Ormond Beach Observer
Opinion

Article on Jeff Boyle was 'mean-spirited'

Dear Editor:

Deflect. verb. “To cause (something) to change direction by interposing something; turn aside from a straight course.”

I must say that this is what I see after reading some of the articles in the Ormond Beach Observer that concern the issues on growth and development in Ormond Beach. If what I have read hadn’t been so mean-spirited, it might be funny.

Online response

"No offense to CANDO 2, if these allegations are true, then perhaps they need to come to light. That's creepy behavior, albeit years ago."

Sharon Moore Estes, on Facebook

"While this information may not have anything to do with development in Ormond, I think it's undeniable that ... it's inexcusable for an adult, especially teacher or any person of authority to prey on impressionable teenagers. Three separate 'allegations' spanning over a decade, come on, where there is smoke — there is fire. When there is documented evidence, things cease to be alleged. If these things happened now, he would be on the news if not in jail. I think his victims would be very offended that anyone would trivialize this."

Smith Roger, on ormondbeachobserver.com

"There are a couple very shameful things going on here, in my opinion: Boyle's alleged behavior a few decades back; and the fact that someone recently dug up this information and then anonymously shared it, clearly in hopes of destroying the CANDO 2 movement in Ormond Beach. The intent here is not noble. It is sad, more of the 'dirty politics' we've been seeing in recent years on a national level. Not something to be proud of. With that being said, I will continue to support CANDO 2 because of the group's purpose, not because of the group's spokesman. In fact, because of this action of playing dirty by exposing Boyle in hopes of dividing and dismantling a group that is opposed to unfettered development, my support is stronger than ever (I see how the opposition plays). Let's hope that people opposing CANDO 2 for whatever reason, be it politics or finances (or both) have no ugly skeletons in their closets."

Jenny Smith, on ormondbeachobserver.com

"This is absolutely disgusting. As a teacher myself, it sickens me to see another teacher abuse their power as an authority figure over their students. If this happened today, this guy would be criminally investigated and wouldn’t even have a chance to 'move to Montana.' The fact that he did this over more then a decade of teaching to three different young women (three who bravely came forward, I hope and pray there aren’t others who were too afraid to speak up) and still tries to say this is a fabrication and a smear campaign? Do these young women know each other? Based on the dates in the article they didn’t even attend school at the same time as each other and yet somehow all come forward with very similar stories. I don’t know how someone who does something like this can live a normal life knowing the damage he caused to those young women...and it’s unfortunate they really got no closure. He was allowed to resign instead of being fired, he wasn’t looked into criminally, and got to go on living a normal life. It baffles me that anyone could have this information can just say 'he’s flawed, we are all flawed.' Yes, I do agree we are all flawed in some way, but his flaw is criminal and left these young women with a lifetime of carrying around that baggage. Shame on him and shame on anyone who still supports him."

John Smith, on ormondbeachobserver.com

To bring up “allegations” on Mr. Jeff Boyle that are over 30 years old to try to “deflect” from the real issues ... really? That’s the best they can do? And what in the world would any allegation have to do with tearing down our city? I can only think of one, and it has nothing to do with something that may have happened over 30 years ago!

And to report that the documents were sent anonymously? (That person who sent them should be ashamed of himself; quite the cowardly act!) Let me have six guesses as to who sent them. Please!

And if I am not mistaken, Mr. Boyle is not an elected official, so does that mean that in the future other private citizens who chose to speak out against what is going on in City Hall can expect to have information about them get “anonymously” sent to the press? Quite the slippery slope, if you ask me.

And trying to say that because Mr. Boyle is the CANDO 2 spokesperson he is making the issues political? The only ones making the issues political are those who refuse to listen to concerned citizens, and those who change zoning laws to help real estate agents and developers. And those who tell citizens that if they don’t like the development they can put their houses up for sale and leave. (Yes, that was actually said at one of the City Commission meetings.)

Our commissioners have made it political because they have now ignored the citizens and what is best for their neighborhoods and city. And when one of the commissioners’ spouses threatened me with a law suit because I voiced my opinion as to why I thought the citizens were being ignored — that made it political for me!

We, the people, are not stupid. We, the people, have seen through the deflections, the intimidation and bullying. This is our city, not just the commissioners’. They work for us, or at least they are supposed to work for the people. And in my eyes, they have failed miserably, and it seems that they have given me only one option since they refuse to listen, and is political — my right to vote!

Lisa Bennett

Ormond Beach

You are sinking to 'their level' by publishing story on Boyle's file

Dear Editor:

Jeff Boyle’s alleged history with the Volusia County school system was mailed to me — in an unmarked envelope — since I’m one of many citizens in Ormond Beach who have been outspoken about the development in our city and how the mayor and City Commission have ignored our protests and pleas and have gone with the developers on everything they wanted and annihilated our beautiful forestry along West Granada Boulevard and continue to do so.

I think by publishing the story about Jeff Boyle's personnel file in your paper that you are sinking to their level. It has nothing to do with what’s going on. It’s simply the powers that be trying to besmirch a man with a good heart who cares about our community.

Some of us are worried about the environment — others are simply worried about how much cash they can put in their pocket.

The file reveals something that allegedly occurred 40 years ago, based on testimony given by hormonal teenage girls. Nothing ever happened except the woman he divorced most likely got ticked off and probably got her friends to go along with her. I deal with real disgusting harassment at my job — real horrid problems — rape, etc. This was nothing.

You will most likely lose readers for publishing this garbage.

Lori Bennett

Ormond Beach