DWO 10 08 20

DAYTONA WEST

Observer

BUCS VOLLEYBALL PAGE 3

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 2, NO. 2

FREE • OCTOBER 2020

Who will you vote for, Volusia?

Volusia County Council Chair and Zone 4 candidates address local issues at a recent forum. PAGE 4

Controversy over Black Lives Matter backpack Mother seeks apology from elementary teacher.

JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR

A Pathways Elementary student was confronted over his Black Lives Matter backpack by one of the school’s physical education teachers during school hours on Thursday, Oct. 1, an action that has his mother asking for a formal apology for her son, who was distraught after the incident.

Pathways parent Lisa Nolan said her son has worn the backpack every day since school started Aug. 31. She received a phone call from the school’s principal shortly around lunch time Oct. 1, informing her of what had happened between her 10-year-old biracial son Trayce and his PE coach. Trayce told his mother that the coach stopped him in the hallway and asked him if he believed that all lives mattered.

Her son said yes, but that “black lives matter too,” according to Nolan. The coach pointed out other students and asked Trayce if their lives mattered.

“It’s not OK,” Nolan said. “These children should not

ART

educator of the year

Learn more about Kelsi Quicksall at www.OrmondBeachObserver.com

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Kelsi Quicksall spent three weeks in the summer before her first year teaching at Osceola Elementary transforming her classroom.

SEE APOLOGY PAGE 2

Local Postal Customer

PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID DAYTONA BCH FL PERMIT #447

E C I T O N N EVICTIO Over 300 eviction cases pending in Volusia, representing a 40% decline from 2019

EVICTIONS:

JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The governor’s executive order regarding mortgage foreclosure and eviction relief expired on Oct. 1, but the national order from the Centers for Disease Control remains in effect.

How is Volusia impacted by the the stay on evictions? According to data from the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, a total of 785 new eviction cases were filed from March until Sept. 18, 2020.

SEE EVICTIONS PAGE 2

NEW CASES FILED

1794

EVICTIONS PENDING

558

CLOSED

BY JUDGE

1271

CLOSED BY DISMISSAL

465

785

330

495

257

MARCH – SEPTEMBER 2019 MARCH – SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

DAYTONA WEST OBSERVER

|

OCTOBER 2020

Apology for backpack confrontation?

wearing a “Trump 2020” mask.

“The issue is whether a political display can be considered so ubiquitous and commonplace that they do not reasonably convey a message that the public school is endorsing any political position or is something reasonably likely to cause a disruption of the educational environment,” the email stated. “There are qualitative and quantitative components in all situations of what constitutes public government endorsement or entanglement in political messages. Whether a political display is something violative of policy has to be considered in light of these factors.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

feel demoralized for having their opinions.”

Following the incident last week, Nolan had attempted to arrange a meeting with the teacher but was told that wasn’t possible during a grading week, and that no exceptions could be made.

Nolan then called the superintendent’s office and was told that Trayce couldn’t wear the backpack because it was considered political in nature. She disagreed with that notion, and now so does the District.

Volusia County Schools’ attorney Kevin Pendley determined after an investigation that the backpack represents a social movement rather than a political statement, said District spokeswoman Kelly Schulz on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Trayce was permitted to come to school on Monday with his backpack. Schulz was unable to comment on whether the PE teacher will face consequences for the incident, but said the matter is under investigation.

SCHOOL BOARD POLICY

Initially, Schulz had relayed information in an email from the Volusia County Schools attorney on the matter, which stated that “due to the current political environment, there have been a few publicized instances of political involvement on school campuses.” The email said state and federal laws prohibit public

NOT THE FIRST TIME

Photo courtesy of Lisa Nolan

Trayce, 10, was questioned by a PE teacher at Pathways Elementary over his backpack, which reads "Black Lives Matter."

schools from endorsing political positions or candidates and cites School Board Policy 805, which says political posters, signs, banners or other writing that promotes a political issue or candidate cannot be permanently posted on school board property.

District facilities may be used by political groups or organizations, but posters have to be removed when activities end.”

The email continued to say that the attorney understood claims have been made that other “political activities have been tolerated in the past without sanction.” The week before the incident with Trayce, Nolan said her son came home from school and told her there had been a child at school

Nolan said Pathways Elementary acknowledged that the coach’s behavior was not OK. In the past, Trayce has been subject to bullying with racial comments. Nolan said that in first grade, a fellow student told him he wasn’t allowed to have “brown friends.” The following school year, Trayce and another child, who is black, were called “hood rats” by a group of white children, according to Nolan.

Last year, Nolan said Trayce was picked on for his hair.

She chalked it up as kids being mean, but said it’s a different issue altogether if it’s coming from teachers. Wearing the backpack to school was her son’s choice, and the fact he no longer wants it breaks her heart, she said.

“That’s what hurts me so bad, is that here’s a kid who will give everyone everything,” Nolan said. “... He’ll give you half of everything he has, and this is his thank you for being a good product of the environment.”

Evictions pending CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

It’s a sharp decline from 2019 data from the same six-month period, which saw 1,794 new cases filed, indicating a potential backlog of cases that would normally qualify for evictions. That has left property managers in a difficult situation.

At least one local property manager looks hopes normalcy will return soon. Continental Property Services Inc. manages seven properties in the Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach area.

President Russell Bryant said that out of their 1,371 apartment units, they have fewer than 20 from which they want to evict tenants. There are more tenants that have struggled financially due to the pandemic, but Bryant said they’ve been in contact with them to help modify the terms on their lease. The tenants they wish to evict are those that have cut out all communication and have not signed the declaration, he said.

“We’ve got some people that haven’t paid us since March,” Bryant said. “At the same token, we don’t want to put people out on the street that are deserving.”

He said the eviction of residents is a property manager’s “last resort” as well, but that there are some that are taking advantage of the situation.

In 2019, Bryant estimated his company had to evict about six tenants. This year, that figure is likely to double.

There are local resources to help tenants struggling with rent. The Volusia County Council recently voted to boost the county rent and mortgage grant program.

DAYTONA WEST

Observer “If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Publisher / John Walsh, jwalsh@palmcoastobserver.com Executive Editor / Brian McMillan, bmcmillan@palmcoastobserver.com Associate Editor / Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@ ormondbeachobserver.com Page Designers / Hailey McMillan, Jennifer Edwards Advertising Manager / Jaclyn Centofanti, jaclyn@ palmcoastobserver.com Senior Account Manager / Hallie Hydrick, hallie@ palmcoastobserver.com Senior Account Manager / Susan Moore, susan@ palmcoastobserver.com Front Desk Associate / Bonnie Hamilton, bonnie@ palmcoastobserver.com Operations Manager / Maureen Walsh, maureen@ palmcoastobserver.com Circulation Manager / David Brooks, david@horizonroad.com DELIVERY The Daytona West Observer is published on the second week of every month. If you have delivery questions, call Circulation Manager David Brooks, at 338-5080 or email david@horizonroad.com.

TO ADVERTISE Call 386-447-9723. For Classifieds or Business Directory, call 386492-2784 or email pcoclassifieds@ palmcoastobserver.com.

Falling Into More Savings Carrier

COOL CASH is BACK!

CAC 1815644 CAC185644

CALL TODAY 386.253.7621 www.CunninghamOil.com 342613-1001

2

24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE ON ALL MAKES & MODELS

www.CunninghamOil.com

342689-1

DAYTONA WEST OBSERVER

|

OCTOBER 2020

3

Buccaneers defeat Bulldogs 3-0 Mainland hosted FPC on Tuesday, Sept. 29, resulting in a 3-0 game in favor of the Buccaneers.

Sadie Rich

Photos by Ka’Deem Wynn

(From left to right) Bella Truxall, Alexa Wilson, Hailei Barrett, and Brooke Sadusk.

M

ainland volleyball hosted Flagler Palm Coast Tuesday, Sept. 29. The Buccaneers took the lead early, taking the first two sets (25-15, 25-16). Despite the rallying from the Bulldogs at the start of the third set, Mainland was able to hold onto the lead, winning the final set with a score of 25-21.

Jackie Christiansen

Alexa Wilson.

SUPPORT PRIVATE PRACTICE PHYSICIANS

-KA’DEEM WYNN

A Night at the Drive-in

COLLECTIVELY OVER 100 YEARS OF SURGICAL EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE COUNTS!

Free & Open to the Public

John B. Holt, M.D., F.A.C.S

SCREENING: FLIPPED Friday, October 16th • 7:30 PM

1825 Ridgewood Ave. • Holly Hill, FL 32117

386-677-5000

James T. Sutton, M.D., F.A.C.S.

William H. Johnson, III, M.D. F.A.C.S.

Atlantic Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeons, LLC (ACTS) is focused on providing high quality surgical services in a multitude of specialties that include cardiac, thoracic, vascular surgery and offer interventional services, as well as on-site vascular ultrasound services and treatment for medically necessary varicose veins.

Riviera Senior Living is still finding exciting ways to have fun despite COVID-19! Bring the whole family and be our guest for an authentic drive-in movie night in our assisted living parking lot. We’ll be screening Flipped – a comedy for all ages, and selling concessions to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association.

Enjoy the true drive-in experience by staying in your car and remaining socially distanced, or feel free to bring a blanket and lawn chair to watch under the stars.

OFFICE/VEIN CLINIC HOURS:

Monday - Friday: 8am - 5pm For an appointment, please call

CO-SPONSORED BY: MVP Mobile Visiting Practitioners 140 South Beach St Ste 202 Daytona Beach, FL 32114 (888) 506-8836

# AL9473

©2020 Five Star Senior Living

https://www.actsllc.org

339456-1 342605-1

www.RivieraHollyHill.com INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING

588 Sterhaus Drive, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 342610-1001

KINDLY RSVP TO 386-677-5000. WE WILL BE ADHERING TO SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES.

386-672-9503

4

DAYTONA WEST OBSERVER

|

OCTOBER 2020

Volusia County Council Chair, District 4, candidates address local issues The latest forum by CFOB asked the candidates about issues like Avalon Park Daytona and the renewal of Volusia Forever and Echo.

JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The Volusia County Council chair and District 4 races each have two candidates on the ballot in November, and during a Citizens for Ormond Beach forum on Wednesday, Sept. 23, the candidates got a chance to address their platforms on growth, finances and quality of life.

The virtual forum, held via Zoom, was moderated by CFOB Chair Liz Myers, who asked the candidates about the county’s response to COVID-19, their stance regarding Avalon Park Daytona and Volusia Forever and ECHO’s renewal. Here’s how they responded.

COUNTY COUNCIL CHAIR

Running for Volusia County Council Chair is current District 3 Councilwoman Deb Denys, who resigned her seat on the council to run for chair, and her opponent Jeff Brower, who ran unsuccessfully in 2018 to represent District 1 in the council but earned the most votes — 45% — in the August primary for the chair race.

Denys began serving on the council in 2013, and previously served on the Volusia County School Board from 1994 to 1998.

Brower owns a landscape company and a farm in DeLeon Springs. He serves on the Soil

and Water Conservation District Board.

On Avalon Park Daytona, both candidates agreed that they were not in favor of the $75 million bond the developer proposed.

Deny said that she had concerns regarding the project proposal, and that the council found out about the bond through the news was “not a good way to start a project.”

Later on in the forum, she said that the county doesn’t have the authority to tell cities what to do, an opinion Brower disagreed with.

Brower said that while he’s a “firm believer” in private property rights, every deed of land shouldn’t come with an automatic zoning change for developers. He also opposed the bond proposal to build a Hand Avenue extension due to the wetlands it would impact.

“I’m not against responsible growth, but [Avalon Park Daytona] defies every possible meaning of those words,” he said.

Both candidates also support Volusia Forever and ECHO. They differed when it came to how they viewed the First Step Shelter. Denys felt like the end of the Catholic Charities contract was a positive and that while the shelter is on the right track, it still has some work to do to improve.

“Bottom line is we need them to be successful,” she said. “Volu-

Courtesy of CFOB

CFOB Chair Liz Myers, Heather Post, Jeff Brower, Barbara Bonarrigo and Deb Denys.

sia County needs First Step to be successful.”

Brower said that while there is a need to help the homeless population, the First Step Shelter wasn’t the answer. He said he would favor the shelter being taken over by private entity.

DISTRICT 4

Running to represent District 4 on the council are Heather Post, the incumbent, and her opponent, Barbara Bonarrigo.

Post’s first term in office began in 2017, and she serves on several local, state and national boards and committees, including chairing the National Association of Counties’ Veterans and Military Services Committee.

Bonarrigo owns CJ Manufacturing in Daytona Beach and is a member of the Volusia Manufacturing Association, as well as a member of the Cultural and Arts Council of Volusia County.

Bonarrigo said she felt there was an “ineffective person” currently representing District 4 and

that if she is elected, she aims to preserve citizens’ quality of life and natural resources while creating high paying jobs.

In response, Post said that she’s proven over the last four years that she “makes policy decisions based on people and not politics,” earning the endorsement of all sectors of public protections, including fire, emergency medical services and sheriff’s office.

“I have absolutely put the boots-on-the-ground people that live, work and play in Volusia County as my No. 1 priority,” Post said.

On Avalon Park, both candidates pointed out that there hasn’t been a formal bond request by the developer. Post however, stated that she wasn’t in favor regardless as the development will impact Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach greatly.

Bonarrigo said the bond request would have to make sense for all the citizens and the county, and that would be something she would have to look at. She stated Avalon Park could build 3,000

homes without any extra approvals from the city of Daytona Beach; currently Avalon Park is seeking a comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning that would allow for 10,000 homes to be built west of I-95 and off State Road 40.

“We have to take that all into consideration and work together, and that’s one of my strengths that I have,” Bonarrigo said.

Both candidates support Volusia Forever and Echo. On COVID-19, Post felt that the county has done a “fairly good job” in its response, and spoke about the $125 million in coronavirus relief dollars, some of which have been utilized for the county’s mortgage and rental assistance program.

Bonarrigo said knows firsthand that it is critical for businesses to be able to operate, and that the county needs to follow science and data with safety in mind when responding to the pandemic. The rest of the decisions, such as attending Biketoberfest, should be up to the residents to decide for themselves, she said.

Advocate - Develop - Collaborate

The Port Orange South Daytona Chamber of Commerce is focused on unparalleled support for our community and promoting a pro-business climate - now and in the future.

Join us in our shared mission and together we will get through this current challenge and thrive!

Port Orange South Daytona Chamber 3431 S Ridgewood Ave, Port Orange, FL 32129

www.pschamber.com

343353-1

Call 386-761-1601 today!

342593-1

Find out more about the business benefits of becoming a member.