PORT ORANGE
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
NUTCRACKER STARS PAGE 6
VOLUME 5, NO. 4
FREE
• DECEMBER 2021
State wants to add to parents’ rights Lawmakers seek to strengthen Parent’s Bill of Rights, which Gov. Ron DeSantis used in mandate fight. PAGE 6
County Council, School Board, to adopt differing maps
Picture this One Daytona honors 14 artists in sold-out show
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white peacock opens its feathers for only a few seconds at a time, but Darlene O’Leary, of Ormond Beach, was ready. O’Leary’s photography was on display, along with art by about 100 other artists, Nov. 13-14, at the second-annual One Daytona Art Festival, a fine art show coinciding with Welcome to Rockville Festival at Daytona International Speedway. O’Leary takes photos from St. Augustine to New Smyrna Beach, specializing in animals. Another local artist, Joy Kronseder, of Port Orange, has a massive sea glass collection that inspires her art.
The boards could not agree on one redistricting plan. JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
After two joint meetings, five hours of total discussion and 17 maps later, the Volusia County Council and Volusia County School Board have decided to adopt different maps for redistricting, a decision that will cause more split precincts and ballot styles, particularly for the west side of the county. While the boards were hopeful about agreeing on a combined version of the respective maps each favored, at the joint meeting held on Thursday, Oct. 28, neither side could agree on the same combined option. The Volusia County Council voted 5-2 to adopt plan “FI-5” — with Council members Fred Lowry and Heather Post voting against — which splits the city of DeBary between Districts 1 and 3. The School Board largely favored
“We’re very encouraged by the success and support from our community,” Lesa Kennedy, owner of One Daytona’s Gallery500, in a press release. “Artists and vendors were excited to come back and participate, making this a sold out art festival. We’re enthusiastic about our future in 2022.” Eight artists competed for best in show, and the winner was Jacksonville’s Bill Slade, who won $1,500. “I’m delighted to see this quality of show,” Harry Messersmith, a judge from DeLand, in a press release. “This festival has a great future.” –JULIA AMBROSE AND BRIAN MCMILLAN
SEE VOLUSIA PAGE 6
YOUR TOWN Spreading cheer by donating toys
Local Postal Customer
PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID DAYTONA BCH FL PERMIT #447
Auxilium Manus DEO, First Baptist Daytona, and several businesses are gearing up for toy distribution for 300+ children ages 6 weeks to 5 years who attend Mid Florida Headstart schools. Please bring unwrapped new toys to any of the following locations, through Dec. 16: Daytona Beach: Jon Hall Chevrolet, Chef Papa’s Café & Catering, Dollar General (Bellair), Daytona Beach Shores Dollar General on A1A, and the new Dollar General at 811 N. Clyde Morris. Port Orange: Dollar General (U.S. 1), Dollar General (Clyde Morris), Pinch a Penny, and Bully Me Now. If your business would like to help collect toys for us, contact 386-7606070.
Joy Kronseder, of Port Orange
Photos by Julia Ambrose
BRIEFS Florida lawmakers may move away from OSHA Florida lawmakers Wednesday, Nov. 17, passed a measure that could lead to the state taking over regulation of worker safety and health issues and ending oversight by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Republican-controlled House voted 76-38 along almost straight party lines to pass a bill (HB 5B) that directs Gov. Ron DeSantis to develop a plan for the potential change. The Senate early Wednesday evening gave final passage in a 23-13 party-line vote. The proposal came after OSHA this month issued a COVID-19 vaccination rule that would apply to employers with 100 or more workers. Those workers would have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or test negative at least once a week and wear masks. DeSantis has argued the rule would lead to workers losing jobs.
DeSantis touts education budget Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, Nov. 10, rolled out parts of his proposed edu-
cation budget for next fiscal year, touting the recommendations as “wins for families, students and for teachers.” The governor will ask lawmakers during the 2022 legislative session to raise per-student spending in public schools by more than $200 over the current fiscal year, to $8,000 a student. DeSantis also wants to spend $15.5 million to carry out a plan that would replace the statewide standardized tests known as the Florida Standards Assessments with a progress-monitoring system. DeSantis announced in September that he would request that lawmakers end the current system of standardized testing. Continuing a plan to boost minimum teacher salaries to $47,500, DeSantis said he will recommend that lawmakers earmark $600 million to increase educator pay. That amount would represent an additional $50 million in teacher-pay funding from the current budget. “When I became governor, the average minimum salary was around $40,000. Now it’s close to $47,000. And with our proposal, we’re going to be in a really, really good spot. Certainly one of the top 10 in the country (in teacher pay), and we may even be in the top five,” DeSantis said.
Council 8086 donates Coats for Kids to seven schools JOHN O’MALLEY KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
The Knights of Columbus Our Lady of Hope Council 8086 followed up its successful Duck Derby by donating winter jackets to students at seven local schools in its annual Coats for Kids drive. The late-September event at Port Orange City Center raised enough funds to purchase nearly 400 winter coats and jackets. Last week, a dozen Knights visited seven local schools to distribute the jackets to deserving students.
More than a dozen Knights from the Council distributed the coats at Sugar Mill Elementary, Spruce Creek Elementary and Port Orange Elementary in Port Orange; South Daytona Elementary and Turie T. Small in South Daytona; Holly Hill Elementary in Holly Hill; and West Side Elementary in Daytona Beach. Roger Packard is the Grand Knight of Council 8086. Tony Manzolillo is the council’s point of contact for Coats for Kids, with Tim Mell the council’s Program Director.
Sugar Mill Elementary School Principal Laura Figueroa is pleased to accept the jackets from Knights (from left) Tim Mell, Dave Dollieslager, Tony Manzolillo, Roger Packard, George Kline, Bob Thomas and Jim Waggoner.
Publisher John Walsh, jwalsh@palmcoastobserver.com Executive Editor Brian McMillan, bmcmillan@palmcoastobserver. com Associate Editor Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@ ormondbeachobserver.com Staff Writer Brent Woronoff, brent@palmcoastobserver.com Page Designer Hailey McMillan Senior Account Manager Susan Moore, susan@ palmcoastobserver.com Office Coordinator Bonnie Hamilton, bonnie@ palmcoastobserver.com
Reducing collateral damage of shrapnel Embry-Riddle professor and graduate student will use Air Force grant for research. MIKE CAVALIERE DIRECTOR OF NEWS, EMBRY-RIDDLE
DELIVERY The Port Orange Observer is published on the fourth 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 386-492-2784 or email pcoclassifieds@palmcoastobserver. com. Palm Coast Observer, LLC P.O. Box 353850 Palm Coast, 32135
A professor and a graduate student from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University are working on developing better methods to predict where fragments from a warhead strike will fly, reducing the chance of collateral damage. Currently, predictions of warhead fragmentation are determined using static tests in which trial warheads are detonated in the desert with no flight involved. Although some numerical simulations have also been used as predictors of warhead fragmentation, they often don’t take into account such factors as gravity and aerodynamic forces.
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CORPORATE OFFICE - 386-677-SOLD (7653) 900 West Granada Blvd., Ste. 3, Ormond Beach, FL 32174
COMMERCIAL OFFICE - 386-253-8565 140 S. Atlantic Ave , Ormond Beach, FL 32176
BREAKAWAY TRAILS
Mediterranean Revival beachside bungalow w/ rentable guest house just steps to the ocean. Spanish style architecture, tons of parking and fenced in yard make for easy living and the woodwork detail and hardwood floors will delight you. This is an incredible opportunity to live in one unit and rent out the other! MLS#1089656 $549,000 Call Krista Goodrich 678-928-1100.
4 Bedrooms, 3 Full Bathrooms and 2 Half Baths, the sheer size along is all one could ask for! A Gorgeous Kitchen equipped with custom Full Wood Cabinets and African Fantasy granite countertops! All of the incredible touches on this home are brought together with the natural light of the sky lights throughout! MLS#1088082 $649,000 Call Tom Foster 516-233-8992.
HAWAIIAN INN BEACH RESORT DIRECT OCEANFRONT unit with a balcony to drink in the views of the Atlantic! Located in the popular Hawaiian Inn, this unit has a cute little kitchen and comes fully furnished so you can start earning income right away. Hawaiian Inn offers two pools- one big oceanfront pool, and an indoor heated pool. MLS#1090555 $149,900 Call Jake Scolaro 813-774-2187.
LINKS AT HARBOUR VILLAGE
EAST DAYTONA
Amazing ocean & river views from every window in this move in ready, many upgrades, LVP flooring, stainless steel appliances, modern fans & lighting,3BD/3BA luxury condominium. Wake up in your master bedroom to ocean views & drink your morning beverage with unobstructed views of the river from the kitchen & main balcony. MLS#1088183 $579,900 Call Rosana Scaccia 347-247-8093.
3BD/3BA 1st floor condo in the highly sought-after Links Village community at Harbour Village Golf & Yacht Club. Enter the kitchen w/ new smart appliances, beautiful granite counter tops & elegant back splash overlooking 2 patios w/ nicely planted shrubs & no connected condos giving you the feel of your own back yard. MLS#1090640 $549,900 Call Mike Williams 386-689-2462.
OAKBROOK
SALE PENDING
4/2 in sought after Oakbrook! Close to shopping, beach, and awesome schools, this home is perfectly situated. Enter to an elegant wide entry foyer. The large kitchen features SS appliances & big center island with a breakfast bar. Family room & dining room are spacious with sliders to the lanai! MLS#1090684 $369,900 Call Bonnie Karet 386-295-2109.
3BD/3BA Hudson Design offers an open concept floor plan that’s great for entertaining. The main living area offers 9’4’’ ceilings with double pane windows. Granite countertops, ceramic tile, Frigidaire stainless steel appliances with Timberlake cabinets adds the perfect finishes to this 2018, two- story townhome. MLS#1089504 $285,900 Call Monica Howington-Olah 386-679-0868.
Own your hidden and private country paradise on 7.5 acres in the desirable Samsula area of New Smyrna Beach. This property sits high and dry. Enjoy views of deer, sandhill cranes, and much more. The man-made pond with fountain is stocked. Sit on your deck and take in the majestic oaks and natural scenery! MLS#1086847 $799,000 Call Gabi Sessions 386-846-7996.
SALE PENDING
Savvy condo home buyers will recognize the value in this rare, fully furnished, upgraded & updated corner condominium home w/ ocean & city views! Custom designed w/ a wide, open floor plan & clean lines in this highly regarded community. Seamless flow between indoor & outdoor space creates a peaceful sense of balance. MLS#1090690 $599,000 Call Sandy Cook 386-547-1156.
Great 4 bedroom 2 bath home in desired Grande Champions section of LPGA. Large open foyer, split plan layout, open kitchen concept with granite counter tops. Screened covered back porch. 2 car garage on a quite cul-da-sac. MLS#1085276 $325,000 Call Addam Ralston 386-566-1812.
SALE PENDING
This beautiful 3-bedroom, 2-bath home is located in the desired Florida Shores community of Edgewater. Completely remodeled! The entry greets you with stunning tile flooring that runs throughout the living areas, kitchen and bathrooms. The’ front of the home offers a spacious living room, with an abundance of natural light. MLS#1090558 $325,000 Call Kelly Riggle 386-212-7333.
SALE PENDING
NEW SMYRNA BEACH
OCEANS GRAND
DAYTONA BEACH SHORES- 386-766-SOLD (7653) 3118 S. Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118
capabilities, taking into account such factors as the speed and orientation of a warhead. “Being able to predict how these systems behave is a way to save money and be more precise,” Bevilacqua said. “Having a better model of where the fragments will go will add safety for innocent people.” Bevilacqua said the technology being developed could also eventually be applied in the case of collisions or explosions in space. Being able to predict where that debris will go could protect active satellites. Tasos Lyrintzis, distinguished professor and chair of the Department of Aerospace Engineering, said the grant represents the largest single-investigator Air Force award received by the department. Larsen, who is earning a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, would like to work for the Department of Defense someday.
Family.
HIDDEN LAKE
PORT ORANGE OFFICE - 386-767-SOLD (7653) 840 Dunlawton Ave., Ste. D, Port Orange, FL 32127
Thanks to a $442,508 grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Aerospace Engineering professor Riccardo Bevilacqua and graduate student Katharine Larsen will merge data from static tests with advanced simulation
EDGEWATER
BEACHSIDE OFFICE - 386-441-SOLD (7653) 2110 Oceanshore Blvd., Ste. B, Ormond Beach, FL 32176
Courtesy photo
Aerospace Engineering professor Riccardo Bevilacqua.
MAARTEN CONDO
“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
Operations Manager Maureen Walsh, maureen@ palmcoastobserver.com Advertising Coordinator Jessica Boone, jessica@ palmcoastobserver.com Engagement Specialist Kaesha Hagan, kaesha@ palmcoastobserver.com Circulation Manager David Brooks, david@horizonroad.com
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OrmondBeachObserver.com
DECEMBER 2021
SALE PENDING
WILLOW RUN
PORT ORANGE
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This AMAZING, newly built 4-bedroom, 5 bath, 3+ car garage, beachside POOL home is loaded with upgrades! Located in the desirable community of Coquina Key and perfectly situated between the ocean and Halifax River, enjoy the recently renovated private beach access just yards from the front door. MLS#1089750 $1,088,000 Call Cindy Lee Harper 386-566-4747
Great Port Orange POOL home with tons of room! Lots of open living areas, 5 light and bright bedrooms and a huge fenced in yard with beautiful shade trees. Very big screened in pool w/ lots of deck area for entertaining. Stainless steel appliances in the updated kitchen. MLS#1090572 $439,000 Call Christina Bovier 386-846-8284.
PRIVATE ISLAND
PORT ORANGE OBSERVER
COQUINA KEY
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Hog Island is 220.85 acres of complete privacy. It is currently the largest private island for sale in the state of Florida and the island’s connection to mainland power, phones and internet via submarine cable make it a truly unique oasis. Included in the sale we have 3 Gorgeous Cabins, Helicopter pad & more! MLS#1089390 $7,900,000 Call Hannah Harp 386-299-1884.
OrmondBeachObserver.com
PORT ORANGE OBSERVER
MARLA MARTIN GUEST WRITER
JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Courtesy photo
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‘The median price for single-family home sales in the third quarter was still up 18.4% year-over-year (to $355,000),’ said Florida Realtors’ Brad O’Connor.
Guiding Hope foster care agency wants to help high-risk teens find stability
Michael Williams, DASH executive director.
DECEMBER 2021
Florida housing market update
Giving teens another chance Victor Sims knows how important it is to give a child more than one chance to thrive. After spending the first 12 years of his life in foster care, hopping from placement to placement — 22 different homes, from what he remembers — he’s seen firsthand the change having a stable home can make, especially for teenagers. And as the executive director of Guiding Hope, an Ormond Beach-based foster care agency that serves teens struggling in the system, he wants to make sure foster parents have both the support, and the will, to give them all the chances they need. “I always tell people I don’t believe a child deserves a second chance — I believe they deserve another chance,” Sims said. The agency launched this month and will serve Volusia, Flagler and Putnam counties. Part of Sims’ model includes the provision of mental health services, educational programs and training for foster care parents and continuum of care once a child ages out of the foster care system, thanks to a partnership with Dreams and Success Homes Foundation, a real estate organization that helps provide transitional housing for young adults 18 and up. It’s a partnership Sims hopes will bring long-term results. “Teens deserve a fresh start when they are placed in the system,” said Michael Willams, DASH executive director, in a press release. “Somewhere they don’t have to be judged, condemned, and reprimanded for being challenging and unique. A home and community that expects the best from them but when the worst happens, will continue to
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Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Victor Sims, executive director of Guiding Hope, aims to reduce the number of high-risk teenagers in group foster homes.
expect and empower them to be their best.” SOLUTIONS BASED ON EXPERIENCE
Sims and Williams have been working together in child welfare for about three years, and while their stories are different, they represent each end of the spectrum of the foster care system. While Sims was adopted at 12, Williams entered the system at 12. Never adopted, Williams had been removed from his home because his mom couldn’t provide him a safe place to live. But even so, he came from a loving home, he said in a recent interview with the Observer. His mother’s parental rights were terminated once he entered foster care, and Williams was angry. He showed that by rebelling, and in turn, experienced over 40 different placements in his first six months in the system. Once he aged out of the system, he realized he spent those six years of foster care in survival mode, he said. He had forgotten what his own dreams were. “Since then, I’ve created a lot of solutions and programs and been part of a lot of programs to really change the way people look at teens who don’t want to be adopted or don’t find permanency in the system,” Wil-
LOCAL CHILD WELFARE STATISTICS AS OF SEPT. 30, IN VOLUSIA COUNTY: There are 853 children in out-of-home care. Almost 54% are in licensed foster care homes. 53, or 6.21%, are in group care. 153 are 13-18 years old. IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA: There are 22,554 children in out-of-home care. 51.7% are in licensed foster care homes. 1,522, or 6.75%, are in group care. 4,462 are 13-18 years old. Source: Florida Department of Children and Families
liams said. According to DASH, nearly 50% of young adults transitioning out of foster care will experience homelessness within 18 months, and over 60% of women become pregnant by age 21. Less than 3% will earn a college degree by the time they reach 25 years of age. Those are the statistics Guiding Hope is fighting, and the work starts when the children are in the foster care system. The language of trauma is behavior, said Sims, who has
“Teens deserve a fresh start when they are placed in the system. Somewhere they don’t have to be judged, condemned, and reprimanded for being challenging and unique. A home and community that expects the best from them but when the worst happens, will continue to expect and empower them to be their best.” MICHAEL WILLAMS, DASH executive director
been specializing in working with high-risk teenagers for the past five years. Many teenagers feel a lack of permanency in their foster homes, and are aware that, for the smallest infractions, they can be switched into a different placement. In some circuits in Florida, it’s not uncommon for foster parents to call police when their foster teen refuses to go to a new placement, Sims said. He wants to ensure their foster homes aren’t ones the child runs away from, but homes to run to. He said he and Williams are creating a program that they wish they had both had access to growing up. “Our solutions are literally based off our stories,” Sims said. HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
Having grown up in the system after his biological father shot his biological mother, it wasn’t until Sims entered kindergarten that he realized not every child was waiting for their forever family. In that year alone, he experienced four different placements and three schools. “What kept me moving was that hope,” Sims said. “You know, that something was better on the other side.” Now that he’s established Guiding Hope, his goal is to have 100 beds for teenagers through foster homes. Currently, there are 53 children in group homes in Volusia County, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families, and Sims believes those should be a last resort in the system. He only experienced one group home in his time in foster care, and refused to be sent to another one after that. Instead, he chose to sleep in a DCF office, something that Sims said is, unfortunately, not a rare occurrence. But in order to meet his goal, Guiding Hope needs foster parents, and Sims said he seeks to raise the community’s awareness of their mission, in the hopes that adults who have considered fostering in the past will step up. “If we can find a family that’s willing to give our children chances, I think we’ve done better for our community,” Sims said. To learn more, contact leadership@guidinghope.org
Florida’s housing market continued to report rising median prices, more cash sales and tight inventory in 3Q 2021, according to the latest housing data from Florida Realtors. Closed sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 88,592 in 3Q 2021, down 1.1% from the 3Q 2020 level; closed sales of condo-townhouse properties totaled 37,876, up 13% compared to the same quarter a year ago, according to data from Florida Realtors Research department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Closed sales typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written. “Although the pace of home sales slowed from this spring, it was still quite strong in the third quarter of 2021, especially for condo-townhouse properties,” said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor. “Price growth has moderated a little in recent months, as well, but the median price for single-family home sales in the third quarter was still up 18.4% year-overyear (to $355,000), while the median condo and townhouse price was up 18.6% (to $254,900) compared to a year ago. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less. He added, “The inventory of homes on the market increased during the quarter, which was welcome news, but the latest data show that the pace of this increase has slowed considerably. That’s just another reminder that we have a long way to go in terms of supplying enough homes for sale to satisfy the continued high level of demand that we’re seeing in all different segments of the housing market.” The share of closed sales that were all-cash purchases rose in 3Q 2021 compared to the previous year: Singlefamily existing home sales paid in all cash increased by 45.5% year-over-year, while all-cash sales of condo-townhouse units rose by 33.2%. In 3Q 2021, the median time to a contract (the midpoint of the number of days it took for a property to receive a sales contract during that time) was 10 days for single-family homes and 15 days for condotownhouse properties. Inventory was at a 1.3-months’ supply in the third quarter for single-family homes and at a 1.7-months’ supply for condo-townhouse properties, according to Florida Realtors. According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 2.87% for 3Q 2021, down from the 2.95% average recorded during the same quarter a year earlier. To see the full statewide housing activity reports, go to Florida Realtors Newsroom at http://floridarealtors.org/ newsroom and look under Latest Releases, or download the 3Q 2021 data report PDFs under Market Data at: http:// floridarealtors.org/newsroom/market-data.
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PORT ORANGE OBSERVER
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OrmondBeachObserver.com
DECEMBER 2021
FUTURES sponsors 34th-annual Tomorrow’s Leaders Forty-one high school juniors will participate in five seminars designed to familiarize them with services in Volusia County STEPHANIE C. PARKS PROGRAM COORDINATOR FUTURES FOUNDATION
FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools is proud to announce the selection of 41 high school juniors to participate in the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program. This year marks 34 years of this program which develops young leaders for our community. The students, representing all 10 public high schools, recently attended an orientation session. During the next six months, students will participate in five seminars designed to familiarize them with different aspects and services in Volusia County and to develop leadership skills. The program includes lectures, presentations, discussions and physical tours of various businesses and governmental facilities. Seminar subjects will include: the arts; criminal justice and court
Atlantic High School: Alani Haile, Warren Dietrich, Istvan Wallace, Faith Darrisaw, Principal Jason Watson.
system; economic development; manufacturing; educational and governmental systems; leadership, diversity, and ethics; sports marketing; healthcare; and social services. Hosts and tour sites include the Atlantic Center for the Arts, Daytona Tortugas at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, Daytona International Speedway & NASCAR, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Halifax Health Medical Center, Halifax Urban Ministries’ Hope Place, Houligan’s a Spirited Sports Grille, Ladies Professional Golf Association, Seventh Judicial
Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols’ Courtroom, SMA Healthcare’s Residential Adolescent Program, Teledyne Oil & Gas, Volusia County Council Chambers, Volusia County Historic Courthouse, Volusia County Elections Department, and Volusia County Schools’ District Administrative Complex. This year’s program sponsors include FAIRWINDS Credit Union, Houligan’s a Spirited Sports Grille and Rosaria C. Upchurch, Ph.D., LMFT of Upchurch Counseling & Therapy.
Courtesy photos
PARTICIPATANTS IN THIS YEAR’S TOMORROW’S LEADERS PROGRAM ATLANTIC HIGH SCHOOL Faith Darrisaw Warren Dietrich Alani Haile Istvan Wallace
PINE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Daniel Coursen Jazmin Garcia Cylee (Jo) Reinke
ELAND HIGH SCHOOL D Charles Blair Riley Garrison Emmy Miles Bailey Newcomb Reed Wilgers
SEABREEZE HIGH SCHOOL Sofia Harris Caroline Klayer Murphie MacDonald Dominic Marinaccio Emily Myers Annabella Olivari
DELTONA HIGH SCHOOL Kaitlyn Morin Carson Nichols Mason Ortiz Daniel Radu Anneliz Romero
SPRUCE CREEK HIGH SCHOOL Hamza Ahmed Karlee Ling Matthew Monroe Mikayla Nidiffer
MAINLAND HIGH SCHOOL Molly Bronson
TAYLOR MIDDLE-HIGH SCHOOL Damian Arreola Linda Aviles Arnulfo Cabrera Lopez Alexandra Castaneda Mikayla Taylor
NEW SMYRNA BEACH HIGH SCHOOL Tillman Arieti Alize Cardot Ava Grimaldi Angel Methax Ava Tanner
UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL Andreas Schulz Ally Spiroff Gavin Spiroff
Spruce Creek High School: Karlee Ling, Mikayla Niddifer, Matthew Monroe, Hamza Ahmed, Principal Dr. Todd Sparger.
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PORT ORANGE OBSERVER
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DECEMBER 2021
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County seeks universal pet licensing School Board considers changes Cities were asked to support the program’s creation, in hopes of reducing the number of lost and sheltered pets in Volusia. JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
An ordinance proposing countywide licenses for pets will be brought to the Volusia County Council for review in December, and the county has asked elected officials to voice their support for the program, which aims to reduce the number of pets admitted into shelters. Volusia County Animal Services Director Adam Leath presented the proposal during the Round Table of Volusia County Elected Officials meeting on Monday, Nov. 8. Currently, all 16 cities — in addition to the county which services unincorporated areas — have their own licensing program, with costs for residents ranging from free to
$10 for sterilized pets, and upwards of $25 for unsterilized pets. A pet license, which is a tag bought after a pet receives its rabies vaccination, in the city of Ormond Beach costs $5 for both sterilized and unsterilized pets. Without a centralized system, there is no comprehensive or universal way to track down pet owners if their pets become lost, an issue that results in too many pets entering shelters, an increased cost to cities and owners permanently losing their pets, said Leath. According to the county, 5,645 animals were sheltered in the 20182019 fiscal year. The county estimates sheltering pets in Volusia County costs $530,630. “It’s not just one of your cities,” Leath said. “It’s not just the unincorporated. It’s all of us, but unfortunately, it’s segmented and so it’s really challenging for us to address this problem if we’re not trying to address it all at the same time and working collaboratively.” Out of the estimated pet population of 223,145 in Volusia, the county estimates only 2.51% are licensed.
This isn’t the first time countywide pet licensing has been discussed. In 2005, according to the county’s proposal, the topic was brought before a public hearing and 82% of Volusia’s cities elected to participate; however, the ordinance failed because a 90% participation rate was needed to ensure enough revenue was generated to justify the consolidation, and the County Council voted it down. Under this new proposal, one-year license fees would range from $4 for a sterilized and microchipped pet to $16 for an unsterilized pet. The town of Ponce Inlet, as well as the cities of Holly Hill, DeLand, Edgewater, and Orange City are onboard with the program. “None of us have enough code enforcement and animal control to keep up with the growing population,” said Deltona Mayor Heidi Herzberg, chair of the Round Table. “... How are we going to handle that influx of people with their animals? You have to have some sort of system.” Email jarleene@ormondbeachobserver.com.
Photo by Jarleene Almenas
An Animal Control Officer holds a kitten while Volusia County Animal Services Director Adam Leath presents the proposal for countywide pet licenses.
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ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Spurred on by segments of public participation that at times grew tumultuous during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Volusia County School Board is looking into updating its public participation policy by adding a section on decorum. At the School Board’s workshop on Tuesday, Nov. 9, Volusia County Schools attorney Kevin Pendley said that, in the last several months, there has been a rise in challenges pertaining to the public’s civility and decorum when speaking before the board. The proposed revision to Policy 801 is meant to clarify previously vague provisions so that the board chair and speakers know what is expected of them, explained Pendley. Under decorum, the first new addition to the policy states that “citizen’s remarks should be directed to the presiding officer or the board as a whole and not to individual board members. Speakers may not address board members by name, and personal attacks against individual board members, the board as a whole, the superintendent or district staff are prohibited.” In addition, if approved by the board, speakers would be prohibited from discussing pending court cases and filed claims or complaints against VCS or district personnel. Employees would also be barred from discussing disciplinary matters, unless it is included in the board meeting’s agenda. “That’s the problem here,” Pendley said. “Someone can come up and make an unfounded, completely spurious allegation against any one of you or any one in staff, or against any issue, and there’s no opportunity to clarify that on the record. That’s why that language is in there.”
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The proposed policy also prohibits signage; the current policy only authorizes them if they are part of a speaker’s presentation. Another notable addition to the decorum section is a provision that gives the board chair permission to turn off the microphone or call a recess if a speaker is engaging in personal attack or addressing “irrelevant” topics. Not all School Board members were in favor of the revisions. School Board member Ruben Colon said he didn’t think there was an issue with the current policy and that the proposed changes were not needed. School Board member Jamie Haynes agreed. “I feel as if a person takes the time to come here ... and sit here for the time period that sometimes we make them sit — which is hours — to be able to have three minutes to speak to us, I feel like we need to hear what they have to say,” Haynes said. Haynes did take issue with the policy’s clause that allows disruptive speakers to be trespassed from the building, as she said she feels certain individuals have been “targeted” in the past. “I have watched some people sit in that audience, yell, make statements, be very rude or cross that line, and nothing happened to them, and then I’ve watched someone make one statement and immediately be trespassed,” Haynes said. “There’s no consistency with that, and that does bother me.” Colon also disagreed with the policy prohibiting citizens from speaking on complaints against the district. However, School Board Chair Linda Cuthbert said it has been an issue in the past. “There are things that we need to be able to control in order, not only to protect our ability to vote fairly for maybe a future decision, but also to protect the speaker so that speaker does not in vehemence of the discussion compromise his or her own litigation,” Cuthbert said.
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OrmondBeachObserver.com
DECEMBER 2021
County, School Board want State to strengthen Your ‘Nutcracker’ stars different district maps Parent’s Bill of Rights JARLEENE ALMENAS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
plan “FI-4,” which would keep the city of DeBary in one district and instead move Orange City into District 5 from District 1, which were the main differences between the two maps. A motion to adopt plan “FI-4” failed at the County Council level with 4-3 vote, because according to the county’s charter, a two-thirds vote is needed to approve changing district lines. Council members Danny Robins, Barbara Girtman and Lowry voted no. County Councilman Ben Johnson said both boards made a “gallant attempt” in trying to adopt the same map. “We tried and it didn’t work,” Johnson said. “I commend everybody for sitting down and coming to the table and talking about it. I think at this time any further discussion on this is basically wasting everybody’s time when we need to start implementing our plan.” From the start of the meeting, Lowry said that the task before both boards wasn’t just difficult. He said it was “impossible.” “Lake Helen and DeLand don’t want to be split up,” Lowry said. “I completely understand that. I’ve gotten all kinds of emails today from Enterprise and Osteen and they don’t want to be split up and they don’t want to be with the East side. You’ve got Orange City that doesn’t want to be split up and you’ve got DeBary that’s tired of being split up. There’s no map that satisfies all four of those criteria, so I don’t know. To me, we’re just going to have to bite the bullet.” School Board member Anita Burnette asked if it was pos-
sible to combine plans “FI-4” and “FI-5,” but county attorney Sebrina Slack said they could not edit maps during the meeting. “This is pretty much the best effort we could do,” she said. Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Lisa Lewis pled with both boards to adopt the same map, to simplify the elections process for the citizens. She grew emotional as she thanked the boards for trying to reach a consensus. The County Council did have a vote to reconsider their plan, but it failed since Girtman, Robins and Lowry voted against. School Board members made two attempts to try to agree with the County Council. First, School Board member Carl Persis made a motion for the School Board to consider adopting plan “FI-5” as well, but the motion died for lack of a second. Then, School Board member Linda Cuthbert passed her gavel to Board Member Jamie Haynes in order to second a second motion by Persis to adopt plan “FI-5,” but it failed 3-2, with Burnette, Haynes and School Board member Ruben Colon voting against. Persis said it was disappointing to leave the meeting without agreeing with one another on district boundaries. “If the representatives from 2, 3 and 4 would all vote the same way, I mean, it’d be done,” Persis said. “There’s no difference.” To not agree on a map because of a “few blocks,” he said, seems shortsighted. County Council Chair Jeff Brower also expressed his disappointment. “It’s a failure for the voters,” he said.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
DeSantis used Parent’s Bill of Rights, in part, as basis for his order against school mask mandates. RYAN DAILEY NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
During a special legislative session this week to push back against pandemic-related mandates, Republican lawmakers also aim to expand an existing law known as the “Parent’s Bill of Rights” to include a ban on school mask requirements. State lawmakers approved the Parent’s Bill of Rights this spring, and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the measure in June. Republican sponsors of the legislation pitched the measure as a way to combine several provisions of existing state law dealing with parental consent, such as provisions involving families’ right to know about elements of their children’s education and health care. But the law was vaulted to the center of discussions about school mask mandates when DeSantis used it, in part, as a basis for a July executive order that sought to prohibit student mask requirements. DeSantis’ executive order led to a Sept. 22 emergency rule by the state Department of Health that said parents should have “sole discretion” over whether students wear masks at school. The rule also prohibits schools from ordering asymptomatic students to quarantine at home following exposure to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Nov. 15, approved a wide-ranging measure (SB 2-B) that seeks to exempt workers from employerrequired vaccinations against COVID-19. The proposal includes a provision that would expand the Parents’ Bill of Rights to include prohibitions against student mask requirements and quarantining of asymptomatic students — effectively cementing the health department’s rule into law. “We know that if an asymptomatic student is in our classrooms, then they likely do not pose a threat to others,” Danny Burgess, a Zephyrhills Republican, told the panel Monday. But Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, argued that COVID-19 mitigation requirements should be determined at the local level. “School districts, mayors, council members, commission members — they know what’s happening in their communities and how they want to make sure to keep people safe. Leave it to the locals. Why are we intruding, in a politically driven piece of legislation?” she said. Speaking to reporters Monday morning, Rep. Fentrice Driskell accused DeSantis of using the Parent’s Bill of Rights as “both a sword and a shield” in his executive order. “The (law) was never meant to be used to put kids in danger. So for the governor to twist it in this way, to me, leads to this perverse outcome where he’s basically saying that certain parents have rights that are supreme to other parents,” Driskell, D-Tampa, said.
For a quarter of a century, the Volusia Civic Ballet has been a presence in the community during the holidays, and this year is no exception. Celebrating 25 years, the nonprofit organization is presenting three performances of “The Nutcracker” ballet at the Peabody Auditorium, located at 600 Auditorium Blvd., on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4 and 5. The show features a cast of over 90 performers from 13 participating dance studios, plus professional guests from the Cincinnati Ballet. “The Nutcracker” follows the story of a young girl named Clara, who receives a magical Nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve from her magician godmother Frau Drosselmeyer. Clara then goes on a dream journey where she encounters the Mouse King and she finds herself helping the Nutcracker (played by Kelan Halloran, of Port Orange) to overthrow the king before traveling through an enchanted snow forest where she meets characters like the Snow Queen (played by Ariel Starling, of Port Orange) and the Sugar Plum Fairy (played by Melissa Gelfin De-Poli, of the Cincinnati Ballet).
FROM PORT ORANGE “The Nutcracker” features many Port Orange children. Here are some names you may recognize!
Photo courtesy of Michael Cairns
The Nutcracker Prince, played by Kelan Halloran, of Port Orange.
During the performances, the Peabody lobby will be transformed into a quaint German village. The Volusia Civic Ballet is also hosting a Children’s Sugar Plum Tea prior to the show where children ages 3-12 can enjoy sweet treats in a fairytale atmosphere. Tickets for the show range from $20 to $45, and Children’s Sugar Plum Tea tickets are $20 per child. A condensed narrated Family Series show is also offered on Saturday, Dec. 4, for audiences with special needs, all levels of mobility and young children. It will be just under an hour and include vignettes from Act I and a complete Act II.
Joseph McIlvenna Addison Shuler Ashlan Shuler Mattie Gerstle Adelyn Childers Maryn Foxman Alexis McIlvenna Kelan Halloran Zenei Mathis Camy Selliken Ayrianna Field
Sophia Cusmano Alaysia Evans Audrey Flory Giuliana Cruz Emma Olsen Brianna Adames Jillian Fulcher Ariel Starling Willa Teske Kendyl Spitz Taylor Gerhardt
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