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2008-2010 Summaries of City Council Meetings by John Likakis Sunrail 2014:How we'll pay:BOHICA 2010 SunRail Last Stop: Boondoggle Commuter Rail: From the Other Side of the Tracks Commuter Rail: Manna from Heaven, Sweetness, Light, and other Propaganda POP Editorials Archives 2008-2009 |
****************************************************************************** Ineptocracy 5/19: And Justice for ALL? Yes! 5/16: FLASHBACK: Mort's arrest...then and now... TO READ CLICK HERE: CITIZENS' EDITORIALS 5/14: There are no special interests... Years and years ago Warren Graham asked a question: How will GCA pay for the upkeep on that building? We now have an answer: YOU WILL: Arts organizations big and small in Volusia County are once again vying for county grant money to help pay their basic operating costs. This year, 32 nonprofit organizations from all over Volusia are asking for more than $675,000 in funding -- up from the 29 who received about $601,000 last year. Those grants range from small, $2,500 requests from groups like the roaming Volusia Community Symphony to the $85,000 applications submitted by the much larger Museum of Arts & Sciences in Daytona Beach and Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach. "The money goes back to serve the community in some way," said Sandra Wilson, director of the Gateway Center for the Arts in DeBary, which is asking for about $13,700. "It also helps us maintain the heat, keep the lights on, hire quality teachers for the summer program. It helps us produce better programs." Read the rest of the article by clicking below: TAXPAYERS TO FUND SPECIAL INTERESTS What's happening in the parks? Holding up a mirror to CM Carson
SCOOPING ALL NEWSPAPERS...AGAIN.... 5/12: DISMISSED... Will Mark Harper do a follow up article about Mort Culligan being totally and completely exonerated?
TITANIC TRESPASS case breaks up and sinks as predicted On April 27th 2012 a Volusia County Judge aquitted a falsely accused and falsely arrested Debary citizen of charges of trespass in a PUBLIC Park at a PUBLIC meeting in a PUBLIC building. This alleged trespass occurred at the Gateway Center for the ARTS 880 Hwy 17-92 in Debary a building that also functions as a social clubhouse for retired idlers and wealthy people, plus a private money generating business for those that control it , all in the name of Arts and Culture. The charges were as a result of false accusations during staged 911 calls by members of the political Gateway Center for the ARTS. Ref Police event P113492156. These dishonest 'ambush predators' from Gateway Inc. called in 4 false accusations at this Dec 15th 2011 publically advertised meeting. These Gateway INC. political people abused the 911 system by accusing Debary citizen Morton Culligan of trespass, being intoxicated, not supposed to be there and having an active restraining order filed by Mrs. Sandra Wilson - founder of this non- profit fundraising business. There was no such restraining order or a need for one but there is a pattern of VCSO manipulation by political informant Sandra Wilson and political informant Robert Rinaldo against this citizen in the VCSO records. Ref VCSO Incident Reports 110016720 & 110016094 . These and other GCA Inc. informants have continued to manipulate the Volusia County Sheriff’s Department District 6 with their unchecked lies, exaggerations and false information. This same citizen Morton Culligan had previously spoken out against the grant requests and change of contract attempts by this political greedy GCA corporation in front of the Debary City Council. The attempts by this organization to manipulate a $600,000 grant from the taxpayers of Debary and have the city clean their bathrooms is an example of the arrogance of the wealthy politicians in charge at Gateway. They had already taken the City for $100,000 plus millions from other levels of government through their political connections and lobbying efforts. Attempts to ban this citizen from a public facility by these dishonest political informants violate the contract with Volusia County ECHO. There was never an open warrant upon this citizen despite the lies called in by Gateway personnel on Dec 21st 2011 ref P1135511212 and there was never any legitimate trespass and never any restraining order despite Pamela Kasper's lies or misinformation she was led to believe by other dishonest people at Gateway. Gateway personal involved have never apologized for the lies they told because of they do not appear to be the type that are even honest with themselves. Several questions remain unanswered concerning this case: Why didn't Deputy Gregg Yakel badge #1584 of the VCSO 6th District not submit an INCIDENT REPORT concerning this alleged trespass INCIDENT on Dec15th 2011? Was he advised not to submit a report or was it just laziness or incompetance? Why did officers from the VCSO 6th district personnel characterize this as a FORMAL trespass when there was never even an incident report submitted? This Deputy nor the VCSO have never apologized for their mistakes because they would have to admit to them. Honesty and trustworthiness are actually mentioned in the VCSO mission statement on the internet so are words like responsibility and fairness. Why didn't the VCSO investigate these five (5) provably false allegations by the GCA people and abuse of the 911 system? Was it because the politicians at GCA were wealthy people associated with crusty Volusia County Council member Pat Northey and other high powered local politicians or was it because they did not want to look bad? Why did the State's Attorney's office attempt to get this citizen to plead out on these charges twice and then list 3 VCSO FAMILY Deputies as witnesses that had nothing to do with the case. Each of these Deputy witnesses and one Investigator had the last name of YACKEL. Yes.... Nicholas,Craig and Brad Yakel were listed , all are related to GREGG Yakel #1584. None of this YAKEL FAMILY had anything to do with this case except Gregg 1584. Why didn't the States attorney's office call Deputy Geano ,Persio badge # 1459 when he was central to this case and at the scene of this fiasco in the park? Were they afraid he would tell the truth and damage their phony case? The State's Attorneys listed three of the Yakel family of deputies that were NOT involved, yet do not call a deputy that was the first one on scene. It appears that the States Attorney's office was trying to intimidate the defendant through the YAKEL family law enforcement boys and get him to plead out. The Yakel gang bluff did not work as the case went all the way to acquittal after the evidence was heard. Gregg Yakel 1584 has to live with how honest he was on the witness stand; he knows exactly how dishonest or honest his statements were and so do I. Who actually owns this 'money oriented' aggressive fundraising corporation Gateway Center for the ARTS? Why did the Daytona News Journal give this corporation $50,000 after it had received millions from the ECHO system? What was Pat Northey's role in getting money from the Volusia County ECHO system for both? These are some questions that Gateway's people do not like. Not being liked by those kind of people might land you in jail if you attend one of their private 'Public Functions'. This organization is so political it had a sitting Debary city council member Chris Carson grovel for and collect $3.00 parking donations at one of their fundraising events. This political business provided the launch pad for a recent Volusia County District 5 candidate and has held other political events that have nothing to do with Arts. The crusty old politician Pat Northey resigned as a member of the board at Gateway Inc. after this same citizen Morton Culligan of Debary asked her at an April 20th 2011 Debary City Council meeting about her obvious conflict of interests in manipulating dollars for this arts/political organization. This organization continues to hound the community for money through the Vousia county grants system, through retail sales, commercial space rentals and the staging of fundraisers sometimes associated with arts and culture. Recently this fundraising organization had both a county and city park in Debary tied up with their moneymaking functions on the same day March 15th 2012. The suggested donation for parking in a county Gemini Springs Park was $3.00....with Debary City Councilman Chris Carson and VCSO Deputy Hernandez at the collections booth in the park. Attempting to get citizens to pay for public parking is another example of how manipulative, exploitive and disrespectful this organization is to the public they claim to serve. How much money was made in space rentals in this county' public park' on March 15th by the GCA is unknown; Gemini is supposed to be a quiet park, not a fundraising circus full of business vendors paying rent and soliciting the public. Gateway Center for the ARTS is another example of the taxpayers paying for a building that is used to generate money for a private business. The NON PROFIT charade serves as a tax loophole for a business and is about money and politics besides arts and culture, we do not know how much money this business actually makes or where the money goes, probably never will. At least 4 other non taxpaying parasitic businesses are associated with this so called Arts Center , plus it has its own active Christian Church in this public park. This church actively advertises for business in a public park , it solicits money , it is a business .....' thou shalt not bear false witness'.. business is business whether or not it hides behind a non profit banner or a crusifix....Amen, brothers and sisters. Debary citizens that might oppose this arts/ culture/political/religious organization's politics and manipulations could be accused of almost anything and are not allowed at their public building. It is fair to say that all citizens should be aware of the consequences of telling the truth or asking too many questions about this questionable organization and its non-stop fundraising and manipulations of the City of Debary and government in general. The ART of manipulating people and money plus a CULTURE of entitlement to grants and special privileges, there is your ARTS and CULTURE. This business has captured 4.5 acres of land in a public park at 880 Hwy 17-92 Debary, Fl. and has manipulated a free $3.5 million dollar building paid for by the taxpayers . Citizens have the right to speak out about how so-called NON PROFIT organizations manipulate government and exploit the taxpayers through their questionable causes without fear of retaliation from 'ambush predator' GCA Inc. politicians as they manipulate the Volusia County Sheriff's Department and the 911 system. M. Culligan Debary , Fl
5/8: Lenny Marks on the Splash Pad: From 3/5/12: When I was sitting on the council, I had a conversation with the City Manager on the subject of a Splash Pad Park for DeBary. I was in favor of a Splash Pad Park but the cost figures were nowhere even close to what was passed at the Special Council Meeting. We never discussed a location and I certainly would never agree to locating it on a prime piece of real estate property that could be sold and developed and bring in tax revenue. I’m still not against the Splash Pad Park project but not at the cost or location that was voted on at the meeting. The rest of Lenny's comments are found in POP Editorials from 3/5/12:
4/29: CITY COUNCIL MEETING THIS WEDNESDAY AT 7PM PEOPLE OF DEBARY THERE ARE FOUR HANDS IN YOUR POCKETS! WAKE UP Splash Park - YES Location - NO Cost - $400,000+ Citizens Aware - NO Here we go again. Four members of the City Council go right ahead to get what they want regardless of cost or dangerous location. It's even worse when there are at least 3 places in DeBary where a Splash Pond can be built - with all the "goodies". Did this Council look into these areas and present the pros and cons of this project? NO. Do they care? NO. Let's play first. Do they care? Let the $12 million debt sit. These are the kinds of shenanigans you’re going to get from this Council. And don't expect a lot of advance notification beyond City Hall and the Beacon. WAKE UP If the people of DeBary don't care how dangerous this location can be or don't care having cars parked all over the place, an ambulance ready, then we can let it all go to hell in a hand basket. If you do care - speak to your neighbors, show up at the next meeting on May 2 nd at 7PM and remind them who they are supposed to be working for and whose money they are spending. Just because these sorts of happenings are not affecting your home or area, you pay for it one way or another. We all need to be alert to what this Council is doing. Incidentally, how did this “Park” leap frog over other Capital projects that had been ranked 1,2,3 etc? Answer: because this Splash Pad did not go through the normal vetting process of going through the budgeting process. It’s not in the budget and it is a 400,000 dollar project. COUNT YOUR DOLLARS – BEFORE THEY’RE GONE POP John Likakis ************************** Here are some more reasons to keep an eye and ear on the DeBary City Council: WHAT'S THE RUSH? What's the rush? Afraid the other Council people will melt away worrying about what they agreed to "Splash"? What's the rush? The "Leader" will discover at least 3 Parks with all Goodies ready to "Splash"? What's the rush? Why not put up a Ferris Wheel. It's play time. Isn't it. WHY NOT? The City is sitting on a $12 Million Debt while the Council spends like there's no tomorrow. Even our Mayor said, “We are looking for things we want as opposed to what we need". Can this be blamed on youth or inexperience on what a City Council is supposed to do for the Citizens? If the current approach is where we're going, then get ready for the most ridiculous "Yea" votes ever heard. You should be ashamed of yourselves. To let one individual con you into a good idea being put into the worst possible place What's the hurry? I cannot believe the other 3 fell for this. A car park in the bank lot? Even if they said OK to a part of it, whose going to play trick or treat crossing 17/92? Haven't enough people and in particular children been hit? Put it off to the next agenda and look at where it should be done and why. Review it at the next Council meeting. Let the people know what's on the Agenda. What are you hiding? The Charter lists "Citizens" first and the Charter and the citizens are the only things I paid attention to in 15 years...and reading documents available before meetings was routine. If you don't want to put in the time, don't bother. John Likakis POP
I am looking for some guidance, I would like to know how the citizens of the city can change the add, or delete part of the agenda. I do not like the idea of the council being able to add a subject to the agenda,or delete it until another time. I think that someone on the council is going to slip in a very serious issue at this point,just to avoid the people in the city because they might be afraid of what the people will say. I do not believe anybody on the council should be able to add or delete an item at a single meeting. people come to a meeting because of what is posted on the agenda,or not. They may want to VOICE thier god given right to thier opinion. I would hope the council remembers WE put them there to listen to OUR opinions and give direction to the city manager to put the peoples ideas into motion, not theirs. You see, you might be able to vote against the Mayor speaking, but the people should always be heard not just when they want to here us. Angie Dobies The Comeback Kid: John Likakis says, "Wake Up!" 4/25: Bob and Mort talking about those Special Interests that don't exist..Quack! Quack!
AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION By the Four Townes Charter Chapter . To be held at MainStreet Community Bank FOR EVERY 10 BOXES/BAGS YOU GET ONE FREE
4/21: Chris Carson's Meltdown: Mort Reports: & WHAT'S THE RUSH? What's the rush? Afraid the other Council people will melt away worrying about what they agreed to "Splash"? What's the rush? The "Leader" will discover at least 3 Parks with all Goodies ready to "Splash"? What's the rush? Why not put up a Ferris Wheel. It's play time. Isn't it. WHY NOT? The City is sitting on a $12 Million Debt while the Council spends like there's no tomorrow. Even our Mayor said, “We are looking for things we want as opposed to what we need". Can this be blamed on youth or inexperience on what a City Council is supposed to do for the Citizens? If the current approach is where we're going, then get ready for the most ridiculous "Yea" votes ever heard. You should be ashamed of yourselves. To let one individual con you into a good idea being put into the worst possible place What's the hurry? I cannot believe the other 3 fell for this. A park in the bank lot? Even if they said OK to a part of it, whose going to play trick or treat crossing 17/92? Haven't enough people been hit? Put it off to the next agenda and look at where it should be done and why. Review it at the next Council meeting. Let the people know what's on the Agenda. What are you hiding? The Charter lists "Citizens" first and the Charter and the citizens are the only things I paid attention to in 15 years...and read documents available before meetings. If you don't want to put in the time, don't bother. John Likakis
Lenny is busy: CLICK HERE FOR POP EDITORIALS Mort is busy: CITIZENS' EDITORIALS 4/15: Local governments are the great incubators of democracy. Because of home rule, local governments can innovate and come up with that next great big idea. Here in Volusia County, our charter contains a number of innovative provisions. These go beyond nonpartisan council members; seven members with a mix of district and at-large representatives, an elected chair and term limits. On a substantive level, Volusia has a number of unique provisions including minimum standards for environmental protection, a uniform set of rules for the beach, consistency requirements for comprehensive plans, and a requirement that all growth plans be coordinated with the need for schools. The school planning amendment explains the great value of charter provisions. Last year, the Legislature eliminated school concurrency as a matter of state law, but because of our charter provision, we are still required to coordinate growth and school plans. How has this been working for Volusia County? Read the whole opinion piece by clicking below: HOME RULE
4/9: First train accident before it's even open: DELAND BEACON ARTICLE
Will Sunrail be TriMet in Portland? 4/8: Mort and Bob in: CITIZENS' EDITORIALS
3/23: Let's play TWO Council Causes Caustic Comments... A citizen asks: Can we "dummy-proof" the Council? Bob Waldorf apologizes...
3/22: SO County Council makes a circus out of EHCO again. Giving the City of DeLand $1.4 million for part of a football stadium designed to help a private university boost tuition fees. It seemed like maybe there were some ECHO members finally looking after taxpayers but no - the council can't have that. DeLand says Stetson will only be there 6 games? Then why do $2.2. million in improvements to the stadium just for Stetson? And why does Steston receive 75% of naming rights now to the stadium? They aren't putting in one penny to the project. Doesn't anybody care that taxpayers are funding all this stuff? Seems not. Something isn't right. Art W. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
I've read the ordinances in question and it will be very interesting to hear what the Council members have to say about them...or what they don't say. It pertains to the consumption of alcohol, the City Code of Ordinances and the LDC - Norm Erickson $@--CHECK OUT THE AGENDA BY CLICKING HERE: AGENDA Tonight the Council wrestles with an interpretation of ordinances: “I’m not qualified to interpret, nor am I even asked to interpret, ordinances. And I don’t think our citizens are either.” Council member Dan Hunt City Workshop 2/15/12 1:46:46
THERE'S A CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP THIS WEDNESDAY AT 6PM CHECK OUT THE AGENDA BY CLICKING HERE: AGENDA & NOW YOU DON'T SEE IT NOW YOU DO - CLICK HERE & LINK TO BEACON ARTICLE ON THE SPLASH PAD MEETING FROM 3/7 & 3/18: I am very disappointed that CM Hunt has been quoted in the newspaper as saying, he is around kids and families and they support the splash pad. I guess that is his justification for voting in its favor. I believe it is a good idea but did his supporters want it on 17-92? Were they given the options that the city had? Were they told of the budget constraints and that the council was putting the splash pad ahead of any item that might be good for the entire city. Were his supporters told all that? I doubt it. It is easy to make uninformed statements when you don't have full knowledge. Personally I think it is a great idea but I think it would be much better fit at River City Park. That park is huge and really has nothing to draw people out there. Plenty of picnic area, plenty of parking and plenty of room for a splash pad. Why in the world does the council, believe this needs to be built on prime real estate on a busy highway? Why? Good example of no common sense or logic. In making that statement I want to point out about our new business coming to Debary, a gun shop. I am all for new business but I am not a gun fan. However in a free county we must tolerate what we may not like. I want to express my spin on the gun store because so many spin their opinions on other issues. We will not have the Debary Downs because gambling will decay society, or so a poster says. But a gun store will do what for society and our city? If we need guns in Debary then we must have a bad eliminate already here, without the Debary Downs. If we don't have a bad eliminate here then maybe a gun store will bring them. I am surprised that a business owner would pick Debary for his gun store. There must be a need. I believe that with all the private gambling bars, tattoo parlor, and now a gun store, the only thing missing is a pawn shop and maybe we can get one of them soon. Then we can absolutely be sure that no one will want to invest money in Debary to create a Debary Downs type area or entertainment facility. They would not want their patrons with their expenses horses and fancy cars to be in an area like the one I just described. The city has now nixed two opportunities for new money in our city, The Debary Down and the RacTrac convenience store. Both would have brought big bucks in tax revenue to our city. Instead they settle for a gun store. What a tax generator that will be. So be careful council when it comes budget time. I would not be in favor of any type of City of Debary tax increase because you have blown two good opportunities to save the tax payers money. Living in the image.Bob the sky is falling Waldorf
3/16: May I ask the same question: Does CM Carson have too many irons in the fire? Mort and Norm in:
Tuesday the 13th: Citizens are not happy LINK TO BEACON ARTICLE ON THE SPLASH PAD MEETING FROM 3/7 If a progressive city looks at all the options like CM Carson said at the last meeting, and CM Carson didn't want to look at other locations for the Splash Pad as the citizens and Mayor suggested...well...do you see where this is going? I asked CM Carson what he meant by "progressive" and he couldn't explain it. It's a word like "quality of life" that is full of emotion and empty of any real meaning. It means this on this day and that on that day. There was only one option: right on a state highway...it's not progressive...it's not very safe, either. Apparently, CM Carson has never heard of California: 3/8: Splish Splash Pad Slips Through
From the DBNJ: "If we were in a better economy, I would say great," Garcia said. "But we're not in it. ... For me to vote for a single penny on this makes me the worst steward of taxpayer dollars." He voted against the Alexandra Woods project on Feb. 29, and in the future, "I will vote against both projects," Garcia said. He said the council jumped into plans without thinking them through. From Norm: Mort and Lenny ask a question that is very relevant now: WHO CALLED THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR 2/29 TO RUSH THIS THROUGH? City Council Meeting March 7th to reconsider Splash Pad 3/5: Lenny Marks makes a SPASH! CLICK HERE FOR POP EDITORIALS
3/4: Volunteering: It's About Quality of Life- and it's less than $440,000 Volunteers needed for the first ever Half Marathon and 5k foot race in Location is the Swamp House Grill on the The race website can be found at www.SwampHouseHalfMarathon.com Volunteer forms can be found at http://swamphousehalfmarathon.com/race/volunteer.pdf Here’s a video of the half marathon course http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rqZjVsw9o8&feature=youtu.be 3/3: Waldorf on the Splash Pad:CITIZENS' EDITORIALS A JEDI RETURNS It had been years since I sat with Lenny and John at a Council meeting as we did on 2/29/12. Attending a meeting to speak our thougths to the Council on a City issue as we have since 2004. At age 83, John Likakis puts to shame most citizens by his constant involvement concerning city issues - ALL city issues. Every issue is a quality of life issue to John. His walk was a little slower, his voice was a little weaker, but he delivered his speech well and proved that the last thing to grow old is the heart. Desire. Will. Below is John's speech with an additional comment that follows. John's dedication to the City may never earn him a key to the City, after all, it's not like he walks around in sleeveless flannels and talks in a Southern drawl, but he is a role model of what a concerned and thoughtful citizen can accomplish. Norm Erickson 3/2: FASTER THAN A NASCAR OR A SPECIAL AGENDA
DBNJ corrects the record. Is this the misinformation that CM Carson is always talking about? It wasn't on POP: DeBary decides to move ahead on 2 new parks By MARK HARPER, Staff writer DEBARY -- Despite some concerns raised by residents, the City Council is moving forward with plans to build two new parks, including a splash-pad water park, for $576,419. Editor's note: The cost for two new parks in DeBary is $576,419 and not as initially reported. Also, the cost for a park on Alexandra Woods Drive is $45,000. Click here for the rest of the story: DBNJ STORY
CLICK HERE: WORK BEGINS ON SUNRAIL - BEACON ARTICLE 2/29: Leap day: Two items "leap" in front of all other projects in the City: At the workshop and meeting tonight, the Council approved 124 thousand dollars. 48 thousand for design plans for the splash pad at the old City Hall site and 76 thousand for park equipment at Alexandra Woods. Public participation, while not totally against the agenda items, did stress that the process for discussion seemed to be rushed. There was a major concern about safety on 17/92 and children. The process of really exploring the costs with liability and maintaining the splash pad. General safety concerns were repeated. Parking was a concern. Also, children crossing the street from the West side was a concern. The devil is in the details. The Council voted on the Splash Pad and passed it and THEN heard public participation. There seems to be an impossibility for the Council and Mr. Garcia specifically to run a meeting. There were only two items on the agenda. As Vice Mayor I ran a number of meetings usually with no prep time at all. When Mr. Garcia's public hearing occurred, he dumped the meeting in my lap with no notice; I ran the meeting well despite the Mayor's yelling, ranting and temper tantrums. *Note to Norm: do an editorial on CM Handy-Peters' desire for the Mayor to now be the arbiter of professional decorum. There was a decent turn out given the quickness of the meeting. As it was stated by a citizens: "This is not open government at its best." I agree 110%. Right? Right? And that being said...motion to adjourn. What I read to the Council by Norm Erickson:
2/27: Mort and Norm in: CITIZENS' EDITORIALS Special City Council Meeting for Splash Pad at old City Hall site and Park at Alexandra Woods Council Meeting on 2/29 @ 5:30 There will be a Workshop and Special Meeting this Wednesday the 29th at 5:30 and the Special City Council meeting immediately follows the workshop. Both the workshop and meeting are to discuss and then pass items dealing with Spalsh Pad at the old City Hall site. Also, a park at Alexandra Woods. For the park at Alexandra Woods the cost is $76, 418. For the Spalsh Pad the cost for the design and bidding is $48, 645. The total cost of the Spalsh Pad is somewhere between $300,000 and $450,000 dollars. There is to be a regularly scheduled meeting on March 7th.
2/22: Mort talks about the City Workshop of 2/15 - I'll be talking about it as well...there were some very troubling statements made at that workshop...thank you, Mort. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% THE PAST IS PROLOGUE The article below is from 2003 but reads like yesterday’s newspapers as it relates to what Mort Culligan went through at the GCA and the pressure and power they have. It’s a scary article to read and my comments are throughout in blue. I wonder what Mr. Laffety would think about his own article 8 years later. Norm EricksonReality Breaks Through In Arts Center MeetingOctober 22, 2003 |By Mike Lafferty, Sentinel Columnist Let's commence our tour through the sausage factory that was Volusia County politics last week . . . To the casual observer, Thursday's County Council meeting was decorous enough, with refined supporters of the Lively Arts Center making an articulate and impassioned pitch for millions in ECHO money. ECHO stands for environmental, cultural, historic and outdoor. Something else, however, was taking place outside public view. A one-sentence note passed up from the audience was making its way toward council member Pat Northey. It read something like this, according to the man who wrote it and others: "Pat -- Georgia said, `Pat, keep your promise.' " The "Georgia" in the note was Georgia Kaney, a member of the Lively Arts Center's board of directors and publisher and general manager of the Daytona Beach News-Journal. The author was her husband, Jon Kaney, who is the arts center's secretary-treasurer and an attorney whose clients include the News-Journal. It was the crowning moment of an extraordinary lobbying effort by the Lively Arts Center's backers to get $2.9 million in ECHO tax money they felt was their due. (This feeling is still alive and well) Arts center backers say it was an effort to educate and inform. (Yes, educate and reform because as Sandra Wilson just said two weeks ago in the newspaper: you just don’t understand. You need to be educated. You need to get your mind right…and I mean…right. It's the same line.) If there was any question about whether educating was just a euphemism for bullying, Kaney's note and his actions after the meeting put to rest any doubt. (I rest my case.) The note went to County Manager Cindy Coto, who recognized how explosive its contents could be. She gave it to County Attorney Dan Eckert, who read it and got up from his seat at the dais to see Kaney. Eckert said he was worried the note would cause "unnecessary controversy," (read this as: necessary controversy) and told Kaney as much. Kaney said Eckert told him that Northey would "blow her stack and kill the whole deal," (so believing in what you’re voting for is irrelevant) so Kaney took it back. Kaney does not apologize for the note. He said that in a private meeting with Georgia Kaney in September, Northey had committed her support for $2.9 million for the arts center, as had the other six council members who met privately with arts center backers at the News-Journal's executive offices. Of course, if that were true, it means last week's public meeting was a sham, a bit of elaborate theater designed to trick the public into thinking they were watching actual deliberations. (DeBary City Council meetings from 2004 to Jan. 2008) Kaney said arts center backers had gotten word last week that Northey planned to support $2.4 million for the arts center rather than the full $2.9 million, reasoning that was all it could receive under the new rules for ECHO grants. "Georgia said, `She [Northey] looked me straight in the eye and promised the $2.9 [million],' " Kaney said. Kaney said his wife was recovering from surgery and asked him to remind Northey of her promise, "So I carried that message like a loyal husband. I take a promise very seriously, and so does Georgia," Kaney said. "We're very interested in seeing the county do what it ought to do." Northey said there was no such promise, though she did commit to support the project at the $2.4 million level. "There was miscommunication on this issue all around," Northey said. After the meeting, in an e-mail to another member of the Lively Arts Center board, Northey wrote of the note, "Its [sic] probably a good thing I did not see it before, because you all would have been looking for your money somewhere else." If Kaney was annoyed with Northey, he was furious with Joe Jaynes, the only council member to vote against the $2.4 million "exceptional grant" for the arts center. He said Jaynes had told Georgia Kaney and others that not only would he support the full amount but he also would lead the charge. After the 6-1 vote, the council took a break. Kaney made a beeline for Jaynes, took him by the arm and guided him behind the dais. There, Kaney told Jaynes he was a "dead man walking." No one thinks Kaney meant it as a physical threat, but the implication of a political execution was clear. (Or Mr. Jaynes might have been arrested) Kaney said he was disgusted with Jaynes' "whining and crying and `woe is me' " before casting the dissenting vote, and said his comments were a message to Jaynes that the betrayal had created an enemy. (Uh-oh. Don’t question. Don’t dissent. Get back in line with the herd) "I said, `I have come to the conclusion that you are not qualified to sit in that chair,' " Kaney said. "I said, `That's it with me and you, buddy.' " For his part, Jaynes said he thinks Kaney's actions and words represent the sentiments of others who back the Lively Arts Center, who he said respect neither the position he holds nor dissenting opinions. ( I rest my case. No dissenting opinions. I bey Mr. Jaynes doesn’t understand either the miracle of the arts.) He also rejected the notion that he had made a commitment to do anything other than support the Lively Arts Center. "I do not promise my votes away prior to going into a meeting," Jaynes said. "I don't make backroom deals." Kaney's public tongue-lashing of a council member who so clearly was conflicted over what to do has sickened some of those who saw it or heard about it. "That was the most unprofessional thing I've ever witnessed," said council member Bill Long, who saw the ashen-faced and shaken Jaynes a few moments after his encounter with Kaney. "There was just no point in it." (Oh there was a point to it. Believe me.) Oh, but there was. ( I rest my case.) It sends a message that the small clique of people who run things in Volusia County will not be defied, especially when it comes to the $27 million Lively Arts Center in which they have invested so much time and political capital. (Gosh, was this really written way, way back in 2003? I’ve come to the same conclusion: This County is run by a cadre of 25-35 people few of whom are elected officials. I’ve been told by people they think my number is high. A small clique of people. Lawyers. Developers. Artists? People with power.) This concludes our tour of the Volusia County sausage factory. Anyone feeling a little ill? (Thanks, Mike. The illness continues. But so does the expenditures of taxpayer money for other people's personal agendas.)
& SUNRAIL DELAYED IN LAKE MARY: 2/20: Lenny Marks on DeBary's CRA: & Mort writes about the GCA and DBNJ connection$: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 2/15: FURTHER REFLECTION ON MORT'S SITUATION BY NORM ERICKSON:
CLICK HERE: COULD THIS HAPPEN IN DEBARY WHEN WE START OUR CRA? CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THE COUNCIL AND DOGS CLICK HERE TO READ BOB'S LATEST IN NATIONAL ISSUES FLASHBACK: 1/11/12: MORT'S STORY IN HIS OWN WORDS: CITIZENS' EDITORIALS 2/12: Arts Center's most vocal critic was arrested at the Art Center for tresspassing without first being given a trespass warrant to sign. To sum up the article: if you're too factual and loud, you may be arrested in DeBary. They talk about Mort being the agressor when HE was the one arrested. HE was the one with two police reports on file, they were investigated and found to be baseless. Mort was the one who was threatened and had a hand put on HIS shoulder. But it's MORT who is the problem. I was publically threatened by Mayor Garcia - it's on the record in full view - no one cared. No one still does today. And that threat was in response to my quiet comment about holding the Mayor accountable and asking questions. Jack Wilson intimated that the Council was racist for taking the Mayor's office away. No one cared then. No one does today. Today Mr. Wilson sits on the Code Enforcement Board. The Arts Center does so much good, no one is allowed to question or disagree with it. I should say the same thing about DeBaryPOP and all the good information we bring to the thousands of readers a month and tens of thousands of readers a year at NO cost to the taxpayers...right? right? right? And that being said...motion to adjourn... Norm Erickson 2/11: THE LINEUP AT NO COST TO YOU... IS THIS DEBARY? & UPDATED: CLICK HERE: $UNRAIL 2014: HOW WE'LL PAY: BOHICA & Did you know that from 2012 to 2016 more than 1.2 million dollars have been approved to improve five parks: Gateway Park, Power Park, Rob Sullivan Park, Keller Park and River City Nature Park? This year we're spending 160,000 dollars for lights at Rob Sullivan Park. CM Carson is in favor of spending all of this money and that's his position; but when it came to spending only 8,000 dollars for an audit to find out the City's deficiencies, he decried it and thought it was wasteful spending for the Council to be informed as to the City's financial position. Norm Erickson 2/8: Will the Council tiptoe around this issue?To whom it may concern at the City of Debary
Thanks to whomever got rid of some of those signs at the Gateway Political/Arts Fundraising Center at 880 hwy 17-92. At least the ones on the fence are gone. Now I get a better view of the GCA building taxpayers were forced to pay for . A building paid for with taxpayers money so a Non Taxpaying private corporation could use it the generate MONEY...aka Fundraising from a Public Park I notice Gateway Center for the ARTS Monument sign has a Farmers Market sign bolted to it. Do they have a permit for this? Often there is a sign for The Heart of Christ Church draped across this very same monument sign. Why is this a multi purpose sign, can all monument signs be used like this? Are all businesses allowed to do this, or is it just the Gateway Political/arts/rental/sales/flea market Center?
Also Gateway's Farmers Market advertises on the City of Debary's website. Does this mean other business can do this as well? OR is it just for the Gateway Political Center? Can I start notifying other business in Debary that there is free advertising on its website? We want to be fair...lemme know. Gateway Arts Center is a money making corporation stuffed with lawyers and politicans on their board of directors,,,is this why they get special treatment from the City of Debary? Let me know if you can do anything to level the playing field with this business in the park that thrives on tax dollars yet pays NONE. Thanks Morton C. 2/5: Lenny's comments on two articles in blue:& Let's play TWO! CITIZENS' EDITORIALS $$$$$$$ I'll be putting these links in BOHICA, but check them out. They know POP in Honolulu:SECOND OPINION COLUMN BY CLIFF SLATER 1/31:BOHICA: I thought we did $unrail because expanding I-4 cost too much?We'll do both: $unrail AND expand I-4 - so says Mica1/30:Officials to SunRail backers: Find a funding sourceNEW LINK ON POP: Rail is Sexy... The US rail system, unlike nearly every other system in the world, was built (mostly) by private individuals with private capital. It is operated privately, and runs without taxpayer subsidies. And, it is by far the greatest rail system in the world. It has by far the cheapest rates in the world (1/2 of China’s, 1/8 of Germany’s). But here is the real key: it is almost all freight. As a percentage, far more freight moves in the US by rail (vs. truck) than almost any other country in the world. Europe and Japan are not even close. Specifically, about 40% of US freight moves by rail, vs. just 10% or so in Europe and less than 5% in Japan. As a result, far more of European and Japanese freight jams up the highways in trucks than in the United States. For example, the percentage of freight that hits the roads in Japan is nearly double that of the US. You see, passenger rail is sexy and pretty and visible. You can build grand stations and entertain visiting dignitaries on your high-speed trains. This is why statist governments have invested so much in passenger rail — not to be more efficient, but to awe their citizens and foreign observers. Bob is Back... Citizens' Editorials: Let's play two! CITIZENS' EDITORIALS 1/29: Are we sure we want a CRA in DeBary?
1/27: $unrail: A cure in search of a disease: The station that will serve this town of more than 43,000 residents is — like others on what eventually will be a 61-mile system — not that close to where many will want to go. In fact, the SunRail stop here is about 1 1/2 miles east from the Altamonte Mall, Uptown Altamonte and Cranes Roost Park, the community's three most popular destinations. That's too far to walk, especially during the hot summer months. Federal officials have estimated that SunRail will carry about 4,300 passengers daily when the 31-mile first phase starts taking fares during the spring of 2014. That leg will run from DeBary in Volusia County through downtown Orlando to south Orange County. READ THE WHOLE STORY BY CLICKING HERE $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Citizens' Editorials: Let's play two! CITIZENS' EDITORIALS & LA and DeBary: A Tale of Two Cities: A CAUTIONARY RAIL TALE
& 1/25: After looking in the rearview mirror...let's look at the hood ornament: CRA Coming to DeBary? What does it mean?
1/24: CRA I know the supporters will be naysayers and haters about the article below...but we should at least be going into this with our eyes wide open: Who will run the CRA in DeBary? Will they know how? The CRA below is for a 30 year term---it has three years left - Norm New Smyrna residents question city officials about CRA funds, projects
By MARK I. JOHNSON, Staff Writer Daytona Beach News Journal NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- About 100 people gathered Monday night for a town hall meeting in the Alonso "Babe" James Youth Center to get answers about the city's Community Redevelopment Agency -- but not everyone was satisfied with what they heard. "This was a waste of my time," said Historic Westside Neighborhood community activist Melvin Brown at the conclusion of the hour-long meeting. "They did not want to hear what I had to say." After a presentation by the city's CRA director, Tony Otte, outlining what the redevelopment program had done for the predominately black community west of the railroad tracks, program host At-large Volusia County Council Member Joyce Cusack encouraged a back-and-forth dialogue to begin. "This program is a partnership (between the city and the county), you pay taxes so it is important you understand," she said. Brown questioned why the Westside part of the redevelopment district only includes a small part of his neighborhood. The city's CRA district encompasses the Flagler Avenue and Third Avenue business districts on the city's beachside, and runs west across the Indian river to the Canal Street downtown business district. CRA funds are generated from increases in property values calculated over the base set in 1985, when the city's CRA was formed. Any amount over that base goes to the CRA for redevelopment or improvements to properties within the district. "What can you do to expand the boundaries on the Westside?" Brown asked. He also asked Cusack and city officials why his community didn't see more of the estimated $1.5 million the CRA receives annually for capital projects. City Manager Pam Brangaccio and Otte tried to address the issues as they arose, saying while the current CRA sunsets in 2015, the city is in the process of working on a new redevelopment district designation that would include the city's entire Westside boundaries. City commissioner also have raised the possibility at recent meetings of taking over the semi-autonomous redevelopment board in the future because of concerns about how it has allocated funds. Brown was not alone in his questioning of the officials, which he believed was cut short. Others wanted specific timetables for the start of proposed Westside projects such as the Washington Street streetscape. "One of the frustrations of the Westside is we have no start dates," Pastor Pete Carter said. Cusack assured the people filling the hall their concerns were not falling on deaf ears and one of the purposes of Monday's meeting was so they could have a sense of ownership in what is being done in the community as a whole. However, some felt the time officials spent was too short to get the answers to the public's questions. "If you open it up to questions and answers you don't limit the number of questions," said Gwen Rainge. "This was a public meeting -- you should let (the public) ask questions." New Smyrna Beach Vice-Mayor Judy Reiker hoped those who did have questions got them answered, but said she did not think many who attended fully understood how a CRA works. "There is only so much money and the public does not understand that," Reiker said. Prior to the meeting Cusack said her purpose for the town hall meeting was to address the "division" among some citizens that believe (city and county) officials are not spending CRA funds appropriately. "I came to see for myself," she said. In wrapping up the meeting, she stressed this was just the beginning. "We need to reinvest in the community and do so in a more inclusive way," Cusack said.
*************************************************** $unrail from: The China Mystique Breaks Down Meanwhile, back in America, Florida’s own central planners are just admitting to the public that the $1.2 billion they are about to blow on a commuter-train “will likely require millions of dollars a year to make up for operating deficits.” The article says they can raise sales taxes, divert gas taxes, or impose a $2 surcharge to local car rentals. It doesn’t mention the more usual option: cannibalizing the local bus system. 1/22: CRA Issue in the rearview mirror: A Look Back by Norm Erickson
1/18/12: When will we get out...why did we get in? Citizens,
Finally the Debary website (debary.org) yielded some important information TEAM VOLUSIA'S annual report.
The Team Volusia EDC took in $408,597.75 from the Volusia County Council and other cities on Volusia County. That was easy and suspicious.
They now have $37K left .... that is it...all that taxpayer money up in smoke.
What have they accomplished....NOTHING that is what. Unless you call an awards luncheon at the LPGA center an accomplishment. They paid for a slick website what an accomplishment that was.
TEAM VOLUSIA accomplished NOTHING yet has an awards luncheon for themselves.
What kind of people are these?
OH it gets better.
The Volusia County council just gave them another $250,000 as a reward for accomplishing nothing. Days later the President of Scheme Volusia Helen Cauthen stepped down....quit..resigned but not BEFORE the negligent irresponsible Volusia County Coucil awarded TEAM Volusia with another $250K.
Why did Pat Northey District 5 rep and the other Council members slap the taxpayers in the face by rewarding this ridiculous Team Volusia with more money? The Volusia County Council is a disgrace and the whole council should be drug and alcohol tested before they vote to give away public funds again. How do we know our County Council is not on drugs or alcohol judging by the way they waste money?
We already have a Volusia County Economic Development Commission.....never needed the Team Volusia hustlers from day one.
I finally got a straight answer from Team Volusia on one point...they are another 501 C6 Non Profit corporation that survives on government money yet pays no taxes on their income. Free Money & No taxes.....not bad happens all the time
Call Team Voluisa @ 386 265 6332...ask them about their accomplishments and awards luncheon at the LPGA clubhouse, ask em why their President announced her plans to QUIT after they got another $250K from Volusia County.
Morton Culligan Debary Taxpayer following the money From Norm: Mr. Garcia is the city representative for Team Volusia - the team that wants to bring and keep business in this County but can't keep their own CEO in this County. Let's get out of Team Volusia City Council before you waste more taxpayer money for a mutual admiration society. Mr. Garcia never had anything good to say about Team Volusia until he took a meeting with Team Volusia...after that...he was...well...on the team and now the taxpayer is on the hook for 25K. 1/15/12: Mica's Legacy and Ego: Sunrail - it's why they didn't have the people vote on it. And still it was voted down three times before going through on the 4th. That would be like overturning 6008 votes with...oh...wait a second...CLICK HERE TO READ 2010 SUNRAIL: LAST STOP: BOONDOGGLE
Support for Mort: CITIZENS' EDITORIALS 1.8 Million for DeBary - read the story: BEACON NEWSPAPER1/11/12: THOUGHT CRIMINAL ARRESTED
From Mort Culligan: The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office has a big job and is often manipulated by people that know how to use it against other citizens. For instance, did you know that a VCSO incident report can be filed against you without your knowledge? An incident report can be filed against you or someone in your family without your knowledge, accusing you of anything. The VCSO has no obligation to tell you anything. How do I know this? Because it happened to me and only because a concerned citizen let me know did I check into it and find the filed reports. The reports were filled out because of my opposition to the Gateway Center for the Arts. On May 27th, 2011 Robert Rinaldo contacted the VCSO complaining that an e-mail was sent to him "that might pose a threat to the well being of persons at Gateway Park".Ref VCSO incident report 110016094 Dept. Gill investigated the matter and concluded " although the e mail was rather boisterous it did not appear to be threatening in any manner but merely voiced Culligan's opinion on wasteful government spending”. June 2nd, 2011 Mrs. Sandra Wilson founder of The Debary Art League now known as the GCA Inc. contacted the VCSO and filed an incident report # 110016720 claiming to be harassed and intimidated at city council meetings. Mrs. Wilson apparently is not happy when a citizen such as myself actually stands up to her and her tax exempt organization as it tries to get money or special treatment from the City of Debary taxpayers. Deputy Gonzales of the VCSO determined that “…Mr Culligan has not committed any crime and was just voicing his opinion at council meetings”. That is two times Gateway's people have attempted to manipulate the VCSO in order to retaliate on this Debary taxpayer that opposed their manipulation and exploitation of the taxpayers via the City of Debary. I was never informed of these incident reports that were unfounded and manipulative in nature. How did I swerve into them? Because of recent events in December, 2011. Ref Police event P113492156 12/15/2011 I attended an event on 12/15/2011 that was advertised open to public at Gateway Park. Refer to Gateway's own newsletter on their website. I entered the building as an invited guest and sat in the rear of the auditorium and said nothing to anyone and listened to the speakers. It was an interesting talk concerning the previous owners of Gemini Springs Park. As the talk and applause ended I got up and attempted to leave when I was confronted and shouted at by a lady that I learned later was Sandra Wilson's adult daughter. This woman shouted “what are you doing here? My mother has a restraining order against you”. I informed this woman that I was an invited guest per the marquee outside and there could not be any such restraining order. Mrs Wilson and her husband came up, told their daughter to leave and began peppering me with questions. Also a man grabbed me by the shoulder and asked someone towards the front of the room "is this the one?". He was advised to get his hand off of me. I did not file a police report concerning unwanted touching or assault. Now the timeline of calls to the VCSO dispatchers log becomes important at this point. Ref. P113492156 Dispatchers log. 12/15/2011 time 20:08 Comment: MALE INTOXICATED 20:08 Comment: Not supposed to be there 20:08 Comment: Function going on 20:09 Comment: Mother has injunction against subject 20:09 Comment: She does not know his name At no point in time is anyone accused of causing a disturbance or harassing anyone. No one at anytime asked me to leave until a Deputy Geano motioned for me to come outside. At 20:11:20 which I was happy to do considering the hostile crowd I was dealing with. This is the THIRD time GCA people manipulated VCSO deputies against me based on the lies and exaggerations of their own mob mentality organization. This is how a citizen is treated because he opposes their non profit organization. Later a Deputy Yakel was convinced to trespass me by this hostile crowd of people from the entire Gateway Park. He did not Formally Trespass me at all and merely told me to get out of here and do not come back tonight. Obviously I had no plans to return that night. These people do not own Gateway Park yet they manipulated this young Deputy into a failed attempt to claim he FORMALLY trespassed me. This Deputy also accused me of smelling of alcohol from 20 feet away yet remained mute as I asked him to test me for any trace of it. The original call was for a MALE INTOXICATED. I got in my car and drove away in front of TWO VCSO Deputies after I had been accused of being drunk...why would Deputies let a drunk drive? Although I was never given a trespass warning and did not, did not sign anything telling me that if I returned I would be trespassing and thus arrested, I was arrested for trespassing on December 21 st. I now know I am legally barred from entering Debary's Gateway Park because of the lies and false statements of GCA personnel and their manipulation of VCSO Deputy Yakel. I am not allowed into “Gateway Park” as it states on the paperwork. Have you said, written, or perhaps whispered things against the GCA? Do you know that a police file hasn’t been filled out about you? I didn’t know it until I was approached and yelled at by GCA members, a hand put on my shoulder, was accused of smelling of alcohol then allowed to drive away, and then arrested for…trespassing. And now I am no longer allowed in a “public park”. Never once did I sign a “No trespassing” warrant. Mort Culligan Debary,Fl
From Norm: The first time I heard Mort speak was at the first meeting I attended in the spring of 2004. Mort is out there. Mort is direct, blunt, less than diplomatic and not afraid to speak his mind and disagree with the person he is talking to – who is also not afraid to share his or her point of view in their own manner. But I’ve never known Mort to be a liar. I’ve read all the corresponding paperwork associated with what Mort wrote above – it’s chilling reading. Mort was not arrested for assault or threatening gestures or words. He was not arrested for harassment. He was not arrested for being drunk and disorderly. He was arrested for trespassing yet he never signed a trespassing warrant. He had no knowledge that he would be trespassing if her returned to the Gateway Park and/or GCA. But let’s not tiptoe around the issue: Mort was arrested because he expressed his opinion. The two police reports were found to be..well…unfounded by an impartial third party: the police. This was payback. It’s really quite scary what Mort went through and is going through. Two police reports on file and Mort didn’t know about it. He was arrested. Mugshot. Court date. Fines. Money. Car towed. For trespassing. I know someone who was caught trespassing and they were given a trespassing waiver to sign; this never happened to Mort. Few people know that Mark Meister filed out a similar police report on me in August or September of 2009. Mr. Meister filled out the police report because I did not get emails to him that he had requested 9 days earlier. The interim City Manager at the time called me to tell me. Had she not done that, I guess I wouldn’t have known about it either. In a “gotcha” society, having a police report out there floating around could be the end to your job or a possible bid for elected office. Agree or disagree with Mort. Hate him, love him or be indifferent. After reading his account ask yourself: is this really DeBary? Yes, it is. What is going on with the Gateway Center for the Arts? Power. Money. Social snobbery? From December 15th to the 27th there were three calls to the VCSO concerning the GCA. Only one is listed in the reports online. The other two – concerning Mort and his arrest – are not online in the daily reports. Not even the arrest for trespassing. Why? Why? No sarcasm here or wit; I’ve been fresh out watching this terrifying story unfold. There truly is a dark side at work here in DeBary; I don’t expect anyone to express disapproval of it – and that is exactly why it will continue. It seems Mort Culligan can't be critical of an entity that exists because of taxpayer money from people like Mort. Next time a Council member talks about that great partnership and working relationship we have with the GCA remember it's contingent on just going along to come along. Don't question. Don't dissent. And whatever you do, don't bring up any facts. Lastly, of course, if you've done any of these things, you may want to check if a report has been filed about you. It appears the GCA does not want their legacy infringed upon...speaking of legacies...look below... *********************************** OUTLOOK FOR 2012: LEGACIES AND EGO I encourage all of you to watch the Meeting from January 4 th. Specifically the end of the meeting during the Council Member/Staff Reports. The Mayor discussed his big challenges and, yes, water was one of them and jobs. If you want to watch what is discussed below, start the time at the 22:00 minute mark or so and let it go until the end of the meeting. The link to watch is: http://www.debary.org/webcast.htm Click on “Launch the Player” and then scroll down to “Council Member/Staff Reports” and click it to get the player going. Then you can move the cursor to the times I’ve indicated. Watching at home, I’ve found, is much more comfortable. I really appreciate the new system. CM Carson at the 22:28 of the meeting from January 4 th, 2012: “I’m tired – we’ve had a disconnect with past Councils and some lived in glass houses – I welcome that challenge from past Councils – it’s not a bad thing – it’s a great thing. We are here to represent the majority – no more tiptoeing around certain issues – we’re going to go with the majority – we’re going to do what the majority and what’s best for the community not for us – we’re going to leave a legacy. When I leave, there might be 20% that still like me but I want to leave stuff done. A nice south end of town and a train full of people.” In a City where 3% of registered voters show up to vote, I think the word "majority" should be re-defined. What a second, incoming...incoming over the wires: what about the "majority" of people who voted for 3 year terms a few years ago? The 6008 overturned by 725 or so? Ah-ha...not so fast, my padawan...we're certainly going to tiptoe around that. No more tiptoeing? Tiptoeing is all we do in DeBary...until we posture with rhetoric: Leaving a legacy…was that on the campaign postcard? What does that mean exactly, who gets to decide if you leave a legacy, and how the heck can you ensure a train full of people because if you can, there are many cities around the country that would like their commuter trains filled. Moreover, it’s not particularly effective or persuasive, at least to me, for you to state emphatically that you’re going to do what the majority of the citizens want. Here is CM Hunt’s reply to CM Carson’s “pep talk”: 27:28 from CM Hunt: “I like that speech Mr. Carson. I like the term legacy and it’s not for…um…well, maybe it is for egotistical things. Why not be egotistical – if you’re involved in local politics you have to have a little ego problem any how to do it in the first place. Some people won’t be so pleased (with our decisions) – but so what – that’s what happens.” Remember, CM Hunt walked unchallenged into office for another three years as did Mayor Garcia. If only CM Hunt was aware of how many times Mr. Meister attacked me based on the premise and Mr. Meister’s apparent ability to read my heart and mind that everything I did was because of my super-duper ego and pride. Now, it’s ok to be egotistical – to have an “ego problem”. Is that why you ran, CM Hunt? That’s not why I ran for office. But elected office is tainted at all levels and the uninvolved citizenry don’t attend meetings for principled reasons about issues not in their immediate backyard but only for their personal reasons. The result is if we don’t demand principled, capable elected officials, we won’t get them. If we don’t practice principled stances on issues as citizens, we won’t even recognize it when it’s on display on the dais. We don't demand that. We seem to demand it at the Federal level, the State level...but not here in our City. Why? 29:44: Mr. Garcia: “We need the prior Mayors and prior Council members to step forward. Perhaps a get together – an advisory group to help with 3 problems: the bayou restoration, Gemini Springs and the trails to bring it in with our trans-orientated development.” My number is in the book as is Mr. Marks’s. And it’s “oriented” not "orientated" - I have to correct that or people will think I spelled it incorrectly. Welcome to 2012! Norm Erickson
WHY IS IT CALLED "THE AMERICAN DREAM"? George Carlin on the American Dream...if profanity is not your thing, do not watch this. You have been warned so don't fill out a police report if you choose to watch it and then feel offended or threatened in any way: GEORGE CARLIN ON THE AMERICAN DREAM & ALL THINGS END... A VERY SPECIAL POP EDITORIAL BY NORM ERICKSON & 1/2/12: Deep Throat: Forget the myths the media's created about the White House. The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand. CONFLICT OF INTEREST? YOU MAKE THE CALL PART I From the Cultural Council of Volusia County: Per your request, the Volusia County Community Cultural Grant funding Mike Fincher
WHO IS ON THAT COMMITTEE? LOOK BELOW: Cultural Council of Volusia County members Jim Ward, Chair So the Cultural Council of Volusia County (CCVC) is making recommendations to give money to the Gateway Center for the Arts. Ok. So who sits on that board? Look below from the GCA website: Gateway Center for the Arts Board of Directors: Jim Coombs Terry Lodge Saundra Gray David Abeles Richard Cogswell John Lajza Judi Reaume Wilma Dickey Sandra Wilson SHAZAM! Sandra Wilson is on both the Cultural Council of Volusia County (CCVC) and the Gateway Center for the Arts (GCA) board which receives money from the County Council approving the recommedation from the CCVC to give money to, among other entities, the Gateway Center for the Arts. And who put Ms. Wilson on that Committee? Was it Pat Northey who, until recently, was also on the Board of the Gateway Center for the Arts? I’m going to try and find out. So it might go like this: Mrs. Northy from GCA and the County Council appoints Mrs. Wilson from the GCA to the CCVC who recommends back to Mrs. Northey on the County Council to give GCA money. And both Mrs. Northey and Mrs. Wilson were, until recently, both involved officially with the GCA. I’m looking into this and reading the minutes and what I’ve found already is sad and routine. The meetings meet during the week at 8:30 or 9AM. The June 5th, 2009 minutes for the Grant Review is missing - it's not online. Application rules are waived or “grandfathered” in when they are not complete. This CCVC recommends to the County Council the expenditure of hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayer money. Not so surprisingly, the CCVC recommended to the County Council to change the County Comp Plan to keep the funding at 1.50 per capita but not allow funding to drop below 1.25 per capita – the County Council, amazingly and to their credit, said “No”. I’ve got some emails “out there” to answer my questions and we’ll see where this goes so lets not fill out any police reports just yet...that would be a request for a premature application - and that could cause an awkward pause in any partnership like the one we have with the GCA. Norm Erickson
12/30: The Dark Side of Camelot
Something is rotten in the City of DeBary. What was it? What would cause a President and Vice President of the Community Partnership Program, Inc to not only, step down from their newly created positions, but also to speak out against the very organization that they, just weeks before, championed? What would cause a sitting City Council member, CM Koval, to have such a change of heart as well? What was it? In just the same way, what was it that prompted several members of the Gateway Center for the Arts Orchestra to pack up, head north to Orange City, and start over with what their real vision was originally to do in DeBary but was co-opted? What was it? The Gateway Center for the Arts and the Community Partnership Program, Inc. It seems that to most people these two entities are embraced and represent the best that DeBary has to offer. But for others…the ones that have left the fold…it’s a different story. It’s a story of unfairness, contradictions, greed, power and false faces. And both of these entities count the City of DeBary as a partner. CPPI in particular wants to be a long term partner with the City as its source for funding in some amount. Recently CPPI brought the Stetson University Symphony Orchestra to DeBary for a performance. Question: Did they have to go through the Gateway Center for the Arts for approval as Rick Dwyer had to when he wanted to put on a free orchestral concert in DeBary? From Mr. Dwyer 6/20/11: Unfortunately, the City of DeBary did not share my philosophy and when I asked to give a performance in the DeBary Town Hall, I was denied the opportunity and was furthermore notified that any performance would have to be given at the Gateway Center for the Arts and for whatever fee the Gateway Center for the Arts chooses to charge. If an individual wants to get something going they have to kiss the ring - anyone else...well...two sets of rules. Norm Erickson
Vice Mayor Lenzen considering a run for County Council? That's the fact, Jack! CLICK HERE TO READ THE BEACON ARTICLEWhat a great evening was provided by Maestro Rick Dwyer and the Orange City Orchestra at their annual Christmas concert. Maestro Dwyer and the Orchestra did a magnificent job playing the selections that were chosen. The part I liked best was the two sing-along segments of the performance. With a full house (SRO), voices united in song, it made for a great start to the Christmas season. Thank you Maestro Dwyer and the Orange City Orchestra for bringing joy to so many.
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