- December 20, 2024
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Dear Editor:
Let's set the record straight and deal with the reality of growth. I'm sure all of those wanting to lynch developers and tar-and-feather our commissioners really believe your cause is righteous. Unfortunately, you’re using the Jeff Boyle playbook. You may deny it, but everything you say and do was said and done before, when CANDO did exactly what you’re now doing.
Attacking developers, crying that we'll have traffic jams on A1A, that high-rise buildings will shade the beach and block the view, etc. They riled up citizens with propaganda and horror stories how beach side Ormond will never be the same. They dropped innuendos about the Planning Board, and commissioners influenced by evil developers, whose only interest was making money (how un-American).
What CANDO did do is pretty much put the beach side out of business. Last time I counted, there were still at least 28 properties shut down, or looking for tenants.
We are becoming a parking lot for the county. Losing hundred of thousands in property taxes. The old adage, “be careful what you wish for,” came to fruition in our beach side community. Take a real long look next time you drive A1A from Granada Boulevard to Bellair Plaza. For a beautiful city, we are probably one of the worst looking beach side communities along the East Coast. Broken down buildings, empty overgrown lots, so many nice restaurants closed, e.g., Red Lobster, Olive Garden, plus several smaller ones.
If it were not for a developer Bill Jones, Granada Boulevard would still be a broken down entry to our beach side, which takes me to the rest of the boulevard. It's our main east/west commercial thoroughfare. Just a reminder, Daytona's Margaritaville will be coming to Granada Boulevard. We will be getting all the traffic, and no property taxes. Thank you, Jeff Boyle, CANDO founder, who led the charge not to annex it into Ormond Beach. Daytona Beach probably still sends him thank you cards every Christmas.
Check out all the retail development on Granada Boulevard: Walmart, Lowe's, Winn-Dixie, Ormond Towne Square, plus all the smaller strip centers, including the new Realty Pros complex. They all cleared their properties to develop, because it had to do with bringing the elevation up for proper drainage, as required by the building code. All have retention areas, as required by the state of Florida.
CANDO 2, nobody is going to change your mind, you’re obsessed with a cause. When you drink the Kool-Aid logic, property zoning, building codes, property rights, or business growth and jobs are a foreign language. You build your case to hate developers, and want to destroy the decent men and women who serve, or work in Ormond Beach.
I have lived and worked in Ormond Beach side for 48 years. Once again, having to listened to all those negative comments and hurtful accusations does nothing for the present and future of this city. If you shut down all the development in Ormond Beach, it will still happen all around us and choke our city, both financially, and in our quality of life.
Marvin Miller
Ormond Beach
I am a candidate for Ormond Beach City Commissioner, Zone 3. This is my first time seeking public office. I am very excited and running a positive campaign addressing many complex issues, including protecting the environment.
In a recent letter to the editor, Robert Baumer, a CANDO 2 advocate pleading for money, described me as “a newcomer, an establishment favorite, a well-funded upstart and an establishment darling.” My response is, thank you.
I am proud to have lived and worked here almost my entire life, proud to have served as a teacher and principal helping children and families for 39 years, and proud of my relationships with charitable organizations and business owners.
When you have been working and being involved in your community for decades, you meet civic leaders, touch the lives of many families, and develop friendships. I am honored so many people are now demonstrating their faith and trust in me by generously supporting my campaign to make Ormond Beach even better.
Susan Persis
Ormond Beach
Dear Editor:
The CANDO 2 movement of Ormond Beach has unceasingly attacked Paul Holub and Holub Development, using the defamation of both him and his Granada Pointe Project to further their political agenda.
The CANDO 2 movement, in their “crusade” to shame Paul and his latest development, has refused to acknowledge many facts.
Ormond Beach is what it is today because of Paul Holub.
At 16 years old, Paul worked several jobs, saved every penny, immune to the wants of most teenagers. Instead of buying cars or clothes, he saved so that in years to follow he was able to buy land. Holub Development’s origin dates back to a 16-year-old kid working three jobs and cutting grass on the weekends by a young man determined to do something great.
Ormond Beach is the culmination of 33 years of tireless work by Paul Holub.
The Walmart you run into to grab almost anything you need? The land and zoning promoted by Paul Holub. The Starbucks in the Blockbuster Video Center (yes, the original name of the center) where you get your favorite latte — also Paul. In fact, if you are stopping at any one of the countless businesses on Granada Boulevard or at the Ormond Interchange Area, odds are you are in an establishment put there by Paul Holub. The friends who are business owners on Granada — their dream was likely given a foundation and a place to grow by Paul.
Paul Holub is not only great by building; he is great by how much he gives.
The amount Paul has gifted to the city of Ormond Beach and Volusia County is immeasurable. From financial donations, to providing entire Christmases for families who would not otherwise have them, to helping homeless family after homeless family get back on their feet, Paul also tirelessly gives. His family has long supported and volunteered hundreds of hours to our local community. Most importantly, Paul gives in the way the charity was meant to be — in silence.
There are no press releases, no newspaper articles, no showing up at galas to make his benevolence known. Why? Paul Holub gives out of the kindness of his heart, not for acknowledgement.
We can all learn a lesson from Paul Holub. Work tirelessly. Create something. Be grateful for the community you are blessed with. Love your family. Give to others. Make those around you great.
And for those of you who do not like the development of Ormond Beach, and those fueling the CANDO 2 movement, you can learn a valuable lesson from Paul as well. Spend your time, energy and resources building and not bashing. Buy the land you so desperately want to “save.” There are plenty of undeveloped lots for sale in Ormond Beach.
Lori Levoy
Ormond Beach
Dear Editor:
I live in Ormond-by-the-Sea, and on John Anderson Drive as well. I've lived here since 1991. Your recent article struck a nerve with me about traffic and speed limits on J.A.
My reply to The Women on the Waterfront is: The road is for cars! Nothing gets my gizzard more than your stroll down the road leading your animals, and your refusal to make way for automobiles.
I will be the first to move over if there is no oncoming traffic, but quite often the automobile driver is given the evil eye! I actually had to come to a complete stop one time because a woman refused to get off the road, and there was oncoming traffic, and I couldn't move over. Then she walked up to me and started beating the hood of my car!
There is a 5-foot-wide sidewalk on A1A for stroller, bikers, skateboarders, etc. So if you insist on taking up half of my lane to walk your dog, shame on you.
We don't need speed bumps. We need people to recognize that JA needs sidewalks on at least one side of the road.
Janet Nutt
Ormond-by-the-Sea
