Ormond Beach Observer
Opinion

Elect commissioners who will restore rules

Dear Editor:

The clear cutting of the forest for Granada Pointe, and a similar development removing historic old growth trees on Sterthaus Drive, caused public outrage.

Ormond Proud candidates ignore impact of development

Dear Editor:

I attended the Ormond Beach Candidate Forum on Wednesday, and I was disappointed in the many misleading and dishonest statements of Bill Partington and the other candidates backed by the Ormond Proud PAC.

In response to a question about whether Ormond Beach was growing responsibly, each of these candidates spoke about Ormond’s modest population growth. While population is one marker of community development, I’m sure the candidates know that the complaints about their performance relate to commercial development — specifically the removal of acres of trees on Granada Boulevard — not population. Their insistence on just one aspect of development makes it seem that they had been coached. Or maybe it’s simpler — that they know they have made a mistake on Granada but refuse to admit it.

Partington made other misleading statements, especially his claim that the Ormond Crossings project north of town would be the only major development in the next 15-20 years. He said that other projects would be infill development, which is the process of building on vacant or so-called underused land within the city. Of course, the Granada Pointe project is infill development. It tore out acres of forest and will replace them with a gas station (which is less than 3/4 mile from three other gas stations). Does Partington really want to suggest that infill developments are not “major”?

Like many of the claims made by “Ormond Proud” candidates, Partington’s statement is very cynical. He insults the intelligence of Ormond residents by asking them to ignore the evidence in front of them and the commission’s role in making it happen. If Partington, Dwight Selby, Troy Kent, Susan Persis, and Rob Littleton want to pretend that such developments won’t be disruptive to life in Ormond Beach and to the city’s character, they should not represent us on the City Commission.

Andy Oler

Ormond Beach

Responsible development can be found close by at Office Depot, which preserved historic oak trees and proved true commercial development and the community’s environmental values can co-exist. Actually it’s quite lovely there.

Let’s elect commissioners who will listen to its citizens and restore rules for good growth.

Mary Anne Andrew

Ormond Beach

The city doesn’t listen to citizens

Dear Editor:

Wow – the developers, politicians and their volunteers get free space in your paper by being “guest writers”? I must say that Mr. Bryan Shaffer is wrong about a couple of things.

CANDO 2 wasn’t formed until after his father did what he did with the most recent clear-cut on Granada because residents didn’t know about it and just drove by and saw the devastation.

Mr. Holub did what he had to (legally) by letting the immediate residents know (i.e., Reflections Village) what was happening (neighborhood meeting) and luckily for some of us (not within the 600 feet of his property), one of those residents let us know by looking up our HOA online so we could know what was going to happen. This started in mid-2017 for us, in 2016 for the residents close by — nothing to do with elections, as he stated.

We went to City Commission meetings and it didn’t matter. The commission and the mayor appeared to already have their minds made up, and Mr. Holub just repeated his same long-winded speech over and over as Ms. Julie Sipes pointed out in her article.

No one in my neighborhood was happy with what was going on. No one on my street belongs to CANDO 2 (of course we’re only 16 homes). I don’t believe anyone has bothered to attend any of those OB Life meetings the city threw together in a last ditch attempt (started a few months before elections, I might add) to make OB citizens feel like perhaps they were listening to them.

Why bother to waste your time when they don’t listen, they don’t respond, they repeat the same “facts” over and over; and they won’t make any changes?

Also, what does political experience have to do with anything? Passion is worth a lot — especially in the current climate!

I haven’t been to any meetings since late last year. Frankly, I gave up. It’s very frustrating to write a speech, get up and try to say everything you possibly can in 3 minutes to just be dismissed and feel like no one on the dais heard a word you said.

I don’t have anything against Mr. Holub personally. He seems like a nice, successful man. I wish he would just be more environmentally responsible. LID.

Surely the commission must realize that all of the people who are upset about this situation are not likely to vote for them and that people will actually get out and vote this year? I know it’s not just me.

Lori Bennett

Ormond Beach

Editor’s Note: Typically, someone designated as a “guest writer” is a decision maker in the community, or someone with a unique perspective, or someone with firsthand knowledge of important topics. Don’t forget that Ken and Julie Sipes, as well as Jeff Boyle, have also been guest writers. And yes, all guest submissions and letters to the editor (including yours) are given free space.

Also, note that the city has responded to hundreds of questions submitted at the OB Life meetings, at ormondbeach.org.

Vote for Sandy Kauffman in Zone 3

Dear Editor:

Sandy Kauffman is, undoubtedly, the right candidate for Ormond Beach Zone 3 City Commission. As a deputy clerk of court for Volusia County, she is very familiar with government affairs.

Stricter rules would have negative impact on city

Dear Editor:

This year’s election is of vital importance for Ormond Beach. Growth is the predominant issue. I moved to Ormond in 1975. My shopping choices were The Trails Shopping Center or drive to Daytona. I’ve proudly watched this city grow while maintaining the small-town feel that brought me here. With a few speed bumps along the way, our growth has been managed well. The improved streetscapes and renovation of tired looking buildings (we need more of this) has kept Ormond ahead of the curve in East Central Florida.

I proudly call myself an environmentalist and am pleased this rejuvenation of our town has been completed with wetland rules that are in line with others in Volusia county and the St. John’s River Water Management. To replace these reasonable rules with stricter ones would inhibit future growth and have a negative impact on our city.

I see development where some existing trees were removed. This is often necessary to accommodate new plans. We had to remove many trees to build our home here in Ormond Lakes. The developers at Granada Pointe preserved 36% of the healthy historic trees trees and have a large setback for landscaping. They, like us, want this and all properties to be attractive and environmentally appealing.

Mayor Bill Partington and Commissioners Dwight Selby, Troy Kent, and Rob Littleton feel strongly about improving Ormond Beach while protecting our environment. Susan Persis feels the same. We need to elect these dedicated servants to continue the managed growth necessary for Ormond Beach to remain the jewel of Volusia County.

Kathy Arnold

Ormond Beach

Sandy supports environmentally responsible growth and development, fighting to save our wildlife, trees and preserve Ormond Beach history. She is an active member of Ormond Beach Historical Society, Chamber of Commerce, Ormond Beach Mainstreet, Mercy for Animals, and CANDO 2 to name a few. As a strong supporter of Women Who Serve, our local/county police and firemen, Sons of The Beaches, Making Strides for Cancer, she will work tirelessly to support the citizens of our community.

Her family has been helping our great town for years, and she will help to keep Ormond Beach from over-development, striving to work with other city leaders for the future of our infrastructure, community/economic development. Sandy has been in attendance of every OB Life meeting to input her concerns and suggestions of today’s issues and those of the future.

You cannot go wrong with Sandy Kauffman!

Toni Pollitz

Ormond Beach

Ormond’s development is enviable and necessary

Dear Editor:

I have lived in the Ormond Beach area all of my life. During that time, I have noticed that the natural beauty of Ormond Beach is an attraction for many who want to raise their families or enjoy their retirement years in the serenity and peacefulness of this community.

We have gotten to this point largely due to the efforts of the city commissions throughout the years. The present commissioners are an example of excellent leadership and good stewards of the quality of life we all enjoy.

They have enacted good environmental laws and regulations to align smart growth with the reality that development is enviable and necessary for the economic health of this area. This commission has ensured that while we live in a beautiful community we must also recognize that we have a community that has economic prosperity and the opportunity for people to be a part of that.

Those members sitting on the present City Commission have managed to ensure our quality of life and the economic viability of this city. Hats off to them!

Sheryl Cook

Ormond Beach

Don’t stop Ormond’s progress

Dear Editor:

I owe the amazing life I have in Ormond Beach to the decisions made by the current commission. My house didn’t sprout from the ground, and I don’t believe yours did, either.

Zoning was planned, and space was cleared. Hard-working men and women used their time, money, and sweat to craft the community I call home, and I’m thankful.

Today, a PAC is using fear to stop others from calling Ormond Beach their home. They are selling a destructive product: stopping Ormond’s progress. That neighbor we haven’t met yet is to be blocked from moving in because they fear a new house or store, fear a new road or traffic light. Funny how this fear did not exist when they decided to move here.

Fear is for children. Adults build cities. Responsible growth lets me walk my newly adopted dog down paths surrounded by green trees. I drive my truck down roads with tall trees on both sides. I work in houses where trees once stood.

I urge the citizens of Ormond Beach to listen to the facts and not the harmful political rhetoric. I endorse the progress made by Bill Partington, Rob Littleton, Dwight Selby, Troy Kent, and I have no fear that Susan Persis will be a great addition to that team.

Charles Wagner

Ormond Beach

Knowledge is power: Vote Katie Tripp

Dear Editor:

Dr. Katie Tripp is running for state representative in District 25. She is a scientist who holds a Ph.D. in marine biology and has been employed as an advocate for many environmental causes. We need her voice in Tallahassee because when it comes to protecting Florida’s land and water, she actually knows what she is talking about.

Unlike many politicians who are bought and paid for by special interests and squander our tax dollars on mindless solutions, Dr. Tripp understands the science behind problems that are plaguing our land and waterways like red tide, toxic algae bloom and rising sea levels. Our tourism industry, our agricultural industry and, yes, even real estate development are at risk.

Dr. Tripp is best suited to finding both effective and efficient, long-term solutions that will ultimately save our beautiful state. Knowledge is power.

Ann Long

Ormond Beach