- March 12, 2025
James Stowers is running for Ormond Beach City Commission, Zone 1.
BY THE OBSERVER STAFF
1) What should be done with regard to the housing market?
As part of the current Commission, I have helped to work toward significant improvements to our city's gateway signage and overall gateway standards. These steps are critical in maintaining Ormond Beach's place as one of the best places to live in the region.
The housing market is about supply and demand. By keeping Ormond Beach's tax rate third lowest in Volusia County, maintaining and improving our city's beautiful recreational facilities, and working to facilitate business and redevelopment efforts, I believe the current City Commission has placed our city's housing market in a positive position for the future.
I hope to continue these efforts if re-elected.
2) Is there room for further cuts to the city budget or would that mean sacrificing services too much?
The budget process involves a number of meetings with city staff, followed by a series of public meetings and discussions. I always evaluate our city's budget with an eye toward cutting any duplicative or otherwise wasteful efforts. Fortunately, we have the benefit of a great city manager and staff who understand the tough economic climate and recognize the need to streamline the budget wherever possible.
3) Why should people vote for you instead of your opponent?
I believe this election is about whether Zone 1 residents want a facilitator or an instigator.
As a City Commissioner, I have worked to facilitate changes to help our residents. These include my efforts to speak with residents regarding the John Anderson project, working to incorporate pedestrian features into the Beachfront Park project, and a number of improvements throughout Zone 1, based on resident calls, complaints or comments.
I have worked hard in my role as City Commissioner to be responsive, accountable and thoughtful in my decisions and interactions with the City Commission and the city's wonderful employees.
On the other hand, my opponent was fired by the city in 2005, after difficulties arose with his working relationship with others at the city. He later sued the city and lost. After losing in 2010, he immediately told me he was running again.
Now, he is attempting to scare residents by bringing up an issue that was settled by residents 55 years ago. Also, he recently sent a misleading mailer piece implying that I have not been present at City Commission meetings, despite the fact that I have never missed a meeting since being elected.
The residents deserve to hear about how commissioners can help the city, not be fed bad information in an attempt to further a single former employee's personal agenda.
The following is a synopsis of a follow-up interview in The Observer offices:
James Stowers has said he and the City Commission have done a good job keeping Ormond Beach going in a positive direction, specifically regarding the housing market.
“I think we’ve taken steps that are appropriate for being a positive facilitator to the housing market,” he said. “The balance is how much does government get in the way ... and how much do they get out of the way, and I’m one that is more leaning towards private property rights. … If you have a quality area, a quality community, people will be drawn to it.”
Stowers also said he feels he’s listened to the residents of Zone 1 and given them a voice on the City Commission.
Alan Burton, the challenger, has claimed Stowers has had to abstain from 19 votes due to conflicts of interest. Stowers said those abstentions came from his work at the law firm Cobb Cole.
“I left Cobb Cole in August,” Stowers said. “The likelihood that I’ll have to abstain from an item in the next two years, I will submit to you, is exactly the same as my opponent, who is a real estate appraiser.”
Stowers said he’s been a leader on the City Commission by the way he’s approached the issues over the last two years.
“On every item there is a level of communication that goes on at the City Commission meeting,” he said. “But there is also that level of communication that goes on with the city manager. … That level of communication and effort is the first step.”
An example of communication, he said, came during the commission’s discussion of the millage rate.
“We have … since I’ve been in office ... had to use some reserve funds, being at 17%, I felt that staying with the current millage rate versus the roll back rate, we would be applying further pressure to those reserves,” Stowers said. “It’s a balancing act. You can’t look at things in a vacuum.”
Pensions are an issue facing the City Commission and the city. Stowers said the commission is aware and is working to find a solution.
“It was in my materials two years ago,” Stowers said. “We’re working actively to address those issues. … It is an issue … (Burton) is posing an issue which I agree with.”
To solve issues facing the city, like pensions, Stowers said he has to work with his fellow commissioners, and can’t simply do it all by himself. He says no commissioner could
“You have to have an effective approach, that’s not going to alienate you from your fellow commissioners,” Stowers said. “I represent Zone 1, absolutely. I represent Ormond Beach. But I also work with my commissioners to come to resolutions that are positive for my community.”
Fluoride has been a big issue in recent City Commission meetings. Stowers said he feels as if Burton is using the topic for political gain.
“He lost a close election,” he said. “So he’s now conveniently looked to the next issue that he can try to push as a, in my opinion, scare tactic.”
Stowers is proud of the work he’s done on the commission over the last two years.
“I’ve been responsive,” he said. “I’ve been proactive in terms of getting things addressed in our community and I think we’re on a good path in Ormond Beach.”
That positive path is why he said he thinks he’s the only commissioner being challenged in this election.
“The question is who can best advocate for residents,” Stowers said. “And I feel like I’ve done that and I can continue to do that because people want to feel like they’re being listened to, they want responsiveness … they want to … feel like they have a voice.”
