- April 28, 2024
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Dear Editor:
I have been an Ormond Beach resident for 45 years, and the one season I hate the most is election time. I detest the negativity, and I feel Ormond Proud has sunk to a new low level with their recent full-page ads to both the Hometown News and Ormond Beach Observer.
Rob Bridger is a Navy veteran, worked for the state of Florida for 35 years has a masters in public administration; he is past president of The Trails Homeowners Association.
Sandy Kauffman has been a Volusia County deputy court clerk for 20 years, is a member of the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ormond Beach Historical Society, Ormond Beach Main Street, Sons of the Beach and Mercy for Animals.
Maybe Ormond Proud doesn't consider this “experience,” but I do.
Barbara Walters
Ormond Beach
Dear Editor:
Ormond Proud — whoever they are — took out a full-page advertisement in this newspaper denigrating the candidates who are challenging incumbents for Ormond Beach mayor and City Commission seats, suggesting they have no experience. That’s a “pants on fire” proclamation if there ever was one.
While the candidates may be new to the political arena, their accomplishments in both the private and public sectors are professional and extensive. The challengers include two veterans, one with a master’s degree in public administration and a 30-year track record in administrative positions, the other with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and extensive maritime military, law enforcement and corporate experience.
A third candidate has been a deputy court clerk for Volusia County since 1999, serving in the juvenile courtrooms of several prominent Volusia County judges. The fourth candidate has been an art teacher in Volusia County Catholic elementary and high schools for over 25 years, and served on the boards of Cinematique and City Island Friends of the Library. The final candidate is a banker with First Green Bank of Ormond Beach and is a member of the Sierra Club.
Ormond Proud is correct that the challenging candidates have no experience with one matter — clear-cutting a 23-acre forest with over 2,000 trees and countless wildlife — to put up a tacky convenience store. The incumbents backed by Ormond Proud have that one locked up.
Eric Breitenbach
Ormond Beach
Dear Editor:
In response to Paul Holub's "big spin" in the Sept. 13 edition of the Ormond Beach Observer, I would like to point out some aspects of land development that Mr. Holub obviously left out.
First, however, readers may recall that he began his treatise by noting his 33 years of commercial and residential development, and that he had developed "the lion's share" of commercial, professional and medical offices "predominantly west of Nova Road," after which he launched a lengthy assault against the popular grassroots organization known as CANDO 2, or Citizens And Neighbors Dedicated to Ormond.
CANDO 2 is composed of hundreds of local residents who care deeply about the direction this city is going. It is dedicated to finding sensible, low-impact solutions to area development. The callous clear-cutting of acres upon acres of centuries-old woodlands on West Granada Boulevard several months ago re-awakened a sleeping giant — the residents and voters of Ormond Beach.
People who regularly drive Granada were stunned to see such massive destruction along one of our most beautiful corridors. Everyone I know, even people I had never met before, were awestruck and horrified that such a wholesale massacre had taken place. Yet it was done.
The reason? To build a Wawa gas station, a handful of humdrum shops and chain stores, and an Aldi grocery store — most of them with low-paying jobs — and all of it "in your face," like it or not.
But that's not all. Developers are crawling all over our city. The push to plow through ecologically sensitive wetlands and replace them with concrete is intensifying. Without needed rules and regulations to safeguard our environment, developers will continue to propose their lofty, ill-seeded ideas — all in the name of "progress."
CANDO 2's objective is to slow down, take a deep breath and take a closer look at the pace of unbridled development. CANDO 2 has proposed a six-month moratorium on new commercial development until stricter development rules are in place. The fact that City Hall has turned a deaf ear to this idea is reason enough to bring in new faces — people who truly care about the future of Ormond.
Planting a couple of palm trees here and there will never make up for the ecological tragedy that Mr. Holub created on West Granada.
As of May 31, a total of $49,250 had been contributed to both the mayor and current commissioners. Of that total, the most generous contributions came from Paul Holub, and secondly, his close associates.
Whatever the "approval" for these developments is based on, Mr. Holub seems to enjoy a perpetual green light, with little challenge from the city hierarchy.
The rampant destruction taking place in our city isn't progress — it's money and taxes and power.
Pay attention, developers: Not every piece of property needs to be paved.
Finally, a quote from Piedro, famous architect of the southwest who was noted for incorporating the surroundings of nature into his designs: "We can never design a building as beautiful as the trees."
Cathy Wharton
Ormond Beach
Dear Editor:
As a lifelong resident of Ormond Beach, as well as a local businesswoman, I am excited to see the growth within our community. Ormond Beach gives me a feeling of safety, which is one of the reasons I have decided to raise my family here.
I enjoy the small-town feel of seeing people I know wherever I go but still having the ability to grow a successful business in that same small town. The schools are rated well, and I am proud that my children attend the same schools that I did growing up. My sons both enjoy the parks and recreation facilities, as well as city sports. As a family, we love being able to access the river and beach with ease. It is a great place to reside and raise a family!
While community development can often be frowned upon due to the traffic and landscape changes, it is imperative for the success of Ormond Beach. Development brings jobs, revenue to our businesses, increases home values, economic stability and strengthens community relationships.
Publically bashing city commissioners, candidates and land developers is not productive. Be the change you wish to see.
Kristin Deaton
Ormond Beach
Dear Editor:
I live in Ormond-by-the-Sea, and on John Anderson Drive as well. I’ve lived here since 1991. Your recent article struck a nerve with me about traffic and speed limits on J.A.
My reply to The Women on the Waterfront is: The road is for cars! Nothing gets my gizzard more than your stroll down the road leading your animals, and your refusal to make way for automobiles.
I will be the first to move over if there is no oncoming traffic, but quite often the automobile driver is given the evil eye! I actually had to come to a complete stop one time because a woman refused to get off the road, and there was oncoming traffic, and I couldn’t move over. Then she walked up to me and started beating the hood of my car!
There is a 5-foot-wide sidewalk on A1A for stroller, bikers, skateboarders, etc. So if you insist on taking up half of my lane to walk your dog, shame on you.
We don’t need speed bumps. We need people to recognize that JA needs sidewalks on at least one side of the road.
Janet Nutt
Ormond-by-the-Sea
