Mayor Bill Partington: 'Save Ferris, Save the Loop'

Ormond Beach Observer
Opinion

By: Bill Partington, mayor of Ormond Beach

“Save Ferris” is the mantra that shows up everywhere in the movie "Ferris Bueller‘s Day Off." You see it displayed on the scoreboard at the ball field, sprawled across the town's water tower, and written on a student's notebook at the end of the movie. It's a tilted nod to just how much Ferris means to the fictional town of Shermer. I see the same ideals showcased in the "Save the Loop" mantra that has been seen online again recently. It was included in a misleading post that suggests somehow the loop is set to be bulldozed but the heart behind it is the same feeling that the town of Shermer shows for Ferris. They innocently want to "Save Ferris," who as moviegoers, we all know is in no real danger or in need of saving, just because they are good people with good hearts from a small town who want to support a good thing. Similarly, Ormond Beach wants to "Save the Loop" because of course we want to protect our Loop, but just like in the movie the intent is wonderful but, like Ferris, it's not really in danger.

The Loop has a power and charm all its own and it certainly has a control over all of us who love our natural environment but the truth is, the Loop has already been saved thanks to some really good people who have cared for and worked for the local environment for a long time. Let me commend the amazing work of the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail and urge anyone interested in working to promote and protect the loop to donate their money and time to this great group of people who have been working for years to create the Loop as it is and largely will be for all of us to enjoy in the future. We owe these volunteers a debt of gratitude. It is unfortunate for anyone to denigrate the incredible hard work of these tireless volunteers such as Rita and Marty Press and Joe Jaynes and others by even suggesting that the Loop needs saving. Our Loop is beautiful and well saved within the guidelines of what has been allowed by law and property rights.

With that said, there are things that can be done to preserve and continue to protect the Loop area. These things will not be inexpensive but it doesn’t mean they aren’t worth doing. Volusia County should take a big lead on these “heavy lift” Loop issues as they have the most property surrounding this natural area and have always been the controlling jurisdiction. Volusia County roads are what make up the loop. Ormond Beach has only recently had any property on the Loop and that is a result of a very recent annexation.

The county also has direct access to the funding required to make this work. Conservative estimates of the cost to purchase 76 lots of Plantation Oaks property are in the millions of dollars and should be paid for by Volusia County. The funding of any purchase of Plantation Oaks lots would best be provided by the recently voter-renewed Volusia Forever program. The good news is this program has made land purchases in the past for large dollar amounts, i.e. the Deepcreek-Leffler property in 2010 for $24 million and the Lunsford property in 2005 for approximately $12 million.

Most surely the Loop property is as valuable and important environmentally as these two parcels were. Even more importantly, it is time for North Volusia to enjoy the benefits and promise of the Volusia Forever program with an investment in our area. It is our tax dollars, after all, and Ormond Beach residents pay their portion of county taxes for sure.

Although we would have to discuss specific details in an open meeting, I believe the Ormond Beach City Commission would happily support Volusia County‘s committing to this purchase using Volusia Forever funding and would also send a letter of support to the county and Volusia Forever committee. We, as Volusia County residents, voted to tax ourselves for exactly this type of project, so let’s take advantage of the ability to do it and use those funds.

Can we do more? It’s been suggested to me that we put together an Ormond Beach citizen committee to review and prioritize properties that are environmentally or recreationally significant for a potential bond referendum for purchase by the city. Some of these properties include areas in and around Central Park, beachfront property, low-lying areas in and around U.S. 1 between Nova Road and Wilmette and others. This is similar to the process New Smyrna Beach used to create a fund to make purchases of environmentally sensitive lands, i.e. its recent $1.2 million Turnbull Creek purchase.

Working together we can and will continue to further protect our beautiful natural environment both in Ormond Beach and beyond. As mayor, you have my commitment to this.