Apparently, CM Carson has never heard of California:

THE WELL DESERVED DEATH OF

CALIFORNIA'S CRA'S

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 Debary, FL on Sunday, March 11^th.  Volunteers should plan to arrive at 6:00am (Spring Forward) and will be at the race until approximately 10:30-11:00.  This may vary depending on the job assignment.  Mostly needs are to occupy a water table along the route with 10 others handing out Dixie cups of water to the 850 runners that will be running by at various times.  You will also be responsible for refilling new cups as an ongoing cycle until all runners have passed through

Location is the Swamp House Grill on the St. John’s River at 488 W. Highbanks Rd., Debary, FL 32713.

The race website can be found at www.SwampHouseHalfMarathon.com . There is a link at the top of the page for “I want to Volunteer”.

 Please contact Jennifer if you are available to volunteer or require further information; Jennifer@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

I never heard such activity, love, and camaraderie in 15 years of attending Council Meetings.

When the little gem "Splash Park" is finalized - maybe - we go back to routine meetings with little substance or subject. The needs of DeBary’s citizens disappear in the distance.

During the 2/15 workshop, Mayor Garcia announced at the start of the meeting that he would be leaving early ... but... as soon as the "splashing" started he was right in the middle of the fun. And why not?

Ms. Hammock was trying to get sign regulation discussed and the best she got was "Let's have a five year moratorium." Let's have a consensus and get on with the splashing.

Where will it all fit? And what will the cost be? The numbers out of our pockets will be - maybe at the start - $275K plus another $100K for bathrooms. What about the nice home next door? Concrete walls 6' tall? 8' Tall? Junk thrown over the wall? Noise abatement? Music day and night parking? Benches and traffic crossing 17/92? Chain link elsewhere? There’s more. Water - its use & waste. Permanent costs? Lifeguards? This little "Splash" it could hit half a million – and maybe even more certainly when we include future maintenance costs that are yet unknown. Maybe Mr.Carson has a secret cache somewhere.

Is it too much to follow Your Agenda if it might be whipped through so 99% of the citizens never find out who's doing what and end up with a breach of the Sunshine Law? Do you even know what a Sunshine Law is?

What happened to the Power Park for all the other people who live in DeBary? Sorry. The money went to "Splashing".

Maybe you don't care. Maybe the Citizens don't care. At least give them the opportunity to see what's happening to their tax dollars. There are people who care and go to the podium to express their ideas. In the long run you should thank them. And I'm not thinking of me. Maybe when your Ox is gored, you’ll show up only to find out it is too late.

John Likakis

-----------------------------------
Additional thoughts:

After the meeting Mr. Lombardi told me that, “It’s too rushed and too much money." And Mr. Lenzen, former Councilman, didn't mince words when he asked how this Splash Park leap-frogged over all of the other capital improvements that had been ranked 1, 2, 3, etc,? He didn’t get an answer.

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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

  March 1, 2012 12:05 AM

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:

CLICK HERE FOR POP EDITORIALS

 

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.

CITIZENS' EDITORIALS

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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 Erickson

Reality Breaks Through In Arts Center Meeting

October 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.)

 

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SUNRAIL DELAYED IN LAKE MARY:

CLICK HERE TO READ IN BOHICA

2/20:

Lenny Marks on DeBary's CRA:

CLICK HERE FOR POP EDITORIALS

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Mort writes about the GCA and DBNJ connection$:

CITIZENS' EDITORIALS

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2/15:

NEW: CITIZENS' EDITORIALS

FURTHER REFLECTION ON MORT'S SITUATION BY NORM ERICKSON:

CLICK HERE FOR POP EDITORIALS

 

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?

CLICK HERE FOR POP EDITORIALS

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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?

2/5: Lenny's comments on two articles in blue:

CLICK HERE FOR POP EDITORIALS

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Let's play TWO! CITIZENS' EDITORIALS

$$$$$$$

I'll be putting these links in BOHICA, but check them out. They know POP in Honolulu:

CLIFF SLATER'S SECOND OPINION

HONOLULU TRAFFIC

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 Mica

1/30:

Officials to SunRail backers: Find a funding source

NEW 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?

CLICK HERE FOR POP EDITORIALS

 

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.

Phase two, pushing north to DeLand in Volusia and south to Poinciana in Osceola County, is supposed to open in 2016. Ridership is expected to grow to 7,400 by 2030.

SunRail supporters maintain those estimates are too low, while critics contend the train may carry even less people and become a continual drain on the budgets of area governments.

The state Department of Transportation will pay for the first seven years of SunRail's operation, with local governments taking over in 2021. There is a good chance some sort of tax will be levied to pay for the train.

READ THE WHOLE STORY BY CLICKING HERE

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Citizens' Editorials: Let's play two! CITIZENS' EDITORIALS

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1/25:

After looking in the rearview mirror...let's look at the hood ornament:

CRA Coming to DeBary? What does it mean?

CLICK HERE FOR POP EDITORIALS

 

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

  January 24, 2012 12:10 AM

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

CLICK HERE FOR POP EDITORIALS

 

 

1/18/12: When will we get out...why did we get in?

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 NEWSPAPER

1/11/12:

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

CLICK HERE FOR POP EDITORIALS

&

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.
Bob Woodward: Hunt's come in from the cold. Supposedly he's got a lawyer with $25,000 in a brown paper bag.
DT: Follow the money.
BW: What do you mean? Where?
DT: Oh, I can't tell you that.
BW: But you could tell me that.
DT: No, I have to do this my way. You tell me what you know, and I'll confirm. I'll keep you in the right direction if I can, but that's all. Just... follow the money.

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
amount awarded by year to the DeBary Art League/Gateway Center for the
Arts is as follows:

Fiscal Year          Amount

2001/02                 1,000
2002/03                 2,000
2003/04                 5,250
2004/05                 6,900
2005/06               16,166
2006/07               15,650
2007/08               13,267
2008/09               23,263
2009/10               22,810
2010/11               21,359
2011/12               18,148

Mike Fincher
Cultural Coordinator
Volusia County Parks, Recreation & Culture Division

 

WHO IS ON THAT COMMITTEE? LOOK BELOW:

Cultural Council of Volusia County members
(An advisory board to the Volusia County Council)

Jim Ward, Chair
John Wilton, Vice Chair
Ann Brady
Bob Dahlen
Bill Dreggors
Kelly Parsons Kwiatek
Brad Strickland
Julia Davidson Truilo
Sandra Wilson

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 ARTICLE

 

What 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.

This free concert was the best ticket in town by far.

Lenny Marks
Debary

**********************

Team Volusia wants to keep jobs in Volusia County. They can't keep their own CEO in Volusia County.

Update: The County Council just gave them a quarter million more in taxpayer money...then the CEO up and announced she was leaving...and Mr. Garcia who never had anything positive to say about this entity, and I agreed with him on that point, was flipped after just one meeting with these people and is now the representative for the City for Team Volusia. Let's get out of this thing - we've already given 25K at the City level.

CLICK HERE FOR CRA BEACON ARTICLE: CLICK HERE

Not following the Comp Plan in Sanford: CLICK HERE FOR POP EDITORIALS

12/19: Click here to read CITIZENS' EDITORIALS

&&&&&&&&&&&

12/20:

The Christmas Season has started with the Orange City Orchestra giving a stirring performance last Saturday. I attended with my wife and daugther and it was excellent. It was a packed house with some humor provided for by the conductor, Rick Dwyer. Thank you to the Orange City Orchestra for putting on such a great Christmas concert. The money donated will be used solely for the orchestra's needs.

Norm Erickson

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I am very disappointed in your choice of CHRISTMAS decorations!
They express "Holiday Greetings" & "Season Greetings" But no "Merry Christmas". I for one would like to keep Christ in Christmas!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Romayne O.

*****************

DEBARYPOP MAKES PARADE DEBUT

A big thank you to John Fletcher and the Parks and Rec staff for once again pulling off the DeBary Christmas Parade. These people even held off the rain till it was over.

Thank you to the people for their support, thumbs up, and shouts of "POP!". If you're visiting our website because you saw our sign in the parade, Welcome!

********************************

Willful Unawareness

A POP Editorial by Norm Erickson

CLICK HERE FOR POP EDITORIALS

 

12/11: Click here to read CITIZENS' EDITORIALS

*****************************************

The Orange City Orchestra will give its annual Christmas performance on

December 17, 7:00 PM at the Dickinson Memorial Library in Orange City. 

Admission is free.

Call Rick Dwyer, 386-668-9587, for additional information or to reserve seating for large groups.

12/3:

I love sequels:

Let the Sunshine In Part II by Lenny Marks

CLICK HERE FOR POP EDITORIALS

&

Waldorf on the Mayor and more: Click here to read CITIZENS' EDITORIALS

Will it happen by June of 2012?

From the Council meeting on 11/21/11:

Time Stamp: 2:09:03:

Mr. Garcia:

“In the next six months, DeBary will be a national word out of

people’s mouths.

I guarantee you that."

&

12/2:

The Orange City Orchestra will give its annual Christmas performance on

December 17, 7:00 PM at the Dickinson Memorial Library in Orange City. 

Admission is free.

Call Rick Dwyer, 386-668-9587, for additional information or to reserve seating for large groups.

 

WE'RE GOING TO NEED A BIGGER BLOG...

Just today the Orlando Sentinel covered a story - a tragic story about loss. It triggered about 20 21 26 27comments, so far, from the people. I'm sure more will follow.

I wonder if we'll ever get 20 21 26 27 people to discuss any one actual City issue, the way people are discussing and arguing about the story below:

CLICK HERE: A STORY ABOUT LOSS AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

 

 

11/30: Click below to read the editorial in the Sentinel:

THE CRA THAT IS NOT WANTED IN EAST LAKE COUNTY

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

From the Orlando Sentinel, Nov. 26th:

"Nobody wants to invest money in this economy," Mayor Bob Garcia said.

Including YOU, Mr. Garcia. Didn't you say "No" to the Race Trac gas station? Some could take this position given your statement above. You listened to those people about the Race Trac but not the people from 2008 on the term limit issue.

And my wife says I have selective hearing.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

It was stated by Mayor Garcia on Monday, 11/21 at the workshop that "the people" approved the term limit changes from 3 years to 4. Of course. But before that, the COUNCIL overturned the 6008 votes by putting the issue on the ballot. So, Mr. Garcia, stop the spin. YOU and the rest overturned 6008 votes first and you, sir, are the person to be looking out for those votes. Don't try and worm your way out of your part in this nor the part of the Council, Sir. When Mr. Garcia says "the people voted", which people is he referring to? The "people" from 2008 or the "people" from 2011? For his comfort, he is referring to the people from 2011. To listen to Mr. Garcia, it's as if he had nothing to do with putting it on the ballot in the first place which is exactly what he and the Council would have you or want you to believe.

This Council overturned the will of 6008 voters from 2008 by ignoring their vote and putting the issue back on the ballot....it seems only two or three people are bothered by it...and that's what "they" count on whether it's this issue, Team Volusia, Sunrail that was voted on three or four times before it passed and so on and so forth.

Norm Erickson

**************************************************************

The following seems familiar to me: “Community Events Committee”, “Hometown Harvest”, “4th of July Celebration”.

Here is what is new: “Mardi Gras Event”

This is from a Winter Springs Proclamation from 2008 for a number of people working for the City of Winter Springs including Chris Carson.

I’d like to thank the Citizen who sent this to me as I was unaware that this had all been done years ago.

Norm Erickson

Link to view the actual proclamation: PROCLAMATION

***********************

11/23:

Let The Sunshine In

A POP Editorial by Lenny Marks

CLICK HERE FOR POP EDITORIALS

&

2.4 million to study how affordable housing

could be brought to DeBary: CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY

11/22: BECOMING EUROPE...

Gosh, and in the beginning, we were told it was all about traffic and now it's not even mentioned:

From the wdbo website:

SunRail planning awarded $2.4 million grant

By Brandon Hamilton

ORLANDO, Fla. —

SunRail is gaining more ground behind a $2.4 million dollar grant designed to create jobs and housing options around transit stops.

“Putting people to work”, says Congresswoman Corrine Brown.

The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council.

“For every billion dollars we spent, it generates 44,000 thousand jobs,” Brown said.

HUD Regional Administrator Ed Jennings says the grant will help to create new visions for housing and transportation.

“When 52 percent of the average working family’s income is devoted to housing and transportation costs alone, we know that we have a responsibility to fix that to provide housing and transportation options that can improve their quality of life and economic stability,” Jennings said.

Brown spoke about her experiences in the nation’s capitol and Europe, with shopping, restaurants and transit options available within the same building.

“That’s what we want for our communities,” Brown added.

Sheryl Grieve, chair of the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, says residents will be able to access jobs through the use of Sun Rail.

“SunRail represents an historic opportunity to transform growth patterns around the stations, to attract high quality, higher paying jobs,” Grieve said.

The Sun Rail project is scheduled for launch in late 2014.

11/15:

The Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall asked a few cities to change their City Charter to gratify her desires of ease and comfort. This Council listened to that voice.

Listen to Ann and let the people McFall

From the Deland-Beacon after Tuesday’s election:

"I look forward to representing everybody — all the people of DeBary," Handy-Peters said.

It’s something many elected officials say and I have no reason not to believe Lita Handy-Peters. However…

In 2008, 9982 citizens voted in the Mayor’s seat between Coleman and Garcia.

The referendum was No. 2 in votes with 9858 – 6008 said “NO!”

Conoley vs. Meister was third with 9040 – that is to say, people turned out in greater numbers to vote on the referendum than for the Conoley/Meister ticket. Conoley received 5133 votes which he then discarded when he quit.

In 2011, 1121 people came out to vote either for Leon or Lita.

1098 people voted to say either “Yes” or “No” to the referendum.

23 people voted for either Leon or Lita but DID NOT vote on the referendum – one issue more to vote on was…well…one issue too many. Incredibly, DeBary’s citizens are consistent in their laziness: in 2008, the difference in numbers between people voting in the Mayoral race and the Referendum was: 124. In 2008, nearly 900 people voiced their opinion for Mayor, but did not vote in the Conoley/Meister seat.

To put the 23 that did not vote in last week’s election into context, Leon lost by 29 votes giving one to Leon and taking one away from Lita, and so on. Leon was down 2 to 1 at the primary so apparently I’m wrong to say that knocking on doors and calling people does not work. Leon nearly won this thing. I think when Conoley lost to Lenzen it was by about 28 votes as well.

The current City Council did not take into account 6008 voices from just three years ago. The referendum from three years ago took greater priority than a Council seat – yet this Council ignored it. Aside from that, 4 years is too long and it will preclude more people from running than less while at the same time excludes more working people from running while making it more practical for retired individuals to run. “The people voted” it will be said. They voted three years ago and in far greater numbers – and they were ignored. Although the City Council did not abide by the voters three years ago, the Citizens dropped the ball and especially the 23 that voted for either Leon or Lita but could not bring the marker down 3.7 inches and darken an oval – it’s too much to do, I guess. I wonder how many of these 23 citizens celebrated Veteran’s Day, 4 th of July…

Congratulations to the Council. I’m known for criticizing but hey, face facts: You guys did it! You got the 4 year term on the ballot and it passed – and all that had to occur first was to dispense with 6008 votes.

"I look forward to representing everybody — all the people of DeBary," I’m sure Mayor Garcia said it when he was voted in, in 2008 – then he ignored the 6008 citizens – “his people” “his City” - and put the Referendum back on the ballot.

But he sure listened to the “100 people” for the Race Trac issue, didn’t he? But the 6008…they were forgotten…

Something to consider is this: Given the 2008 vote didn't even last three years, what's the expiration date on my vote from last week? Three and a half years? One and a half? Or just until the next best deal comes along for someone else?

Saving 23,000 dollars at 6008 votes comes out at about $3.82 per vote... we often talk about the value of our vote...but I think that's in reference to something else...or at least it used to be before last week.

What price will be put on the vote people cast last week? More? Less?

Or just the best offer?

Norm Erickson

 

11/12: Bob Waldorf responds to JB:

 

 

 

11/11:

Veterans Day Thanks From POP

A deep hearted thanks to all the men and women who served our nation, aided our friends, and kept some sanity in this insane world. We can not forget our brave veterans, those who came home intact, those who came home with mental or physical trauma, those who suffered in prisoner of war camps, or those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Once a year we honor these brave individuals, but its more than just attending a memorial service, laying a wreath, and saying a few words. It’s more than that; it’s keeping that thought in your heart all year long. It’s stopping one of these brave men and women on the street and thanking them for their sacrifices. It’s to pray for the one’s who didn’t come home, the one’s who have been seriously injured and their families, everyday.

Let us make every effort and be thankful for each day we live and appreciate the gift that has been given to us. Let their sacrifice not be in vain. We owe no less to the men women we honor today.

God bless each and ever one, and God bless America.

DEBARY POP

***********************************************

From JB in DeBary to Bob Waldorf:

On 11-9 a comment from Bob Waldorf was posted on PoP. It included a number of statements that stoked my curiosity. Therefore Bob, would you be so kind as to explain what you mean by the following:

1. Who is/are the 'stuff shirts' you are referring to, and what makes them 'stuffed shirts'?

2. What examples can you provide to support your stmt "I feel certain that CM Carson, Hunt and Peters will bring common sense and logic to and for the city"?

3. What do you mean by "It is now time to move forward and not just stand still"?


jb in Debary

Bob, I'll post your response on the front page, if you wish to reply - Norm

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

The Mayor and Council just slapped 6008 voters in the face! The council voted to have a referendum placed on the ballot that was just voted on 3 years ago. 6008 voted NO. They voted it down. Now, in the past election 725 voted yes and they wiped out those 6008 votes. Hope they are happy now that they have gotten their way. What blatant disrespect to those 6008 voters. What does the Mayor really mean when he says “My People”? He showed his true colors as have the rest of the council. Another reason why people are not happy with government!

J. Vernon

************************

Shots at Shotz over a shot: Click here to read CITIZENS' EDITORIALS

BECAUSE WE WANT TO HEAR FROM MORE VOTERS, THE 6008 VOTERS FROM 2008 WHO SAID "NO" WERE OUT NUMBERED BY THE 716 VOTERS FROM 2011 WHO SAID "YES"; SO WE WILL NOW HAVE 4 YEAR TERMS FOR ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS...BECAUSE WE WANT TO HEAR FROM MORE VOTERS...LIKE WE DID IN 2008...

11/4:

Changing Term Limits

from 3 years to 4 years...

"It's déjà vu all over again"

Lenny Marks on the discarding of

6008 votes - 'nuff said:

CLICK HERE FOR POP EDITORIALS