- February 23, 2025
Suggestions can be made online.
Wayne Grant
News Editor
The 10 officials outnumbered the citizens at the “listening session” Sept. 21 at the Ormond Beach Library, where citizens were invited to provide their thoughts about the Volusia County Charter Review, but a couple of local residents took the opportunity to speak out.
The charter is the equivalent of a local constitution for the operations of Volusia County Government. Passed in 1970 in a countywide vote, the charter requires a citizen review at least every 10 years. It deals with the structure of county government, including matters such as beach management, taxation, government departments, county council organization, election procedures, etc.
Chairman J. Hyatt Brown commented about the lack of citizen attendance at the public meetings, which are scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
“Maybe we should have these meetings later,” he said. “People might not be getting off work. We might want to think about that 10 years from now.”
Comments are beach related
From the audience, Richard Lohmann took the opportunity to talk about pedestrian safety in his neighborhood of Ormond-by-the-Sea. He said the crosswalks should be more defined.
“Go up there and watch people cross the road from the beach,” he said. “We pay taxes like everyone.”
After the meeting, commission member Pat Drago, a retired school executive, said his concerns are probably not a charter issue, but comments such as his are still considered. The commission can make a “management recommendation” to appropriate governmental departments.
Another person from the audience promoted Let Volusia Vote, the grassroots effort to place a referendum on next year’s ballot to let voters decide before beach driving can be banned. A circuit judge recently ruled a referendum would be against state law, but Let Volusia Vote proponents say they will appeal.
The officials did not respond to the comments.
Suggestions can be made online
Those not able to attend the meetings can provide comments on the website, volusia.org/government/charter-commission.stml, where the charter can also be read in its entirety.
Recommended amendments to the charter will be placed on the general election ballot in 2016 following public hearings.
Charter commission meetings are open to the public, and are in the Volusia Room at the Daytona Beach International Airport. The next meeting will be 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 12.
For meeting information, call Dona DeMarsh Butler at 736-5955 or Tammy Bong at 736-5934
