station

Mainland High School Mainstreet Merchants 

Manny Chevrolet

Marc Antonie-Cooper

Marc Bernier (RIP)

Margaret Hudson

Margaret Macduffie

Margaret Peggie Hart

Margie Padgett

Maria Summerlin

Maria Trent

Marianne Burley

Marie Condon Smith

Marie Dites Falkowski 

Marilyn Ford

Marilyn Mack 

Marilyn Stumpf

Marine Science Center

Mario Bertolami

Mario’s

Maritza Avila-Vazquez

Mark Adkinson

Mark Annitto

Mark Ballard

Mark Billings

Mark Bryson 

Mark Dunn 

Mark Flowers

Mark Gardner

Mark Geallis

Mark Harper

Mark Huling

Mark Lane

Mark Madden 

Mark Matovina 

Mark Mchugh

Mark Nealon

Mark Soskin

Mark Swanson

Mark Watts

Mark Wolcott

Mark9000

Marko Galbreath

Marla A.

Marla Abell

Marlene O’neill

Marshallann Marti Weeks Camp

Martha Fraser

Marti Jolley Winn

Marti Smolinski

Martin J. Favis

Marty Grimshaw

Marvin Miller

Mary Anne Connors

Mary Bruno

Mary Connor

Mary Feeley

Mary Forester

Mary Helen Moore

Mary Jolley

Mary Lou Dean

Mary Martin

Mary Mcleod Bethune 

Mary Reid Morelly

Mary Synk

Maryam Ghyabi-White

Matt Doughney

Matt Gable

Matt Ihnken

Matt McDuff 

Matt Metz

Matt Morton

Matt Reinhart

Matthew Foxman

Matthew Hopson

Matthew Monroe

Matthew Reider

Maureen France

Maureen McConnell

Megan O’Keefe

Meganne Sarau

Mel Lindauer

Mel Quinton

Mel Stack 

Melanie Bingle Marsh

Melissa Holland

Melissa Lammers

Messod Bendayan

Michael Arin Ciftci 

Michael Bakaysa (RIP)

Michael Booker

Michael Chitwood

Michael Chiumento III

Michael Dorsett

Michael Dye

Michael Dyer 

Michael Ihrig

Michael J. Arminio

Michael Kolody

Michael L. Young

Michael Lee Young

Michael Mc Bride

Michael McDowall

Michael Orfinger

Michael Pleus

Michael Politis

Michael Ray

Michael Redbourn

Michael Rogers

Michael Ryan 

Michael Schottey

Michael Sznapstajler

Michael Ulrich

Michael Von Kreuzfaufsteiger

Michael Waltz

Michelle Carter

Michelle Newman

Michelle Zirkelbach

Miguel Capellan

Mike Agostinis

Mike Bregg

Mike Chuven

Mike Dean

Mike Denis

Mike Fincher

Mike Ignasiak

Mike Jiloty (RIP)

Mike Lambert

Mike Martin

Mike Orfinger

Mike Panaggio

Mike Philbrick

Mike Poniatowski

Mike Read

Mike Scudiero

Mike Shekari

Mike Springer

Mike Synan

Mike Tacinelli

Mike Thomas

Mike Walker

Mike Waltz

Mike Wilkes

Mike Worlledge

Milissa Holland

Milverton Robinson

Mindy McLarnan

Minto Communities

Missy Herrero

Missy Phillips

MOAS

Molly Cunningham

Monica Paris

Mooma Clooda

Mori Hosseini

Muzo Rules

Nan Tarasi

Nancy Capo

Nancy Epps

Nancy Keefer

Nancy Lohman

Nancy Long

Nancy Maddox

Nancy Miller

Nancy Niles

Nancy Steele Lilly

Nanette McKeel Petrella

NASCAR

Natalie Brunner

Natalie Pilipczak

Neil Harrington

Neil Kapp

New Smyrna Board of Realtors

News Daytona Beach

Newton White

Nick Conte

Nick Klufus

Nick Koutsoulis 

Nick Lulli 

Niki Yanakou

Nikki Fried 

Nikki Ross

Noah Hertz

Noah McKinnon

Noel Bickford

Nola Barker

Noreen Morris

Norma Bland

Norma Guida

North Turn Bar & Grille

Northern Mockingbirds

Oliver Du Bois

One Daytona

Oren Miller 

Orlando Sentinel

Ormond Beach Citizens Against Belvedere Fuel Terminals/Grupo Mexico

Ormond Beach Historical Society

Ormond Beach Observer

Ormond Brewing Company

Ormond Einsteins

Ormond Issues

Ormond Local Pulse 

Ormond Strong

Ormond-by-the-Sea Association

P&S Paving

P. Barry Butler

Palmer Panton

Palmer Wilson

Pam Carbiener

Pam Clark

Pam Jarvis

Pam Lawler

Pam Novy

Pam Wilsky

Pamela Daley

Pamela Rodriquez

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Pat Finn

Pat Hodgkins

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Pat Katzenstein

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Pat Rice

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Patricia Corr 

Patricia Heard

Patricia Miracle

Patricia Page

Patricia Stevenson

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Paul Milward

Paul Nelson

Paul Renner

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Paul Wayne Ward 

Paul Zimmerman

Paula Reed

Paula Rossiter

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Peggy H. Schultz

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Perego

Permaculture Daytona

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Pete Zahn

Peter Grosfeld

Peter Kouracos

Peter McGlashan

Peter Migner

Peter Schorsch 

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Phil Giorno

Phil Maroney

Phil Martin

Phil Rice

Phil Vanderhoof

Phil Wassem

Phillip Hoffeld

Phillip Miles

Phyllis Beynon

Phyllis Butlien

Phyllis Clark Hogan

Phyllis Stauffenberg

Pictona at Holly Hill

Pierre Louis

Pierre Tristam

Pierson Town Council

Port Orange Gov Forum

Preston Root

Professor Frederick 

Protect Volusia

Protogroup

Psycho Magnet

Quanita May

R. J. Larizza

Rachel Hazel 

Rafael Ramirez

Rainer and Julie Martens

Ralph Brown

Rand Bennett

Randall Rowe, III

Randy Ast

Randy Bennett

Randy Cadenhead

Randy Dye

Randy Fine

Randy Hartman

Randy Hayes 

Randy Post

Raquel Levy

Raul Zambrano

Ray Evans

Ray Hill

Ray Marcov

Ray Max

Raymond Johnson

Realty Pros Assured

Rebecca Cabral

Rebecca Lynn Doremus

Rebecca Wade

REC of Volusia County

Reed Berger

Regina Santilli

Reginald C. Williams

Rell Black

Rene Coman

Renee Richardson

Reuben “Lounge Lizard” Morgan

Rhonda and Walter Glasnak

Rhonda Kanan

Ric Urquhart

Rich Brown

Rich Felisko

Rich Malkus

Rich Tracey

Rich Waters (RIP)

Rich Yost 

Richard Bellach

Richard Bryan

Richard Feller

Richard Frizalone

Richard Kane

Richard Klein

Richard Little

Richard Martinez

Richard Myers

Richard Nisbett

Richard Slaughter (RIP)

Richard Thripp

Richard Tracey 

Rick Basso

Rick Belhumeur

Rick Dwyer

Rick Goodsite

Rick Karl

Rick Nedescu

Rick Rawlins (RIP)

Rick Rivers

Rick Robertson

Rick Rollins

Rick Staly

Rick Steffen

Risa Newman

Ross Rita Ware

River to Sea TPO

Riverside Conservancy

Rob Bobek

Rob Bridger

Rob Brown

Rob Corrozza

Rob Gilliland

Rob Hougham

Rob Jackson

Rob Kuhn

Rob Littleton

Rob Merrell

Rob O’Connell

Rob Sabatino

Robert Augusto

Robert Augusto

Robert Baker 

Robert Barnes

Robert Barrett

Robert Burnetti

Robert Burns

Robert D. McFall

Robert Giebel

Robert Gilliland

Robert Greenlund

Robert Hawes

Robert Jagger

Robert Joseph Sorenson

Robert Maccio

Robert Mullins

Robert Riggio

Robert Sanders, Jr.

Robert Sprouse

Robert Stolpmann

Robert Taylor

Robert W. Krause

Robert Watson

Roberta Richardson

Robin Hanger

Robin Magleora

Robin Newton

Robyn Heath Walker

Robyn Hurd

Rocky Lawrence

Rocky Norris

Rodney Cruise

Roger Accardi

Roger Duvernoy

Roger Eckert Roger

Jones Roger Sonnenfeld

Roland Blossom

Roland Via

Rommel Scalf

Ron Andersen

Ron DeSantis

Ron Kendrick

Ron Martin

Ron Nowviskie

Ron Rice (RIP)

Ron Wright

Ronald Donovan

Ronald Jungk

Ronnie Mills

Root Family

Rose Ann Tornatore

Rose Schuhmacher

Rosemary Calhoun 

Ross Blissett

Ross Janke

Roundtable of Elected Officials

Roxanne Hallahan

Roy Johnson

Roy Mohr

Roy Piper

Roy Sieger

Ruben Colon

Russ Cormican

Russ Moulton

Russ Owen

Rusty Ford

Ruth Norman

Ruth Trager

Ryan Dealy

Ryan Ossowski 

Ryan Ridder

S. R. Perrott

Sally Gillies

Sam Bell

Samantha J. West

Samuel G. S. Bennett

Sanctuary Café

Sandford Kinne

Sandi Snodgrass

Sandra Bass Van Cleef

Sandra Chavous

Sandra Kay Watts Battiste

Sandra Upchurch

Sandra Walters

Sandy Kauffman

Sandy Krieter

Sandy Murphy

Sandy Walters

Santiago Avila, Jr.

Sara Collins

Sara Crane

Sara Murphy

Sara Ragsdale Petroski

Sarah Bruce

Sarah Johnson

Saralee Morrissey

Savage Craft Ale Works 

Scott Caldwell

Scott Cleary

Scott Fritz

Scott Gutauckis

Scott Harkins

Scott in Daytona Beach

Scott Lee

Scott Markham

Scott O’Connell

Scott Owen

Scott Simpson

Scott Stiltner

Scott W. Spradley

Sea Dunes

Sean Kelly

Sean Moylan

Sebastian

Security First Insurance

Seminole Curmudgeon

Sen. Rick Scott

Senor Frog 

Sergia Cardenas

Seth Green

Seventh Day Baptist Church 

Sharon Adams

Sharon Raffel

Shawn Collins

Shawn FL

Shawn Goepfert

Shawnerie Langford

Sheila Hancock

Shelby Dunlap 

Sheldon Gardner 

Shelia Prather

Shelley Szafraniec

Sheriff Guindi

Sheron Weatherholtz

Sherrise Boyd

Sherry Gilreath

Sherry Huskey-Hopson

Sherry Purdy

Sheryl A. Cook

Sierra Williams

Simon J. Peabody 

SJRWMD

Skip Andress

Skip Armstrong

Skylar Swisher

Smoking Truth Podcast

Snake Andress

Soles4Souls

Sonja Tyrus

Sons of the Beach

Sonya Wiles

Sophia Urista

Sophie’s Circle Dog Rescue

South Daytona Dan

Spencer Stratton Hathaway

St. John’s River Keepers

Stacey Kifolo 

Stacey Simmons

Stacy Cantu

Stacy Wager Day

Stan Kapp

Stan Schmidt

Stanley Escudero

Stasia Warren

Stephan Dembinsky

Stephanie Bidlack Cox

Stephen Bacon

Stephen Colwell 

Stephen Matthews

Stephen McGee

Stephen Spraker 

Stephen Terence Williams

Step-Up Volusia

Stetson University

Steve Aldrich

Steve Burdette

Steve Crump

Steve Koenig

Steve Miller

Steve Puckett

Steve Ridder

Steve Stinson

Steve Thomas

Steve Thorp

Steve Weaver

Steven Burk

Steven Henderson (RIP)

Steven Miller

Steven Narvaez

Stirling Gosa

Stony Sixma

Sue Barnes

Sue Krainik

Sue Lyle Reynolds

Sun Flowers

Sunrail Cash Sponge 

Susan Ball

Susan Barrie

Susan Brehme Park

Susan Bussinger

Susan Cerbone

Susan Driscoll

Susan Falkenstein Reilly

Susan Guzman

Susan Konchon 

Susan Lear

Susan Lutz

Susan M. Murphy

Susan Persis

Susan Scofield

Susan Skow

Susanne I. Odena

Suzanne Johnston

Suzanne Kridner

Suzanne Scheiber

Suzie Johnston

Sweetie (RIP)

Synergy Billing

T. R. Brown

Tadd Kasbeer

Tami Lake

Tangela Hardy

Tanger Outlets

Tanner Andrews

Tariq Hamid

Taxpayers of Volusia County

Team Volusia

Ted Doran

Ted Erwin

Ted Hordecky

Ted Noftall

Ted Teschner

Tennessee Hills Distillery

Tere Arce

Terence Perkins

Teresa Hunt

Teresa Martin Lawson

Teresa Morford Rice-Peck

Teresa Pope

Terica Charles

Terri Miller

Terri Roberson Tippins

Terrie Stevens 

Terry Brock

Terry Cady

Terry Heisler

Terry Mercer

The Avion

The Beacon Center 

The Bridge

The Civitas Project

The Corklickers 

The Frye’s

The Lowe Down

The Nines Parlor

The Nowinski’s

The Pallet Pub

The Sheltering Tree

Theresa Doan

Theresa Pontieri

Thom Morris

Thomas Akin, Sr.

Thomas R. Larrivee

Tiger Roberts

Tim Baylie

Tim Curtis

Tim Egnor

Tim Grigsby

Tim Harbuck (RIP)

Tim Phillips

Timmy & Annemarie Groarke

Tina Guzman

Tina Louise

Tina Monteiro Blount

Tina Peppeh

Tina-Marie Schultz

Tishian Pearson

Tito’s Vodka

Todd Hammond

Todd Phillips (RIP)

Todd Seis

Tom and Kayti Caffrey

Tom Bertolami

Tom Clapsaddle

Tom Coriale 

Tom French 

Tom Goreau

Tom Laputka

Tom Leek

Tom LoBasso

Tom Maccio

Tom Morgan

Tom Rebman

Tom Russell

Tom Ryan

Tom Sejnowski

Tom Symenski

Tommy Jee

Tomoka Oaks Residents

Toni Adkins Hiller

Tony Cassata

Tony Goudie

Tony Ledbetter (RIP)

Tony Servance

Tony Walsh

Tonya Gordon

Travis Hutson

Travis Roland 

Travis Sargent

Tripp Parham

Troubled Men Podcast

Troy Crawford

Troy Kent

Troy Olson

Troy Shimkus

TrumpPutin2024 

Tulapuppy

Tullamore Dew 

Turner Hymes

US Coast Guard – NSB

Valencia Gallon-Stubbs

Valerie Brooks 

Valerie Duhl

Valerie Joiner

Valerie Manning

Valli Perrine

Valoree Mclean

Vanessa Blair-Lewis

Vernon Burton

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VolusiaExposed.com 

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Wayne Clark 

Wayne Harris

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Welcome to Rockville

WELE “The CAT”

Wendall Ray DallaRosa

Wendy Alvarez

Wendy B. Anderson

Wendy Wilson  

Wesley Heidt

West Volusia Beacon

West Volusia Hospital Authority

Westplan Investors

Will Furry 

Will Roberts

William Berry 

William Freebern

William Jones, Jr.

William Reischmann 

William Sell

William Tillard 

William Whitson

Willie Kimmons

WNDB

World’s Most Famous Brewery

Wray Gillette

Xiangjun Li

Yaupon Brothers Tea

Yetay Smith

Zetta Baker

Zev Cohen & Associates

And, well, you know who you are…

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               The Irrepressible Big John

It has been over a year now since the passing of Big John, a true icon who served us well as the political conscience of Volusia County.

In his own inimitable way, Big served as the preeminent commentator on regional civic issues.  A man with an incredibly bright mind, irrepressible personality, cantankerous façade, and an encyclopedic knowledge of Volusia County politics and policymaking, who devoted himself to furthering our collective understanding of local government.

In fact, after his impressive career in elective office, Big spent the bulk of his interesting life educating the public on the bureaucratic machinations and legislative legerdemain that affect our lives and livelihoods, always lamenting the fact that when it comes to local government, “Nobody knows nothing.”  

He was right. 

Unfortunately, Big took his leave just when we needed him most.  

Like many of you, I miss his incredible wisdom and friendship terribly… 

This week, we learned that Big’s dedication to bettering our community continues with a recent philanthropic donation of $140,000 that his estate bequeathed to Our Lady of Lourdes Academy to support scholarships and expenses for students in need.

In a release ahead of the check presentation, Big’s longtime friend and attorney Mel Stack said:

“Big John’s heart was as big as his personality.  His dedication to justice and compassion was unwavering. His gift to the academy reflects his belief in the transformative power of education.”

Wow. 

Thank you, Big. 

Your extraordinary legacy of service will live on in the young lives touched by your generous gift of education.   

Angel               Attorney and Animal Advocate Mel Stack

For many years, the venerated elder law attorney Melvin Stack was a trusted contributor to GovStuffLive! with Big John – generously educating the public on the importance of wills, trusts, estate planning, and other legal protections – providing an incredibly beneficial community service.   

However, Mel’s generosity of heart is best exemplified by his three-decades of stewardship with the Halifax Humane Society, which has served the needs of area pets and protected them from cruelty and neglect since 1937, and now serves some 30,000 homeless animals annually. 

Last week, Mel’s outstanding community service was recognized with the 2023 Halifax Humane Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award, presented at the society’s annual Fur Ball held at the Ocean Center.

According to a report in the Ormond Beach Observer:

“The gala, which brought together over 450 animal welfare enthusiasts, served as a platform to raise funds for Halifax Humane Society as well as an opportunity to “honor those individuals whose unwavering commitment has significantly impacted the welfare of animals in our community,” a press release stated.

“Mel has been a consummate leader for the Halifax Humane Society,” said Nancy Lohman, board member of the Halifax Humane Society. “His calm and professional demeanor, his dedication, and his compassion have provided the steadfast leadership resulting in excellent operational effectiveness and programming that have ultimately saved the lives and provided forever homes for thousands of animals over his 30 year tenure.”

Fortunately, there are those among us who find great purpose and personal fulfillment in supporting causes greater than their own self-interests – giving of their intellect, skills, and influence to better the lives of their less fortunate neighbors, fund humanitarian initiatives, improve our quality of life, seek answers to community problems, and shape a better world.

None more important that providing comfort and shelter to helpless animals.

The Halifax area is blessed to have a few extraordinary souls who see our community’s myriad needs and compassionately contribute their time, talent, and financial resources in a way that reflects their personal and civic values. 

Few more generous or impactful than Melvin Stack.

Angel               Mainland High School and Coach Travis Roland

A hearty congratulations to the Mainland High School Buccaneers and Coach Travis Roland on successfully claiming the FHSAA Class 3S Football State Championship on December 7!    

The Buc’s broke a 20-year streak to claim the title following an impressive 14-1 season with their impressive win over the St. Augustine Yellow Jackets in Tallahassee.  Interestingly, third-year head coach Travis Roland was a student athlete in the Buc’s lineup during the ’03 championship season.   

Since bringing home the trophy last week, the team has received well-deserved accolades across our incredibly proud community – including serving as Grand Marshal’s of last Saturday’s City of Daytona Beach Christmas Parade!

According to a recent report by Chris Boyle writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, Coach Roland reflected on his team’s extraordinary season:

“It’s great to know that you had a piece to do with your city having a super positive vibe,” Roland said. “I think anybody that’s out here that was around us when we were walking can feel the excitement and pride that people have about this program right now. I’ve been hearing people talk about putting (Daytona Beach) back on the map, hearing people say, ‘Great job, we’re so proud of you,’ and seeing people with tears in their eyes.”

Kudos to Coach Roland, his incredibly talented players, and the athletic staff at Mainland High School for an outstanding season! 

Asshole           Florida Rep. Alex Andrade

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

–Gideon J. Tucker

Here we go again…

Ahead of the 2024 state legislative session, Pensacola lawmaker Rep. Alex Andrade announced last week he is preparing to reintroduce a “paired down” version of last year’s anti-American assault on 60-years of Supreme Court protections that allow citizens to speak their mind on the machinations of those elected officials who control our lives and livelihoods here in the “Sunshine State.” 

During the 2023 session, following pushback from First Amendment advocates, journalists, talk radio pundits from both sides of the political spectrum, and freedom loving taxpayers everywhere, Andrade’s bill – which would have made it easier for politicians to sue citizens and media outlets for “defamation,” prevented defendants in these lawsuits from recovering legal fees, and established a legal presumption that “anonymous sources” in media reports are false – died a natural death. 

According to a recent article by Jim Little writing in the Pensacola News-Journal:

“Bobby Block, executive director of the First Amendment Foundation, said the bill creates a threat to free speech in Florida and the entire country.

“It’s bad legal precedent, and like the law that was proposed last year, it’s un-American,” Block said.”

He’s right.

If Rep. Andrade’s frightening legislation becomes law – it won’t just apply to the New York Times, CNN, Fox News, or MSNBC. 

Rather, it will have a chilling effect on every reporter, blogger, community group, Facebooker, or citizen who wants their voice heard by subjecting them to the financial and emotional devastation of a vengeful lawsuit brought by some thin-skinned politician with a God complex.

I’ve said this repeatedly – I’m not a “journalist.”  At best, a dilettante “editorialist.”

More accurately – a blowhard with internet access…

Because of the nature of these screeds, I regularly receive requests from loyal members of the Barker’s View tribe asking that I “investigate” some governmental excess or inefficiency – or “look into” an instance of political intrigue, perceived corruption, or right a glaring civic wrong that media outlets have seemingly ignored.   

On occasion, these tips pique my interest and I’ll make a call, do a public records request, or ask around just to satisfy my own curiosity.

Most of the time, those who put their faith in me to ferret out wrongdoing go away pissed because I do not share their moral outrage over an outsized water bill, the fact their trash wasn’t collected on time, or pound-my-fists and demand to know why Volusia County won’t maintain John Q’s private driveway, etc., etc.

However, sometimes a trusted insider with accurate information and no place to turn will provide me with details of internal issues inside local governments – harrowing stories of maladministration, waste, and excess – and I feel obligated to point that person to those professionals who can best shine a journalistic light on the issue. 

Sadly, in nearly every case the reporting party demands anonymity – a request I always honor – because they fear retribution from their own local elected and appointed officials if it were known they were seeking answers (often to relatively benign questions).

Does that sound like “good governance” to you?

Most of the time I refer the concerned reader to their elected representative (a name they rarely know) and a resource that had not crossed their minds, because so many politicians stop acknowledging the concerns of their constituents about 12-minutes after the last balloon drops at their election victory celebration…

Look, having spent the bulk of my adult life in municipal government – I’ve grown some hard bark through the years – and I can give as good as I get.  On occasion, I’ll receive word that someone who stood for election to high office or holds a lucrative senior appointment in the cloistered halls of power, was personally offended by my thoughts on an issue. 

Good. 

That means they still have the human emotion of shame – something that is quickly erased from the psyche of most politicians as hubris, megalomania, and an overwhelming sense of infallibility replace healthy feelings of doubt.    

Those powerful policymakers who “get it” understand the importance of using criticism to their advantage – accepting the slings-and-arrows of their constituents as a barometer of community sentiment – while remaining open to crucial public input, discourse, and dissent.

Unfortunately, rather than open lines of communication and improve transparency – some hypersensitive Florida legislators continue to propose asinine laws weakening our right to free expression by prohibiting citizens from ‘Speaking ill of the King’ – suppressing public dialog and encouraging petty politicians to silence critics and activists by suing them whenever someone calls out their autocratic assholery for what it is.

How patently un-American.

How terribly frightening… 

Asshole           Volusia County School Board

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

–Benjamin Franklin

The safety and security of students, teachers, and staff in a modern learning environment is paramount. 

Given the grim lessons of Columbine, Robb Elementary, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and Sandy Hook, the need for physical security professionals on school campuses is omnipotent. 

Common sense and best practices demand that highly equipped and tactically proficient men and women who can respond instantly and neutralize a threat should be standard and accepted staffing in every public and private school in the nation.   

With violent crime on the rise in many Volusia County schools, most astute administrators would include on-campus law enforcement resources into a comprehensive strategic plan as part of the annual budget process. 

That’s just one reason Volusia County taxpayers were taken aback in October when Superintendent Carmen Balgobin sent her redundant deputy and an Interim Chief Operating Officer (with just five-days on the job) to lobby the Volusia County Council for $342,905.11 to help fund school resource deputies at Creekside Middle School, Deltona Middle School, Galaxy Middle School, Heritage Middle School, Holly Hill School, Silver Sands Middle School, and Southwestern Middle School.

The request – which came after the 2023-24 budgets for both bureaucracies had been settled – was couched as part of the district’s ongoing agreement with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office which requires that the district shoulder 55% of the total costs for school resource deputies with the Sheriff’s Office responsible for the remaining 45%.

Unfortunately, the Superintendent’s horribly ill-prepared emissaries showed up in council chambers with a half-assed slideshow and a weird form of dissociative amnesia that precluded them from presenting even a basic statement of need, supporting statistical data, or an explanation for why seven Volusia County Middle Schools have been operating without a sworn law enforcement officer on campus?

To their credit, the Volusia County Council stood on principle and refused the odd request citing the district’s ample reserves which should be used to fund any exigencies outside the normal budget process. 

Frankly, many believed Superintendent Balgobin and her irritable Chief Financial Officer Todd Seis, should have done the honorable thing and resigned when their horrible lack of forecasting became evident…   

This week, taxpayers were yet again surprised by an agenda item for the Volusia County School Board seeking an amendment to the district’s agreement with VCSO which would have Volusia County Schools paying one hundred percent of the cost of services for seven School Resource Deputies totaling $507,136.00.

In turn, Sheriff Mike Chitwood agreed to provide a Sergeant to supervise the resource deputies for the remainder of the current school year.

The measure was approved on a vote of 4-1 with School Board member Ruben Colón casting the dissenting vote.

Many onlookers both inside and outside Volusia County District Schools were left shaking their heads – considering that in September, the district declared impasse with Volusia United Educators over a relatively paltry $332,000 to support paraprofessionals and office specialists – at a time when administrators find it necessary to import foreign teachers to make up for the mass exodus which has resulted in a critical staffing shortage. 

More recently, parents began raising concerns over announced plans to move students to other schools around Volusia County in the face of rapid population growth due to unchecked overdevelopment and a critical lack of planning by our seemingly clueless ‘powers that be’…   

(Anyone remember in October when parents, teachers, and staff learned of a weird proposal to shutter Read-Patillo Elementary in New Smyrna when what Superintendent Balgobin described as a “sad mishap” occurred ahead of a School Board meeting when a staffer “mistakenly” uploaded a PowerPoint slide announcing, “Closure of Read-Pattillo Elementary”?  Me neither…)

Perhaps most disturbing is what passes for the district’s time-wasting – and wholly ineffective – “strategic planning” process which was rolled out in draft form on Tuesday.

Like always, the district cobbled together some esoteric “goals” such as “Ensure ALL students are provided a high-quality learning experience through differentiated instruction every day, in all content areas,” (as opposed to what?), “Ensure students’ learning outcomes are achieved through consistent, ongoing progress monitoring in all content areas,” (like an objective grading system?), or “Volusia County Schools’ leadership development programs will produce instructional leaders who are prepared to implement the district’s vision and will support development of a strong talent pipeline for future generations of leaders,” (what “vision”?)  

Folks, I hate to break the news, but – as recent events have proven – that’s not “planning.”

And it damn sure isn’t progress…

Just another steaming crock o’ shit that accomplishes nothing of substance – and more disturbing – lacks objective performance metrics so no one (who should) can ever be held accountable… 

Another hodge-podge of innocuous pap and fluff – a ridiculous and incredibly expensive “make-work” exercise to justify the top-heavy bureaucracy in the Ivory Tower of Power in DeLand – and a terrible disservice to students, teachers, and staff who are increasingly victimized by the gross ineptitude of Superintendent Carmen Balgobin and her bumbling staff.

This dreadful incompetence should not be countenanced by those we have elected to represent our interests – politically accountable elected officials who should see this continuing pattern for what it is.    

I hope you will remember that fact at the ballot box next year. 

Quote of the Week

“There are all sorts of reasons many of Palm Coast’s front and back yards are flooding the more new homes go up, up and up. But builders and new construction are not the reason. That’s the first conclusion from an analysis presented to the Palm Coast City Council this morning.

The second is that the city is on it: staffers are working with the more than 80 property owners who have lodged complaints to date–not as fast as the city wishes it could, with just a quarter of those complaints answered so far, but steadily, and intently. The third is that the city is rewriting its technical building manual directly to address new-home elevations and drainage issues in hopes of blunting further problems of the sort, or at least diminishing them.

Less clear is how the city intends to help residents already affected by yard flooding beyond providing them with survey analyses and engineering suggestions. In other words, while the city is prepared to rewrite its building rules and explain to residents why their front or back yards are flooding, and what they could do about it, the city is not ready to go beyond that–and it’s not clear whether it should, or legally can–though at least one council member wants to head that way.”

—FlaglerLive!, “All Those Yards Flooding from New Construction? Blame ITT, Nature or Changing Codes, Not Builders, City Finds,” Tuesday, December 12, 2023

When Victor Frankenstein creates his monster, he immediately recognizes the consequences of hubris and blind ambition.  In turn, the creature comes to hate its creator for abandoning and neglecting him – and you know how that little ditty ends… 

I’m certainly not the most intelligent person you know, but even a simp like me can see the direct correlation between the greed-crazed pursuit of unchecked sprawl – cramming more, more, more into increasingly limited space – exceeding the carrying capacity of the land and spoiling the natural processes and resources we rely on for our very existence, even as the monster begins destroying the quality of life of everyone around it.

All while rich little men revel in their creation – and resultant wealth – secretly knowing the adverse impacts more development (even those “infill” projects patronizing politicians now point to as examples of “smart growth”) will have on existing residents…

According to the extremely informative report in FlaglerLive!, we learned that the City of Palm Coast is content to quibble where the blame truly lies – suggesting that some of the flooding issues being experienced are the result of existing homesite retaining their own stormwater:

“ITT had decided to have very flat lots, with typically an inch and a quarter drop from one side of the lot to the other, on an 80-foot lot. It was intentional, to allow for a very slow percolation into the ground to recharge the aquifer. ITT also designed a lot of built-up lots to drain onto vacant lots. That, too, was either by design or by gravity. “A lot of natural ground compaction has occurred over time, you figure some of these houses are 20-30 years old,” Stevens (deputy director of stormwater and engineering) said. By compaction, she means that houses have settled, or sunk in. And like Palm Coast’s own subduction zones, older houses have gone down, newer houses, and newer regulations, have gone up. “There’s been a lot of changes in the residence elevations as well from what was originally built.”

“Some of the existing homes are now retaining their own stormwater that used to run off to the vacant lots,” Stevens said, repeating a contention city staffers have made a few times over the past few weeks: the water pooling in existing lots may not be coming from adjacent, newer, higher construction. The removal of trees and roots, it causes the ground to compact, and settle more. Conversely, as trees grow, their roots grow, their surroundings lift. Re-sodding can change the elevation. Road elevations can change from one block to another: one road could be a foot higher than another, parallel road, which changes the house elevation at one end as opposed to a house at the other end. In some places, the water table can be just a few inches below the surface, which dictates how water flows and how quickly it moves away from homes.” 

Find the rest of this important report here: http://tinyurl.com/2p8ya939

I wonder what the ramifications would be if it were ever scientifically proven by responsible government officials that builders and developers either knew, or should have known, that intentionally raising the elevation of a building lot would result in flooding damage to adjacent existing homes and commercial properties – yet did it anyway? 

Something tells me we will never know the answer to that question… 

To quote Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, “With how many things are we on the brink of becoming acquainted, if cowardice or carelessness did not restrain our inquiries.”

Cowardice and carelessness, indeed… 

In my view, the flooding problems being experienced in Palm Coast are no different from the massive inundation seen across the region during even moderate rain events – the clear result of changes in topography and the resultant gravitational flow of water from high ground to lower areas in the absence of adequate stormwater retention and permeable surfaces. 

Trust me.  No one who created this monster gives two-shits about the recurrent damage and destruction on your property or mine – as the bulldozers continue to roar…

Vote like your quality of life depends upon it.

And Another Thing!

On Thursday, The Daytona Beach News-Journal’s ace investigative reporter Eileen Zaffiro-Kean broke the shocking story of a proposed $37 to $75 million administrative complex to replace Daytona Beach City Hall at a location to be determined, a plan apparently dreamed up by a mysterious group of senior bureaucrats known internally as the New City Hall Project Group.

What?  You hadn’t heard about extensive plans to fund, purchase property, and build a new municipal administrative complex? 

Don’t feel bad – neither had the elected officials… 

Yeah.  I know.

According to the informative report:

“It’s an idea City Manager Deric Feacher and his top city staff have been exploring, a venture that could ring up a $37 million bill just for construction of a new City Hall building.

Once other costs such as land acquisition, a new parking garage, streetscape improvements, utility upgrades, building design and permitting are added in, the total bill could climb as high as $65 million to $75 million, city records indicate.

One new City Hall proposal discussed among city staff members recently focused on acquiring property along Ridgewood Avenue north of International Speedway Boulevard. But multiple properties are being considered, Feacher told city commissioners in an email he sent them Wednesday afternoon.”

Unfortunately, the City Manager’s thin explanation to his bosses came after members of the City Commission first heard about it from the News-Journal.    

As you can imagine, considering the City Commission had not publicly directed Mr. Feacher or his staff to consider options for a new City Hall, the news didn’t sit well with those elected officials who were caught flatfooted…

“Why do we want to do this?” asked City Commissioner Ken Strickland, who stressed that he wasn’t happy to hear about it for the first time from a reporter and not city staff or Feacher. “It really creates some trust issues with the city manager. A lot of stuff goes on where only certain people learn about something, and I’m not good with that.”

To add insult, Mr. Feacher declined to comment for the News-Journal’s report… 

Humm, sounds eerily like someone else I used to know, eh? 

More disturbing, the report noted that Deputy City Manager Dru Driscoll (who is no stranger to controversy), suggested in an October email to Mr. Feacher “…putting a referendum on the November 2024 ballot asking voters to approve the multimillion-dollar construction cost. Driscoll’s email appears to be suggesting a temporary increase in property tax assessments to raise money for the building.”

Whoa. 

For the record, neither Mr. Driscoll – nor Mr. Feacher – are politically accountable to the citizens of Daytona Beach – and the mere suggestion of a property tax increase to fund a Taj Mahal project without the prior knowledge and approval of those who are is a disservice to elected representatives who must stand before the taxpayers and explain themselves every four-years. 

Unfortunately, it appears the Daytona Beach municipal government has begun using the pernicious practice of surreptitiously cloaking public projects in a blanket of secrecy – much like those in the private sector who come with mysterious projects hidden behind code names, then ask elected officials to approve massive corporate welfare spiffs by voting in the blind… 

This isn’t the first time the Daytona Beach City Commission has been strategically kept in the dark. 

Does anyone remember back in October 2020 when then City Manager Jim “The Chisler” Chisholm and his “senior staff” developed a secret plan to facilitate millions of dollars in public incentives for a Tampa-based developer seeking to build an apartment complex and parking garage on the site of the former Daytona Beach First Baptist Church?

I do.

At that time, commissioners were asked to act on a plan that would see the developer receive a $10.5 million tax break in exchange for a few public parking spaces and the potential of moving people into downtrodden downtown.

Interestingly, senior staff – to include Dru Driskoll – provided the elected officials with support materials just six-hours before the meeting…

Early on, that mishmash of dubious development plans – which Chisholm called “Daytona Emerging” – included an $18 to $24 million City Hall complex.

Not surprisingly, it appears the covert New City Hall Project Group has been in communications with senior staff at Volusia County – with Mr. Feacher admitting that “…there have been numerous discussions with the county administration, chief justice of the courts and potential governmental partners about consolidating and centralizing operations.”

(Ah, guess that’s another demerit for County Manager George “The Wreck” Recktenwald when the subject of his “communication with council and constituents” comes up for review next December…)

The News-Journal led Tuesday’s print edition with an in-depth frontpage look at Mr. Feacher’s lucrative salary, now reported at $285,681 annually – which exceeds even that of Prince George Recktenwald and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer – which makes him among the highest paid city managers in the state. 

Oh, and he’s set to receive another raise in April, which will catapult Feacher’s salary to $291,395.

Trust me.  If I were in Mr. Feacher’s position – with a handsome benefits package that includes paid health insurance, a city-supplied vehicle, and $65,680 in pay raises since starting with the City of Daytona Beach in 2021 – my bosses on the City Commission would receive a personal call announcing every time I went to the latrine – to include a written summary of every aspect of the operation when I finished…

Look, I think Mr. Feacher is doing an excellent job.  He has the ability to think strategically – and that’s a rare commodity in a business where the stagnant status quo reigns supreme.   

Obviously, the majority of the Daytona Beach City Commission feel the same way. 

But keeping secrets from decision-makers does not engender trust.   

A senior executive of Mr. Feacher’s caliber and experience should understand the very real pitfalls of keeping the details of major projects and expenditures from those elected officials who will be expected to cast their vote to approve the appropriation of public funds – or place an additional tax burden on their already strapped constituents.   

In my view, Daytona Beach faces serious challenges that will require massive civic investment – especially in the face of unchecked sprawl. 

In the view of many, an extravagant $75 million governmental complex isn’t one of them…

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

________________________

Barker’s View will take a break next week as we celebrate Christmas with family and friends. 

As this alternative opinion site enters its eighth year, I want to thank all my loyal readers for your continued engagement and friendship. 

Thanks to the many concerned citizens and informed voters who access this site each month literally from around the globe, this blogsite continues to open doors, shine a bright light into the cloistered halls of power, influence public opinion, and stimulate discussion of the issues.    

As a result, I have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people – including a few of our “Movers & Shakers” – some of whom still have the humility and sense of humor to laugh at themselves and the absurdity of our collective situation.

Invariably, whenever I meet Barker’s View readers, including those in powerful elected and appointed public positions – you are incredibly kind to me – always taking a moment to offer your own unique opinions on the issues, point out where we differ and agree, share constructive criticism, or just buy me beer… 

I sincerely appreciate that. 

May the joy of this Glorious Season fill your heart – and may God continue to bless this beautiful place we call home. 

From the Old Barker place to yours, here’s wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year! 

MDB

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               Ormond Beach Police Officer Michael Bakaysa

Since my earliest memories, the brave men and women of law enforcement have been my personal heroes, none finer than Officer Michael Bakaysa, who courageously served the citizens of Ormond Beach for over 27 years.

Officer Bakaysa died December 1 following an on-duty medical emergency.  He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and son, Michael. 

Yesterday, I had the privilege of standing with my former colleagues in law enforcement as we honored Officer Bakaysa’s extraordinary service and sacrifice.  During the procession to his much deserved full-honors funeral, seeing so many lining the route with hands over hearts to pay tribute, and the impressive on-duty officers who stood proud at the position of attention holding a hand salute to their fallen comrade brought tears to my eyes. 

According to a statement posted by the Ormond Beach Police Department:

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of not just a colleague, but a friend, a mentor, and a hero in our community.  Officer Bakaysa’s commitment to serving and protecting the people of Ormond Beach was unwavering, and his absence leaves a void that cannot be filled. We extend our deepest sympathies to Officer Bakaysa’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time. Your loss is immeasurable, and we stand with you in grief.”

All thoughts and prayers remain with Officer Bakaysa’s family, friends, and colleagues.   

Donations are being accepted in Officer Bakaysa’s name to the Ormond Beach Police Cadets. If you would like to memorialize Officer Bakaysa’s life and service, please mail a check made out to Ormond Beach Police Cadets to the Ormond Beach Police Department, attention Captain DW Smith, at 170 West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach, Florida, 32175.

Asshole           Volusia County Council

“An intentionally blank page or “vacat page” (from Latin: vacare for “being empty”) is a page that has no content and may be unexpected. Such pages may serve purposes ranging from place-holding to space-filling and content separation. Sometimes, these pages carry a notice such as “This page intentionally left blank.” Such notices typically appear in printed works, such as legal documents, manuals, and exam papers, in which the reader might otherwise suspect that the blank pages are due to a printing error and where missing pages might have serious consequences.”

—Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia  

Sometimes a blank page speaks volumes…

For the uninitiated, Barker’s View was born from the simple notion that someone should say what everyone is secretly thinking.

In fact, one of the first screeds I penned in this space grew from my frustration over the Volusia County Council’s lack of an objective performance evaluation for a previous County Manager – a ridiculous annual charade that invariably results in a generous year-end bonus for the manager and County Attorney – a lavish reward for skillfully protecting and preserving the stagnant status quo. 

In my view, this lack of a comprehensive review – or any reasonable cap on the astronomical salaries for the most senior executives in Volusia County government – exemplifies the lack of accountability commensurate with responsibility that has resulted in a fetid culture of mediocrity at the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Building in DeLand.

What’s changed? 

I mean, other than the fact you and I now compensate County Manager George “The Wreck” Recktenwald and County Attorney Mike Dyer – the two most monstrously overpaid hacks in all the realm – a combined fortune in salary and benefits worth over a half-million-dollars a year… 

In September, Councilman Troy Kent of Ormond Beach took the extraordinary step of calling for structured evaluations of both Recktenwald and Dyer – a positive move that many viewed as a sharp break from the foregone conclusion of councilmember’s genuflecting while gifting this power duo massive pay increases each December.

At the time, Mr. Kent suggested an objective written assessment based upon established metrics such as competency, leadership, problem solving, communications, responsiveness, management style, ethics, interpersonal relationships, planning and organization, fiscal management, and team building skills.

We were told “something” would be cobbled together by “staff” and brought back to the council before December.

Then – Crickets…

Remember?  I do.

Last week, well before Tuesday’s meeting, I perused the published agenda and saw the line item announcing, “County Attorney and County Manager Annual Performance Evaluation.” 

The remainder of the form was ominously blank… 

No attachments, no forms, no established metrics, no written reviews, no performance-based criteria for a fair and impartial assessment of Recktenwald and Dyer’s impact on the mission, culture, and values of county government – and no explanation.    

In my mind, it exemplified how the bureaucracy works to protect itself from external threats.

Admittedly, I’m an incorrigible cynic, but staring at that blank page was the moment I knew the wagons had been circled in the inner sanctum…  

Look, I could run a laundry list of Recktenwald and Dyer’s fumbles, bumbles, mistakes, mismanagement, and good old-fashioned maladministration – from the abomination at Volusia County Jail facilities and the administrations continuing refusal to address the dangers facing our corrections staff, to the lack of a comprehensive beach management strategy, the Belvedere Terminals debacle, emergency medical services, personnel issues in the Planning and Zoning Department, embarrassing oversights and omissions, an expanding budget and bureaucracy, inadequate transportation infrastructure, lack of substantive communication, a failure to address countywide flooding, growing environmental and water quality concerns, etc., etc., etc.

But if you pay taxes here on the “Fun Coast” – or are considered asset limited/income constrained (and who isn’t these days?) – I suspect you get the picture…   

On Tuesday, despite the fervent calls from a growing number of residents to terminate the County Manager on a vote of no confidence, the annual Lovefest continued, with saccharine accolades leading to an obscene 5% pay increase for both Dyer and Recktenwald – retroactive to September 30, of course…   

Hey, I’m sure our elected representatives gave the council’s only two direct reports their what fors “behind closed doors,” right? 

Right…

For the record, Recktenwald’s salary is about $259,041 and Dyer’s salary is about $242,138 – not including their lucrative benefits package – and, according to The Daytona Beach News-Journal, Tuesday’s bump equates to a collective $24,000 increase…  

You read that right.

During the meeting, it was insinuated that our horribly neutered Chairman Jeff Brower, along with freshman Councilman Troy Kent (and perhaps others), provided written evaluations that would be publicly available for review. 

So, where the hell are they?

The agenda item remains blank, a sterile reminder of how elected officials become enamored with the trappings of office, allowing themselves to be taken “into the system” – made to feel “important,” a part of the “inner-circle” – a highly effective strategy for controlling vainglorious politicians and perpetuating the bureaucracy.

Invariably, this overwhelming desire to stroke their massive egos with the perquisites and prizes of their high office results in the indulgence of lying to themselves – denial, minimalization, and projection – which results in alienating those they are sworn to serve by allowing their grandiose delusions to outweigh the truth.  

In my view, most nauseating was the rambling self-justification employed by our clearly compromised elected representatives – a subliminal need to suppress the dissonance and hypocrisy they feel – an all-encompassing desire to defend the indefensible while protecting the carefully crafted façade.

This need for external rationalization was most evident when, near the end of the meeting, they trotted out a highly paid senior administrator who explained to us rubes how gifting a quarter-million-dollars to Avelo – a failing start-up airline currently having a very expensive cup of coffee at Daytona “International” Airport on the promise of $1 million in public props and subsidies – is somehow a good thing…    

Aw, what the hell.  Tis’ the Season of Giving, right?   

With thousands of Volusia County families struggling to feed themselves, find affordable housing, and make ends meet this Holiday Season – like always – at the end of the day our elected officials ensured that Messrs. Recktenwald and Dyer will have a very Merry Christmas indeed.    

And the sanctified status quo stumbles onward…

Asshole           Deltona City Commission  

I couldn’t let 2023 end without shining a light on the abject dysfunction that is the Deltona City Commission – an abomination in local governance – that continues to lower the bar and baffle concerned residents and incredulous onlookers.

Last Monday, during the annual selection of the city’s Vice-Mayor – a position with the same duties as any other commissioner, except the designee serves in an “Acting” status during the absence or disability of the mayor – the appointment went to Commissioner “JodyLee” (a pseudonym for District 6 Commissioner Jody Lee Storozuk).

Initially, then Vice Mayor Anita Bradford nominated Commissioner Dana McCool – a senior elected official and political firebrand – someone who fights tooth-and-nail for that which she believes is right for the long-suffering citizens of Deltona as she enters her last year in office before standing for reelection. 

That measure died for lack of a second…

The silence was deafening. 

Then Deltona’s Good ol’ Boy cronyism raised its ugly head when Commissioner Stephen Colwell – an apparent surdomute who normally sits like a benign lump on the dais, someone Storozuk recently described as his “best friend and we go on vacations together” – moved to anoint his buddy “JodyLee.” 

The appointment passed on a 6-1 vote.

Commissioner McCool excused herself from the rest of the meeting after not feeling well. 

I’ll bet.  I didn’t feel so hot either…

Look, I don’t care who the Deltona City Commission selects as its vice-mayor – like many, I’ve become numb to the time-wasting chicanery that defines the open malfeasance in Volusia County’s largest community by population – however, late last month, now Vice-Mayor Storozuk’s ominous influence in a code enforcement hearing was too much to ignore. 

It is common knowledge that Commissioner Storozuk has interest in a bar on Howland Avenue in Deltona – a business located in the larger Save-a-Lot Plaza – a strip center which also houses several other small businesses. 

Since May, Deltona’s Code Compliance Division has been working to address serious violations at a former nail salon in the plaza, including unpermitted walls, plumbing, and ventilation.  The enforcement action resulted in accruing fines. 

During a November 29 hearing before Deltona’s Special Magistrate, Danny Ron, the city’s code compliance manager, gave testimony regarding the status of the case. 

Then, “JodyLee” approached the podium – claiming the role of “on-site property manager” for the plaza – before promptly identifying himself to the presiding official as a Deltona Commissioner – establishing the power dynamic from the beginning…

In turn, Commissioner Storozuk cut into Mr. Ron – openly accusing him of “dishonesty” and deception during the code enforcement process – indignantly pouring over the officer’s case file, blaming the violations on “misunderstandings,” claiming “misrepresentations” by code officials, and smugly maintaining that he had been assured by Mr. Ron that no fees or fines would be assessed, later describing the officer as “less than transparent and honest.”  

Commissioner Storozuk then threateningly announced that he was sure those matters with Mr. Ron would be “taken up at another time…”

Yeah.  I know.

Oddly, in her final directive, the Special Magistrate agreed to suspend the substantial fines and fees that have accumulated on the promise “JodyLee” agrees to have the compliance issues resolved no later than December 13 at 4:00pm… 

Disturbing. 

Surly the Save-a-Lot corporation must have a bevy of attorneys on staff to handle code compliance issues on its properties – so why is Commissioner Storozuk insinuating himself into a quasi-judicial process literally to his professional benefit (and that of whomever employs him as “property manager”) – flexing his legislative muscles with not-so-veiled threats against city officials and openly besmirching the character and reputation of Code Compliance Manager Danny Ron?  

In my view (and that of many Deltona residents) by his direct involvement in an active code enforcement issue – making serious accusations as an identified elected official to influence the outcome of an official proceeding – Commissioner Storozuk has crossed a very bright ethical line. 

By City Charter, elected officials are “…expressly prohibited from interfering with the performance of the duties of any City employee who is under the direct or indirect supervision of the City Manager,” and any violation of that provision is considered “malfeasance within the meaning of Florida Statutes.”

With a history of crude behavior and threatening rhetoric (such as an infamous November 2021 social media post wherein “JodyLee” brags about knocking a tooth from the mouth of an unruly bar patron, sending the person to the hospital by ambulance for “flipping his lip”) with a “tough guy” reputation for playing fast and loose with the rules – it appears Commissioner Storozuk has established himself as an influential force to be reckoned with in the Lost City of Deltona – and it is also apparent that the city’s Code Compliance Division (and Special Magistrate) are now well aware of their place.

Let’s hope Commissioner “JodyLee” recuses himself during the next vote to vacate code enforcement fines for hapless Deltona residents who don’t pack the same clout and influence over the process as Mr. Storozuk…

Good luck with your new Vice-Mayor, Deltona. 

You’re going to need it…  

Quote of the Week

“If the City Commission said 272 homes on the former Tomoka Oaks golf course were too many, why is the developer now asserting a right to build 317 homes?

Why are they calling any significant reduction of homes “an exercise in futility”? Was it a futile exercise when hundreds of residents turned out in historic numbers at five public hearings to oppose the overdevelopment plan?

Does Florida’s newly enacted Community Planning Act preempt local government power to approve or reject development applications? Will this eliminate public hearings?

While the new statute is designed to protect development property rights, does it equally protect adjacent property rights?

Can Ormond Beach land use codes and policies still protect the neighborhood character, safe traffic flow, and the inherent property rights of 550 homeowners in Tomoka Oaks, 990 homeowners in The Trails, and all the homeowners in neighboring Talaquah, Escondido Condos, and Tomoka Oakwood North Condos?

After less than three years of ownership, do corporate property rights take legal precedence over the rights of adjacent homeowners who have owned their properties for more than 60 years?

Would Tomoka Reserve developer property rights be satisfied if the city allowed, as it did in 2006, a 122-unit townhouse development in the center of the golf course property, with the surrounding golf course footprint preserved in perpetuity?

Did a 75-day study by the Planning Board and a 42-day review by the City Commission deny the Tomoka Reserve golf course developers, as they claim, opportunity for “meaningful” negotiations?

If the Tomoka Reserve golf course redevelopment plan legally meets all Ormond Beach standards, why did the applicants find it necessary to recently hire a Ponte Vedra attorney to claim the city’s land use decisions violate Florida property rights statutes?

Has this attorney considered case law precedent, established in the 2014 Heatherwood Holdings case by the U.S. 11th Judicial Court of Appeals, protecting communities from golf course conversions to residential housing even after the golf course has closed?”

–Civic Activist Jeff Boyle, Ormond Beach, Letters to the Editor, “More Tomoka Oaks Questions,” Ormond Beach Observer, Monday, December 4, 2023

And Another Thing!

When Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried agree on something (anything) – it’s serious – especially during the preening and posturing ahead of an election year.   

Last week, we learned that Republican Party of Florida Chair Christian Ziegler is now the subject of an active criminal investigation into an alleged sexual battery earlier this year.

According to reports, the October 2023 incident was reported to the Sarasota Police Department who last week confirmed their investigation to various media outlets. 

For the record, no charges have been filed in the case and Ziegler’s attorney believes he will be exonerated. 

Last Friday, the salacious details of an apparent ménage à trois between Christian Ziegler, his wife – Sarasota County School Board Member, gubernatorial appointee to the Disney oversight board, and co-founder of Mom’s for Liberty Bridget Ziegler – and the alleged rape victim (something that supposedly occurred more than a year before the October incident) were released pursuant to media inquiries. 

Look, I could give two-shits about the consensual (if not horribly hypocritical) bedroom hijinks of Christian and Bridget Ziegler. In my view, what happens behind closed doors is no one’s business but the 6 to 8 consenting adults involved and no one else…

But this revelation should prove awkward for a “power couple” known for their staunch advocacy of “traditional family values” (which, in the waning days of this foul year 2023, may well include randy group-romps by middle-aged politicos, I don’t know).

However, I draw the line when the public’s trust in our democratic institutions is threatened…

In an explosive on-going exposé by the Florida Center for Government Accountability’s news outlet, “Florida Trident,” we learned:

“The alleged perpetrator is Ziegler, who has yet to publicly comment on the investigation first reported by the Trident on Thursday morning. His attorney, Derek Byrd, said in a written statement Ziegler would be fully exonerated in the investigation.

Sources close to the investigation told the Trident that Ziegler and his wife, Sarasota County School Board Member Bridget Ziegler, who is also an appointee of Gov. Ron DeSantis and cofounder of the right-wing group Moms For Liberty, had a three-way sexual relationship with the woman prior to the alleged October 2 sexual assault.

A copy of the search warrant involved in the case was released late Friday that substantiated much of the Trident’s earlier reporting and added a wealth of new information.   

Ziegler, according to the affidavit, had known the woman for 20 years and they had agreed to a tryst at the woman’s home on October 2 with Ziegler’s wife.  When Bridget Ziegler wasn’t able to make it, the woman canceled via text to Christian Ziegler, writing that she had been “more in for her,” meaning Bridget. She told police that Christian Ziegler came to her home anyway and entered uninvited as she opened the door to walk her dog. Inside, she said he raped her.”

According to the report, Ziegler claims the sexual encounter was consensual – and that he videotaped the incident “…which he said he initially deleted, but later uploaded to a Google Drive.”

Jesus.

Last week, Gov. DeSantis told reporters, “I don’t see how he can continue with that investigation ongoing, given the gravity of those situations.  And so, I think he should step aside. I think he should tend to that. He’s innocent until proven guilty, but we just can’t have a party chair that is under that type of scrutiny. And so, I hope that — I hope the charges aren’t true. I’ve known him, I’ve known Bridget; they’ve been friends. But the mission is more important.”

In addition, Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo told reporters she believes Christian Ziegler must resign.  “The Governor is the leader of our Party,” Passidomo said. “I agree with his position. The allegations are serious.”

Apparently, the Republican Party of Florida is seating a tribunal to oust Ziegler under the terms of party by-laws. 

I agree with Gov. DeSantis, President Passidomo, and Chairwoman Fried – credible allegations of criminal conduct should preclude Mr. Ziegler from holding a position of power and influence while he is the subject of an active investigation.

Here’s why:

Neither Republicans nor Democrats hold the high ground when it comes to abhorrent personal behavior and gross misconduct while “serving” in high office – and I believe in the basic concept of accountability for those who hold positions of power over others.

Make no mistake, this isn’t a partisan issue – another “red v. blue” skirmish.  Rather, it speaks to the corrosive effects of hubris, hypocrisy, and personal irresponsibility on our system of governance.

I certainly don’t want to paint all politicians with the same brush, but the historic institutional failure to censure and hold bad actors to account is corrosive to the very foundation of our democracy. 

Look, I’m no choirboy – more a cynical rogue than a priggish moralist – but I understand the fundamental concepts of right and wrong and the importance of honor and integrity to preserving the public trust in our most cherished civic principles.

The brutal lessons of history tell us that the decline of the Roman Empire began when the “rich and powerful” bought votes and ensured favors for their friends. Ultimately, corruption and debauchery ran rampant and led to the “commoners” distrusting the Senate.

Sound familiar?  

It should.

Here at home, earlier this year, Sen. “Terrible Tommy” Wright, in my view, a bullying narcissistic creep – a lecherous scumbag with a pathological inability to control his temper or base impulses – a licentious powermonger given to the open abuse of females and lewd come-ons to vulnerable domestic violence victims – was rightfully exposed following the release of a shocking video showing Sen. Wright’s belligerence toward a courageous employee of The Beacon Center.

In subsequent reports by The Daytona Beach News-Journal, his constituents where shocked by the creepy account of a then 20-year-old domestic violence survivor who described how Wright once crudely chatted her up about Cuban prostitutes and topless women in the presence of her baby while at the shelter – before offering to fly her to Las Vegas…

My God.

So, what do you think happened after Wright was caught on video violating the rules, honor, and integrity of the Florida Senate? 

Not a damned thing…

Inconceivably, Wright is still ensconced on the dais of power – wearing the costume of a state senator – haughtily accepting undeserved accolades while playing the only role that salves his enormous ego and “look at me” megalomania.

In my view, Sen. Tom Wright – and others who shit on their responsibility to the lofty position of trust they hold – represents all that is wrong with modern governance, a dark trench where powerful figures are elevated to a gilded pedestal – then, due to skewed partisan loyalties and a pervasive fear of political retaliation – violate the public trust without consequence.  

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but when I read accounts of powerful scumbags sitting on their lofty thrones on both sides of the aisle, smugly lording over our lives and livelihoods, it reminds me we live in a place where money, political power, and influence are now omnipotent – and the needs of We, The Little People be damned… 

What legacy are we leaving for our children and grandchildren?

Alexander Hamilton was right: “People get the government they deserve.”

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:

Asshole           Volusia County District Schools CFO Todd Seis

Before the Thanksgiving break, we saw the first salvos in the latest battle between the two largest budgetary behemoths in east Central Florida – the County of Volusia and Volusia County District Schools – bloated public entities who command a combined total of nearly $2.6 Billion annually from taxpayers. 

According to a report by the United Nations, that’s more than the Gross Domestic Product of twenty-one countries around the globe… 

Embarrassingly, the dustup looked like Scrooge McDuck and Richie Rich trifling over the check at McDonalds, except the safety and security of seven Volusia County middle schools remains at stake.

As you may recall, last month, District Superintendent Carmen Balgobin dispatched her redundant deputy superintendent and an “Interim Chief Operating Officer” (with five-days on the job?) to appear before the Volusia County Council and request $342,905.11 to fund school resource deputies at Creekside Middle School, Deltona Middle School, Galaxy Middle School, Heritage Middle School, Holly Hill School, Silver Sands Middle School, and Southwestern Middle School.

Unfortunately, Balgobin’s hapless emissaries were horribly unprepared – equipped only with a slapdash slideshow and a misguided notion that the Volusia County Council would simply rubber stamp their ask under the terms of an agreement between the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office – which requires the district shoulder 55% of the total costs for school resource deputies with the Sheriff’s Office responsible for the remaining 45%.

Neither Superintendent Balgobin nor Chief Financial Officer Todd Seis bothered to attend… 

To their credit, the Volusia County Council did something they almost never do – stood on principle – and sent the district representatives away emptyhanded with an admonition to get their shit together (and facts in order) the next time they come grubbing for money.

Trust me.  With a modicum of management and frugality, either entity could have easily funded the entire request from spare change found under their expensive couch cushions in the executive suite, but I was impressed that our elected representatives on the council held firm.

The fact is the district either knew or should have known that the odd timing of the request – well after the 2023/24 budgets have been approved – and the common knowledge that the district has ample funds in reserve to cover contingencies would make it difficult to convince the Volusia County Council to acquiesce…

After that humiliating episode, what followed was a l’esprit de l’escalier attempt at saving face by Volusia County School CFO Todd Seis – who got his knickers in a twist and publicly lashed out like a recalcitrant child in a release on November 17 – claiming the district’s request was met with “…a surprising level of disrespect and disregard by the County Council.  Such unprofessional conduct not only undermines our collaborative efforts but is also an affront to the dedicated professionals working tirelessly for the safety of our children.” 

Bullshit.

In an excellent report by Jarleene Almenas writing in the Ormond Beach Observer, we learned that Mr. Seis also used his ill-tempered rant to cut into Volusia County Attorney Michael Dyer:

“His guidance seemed to be missing from this meeting, but news outlets reported Mr. Dyer stating, ‘the school district is financially responsible for paying for law enforcement officers at schools,'” Seis said. “Although this is a partially true statement, it left off some important information as addressed in Florida Statute 1006.12(2)(d) that states: ‘A district school board may enter into mutual aid agreements with one or more law enforcement agencies as provided in chapter 23. A school safety officer’s salary may be paid jointly by the district school board and the law enforcement agency, as mutually agreed to.’ I question why this entire language in the statute was not provided to all council members by their attorney? Especially, when the safety of our Volusia County children is at stake.”

According to the report, Seis huffed and puffed that the district will be asking for a legal opinion from the Florida Attorney General’s office to resolve the “conflict with the county.”

I suspect if Mr. Dyer merely drops a copy of the district’s half-assed PowerPoint on Attorney General Ashley Moody’s mahogany desk, this brouhaha will come to a quick end…   

More pointedly, CFO Seis saved his worst for Councilman Troy Kent – a veteran Volusia County school administrator – questioning his suggestion of an alternative funding source under the Florida Education Finance Program, claiming Kent’s idea “…undermines his experience but also misrepresents the legal constraints governing school finances.”

In response, Mr. Kent justly fired back in the Observer:

“The Volusia County School District Chief Financial Officer Todd Seis talks about how important school safety is to him, yet, he nor Superintendent Balgobin were in attendance at the Nov. 7th County Council meeting,” Kent said. “What was more important than the safety of our children? Mr. Seis was attending a conference, one that he attends twice a year.”

Wow. 

Frankly, the ones left with egg on their face are the elected members of the Volusia County School Board who, once again, look like the ineffectual lumps they are – all thanks to their insouciant Superintendent, her tetchy Chief Financial Officer, and a top-heavy coterie of lackadaisical senior executives who, through their sheer apathy, were unable to demonstrate a compelling need for additional school resource deputies in underserved schools (?).

And all the bluff and bluster Mr. Seis can conjure won’t change that fact…

Sad.

Public-school students, teachers, and staff deserve better.

So do Volusia County taxpayers…

Asshole           Volusia Coastal Division Director Jessica Fentress

And many men wound in and out,

And dodged, and turned, and bent about,

And uttered words of righteous wrath,

Because ‘twas such a crooked path;

But still they followed-do not laugh-

The first migrations of that calf,

And through this winding wood-way stalked

Because he wobbled when he walked.

–The Calf-Path, Sam Walter Foss, 1895

Here on Florida’s “Fun Coast,” those dullards we elect and appoint to represent our interests have a long history of following the same crooked path year-after-year – a strict adherence to the “that’s the way we’ve always done it” school of mismanagement – a proven strategy, supported by Volusia’s Old Guard, that ensures lock-step conformity to the status quo. 

You see, when the people you serve stop expecting anything of substance – and the elected “leadership” embraces averageness and mediocre performance – underachievement and reduced expectations become engrained in the culture of the organization, and most of the time, none of it matters.

Bureaucrats squander precious time and public funds, and no one notices.  But in an emergency, when the immutable forces of nature threaten, we need strong and decisive leadership. 

Sound familiar?

Last week, we learned that the state of Florida has authorized $82.7 million to strengthen Volusia County beaches in the wake of Ian and Nicole, tropical systems which lashed our coastline over a year ago taking an estimated six million cubic yards of sand out to sea.   

According to a recent report in The Daytona Beach News-Journal the funds, administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, “…came at the direction of Gov. Ron DeSantis after he visited Volusia County’s damaged coastline following the storms.”

So, after state and county officials drug their heels for thirteen months – with homes hanging on the precipice and other structures threatened by each nor’easter – Volusia County will, once again, put the cart before the horse and dump a collective 1.25 million cubic yards of sand north and south of Ponce Inlet – all without a comprehensive restoration plan in place.    

According to reports, the sand pumping project will take place over “the next couple of years” – while a “…50-year, long-term resiliency plan” drags through the bureaucratic quagmire – no doubt while what remains of the $83 million is frittered away by the Coastal Division.    

Unfortunately, that’s the level of precision and strategic thought we’ve come to expect from Volusia County government in a crisis.

In her own awkward way, Director Fentress further alienated weary stakeholders by reversing blame and issuing a public ultimatum in the News-Journal:

“What the coastline looks like will depend largely on how many beachfront property owners give the county access through a temporary easement, county Coastal Division Director Jessica Fentress said.

“If somebody doesn’t provide me an easement, they’re not getting sand,” she said.”

Bullshit.

Look, Ms. Fentress’ lack of tact (or professional competence) aside, you don’t need a Ph.D. in Coastal Engineering to deduce that beach replenishment is not a long-term solution. 

Eventually, the imported sand will be eroded by future storms – which is why the process must be undertaken in concert with a comprehensive strategy to protect, preserve, restore, and enhance the natural dune system – rather than see how many high-rise buildings we can shoehorn east of the Coastal Construction Control Line…   

Unless renourishment is completed uniformly – a contiguous approach that avoids directing the erosive force of water onto unprotected areas – vulnerable sections can be undermined and more sand moved offshore, creating additional consequences for beachfront property owners.

Why is it that here on what remains of the “Fun Coast,” we continue to allow the same clumsy dullards to do the same thing over-and-over – watching helplessly while these incompetent assholes fumble and stumble through millions in public funds without a plan or an inkling of what comes next?   

The very definition of insanity…

In the view of many, our bungling Volusia County Coastal Division Director Jessica Fentress is a big part of this multifaceted problem – and it is well past time for our equally ineffective County Manager George “The Wreck” Recktenwald to pull his head out of his ass, change tack, and bring in experienced leadership to untangle the godawful mess that is our current approach to beach management.

With beachfront property owners facing further loss, exponential increases in property insurance rates, and potential disaster looming – it is time for the Volusia County Council to demand that Recktenwald develop a comprehensive roadmap for coastal management, replenishment, and beach maintenance while there is still something left to worry about…

Angel               Besieged Residents of Tomoka Oaks, Escondido, The Trails, etc., etc.

The term “Nuclear Option” describes the most drastic or extreme response possible in a particular situation – and the irreparable scorched-earth damage that results once the button is pushed…   

It appears venerated local attorney Dennis Bayer, who represents the Tomoka Oaks Homeowners Association in their brutal fight against aggressive developers, knew the endgame when he used that foreboding term to describe what he knew would happen.     

That most severe possibility became reality last week when developers of the proposed “Tomoka Reserve” announced they would be withdrawing the Planned Unit Development Oder and “activating our R-2 application filed on May 4, 2023.”

The R-2 “Single-Family Low Density” zoning would allow 317-homes to be shoehorned onto the former Tomoka Oaks golf course with substantially reduced buffers. 

In addition, the Ormond Beach Observer reported that under the R-2 designation, the developers would no longer pursue a stop light at the busy intersection of Tomoka Oaks Boulevard and Nova Road or an improved diamond intersection at St. Andrews Drive… 

According to a statement issued by the developers – d/b/a Triumph Oaks of Ormond Beach LLC – the reversal came in response to the Ormond Beach City Commission’s decision to send the development order back to the planning board in an attempt to reduce density in the long-established neighborhood:

“In light of the City Commission’s comments and directives at the November 7, 2023 public hearing on the request for the proposed “Tomoka Reserve” PRD Development Order, the Property Owners have concluded that the Commission’s decision to remand their application back to the Planning Board – despite their stated objections – for the purpose of negotiating a “significant reduction” in the number of residential lots would be an exercise in futility.”

To their credit, homeowners in Tomoka Oaks and surrounding areas have vowed to continue the fight to protect the unique character of their beautiful neighborhood.  Speaking in the Ormond Beach Observer, Jim Rose, chair of the HOA’s golf course committee, made it clear the developer’s “nuclear option” didn’t come as a surprise:

“We’ve been preparing for it,” Rose said. “We think we have a case against them not being able to proceed with the R-2 zoning as they seem to think is inevitable. and we’re looking forward to going before the Planning Board and the City Commission.”

“They’re building these modern homes and we’ve got 50-year-old homes in [Tomoka Oaks],” Rose said. “It seems to me that going back to the Planning [Board] would be better, but the density is just too much.”

In my uneducated view, when one considers the adverse impacts, not only Tomoka Oaks residents, but those in surrounding neighborhoods – including anyone who traverses already congested Nova Road – this is a case where that which is legally permissible does not concur with what is ethically responsible. 

It is equally evident that the state legislature’s continued erosion of local control over reasonable growth and development – repeatedly shitting on the basic concepts of Home Rule in favor of forcing fealty to laws from on high which grant influential insiders in the real estate development community carte blanche – is morally reprehensible in an era where greed-fueled sprawl is blanketing east Central Florida and beyond.

Unfortunately, it is also clear to anyone paying attention that concepts like ethics, morality, and a community’s right to determine its economic, social, and cultural development no longer apply in Florida – the Biggest Whorehouse in the World…

Angel               Flagler County Schools Spokesperson Jason Wheeler

During my career in public service, I had the opportunity to work closely with many reporters in print and electronic media – some on their way to becoming household names on network television and in large metropolitan markets around the nation – and others who stayed with us, bringing the news into our homes, gifting their talents to a place that desperately needs them.

The irrepressible Jason Wheeler was one of the best, even after he made the transition to a public information role with Flagler County Schools.   

Admittedly, I give those cagey “government mouthpieces” their fair share of guff in this space – most of it well-deserved – but Jason remains one of the good ones.

Last week, we learned from an informative article in FlaglerLive! that Mr. Wheeler is preparing to depart his role as Communications Coordinator at Flagler County Schools after accepting a similar position in the Florida panhandle. 

I first met Jason during his time with Central Florida News 13, an exceptional on-air talent who singlehandedly covered a wide territory to become a trusted source of community information.

He quickly built a reputation for professionalism. 

In 2015, Jason made the jump to public information management overseeing messaging, marketing, web content, and strategic communications for Flagler County Schools. 

In my view, Jason Wheeler shines brightest during times of crisis (and FCS has its share…) providing critical information to residents and stakeholders – while never taking himself too seriously – in his quirky socks, colorful slacks, and “unusual” bowties…

In addition to his outstanding public service in Flagler County, Jason is a United States Army veteran, rabid University of Alabama football fan, and devoted husband and father who dedicates his time to leadership roles with Boy Scouts of America. 

According to FlaglerLive!:

“Asked if the school board’s chronically abrasive, unpredictable and at times embarrassing antics are playing a role in his decision, Wheeler insisted that he does not answer to the board but to the superintendent–that’s the case with all administrative position–and that he would have been just as happy to stay.

“I wasn’t looking to get out. I would have no problem working this job until I retired,” Wheeler said. “This is one of those jobs. Is it stressful? Yeah, but every job is stressful. This is a great job in a great school district.” He was especially buoyed by the appointment of LaShakia Moore as superintendent. “I love LaShakia Moore. She’s going to be a phenomenal superintendent,” he said (past the point where he needs her recommendation letter, so obviously he was being sincere). “She’s my fourth superintendent. She gets it. She has a vision. There’s not a doubt she’ll find someone who’ll help her spread that vision.”

In my view, Jason Wheeler set the standard of trust and transparency in a difficult business not known for those attributes and he leaves Flager County with all best wishes for a wonderful career ahead.      

So long, Jason.  We’re glad you passed our way…

Quote of the Week

“This area cannot handle anymore development as all the land displacement is causing more flooding, including areas that typically did not flood, as well as extending the period of time needed for water to recede. Grounds are saturated (even from light rains)! I have traveled the Ormond Loop daily some 45/50 years ago (from Ormond-by-the-Sea to U.S. 1) and have never seen the more frequent and extensive prolonged flooding as seen now with grounds along the roadside constantly full of water.”

— Celia List, Ormond Beach, as excerpted from the Letter to the Editor, “Volusia County should rezone 874 Hull Road,” Ormond Beach Observer, Monday, November 20, 2023

Preach it, Ms. List! 

Recently, a consultant hired by the Lost City of Deltona announced that taxpayers will need to cough up an estimated $58.6 million in coming years just to maintain public parks as growth increases demand for leisure services and amenities in the community.

Last month, a Jacksonville-based analyst reported that Palm Coast residents could see an 18% increase in water and sewer rates over the next three years to alleviate the effect of malignant sprawl on the city’s already inadequate utilities…

Perhaps more disturbing, last year, the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area (which includes Palm Coast) was named worst in the nation for pedestrian safety – something Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower recently attributed to a growing population (including more bicyclists) and “…streets that aren’t accommodating.”

He’s right. 

Unfortunately, the civic, social, and financial impacts of rampant development go far deeper than public infrastructure, overcrowding, and stressed essential services. 

Over the holiday break, I had the opportunity to drive the Ormond Beach “Scenic Loop” – a fixture in my life since I was a young boy growing up here. 

Like many, I was stunned by the devastating effects of development west of Old Kings Road on stormwater drainage and tidal flooding in the area – dramatic changes in both topography and natural processes which has resulted in a constant stream of water flowing over the roadway just south of Halifax Plantation.    

Like Ms. List, I have watched as greed-crazed developers are permitted to rape the land on flimsy promises of “progress” as out-of-state corporate interests pugnaciously defend their “property rights” – while trampling yours and mine – as their bought-and-paid-for puppets in state, county, and local governments gift them free reign to pave over every square inch of our sensitive environment. 

Now, We, The Little People – those who pay the bills and suffer the insults without a chip in the game – are left to deal with the fallout of this insanity as the environmental destruction caused by incompatible density, scale, form, and intensity becomes harder for our strategically detached ‘powers that be’ to ignore…or deny.

And Another Thing!

Recently, a Barker’s View reader suggested I consider Volusia County School Superintendent Carmen Balgobin for “Angel” status after she penned a note on behalf of the school board opposing the anticipated Belvedere Terminals bulk fuel farm in Ormond Beach. 

I’m not gonna lie – the very thought of it made me upchuck in my mouth a little… 

In correspondence to county officials dated September 15, Balgobin wrote, “The district is concerned about the potential impact on the students and staff of the district in case of any potential catastrophic event or accident in the highly populated area of the proposed site, yada, yada, yada…”

Look, I appreciate the fact the school board has finally gotten in the game. 

However, as I recall, Volusia County District Schools only became involved in the Belvedere fight at the urging of District 4 board member Carl Persis – who was clearly running interference for his beleaguered wife, Ormond Beach City Commissioner Susan Persis – when he mewled “It isn’t our responsibility, but I think because of where it’s located, we have so many children around there that to me, it seems like the right thing to do — the right course of action.” 

Rightfully, Mr. Persis pointed to the fact the district has a joint use agreement with the City of Ormond Beach for the municipal sports complex – which would literally sit in the shadow of the 13-million-gallon fuel storage facility – as another nexus for the school board’s involvement.   

In my view, the only heroes here are those valiant citizens who formed a grassroots coalition and suffered the ire of nervous politicians who questioned their motivations, and the indifference of entrenched bureaucrats, yet found the courage to push the fight against the fuel farm further into the harsh light of day.    

For the uninitiated, both Volusia County and Ormond Beach officials have been aware of this potential disaster since June 2022 – over a year before the rest of us learned about it in The Daytona Beach News-Journal…

The shocking revelation shined a very bright light on the rampant ineptitude in the senior executive ranks at the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Building in DeLand – including how the County Attorney failed to notice official publication of Belvedere Terminal’s application to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for an air construction permit on July 1 – a glaring omission that led to delays in challenging the permit and left Volusia County without legal standing. 

Now comes the bickering and bitchery between Volusia County and Ormond Beach as each try desperately to dodge responsibility…

Last week – in their latest ham-handed tactic – the Volusia County Council voted to consider a nine-month moratorium on development applications for properties zoned heavy-industrial throughout unincorporated Volusia County.  

According to a county mouthpiece quoted in a recent article by Seldon Gardner writing in the News-Journal, the pause will allow the same clueless county officials who got us into this mess “…to review and potentially recommend revisions to these regulations to modernize the zoning category and reflect the current state of local communities.”

My ass.

After the vote, County Chair Jeff Brower explained, “I believe you’re getting exactly what you asked for with this… If somebody comes in tomorrow, it’s a no-go anywhere in (a heavy industrial zoning district) location in unincorporated Volusia County, which is all that we can control.”

At least for the next nine-months…

Unfortunately, many tough questions (and legal hurdles) remain for Chairman Brower and his colleagues – who still adamantly refuse to hold County Manager George “The Wreck” Recktenwald and those senior officials who knew about this potential catastrophe in the making and kept it from the elected policymakers and the public – accountable for their gross inaction. 

The fact is, many believe that if Belvedere Terminals and/or the property owner, Florida East Coast Railroad (both subsidiaries of Grupo Mexico) decide to push the issue – Volusia County is going to have an incredibly expensive uphill battle on their hands. 

Perhaps that is why Volusia County continues to pursue an allocation of $4.5 million from the state, ostensibly to bribe Belvedere by underwriting infrastructure and improvements for a more “suitable” alternate site. 

Yeah.  I know…

As Volusia County continues to grope in the dark – throwing “solutions” against the wall and hoping-against-hope something sticks – my hope is that voters will remember this in future elections.

In my view, Volusia County taxpayers should pay close attention on Tuesday as both County Manager Recktenwald and County Attorney Michael Dyer stand for what passes as their annual performance evaluation (essentially a rubber stamped pay increase) by our elected representatives. 

Trust me, how that carefully choreographed vignette plays out will tell you just how complicit our elected representatives truly are as the tail continues to wag the dog in Volusia County government…  

Because what we are experiencing is the grim outcome when there is a complete lack of accountability for ensconced senior managers – highly compensated bureaucrats who command hundreds-of-thousands in salary and benefits annually – yet continue to embrace the safety of the status quo – and perpetuate a culture of mediocrity. 

That’s all for me.  Have a great weekend at the 64^th Annual Holly Hill Christmas Parade! 

The parade rolls Saturday morning at 10:00am along the traditional Ridgewood Avenue route – beginning just south of Flomich Avenue at 15^th Street and proceeding south to 10^th Street. 

Admittedly, I’m biased, but the City of Holly Hill has the best Christmas parade in Volusia County, and tonight’s annual tree lighting ceremony (from 6:00pm to 7:00pm at Holly Hill City Hall, 1105 Ridgewood Avenue) traditionally heralds the beginning of the Christmas Season with the arrival of Santa Claus!

It’s a true slice of Americana that should not be missed! 

On Sunday, December 3, Sons of the Beach – Florida’s premiere beach driving and access advocacy – will host the “Save Our Beach Fall Rally” from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the Oasis Tiki Bart at Fountain Beach Resort, 313 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach. 

The rally will feature live music, a great food and beverage menu, 50-50 raffle, and SOB swag will be on sale (great stocking stuffers!)   

All proceeds go to help offset attorney fees for Son’s of the Beach continuing legal challenges to the proposed Silver Beach Condominium project.

Come hangout with civic-minded neighbors, get up-to-speed on critical issues facing our threatened coastline, and enjoy a great afternoon on the World’s Most Famous Beach!    

So long, Avelo.  We hardly knew ye…

As everyone who reads these screeds know – I love crowing, “I told you so!” 

Call me a self-righteous asshole (because I am), but it does my beat-up old heart good whenever history repeats itself here on the “Fun Coast” (because, as Mark Twain said, this historic recurrence is the curse of those unfortunate rubes who are unable or unwilling to learn from it…) 

In my defense, I don’t understand the varied mysteries of the universe – or philosophical concepts like “eternal return” that says the same events will continue as time repeats in a continuous loop – or notions of recurrent oscillations between “order” and “disorder,” patterns of imperial ascendance-and-decline, or theories describing cosmological similarities, where multiple events bear striking parallels. 

But I have the innate ability to recognize good old-fashioned stupidity when I see it…

As you may recall, back in April, Volusia County’s Director of Aviation and Economic Resources Cyrus Callum, switched hats – morphing into a highly effective shill for Avelo airlines – then a two-year-old carrier that, we were told, originally demanded $3 million in a “minimum revenue guarantee” on a promise of twice-weekly flights to two “premium destinations.” 

It was all very ‘hush-hush,’ as these schemes often are… 

As the sales pitch before the Volusia County Council droned on, Director Callum held our clueless elected dullards in suspense, much like a cagey gameshow host, dropping perplexing hints about possible destinations like, “Somewhere in the Tri-State…” and “The Mid-Atlantic area…”

If our elected decisionmakers had the capacity for shame and self-awareness – that 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…

At the time, Mr. Callum set the hook by explaining that, 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 teat.

For instance, does anyone remember our experience with JetBlue, Silver Airways, Sunwing, etc.?

Whatever.

Earlier this week in an informative report by business editor Clayton Park writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, we learned that Avelo is ending service to Melbourne, one of its nonstop routes to Sarasota, and “…will also temporarily suspend its twice-weekly nonstop Daytona Beach-Wilmington, Delaware flights for two months in early 2024.”

According to the report, “Courtney Goff, a spokeswoman for Avelo, on Friday confirmed plans to temporarily suspend service on its Daytona Beach-Wilmington route, but said the twice-a-week nonstop flights on its Daytona Beach-New Haven, Connecticut route “is not affected and will proceed as usual. It actually has a few extra dates added.”

Joanne Magley, director of marketing and customer experience for Daytona Beach International Airport, said Avelo will continue offering two incoming and two outgoing flights a week on its Daytona Beach-Wilmington route through Jan. 5.”

Look, Ms. Magley may be paid handsomely in public funds to blow optimistic smoke up our backsides – but in my experience (and yours) – when a start-up airline begins suspending service, cutting routes, and whining about “seasonal demand,” the grim handwriting is on the wall…

Remember that $1 million “insurance policy” that you and I ponied up?

Guess what…

Last week, Director Callum sheepishly conceded to the News-Journal that Avelo has already dipped into the tax funded “guaranteed revenue” so generously offered by the Volusia County Council in April. 

“They did tap into that minimum revenue guarantee fund, but we don’t know how much. We do know that we still have a good chunk of that fund,” said Cyrus Callum, Volusia County’s director of aviation and economic resources, which includes Daytona airport.

Callum who had Friday off for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend said he did not know the exact amount that Avelo tapped from the revenue guarantee fund.

If Avelo exits Daytona Beach before the two years are up, they don’t owe the incentive money back, Callum acknowledged. “It’s just the cost of doing business,” he said.”

They don’t know how much? Really?

My ass. 

Where I come from, they call that ‘pissing good money after bad.’

Unfortunately, that happens with shocking regularity when government insinuates itself into the marketplace – picking winners and losers, voting in the blind, ensuring ludicrous minimum revenue guarantees, building private infrastructure, gifting tax breaks, and lavishing public funds on private entities – absurd policies that are counter to the time-monored principles of fairness and 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 this pernicious practice, Volusia County’s economic development shills – like that shim-sham known as “Team Volusia” – who, while snout-deep in the public trough, assure us this secrecy grift is now required 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.  

Perhaps when the next too-good-to-be-true “opportunity” comes calling, we should ask our elected officials if they are willing to invest their family’s personal savings in a mysterious business entity that refuses to identify itself?

Look, I am sick and tired of being blatantly lied to by these half-bright flimflam artists who burn through our hard-earned tax dollars under the dubious guise of “economic development” – then, when it falls flat, shrug the shoulders of their expensive suit with a “just the cost of doing business” dodge – while continuing to embrace risky corporate welfare strategies that allow entrenched insiders to skew the natural balance of a competitive marketplace.

In my view, it is wrong.  It is dishonest.  And it needs to stop.

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           County of Volusia

You may have read this earlier in the week. 

Read it again…

The Daytona Beach News-Journal got one wrong last week. 

A headline announcing an informative article by Sheldon Gardner erroneously read, “Volusia Council to seek $4.5M from state in Ormond Beach fuel facility fight.”   

Trust me.  The Volusia County Council had nothing to do with this…

Last week, in an off-the-agenda ambush, our elected representatives learned the news at the same time their blindsided constituents did when Deputy County Manager Susan Konchon “threw a curveball” and announced that Volusia County would be working with state Rep. Tom Leek and the county’s lobbying firm to seek a $4.5 million appropriation, apparently to bribe Belvedere Terminals by incentivizing an “alternative site” for the proposed 13-million-gallon fuel terminal in Ormond Beach.

Speaking from the dais during a discussion of Volusia County’s 2024 legislative priorities, Konchon dropped the bombshell, “It is necessary to help prepare an alternative site with, say, utilities or road infrastructure to relocate the facility to a more appropriate place than its current site.”

Wait. 

Why would those faceless bureaucrats who work in virtual anonymity in the bowels of the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Building seek millions in public funds to provide utilities and infrastructure for Belvedere Terminals – a private company whose CEO, we learned this week in a disturbing piece by Cheryl Smith in Treasure Coast Newspapers,“…has had criminal and financial issues, including two bankruptcies and a conviction for bribing a public official, according to court records.”?

I mean, why aren’t county bureaucrats seeking $4.5 million in state funds to improve Volusia County’s wholly inadequate public utilities and transportation infrastructure as malignant development continues its inexorable spread? 

And why were our elected representatives (once again) left out of the loop?

Before it was decided by an off-the-agenda wave of a bureaucratic wand that Volusia County would obtain public funds as a potential incentive for a foreign owned railway and bulk fuel supplier (both Belvedere Terminals and the Florida East Coast Railway are subsidiaries of mining and infrastructure giant Grupo Mexico) from relocating to Hull Road in Ormond Beach – that decision should have been openly discussed, with time for public input, and voted on by those we elect to maintain the checks and balances over county government.

You know, the same elected representatives whose ignorance and inaction got us into this mess in the first place…

In my view, city, county, and state government should use all legal and legislative means necessary to stop this potential disaster from being built adjacent to thousands of homes, a sports complex, and the municipal airport. 

But recently approved ploys – such as the use of public funds to lease or purchase the property – or spending $4.5 million in taxpayer money for a corporate welfare scheme to underwrite the fuel facility somewhere else is a slippery slope.

For instance, since 2017, Grupo Mexico has more than doubled its metal melting capacity in Peru after environmental regulations were loosened – about the same time the company announced an expansion of its profitable oil-by-rail business, building at least three terminals in Mexico.

To take things to the extreme, anyone want a commercial copper smelter here in our backyard unless Volusia County ponies up a lucrative sweetheart deal for the next developer?     

A slippery slope indeed…

In my view, Volusia County bureaucrats are taking us down an extremely dangerous rabbit hole – and this latest intrigue deserves a second look from state representatives and regulatory agencies. 

Angel               Fifth District Court of Appeal

I unapologetically refer to Florida as the biggest whorehouse in the world. 

Because it is.

From the politization of government functions and appropriations, the abysmal conduct of high-ranking elected officials like Sen. “Terrible Tommy” Wright – a bullying narcissistic creep and lecherous scumbag with a pathological inability to control his temper or base impulses, given to the abuse of females and lewd come-ons to vulnerable domestic violence victims – to the erosion of our foundational principles by greedy insiders with a bought and paid for chip in the game, the Sunshine State and its political subdivisions has all the earmarks of a fetid Banana Republic…

Fortunately, justice has prevailed in one of most blatant cases of political power run amok.  

In the dramatic culmination of a case that exposed the depth of cut-throat political power in Florida, last week, a panel of judges from the Fifth District Court of Appeal exonerated former Sumpter County Commissioner Oren Miller – a 73-year-old retiree who Governor Ron DeSantis removed from office in 2021 – who later had his life destroyed, serving 75 days in prison on a bogus charge of lying under oath.

The case, colloquially known as “The Vendetta in the Villages,” stemmed from citizen opposition to a 25% property tax increase to subsidize further development south of the sprawling retirement community. 

The amount of money at stake for the developer of The Villages was in the hundreds-of-millions.

According to a February 2023 article in The Intercept, reporter Ryan Grim explained, “The developer is a spaghetti bowl of LLCs doing business collectively as The Villages, which is still owned by the Morse family, descendants of Harold Schwartz, who founded what became the community in the 1970s as a trailer park…”

According to the report, the family owns the local newspaper, The Villages Daily Sun, the community radio station, a glossy magazine, “…and also owns local politics.”

When running for office, Miller said, “This place has grown like crazy.  The developers pay no impact fees for schools, for fire, for EMS, for police, for parks and recreation, for government buildings. The only impact fees they do pay are for roads, and they only pay 40 percent of the recommended amount.”

Sound familiar?   

To oppose the tax increase, three residents of The Villages – Craig Estep, Oren Miller, and Gary Search – stepped up to run for the Sumpter County Commission. 

Despite the fact incumbent candidates received massive financial backing from contractors and others doing business with The Villages, the three candidates ultimately won their seats, setting up a 3-2 majority. 

That’s when things took an ominous turn…

Almost immediately, Miller and Search found themselves under investigation by the Fifth District State Attorney’s Office on allegations they violated Florida’s Sunshine Law – essentially discussing commission business during telephone calls outside of an open meeting.  

While neither man was ever charged with violating the public records law, investigators claimed that during interviews Miller was “…repeatedly hazy in response to questions as to when the calls stopped.”

According to The Intercept’s report, “At one point, the investigator prompted Miller with a claim he had not made, saying that the calls ended in January. Miller agreed with him, but elsewhere gave different estimates, and at another point said that whatever the phone records said was accurate.”

Inexplicably, Miller was charged with felony perjury and spent 75 days in jail along with three years of probation and community service.

Mr. Search was similarly prosecuted but accepted a plea deal. 

It served as a chilling example of what happens to those in the Sunshine State who dare stand in opposition to the voracious appetites of special interests with close ties to unbridled political power…  

Last Friday, Grim reported, “Oren Miller has been exonerated. On Thursday, a Florida appeals court overturned the conviction of the 73-year-old retiree turned former Sumter County commissioner, who was removed from office by Ron DeSantis in 2021 amid a battle with the Florida governor’s high-dollar donors. The court took the unusual step of not just vacating the previous conviction, but also instructing the lower court to insert a new verdict of “not guilty.”

The saga of Miller and his fellow commissioner, Gary Search, who was similarly prosecuted, captured national attention earlier this year after The Intercept reported on the backlash to their effort to roll back property taxes in The Villages retirement community. A surge in public support for Miller’s legal defense fund enabled him to appeal his conviction.

Ahead of the investigation into Miller and Search, as The Intercept previously reported, a top Villages official, who has hosted DeSantis for fundraisers, told Search on Election Day he had the personal phone number of DeSantis, adding, according to Search: “Search, just remember one thing: I’m a big person, you’re a little person. I can squash you anytime I want.”

Wow.

And that, friends and neighbors, is a short course in how things work in the cloistered Halls of Power here in Florida – the biggest whorehouse in the world…   

Ultimately, Oren Miller lost everything – his life left in ruins – yet, in an incredible display of courage, Mr. Miller previously said he would run for office again if his name was cleared. 

Now, with his honor restored, time will tell…

Asshole           Flagler County School Board

It should be apparent to anyone paying attention that government entities in Florida would prefer to perform what passes for “the people’s business” in effective darkness – away from the prying eyes of those who pay the bills and are expected to keep our pieholes shut. 

I have several theories, not the least of which is the lack of an effective ethics apparatus that holds elected and appointed officials accountable for their abhorrent conduct and obvious self-enrichment – or, when blinded by hubris, an elective body decides they are above the law – often with little legal (or political) repercussions.

Last week in this space I mentioned a strange episode involving an agriculture teacher at Buddy Taylor Middle School in Palm Coast who used a garden hose to flush wild rats out of a burrow in the presence of students.   

In the bedlam that ensued, at least one student was bitten on the finger, and an internal investigation ultimately resulted in a mild reprimand for the teacher involved.

Pursuant to Florida’s public records law, the completed investigation was properly released to area media outlets with the story reported first by FlaglerLive! and later by The Daytona Beach News-Journal. 

The initial report included a verbatim excerpt from a written statement provided by an unidentified Buddy Taylor student, which read, in part:

“Mis. (redacted) askt me if i cold grab thar talls [meaning tails] and put them in a bucet. I sed yes so whal we are doing this a rat bit me it did not bracke skin and did not hert.”

Look, I’m not trying to embarrass anyone here. 

Literacy is one of the most serious issues of our time – but something tells me Flagler County students may be victims of more than wild rat attacks… 

Rather than use this incident as a teaching tool – to prompt a discussion of literacy, the fact Florida’s college admittance scores rank among the lowest in the nation, judgement in the classroom, or even modern pest-control techniques – last week, Flagler County School Board member Will Furry went on the defensive and launched a rambling tirade suggesting that the district should have willfully broken the law and redacted student statements from the investigative report before it was released to media outlets.

According to a report in FlaglerLive!:

“Furry criticized the district – and, again, School Board Attorney Kristy Gavin – for not censoring student statements in the report about Buddy Taylor Middle School students getting bitten by rats in September. “I cannot believe that there’s not a state statute that we could have applied to not release those statements,” he said. There isn’t. But Furry said the district should have “used our own discretion” to censor the report anyway, and dare anyone to post a challenge.

The names of the students were redacted, but not the statements themselves, in accordance with law. Furry’s criticism was prompted by an article here last week that summarized the investigative report. Furry was sharply critical of the article, too, though that’s not unusual. Gavin explained to Furry repeatedly that the statements could not, under the law, have been redacted.”

Unfortunately, Furry wasn’t going to let a little thing like state statutes get in the way of protecting himself – and the district – from even more political embarrassment and public humiliation – which appears to be the only leavening agent remaining for some elected officials…

As FlaglerLive! aptly stated, “…there is no discretion in public record redactions. Either the law provides for an exemption, or it does not. It’s not the custodian’s call.”

In addition, board member Christy Chong was “furious” that the investigation was “leaked” – it wasn’t.  The incident was reported on social media almost immediately after it happened, and reporters naturally made inquiry.    

You may remember that in August, the Flagler County School Board was caught meeting privately following a press conference by Superintendent LaShakia Moore regarding a previous embarrassment at Bunnell Elementary School that garnered international media attention after African American students were subjected to a segregated assembly. 

Following Ms. Moore’s press conference, the elected members of the School Board gathered behind closed doors to secretly discuss – who knows?

For the uninitiated, under Florida’s open meetings law it is illegal for elected members of the same board to meet or discuss matters that may come before the board outside of a properly noticed public meeting…

Ultimately, besieged School Board Attorney Kristy Gavin (who is currently awaiting termination – and the massive compensatory damages that will follow) entered the room and rightfully broke up the secluded klatch.

Unfortunately, the secret confab added fuel and speculation to the crisis.

In Flagler County, it appears School Board members would rather force taxpayers to fight for their right to know, to understand, and become aware of the good, the bad, and the ugly of how their children are being educated (or not). 

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 deeper discussion of the issues we collectively face beyond the bureaucratic bias. 

That begins with a free press aggressively investigating, digging beyond the surface spin, and reporting on the machinations of government and taxing districts. 

For those safeties to work, it is a moral imperative of those holding high office to maintain transparency and follow both the letter and spirit of public records law, speak the truth, and be open to public input and critique. 

Apparently, robust reportage and the resultant exchange of ideas in the community is making some important policymakers nervous – because it lets them know We, The Little People are paying attention to how the sausage gets made.

In my view, it is time for Flagler County voters to purge the likes of Will Furry – and any other politician who seeks to hide controversial issues from public view as a means of protecting their own political asses from public criticism.

Quote of the Week

“For exasperated, desperate homeowners such as Paul Valigorsky in Volusia’s Wilbur-by-the-Sea, the unsafe to occupy notice is the latest chapter in a year-long battle with insurance companies, state and federal agencies and county officials.

“We’re not doing very well and Volusia County fights us every step of the way,” said Valigorsky, a Pittsburgh resident who owns the three-bedroom, two-bath vacation home at 4101 S. Atlantic with his wife, Toni Cherry, and her sister Paula. There, Nicole delivered the knock-out blow in an assault that began when Tropical Storm Ian first destroyed its deck, beach walkway, sea wall, and two lateral walls. Valigorsky’s frustrations began after Ian, when he says the bureaucratic process involving FEMA and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection thwarted his efforts to replace the destroyed seawall with a new temporary one constructed of boulders that could have resisted Nicole’s impact. He had presented the agency with a permit for that work to be done by a local engineer.

Instead, the homeowners were allowed to install a vinyl seawall that failed against the power of Nicole.

In the months since, Valigorsky said the family has received little support or cooperation from any source to embark on their intention to rebuild.”

–Reporter Jim Abbott, writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “After Nicole,” Sunday, November 12, 2023

For most of us who call Volusia County home, life has returned to what passes for “normal” here following the back-to-back meteorological assaults of Tropical Storms Ian and Nicole one year ago.

But for some residents of Wilbur-by-the-Sea, the bureaucratic nightmare continues – brought back like a bad flashback by this week’s blustery weather…

In recent weeks, I’ve listened to the experiences of a few people involved in South Peninsula recovery efforts, some of whom have never interacted with county or state government agencies before. 

It is tragically apparent that these individuals are learning a hard lesson about the omnipotent power of faceless bureaucrats and the wholesale indifference of those elected representatives charged with setting public policy. 

To add insult, earlier this week, something called the Volusia County Licensing and Construction Appeals Board sat in judgement of taxpayers as they considered demolition orders for properties unable to be repaired – an action that would require homeowners to foot the bill or face massive liens. 

In his excellent exposé “After Nicole,” News-Journal reporter Jim Abbott quoted perhaps the most frustratingly obtuse, time-buying non-answer every uttered by a senior bureaucrat when Volusia’s Emergency Services Director Jim “Captain Obvious” Judge mewled:

“Residents in each community impacted by Hurricane Nicole are still recovering in some respects.  Property owners along the coast are at varying degrees of the recovery process, with some completely restored while others may have yet to begin…”

No shit, Jimmy. 

So, what are your grossly overpaid cronies in the Ivory Tower of Power doing to help?

After listening to the repetitive hurdles being placed in the path of desperate homeowners fighting to save what remains of their properties from being consumed by nature, I question what the endgame is for those special interests who seem to control everything but the ebb and flow of the Atlantic tide here on the “Fun Coast”?

When homeowners are denied the right to rebuild, fortify the shoreline, stalled by obstinate insurance companies, unable to sell their property, forced to demolish what remains while permits are stalled, then become financially strapped – what options remain, other than abandonment and foreclosure?  

What ultimately becomes of these oceanfront properties once the damaged homes have been scraped from what remains of the dunes? 

I’ve got a few suspicions…I’ll bet you do too.

While South Peninsula homeowners, condominiums, and hotels are literally drowning in bureaucratic red tape, to the north developers are gliding through the sham process that invariably leads to a rubber stamp approval of yet another high-rise building on the same crumbling dune line.  

As anxious Halifax area residents see the effects of beach erosion with their own eyes – and repeatedly consider grim headlines, such as – “Plans for oceanfront condo high-rise in Daytona raises concerns from neighbors,” or “’It’s been harrowing’: Residents recount ordeal of having to abandon beachfront condos,” etc. – many are asking why, rather than consider a moratorium on further development east of the Coastal Construction Control Line, our ‘powers that be’ continue to facilitate high-rise monstrosities while stonewalling existing residents who are trying hard to save what remains of existing homes?  

Good question.

If you can get an answer from anyone in state or county government, let me know…

And Another Thing!

Last week, residents of Palm Coast descended on City Hall to explain to their seemingly clueless elected officials what everyone in the sprawling community already knows: Changes in topography caused by new construction is resulting in flooding to adjacent homes. 

Sound familiar New Smyrna, Daytona Beach, Deltona, Ormond Beach, Volusia County, etc., etc., etc.?

You don’t have to be a hydrogeological engineer to understand that water flows downhill – and when dirt is trucked in to raise the elevation of building lots – stormwater is going to run toward low-lying surrounding properties. 

At present, Palm Coast does not have height regulations for new home foundations in its land development code…

According to a recent report in FlaglerLive!, we learned:

“They (concerned residents) got a measure of satisfaction, at least in words and promises, though as far as reversing course on ongoing construction or fill allowances, that’s not in the cards. Only new regulations could affect that, and new building regulations take time. But that’s what a council member is pledging.

“We still have 1000s of infill lots that this can potentially still happen on,” City Council member Theresa Pontieri said. “I have asked city manager to work with staff to readdress our land development code and our technical manual to address this on a larger scale, so that we can not only fix what’s going on now, but also look to the future. And I’ve asked for deliverables from city staff in the form of updates.”

Pontieri spoke after nearly a dozen people had brought their stories to the council.”

Many in Flagler and Volusia counties are wondering how those we elect and appoint to represent our interests could ignore the obvious and allow a situation like this to develop – approving even more sprawl while knowing the unaddressed consequences faced by existing residents throughout the region? 

Or, how developers could knowingly turn adjacent properties into fetid swamps in their insatiable quest to shoehorn more, more, more in this current “shove ten-pounds of shit into a five-pound bag” growth management strategy?

During last week’s discussion, when Councilman Ed Danko attempted to question the city’s construction manager, Carl Cote – asking if he would mind living next to an artificially elevated property – Mayor Alfin slammed the gavel so forcefully the sound startled his “colleagues” and shocked onlookers. 

Hey, I get it.  We can’t have elected representatives asking the tough questions of staff during a public meeting, now can we? 

I mean, where does that crazy “accountability and transparency” horseshit end, eh?

According to an account by FlaglerLive!, after Hizzoner’s officious gavel banging, “…the large crowd hissed, while Alfin himself seemed aware that he may have slammed the gavel harder than he intended. He threatened to clear the room, asked Danko to continue his inquiries with the city manager later, and turned to Pontieri, who then made her pledge, urging residents to contact council members and the city and follow-up even as she spoke cautiously about existing limitations.”

Following the meeting, City Manager Denise Bevan announced Palm Coast has formed a “task force,” apparently comprised of the city’s “internal technical staff” (?), to review residential flooding on a case-by-case basis…

In my view, Palm Coast residents shouldn’t expect any assistance from current Mayor/Realtor David Alfin as he advances his self-serving plan to pave every square inch of vacant property in an all-out push for buildout. 

That may be good news for those in the real estate development industry – but not so much for those who live in the rapidly expanding community.   

This week, a Jacksonville-based consultant hired by the city reported that Palm Coast residents could see an 18% increase in water and sewer rates over the next three years to alleviate the cost of growth’s impact on utilities infrastructure… 

Whoever said, “growth pays for itself,” lied… 

According to FlaglerLive!, during the discussion of development induced flooding, Marilyn Mack, a disabled resident of Palm Coast’s F-Section, who has reportedly been locked in a 14-month fight after a construction company damaged her property, said:

“Something’s not right here. This is not how the government is supposed to work.  The inspector came out and gave them their certificate of occupancy knowing that my property looked like that. That’s not right. That’s not how the government is supposed to work. You’re supposed to work for us.”

“And everybody that works for the city and whatever departments, construction and everything else, just turned a blind eye and–well, no problem. She’ll have to deal with it,” Mack said, noting that she’s been dealing with it for 14 months. “I don’t need this on my plate. I’ve got enough going on.”

I agree, Ms. Mack.  This is not how government is supposed to work. 

Not in Palm Coast.  Not anywhere…

That’s all for me.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, y’all!

_____________________

In keeping with tradition, Barker’s View will take a break next week as we join with family and friends to celebrate the holiday – and give grateful thanks for all the wonderful gifts in our lives. 

The friendship and loyalty of Barker’s View readers is a great blessing for me, and, whether we agree or disagree on the issues of the day, thank you for taking the time to read and consider an alternative opinion. 

My sincere hope is that you and your family enjoy all the bounty and blessings of this Joyous Season!

From the Barker family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

I hate to split hairs, but The Daytona Beach News-Journal got one wrong this week. 

A headline announcing an informative article by Sheldon Gardner erroneously read, “Volusia Council to seek $4.5M from state in Ormond Beach fuel facility fight.”   

Trust me.  The Volusia County Council had nothing to do with this…

Last week, in an off-the-agenda ambush, our slack jawed elected representatives learned the news at the same time their blindsided constituents did when Deputy County Manager Susan Konchon “threw a curveball” and announced that Volusia County would be working with state Rep. Tom Leek and the county’s lobbying firm to seek a $4.5 million appropriation, apparently to bribe Belvedere Terminals into agreeing to an “alternative site” for the proposed 13-million-gallon fuel terminal in Ormond Beach.

Speaking from the dais during a discussion of Volusia County’s 2024 legislative priorities, Konchon dropped the bombshell, “It is necessary to help prepare an alternative site with, say, utilities or road infrastructure to relocate the facility to a more appropriate place than its current site.”

Wait. 

Why would those faceless bureaucrats who work in virtual anonymity in the bowels of the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Building seek millions in public funds to provide utilities and infrastructure for Belvedere Terminals – a private company whose CEO, we learned this week in a disturbing piece by Cheryl Smith in Treasure Coast Newspapers, “…has had criminal and financial issues, including two bankruptcies and a conviction for bribing a public official, according to court records.”?

I mean, why aren’t county bureaucrats seeking state funds to improve Volusia County’s wholly inadequate public utilities and transportation infrastructure as malignant development continues its inexorable spread? 

And why were our elected representatives (once again) left out of the loop by their staff?

Before it was decided by a behind-closed-doors wave of a bureaucratic wand that Volusia County would appropriate public funds as a potential incentive for a foreign owned railway and bulk fuel supplier (both Belvedere Terminals and the Florida East Coast Railway are subsidiaries of mining and infrastructure giant Grupo Mexico) from relocating to Hull Road in Ormond Beach – that decision should have been openly discussed, with time for public input, and voted on by those we elect to maintain the checks and balances over county government.

You know, the same elected representatives whose ignorance and inaction got us into this mess in the first place…

In my view, city, county, and state government should use all legal and legislative means necessary to stop this potential disaster from being built adjacent to thousands of homes, a sports complex, and the municipal airport. 

But recent ploys – such as the use of public funds to lease or purchase the property in perpetuity – or spending $4.5 million in taxpayer money on a weird corporate welfare scheme to underwrite the fuel facility somewhere else is a slippery slope.

For instance, since 2017, Grupo Mexico has more than doubled its metal melting capacity in Peru after environmental regulations were loosened – that is about the same time the company announced an expansion of its profitable oil-by-rail business, building at least three terminals in Mexico.

To take things to the extreme, anyone want a commercial copper smelter here in our backyard unless Volusia County ponies up a lucrative sweetheart deal for the next developer?     

A slippery slope indeed…

In my view, Volusia County bureaucrats are taking us down an extremely dangerous rabbit hole – and this latest intrigue, concocted in a backroom in DeLand, deserves a second look from state representatives and regulatory agencies.