- September 25, 2024
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My wife Susan and I appreciate the Observer running an article calling attention to someone vandalizing our political signs.
As principals of Pine Trail Elementary, Tomoka Elementary and Ormond Beach Middle School, we are deeply concerned about the recent defacement of our signs, which are located on private property. This type of behavior not only breaks the law but also sends a troubling message to children. How are parents and grandparents expected to explain such acts of vandalism to them?
Although petty sign mischief, such as moving a sign or placing a sign in front of another candidate’s sign, sometimes occurs during campaigns, I have never experienced this level of defacing signs and trespassing in my 23 years of serving the citizens of Volusia County, as a city commissioner, mayor, county council member and school board member.
This is why I filed a formal complaint with the Ormond Beach Police Department and why Susan and I are offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of anyone vandalizing our political signs.
In the Observer article my opponent for school board, Donna Brosemer, dismissed the significance and seriousness of these actions. She stated, “I ran campaigns for 20 years and it just always happens,” as if this is an acceptable norm. Vandalism and trespassing should never be seen as trivial. Such actions do not belong in our community, particularly in a nonpartisan school board race.
To be clear, this is a crime as stated in Florida State Statute 812.014. Conviction can result in penalties of up to a $1,000 fine and up to 90 days in jail.
Ms. Brosemer suggested the damage could be the result of weather or accidental collisions. Look at the photos and judge for yourself whether this damage was caused by natural forces or accidents.
As an educator, I have always strived to uphold the highest ethical standards. I want to be a good role model for students. I believe it is important to respect the law and expect the same from others.
As an elected official, I have always run positive political campaigns, including following all elections laws and encouraging supporters to be respectful of my opponents’ signs.
General Elections are about choices and the contrasts between two candidates. My opponent in this race trivializes criminal activity as opposed to condemning or attempting to control illegal behavior.
And she has also been running a negative campaign. I ask you to consider if she is the type of person who you want representing you and children on the school board?
As we move forward, I remain committed to serving our community with integrity and focusing on what truly matters—ensuring a quality education for all students in Volusia County.
Carl Persis is the incumbent Volusia County School Board member for District 4. He is a former principal, assistant principal and teacher for Volusia County Schools.
Editor's note — Donna Brosemer was given a chance to respond:
Campaigns are a great way to learn about candidate priorities. Mr. Persis should reevaluate his. With a $135,000 war chest, any damage to his signs was a tiny fraction of his bloated campaign account.
The district budget is equally bloated. He raised no objection when, with the Board’s knowledge, they mishandled $200 million in Covid funds. He has allowed schools to be without media specialists, students to get home at dinnertime because of a lack of buses, classes and programs to be cancelled — things that are his job to fix, and which actually matter. He apparently cares more about his own budget than that of the public.
Mr. Persis isn’t used to having to defend his record. In eight years on the school board, he has played the part of a cheerleader who doesn’t have to care whether his team wins or loses. He can just keep smiling and telling the fans how great their team is doing. If he admits anything needs improvement, he might have to do some actual work.
The team is losing. The damage to his signs is trivial. He wants someone to be held accountable. The voters will do that on November 5.
Editor's note — Carl Persis was given a chance to respond:
Another negative attack from Donna Brosemer, who moved here three years ago. Rather than condemn the actions of the lawbreakers, who defaced six of my signs, she continues to downplay their trespassing and vandalism. She criticizes me for wanting to hold the people, who were responsible for damaging my signs, responsible.
She attacks me for being a positive voice for public education. She attacks the school district and speaks in half-truths. For example, I do not have a $135,000 campaign war chest. The balance is closer to $15,000. The District did not mishandle $200 million in COVID funds. We strategically invested the money to hire more teachers to enable students to learn in smaller class sizes at school, online at home, or a hybrid of staying home and learning from their teachers, who were at school.
The return on this investment is evident. Seabreeze and Ormond Middle rated A. Pathways, Pine Trail, and Ormond Elementary rated A. Tomoka and Hinson Middle rated a high B.
Only five schools, out of 62, do not have a fulltime media specialist. These five have a combination of media clerks and extra support from a district resource teacher. Negative Brosemer will continue to attack. I will continue to cheer for children and teachers and be a positive role model for students.
