- November 29, 2024
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While the 2016 election is many months away, there have already been candidate announcements, showing the potential for a new political landscape after voters visit the booths in August for the primary and November for the general election.
Appearing on the 2016 ballot will be proposed changes for the Volusia County Charter. While it sounds like a dry document that resides in some desk in DeLand, it could have a big effect on the future of the county.
For example, the charter commission is considering placing before the voters an option to revise or eliminate the Volusia Growth Management Commission. This commission works to coordinate the growth plans of the individual municipalities, calling into question any plans that another municipality challenges. There could be an environmental issue, for example.
Several cities in the county have shown support for either getting rid of or revising the duties of the commission, saying it has inhibited bringing new industry to Volusia County.
No matter who wins the race for the U.S. Congressional District 6, the representation will be a change for the county. Thanks to a new map as a result of redistricting, Volusia County is contained in one district, rather than being split between representatives.
That is one of the reasons long-time Ormond Beach resident and attorney George Pappas has joined the race, his first venture into politics.
“Now that it’s cohesive, I feel I can serve my county,” Pappas said recently.
Pappas, who has entered the race as a Democrat, said one of his goals would be to get NASA funded, which would be good for the economy for all of Central Florida.
Another Ormond Beach resident in the District 6 race is G.G. Galloway, owner of a commercial real estate firm, who has entered as a Republican. On his campaign’s website, he says that government should be run like a business and held accountable like a private company.
One thing for certain is that the Ormond Beach City Commission will have a few new faces. There was no turnover in the 2014 election, so the commission has been unchanged for two terms. It has been business and growth friendly; the annual State of the City luncheon is a joint production with the Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Ed Kelley has announced he will run for Volusia County chair, which is elected county-wide, and City Commissioner and Deputy Mayor Bill Partington is vacating his seat to run for mayor. Also, James Stowers has announced he will not run for re-election next year.
So far, two new individuals have thrown their hats into the ring for the City Commission, local Realtor and Planning Board member Harold Briley, running for Partington’s Zone 4 seat, and commercial real estate businessman Dwight Selby, who will vie for Stowers’ Zone 1 seat.
The School Board, in the news because of controversy over outsourcing janitorial work, a looming student uniform policy and union negotiations, presents a choice of two well-known Ormond Beach residents, Linda Costello, incumbent, and Carl Persis, who is challenging for her seat.
Costello has pointed to several accomplishments during her tenure, in which she served as chairwoman the past year. Costello said the school board formed a citizens committee to create the strategic plan for the district, began dual enrollment with local colleges and gotten teachers more involved in planning.
Persis said his experience as a principal in Volusia County Schools for 28 years would be valuable on the board. Also, Persis was Ormond Beach mayor from 1999 until 2002 and served as a Volusia County Councilman from 2005 until 2012. He has said he could bring a unique perspective to the board with this experience.
