- November 20, 2024
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Dear Editor:
Jeff Brower has been reelected as Volusia County Chair. That may not be a surprise to you, the residents, who have seen him lead our county with wisdom, compassion, and strength for the past four years. I can assure you, however, that Jeff Brower’s reelection is a shock to a select (very powerful) group of individuals who were so threatened by Jeff Brower’s people-centered leadership, that they did everything they possibly could to make sure he is a one-term County Chair.
From the $500,000 in contributions poured into Randy Dye’s campaign from developers, insurance groups, and special interests, to the shameless omission of Chairman Brower from the Republican Executive Committee Volusia County Republican Voter Guide, to the endorsement of his opponent by influential people in the county, and to the constant false smearing attacks, it seemed the machine had been fully activated to eliminate Jeff Brower from our political landscape.
Why were these “powerful” people so threatened by a farmer, a family man, a Christian man being our county chair?
The answer is simple. They were afraid that Jeff Brower gives us a voice that is louder than the money that influences politics in Volusia County. We saw that first hand with the proposed fuel terminal in Ormond Beach. When thousands of residents pleaded with their county representatives to protect them from 20 million gallons of highly flammable fuel being stored steps from their homes, Jeff Brower was our strongest voice on the council. He validated our concerns, he empathized with us, and he was determined to do the right thing for the residents, at all cost!
He was belittled for that, he was accused of pandering, he was disrespected repeatedly by his colleagues during County Council meetings, all because he joined the residents on the ground to fight against a very dangerous project. He is now facing the same level of opposition as he is fighting to protect our county from development-induced flooding.
While he may not be shown respect by political pawns, he gained the deepest respect and admiration of the residents affected by these issues and of those who care about truth, justice and the wellbeing of the community.
As we savor this victory, we must remember that we, the people win when we show up. We won by reelecting Jeff Brower, and we will continue to win by participating in our local government.
