- February 6, 2025
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Dear Editor:
The announced suggestion of the Volusia County Council Chair Ed Kelley to increase the sales tax is evidence that quality of life in the county must not be an important consideration to these elected officials. Rather, it appears that the unbridled expansion of living spaces, along with the huge increase in tax revenues automatically accompanying this building frenzy, is the driving force for our representatives.
Size of budget has long been associated with the power and influence of those who control that budget. Coupled with the large real estate tax increase just imposed, Volusia County revenues will see huge increases in the years to come, based on already existing building permits and real estate tax rates.
An article in the Port Orange Observer quoted Kelly as admitting that “the county has to remedy the transportation problems present now before the thousands of homes come in alongside LPGA.” These thousands of new homes, along with the huge tax revenues they will yield to the county, come on top of the previous approval by the county for the building of large tracts of new homes on South Williamson, Airport Road, in New Smyrna Beach and in other areas.
The glib comment about remedying the transportation problem on Dunlawton, for example, decries the promise of the Port Orange mayor’s campaign rhetoric to do so – so far without any apparent effect.
Further, it’s nonsensical to believe that “adjusting the wait times as appropriate” can be accomplished without disastrous effect: At any major intersection, there must be multiple turns from east-west to north-south streets, as well as east-west and north-south continuation traffic progressions. Moreover, despite Dunlawton being a six-lane street, there is no room for additional lanes.
So, the rhetoric is just that: Port Orange and most of Volusia County have reached a traffic saturation point. Do we really want to emulate the traffic in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale or Miami? I think not.
The proposed sales tax increase is simply another revenue grab, as Volusia County already has a higher gasoline tax (approved and implemented several years ago) than most other counties. Moreover, the increase in real estate taxes continues to creep ever upward, again adding to the county's coffers.
The residents of Volusia County, largely retirees, chose this area to live because of the quality of life then present. As a longtime resident, I have seen a sleepy, beautiful area turned into a frenetic, traffic-jammed, overcrowded one with rising taxes over the span of 20 years. Progress is fine, but one must consider its cost. Turning a beautiful, peaceful area into another metropolis is not what most residents want.
It’s time for our voices to be heard. The best way and place to do that is by communicating your views to these officials and at the ballot box on Election Day.
Peter Jacobs
Port Orange
Dear Editor:
Later this month, schools, home-school groups, organizations, and individuals in Florida and across America will work together to raise awareness about the importance of opportunity in K-12 education.
National School Choice Week begins on Jan. 21 and celebrates all types of schools and education environments for children.
Nationwide, 32,240 different events and activities – such as open houses, school fairs, and information sessions – are being planned, with an estimated attendance of 6.7 million people. In fact, 3,812 of those events and activities will be held in Florida, and a few are in your city. (Find locations at schoolchoiceweek.com/map-event.)
National School Choice Week has been celebrated every year since 2011. The first thing to know is that school choice isn’t partisan or political. It’s about empowering parents with the opportunity to search for, and find, the best education environments for their children — regardless of where they live or how much money they make.
Research shows that when parents actively choose schools and education environments for their children, students are more likely to succeed in school and beyond.
If parents are interested in switching their child to a different school, or considering homeschooling, National School Choice Week helps them to start looking.
Florida has one of the nation's broadest "open enrollment" policies in the country. Parents who choose private schools for their children may also be eligible for state-supported scholarships or tuition assistance.
For more information, visit www.schoolchoiceweek.com. Every child can succeed when they find the right school fit. This January, parents have more options and opportunities than ever before to find that right fit. For individual communities and for our country, that is a good thing.
Andrew R. Campanella
President of National School Choice Week
Northwest Florida
