Letter: We deserve leaders who lead

Ormond Beach Observer
Opinion

Dear Editor:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, all of us across the world have looked to our leadership for accurate information, trusted instruction, and, honestly, some basic reassurance. I have noticed locally — both county-wide and city-wide — none of this. City officials have been strangely silent for the most part. While Daytona Beach issued a mask mandate on June 26 (followed quickly by New Smyrna Beach and DeLand), Ormond Beach issued a proclamation a week later—a suggestion regarding the use of masks, apparently not wanting to upset anyone. The county has done the same. These suggestions came long after a number of citizens complained about several local restaurants operating well over the 50% capacity mandated by Phase 2 of Florida’s reopening, a problem that has clearly contributed to the rapid and frightening spread of the virus. To my knowledge, these complaints went totally ignored by elected officials. Why?

Ormond Beach and Volusia County residents deserve leaders who lead, leaders who have the courage to speak up, leaders who let us know that they have our best interests at heart. I am not seeing evidence of this at all. This is why we need new leadership, real leadership. It’s time to vote people into office who are committed to leading and who have concern for all of their constituents rather than only a select few. Ormond Beach and Volusia County deserve change. We deserve better than what we’ve been getting.

J.O.C. Rivera
Ormond Beach