In his well-researched article in Sunday’s Daytona Beach News-Journal, reporter Dustin Wyatt asked the important question:

“Will Volusia County’s insidious cronyism and malignant corporate welfare system play a role in the sales tax vote?”

Now, I took some editorial liberty with the phrasing – but make no mistake – that is the question.

For years, the dirty little secret that has stifled true economic development – and created an artificial economy through unfair advantage in Volusia County – is that here, uber-wealthy political insiders truly can keep their cake and eat it too.

Don’t take my word for it.

Ask any of the countless small businesses that have withered on the vine of local government over-regulation, been asked to jump through onerous hoops by the very officials who are paid to foster entrepreneurial investment, fell victim to bait and switch promises, endured the insidious problems of blight, homelessness and hopelessness, or simply faded out of existence due to the economic realities of Main Street, Downtrodden Downtown Daytona or in our traditional tourist areas along Atlantic Avenue from Ormond Beach south.

Take a drive, see the sights, then consider where the tens-of-millions in redevelopment funds earmarked for these critical commercial areas ultimately ended up?

Speak to those who own restaurants, operate movie theaters, retail shops and other enterprises that don’t enjoy the buoyant effect of having their start-up costs, overhead and financial risk mitigated by massive infusions of public funds – or given the unfair advantage of charging “enhanced amenity fees” – a sales tax by another name – to cover maintenance, guest experience and marketing costs.

What? 

Your small business doesn’t enjoy the same infrastructure improvements, tax abatement, fee reductions and direct financial support from local government that, say, J. Hyatt Brown, the Forbes listed France family, or any number of real estate developers enjoy? 

Tough shit.  Here on Florida’s Fun Coast – you pay to play. . .

In the News-Journal’s informative piece on the topic, we learned of the combined $58 million in infrastructure improvements that you and I paid to Big Money interests – like International Speedway Corporation, Brown & Brown, Tanger Outlets and Trader Joe’s  – not including the millions in tax breaks and other incentives – which, in my view, represent a handsome return on investment for those individuals and corporations who underwrite the political campaigns of sitting politicians across Volusia County.

What has been essentially left unsaid, by the News-Journal and those we elect to represent our interests, is that we live in a time and place where the rich get richer using our tax dollars to fund private, for-profit projects – while the poor and so-called “middle class” seemingly exist to pay the bills – then eat shit and die.

In my view, this bastardized system based upon lopsided “public-private partnerships” is antithetical to the idea of a free and open marketplace.

As the Canadian comic and politician Greg Malone put it, P3’s should be called “P-12’s” – “Public-Private Partnerships to Plunder the Public Purse to Pursue Policies of Peril to People and the Planet for all Posterity.”

Indeed.

Look, I can’t blame these out-of-state corporations – if relocation incentives are offered who wouldn’t accept them?

Where I draw the line is with established local companies who crow, ad nauseum, about being “good corporate citizens” while accepting millions in homegrown corporate welfare with the resulting long-term economic impacts.

For instance, I’m already hearing disturbing rumors about local small businesses who are being adversely affected by the much-heralded “Brown Esplanade” in Downtown Daytona – such as the abrupt cancellation of small, but important, contracts for river bank maintenance and other environmental services – as the once public Riverfront Park transitions to private control.

I believe that commercial, for-profit developments that are underwritten by massive infusions of public funds, tax breaks and infrastructure subsidies skew the playing field in a very tight market – essentially allowing government to pick winners and losers – by providing an unfair advantage that most small businesses and entrepreneurs who form the backbone of a local economy do not have equal access to.

That’s wrong.

According to the News-Journal, “Randall Holcombe, a professor of economics at Florida State University, takes a dim view of development incentives, calling them “counterproductive.”

“When (local governments) give one group or company a tax break or subsidy, everyone else is paying the cost. Why should some be asked to foot the bill for benefits that go to others?” he asked. “The best way to promote economic development is to have a business-friendly climate that makes businesses want to come without having to be bribed by targeted government incentives.”

Despite what our “economic development” gurus over at Team Volusia tell themselves so they can sleep at night – a free market and strong local economy is not based upon which community can throw the most money and tax incentives at incredibly profitable established local corporations on the always flimsy, rarely fulfilled, promise of “high paying jobs.” 

I mean, what became of the moral corporate imperative to stand on your own two feet or make way for those who can?  

In my view, when done properly, visionary communities take a holistic approach – working with planners to carefully select, recruit and position businesses in a way that provides the company with the best opportunity for commercial success, while enhancing quality of life and building a distinctive civic brand by carefully shaping a physical and regulatory environment where people and businesses want to be.

Here, our ‘powers that be’ simply turn a blind eye to the sins of the past – ignore long-neglected existing neighborhoods and dilapidated commercial corridors – then allow developers to build a sprawling “New Daytona” in the pine scrub west of town.

My God.    

There was a time when government assisted the development of a strong commercial tax base by identifying and reducing expensive permitting, onerous regulations and promoting fair practices for the benefit of consumers.

Local, state and federal government ensured that the playing field was level then allowed the natural competition of the free market to work without unnatural stimuli.  It meant that only the best ideas survived, and that prices for goods and services were controlled by marketplace factors, such as quality of service and the law of supply and demand.

Under Volusia County’s current economic development strategy, local governments have essentially become backhanded philanthropists – offering huge sums of public funds to private interests with a profit motive.

Whenever you are playing fast-and-loose with other people’s money, the risk for favoritism and corruption is high.

In my view, Volusia County has an abysmal track record of pissing away our hard-earned tax dollars to satiate the personal wants of entrenched power brokers which has perpetuated an out-of-control oligarchical system that no one trusts anymore.

And that’s just one reason why giving these sycophantic rubber-stamps more of our hard-earned money is just wrong. . .

Now – after lavishing millions of tax dollars on a few political insiders who fund the political campaigns of hand-select candidates for public office – their elected shills are asking every man, woman, child and visitor in Volusia County to self-inflect a sales tax increase – a move many are convinced is just another pass-through from our pockets to those of the wealthy government insiders and others who are pushing this shameless money grab.

I think Alycia Severson, a teacher and civic activist from Ormond Beach, said it best in Sunday’s News-Journal, “Isn’t it strange to give away millions to friends and developers with one hand and extend the other (to residents) for a handout” in the form of a sales tax?

Trust me.  There is a reason why this tax increase is being ramrodded by that consortium of millionaires over at the Volusia CEO Business Alliance through their dubious Political Action Committee – Volusia Citizens for Better Roads and Clean Water.

If you haven’t already, I encourage you to VOTE NO! on the half-cent sales tax increase.

I assure you giving more of our hard-earned money to the same conniving assholes that got us into this festering quagmire in the first place is not the solution to Volusia County’s infrastructure and environmental needs.

Enough is enough.

In my view, it’s time we send a clear message to our elected officials and demand an end to these pernicious corporate giveaways, abject cronyism and unchecked growth that is replacing the stability of our long-term economic outlook with the constant expansion and contraction of the ‘boom/bust’ cycle.

It is time we demand that our elected and appointed officials get their fat hands out of our pockets – learn to live within their already sizable means – and work to build a sustainable tax base and thriving economy through a fair and competitive marketplace.

Please join Barker’s View this afternoon beginning at 4:00pm on GovStuff Live with Big John, where we will discuss this issue and other pressing matters facing us here on Florida’s fabled Fun Coast!

Please tune-in locally at 1380am “The Cat” – or online at www.govstuff.org – and join the forum!

 

 

 

 

Hi, kids!

Earlier this week, I had an unexpected encounter with an intrepid member of the Barker’s View tribe that made my heart feel good.

A few weeks ago, the windshield on the Lone Eagle developed a small nick which quickly developed into a foot-long serpentine crack.  So, I immediately contacted the great folks at USAA Insurance and they arranged to have the glass replaced by a local company.

When the piece was received, I drove to the Nova Road business at the appointed time, but became confused (as I often do) and inadvertently entered a neighboring business instead.  A lady and gentleman were seated behind the counter of the small automotive shop as I happened in, and kindly redirected me to the glass installation place next door.

While maneuvering out of the parking lot, I noticed that the man had followed me outside.

I pulled up and he introduced himself as Steve – then asked my name.

As we shook hands, he told me how much he enjoys reading Barker’s View!

Wow!

The support and encouragement offered by Steve was truly heartening – and I was incredibly humbled that he would take the opportunity to say hello and offer his thoughts on my often-weird take on current events.

I want to say a big “Thank You!” to Steve for being so gracious in his praise of these crude screeds – and  to let all loyal members of the BV tribe know how much I appreciate the fact you take time out of your busy day to read, consider and engage in a larger discussion of the issues that face us here on Florida’s fabled Fun Coast.

I believe that, despite our differences, community engagement and neighbors taking the opportunity to exchange their diverse views develops cohesion and strengthens our community.

In my view, this chance meeting demonstrated in the most wonderful way how we can either agree or disagree, come at problems from similar or differing points of view – yet remain friends and neighbors – always seeking to enhance our common experience and improve the place we call home.

That’s special.

Whenever I get the opportunity to meet Barker’s View readers, you have been incredibly kind – and the feedback and creative suggestions you bring help make this space something unique – a salon, of sorts, for furthering the debate of entrenched civic and social issues facing our community.

Thank you for your thoughtfulness, civic involvement and continued support.

It means more to me than you know.

On Thursday, May 16^th – I’ve been invited to talk issues with those good souls at the Bellaire Community Group!

Our discussion will be moderated by long-time grassroots activist and President of Sons of the Beach, Paul Zimmerman, and will cover a wide range of interests, topical concerns and opportunities facing the Halifax area and beyond.

The meeting will be held at Schnebly Center, 1101 North Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach.

A delicious meal is served at 6:00pm and the meeting gets underway at 6:30pm.

If you can make the time, please stop by and say hello – and spend time with some great people who are firmly committed to the betterment of the Halifax area.

I would love to say thank you in person – and hear your take on the many pressing issues we face.

I hope you’ll join us!

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 Councilwoman Deb Denys

In my view, the antithesis of leadership is exemplified when a sitting elected official makes political hay during an unfolding crisis – criticizing those who are desperately trying to find answers and make a difference – sniping from the cheap seats and piling on while offering no credible solution to perhaps the most malignant social issue of our time.

That’s my job. . .

Earlier this week, the always arrogant Volusia County Councilwoman Deb Denys took the opportunity to kick the beleaguered members of the First Step Shelter Board while they’re down – publicly putting the boots to her municipal colleagues who boldly stepped up to serve the effort to bring Volusia County’s first homeless assistance center to fruition despite years of political obstacles – many of which were erected by the Volusia County Council’s obstinate refusal to assist beyond throwing our money at the problem.

In an excellent article in The Daytona Beach News-Journal penned by the intrepid Eileen Zaffiro-Kean, entitled “Shelter trudges through upheaval,” taxpayers got an up-close-and-personal view of the myriad problems that have plagued the First Step project since its inception – and a dire warning that this incredibly expensive option for reducing chronic homelessness may, once again, be headed for the rocks.

But rather than provide moral support for members of the executive board – or add constructive suggestions for bringing the board and the City of Daytona Beach together – the always arrogant Ms. Denys uses this low point to say “I told you so,” and tout her prognostication that the project (which is slowly, but surely, under construction in the hinterlands off US-92) was doomed to failure when she cast an obstructionist “No” vote two-years ago.

“Leadership starts at the top. You can’t cloak it anymore,” Denys said. “You’ve got a governing board whose hands are tied to govern.”

Look, Ms. Denys wouldn’t know decisive leadership if it bit her on the backside.

In fact, she remains a big part of perhaps the most dysfunctional and inept elected body in the history of Volusia County governance – and that’s saying something.  In my view, her near-constant self-serving antics and weird grandstanding in defense of this lopsided system she helped create says everything you need to know about Ms. Denys’ loyalties.

Many agree, the problem of chronic homelessness is a countywide issue that ultimately needs a countywide solution.  It’s part of why some municipalities are balking at throwing more money at First Step.

As board member Joe Forte recently pointed out – the First Step project and its board remains a wholly controlled entity of the City of Daytona Beach – and that gives some cities cause for pause.

While some may disagree, the City of Daytona Beach stepped up when Volusia County would not – and to their credit (or detriment) – the municipality has struggled to find a lasting solution to one of the most critical issues of our time.

During a recent meeting, First Step Executive Board Chair Mayor Derrick Henry, was quoted as saying, Daytona Beach “doesn’t want to be in the homeless business.”

I’m afraid it’s too late for that now, Mayor Henry – and its high time the CODB begins to play nice in the larger sandbox – which means sharing information and supporting the board’s important work.

It’s also time for the Volusia County Council to get off their sizable ass and help.

Unfortunately, several iterations of the Volusia County Council saw more political benefit in ignoring the issue – forcing the municipalities to cobble together fragmented solutions – with Daytona Beach ultimately stepping up to the plate to accept responsibility for developing a workable shelter.

Has it been a smooth ride?  Hell no.

But what alternative is Ms. Denys – or her “colleagues” on the dais of power in DeLand offering?

According to Ms. Denys, “. . .the shelter needs “a local champion” to get everyone excited and committed, as happened with Forough Hosseini leading the charge for the Hope Place family shelter.”

Hey, Deb – believe it or not – it is possible, with a modicum of leadership and vision, for our local elected and appointed officials to develop and implement workable solutions to entrenched civic, social and economic issues without the direct involvement of J. Hyatt Brown, Mori Hosseini or Lesa France-Kennedy.

Try it sometime – you might be surprised what you can accomplish.

When Ms. Denys received this dubious distinction in Barker’s View in 2017, I wrote:

If there is one consistent obstruction to substantive progress on the myriad issues facing residents of Volusia County, it is the abject arrogance of Councilwoman Deb Denys.

On issues large and small, Ms. Denys always finds a way to protect “the system” – to ensure the best interests of county government are protected, while the true needs and wants of her constituents are ignored or openly opposed.

From her bald-faced lie on preserving beach driving, to her blatant obstruction of a compassionate solution to homelessness, Deb Denys exemplifies all that’s wrong in Deland.

As Councilwoman Joyce Cusack led the majority vote approving county funding for the First Step shelter – an intractable Denys voted in opposition – then continued to grandstand with her self-important “prove me wrong” challenge.

Screw that.  How about helping for a change?

After countless years and setbacks, public, private and faith-based organizations came together to see a plan to fruition that will, for once, provide basic shelter for homeless persons and serve as a catalyst for alleviating an issue that has hampered true economic development and contributed to the malignant blight that effects all of us.

How do you oppose that?

In addition, at the same meeting, Ms. Denys gave us all a brief glimpse into the future when she openly voiced her support for increasing beach access fees for out-of-county visitors – you know, the “tourists” we’re always crowing about – and spending to attract.

How terribly sad.

As usual, Deb – thanks for nothing.”

What’s changed?

Angel               City of Palm Coast

Believe it or not – for a brief moment in my life I served as Interim City Manager for the City of Holly Hill during a dark and stormy period of the community’s history.

Truth be told, it was the worst experience of my professional life. . .

Within days of taking my place in the wing-back hot seat in the manager’s office, I began receiving laudatory notes and introductory phone calls from a few of the Halifax area’s ‘Rich & Powerful’ – and one prolific government contractor even sent a nice box of Belgian chocolates to congratulate my temporary promotion.

It was all pretty heady stuff for a flatfoot cop on a day pass.

But the chocolates bothered me. . .

Rather than do it myself, I thought I would turn it into a “teaching moment” and directed a junior staff member to return the sweets to the corporate office of the company that sent them as an example of the importance of avoiding even the appearance of impropriety.

You see, at my core, I’m an East Tennessee Hillbilly – which means I’m too stupid to take money and too prideful to let those who offer unethical incentives get away with it – and it was clear to me what the expensive goodies represented.

At times, I am also a raging hypocrite who holds others to extremely high standards while often overlooking my own faults and foibles. . .

Look, in a 31-year career in government, I made my share of procedural and ethical mistakes – God knows, I’m not perfect – and, as a functional binge drinker with a darkly cynical outlook – I struggle daily with life’s moral imperative of trying to be a better person today than we were yesterday.

For example, as a law enforcement officer, I have enjoyed countless cups of “free” coffee from local businesses – or half-price meals offered by restaurateurs who want to show their appreciation to local first responders.

It’s unavoidable (if you want to have meal on-duty, anyway) – an uncomfortable part of being a uniformed member of the most visible arm of local government – and, for me, the ethical antidote to this practice was to always leave a tip which covered both the gratuity, and the full cost of the coffee or meal.

Maybe that strategy falls short – but any law enforcement officer who has ever had the agonizingly embarrassing confrontation at the point of sale – refusing a discount, only to be told by the adamant clerk that it’s “company policy” to offer a public safety discount knows what I’m talking about.

Recognizing the sensitivity of this issue – and the fragility of the public’s trust in their government – I was incredibly proud of the City of Palm Coast’s strong stand in launching an investigation and taking decisive action after some seven municipal employees were suspected of accepting gifts of top-shelf whiskey and candies from a local government contractor.

As I understand it, last December, internal auditors from something called the Palm Coast “Internal Control Ethics Team – ICE” (I like that) interviewed employees in the planning, building and utilities departments after a security camera at City Hall captured a planning technician accepting gift sets of Crown Royal, a bottle of Jack Daniels and eight boxes of chocolate candy over the front counter.

Apparently, the improper gratuities were provided by Sergey Nevod – co-founder of Palm Coast residential developer Blue Crown Construction. . .

According to a report at www.flaglerlive.com (where you can read the ICE report in its entirety):

“The intended recipients, whom Nevod specified by name and type of gift to be handed, were mostly employees of Palm Coast’s building department, who work with builders and developers. Accepting gifts is a violation of policy as it sets up the potential for corruption. Most of the employees took the gifts, some of them hiding the booze in cabinets then dissimulating it out of City Hall under their clothes.”

One public employee – Ricky Lee – a Palm Coast building official, was “incensed” by the gift (apparently the Jack Daniels had Mr. Lee’s name on it), and when the booze was transmitted to him concealed in a box – he rightly refused it – and ordered it be returned to Nevod.

In my view, Mr. Lee’s actions in recognizing the ethical implications and doing the right thing stands as an outstanding example of the moral character of thousands of true civil servants who represent the very best the public service has to offer – dedicated government employees who accept public funds and serve admirably in the public interest – never using their position for personal gain or to benefit others with an ulterior motive.

I find that refreshing – and it restores my faith in the institution.

Thank you, Mr. Lee.

Your small act of courage in refusing to compromise your personal and professional ethics stands as an example of how we expect our elected and appointed public officials to conduct themselves when no one is looking.

Asshole           Former Florida Governor – now Senator – Slick Rick Scott

It appears Floridians are finally awakening to the inevitable environmental impacts of former Governor Rick Scott’s embrace of development-friendly policies and weakening of regulations –  while stripping state regulatory agencies of experienced staff and replacing them with industry insiders – then populating oversight boards with horribly conflicted shysters with a clear financial incentive to undermine rules protecting Florida’s sensitive natural resources.

It’s not like we weren’t warned. . .

We are extremely fortunate to have one of the finest environmental reporters in the nation working for us in the News-Journal’s Dinah Voyles-Pulver.

Since 2016, Dinah’s explosive articles have shone a very bright light on how the St. Johns River Water Management District, a wounded regulatory agency charged with protecting our precious water supply, dissolved into little more than a one-stop shop for greed-crazed developers and land-rapists seeking to subvert environmental regulations and make a quick buck.

Earlier this week, in her excellent piece entitled, “Investigation searches for cause of sick fish,” we learned that state officials are investigating reports of freshwater mullet suffering from lesions, open sores and scale loss – a horrific condition one observer equated to “zombie fish” – which coincides with a massive algae bloom in the St. Johns River, Lake George and a growing number of feeder springs.

Look, I’m no micro-biologist – but I am an aquarist – and keeping fish in the closed environment of an aquarium is a great way to learn the biological processes of natural filtration and the importance of the nitrogen cycle to a healthy ecosystem.

If you have children, I encourage you to establish an aquarium as a means of teaching them the extreme sensitivity of our own ecosystem.

Trust me, it doesn’t take the loss of too many $50 fish to gain a quick understanding of how the introduction of external contaminants and high nutrient loads contribute to a proliferation of nitrates, algae and aquatic plants resulting in anoxic water conditions that stress fish and wildlife making them susceptible to infections and parasites.

So, why in the world would any civilized society allow human waste sludge from water treatment plants in South Florida to be dumped anywhere near this sensitive and incredibly beneficial watershed – Florida’s only EPA-designated American Heritage River? 

Because that is exactly what has been allowed to happen.

In turn, rains allow the nutrient-rich runoff to enter the St. Johns River near its headwaters where it begins its 310-mile journey north to the Atlantic Ocean.

Inexplicably, with residents being told not to eat fish and crabs from the once bountiful river – and ostensibly smart state scientists seemingly baffled by the cause (?) – our elected representatives in the Florida legislature have gone home without any substantive effort to stop the statewide pollution of our sensitive waterways.

What gives?  

Fortunately, Governor Ron DeSantis has introduced new leadership in Florida’s water management districts – stopping the dangerous “fox in the hen house” strategy encouraged by Slick Rick Scott – and sending a clear message that the culture of Florida’s environmental protection apparatus is about to change.

In my view, that’s a good place to start.

Quote of the Week

“I just received my glossy color flyer implying tourists don’t pay their fair share of taxes and is one reason we should vote for the half-cent sales tax increase. Being in the tourist business for over 40 years, I find this flyer a slap in the face to every tourist that has ever visited this county.”

–David Lamotte, Ormond Beach, writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, Letters to the Editor, “Sales tax flyer,” Wednesday, May 8, 2019

I commend Mr. Lamotte’s excellent commentary on the stated desire of those who support this shameless money grab to tax the eyeballs out of “visitors” to Volusia County – otherwise known as “tourists” (that we spend millions in public funds to attract) as they work overtime to ram this sales tax increase down our collective throat.

Interestingly, on the preceding page was a massive op/ed by Nicki Junkins, president of the League of Women Voters of Volusia County – a group that just exposed themselves as yet another apparatchick of the Big Money Consortium at the Volusia CEO Business Alliance – rehashing the same tired laundry list of talking points cobbled together by a privately paid marketing consultant who specializes in selling local option sales tax increases throughout Florida.

We’ve heard it all before.

In fact, our elected officials have done an incredible job of toeing the party line, rarely venturing off-script – knowing well that any chink in the armor makes them all vulnerable – but it’s getting monotonous.

It also demonstrates, in a most disappointing way, the intellectual limitations of the “No Plan B” crowd we have elected to represent our interests – and the propensity of once politically savvy organizations to turn a blind eye to the abject mismanagement, cronyism, corporate welfare and wholesale giveaways of public funds and assets that has brought us to this dark place.

And Another Thing!

According to reports, as of mid-week, just 23,618 of the nearly 400,000 ballots mailed to Volusia County voters – both dead and alive – have been cast in the special half-cent sales tax referendum.

As we reach the halfway point in this first-of-its-kind mail-in election – voter participation in the process doesn’t impress. . .

Perhaps this was part of the tax grabbers strategy all along – or maybe things will turn around in coming days and Supervisor of Elections Lisa Lewis will be deluged by a wave of ballots in the mail – I don’t know.

But I can tell you that there was a clear method to the madness of those who have choreographed every step of this shameless pass-through – and the confusion many are experiencing is leading some to fear voter fraud.

Look, I trust Supervisor Lewis to do the right thing, and I’m not one of those who see a conspiracy afoot to manipulate the vote beyond an incredibly well-funded propaganda machine – but more disturbing – these misconceptions have once again mystified an important civic process and further eroded the public’s trust and confidence in this important function of local government.

If our ‘powers that be’ were counting on this chaos as part of their strategy to give the sales tax initiative it’s best chance of passage – mission accomplished.

I hope it was worth it.

Because many in Volusia County are beginning to question how much longer we can afford this level of external manipulation of our sacred systems of governance by uber-wealthy insiders who have clearly demonstrated just how pervasive their influence truly is.

In my view, the realization that Volusia County voters are slowly awakening to the real threat posed by this oligarchical control of our government processes should scare the living hell out of petty politicians – who have now been exposed as little more than two-bit shills for entrenched special interests – while blatantly ignoring the needs and wants of their long-suffering constituents.

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

 

After reading The Daytona Beach News-Journal’s full-spread marketing campaign in Sunday’s edition flogging Volusia County’s half-cent sales tax increase – a shameless money grab that asks every man, woman, child and visitor to throw good money after bad to the same compromised politicians who got us into this quagmire in the first place – I thought long and hard about the Editorial Board’s almost condescending suggestion to Volusia taxpayers:

“Here’s what will help: Take a look at each of these politicians as they come up for re-election, decide whether or not they’ve done a good job, and vote accordingly. Look for those candidates who offer better decisions about growth management and fiscal stewardship, and then hold them to the promises they made.”

Really?

Isn’t that exactly what well-informed voters should do every election?

Unfortunately, here on the Fun Coast we live under a weird oligarchical system – driven solely by abject cronyism – the ritualistic worship of the ‘Rich & Powerful,’ and the resulting out-of-control corporate welfare which continues to drive an artificial economy designed to benefit the few who can pay-to-play.

A place where a handful of incredibly wealthy insiders artificially skew the political playing field with massive campaign contributions to hand-select candidates – providing them an almost insurmountable advantage over grassroots challengers – or setting up a “best of two evils” choice.

As a result, these Big Money overseers now control votes on important public policy by the power of their mere presence in the gallery of council chambers.

Since early times, in war or politics, the winner of a contest not only vanquishes his or her opponent – but also receives the lucrative benefits of high office and political power.

For instance, in the early-1800’s many local governments in the United States operated under a “spoils” or patronage system where the party or individual winning an election would award lucrative civil service jobs and contracts to friends, family and financial supporters as a means of political recompense.

In 1883, the civil service system was reformed, strengthening security for public employees, and jobs and promotions were awarded based on a merit system.

These changes provided continuity and ensured a level of professional competence in the delivery of essential public services, while guarding against political interference at the operational level – but, unfortunately, wink-wink favoritism in government contracts and access to public funds continued.

What’s changed? 

In Volusia County’s no-holds-barred political environment, where a few wealthy individuals pick winners and losers – and perennial politicians essentially sell their very soul for elevation to positions of power – seeking a return on the resulting quid pro quo relationship has become the accepted norm.

After all, why wouldn’t powerful insiders and the corporations they control seek the incentives they have bought and paid for as long as they are being offered and routinely granted by their hired chattel on the dais of power? 

In my view, this symbiotic relationship between the donor class and our elected policy makers is at the epicenter of Volusia County’s proposed half-cent sales tax increase.

Something tells me the News-Journal’s editorial board understands this issue better than I do. . .

Yet, our newspaper of record – and many municipal officials – continue to dismiss the very real concerns of the much-maligned “vote no crowd” as though we haven’t been continually lied to, watched as impact fees were strategically suppressed for the benefit of campaign contributors in the development community, or suffered the years of abject blight and dilapidation in Downtown Daytona as the area decomposed into an economic wasteland until real estate prices made it advantageous for the Big Boys to buy it up – then ride in like heroes and build a publicly-funded high-rise insurance office that we’re told will solve all our problems.

And how long will those with the ability to sway public opinion and bring fundamental change stand idle for the utter buffoonery that has become our Volusia County Council under the abysmal “leadership” of our doddering fool of a County Chair, Ed Kelley?

Bullshit.

In recent days, residents of Volusia County have been bombarded with glossy fliers and a carefully contrived marketing campaign on local government websites (some funded by our own tax dollars – others by a pro-development PAC) touting the benefits of self-inflicting a sales tax increase, knowing well that many residents are struggling to make ends meet – living at or below the poverty line with precious few means of escape.

The full-court press is on – and it will only get worse with ballots now in the mail – before the May 21^st deadline for this weird, $490,000 mail-in referendum that many are already befuddled by.

For instance, some folks are receiving ballots for family members or former residents that haven’t voted (or lived) in Volusia County for years – and social media posts are showing similar issues in other households countywide.

I don’t blame Supervisor of Elections Lisa Lewis.

Clearly, she’s doing her best – and this referendum is like walking on Mars – a mail-in ballot scheme has never been attempted in Volusia County before (which says something about the way this process been managed from the start.)

In my view, these issues add to the sense of confusion – and hopelessness – that has marked this incredibly clumsy initiative since its inception in the backroom of the Volusia CEO Business Alliance. . .

As a Charter Member of the VOTE NO! crowd, I encourage you to reject this shameless money grab for what it is – then negotiate the real issues of unchecked growth, environmental destruction and corporate favoritism from a position of power – and demand that our elected officials represent the best interests of all citizens.

I happen to agree with The Daytona Beach News-Journal on one point:

If not now – when will Volusia County voters finally say, “enough is enough”?   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi, kids!

Daddy’s home!

A little jetlagged – a tad discombobulated from transatlantic flights, but glad to be back in the good ol’ U.S.A. – and the fray.

Over the last couple weeks, Patti and I finally did some of the much anticipated “travelling” we promised to do when I put my papers in five years ago – time away to recharge the batteries, a return on the investment of 31-years of service and sacrifice – a chance to get a different perspective through exploration and discovery.

Plus, we needed the break. . .

A dear friend and former colleague who recently entered retirement has embraced the wanderer’s motto, “Travel.  As much as you can.  As far as you can.  As long as you can.  Life is not meant to be lived in one place,” and she is now on the final legs of an adventurous around-the-world cruise.

That’s doing it right.

As we get older, there are very few “firsts” left in life – and ours was definitely a trip of firsts.

England and Ireland were the magical places I read about as a boy – realms of castles and knights – and these fascinating countries, and the wonderful people who inhabit them, were everything I hoped for and more.

From the bustle of London with all its pomp and circumstance (and protests, and people, and traffic…) – to the relaxed seaside villages of Folkestone, Sandgate and the famous White Cliffs of Dover in southern England, where on a clear day you can see the port city of Calais, France – the U.K. was a “bucket list” experience.

Then, a quick flight on Aer Lingus across the Irish Sea took us to the fun pace of Dublin and, later in the week, a beautiful train ride through the lush Irish midlands delivered us onto the quaint Medieval streets and stone alleyways of Galway – a magical place where we came away with wonderful new friends and memories to last a lifetime.

Needless to say, I spent a lot of time in the pubs of London and Dublin where talk invariably turned to American politics.

Like here, people seemed equally split on their support for President Trump – and most Londoners had a better grasp on current events in the United States than many of my fellow citizens – but they love talking issues.

When I arrived at Heathrow, all I knew about England was that I really enjoyed their muffins.

But after meeting the incredibly friendly people of the London suburbs, I learned a lot about the intricacies of the “Brexit” quagmire, and the proposed cradle-to-grave social policies that are causing concern throughout the European Union.

In a dark pub on Pearse Street in Dublin, I listened over a proper pint of Guinness as a local from the rough streets of the city’s public housing projects spoke painfully about the still raw feelings of many in Ireland regarding “The Troubles” in the north – the centuries-old, often bloody fight for Irish independence and a voice in the future of this beautiful island.

Regardless of where we visited, when talk turned to local politics, I was amazed at how similar the problems are to our own problems here on Florida’s fabled Fun Coast. . .

To my new friends in Ireland – thank you for the warm hospitality and enlightening late-night conversation over good Irish whiskey.

You taught me that no matter where we live – everyone wants essentially the same good things – safety, security, the right to self-determination and a better life for our children – and that we all have the same frustrations with government, and a universal distain for petty politicians who have lost sight of their sworn duty to serve the needs of all constituents – not just the wealthy few who can benefit them personally and politically.

Like any hardened “news junkie,” while travelling I kept a close eye on The Daytona Beach News-Journal’s website and tried my best to make sense of current local events from afar.

I couldn’t help myself. . .it’s like trying to avert your eyes from a train wreck.

In an ever-changing world, it seems Volusia County is the one constant.

For instance, I was more than a little taken back last Sunday when I perused a piece by my normally reasonable friend, News-Journal editor Pat Rice, who took a page from my playbook and used an inordinate amount of space – going over-the-river and through the woods to explain the pleasures of a jog on our beach – just to take a cheap shot below the belt of my fellow residents and taxpayers over at the Volusia Issues Facebook page.

What gives, Pat? 

In his piece entitled, “Volusia beaches wash away the crazy,” Mr. Rice opined:

“On some Facebook pages, people will suggest things without any basis in reality, and then they’ll stake out positions as if they’re debating actual facts. Visit the “Volusia Issues” Facebook page, where those who seem to be against everything congregate. It’s bizarre.”

You know what I find ‘bizarre’?

The fact that our local newspaper of record repeatedly publishes stories flaunting everything Volusia taxpayers fear – including the all-too-cozy relationship of our elected officials with their uber-wealthy political benefactors who continue to receive millions in public funds to underwrite their personal for-profit projects and the resulting complete lack of public trust – then essentially rub our noses in it and belittle our passionate desire for fundamental change.

To add insult, the News-Journal routinely praises in print our elected officials historic lack of vision, unprecedented ineptitude and shit-through-a-goose spending policies that continue to benefit those who can pay-to-play – extolling the virtues of a dangerous pro-growth strategy that has solely benefited powerful real estate development interests – while leaving the rest of us facing the specter of gridlocked traffic and fouled drinking water if we refuse to self-inflict an obscene sales tax increase. . .

During the recent Volusia County sales tax push – the N-J provided a moderated forum which was heavy on local politicos spouting canned answers crafted by a marketing consultant – and light on those who oppose this shameless money grab.

On the very day the News-Journal ran an opinion piece lamenting the nightmare that has befallen the languishing First Step homeless shelter project – they printed a front page/above the fold swoon about the pompous groundbreaking ceremony for the exalted Brown & Brown headquarters building in downtrodden downtown Daytona – which is still being billed by our elected and appointed officials as yet another panacea for the years of strategic neglect that has reduced the area to a cesspool of blight – and incredibly cheap real estate. . .

The accompanying photograph depicted the Reigning Monarchs of Daytona Beach – J. Hyatt & CiCi Brown – perched resplendent upon their front-and-center thrones – surrounded by our preening political and oligarchical aristocracy and their respective hired political chattel – while Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry took the stage and soft-soaped this grand gathering of the only constituency our elected officials seem to care about anymore.

In my view, the juxtaposition of these articles perfectly exposes the divergent issues we continue to face – a hopelessly gridlocked shelter project originally designed to assist one of the most malignant social issues of our time, and the ease with which tens-of-millions our hard-earned tax dollars can be allocated to meet the profit motives of one incredibly wealthy political insider.

And no one who should seems to question that. . .

In an excerpt from his speech, I noted with interest that Mayor Henry said of the massive, publicly-underwritten glass-and-steel monument to J. Hyatt’s self-importance:

“This says more about how we should feel about ourselves.”

 Amen, Mayor.  Amen.

In my view, Mr. Rice should understand that what our ‘powers that be’ are experiencing on social media is the direct result of an information black hole they created – where those we elect and appoint to represent our interests communicate with working journalists through paid media hacks and canned, electronically transmitted press releases – and public tax policy is cobbled together behind the scenes by consultants paid for by millionaires – then the idea is rammed down our throats through direct mail and slick marketing campaigns underwritten by those who stand to benefit most.

When citizens rightly vent their growing frustrations through Facebook pages – ostensibly hosted by their own elected officials – they are blocked, deleted and marginalized as “citizens against virtually everything” – and now castigated as fools by their hometown paper. . .

In my view, it’s beginning to look like a bad tag team match.

Perhaps the News-Journal should look carefully at the very real concerns of their readership – rather than merely accepting the smoke and mirrors of those with demonstrably self-serving motivations.

Congratulations on finding your ‘Happy Place,’ Pat – I hope you enjoy zigging and zagging your way through the maze of wooden poles and ‘do this – don’t do that’ sign pollution that has turned the beach I grew up on into anything but the paradise it once was.

And while you’re busy rinsing out the “craziness” the rest of us have endured for decades – those who are expected to pay the bills and suffer in silence will remain here, in the trenches, screaming fervently to anyone who will listen, that we truly deserve better than this – from our elected officials – and our newspaper.

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           Citizens for Better Roads and Clean Water 

At the end of the day, I hope it was worth it. . .

Somehow politicians have the unique ability to justify their decisions to voters – regardless of the ethical, moral or civic implications of their acts and omissions – by insulating themselves with consultant reports, dubious studies and group-think – then ensuring their political survival by invariably siding with their political benefactors on the important issues of the day.

In the case of Volusia’s money-grubbing half-cent sales tax initiative – win or lose – this asinine comedy of errors that has been wholly orchestrated by a passel of uber-wealthy political insiders and ramrodded by a politically unaccountable retired city manager – will have dire political ramifications for years to come.

Why?  Because it has further polarized an already fragmented Volusia electorate.  Despite the claims of those seeking to line their pockets with the windfall – a sales tax increase sold with threats to the safety of our very drinking water is not a unifying force. . .

In recent days, Volusia County residents have been targeted by a direct mail campaign pushed by a Political Action Committee known as Citizens for Better Roads and Clean Water – comprised of millionaire government contractors and other members of the Volusia CEO Business Alliance – who repeatedly benefit from their bought-and-paid-for place in the suckling order at the public teat.

A recent report provided the tale of the tape:

“The committee has raised $222,156 from donors such as Hyatt Brown, chairman of Brown & Brown Insurance, John Albright, the CEO of Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co., and Michael Panaggio, the owner of DME Sports Academy.

Former Daytona Beach Mayor Glenn Ritchey has also contributed money through his business, John Hall Chevrolet. His daughter-in-law, Cyndi Ritchey, was tabbed to chair the committee after managing political campaigns for former sheriff turned Volusia County Councilman Ben Johnson and former state representative Fred Costello.”

Interesting.

I’ll bet if you review the campaign finance reports of the majority of sitting politicians on the Volusia County Council you just might find an interesting correlation between major league political donors and Citizens for Better Roads and Clean Water. . .

In my view, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that these entrenched political insiders have determined that Volusia County’s proposed sales tax increase will generate some $42-million annually – funds that their political marionettes will ensure ultimately passes from our wallet to theirs.

A recent professionally produced glossy mailer attributed to the pernicious PAC depicted a water-filled pothole with the tagline –  “Join local business leaders and community leaders who want to improve roads, sidewalks, and bridges in Volusia County by voting yes on May 1st.”

How dumb do these conniving shits think we are? 

Most thinking people rightfully see a gaping pothole in the road and immediately equate it to the abject neglect and abysmal attention to the repair and replacement of transportation infrastructure foisted on them by a disinterested local government.

Am I right?

I mean, who in their right mind spots a pock-marked roadway and immediately thinks – “Humm, maybe I should throw more money at the same people who ignored this problem in the first place, hoping against hope that they’ll be more responsible with my families hard-earned tax dollars the next time around. . .” 

Bullshit.

Please VOTE NO! on the Volusia County half-cent sales tax scam.

Let’s let our elected officials and their puppet masters know that there is some shit we won’t eat – and begin the important process of returning trust and accountability to local government.

Angel              Mark Geallis

Kudos to Mark Geallis, the former executive Director of the languishing First Step Shelter, for having the courage of his convictions, speaking the unvarnished truth and telling the shelter’s executive board – and the City of Daytona Beach (the real power behind this failed project) to – in the immortal words of Johnny Paycheck – Take this job and shove it.

Less than a year after taking the reigns of this catastrophically flawed plan to build a homeless assistance center in the hinterlands between Daytona Beach and DeLand – a weird social conglomerate somehow owned by the City of Daytona Beach, operated by Catholic Charities of Central Florida, administered by the First Step Executive Board (a body comprised of municipal representatives whose communities have pledged financial support and a few private sector participants) and operated by an Executive Director charged with begging operational funds with absolutely no guidance or real understanding of the projected financial requirements – Mr. Geallis has had enough.

I don’t blame him.

With the building still under construction, last week, Geallis notified members of the First Step Shelter Board that he would resign his position within the next 90-days.

Earlier this week, the board accepted his resignation – while lamenting whether or not to disband the advisory board altogether and turn the whole shit show back over to the City of Daytona Beach.

According to a reports, board members are becoming increasingly frustrated by the city’s total lack of substantive communication on key issues – such as exactly what the board will be required to fund – and other lingering operational and administrative questions that Daytona Beach officials seem unwilling or unable to answer.

Look, I know some of the board members personally – and I trust them implicitly.

For instance, Holly Hill City Manager Joe Forte is one of the most inherently trustworthy men I know – and South Daytona Mayor Bill Hall is a man of incredible character and talent who has spent his life in service to the citizens of Volusia County.

Both men personify the best public service has to offer.

Earlier this year, we learned that the shelter project was hemorrhaging some $15,000 per month in salaries to Geallis, his assistant, and some weird vigorish to Catholic Charities (apparently for use of their name alone) – all of whom were hired to operate a facility that is still months away from opening.

Obviously, this instability and abject dysfunction made fundraising virtually impossible – especially when Mr. Geallis was denied a mark of passage for an audience with Daddy Warbucks himself.

When questioned about his difficulty raising funds to support this raging dumpster fire, Mr. Geallis lamented, “I can’t get a meeting with Hyatt,” Geallis said, referring to Hyatt Brown, chairman of insurance giant Brown & Brown Inc. “A nonprofit board opens those doors. I don’t run in those circles.”

Indeed. . .

Add to that the hell-broth of controversy over myriad operational issues – to include the basic question of which segment of the homeless population will be served and which will not.

Catholic Charities – who have been accepting some $7,500.00 a month to operate a facility still under construction (?) – wants the “First Step” for someone seeking shelter to be a formal background check by law enforcement. . .

According to a report in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, on Monday evening, after accepting Mr. Geallis’ resignation, the executive board discussed their exasperation over  “…the limited power and crumbs of information they feel they’re getting from the city leaders who set up the board and appointed them.”

The board’s chair, Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry, was quoted as saying the project has been a “political nightmare,” before reassuring his frustrated colleagues that the board could “be as relevant as we decide to be.”

I think Mayor Henry better speak to his boss, City Manager Jim Chisholm, about just how “relevant” he wants the board to be. . .

On Wednesday, the Daytona Beach City Commission changed tack yet again, signaling they may not want the current board members involved at all going forward – probably in favor of turning control of the project over to some hand-select overseers, who would serve as “an executive fundraising commission” made up of non-elected, politically unaccountable players with all the right last names and a chip in the larger game.

After all, it seems the only entity to have been served by the shelter to-date is P$S Paving – a massively successful government contractor (whose owner just happens to be a member of the Volusia CEO Business Alliance) who is busy getting fat selling public dirt from the site for private profit. . .

Perhaps someone should remind the current members of the First Step Executive Board that you can’t pick up a turd by the clean end – and, with no plan, no policies and no hope – there is honor in distancing yourselves from this imminent catastrophe.

Quote of the Week

 “Voting yes to increase our sales tax gives a green light to business as usual. That means more mega developments in all the wrong places to add thousands more vehicles on our roads.

It means millions of gallons of polluted water dumped into our waterways that ultimately end up in the aquifer. It continues to send most of our West Volusia tax dollars to the east side.

A yes vote increases the likelihood we all drink and bathe in toilet-to-tap water. It is already being tested in Daytona Beach.

There is another solution, a sustainable Plan B. First, we have to vote no on the proposed sales-tax increase. If passed, it would be a green light to continue the same failed policies that got us into this mess.

Second, any politician who had the temerity to say he or she has no plan other than to raise your sales or property taxes must be voted out in 2020.

Only then can a real conversation about the kind of community we want to live in occur.”

–Civic Activist and former Volusia County Council candidate Jeff Brower, writing in The West Volusia Beacon, “Vote no on sales-tax hike; let’s have a real conversation about growth, instead,” May 2, 2019

In my view, Jeff Brower continues to be a strong voice for the citizens of Volusia County.

And he’s right – with ballots already in the mail for this $490,000 “special referendum” which asks We, The People self-impose a half-cent sales tax on every man, woman, child and visitor in Volusia County to pay for the continuing sins of those who long-ago abdicated their sworn responsibility to their constituents – it’s time to VOTE NO, and send a strong message in the process.

As I have previously written, the number of civically active citizens opposed to the Volusia County half-cent sales tax initiative is growing daily as our family, friends and neighbors – many of whom have never been politically active before – stand firm to the core belief that handing more of our hard-earned money to the same inept assholes that created this “infrastructure emergency” through unchecked sprawl and an exploitative corporate welfare culture is fundamentally wrong.

These active and engaged members of our community should be applauded for their efforts – not maligned and marginalized.

In my view, it is refreshing to see so many Volusia residents rising in unison against this bloated, plodding bureaucracy that now exists to serve the needs, wants and whims of millionaires who view our tax dollars not as a sacred responsibility, but as a means to an end.

It is the very essence of good citizenship to fightback – to scream ‘enough-is-enough’ – then begin the arduous process of reestablishing a government that serves all of its constituents as we work collaboratively to restore the public’s trust in our once-revered political processes.

And Another Thing!

I want to send a special Barker’s View “Thank You!” to the intrepid Dede Siebenaler – a staunch local civic activist who keeps our elected and appointed officials on their toes by voicing her opinion on the issues of the day and asking the hard questions – often in the wide-open badlands of the internet.

Trust me.  Politicians know the inherent value of social media.

From using various platforms for distributing their campaign message to posting self-aggrandizing photographs of themselves doing some contrived civic good or facilitating cheap fundraising efforts – social media sites are the 21^st Century version of shaking hands and kissing babies – only at lightning speed with the ability to reach thousands of potential voters instantly.

But they can’t have it both ways.

Social media is not an amplified soapbox – it’s a two-way interactive platform – comment and response – and elected officials should understand the frustrations of their long-suffering constituents will often result in strong opinions.

If you need more proof of the political power of social media – subscribe to President Donald Trump’s Twitter feed – then hold on tight to your digital device. . .

In many ways, social media has made our elected representatives more accessible to the “little guy” – those of us who don’t have the money or political clout to get their civic concerns and issues in front of those with the power to affect change.

A few months ago, our doddering fool of a County Chair, Ed Kelley, impudently blocked Ms. Siebenaler from his Facebook page.  After all, it’s infinitely easier for small-minded elected officials like Ed Kelley to simply block criticisms than form cogent explanations for the bizarre machinations of government.

Inexplicably, District 4 Councilwoman Heather Post was recently found to have “blocked” News-Journal reporters from her Facebook page, effectively shutting the working press out of her official online presence – and the always arrogant Councilwoman Deb Denys had blocked some 60 people from her personal page – while Old Ed now has a cheap disclaimer posted to his official Facebook site which states:

“For those few who continue to complain legal confirmed that having a page for information only is LEGAL. If you wish to share thoughts or information you can do so by email at: ekelley@volusia.org  I answer all emails that are received. Thanks.”

Whatever.

Thanks to Ms. Siebenaler’s questioning – Volusia County’s legal department recently agreed that the act of blocking constituents’ access to the social media sites of their elected representatives could be considered a violation of constitutionally protected rights and sent a letter of guidance advising against the practice.

In my view, it’s time our all-powerful ‘movers & shakers’ – those who hold themselves out for high office, campaign for our vote with firm promises, then do the exact opposite when it benefits a select few – come to the realization that We, The People are demanding transparency – and equal access.

We have a right and civic responsibility to hold those who accept public funds to serve in the public interest accountable – including voicing our critical opinions on the important issues of the day.

Thanks to galvanizing issues like this disastrous half-cent money grab, the decimation of our century-old tradition of beach driving – and a hundred other backhanded slights – more Volusia County residents than ever before are taking a true interest in the workings of their government – and demanding better from those who have sworn an oath and accepted the privilege of public service.

That’s all for me.

Have a great weekend, my friends!

 

Earlier this week, in a social media post WNDB talk show host Marc Bernier referred to members of a growing grassroots effort to protect your family and mine from the predatory practices of this Oligarchy that passes for local governance here in Volusia County as CAVE People – Citizens Against Virtually Everything.

I happen to like Mr. Bernier, but we’re going to have to agree to disagree on this one – because nothing could be further from the truth.

The number of civically active citizens opposed to the Volusia County half-cent sales tax initiative is growing daily as our family, friends and neighbors – many of whom have never been politically active before – stand firm to the core belief that handing more of our hard-earned money to the same inept assholes that created this “infrastructure emergency” through unchecked sprawl and an exploitative corporate welfare culture is fundamentally wrong.

These active and engaged members of our community should be applauded for their efforts – not maligned and marginalized.

In my view, it is refreshing to see so many Volusia residents rising in unison against this bloated, plodding bureaucracy that now exists to serve the needs, wants and whims of millionaires who view our tax dollars not as a sacred responsibility, but as a means to an end.

It is the very essence of good citizenship to fightback – to scream ‘enough-is-enough’ – then begin the arduous process of reestablishing a government that serves all of its constituents as we work collaboratively to restore the public’s trust in our once-revered political processes.

It’s easy for our ‘powers that be’ to be dismissive of those who speak truth to power – who call bullshit and point out the inherent danger to our representative democracy of having a clique of incredibly influential power brokers at the Volusia CEO Business Alliance ramrod a sales tax scheme that will ultimately serve as an efficient pass-through from our pockets to theirs.

Watching these greedheads manipulate our elected officials like Edger Bergen’s dummy is not only embarrassing – it’s scary.

Think about it.

Have you ever seen a local sales tax initiative directed, funded and promoted almost exclusively by uber-wealthy insiders with an established profit motive?   

Have you ever seen our local politicians engage in such open electioneering – taking their marching orders from a highly paid shill hired to run an “education and marketing campaign” –  and openly promoting this shameless money grab to their constituents? 

Then, ask yourself – Why?

In coming weeks, We, The People will see a no-holds-barred push on social media – supported by an aggressive direct mail offensive – designed to sell this expensive sham to the citizens of Volusia County.

Don’t be fooled.

If you feel as I do that this parasitic, unaccountable and seemingly insatiable contrivance – a “government” in name only – now wholly controlled by a few uber-wealthy individuals and their corporate cronies that have made a cottage industry out of funding their private projects with public funds – then let’s stop enabling and perpetuating our own victimization.

I rarely tell anyone how to vote – but this is different.

Please VOTE NO! on the Volusia County half-cent sales tax scam.

Let’s let our elected officials and their puppet masters know that there is some shit we won’t eat – and begin the important process of returning trust and accountability to local government.

 

(Photo Credit: The Daytona Beach News-Journal)

 

Legal dictionaries define the heralded “Reasonable” man or woman as, “A fictional person with an ordinary degree of reason, prudence, care, foresight, or intelligence whose conduct, conclusion, or expectation in relation to a particular circumstance or fact is used as an objective standard by which to measure or determine something (as the existence of negligence).”

Some who know me might disagree, but I’ve always considered myself a sensible person – an ordinary everyman – neither always right, nor always wrong – but with the innate ability to detect when I’m being victimized by big money interests who are rigging our system of local governance and recognize no reasonable limits in their quest for power – or more of our hard-earned tax dollars. . .

Look, God knows I have my warts – but, like you, I truly care about this mosaic of communities that we call home.

While we may not agree on everything – reasonable people can learn from the honest debate of differing opinions so that solutions are based on an amalgam of ideas which consider the needs and wants of a diverse constituency.

Unfortunately, in Volusia County, many of the uninspired empty suits we have elected to represent our best interest have been bought-and-paid-for by those who stand at the nexus of public funds and private profits – so, unless you and I can pay-to-play – we are never afforded the opportunity to be heard.

As a result, our governmental processes have become so skewed, so patently unreasonable and fragmented; marked by a complete lack of strategic vision which has contributed to blight, dilapidation and an overwhelming sense of bleakness that has caused many of our neighbors to simply give up hope and is destroying our once vibrant tourism and hospitality industry.

Don’t take my word for it:

Take the family down to the Daytona Beach Boardwalk, stroll through the “attractions” near Main Street and A-1-A – the epicenter of our core tourist area – or spend some time on the beach, where for $25.00 a day, visitors can drive through a forest of ugly wooden poles and the omnipresent sign pollution that marks what passes for “beach management” – and you’ll get a pretty good idea what I’m talking about.

Consider how many of our hard-earned tax dollars have been lavished on the needs of a few uber-wealthy political insiders while other areas of our county are allowed to languish as compromised elected officials enjoy the political insulation of their benefactors while sticking to a failed strategy of publicly underwritten panacea projects – the “next big thing” – that never seem to be the “game changer” we were promised.

Contemplate the reasoning behind the “Us vs. Them” mentality that pervades the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Building in DeLand – where individual municipalities are routinely victimized by a bullying county government – where taxpayers are sued by a weaponized county attorney with their own money – and the very idea of self-determination and “home rule” goes out the window when Volusia County wants to impose it’s imperial will within a municipal jurisdiction.

Reflect on the voracious appetite of Volusia County government for more tax dollars – the seeming inability to live within their means despite the dire financial situation of the many residents living at or below the poverty line – trapped in a whirlpool of low wage, service industry jobs – a land of haves-and-have-nots – where those who truly make the rules build shrines to their own self-importance and go home to gated communities, while seeking even more tax dollars from tens-of-thousands of families who fend for themselves in an unsustainable artificial economy.

After you have sufficiently reviewed these intractable issues, ask yourself why our doddering fool of a County Chair, Ed Kelley – and many of those dullards at the Roundtable of Elected Officials (where county and municipal elected officials take marching orders from their handlers at the Volusia CEO Business Alliance) – are actively exhuming the corpses of long-dead “studies,” political insulation reports and other failed ideas – which didn’t work a decade ago, and won’t work now?

I call it “public policy by archaeology” and it evidences the fact these wholly-owned chattel of our ‘Rich & Powerful’ have lost the ability to think for themselves – and exposes the fact these visionless churls haven’t had an original thought since they accepted their first campaign contribution. . .

Has Big Money clouded their ability to even consider the myriad social, economic and civic issues we face and develop fresh, innovative ideas to limit bureaucratic inefficiencies, right size government and respect the traditions and unique independence of the cities?

For weeks, we’ve heard that Old Ed, freshman Councilman Ben Johnson and a few other sitting political hacks have been trying to breath new life into outdated consultant reports, reviews, antique “studies” and pitifully ineffective “smart growth” committees – all failed “plans” that have been collecting dust for years on the groaning credenzas of county bureaucrats – yellowing monuments to a politicians natural instinct to protect themselves from criticism with the best “expert” opinion they can buy.

In my view, it doesn’t help when our newspaper of record buys into the cockamamie ideas proposed by perennial politicians who have demonstrated where their true allegiance lies.

The Daytona Beach News-Journals editorial board must understand that Volusia County government has lost the trust and confidence of their constituents – which also happens to represent their readership?

After all, they have written multiple articles and opinion pieces on our basic distrust of Old Ed and the Funky Bunch – the lies, deceit, backroom deals, gross mismanagement and haughty sense of infallibility no matter how foolish the decision – and the incredible impact our collective cynicism is having on their shameless half-cent sales tax money grab.

Yet, inexplicably, on Sunday the News-Journal once again floated Old Ed’s tired question of whether taxpayers living comfortably in the various municipalities want to – for the umpteenth time in our history – consider consolidating critical governmental services under Volusia County’s threadbare Big Top.

Although each and every time politicians use this ruse as a faint maneuver to deflect attention from much darker questions, We, The People have screamed a resounding “No!” – somehow now, with confidence in Volusia County government at whale shit depths – the newspaper lends credence to this perpetual smokescreen?

Why? 

Shouldn’t Volusia County residents have a reasonable expectation that their hard-earned tax dollars won’t be squandered on yet another horseshit “consolidation study” – especially at a time our elected officials are dunning us for even more tax dollars?

My God.

When will our newspaper join the growing chorus of taxpayers who are screaming for our elected officials to get their heads out of their ass and develop a strategic vision for our future that doesn’t include ancient concepts or taxing the eyeballs out of every man, woman and child in Volusia County?

How about the New-Journal’s editorial board allow their staff to examine the important question no one in a position of power in DeLand wants to discuss:

How can we pare down this bloated, parasitic bureaucracy that is Volusia County government and eliminate its meddling involvement and influence in the business of well-managed and well-funded municipal governments who are providing quality core services to residents and visitors?

When will we stop allowing this insatiable machine to grow even larger, more unresponsive as it justifies its own moribund existence – and underwrite its own failing services – by attempting to absorb functioning municipal assets?

Despite what some highly paid shill might have said in some archaic “study” – I seriously doubt the citizens of Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna Beach, Holly Hill, Daytona Beach Shores, Ormond Beach, DeLand – or any other small community that honorably serves, protects and enhances the quality of life of its residents – want anything to do with a “three city concept” – or, God forbid – another massive, unaccountable, unresponsive, self-perpetuating bureaucratic quagmire that invariably increases costs while diminishing service delivery.

In my view, it is time the News-Journal – and elected municipal officials who know better – stop being complicit in this cheap diversionary tactic repeatedly foisted by a few horribly compromised petty politicians behind the tattered curtain who have lost the trust and confidence of those they swore an oath to serve.

 

 

 

 

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           Knights of the Roundtable

One of the more painful aspects of this ham-handed process to force a half-cent sales tax increase down the throat of every man, woman and child in Volusia County has been watching the scheming and cheap maneuvers of our elected and appointed officials and their handlers at the Volusia CEO Business Alliance.

As I’ve said before, from its inception, the marketing strategy for this shameless sales tax increase has been a discombobulated mess – a slapstick of errors, missteps and good old-fashioned fuck-ups that resulted in the measure being pulled from the general election ballot last year in the eleventh-hour.

The initiative was resurrected only after the CEO Business Alliance determined that a sufficient majority of their shills had been returned to office, then set about saddling residents with a $490,000 special election – a first of its kind “mail in” ballot with “secure” drop off locations at area city halls and so many other irregularities that many are already calling the referendum a bald-faced sham.

Add to that the revelation that the much-ballyhooed citizen oversight committee – the cleverly added regulatory provision that we were promised would ensure our compromised elected officials allocate funds appropriately by “holding their feet to the fire” – is no more than a toothless watchdog, with “no decision-making authority,” comprised of political appointees who will serve at the pleasure of the very politicians they were commissioned to regulate.

Earlier this week, something called the Roundtable of Elected Officials – a weird public/private consortium of area mayors, city managers and their Big Money handlers from the CEO Alliance – huddled over a lunch you and I paid for to discuss their on-going efforts to take even more money out of our pockets and transfer it to political insiders and government contractors in the name of “better roads and clean water.” 

My ass.

In typical fashion, reports from the confab resulted in more questions than answers. . .

For instance, many question why Dr. Kent Sharples – the infamous president of the Volusia CEO Alliance – is within a hundred miles of a government tax initiative?

In my view, if we’ve learned anything about Dr. Sharples, it’s that he could screw up a wet dream. . .

From the mysterious $1.4 million American Music Festival fiasco at Daytona State College to his questionable “service” on the Board of Trustees of beleaguered Bethune-Cookman University – which now stands at the very precipice of catastrophic financial failure after gross mismanagement and a series of internal and external scams – I wonder just how many more bites at the apple Dr. Sharples should be permitted?

Eventually, one would think our elected and appointed officials might concede that Volusia County taxpayers have a right to be suspicious of ol’ Kent’s capabilities, involvement and motivations, right?

In my view, here on the Fun Coast – piss poor performance and abject ineptitude has long been handsomely rewarded by those who stand at the nexus of public funds and private interests – so long as their situational ethics remain malleable and the patency of the public tit is assured.

Let’s face it, during Dr. Sharples’ tenure at the Alliance, millions of our hard-earned tax dollars have been shunted to senior members of that camarilla of millionaires under cover of dubious “public/private” partnerships, incentives and government contracts.

Don’t take my word for it – read the newspaper. . .

That makes the good Doctor a valuable asset for those greedheads who see this sales-tax increase for what it is – a multi-million dollar pass-through from our pocket to theirs.

In my view, this slimy confederation between those who were elected to high office by their neighbors and swore an oath to “well and faithfully” execute their fiduciary responsibilities to We, The People – and a secret society of uber-wealthy, oligarchical insiders – represents our worst fears of quid pro quo corruption run amok.

Trust me.  The Volusia CEO Business Alliance – and their paid shills at the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Building and city halls throughout Volusia County – do not have your family’s best interest at heart.

Now, after approving unchecked sprawl from Farmton to the Flagler County line – in some weird “Fool me once, shame on me.  Fool me twice, shame on me again.  Fool me three times and one of us is an exploitative sneak thief,” strategy – the Knights of the Roundtable would now have us believe they are interested in smart growth initiatives.

Bullshit.

Following a flim-flam presentation by Clay Ervin, Volusia County’s director of the farcical “Growth and Resource Management Division” – essentially a make-work comparative analysis of nearly two-decade old residential construction permit issuance with today’s numbers – several of our local elected tools thought it would be a good idea to resurrect a do-nothing “Smart Growth Committee” circa 2005.

I dunno, maybe because the first one had such a tremendous influence on our ability to, as the News-Journal reported, “combat growth to sustain quality of life for residents”?

Whatever.

While the grown-ups in the room were discussing topical issues of growth management and out-of-control taxation – real conundrums that threaten to crush their collective political careers – our doddering fool of a County Chair, Ed Kelley, kept jabbering like a deranged macaque about bringing back a failed 2011 “study” which suggested that blending the 13 well-managed and well-staffed municipal fire departments with Volusia County’s mishmash of failing, overpriced emergency services would somehow “save tax dollars” (because, if we’ve learned anything, it’s that Volusia County is all about saving tax dollars. . .)

Jesus.

This awkward roundtable meeting sounds like some weird Antique Roadshow episode where our uninspired and totally visionless politicians trot out musty old studies – the ghosts of bad ideas past –  tired notions that are no longer relevant to the conversation or the festering problems we face.

I’ve got a suggestion!  It’s also an oldie but goodie!

How about these shameless political hacks pull their head out of their ass, forget the empty exercise of yet another political insulation committee, come face-to-face with the very real challenges of 2019, and develop a strategic vision for Volusia County’s future?

Good luck.

Angel              FAITH – Fighting Against Injustice Toward Harmony

On Monday evening, I joined with over 1,500 of the faithful at Peabody Auditorium for the 2019 FAITH Action Assembly.

The active coalition of over 30 area faith-based organizations is tackling some of the most intractable social, economic and civic issues of our generation and valiantly fighting for social justice here on Florida’s Fun Coast.

It was a real learning experience on a number of fronts.

For instance, FAITH’s initiatives designed to bring restorative practices to Volusia County Schools and reform failed disciplinary protocols, which some believe contribute to lower academic performance, higher rates of dropout and the so-called “school to prison” pipeline really opened my eyes.

According to the FAITH Education Committee, of the 67 counties in Florida, Volusia ranks 7^th highest in school arrests, 5^th highest in out-of-school suspensions, and 57^th in overall graduation rate – with minority students and those with disabilities most affected.

This informative segment was attended by members of the Volusia County School Board – to include Chairman Carl Persis, Ruben Colon, Jamie Hayes and Ida Wright – along with District Superintendent Tom Russell.

Only board member Linda Cuthbert was absent.

In addition, Sheriff Mike Chitwood and Dan Merrithew, chief probation officer for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, spoke about their support for a local Juvenile Assessment Center – and agreed to work cooperatively with FAITH to ensure the appropriate use of civil citations to avoid the life-altering consequences of physical arrest for juveniles accused of minor, non-violent offenses.

While I didn’t agree with everything the group advocated for – the energy in the room was contagious – with a palpable sense that faith truly can move mountains.

In addition to their on-going efforts to reform juvenile justice programs, this year, FAITH leaders sought commitments from area officials to address the growing problem of affordable housing options in Volusia County.

According to a FAITH Housing Committee report, 6 out of 10 renters in Volusia County pay more than 30% of their income on rent – with some 21,000 households paying over half of their monthly take home pay for housing alone – which means a single-parent making minimum wage would have to work 72-hours a week simply to afford a one bedroom apartment.

“The situation is most dire for the 45,000+ households in our county earning less than 50% of Area Median Income (less than $26,000 for a family of three).  For them, hardly any affordable options exist.”

Wow.

In turn, FAITH asked for the development of a countywide affordable housing fund – a dedicated revenue source to help “create, rehabilitate and preserve” affordable units for the tens-of-thousands of Volusia County families who make less than 50% of our area’s median income.

Sounds like a noble endeavor, right?

I think we can all agree that finding affordable housing solutions for thousands of hard-working Volusia County families trapped in a service-based economy – many of whom are being driven to homelessness or forced into the destructive cycle of week-to-week substandard motels or long daily commutes just to keep a roof over their head should be a priority?

Apparently, County Chairman Ed Kelley could give two-shits about the basic shelter needs of over 45,000 of his financially strapped constituents. . .

That’s right – Old Ed couldn’t be bothered to attend the largest gathering of civically-active, socially conscious citizens in Volusia County – or even sit down with FAITH leadership to discuss possible solutions to one of the most pressing social issues of our time.

Cowardly asshole. . .

To their credit, Volusia County Councilwomen Heather Post, Billie Wheeler and Barbara Girtman joined Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry and Commissioners Paula Reed and Quanita May as they stood tall and represented their constituents with honor, answering the difficult questions and concurring with those assembled that affordable housing is a true crisis in Volusia County – then pledged to help identify funding sources and opportunities to fill this growing need countywide.

Although freshman At-Large Councilman Ben Johnson met with FAITH leaders to discuss the issue, he was not present at the assembly.  However, at least Mr. Johnson had the common decency to answer the hard questions and engage in a meaningful dialog that can lead to innovative solutions – even if we don’t always agree on the path forward.

Unfortunately, the always arrogant Councilwoman Deb Denys and The Very Reverend Fred Lowry joined Old Ed in boycotting this important event – openly refusing to even discuss these important issues with FAITH – let alone attend the assembly – and their noticeable absence spoke to the condescending attitude that permeates this cabal of dullards and perpetuates the civic and economic stagnation that contributes to the very issues FAITH is fighting against.

Frankly, if it doesn’t directly benefit their ‘Rich & Powerful’ overseers – these craven assholes could care less.

How terribly sad.  For all of us.

Angel              Hy’s Toggery of One Daytona

Farewell, Hy – We hardly knew ye. . .

In what everyone hopes isn’t a harbinger of a mass exodus to come, Hy’s Toggery at One Daytona – the first expansion location of the popular casual wear shop which was established in Panama City Beach in the 1960’s – will close its doors tomorrow less than one-year after opening to much fanfare.

This represents the first high profile establishment to go out of business at the International Speedway Corporation’s publicly underwritten “synergistic” shopping center.

In June 2018, The Daytona Beach News-Journal quoted Gentry Baumline-Robinson, communications director for ISC, as she gushed about the shop’s “fit” for the “destination”:

“This is a great addition to the retail businesses at One Daytona.  They have a selection unlike any other retail store in the area. With our outdoor lifestyle here in Daytona Beach, with the beach and the fishing, Hy’s Toggery is a natural fit for the destination.”

Earlier this week, Ms. Baumline-Robinson wasn’t quite so bubbly when contacted by New-Journal business reporter Clayton Park, “We don’t discuss tenant/landlord matters so nothing to add here.”

Wow.

Look, I wish the best for any business or entrepreneur with the courage to throw the dice and take a chance in our weird local economy – which is based upon the same five uber-wealthy oligarchs passing the same nickel around. . .

Unfortunately, business closures in cloistered environments like One Daytona often come in clusters as the toxic effects of the “Retail Apocalypse” and a substantial drop in tourism conspire with low regional wages to form the perfect storm.

Or is something else stirring at One Daytona? 

Last year, I wrote a widely read opinion piece on the sales-tax-by-another-name known as an “Enhanced Amenity Fee” which shoppers began to notice last year when a placard was posted at the point-of-sale of One Daytona retailers:

Notice of EAF – All retail purchases at One Daytona are subject to an Enhanced Amenity Fee (EAF).”

“The EAF is an additional one percent added to the total amount due before sales tax.”

“The EAF will not exceed $350 for any applicable purchase.”

“The EAF will be reinvested to continually enhance the center, including its public space, mobile technology, entertainment options and public art program.”

“Thank you for your patronage of One Daytona.

At that time, I opined:

“ACHTUNG!  You hapless piss-ants – It’s not enough that we extracted $40-million dollars in public funds, tax abatement, infrastructure improvements and other “incentives” from you star-crossed fools to reduce our financial exposure and enhance our languishing motorsports business – now, we are going to wring an additional 1% from your skinny little wallet every fucking time you dare to shop here!”

Oh, you don’t want to support our entertainment options and public art program?

Tough shit.  Not an option.

You want to patronize the shopping center that you rubes subsidized?  Pay-up at the register, asshole.

When does a “public/private” partnership turn into a usurious victimization – a parasitic exsanguination of the very people who were previously tapped to fund a private project with their hard-earned tax dollars?

As I understand it, the One Daytona Community Development District – the governing body which manages “community development services in the area” –  does not have the authority to levy an additional sales tax – but the board can charge dubious “assessments” which are tied to properties within the District’s boundaries.

(As it happens, the Chairman of this quasi-governmental community development district is the penultimate political insider, Glenn Ritchey – whose daughter-in-law, Cyndi Ritchey, was recently hired to serve as chair of the Political Action Committee funded by members of the Volusia CEO Business Alliance (where Mr. Ritchey is a sitting board member) – which is actively ramrodding the half-cent sales tax increase. . . I don’t make this shit up, folks.) 

Look, you can call this polished turd whatever you want – but this sales-related “EAF” is nothing more than a money-grubbing tax by any other name.

I, for one, refuse to shop at One Daytona out of a highly developed sense of self-preservation.

You see, I try to avoid being fleeced at the point-of-sale whenever possible – especially at a shopping center that was underwritten with my tax dollars.

Now, I wonder how many other local consumers feel the same way I do – and what effect that may be having on the future of One Daytona?   

The fact is, my money spends anywhere – so does yours – and I choose to purchase goods and services at small, privately owned retailers in our community who eke out a living despite the unfair advantage of their competitors at places like One Daytona who keep 1% of every purchase to cover their overhead.

In my view, whenever government entities artificially skew the playing field in a free and open market place bad things happen – it is unnatural and defies the laws of supply and demand – and it is unsustainable over time.

Let’s hope that ISC can turn the tide at One Daytona before our $40 million public investment becomes another empty shell. . .

Quote of the Week

“There is a dark gloom on this (B-CU) campus. We are losing students daily transferring to other schools in fear.  And lastly, someone needs to be held accountable, and go to jail.  There are others who bear responsibility for this fiscal malfeasance, not just Dr. Edison Jackson.  We also need to have a forensic handwriting expert to test all of those who were employed, sitting on the board to actually see who signed off on that dorm deal.  At this point, our university could have been run by Boo Boo the Clown, and his board. I’m just saying.”

–Norma Bland, second degree master’s student at Bethune-Cookman University, writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, “Students unfairly caught in B-CU mess,” April 11, 2019

Well said, Ms. Bland.

And infinitely, horrifically and painfully true. . .

And Another Thing! 

It is increasingly clear that we have serious issues at Volusia County District Schools – not the least of which is the School Board’s complete unwillingness to listen to the needs and substantive input of classroom teachers, staff members and parents.

Earlier this week, the Volusia County School Board approved a suppressive measure which will relegate public participation to two time-certain windows at the beginning and end of meetings during which citizens may address their elected officials on items of importance that are not on the agenda.

The vote came amid public condemnation of the board’s failure to listen to its constituents when they arbitrarily changed the bell schedule a few weeks ago after ignoring citizen survey results – and a request by teachers and staff to delay the new schedule for a year.

Only board member Linda Cuthbert took issue with the actions, rightly calling the measure “censorship.”

“I am vehemently against this policy as written,” Cuthbert said at Tuesday night’s meeting, “If someone takes the time to come and speak, they should have the time to speak.”

Screw John Q. Public’s asinine input on their child’s primary education – pay the bills and shut your pie-hole. . .

According to a report by the News-Journal’s outstanding education reporter Cassidy Alexander, Elizabeth Albert, president of Volusia United Educators – the collective bargaining unit representing our hard-working teachers:

“. . .told board members they lost the trust of teachers after they didn’t listen to them.  They approved a schedule that wasn’t in the survey for the public to vote on and isn’t similar to the option that received the most votes. They also decided to implement the changes in August, despite the survey showing that about 60 percent of district employees wanted to wait a year.”

Which brings me to my point – last week, I was taken to the woodshed by area high school teacher and school board apologist Kate Cumiskey, who took exception to my characterization of the School Board’s vote to change start times:

I wrote, “In an inexplicably weird reversal – after first seeking public input through a survey on preferred school start times that was answered by some 24,054 teachers, students and community members – ultimately, the School Board voted 3-2 last week to adopt a schedule no one had ever seen before.”

According to Ms. Cumiskey:  “How about you start with getting your facts straight. The school board voted unanimously 5-0, to implement start times that were a vast improvement, according to Elizabeth Albert who was sitting with me, on the three options we the committee came up with. Five-zip, not 3-2. Three-two was against the delay. I was on the committee. The board and committee worked on this for months, the survey was just a survey, not a vote, and only about 10% of the stakeholders took the survey.  Facts matter.”

So, I stand corrected – and suitably admonished.

The fact is, I was wrong.

The 3-2 vote had nothing to do with the board’s unanimous decision to ignore the input of those affected when they arbitrarily changed school start times – the 3-2 split occurred when a majority of the board chose to also ignore the wishes of some 61% of their teaching staff who asked in vain that the measure be delayed, allowing more time for proper implementation.

Don’t I feel like an asshole. . .

In my view, given the myriad problems that continue to plague Volusia County Schools, perhaps it’s time our school board members come to the realization that they don’t have all the answers – and neither does Superintendent Tom Russell and his goofy “Cabinet.”

I’ve said this before – during a crisis, I’ve found it beneficial to seek input from all stakeholders – to open lines of traditional and non-traditional communication, seek alternative opinions, get out and knock on doors and put an emphasis on developing collaborative, broad-based solutions that simply cannot be arrived at in this vacuum of arrogance.

That’s all for me!

Barker’s View will be on hiatus for the next two-weeks as I take a long-anticipated sabbatical to the United Kingdom – a chance to rest, relax and enjoy the sights of Jolly Olde London – and quaff a few proper pours of Guinness in Dublin.

Yep!  The Original Ugly American will be traveling abroad. . .

While I’m ‘across the pond,’ I also thought it might be a good idea to share my opinions on the Brexit quagmire with members of Parliament.  After all, as a Volusia County resident, I’m a veteran of pig-headed political shit shows – and you know me – I’m always willing to lend a hand. . .

Angels & Assholes will be back next month with my strange thoughts and goofy opinions on the half-cent sales tax referendum and much more!

In the interim, if you feel strongly that this shameless money grab is yet another low blow for long-suffering, tax-strapped Volusia County residents who can ill afford an increase at the point-of-sale – please join with like-minded friends and neighbors for sign waving and demonstrations of civic solidarity at:

Ormond Beach – Southwest Corner of Nova Road and Granada Boulevard – Monday, April 15 – 5:00-6:00pm

Ormond Beach – Granada Bridge at Beach Street 5:30-6:30pm – Wednesday, April 17, Wednesday, April 24 and Wednesday, May 1.

For additional information – follow Sons of the Beach and Friends on Facebook – or donate to the cause at: http://tinyurl.com/yy6cf4fs

Cheerio, everyone!

 

 

 

 

Most days I tend to agree with The Daytona Beach News-Journal’s editorial take on the issues of the day – but Sunday’s no-holds-barred endorsement of the proposed half-cent sales tax increase was over-the-top.

Especially in light of their recent spot-on assessments of exactly why Volusia County voters have lost trust in the very governmental institutions that ostensibly exist to serve their best interests. . .

I mean, how can you shine a bright light on the backroom wrangling, the mini-moves and the sweetheart deals, then concede – “A “yes” vote is the best chance Volusia County has to get on track and work toward a better future for everyone. It’s an opportunity the county can’t afford to miss” – without any call for accountability or fiscal responsibility from those who got us into this mess in the first place?

“The plan is not perfect, but we don’t see a better alternative”?

Say what?

Bullshit.

Somehow, I knew in my heart-of-hearts it was coming – but when I actually saw it in print, with “‘Yes’ on sales tax” blaring in bold typeface – my heart sank, and, like many of you, I was overcome by a sense of melancholy with the realization that “independent” journalism and editorial freedom is a fallacy in this bastardized oligarchy that has replaced our sacred representative democracy here on Florida’s Fun Coast.

I could be wrong (and I sincerely hope I am) but with all 16 municipalities in lockstep and everyone who is anyone in Volusia County business and industry champing at the bit for the big payday they just know is coming – did anyone think our newspaper of record wouldn’t eventually be onboard as well?

I get it.  The News-Journal supports this tax scam for the same reason the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce does – because, what the hell else are they going to do?

Speak truth to power?

Question the true motivations of the infamous Dr. Kent Sharples and his cabal of billionaires?

Whip the disillusioned villagers into a hysterical frenzy with a bold headline reporting that our local system of governance has been hijacked by a passel of incompetent shitheels with no strategic vision beyond lining the pockets of their political benefactors?

Right. . .

Expect to see more of the same when the deluge of social media and direct mail campaigns heat up in coming weeks – agitprop paid for by the very same people who stand to benefit most from this tax pass-through when the proposed tax funds filter from our pocket to theirs.

Trust me.  This wave of misinformation and empty promises is just getting started.

From its inception, the marketing strategy for this shameless sales tax increase has been a discombobulated mess – a slapstick of errors, missteps and good old-fashioned fuck-ups that resulted in the measure being pulled from the general election ballot last year in the eleventh-hour.

The initiative was resurrected after the Volusia CEO Business Alliance determined that a sufficient majority of their shills had been returned to office after the election, then set about saddling residents with a $490,000 special election – a first of its kind “mail in” ballot with “secure” drop off locations at area city halls – and so many other irregularities that many are already calling the referendum a bald-faced sham.

Add to that the revelation that the much-ballyhooed citizen oversight committee – the strategically added regulatory provision that we were promised would ensure our compromised elected officials allocate taxpayer funds appropriately by “holding their feet to the fire” – is no more than a toothless watchdog, with “no decision-making authority,” who will serve at the pleasure of the very politicians they were commissioned to regulate.

Don’t take my word for it – read the proposed ordinance.

Now, we’re supposed to be fooled by the reappearance of the long-dead, highly controversial  push to consolidate municipal fire department’s under Volusia County’s tattered umbrella of overpriced and understaffed emergency services – and not recognize this as a patented feint maneuver designed to distract us from these horribly telegraphed final efforts to get this tax increase across the goal line?

How dumb do they think we are?   

Smart people have come to the realization that Volusia County is the realm of a few ‘Rich & Powerful’ insiders who maintain their grip on power by underwriting the political campaigns of hand-select candidates for local office – then controlling them like the wooden puppets they are.

It’s sad to watch once proud “public servants” prostrate themselves before their masters like the slavish tools they are – wallowing in mediocrity, pissing good money after bad to all the right last names, giving away our traditional natural amenities and destroying our quality of life in the name of greed.

If nothing else, this wholly mismanaged shit show has served as a tableau of ineptitude – a gross representation of why much of the Halifax area remains a quagmire of blight, dilapidation and hopelessness – and why the wild, unchecked growth underway in “new” Daytona west of I-95 exemplifies how political insiders are allowed to haul massive profits out of the pine scrub – while you and I pay for the predictable impacts.

In my view, most thinking people are coming to the realization that this grossly expensive special election will be about much more than a money-grubbing sales tax.

It will be a referendum on the future direction of Volusia County – to include our compromised elected officials, the way our local governments are administered and the influence of special interests in the political process – a final demarcation from the ‘business as usual’ that has seen the needs of the many brutally sacrificed for the benefit of the few.

In the end, many budding political careers will be steaming wreckage in the political fast lane – written off by their uber-wealthy manipulators as collateral damage of a failed attempt to get their grubby hands on a $42-million annual windfall. . .

At the end of the day, I believe this vote will be a resounding indictment of those individuals and institutions who ignored their best instincts and succumbed to the slimy motivations of a few well-heeled insiders with a profit motive – who sold out their constituents for the promise of a few crumbs of a much larger pie – and destroyed the public’s trust in the process.

 

I hope you will join me this afternoon on GovStuff Live with Big John – 1380am The Cat – or on-line at www.govstuff.org (Listen Live button).  We’ll be discussing the proposed half-cent sales tax and taking your calls on other issues of vital importance to our lives and livelihoods here on Florida’s Fun Coast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smart people know that it’s best to avoid discussions of politics and religion – especially in the office or during family gatherings – because of how volatile these sensitive topics can become.

Not me, of course.

Whenever I meet someone new – I instinctively bring up local politics and get their unique take on the issues of the day – the more inflammatory the better. . .

That’s how I learn.

We all have our own beliefs – religious and political – and it is that diversity of thought that keeps things interesting and allows the healthy debate of ideas in a free and open society from which all good public policies flow.

I was raised in the Episcopal church, often referred to as “Protestant, yet Catholic.”

The Episcopal Church of America separated from the Church of England following the American Revolution.  As a point of trivia – nearly one quarter of U. S. Presidents have been members of the church – from George Washington to George H. W. Bush – eleven presidents have identified as Episcopalians.

I like the fact that the Episcopal church affirms the dignity and equality of all human beings and welcomes all people without any exceptions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, orientation, age, or any other reason.

After all, isn’t that what organized religion should be about? 

(Feel free to argue among yourselves. . .)

Unfortunately, that inclusiveness has not always been accepted by the greater Christian community – and, in 2016, the Anglican Communion suspended the Episcopal Church of America after years of debate over same-sex marriage and our practice of accepting women and LGBT people into the Ordained Ministry.

I also have some strange beliefs on the power of the metaphysical and the magical.

Even as a young child, I have always kept a variety of amulets, good luck charms and mojo bags about – talismans that protect me from harm, bring good fortune, physical healing, prosperity and a sense of well-being – and I was once told by an old woman, a spiritualist who claims to see these things, that I have a weird aura around me, a strong vibrating energy field she couldn’t quite explain. . .

I keep a small home altar here at Barker’s View HQ – a Butsudan of sorts – a place of good energy adorned with votive candles, a cross and a few items of spiritual importance to me.  In an Abalone shell I keep a few Tonka beans, a gris-gris bag containing High John the Conqueror root, a piece of Palo Santo wood and a wishbone for good luck.

The tiny rubber chicken is a reminder to keep a good sense of humor during difficult times – and never take yourself too seriously – and the baby is from a Mardi Gras King Cake, a symbol of the Christ Child, which is said to bring luck and prosperity to whoever receives it.

Strange?  Probably.  But I like to cover all bases. . .

Admittedly, I’m the King of the Weirdos – but I’ve been granted special powers by the one Grantland Rice called,  “The Great Scorer” – the ability to smell political bullshit from a mile away – and the good instinct to protect the vulnerable from exploitation by a system they can neither understand nor escape.

During my professional life, an old school police chief once told me that I could never leave police work, because those he called “my people” – the ones I truly cared about – the stumble drunks, drug addicts and downtrodden, the crippled and the crazy – the lesser among us – truly needed my help and protection from those who would prey upon them.

I never forgot that.

And, in retirement – when I lost a sense of purpose and came to a very low point in my life – I found through divine enlightenment that I could help alert my neighbors, friends and enemies to the entrenched social, economic, civic and political issues that threaten our quality of life and livelihoods here on Florida’s Fun Coast through these goofy screeds on the news and newsmakers of the day.

Like some demented Paul Revere character with a blogsite. . .

Whether religion or politics, we’ve come to a place in this country where everyone self-identifies – a nation of warring tribes – factions that automatically dismiss the thoughts and ideas of others simply because they don’t hold the same myopic view.

But here in Volusia County – we’re beginning to see a unique unity of thought – the rise of a righteous “Us vs. Them” mentality – born of the idea that the motivations of those We, The People have elected to represent our best interests can no longer be trusted by the majority who pay the bills and look on as political insiders are rewarded – time and again – by those on the dais of power.

The public trust is an incredibly fragile commodity.

I’ve said this before, but central to the idea of our representative democracy is that a small group of politically accountable people will represent the collective interest of thousands of others.  For this system to work, it requires a foundation of trust – a belief that what our elected and appointed officials tell us is true and that their motivations are pure.

When we sense that our system of governance has become biased – and our representatives more interested in promoting their own self-interests or those of their political benefactors – cynicism sets in, an inherent distrust that spreads like wildfire, destroying community cohesion and institutional credibility.

In her book “Political Tribes,” lawyer, academic and writer Amy Chua said, “When groups feel threatened, they retreat into tribalism. When groups feel mistreated and disrespected, they close ranks and become more insular, more defensive, more punitive, more us-versus-them.”

I believe that is true.

So, when you hear our ‘powers that be’ yammering about how angry their disenfranchised constituency has become – totally resistant to the idea that handing even more of our hard-earned tax dollars over to the same dullards while expecting a different result is somehow good public policy – please remember that this utter lack of fundamental trust is their fault, not ours.

Recently, a long-time Volusia County politico was asked publicly about their thoughts on the influence of Barker’s View in driving a larger discussion of the issues – and they responded that this forum doesn’t deserve the dignity of an answer.

Maybe not.

But any smart politician or senior administrator – at least those with the ability to think beyond their own thin-skinned self-interests – knows that blogs and social media posts can be used to gauge public sentiment on the important issues of the day.

But I suppose one has to care about what their constituents think in the first place for that to be effective. . .

Unfortunately, we have reached a bitter place here in Volusia County – a sense that the governmental institutions we once trusted no longer have our best interests at heart.

Sad, but true.

In coming weeks, we will begin to see a concerted effort – on social media and by direct mail – orchestrated by our elected officials and their handlers at the Volusia CEO Business Alliance to sell us on the idea that a self-inflected sales tax increase is the only thing standing between our quality of life and a transportation infrastructure Armageddon.

I hope you will consider the source – and, as Big John likes to say – say a prayer to “all the Gods and Goddesses” for strength and wisdom as we individually and collectively stand firm to our basic belief in governmental fairness and transparency and say “No” to this shameless money grab.

 

 

 

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              Lodging & Hospitality Association of Volusia County

I have a soft spot in my heart for the underdog.

Otherwise, this would have been a completely different piece on the abysmal state of the tourism industry in the Daytona Beach Resort Area as evidenced by months of declining occupancy at area hotels during what should have been our busiest time of the year.

Despite the fact our ‘powers that be’ seem intent on morphing our local economy from travel and tourism to one supported exclusively by warehouse drones and retail sales jobs – the fact remains that many families in the Halifax area depend on a vibrant tourist and convention trade for their survival.

Clearly, Central Florida remains an international beacon for vacationers – in fact, the Orlando Metro welcomes an estimated 43 million visitors annually – generating some $260 million in Tourist Development Taxes each year.

These funds are being reinvested in state-of-the-art amenities, sports complexes, cultural initiatives and world class recreation venues for the benefit of residents and visitors alike – you know, spending on things that actually provide a return on investment by keeping people coming back for more.

Look, I understand we’re not Orlando – but the trend in Volusia County is grim. . .

It should be clear to anyone watching that Volusia County has become the pariah of regional tourism – written off as a wasteland – with millions being invested in Central Florida commuter-transit systems that include Port Canaveral and Brevard County beaches without a mention of adding lines to the Fun Coast anytime in the next millennium.

I don’t know him personally, but I admire Bob Davis, president and CEO of the Lodging & Hospitality Association of Volusia County.

For years, Mr. Davis has been a staunch cheerleader for our area – and he continues to use his vast institutional knowledge of Volusia tourism trends as a bellwether of things to come.

It’s a hard dollar in a crumbling market – but Mr. Davis never gives up.

Unfortunately, I always felt that our “tourism leaders” put a rather Pollyannaish spin on the malignant issues that our ‘powers that be’ simply prefer to ignore.

In my uneducated view, people quickly learn that their scarce disposable income and vacation time spend anywhere – and they don’t have to subject their family to wandering hoards of Boardwalk zombies, down-at-the-heel “attractions” and the abject blight that permeates large areas of our core tourist area.

Add to that the near-constant drumbeat of paid shills – long-term consultants who receive public funds to put a happy face on a horribly disfigured and dying industry – and it is difficult to know what to believe.

After all, the “new” Daytona Beach is taking shape in the pine scrub west of town – and “Boomtown Boulevard” on LPGA is shaping up as a shopping mecca – drawing established retailers from International Speedway Boulevard to homogenized centers near I-95 and the growing sprawl of Latitudes Margaritaville and Mosaic.

But, with the slow death of NASCAR playing out weekly – and special events attendance at all-time lows – will “synergistic” shopping centers and one really nice downtown park be enough to breath life into the Daytona Beach Resort Area?

And where is the collective vision of our elected and appointed officials to revitalize and redevelop our failing beachside – where massive hotels and convention centers are rising from the sand in some weird “build it and they will come” scheme  – even as the once heralded “brand” slowly gives up the ghost?

I fear they don’t have one – because if they do – now is the time for a “Grand Reveal” of their strategic plan to make the Halifax area attractive to visitors.

If not now, when? 

With the dwindling numbers playing out on the front page of The Daytona Beach News-Journal, anecdotal reviews pointing out the obvious – and those dubious on-line lists consistently placing us among the “Worst Place to (insert life activity here)” – when will those who accept public funds to serve in the public interest get off their collective ass and start doing something – anything – to help Mr. Davis and those with a true stake in our future save this incredibly important industry?

Does touting how we’re going to put the arm on tourists for some 35% of the proposed sales tax increase do anything to restore our image?

How about charging out-of-towners $25.00 to participate in our century-old tradition of beach driving and access?

Is erecting more ugly wooden poles, putting parking meters in public lots, as has been suggested by our doddering fool of a County Chair, Ed Kelley, or erecting even more signage on the strand to detract from the natural beauty helping to market our area?

As they demand more from you and I – how long is Volusia County going to shun tourist development tax payments from short-term rental provider Airbnb – even as 40 counties in Florida with the tax now accept automated remittance – yet, our Dullards in DeLand still demand that property owners submit the tax themselves?

Are any of these current tactics helping turn things around?      

Look, Volusia County will never be the “Theme Park Capital of the World” – but we are still recognized as the “World’s Most Famous Beach,” and with a little luck and hard work, we always will be.

Perhaps now is the time for those whose voices and vision matter to change tack and begin the process of reclaiming our once bright spot as a premiere seaside destination before it’s too late.

Angel              The Terribly Confused Citizens of the Halifax Area

The fading number of well-meaning people who support the proposed half-cent sales tax citing the “what else are we going to do?” argument, are finding it increasingly hard to defend the initiative after a series of revelations that continue to erode the public’s faith in their local government.

Frankly, I think we’re all a little confused by the rhetoric and bullshit being spewed by our ‘powers that be.’

At the end of the day, when we consider handing over our hard-earned money to others – be it a personal or public investment – it becomes a matter of trust.

In matters of government, transactional ethics require that those who accept public funds to serve in the public interest speak the truth and conduct the “people’s business” in an open, transparent and inclusive way.

Anything less undermines the legitimacy of our system of governance.

In places like the City of Daytona Beach, where a supreme senior executive maintains almost omnipotent power over the operational and administrative functions of local government – and has for many years – a sense of arrogance and infallibility can take hold.

Absent a lack of strong political oversight, over time, entrenched bureaucrats feel they can act independent of public input – and come to consider the natural give-and-take of a healthy representative democracy to be an impediment to civic progress.

That’s when the insidious practice of secrecy and backroom deals becomes the norm.

When the idea of isonomy becomes skewed, and what passes for “governance” begins to exclusively serve the needs, wants and whims those few who have the financial wherewithal to influence outcomes – the oligarchs – who have a chip in the game by virtue of their ability to pay-to-play.

In an excellent piece by the intrepid Eileen Zaffiro-Kean writing in The Daytona Beach News-Journal this week, “Riverfront effort done quietly,” we learned that the pernicious move to remove deed restrictions and privatize public land on City Island has been an on-going, behind-the-scenes effort since at least March 2017.

Now, bureaucrats will say that the matter went before a publicly scheduled meeting of the Daytona Beach Planning Board – and it certainly did – but how many of us actually read the agenda of every civic advisory board – or follow the daily machinations of senior planners and “economic development” staffers?

In fact, it appears the Daytona Beach City Commission simply relied on individual private briefings by City Manager Jim Chisholm – rather than demand public hearings or open discussions on the highly controversial removal of state restrictions that held the land for public use in perpetuity.

Given the fact we live in Florida – arguably the biggest whorehouse in the world – under former Governor Slick Rick Scott, Daytona Beach was offered the opportunity to, in effect, purchase the public use protections and open the island and adjacent properties for private development for $8.77 million.

Many residents are rightfully pissed off – citizens who can’t yet picture a City Island bristling with half-empty high-rise condominiums where their County Library once stood – or vacant storefronts occupying the historic footprint of Jackie Robinson Ballpark. . .

Unfortunately, at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what you and I think.  If it ever did.

The Big Money is moving now, and those who have a chip in the game are working themselves into an onanistic frenzy – like a troop of frantically masturbating monkeys – over the very thought of developing our riverfront property for private profit.

To salve the community’s loss, our Philanthropic Savior J. Hyatt Brown, is bringing us a really nice consolation prize in the form of a quasi-public park – which will proudly bear his name and stand as yet another monument to the Brown Dynasty – yet cost Volusia County taxpayers $800,000 to $1 million annually. . .

This phenomenon isn’t limited to the City of Daytona Beach – local governments from Ormond Beach to Edgewater are demonstrating in the most extraordinary ways just how dysfunctional things become when private interests win out over the public good.

Smart people are beginning to speculate that as more of these toxic revelations and behind-the-scenes maneuverings come to light, the more We, The People begin to question the true motivations of those who are demanding even more of our hard-earned tax dollars.

The public trust is an incredibly fragile commodity.

Central to the idea of our representative democracy is that a small group of politically accountable people will represent the collective interest of thousands of others.  For this system to work, it requires a foundation of trust – a belief that what our elected and appointed officials tell us is true and that their motivations are pure.

When we sense that our system of governance has become biased – and our representatives more interested in promoting their own self-interests or those of their political benefactors – cynicism sets in, an inherent distrust that spreads like wildfire, destroying community cohesion and institutional credibility.

In my view, the malignant suspicion that permeates every aspect of Volusia County government – and that is quickly taking hold in the City of Daytona Beach and elsewhere – is infinitely more detrimental to our civic viability than any contrived infrastructure emergency or dubious tax grab.

My sincere hope is that those who have taken an oath to serve in the public interest come to the realization that our government exists to serve the needs of everyone – that they take a step back and rediscover the best impulses that brought them to the dais of power in the first place – honor, integrity and selflessness – rather than merely working in the shadows to facilitate the profit motives of greedheads and the insiders who perpetuate this bastardized oligarchy that is ruining our quality of life and crushing public confidence in the process.

Angel               City of Daytona Beach  

I recently read a post on social media by my smart friend Steve Koenig – a veteran civic activist whose tireless work with The Bellaire Community Group, Sons of the Beach and other grassroots organizations continues to enhance the quality of life of all Halifax area residents.

Steve reported that while traveling to a meeting this week, he was forced to swerve his vehicle to avoid a pothole on Halifax Avenue just north of University Boulevard.  Clearly, Steve was concerned about the safety hazard and decided to contact the City of Daytona Beach for assistance.

Not sure who to call – Steve reached out to Frank VanPelt, the Technical Services Project Director for the Daytona Beach Public Works Department – a true gentleman who is widely known as one of the most caring and responsive civil servants in the business.

According to Steve’s very appreciative post:

“By the time I got to the office, I had an email from Frank copying me on an email he had sent to the right people. Just then I got a call from Steve Doherty from Public Works thanking me for reporting this and he was sending a crew out there to check it out and take care of it. He told me they accept calls 24 hours a day just for such situations. He can be reached at 386-671-8815.  Catching our city doing the right thing is a good feeling.”

Despite my frequent gripes about the state of political affairs in Daytona Beach and elsewhere, the fact is, the community is blessed with many incredibly talented public servants across all disciplines and departments, who perform the thankless work of providing quality core services to thousands of residents and visitors.

Kudos to Mr. VanPelt, Steve Doherty and the hardworking public servants in the City of Daytona Beach – and all of our local governments – who are committed to providing responsive, high-quality services to the mosaic of communities that make up Volusia County.

Thank you for a job well done!

Asshole           Volusia County School Board  

Our elected dullards over at the Volusia County School Board are giving Nero a bad name. . .

While our failing district continues its deleterious spiral – with some seventeen schools dropping one or more letter grades last year – and others, like the languishing Palm Terrace Elementary, recording it’s third “D” in a row – the Volusia County School Board busies itself with arbitrarily changing school start times and ignoring the recommendations of long-suffering teachers who are actually delivering the district’s curriculum in the classroom.

In an inexplicably weird reversal – after first seeking public input through a survey on preferred school start times that was answered by some 24,054 teachers, students and community members – ultimately, the School Board voted 3-2 last week to adopt a schedule no one had ever seen before.

Then, the board opted to ignore a request by some 61 percent of district staff who asked that the new start times be postponed.

Rather than listen to our hardworking teachers when they express real concerns over increasing workloads and decreased planning time – and the destabilizing effect of capriciously changing school start times – once again, their pleas fall on deaf ears, dismissed by an arrogant top down decision-making process and asinine internal policies that place Volusia County Schools statistically among the rock bottom of similar sized districts around the state in several important categories.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal’s education reporter Cassidy Alexander, attempted to explain the inexplicable in an outstanding article entitled, “Against teachers’ wishes, Volusia School Board picks new school schedules to start in August”:

“The School Board unanimously approved the schedule, which was not included on the survey it used to gauge the public’s opinion and doesn’t resemble the schedule option that got the majority of the votes. Instead it’s one they came up with at their workshop, after asking the transportation department to be flexible in the amount of time it needed to bus students to and from school.”

 As apparent punishment for their impudence in demanding fundamental changes to a failing curriculum that is turning our precious children into victims of system they cannot escape – Volusia County teachers are now being forced to implement long-requested math and language arts textbooks, navigate new computer systems for student data and human resources processes and complete extra state-mandated in-service training – all on top of the new bell schedule – in just four short months.

Volusia United Educators President Elizabeth Albert said, “I am extremely disappointed that the will of the employees was overlooked.  The most concerning part is there are so many changes heading to VCS employees next year. We have reached the saturation point.”

Who does that to their employees?

Who does that to our children?

In my view, Superintendent Tom Russell and his coterie of star-crossed senior administrators seem utterly tone-deaf to the troubling issues faced by our hard-working teachers and families –  a group devoid of imagination and innovative thought who clearly value mediocrity over the smart work and collaborative strategic vision required to fundamentally change this incredibly flawed system.

Now, it is readily apparent that the majority of our School Board seem intent on punishing teachers – and innocent families who must now juggle their busy lives, jobs and after school activities to fit the new bell schedule – while making a total farce of one of the most critical decisions of the past decade.

Angel              Volusia County Councilwoman Barbara Girtman

I wrote about this disturbing series of events in a post earlier in the week – but it bears repeating.

Frankly, the tone and tenor of the raucous free-for-all that passed for a “public meeting” of the Volusia County Council – a parliamentary nightmare that shocked and embarrassed bewildered constituents – has bothered me since I listened to it.

Like many of you, I am still staggered by the open disrespect shown to District 1 Councilwoman Barbara Girtman – and the crushing political dysfunction that exemplifies everything wrong with our county government.

At this weeks Volusia County Council meeting, the Minority Elected Officials of Volusia County proposed a $5,000 public sponsorship for the upcoming “Dreams Do Come True” celebration recognizing the lifetime achievements of former Councilwoman Joyce Cusack and the groundbreaking of the Spring Hill Resource Center which will bear her name.

The event will be hosted by the MEO, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization comprised of current and former minority government representatives – dedicated to developing resources for disadvantaged communities and ensuring fair treatment of historically underrepresented constituencies (which, at this point, includes every taxpayer in Volusia County).

From the outset, it was clear the seemingly routine request had an uphill battle.

In what will go down as one of the worst moments of Councilwoman Weak Billie Wheeler’s lackluster political career – she immediately went on the attack – politicizing the request by accusing the MEO of fielding a candidate to run against her in the next election and labeling the nonprofit as a “political action committee.”

It was ugly – and wrong.

Not to be upstaged, our doddering fool of a County Chair, Ed Kelley, joined Weak Billie in a tag-team match, besmirching the MEO as a PAC, and claiming that county sponsorship of Ms. Cusack’s much-deserved recognition was akin to a “political endorsement.” 

Bullshit.

Only Councilwoman Heather Post and Councilwoman Barbara Girtman – who serves as co-chair of the MEO – voted to approve the measure.

I found the whole dynamic strange – given the fact that the Volusia County Council annually gives away a small fortune to every pet cause, rubber chicken banquet and not-for-profit with their hand out.

For instance, just last year, you and I were the unwitting benefactors of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Blue and Gold Gala – benefiting the athletic programs of the prestigious private university that is virtually owned and operated by the capo di tutti capi of political benefactors, Mori Hossieni.

Then, we gave $3,000 to sponsor the 2018 Herbert M. Davidson Memorial Award for Community Service – which just happened to go to Lesa France-Kennedy – who is arguably no slouch when it comes to financially underwriting the political careers of hand-select politicians (or receiving a return on that investment. . .)

Maybe it’s me – but I thought it sounded more than a little disingenuous when Old Ed and the Funky Bunch mewed and whined about how cautious they have suddenly become when  stewarding the public’s money.

Since when? 

In a very poignant moment, Councilwoman Girtman showed incredible poise and true leadership when she eloquently called for “inclusiveness,” and thoughtfully explained to her “colleagues” on the dais of power, “I think it’s really important to understand the reason there’s a minority elected officials group is because there needs to be. There needs to be someone who looks out for communities that have a lesser voice — that have always had a lesser voice.”

In a painful reminder of the obvious, Ms. Girtman enlightened her dimwitted fellow elected officials about what her service to Volusia County truly represents.

“We’re a diverse county that should be evolving in a very different way, and the issues that you bring to the table are not the issues that are the affecting a total community.”

 Then, as Chairman Kelley lectured Ms. Girtman about his everlasting love for Ms. Cusack – the intrepid Councilwoman stopped the doddering dipshit in his patronizing tracks – explaining that, “It goes beyond that individual.  That’s the part that none of you are connecting to.”

Rather than listen to the erudite advice of someone who understands the depths of the social, civic and economic issues that plague Volusia County – Old Ed interrupted Ms. Girtman, insolently gaveling her down – before essentially clarifying in his own haughty way that he was talking at the Councilwoman, not to her.

Although I don’t always agree with her politically, in my view, Barbara Girtman represents the fundamental change and fresh eyes Volusia County desperately needs.

In her short tenure, Ms. Girtman has been thoughtful, engaged and incredibly well-informed on the myriad issues we face here on the Fun Coast, and she routinely runs mental laps around Ed Kelley – something I take an almost perverse pleasure in watching. . .

Thank you, Ms. Girtman, for reminding your listless “colleagues” – and the rest of us – of the importance of inclusion and leveraging the power of our diversity to improving the quality of life for all Volusia County residents.

Quote of the Week

“City leaders can’t defuse suspicions — much less generate public excitement and buy-in — by opting to do the bare minimum required to comply with open-government law. In an undertaking that (City Manager) Chisholm rightly described as “transformative,” they should be engaging the public at every opportunity, and making their case in an open, collaborative (and yes, sometimes raucous) discussion of City Island’s future.”

–The Daytona Beach News-Journal, Our View column, “Daytona’s City Island deal sparked suspicion,” Thursday, April 4, 2019

In my view, when the Volusia CEO Business Alliance – our ‘Rich & Powerful’ political insiders who stand to benefit most – gather to perform an autopsy to determine the manner and cause of death of their half-cent sales tax increase, they need look no further than this editorial, and the hundreds of anecdotal experiences and perceptions of area residents who have learned the hard way that the motivations of their elected representatives can no longer be trusted.

In short, they have no one to blame but themselves. . .

Not once during the ham-handed and incredibly convoluted process of “re-educating” the public on why self-inflicting a sales tax increase is a “good thing” have our ‘powers that be’ even suggested a governmental austerity program – a reduction of the shit-through-a-goose spending strategy that has seen millions in public funds funneled to the for-profit projects of political insiders.

Instead, we are told horror stories about what our very quality of life will look like if we vote down the measure – even as local governments continue to demand more, fritter away some $50 million over time on a really nice downtown park and press to allow speculative developers to run wild on our beautiful City Island.

In Ormond Beach, residents have watched as elected officials ignore their own planning board and staff recommendations – then prostrate themselves before their almighty benefactors in the real estate development industry – destroying our lifestyle and even more of our natural places in the process.

Trust me.  There is some shit we won’t eat.

And it is becoming increasingly obvious to anyone paying attention that this ill-fated money grab will be dead-on-arrival – the victim of public distrust in this terribly flawed oligarchical system that no longer bears any resemblance to a representative democracy.

And Another Thing!

The Helping Hands Thru Arts in partnership with the City of Holly Hill presents the first ever Holly Hill Art Festival!

The festival will be held on the spacious front lawn of historic Holly Hill City Hall, 1065 Ridgewood Avenue, and will feature over 70 juried works of fine art and innovative crafts.

The show will run Saturday, April 6 from 9:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

A portion of the proceeds from the inaugural festival will help support arts and music programs at Holly Hill School.

Helping Hands Thru Arts works with local communities and organizations to support fundraising through the arts to benefit local needs.

I hope you will join me for a wonderful weekend of art and culture – and experience the unique vibe and civic pride of this very special small community.

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