People Over Politics

12/7

Bravo to Councilman Lenzen for the reason, sanity and wisdom he continues to display for our city.

Respectfully,
Dave Chapman

I wanted to relate a situation I’ve had in dealing with the City; more specifically with a department, which has turned into a comedy of errors. Sadly, it’s not very comical for my wife and me and will likely turn out to be an inconvenience at best and quite expensive for us at worst.
I’m posting this for a couple of reasons; first, in the hopes that any readers in this group can avoid a similar situation. Second, because I’m torqued that I acted upon some misinformation provided by the City and invested my time and hard earned dollars only to be met with unanswered emails and unreturned phone calls.
I’ll preface this story by saying that over the years, I have been favorably impressed with the Building Department and the Neighborhood Improvement office functions since the City brought them in-house from the County’s clutches. Jim Stroupe, the City’s Building Official on contract from PDCS and formerly a Building Department guy with Seminole County seems to be pretty knowledgeable with respect to construction standards. In my opinion, Dave Hooker, the neighborhood Improvement Officer and a City Employee, does a great job in trying to keep the City from becoming an eyesore by enforcing junk vehicle and out-of-control landscape ordinances. Perhaps the fact that these guys are generally good in their respective areas adds to my bewilderment and frustration at how the City has mishandled my particular situation.

BACKGROUND
My wife and I own a home on South Shell Road. You are welcome to drive by – it’s at 45. We’ve put a lot of hard work in fixing up this 1960 house, which we purchased from the original owner. We’ve done a pretty good job in making it a comfortable place to live as well as aesthetically pleasing. It might be just my opinion but it’s been reinforced by compliments from countless passers by.
South Shell Road is a residential street with a speed limit of 30 mph. However, that hasn’t stopped the pranksters over the years from intentionally taking a swing at our mailbox from their vehicles in the middle of the night with a club, ball bat or some other object and taking the thing out. I’m sure it’s all in fun but after having replaced at least a half-dozen mailboxes, it’s not so much fun for me any more.
One day, in the Fall of 2008 as I was replacing yet another mailbox, I got an idea to make the thing baseball bat proof – I’d seen brick and stucco/block boxes all over town and thought that might be a good idea to help keep the perpetrators from making me continue this ritual. So I called David Hooker down at his Neighborhood Improvement office and told him my idea. Dave and I had dealings in the past so he remembered me.
“I don’t have a problem with it”, Dave told me. “Check with the Building Department and see if you need a permit.”
Good enough. I called Jim Stroupe at the Building Department, whom I also had past dealings with and who also remembered me.
“No permit required on my part.” Stroupe replied to my inquiry about building a masonry mailbox.

COMMENCEMENT & PROGRESS
Excellent. I had the green light and was already planning the free time I’d have by not having to run to Lowe’s to buy and install a new mailbox every couple of months.
As my wife will tell you, I’m not much of a project guy. So, over the next nine months or so, whenever I had to go to Lowe’s or Home Depot, I’d pick up some blocks and stack them next to my driveway where I planned my mailbox to be. I’d move them from one side to another and play with different designs. We’d drive around town and point out the pros and cons of the masonry mailboxes that we saw on different streets. I saw one in a magazine that had a glass block inlay and was lighted from inside so I bought some glass blocks and experimented with that design.
All the while during my months of experimenting, folks would walk by and offer suggestions. I even had a City Councilman who jogged (or shuffled) by a couple of times a week while I was out working on it.
Sometime in May of 2009, the contractor who did a kitchen remodel for us and who happens to have a relationship with the City and who also knows Stroupe, asked me about my mailbox project. He had some questions that I couldn’t answer so he called Stroupe from his cell phone. He told Stroupe what I was doing, asked some questions and when he hung up, shared with me that Stroupe again confirmed that the project was ok.
Over the next couple of months, I continued to prototype the mailbox and sometimes, I would go weeks without doing anything with the stack of blocks where my new mailbox was to be.

HERE’S WHERE IT GETS CONFUSING
Eventually, in the Summer of 2009, I poured my concrete slabs, ran the low voltage landscape lighting and began mortaring the blocks together. I set the glass block inlays and installed the lights. The mailbox was actually coming together and looked good!
In early October, after the mailbox was structurally completed, I came home to find a yellow tag on my door from Dave Hooker indicating that I did not have a permit for my mailbox and also mentioning something about unpermitted electrical work – from my low voltage landscape lighting, I assumed. WHAT??? I thought he told me we were good?
I called Dave & left him a voicemail message. When I didn’t hear back from him, I went down to City Hall to see what this was all about. While I was there, I dropped in on Stroupe, who right away put my mind at ease regarding the electrical by sharing with me a document he was drafting that basically exempted low voltage landscape lighting from requiring a permit.
My next stop was Hooker’s office. During the 15 minutes or so that we spoke, Dave made it clear that his biggest problem with my mailbox was its inability to break away. He suggested that had I not filled the cells (empty spaces) in the blocks with cement, it may have been ok. He also told me that if I built it out of plywood, it would satisfy the requirement for breaking away. Of course, all this was new since my conversation with both him and Stroupe the previous year. One very puzzling part of my conversation with Hooker came about when we were discussing the Post Office’s requirements, which I had received in writing from the Postmaster of the DeBary office. Hooker told me that since the “Post Office was a Federal agency, their rules and requirements would trump any state and local statutes”. Huh? The Post Office is a Federal Agency? Since I was in full butt-kissing mode, I was not going to debate ol’ Dave on that one. I don’t even know where there might have been an overlap between Post Office rules and state or local rules. But again, Dave Hooker held all the cards so if he told me stop signs were purple today, I’d just smile and nod my acknowledgement.

CAN I EVEN GET A CALL BACK? THIS SOUNDS LIKE A SOULTION!
I went home to digest everything I had just heard and to strategize as to how I might be able to salvage my mailbox project and still keep within the new constraints that had just been imposed upon me. I called my building contractor friend, who thought about it for a while and came up with what I thought was a brilliant idea. Using a concrete saw, make a deep enough cut around the circumference at the base of the mailbox column that would sufficiently weaken it so that it would in fact break away. The mailbox itself would be protected against baseball bats but fall over if hit by a car. That sounds like a win-win.
I called Dave and left a message. Didn’t hear back. I sent him an email with this proposal and he replied back with the request for me to “hang tight” and he’d get back with me.
He never did.
A month later, I received a certified letter from the City letting me know my mailbox column was in violation of a whole bunch of ordinances.
I have subsequently left a number of voice mail messages and sent emails to both Stroupe and Hooker; none of which have been returned. This is a radical departure from the days of Maryann and Anthony when the City would at least provide a response or acknowledgement to a call or email.

WHAT NEXT?
I’m still not sure where I stand or what my options are. I’ve received conflicting direction from both the Building Department and Neighborhood Improvement Officer. I dotted my i’s and crossed my t’s in an effort to stay on the right side of things. I acted upon the direction they provided at no small effort and expense. In short, I’ve really been jerked around.
Again, the surprising part about this is that in the past, the City has been very good about customer service and constituent communications. It may not have been the answer I wanted to hear but I could always count on having my calls or emails returned. Even more importantly, I could always count on a correct answer and not some run-around, buck-passing. Prior to this Hooker and Stroupe seemed to be on top of things. Not sure what’s happened under the new regime…

For those of you who are up in the air about the “Public Option” for the new health care bill in Congress, perhaps this can be some indication for you. If our government can’t even get something as insignificant as a mailbox situation straight, how in God’s name will they get your healthcare straight??? In light our situation, I would strongly suggest that before undertaking a project such as this, get it in writing and get a second opinion. Even then, you still may be at risk. I can’t say that I have confidence in the process with the City since it seems that any rules or their enforcement are very subjective.

Hooker/Stroupe: if you guys read this, I don’t want your jobs. I just want you to DO your jobs. How about a callback with an explanation as to why your actions seemed timed to maximize both our inconvenience AND expense? You could have given me a straight answer a year ago and saved my wife and me a lot of money and aggravation. Hooker could have sent us a notification at any time when the mailbox project was just a pile of blocks in my front yard. Why wait until the thing was built, stuccoed and painted? What kind of customer service is that?
At this point, our expectations are low. I suspect the next contact we’ll have with anyone will be at our as yet unscheduled appearance before the Code Enforcement Board. I have no idea what to expect there or what Hooker may decide to say at that hearing.

We are still not sure where to go from here but we DO know that this isn’t the way our City is supposed to operate.

Nelson Goodreau

Dear Debary Pop:

I, along with many of my friends fought all of last year to defeat gambling here. So everyone remembers --> It was Mark Meister, then a candidate for office, who lied to us about not being in support of gambling then - overnight - lobbying for the same gambling sleaze just weeks later; he is the one now behind all of this hatred directed at Mr. Conoley now.

I trust nothing about Meister, or his motives or his associates. So it also appears he has in his party another pro-gambling supporter (Dave Chapman) to come forward anew to insult Mr. Erickson, Mr. Mark and Mr. Conoley, in the hopes of stopping them from questioning any "behind the scenes" dealing happening between "Bingo" Bob Garcia and Stacy Tebow? A sad attempt to help lanch the early campaigns of all of their pro-gambling cronies for next years elections.

No one working for the city, that means Ms. Tebow, is above the rest of us. Being a civil servant means following what the citizens say, and how they are directed by our elected leaders. I say bravo to Erickson, Mark and Van Conoley for holding everyone accountable for their actions!

Tanya Sorenstrom
Hometown Democracy
"Let the People Vote"

P.S.
My son owns my house, in the event legal eagle Chapman thinks otherwise - I'll see him in city chambers.

Doesn't Trust Meister and his DeBary Gambling Friends

Not everyone is fortunate enough to own the home thery live in. Just ask Mr. Meister who does not own property in Debary. Many people have been ousted from their homes through foreclosure in this bad economy. You should be more considerate of your fellow citizens.

Would someone please ask the Mayor at the public hearing on his conduct exactly what his legal name is? Thank you!

Joe Braxton

Why is it that those who are in support of Mr. Conoley are afraid to use their names when they post their comments?

That is with the exception of Joe Braxton who does not show up on a search of the Volusia County Property Appraisers Office.

Dave Chapman

Interesting, the poll I took revealed that 98% of those citizens I spoke with agreed with me that Mr. Conoley in their opinion continues to exhibit acts of incompetence, misfeasance and malfeasance.

Mr. Conoley voted “no” to approving the city budget. He was the only dissenting vote on this issue.
How could any member of the council cast this vote at the eleventh hour ? Our city was literally within 2 hours of going into receivership of the state. Mr. Erickson explained to Mr. Conoley that it is common to approve annual budgets with the understanding that they may need to be amended throughout the year.
This is a very common practice with all government budgets at the local, state and federal levels.
Was that vote cast to the betterment of our city and in the best interest of the people ? No it was not, it was a vote of malice in my opinion. A vote of malice related to Mr. Conoley’s self prophecy in a previous council meeting where he envisioned the city reverting into the receivership of the state. This act of malice equates to an act of malfeasance.
Mr. Conoley proposes we settle a code enforcement lien in excess of $ 300,000.00 for the amount of $2,600.00. The city had incurred costs of just under $ 9000.00 in relation to this matter. Mr. Conoley often alludes to his prowess in overseeing the money management in our city. Given Mr. Conoley’s self professed prowess in accounting and fiscal responsibility can the rational of such a motion be constructed as anything other than incompetent. Was this a vote to the betterment of the city and in the best interest of the people? No it was not. It was an act of incompetence in my opinion.
Mr. Conoley draws a parallel between a former work colleague (who was labeled as “eye candy”) and our current city manager. Was Mr.Conoley’s extended dissertation on this topic relevant to the matter that was being discussed ? No, not even remotely. This pattern of extended dissertation on subjects not even remotely related to the discussion under debate is exhibited over and over by Mr. Conoley. Is this to the betterment of our community or in the best interest of the people? No it is not. It was a further demonstration of incompetent performance and an act of misfeasance in my opinion.
Mr. Conoley sees fit to publicly humiliate our chief financial officer and our city clerk as he implies that they are liars. He neglects to mention that in a memo to the city council dated July 29, 2009 it was explained how the millage rate may be increased or decreased. He continued his campaign to intimidate our city clerk when she filed a formal complaint. How? By asking for her employment history and all her e-mails from August 2009 through October 2009. He insists in having these e-mails in hard copy, all 1,935 pages ! It takes 2 employees just under 2 days to compile the list of e-mails. He writes a letter in response to Mrs. Tebo’s formal complaint and in his response he dedicates over half the letter to an interaction he and Mrs. Tebo had over four years ago. Does Mr. Conoley’s preoccupation with an interaction over four years supports the theory that he had an axe to grind ? Yes it does. Is it reasonable to speculate that if Mr. Seelbinder had also filed a complaint that Mr. Conoley would have ask for his employment history and e-mails ? Yes it is. Is this to the betterment of our community or in the interest of our citizens? No it is not. It is an act of malice in my opinion. This act of malice equates to an act of malfeasance.

Is it my civic duty to monitor the performance of my elected officials and I will continue to do so. I won’t be intimidated or succumb to the ridicule of juvenile minds.
It’s quite simple, those of you who believe Mr. Conoley is doing such a magnificent job simply need to approach the podium and express the fact that you believe he is going a great job.
Of course you will be required to state your complete name though.
On a related note. Mr. Erickson has Mr. Kenneth S. Weaver on his list of city manager candidates. When Mr. Marks and Mr. Conoley present their list of candidates if Mr. Weaver is on their list
will there be any need to go through the pretense of considering any other candidates ?
Respectfully,
Dave Chapman

Councilman Van Conoley is liked by the residents of DeBary and I know him to be an honest man. However, I knew this his honesty and straight talk would bring him into conflict with someone at sometime. Yet this Dave Chapman fellow is a strange individual even by DeBary standards. Although Mr. Chapman has absolutely no evidence of any wrongdoing by Mr. Conoley, Mr. Chapman continued to quote from a section of the City Charter and call for Mr. Conoley's removal. Mr. Chapman stated that he: " Thought that Mr. Conoley wished to have Stacy Tebo, the City Clerk, fired." Mr. Conoley never stated in public, or any written correspondence that he wished any harm to Ms. Tebo's continued employment. It is extremely clear that Mr. Chapman is a slow minded individual who has difficulty reading the script that someone has prepared for him.

**The last portion of this editorial has been removed because it was directed at a city employee and those comments should be directed to the City Manager for discussion. --DeBaryPOP.

My how curious the machinations of City Council political infighting. First comes Mr. Chapman waging unprovoked character assasination against Councilman Conoley, for blatantly political purposes. However, and inasmuch as Mr. Conoley is known by all to be of the highest integrity, this unseemly assault is dismissed by serious residents but for the fishy aroma surrounding its a-tonal orchestration. Mr. Chapman exposed himself for the unabashed political opportunist that he embodies in much the same vein as Mark Meister; however, again and again, Chapman recited some obscure and irrelevant section of the City Charter in hs campaign to defame and harm Mr. Conoley, to which the Council turned a collectively Machiavellian tuned ear.

Now comes that same Machiavellian Council citing that same obscure, if not irrelevant in this case, section of the Charter in an attempt to indict Mr. Garcia. While it may indeed be legendary that Bob Garcia
is notoriously slow witted and of bazaar behavioral characteristics, by normal standards, is that any reason to remove an elected official from the Council? Certainly not! Censure Garcia and let the Council return to its serious concerns. After all, it has never been, and is not now, a crime to be slow witted and a little nutty in service to the public.

It is extremely strange how politics works. Mr. Chapman launched a verbal and personal war againest Concilman Conoley. Since 98% of the Debary City residents believe that Mr. Conoley is a man of the highest levels of honesty and integrity, Mr. Chapman seemed to be just another political fool much like Mark Meister. However, Mr. Chapman kept citing an obsure section of the City Charter in his attempt to harm Councilman Conoley. He did this at meeting after meeting. Obviously the Council was listening since the Council voted to indict Bob Garcia on a 4 to 1 vote by citing the little known section of the City Charter. I know that Bob Garcia is a little slow witted and sometimes a little nutty and has some other faults, but he should not be removed from the Council. I believe that the Council should only censure Bob and not remove him. After all it is no crime to be slow witted and a little nutty.

Gentlemen,

I want to thank John Likakis for the meeting summaries he provides to all of us who are unable to attend or watch the City Council meetings. John sometimes makes editorial comments which are always noted as such. I for one appreciate the difference and thank John for noting the difference. He does a great job !

I also want to thank the website directors (John, Norm and Lenny) for refocusing this website on the ISSUES and not PEOPLE. It certainly has reduced the BS that marked the months of August and September.

I also want to say that I hope that the next batch of CM candidates will not be subject to the public abuse that Mr.Weaver experienced. If he is, I hope that he will sue the public reps and private
individuals responsible for such public comments, not the City.

I have heard only good things about the interim City Manager. Thank you Kassandra for the professional effort you are demonstrating which is heads above your predecessors. May the Council find someone like you for the permanent position. Which brings me to my final comment. I was told that Kassandra stated at a council meeting that she did not apply for the permanent position, but felt that the Council members respected her work. Before some nut case started spouting that she did not apply because the Council worked her too hard or did not respect her, I want to say thanks for the proactive position to head off trouble.

Happy Turkey Day with your family and friends !

Joe Braxton

For those who are interested following is the list of candidates Mr. Erickson has submitted for city manager.

1. Kenneth S. Weaver
2. Samuel Oppelaar
3. Fred Ventresco
4. Earnest Carlucci
5. Lawrence Dobrosky
6. Anthony Otte
7. Dan Parrott
8. Roger Kolman

Dave Chapman

Mr. Erickson,

Very well then let me replace "not a good representaive" with Mr. Conoley is "incompetent" in my opinion.

For some citizens, merely changing one thing to another represents proof and support for that claim. But here on Earth, I think most people desire facts and accuracy to support the claim of "incompetence". Merely saying it doesn't prove it, unfortunately for Mr. Chapman.

Accuracy of statement is one of the first elements of truth; inaccuracy is a near kin to falsehood. - Tyron Edwards.

Mr. Erickson,

Thank you for providing the concise procedure for recalling an elected official.
I would also like to add malfeasance ( in my opinion ) to the list in regards to Mr. Conoley's performance on the council.

Respectfully,
Dave Chapman

Norm Erickson

Here is the state statute dealing with recall and its requirements:

100.361 Municipal recall.--

(1) APPLICATION; DEFINITION.--Any member of the governing body of a municipality or charter county, hereinafter referred to in this section as "municipality," may be removed from office by the electors of the municipality. When the official represents a district and is elected only by electors residing in that district, only electors from that district are eligible to sign the petition to recall that official and are entitled to vote in the recall election. When the official represents a district and is elected at-large by the electors of the municipality, all electors of the municipality are eligible to sign the petition to recall that official and are entitled to vote in the recall election. Where used in this section, the term "district" shall be construed to mean the area or region of a municipality from which a member of the governing body is elected by the electors from such area or region. Members may be removed from office pursuant to the procedures provided in this section. This method of removing members of the governing body of a municipality is in addition to any other method provided by state law.

(2) RECALL PETITION.--

(a) Petition content.--A petition shall contain the name of the person sought to be recalled and a statement of grounds for recall. The statement of grounds may not exceed 200 words, and the stated grounds are limited solely to those specified in paragraph (d). If more than one member of the governing body is sought to be recalled, whether such member is elected by the electors of a district or by the electors of the municipality at-large, a separate recall petition shall be prepared for each member sought to be recalled. Upon request, the content of a petition should be, but is not required to be, provided by the proponent in alternative formats.

(b) Requisite signatures.--

1. In a municipality or district of fewer than 500 electors, the petition shall be signed by at least 50 electors or by 10 percent of the total number of registered electors of the municipality or district as of the preceding municipal election, whichever is greater.

2. In a municipality or district of 500 or more but fewer than 2,000 registered electors, the petition shall be signed by at least 100 electors or by 10 percent of the total number of registered electors of the municipality or district as of the preceding municipal election, whichever is greater.

3. In a municipality or district of 2,000 or more but fewer than 5,000 registered electors, the petition shall be signed by at least 250 electors or by 10 percent of the total number of registered electors of the municipality or district as of the preceding municipal election, whichever is greater.

4. In a municipality or district of 5,000 or more but fewer than 10,000 registered electors, the petition shall be signed by at least 500 electors or by 10 percent of the total number of registered electors of the municipality or district as of the preceding municipal election, whichever is greater.

5. In a municipality or district of 10,000 or more but fewer than 25,000 registered electors, the petition shall be signed by at least 1,000 electors or by 10 percent of the total number of registered electors of the municipality or district as of the preceding municipal election, whichever is greater.

6. In a municipality or district of 25,000 or more registered electors, the petition shall be signed by at least 1,000 electors or by 5 percent of the total number of registered electors of the municipality or district as of the preceding municipal election, whichever is greater.

All signatures shall be obtained, as provided in paragraph (e), within a period of 30 days, and all signed and dated petition forms shall be filed at the same time, no later than 30 days after the date on which the first signature is obtained on the petition.

(c) Recall committee.--Electors of the municipality or district making charges contained in the statement of grounds for recall, as well as those signing the recall petition, shall be designated as the recall committee. A specific person shall be designated in the petition as chair of the committee, and this person shall act for the committee. The recall committee and the officer being recalled are subject to the provisions of chapter 106.

(d) Grounds for recall.--The grounds for removal of elected municipal officials shall, for the purposes of this act, be limited to the following and must be contained in the petition:

1. Malfeasance;

2. Misfeasance;

3. Neglect of duty;

4. Drunkenness;

5. Incompetence;

6. Permanent inability to perform official duties; and

7. Conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude.

(e) Signature process.--Only electors of the municipality or district are eligible to sign the petition. Each elector signing a petition shall sign and date his or her name in ink or indelible pencil. Each petition shall contain appropriate lines for each elector's original signature, printed name, street address, city, county, voter registration number or date of birth, and date signed. The form shall also contain lines for an oath, to be executed by a witness who is to verify the fact that the witness saw each person sign the counterpart of the petition, that each signature appearing thereon is the genuine signature of the person it purports to be, and that the petition was signed in the presence of the witness on the date indicated.

(f) Filing of signed petitions.--All signed petition forms shall be filed at the same time, no later than 30 days after the date on which the first signature is obtained on the petition. The person designated as chair of the committee shall file the signed petition forms with the auditor or clerk of the municipality or charter county, or his or her equivalent, hereinafter referred to as "clerk." The petition may not be amended after it is filed with the clerk.

(g) Verification of signatures.--

1. Immediately after the filing of the petition forms, the clerk shall submit such forms to the county supervisor of elections. No more than 30 days after the date on which all petition forms are submitted to the supervisor by the clerk, the supervisor shall promptly verify the signatures in accordance with s. 99.097, and determine whether the requisite number of valid signatures has been obtained for the petition. The committee seeking verification of the signatures shall pay in advance to the supervisor the sum of 10 cents for each signature checked or the actual cost of checking such signatures, whichever is less.

2. Upon filing with the clerk, the petition and all subsequent papers or forms required or permitted to be filed with the clerk in connection with this section must, upon request, be made available in alternative formats by the clerk.

3. If the supervisor determines that the petition does not contain the requisite number of verified and valid signatures, the clerk shall, upon receipt of such written determination, so certify to the governing body of the municipality or charter county and file the petition without taking further action, and the matter shall be at an end. No additional names may be added to the petition, and the petition shall not be used in any other proceeding.

4. If the supervisor determines that the petition has the requisite number of verified and valid signatures, then the procedures outlined in subsection (3) must be followed.

(3) RECALL PETITION AND DEFENSE.--

(a) Notice.--Upon receipt of a written determination that the requisite number of signatures has been obtained, the clerk shall at once serve upon the person sought to be recalled a certified copy of the petition. Within 5 days after service, the person sought to be recalled may file with the clerk a defensive statement of not more than 200 words.

(b) Content and preparation.--Within 5 days after the date of receipt of the defensive statement or after the last date a defensive statement could have been filed, the clerk shall prepare a document entitled "Recall Petition and Defense." The "Recall Petition and Defense" shall consist of the recall petition, including copies of the originally signed petitions and counterparts. The "Recall Petition and Defense" must contain lines which conform to the provisions of paragraph (2)(e), and the defensive statement or, if no defensive statement has been filed, a statement to that effect. The clerk shall make copies of the "Recall Petition and Defense" which are sufficient to carry the signatures of 30 percent of the registered electors. Immediately after preparing and making sufficient copies of the "Recall Petition and Defense," the clerk shall deliver the copies to the person designated as chair of the committee and take his or her receipt therefor.

(c) Requisite signatures.--Upon receipt of the "Recall Petition and Defense," the committee may circulate them to obtain the signatures of 15 percent of the electors. All signatures shall be obtained and all signed petition forms filed with the clerk no later than 60 days after delivery of the "Recall Petition and Defense" to the chair of the committee.

(d) Signed petitions; request for striking name.--The clerk shall assemble all signed petitions, check to see that each petition is properly verified by the oath of a witness, and submit such petitions to the county supervisor of elections. Any elector who signs a recall petition has the right to demand in writing that his or her name be stricken from the petition. A written demand signed by the elector shall be filed with the clerk, and, upon receipt of the demand, the clerk shall strike the name of the elector from the petition and place his or her initials to the side of the signature stricken. However, a signature may not be stricken after the clerk has delivered the "Recall Petition and Defense" to the supervisor for verification of the signatures.

(e) Verification of signatures.--Within 30 days after receipt of the signed "Recall Petition and Defense," the supervisor shall determine the number of valid signatures, purge the names withdrawn, and certify whether 15 percent of the qualified electors of the municipality have signed the petitions. The supervisor shall be paid by the persons or committee seeking verification the sum of 10 cents for each name checked.

(f) Reporting.--If the supervisor determines that the requisite number of signatures has not been obtained, the clerk shall, upon receipt of such written determination, certify such determination to the governing body and retain the petitions. The proceedings shall be terminated, and the petitions shall not again be used. If the supervisor determines that at least 15 percent of the qualified electors signed the petition, the clerk shall, immediately upon receipt of such written determination, serve notice of that determination upon the person sought to be recalled and deliver to the governing body a certificate as to the percentage of qualified electors who signed.

(4) RECALL ELECTION.--If the person designated in the petition files with the clerk, within 5 days after the last-mentioned notice, his or her written resignation, the clerk shall at once notify the governing body of that fact, and the resignation shall be irrevocable. The governing body shall then proceed to fill the vacancy according to the provisions of the appropriate law. In the absence of a resignation, the chief judge of the judicial circuit in which the municipality is located shall fix a day for holding a recall election for the removal of those not resigning. Any such election shall be held not less than 30 days or more than 60 days after the expiration of the 5-day period last-mentioned and at the same time as any other general or special election held within the period; but if no such election is to be held within that period, the judge shall call a special recall election to be held within the period aforesaid.

(5) BALLOTS.--The ballots at the recall election shall conform to the following: With respect to each person whose removal is sought, the question shall be submitted: "Shall _____ be removed from the office of _____ by recall?" Immediately following each question there shall be printed on the ballots the two propositions in the order here set forth:

" (name of person) should be removed from office."

" (name of person) should not be removed from office."

(6) FILLING OF VACANCIES; SPECIAL ELECTIONS.--

(a) If an election is held for the recall of members elected only at-large, candidates to succeed them for the unexpired terms shall be voted upon at the same election and shall be elected in the same manner as provided by the appropriate law for the election of candidates at general elections. Candidates shall not be elected to succeed any particular member. If only one member is removed, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected to fill the vacancy. If more than one member is removed, candidates equal in number to the number of members removed shall be declared elected to fill the vacancies; and, among the successful candidates, those receiving the greatest number of votes shall be declared elected for the longest terms. Cases of ties, and all other matters not herein specially provided for, shall be determined by the rules governing elections generally.

(b) If an election is held for the recall of members elected only from districts, candidates to succeed them for the unexpired terms shall be voted upon at a special election called by the chief judge of the judicial circuit in which the districts are located not less than 30 days or more than 60 days after the expiration of the recall election. The qualifying period, for purposes of this section, shall be established by the chief judge of the judicial circuit after consultation with the clerk. Any candidate seeking election to fill the unexpired term of a recalled district municipal official shall reside in the district represented by the recalled official and qualify for office in the manner required by law. Each candidate receiving the highest number of votes for each office in the special district recall election shall be declared elected to fill the unexpired term of the recalled official. Candidates seeking election to fill a vacancy created by the removal of a municipal official shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 106.

(c) When an election is held for the recall of members of the governing body composed of both members elected at-large and from districts, candidates to succeed them for the unexpired terms shall be voted upon at a special election as provided in paragraph (b).

(d) However, in any recall election held pursuant to paragraph (b) or paragraph (c), if only one member is voted to be removed from office, the vacancy created by the recall shall be filled by the governing body according to the provisions of the appropriate law for filling vacancies.

(7) EFFECT OF RESIGNATIONS.--If the member of the governing body being recalled resigns from office prior to the recall election, the remaining members shall fill the vacancy created according to the appropriate law for filling vacancies. If all of the members of the governing body are sought to be recalled and all of the members resign prior to the recall election, the recall election shall be canceled, and a special election shall be called to fill the unexpired terms of the resigning members. If all of the members of the governing body are sought to be recalled and any of the members resign prior to the recall election, the proceedings for the recall of members not resigning and the election of successors to fill the unexpired terms shall continue and have the same effect as though there had been no resignation.

(8) WHEN PETITION MAY BE FILED.--No petition to recall any member of the governing body of a municipality shall be filed until the member has served one-fourth of his or her term of office. No person removed by a recall, or resigning after a petition has been filed against him or her, shall be eligible to be appointed to the governing body within a period of 2 years after the date of such recall or resignation.

(9) RETENTION OF PETITION.--The clerk shall preserve in his or her office all papers comprising or connected with a petition for recall for a period of 2 years after they were filed.

(10) OFFENSES RELATING TO PETITIONS.--No person shall impersonate another, purposely write his or her name or residence falsely in the signing of any petition for recall or forge any name thereto, or sign any paper with knowledge that he or she is not a qualified elector of the municipality. No person shall employ or pay another to accept employment or payment for circulating or witnessing a recall petition. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree and shall, upon conviction, be punished as provided by law.

(11) INTENT.--It is the intent of the Legislature that the recall procedures provided in this act shall be uniform statewide. Therefore, all municipal charter and special law provisions which are contrary to the provisions of this act are hereby repealed to the extent of this conflict.

(12) PROVISIONS APPLICABLE.--The provisions of this act shall apply to cities and charter counties whether or not they have adopted recall provisions.

History.--ss. 1, 2, ch. 74-130; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 12, ch. 77-175; s. 1, ch. 77-279; s. 1, ch. 81-312; s. 20, ch. 83-217; s. 17, ch. 89-338; s. 15, ch. 90-315; s. 549, ch. 95-147; s. 14, ch. 95-280; s. 1, ch. 2000-249; s. 5, ch. 2001-40; s. 8, ch. 2002-281; s. 13, ch. 2008-95.

In these past few weeks my intent has been to appeal to the council members in hopes that one of them would live up to their responsibility for their oath of office. Each member of the council signs this oath which in essence states that they will put the good of our community above their personal whims.
I have made it no secret that I feel Mr. Conoley should be reviewed by his fellow council members and they should formally consider whether or not he must forfeit his seat on the council. There is a provision for this measure in our city charter.
I have in fact contacted the other four members of the council requesting each of them to sponsor this action. Three of the members declined to do so and one member would not respond to me at all.
This leaves no recourse other than to initiate a movement to have Mr. Conoley recalled. Action by the council to remove Mr. Conoley from his seat by means of forfeiture would be the most direct means to force his removal from office and would be of no expense to the taxpayers. In my opinion the council should have the courage to police themselves, but they do not.
Thus I call on other members of the community who feel as I do to unite in the effort to force Mr. Conoley's out of office.
I firmly believe if we must endure his tenure in office for the next 26 months we will spiral into one disastrous event after another.
Perhaps Mr.Conoley is a wonderful neighbor, perhaps Mr. Conoley was a wonderful educator I don't know. What I do know is that ( in my opinion ) Mr. Conoley is not a good representative of our community in his position on the council.
And let me say I believe in "the system" although I don't always agree with decisions that are made. And I can be persuaded by a logical and rational argument to change my opinion on various issues.
But when one member of the council is so pompous and condescending it only serves to breed contempt. Contempt not only among the individual and the citizens but also contempt in the remaining council members against that member who appears to be completely self serving.
Mr. Conoley is that individual.
I would like to invite anyone who wishes to discuss this matter with me to approach me. I regularly attend council meetings. As I stated I can be persuaded by logical and rational argument contrary to my perceptions. Although I readily admit in this case in will be a monumental task to persuade me that if Mr. Conoley retains his seat on the council it will be anything other than absolute fiasco over the period of the next 26 months.

Respectfully,
Dave Chapman

I thought that the people had the right to remove an elected councilman with a recall petition with a required amount of signatures. The way you make it sound that only the council has that right. As far as public participation ANYBODY that lives in the city limits has the right to say what they want as long as they are not disorderly. It may not be council business ,but it is still a public voice, which should never be quiet. If Mr. Conoley stuck to COUNCIL business the meetings would not be so long. His suggestion for a shorter meeting... shorten a presentation to our citizens for there hard work ...come on.

I'll bet that Mr. Ustler does not put his money where his mouth is. If he lives in one of those condos or even downtown Orlando, I'll eat mu socks! He lives in an upsale subdivision or on substantial acreage. His children attend private school or an all-white public school. His wife does not shop downtown. How hypocritical to tell other people what they want, but not have it be good enough for you.
I hope that Mike Thomas will read Ustler's comments on this webpage. Perhaps he has addditional comments.

Patrick Fulton has been blogging on the News Journal website and defending the past that no one wants to talk about. Is he going to start making his bid for office next year? Haven't heard anything from him since he left.

Barry Allen

I always knew how to spell your name and I see my point has finally gotten through. I feel that NOW you are getting it right in reference to the council meeting instead of making it a JERRY SPRINGER side show THANK YOU for that. I like the new format of the highlight section about the meetings. It is very aggravating when things are not done RIGHT. GOOD JOB!

The next time someone tries to tell me that we have a water shortge in Volusia County I will refer them to Frank Bruno who can explain why they are going to allow 30,000 homes in one of the best water recharge areas in the state. I guess the developers and elected officials will not be happy until the state is just one big blacktop parking lot.

The county wants the tax base at the expense of the rest of the citizens. I guess the only bright spot in this is the downturn of the economy, it will take years to build this development out.

well here we go again... it was a pretty good meeting even if two of the council members were absent. Again I must compliment our acting city mananger for her work she is doing to keep things abreast to the city council members and working with people that call in and walk ins asking advice about our city. Again thank you for the space on the POP network

I think our new city manager js a winner.. I think she will be great for our city. Things are looking up for the city. Thanks Kassandera....

To Angie________? :-

An Entertainer once said; "I don't even mind bad publicity. Just spell my name right." It's at the end of each Summary.

I rarely comment on e-mails but I thought your 2 mails needed clarification. In the first one you wrote;"Isn't it nice to have a websight for your own use." Not really, Angie, because it's not mine. It's yours, It's JB's. It's GS's, It's every citizen's websight. It's the People's Place. It always has been. It's what generated over 8000 hits September.

In your second e-mail you wrote; "....when you cover the Council meeting it would be great to give praise instead of Norm, Lenny, or Van or yourself." Here's the tally for the 9/16/09 meeting: Erickson - 3. Lenzen - 1. Marks - 1. Garcia - 2. Conoley - 2. Me - 1. I don't pick them. I condense some of the discussion in order to make it easier for the reader to get the gist of the subject. No need to copy every wword that's spoken. As for "Me", sometimes there are no Editorial Comments ("EC's) and sometimes 2-3. Depends on the importance of the subject. (Maybe it's my pay for doing
the Summary and more important for getting a numb bottom for sitting 3-4-5 hours.)

I guess the spelling hint didn't work. Or maybe you just like messing with my name. LUKAKAS !?

John Likakis
DeBary POP

I,m glad to see that you chose my slogan "ENOUGH IS EHOUGH" but of course you did not publish it because it was against you. You are right DEBARYP.O.P. has become DebaryPoop. I also think that you encourage it by winding up your people like Val Emerson "PITBULL WITH A RINSTONE COLLAR" give me a break. also FICTIOUS NAMES. Why? Mr Lukakas, when you cover the council meetings it would be great if you would give equal praise instead of norm, lenny or van or yourself I see there is more to it than that at least what I see.

Thank You
Angie

I am quite concerned about the direction our city government is heading.. I think they need to start working together and not condem one another. Also city members IE, Mark Meister making the comments he makes. I realize the freedom of speech we have,,, but my addage is engage mind before starting mouth'''' Need I say more? thank you for hearing from me

How many times do we have to set in a City Council meeting and hear the lake water levels in NO NAME LAKE?

9/19:

From Mark Meister on a Yahoo Blog:

I have done background checks on such wonderful names as Sanford Greenberg, Rodrick Jones ESQ?, Eric Blair, Richard Pressler MD who lives in the Midwestern states, and I have not found Joe Braxton either. It is shameful that these individuals can go after the Mayor or even private citizens and not have the kahunas to use their real names.

Mr. Meister, I’m sure Mr. Weaver feels the same way given those are exactly the tactics you and others used to run him off. Computer porn, sexual harassment…when Mr. Bors said is nothing compared to what you and others said about Mr. Weaver. And now it’s not so nice to have things turned around, is it? The blog works both ways mr. meister, but I have a feeling that maybe what Mr. Bors says is true…but…few of the thigns you and others said about Weaver were true…and who cares…I’m sure you feel the same way about what Mr. Bors has said. Just walk away from it the way mr. Weaver had to do.

Peter Knight

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I read far worse about Ms. Blissett than WEaver on blogs and Meister said nothing, Wilson said nothing and the mayor was mute. WHY?

Alex Mands

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There are hundreds of cities all across the US that have a town idiot like Meister.

George Fuller

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Jerry Bors’s essay on Mark Meister was extremely sad but extremely true.

Charles Bumbalough

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Mark Meister is not only a fool but a loser.

Meister campaigned against Pat Northey; Meister supported a loser.

Meister campaigned for Patrick Fulton; Meister supported a loser.

Meister campaigned against Lenny Marks; Meister supported a loser.

Meister sought public office in 2008; Meister was a huge loser.

I notice from attending city council meetings that people do not want to be near you or around you Mr. Meister. You are the proverbial leper. People shun you. One of the very few people that I observed showing kindness to you was Councilman Conoley. I noticed in the past that Mr. Conoley would extend kindness toward you and talk to you; I’ll never understand why.

Regardless of the verbal attacks on Vice Mayor Erickson, Councilman Marks and Councilman Conoley, the individuals that you purport to help stay away from you. You will never be accepted by the very individuals that you seek to impress. They only use you as their political hit man and you lack the intellectual capacity to comprehend this. You are so simple minded that you believe these “political friends” are you real friends. They are not. You are truly pathetic because you do not seem to have any real and true friends. Your political attacks amount to nothing but negative attention getting behavior. What makes you so pathetic is that you simply do not get it and you probably never will.

The law abiding public expects a person like Meister with a criminal past to obtain an honest job and to work hard. After years of honest and hard work individuals with crimes in their past often have their criminal records expunged.

Has Mr. Meister obtained honest and hard work? No! Public records indicate Mr. Meister is not working and has not worked in years. Mr. Meister is on public welfare and disability.

Even a person with a criminal past, like Meister, is entitled to disability if he is really disabled. The question is: is Meister disabled or just a welfare cheat soaking up public funds?

Lets examine Mr. Meister’s disability. When Meister sought public office in DeBary in 2008 he walked door to door as did his opponent. The August, September, and even the October heat in 2008 forced Mr. Meister’s opponent to stop walking after about two hours. But not Meister, he walked both in the morning and in the afternoon. I remember when Mr. Meister walked up to my house. I thought to myself after he left: “This Meister seems as crazy as a loon, but he is in great shape to walk for up to 6 hours a day like he told me.”

Since Mr. Meister was able to walk for up to 6 hours a day, I really think it is time to answer an important question. Is Meister disabled or just a welfare cheat soaking up public funds?

It is clear to me that Mr. Meister is not disabled and needs to get off the public welfare rolls. Get off public welfare, Mr. Meister and get a real job and become a productive citizen. Stop being a parasite on society. Stop using the government to support your lazy and worthless lifestyle. Get some education and a real job and make something worthwhile out of your retched and shameful past life.

Jerry Bors

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It has been pointed out that I listed an inaccurate link for former City Manager candidate Ken Weaver in the discussion regarding his resume on the debary_fl discussion group.

I did not invest a great deal of time attempting to do a hatchet job on the guy like the Mayor’s cronies apparently did. In an effort to become informed on the issue, I did perform an admittedly “cursory search” using the terms “Ken Weaver” and “City Manager”, which yielded the website I posted. It turns out that there’s more than one Ken Weaver involved in the City Manager business who happens to have roots in Tennessee. Who’d a thunk it?

Nonetheless, I posted a link to the resume of the wrong Kenneth Weaver and stand corrected. I appreciate Norm Erickson pointing this out and would encourage everyone to read the rest of my post.

I would like to add that I did not participate in or support the smear campaign that seems to have been initiated by the Mayor. I felt that his crybaby attitude when the majority of the Council vote did not go his way was appalling. His public pouting and lack of solidarity with the rest of Council contributed to stirring up the pot of malcontentment, which, in my opinion, led to the smear and eventual rescinding of Weaver’s acceptance of the job.
Garcia’s ego and lack of being a team player is but one of the reasons why I would fully support a movement to recall him

Nelson Goodreau

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Mr. Erickson,
The two Weavers was diagnosed because of 6a and 6b of the list. The Kenneth Wilson that wasn't our Weaver had absolutely no bad press whatsoever. Our Kenneth Weaver is the one that I made the phone calls, checked newspaper articles, and in some cases read the minutes of Council meetings. The two Weavers lasted one day and was diagnosed because of two jobs of 6a and 6b. Everything else fit together in a weird and strange pattern. Kenneth S. Weaver was easy to follow after this situation. Only the first list was wrong.

Mark Meister

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9/18:

This solves the Mayor's real name:

December 24, 2004

Daytona Beach News-Journal, "Deltona man warns of truck fires"

A Deltona man whose Ford pickup caught fire in his garage, extensively damaging his home, is warning others that it could happen to them, too. Roberto Garcia-Nazario said his 1999 Ford F-150 burst into flames the evening of Dec. 13, some nine and a half hours after he parked it and turned off the ignition. Garcia, who ran for mayor in Deltona's first municipal elections in 1995, said he "lost everything" in the fire, and his main concern is that it also could happen to someone else.

Are we sure what the Mayor is signing is legal?

Eric Blair

9/17:

Mr. Conoley must really like the sound of his oun voice, he never shuts up. He just will not let the Weaver incident go. He did not want the job for some reason, just let it go.

It is unfortunate that when he finally does say something that sounds half way intelligent people are so tired of hearing him go on and on, the don’t hear the good points he says. How many times do we have to hear about his bears and snakes?

J Rider

9/14:

Everyone should get off of Mayor "bob"'s back. He is doing the best that he can do with his uncontrolled bursts of anger, his misconception that being mayor in DeBary is more than one vote on the Council, and his lack of knowledge about the operation of local government.

If you are so angry on his behalf, start a recall petition and prevent him any further embarassement !

The best thing to have come about from all the City Manager bru-ha-ha in the past six months is that people are talking about it, reading about it and some even writing about it. This is the first interest in local politics that most citizens have shown in some time.

I hope that each one of you will continue to exhibit this interest on other matters that affect your daily life. The City will only improve if we ALL participate.

Joe Braxton

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In my wildest dreams, I never thought it possible for the citizens of DeBary to elect someone so incredibly stupid that he could make George Coleman look like a rocket scientist. Mayor Garcia has indeed reached and achieved new levels of human stupidity.

Lauren Claudell

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9/12:

One of the more common statements in DeBary is, “Have you heard the latest thing our idiot Mayor did?” What really makes it so very funny is that Dumbo Garcia is never satisfied with shooting himself in one foot. He reloads and shoots himself in the other foot.

Clearly the DeBary city council has no power to direct city policy except when the Council is in session. When Anthony Gonzalez handed a written letter of resignation to Mr. Garcia, the letter became a public record and Garcia was legally required to act in a lawful manner and accept the resignation. He did not. Garcia tried to get Mr. Gonzalez to rescind his resignation and wanted to keep it from the Council. How do we know this?? We know this because Garcia told the whole world about his illegal actions and they are all on videotape. Both Vice Mayor Erickson and Councilman Lenzen clearly told Mr. Garcia that this was illegal.

Yet Mr. Garcia was not finished. He decided to shoot himself in the foot once again. Everyone knows that it is illegal for an elected official to collect money from individuals. The only exception is when a candidate opens a campaign account for public office. So after his election with his campaign account closed, what does Mr. Garcia do? Mr. Garcia decides that since he is Mayor, he can go out and collect money from private citizens to finance a Strategic Planning Committee. How can one person be so stupid you ask. Well, when Mr. Garcia was addressed at a City Council meeting and ordered to give the money back by a 4-1 vote, Garcia was the one “No” vote thinking he is a King and not just an ordinary elected official who has to obey the law.

At this point you must think it impossible for Mr. Garcia to inflict more damage on himself: give the man some credit. Mr. Garcia stated on videotape at another Council meeting that he “asked” the financial officer, Jimmie Seelbinder, to stop working on the audit and concentrate all efforts on FEMA. This instruction is clearly ILLEGAL since it is the City Manger’s job to direct and control the city staff when the Council is not in session, and, I might add, this illegal behavior by the Mayor resulted in City’s audit being late. This action by the Mayor also is in violation of the City Charter.

All of the above illegal acts along with Mr. Garcia’s insane, violent outbursts indicate that it is past time to recall Mr. Garcia from office. Mr. Garcia is an embarrassment to the law abiding citizens of DeBary. Everyone I know who admits to voting for Garcia says that they now regret it. It is time for this fool to depart.

Rodrick Jones Jr. Esq.

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Beware of dirty old men with gray beards and blotchy red faces who speak with forked tongue.

Sanford Greenberg

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Good find, Mr. Braxton, if you look in the property records of Volusia County, Mayor Garcia pays no property tax on his home. I am sure the full exemption is legal. No wonder the mayor wanted to raise the mil rate to the roll back rate which would have increased our taxes even more, he doesn't pay taxes.

J Rider

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9/11/09:

Roberto Garcia-Nazario. Who is this single man, who owns a house? He is the only person named Garcia who owns property in the City of Debary, according to the Volusia County Property Appraiser's Office website. The deed is recorded in Book 5799, Page 1637 of the Public Records of Volusia County. Who is he?

He could not be our own Bob Garcia, could he? Mayor Bob's name on the 2008 ballot was "Bob Garcia". He couldn't run for office and get elected using any name other than his legal name, could he? What is Mayor Bob's LEGAL name? When he ran for Mayor in Deltona he was Roberto "Bob" Garcia. Does he sign official City documents with his legal name or his pseudonym? I think more research is needed into Roberto Garcia-Nazario and his potential alter ego Bob Garcia. What do you think?

Joe Braxton

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Wow! Was I really watching the telecast of the DeBary City Council meeting this afternoon. They were extremely polite and civil with each other. What an impression they must have made on the new Interim City Manager. We can only hope that this behavior continues.

Ruth Patterson

THERE IS ALWAYS MORE TO BE SAID

I am very proud to have Mayor Garcia as the Mayor of DeBary. Yes, you read correctly. PROUD!! I voted for him and have never regretted it for a moment. It is clearly obvious that Norm Erickson, Lenny Marks, Van Conoley & John Likakis have their own smear campaign going on. Well, that is one bandwagon that this voter won't be jumping on.

MAYOR GARCIA is doing a great job considering the three clowns that he has to work with. If I was sitting on the council, I would probably do the exact same thing MAYOR GARCIA is doing.

MAYOR GARCIA is very in-tune with the citizens of DeBary. He hears them because he listens to them. NORM only listens to NORM. LENNY only listens to NORM. VAN only listens to some spaceship circling another planet.........or maybe his pet snake, who really knows.

MAYOR GARCIA isn't participating in the rediculous allegations of the other three stooges, so they are pulling the old bully tactics. How juvenile, how unprofessional, not leadership behavior. NORM, you are acting like your students, you are such a coward. You ought to be ashamed of your behavior. NORM ERICKSON doesn't participate in any city functions, never see him at any public events, didn't even show up for the City Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, MAYOR GARCIA did. Where were you, NORM? Playing on your website, trashing somebody? That's about all you are good for. It is discusting, low class, sneaky, ignorant. The City of DeBary sure messed up when they voted you into office. You behave like a child having a temper tantrum. Get a Real Life!

Mr. LENNY MARKS, these outbursts that you have during council meetings when you argue with the public during the course of a meeting, how stupid is that? You are supposed to be a City Leader......why don't you start acting like one? or maybe you don't know how? You were another mistake........it is clearly obvious that you don't have a remote clue on how the city works. After 1 1/2 years, you still haven't figured it out. Clearly not qualified to be a city councilman. Do yourself a favor, and keep your mouth shut! Stop embarrasing us, please!

MR. VAN CONOLEY.......why didn't you tell anyone that you had a private one-on-one dinner with Mr. Weaver the night of the interviews? Did you conveniently forget to make that public? Also, didn't you have a meal with Mr. Smyth, too? Why didn't you offer the other candidates an invitation to have a private meal with you? It would have been FAIR all around.......you are such a sneaky man! You think you have everyone fooled.....ha, we know what you are made of. You need to be recalled, along with the other two clowns.

Val, I hope you are still not leaving your light on for Mr. Weaver.............oh, and I made a very important call, too........I called the 80's, they said to tell you that they want their hair and clothes back.

This web-site is nothing but a snake pit. It is only one-sided and the voice of the community doesn't get heard by these folks that run this web-site, NORM, LENNY and LIKAKIS, they are not for the City, they are for themselves and their own agenda.

MR. LIKAKIS, you do not have this community fooled one bit, you need to spend more time taking care of your family members.......from what I hear, they could use your help.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, MAYOR GARCIA.......don't let these three stooges get to you. We are there for you in vast numbers and we appreciated everything that the good Mayor does for this community.

E. Hoecker

DeBary

9/10:

I’m Sad to say our Mayor has proven to THIS VOTER….

He is a SON OF A …The Gentleman”!

What a shame…..

A shame for a City that deserves so much more..

We must…our other 4 Councilmen GIVE US SO MUCH MORE..

These Four Men are all articulate, well spoken, and think before they speak…. and they read every word of every packet because they value the trust their voters have put in them to Steward our City.

No citizen will ever agree with every action or vote by every councilman. However,

Citizens have the right to expect a Council that works within the Charter our city has adopted. I think perhaps our Mayor needs to reread it.

My vote for our Mayor is…a vote I regret daily…I’m sorry Mr. Colemen..

I was lured by the big smile of what seemed to be a genuine man who wanted action for our city….He seemed committed to our City,,,

I was wrong…

In 8 months our Mayor’s actions have been witnessed by the media and his quotes show little regard for the 4 other Councilmen’s votes. I for one am disgusted by his deplorable actions at the September 2 meeting. He challenged a speaker to meet with him outside…and even defended his little “Son of the

Gentlemen slip” of the August 24 th Meeting by mentioning that anyone who thinks he meant anything other than what he said “Son of a …The Gentlemen…” had a dirty mind and should get it out of the gutter….

REALLY…..I don’t believe even he is foolish enough to buy this..

It seems our Mayor is quick to want to Dance with Vice Mayor Erikson…However after the September 2, meeting I now feel he only

Tap Dances around the Truth.

I specifically had questions revolving around our 2007-2008 Budget
Audit that has not been completed as of yet. I believe it will be reviewed on September 16 th. An audit that was to be done at the beginning of the year, by an independent auditor, who was waiting for our City records.

I believe this question struck a nerve with our Mayor

After all when I asked about it, the Mayor in a very loud shrill voice told mewhen he took office he told Jimmy (Steelbinder our CFO) that he (Mayor Garcia) wanted him to focus all of his attention on getting the FEMA money for damages from FAYE….however, when Vice Mayor Erickson informed our Mayor he could not give staff direction, that this was to come from the City Manager and to do this violated our city Charter, he did an about face.. When presented with that little fact

Our Mayor asked Jimmy who was sitting in the audience if he ever was given instructions on doing his job by the Mayor…he said no.

suddenly the Mayor came back and said he “Misspoke” and he didn’t do this….I as a citizen who took time to follow this problem feel I am deserving of a truthful answer. If the mayor did say this, as he himself said…He violated our city Charter….

If he did not give Jimmy direction, then he told me a bold untruth when he told me he did…oooops I forgot he himself said he “misspoke”…

NEITHER of these answers are acceptable in my opinion.

I have read so many insightful posts on the POP Site.

I would be interested in comments from other readers.

Your Participation at Council meetings would be also welcomed.

It was Asked WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH on a recent POP EDITORIAL ..

This voter says…I HAVE HAD ENOUGH….I am tired of gavel banging cut offs when our Mayor is not pleased with what is being said…I am offended by our Mayor’s threats to Vice Mayor Erickson on September 2…I am in disbelief that our Mayor would be so unprofessional Councilmen Conoley had to call the police……

And these are just a few incidents that have occurred during his 8 month tenure….

After reading Dr. Presslers’ Post I find myself wondering if we need to be wary of this man with what appears to be an explosive temper....

At any rate..It is unacceptable for our Citizens and our Other council Members to have to deal with such horrible behavior and those MIS-SPOKEN sentences….

I would like to see just how Mr. Garcia would respond if he were gaveled and silenced…or better yet if he were personally threatened at a public meeting…

now if he wants to say…….

I should get my mind out of the Gutter he just meant he wanted to dance with his friend…

I then would say …

City Council meetings held for sole purpose of conducting City Business

And are not an appropriate venue to have a dance party….

My name is VAL EMERSON and I am a COGS

…. CLEAN AND OPEN GOVERNMENT SUPPORTER,,,,,,

It takes many Cogs to keep the Wheels of Democracy Turning…

I encourage anyone reading this to let your opinion, whatever it be… be known…

Communities always benefit from open discussion…

I am grateful to our People over Politics site (POP)..

And all of the hard work that goes into it’s continual updates..but most of all…

It gives Citizens an opportunity to see issues for themselves…

To investigate that which concerns them….and note their own thoughts…. Our citizens more than ever seem to be engaging in our local politics…

No two people will ever agree on everything, however,

most two people will agree on something

as for myself…I think it’s time for our Mayor to face the Music….

Val Emerson

9/7:

Toward the end of October, 2008, a gentleman seeking office on the DeBary Council knocked on my front door. Since my husband generally hates most politicians, I decided to invite candidate Van Conoley into our house to talk with me and my husband.

Mr. Conoley sat with us on our screen porch. I noticed that while Mr. Conoley was speaking, my husband was listening very carefully. My husband is a retired military officer who served in Vietnam. My husband, who is a skilled linguist, directed comments toward Mr. Conoley in a language unknown to me. ( I later learned my husband was speaking a dialect of the Montagnards of Vietnam). Without blinking an eye, Mr. Conoley responded in the same language. Their conversation lasted about ten minutes in this language.

When my husband and Mr. Conoley had finished their conversation, Mr. Conoley shook my hand and my husband followed Mr. Conoley outside. My husband returned with a “Van Conoley” campaign sign which was placed in our front yard.

To my surprise, my husband suggested that we needed to go and vote in the early voting immediately. We did and we both voted for Van Conoley for City Council.

Both my husband and I have taken an interest in watching DeBary politics and we especially enjoy watching Mr. Conoley. We have concluded that Mr. Conoley is not going to be manipulated, intimidated, or outsmarted by any of the special interest groups that appear from time to time. We are both watching to see what rabbit Mr. Conoley will pull out of his hat at the next meeting.

Cathy Woods (maiden-name)

9/5:

Did I hear what I heard...AGAIN? Did the Mayor threaten the Vice Mayor?

When Vice Mayor Erickson brought up the point that the Mayor may have gone against the charter by reassigning duties to the Accountant, he was met with this response from the Mayor:

Mayor: "C'mon, bring it on. I want to dance with you tonight. C'mon."

Erickson responded: "I'm not here to dance."

THe Mayor: "Oh, I'm going to dance with you a lot, sir." For the remainder of my time I am going to dance with you alot! We're going to be so close, I'm going to love you, sir."

What do these words mean if not threats and what is this "love you, sir" business? This is our Mayor? Would we accept this from a city manager?

The Mayor's behavior is totally inappropriate and it seems he can't get through a meeting without blowing up and banging his gavel.

Eric Blair

9/4:

Many people say that Mayor Bob Garcia has no class, no brains, and no leadership abilities. I strongly disagree.

Mayor Garcia has the unique leadership abilities of three world leaders. They are: 1) Idi Amin of Uganda, 2) Muammar al-Gaddafi of Libya, and 3) Pancho Villa of Mexico.

It should be clear for all to see that Mr. Garcia possess the characteristics of all three of these leaders.

Keisha McKee

9/3:

It looks like I got my answer from before: personal attacks won the day in DeBary. The loser: DeBary. By my count the Mayor, Mr and Mrs Wilson ( as the mayor said) and Mark Meister were behind the character assasination. And now we learn that what Mr. Wilson said isn't true about Alaska and New York. What else isn't true Mr. Wilson. Do YOU even know? Mr. Wilson said that "stupid lasts forever". Yeah, if you put your trust in blogs. Nothing was really stated that could be backed up. But here are two things that are facts:

1) Van Conoley, earlier this year, filed a police report against the mayor. Van read this at a meeting. If we didn't want Weaver for what couldn't be proven, why should we keep the mayor with this report that proves an erratic and violent temper that has been seen as recent as last night against the Vice Mayor: "I'm going to dance with you Mr. Erickson". What is that? An invitiation to a fight?

2) Mark Meister:

Meister, Conoley go after City Council seat in DeBary

By Pat Hatfield
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Oct 15, 2008 - 9:12:44am

The heat is on in DeBary, with a hard-fought campaign for mayor and a slugfest for City Council Seat 3 both under way.

Mark Meister and Van Conoley, regular attendees at City Council meetings and civic events, said they were friends when they announced their intentions to run for Carson's seat. They said they hoped their friendship would withstand the campaign. It may not.

Conoley has been talking about Meister's "arrest record."

Meister, 47, acknowledged he was arrested, in his youth.

"That happened about 25 years ago. I got pulled over and someone who was with me had a bowl [drug paraphernalia] in the car," he said.

Meister was charged with drug possession, but only a paraphernalia-possession charge stuck.

Records at the Volusia County Clerk's office show Meister had to pay court costs and a fine in 1988 for the paraphernalia charge, and he also paid court costs and a fine for driving while his license was suspended.

The other case involved a charge of stealing a pack of cigarettes from a grocery store in Port Orange further back in the 1980s. Meister said he entered into a pretrial intervention program, and the charge was dropped. The record at the Clerk's office agrees — Meister attended classes, and the case was not prosecuted.

"This was a young mistake. We've all made them," Meister said.

If Weaver were found to have had these incidents in his past, would we want them? They actually occured in Meister's past and he was allowed to run for office. If he tries again, will Mr. Wilson come out against Meister?

What a shameful thing to smear an innocent man when the Mayor and Meister are so tarnished themselves. Let he without sin cast the first stone.

Eric Blair

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I enjoy watching government and I especially enjoy watching the DeBary City Council. As a medical doctor conducting research in the field of neurohormones, I seldom observe government from a medical perspective. However, after watching the September 2, 2009, DeBary City Council meeting, it is apparent that Mayor Garcia has a serious problem with anger management. There may be other possible syndromes involved. Mr. Garcia lost control on three separate occasions at the Wednesday meeting.

Mr. Garcia implied that he wanted to attack the Vice Mayor and used verbal threats. These “episodes” are on video tape for all to see and cover Mr. Garcia’s entire tenure of 8 months on the DeBary City Council.

Those of you who are friends of Mr. Garcia should seriously encourage him to seek medical assistance as soon as possible. There are many excellent medications that are available that could help Mr. Garcia with his situation before he seriously harms someone. An appointment with a competent psychiatrist could prove very helpful.

Richard Pressler M.D.

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Norm, am I to understand you picked up a telephone and actually called Mr. Weaver to verify his location of previous employment to insure you had your facts correct?…GASP……I am Shocked….WHOOOOOHOOO…THIS IS MY INTERNET STANDING OVATION TO YOU! Thank you for showing us how easy this is.,…after last night I was beginning to think the only way to fact-check here in the City of Debary was through the blogs and Google…. Personally, I hope Mr. Weaver looks at last night’s webcast….because It appears some of our Residents may not have done due diligence to insure the information they had was indeed linked to the correct Mr. Weaver or that it was substantiated prior to spewing their unsigned blogged unsubstantiated misconduct concerns at a public meeting on live web cam. Perhaps Mr. Weaver will want to look closely at those who spoke and what they said….

Oh but wait, it takes an individual of character to actually call Mr Weaver and ask him a pointed question and allow him to answer the question. Thanks for being that kind of an individual by asking him, and posting your findings.

I also wait to see the paper waiting to be written on Internet Allegations you referred to last evening, because you have just proven that some of last evening’s internet findings may not have been applicable. But hey..it’s only a man’s reputation…and after all, how much damage can someone do when they believe everything they read on the world wide web?……. I must admit there were creative aliases floating around last night when they discussed their findings…so here’s mine

“Pitbull with a Rhinestone Collar” !

Val Emerson

9/2:

During the selection process for city manager, many people were appalled that the mayor seemed to be more interested in who would accompany him to a home owner’s assoc. meeting than how knowledgeable the candidate was in the area of city finance, city law and city government.

By democratic selection the council freely, openly and fairly selected Ken Weaver to become the next city manager. Using scurrilous, sleazy, underhanded and Joe McCarthy-like tactics, the Mayor and his followers have assassinated the character and the integrity of a decent and law abiding citizen, Ken Weaver. There exists no public record of any criminal actions by Ken Weaver.

The reports came back clean on this man. The reason Ken Weaver is not going to be selected as the next city manager of DeBary is because his integrity and character have been attacked by the most scurrilous and underhanded tactics that I have ever seen. He has withdrawn his name from consideration and will not accept the job. The Mayor and his followers have succeeded in destroying a decent and law abiding human being. Unfortunately, the ramifications of these underhanded actions do not stop with the assassination of Mr. Weaver’s character.

Mr. Weaver was selected by a majority vote of the Council to come in to the city of DeBary and repair a budget that was totally unacceptable to the people. The budget contains gross and flagrant errors which have been pointed out to the city council by preliminary reports by a forensic auditor. The incompetent management of the city of Debary has kept the required state audit from coming to Council as it should have four month ago.

The reason Mr. Weaver was selected was to repair a broken budget! Now with Mr. Weaver unwilling to come to DeBary it’s going to be IMPOSSIBLE to comply with state law and have a fiscally sound budget prepared by the end of Sept. a required by law.

Therefore, it appears that most conscientious and law abiding members of this Council will have to say “No” to this budget and it will not be sent to Tallahassee. Thus, the auditor general of the state of Florida will have to come in and manage the city not the city council. These are the consequences of Mayor Garcia's actions.

Robert J. Hatcher

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Somehow, someway, I guess the entire city of Debary was magically moved to Deltona. It is Deltona that used to be the city that had one embharassing episode after another. With the Weaver debacle, I do believe that we (the city of DeBary) are giving them a run for their money. I find it so difficult to believe that a thorough background check was not completed prior to the selection of Mr. Weaver. This is totally unacceptable. I believed that after the last two election cycles, that we now had a promising future since we virtually cleaned house. I hate to admit it, but I now believe that I was wrong.

The mayor's use of profanity is not only unprofessional, but is a total embharassment for our City. Even though I voted for Mr. Garcia, I now call for his immediate resignation. The mayor does not seem to get the fact that even though he is mayor his vote on items such as this is no greater than the other city councilmen. As a property manager, I run across that with Boards of Directors all the time. As far as filling the position of City Manager, I would suggest that the Council after receiving a thorough background check on all candidtes immediately offer the job to one of the other candidates with the exception of Anthony.

I do not know Anthony, but I have heard he has done a good job in the interim. However, I do not think we should contact with any individual who resigns two days after NOT getting the position. It reminds me of the kid on the playground who takes home the ball because he doesn't like the rest of the teams decision.

Last but certainly not least, your meetings run way too long. I have not had the opportunity to attend, but have spent some time on line watching. The one reason that I feel that they are too long is that for the most part, no one really seems to be prepared. If you were, the meeting would be much shorter.

Tom Nance

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Once again, we are the laughing stock of East Central Florida! Something needs to be done and I have a few ideas.
I know it’s very easy to armchair quarterback and wag your fingers at those in office but seriously in the short 16 year history since DeBary’s incorporation can anyone recall such a time when our leadership seemed so laughable? The current council cannot claim that this confluence of calamities coincidentally happened on their watch. In my humble opinion, they created it.
A look at past councils has me now yearning for the days of old. Carmen, where are you? George Coleman? Bill Long? Greg France? Sure, maybe time dulls some of the bad memories but looking back, I cannot remember council chambers being such a circus. It doesn’t take a stretch to recognize that the worst of the worst are Mayor Garcia and Councilman Conoley. Both very nice people and entirely genuine but absolutely in way over their heads. I cringe when either of them start to say something because I know in advance that not only will it not add any value to anything whatsoever but whatever they say will be some self-aggrandizing, irrelevant bullshit. It’s on my list of things to do to head down and start researching what it takes to initiate a recall but life seems to get in the way and more pressing things always come up. For now, I’m just embarrassed to tell people where I live.
Jack, Normie and Lenny aren’t off the hook, either. Together, they could constitute a majority and I believe those three may actually have enough cranial matter to get us back on track. Why they haven’t or couldn’t is anybody’s guess.
Rather than sit from afar and criticize those who had the courage to get up and try, I’d like to offer some suggestions. They may be way off base and impractical but surely, continuing the status quo cannot continue. Here goes:
• I am hearing that it’s an option for Garcia to stop grandstanding long enough to ask the League of Cities for assistance. I don’t know who or what the LOC is or what they do. I guess they have some sort of relationship to the Volusia Council of Governments. If their governing board, which is comprised of elected officials from other municipalities within the county, can stop snickering at us long enough to offer some advice or even a temporary Manager during this period of transition, it’s probably a good resource for us to call upon.
• Form an advisory board of citizens for a selection committee. Council may have already done this and I just didn’t hear about it. If so, are they weighing in on the current situation?
• Bring together former council members who are willing to participate as a special advisory committee. There is a lot of institutional knowledge there and these folks were willing to serve once so they be willing to do so again in this capacity. This Committee of Emeriti, it seems would be an invaluable source of lessons learned that we should tap into.
• Consider supporting a citizen initiated recall of the two Council members mentioned above. I have no axe to grind with these guys and it is not personal. I am just making an observation in the context of being a student of human interactions and I don’t believe it is in the City’s best interest to have these two gentlemen in a leadership capacity in City government.

BTW, in addition to offering suggestions, I’ll go a step further and offer my time and expertise in executing the delivery. If the powers that be like these ideas and would like some help jump-starting them, I am available to serve on committees, facilitate work sessions, act as a liaison with other governments and NGO’s or whatever needs doing.

I’m in the book.

Nelson Goodreau

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9/1:

Will you ALL go back and read my comments of August 7th, 2009 in the citizen comments section regarding what the Council should do in selecting a new manager. A through background investigation BEFORE offering the job was one of the things mentioned. Not the skimpy criminal check conducted by the City Clerk and Sheriff's Office. Look at more than what they might have been punished for doing. The experience with Mr. Weaver demonstrates what the Council did wrong. Now do it again and do it correctly.

Joe B.

8/30:

I am surprised that the DeBary City Council did not do a background check on any of the candidates for city manager before the selection process. What is also discouraging is that most of this was public record. It is a shame that the concerned public has to be the ones to do the research on such an important decision.

Mark Meister

From Norm Erickson: What information did the public's research yield?

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The honest truth is that the City Council should have offered Mr. Gonzalez the opportunity to suceed or fail as the City Manager. I do not believe any Councilman should ever discount that paying your dues as Mr. Gonzalez has should be so easily overlooked, what kind of mentality do these concilman operate with as being a City Manager is a thankless job! For and individual that is not from Florida nor that has no experience of managing a City in Florida as Mr. Weaver has none, would only be a waste of tax payers money and time on such an individual.

There is a big difference between Tennessee politics and Florida politics, our beloved Councilman should know better.

B.Russell

8/30:

If for some reason Weaver isn't installed or he decides not to work for a citizenry and mayor who resorts to rumor and name calling, and Mr. Gonzalez's resignation has already been accepted by Council, the city better have a back up plan for another interim. Or the Council should come to the Council meeting on Wednesday with a number 2 for the job who can start immediately, doesn't mind being called a "son of a ..." and will live in DeBary. Mr. Gonzalez's resignation occurs September 18th if I'm not mistaken...and if I am, I'm sure someone will correct me. I would also suggest Council reuse the contract for that second person since it seems to be at least fair enough for Mr. Weaver. Just a thought...

Eric Blair

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8/27:

MR. MAYOR DID I HEAR WHAT I THOUGHT I HEARD?

“After two years you don’t get nuthin’. But I’m saying that if I’m sittin’ here and the son of a …the gentleman…comes to me…and lets say in a month he can’t handle all the work that Anthony (Gonzalez) has been doing as Assistant City Manager…”

These words were spoken on August 24 th during a special meeting to discuss Mr. Gonzalez’s resignation.

It’s this line: “…if I’m sitting here and the son of a …”.

Mr. Mayor, what is it that warrants this? What has Mr. Weaver done?

This is not how a Mayor should behave, Mr. Garcia. The vote for Mr. Weaver was 4-1 in favor of Mr. Weaver. To call him names is the lowest form one can take. It’s despicable. You owe Mr. Weaver a public apology for your public comments.

Eric Blair

DeBary

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Mr Mayor, as I was reading Debary POP website I read this piece. Is this accurate? I am most interested in hearing your response.

Thanks for your time.

Val Emerson

From Norm Erickson: It is accurate and it can be viewed by clicking on the link below and moving the cursor bar to 1:23:40 and listening until 1:24:10:

AUGUST 24TH SPECIAL MEETING

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Yes, Val, and everyone else.

The comments that he made at the August 24th Council meeting are inexcusable. Because his choice for city manager was roundly denied by the Council, he is acting like a little boy with a temper and no manners. He actually cussed the new City Manager on video during a council meeting! What an adult response!!

I suspect that his attitude toward Mr. Weaver is designed to anger Mr. Weaver into NOT accepting the job, so that his "boy Anthony" can have another chance at it. Well, I hope that Mr. Weaver is reading this citizen comment. Not everyone in Debary is as provencial, arrogant and rude as Bob Garcia was at that meeting.

Some people are actually anticipating your arrival. Maybe you will cleanout the city staff dead wood, the consultants who are ripping off the City and the poor image that the City shares with Deltona. Some people are awaiting a new era in City government.

I hope that it will arrive with Mr. Weaver !!!!!

J. Braxton

DeBary

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Welcome to the City of Debary Mr. Weaver…

Or not…..

I am delighted to see our Mayor and our City Council are doing their investigative homework on the 4-1 voted New City Manager. It is refreshingly honest, a sign we are learning from the decisions made in the past. But this citizen wonders when a good faith investigation of background for the safety of our residents, becomes an inquisition of a selected candidate, with the sole intention of making him so uncomfortable he simply chooses not to bring his expertise to our City.

A City, in my opinion, in need of such expertise after the last several years of less than stellar management.

I still have gotten no response from the Mayor from my email last evening asking him to explain his demeaning statement from the August 24 th meeting. I doubt I will, however this comment in conjunction with his refusal to accept our InterimCity Manager’s resignation gives one food for thought. I sincerely hope Mr. Weaver will not hesitate moving his family to our fair city. I’m sure it must be uncomfortable for him knowing the Mayor has voted against & as proven in the August 24 th tape, spoken against him, to move his Family here and begin his Job. I would hope Mr. Weaver remembers one thing……4 other Council Members voted on his selection.

After a thorough Interview process, they have put their faith in your ability.

As a matter of fact, it seems the one positive thing this Mayor has accomplished with his poor leadership qualities is to unite our Council. It is refreshing to see 4 free thinking people sit at a podium and vote based on facts, statutes and the common desire to serve an entire City, and not what sits in their backyard. And then we have the Mayor… .it seems with the many recent votes rendered by this council being cast (4-1) in addition to some of his responses to his fellow Council Members questions or concerns during meetings, it’s becoming more apparent to this voter that he sits alone.

To Mr. Weaver, I whole-heartedly say…

Welcome to City of Debary…We’ll leave the lights on for you!

Val Emerson

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What will rule in DeBary: process and ideas or emotion and personal attacks?

The process for selecting a city manager has been going on now since April. Five hours of interviews with public participation that no one took advantage of. DeBaryPOP for over a week asked the question: Who should be our next city manager? Two people responded: one argued against Mr. Drago. Mr. Meister, while preferring Mr. Gonzalez, stated that all five applicants were qualified. A vote was taken and a supermajority voted for one person: Mr. Weaver, who has been the subject of inappropriate commentary by our mayor.

On August 24 th the mayor called a special meeting because of his concern that we would not have a city manager at all if Mr. Weaver could not make it down in time. Now that Mr. Weaver can make it down on time the mayor is still having fits as he did with Conoley earlier in the year and at the meeting on the 24 th when he basically censored Marks and indeed the entire Council when he was asked questions about Mr. Gonzalez’a resignation. Unfortunately for the mayor, the legal staff and Mr. Weaver worked too quickly. So now he isn’t concerned that we won’t have a city manager, he is upset that we will have a city manager other than the one he wanted.

My question: if the council approves Mr. Weaver’s contract, will the Mayor sign it or will the Vice Mayor have to do it?

The citizens and most of the previous Council and one on the current council didn’t know a bad citymanager when they saw one. Instead of being reactive the citizenry should have been proactive. Only three councilmen had Mr. Gonzalez on their short list. The mayor was a lock; you should have lobbied the other two earlier rather than after the vote was taken. Erickson and Marks lost on lots of 3-2 votes their first year but at least they took it and didn’t stir up fractious factions to work against the only process we have for making decisions.

Eric Blair

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I would like to comment on the "supposed" statement that Mayor Garcia uttered. One of his favorite comments when he is trying to make a point is "son of a gun". I have talked to Mayor Garcia in a personal as well as an official manner and in no ways would he use the term of "son of a bitch". This is being construed and passed around to defamate the Mayor. If you do listen to the the link, you will find that you are making an assumption rather than a fact. The question is who is next on the "hit" parade?

Mark Meister

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Mark Meister's response has all the elements of a joke. "Supposed" statement? Mayor Garcia said it. If Mayor Garcia's favorite comment to make a point is "son of a gun" why didn't he say, "son of a gun"? If he had said that, we wouldn't be talking about this. It is clear what Mayor Garcia was going to say and the intonation is there as well. It comes down to this: are you going to believe what you're hearing or what Mr. Meister is telling you? Mr. Meister has been given the unfortunate marching order to tell us we're not hearing what we're hearing. Soon 2 + 2 will equal 5.

Eric Blair

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Let’s get real; the Mayor says he did not want to accept Anthony’s resignation and Norm jumps down his throat. Van Conley in the same meeting says he has talked to Ken Weaver on the phone three times concerning his contract and not one of you had the guts to confront him. The Mayor is charged with running a one man show but Conley is not! Give me a break. Sounds to me that Conley is taking over and the rest of the council rolls over. Maybe the council should have let the legal staff negotiate the contract with the new manager and not Conley.

J Rider

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I hate to tell you Mr. Likakas, but YOUR SPEECH was not the summary of the meeting. It must be nice to have a web site for your own use. This is what I thought should be your EDITORIAL. Also I DID NOT need you to explain to me why the three amigos selected Mr. Weaver. Between you and Mr. Van Conoly, you both must think the people of Debary are ignorant because you both on different occasions have put it in layman's terms for us. As far as wanting to nit pick the Mayor on comments he made, maybe we should listen to other meetings on the web (not your web, but a real web the cities) I think you will see that more time than not, Mr Van Conoly has said I AM NOT GOING TO DO THIS... or in the last meeting said staff is HIS employees is this true? I do not recall seeing a office in city hall with MR. VAN CONOLY or councilmans name on the door. My favorite line Mr. Van Conoly uses is (as he looks down at his friends) what ever my councilmen decide. Are you not capable to make your own decision? When Mr. Lenny Marks made his stupid remark about Christ I could not believe it. Again taking what the Mayor says and trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill. It is true every time the Mayor tries to say something or voice his opinion The three amigos CRUCIFY him Mr. Marks one of the meanings of crucify "to treat with gross injustice" I'm pretty sure this is what the Mayor meant at least that is the way I heard it. One last thing son of ... son of what? again fill in what YOU or Val Emerson think. Get your minds out of the gutter please. You men have a city to run (not you Mr.Likakas) Please quit worrying about the next election and worry about this term. Mr. Ericson well you just plain DISRESPECT the Mayor.

thank you,
Angie

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8/20:

let's see what the Wizard will do for us.......

ON ANOTHER RELATED TOPIC:
The article about Mr. Drago in Longwood was enlightening. It is exactly the kind of info the Council needed to make this choice.

JOE B.

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I am saddened when I learned of what happened at the Presbyterian church on Highbanks in DeBary. This church is a mainstay in the community and is a friend of the City of DeBary. In my opinion the Mayor was right and we should do everything in our power to accommodate the parishioners of the Church and assist them as much as we can to expedite the reconstruction of their church

Mark Meister

8/18:

Being a proud citizen of DeBary and working in Seminole County has given me the fortunate opportunity to be familiar with politicians in both counties. I am writing out of concern for a city I love and knowledge of a man who will ruin it if given a chance.

Has DeBary truly checked all there is to know about John Drago? Are you Commissioners’ aware of his spending tactics? Did you know about the surplus Longwood had until Drago took over? Of course he made sure the expenditures were approved by the Commission and therefore could never be blamed by the citizens.

His severance package with Longwood included a section dedicated to his reputation and made sure not one commissioner will say anything negative about him; but they will not say anything positive either.

He spent money on making a brick road around Longwood’s City Hall and once it was done – he didn’t like it so he had it torn up, tossed in the dump and started all over with a brick he thought was more pleasing. How much more wasteful can he be? Well, everyone in Longwood knew that he built a parking lot on 427 to accommodate the patrons of an Italian restaurant which was thought to be his favorite restaurant. While he did try to make it look more “park like” with benches, no one uses it.

He is not a personable person and while in office proceeded to get rid of anyone with longevity so some of the money could be recouped no doubt. That is just a guess, not a fact.

Initially the Longwood commission was impressed with his “projects”, however regardless of what he tells you – he had no choice but to leave Longwood. His options were – he leave, or they fire him.

Not only did he get his yearly salary, he received a car allowance of $450.00 monthly yet he drovea very old Mazda.

Longwood’s biggest dilemma today – trying to figure out where 4 million dollars went. It became very apparent after Drago was gone that they were out more money then they initially thought.

Have you asked New Smyrna why they didn’t jump at the chance to have him as their city manager?

I love my city; I am so proud of what DeBary is; again - I would hate to see it ruined by our own Commissioners making the mistake of picking the wrong person.

W. Fuller

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8/15:

I was going to give this speech if the selection meeting would be open for public participation. I have decided to release this speech to this forum because I think it is important to admit I was wrong and give my opinion on who I think the City Manager should be.

Good afternoon gentlemen,

I think when a person is wrong they should admit it. I have defended the actions of the former City Manager and the more I am finding out, the more I can not argue with your decision. I do not think that any malice was intentionally done by Mrs. Courson, but after I saw the July 29,2009 meeting, I find that you did make the proper and correct decision by dismissing her. The poor decisions and bad judgments might have a ripple effect for this City for quite some time. I apologize to this City Council for my comments on this particular occasion and do indeed think it is time to move on and decide what is best for DeBary.

I am pleased to see that we have five very capable applicants that are willing and able to bring each of their ideas and experiences to our City to enhance it. These five individuals each have what it takes to run this City. I feel confident and secure that we can overcome any obstacle that may impede our path if we are focused and on the same page. We need immediate decisions and actions from our new City Manager and proper protocol. We need a person that will interact with staff as well as residents. We need a leader as well as a follower.

I think we should look at the intangibles that would help immediately concerning this City. Our City manager should be familiar with the citizens and can relate to all problems that can be raised either by past indiscretions or future difficulties. This person needs to be able to comfortably work with City staff and move in to the position with as little effects as possible. I think that we have the right person in place for this City in Anthony Gonzalez.

Mr. Gonzalez has provided the qualities that this City needs. He will cause the least transitional consequences when one takes this position. We are fortunate to have a very hard working City staff and with the proper guidance from you the City Council, Mr. Gonzalez will indeed fill the bill and be a more than adequate replacement. I feel in my heart that this City needs Anthony Gonzalez at this time.

This decision is one that may be looked at for quite some time. This decision could actually be your legacy on this Council. The final decision is in your hands and as our City stewards, we the citizens of DeBary look for you to make the wise and proper decision. We look forward to the future with enthusiasm and hope that this day will be the dawn of prosperity that this City now needs.

MARK MEISTER

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8/10:

I want everyone to remember that tomorrow is a very important day in the direction that our City will be taking in the selection process of hiring a new City Manager. We have five very qualified individuals that will be interviewed for this position. It is our duty as citizens of DeBary to follow these procedings because this will affect everyone. You can follow it by webcast on www.debary.org under City Council webcasts. The meeting will take place in The City Council Chambers at DeBary City Hall at 1:00 pm.

Mark Meister

8/7:

Next week the City Council will meet to interview the five finalists for the City Manager's position. That along with the materials they submitted about themselves will help the Council members to select the best candidate. I also hope that the Council will do something else before signing a contract with the one they select. Conduct a THROUGH background check.

* Yes, check that they do not have a criminal history, but also check with other places they have lived and worked for other behaviors. Drunkenness during work hours, using city equipment to surf porn, frequent speeding, domestic violence, theft, misapropriations of money and equipment, intimidation of staff, falsifying diplomas and colleges attended, questionable ethical behavior, and other behaviors that are not always included in a criminal history. Instances where the local law enforcement has turned a blind eye to the person's behavior.

* Select a candidate who is NOT local. Not another good old boy from Seminole or Volusia County who can be influenced by his buddies in the area. We have had too much of that already!

* A council member should talk personally to their fellow council members in jurisdictions where the selected candidate has lived and worked. Not everything makes it on the public record!

None of this was done when the previous City Manager was hired. It should have been, but good old boy politics used the hurricanes to skip a lot of things in the name if expediency.

* REWRITE (not edit) the City Manager's contract to be fair to both parties, not a financial boondoggle to the Manager. Did we learn nothing from the John McQue termination in Orange City??? He was paid over $400,000 to leave the City for the SECOND time! Maryann got over $100,000.

This is a real opportunity to clean out the City staff from the top down. I hope the Council will hire a man (there were no women candidates selected to be interviewed) who is experienced in running a small city goverment, well educated in local government operation, ethical and honest.

I do not envy the Council this difficult task. Good luck, gentlemen!

Joe B.

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Yes Dave L. the moose lodge has been putting notices in the newsletter for years if you had been reading them you would have known. The moose lodge has to follow the same channels as the rest of the citizens in DeBary. If YOU had something you wanted to post in reference to community service, you also could put it in the newsletter. The Moose is trying to raise FOOD for hungry people in our community, instead of wondering where the source came from why don't you try to help. I VOLUNTEER at the Moose Lodge and I can tell you that OUR lodge steps up EVERYTIME something comes up in our community. As far as Mayor Garcia is concerned HE has done more volunteer work for this city than anybody I know. As far as the Issues he votes on maybe you should get ALLLL the facts about what he votes on. I have a good idea maybe you Dave L. & Joe braxton Should get out and try to do some VOLUNTEER work in our community instead of bashing people that do! You might see a different side of our city instead of being caught up in all the bull----.

thank you,
ANGIE

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What a well conceived plan. First you take out those committees that have "too much power". Next you take out the City Manager as you promised in the elections of 2008 and 2009. Now the shots are directed at the Mayor. Slowly but surely you are picking off any contention that may be in your road. Rome wasn't built in a day, but it did not take very long to collapse when power becomes unbridled.

Mr. Braxton raises a good point and I agree with them. Garcia has been a dissapointment. Here's another: the current issue of the Debary newsletter features two advertisements for the Moose lodge that the mayor is a member of. Has this occurred in the past? If so, fine, if not it's not right.

But here's my question: is Mr. colman going to run for mayor again? he's looking pretty good

This is what I am going to present at St Ann's concerning the water issue.

Ladies and gentlemen,
I am here to night to discuss the impacts of a rate hike of our water bills. Many of rumors and conjecture have been circulating around the western side of Volusia County for a while now. I do not know how well founded these rumors are but the impacts of a hike in the price for the usage of water could be devastating to the Cities of Deltona, DeBary, and Orange City.

I feel that you are going about this in the wrong direction. You are basically driving the elderly and the disabled individuals out of the security of their homes and putting them out on the street if the County follows through with such an exorbitant rate hike. The homeowners are already hit with taxes, franchise fees, and just about anything that could be proposed by a governmental entity. Joe Public is on the verge of an outcry that will be deafening to the public servants that our supposed to be looking out and making key decisions for the welfare of your jurisdiction. Is it fair that Joe public gets another butt kicking for the inequities of agricultural and commercial businesses? They are the biggest contributors for wasting water and not the homeowners.

We the people of southwest Volusia County are tired of being the doormat for the eastern side of the County and this is another example of the inequities and policies that this County has implemented for decades. The County’s exuberant fees on a necessary staple as water is another example of legislative extortion that is slowly but most certainly “choking” the life out of the residents of these three municipalities. When will it stop? What alternatives do you have for us? What will the final solution be when all is said and done?

I can guarantee that if this “legalized extortion” does go through, you will not have a southwest Volusia County to worry about. We implore you to find other solutions for many of the problems that was created by the budget cuts and we also ask that you consider the residents as well when it comes to the subject of the water tables. It is time to put on your thinking caps and consider all plausible solutions that will remedy this problem for the good of our generation and the generations forthcoming.

Mr. Mangin will NEVER hear from the art league about his objection to their theft. Thieves rarely acknowledge their guilt. Such a simple thing for them to apologize and give him the rcognition that he deserves. Shame on you all!

Mica and the other central florida leaders have breathed life again into the commuter rail issue. So far it has more lives than all of my cats put together! Maybe a silver bullet or a stake through the heart will finally kill it. If not,maybe Governor Dockerty will....

REQUIEM TO A CITY

I once knew a small city that had much hope. The forefathers pictured this city to thrive considering its history and its location between to large metropolitan areas. This city was to be the gateway to the county and offer small town life with a mixture of good paying jobs. This city would have so much family oriented activities and would provide the appropriate revenue to guide it through the twenty-first century. This small city ran into a very big snag. This city started to cater to a small boisterous minority that has the direction of the city in so much of a disarray that most people cannot see what harm and pitfalls will transpire at this time . What is going to happen to this city of much hope?

One of the problems that this city has is they stopped trying to entice new businesses to invest and build so as to reduce the burden on the residential property owners. The taxes keep going up and up and people are leaving this city for places that offer more opportunities. When the people started to leave, the established businesses found that they couldn’t survive anymore and they started to leave slowly too. When the businesses and residents started to leave this city, the county decided that this city was not important enough to keep such services as a library running with full staff, fire departments that had excellent response time, and a police department that made this city safe and sound so that this city could enjoy the small town life that made it special.

Then the rains came and the city that listened to the boisterous minority blamed the leaders for the floods. The residents needed to blame someone for them building in swamps and lowlands. They failed to see that water flows down hill and someday an unprecedented rain would surely flood them out. They wanted revenge for not seeing the obvious and elected leaders that formed a voting block and forcefully implemented their platforms that catered to the boisterous ones. The city failed to see the problems that would lie ahead.

The city failed to see that businesses created revenue and would be able to reestablish the city’s reserves. They alienated themselves from the county to the point of no negotiations. They decided to tell the county instead of negotiate. They failed to pick their fights and the county decided to leave them for the pickings and in the future be absorbed by another city that would negotiate in good faith. Now the city is left alone fighting amongst themselves and the taxes are getting too high that only the select few could live there.

What can this little city that had so much hope do to save itself. They need to elect a leader that can see what the problems really are with the MAJORITY AND NOT THE MONORITY of this city. Here are some of the ways that this city can prosper:

1. Dividing the city into voting districts and having elected officials that are residents of these districts so the officials are in tune to what the district needs.

2. Promise and entice new businesses into this city to reduce the burden of the individual residential property taxes.

3. Continue to use and support the established businesses that are already in this city.

4. Reestablish the city’s financial reserves.

5. Reestablish a good relationship with the county. Negotiation is the key to working with the county and not dictating to the county this city’s intentions.

6. Maintain its home sovereignty by keeping the services of the county instead of looking towards her neighbors.

7. Petitioning the county to keep this city’s library operating at full capacity.

8. Provide topnotch recreational activities for the city’s youth and elderly. They are the most vulnerable and the most valuable because they are the link to the past and are our hope for the future.

9. Plan and consider the proper infrastructure to compliment mass transportation that this city may receive in the future.

10. Creating a business district near one of the other neighboring city’s business district without displacing any residential homes. This would also provide a perfect traffic flow in case a school may be built near this city’s business district.

What will happen to this city is up to its leadership. Eventually the mistakes that this city is directing them toward will be evident in due time. I wish this particular city much luck because someone will have to unravel the quagmire and make this city what the fore fathers planned it to be. A city for every resident with a hope of prosperity. This is what this city needs. This is what this city deserves.

The actions and comments of this Council was the ultimate reason that the County sent out the letter for termination of services conducted by Volusia County. I do not think that the County would put us into such a situation unless we were making comments on discontinuing the County fire service.

This was sent out in an email by County Council Representative Pat Northey to a few citizens of DeBary. Here is her written comments:

"DeBary city government has elected to secure fire services from a
different provider. When we were heard, in February, that the city was
in engaged in discussions with Orange City and Deltona (This was at the
West Volusia Summit, a public meeting) we began planning for the end of
the annual contract. Our staff confirmed again, with the then City
Manager, Maryann Coursen, in April of this year that they intended to
contract elsewhere. I personally spoke to the Mayor at our monthly
breakfast, that same month, about their desire to contract with a
neighboring city. He confirmed it as well".

"We had a meeting with DeBary officials as recently as this past month
to discuss transition. The County Chair was in attendance. We advised
the Mayor and the interim City Manager, Anthony Gonzalez, that we would
work closely with them on transition; that the fire station would be
returned to the city; an equipment audit was in process and all
equipment paid for by the city would be turned over to the city and if
additional time was needed to transition, we would work with them on
that as well".End of quote.

What about our taxes? Will they be going up? Will we do the same thing with our police service too? This is going to cost us and finally this City will be too expensive to live in besides the chosen few who can afford it.

My biggest concern is what happens after the transition is done. Are we openning up Pandora's box to find all the troubles in the World?
I do think we are treading in treacherous waters and I am concerned that the County which has done a fabulous job is being replaced by a neighboring City. We in turn get a fire house that is in much need of repair and all equipment the City purchased will be given back to the City. I wonder if this is worth all that we will supposedly save. We are going down the wrong path and when this is all over said and done, I will be curious to see how prophetic my words truly were.

Mark Meister

I thank you for your invite to give my personal feedback in regards to your post. Now I’d like to respond very directly to your attack towards someone who you are targeting, but obviously know very little about- Anthony Gonzalez.

He is not qualified to lead the City in my opinion! He has no education in a field which prepares someone to lead a city. His Bachelor's degree is probably in recreation.

So you do not have to continue to “guess” at his degree…here are the facts:

Anthony has a college education from UCF, where he majored in business management and marketing. Not recreation, not basket weaving, or anything of the sort. I researched this because I’d rather know than make assumptions about a person.

The new City Manager should be educated for City management (not business management)

I believe this is probably quite a sufficient education to run the day to day business of a city. However, most individuals in the professional world would agree that the best candidate for a job is not merely decided by their degree, but also through job expertise gained via “hands-on” job experiences.

For example, I have a four year degree in science. I work in sales. I am the top performer in my district. It’s a good thing my boss hired me based on my total qualifications and not my degree.

By the way, so I don’t take a stab at what I think your degree is or isn’t in, Ms. Bustin…why don’t you post your degree.

He followed Maryann around like a puppy - driving her around town, turning lights and A/C off and on for her meetings

I hesitate to respond to this because of the nativity of the post. However, if he would do that for Maryann (who you obviously find extremely unlikeable) it makes me wonder how much more he would do for the citizens of Debary.

In my experience with Anthony, he has been willing to bend over backwards for DeBary citizens. When somebody has a question or a need, he doesn’t defer the person to call the office...he gives out his personal cell phone number. I appreciate that kind of personal accountability and leadership.

they should have more than a few years of experience as a personal maid to the City Manager

We’ll forgive the ignorance of the maid comment. Let’s remember, taking direction from a superior is a requirement of all professions...including my own. How about yours Anne?

And you raise a fantastic point Anne; Anthony does now have a few years of experience in working in the City of Debary . Anyone else who is being considered for the position has zero years of experience in running the city of DeBary . Since you like specifics (as evidenced in your need for “city” rather than “business” in front of management degree), you should like that he does have experience in running our very specific city of DeBary . I believe this experience makes him the most qualified. After all, who else will know the ins and outs of DeBary on day one as well as Anthony? Somebody coming from Orlando, Sanford, DeLand? Do tell.

they should have led a City through the pains of growing and developing a city staff and structure

What? Isn’t this what he is experiencing right now and has been for years in again, our very specific City of DeBary ?

Challenging one’s work ethic is one thing, but questioning his character? Readers will know that you have missed the mark here Ms. Bustin.

I support Anthony Gonzalez for the City of DeBary manager position. I do this because in my experience he has been a man of great character who is willing to put the needs of others (including superiors) ahead of his own needs.

THE CITY NEEDS A FRESH START NOT A CONTINATION OF THE MARYANN COURSON REGIME

You are right; he was under the direction of MaryAnn because she was his superior. This is called respect for authority. A good characteristic in an employee- by the way.

Anthony has been acting as the city manager for several weeks now. Under his watch, we have recently experienced rainfall amounts comparable to those we experienced during tropical storm Faye. However, our experience has been completely different under his authority. His response to the rainfall has been well managed, organized, and lacking in the chaos of last year. What could have been another dreadful situation for DeBary has turned out exceedingly well based on the recent measures (look around DeBary- via pumps, roadwork, etc.) and protocol Anthony has put into action under his leadership.

Unfortunately, Daytona and Ormond Beach have not been as fortunate under their city management. Why has DeBary not suffered recently as they have? Thoughts to consider:

I know I feel much more confident as we enter into Hurricane season based on Anthony’s response to our recent extreme amounts of rainfall received. How would an outsider coming in be as qualified to respond as specifically as Anthony has to Debary’s immediate needs following a major storm?

I want to see the city continue to thrive under the leadership of Anthony Gonzalez and I have enough faith in him to believe that he will do an excellent job.

I agree- I want to be an informed citizen of DeBary. So Anne, help us out! Please post the resume and references of any candidate applying for the job who you feel would be better. This way, we can carefully scrutinize them via the city and the press as you suggest.

You obviously have someone in mind for the position based on your very targeted, but sloppy attack.

I was directed to read the citizen editorials about myself and Elaine Swanson,two former city employees.

I don't know for a fact what Elaine Swanson is doing, but I DOUBT that Ann Pullman knows for sure either. Get some facts before you open your mouth Mrs. Pullman. You should know what slander and libel are.

As for Dan Green's comments about me, he has no facts to support such allegations. He only stated second or third-hand hearday opinions. So Mr. Dan Green, get some facts before you go after someone's reputation. You might be sued for your lies.

In the interim, we can all wait for the forensic audit of Maryann Courson's term of office and see who did what with the city's money. You might be surprised Mr. Green!

Anita Gonzalez

Someone suggested I read the editorials on this website to hear the "negative" side of DeBary. I was sadden to know that there are a few people in our wonderful city that have nothing better to do than personally attack and bash our city officials, government and the principles our city was created from. And worse I am told that they also write into local newspapers spreading these negative views. I accept that some people can't help but be negative and have the right to express their opinions.

Let's look at another view. I like to call it an optimistic or positive view. In a perfect world we would all come together and work together "in harmony" to make things happen. I realize we don't live in a perfect world and this isn't going to happen. If you want to make a real difference accept that the voters chose the four Councilmen and Mayor and support them. Question them at the council meetings about your concerns and work with them rather than attack them on websites and in newspaper editorials. (It shines a very negative and dull light on DeBary when we do that.)

In reference to the comments made about Anthony Gonzalez I can only say that the person who wrote this doesn't mention a single one of the great things he has done as a leader in our city government. This is a man that has put his heart and soul into serving the people of DeBary. I honestly believe that anyone who has worked with Mr. Gonzalez would agree there is no one more fair, honest and dedicated to doing what is right for our city. He is the epitome of service and leadership. Remember, we are not here to judge but to serve.

I look forward to the opportunity to review all of the information on the applicants for City Manager. I also plan to keep an open mind and pray that the citizens of DeBary will express all concerns and support for their choice to their council. I will also pray that our council will make the right decision for our wonderful city that I have loved since before we became a city.

THE CITY NEEDS A FRESH START NOT A CONTINATION OF THE MARYANN COURSON REGIME

I was told recently that Anthony Gonzalez, the City's Asst. City manager, has applied for the City's City Manager position. What an embarrassment to him and DeBary!

He is not qualified to lead the City in my opinion! He has no education in a field which prepares someone to lead a city. His Bachelor's degree is probably in recreation. He followed Maryann around like a puppy - driving her around town, turning lights and A/C off and on for her meetings, and doing her dirty work firing staff because she was too weak to do it herself (but he had experience from Orlando)! Is that the kind of City Manager that the citizenry wants??

The new City Manager should be educated for City management ( not business management), they should have more than a few years of experience as a personal maid to the City Manager; they should have led a City through the pains of growing and developing a city staff and structure; They should above all be known for honestly, integrity and wisedom. Their resume and references should be scrutinized by the City and the press. The City does not need anymore embarrassments!

Anthony Gonzalez does NOT meet any of the requirements listed above and therefore should be eliminated from any consideration for the position. That is my opinion. What is yours? Please share your thoughts here on POP so that Council will have your input too!

Anne Bustin

Do you think it is a good idea to borrow 10 million dollars in this economy?The tax payers of DeBary may not be able to pay this money back.How much of an increase will we be paying on our water bill for this loan for storm water management?Do the people of DeBary know they are getting a 10 million dollar loan?I think this loan should be put off for a better time.The voters may have agreed to something in 2006 that should not apply to the downward turn in our economy.

The City council of Debary needs to have procedures in place for the selection of candidates for the city government. Mr. conoley seems to be in favor of this procedure it is hoped that all would go along with this common sense approach. No problem with hiring, for no pay, a former city manager-but we must know what the criteria for hiring will be and how the selection process is going to be handled. Please come up with a clear and precise way that the hiring of a new city manager will take place and what their creditials will be. It should be someone nobody has an type of relationship with. Also if there is reason from a council person or other conerned citizen to put forth another applicant that person should also be considered. Please get some procedures in place so the citizens know how the selection process is going to occur and be fair. Thank-you-

Volusia county notifies DeBary that it will no longer provide fire service then this http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/WestVolusia/wvlWEST04050809.htm

There seems to be enough money to continually fund the white elephant "Ocean Center". There is going to be an attempt to replace a bridge over the intracoastal waterway because the aging draw bridge is an inconvenience to boaters.

I believe the time has come that DeBary, Deltona, Orange City band togeather to keep our west side taxes here so that WE benefit. Wheather it be forming a joint exploratory committee to create a separate county or formation of our own taxing district.

We on the west side have been treated as second class citizens since day one. Isn't it about time we get what we pay for?

Bill Tavernier
Deltona

As a past resident artist of DeBary and member of the DeBary Art League I created the original concept design of the Art Center. At our meeting I handed you and the other members a copy of my concept drawing with an oral description of its multiple uses. The drawing began in 2-4-00 with revisions in the upper right corner on 7-11-00 and 1-9-01 which will correlate in the meeting minutes.

The only request I made in return for my design and exterior ground use was I be given credit, a building marker with my name as concept designer. You, an artist I worked with and raised money with for this very project, have apparently stolen my Art without conscious. The least you can do is correct this ‘error’. I expect to here from you personally about this correction. My drawing will be faxed to any interested party.

Friends still in DeBary sent the ’06 Forum article with no mention of my design nor is it on the present building.

The timing of this long needed action was perfect: three days after Easter - another resurrection! This one for the City and its citizens!
Maryann is finally gone. It was too long in coming, in my opinion.

The City Council that hired her did not do the City any favors, only a favor to the good old boys. She was not qualified, I think, to run a City, no matter how dedicated some people think she was. Sure she waded in stormwater, but who was running the city's other operations?

She did not delegate any responsibility to staff members. She did not praise staff members in public. Everything was about her! Her hiring practices not based in professional ethics or practicality will hinder the City for years to come, I think.

There was only one way with Maryann - her way! Yes, the ultimate responsibility was hers. She just didn't want to hear opinions or facts that contradicted her position. The Dollar Store was a prime example. Forget the City Comprehensive Plan, she wanted to shop at that store! An abuse of power?

She was self-centered and lacked civilized manners. I heard her tell at least one person on the phone to "bite me". A nice way to treat your meal ticket.

She did not use the concepts of consensus building, hiring the best to look the best, sharing responsibility or teaching staff to be self-reliant. I hope that the next manager will be smarter, a lot more experienced and know how to work with people. Maryann didn't.

To Be or Not To Be, That is the Question.

A travesty in governmental procedure took place last night at the DeBary City Council meeting. A City Council who has become power hungry and insubordinate performed an act of sheer ignorance to pass their own personal agenda. The Council last night voted by a count of 4-1 to dismiss City Manager Courson without even a prospect in sight for the position. Mayor Garcia was the only supportive vote for Mrs. Courson. The final “Judas kiss” was performed, now our City has to suffer through the process of finding a new City Manager with a Council who has no conceived plan for the future of DeBary but to eliminate the prospects of any kind of growth by intimidation. The worst part of this is that they voted to oust her by paying her the severance of around $45,000 which equals one half of a years wage and possibly opening up litigation on language that was used by one of the City Councilmen that could be construed as slander. Mind you that this is all my opinion as a witness to this “kangaroo court” session with a lynch mob mentality by the select citizens that were in attendance.

This whole affair can be witnessed by all the citizens of DeBary by watching the City Council webcast and watch the events for ones self and make a decision on whether this City Council was performing an act that could be construed as premeditated or was the Council correct in their decision. I was there and I have many of questions that never will be answered because of the consequences that could accompany the truthful answers. Listen to the speakers at the podium and the rudeness that was projected from the audience itself and see what you determine from watching this webcast. I think you will find the webcast very interesting in deed and pay attention of the timing in which everything in was done. You form your opinion and express yourselves on Yahoo Groups and even debarypop because I would be very interested to see the reaction. This is the link for the City. www.debary.org and go to city council webcast.

Mark Meister

I have now lived in Debary 3.5 years, it is AMAZING how there has not been ANY progress made towards making DeBary a better city with the exception of the Gateway Center for the Arts, which was only due to the exhaustive & dedicated efforts of members of the Art League.

Besides political posturing and in-fighting, the only things to come out of the Council is an overpaid blubbering Ms. Corson (why is she STILL in office?), poor decisions especially when it comes to increasing revenues into our city which is so desperately needed after the flooding, and tabloid loving sessions of the missteps of the council members.

I hope & pray Mayor Garcia will be strong enough to bring Debary into the 21st century! It will be a very difficult task with many, even some council members, digging in their heels. But what the people voted for was CHANGE here in DeBary; this ain't Mayberry folks...get over yourselves and do what is BEST for DeBary....Peace out.

The Grand Opening of DeBary City Hall yesterday was a very nice affair,although I was disappointed that it was attended by so few of our residents. The bald eagle that flew over during the Pledge of Allegiance added a Patriotic feel that sent chills down ones spine. After the official opening, the city staff lead escorted tours for those who wished to see the building. I noticed a lot of smiling faces afterwards, beaming with pride for our City.
Once again, the Moose Lodge was cooking lunch for all in attendance and drinks were provided by Wallgreens. The men and women of the Moose, continue to amaze me, as they are always there to support the city of DeBary and every group that needs their help. We should all be very thankful to have such a fine organization in this City. THANK YOU MOOSE Lodge #655.

The Snowball Effect

A lot has transpired at the DeBary City Council meeting on Wednesday evening. I was in attendance and did supply my thoughts at the time. It was ugly and shouldn’t have happened but lets look at things in perspective. Lets use an “open minded” philosophy at how we did get to this situation. Lets try to assemble the facts and come to somewhat of a conclusion. This is our City and they are our representatives and alas this is now a public matter.

City Councilman Conoley showed up at the residence of Mayor Bob Garcia at 9:00 pm in the evening. He knocks on his door and Mr. Garcia did what we would have done thousands of times in our lives. He answers the door and finds out that it is Mr. Conoley . Mr. Conoley starts talking about City Business with him in private. This constitutes a breech in the Sunshine Law. What would you do in this occasion if you put yourself in the Mayor’s shoes? You have two options that I can think of. You either tell Mr. Conoley that he is in violation of the Sunshine Law and you wish not to pursue this matter and try to reason with him in a logical way or you call the police.

If Mr. Garcia did initiate the first option and Mr. Conoley still persists to speak on this matter, I would think that this would then become a trespass issue. Mr. Conoley allegedly said that his First Amendment rights had been violated in a meeting earlier this month. This is still not the way to solve this problem and I do believe that Mr. Garcia tried to squelch this problem without an incident. Allegedly again Mr. Conoley repeats all the statements again to Mayor Garcia, and Mr. Garcia asks him to leave once more. These are the facts that Mr. Conoley has not addressed at the Wednesday meeting. These alleged comments by Mr. Garcia would have to be considered factual, especially if there are witnesses.

This is MY thoughts and opinions of this action. City Councilman Conoley should never have gone over to the Mayor’s house without a phone call and an explanation of his visit and was given an invitation. He did not do this and this would be common courtesy for anyone to do. The only reason that he did not extend this courtesy to Mr. Garcia was that he “willingly” knew that he was breaking the Sunshine Law and was trying to forcefully give his opinion and back the Mayor up into a corner. I cannot think of any other reason that a sane and competent individual would try such an action as this. If anyone reading this can give me a plausible answer please do so to debarypop.com and I would at least entertain the thought.

Do I condone the actions of both men at this meeting. I emphatically say NO!! The point I am trying to bring across is that this whole matter would not have happened if Mr. Conoley followed proper protocol and procedure. I am not even going into the rest of this morbid affair because these are alleged actions that shouldn’t have happened in the first place. What we have here is the snowball effect and whatever actions that the State of Florida may deem necessary is what has to happen. The ball is out of the City’s hands and hopefully this matter can be handled in a reasonable and fair manner.

Mark Meister

As much as I regret saying this; the Council is worse than it was last year. The slilent asassin was replaced with a droning drone. The forgetful one was replaced with a mammoth ego. DeBary is getting to be more like Deltona than Deltona.

We should all be embarrassed by the petty bickering exhibited by Van Connolly and Bob Garcia this week. Their noise was printed in the News Journal, the Beacon and Sentinel soon to follow, no doubt. They are supposed to be adults and leaders; not the fighting children they were this week. I doubt that I am the only person who laughed and then cried after their televised fight. Go watch it yourself on the city website if you missed it. What a sorry state (city) to be in when there are major issues to be addressed by the Council.

If these two do not stop this destructive behavior immediately, they should BOTH be recalled by the voters of the City.

I agree with Mr. Braxton. The next three years should prove to be very interesting!!

Also, whoever coined the phrase "Wise old sage" must have been referring to John Likakis. WOW, what a guy! I'm sure glad he's on our side.

As to the other three councilmen (you know which ones), keep up the good work!

Debary, FL. POP

POP is back on line with (limited) "Freedom of Speech". FOS is theoretically guarenteed by the Constitution, but very limited by fear.

Speaking of FEAR, that is what the GREAT,RICH,POWERFUL,OMNI-POTENT and HOPELESSLY ARROGANT..USA is all about, as we watch our "House of Cards" come tumbling down in an implosion of lies,fraud and illusions.

We have no one to blame, no one to bomb, we did it all ourselves, it is an ALL AMERICAN FIASCO brought to you by the forces of UGLY AMERICAN GREED.

Meanwhile....does Debary have potable water problems? Not really, our water problems are a symptom of our real problem..people problems, there are too many GD people drawing water from the local aquifer. It is the same symptom out West and worldwide...WE ARE THE PROBLEM...running out of water is a symptom of unchecked expotential human population growth. It is all about numbers versus finite resources, God and his pals in heaven are not going to save our bacon.

Yes, Mr Liakias, we can make water, been doing it for years using distillers, evaporators and reverse osmosis,....but that takes energy.

Our course energy is expensive and we are running out of cheap energy as we should, as we deserve. Again, expensive energy is a symptom of the demand of an overpopulated wasteful population. SIX POINT SEVEN BILLION "HUMAN SWEETHEARTS" require lots of water, food and energy that comes from the limited resources of an exploited planet. Humans are destructive, selfish, wasteful and by far the most dangerous alien mammals to infect the planet...sorry for the bad news.

There is a lotta talk about John Mica's SunRail Boondoggle, we do not need it, most do not want it, but it does not matter. Rep. John Mica wants it, he appears to own and control local politicians , because he has the federal power of the purse. All, shall grovel to the almighty federal dollar and to the lies for which it stands.

This Central Florida FRAUDRAIL is not going to solve any transportation problems,but it is better than Alaska's bridge to nowhere. Remember, just because the USA is hopelessly in debt, does not mean that we should not keep mindlessly spending on worthless projects.

As our nation cowers in fear and blindly wastes wealth it does not have, we shall face.... the merciless future. I said it before and I'll say it again...there will be no safety, no surprise, no escape, as we all dance right into the future with eyes wide open and minds usually closed.

Of course...GOD BLESSES AMERICANS....only!! All other lesser nations and peoples remain unblessed. Godly Super-Americans shall fly with golden wings to heaven, as other low life non-americans crawl to an un-american hell on broken glass.

Morton Culligan
US Military Empire

I am glad to see you back on LINE' It's great to be able to speak out your feelings and exercise our freedom of speech. I feel if the truth hurts then so be it. If people disagree then they are intitled to express their feelings also. I believe that this is what POP ls all about. And again;;;;; THANKS ............

Angie seems to have her drawers in a bunch and up her.....
If this website operation by Lenny and Norm were illegal then the state would have shut it down. But they haven't, so relax Angie!

What you may have ignored is that even if only one position is presented herein, it is here to COUNTER materials and opinions presented by the County, State and feds (like Mica). So that both sides of an issue can be presented to the readers of this website. Some people refer to this as collecting as many facts and opinions as possible before making an educated decision. Maybe you missed the "educated" part, ANGIE!!

This is what the City staff should be doing as well - for presentation to City Council members who do not read their agenda packages. They listen to Mrs. Courson in private meetings before the Council meetings to get her biased opinion and position on agenda items. Unfortunately,GAI seems to be in the pocket of the City Manager. Of course they get paid $100/hour to present whatever position she wants. But paid by the City, not her.

Have a sunny day, Angie, when you pull your head out of the sand.

Anne Bustin

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

I will have to agree with Angie's post. The substance of the rail issue has been one sided and to aid the people to make the proper personal decisions, both sides of the arguement have to be presented. All I have seen is negative articles and view points. This site is not representing the fact that we do have quite a few people that are interested in looking to the future and knows the positive aspects of commuter rail. Please do not say that it doesn't pay for itself because mass transportation NEVER pays for it self but it is a service for the community. With this logic, the medicaid transportation contract doesn't pay for itself. I know because I was working with this contract when it was subcontracted out from Votran. Does this mean we wipe out the program for not generating funds?

As I sit here and read this one sided (your side) information it seems to me that you have one thing on your mind, YOUR OWN PERSONAL AGENDA. You touch so many people with this web site you think you would use it for good instead of your own ideas. Just because you don't like certain things don't mean you should try to lead people by the nose to go your way. You only print half the true not the whole truth. Example: "VISION" #1. power of seeing #3. mental vision and #4. foresight but you want to make it sound like an lsd trip. As far as my marching orders who are you to try to give direction to anybody like you are some kind of a general! Thanks but no thanks I'll march to the beat of my own drum after I have listened to all the facts instead of drawing a conclusion of my own because I'm stuck back in the 60's.
Another issue that is very disturbing to me is TWO of MY
council men are part of this slanderous website which they proudly sign there name on things. I just have to know how they can sit on the board and say they are bias to everything that comes up in front of them yet sit here and make judgements on BIG ISSUES that are in front of the city such as "commuter rail or horse track". According to YOUR own words these things are no good for "OUR CITY" and yet you give people only half of the facts, the facts you only want them to here on your website because the average person does not follow nor can they follow the facts because they don't have the sources like our councilmen do. The way it sounds to me is that Mr. Erickson and Mr. Marks are working together on issues outside of the Chambers. Is this wrong ? If you convict someone of murder outside the court room then walk in and sit in the jury box how can you say you are being bias. I sure would not want my future in your hands because you have already convicted me of the crime outside the court house. The same way the councilmen have done to "OUR CITY".

I look forward to seeing my comments on your website or are you not goibg to put on tghe website because YOU do not want the people to here a differnt side. (We printed it; We always want to hear from our citizens - Norm Erickson)

Greetings:

The City of DeBary will be meeting in Executive Session tomorrow at 4:30pm. Because it is a special session, the city commission will be speaking about the legal action taken by the developers of the DeBary Downs project. We, as citizens, respect the city's right to make their plans in private.

It is important to note that we, "Neighbors For A Better DeBary", are prepared to continued this battle for as long as it takes and will not be bullied by a gambling developer who wishes to intimidate DeBary residents. During their presentation on December 13th, Green Bridge claimed they would be "a good neighbor" if they came here. They showed their true colors by suing the tax payers of DeBary when they did not get their way. After more than 94% of all speakers at the December hearing spoke against the project -- the message was loud and clear -- we do not want this project here and we are just getting started in working to oppose it.

We wish to give our Mayor and City Commission the power of our numbers and the strength to stand strong with us during this time.

Sincerely,

Neighbors For A Better DeBary

Officers:
Shirley Horchler
Mary Love
Tom Blawn

Okay Mr. Culligan, here we go ...

1. I'm glad you found my letter to Gov. Crist amusing. I love to brighten people's day, even yours.

2. I never referred to DeBary as "poor little." DeBary may be little, but it certainly is not poor. Everyone knows our whole country is struggling financially right now, why should DeBary be any different?

3. Explain to me your comment "a person has to be financially qualified to gamble." I'd love to hear your spin on it, and knowing how much you like to pontificate, I'm sure you'll give me an earfull.

4. The "we" is me, a few of my close neighbors and a few other RESIDENTS, HOMEOWNERS and TAX PAYERS of the City of Debary (the names of whom are not at my liberty to divulge, I respect their privacy). "We" have absolutely no relationship, debt or bond with the Daytona Beach Kennel Club. As a matter of fact, my subdivision is the closest to this proposed project. How close to you live to it?

5. Of course the "corporate bully was willing to invest millions in ... and THEIR OWN ECONOMIC FUTURE." That's the whole point, they could care less about DeBary, their only concern is making more money for themselves.

6. The jobs brought by this project would only be menial, minimum wage jobs. How is that going to bring "prosperity" to DeBary? Please do not be so ignorant to think they are not going to give the good, high paying jobs to their own people who will be imported for this location.

7. As to the "five" council members being "disproportionally influenced," if you will recall, three of the five voted against the project. The only "influence" in their decision was the good and intelligent interpretation of the subterfuge being put forth by the developer.

By the way, did you ever check out the information I suggested before? Doesn't sound like it.

One last thing ... what in the world is "Military Empire?" Is that your own little world?

So you believe that the city of DeBary is missing out on a lot of money if they don"t approve the DeBary Downs and oh yes a lot of jobs ' You need to do a little more homework on areas that have approved gambling in their areas. I don"t mean Daytona but other areasl like New Orleans Etc. Oh well to each his own.

Debary POP,

In response to Shirley Horclers recent amusing letter to the governor she claims "poor little" Debary is under assault by a Corporate bully.

She is right, the Daytona Kennel Club assaulted Debary with its negative spin and propoganda concerning gambling , as it makes millions from the same business.

Visit the DKC website, you will find nothing about how crime soared in Daytona after they opened their doors, because it didn't and it won't.

Visit the DKC website, it says nothing about how immoral gambling is or how it tears families apart, because it doesn't.

I have been to the DKC in Daytona it looks like customers were having a good time, gaming establishments have all the top shelf security they need. Wal Mart has more active criminals pass through its doors on any given day.

DKC is making a bundle, more power to them, the money they spent conning Debary residents out of Debary Downs came out of their 'minor details' bank account.

People like to gamble, so what, it is part of human nature always has been always will be. Shirley does not like to gamble...so don't, a person has to be financially qualified to gamble, which leaves out most Debary residents anyway.

Shirley mentions that "we started a grassroots effort" and claims "we won", I give up, who is we? Give it up Shirley...who is we? The so-called "grassroots effort" was started by the Daytona Kennel Club, those Debary grassroots stretch all the way to Daytona, they won, Debary Lost.

Well, the people behind the Debary Town Center project would have put the property in question on the taxrolls, helping relieve the increasing cost of the City of Debary's economic blunders.

That 'corporate bully' as Shirley puts it, was willing to invest millions in Debary's and their own economic future. It was an opprotunity that Debary passed up to please people that offer nothing.

That 'corporate bully' would have brought a certain amount of jobs and prosperity to Debary, but why would Debary's "good people" want jobs and hope in the face of a DEPRESSION? Go figure that one out.

Shirley claims that "the council members voted as their constiuents wanted" another falsehood.

Five city council members were disproportionally influenced by DKC money via legal intimidation and religious/political pressue.

Neither the DKC nor the local 'tax exempt" Church Businesses pay taxes in Debary. However the DKC legal team dominated the city council meeting where the proposal was voted down, how much the local shepards got to influence their bleating sheep is unknown.

Now Shirley H. and the bleating sheep of Debary now have to get busy having to pay the increased tax bills they are going to get from the City of Debary, they also have increasing electric bills, gas and food bills with very few increases in income if any.

Debary City Council members rejected the possiblity of economic opprotunity to embrace certainty of local stupidity...oh well.

Morton Culligan
Taxpayer Debary, Fl

Meanwhile back at the ranch;

Thanks, Debary POP again for supporting free speech on this website.

I seem to recall reading something about free speech in the US constitution. The constitution also says something about not restricting freedom of the "press", however it fails to mention that the way to control the press is to simply buy the press.

People like William Randolph Herst and Rupert Murdoch bought the press, thereby amplifying their freedom of speech and restricting the freedoms of others.

The Orlando Sentinel and Fox News network are currently owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. as are over 175 newspapers worldwide. All of his newspapers have conservative republican leanings and all editorialised in favor of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Read all about it! Rupert Murdoch's biography on Wikepedia.com says plenty under the section on his US political activities.

Our 'splendid little war' will cost US taxpayers an amount that is amazing. The fact that every red cent was borrowed from our GRIM economic future should be sobering. The recently published thriller " The Three Trillion Dollar War" should give you an idea of the economic disaster this war continues to be.

The $3 trillion wasted, plus the lives of 4200 american soldiers and 100,000 est Iraqi dead civilians should be something to be proud of....this is the cost of american revenge, these are our winnings. We also can brag that Saddam Hussain is dead, failing to mention he was our friend and ally as long as it suited us, had nothing to do with 9/11/01 and had zero WMD.

Our own Representative in Washington, District of Corruption Republican John Mica was pushing for this war, visit his website, read what he had to say in Oct 2002 as he sabre rattles and instigates on the floor of congress for war.

Rep. Mica never mentions the eventual cost of this war, never mentions the death, debt and unintended consequences of this war. In his statements he appears to represent Israel more than anyone in the US or Florida. Many people think the Israeli lobby manipulated the USA into the IRAQ WAR ,after all Israel benefitted from this war yet contributed no troops or money.

The average Floridian has no idea there is a 7th district, who their US congressional representative is, zero idea who their senators are and would vote for a chimp if he had the most bumperstickers and signs.

As the USA blunders from war to war you would think the american people would learn something. US government operators do not care if we win or lose this war, they just want to prolong it. " war is business and business is good".

Lobbyists foriegn and domestic have purchased real representation in Washington DC as taxpayers sit in the back of the bus, way in the back of the bus.

Morton Culligan
US military empire

I have been a resident, homeowner and tax payer in the State of Florida since 1973. Recently, the little town where I live has been plagued by a gambling developer, DeBary Real Estate Holdings, LLC, (a subsidiary of Green Bridge Company, an Iowa corporation). They are trying to force their project down our throats. It was voted down 3 to 2, by the DeBary City Council on December 13, 2008. Now, DeBary Real Estate Holdings has filed two lawsuits against the City of DeBary alleging violations of their rights. Just whose rights are being violated now? The City Council voted as their constituents and residents wanted. We began a grassroots effort to defeat this project, and we won … at least so far. These people are big money, and big bullies.

The only reason this is happening is due to the “loophole” in Florida law, which now allows poker rooms to be tied to horse racing tracks, and there is no longer a 100 mile radius restriction. Currently there is a dog race track in Daytona Beach, which has a poker room. That is as close as I want to get to a gambling establishment.

The purpose of my letter to you is to ask you, or plead with you, to please have the Florida legislature look at this loophole in the law and fix it as quickly as possible!!!!

Mr. Culligan:

I take issue with your comments about our City Council, and their decision to vote down the racetrack/poker room! They did their research and made a wise decision. You need to do some research also!
Look up Univeristy of Illinois Economist, Earl Grinols, and see what he has to say about gambling ... "can impose costs as much as 1.9 times the benefit ... five years after ... opened, robberies increased five fold; aggravated assault increased six times on average in each county."

Also, why don't you Google Tom Grey debate with Frank Fahrenkopf, CEO of American Gaming Association, see what Mr. Fahrenkopf's feelings are about having gambling in his town .... "NIMBY!"

So, Mr. Culligan, instead of complaining so much, why don't you put your computer to some good use and research this yourself! Might change your mind a little!

Debary Citizens,

We can hear it again , the drums of the DAYTONA KENNEL CLUB as it sounds its march in Debary.

The DKC has claimed its gambling turf in Volusia County and will tolerate no competetion in DEBARY...so help them GOD.

The City of Debary needs new business, yet finds excuses to spit in the face of free enterprise. Only in Debary would you find City Council members foolish enough to vote down an economic opprotunity in the face of a major recession/depression.

Where did the church/businesses of Debary get the money for the anti-gambling mailings and signs and T shirts? Were the Jesus Hustlers and the DKC in bed, will they wash the sheets or leave the stain?

Why are church leaders and their flocks of sheep bleating against an economic opprotunity for DEBARY? They claim Debary does not want "that kind of business' in Debary. Debary and its citizens are above nothing and better than no one. Debary is not the small quiet town it once was and there is no moral issue.

Debary is choked with for lease,sale or rent signs from border to border on both commercial and residential property as businesses close and citzens lose their homes. This is the reality Debary citizens are facing as the DKC and its immoral church minions stab Debary in the back.

If it were a MORAL ISSUE why aren't these MORAL christian groups boycotting the "convenience store casinos " in Debary that push the State of Florida's GAMBLING "numbers racket" called the Lotto. Florida's school children are benefitting from the state's SKIM of gambling money, simple as that. The State and GOD have approved the SKIM no question about it from the phony moralists that stink up the pews.

Have YOU ever seen a Preist, Pastor, or so-called "man of GOD" ever pass up a BUCK. So YOU figure the moral angle of the Jesus Hustlers of Debary. THIS is an economic TURF BATTLE brought to you by the DKC and has ZERO to do with morality and everything to do with money and politics thereof.

The'tax exempt' Jesus businesses are lusting for the exact dollars as any gambling organization would be, the disposable income of mostly elderly people,they do not want this economic cash cow violated.

The City of Debary was made a fool by the Daytona Kennel Club as the DKC dream team of attorneys protected its turf by manipulating the foolish through its propoganda campaign. Joeseph Goebbels the Nazi propganda minister would have been proud of the DKC's efforts at crushing free enterprise in Debary. The Debary City Council members were clearly intimidated by DKC "sabre toothed lawyers" and church puppets.

The arguments of crime,traffic or morality are ridiculous and mask the fact that DKC has crushed free competition on its Volusia County turf in Debary, for now at least.

The DKC's Local Debary Puppet/fools claim a great victory in the vote down of the Debary Town Center, when in fact they are the laughing stock of the Daytona Kennel Club's owners and the rest of Volusia County.

Morton Culligan
Debary, Fl.

The Latest Update:

It's official, Green Bridge companies ("DeBary Downs") are suing the City of DeBary for not allowing their Gaming project to go forward following the city's denial at 1st reading on December 13, 2008.

The lawsuit is based on the following legal principles:

1 - That the city "improperly handled the matter" and that city leaders were "talking to the opposition" (actual residents?) prior to 1st hearing.

2 - Green Bridge is asking for an outside judge to look at the DeBary comprehensive plan, and then ask judge to ORDER the city to accept the gambling project because it was within compliance on the comprehensive plan (or face a massive lawsuit from the gambling giant against the city of DeBary.)

So, all of the PR talk from the Green Bridge gambling boys about "being a good community neighbor" and "friendly asset" when they appeared before the city commission in December was just that - talk. And now, like spoiled children, when they cannot get their way through democratic means, they are going to run to their lawyers and sue the city, and by association, sue us the taxpayers, for having the nerve to tell them to take their gambling hall elsewhere.

What these gambling developers are hoping for is that the city, and its citizens, do not have the guts or resources to continue to fight them. So Green Bridge can start running over city staff (and our newly elected commissioners) with legal threats to accomplish in the courtroom what they are unable to do in the circles of public opinion.

Is this what we can expect from Green Bridge as a neighbor??

We beat them once, we can beat them twice....three times....as many times as necessary......until they get the message "NO DEBARY DOWNS" in our city!

Contact me below, and check your email, for updates of citizen meetings coming very soon,

Let's get busy!

Tom

Well, well, well, Mr. Fulton thought this website contained obnoxious comments in 2006 - from citizens! That may explain why he was decisively run off the City Council in 2007 by the citizens. Where is he now - or Danny Tillis for that matter? No longer visible or involved in City business since they don't have a title. Think Chris Carson will be the same way??

Although I do not agree with all of the comments and positions expressed on this site; John, Lenny and Norm give everyone an opportunity to say what they are thinking. For that we should all thank them. I can't think of ONE reason to thank Partick Fulton, can you???

Anne Bustin

Debary Residents,

Whats up, anybody have anything to say that means anything? Freedom of speech, use it or lose it, that is what they say. We still have it depending on your fear factor and what you have to lose.

YOUR President George W Bush had plenty to say as he terrorized this nation with eight years of ignorance. Here are some of his amazing quotes according to the quotation website www.brainyquote.com.

" I just want you to know that,when we talk about war, we are really talking about peace"
George W.Bush

Well...George Orwell called it when he wrote the novel 1984! That novel should be mandatory reading for all americans if they desire to understand freedom , tyranny, doublespeak or the future of this country. WAR IS PEACE! Do not forget it.

" A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier,there is no question about it"
George W. Bush

How sure are we that we do not live in a "dictatorship of lies"?
Hitler and Saddam Hussain were dictators, they started wars on lies, so did George W Bush and Lyndon B Johnson.

"I am mindful not only of preserving executive powers for myself, but for my predecessors as well"
George W Bush

People actually voted for this guy! Do I have to tell you to get a dictionary and look up predecessors?

" Free nations are peaceful nations. Free nations don't attack each other. Free nations don't develope weapons of mass destruction"

George W Bush

There is no nation on earth that has more WMD than the 'free' USA. We were attacking the "free nation" of Pakistan last week using our latest tool of terror, the Predator Drone. Will the 'Predator' technology be used someday on the american people? Count on it.

"The legislature's job is to write the law. It's the executive branch's job to interpret the law"

George W Bush

Did George W Bush pay attention in 6th grade civics class? The fact that GWB got elected is an indictment of the entire democratic process and an insult to the founding fathers of this nation.

" To those of you who recieve honors, awards and distinctions, I say well done. And to the "C" students, I say, you too can be President of the United States".

George W Bush

George W Bush was a "C" student at YALE, he might have achieved this high grade average by paying the tuition and having the last name of BUSH. If the same George W Bush had a different last name, he might qualify as an assistant manager at WAL MART.

" When I take action, I'm not going to fire a $2 million missle at a $10 empty tent to hit a camel in the butt. It's going to be decisive".

George W Bush

So decisive that we now have two wars going on for 6 years at an estimated cost of $3 trillion after intrest on the borrowed money.

TODAY it was announced by Secretary of Defense Gates that the cost of our wars for the year 2009 will be $136 BILLION DOLLARS. A billion is a thousand million, figure that out by the day...go ahead. DO IT!

Osama Bin Laden's objective was to defeat us, he never said militarily! Osama Bin Laden is not stupid, the events of 9/11/01 were a gambit in a chess game with a "C" average student that was never qualified for the job as President. The USA is still in checkmate. The majority of the american people still have not figured it out...have they?

Americans are so conditioned to respect of the office of the Presidency that many cannot see that they elected an idiot. I have never seen one man do more damage to the USA than George W Bush.

Our new President Barack Obama got elected in spite of his last name , not because of it. Obama was president of the Harvard Law Review which indicates he had something better than a "C" average. He was wise enough to vote against the insane and foolish war in IRAQ.

Hopefully George W Bush's disasterous legacy and its effects will not destroy the Obama Presidency.

If Mr Obama can just stop the war it would help, because the war is costing us our future economic health.

Saddam Hussain is dead BIG DEAL , so are 4 thousand plus US soldiers and 100 thousand est. Iraqis, this is the cost of American revenge. This is not a victory, it is a tragedy.

We are not winning anything, we are grinding ourselves to pieces economically as our enemy watches. Our horrible failure defense dept has us tied down spending billions at ZERO cost to any minor league terrorists.

"The quintessence of war is not to destroy the enemy , but to get the enemy to destroy himself"

Sun Tzu...The ART of WAR

It matters not if Saddam Hussain or Osama Bin Laden are dead or alive, we are destroying ourselves, no enemy needed.

One of the greatest maxims of war is "careful how you choose to destroy the enemy because the enemy you seek to destroy might be yourself"

Morton Culligan
US Military Empire

Thanks Mark,

I can appreciate your wish for prosperity and success for everyone in January 2009 but it is about as likely as the same wish would be in January 1930.

The US economy is again suffering from an explosion of lies and greed from Wall St. The formation of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the 1930's was an attempt to muzzle the beast of American Greed.

Since then our 'hidden government' of lobbyists in the 'district of corruption' in Washington has never stopped trying to de-regulate the regulations of the SEC. Their criminal success in stripping the teeth out of regulation is evident and political. The impotent SEC slept through the Bernie Madoff $50 billion dollar PONZI SCAM right under their noses, whether or not they were under the influence of 'political sleeping pills' is the subject of an investigation that will never take place.

Meanwhile, we all should remember that World War II bailed us out of the last depression, we just spent our way out with borrowed/fiat money, trillions for war was the ticket out. So what do we do now?

We already have two very expensive wars at something like $450 million a day. That should bring prosperity!

We can launch our FA-18 "Hornet" $60 million jets from the decks of our $4 billion dollar aircraft carriers. That should bring prosperity!

We could send $2 billion dollar B-2 "LIBERTY" bombers to blow up tents, camels and caves. That should bring prosperity!

We could hire Saddam Hussain's old army not to fight us and call that a "surge" in military progress. That should bring prosperity!

The collapse of our financial system was not caused by Saddam Hussain,Osama Bin Laden or any external terrorists.

American home grown corruption, greed, lies and illusion are our terror. We are our own terrorists, we are our own enemy.

Our government could inject more borrowed money into the US economic corpse and declare that prosperity.

Americans can look to their corrupt reactionary government for answers to the central problem which is... their own corrupt reactionary government.

We can ask our diseased government to diagnose and cure itself, that is a plan.

But do Americans really have anything to worry about , after all GOD BLESSES AMERICA !

We are the richest most powerful nation on the planet, the fact that we are morally and financially bankrupt and constantly at war is no big deal. God blesses our fat butt!

Yea sure, God Blesses America ....all other nations must 'take a number' and sit in the back of the bus, as we save the world.

Yes, we all wish for 'prosperity' forgetting that we already had it and it was temporary.

Morton Culligan

Debary Citizens,

It is time to make some predictions for the Debary's new year.

Debary citizens will wake up and demand realistic priorities for the new year. Here are some predictions that would make sense in a city that is mired in NON SENSE.

Prediction #1 Debary City government will seize and occupy the new mulitimillion dollar Debary Arts Center building.

Prediction #2 The Debary Police Dept will seize and occupy the new Debary City Hall.

Prediction # 3 The Debary Arts Center fanatics be forced to move into the old Debary Police Dept Building.

Reversed priorities had a very UNeccessary non profit arts league occupying the largest and most expensive taxpayer financed building in the city.

Reversed priorities had a very Neccessary police dept leasing a tiny shoebox building.

Why would taxpayers spend so much on such low priorities as the ARTS when city government and police protection sit in the shadow of all these reversed priorities?

Fundraising and grant applications can be viewed as an ART FORM or political science in which the taxpayers are a constant target. The needy are victimised by the greedy via the government.

Prediction #4 The federal government will spend millions to dredge out Debary Bayou.

Why would they do that, does someone need to park their boat? Maybe the FEDS intend to build a shipyard there, they could build a new $4 billion dollar aircraft carrier on Debary Bayou. The aircraft carrier could protect Lake Monroe and the St Johns river from terrorists.

Prediction #5 The taxpayers will be forced to spend heavy millions on a "light rail" system.

There is nothing light about light rail except the light amout of use it will get. If you like the heavily subsidized AMTRAK system you will love light rail. We can see it now.. Debary citizens commuting to non-existent jobs in Orlando from houses that that have been repossessed in Debary. All this on a heavily taxpayer subsidised light rail system. Light Rail = Heavy taxes

Prediction #6 Debary will get hit by a major Hurricane on August 17th 2009

This hurricane will have two eyes and rotate backwards. The flooding will also be in reverse, all the water will flow to the high ground. The laws of physics will be completely ignored as the Debary homes that were negligently built in low areas will be "low and dry".

Prediction #7 The superbowl will be won by the team that gets the highest score, God will gamble on and win the LOTTO in a Debary convienence store casino. There will be cold beer and hot women in heaven as opposed to the cold women and hot beer in Hell.

Morton Culligan
Debary,FL

CITIZENS' EDITORIALS