The Volusia County Council’s inability to sell the half-cent sales tax initiative this summer is indicative of a larger problem. In my view, our elected officials are missing the key element of any successful marketing strategy – or tax proposal: Trust.

 Oblivious to the fact that they have lost basic credibility, County officials are once again staging their tired Kabuki, dramatically performed with equal parts apocalyptic prophecy, name calling, and threats against the municipalities, all designed to wring additional dollars from a tax-weary constituency.

Councilman Doug Daniels surmised that the cities hesitation was the result of a “failure to communicate.”  Mr. Daniels and his fellow council members should understand – we read you loud and clear – we simply don’t trust you anymore.

 Given the number of grassroots efforts seeking accountability, it is increasingly clear to everyone but County officials that they no longer have the consent of the governed.

 I believe the seeds of this institutional distrust germinate in the County Managers office.

In my view, Jim Dinneen’s mismanagement of this and other important public policy issues best exemplify all that’s wrong with County government.  Team Dinneen wants higher taxes because they need higher taxes; and spending cuts, the reduction of exorbitant executive salaries or curbing insider handouts are inconceivable.

A bureaucracy – especially one as bloated as this – requires tax dollars like a parasitic insect needs the blood of its host.  Its very life depends upon it.

 Public confidence in County government has been slowly eroded by the steady flow of missteps, bullying and legislative slight-of-hand that invariably benefits a privileged few while laying the financial burden squarely on the back of Volusia County residents.

As a result, we no longer assume Council decisions serve the common good.  Now, we instinctively ask ourselves the darker question, “Who benefits?”

“Justice Stevens wrote that legislative bodies, not the courts, are best suited to determine appropriate firearms regulations. But does he truly believe in that doctrine?”  Washington Post, April 16, 2014

This is probably the canned response you expected from me, and I’m certainly not equipped to argue with Justice Stevens’ legal mind, but I could not disagree more with him – or those under the misguided perception that disarming United States citizens will somehow make us a more civil and safe society.

From the founding of our country, millions of law abiding citizens have owned weapons and firearms for sport, hunting, collection interests and self-protection.

That firearms are misused as a tool of mass destruction around the globe – specifically in areas with the most stringent gun control laws in the world – tells me that legislating weapons out of the hands of responsible Americans is not going to solve the serious and present threats facing our society.  

I served in the military. I was a law enforcement officer for 31-years. I have seen up close and personal how the criminal element and those who seek the destruction of our way of life operate, and I understand the psychology and ideology of the domestic and international threats we face.

Based upon my training and experience, I can assure you that prohibiting the personal possession of weapons by citizens of the United States will not alter the methods, mindset or operational strategies of these individuals and factions.

They are apex predators – and they will not be dissuaded by well-intentioned laws, civil debate, or your outrage and overriding need to “do something” to ban the tools they use to commit these horrific acts. They don’t care about your sensibilities – they want to kill you and those you care about. They want to take your insecurities and use them against you. They want to rape, rob and take the possessions you care about and have worked hard to achieve.

Weakening our individual liberties, and our ability to protect ourselves from those who seek to kill us and destroy our free society (and make no mistake – that is their goal) as a personal/national security strategy is both naive and contrary to a way of life that values personal freedoms, self-expression and the right to self-protection from crime, victimization and tyranny.

Frankly, it’s akin to a herd of sheep that must rely on the vigilance, sharp claws and teeth of the sheepdog for their very survival because they have no other means of protection – other than huddling close and hoping the wolves are satisfied with taking a few weak members.

I’m not prepared to do that.

For me and mine, we will support the police, the military and our government but we will not rely on those institutions for our self-protection.

We will use our lawfully owned weapons, training and proficiency to do that. We will defend ourselves. By our strength of will and vigilance, we will prove more dangerous to the lives and welfare of those who seek to victimize us than they are to ours – and that alone will keep them at bay. We are not looking for a fight – but if it comes to our door, we are prepared.

If you choose to rely on the protection afforded by law enforcement and our government that is your right. I pray that when you need them most their response is swift and their aim is true.

But in the end, I suppose that’s what this is all about – my right to live my life in the lawful manner I choose, just as it is your right to live your life. I remain ready to defend that basic principle.

August 2015

Mark Lane has a good op-ed in today’s News-Journal exposing our half-bright County Council Chairman and his latest cockamamie scheme to line the pockets of his cheap suit at our expense.

Here’s a guy that can’t plumb a toilet – yet he’s come up with a $37-40 million dollar plan to restore Mosquito Lagoon by burying pipes under the barrier island and placing “reef balls” under private docks, ostensibly to foster marine growth.

So, Davis forms a not-for-profit with a friend and somehow gets a resolution supporting their completely unvetted idea before the County Council. No science. No engineering. No shit?

On the eve of Veterans Day 2015 I came upon this old photo of my Military Police School training platoon (11th Battalion, Delta Company 1st Platoon) at Ft. McClellan, Alabama, 1979. (That’s my goofy face, next to the last row, third from the left.)

My best friend Mike Lowe and I enlisted on the buddy plan when skipping classes at DBCC got old. . .

I want to begin by saying that my time pales in comparison with others – in fact, it doesn’t deserve to be mentioned in the same company with those of you who served in combat, deployed or actually sacrificed during peacetime. I never did, and you have my utmost thanks and respect this Veterans Day, and everyday.

To say that we had more fun than any Army Privates before or since is an understatement. Today, when someone asks me what I did in the Army I say, “I can’t tell you.” And they ask, “Classified?”, and I say, “No. Statute of Limitations. . .”

While Mike was promoted to Spec 4, I was actually reduced in rank due to company-level discipline three times – I spent A LOT of time on KP and extra-duty – and I deserved every miserable minute of it. (In fact, I think I’ve personally cleaned out every grease trap in every mess hall from here to West Point. . .)

While I’m not real proud of my personal contribution – I am extremely proud of what the Army contributed to my life:

They took an irresponsible, stupid little boy and made me become a man in a short period of time. (Thank you Sr. Drill Sergeant Ainsworth.)

They taught me valuable skills that formed the foundation for my law enforcement career – in fact, Military Police School was the finest police training I ever experienced – and that includes the FBI National Academy.

They taught me to respect tradition – and the importance of committing yourself to something larger than your own self-interest.

They taught me how to put ego aside and work cooperatively with a group of diverse people to achieve a common goal.

They taught me to never quit – and that you can always put one foot in front of the other – despite how tired, sick and beat-
down you may think you are.

They gave me a sense of pride and patriotism that only someone who has endured basic recruit training in the armed forces can appreciate.

And best of all, the experience allowed me the opportunity to meet and serve with some of the finest men and women I have ever known – some of whom went on to serve with distinction in Iraq and Afghanistan – all of whom remain life-long friends.

To the NCO’s and Officers I put through the mill – I apologize. You deserved better (except you, Lt. “Motorola” – you’re still an asshole in my book – but thank you for your service.)

After six years – by the grace of God – I received an Honorable Discharge (Pvt. E-1) from the 345th MP Company (EG) U.S. Army Reserve. And while the Army may not be proud of me – I am extremely proud to have played a very, very small part in it, and I always will be.

Kudos to the City of Holly Hill for standing up to these bloated bastards and refusing to be extorted for $25,000 by Volusia County.

Now, they plan to punish us by shutting down Calle Grande for two months while they make $118K in repairs to the arches – which they will ultimately tear down, rather than recast (mark my words) because you don’t need historical features and community amenities as much as Jim Dinneen needs a pay raise – or more money for their cronies, tax breaks and giveaways. . .

Sorry kids, this one is like a bone in the throat:

When I first read about DeBary Mayor Clint Johnson’s antics this summer I thought, “Hey, here’s a dude who speaks his mind, shakes things up a bit, kind of interesting.” Now, I see he’s just a common flim-flam artist who tried to ripoff a small business using his position of trust.

Apparently Johnson was wearing a shirt with the official seal of the City of DeBary when he obtained a Cannondale and riding equipment from a small bicycle shop for some half-baked personal bike ride from Tallahassee to Key West ostensibly to bring attention to bicycle trails (he rode down the west coast of the state to bring attention to trails on the east coast?)

When the trip was over – he stiffed (“Schlonged him” in the parlance of our times) the small business for the cost of the bike, etc. Only when the shop owner confronted the City of DeBary (who he was led to believe was bank rolling the Mayor’s trip) did Johnson pony-up – but failed to pay sales tax – you know, like the rest of us have to – which lends more credence to the fact Johnson used the City’s tax exempt status when he obtained the goods and services for his trip.

During over 30-years of public service I worked for a couple of dirt bags with no personal or professional ethics – so I have a pretty good idea what the citizens and employees of the City of DeBary are going through. It’s embarrassing – and it hurts everyone involved – but just like those I suffered, the light has finally been focused on this scumbag.

It’s right and good that the News-Journal expose these assholes for what they are.

The vast majority of politicians and officials I worked with through the years were some of the most honorable and giving people I have had the honor of knowing. But when elected or appointed officials misuse their powerful positions of trust they destroy public confidence in the process – and that is inexcusable.

Just resign, you leach. You blowhard. The people of DeBary deserve better.

Daytona Beach News-Journal

“This is much more than a ribbon cutting, this is a true celebration,” said Lesa France Kennedy, chief executive officer of International Speedway Corp. “We celebrate Glenn’s tireless public service, his countless community and charitable contributions and his dedication and devotion to our city, the City of Daytona Beach.”  Daytona Beach News-Journal – December 17, 2015

“I am a France.  We own this town.” –  Russell Van Richmond, October 2009

Indeed, Mr. Van Richmond.  Indeed.

“Let them eat cake” is the traditional translation of the French phrase “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche“, supposedly spoken by “a great princess” upon learning that the peasants had no bread. Since brioche was a luxury bread enriched with butter and eggs, the quote would reflect the princess’s disregard for peasants.

With the Beachside literally crumbling and unrestrained blight creeping in all directions, our own Daytona Royalty have bestowed upon their subjects Ritchey Plaza – complete with Adirondack chairs and eight (count ’em) Royal Palm trees – along with the the requisite “Remember – I coughed up cash” plaques.

This monument to the mega-wealthy member of the Volusia County Triumvirate Glenn Ritchey was the brainchild of Lesa France-Kennedy, and (naturally) unanimously approved by the Daytona Beach City Commission.

Honestly, have these people looked across Atlantic Avenue from the very spot they’ve erected this monument to self-importance?

Would any of them allow a family member to walk the streets around the Bandshell alone? Or better yet, actually live down there?

Trust me, I’m the most ego-maniacal asshole you know, and this self-congratulatory bullshit makes me blush. When did people lose the emotion of embarrassment and shame?

But hey, enough of my maudlin ravings on Glenn’s special day. . . Merry Christmas, Y’all! Everything’s great at the Worlds Most Famous Beach! (Keep your doors locked. . .  And enjoy your brioche.)

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20151217/NEWS/151219546/0/search

Volusia County Manager and County Attorney receive pay raises. . .

This best exemplifies why NOT ONE incumbent on the County Council deserves re-election! NOT ONE!

It is simply incomprehensible that any sane and conscious being could drive around Volusia County (especially the core “tourist” areas of our centerpiece – Daytona Beach) and not be utterly horrified.