CITY HOLDS THIRD EMERGENCY MEETING OVER CONTROVERSIAL LAND DEAL; COMMISSIONER FILES COUNTERCLAIMS AGAINST LAND SELLER

December 30, 2009

For the third time in as many weeks, the City held an emergency meeting today, called by the City Attorney, to discuss the highly controversial Howland Crossings land deal.

The land is currently owned by Howland Crossings, LLC, and was hypothetically appraised at $7.6 million, although its "actual value" was appraised at only $3 million.  The hypothetical appraisal was done at the request of since fired City Attorney George Trovato, a supporter of commissioners who voted to purchase the property. Mayor Mulder, along with Commissioners Treusch, Carmolingo, and Deyette, voted to purchase the fragmented land for its hypothetical value of $7.6 million.

Commissioners Zischkau, McFall-Conte and Denizac all voted against paying so much for the land.

The land deal is scheduled to close on December 31st, but a SJRWMD petition and lawsuit counterclaim recently filed by Commissioner Zischkau have posed a threat to that closing, so Mulder is reacting by working harder to push the deal through, in these emergency commission meetings.

Zischkau claims the purchase agreement is invalid.  He contends the 2008 vote to purchase the land did not meet the State's laws that require such an expensive land purchase be approved by a supermajority vote.  The vote passed on only a simple majority of four votes out of seven.

On those grounds, Zischkau is asking the courts to essentially nullify the contract, saying the purchase contract is illegal, invalid, and unfair to the citizens of Deltona.

A shady partnership:

In late 2007, it was reported by the Daytona Beach News-Journal that Mayor Mulder was in league with Cavallaro's group, and that construction would begin on the property as early as April (2008).

One month later, the same news agency reported that Larry Cavallaro, of land owner Howland Crossings, LLC,  had attended several meetings with city staff, and that there was a tentative agreement to move forward with a land deal.

Some Deltonans are suspicious of the reported Mulder-Cavallaro partnership, as it was exposed by the News-Journal before the City Commission ever discussed the Howland Crossings property for purchase considerations, and Mulder has personally been working overtime to make sure the $7.6 million deal closes on December 31st.

Some are wondering who Mulder serves.  In 2005 he campaigned that some agenda items are too quickly added to the agenda, without proper notice.  Mulder said then that "very few things are so important that they cannot wait two whole weeks," and said he wondered if the city would rather not educate the people on controversial issues.

But now Mulder, who has since lost his home due to his own personal financial troubles and who subsequently moved in with his friend and Deltona Tennis Association president Charlie Cross, has called two emergency meetings in two weeks to push this controversial land deal through.

Many citizens are questioning whether or not the meetings met the State's open government laws that require reasonable notice of the meeting be provided to the public.  There is a claim that at least one of the commissioners did not even receive twenty-four hours' notice of the meeting.

Long-time government watchdog Mark Barfield had but one word to describe Mulder's third recent emergency push to consummate the $7.6 million land deal:  Desperation.

- Jeff Ensminger

To watch the 2008 Commission meeting video of the controversial and allegedly unlawful vote to purchase the hypothetically-appraised Howland Crossing property for $7.6 million,

click here.

(videos are in the yellow area to the left)

Stay tuned to DeltonaBonaFide.com

for news as it develops

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S VISIT TO

DELTONA KIDS' TOUR DAYS 2009!

December 21, 2009

During this year's summer break, up to 100 lucky Deltona-area children were invited to City Hall, where they were able to see numerous city vehicles and heavy equipment on display and in action! Vroom! Vroom!

In June,  at City Hall - and at Deltona taxpayers' expense - city staff hosted a select group of children from Mulder's DTA Academy daycare for a special two-day tour of the city's heavy - and costly - machinery.

On tour day one, the City Fire Dept.'s ladder truck 61 was called into action for "special detail," with three of the City's finest aboard!

DeltonaBonaFide.com wants to know if your child was invited to the Deltona Kids' Tour, and what he or she learned from or found to be most interesting about the event.

To share your child's Deltona Kids Tour 2009 experience, CLICK HERE

ATTORNEY WARNS OF LITIGATION IF CITY HOLDS LAND SELLER TO PURCHASE AGREEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Commissioner Deyette fearful continued questioning

of agreement may result in legal action against city by seller

December, 14, 2009

In an ongoing dispute over a public land purchase and as the impending closing date of the controversial Cavallaro/Howland Crossings property looms, the attorney for the seller warned tonight the city may face legal action if the city terminates the purchase agreement for any reason.

Commissioner Zischkau asserted that the seller, Cavallaro's Howland Crossings, LLC, has not satisfied the requirements of the purchase agreement, and will not be able to do so before the closing date of December 31, 2009.

Vice Mayor McFall-Conte said she did not feel former City Attorney George Trovato was acting in the best interest of the city when Trovato advocated as City Attorney for the Commission to approve the purchase of the high-priced land.

Commissioner Denizac said she has been suspicious of this property deal from day one.  She expressed concerns over flaws and inconsistencies with the purchase agreement, saying it does not look out for the public's best interest, and that it is a result of hiring an incompetent City Attorney and City Manager, presumably referring to former City Attorney George Trovato and active City Manager Faith Miller.

At tonight's regular Commission meeting, seller representative Larry Cavallaro and his Attorney Tom Wilkes spoke about the status of the safety complex land purchase (unadulterated audio link bottom of article).

Larry Cavallaro blamed the development delays on Volusia County government and Progress Energy, hinting at a conspiracy and 'coincidences' intended to delay his project.

Blaming the seller for the anticipated upcoming closing delay, City Attorney James Fowler advised the City Commission that there are several contractual obligations currently unmet that would likely result in the delay of the impending December 31st closing.

Commissioner Herb Zischkau accused the mayor of pursuing a hell-bent headlong rush to spend too many millions of tax dollars on a land which does not meet the contractual obligations of the seller.  The land was appraised for $3 million by one hired appraiser, but another hired appraiser - at the behest of former City Attorney George Trovato - appraised the property hypothetically at $7.6 million.  The Mulder-led commission voted to pay the hypothetical valuation of $7.6 million.

Mayor Mulder said Commissioner Zischkau's recent filing of a petition, to protect his and his constituents' properties from a proposed retention pond, would not be fair to the city, Zischkau's district two, or to the people whom the city is engaged with in private partnership with.  Mulder talked about allowing the closing to happen in escrow, but did not seem to care for the idea.

Commissioner Treusch agreed with what Mayor Mulder said, supporting the spending of seven million dollars for a property that was appraised at only three million, but with a closing in escrow.

Possibly penny wise and pound foolish, Commissioner Treusch later opposed the spending of $110,000 for an empty lot needed for storm water management along expanding Fort Smith Blvd.

With meandering verbosity Commissioner Deyette said she's afraid of what risk the city would be put in if the city continues in this direction.

To that effect, Vice Mayor McFall-Conte - saying she's never liked the contract and accusing Larry Cavallaro of threatening her and the city -  made what she called a more understandable motion, seconded by Commissioner Zischkau, which passed on a 5-2 vote, with Mayor Mulder and Commissioner Denizac dissenting.

Under McFall-Conte's motion, the Cavallaro group will have to fund the remainder of their development obligations without access to the City's escrow funds.

 - Jeff Ensminger

CLICK HERE FOR FULL UNADULTERATED MEETING AUDIO

Related documents that raise more questions regarding the controversial Cavallaro property purchase have been posted at DeltonaChat.com

Meeting video of the controversial and expensive Cavallaro land purchase can be found on this web page, to the left, in the yellow section titled "Cavallaro land deal"

RELATED ARTICLES FOLLOW, BELOW

WARM AND NOT-SO WARM

HOLIDAY TIDINGS

December, 14, 2009

• A noticeably frustrated Commissioner Deyette complains about attorney expense after knowingly voting to hire most expensive attorney

• Treusch proposes attorney regularly log and report all of his daily activities, at extra expense to taxpayers

• Mayor Mulder vows to not allow hijacking of his government

• Carmolingo said he was disappointed that not many people showed up for the new amphitheater

• More Cavallaro/Howland Crossings land deal questions raised

COMMISSIONERS GIVE HOLIDAY GREETINGS

(for unadulterated meeting audio, click link below)

City Attorney alleges serious issues, says city was not adequately represented by former City Attorney George Trovato

COMMISSION MEETING

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Former Vice Mayor David Santiago and other

Deltonans address the Commission

December, 14, 2009

CLICK HERE FOR FULL UNADULTERATED MEETING AUDIO

COMMISSION HOLDS SPECIAL SESSION TO COMPEL

COMMISSIONER TO WITHDRAW HIS PETITION;

COMMISSIONER GIVEN TWO DAYS TO

COMPLY WITH MAYOR'S REQUEST

Zischkau exercised his right to petition his government;

Mulder, Deyette, Carmolingo and McFall-Conte

voted to request Zischkau forgo his right

December, 9, 2009

Today the city held a special commission meeting, at the behest of its Mayor and with short notice to its citizens.  Noticeably upset, Mayor Mulder called the emergency meeting so he could ask Commissioner Zischkau to formally retract his petition against a plan filed by the city with the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD).

Mulder also stated as reasons for the special session a letter regarding acting City Attorney Fowler and what Mulder feels are possible violations of the City Charter and/or Florida laws.

During the meeting Mulder presented a motion to replace acting City Attorney Skip Fowler with the Ackerman law firm, but his motion failed.

But in what some are seeing as yet another attempt by Mulder to control what citizens and commissioners can say, Mulder presented the commission with a prepared motion asking Zischkau to formally withdraw his recent petition to the SJRWMD for a public hearing. 

Commissioner Deyette quickly made the motion as presented by the Mayor.

Mulder insisted that his motion is a formal request - not a mandate.

Zischkau insisted that his petition is from him, personally, as a private citizen.

In Zischkau's petition, he is asking the SJRWMD to reevaluate a permit for the development of a storm water system at the site of the future public-safety complex off Howland Boulevard, in Zischkau's district two. Zischkau feels the site's proposed retention pond will be a threat to nearby homes, including Zischkau's, but Mulder feels that Zischkau does not have the right to petition his government to protect his home.

Citing free speech rights, Commissioner Denizac said she did not want to silence other commissioners, and subsequently did not support the Mayor's motion.

But today Mulder complained that Zischkau's petition would slow down - or derail - the Cavallaro land deal that is due to close on December 31st, 2009.  Zischkau stated numerous contractual reasons why he feels the property is not likely to close on schedule, such as no final plat approved or filed, failure to obtain certificate of completion, and required land owners association filings not agreed upon or on record, among others.

Commissioner Deyette said she made the motion because she thinks its outrageous that a commissioner would move against the wishes of the rest of the commission, but Deyette was not so expressive when just two years ago Mayor Mulder made a late-night phone call to personally direct the City Manager to cut a one million dollar check shortly after the commission voted not to.

Commissioner Treusch questioned if the commission was singling out Commissioner Zischkau, or if the commission would also demand any other Deltona resident be formally asked to not petition their government.

Zischkau said this is just another attempt by Mulder to "stomp on free speech," referring to Mulder's highly controversial motion earlier this year to use tax dollars to sue his critics.

In that March meeting, Mayor Mulder brought forth a prepared motion of his, that the commission later voted for, to use tax dollars to sue citizens who do political cartoons about the Mayor or other commissioners.  After one month of citizen and media outrage, the Mulder-led commission voted to withdraw their earlier vote.

But after some discussion, the commission voted to ask Commissioner Zischkau to formally withdraw his petition to the SJRWMD meeting, with Commissioners Zischkau, Treusch and Denizac voting in favor of free speech.

Under Deyette's reiteration of Mayor Mulder's motion, Zischkau has until noon Monday, December 14th to withdraw his petition for an administrative hearing of the SJRWMD, giving Zischkau just two business days to comply with Mayor Mulder's requests.

People who get parking tickets are afforded more time to respond than what Commissioners Deyette, Carmolingo, McFall-Conte, and Mayor Mulder have allowed Commissioner Zischkau.

Further, the Mayor's motion prohibits Zischkau from refilling his petition with the government agency, limiting his access to and his right to petition his government.

  - Jeff Ensminger

CLICK HERE FOR FULL UNADULTERATED MEETING AUDIO

Related documents that raise more questions regarding the controversial

Cavallaro property purchase have been posted at DeltonaChat.com

Meeting video of the controversial and expensive Cavallaro land purchase can be found on this web page, to the left, in the yellow section titled "Cavallaro land deal"

RELATED ARTICLE FOLLOWS, BELOW

COMMISSION VOTES TO INVESTIGATE ZISCHKAU

TO DETERMINE IF HE VIOLATED CITY CHARTER

December, 9, 2009

During a special session today, Mayor Mulder accused Commissioner Zischkau of violating the city charter - of interfering with a city employee - by petitioning his government to save his home.

In Zischkau's petition, he is asking the SJRWMD to reevaluate a permit for the development of a storm water system at the site of the future public-safety complex off Howland Boulevard, in Zischkau's district two. Zischkau feels the site's proposed retention pond will be a threat to nearby homes, including Zischkau's, but Mulder apparently feels that Zischkau does not have the right to petition his government to protect his home.

In what seems to be standard operations for Deltona since his election, Mulder brought a prepared motion for someone else to make for him, which Commissioner Deyette was unsurprisingly quick and ready to do.

Commissioner Janet Deyette made Mulder's proposed motion to use tax dollars to hire outside legal counsel for the sole purpose of investigating Commissioner Zischkau to see if his petitioning of his government violated any laws or charter rules.

Mulder - who pays no property taxes to the City of Deltona as he owns no property in the city - feels that it is not an issue how much tax money is spent to pursue his concerns through outsourced attorneys.

Calling it a copycat crime from Dennis Mulder's workshop, Commissioner Zischkau likened this attack on him to that against DeBary's Mayor Garcia of just last week, who was 'tried' by his council peers and exonerated of the same false allegation.

While Commissioner Zischkau had the floor to defend himself against the Mayor's allegations and as he was seeking legal counsel from the city attorney, Mayor Mulder interfered by instructing the City Attorney to not answer Zischkau's legal question.  Mulder then stopped Zischkau from speaking further in his defense, and prompted the commission to vote on the matter, with Zischkau accusing Mulder of not wanting to hear the truth.

However, despite Mulder's tactic of suppressing the City Attorney's legal opinion on the matter, she had already opined earlier in the meeting that she felt Zischkau's petition was not illegal.

On a 4-3 vote the commission opted to launch an investigation of Commissioner Zischkau, with Commissioners Zischkau, Denizac, and Vice Mayor McFall-Conte dissenting.

Under the vote, the city will spend unlimited tax dollars to see if Zischkau's petitioning of his government to save his home broke any laws or rules, and to use all methods of remedy available to the city or commission.

In 2007, while Mulder was under fire for personally asking the City Attorney to resign without having the permission of the commission to do so, Commissioner David Santiago reminded commissioners that the commission majority agreed Mulder violated the charter and suggested that the city needs to come up with a way to address possible charter violations. 

But two years later the Mulder-led commission has failed to adopt such a policy, as no clear policy seemed to be in place for such at today's special meeting.

Mulder also was exposed to have personally directed then City Manager Steve Thompson to cut a one million dollar check for the failed Partnership Center after the commission previously voted not to.

Mayor Mulder wrote permission slips for citizens, granting them authority to disregard the law with regard to public property, but the City Charter does not grant the Mayor such authority.

Mayor Mulder approached and recommended to then-hopeful city vendor Biddle that they hire the Mayor’s close friend and business associate Bill Tavernier so Tavernier “can help get Biddle through the city’s bidding process.”

An investigation was never launched into any of the numerous City Charter violations allegedly committed by Mayor Mulder.

  - Jeff Ensminger

CLICK HERE FOR FULL UNADULTERATED MEETING AUDIO

Related documents that raise more questions regarding the controversial

Cavallaro property purchase have been posted at DeltonaChat.com

Meeting video of the controversial and expensive Cavallaro land purchase can be found on this web page, to the left, in the yellow section titled "Cavallaro land deal"

Deltona's City Hall Years-Old Breeding Ground

for Identity Theft

November 16, 2009

Mayor, Commissioners, City Manager/City Clerk,

Some of you may have heard of me - my name is Jeff “Gus” Ensminger.   I run a small community website or two…

I do not like the details I have seen and I feel the victims need to know the truth:

If not for my impassioned love of details and truth, you would not be reading this now - and would, as a result, remain static in your negligent bliss.

It is with sincere concern that I write you tonight, and I take the time to do so because this is about an issue that concerns fellow Deltonans as well as other Americans who work for, have worked for, or have applied for grants from the City of Deltona – an issue of Deltona’s City Hall being an unintentional breeding ground for identity theft.

Upon my routine perusal of some recently obtained public records, I was not surprised to see that I was inadvertently provided with payroll records that – despite the City’s redaction effort - legibly exposed the FULL social security number of a former City official on several pages.  No equipment or special lighting was required to see through the weak SSN redactions… just a little tilt of the wrist to get the right light angle and shining from underneath the redaction ink was clearly visible to the naked eye a 3x2x4 number that I would include here for your validation purposes but out of respect for the victim’s identity will not.

Additionally, in the interest of full disclosure, the name and former position of the person whose identity was compromised or put at risk is being withheld for privacy reasons, but that person has been blind-copied on this email, and if that person contacts me by phone I will recite for them their SSN, as I obtained it from City Hall, and solely for the purposes of authenticating this public alert.

Now while you may be surprised to hear of this gross mishandling of sensitive personal information to John Q. Public by your local government, I was not surprised - for this is not the first time this has happened that I am personally aware of.

Years ago when the affected former city official was embroiled in an earlier city-employment controversy, I had requested payroll records then that also unintentionally revealed the full SSN on several pages, despite the weakly-applied redaction ink.

But that instance hadn’t surprised me then, either.

My surprise came many years ago, when the city gave me a payroll listing of all city staff and officials.

Typically when the security slippage occurred I just chalked it up to a rare occurrence of poor staff choice of Sharpies, and made my own redactions, effectively so (the pen might be mightier than sword, but scissors ruled those redactionary moments!)   I ignored the matter thinking it was an isolated incident, not wanting to cause unnecessary alarm.  Several times.

But after many widely-spanned instances of accidentally getting people’s social security numbers via public records requests from City Hall, I’m now truly concerned that it is a critical governmental flaw that needs correcting.

Please stop giving me this sensitive personal information – I do not want custody of it and did not ask for it!

My concerns… they brought me to these thoughts:

1. To prevent further identity-theft risk to all, perhaps the city can revise its redaction policy to replace its redaction-Sharpies with hole-punchers.

2. I realize that not everyone is as honest and compassionate as I am and if given the same poorly-redacted records, they might seek to benefit from identity theft monetarily or use it to harass and cause harm to others.  Can you imagine if a terrorist organization caught wind of this lax redaction policy and milked it for four years?  The City of Deltona should notify all exposed victims of this serious breach of trust to allow them the opportunity to protect their identities from others who might have received their sensitive personal info unlawfully from the City of Deltona.

So you see, if not for the detail man in me, then the identities put at risk by the city… the truth they would have never seen…

Respectfully,

Jeff “Gus” Ensminger

Editor, Details and Truth Junkie

DeltonaBonaFide.com

DISCLAIMER: This is in no way intended to be a threat to anyone, but is merely a public service announcement to city officials and public alike that there is a serious and real concern with City Hall's handling of sensitive information. 

Get help:  If you have ever worked for the city of Deltona, or have applied for any grant from the City of Deltona, you are urged to contact the city immediately and request copies of all records that were dispensed by City Hall containing your information, and a list of the persons to whom the records were provided.

Educate yourself about identity theft, precautions you can take, and restoration steps you can make if you suspect your personal information has been compromised:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

City of Deltona City Hall:

2345 Providence Blvd.  Deltona, FL  32725  Phone: (386) 878-8100  Fax: (386) 878-8501

Mulder's daycare and associated church alleged to be in violation of city code while other daycares and churches strictly held to code

November 6, 2009

Research suggests property is code deficient by 240 paved parking spaces

Click here for developing story

(requires Adobe Acrobat reader)

According to Vice Mayor Carmolingo, taxpayer-subsidized City Farmer's Market "experiment" not working out;

Participation Too Low

November 2, 2009

Click here for full audio from the November 2nd regular commission meeting

COMMISSION DECIDES AGAINST ALLOWING MORE COMMERCIAL SIGNAGE IN RESIDENTIAL YARDS

Commissioner Deyette's push for more, larger signs

in neighborhoods fails for lack of a second motion

Vice Mayor says Deyette's proposal does not pass smell test,

questions her motives as a home-based business owner

"Impact wrenches at 10 o' clock at night impacts the whole neighborhood...

we are backin ourselves up five years on the quality of life for our residents...

she's not representing her constituents...

it doesn't pass the smell test."

          - Vice Mayor Michael Carmolingo

George Trovato, Former City Attorney - the legality of

his yard sign remains in question

 November 2, 2009

Click here for full audio from the November 2nd regular commission meeting

Controversy Brewing over

Deltona Soccer Clubs

Organization that sold controversial park land to

Mayor Mulder suffering from infighting and

accusations of financial impropriety

DYSC's Hollensbe:  Money needed to benefit community's

at-risk children will go to Charlie Vance's pockets instead

November 2, 2009

Click here for audio from the November 2nd regular commission meeting

GRAND OPENING PLANNED FOR

DELTONA REGIONAL LIBRARY,
ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, AMPHITHEATER OCT. 17

10/9/09

The expanded Deltona Regional Library and its new neighbors – the Lyonia Environmental Center and the Deltona Amphitheater – will be unveiled to the public during grand opening festivities from 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17.

The library, which has been closed for renovation since May 2008, has been doubled in size to accommodate Deltona’s growing population. The $11 million project also includes a 1,000-seat amphitheater and an environmental center, where visitors can explore Volusia County’s ecosystems.

“This complex is a promise kept, and it’s money well spent,” said Pat Northey, Volusia County Council representative for District 5. ”Those who use this library, environmental center and amphitheater are going to love them.”

The formal program begins at 9:30 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony and the dedication of environmental classrooms in memory of Dr. Alice E. Cross, a longtime environmentalist and Deltona educator.

An open house, planned from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., will include children’s games, a youth treasure hunt, tours of Lyonia Preserve, and displays by environmental and community groups.

Ormond Beach artist Sang Roberson will lead a hands-on mosaic workshop, and Deltona artist Alberto Gomez will create a mural with 15 area children he has selected.
The environmental center will offer free admission throughout the day. Visitors can take part in hands-on environmental activities, view an exhibit by the Southeast Museum of Photography, and visit the new gift shop and café.
 

The amphitheater will host its first entertainment event, with performances by community groups from 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and a concert by Caribbean Crew from 3 - 5 p.m. The Gateway Chamber Group will perform in the library’s lobby throughout the day.
Visitors can check out the complex’s green features, which focus on energy and water efficiency, indoor air quality, the use of environmentally sustainable materials, and maintenance of the building site in a sustainable manner.

The Deltona Regional Library, Lyonia Environmental Center and Deltona Amphitheater are at 2150 Eustace Ave. Overflow parking will be in Daytona State College’s Deltona campus, adjacent to Deltona City Hall.

For more information, please visit www.volusialibrary.org,

www.lyoniapreserve.org  and www.deltonafl.gov

Deltona Amphitheater entertainment schedule: Oct. 27

9:30 a.m.          Flag ceremony by Cub Scout Pack 306

                        National anthem by Alexis Orellana

                        Programs by Girl Scout Troop 1383

10 a.m.             Gateway Orchestra

10:30 a.m.         Community Choir

11 a.m.             Kemper Dance

11:30 a.m.         Volusia Community Symphony

Noon                 Deltona Arts and Historical Center

12:30 p.m.         Volusia County Community Chorus

1 p.m.               Deltona Arts and Historical Center

1:30 p.m.          Deltona Philharmonic Orchestra

2 p.m.               Hispanic American Youth Group Dancers

3 - 5 p.m.          Caribbean Crew concert

Download the official invitation

On controversial free-speech issue, Commissioner Janet Deyette votes

against her own motion, then asks:

"At the risk of appearing incompetent, I guess I should have asked what the motion was that I made... because I'm not sure now what I voted on."

Hear the uncut audio

DELTONA VOTERS CHOSE WISELY

WHEN THEY CHOSE

VOLUSIA SHERIFF OVER PD

Commissioner Zischkau seeks to fire City Attorney George Trovato

City Attorney Trovato denies Mayor Mulder's claims that legal advice was sought

from him on controversial "free speech" motion

Commissioner Zischkau proposes City resolution favoring free speech

LOCAL CITIZENS GROUP

THANKS the VOTERS

November 5, 2008

The Deltona Citizens Action Committee hit the street one more time to thank the residents for helping defeat the Deltona Police Department issue.

Committee Chairwoman Nancy Schleicher said "We are proud of our efforts and proud that the Deltona residents checked the figures and joined us in defeating this proposal."

Helen Sanders and Doug MacDonald Thank the voters after election day.

Deltona Citizens Action Committee web site

VOTERS REJECT POLICE DEPARTMENT

Despite Own Concerns of "Putting People at Risk," Mayor uses "Insane, Unfair, Irresponsible" Numbers to Push PD Idea on Voters

Posted 10/26/08:

Voters will be deciding next week whether or not Deltona will have its own Police Department.  Mayor Mulder recently said that the City should not state any cost amounts, because the City does not know how much a Police Dept. will cost.  He said that to include numbers in the question would be insane, incredibly unfair, disingenuous, and irresponsible.  He went on to warn that including a cost amount has the "potential of putting people at risk."

But despite his own concerns with stating unknown costs, Mayor Mulder last week was seen on a taxpayer-funded postcard promoting the Police Dept. with "insane, unfair, and irresponsible" numbers.

On the Mulder postcard, the Police Dept. is projected to cost only $8.8 million , but according to the only official Deltona Police Dept. feasibility study that has been conducted, a cost of at least $12 million is to be expected.  Deltona taxpayers paid the Willdan consultants $70,000 to conduct the Police Dept. feasibility study.  Other Florida cities of similar size each spend $20-30 million annually on their Police Depts.

Deltona currently spends only $8.7 million on their contract with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, but the City's Mulder postcard and flyers misrepresented that cost as being $9.1 million.

The City's postcards and flyers claim that the Police Dept. will have 81 officers on patrol, but according to page 16 of the the official Willdan report, the City's Police Dept. will have only 51 patrol units - 18 less than the 69 patrolling Sheriff's deputies.

Mayor Mulder came under fire earlier this month, by citizens and commissioners, when he used the City's taxpayer-funded newsletter to promote his personal desire to have a Police Dept.

To add to the voter confusion, Michael Kiepert - organizer of Mayor Mulder's private invite-only advisory group - has also been busy propagating information that includes the same misleading numbers found on the Mulder postcard (image below).  Kiepert, of DeltonaFacts, Inc., first upset citizens and City officials when he recently distributed his own unofficial Police Dept. feasibility study and used the City Seal - without authorization - on the cover page.  The City Attorney sent a formal letter to Mr. Kiepert notifying him that his unauthorized use of the City Seal was in violation of City law.

With all of the misinformation being thrown around, the voters' best path to understanding is to read the official Willdan Police Dept. feasibility report, and to look at how much similarly-sized Florida cities are spending annually to have their own Police Depts.  Compare those numbers with the $8.7 million that Deltona is currently paying the Sheriff's office for law enforcement.  Links to this information can be visited by clicking the image below.

Click on the image above for detailed information and sources

On Police Department Question, Mayor Mulder calls Insertion of 'Arbitrary Numbers' Insane, Unfair, Disingenuous, Irresponsible

Posted 10/21/08:

The City of Deltona recently used tax dollars to create and mail a political flyer to educate the voters about the upcoming Police Department ballot question.  In that flyer, the City claimed that a Deltona Police Department would cost only $8.8 Million.  However, Mayor Mulder said that to include a cost amount in the question would be insane, incredibly unfair, disingenuous, and irresponsible.  He went on to say that including a cost amount has the "potential of putting people at risk."

"We don't know," said Mulder.

But despite 'not knowing,' the Mulder-led City Commission voted to include numbers in the tax-payer funded flyer, and those numbers have since become the focus of controversy and debate.

DeltonaBonaFide.com has obtained audio of Mayor Mulder attacking the idea of including a dollar amount in the question of whether or not Deltona should fund its own Police Department:

MayorMulderonDeltonaPoliceDepartmentCost

(audio clip   2.2 minutes)

Looking out for Deltona

Posted 10/20/08:

Published October 15, 2008 in the Orlando sentinel

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/letters/orl-le15_508oct15,0,7488546.story

The Deltona Citizens Action Committee was disheartened to read the city's latest newsletter to residents. We were appalled to read that an elected official intended to vote in support of the police referendum and charter amendments. We don't know if the use of the city's newsletter for elected officials' personal political platforms is legal or not, but we certainly know it isn't ethical.

The DCAC was formed to help rebuild a positive image for Deltona. We also work to expose improper actions in our city government that may tarnish that image. The City Commission was given the task of informing the public in a nonbiased manner regarding the police referendum and the city charter amendments.

The intent of the city's newsletter has always been to inform residents about local issues and to encourage them to vote, not to tell them how to vote. It is hard to improve our image until we improve such behavior.

NANCY SCHLEICHER


Chairman Deltona Citizens Action Committee

Source:

http://www.deltonacac.org/news.htm

Deltona Citizens Action Committee Labels

City’s Police Referendum Promotion Misleading 

October 13, 2008

Deltona, FL – The Deltona Citizens Action Committee, Inc. today challenged Deltona city officials to provide voters with accurate information about their police department proposal.

“The DCAC is very concerned about the Know the Vote flyer,” said Nancy Schleicher, president of the non-profit DCAC. “We feel the costs used in the flyer are misleading.”

This week, the city began distributing its Know the Vote literature funded with $50,000 from property taxes. The brochure displays a chart listing figures for staff and wages both for the current law enforcement services provided by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and a proposed police department.

The chart indicates the city will have 81 “Patrol” and 12 “Admin.” By comparison, the chart states the county now provides 69 “Patrol” with three “Admin.” Further, the chart suggests a city police department will cost $8.7 million and compares that to the $9.1 million figure for the Sheriff’s Office contract.

Schleicher challenged the information, citing the city’s own Feasibility for Police Services Report published July 11 by Willdan Homeland Solutions. The figures in the city’s own report are quite different from those being advertised by the city, she said. The city paid the California firm $70,000 to determine whether Deltona could start and operate its own police department.

In that study, Willdan suggested the city could have a police department comprised of 51 patrol officers along with a chief and his executive staff of two captains, six lieutenants, 10 detectives, 11 sergeants and a dozen non-sworn employees. This is in contrast to the 81 “Patrol” positions listed in the city’s flyer. Only if you include all proposed “sworn” positions do you get 81. That number includes up to 30 positions that will not patrol our streets.

At the time the report was published, the county provided 65 deputies, one captain, two lieutenants, and nine sergeants. Also, the county contract calls for three administrative staff. But the flyer states the county provides 69 “Patrol.” According to the city’s own police consultants, that number is wrong. It includes all “sworn” Sheriff’s Office staff.

Since the report was published, Deltona commissioners slashed eight deputies from the Sheriff’s Office contract. As a result, the city will pay $8.7 million for protection, not the $9.1 million listed in the flyer. The city’s flyer states the police department will cost $8.7 million for the first year.

But a survey prepared by the Sheriff’s Office shows area police departments typically pay double the amount reported by the city. Similar-sized Florida cities pay between $21 million and $30 million each year, the Sheriff’s Office report shows.

“We feel they have mislead the public by not including the costs of overtime, records and evidence storage and many other necessary elements the city department will need in their reports,” Schleicher said. “We feel the VCSO presented a more accurate evaluation of costs needed to run a law enforcement agency. We encourage everyone to visit our website at www.deltonacac.org to review both reports. “

The Deltona Citizen’s Action Committee, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization formed by a group of Deltona residents concerned about negative publicity and negative politics. Inquiries can be made by writing the DCAC, Inc. at 1460 S. Baton Dr., Deltona, FL 32725 or calling (386) 574-5664. The group maintains a website at deltonacac.org which offers up to date information on current issues.

Deltona Citizens Action Committee Opposes Deltona Police Referendum

Deltona, FL – The Deltona Citizens Action Committee, Inc. today announced opposition to Deltona’s proposed Police Department referendum to come before voters during the General Election this year.

“We urge a ‘No’ vote for a Deltona Police Department,” said Nancy Schleicher, DCAC president.  “The current services we receive from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office far exceed anything the City of Deltona could afford.”

Schleicher cited the city’s own Feasibility for Police Services Report published July 11 by Willdan Homeland Solutions. The city paid the California firm $70,000 to determine whether Deltona could start and operate its own police department. The study noted the city already has one of the lowest crime rates of Central Florida cities and at a far lower patrolman to resident service level.

“According the consultant’s report, ‘It is important to note that Deltona has the lowest per capita cost, the lowest officer ratio per 1,000 population but still maintains a comparatively low crime rate,’ Schleicher said.  “According to the consultants it is ‘feasible’ although costs for Deltona were never clearly shown.  Again the DCAC has to ask, ‘Why change?’ ”

Currently, Deltona contracts with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services.  This year, the city will pay $8.7 million for protection after reducing the contract amount from $9.2 million last year.  The cut required the reduction of eight deputies, which city commissioners approved.

The report states first year costs for a new Deltona Police Department will cost the city $8.8 million if $4.3 million of the start-up costs are financed. The second year, the city will pay $9.3 million with financed start-up costs. The report does not state how much Deltona will continue to pay for Sheriff’s services while starting up the police department. There will be overlapping expenses as the city pays for both a Deltona Police Department and the VCSO contract.

“We feel the figures the City uses do not reflect the true cost to the residents,” she said. “According to the consultants, it is ‘feasible’ although costs for Deltona were never clearly shown.  According to the Willdan report, only DeLand has a smaller law enforcement budget but with a population of 26,905 while cities of similar size to Deltona showed considerably higher police budgets of $20 million up to $38 million.  We question how the City of Deltona can possibly afford a police department for $8.8 million.”

“Once again we ask why change. We urge a NO vote for a Deltona Police Department.

The Deltona Citizen’s Action Committee, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization formed by a group of Deltona residents concerned about negative publicity and negative politics. Inquiries can be made by writing the DCAC, Inc. at 1460 S. Baton Dr., Deltona, FL 32725 or calling (386) 574-5664. The group maintains a website at deltonacac.org which offers up to date information on current issues.

Deltona Citizens Action Committee Asks Citizens for Help

DeltonaBonaFide.com recently received this press release from Deltona Citizens Action Committee Chairwoman Nancy Schleicher:

Posted 10/6/08:

An Important Message from your Neighbors:

We need YOUR help ! 

Friends and fellow Residents,

The November 4th election is almost here. If you’re concerned about paying more taxes and possibly getting less law enforcement coverage we ask that you help us defeat this referendum.

You can join us by:

1.         Sending a donation to assist in printing and distributing of flyers

(Make checks payable to: Deltona Citizens Action Committee

Our address: DCAC   1460 S. Baton Dr. Deltona, FL 32725)

2.         Handing out literature (call 574-5664)

3.         Waving a sign (call 574-5664)

4.         Talking to your neighbors and friends

5.         Sharing our Web site http://www.deltonacac.org to all you know

Please let us know if you’d like to help in other ways. We feel it is important not to add this tax burden on to our residents. We hope you agree.

Thank you,

Nancy Schleicher

Chairman, Deltona Citizens Action Committee

New Citizen's Group Forms

Posted 8/29/08:

Stating that it is time to move Deltona forward and return a sense of community, resident Nancy Schleicher today announced the formation of the Deltona Citizens Action Committee, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation with the stated purpose of helping to create a more positive environment in Deltona, to improve on the welfare of the citizens of Deltona and to further such causes necessary to achieve a better Deltona through education of citizens, speaker’s bureau, forums and written, oral or electronic communication of information to the general public.

Schleicher, a retired Volusia county teacher and former candidate for Deltona City Commission said, “I've been watching what’s happening in Deltona and I've come to the realization that a sense of community comes from the citizens working with each other and the government, not from buildings and programs.”

Membership in the Deltona Citizens Action Committee is open to Deltona residents, property owners, business owners and to non-residents wishing to aid in its cause.

Learn more about Deltona Citizens Action Committee here.

EXCLUSIVE!  ONLY ON DELTONABONAFIDE.COM:

Uncut video of special meeting regarding the City Manager and City Attorney 1/18/08

(The shady firing of City Manager Steve Thompson)

PART 1       PART 2       PART 3       PART 4       PART 5       PART 6

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