- December 28, 2024
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After 20 years serving in local government, Volusia County Council Ed Kelley has struck the gavel for the final time.
The council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 15, marked the last for Kelley and fellow County Councilwoman Deb Denys, who were issued proclamations by Volusia County to commemorate their years of public service.
Kelley began his political career in 1993 as an Ormond Beach City Commissioner, where he served until 1997, and then 2005-2009 before becoming mayor of the city in 2010. He served in that role until 2016 when he ran for County Council chair. Earlier this year, he opted out of running for a second term.
Denys served on the Volusia County School Board from 1994 to 1998, and then was elected to the council in 2013, where she has since served representing District 3. Upon Kelley's announcement that he wouldn't run for re-election, Denys resigned her District 3 seat to run for chair against Jeff Brower, who won the November election.
Regardless of her loss, Denys remained optimistic for the future of the county.
“Volusia County, our better days are yet ahead," Denys said. "I really believe that.”
The proclamation made in her honor highlighted her advocacy for clean water, being the former chair of the Indian River Lagoon Council and mentioned her efforts to bring more aerospace industry into Volusia, as ell as her work with regional transportation issues and projects.
In turn, Kelley's proclamation shone a spotlight on his leadership following the local recovery efforts for three hurricanes, his service on boards such as the Volusia Water Alliance, Water Authority of Volusia, Volusia Council of Governments, and his efforts in building bridges in the community through strengthening the county relationship with cities, chambers of commerce, regional organization and residents.
Kelley's son, Brian Kelley, singer of the Florida Georgia Line, attended the meeting and spoke fondly of his memories with his father back when he ran for the Ormond Beach City Commission. He said his father got their family excited to be involved in their community.
“It’s incredible," Brian Kelley said. "You’re a legend. Thank you, you’ve done so much for so many over the years. You’ve made Ormond Beach, Volusia County, a much more beautiful, safer, amazing place.”
Their colleagues on the council lamented the loss of institutional knowledge with their departure, and stressed the time and responsibility involved in serving on the council. Councilwoman Billie Wheeler denounced claims of corruption, which were part of the narrative during the recent election.
“Not one of us has ever, ever stepped over that line," Wheeler said. "I hold this seat absolutely proudly, and part of it is because of these two folks here.”
The new council, to be sworn into office on Jan. 7, 2021, will have both opportunities and challenges in the future and will be poised to take them on, Kelley said during his closing remarks. He said he had no regrets regarding his decisions, and that they did what he always wanted to do: leave Volusia better than it was before.
“We served for one reason, and that was to serve the people," Kelley said.
