Hi, kids!

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

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

Asshole           Volusia County Council

Tone-Deaf

Having or showing an obtuse insensitivity or lack of perception particularly in matters of public sentiment, opinion, or taste.

–Merriam-Webster

The First Amendment be damned.

Next Tuesday, the Volusia County Council is set to pass a resolution cementing the idea that, by Royal Edict, they will continue to quash citizen participation and muffle unpopular messages that don’t conform to the status quo or further the popular agenda.

The Monarchical proclamation limits our ability to address those we have elected to represent out interests to one opportunity per meeting – for a maximum of three minutes only – and, to “reduce disruption,” no signs, banner, placards or “wearable signboards” (does that include printed t-shirts?) will be permitted outside an individual’s presentation.

Should a subject of the realm have the temerity to actually prostrate themselves before our Exalted Rulers, you will wait until summoned by the omnipotent County Chair, and only then will your paltry “comments” be heard from the podium – and only after you have properly identified yourself for the record.

And don’t even think about our elected officials actually responding to your annoying questions – or so much as acknowledge your bothersome presence in the gilded Council Chamber.

What an abomination.

What an absolute insult.

Since the founding of this nation, public discussion of the issues of the day has become part of our culture – and permitting taxpayers substantive input in their local governance is sacrosanct in our democracy.

But not here.

In my view, the idea of limiting public participation to preserve the subjective concept of “decorum” so that some tinpot politician isn’t offended by the angry voice of their exasperated constituents is counter to our constitutional principles – and speaks to the abject arrogance of power that permeates Volusia County government.

Perhaps the most disingenuous, mendacious and wholly presumptuous provision of this damnable sham is contained in the fictitious concoction:

“In conducting the public’s business, the County Council is committed to the principals of civility, honor, and dignity. Individuals appearing before the County Council are required to observe the same principles when making public comments.”

Bullshit.

In my view, as a long-time observer of this Theater of the Absurd, nothing about the means and manner in which the Volusia County Council conducts the “public’s business” has any semblance to civility, honor or dignity – and this “do as I say, not as I do” mandate is a personal affront to everyone who values the concept of good governance.

If our current experience with the coronavirus crisis has exposed anything, it is the tyrannical nature of our elected officials and those officious bureaucrats who do their bidding – small-minded dictators, some of which have shamefully put their political ambitions above the needs of the public – who are quick to seize our liberties as they continue to champion government overreach and suppression – because they know what’s best for the rest of us. . .

Now, with the worst possible timing, our “new” County Attorney Mike Dyer, who, “at the request of a Council Member” – issued a four-page communiqué on how best to erode our First Amendment protections in the interest of not upsetting the delicate sensibilities of elected officials by controlling participation in our government processes – presents this cockamamie resolution during a recognized State of Emergency.

We don’t have a pandemic response plan.

We don’t have a clear strategy for when/if people can emerge from their homes, open their businesses and resume some semblance of normalcy.

But we have a resolution outlining formal limitations on when and how we can address our haughty elected officials and “participate” in what passes for county government?

Now?

Really?  

How classically tone-deaf.

How terrifyingly inept.

For those taking notes – you might want to remember this come November. . .

Angel               Volusia County Business Community

I wanted to take a minute and give a well-deserved Barker’s View “Angel” to our friends and neighbors in the Volusia County business community for their efforts to provide meals and moral support to those who are bravely putting themselves in harm’s way during this crisis.

This week, Godwin Kelly, reporting in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, wrote:

“NASCAR and Daytona International Speedway started providing more than 700 complimentary meals to local frontline and essential employees, including education, government, health care, law enforcement and first responders across the Daytona Beach area.”  

According to NASCAR’s executive vice chair, Lesa France Kennedy, the meals represent “just a small token of our appreciation for their daily dedication to our community.”

During the week-long initiative, DIS employees have been working with local restaurants to provide nutritious meals to first responders during these unprecedented times.

In addition, employees of several automobile dealerships have teamed together to patronize struggling area restaurants during lunch each day – and our friend and civic activist, Luke Zona, owner of Crabby Joe’s on the Sunglow Pier, prepared delicious meals for Halifax Health employees and other first responders.

Beginning this week, Dominoes outlets throughout Volusia and Flagler will begin distributing free pizzas to hospitals, school children and others in need.

The always civic-minded Tim Curtis and L. Gale Lemerand at Houligans teamed with Food Supply, Inc. and the Daytona International Auto Mall to provide 1,000 meals for workers at Halifax Health and AdventHealth this week.

Food service provider Sodexo USA at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University also donated 300 meals to Advent Health.

According to the West Volusia Beacon, “The Elusive Grape donated some 3,600 pounds of chicken Tuesday to The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia, for use in the organization’s drive-thru food pantry program.”

To ensure healthcare professionals have the personal protective equipment they need, this week the Root Family Foundation in Ormond Beach graciously donated 500 face shields to Halifax Health – and have committed to supplying the lifesaving equipment to local hospitals for the duration of the crisis.

In my view, the many area businesses and industries who are actively contributing their time, talents and resources to supporting first responders and those who have been financially stressed is heartwarming.

If I failed to mention your business, please know it was unintentional – wear your “Angel” wings with pride – now, and always.

Well deserved.   

Asshole           Social Stool Pigeons aka “Spotters”

On Tuesday, during the hot air generator that was the Volusia County Council’s “virtual special meeting,” several of our elected and appointed officials used the term “spotter” to loosely identify those gossips and busybodies who find it necessary to inform the authorities of the otherwise lawful activities of their neighbors, who, in their officious view, have violated the terms of our government mandated social incarceration.

The specific examples cited were those who felt compelled to travel the beach and tattle on persons they thought were not social distancing – or, God forbid – those scofflaws who take a seat while suspiciously “fishing” in the surf. . .

These aren’t criminals engaged in nefarious pursuits – they are citizens trying desperately to find a brief escape within the confines of confusing and arbitrary government decrees, like “Beach is Closed!  Sort of. . .” or “Boat Ramps Open – To residents of certain geographical areas only.”

I have a problem with these do-gooder “stool pigeons” – because, neighbors-spying-on-neighbors involved in otherwise lawful activities has no place in a free and open society.

In fact, it destroys our civic bonds with suspicion and fear.

Unfortunately, the practice of neighborhood Tonton Macoute’s conducting surveillance and busying themselves ratting out anyone who violates the arbitrary six-foot spacing recommendation is growing across the nation.

For instance, in Los Angeles, Mayor Eric “Mao” Garcetti has openly advocated that residents snitch on their neighbors who violate his draconian stay-at-home order – even threatening to shut off water and power to taxpaying businesses he has branded “non-essential.”

“You know the old expression about snitches—well, in this cases, snitches get rewards,” he said. “we want to thank you for turning folks in and making sure we are all safe.”

My ass.

In other places, mayors have unilaterally used the broad power of emergency declarations to close drive-in religious services under penalty of arrest and criminal prosecution – constitutionally protected activities that require virtually no human contact – with some overbearing autocrats going so far as to place limitations on what citizens can, and cannot, purchase at a grocery store.

Other reports show parents being physically arrested for playing with their children in a public park, citations being issued for the use of publicly owned amenities, and even a viral video from Mississippi of a police officer telling the pastor of a church his “rights are suspended” by governor’s mandate.

Say what?

The problem is also increasingly prevalent in Europe (a place where the Gestapo once relied on neighborhood informers to identify those in opposition to the regime – a system that was often used as a means of revenge or to settle old scores).

According to a recent article in Politico, “…in European countries under coronavirus lockdowns, a multitude of aspiring watchmen seem to feel that their moment has finally come, with untold numbers whiling away the hours in self-isolation by keeping an eye on their neighbors’ every move — and reporting them to the authorities if they slip up.”

Add to that the growing phenomena of social media “shaming” of those who appear to be out of compliance with government diktats and you get a weird sense of how close we could (will?) come to Orwell’s Oceania, a place where individuality and independent thought are crushed for the collective good.

My God.   

Like most, I understand the dangers posed by COVID-19 – I also understand and follow, to the extent possible, the sound recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control – but how far are we willing to go as a society?

How many of our rights and social mores are we willing to sacrifice on the altar of “Public Safety” each time our government decides its time to shutdown our lives and livelihoods?

And, is it true, as ol’ Ben Franklin suggested, that those who would trade essential liberties to purchase temporary safety deserve neither?

I’m asking.

Because these are deep and disturbing conversations we are going to have in this country once this pandemic has run its course.

Clearly, everyday this lockdown continues, our social, civic and economic fabric continues to fray.

Look, my advice is follow the rules – try and stay abreast of the ever-changing and always puzzling decrees handed down by yet another political insulation committee – the “mandatory/now not mandatory” edicts that change hourly – and let’s all work together to stay healthy and keep our vulnerable family members and neighbors safe.

And for you “spotters” out there, lurking about like an owl in the ivy, so you can inform on “violators” and get Brownie points from some stuffed shirt bureaucrat or overbearing politician with a God complex – while we practice social distancing, how about we embrace civic unity as well?

Asshole           Volusia County District Schools

When I was an 18-year old kid undergoing training in the military, I often wondered why – just when you thought things couldn’t get more difficult – the cadre always found a way to kick things up a notch, challenging us mentally and physically beyond what we thought were our individual and collective capabilities.

I once saw a young soldier have a mental breakdown in our barracks.

The emotionally distraught recruit took his mess kit and filled the plate with a heaping mound of shaving cream and soap powder, before announcing to our drill sergeant that he planned to eat it as an attempt at suicide.

He ate it alright.

At the barrel-chested sergeant’s direct order – with our entire platoon looking on – not allowed to stop until he licked the metal pan clean.

Once the soldier had finished throwing up his foamy meal – he was labeled a “defect,” then whisked off to something our drill sergeant called “mental hygiene” – never to be seen again. . .

It seemed harsh at the moment.  (But something told me this wasn’t the first time our Senior Drill Sergeant had seen this particular less-than-lethal ploy. . .)

After graduation from U.S. Army Military Police School, I understood the tough training regimen was carefully orchestrated, in minute detail, skillfully designed to break us down in body, mind and spirit – then build us back up as a functional member of a cohesive team – stronger in every way – with the newfound ability to make difficult decisions, perform effectively and ignore physical discomfort in austere or dangerous conditions.

I realized there was a purpose to what once appeared to be madness.

Unfortunately, I can’t find any sense of reason in the weird and insensitive treatment of our over-stressed teachers by the administration of Volusia County District Schools during these difficult and trying times.

In an excellent piece in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, education reporter Cassidy Alexander reports that – during the heat of this crisis, with many teachers concerned about job security – Volusia County schools used the opportunity to notify over 100 teachers that they won’t be doing their current jobs next year – then demanding they act as if everything is normal.

What?

“Teachers are trying to tread water in the new remote learning environment that began March 30 as district leaders are emphasizing the importance of acting as close to normal as possible — and that’s where the friction starts.”

During the heart of this crisis, Superintendent Scotty Fritz is apparently sitting cross legged on the floor of his office, playing with the district’s organizational chart like a Tinker Toy set.

Why?

Because I’m told the district doesn’t have an organizational chart. . .

I’m also being told that 42 of the teachers who have been “displaced” were not currently serving in a classroom – with some in limbo because of a rezoning, reduced enrollment or assigned elsewhere – with some certified teachers apparently assigned to work the café and bus loop, while others may have been part of grants that expired years ago.

In a district currently carrying some 260 vacancies?

You read that right – and none of it makes sense to me either. . .

But is there a bigger question afoot?

Is it possible that – for years – Volusia County District Schools has had teachers and staff in non-functional positions that senior administrators and elected officials knew nothing about?

As of Monday afternoon, 109 teachers district wide have found themselves displaced.

I’m told that the oddball timing of the announcement had to do with a contractual obligation with the teacher’s union that required displaced teachers be notified by April 13.

My God.

“But miscommunication and unclear expectations — about time spent teaching, grading, training, which tools to use and what curriculum to teach — sent already-stressed teachers into a tailspin. That led to several apologies from Fritz and Deputy Superintendent of Teaching, Leading and Learning Carmen Balgobin, and an email to teachers letting them know that any communication from the district office will come from one of them “until this pandemic is over.”

Then, inexplicably, during this time of widespread uncertainty and upheaval that is adversely affecting students, parents, teachers and staff – on Tuesday, the Volusia County School Board saw fit to move forward with adding an even thicker layer of crust to this bloated bureaucracy with the appointment of six new “high level” (and highly paid) senior administrators.

Then they have the temerity to ask for our “patience”?

In her article, Ms. Alexander quoted the intrepid Elizabeth Albert, a veteran teacher and president of Volusia United Educators, who rightfully asked:

“In a time of uncertainty, in a time where we really need to be looking at things that truly are the most important.  Why would we choose to add this additional layer of stress and anxiety on the backs of our people?”

Why, indeed.

What purpose does any of this serve?

Unless there is something more suspicious at play, like an organization that has been paying teachers and staff it doesn’t know it has, or what in the hell they are doing in furtherance of educating our children at any given time. . .

This one bears watching.

Superintendent Fritz has been at the helm long enough to have developed a comprehensive assessment of the situation – personnel, operations, administration, curriculum, student services, facilities, safety and security, etc. – and it’s time the district comes clean with those of us who pay the bills.  

Quote of the Week

“Parking closures along public beaches is inherently discriminatory and exclusionary towards inland residents. How do you defend giving beachside residents/tourists preferential and near exclusive use of the beach for recreational activity while simultaneously penalizing everyone else not fortunate enough to afford beachside rent or property? This oversight, slight, or deliberate pandering does not promote either goodwill, or reasonable alternatives to enforced isolation. Beach access parking allotments should be added as an addendum to the general extension.”

–Edward Somers, DeLand, writing in the “Online Public Comments” section of the Volusia County Council’s special meeting of Tuesday, April 14, 2020

And Another Thing!

Speaking of basic equality and furthering the discussion about inherently discriminatory practices during a time of extreme government overreach, this week Mike Panaggio – who became deeply ingrained in local issues when he took contractual delivery of a publicly owned stadium in Daytona Beach – then, in February, suggested it be torn down and the property sold to developers so a “sports complex” could be built elsewhere – entered the beach driving debate.

On Thursday, Mr. Panaggio took to social media with a post claiming his once favorable view of beach driving had changed now that he has seen and used the beach without the presence of cars.

What ensued was an onslaught of differing opinions – with many (including me) taking Mr. Panaggio to task for sounding like an elitist who would gladly trade our unique traditions for his own self-interests.

Inexplicably, he promptly changed tack and removed the post altogether, claiming some were “offended” by it:

“Sorry if I offended any of our Volusia Issues people with my post about the beach. I’m not against beach driving. The Economy needs it. Our visitors love being able to park on our beach. My point was that seeing it without vehicles during this terrible crisis is a whole different viewpoint. Let’s continue to protect it any way we can. It’s an amazing natural resource.”

I’m not sure what that means. . .you support beach driving or you don’t?

I don’t think anyone was offended – just expressing a differing point of view on beach access – an emotionally charged issue for many long-time residents that is often referred to as the “third rail of Volusia County politics.”  

Many in our community are concerned that once our rights and liberties – including our century old heritage of beach driving and access – are removed by government overreach during this crisis, they won’t be returned with the same rapidity with which they were stolen.

Mr. Panaggio is a highly successful and very smart person who prompted a good discussion.

Too bad he didn’t stand his ground.

Let’s face it, wading into the hell-broth of opinions on social media takes courage – and a willingness to defend controversial opinions and ideas through the competition of public debate.

In my view, for a recognized community trailblazer to shut down public discussion with the stroke of a computer key when things get heated is more offensive than the original thought.

Just one mans opinion.  Yours may differ.

And that’s okay.

That’s all for me – have a great weekend, friends!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$96.5 Million.

On a normal day, that astronomical figure would have resulted in a front page/above the fold treatment with all the bells-n-whistles The Daytona Beach News-Journal could muster.

But not this week.  Times are different.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was the hotly contested $150 Billion federal relief program that, among a broad range of other entities, provides financial aid to local governments with populations exceeding 500,000.

According to the act, CARES is meant to cover “necessary expenditures” related to the COVID-19 response and recovery that were “not accounted for in that government’s budget.”

As one of the twelve counties in Florida with populations over 500K, earlier this week the Volusia County Council quietly voted on yet another off-the-agenda item during a “special meeting” authorizing County Manager George Recktenwald to apply for, and accept, the massive funding package.

According to a short blurb in the News-Journal, Mr. Recktenwald said, “We’re able to receive direct funding.  This is something very unprecedented.”

So, how will Volusia County – who has a history of going through our money like shit through a dyspeptic goose – spend this windfall? 

Will the municipalities, many of which have been hard hit by this crisis, be included in the distribution?

Will those local businesses and industries who traditionally secure their spot at the public teat with enormous campaign contributions be eligible to skim a little cream off the top in the name of an economic stimulus? 

Will small businesses and furloughed employees who are teetering on the brink of financial disaster be supported with these relief funds?

And, absent some donations to struggling food banks, what exactly has Volusia County spent outside that included in current budget allocations? 

Because they damn sure haven’t thrown anything at emergency management planning, preparation or the development of a cogent pandemic response. . .

Under the circumstance, these are legitimate questions – and, during an election year – we deserve answers sooner rather than later.

I remember a similar, no-questions-asked, flood of cash in the late 1990’s when Florida reached a massive settlement with cigarette producers – a time when untold billions of dollars were showered on local governments throughout the state in the form of smoking cessation programs for children.

It turned into a shit show of epic proportions.

In other words, it was exactly what one would expect when greed-crazed politicians get snout-deep in a trough groaning with unregulated cash.

In fact, at the time, I called a state agency charged with oversight to report what I believed was a misuse of settlement funds – a situation common in those times – where the state trust fund was being billed by a municipality at a rate higher than actual expenditures.

While I maintain a certain moral flexibility, I also have a finely honed conscience.

I thought it was wrong, so I spoke up.

Imagine my utter shock when the inspector literally laughed in my face – flippantly dismissing me with, “If you think that’s bad, you should see what’s happening in South Florida.”

Click.

According to reports, outlays under the CARES Act will be under the oversight of something called the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, formed from Inspector General from multiple federal agencies.

One can only guess what ‘oversight by committee’ will look like at the end of the day.

No word yet on what role, if any, Volusia County’s invisible “Internal Auditor” Jonathan Edwards – who, like the legendary Sasquatch, is rumored to exist but rarely seen – will have in ensuring that nearly $100 million in public funds is spent in accordance with programmatic goals.

Trust me – this one bears watching. . .

Please join me tomorrow for our weekly installment of “Angels & Assholes” an always irreverent look at who tried to save us – and who tried to screw us – during the week that was.

 

On Saturday, a headline in The Daytona Beach News-Journal read: “County wants your comments for virus update.”

No, they don’t.

In recent weeks, I’ve written a lot about unintended consequences – the equal and opposite reaction – the unplanned effect that ill thought governmental decisions have on all of us.

When our elected and appointed “leadership” flail about in the dark, trying to do something – anything – that will give the appearance of competence, without having thought the outcome through, bad things can happen.

To take a few liberties with the thoughts of Frédéric Bastiat, the nineteenth century journalist who explained in his famous essay, “What is seen and What Is Not Seen” – bad decisions come from those who confine themselves to the “visible,” while good judgments result when the decision-maker considers both that which  can be seen and those results that must be foreseen.

Unfortunately, in my view, Volusia County government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has been conflicted and confusing – a garbled message, poorly executed – with little consideration for the concept of “getting it right the first time” as a means of preserving the public trust.

When it comes to effective communication strategies, the order in which information is presented is important.

The law of primacy tells us that items presented first will have a greater persuasive effect than subsequent information.

In public education campaigns, especially during a crisis, it is important that the information presented be factual, familiar, vetted and consistent – because that which is communicated first will be remembered longest by the community.

It is why most governmental entities develop the framework for strong public information campaigns before an emergency – identifying a single point of trusted information that can effectively communicate the myriad adjustments required to manage the threat – then organizing releases in a manner that keeps the public informed and limits speculation, rumor and panic.

In Volusia County, that logical process began when our elected officials voted unanimously to approve an emergency declaration giving broad powers to County Manager George Recktenwald – which, according to ordinance, directs the manager to “Assume complete operational control of all county forces combating the emergency,” among other responsibilities.

In short, Mr. Recktenwald was formally authorized to enter into contracts, incur obligations, employ workers, utilize volunteers, acquire supplies, materials and facilities, and prudently expend public funds to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community.

During these extraordinary circumstances, our established emergency management protocols essentially limit the direct involvement of our elected officials to extending the state of emergency, as necessary, in seven-day increments by quorum.

In my view, almost immediately after the emergency declaration, certain council members became panicky, fearing that they weren’t getting the exposure required to let potential voters know how uber-important they are to the effort – how active and engaged – how intimately connected to the highest levels of the federal government they have become.

And that’s when the wheel came off the cart. . .

In time, several of our elected officials took to social media to issue haughty manifestos and poorly thought official releases, which included everything from demanding the closure of public beaches and private businesses, to assuming the role of amateur epidemiology lecturer, and providing information on essential operations, such as airport screening procedures, without context or confirmation.

The effect was directly counter to the principles of proper crisis management and hamstrung Mr. Recktenwald’s ability to control the message – then, things seemed to fly apart like a cheap flywheel. . .

In complete defiance of the legal requirements of Volusia County’s active state of emergency, our elected officials have now mandated weekly council meetings, a “virtual” klatch where council members plan to dial in and insinuate themselves into the decision-making process, while receiving staff “briefings” – a nonsensical make-work effort guaranteed to consume the valuable time of those actually in the arena so a few pompous assholes can preen and posture.

It’s like a passel of recalcitrant children stomping their Buster Browns and screaming “Deal with me!”

According to an article written by Casmira Harrison in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, a press release issued by Volusia County on Thursday afternoon, “…stated there would be no public participation at the upcoming meeting, later that evening the county had made the decision to set up a public viewing area at the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center in DeLand. There will also be a “kiosk” set up at the building to provide citizens a physical access point for live, in-person public participation to the virtual meeting.”

Remember that whole Law of Primacy thing I was yammering about?

It is apparent our County Attorney’s Office is burning the midnight oil, figuring out how to make Apple Pan Dowdy out of horseshit, by shoehorning some semblance of “public input” into these “special meetings” to make them quasi-legal in the eyes of the open meetings law.

The problem is – the Volusia County Council lost many of us long before the coronavirus hysteria ruled the day – and our foul memories of their abject disrespect for the will of the people is not soon forgotten.

Many residents I have spoken with in recent days tell me they have no desire to participate in this politically motivated farce – with some lamenting that they now have a different perspective on incumbent candidates, based upon Volusia County’s clumsy and chaotic response to this crisis.

And they should.

Prior to this crisis, in every way, our elected officials have made it crystal clear that they neither needed – nor wanted – our input as they set about crafting public policy in the craven image of their political benefactors.

Many taxpayers simply stopped trying to actively participate in their county government.

They sat down and shut-up like they were told. . .

So, now that the public’s confidence in the process has been destroyed – our elected officials find themselves at the helm of a rapidly sinking ship alone.

In my view, history will not be kind to the Volusia County Council in the aftermath of this crisis – and they have no one to blame but themselves.

___________________________________

Please join Barker’s View this afternoon on Gov Stuff Live! with Big John, beginning at 4:00pm, as we talk politics, discuss the issues of the day and take your calls on the fastest two-hours in radio!

Listen locally on WELE 1380am “The CAT” – or via the internet at www.govstuff.org (Listen Live button)

Thanks in advance!

 

Photo Credit: The Daytona Beach News-Journal

 

 

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               Daytona Beach Police Department

Desperate times require innovative thinking, especially when it comes to protecting our community – and Chief Craig Capri, and the officers and staff of the Daytona Beach Police Department, have set the bar for state-of-the-art public safety solutions.

This week, the agency unveiled the use of small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus.

According to Sergeant Tim Ehrenkaufer, a recognized expert on drone applications for law enforcement, the technology is currently being considered as a means of screening visitors to the Police Department using an infrared sensor to identify persons with fever from distances up to 400 feet – while other systems are being flown over parks and public areas, allowing officers to safely interact with groups and individuals from a distance, broadcast directions and public education information from an intercom array or drop equipment and supplies to officers or citizens in need.

“We’re reducing the officer having to go out there, walk into the park property, walking into a crowd of people, share those germs back and forth just to deliver a message that, ‘The park’s closed. Don’t be in here,’” Sgt. Ehrenkaufer said.

Two of the agency’s sUAS’s are on loan from DJI, manufacturer of the popular Mavic and Phantom series of drones, under a federal disaster relief program.

In my view, using this advanced technology to keep first responders – and the public they serve – safe during an emergency is the highest use for sUAV’s, and the Daytona Beach Police Department should be commended for their pioneering vision in service to the community.

Well done!

Asshole           Halifax Health Leadership

Look, no one has more respect and admiration for the outstanding nurses, doctors and medical staff at Halifax Health – an incredible group of professionals doing God’s work literally on the front line of this crisis.

However, earlier this week I read something that gave me cause for pause regarding a recent decision of the hospital’s administration.

Several days ago, WFTV reported that nonclinical administrative employees at Halifax Health were questioning why they were not being allowed to work from home during the Governor’s “Safer at Home” mandate – with many fearing they were being placed at risk for exposure to COVID-19.

When pressed for answers by Channel 9, Halifax Health’s “marketing vice president” John Guthrie sent an email stating:

“Halifax Health is focused on providing a safe work environment and is approaching remote work possibilities on a case by case basis. However, we do not feel a blanket remote working mandate is in our community’s best interest to provide care.”

At the time, several employees spoke to a Channel 9 reporter under conditions of anonymity out of fear of losing their jobs. . .that’s rarely a good sign.

Well, it appears the prescient concerns of those employees came true this week when Halifax Health announced it would be putting profits ahead of people when some 300 employees were placed on a “four-month” furlough – with no real assurance their jobs will be available when this crisis has passed.

According to an informative article by News-Journal health reporter Nikki Ross, in an email received from Halifax Health President and CEO Jeff Feasel as part of a public records request, the layoffs ostensibly come down to dollars and cents:

“As you know, hospitals and health systems across the country have suspended elective, non-emergent procedures and surgeries to save capacity, supplies and staff in order to treat COVID-19 patients,” Feasel said in the email to staff. “One of the effects of these restrictions has been decreased medical and surgical volumes which, in turn, have resulted in significant decreased revenues for our system.”   

Or is it a case of good, old-fashioned “payback”?

Corporate retribution for anxious employees who went off the reservation to have their concerns exposed?

I don’t know – I’m asking.  Because the timing is suspicious as hell.

What really rubbed me wrong was the flippant answers to worker’s questions about their ultimate professional fate in the wake of these massive furloughs.

For instance, when asked in the News-Journal “How does the furlough help Halifax Health?” – the response was painfully curt: “It reduces labor expense for departments and retains our talent.”

As an employee who had been unceremoniously kicked to the curb, I know how I would have interpreted that callous statement. . .

To add insult, Halifax Health also reported that no jobs affected by the layoffs are “guaranteed” following the four-month period.

Given the abrupt nature of the furlough announcement this week – literally on the heels of a public airing of internal grievances by worried employees – this one bears watching.

If, in the aftermath of this emergency, we learn that senior executives used this crisis as a crude cudgel to bash workers for daring to speak out – or opportunistically capitalized on a bad situation by placing the financial burden on the backs of dedicated employees – then, that would be a completely different story.

My God.  300 families. . .

Asshole           Volusia County Council

Speaking of the innovative use of tech during a crisis, in the past three-weeks, I’ve participated in Zoom chats with family and friends – and even attended a virtual birthday party with some 35 others joining from around the state.

Yet, somehow, when our Volusia County Council – with a budget rapidly approaching One Billion dollars – attempted to hold what passed for a “virtual” public meeting on Tuesday, it resulted in a chaotic cluster that sounded more like Alexander Graham Bell trying to link our elected officials with his newfangled harmonic telegraph. . .

With the Daytona Beach Police Department clearly on the cutting edge – in contrast, Volusia County’s administration is still dragging on the hind teat of technology. . .

I mean, really?

With so many working from home these days, the use of basic teleconferencing applications has become second nature to most – but not in the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Building.

With six council members accessing the meeting remotely (apparently using tin cans and waxed twine) – and only Councilman Ben Johnson in physical attendance – the lack of coordination and organization, at times, made the whole charade difficult to follow.

In other words, it wasn’t that different from a normal council meeting. . .

According to The Daytona Beach News-Journal’s Casmira Harrison, the technological interruptions, “…resulted in delays and confusion.”

Our elected officials should understand that “delays and confusion” are not what their constituents want to hear during a time of crisis.

I’m not sure they wanted to hear some of the meeting’s other startling revelations, either. . .

Let’s face it, Volusia County’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, from its outset, has been chaotic, even baffling – a terrible mishmash of premature/reversed decisions and political grandstanding – marked by a complete lack of organization and planning in everything from the dissemination of public information to beach management and airport screening procedures.

In my view, the fault does not fall on County Manager George Recktenwald’s shoulders alone.

Last month, pursuant to proper emergency management protocols, the Volusia County Council unanimously authorized Recktenwald to make decisions related to response, recovery and mitigation efforts under a formal emergency declaration.

Unfortunately, certain elected officials (who are standing for reelection) couldn’t help themselves from meddling – resulting in a hodgepodge of manifestos, political maneuvering, social media diatribes and sniping from the sidelines – all for the sole purpose of getting their names in the newspaper.

In turn, their official interference in the decision-making process undermined Mr. Recktenwald’s authority and destroyed public confidence.

To make a bad situation worse, during Tuesday’s “meeting,” the always arrogant Councilwoman Deb Denys – with all the brazen craving for attention and self-promotion that someone running for higher office can muster – made a goofy motion requiring that the Volusia County Council meet once a week and, “…take the responsibility as council members for some of the decisions that are made…”

Of course, it passed unanimously. . .

In my view, Ms. Denys’ inappropriate action effectively completed the castration of Recktenwald, ties up every staff member’s valuable time preparing asinine “briefings” for the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker and delegitimized the very concept of emergency management, all for cheap political exposure.

So, now that Deb is influencing the county’s response, are the decision-making principles of the emergency declaration still applicable?

Do we listen to the garbled message of self-absorbed politicians pontificating on Facebook?

Is there ever going to be a single point of information management?

What happened to the once statutorily mandated concept of open and accessible public meetings?

Most important: Who’s in charge of this shit train?

For the first time in my life, I firmly agree with County Chair Ed Kelley – who, in a rare moment of perfect mental clarity – decried Councilwoman Denys’ gross micromanagement of county government – and the direct insinuation of elected officials into the day-to-day operations of government.

Yet, in her completely tone-deaf style, Ms. Denys insisted that Recktenwald needs the jumbled input of the individual council members – demonstrating her total willingness to muck up an established process for her own self-aggrandizement.

Shameless.  And, incredibly stupid.

Then, we learned from our illustrious Public Protection Director Joe Pozzo that county officials are “in the process of creating a “pandemic plan” that will be “implemented later this week.”

According to Recktenwald, “The manual, the playbook for this one.  We’re writing it now.”

In the parlance of our times – WTF?

Now weeks deep into this crisis, we are just being told by our emergency management “experts” that Volusia County is finally getting around to creating a plan for dealing with this pandemic? 

Say what?

Perhaps Mr. Pozzo should check the nameplate on his office door – then look up the definition of “Public Protection” in the dictionary. . .

In my view, this sluggardly response is totally unacceptable and speaks to the piss-poor planning and lack of preparation that somehow escaped Recktenwald’s “highly experienced team” when they failed to develop even a basic strategy for protecting our citizens and the local economy during a pandemic.

Bullshit.

The tortuous meeting also included more of Councilwoman Heather Post’s hand-wringing and fear mongering – punctuated with a nonsensical motion to close all “spoil islands” to public use – something that was met with stone silence by her incredulous “colleagues.”

Then, Councilwoman Post ended with a long-winded jeremiad demanding that even more hospitality-related businesses be shuttered – further crippling our already devastated local economy.

Fortunately, crickets were again heard as Post’s fellow council members clipped their toenails at home and totally ignored her. . .

The only thing I didn’t hear Ms. Post yammer about was when she plans to donate her substantial county salary to a service industry relief effort during this unprecedented period of unemployment?

What a friggin’ mess. . .

I hate to give unsolicited advice where it’s not wanted or appreciated (that’s not true. I love giving unwanted, overbearing suggestions to pompous politicians and stuffed shirt bureaucrats – in fact, I live for it) but, as a summa cum laude graduate of the School of Hard Knocks, perhaps I can help Mr. Recktenwald and his hapless – but highly experienced – “team” going forward.

During my long and completely undistinguished career in public service – during which I clawed my way to middle management and held on by my fingernails – I always felt it important to serve those who paid my salary in the most professional manner possible.

Why?  Because I accepted public funds to serve in the public’s interest.  That’s why.

Given my intellectual and educational deficiencies, I kept a simple checklist hidden in my pocket notebook – totally unbeknownst to my colleagues, superiors or subordinates – something I frequently referred to when faced with difficult decisions, or when entering uncharted operational or administrative waters, it read:

What comes next?

What do I do next?

What to expect next?

Look, I’m not the smartest guy in the room – and I understand my limitations.

But during my public life I never allowed base mediocrity to become the operative ethic for my organization, especially when public safety was at stake – because anything less is morally and ethically reprehensible.

That’s why professionals who care undertake a conscious effort to develop skills – like anticipatory decision-making, risk analysis and the strategic management of evolving incidents – which allows them to formulate an organized process for making timely judgments in the absence of a predetermined plan.

Perhaps county staff – and our elected officials – should print these concepts, tape it to their pointy little foreheads, and incorporate them into their own deliberations (if they have the capacity) as they work to right this ship of fools – one which is dangerously close to foundering on the rocks of incompetence and political posturing.

Quote of the Week

“Daytona Beach continues to struggle while virtually every other beach community in Florida prospers. Our blight is tied to the reality many people do not want to visit or live where they must share the beach with cars. If we want to give our local hotels a boost, make our beach more appealing. We will also begin to see blighted properties become homes to those who want to live near the beach. This means more restaurants, businesses and hopefully redevelopment of areas such as Main Street.”

–Matthew J. Smith, Daytona Beach Shores, writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal’s Letters to the Editor, “Is COVID-19 fatal to beach driving?”  Thursday, April 9, 2020

I respect everyone’s views equally; however, in my role as a blowhard alternative opinion blogger – it is my sacred duty to call attention to the thoughts and statements of others that, in my view, are, well, misaligned with reality.

Especially those views that cling to the tired, old and misguided notion that destroying our century-old tradition of beach driving is a nostrum for years of civic abandonment, abject greed and strategic rot.

Case in point: Mr. Smith’s statement: “Our blight is tied to the reality many people do not want to visit or live where they must share the beach with cars,” is horseshit.

So there.  My work here is done.

You’re welcome.

And Another Thing!

My heart goes out to service industry professionals – those who historically work long hours for little compensation – and thousands of other workers who, through absolutely no fault of their own, find themselves standing in massive lines to qualify for unemployment benefits and spend sleepless nights wondering how they will feed their children tomorrow.

That’s the harsh reality for many of our friends and neighbors.

Here are a few community-based organizations that are working hard to help:

According to Jeff Brower, a gentleman farmer from DeLeon Springs who happens to be running for County Chair, recently announced that later today a relief effort known as “Farm to Trunk” will be distributing fresh produce, free of charge, to unemployed hospitality employees, service workers and single mothers – promising “no human contact, no questions asked – just pop the trunk.” 

The vegetables will be available from 3:00pm to 5:00pm this afternoon at 3305 South Orange Avenue, Orlando.

For more information, please contact Tim Johnson at 407-534-9028.

I realize that’s a haul for some east Volusia families in need – but the effort is also helping local farms who have lost most of their commercial customers.

In addition, The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia is offering assistance to low-income seniors through the City of DeLand’s innovative Neighbors on Wheels program.  Those seeking help should call 386-734-8120, extension 2, and leave a message that includes your name, address and phone number.

Also, The Jerry Doliner Food Bank distributes food by appointment on Mondays and Fridays between 1:00pm and 3:00pm at 470 Andalusia Avenue, Ormond Beach.

For more information – or to learn how you can help – please call Gloria Max at 386-672-0294.

These worthy relief organizations need our help right now as they work tirelessly to meet a growing need in our community – thanks in advance for your assistance.

That’s all for me, friends – here’s wishing everyone a blessed and joyous Easter and Passover!

(Correction: This post has been modified to correct information regarding the use of sUAS to screen visitors to the Daytona Beach Police Department.  My original piece erroneously said the technology is currently being used to screen visitors to the department.  In fact, the agency is considering the use of a sensor for that purpose – but it is not currently in use.)

 

 

 

 

 

In turbulent times, we see the good, the bad and the ugly in people.

We also see the best and worst in the processes, procedures and systems we use to manage emergencies and reduce the impact of a crisis on our community.

While I’m not an expert, during my working life – through a combination of training, exercises and actual disaster response experience – I earned the Florida Professional Emergency Manager credential from the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association.

The practice taught me that emergency management is both art and skill.

I also learned that all communities are vulnerable to a variety of threats – the effects of which can be mitigated when the functions, resources and capabilities of government are effectively coordinated through an organized management plan.

As in most things, preparation is the key to success – and I’m not seeing that locally.

Considering that:

1. We have an active emergency declaration due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Volusia County’s response has had all the coordination of a Chinese Fire Drill.

It has become increasingly apparent that our senior levels of Volusia County government haven’t adequately trained or prepared to respond to this growing emergency – and they appear to have no plan for effectively managing the event.

In fact, Sheriff Michael Chitwood is the only senior elected official in Volusia County government who has demonstrated strong leadership and provided his constituents with the hard information they need to protect themselves and their families – and his support of small businesses has been incredibly uplifting.

A lot of what I write about is my own nonsensical criticisms of the various political missteps, gaffes and foul-ups inherent to our system of governance – where well-meaning people try hard to get it right – but often fall short due to a cumbersome bureaucracy.

But this is different.

Just as I have a great propensity for hyper-criticism of government and institutions – I also have an equally deep capacity for acceptance and forgiveness of mistakes (because I’ve made so many of my own – personally and professionally.)

It is why I have always tried to live my life in a way – both in law enforcement and aviation – that requires self-reliance and the development of fundamental skills that help me get it right when the chips are down.

That doesn’t happen by chance – and because of my personal limitations – it requires that I put in more effort than others.

Perceiving and reacting to threats comes from constant training, learning and practice so that it becomes possible to react almost instinctively to mitigate risk – otherwise, the results can be catastrophic.

A wise old flight instructor taught me the following mantra which has served me well, both in flying and in life:

“In a negative situation I will do the best I can.  If that fails, I will try again.  I cannot change destiny, but I may be able to affect it in some positive way.”

Clearly, County Manager George Recktenwald is caught between a rock and hard place – torn between seven strong personalities on the dais of power and the 540,000 individual opinions that make up Volusia County.

But the fact remains, during this declared emergency, the decisions that affect our lives and livelihoods are his alone – hopefully made with the best information and advice possible – a process made infinitely more difficult by the politically motivated meddling we’ve seen in recent weeks.

In my view, while Volusia County government’s response to this crisis has been anything but unified – there is still time to get it right.

Let’s hope this week’s Volusia County Council meeting can be used to restore order and set a comprehensive path forward.

That requires that our elected officials respect Mr. Recktenwald’s authority and responsibilities under the emergency declaration – stop their toxic attempts to influence public policy from the sidelines – and support his efforts to protect the citizens of Volusia County while respecting the balance between civil liberties and those actions required to stop the spread of this microbial monster.

 

Photo Credit: The Daytona Beach News-Journal

 

Perhaps the most important principle of crisis management is an effective public information plan – a strategy that allows local government to gather, verify, coordinate and disseminate accurate, accessible, and reliable status updates and briefings to keep constituents informed.

Does that sound anything close to what we’ve experienced in Volusia County during the coronavirus “response”?

Let’s take a brief look back, shall we:

In the early days of Volusia’s effort to establish reasonable public policy that kept a balance between personal freedoms and social distancing requirements, the Volusia Watermen’s Association – the collective bargaining unit of Volusia County’s Beach Safety Department – issued a panicked open letter to the Volusia County Council vehemently demanding the complete closure of our beach after “tirelessly and privately pressuring the County to do the right thing, but they have refused to act appropriately.”

The letter concluded with a shameful threat that, “If a single Beach Safety employee gets sick while you continue to fail to act, we will all know who to blame.”

This politically charged ultimatum was delivered to the Volusia County Council by a steward of the Teamsters Union – an act which, in my view, crossed the line as career civil servants played an outrageous game of political chicken with duly elected officials during an emergency.

That’s not how our system works.  Nor should it.

This wasn’t a union working for political change – or fighting for wages and benefits – it was ugly, and gave the appearance that our Beach Safety officers had lost their nerve in the face of a crisis – and many of my neighbors have told me they will never look at the agency the same way again.

That’s called a loss of public confidence.

Naturally, Volusia County Councilwoman Heather Post used the opportunity to break ranks (during an emergency declaration) and lobby on behalf of the Volusia Watermen’s Association – which she prominently lists on her social media page as having “unanimously endorsed” her political campaign – issuing a weird manifesto demanding that county leadership direct the closure of all “parks, beach accesses and recreational facilities.”

In addition, Ms. Post “urged” that the municipalities respond by “…shutting down businesses completely for the two-week duration.”

What followed was an unrelenting series of “executive orders” spewing from Governor Ron DeSantis’ office, changing by the hour, each slowly tightening the noose and further limiting our constitutionally protected civil liberties, while Councilwoman Post and her “colleague” Councilwoman Deb Denys, continued to spew blurbs on social media commenting on everything from airport screening procedures to beach closures and burn bans with little background or context – leaving their confused constituents with more questions than answers.

Not to be ignored, Daytona Beach’s Lord Protector Mayor Derrick “Henny-Penny” Henry unrelentingly fanned the flames by running in metaphorical circles, demanding that the last hours of Bike Week be shut down by Royal Edict, clamoring for the complete closure of our beach and monarchically discussing which businesses in our community are “essential” and which are not, as he fought for a curfew to even further restrict lawful movement and commerce.

(Why is it government officials always list which businesses are “essential,” but never provide us a record of those they have deemed “non-essential”?  Just curious. . .)

Add to that the uncertainty and misinformation surrounding screening procedures at Daytona “International” Airport – the “who did what, and when” in closing the gaping hole in our coronavirus defenses by enforcing yet another of Governor DeSantis’ disjointed orders which requires a mandatory 14-day quarantine of anyone traveling to Florida from high incidence areas – with no way to enforce it.

As a result of this Carnival of the Absurd, Volusia County’s official public information strategy now looks more like a frenzied clown act than a public education campaign – bits, pieces, speculation, manifestos and politically motivated diatribes come at us from all directions, at all hours, leaving constituents horribly confused – and increasingly frightened.

Then, on Thursday evening, everything changed when the DeSantis Lockdown took effect – a weird “do this, don’t do that” edict which our government benevolently calls “Safer at Home.”

Late that afternoon, County Manager George Recktenwald announced at a weird press conference that he was unilaterally closing all 47-miles of Volusia County beaches effective 12:01am Friday morning.

I say “unilaterally,” because that is what he was previously authorized to do.

But when the natural public backlash that comes with having something so intimately intertwined with our local culture and economy totally shuttered with little notice or explanation hit – Councilwoman Billie Wheeler announced in a post entitled “The True Story” that she strongly opposed “totally closing the beach.”

In turn, Ms. Wheeler’s stance was echoed by Councilwoman Deb Denys on Friday evening when she stated on social media, “I have just sent an official request to the County Manager and County Attorney to “…open the beach and follow Cocoa Beach’s Ordinance, to be effective immediately.”

What followed was public outcry and speculation that, perhaps, the beach could be partially reopened to walking, fishing, jogging, surfing, swimming, etc. – activities that comport with the DeSantis Lockdown’s recreation provisions – essentially anything that doesn’t involve sitting down, relaxing and enjoying the beach.

I happen to agree.

The beaches should be open to responsible use – but whenever I voice that opinion, it prompts backlash from the other side of the issue who always invoke the “public safety” argument that paints anyone opposed as a socially irresponsible asshole.

Whatever.

Like Ms. Post’s earlier demand to close the beaches, I’m not sure the public requests made by Wheeler and Denys conform to the Volusia County Council’s agreement to allow County Manager Recktenwald to make emergency management decisions either – but these are the times in which we find ourselves. . .

On Thursday, Volusia County issued a press release which stated, unequivocally, “Volusia County Beaches Closed” – then, 48-hours later, we learned through various unofficial sources that County Manager Recktenwald had apparently come to his senses and reopened the beach – or did he?

The county’s public information apparatus issued a convoluted release with the contradictory language that, while the beach remains closed, something called the “Fifth Directive of Emergency Measures” (?) “relaxes” the prohibition of certain exercise-related activities on the beach.

It gave the impression that Councilwoman Denys – who is actively running for County Chair – had won the day – and once again resulted in more questions than answers – allowing jogging, but not sitting, fishing but no “loitering,” etc., etc.

Then, I read a news article containing an official statement from a Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue mouthpiece that, during the initial hours of the first coastal blockade, officers issued some 120 warnings to hapless beach goers – including one citation to a recalcitrant skateboarder who reportedly became “belligerent” when told his otherwise lawful activity was now a criminal offense – before announcing that, when it came to throwing people off a public beach, “It was heartbreaking for us, too.”

Wait a minute.

Didn’t the Beach Patrol’s union demand at the point of a political spear that our beaches be closed immediately or else? 

Then, when the County Manager caved to the pressure and actually closed their jurisdiction to all public access – the work of enforcing the order they insisted on is “heartbreaking”?

My ass.

But I guess it’s never too soon to start rehabilitating your image, eh?

Mixed messages, indeed.

In my view, when the COVID-19 threat has passed, and we return to whatever the “new normal” will be – we need to have a critical discussion about single-point information management, consistency of message and Volusia County’s ability to provide essential communications to residents in an age where elected officials feel free to circumvent the responsible leadership and compromise the public’s trust in whatever incident management system has been established, simply to get their name in the paper during an election cycle.

Because what has happened over the past two-weeks bears no semblance to a coordinated response – and we simply cannot allow this hodgepodge process to become the new reality.

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 & FDOT

There’s an old saying “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.”

In Volusia County, perhaps that adage is better stated – “We knew what we had, we just never expected it to be stolen from us.”  

Earlier this week, gripped by acute cabin fever and the corona-paranoia that comes from the media’s non-stop, around-the-clock flogging of this pandemic, I took a leisurely drive around The Loop – one of the true jewels of east Central Florida – which covers the circuit from the Granada Bridge in Ormond Beach to High Bridge near the Flagler County line.

As I drove north on A-1-A, I noticed that certain sections of most off-beach parking areas had florescent traffic cones and barrier tape blocking spaces, effectively prohibiting residents and visitors full use of the public lots – limiting the opportunity to park and enjoy the relatively unspoiled beaches of the North Peninsula.

I’m told the parking restrictions were designed to enforce social distancing requirements before the DeSantis Lockdown, and Volusia County’s knee-jerk reaction, by regulating the number of people who could access the beach on overcrowded weekends – but this was noontime on a Monday – yet, the tape and cones (and at least one Beach Patrol vehicle) were still in place, dutifully protecting us from ourselves.

“But I helped pay for that parking space with my hard-earned tax dollars. . .”

“Tough shit, you subservient villein.  This is an “emergency,” asshole – we control your life now.”

Whatever.

In my experience, when it comes to Volusia County Beach Management, sometimes things get done in a timely manner, and sometimes they don’t – or, maybe some high-level staffer thought, “Screw it.  We just have to put the tape back-up next weekend anyway, leave it, the sheeple will get used to it eventually.”

Regardless, I chalked up the weekday parking snafu to typical bureaucratic inefficiency and kept driving. . .

As I approached ICI Homes’ new seaside development, Verona, in beautiful Ormond-by-the-Sea, I saw the Florida Department of Transportation’s handiwork in the form of a physical blockade to beach access disguised as a “sand fence” – a godawful series of treated wooden posts with slat fencing attached, ostensibly designed to reestablish the natural dune-line as a protective barrier for the adjacent roadway.

Continuing north, I was met with a large sign announcing, “State Prisoners Working,” just before encountering a scene out of Cool Hand Luke – a clutch of inmates in faded prison uniforms  actively driving even more wooden poles into another stretch of sand that had been leveled by a small excavator – equipment which was now parked on top of the very vegetation nature uses to anchor the dunes.

I noticed that no one on the jobsite was practicing anything resembling social distancing – I guess those mandates only apply to us little people who are expected to keep quiet and do what we are told. . .

Question:

Are the state prisoners augmenting the paid workforce of the contractor who won the bid to erect the fencing? 

I’m asking.  Because, if so, that’s a pretty sweet deal for someone. . .

Then, perhaps most disturbing, as I approached the North Peninsula State Park, I noticed another line of gaudy traffic cones completely blocking the beachside parking area – this time due to the statewide closure of all state parks in response to the coronavirus.

And it hurt my heart.

If we hadn’t been told differently by FDOT representatives after-the-fact – I would swear this ugly, intermittent wooden barrier has been strategically placed to block parking at traditional beach access points on the North Peninsula.

I’ve been going to the beach at the far reaches of the North Peninsula for over fifty-years.

It holds a very special place in my life – a place of refuge from the world, a place to think and watch the ocean, a place to enjoy the golden coquina sands that make that section of beach so unique – and it is where I’ve directed my remains be scattered when I finally shuffle off this mortal coil.

That is, if we can find a parking space. . .

Angel               The Daytona Beach News-Journal

I have a soft spot in my heart for our local newspaper of record.

I know many of you no longer read The Daytona Beach News-Journal – and some that do often take exception to their editorial content – but the fact remains, these are hard times, and I was taught to leave no one behind in a crisis.

Besides, it’s easy to kick those people and institutions we disagree with when their down – I do it all the time – but the character of our community demands we help preserve our foundational elements.

To say the News-Journal has taken it on the chin of late is an understatement, and I fear for the long-term viability of our newspaper in the aftermath of this global financial downturn that has small local businesses and multinational corporations alike fighting for their lives.

Let’s face it – the handwriting is on the wall – and the News-Journal is trying hard to adapt.

It’s difficult not to notice the subtle daily changes to what was once ‘our paper’ as it slowly transitions to what increasingly looks like a homogenized regional USA Today – as those intrepid local journalists who earned our trust and brought such institutional knowledge, flair and hometown feeling to the news are moved to other assignments – or moved-along altogether. . .

This week, we learned that publishing giant Gannett, which owns The Daytona Beach News-Journal, has instituted severe measures to further reduce costs, including immediate furloughs in newsrooms across the nation, as it struggles to find ways to survive the current economic pressures.

That hurts – and our thoughts and prayers are with News-Journal employees who will be affected by these cuts.

I was moved by the irrepressible Mark Lane’s recent Footnote column, “This is no time for April foolery,” a plaintive look at the importance of local journalism to the life of our community and an introspective take on the efforts a newspaper goes through to ‘get it right.’

Look, I’m the first to admit that the News-Journal can be its own worst enemy – I’ve often questioned its objectivity when it comes to reporting the machinations of our local “Rich and Powerful” oligarchs – and many have been critical of their wall-to-wall coverage of the darkest aspects of the COVID-19 outbreak.

However, on balance, our newspaper has served us well through good times and bad.

Look, no one is more hypercritical of our local public and private institutions than I am.

Hell, sniping from the sidelines is my stock in trade.

My sincere hope is you will help support the last vestiges of local journalism by subscribing, reading, and, when possible, advertising with The Daytona Beach News-Journal during these dark and difficult times.

We don’t have to agree with each other – I believe a healthy diversity of opinion strengthens the fabric of our community – but it is vitally important that our local newspaper survives this crisis.

These are our neighbors and they deserve our help.

Asshole           Florida’s Broken Unemployment System

Extraordinary circumstances often expose the atrocious inefficiencies and bureaucratic bottlenecks that exemplify the ossified status quo at all levels of government.

Just a few weeks ago, I doubt anyone could have predicted the overnight statewide closure of small businesses which left thousands of service-industry workers unemployed – many of whom will rely on our state’s meager unemployment benefits to feed their families.

The fact is, we pay government bureaucrats to do just that – predict and plan for the worst-case scenario!

So, what happens when they don’t?

In Florida, unemployment benefits are administrated by the Department of Economic Opportunity – yes, that Department of Economic Opportunity – under the direction of Ken Lawson, a former Marine Corps officer and federal prosecutor who has enjoyed a diverse and profitable career in state government under Rick Scott and now Governor Ron DeSantis.

In December, DeSantis moved Mr. Lawson from his cushy job as president of VISIT Florida to his current role as director of the multifunctional DEO, which, in addition to processing workforce unemployment benefits, is also responsible for Florida’s corporate welfare and “community development” initiatives.

Trust me – the abject failure of DEO to meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of unemployed workers, who, through no fault of their own, find themselves financially ruined and worried about feeding their children in the immediate future – will far eclipse the agency’s past sins, like the $1-million Pit Bull debacle, the toxic spending at CareerSouce Tampa, etc., etc., etc.

In my view, as a former military officer, it is time Director Lawson accept personal responsibility for this colossal disaster – one that has left some applicants waiting over two-weeks just to access the online system, while others are left guessing if their application was accepted at all – and resign his position so someone, anyone, who knows what they’re doing can take the wheel.

My God.

I mean, imagine the shock of attempting to access these life sustaining benefits, only to find that Florida’s unemployment system is so horribly broken you can’t even log-in to the website, let alone get your phone call answered?

According to an eye-opening editorial in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “Fix Florida’s jobless benefit,” we learned that our state is “…one of only a few states that cuts off benefits after 12 weeks (most states allow 26) even for people who are demonstrably trying very hard to find work. And benefits are capped at only $275 a week – a number that hasn’t increased in two decades.”

In addition, many are coming to the disturbing realization that state regulations create an intentional roadblock to “casual, tourism-based” employees seeking to claim benefits – even as hundreds of traditionally low wage hospitality workers in Volusia County and beyond are being furloughed.

Now, we are being told the DEO will also be responsible for coordinating workers benefits under the federal stimulus package. . .

That’s wrong.

In my view, once we’re on the other side of this crisis, it is time we begin holding our state legislators politically accountable for determining how Florida’s unemployment system could become so mind-bogglingly inept – so terribly unfair – as struggling Florida workers find themselves essentially blocked from accessing their rightful benefits by this dreadfully faulty system.

Quote of the Week

“DeSantis and local officials can’t go back and make more timely decisions, but they can make it clear to Floridians: This is real. Follow these orders, or the restrictions will only get tougher.”

–The Daytona Beach News-Journal Editorial Board’s Our View column, “Right call on shutdown,” Thursday, April 2, 2020

Have we reached bottom yet?

I’m not talking about the number of people effected by the COVID-19 outbreak – I am referring to the non-stop assault on our civil liberties and basic freedoms – something our newspaper of record should be scrutinizing, not celebrating.

Is tightening the noose on law-abiding citizens who have followed the recommendations of the CDC and tried diligently to inform themselves, assist in “flattening the curve” and stop the spread of the coronavirus the new American Way?

Achtung!  Follow the orders or the restrictions will only get tougher!  

My God.

What are we becoming?

And Another Thing!

 Earlier this week – before Governor Ron DeSantis put us all in solitary confinement with little consideration for our collective sense of personal and community responsibility, or any thought for the millions in our state who voluntarily self-isolated and closely followed the recommendations of the CDC – the Daytona Beach City Commission met in “special session” to implement a nonsensical 10:00pm to 5:00am curfew to further sequester their constituents.

Now, given the sweeping nature of the DeSantis Lockdown, that curfew has been logically lifted.

But the intent is what matters to me.

Once again, Lord Protector Derrick “Henny-Penny” Henry demanded even more closures – openly contemplating which businesses are “essential” and which are not – in essence, waving his monarchical hand over those enterprises which will be permitted to survive, and those that will be sacrificed on the alter of government overreach.

In my view, this senseless restriction of lawful movement represented a slap in the face to the vast majority of Daytona Beach residents who are dutifully following proper protocols and acting in the best interest of their families and community.

Now, it’s a moot point.

Under political pressure to “do something,” His Excellency Governor Ron DeSantis caved and extended his cleverly disguised lockdown, benevolently known as “Safer at Home,” from high incidence areas in South Florida to the entire state – ordering that anyone not engaged in activities the government has deemed “essential” remain inside their homes.

Now, as of 12:01am this morning, County Manager George Recktenwald has ordered the complete closure of our expansive 47-miles of public beach.

Why?

“…because the county does not want to send an inconsistent message about social distancing to stop the spread of the coronavirus.”

See, it has nothing to do with the concept of “public health” – or even enforcing the Governor’s stay at home order – and everything to do with how Volusia County’s “message” is received.

And, by any metric, their “unified” message has been an abject mess since this crisis began.

That’s called “criticism mitigation” and it is cowardly.

And speaking of people afraid to do the job they were hired for – will the complete closure of the beach mean that the 54 sworn law enforcement officers of the Beach Safety Department (who’s union vehemently demanded their jurisdiction be fenced off two-weeks ago in a politically threatening open letter to the County Council) be deployed to augment our courageous deputies and police officers throughout the county to support the coronavirus response – or merely sent home to hide until the bogyman leaves?

Just curious.

Because I, for one taxpayer, damn sure don’t want to pay a full complement of beach patrol personnel when they have absolutely nothing to do for the next 30-days or longer.

I’m weird that way.

For many of our elected and appointed officials turned Nanny-State hand-wringers, it wasn’t enough that 99% of citizens were guided by personal responsibility and sense of community to stay home, self-isolate and adopt commonsense measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Because trusting their constituents to do the right thing, for the right reasons, doesn’t get their name in the paper.

Instead, they came to believe it is imperative that government bureaucrats must tell us what to do and when to do it, to control our movements, to insinuate themselves into our homes and businesses and demand submission to their increasingly restrictive edicts and orders without question – or face fines and imprisonment – because it is in our “best interest.”

Stop thinking for yourselves.

That is now being done for you in some obscure state office in Tallahassee – and no one wants your input anyway.

For our friends and neighbors who have demanded, ad nauseam, that our local and state bureaucracies “do something to protect us from ourselves,” well, you finally got your wish.

Sleep well – your government is in complete control now.

Just make sure your ‘travel papers’ are in order.

Bullshit.

Most thinking people understand the horrible severity of this crisis and are voluntarily willing to do whatever is necessary to protect themselves and those most vulnerable – and consider these excessively harsh measures to be an insult to their intelligence and constitutionally protected civil liberties.

Because they are.

In my view, since Mayor Henry has no problem putting his boot on the throat of small businesses – placing hundreds more area residents on the unemployment line – perhaps he should be willing to show some true leadership and donate his mayoral salary – estimated at $27,500 annually, plus a “weekly expense allowance” of $246.00 (about what an unemployed worker will receive in weekly benefits, that is, if they can log on to the system) along with an $18.23 per week cell phone allowance – official perquisites worth somewhere north of $40,000 annually – to a local service industry relief effort.

You know, let Hizzoner put some actual skin in the game – show some solidarity with his subjects – instead of simply issuing Royal Proclamations from on-high that will have an astronomically detrimental impact on struggling families – and our regional economy – long after the threat of coronavirus is quelled.

Don’t hold your breath. . .

Unprecedented times, indeed.

That’s all for me – be well, friends.

 

 

“…their presence, without quarantine, is a significant public health problem and a risk to the rest of us in this area.  This is a problem requiring various agencies: the hospitals, the Volusia County Health Department, and the various city police forces and the sheriff’s department to implement the governor’s standing order.  If it is not implemented or enforced, it has no effect and exposes our population to increasing and unnecessary risk.”

–Dr. Hal Kushner, Daytona Beach, American hero and Senior Member of the Volusia County Medical Society, writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “Is Volusia County Under Invasion?” Sunday, March 29, 2019

Something doesn’t smell right to me.

Last Friday, the News-Journal reported that no provisions had been made to screen and educate passengers arriving at Daytona Beach “International” Airport as required by an executive order issued by Governor Ron DeSantis on March 23, which requires anyone arriving in Florida from high incidence areas to self-quarantine for 14-days.

In his very informative article, “Officials: No screenings at local airports,” reporter Clayton Park wrote, “At this time, no one is being screened,” said Daytona Beach International Airport spokeswoman Joanne Magley. That would be up to the Department of Health. They’re the ones coordinating the efforts.”

It was bureaucratic finger pointing at its worst – and shocking to many who thought airport executives were asleep at the wheel during an unprecedented threat.

Because they were. . .

In response, Dr. Hal Kushner, writing on behalf of the Volusia County Medical Society, issued a persuasive plea in Sunday’s News-Journal asking officials to close the gaping hole in our local coronavirus defenses at Daytona International Airport.

Not to let a good opportunity go to waste, on Monday, I penned a little ditty calling attention to the fact that – despite Governor DeSantis’ executive order of March 23 – Volusia County’s leadership had yet to institute even cursory passenger vetting and education measures for persons arriving in our area.

Because that’s what we were told by the always arrogant Volusia County Councilwoman Deb Denys, who, on Sunday afternoon, shared official information on social media advising “The county has been informed by the state that it is phasing in this screening process first at major airports.”

And, “DAB has not been notified yet when screening will begin here.”

Not to be outdone, on Monday morning, District 4 Councilwoman Heather Post echoed Ms. Denys information on phased screening – then took her “colleagues” to the woodshed:

“Not taking action now because it’s not mandated, “there’s nothing to see here” or for fear that the monies won’t be reimbursed by the state or federal government is not responsible and not acceptable. I have expressed this to the County Manager and staff. If you agree, please email my colleagues on the County Council and let them know.”

Then, in an article published by the News-Journal on Wednesday, we were essentially told by Volusia County’s senior mouthpiece, Kevin Captain, that the Councilwomen were apparently full of shit – and, in fact, screening procedures were in place on Sunday?

Wow.

Were Denys and Post openly lying to us – or just out of the loop?

According to Captain, during a press conference on Friday, Governor DeSantis mentioned the need for small airports to step up, and “County leadership took that as permission to take a proactive approach rather than wait for implementation by the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Department of Transportation.”

Really?

In addition, the always effervescent Captain foolishly claimed that Dr. Kushner’s letter in Sunday’s News-Journal, “was not a factor in the decision to start screening at the airport.”

Bullshit.

In truth, late Wednesday we learned that the “screening” being conducted by county officials at DAB consists of asking arriving passengers to complete a form listing their travel, then sign a statement documenting they understand the Governor’s order.

These “forms” are then filed with the Florida Department of Health.

Oh, participation is voluntary. . .

My ass.

Look, I realize spinning horseshit into cotton candy is Mr. Captain’s bread-and-butter, but he should know that attempting to protect the vanity of a few tinpot assholes who got caught behind the curve is what they call a “career limiter” in his business.

That said, to insinuate that the universally respected Dr. Hal Kushner and the Volusia County Medical Society’s urgent warning wasn’t a factor in establishing screening procedures at DAB defies reason.

In my view, this latest debacle exposes the importance of having a single point of official information during times of crisis – and the imperative that elected officials respect the emergency response system and suppress their natural instinct to grandstand.

These people couldn’t organize a one car parade – now, they are running our lives.

You will notice in coming days that politicians and the media are using terms like “we’re on a war footing now,” or “we are at war with an unseen enemy,” – emotional tropes designed to exploit our natural patriotism and make us feel we’re part of a pitched battle against microbial forces who are mounting an intelligent offensive to kill us all – sensationalism that will allow our ‘powers that be’ extraordinary latitude with our liberties and freedoms as they work to “win the war.”

Just remember the old adage, “The first casualty of war is the truth.”

 

I’ve tried my best to keep my pie-hole shut and refrain from criticizing those who are actually in the arena, working hard to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, then I read something so asinine – so outrageous – that it prompts a visceral reaction that I simply cannot suppress.

Case in point – earlier this week, the always arrogant Volusia County Councilwoman Deb Denys, who is actively running for County Chair during what is fast becoming the weirdest election cycle in memory – attempted to explain on Facebook why passengers arriving at Daytona “International” Airport are still not being screened for flu-like symptoms or formally advised of our Governor’s precautionary order.

Last Monday, Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order which requires screening, isolation and quarantine of persons arriving in Florida from any area with “substantial community spread,” specifically including the New York/Tri-State area.

On Friday, that order was expanded to include persons travelling from the State of Louisiana – and “checkpoints” have been established on all major interstate highways – essentially to let those from hard-hit areas know that they are required to self-quarantine for 14-days – or face the potential of 60-days in jail.

Implementation of the Governor’s directive is apparently the responsibility of the Florida Department of Health.

Good luck enforcing that, Governor DeSantis – but, as an awareness, identification and intervention measure, in my view, it’s damn good public policy.

According to Councilwoman Denys, in the eight days since the executive order was put in place, the FDOH has been “phasing in” screening procedures – beginning with “major airports” – while non-vetted passengers continue to flood into the state through smaller airports from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as residents flee the outbreak in major metropolitan areas to vacation homes, condominiums and family in the Sunshine State.

Apparently, Daytona International Airport is still waiting for an engraved invitation from FDOH before taking even cursory actions to protect Volusia County residents from what is essentially a daily injection of potential coronavirus carriers.

I have been hypercritical of those elected officials who have called for the closure of Volusia County beaches and recreation areas based upon the fact that, with proper social distancing and spacing requirements, there appears little chance of contracting COVID-19 on the wide expanse of the beach.

In my view, people need the escape – the ability to get outdoors in a responsible manner – and enjoy the incredibly positive physical and psychological affects of fresh air and sunshine.

But this is different.  And dangerous.

Look, you don’t have to be an epidemiologist to understand the danger of open transmission routes from high incidence areas to those, like Volusia County, who, so far, have been spared exponential infection rates.

And stopping direct flights from the Tri-State is clearly ineffective as most arrive here from hubs in Atlanta and Charlotte.

Now, Governor DeSantis’ order doesn’t prohibit travel – it places commonsense restrictions on those who insinuate themselves into our neighborhoods, shop among us for necessities, use condominium common areas and place further burden on the local availability of goods and services – by directing that they self-isolate, just like the rest of us, for the good of the community.

On Sunday, Dr. Hal Kushner, a national hero and senior member of the Volusia County Medical Society, explained:

“…their presence, without quarantine, is a significant public health problem and a risk to the rest of us in this area.  This is a problem requiring various agencies: the hospitals, the Volusia County Health Department, and the various city police forces and the sheriff’s department to implement the governor’s standing order.  If it is not implemented or enforced, it has no effect and exposes our population to increasing and unnecessary risk.”

In addition, Dr. Kushner, speaking on behalf of the Volusia Medical Society, offered the groups support to local governments, public health officials and law enforcement to help implement Governor DeSantis’ executive order.

In my view, Dr. Kushner – and the intrepid members of the Medical Society – should be commended for offering to help protect our community – and for sounding the klaxon on the clear and present danger of this open point of exposure.

Now, it is time for County Manager George Recktenwald and County Chair Ed Kelley to act in the spirit of the county’s emergency declaration and close this gaping hole in our local defenses and stop waiting for the Florida Department of Health to get off their ass and give them permission to protect Volusia County residents.

Time is of the essence.

 

Photo Credit: The Daytona Beach News-Journal

 

 

 

 

“Due to the threat of the global coronavirus pandemic. . .”

The signs are everywhere, and you can end the horrible notice in hundreds of ways:

“. . .we will be closed until further notice.”

“. . .mom’s birthday celebration has been postponed.”

“. . .all service personnel will be furloughed.”

The news is grim, with headlines screaming about the exponential spread of this microbial enemy that has upended life as we know it, a 24-hour news cycle that continues to focus solely on the devastation – coverage that is quickly approaching a saturation point – the “information overload” stage when we become effectively numb to the constant flow of data and statistics that mark the rapid march of a pandemic.

Some of us are able to compartmentalize the gruesome reality of this disease, aware of the unseen danger, but determined to remain positive – while others seem consumed by it – frightened, isolated and gripped by a sense of foreboding that is clearly taking its toll mentally and physically.

Fortunately, the vast majority of people who have been infected with COVID-19 have experienced moderate symptoms and recover in due time with little complications.

However, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems or underlying medical conditions remain at great risk.

That is why we are seeing a nationwide effort to self-isolate and observe social distancing when we venture out for necessities – at least most of us are – unprecedented measures that have required incredible sacrifice and have cost many of our friends, family and neighbors their livelihoods.

And, somehow, life goes on. . .

It’s beginning to feel and sound like spring – temperatures and humidity are beginning to rise; birds are chirping, and my seasonal allergies are marking the season of rebirth – a time of hope, optimism and renewal.

Only this year we must consciously suppress our natural desire to come together, join in groups with family and friends to enjoy our Florida weather, as we remain sequestered in our homes.

During this time, many have taken to social media to stay connected to friends and family in the absence of that all-important physical connection – relationships we will never underestimate again.

And the proliferation of Facebook messages, the sharing of memes, jokes and funny videos show the almost universal need to exercise our sense of humor as an effective coping mechanism during these trying times.

We celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and the other milestones of life from our phone or a keyboard – sending well-wishes and congratulations sans the accompanying hug or handshake – and without the traditions and ceremonies that bind us.

It’s enough to depress even the strongest among us.

But, if you look closely, you will find strength, brightness and positivity all around us – things we can connect with as a community – qualities that are exemplified by individuals that have demonstrated incredible leadership and bolstered public confidence in so many unique ways.

For instance, Sheriff Michael Chitwood has spent the last few evenings delivering food for area restaurants – bringing attention to the plight of family owned businesses while keeping spirits high – while letting us know we’re all in this together.

In Daytona Beach, Chief Craig Capri – who has been a consistent voice of calm during turbulent times – performed a similar service for businesses in his community.

Or the incredibly uplifting scene of Holly Hill Mayor Chris Via leading a small parade of cars, complete with the United Brethren in Christ band performing on a flatbed trailer, through the neighborhoods of his community, bringing a smile and much-needed break in the monotony to appreciative residents.

Then, there are the many – both businesses and private citizens – who have found productive ways of helping by making hand sanitizer, sewing masks, packing lunches for children and distributing food to those who can’t afford basic sustenance.

I was particularly taken by County Manager George Recktenwald’s transparency in publicly discussing the emergency decision-making process as various departments and divisions work cooperatively to share information, coordinate with internal and external partners, weather the storm of criticism and develop public policy that, so far, has found a good balance between self-isolation and our ability to enjoy the physical and psychological benefits of our beach and outdoor recreation areas.

And I am consistently touched by the outpouring of support by what are essentially complete strangers – people who I have never personally met – that have reached out to offer their thoughts on this blog site, give a pat on the back, voice a criticism, thoughtfully discuss a local issue or just check to make sure that my family and I are doing okay during these uncertain times.

We are, thank you.

In my view, that speaks volumes to the inherent goodness that remains.

“Due to the threat of the global coronavirus pandemic. . .”

We rediscovered the many wonderful values that bind our community.

We were reminded of how vitally important our physical connection to family and friends truly is, especially during times of crisis.

We marveled at the extraordinary bravery of our first responders and medical professionals on the front line of this crisis.

We learned what it means to put petty differences aside, to think about the needs of others and truly come together as a community, as a state, as a nation to best a common foe and protect our most vulnerable through collective sacrifice.

We saw the best of us.

We found our inner strength.

Our faith was restored.

Ecce quam bonum et quam iucundum habitare fratres in unum