- April 26, 2024
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City Commissioners Dwight Selby, Troy Kent, Rob Littleton and Mayor Bill Partington. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
City Commissioners Susan Persis, Dwight Selby, Troy Kent, Rob Littleton and Mayor Bill Partington. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
City Commissioner Rob Littleton receives his memorial clock from Mayor Bill Partington. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
City Commissioner Dwight Selby receives his memorial clock from Mayor Bill Partington. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
City Commissioner Troy Kent receives his memorial clock from Mayor Bill Partington. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
City Commissioners Dwight Selby, Troy Kent and Rob Littleton were recognized for their years behind the dais during their last commission meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 1.
Selby and Littleton were first elected in 2016. Kent has served on the commission for 19 years, having been first elected in 2003.
Mayor Bill Partington said all three have always taken the role of commissioner seriously.
“You do what you believe is right,” he said. “You love the city of Ormond Beach. You’ve made tremendous sacrifices to serve and provide services to this community, and individually and as a crew, you have protected this city and made it better.”
Partington recited the Athenian Oath and said the commissioners had lived up to it with their service.
Each of the outgoing commissioners received an engraved clock commemorating their time in public office.
Since he was sworn into office, Kent counted about 456 commission meetings have taken place. He remembers missing only three, one of which was for the birth of his son, Wyatt.
“My goal when I was elected 19 years ago was to make Ormond better,” Kent said. “I feel like I did that. I’m leaving it better than when I found it.”
Some of the accomplishments he’s most proud of include the height limit in the city, Andy Romano Beachfront Park, the creation of Movies on the Halifax, the splash pad at South Ormond Neighborhood Center, and the double left turn lanes on South Halifax Drive toward Granada Boulevard.
Littleton said he was most proud of how the commission and city staff dealt with adversity — storms, the COVID-19 pandemic, a ‘contentious’ 2020 election.
“And through that Ormond Beach still has a 15% general fund reserve, but more importantly, it was still a great place to live,” Littleton said. “People still want to live here.”
Selby prepared a statement, which he read during his final remarks of the night. He spoke about the update of the downtown master plan that led in part to new restaurants, businesses and art galleries; the dedication to First Step Shelter; the transformation of Vadner Park with the Garden Club of Halifax Country; the establishment of a dedicated millage for capital purchases within the police and fire departments; and the securement of a state grant for a septic to sewer conversion for three city streets, to name a few he listed.
If they reviewed all of the minutes from the estimated 120 meetings he attended as commissioner, he’s sure there would be more accomplishments.
“As I reflect on my tenure on the City Commission, I look back with pride, knowing the campaign promises I may have come to fruition,” Selby said.
City Manager Joyce Shanahan said Selby’s, Kent’s and Littleton’s fingerprints are “all over the city,” from the Christmas decorations on Granada Boulevard to the Environmental Discovery Center.
“Your dedicated selfless service has made Ormond a better place,” Shanahan said. “... I’ve been the most fortunate city manager there is to spend the last 13 years here in Ormond Beach with most of you all. You pushed me to be a better leader and you challenged staff to do things more efficiently, more effectively. You tightened the belt straps on the budget to make sure we are fiscally sound, and we are a stronger and better community for each of your services.”
The city of Ormond Beach continues its debris efforts, with 85,000 cubic yards of debris collected from Sept. 28 through Oct. 31.
City Public Works Director Shawn Finley informed the commission on Tuesday, Nov. 1, that there were 19 Crowder Gulf trucks on the road that day. So far, the city’s contractor has collected $1.2 million worth of debris.
The city is awaiting authorization from FEMA to pick up debris in private gated communities. City Manager Joyce Shanahan said city staff is contacting homeowners’ associations and formulating ways to address this issue.
Most recyclers won’t accept election signs — but the Volusia County Agricultural Center will.
Residents may bring their signs to the center at 3100 E. New York Ave. in DeLand, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Nov. 19 and 20, where volunteers will deliver the signs to a specialized recycling center, according to a county press release.
