- February 18, 2025
Dear Editor:
On Feb. 14, the 11 o’clock Channel 6 news broadcast a trip around Ormond Beach with Mayor Jason Leslie. The television reporter did a great job filming locations on a sun-drenched day. But the mayor’s narrative omitted important facts and raised questions.
The first two stops were at public parks currently closed for repairs. At the Magic Forest Rainbow playground, the mayor failed to mention its unique history, a park built entirely with citizen donations and resident sweat equity. At the Andy Romano Beachfront Park, the $20 parking fee was referenced as fair but viewers were not told the fee is waived for all duly registered Volusia County residents.
At the Performing Arts Center, we saw only the lobby, with no mention of the reconstructed interior or the significant donation of theater seats by a local developer, or the recent heroic second reopening after the center suffered fire and water damage.
On Hull Road, the crew visited the controversial site of the proposed Belvedere fuel terminal. Not mentioned: the site is in unincorporated Volusia County, not in the city. Our commission opposed the proposed location in communications to Belvedere and to state officials, denied water and sewer services, rallied hundreds of Ormond residents to voice protests at County Council, and allocated funds for a potential legal fight. $10 million in state funds have now been budgeted for relocation. But Mayor Leslie reported the issue as still unresolved with “no movement since 2023.”
The fifth stop was at a well-groomed ball field at the airport recreation complex. No mention of a city field maintained to major league standards for the Wendlestadt Umpire School, where big league umpires train future umpires from all over the world, students boosting the local economy during a six-week stay.
At the Ormond Airport, the mayor advocated “an executive golf course” and “a community center” on the former River Bend golf course property “with FAA approval.” These public statements are in conflict with carefully crafted city commission policy, dedicating a majority of the acreage to conservation and the remainder for potential business park expansion.
The televised tour failed to praise our city’s world class professional staff and proactive citizens.
Mr. Mayor, it’s time to unify us behind your leadership, to make Ormond Beach the best it can be, with accurate representations of our city, its history, and its success.
We stand ready to help you to help us.
Jeff Boyle
Ormond Beach
Editor's note: The Observer gave Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie a chance to respond.
Leslie: "Mr. Boyle makes many good points. Maybe when Ch 6 wants to come back, they will give us the time to do a documentary about the history of Ormond Beach, rather than just an overview of our beautiful city as it is today, which was their ask along with resident questions.
He is also correct about all the movement in 2023/2024 regarding the fuel farm. We look forward to a resolution, but we have not heard from the developer.
With regard to the airport, Mr. Boyle appears to miss being a city policy-maker. He can always run for office again but in the meantime, we welcome his input."
Dear Editor:
I recently read that Governor Ron DeSantis has stated he wants to eliminate the property tax here in Florida. I support the proposal to end government extortion of We The People via taxation of property.
As the son of immigrants, the American Dream is something that resonates in my perspective balance between the government and We The People. True homeownership is a part of that dream. No one should fear the threat of force of government to remove them from their property if they don’t pay the annual extortion.
Soaring high prices on houses and apartments is making even the historically cheaper rent option too high to afford. Think renters don’t pay property taxes, think again. With the Homestead Exemption and Save Our Homes artificially keeping primary home taxes relatively lower than non-Homestead, renters are paying their fair share plus the difference! Ultimately subsidizing primary homeowners.
I championed this idea for the last eight years as I campaigned for Florida State House three times. I encourage State Rep. Bill Partington and State Sen. Tom Leek to sponsor a bill to sunset property taxes in the Sunshine State in their respective houses in the Florida legislature.
Joe Hannoush
Ormond Beach
