DBF SPECIAL COVERAGE

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DENIZAC RE-ELECTED IN PRIMARY

August 24, 2010

Today voters in Deltona overwhelmingly re-elected Commissioner Zenaida Denizac to represent them on the City Commission.  Contenders Michael Richards and Jacinto Garcia did not pass round one in today's primaries. 

Commissioner Denizac, a Deltona school teacher and mother who has been a community leader in Deltona for many years, campaigned on "Integrity," and that public safety is her number one priority.  Denizac has invested half of her life to serving Deltona, and her voting history as Deltona commissioner foreshadows her campaign pledge to improve public safety.

Ultimately Denizac - despite massive theft of her campaign signs - prevailed as the voters' choice.

In the other races, the following Deltona candidates will face-off in November:

• Mayor:      John Masiarczyk vs. David Santiago

• District 3:  Heather Joy Mitchell vs. Heidi Herzberg

• District 5:  Fred Lowry vs. Commissioner Janet Deyette

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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City's Sign Law Ignored as Candidate's Signs Erected in Town

August 24, 2010

According to his treasurer's reports, District 1 commission candidate Jacinto Garcia has not obtained the required sign permit, but that has not stopped his signs from popping up in roughly a dozen places around the city.

This is not the first instance of Garcia allegedly violating campaign laws.  Garcia was recently accused of not reporting his campaign financial activity and incurring debts while he had no money to pay for them (click here for the Florida Elections Complaint).

This article will be updated as the matter develops.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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Commission Candidate Accused of Vandalizing Opponent's Signs;

Candidate and his Father Accused of Confrontation with Victim and her Husband

August 24, 2010

Last night, just minutes before midnight, District 1 Commissioner Zenaida Denizac and her family members reportedly witnessed her campaign opponent Michael Richards tampering with her campaign signs at two separate locations. Denizac alleges that Richards vandalized her signs at two Deltona Church locations.

Throughout her campaign, Denizac has suffered the loss of hundreds of her campaign signs, with them typically going missing within 24 hours of her getting them placed in citizens' yards.  Some signs, according to Denizac, were secured to firmly planted wooden stakes, but still quickly went missing, despite her efforts.

Mayoral candidate David Santiago's campaign has also been plagued with hundreds of his campaign signs being stolen shortly after they were placed on private property.  He, too, took extra measures to secure his campaign signs against future thefts, only to see them go missing soon after, regardless of his efforts.

At one of the locations of last night's sign tampering, a verbal confrontation reportedly ensued between Richards' father and Denizac's husband.  Deputies responded to the scene shortly afterwards, but no arrests were made.

Richards' short employment history includes working as an aid to suspended and arrested Orange County Commissioner Mildred Fernandez, who is accused of bribery and racketeering.  Richards is a state lobbyist for ACORN sister organization Project Vote, and has also lobbied on behalf of scandal-ridden ACORN.  Richards - a newcomer to the Deltona political scene -  campaigns that he wants to increase spending for sidewalks, road paving, and street lights.

Commissioner Denizac, a Deltona school teacher and mother who has been a community leader in Deltona for many years, is campaigning on "Integrity," and that public safety is her number one priority.  Denizac has invested half of her life to serving Deltona, and her voting history as Deltona commissioner foreshadows her campaign pledge to improve public safety.

Also in the district 1 race is newcomer Jacinto Garcia, who has recently been accused of not reporting his campaign finance activity and incurring campaign debts without having any money to pay for them (click here for the Florida Elections Complaint).  Garcia campaigned that he wants to create a recycling program in Deltona.  However, The waste service provider for Deltona already maintains a recycling program in the city.

More news on this as it becomes available.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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TO READ THE ELECTIONS COMPLAINT THAT IS THE FOCUS OF KIEPERT'S BLOG ARTICLE, CLICK HERE

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Formal Complaint Filed with City over Candidate's Signs

July 16, 2010

This morning a formal complaint was submitted to City Manager Faith Miller and City Clerk Joyce Kent regarding the campaign signs of District 5 commission candidate Wilfredo Sanchez.

The complaint accuses Sanchez of not adhering to the State's law that requires disclaimers on campaign signs, to indicate which position the candidate is competing for.  That law, along with others like it, is included in the Florida Statutes that candidates are required to read.  To qualify as a candidate, candidates must sign a sworn statement that they have read and understand said law.

The complaint was filed by former commissioner Doug Horn, and asks for immediate corrective action.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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Mayor Mulder Backing Down From Mayoral Race

Instead, Mayor May Pursue Family Life with Children of His Own

June 11, 2010

On a day when new contender Tomas Wong has just joined the mayoral race, today Mayor Mulder announced that he will not be seeking re-election.

Mayoral candidate Robert Desmond said he wishes Mayor Mulder luck, that "there's no better enjoyment in life than being a father." Desmond said he thanks Mulder for his service as Mayor of Deltona.

Mayoral Candidate David Santiago said he agrees with Mayor Mulder's comments that Deltona needs to be better represented on a State level.  Santiago wished Mulder success in his future endeavors, adding "He should continue to be a part of Deltona's future."

Also running for Mayor, former Mayor John Masiarczyk had no comment on Mulder's announcement, as he has not yet read it.

Mayor Mulder released the following message on his 2005 campaign site dennismulder.com:

Up until just recently, Mayor Mulder's web site had this tit-for-tat message:

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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Mayoral Candidate Withdraws from Race;

Garcia Will Run for District 1 Commissioner Instead

May 25, 2010

Newcomer Jacinto Garcia recently abandoned his Mayoral bid, and has instead filed to run for Commissioner Zenaida Denizac's seat.  Vying against Denizac and Garcia for the District 1 commissioner position is Michael Richards, also a newcomer to Deltona's political scene.

Garcia, who works for a cargo company, wants to generate more revenue for the city by implementing a recycling program.  Opponent Richards also wants to increase city revenue, but by creating more "funding mechanisms."  Richards works as a State lobbyist for ACORN sister organization Project Vote, and previously worked as an aid to embattled Orange County Commissioner Mildred Fernandez.  Commissioner Denizac, who is known for often voting against Mayor Mulder,  has a long history of public service in Volusia County as commissioner and teacher, and she vows to improve the tax base in Deltona by attracting more businesses to the city.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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Mayoral Candidate David Santiago

Announces All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

Local Candidate was Aid to Suspended, Charged Commissioner;

Is Also State Lobbyist for ACORN Sister Organization Project Vote

May 19, 2010

DeltonaBonaFide.com has discovered that Deltona's district 1 commission candidate Michael Richards was an aid to embattled Orange County Commissioner Mildred Fernandez.  Earlier this week, the Orlando Sentinel reported:

Richards' close ties to Fernandez are revealed in this article:

DeltonaBonaFide.com had previously learned that Richards, whose job history is remarkably short,  is currently a State lobbyist for Project Vote - the sister organization of scandalous ACORN.  For that story, click here.

Richards' only opponent in the district 1 race is Commissioner Zenaida Denizac, who is basing her campaign on integrity.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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Mayor Mulder's Campaign Web Site

Names Deltona Issue as Being Mayor's Critic "Gus"

May 16, 2010

Mayor Mulder's campaign web site recently went back online again, and the first item listed on the "Issues" page is a childish attack against "Gus," a government watchdog who has exposed many issues of concern for Deltonans that directly relate to Mayor Mulder:

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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District 3 Race Begins With its First Registered Candidate

April 10, 2010

Heidi Herzberg recently registered as a candidate in Deltona's upcoming District 3 election.  Herzberg is an officer in Mayor Mulder's Deltona Tennis Association, to which Mayor Mulder regularly votes to give tax money and free exclusive use of public resources.

When the commission in 2009 was threatening to levy an open-ended special assessment district ("SAD") tax on the entire city, Herzberg said she was "100 percent in favor" of the assessment.

But after much public outrage, the commission ultimately decided to kill the SAD proposal, with only Commissioner Janet Deyette dissenting, and with Mayor Mulder saying "I think it is in the city's best interest and the residents' best interest not to move forward with the SAD  at  this  time."

Herzberg, no stranger to area politics, regularly meets with Deltona's commission majority in the city's Community Center, where the area's political issues are discussed in private:

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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District 5 Candidate All Set to Qualify;

Latest Contender Wants Less Wasteful Spending

April 7, 2010

Fred Lowry is all jazzed up and has good reason to be - Lowry was just notified that his nearly 250 nominating petitions have been signature-validated, paving the way for his quest to get his name on the District 5 ballot this year in Deltona.  Lowry wants lower taxes, stronger community spirit, and honest government.  He would like to see jobs as a priority in Deltona.  Lowry has been leading community groups for twenty years as church pastor.

Lowry said a common consensus expressed among the 200+ homes he visited was that "People strongly support change in city leadership - people want a commission that functions for the people and is not bickering and always divided."

The latest contender competing against Lowry in the race to unseat Commissioner Deyette is Wilfredo Sanchez.  Sanchez, a retired police officer from Indiana, has lived in Deltona for six years and plans to stay.  Sanchez says Deltonans support the businesses of surrounding communities, and "What do we get in return?  Higher taxes!"  To fix that, Sanchez proposes, Deltona should work to attract more tourism dollars.

Sanchez also said he would like to see more deputies on the streets and less wasteful spending.  He just shook his head while he referenced the controversial vote of the commission last year to use tax dollars to sue critics of the commission majority.  He said citizens should be treated better when visiting city hall.

Other candidates who have passed the signature-validation hurdle are Commissioner Zenaida Denizac for re-election as District 1 commissioner, Robert Desmond candidate for Mayor, and David Santiago candidate for Mayor.

Candidates have until noon May 24 to submit their nominating petitions.

Regarding the mayoral election, it was reported today that Mayor Dennis Mulder said he was leaning towards not running for re-election as Mayor.  However, oddly enough overnight last night Mulder's 2005 campaign web site was resurrected with new content and a photo of Mulder sitting at the Mayor's desk.  Just two days ago Mulder announced his repackaged 2008 proposal to give rebate checks to homesteaded taxpayers, leading some to question if it's legal to discriminate against the non-voting taxpayers who won't be getting rebate checks under Mulder's plan.  According to the Daytona-Beach News-Journal, Volusia County Property Appraiser Morgan Gilreath asked " Why not simply reduce the tax rate for everyone next year?"

Mayor Mulder now says the city has too much money, but the Mulder-led commission raised property taxes 27% in 2008 and again raised them 31% in 2009, while removing eight patrolling deputies from the streets in 2008 - all while citing budget reasons.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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Scandalous ACORN Organization

Has Local Ties in Upcoming Deltona Election

March 22, 2010, updated August 5, 2010

On his campaign web site, District 1 commission candidate Michael F. Richards lists his occupation as State Lobbyist.  According to the State of Florida's database of state lobbyists, Michael Frank Richards - listing an Orlando address as his business address - was registered as a 2009 legislative state lobbyist for Project Vote.  Richards says his employer has since closed their Orlando office, and he now works from Deltona.

Project Vote's web site says "Michael Richards came to Project Vote in April 2009 as the Election Administration Coordinator for the State of Florida."  Richards says his title has since changed to Elections Administration Manager.

Project Vote, based in Washington D.C., is a non-profit/non-partisan voting rights organization.  Project Vote is a sister organization of ACORN, a political organization whose federal funding was cut in 2009 after it was exposed in a national video scandal.

Both Project Vote and ACORN have been involved in numerous controversies that include voter fraud.  So many, in fact, that many web sites have been created to chronicle the controversies, such as RottenAcorn.com.  The most notable controversy, however, is the one spawned by the prostitution videos.

CNN reports: "The videos, secretly taped by two individuals posing as a pimp and a prostitute, showed ACORN employees in four of the agency's offices suggesting or condoning a series of illicit actions as the couple sought advice on setting up a brothel with underage women from El Salvador.  At least 11 states have been investigating ACORN -- the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now -- for alleged voter registration fraud stemming from the general election in 2008."

According to the State of Florida's legislative lobbyists database, as of today Richards is no longer registered as a state lobbyist.  The registration cycle for legislative lobbyists is a calendar year beginning January 1 and ending December 31, and Richards is not currently listed for 2010.  Richards says his 2010 registration is pending renewal, while he continues to lobby for Project Vote.

DeltonaBonaFide.com did not find any mention of Richards' ACORN or Project Vote affiliation on any of his three campaign web sites.  Richards says he has never worked for ACORN.

Running opposite Richards in the district 1 race, is Commissioner Zenaida Denizac, who currently serves Deltona as commissioner and teacher.  As city commissioner, Denizac has often advocated for openness and integrity in public service.

Michael Richards speaks on behalf of ACORN - to read the document, click here

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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Five for Five, Two for One, and Zero for Three

March 15, 2010

The race for Deltona's district five grew yet again with this month's addition of Wilfred Sanchez.  In addition to being the fifth candidate to join the list of district five contenders, Sanchez is the second such candidate who is also a newcomer to the city's political scene.  With Sanchez in the race are Commissioner Janet Deyette, Fred Lowry, David McKnight, and Rafael Valle.

The district one race is being run, so far, by just two candidates:  Commissioner Zenaida Denizac and newcomer Michael Richards. Richards proposes finding ways to increase revenue for the city with "better funding mechanisms," while Denizac wants to achieve a lower tax burden on taxpayers.

Richards wants to see more tax dollars spent on sidewalks, streets, litter cleanup, and parks, while Denizac said she will endeavor for  increased public safety  and  lower taxes.  When the commission voted in 2008 to cut eight deputies from the street patrols, Denizac voted not to.

Richards recently launched his campaign blog, and Denizac recently enjoyed a wonderful turnout at her campaign kickoff dinner replete with live entertainment provided by none other than Deltona's very own nationally-recognized Lloyd Marcus.

The absolute lack of candidates in the district three race has prompted the question to be asked:  What if no one runs?

A review of the city's charter does not seem to provide an answer for that particular scenario, but it does provide for the scenario of when a commission position becomes vacant:

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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City Clerk, Manager, Wrong to Reject Candidate's Signatures

March 13, 2010

Updated March 16 with official legal opinion document (below article)

Mayoral candidate Robert Desmond was excited to report that he's finally received an official legal opinion from interim City Attorney Fowler on whether or not his nominating signatures should count towards his qualifying as a candidate.  Fowler says they should.

Several weeks ago Desmond was notified by City Clerk Joyce Kent that his nominating signatures were being rejected per City Ordinance.  Kent said that the City recognizes only nominating signatures that are on petition forms that were obtained from the City Clerk no earlier than January 6, 2010.  Desmond obtained his petition forms in August 2009, from Volusia Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall's office.

Desmond vehemently disputed the City's position, which was fortified by City Manager Faith Miller's backing of Kent's decision to disqualify the signatures.  Desmond earlier said the city's refusal to honor the voters' petitions to put his name on the ballot was "a direct assault on the democratic process."

Like an optimist who carries an umbrella just in case, Desmond fought for his obtained signatures to be validated while he simultaneously worked towards obtaining them all over again.

But much to Desmond's delight, Fowler yesterday issued a three-page legal opinion essentially advising that Desmond's nominating signatures should be counted towards his qualifying as candidate.  After consulting with the State and County on the matter, Fowler said this is a unique situation with no legal precedent to use as a compass.  Specifically, there is no case law on the restricting of how early a registered candidate may begin collecting nominating signatures.

Desmond said that leading the city as mayor will require the ability to overcome many challenges, and - as demonstrated with the city's challenging of his nominating petitions - he's ready and able to tackle those challenges as mayor.

Challenging mayoral races in Deltona are nothing new, as 2005's race included candidate Richard Rhodes quickly abandoning his mayoral bid after it was discovered that he had not filed his resign-to-run papers in that election.  That triggered the cancellation of the city's primary election, due to there being only two candidates on the ballot.  That, in turn, drove candidate Dennis Mulder to threaten legal action  against the city unless the city agreed to hold the primary election.  On that challenge, the city stood their ground and did not hold a primary election.  However, Mulder did not follow through on his ultimatum to sue the city, but was nonetheless elected in the general election.

This is the second instance this year, of City Manager Miller's position on a matter resulting in the expense of tax dollars for outsourced attorneys to research and determine that her position was wrong.  The previous incident involved what some commissioners called a political vendetta to investigate Commissioner Zischkau to see if he violated the City Charter when he petitioned his county government to halt a development that he felt posed a flooding threat to his home.  That investigation cost the taxpayers over $11,000.

It is not yet known how much the cost was to taxpayers for Fowler's law firm to research the city's erroneous rejection of Desmond's nominating petitions.

Also running for mayor are former Mayor John Masiarczyk, former Vice Mayor David Santiago, and newcomer Jacinto Garcia.

To read the full legal opinion, click here.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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Lowry Event Draws Many

March 4, 2010

District five commissioner candidate Fred Lowry is reporting that his campaign kickoff fundraiser attracted over 200 people this past Sunday at Wes Crile Park.  Country music artist Scott Brown provided live entertainment for the crowd and Lowry presented details of how he is gong to bring needed change to Deltona.  Lowry expressed a passion to bring Deltona together.

Lowry said "It was awesome and people were jazzed!"

He said the concerns he heard most from citizens' were regarding taxes and jobs.  Lowry vows to work towards lowering taxes and attracting jobs to Deltona.  He said another re-occurring issue echoed among citizens is the need to take our government back, to make things right in that area.

Lowry is quickly becoming the district five forerunner with his impressive campaign staff of 53.

Also in the district five commission race are Commissioner Janet Deyette, David McKnight and Rafael Valle.

While Lowry and staff celebrate their successful campaign kickoff, district one Commissioner Zenaida Denizac is excitedly gearing up for her campaign kickoff event coming up this weekend.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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Candidate's Campaign Hampered by

Stolen Signs, Voided Voter Signatures

March 4, 2010

Mayoral candidate Robert Desmond got an early start this election, but his early-bird enthusiasm seems to be working against him and now that proverbial worm can't be had without some extra - and repeated - effort.  Desmond, who launched his mayoral candidacy in August of 2009, recently submitted his nominating petitions for validation.  But much to Desmond's surprise,  City Clerk Joyce Kent rejected over 70 of the nominating signatures, saying they were obtained too early and are not on approved forms.

Needed to qualify are at least 150 valid signatures of registered Deltona voters.  Desmond says he worked hard to obtain those nominations from voters and that he used a State-certified form to do so.  He says "To ignore their signed petitions to put my name on the ballot is a direct assault on the democratic process."

Kent says that per City Code, the City recognizes only nominating signatures that are on petition forms that were obtained from the City Clerk no earlier than January 6, 2010.  Desmond obtained his petition forms in August 2009, from Volusia Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall's office.

Other than a small box to list the nominee's party affiliation and another for the nominator's precinct, the forms are virtually identical, contends Desmond.  He said the forms he used all have the party-affiliation box checked to indicate this is a non-partisan race.  The mayoral election is open to voters of all city districts.

McFall's office has validated the signatures, but being that this is a city election, the City Clerk must also validate them.  City Manager and former City Clerk Faith Miller backs Kent on her decision to not honor Desmond's petitions, but is also currently seeking legal counsel on the matter from the interim City Attorney.

Compounding the blow, Desmond - who has been diligently filing campaign treasurer's reports since August 2009 - was required to sign for a newer version of the Candidate Qualifying Packet on February 10, and the city is also rejecting the signatures he obtained prior to that day as well.

Just in case the city ultimately stands firm in not honoring the contested petitions, Desmond immediately started over again to collect nominating signatures from voters.  Because of a referendum passed last year by the city's voters, in lieu of obtaining nominating signatures candidates may instead pay a qualifying fee of 3% of the annual salary for the office being sought.  For Desmond that equates to $342.

The deadline to obtain nominating signatures or pay the qualifying fee is May 24, 2010.

Reportedly Commissioner Janet Deyette has also been met with the same invalid-petition predicament in her bid for re-election.  Mayoral candidate David Santiago, and re-election contender Commissioner Zenaida Denizac have both successfully submitted enough valid nominating signatures to get their names on the ballot.

Further testing Desmond's perseverance, dozens of his campaign signs are reportedly being stolen from supporters' yards.  Desmond first noticed the signs missing in November, and has even offered a reward for information leading to an arrest.  Desmond met with the city's code enforcement department to see if they had removed any of his signs as code violations, to which they responded no.

Also running for mayor are former Mayor John Masiarczyk, former Vice Mayor David Santiago, and newcomer Jacinto Garcia.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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Denizac Passes Qualification Hurdle

February 27, 2010

District one candidate Commissioner Zenaida Denizac has received official notice from the Supervisor of Elections that she has met the qualifying requirement of providing at least 100 nominating signatures of registered voters.

Denizac, first elected in 2005, is known for her perseverance in making a stand for what she feels is right despite the 4-3 commission majority typically following Mayor Mulder's lead instead.

When Mayor Mulder led Commissioners Treusch, Deyette, and Carmolingo into voting without legal advice to use tax dollars to sue their critics, it was Commissioner Denizac who motioned to have her name removed from the list of commissioners who would benefit from the ill-advised and highly controversial vote.  Commissioners Zischkau and McFall-Conte then followed Denizac's lead and requested their names also be removed from the list of beneficiaries of taxpayer-funded lawsuits.

Denizac wants to improve public safety in Deltona and vows to work towards lowering taxes.

Denizac is looking forward to meeting with citizens at her upcoming campaign kickoff dinner.  The dinner will be hosted Saturday March 6, at the DeLand Holiday Inn located at 350 International Speedway Blvd.  Festivities begin at 6:30 pm.  Tickets are required to attend the the special dinner, and are available for $25 by contacting Commissioner Denizac at zenaidadenizac@yahoo.com .

Seating is limited, so it is best to secure your tickets early.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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Santiago Set to Qualify as Candidate for Mayor

February 24, 2010

Conquering another milestone of his campaign, Deltona mayoral candidate David Santiago has passed the signature-validation portion of the qualifying process.  Through letters received today from the city clerk and county Supervisor of Elections, Santiago is relieved to learn he has officially met the requirement of obtaining at least 150 valid nominating signatures of registered voters.

All that remains for Santiago to qualify as a bona fide mayoral candidate is to take the candidacy oath and sign the qualifying papers.

Santiago's opponent Robert Desmond also recently received letters from both the city clerk and supervisor of elections.  The city is contesting the validity of most or all of the nominating signatures obtained thus far by Desmond, saying they were obtained too early.

Desmond says he doesn't understand why the city clerk is taking this position on the issue.  He's says he's as legal as can be, that "I have followed all the rules and regulations, even for my signs.  But just in case, Desmond says, he's already begun starting over to obtain his nominating signatures.

Stay tuned to Deltona Bona Fide for more news on that as it becomes available.

Both candidates are joined in the mayoral race by veteran and former Mayor John Masiarczyk, and newcomer Jacinto Garcia.

With the nominating milestone behind him, David Santiago is excited to be moving forward and is humbled by how receptive citizens have been to his candidacy so early in his campaign.  Santiago wants lower taxes and honest government.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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Lowry to Hold Campaign Kickoff Rally

February 24, 2010

District five commissioner candidate Fred Lowry is inviting all citizens to his upcoming campaign kickoff rally.  Lowry and his family will be meeting with citizens this Sunday, February 28, at Wes Crile Park Pavilion 1.  Festivities will begin at 3:00 pm and include live music from country music artist Scott Brown.  Children's activities will be available for the kids and snacks will also be provided.

Also in the district five commission race are Commissioner Janet Deyette, David McKnight and Rafael Valle.

Lowry, pastor of Deltona Lakes Baptist Church, has a B.S. in math education and both a Masters Degree and PhD in New Testament Theology.  Lowry and his wife Vicki have two daughters, one attending Deltona's Pine Ridge High School and the other in Daytona State College.

Lowry has served as a high school principal and has pastored for over twenty years.

For more details about Lowry's Campaign Kickoff Rally, visit Fred Lowry's official campaign web site.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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Denizac Reaffirms Commitment of Integrity

February 23, 2010

Commissioner Zenaida Denizac has announced that she's collected over 140 signatures towards qualifying as a candidate for the district one race.  In her door-to-door travels, Denizac said, she has been welcomed with overwhelming support.

Denizac said "People are paying attention to what's going on in our city."

Denizac said her constituents have given her a loud and clear message that they are tired of wasteful spending and they want tax relief now.  Denizac says she's listening to her constituents' concerns and she's reaffirming her commitment to serve them with integrity and sensitivity to the current economic hardships they are faced with.

Denizac was first elected as commissioner of district one in 2005.  Despite often being in the minority against the customary Mulder-led 4-3 votes, Denizac is known for standing up for doing the right thing.

When Mayor Mulder led Commissioners Treusch, Deyette, and Carmolingo into blindly voting, without first seeking legal advice, to use tax dollars to sue their critics, it was Commissioner Denizac who motioned to have her name removed from the list of commissioners who would benefit from the highly controversial vote.  Commissioners Zischkau and McFall-Conte then followed Denizac's lead and requested their names also be removed from the list.

Denizac will be holding her campaign kickoff dinner in early March.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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Mayoral Race Heats up to Four

February 19, 2010

Jacinto Garcia, 40, registered as a mayoral candidate today, bringing the total number of mayoral candidates to four.  Garcia is new to Deltona's political scene, having never served in a public position or spoken at commission meetings in Deltona, but the man whom Garcia hopes to replace - Mayor Dennis Mulder - was also new to Deltona's political scene when he was elected in 2005.

Also running for mayor are former Mayor John Masiarczyk, former Vice Mayor David Santiago, and newcomer Robert Desmond.

Several months ago Mayor Mulder reportedly told the West Volusia Beacon that he was going to run for re-election, but as of today he has not yet registered as a candidate.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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Race to Unseat District Five's Deyette Intensifies

February 17, 2010

Today Rafael A. Valle added his name to the race for district five commissioner, a seat currently occupied by Commissioner Janet Deyette.  Of candidates seeking to unseat Deyette, Rafael brings the total to three.  Joining Valle and Deyette in the race are David McKnight, Sr. and Dr. Fred Lowry.

Former chairman of the city's Planning and Zoning Board, Valle came to the United States 49 years ago from Mexico-by-way-of-Cuba to chase the American Dream.  He has also served as Volusia County building inspector for 13 years and was a local businessman.

District five's new 2010 contender Valle is no newcomer to elections, as he ran unsuccessfully for Volusia County Council District five in 2002 and he ran for Deltona's district five commissioner in 2001 but lost to Diane Obremski.  Valle ran for the city's district five seat again in 2005 but was ousted from the race in the primary.  Deyette later won that race after facing off against McKnight.

Deyette has been criticized heavily by local gadflies for often being silent while sitting at the dais except to make Mayor Mulder's motions for him (Mulder is prohibited from making motions while chairing the commission meetings).  One of Deyette's first acts as commissioner after being elected in 2005 was to warn Volusia county to "not be too trusting of us... I'm amazed at your trust of Deltona."

Deyette has also been the butt of jokes and criticism for her 2009 motion to use tax dollars to sue the critics of Deyette, Mulder, Treusch, and Carmolingo, but more particularly for her statement "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."

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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Santiago Collects 200 Signatures to Qualify for Mayor Race

February 11, 2010

Candidate for Deltona mayor, David Santiago, announced that he has collected 200 signatures to qualify for his race to be mayor.  In just a few weeks, Santiago's campaign collected more signatures than what is required.  "I am amazed and humbled by the outpouring of support that our campaign has received," said Santiago.

Santiago, who kicked off his campaign just a few weeks ago, enjoyed a favorable turn-out at his first rally. Offering what he believes to be the reason his campaign has taken off so quickly, Santiago said, "People are excited about my message of eliminating wasteful spending. They want lower taxes!"

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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Commissioner Denizac to Hold Fundraising Dinner

for her Re-election Campaign

February 7, 2010

To launch her re-election campaign, Commissioner Zenaida Denizac is inviting Deltonans to join her for dinner and entertainment in early March.  Denizac, one of only two candidates vying for the position of district one commissioner,  said she will work towards lowering taxes and improving public safety.

Nationally recognized entertainer Lloyd Marcus will be providing entertainment during the event.

The dinner will be hosted Saturday March 6, at the DeLand Holiday Inn located at 350 International Speedway Blvd.  Festivities begin at 6:30 pm.  Tickets are required to attend the the special dinner, and are available for $25 by contacting Commissioner Denizac at zenaidadenizac@yahoo.com .

Seating is limited, so it is best to secure your tickets early.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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REMATCH!  District Five Selection Pool Grows

February 1, 2010

U.S. Army veteran David McKnight, Sr. has filed papers to launch his District Five Commissioner candidacy.  No stranger to the community, McKnight currently serves as President of the Republican Club of South West Volusia, has also spearheaded Deltona's annual Spring Fest as its President, was chairperson of the City's Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, and is a Cub Scout Leader.

McKnight, 47, hopes that this election can be conducted without mudslinging and negative attacks.  McKnight ran for district five commissioner in 2005 and did so without resorting to dirty campaigning then, but his campaign rival Janet Deyette prevailed in that election.  Deyette, along with newcomer Fred Lowry, are also running for the district five commission seat, making this election a rematch between McKnight and Deyette.

Having more than two candidates in the race means there will be a primary election before voters can make their final decision in November, unless one of the candidates receives more than 50% of the votes in the primary - in which case the race ends there.

McKnight, a proponent of bringing more businesses to Deltona to increase its tax base, feels more businesses in the bedroom community will lessen the growing tax burden on residential property owners.  He also feels that Deltona should not expand its boundaries through annexations, voluntary or otherwise.

A graduate of Kent State University, McKnight and his wife Natasha are blessed with two children.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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Battle for District Five Begins

January 28, 2010

Fred Lowry filed papers today to run for District Five Commissioner, with his only opponent thus far being incumbent Janet Deyette.  Lowry, whose favorite hobby is bass fishing, is already a community leader to many Deltonans as pastor of Deltona Lakes Baptist Church.  Lowry has a B.S. in math education and Masters Degree and PhD in New Testament Theology.  Lowry and his wife Vicki have two daughters, one attending Deltona's Pine Ridge High School and the other in Daytona State College.

Lowry has served as a high school principal and has pastored for over twenty years.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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ELECTION POOL DOUBLES IN JANUARY

BREAKING NEWS:  Commissioner Zenaida Denizac

Announces Candidacy for Re-election

January 20, 2010

...And then there were six.  Commissioner Zenaida Denizac filed candidacy papers yesterday afternoon with the City Clerk for her district one re-election campaign.  Denizac vows to work towards lowering taxes and improving public safety.  Over the last several years, the tax burden on Deltonans has increased significantly and law enforcement street patrols have been decreased by the Mulder-led commission majority. 

Denizac wants to correct that.

Earlier this month political newcomer Michael Richards entered the district one race, but has been quiet so far.

Less than two weeks ago, former Vice Mayor David Santiago entered the mayoral race, and is getting his campaign in high gear this Saturday at the Veteran's Memorial Park, with his Campaign Kickoff.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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2010 ELECTION GETTING INTO GEAR EARLY; SANTIAGO IS IN!

January 19, 2010

With ten months to go until voters select its future leaders, Deltona already has an electricity in the air that is 100% election.  In what is supposed to be a non-partisan race, rumors are already circulating of unlikely bedfellows conspiring across party lines with sitting officials to derail the re-election campaigns of incumbents so that they may easily assume the public office, campaign signs have gone missing (suspected stolen), and misinformation is already being broadcast from a local blog, confusing voters as to who is actually running for election.

PUBLIC OFFICES UP FOR ELECTION

Up for grabs is the office of Mayor of Deltona, currently occupied by Dennis Mulder, who - after being elected - calls the public office of Mayor "some pathetic office."  The mayor's office was originally scheduled to be up for election in 2009, but Mulder - along with Commissioners Deyette, Carmolingo and McFall-Conte, voted to extend their terms by one year. Commissioners Zischkau, Denizac, and Treusch opted to allow the voters to decide whether or not they extend their terms in office.

Making for an unusually odd election, also on the block for voters are the commission seats for district one, three and five.

Commissioner Deyette is registered as a candidate for re-election of her district five, but Commissioner Denizac has not yet made public her candidacy intentions for district one.

Vice Mayor Michele McFall-Conte, first elected in 2001, is termed out.  Her position as commissioner of district three is the only open public office that currently has no candidates competing for it.

Mayor Mulder, actively recruiting commissioner candidates from his pool of MySpace friends, said "there is a commission seat open to anyone with a pulse, to replace a moron!"  He encouraged online friend Adriana "you'd do awesome."

MISINFORMATION DISPELLED:  BOGUS CANDIDATE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Currently, only five hopefuls are registered candidates; mayoral candidates John Masiarczyk, Robert Desmond, and David Santiago, and commissioner candidates Janet Deyette and Michael Richards.  But if you believe what you read at Michael Kiepert's blog swvolusia.com, four others are also candidates:  Michael Kiepert and Mayor Dennis Mulder (both reportedly running for mayor), and Zenaida Denizac and David McKnight (both reportedly running for commissioner seats).

However, after Kiepert's blog was exposed at deltonachat.com for its errant reporting, the bogus candidacy announcements were quickly removed from its pages.

Making Kiepert's prematurely announced mayoral candidacy even more bizarre is his public proclamation during the previous commission election: "I have decided to support and vote for Dr. Miller for no other reason that[sic] he is not associated with Jamie [Jessup] or the Mayor [Mulder] and I would encourage everyone else to seriously consider that logic as well. All I want is seven (7) independent people with no ties to development, the Mayor [Mulder] or any special interest groups which would include political activist group or political activist individuals."

As the organizer for Mulder's private advisory meetings, Michael Kiepert has strong ties to Mayor Mulder, and similarly contrasting his own proclamation, Kiepert is one of three members of political activist group Deltona Facts.

BONA FIDE CANDIDATES

District one commissioner candidate and political newcomer Michael Richards has been quiet since registering his candidacy.

Commissioner Janet Deyette also seems to be running a quiet campaign so far, in her quest for re-election as district five commissioner.  Deyette, who launched her candidacy in early 2009, is reporting zero dollars in total contributions to date, despite having received $500 from Enterprise's Sandy Walters and despite being an accountant.

Having served two terms, Mayoral candidate John Masiarczyk was Deltona's first mayor and is to be credited for his role in seeing Deltona through its uphill incorporation battle to be Volusia's largest city, so it could govern itself.  Masiarczyk's we-mean-business leadership style is reputed to be the reason why Deltona was sometimes referred to as Volusia's 800 lb. Gorilla, up until 2006.

Mayoral Candidate Robert Desmond is a fresh face to Deltona politics, but has been effectively busy nonetheless.  Saying he wants to create jobs in Deltona, Desmond began campaigning early, and it shows.  Despite the alleged theft of some of Desmond's campaign signs, it's difficult to drive through any part of Deltona without seeing a handful of desmondformayor.com signs in yards.

The latest to announce his candidacy, Mayoral Candidate David Santiago served as Vice Mayor of Deltona and also as its district two commissioner.  Santiago, a proponent of lower taxes and less spending, is looking forward to meeting citizens this Saturday at the Veteran's Memorial Park, during his Campaign Kickoff.

You can follow the ongoing election coverage at DeltonaBonaFide.com's Election 2010 page.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

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MAYORAL CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN SIGNS DISAPPEAR;

REWARD OFFERED FOR TIPS LEADING TO ARREST

November 9, 2009, updated November 10

DeltonaBonaFide.com received this press release from Deltona Mayoral candidate Robert Desmond:

As many of you know, my campaign is in full swing. We already have a lot of activity going on and the support for my candidacy for Mayor of the city of Deltona is amazing and getting stronger by the day.

As many of you can tell by now, I am a man of action. I am not waiting for the campaign to come to me, I am bringing my campaign to the people of Deltona.

With that said, I have some bad and very disturbing news!

Somebody has already STOLE my political signs! Now, who would have a motive to do such a thing?

My campaign is based solely on the issues I believe that are facing the people of Deltona.

I have not made a personal attack on anyone - and I will not make any personal attach on anyone - that is currently a candidate for the Mayor's office, or may become a candidate for the Mayor's office or the incumbent Mayor.

My organization and I are working hard to get my message out to the people of Deltona. I have organized public events for the near future, I am going to be in the Deltona Day Parade and my crew and I have already been out on the streets (Saxon & I4) and (Howland & I4) waving our signs so people know I am running for mayor.

Needless to say, someone does not like the progress that I am making!
Needless to say, someone must be worried that my message is getting to the voters!
Needless to say, someone is already playing dirty politics! Well, this is the exact reason I am a candidate for Mayor of Deltona - to cleanup this childish behavior and put a real man in the Mayor's office in this city.

To that end, I will be filing a police report with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office and I will prosecute to the full extent of the law when the criminal is arrested.

If anyone has any information leading to the arrest and prosecution of this (these) criminals I will give them a $25.00 reward. At this time this is all my campaign can afford - and of course I now need to replace the signs that were stolen!

The location of the signs were as follows:

• 1 Sign was on Saxon Boulevard just before you get to Finland on the right hand side of the street as you are leaving Deltona heading toward I4.

• 1 Sign was on Saxon Boulevard just before you get to Normandy on the right hand side of the street as you are entering Deltona coming off I4.

• 1 Sign was on the corner of New Mark and Humphrey

• 1 Sign was on Humphrey as you turned the corner onto Humphrey from New Mark.

• The sign is BLUE with White Letters that say "Desmond For Mayor.Com"

The signs on Saxon were stolen between late Saturday night 11/08/2009 and early Sunday 11/09/2009.

The signs on Humphrey and New Mark were stolen late Friday night 11/07/2009 and early Saturday morning 11/08/2009.

The person(s) who stole these signs knew exactly where they were placed. And, these are low pedestrian walking sites so its very unlikely somebody picked them up to take them home for a souvenir.

I also have a challenge to all candidates for Mayor - Lets Discuss, Lets Debate, Lets put our message out to the people of Deltona and let them choose who the next Mayor of Deltona should be and Lets STOP the pettiness that has already polluted this campaign.

Thank you for your continued support in helping me make Deltona a better place to be and a better place to live.

Sincerely,

Robert Desmond
www.DesmondForMayor.com
Candidate, Mayor of Deltona
(386) 860-9457

Mr. Desmond contacted City code enforcement and learned that they had not removed any of his signs.

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Mayoral candidate Robert Desmond

to host meet-n-greet

November 2, 2009

Deltona Mayoral hopeful Robert Desmond is hosting a "Meet the Candidate" and "Put My Name on the Ballot Party" event:

Saturday - November 14th - 9:00 to 2:00
Chevron Gas Station and Convenience Store
900 Deltona Boulevard
Deltona, FL
 

For event updates visit

DesmondForMayor.com

Deltona Mayoral candidate Robert Desmond announces his

2009/2010 Budget and Spending Analysis Report

FOR FULL REPORT CLICK HERE

(requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

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2010 Deltona Mayor's race grows

August 28, 2009

Robert Desmond announced his 2010 candidacy today, offering voters a choice between himself and Deltona's first Mayor John Masiarczyk. 

Desmond says that Deltona needs better government than what is being delivered now by Mayor Mulder.  He has a detailed plan of action that shows much thought has been put into his decision to run for the office of Mayor.

Citing City Hall mismanagement, misinformation, and misuse of tax dollars, Desmond wants to lead the city away from the "self-inflicted controversies" of the current Mayor.

Not known is whether or not controversial Mayor Mulder will seek re-election.  However, Mulder's private meeting organizer Michael Kiepert has said that he's sure the 2010 election will be waged with "full color glossy postcards" of person(s) who "are due the notoriety," hinting at a nasty and personal election season.

- Jeff "Gus" Ensminger

Read Robert Desmond's full press release

(requires Adobe Acrobat reader)

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A note to candidates and campaign managers:  If you want your announcements, news, and event notices included here to be shared with the voters, keep us abreast by emailing it to:  E D I T O R @ D E L T O N A B O N A F I D E . C O M

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RACE FOR MAYOR

(In order of when they joined the race)

FORMER MAYOR

JOHN MASIARCZYK

Candidate for Mayor

VoteForJohn.org

FORMER VICE MAYOR

DAVID SANTIAGO

Candidate for Mayor

SantiagoforMayor.com

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Discuss it at Deltona's online discussion forum:

DISTRICT 1 COMMISSIONER

COMMISSIONER

ZENAIDA DENIZAC

Re-Elected August 24, 2010

District  1 Commissioner

DenizacDistrict1.com

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Discuss it at Deltona's online discussion forum:

RACE FOR DISTRICT 3 COMMISSIONER

(In order of when they joined the race)

HEIDI HERZBERG

Candidate for

District 3 Commissioner

heidiherzberg.com

HEATHER J. MITCHELL

Candidate for

District 3 Commissioner

Dream Team

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Discuss it at Deltona's online discussion forum:

RACE FOR DISTRICT 5 COMMISSIONER

(In order of when they joined the race)

COMMISSIONER

JANET  DEYETTE

Candidate for re-election as

District  5 Commissioner

JanetDeyette.com

FRED LOWRY

Candidate for

District 5 Commissioner

Deltona5.com

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Discuss it at Deltona's online discussion forum:

This page is in the process of being updated.  Check back periodically for more information.