MAYOR REJECTS PUBLIC INFORMATION FORUM,

PROVES SOME HABITS HARD TO BREAK

February 15, 2010

Some habits are hard to break.  In early 2006 Mayor Dennis Mulder had directly contradicted an earlier sworn statement of his when he later swore under oath that he did not read the State-required campaign financing Statutes.  Several years later, Mulder is proving that lying is a hard habit to break.

There was the contentious Thornby issue, of which Thornby proponent Mulder told the commission and citizens that the proposed Thornby purchase "wasn't going to cost the city anything."  Despite Mulder's claims of zero-cost to Deltona's taxpayers, Thornby was later purchased for $3 million, half of which came from Deltona's coffers, and will require annual taxpayer funding to maintain it as a passive park.  Former Vice Mayor Harvey criticized Mulder then, saying "he was not being 100% truthful."

Additionally, 2005 candidate Mulder told the voters, "I have said many times I will not promote any project that does not get majority citizen approval. either on a ballot or an independent poll. Remember!! You can say you listen to residents, or You can PROVE it."

But Mulder, on more than one occasion, voted to promote the Thornby project without asking the citizens for their approval.

Under oath while he was being investigated for his 89 counts of willful violation of campaign finance laws, Mayor Mulder swore that he made some of his campaign expenditures with a campaign check card.  But the State investigator discovered that Mulder's bank never issued such a card to him or his campaign, and City Clerk Faith Miller claimed that no Mulder campaign check cards had been filed with her as required by State elections laws.

Mulder also told the 2005 voters "I will extend the 3-minute talking time in public meetings to 5-6 minutes.  Residents complain about this every meeting.  We need to let our residents talk and be heard."  Five years later, citizens still are not permitted to speak for five minutes in public meetings.

More recently, in his refusal to attend a citizens' information forum hosted by Deltona Citizens' Action Committee, Mulder said he doesn't like to get involved with political action committees or attend their meetings because he feels it is inappropriate for him to do so while he is an elected official.

However, Mayor Mulder regularly got involved with Michael Kiepert's DeltonaFacts web site, where he maintained a forum there to air his gripes and concerns about Deltona and its citizens. DeltonaFacts is a political action committee consisting of just three members; Michael Kiepert, Veronica Kenny, and Bill Tavernier.

Michael Kiepert's DeltonaFacts PAC had dedicated an entire web page to Mulder, titled "Words of Mayor Mulder," where Mulder would often rant about his concerns, like how a small group of active citizens were preventing him from accomplishing anything positive in the city.

Likewise, Mulder is an officer of the Democratic Club of South West Volusia County, along with fellow City Commissioners Paul Treusch, Michael Carmolingo, and Janet Deyette.  The Democratic Club of South West Volusia County is a political action committee, but committee director Mulder says he does not get involved with such committees.

Despite Mulder's undeniable involvement with Kiepert's political group, and despite his documented membership as the Democratic club's director, in this 2009 video Mulder explains to citizens that he does not get involved with political organizations, saying:

"I'm not comfortable helping any political action committee... that will take positions on issues and campaign for issues and campaign for people and against people.  I'm not comfortable furthering any political action committee.  Any political action committee that asks me to come to a forum or a debate - I'm not going to do it... I just don't think it's appropriate in my official role to do it."

VIDEO

Mulder Not Being Truthful About His Involvement with Political Organizations,

Refuses to Participate in Citizen's Public Information Forum
 

"Political machinery"
"Mob-style control of the City has to stop"
"Possibly criminal behavior"
"Unsubstantiated allegations"
"Same people, same agenda, same grudge"
"They'll gain control of Deltona again"
"Small group that has an extraordinary amount of time"
"Damage these people have caused"
"This group that they can keep mob-style control over this City"

This IS my picture"

no matter what she was lying about, (which was the case) professional public officials don't laugh at someone, I guess you could say it is "not polished"

South West Border Crossed with Chili Cook Off!

2009

January 05, 2008

City leaders' 2007 resolutions: How did they fare?

Staff Report

One year ago, we asked local mayors -- and in some cases, their right-hand men and women: "What is your 2007 resolution for your city?"

So the obvious question follows. Did they keep them?

Here are their original resolutions with an update and whether the resolutions stuck.

DELTONA: "To pay close attention to capital projects and citywide beautification. All the road projects are the big ones — like Normandy Boulevard — we’ve got to make sure they start on time, and the public safety complex and the social services center, I want to get it going this year right away. This year will be a lot of economic development — you’ll start to see it on Howland (Boulevard). A lot of people waited for that, and this is just the beginning. The resolution should be keeping our eye on the ball and leaving personal politics at the door."

— Mayor Dennis Mulder

UPDATE: Yes and No. While the citywide beautification definitely has begun, there are still capital projects that could be moved along further. Mulder’s response? "As far as the capital projects go, we’re moving forward. The new partnership we’ve formed (with the Cavallaro group) promises to speed up the public safety complex, and it could be under construction by April. I brought a social service and a teen center forward together (to be built at the abandoned shopping center at Courtland and Howland boulevards) and the previous commission rejected it so I’m hoping the new commission will be more acceptable. There could be a police station there as well. All of the road projects are on the table, and Normandy (Boulevard) is already half torn up. Something is moving forward at almost every property on Howland Boulevard, it will be like watching dominos." As for leaving personal politics at the door, some could argue that Mulder hasn’t quite done that, but he says: "I can only be accountable for myself as far as leaving personal politics at the door. I try to stay above the fray but they’ve attacked me a number of times. I’ll just let them attack me with all they have, smile, disagree and move on."

Against the 'farce'

Deltona's elected leaders have quarreled since June about Mayor Dennis Mulder asking then-City Attorney Roland Blossom to resign. Some have argued Mulder broke a city rule when he did it.

During another lengthy debate about it this month, Mulder found an unlikely ally in new City Commissioner Herb Zischkau, an attorney who generally disagrees with Mulder.

Zischkau recommended the commission drop the issue.

Mulder, visibly annoyed and relieved to put an end to the discourse, made a motion to "not play tit-for-tat with one another . . . because it doesn't go anywhere at the end of the day."

Commissioners voted 4-3. But to Mulder's surprise, Zischkau was among those who opposed the motion.

Zischkau had voted no because he thought Mulder should have taken the vote more seriously. A stickler for facts and procedure, he said he didn't agree with the "farce."

Deltona commission wavers on safety complex land

DELTONA -- Citing scrub jay habitat, a sloppy contract, and concerns with the way the city manager acted on its behalf, the Deltona City Commission canceled its contract to purchase land for a new public safety complex.

A $2.5 million contract for purchase of the 17.5-acre parcel, on Howland Boulevard between Critter's Pub and Catalina Boulevard, was unanimously approved Oct. 15.

Six weeks later at the city's Dec. 3 meeting, Mayor Dennis Mulder suggested canceling the contract and instead looking at a property across the street that was drier, larger and attached to a planned retail development.

At Monday's meeting, Mulder said he was displeased that on Dec. 4, which City Manager Steve Thompson thought was the deadline to finalize the contract, Thompson instead extended the negotiation deadline without commission approval.

"I don't remember ever giving direction to (add new terms) or extend the contract, and for that I'm disappointed," Mulder said at the meeting.

The commission voted 4-3 to cancel the contract, with Zenaida Denizac, Michele McFall-Conte and Herb Zischkau opposing.

Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder wants to eliminate city's tax on homes

Dennis Mulder says it could be done, but some aren't so sure.

Two weeks after Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder reluctantly doled out $12,000 in property taxes, he announced plans to eliminate taxes on homes in the city within four years.

Deltona mayor has plan to eliminate city property taxes

Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder announced Tuesday that he has a plan to cut the city's residential property tax levy entirely.

He won't reveal the full details until a City Commission retreat Jan. 11 and 12, but he said that eliminating the taxes involves running the city like a private business.

Mayor Proposes Plan To Do Away With Residential Property Tax

DEELTONA, Fla. -- The Mayor of Deltona is proposing a plan that would do away with the residential property tax in the city by the year 2011.

Mayor Dennis Mulder introduced his plan to end property tax to fellow commissioners and then the public Tuesday.

In Metro Orlando, challenges to property appraisals zoom

The mayor of Metro Orlando's second-biggest city went looking for a property-tax break Monday on his expansive lakefront home.

In Deltona, Mulder saw the value on his home jump from $359,171 to $706,097 in a year because he forgot to file for a homestead exemption.

Such exemptions cap increases in value to no more than 3 percent annually.

Mulder's tax bill this year nearly doubled, to about $12,000.

This year, he filed for a homestead exemption, and it was approved.

He also asked the special magistrate to lower the value of his home back to $359,171, the value assigned to the 3,900-square-foot home overlooking Lake McGarity when he bought it in 2005.

On Monday, Mulder did not attend the hearing he requested to argue for a value reduction, and he could not be reached by telephone.

"He wants treatment nobody else can get," Gilreath said Monday evening.

Deltona commission votes 4-3 to pursue Thornby purchase

DELTONA -- The City Commission voted 4-3 late Monday to negotiate a price for the 40-acre Thornby property along Lake Monroe.

In an add-on agenda item, Commissioner Janet Deyette proposed discussion of the controversial property.

She then asked the city manager and city attorney to find out how much money the county is willing to contribute and what price the owners will accept within 90 days if possible.

"I was called by the owners and the owners' attorney and by the Realtors and by citizens saying, 'Isn't there another chance to look at Thornby?' " Deyette said.

Deltona mayor sees a way to revive plan to buy, preserve Thornby property

The Deltona mayor sees an opportunity, with new commissioners, to try again to buy the land.

DELTONA - Mayor Dennis Mulder wasted no time flexing his newfound political muscle last week when a new City Commission helped him get rid of the city attorney on a 4-3 vote.

Mulder had been wanting for months to fire City Attorney Roland Blossom.

Now residents and others are wondering whether the plan to buy the historic Thornby property -- a deal killed just three months ago that Mulder supported -- will be resurrected, too.

Mulder says yes.

Volusia county political pulse

Rumors have circulated in highly political Deltona about why three commissioners didn't attend Mayor Dennis Mulder's recent state-of-the-city address.

Volusia county political pulse

Rumors have circulated in highly political Deltona about why three commissioners didn't attend Mayor Dennis Mulder's recent state-of-the-city address.

They say they had good reasons.

"It was no slight to anyone," said longtime Commissioner Michele McFall-Conte, who was at an event celebrating the 30th anniversary of Daytona Beach Community College's Women's Center.

Commissioner Zenaida Denizac had planned to attend the mayor's speech. But on the way there, she said her oldest daughter, who is disabled, called and said she was stranded in Daytona Beach. She went to help her child.

Newly elected Commissioner Herb Zischkau, who beat a Mulder ally this month, had a prior commitment.
 

My Word: Deltona should get serious about property-tax talks

Jamie Jessup

Mayor Dennis Mulder recently went on a whirlwind media tour announcing his desire to eliminate city property taxes on residences in Deltona by 2011. The announcement has created a buzz among politicos. Some think it is a brilliant move by Mulder. Others question his sincerity, motivation and ability to get it done.

I understand the skepticism in light of this year's spending plan being higher than it was in previous years. Many have wondered if the Deltona City Commission ever saw a dollar they didn't like to spend.

Recently, within a mere five minutes or so, it opened the door to spend around $200,000 on severance and other costs when it fired Roland Blossom as city attorney.

New Deltona commission votes 4-3 to fire city attorney

DELTONA -- It didn't take long for Mayor Dennis Mulder to get his way with the new City Commission at its regular meeting Monday night.

City Attorney Roland Blossom was fired by a 4-3 vote.

In a last minute add-on agenda item, Vice Mayor Michael Carmolingo asked that the commission have an opportunity to discuss the city attorney. He said the issue was not personal, but the city has simply spent too much time "putting out fires" instead of doing work because of Blossom's advice.

Deltona commission decides to fire city attorney

DELTONA - A City Commission with two new members and a new vice mayor decided Monday night to fire controversial City Attorney Roland Blossom.

The 4-3 vote to end Blossom's about $143,000-a-year contract came just months after most elected leaders gave him a vote of confidence during the summer and a 5 percent raise last fall.

After a brief but heated discussion, commissioners also decided to appoint former Assistant City Attorney George Trovato, who has been acting as Deltona's senior projects manager since Blossom suddenly dismissed him this year, as the interim city attorney.

New Vice Mayor Michael Carmolingo, who was among those who gave Blossom a vote of confidence in June after Mayor Dennis Mulder asked Blossom to resign, told his colleagues at the beginning of Monday's meeting he wanted to reopen the debate.

Mulder had been itching to get rid of Blossom, 62, who has been at the center of the city's largest controversies in recent months.

Deltona City Commission fires City Attorney Blossom in surprise move

The Deltona City Commission dropped a post-election bombshell Nov. 19, by firing its city attorney.

Three commissioners voted against the move, which had been placed on the meeting agenda at the last minute.

"We will continue to be the laughingstock of the county until we grow up," Commissioner Michele McFall-Conte said. She voted against dismissing City Attorney Roland Blossom.

But with two newly elected commissioners on board, there were four votes in favor of firing the city attorney and only three against.

One of those two newcomers, Paul Treusch, voted with Mayor Dennis Mulder, Vice Mayor Michael Carmolingo and Commissioner Janet Deyette to fire Blossom. Voting with McFall-Conte against the firing were commission newcomer Herb Zischkau and Zenaida Denizac.

Deltona City Commission Votes To Fire City Attorney

DELTONA, Fla. -- The fireworks flew in Deltona's City Commission meeting on Monday night. The city commissioners voted to fire City Attorney Roland Blossom. A motion to terminate Blossom was a last minute addition to the Commission's agenda.

A few months ago, Mayor Dennis Mulder asked Blossom to resign, which some commissioners thought was a violation of the city's charter.

"I call them a gang, 'the Mayor Mulder Gang.' They're up to their mischief," said David Santiago, a former Deltona City Commissioner.

Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder's biggest critic has resigned.

Jamie Jessup had vowed that once elections were over this month, he would stop focusing on Mulder's faults. He recently mailed a letter to Mulder and reporters saying he was resigning as Mulder's de-facto chief critic, a position to which he said the press and others had unofficially appointed him.

Jessup said he wants to focus on improving Deltona through service work and nonprofit groups.

Absences mar mayor's address

DELTONA -- The absence of three city commissioners Tuesday night marred what many thought was a positive state of the city address.

Commissioners Michele McFall-Conte, Zenaida Denizac and recently elected Herb Zischkau didn't attend Mayor Dennis Mulder annual address, drawing criticism from those residents who did.

Several called their absences "shameful."

"I am from District 2 and I want to know where my commissioner is," resident John Peterson said after the meeting. "This is the state of the city address, all the commissioners should be here."

Commissioner Janet Deyette said she thought about not attending because of her meeting schedule, but changed her mind.

"It would have been an insult," she said.

Also attending the address were Commissioners Michael Carmolingo and recently elected Paul Treusch.

For many, the commissioners' absence was another sign of discord among the seven commission members.

Zischkau defeats Gable in Deltona

In a sometimes caustic race, Herb Zischkau defeated Ed Gable for Deltona's District 2 seat, upsetting Mayor Dennis Mulder's chance to get a mandate on the commission for some of his projects like getting a city-run police force on the ballot.

Zischkau, who won with 57 percent of the vote in unofficial results, said the voters agreed with his message of "jobs first, not apartments and lower taxes now."

Deltona election could bring major changes

Voters in Deltona's District 2 should take note: Next Tuesday's election is about much more than the two City Commission candidates, Ed Gable and Herb Zischkau.

The winner could hold the key to several major initiatives that have stalled or were recently defeated by a narrowly divided seven-member commission.

Mayor Dennis Mulder says a vote for Gable, a former police officer, gives him the green light to keep some of his 2005 campaign promises, like redevelopment of blighted areas. 

Internet plays into West Volusia politicking

DELTONA -- Forget pamphlets and talk radio. The best candidate-blasting, innuendo-dropping and detailed information of this year's municipal elections can be found on the Internet.

On sites like www.deltonabonafide.com, which has posted videos of Deltona debates, to www.debarypop.com, a Web site run by DeBary watchdogs, political junkies can dig into the nuances of the 2007 election season.

But the problem with the Internet is that rumors spread easily without proof to back them up, said Jeff "Gus" Ensminger, who runs deltonabonafide.com and regularly contributes to political forums on www.deltonainfo.org.

Politically contentious Deltona has seen its share of Web mudslinging, but other West Volusia cities try to steer clear.

In DeLand, apart from the occasional e-mail sent to supporters, campaigners have kept off the Web. They have been doing things the old-fashioned way: sending mailers, walking the streets and participating in candidate forums.

"Venom" at Deltona City Hall

Deltona commissioners accused a handful of residents of "spewing venom and spreading lies" at the beginning of Monday's commission meeting.

Resident Patrick Perger got up to speak during the city's public forum for items involving city business but not on the agenda. He began by criticizing the commission for giving money to the Volusia County Hispanic Association.

"There's an ongoing investigation into the Volusia County Hispanic Association," Perger said. "(The commission) provided funds (to the association) under false pretenses."

But his diatribe eventually meandered into harsh words directed toward Commissioners David Santiago and Zenaida Denizac.

Denizac and Santiago urged Mayor Dennis Mulder to make him stop, but a back and forth continued, though Mulder told him multiple times to speak only regarding the city's business.

After Perger sat down, both Santiago and Denizac asked to speak.

"People are spewing venom and spreading lies," Santiago said

Residents quiz candidates for Deltona commission

DELTONA -- Candidates running for City Commission seats in Districts 2 and 4 of Volusia County's largest and youngest city said fingerpointing, police and a sex offender ordinance could change if some of them are elected.

A debate among all six commission candidates took place Saturday night at the Deltona Civic Association on Lakeshore Drive. Public safety and economic development stole most of the show, but recent controversy with the Thornby property and the city's strict sex offender ordinance also surfaced among questions from the audience.

Both of Mayor Dennis Mulder's picks, Treusch and Gable, were the only two to speak in favor of bringing the 40-acre Thornby property back for consideration as a city park. If each was elected, the vote would swing in favor of Mulder's desire to purchase the property.

In a similar divisive issue of Mulder's -- asking voters to decide whether they prefer contracting with the Sheriff's Office or a city-run police force -- Schleicher prefers neighborhood watch programs and Zischkau simply wants more police on the streets, while the rest favor looking further into a city-run force.

Did closed discussion in Deltona break law?

Experts say city talk on its sex-offender rule probably defied state open-meeting statutes.

In recent months, Deltona has earned a reputation for getting tough on sex offenders by wielding its get-out-of-town rule.

But in a private discussion that may have skirted state open-meeting laws, most city commissioners agreed that the rule -- an ordinance that essentially bans offenders from moving into Metro Orlando's second-biggest city -- should be scaled back.

That discussion should have been held in public, according to experts who found other problems this week when they reviewed a transcript of the closed-door meeting commissioners held June 21.

Experts interviewed by the Orlando Sentinel also questioned whether commissioners violated the law by directing their attorney to drop a case against a sex offender while meeting in private.

Under a limited exemption in Florida's otherwise strict open-meeting laws, elected officials are allowed to hold closed-door meetings to discuss pending litigation and union negotiations.

Blossom, whose personal policy is not to speak to reporters, could not be reached for comment. Neither could Mayor Dennis Mulder, who has been critical of Blossom.
 

Deltona resident files campaign reporting complaint

A Deltona resident filed a complaint with the Florida Elections Commission claiming irregularities in District 2 city commission candidate Herb Zischkau's campaign finance report for July 1 to Aug. 31.

The complaint by Gehring, a political supporter of Mayor Dennis Mulder, contains a long list of findings but does not specify violations of specific campaign finance reporting statutes. The Florida Elections Commission does not require citing the specific laws.

Vote could bring big changes to Deltona

Some candidates for the 2 open seats say they have differences with the mayor.

Candidates Ed Gable and Paul Treusch, retirees with military backgrounds running for District 2 and 4 respectively, say they are good picks for residents looking for leaders supportive of the mayor.

Mayor Dennis Mulder, who easily won his seat in 2005, has been on the losing end of key votes recently.

Battle of the bucks

Looks as if the District 2 City Commission race in Deltona is going to be a war of sorts, and some of the community's most active members have clearly taken sides.

While Mayor Dennis Mulder rallies support for his favorite candidate, Ed Gable, Mulder's biggest critics are helping Herb Zischkau.

Mulder, his family and friends have donated thousands to Gable.

Political activist Jamie Jessup, a fixture at commission meetings, and his wife, Emily, donated a combined $1,000 to Zischkau, according to the most recent campaign finance report. Jessup's mother donated brownies, napkins and party supplies -- $50 worth.

Computer guru Jeff Ensminger, who reported Mulder for election violations two years ago and is known for his intense scrutiny of public records, donated some Web page work, a $252 value.

All signs point to campaign time in Deltona

DELTONA -- Signs are being stolen all over town. Fingers are pointing at campaign finance reports. Elected officials are choosing their favorites and meddling in debates.

Oh yes. Silly season, that heated and tumultuous time before the primary election, has most definitely begun in Deltona.

The race in District 2 seems to have drawn partisan and heated interest from the community, while District 4 remains relatively tame.

Mayor Dennis Mulder said Zischkau's campaign finance report is full of "the people that tried to tear me down since the first day I came in." Mulder is actively supporting Gable, knocking on doors and donating $500 to him.

"Five hundred dollars doesn't buy an elected official, especially one with integrity," Mulder said. "At the end of the day all I want is a chance to keep my promises. I'd hate to be a liar at the end of four years."

But Jamie Jessup, treasurer for Zischkau, said residents should be aware of Mulder's policies, like plans to put 2,000 apartments in the Activity Center as part of a walkable business and living community.

"If you like the missteps, along with the good things Mulder's done, you should vote for Ed Gable," Jessup said. "If you want an independent guy, vote for Herb."

Mayor funds 2 candidates

Dennis Mulder, his wife and allies give cash support to like-minded Deltona City Commission hopefuls.

Mayor Dennis Mulder is helping finance the campaigns of two City Commission candidates he hopes will help him take over political leadership of Metro Orlando's second-biggest city.

New finance reports show that Mulder, his wife and close political chums together have donated thousands of dollars to the campaigns of the two men, retirees and political newcomers who say they like what the 29-year-old mayor stands for.

Mulder has been on the losing side of several key votes this year. Major issues he pushed -- the creation of a city police department, firing the city attorney and buying the Thornby property -- have flopped.

They likely would have easily won approval had candidates and longtime Deltona residents Paul Treusch and Ed Gable been on the seven-member commission.

Mulder's critics argue that he essentially is trying to buy the elections by shelling out $500 each to his two favored candidates, the maximum allowed by law. His wife, Heather Mulder, donated $500 to each, according to the most recent campaign-finance reports.

Deltona can applaud vote to end Thornby pursuit

Jamie Jessup

Congratulations are in order to the five commissioners from Deltona who decided to side with the taxpayers with their vote to stop pursuing the purchase of the Thornby property. They decided to safeguard the monies we need for improving law enforcement, jobs and economic development.

Unfortunately, we cannot extend those kudos to Mayor Dennis Mulder and Commissioner Janet Deyette. They were unable and unwilling to fight for the residents of this city. They sided with the special interests who live outside our city who contributed heavily to their campaigns.

"Chief critic" of Mulder resigns

In a letter to the press and to Mayor Dennis Mulder, Deltona political activist Jamie Jessup announced today "I hereby resign" as the press-appointed "de facto chief critic" of Mulder. 

13 West Volusia seats draw challengers as election qualifying closes

Four unopposed candidates were automatically elected, but 13 other seats have drawn challengers for fall elections in five West Volusia cities.

Qualifying officially ended Thursday afternoon, and the politician with the most to win or lose might be one whose seat isn't up for grabs -- Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder.

Mulder was elected in 2005 but has been on the losing end of votes on the seven-member commission over many of his biggest proposals. His bids to put creation of a city police force on the ballot, fire the city attorney, and purchase the 40-acre Thornby property for preservation and recreation were all defeated in recent months.

Mulder's fortunes could change if two candidates he has supported with $500 donations win. Ed Gable, who is running for commissioner in District 2, and Paul Treusch, candidate in District 4, "seem to support my vision for the city," Mulder said Thursday. Still, Treusch and Gable will have to survive three-way primary battles on Oct. 9.

Incumbent Mike Carmolingo, a sometime supporter of Mulder's ideas, won another four-year term in District 6 when no one else qualified. District 5 Commissioner Janet Deyette, who frequently votes with Mulder, doesn't face re-election until 2009.

Deltona officials opt not to buy Thornby property

The decision ends years of debate over land that came with too many uncertainties, they say.

DELTONA - After years of debate, including heated meetings in recent months, Deltona city commissioners decided late Tuesday that they don't have the money or the need to buy the controversial Thornby property.

The much-anticipated discussion was the first since a crowded public forum last month that residents had demanded.

Several commissioners argued that they could not support buying the land, 40 acres overlooking Lake Monroe that the city had eyed for a park, because there are too many unknowns.

The city had no idea how much it would have to pay for the property. Two appraisals this year gave widely different estimates -- $2 million and $5 million -- for its value.

Some elected leaders expressed concern about spending money at a time when governments' financial futures are uncertain. The state is working to reform its property-tax system, and Deltona stands to lose millions of dollars.

The final vote was 5-2 to stop pursuing the land. Mayor Dennis Mulder and Commissioner Janet Deyette opposed the move.

Deltona drops mayor's land buy issue

DELTONA -- Commissioner David Santiago wanted to let residents know once and for all whether a 13-acre lakefront parcel on Outrigger Drive would ever become a park.

But a majority of the board decided Monday to "put the issue to rest" by voting 4-2, with Mayor Dennis Mulder abstaining, to do nothing about the land. Santiago and Commissioner Zenaida Denizac voted no.

The Deltona Youth Soccer Club owned the land until last year, and some say the club offered the land to the city in 1999 in exchange for use of Dewey Boster Park.

In August 2006, Mulder formed a corporation to purchase the property for $250,000 with his wife and Jayne Vance, wife of Charlie Vance, who contributed to his campaign and helps run the soccer club. The mayor had said he planned to build a "smart growth" pilot project there.

Law student, Deltona mayor learn from internship

DELTONA -- The political heat in Volusia County's largest city simmers as hot as the mid-August sun, but that doesn't scare Elizabeth Nicolas.

As the 24-year-old law student finishes up her internship shadowing Mayor Dennis Mulder this summer, she has become more enthused about getting involved in politics.

Really.

Nicolas, who just finished her first year at Drexel University in Philadelphia, became interested in the workings of local governments when she worked with the poor at a Philadelphia shelter and food bank. One issue that caught her eye was how funding for schools in the state was based on the tax base -- so the poor had worse schools, thanks to laws they couldn't control.

She isn't sure what type of lawyer she wants to be -- when asked, she says, "A good one."

But someday, maybe 10 or 15 years from now, she wants to get into politics.

"In my wildest dreams, I'd like to be a policymaker that can affect change for the better," said Nicolas.

Staying at her parents' home in Lake Mary, she e-mailed the mayor of that city and Mulder in nearby Deltona, asking if either would be interested in an intern. Mulder was intrigued.

"He asked me, 'Are you a conservative?' and I said, 'No, I'm Christian, but not conservative.' Right then, I knew I liked him," she said. "He hired me on the spot."

Deltona meeting quarrels delay progress

DELTONA -- Can it get any uglier at Deltona City Hall than Monday night's regular meeting?

Commissioners hope the behavior will improve, but residents who were at the meeting said Tuesday they are tired of the bickering and finger-pointing among their elected officials.

Some are also frustrated the commission seems to be having a hard time lately getting things done. On Monday, action on a teen curfew ordinance was delayed. That followed recent delays on credit-card and travel policy, a rental property ordinance and a business tax license.

This week's squabble began as the commission discussed possibly adopting the state's model 11 p.m. weekday curfew for youths under 16.

Commissioner Zenaida Denizac suddenly said she was fed up that Commissioner Mike Carmolingo was taking credit for the curfew policy and for accusing her of "turning him in" for collecting reimbursements for his mileage between his home and City Hall.

"You have the tendency of accusing me and mumbling things, and I don't appreciate them," she said at the meeting. "There's a side of you people cannot see."

Petition seeks to put police question on Deltona ballot

DELTONA -- Wearing a coral-colored shirt and designer sunglasses, David Riffle approached Carmen Arroyo at her family member's home Tuesday like a seasoned politician out to campaign.

But Riffle is no politico. The retired Deltona resident is on a mission to let voters decide who polices them, recruiting others from throughout Deltona to knock on doors and get signatures for his petition.

By a narrow 4-3 vote, the City Commission on June 26 shot down a proposal to study whether a police department would be economically feasible. A yes answer to that question could have brought the option before city voters.

However, some residents have not given up their demand to put the issue on the ballot.

Again and again, supporters of the idea bring it up at regular meetings, like one July 2.

And with one of the opponents on the commission, Vice Mayor Bill Harvey, unable to seek re-election, the commission could soon have a majority that favors letting voters decide.

Two announced candidates for Harvey's seat, Paul Treusch and Melissa Stalzer, have said they support looking further into the issue.

Ed Gable, an announced candidate for the seat now held by police department opponent David Santiago, has made getting the question on the ballot a major part of his campaign. The seat has drawn two other declared candidates -- Herb Zischkau and Dr. Ed Miller -- but Santiago has not yet announced whether he'll seek re-election.

Gable, a former police officer from the Pittsburgh area, rode a tricycle adorned with the slogan, "Pedaling for the People" as Riffle canvassed Elkcam Boulevard.

Deltona officials raise funds to help the homeless

DELTONA -- As Mayor Dennis Mulder scurried around Beef 'O' Brady's Monday evening, checking on each table he had served a drink or dinner, residents Barbara Willey and Peggy Fisher poked fun at the rookie waiter.

"You've got to learn how to pour beer, Dennis," Willey said.

"We had to school him. He spilled all over the table and filled half her glass with head," added Peggy Fisher.

Deltona moves on

 City Attorney Roland Blossom gives the Deltona City Commission his undivided attention July 16, as commissioners vow to move on past a controversy involving him and Mayor Dennis Mulder. Mulder asked Blossom to resign, and other members of the commission criticized the mayor's request as a possible violation of the city charter. The Florida Attorney General's Office declined to render an opinion.

Finding themselves right back where they were a month ago in a flap involving the mayor and city attorney, the Deltona City Commission vowed to put the matter behind them — but not before rehashing it in a few thousand words.

Last month, commissioners asked the Florida Attorney General's Office to rule whether Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder violated the city charter when he asked City Attorney Roland Blossom to resign. The Attorney General's Office declined to do so.

Mulder had been upset because, during testimony in a court case, Blossom told the judge he had advised the City Commission against a law they passed, which tightens restrictions on sex offenders.

Farmer's market on Deltona's horizon

DELTONA -- Browsing through fresh fruits and vegetables at the farmer's market on City Island in Daytona Beach is a fond childhood memory of Commissioner Michele McFall-Conte.

"The fresh vegetables in a grocery store don't compare," she said.

Soon, she may not have to go beyond Deltona to find the piles of locally-grown tomatoes, free-range eggs, corn and melons. Deltona commissioners decided by consensus at a July 11 workshop to move forward with their own Farmer's Market.

Mayor's memo riles Deltona commission

DELTONA -- With a cry from Vice Mayor Bill Harvey to "shut up and move on," the City Commission agreed Monday night to drop the issue of whether Mayor Dennis Mulder violated the City Charter by requesting the city attorney's resignation in a memo.

But before Harvey could end the discussion, commissioners again argued about votes of confidence for City Attorney Roland Blossom and a question of a possibly illegal action by a commissioner.

Deltona mayor defends request for attorney to resign

DELTONA -- The state attorney general does not have the authority to rule whether Mayor Dennis Mulder violated the city charter by requesting the city attorney's resignation in a memo, according to a letter received by the city.

Deltona Police Department: ‘It’s looming’

“No matter how you feel about it, it’s looming,” said Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder referring to the question of whether or not Deltona should have its own police department.

Many people have asked why a city the size of Deltona doesn’t have its own department. “It’s a conversation I put on the table,” Mulder said.

Hefty tax bill could land in mayor's mail

What was already an embarrassing situation just got worse for Deltona's 28-year-old mayor.

First, Dennis Mulder forgot to file for a homestead exemption after moving into a new house.

Then, the property appraiser took another look at the value of his expansive, lakefront abode on 2 1/2 acres.

The result: The value has jumped several times in a year.

Within the past two weeks -- in the midst of a market slowdown -- the value spiked again. So did his tax bill.

He faces a $13,000 tax bill on a house now valued at $731,097. It's the fourth most expensive home in Deltona.

Deltona officials scrap proposal for police force

DELTONA -- A push to let voters in Volusia County's largest city decide whether they prefer a city-run police force died Tuesday at a workshop.

By consensus, a majority of the commission decided 4-3 they were satisfied with their contracted service with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office and did not want to pay $30,000 to $60,000 for a study evaluating what's good and bad about current public safety in the city.

The decision came down to Vice Mayor Bill Harvey, who said there could be improvement with the Sheriff's Office, but did not find a study necessary.

"No job is so good that it can't stand improvement," said Harvey, who would rather produce a public education program to show residents what the Sheriff's Office provides for the $7 million residents pay.

Mayor Dennis Mulder first brought up a city-run police force at a June 4 meeting, maintaining a city-run force would be more personal and not cost much more than what Deltona pays now. Along with asking for the city attorney's resignation, this is the second Mulder-generated issue the city has shot down in a week.

"What you've seen (in the decisions) is the relationships with the attorney and the relationships with the Sheriff's Department," Mulder said after the meeting. "I just can't understand why the commission would have a problem with the people deciding whether we should have our own police department or not."

Deltona officials stick with Volusia sheriff rather than own police force

A majority of City Commissioners decided Tuesday they want to keep or upgrade their contract with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, meaning a push for a new police force is going nowhere for now.

Elected leaders gathered for a workshop to debate hiring a consultant to research whether the city could provide the same or better law enforcement for the city's 85,000 people than the Volusia County Sheriff's Office. But most said they were either satisfied with the current program or wanted to simply add deputies and make other improvements to the service already offered by the sheriff.

Mayor Dennis Mulder re-introduced the idea of a city police department during a recent commission meeting. It's an issue with which the city has wrestled a few times over the past decade.

Deltona Commissioners Question Mayor's Actions

Deltona's Mayor Dennis Mulder is under fire for calling for the city attorney's resignation and his actions could lead to an investigation from the state.

City commission members sent a letter to Attorney General Bill McCollum Monday.

They're asking McCollum to look into whether Mulder's actions were appropriate when he called a special meeting to ask for the City Attorney's resignation.

Some commissioners said they believe that action violated the city charter.

Commissioners bypass mayor's call for city attorney to resign

DELTONA -- A call by the mayor to fire City Attorney Roland Blossom backfired Saturday when the city commissioners approved Blossom's performance in a 5-2 vote.

Deltona attorney debate puts mayor in hot seat

Mayor Dennis Mulder opened a special meeting with his fellow city commissioners Saturday expecting to debate whether the city attorney should resign.

But his plan to call for City Attorney Roland Blossom's termination backfired. Not only did commissioners give Blossom a vote of confidence, they decided to investigate Mulder.

Deltona Mayor's Resignation Request Sparks Controversy

Florida Attorney General To Investigate Matter

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. -- Some Deltona commissioners are angry over a memo fired off by the Deltona mayor Friday asking for the city's lawyer to resign, saying the mayor had no right to ask for the resignation.

Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder said city attorney Roland Blossom should resign from his job because the mayor said he feels that Blossom did not properly represent the city.

During a recent hearing involving the legality of the Deltona's sex offender ordinance, the city attorney told a judge that he advised the city commission against passing the ordinance that he was supposed to be defending.

"The mayor feels the statement undermined the city, so he fired off the (resignation) memo," Local 6's Mike DeForest said. "But some city commissioners believe it was the mayor who was out of line."

Some think the mayor had no legal authority to unilaterally ask for the resignation and by doing so, the city might have to give the attorney severance pay and (it may have) opened up the city to a lawsuit, DeForest reported.

Deltona's mayor requests resignation of city attorney

In a memo, Roland Blossom is accused of exposing the city to ongoing 'liability.'

DELTONA - City commissioners will gather for what is sure to be an emotional meeting today to discuss a memo Mayor Dennis Mulder fired off Friday asking Deltona's lawyer to resign immediately.

Mayor urges attorney's ouster

Blossom said sex-offender law was passed against his advice

DELTONA -- Mayor Dennis Mulder demanded City Attorney Roland Blossom resign Friday, saying recent statements Blossom made leaves the city liable to be sued over its sex-offender policy.

Setting up its own police dept

As Deltona enters its 2007 election cycle — when voters will choose three members of the City Commission — some city leaders and citizens are already looking ahead to the 2008 election and a possible ballot question about whether the city should have its own police force.

More than a decade after Deltona became a city, it still relies on the Volusia County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement. Not everyone, however, is pleased with the status quo.

"We need 24/7 protection, not part-time protection between 8 and 4:30," George Gehring told the City Commission recently.

Gehring said deputies too often do not respond quickly to calls from Deltona crime victims. He urged the commission to slate a referendum on whether the city should establish its own full-service police department.

"Let the public vote on it," he said. "If they don't want it, they'll vote no. ... If they don't vote on it, then the adults in this city had better get some guns."

Mayor Dennis Mulder is leaning toward a citywide vote on whether the Sheriff's Office or Deltona should be responsible for public safety in the city.

"There is the sense of the commission that it not be rushed," Mulder said. "'08 is probably the time, the presidential election."

Mayor 'forgets' to file for tax cut

Deltona's Dennis Mulder passes up $25,000 homestead exemption

Some homeowners across Florida are screaming for additional property-tax relief. But Deltona's mayor hasn't even taken the tax cut he's already entitled to under existing laws.

Dennis Mulder drives luxury cars, wears Armani and paid an extra $465 in taxes last year because he forgot to claim a homestead exemption on his spacious house overlooking Lake McGarity.

"I keep saying 'I'm going to do it,' " Mulder said. "Every time I think of it, I forget right away."

OPINION READER VIEWS

Police 'study' not needed

The debate about whether Deltona should have its own police force has come to the forefront again. At a recent city meeting, the main concern of the residents was public safety.
 

Deltona PD? City hasn't made case for its own police department

Seven years ago, Deltona city officials thought about starting their own police department, then thought better of it. The city's public safety contract with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, which was providing 50 deputies to police Deltona, was working well and inexpensively. At $3.9 million at the time, it was less than a third the cost of police department budgets for cities of Deltona's size. What has changed since for some Deltona city commissioners to talk again about starting a city-run police department?

Sheriff: Deltona-run policing costs more than city thinks

DELTONA -- Creating a city-run police force will only cost residents an extra $2 million over the $7 million sheriff's services costs them annually.

That's what Mayor Dennis Mulder said at a Monday night City Commission meeting. Fat chance, Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson replied Tuesday.

Protesters gain victory of sorts: Deltona OKs 1,000 fewer homes

DELTONA -- Numerous residents say they don't want apartments built in an area earmarked for commercial development, but elected officials decided Monday to allow them anyway.

City commissioners agreed to a compromise, though: Instead of allowing as many as 3,000 multifamily units -- apartments, condos or town houses -- they approved 2,000.

The vote was 4-3 in favor of changing a long-standing plan that would have developed about 900 acres near Interstate 4 into a commercial hub.

Mayor Dennis Mulder said he did not support the change at first, but he knew it would help jump-start the area known as the "activity center" by providing customers for stores and restaurants.

"I'm not going to slow this up," Mulder said. "Slowing the activity center up would be, in my opinion, the most irresponsible thing the commission could do."

Deltona again debates if it can police its own streets

DELTONA -- City commissioners are fairly divided on whether they want voters to decide on creating a full-service city police department.

A telephone poll conducted Thursday revealed that two commissioners and the mayor support putting the issue on a November ballot; two commissioners are against, one is undecided and the vice mayor wants more information before he decides. Currently, Deltona contracts with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office for $7.3 million, which includes 68 sworn officers, four staff and equipment.

A police force for the city with 85,000 people has come up before, in 1998 and 1999. However, though it's often talked about, no feasibility study has ever been done, City Manager Steve Thompson said.

Mayor Dennis Mulder hopes to bring the issue before the City Commission sometime this month because the argument that it would cost Deltona more to provide the service is a "myth," he said.

"It's right up there with Jack and the Beanstalk and the leprechauns," Mulder said. "We have the best Fire Department in Central Florida, so we have a proven track record that we can be successful in public safety."

Deltona seeks path to redevelopment

But can vacant forest land truly be considered blighted, some ask?

DELTONA -- On one end of this sprawling bedroom community is a tired boulevard lined with aging shopping centers.

On the other end is a 900-acre tract of sand pines, mostly untouched by development.

But officials in this city think they might have something in common: blight.

The county's resistance rankles elected leaders in Deltona, a city that already has strained relations with county government.

Mayor Dennis Mulder said county officials have vowed in recent years to support Deltona's efforts. He also wants the city to pursue a CRA for part of busy Saxon Boulevard.

"Deltona has very specific needs and they're commercial needs, they're economic needs," he said.

"I think the County Council, they know what our economic needs are. They need to support it, and I will push them to support it."

Alas, Mulder to keep hair

Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder vowed he would shave his head if the community raised $100,000 for the American Cancer Society this month.

He gets to keep his hair, unfortunately. A recent fundraiser generated only half that amount.

But Mulder said folks still can bring checks to City Hall to help the family of 5-year-old Dakota Rayne Clancy, who was the inspiration for this year's Relay For Life race. Make checks out to the Dakota Rayne Family Fund.

Who will patrol Deltona?
City considers its own crime-fighting force

DELTONA -- Several elected leaders want this city to take up soon the on-again, off-again debate over whether metro Orlando's second-biggest city should have its own police department.

Mayor Dennis Mulder wants Deltona residents to decide this fall through a public referendum whether to forgo a contract with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office in favor of what he said may be more personalized service.

Commissioners Janet Deyette and Michael Carmolingo support the idea. The city pays the Sheriff's Office $7 million a year to fight crime and patrol streets in this growing bedroom community of about 85,000. Some officials are concerned that while reported crime is down slightly, fewer cases are being solved.
 

Web chat gets wild & woolly

Deltona-centered sites see no dearth of squabbling

DELTONA -- Here a sample of what you'll find by logging on to one of the many Web sites dedicated to life in Metro Orlando's second-biggest city:

A political cartoon showing officials on a wanted poster.

A gadfly's face pasted onto the half-naked body of a dancing male stripper.

A thread of chatter about the mayor's possible flatulence problem.

Static in Deltona

Officials' private phones shouldn't hide public responsibility

The minutiae of open-government laws in Florida can fill a book. The principle doesn't need to. What government officials do in their official capacity -- as mayors, as school board members, as city or county managers, and on down the line of government employees -- is the public's business. Some exceptions aside, every record generated in that capacity is a public record open to inspection. That doesn't mean government workers must drop everything they're doing to honor every request immediately. Reasonable time and costs may apply, although a records request shouldn't be scuttled by unreasonably making it so costly as to make it impossible for the average constituent to afford the charges.

That, however, was the result of Deltona resident Jeff Ensminger's request for the cell-phone records of Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder and Commissioners Michael Carmolingo and Janet Deyette.

Residents demand answers on Deltona land-use change

DELTONA -- Dave Schwartz stood outside City Hall with signs and petitions warning of the 3,000 homes that might be coming to a neighborhood near him.

"If you don't want more houses, you don't want more traffic, sign your name and address," said Schwartz, standing behind a card table with about 50 signatures gathered.

A vote to change industrial land use in the planned economic engine known as the Activity Center to multi-use residential was tabled Monday night until May 24 at 7 p.m. to allow public input from upset homeowners in Deltona.

The residents at Monday's meeting demanded to know why a City Commission vote slipped through after midnight April 16 to approve the change in a section of the city's 900-acre property at Graves Avenue and Howland Boulevard.

Deltona backtracks on housing project

Public outcry forces city commissioners to table a plan to allow up to 3,000 multifamily units that they earlier OK'd.

DELTONA -- In the wake of a public outcry, city commissioners decided Monday night to hold off deciding whether to allow as many as 3,000 apartments or condominiums to be built in areas near Interstate 4 earmarked for commercial development.

Cost trims request for Deltona officials' phone records

DELTONA -- Government watchdog Jeff Ensminger wanted to know who three elected officials were talking to about city business on their cell phones.

After making a public record request to view four months of cell phone bills for Mayor Dennis Mulder and Commissioners Michael Carmolingo and Janet Deyette, Ensminger was shocked when the city clerk estimated it could cost him $1,200 just to see Mulder's bills.

Slings, arrows define Deltona politics

DELTONA -- More mudslinging than a Bike Week wrestling pit. More partisan attacks than a PETA representative at a cattle farmers convention. More . . .

You get the hint.

Politics in Volusia County's largest -- and youngest -- city are so heated, so divided that records requests, ethics violations and even Internet posts of decades-old criminal records are common ammo in what has become a nonstop factional war.

Combatants have picked sides. Residents Bob Bello and Bill Tavernier aim daggers at Commissioners David Santiago and Zenaida Denizac. Jeff Ensminger and Jamie Jessup shoot arrows at Mayor Dennis Mulder and Commissioners Janet Deyette and Michael Carmolingo.

Deltona supersizes its vote, backing 3,000 housing units

DELTONA -- City leaders voted early Tuesday morning to allow 3,000 apartments or condominiums in an industrial and commercial area, just an hour after those same leaders rejected a developer's request for 96 apartments just a quarter of a mile away.

The preliminary vote sets the stage for an enormous increase in the city's multifamily housing inventory, if the change survives a second public hearing on May 7.

But the vote left city Commissioner David Santiago befuddled.

"It was mind-boggling to me to see some of my peers be hypocrites," said Santiago, who couldn't vote on the 96-unit apartment proposal because he is the real-estate agent representing the sellers of the property.

 Did Mulder smolder over 'moulder' gaffe?

Since he's taken office, Gov. Charlie Crist has gotten rave reviews from both Republicans and Democrats.

But a recent letter Crist sent to Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder, who is a Democrat, may have ruffled the mayor's feathers.

In the March 14 letter, Crist thanked Mulder for meeting with him when the governor came to town to sign the Anti-Murder Act.

But although the letter was sent to Deltona City Hall, it says "it was a pleasure visiting you recently in Tampa!"

And the letter was sent to "The Honorable Dennis Moulder."

What would bald Dennis Mulder look like?

Help cancer society and you could find out

Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder is a man who takes care of his looks, which is why his contribution to the American Cancer Society is such a big deal.

The 28-year-old announced in a city newsletter this month that if the community raises $100,000 through the Relay For Life fundraiser in May, he'll shave off his well-gelled locks.

He says he's looking forward to it -- even if he ends up looking silly.

"I have to tell you, I've never had a bald head. I will be a very unattractive bald man," he said. "But it really is a good cause."

We'll have the camera ready!

Nice, but cheap, duds

Speaking of appearances, Mulder says he'd like to see an upscale outlet mall open in town. The city hired a consultant earlier this year to see whether Deltona would be a good spot.

He'd like high-end stores such as Armani to open there so he doesn't have to drive to Orlando.

"I have a whole closet of Armani T-shirts for $10," he said. "I wear nice things, but I don't like to pay [a lot of money]."

Deltona's new fire chief comes with controversy

DELTONA -- A new fire chief was chosen for his emergency management skills and experience setting up diversity programs, but some wondered Thursday whether a major blemish in his career was overlooked.

William "Bill" Godfrey, 41, resigned as a division chief with Orange County's Fire Rescue Department in May last year after an investigation concluded he used county property for personal profit.

But Commissioner Michele McFall-Conte and Mayor Dennis Mulder are giving Thompson's choice some time.

"After talking to Steve I feel really comfortable; I don't think we have to worry about this being repeated," Mulder said. "I think Steve did the right thing and hired the most qualified person for the job, but if something comes up, I've seen Steve handle those things, too."

MULDER DOWNSIZING DIGS

Deltona mayor selling oversized home to build a sleeker, greener place in town

The young Deltona mayor known at times for flashy suits, fancy cars and spiky hair is looking to move into a more suitable home.

Dennis Mulder has put his house up for sale, saying he and his wife want to trade their 3,700-square-foot lakefront home for an ultramodern house elsewhere in the city, he said Thursday.

"Everything that I buy is an investment," Mulder said. "I bought the house as a $600,000 fixer-upper. I had some projects to do and I did them."

The Mulders are asking $899,000 for the four-bedroom, four-bath house on Page Court. The house on Lake McGarity has a five-car garage, a sun deck that wraps around back, vaulted ceilings, wood flooring and a hot tub.

Mulder conceded the price tag on his current house may seem steep for the area, but he said there may be some takers from the Orlando area, where his asking price is less likely to produce sticker shock.

Deltona may order inspection of rentals

Problem homes would be checked more under an ordinance close to final OK.

DELTONA -- Complaints about run-down rental homes have city officials pressing ahead with an unusual ordinance that would allow the city to periodically inspect the houses.

City officials have long blamed some of the city's problems on renters and absentee landlords. They worry that people who don't own homes take less pride in their neighborhoods than owners. The city estimates that about 3,200 of the city's 35,000 homes are rental properties.

Monday night, the City Commission gave initial approval to an ordinance that would require landlords to pay a $30 fee each year to rent their properties and allow city inspectors to check them.

Deltona may tidy up rental property

DELTONA -- Renters dumping old couches on the curb are sights this city hopes to no longer see.

Tonight, the City Commission plans to vote on a rental property maintenance program intended to force cleanup of rental homes with biyearly inspections, and track the whereabouts of property owners.

To fund the program, owners of rental homes would pay $30 per unit plus business license taxes, which every city in the county pays except for DeBary and Deltona. With about 3,200 rental homes in Volusia County's largest city, the $30 maintenance program fee would generate about $112,000, said City Manager Steve Thompson.

However, Mayor Dennis Mulder said the new law is not intended to punish property owners who keep tabs on the state of their tenants. It's for repeat offenders whom the city has difficulty contacting.

"We have people that own 60 or 70 properties and don't even live in this country," Mulder said. "The city will be noticeably better-looking a year from now."

State's 'Government-in-the-Sunshine' laws are nice but be ready to pay

Want to see what's in the inboxes of DeLand's city officials? Be prepared to shell out some serious cash or suffer through technology hassles.

In honor of "Sunshine Week," when Florida newspapers highlight the importance of "Government-in-the-Sunshine" laws, Pulse recently asked for a bunch of public records.

We asked for a week's worth of e-mails for Mayor Bob Apgar and City Manager Mike Abels and got an estimate for $200 for printing costs.

The city offered to copy the e-mails to a DVD, but that requires having a computer with both a DVD player and Outlook 97 -- not to mention the patience to navigate 11 pages of accompanying instructions.

Open and accessible? You decide.

E-mail discrepancies?

Speaking of e-mail, Deltona activist Jeff Ensminger has his own electronic-message woes.

Ensminger is on a quest to get all e-mails sent to and from Mayor Dennis Mulder in February 2006. It should be a simple enough request, but Ensminger says he doesn't feel as though he's getting every e-mail. He said he's made the same request seven times, and gets a different number of documents every time.

State ethics panel tosses complaint about Mulder

The Florida Commission on Ethics has thrown out a complaint against Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder that alleged he used his position to try to find space at a local school for his wife's tennis organization.

Commissioners agreed in a closed meeting March 2 that it was not unethical for Mulder to e-mail the Volusia County School Board's then-vice chairwoman, Vicki Bumpus, with such a request.

"While the e-mail to the Vice Chair states, 'I hope you will consider helping me on this one,' it contains no hint that official action in retaliation or reward may be forthcoming," says the order dismissing the case, signed by Commission Chairman Norman M. Ostrau and made public Wednesday.

Officials cleared of ethics charges

Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder has been cleared by the Florida ethics commission of allegations that he used his office for personal gain.

He was among several local officials -- including city commissioners and staff members from Daytona Beach, and South Daytona's manager -- cleared March 2 in separate investigations. The office released the findings Wednesday in Tallahassee.

Deltona Village may bring hustle, bustle to southwest

But the plans for the center call for shopping and service jobs instead of high-end firms.

About a decade ago, elected leaders hatched plans for transforming about 1,800 acres along Interstate 4 in southwest Volusia County into a version of Seminole County's Heathrow.

But the only development proposal to come forward after years of planning calls for more of what Volusia already has -- shopping and mostly service-wage jobs.

Instead of drawing big firms offering high-end salaries, the first piece of the Southwest Activity Center calls for a grocery store, car dealership, retail anchor, movie theater and other businesses on 150 acres in Deltona.

County Council member Pat Northey is frustrated the activity center hasn't attracted businesses offering high-paying jobs. But she is glad one area has been able to make progress.

"Any activity at the activity center at this point is good," said Northey, a veteran politician who was instrumental in helping develop the center's vision.

Nevertheless, Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder is excited about the new plans involving Deltona Village, describing it as a first step that will eventually bring the higher-paying jobs.

"When this development starts and the industrial [piece] starts . . . it will be one of those deals really that you couldn't stop it if you wanted to," Mulder said.

2 trips a year? Fine, says Deltona

City commissioners may solidify travel rules later

DELTONA -- At a retreat this weekend, commissioners took a look at their pricey travel habits and agreed that the current rule -- two trips per year -- still sounds like a good idea.

Though no new restrictions were put in place, and those two trips still won't need prior approval, officials do hope to see change: This time, the policy will actually be followed, they say.

A vote was not taken at the Saturday retreat or at Monday's first televised commission meeting, but Mayor Dennis Mulder said commissioners came to a consensus to allow one state and one out-of-state conference, or two state conferences, and require any additional travel to be approved before the public at a commission meeting.

OK, Deltona, you're on in 5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ...

The city is set to broadcast its meetings on live cable television -- warts and all. "

Costumes. Shouting matches. Profanity.

Deltona City Commission meetings are known around Volusia County for their Jerry Springer-esque antics.

And the craziness is about to be broadcast on live TV.

City leaders are worried gadflies and others will ratchet up the drama when the City Commission makes its debut on cable Monday.

Elected officials made changes last fall aimed at curbing arguments among themselves and those they represent by charging the mayor with keeping order. But the public arena for Central Florida's second-largest city still often is compared to a circus.

"We've had people referring to our City Commission as the greatest show on earth," said Commissioner David Santiago. "This is not an entertainment channel."

Tab for lost civic center: $858,000

That's what 3 cities paid toward the failed Partnership Center, DBCC officials say.

Even though the Partnership Center was never built, three southwest Volusia cities still ended up paying for some of it.

The $23 million meeting facility was killed last month when Deltona officials decided to pull out. Now three partners -- Orange City, DeBary and Deltona -- have lost $858,000 on the project, officials with Daytona Beach Community College, the center's leading partner, said Monday.

Those cities gave $6 million for the Orange City facility that was supposed to be built on 40-acre parcel on Veterans Memorial Parkway. They got back nearly $5.3 million, which includes interest, this month, but never saw the rest of the money, which was spent on design plans and construction managers.

Deltona delays action on credit cards

City Commission asks manager to see what other governments do

DELTONA -- After more than a week of criticizing how city-issued credit cards are used by elected leaders and employees, city commissioners Monday night stopped short of making any of the changes they said they wanted.

After bouncing around several ideas for tightening controls, the group ended up directing City Manager Steve Thompson to research the issue more. Commissioners said they want to know how elected officials elsewhere use credit cards.

Elected officials took up the issue after the Orlando Sentinel reported that employees had used city credit cards to buy meals, music, gift cards, movie rentals, jewelry and other items. Some failed to turn in required receipts or explain how such expenses were related to city business.

Thornby appraisal wins OK

Commissioners also plan to revise credit-card use

DELTONA -- Commissioners were both applauded and scolded Monday night for changing their minds about spending taxpayer dollars on the historical 40-acre site known as the Thornby property.

They also asked staff to tighten the city's credit card policy so elected officials are held strictly accountable for spending taxpayer dollars on meals or out-of-town expenses.

Resident Jeff Ensminger approached the podium with a boom box and played back the recordings of commissioners saying they would not spend tax dollars on what is currently priced as a $7 million property along Lakeshore Drive.

"I can't see us spending taxpayer money," Commissioner Mike Carmolingo said on the recording. Vice Mayor Bill Harvey and Mayor Dennis Mulder's statements about spending city money were also broadcast to the room.

Wanted for Deltona: A new home to foster arts, history and culture

Deltona Arts and Historical Center president Lloyd Marcus has a dream: to pay off and sell the center's modest home on Deltona Boulevard and use the proceeds to buy or build a cultural hub worthy of Volusia's most populous city.

While DeLand and Daytona Beach are rich with museums, galleries and concert halls, the center is the only of its kind in this sprawling residential community.

Pacing under the flickering fluorescent lights that illuminate a cramped multipurpose room, Marcus said a city the size of Deltona needs a larger, more upscale place for people to enjoy the arts.

"This community is growing by leaps and bounds," he said. "It's time for us to kick it up a notch."

Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder agreed. "It's just not an adequate facility," he said. "Right now they have a very, very small building."

If the city is able to buy the roughly 40-acre Thornby property on Lake Monroe, the center could be moved there, he said.

Deltona to look at card spending

DELTONA -- City commissioners, frustrated over reports that employees and elected leaders may have abused city-issued credit cards, have ordered the city to investigate.

At a workshop Monday evening, commissioners directed Deltona City Manager Steve Thompson to review credit-card statements and receipts and compile a report to be presented at a meeting Monday.

They also asked that the issue be placed on the commission's agenda for that meeting so it can be discussed at length.

Thompson has repeatedly defended the purchases, saying that anything considered a business expense is an acceptable charge. But he directed city administrators late last week to review financial documents. They were almost finished with that review Tuesday, Thompson said.

"Generally, the people using them have been following the rules," he said. "As we started looking into some of these issues that sounded so horrendous, we're finding the system works and is working well."

Thompson could not explain, however, why receipts are missing. Nor could he say why employees paid sales taxes but were not required to seek reimbursement.

"Yes, they made some mistakes on sales taxes," he said. "We can correct that from here forward and possibly recover some of that."

Mayor Dennis Mulder has said he plans to craft a new policy specifically for elected officials because they are not required to follow rules for city employees. He said he will present a draft at the Monday meeting.

Deltona seeks appraisal on Thornby property

DELTONA -- Three Senez Real Estate signs rest at the edges of the historic 40 acres by Lake Monroe known as the Thornby property, awaiting a city decision whether to go forward with plans to utilize and preserve the earthy site.

Once home to Indian mounds, the controversial property now hosts a bald eagle's nest, wetlands and the remnants of a pioneer family's estate.

But before Deltona continues to seek grants or pursue the project, which some hope to see used for eco-tourism, city commissioners want to know exactly how much it's going to cost them. The Volusia Forever Advisory Committee placed the land on its highest funding priority list in September, making it eligible for a matching grant of 25 percent or more.

"Yes, it's a good idea to save the property but I need a figure to sink my teeth into," said Vice Mayor Bill Harvey.

Out to lunch, on your dime

Deltona officials used publicly funded credit cards for about $87,000 a month last year.

DELTONA -- Officials dined at Hooters, spent $1,238 for a watch and ring, rang up charges at Blockbuster and ate at restaurants all over Central Florida -- all on Deltona taxpayers' dime.

Mayor Dennis Mulder, the city's six elected commissioners and 45 other employees with city-issued credit cards are charging about $87,000 monthly under an expense policy that appears to be more lenient and vague than those of other cities in the region, an Orlando Sentinel review has found.

City officials dined, charged

DELTONA -- Officials last year dined at Hooters, spent $1,238 for a watch and ring, charged at Blockbuster and ate at restaurants across Central Florida -- all on Deltona taxpayers' dime.

Mayor Dennis Mulder, the city's six elected commissioners and 45 other employees with city-issued credit cards are charging about $87,000 a month under an expense policy that appears to be more lenient and vague than other cities in the region, an Orlando Sentinel review has found.

Though most purchases appear routine, others include:

$175 for five employees to dine at Hooters restaurants in Jacksonville and Ocala.

$3,832 for flowers.

$2,393 for pizza.

$190 for a Margarita Man frozen-drink machine.

Most charges were made the same year officials were criticized for spending more than $4,500 to send 18 officials to a retreat at a four-star resort in Daytona Beach Shores.

"It sounds like spending is a little more lax than anyone would have ever imagined," said Mulder, who plans to raise the issue at the Feb. 19 City Commission meeting. Last year, his meal tab was $531.46.

Deltona officials' credit card spending questioned

DELTONA -- Deltona taxpayers paid close to $1 million in city credit card bills last year, and now the mayor and some commissioners want to take a closer look at spending guidelines.

The credit card purchases by elected officials and employees during the last fiscal year included: $1,200 spent in one day at Office Depot, a $563 gold watch for a departing commissioner, and a $575 gold ring for the former mayor.

City records also show that on multiple occasions, commissioners, employees and the city manager have paid for hotels and conference registrations on their card, staying at the best hotels, like the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., that Vice Mayor Bill Harvey stayed at in April for $1,158.

The city's credit card spending limit was increased from $500 to $1,000 per purchase in September. Restrictions such as no spending on airlines or hotels without a supervisor's approval remain in place.

Deltona mayor a reflection of city he serves

When you think of Deltona's boy-wonder Mayor Dennis Mulder, one word comes to mind.

Controversial.

He earned it.

His second day on the job, Mulder proposed changing the city's silent invocation to a moment of silence, causing an uproar over public prayer. He violated election laws. He missed a string of meetings and publicly funded conferences and hinted he might resign. He bought land to develop that the city claimed belonged to it. He joined a majority that withheld money for a new convention center, which ultimately sank.

Mulder, 28, caused more controversy in one year than James Brown did in a lifetime. So if you know him from the newspapers, that's naturally what you think of. But if you've met him, another word comes forth.

Charming.

The stylish clothes, trim physique, gelled hair, create an air of youthful style. The earnest eyes and personable manner are as winning with a waitress as an unhappy resident.

So you believe him when he says he didn't know it was wrong to take more than $100 cash for his campaign. You empathize with the difficulty of running a city and visiting an ill family member in Georgia. You're sure he meant no harm when he purchased former parkland to develop. And you laugh with him when he admits he's made foolish mistakes.

"The prayer thing, that was totally moronic," he said over lunch at Harry's.

Gadfly gets boot after shouting match at Deltona City Commission meeting

Political gadfly Robert Bello got kicked out of Deltona's City Commission meeting again last Monday-- this time after a boisterous argument with two commissioners about e-mails he sent.

The meeting essentially was put on hold as the three quarreled.

Commissioner Zenaida Denizac demanded respect and argued she isn't a "puppet," as Bello described her. Commissioner Michele McFall-Conte was clearly miffed about sexist statements -- that she needed to stay home and have babies, for example -- that she said he made.

Is Deltona ready for prime time?
 Shown the door

A persistent critic of the city government, Robert Bello pushes his wheelchair out of the Deltona City Commission chamber Jan. 22, after Mayor Dennis Mulder ordered him to leave following comments Mulder ruled out of order. A Volusia County Sheriff's deputy opens the door for Robert Bello,

As Deltona prepares to televise its City Commission meetings, some local leaders wonder if they and their constituents are ready for prime time.

"I don't want it turned into a circus here," said Mayor Dennis Mulder, as the dialogue between a critic and the City Commission at its Jan. 22 session became somewhat heated.

Deltona assistant city attorney's termination questioned

DELTONA -- George Trovato was known for attending more meetings than required, volunteering with organizations like Students Reach-Out and generating nearly $125,000 for the city by pursuing unpaid code enforcement fines.

On Thursday night, he even won a Silver Star in the President's Award category at a Volusia League of Cities Distinguished Service ceremony for his dedication and commitment to Deltona as assistant city attorney.

But Trovato's position was unceremoniously eliminated last Friday by City Attorney Roland Blossom, who has that authority according to Deltona's charter.

Vocal resident ushered out of Deltona meeting

DELTONA -- City commissioners are fed up with an activist's insistence on exercising his constitutional rights -- especially since those rights have crossed over into what they say are personal insults.

For the second time since November, local resident and activist Robert Bello was kicked out of a commission meeting Monday. Deltona meetings are often called "the best show in town," and Bello has done more than his share of entertaining.

Commissioner Michele McFall-Conte expressed outrage that he sent her an e-mail which she claims stated, "I've set women's rights back 40 years and I should stay home and make babies."

Bello attempted to respond more than once. The mayor banged his gavel and ordered the wheelchair-bound veteran pushed out by a Volusia County sheriff's deputy. But Bello wasn't the sole reason for all the ruckus.

Deltona vote death knell for slippery Partnership

The city dumps the long-debated project but may pursue something similar.

DELTONA -- After years of meetings, mulling over details and frequent conflict, the on-again, off-again plan to build the Partnership Center is finally dead.

Deltona killed it. With a vote Monday night to drop out of the $23 million project once envisioned as a focal point for southwest Volusia, Deltona leaders made it impossible to move forward, several of the plan's partners said Tuesday.

Deltona says no cash for civic center

DELTONA -- After more than an hour of debate, Deltona commissioners late Monday decided to bail out of the controversial Partnership Center.

Commissioners Janet Deyette, William S. Harvey and Michael Carmolingo and Mayor Dennis Mulder spoke at length against the $23 million project -- a partnership among several cities, Volusia County, the local community college and the chamber of commerce.

The commissioners, as well as several residents, expressed disappointment that the civic center's proposed 5,000-seat auditorium had shrunk to less than half that size. Soaring construction costs also meant the partners had to give up other features, such as a catering kitchen.

West Volusia develops itch for flea markets

DELTONA -- Imported cheese from Vermont. Collectible dolls. An endless array of organic fruits and vegetables.

These are just a few of the goodies that can be found throughout Central Florida at vendor stalls in popular outdoor flea and farmers markets.

Residents in Deltona and DeLand are hoping to establish outdoor markets in their own cities to provide extra income for local vendors and promote surrounding businesses and social interaction.

David Santiago put his foot down. "There are more important things that need to get done in the city of Deltona, such as really concentrating on ways to bring jobs to the city," he said.

However, Mayor Dennis Mulder said that argument does not fly, because the city's economic development staff is working hard to bring in businesses. Mulder is heading to Winter Park this week to check out that city's high-end Farmers Market, which he says fits his vision of a market the city could create on Deltona Boulevard.

Deltona officials debate over building's size, dirt roads

DELTONA -- For the West Volusia Partnership Center, size does matter.

Deltona officials debated at a Wednesday meeting whether 2,200 seats filling the proposed convention center and education facility would be enough to continue their support of the $23 million project. The commission also discussed fixing the city's dirt roads.

Because of the rising costs of construction and delayed groundbreaking, many cuts have been made to the center: The energy-saving air conditioning unit has been scaled back. The brick outer layer has been changed to a brick facade. Seating inside will have to be provided later, when more funding is available.

Though no vote was taken at the meeting, four commissioners still support the center -- as long as it doesn't shrink any further -- while three stand against it. An official vote is expected at a Jan. 22 meeting.

Backers waver as center shrinks

Soaring cost estimates reduce civic auditorium from 5,000 seats to 2,200.

DELTONA -- The original vision was a civic, education and training center serving southwest Volusia County with a 5,000-seat auditorium.

Then it was 3,500 seats.

Now, after a meeting Thursday, backers say they only have money for a 2,200-seat auditorium.
 

Cities to review downsized partnership center plan

DELTONA -- No one wanted to see the brick go, the kitchen cut out, or the size of the auditorium slashed in half in the plans for the West Volusia Partnership Center.

But when Orange City and Deltona representatives found out Thursday that $21 million is how much their construction managers have to work with, they agreed to take the "cost-saving" plans back to their commissions and pitch the idea as best they can.

Partnership dealings are shrouded in secrecy (with PDF)

Today's meeting of the partners who are deciding the fate of a controversial civic center is open to the public.

But that doesn't mean the public was invited.

In fact, the public has not been notified of other meetings among the government, education and business institutions that have joined to build the Partnership Center, even though they all signed an agreement pledging to follow the state's open-government laws.

Despite the written agreement, some officials say they are under no obligation to provide advance notice of meetings or keep a record of the proceedings. Others say they aren't sure.

Retail key to city's growth

Official: Politics hurts Deltona

DELTONA -- 2006 was a rough, divisive year for Volusia County's largest and youngest city.

Changing "prayer" to a moment of silence before City Commission meetings sparked heated criticism from the Deltona community.

Removing public art from City Hall prompted a national outcry.

And ethics complaints were fired off left and right: The mayor paid a $1,500 fine for campaign reporting mistakes, and one commissioner has yet to hear back about alleged underreporting of his mortgages on a financial disclosure form.

The list goes on.

Activist, Mulder spar over e-mail

A foe says Deltona's mayor misused power; the mayor says his privacy was invaded.

DELTONA -- Deltona political activist Jeff Ensminger launched another missive at beleaguered Mayor Dennis Mulder, saying Mulder may have abused his position by lobbying the Volusia County School Board on behalf of his wife's tennis organization.

Mulder immediately jabbed back by asking pointed questions about how Ensminger obtained an e-mail from Mulder's personal account.

This latest sparring match between the two political enemies began last month, when Ensminger filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics saying Mulder used his official city e-mail account to ask the School Board to make space available at a local high school for the Deltona Tennis Association's summer program. Mulder's wife, Heather, was on the organization's payroll at the time.

Backers revive Partnership Center

The troubled project appears to be on again after public and private supporters meet to clear the air.

DELTONA -- The once-moribund plan for a civic center in southwest Volusia County got new life Tuesday when its on-again off-again partners pledged support to the proposed project.

The facility known as the Partnership Center was all but dead last month when Deltona stalled a $1 million payment toward the $23 million building, a move that other financial partners viewed as a sign the city was reneging.

But all six of the project's private and public backers gathered here Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment and considered ways to build the center amid rising costs.

Ethics complaint targets Deltona mayor

DELTONA -- Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder is the subject of a complaint to the state Commission on Ethics alleging he used his office to benefit his wife.

The letter, by political activist Jeff Ensminger, states that Mulder sent e-mails last spring to lobby the Volusia County School Board for use of Deltona High School to host the summer program of the Deltona Tennis Association, a nonprofit organization then headed by Heather Mulder, the mayor's wife.

Ensminger contends that while Heather Mulder collected a salary from the association, the mayor circumvented the normal request process.

"It's very confusing who owns (Deltona Tennis Association)," Ensminger said in an interview on Wednesday. "I want the ethics commission to investigate so I can stop investigating this myself."

Although the ethics commission does not confirm or deny complaints before an investigation is completed, Mulder on Wednesday confirmed he was contacted by state officials about Ensminger's complaint. He also acknowledged requesting the association's use of the facilities by e-mail to former School Board member Vicki Bumpus.

Deltona activist requests probe of mayor's actions

Deltona political activist Jamie Jessup asked the City Commission on Monday to launch an independent investigation of Mayor Dennis Mulder's actions regarding the Partnership Center and other matters.

The commission took no action on Jessup's request, and Mulder said earlier in the day that he has done nothing wrong.

Jessup made his request in person at the City Commission meeting and in writing Monday in a four-page letter titled Request for Independent Investigation, which included 38 pages of attachments.

Commissioners vow to support convention plan

But can the Partnership Center project be revived?

DELTONA -- In a move to breathe new life into the Partnership Center, the City Commission pledged its support for the dying project Monday.

The commission has been under fire for initially stalling when asked to release a $1 million payment for the multimillion dollar facility designed to hold large public gatherings. Deltona's indecisiveness irked some of the project's supporters who have decided to call it quits.

Because of that, the commission voted 6-1 Monday to support the $23 million center. City officials said the vote wasn't necessary but was taken to show the other partners Deltona is fully committed despite past hesitation.

Whether the Partnership Center is still alive remains to be seen.

Deltona vote floats Partnership Center again

DELTONA --The city that continues to waffle about the Partnership Center voted 6-1 Monday night to reaffirm its commitment in the $23 million business, graduation and education center.

Deltona commissioners are struggling with the confusion of whether the project is alive or dead, the number of residents against it and the clarity of a contract that some partners, like the Chamber of Commerce, may have already pulled out of.

Within the past month, the commission twice deadlocked in a 3-3 vote to decide whether or not to send another $1 million already budgeted for the project to preserve nearly $12 million in state matching grants. But the money was sent last week anyway because legally, commissioners had approved City Manager Steve Thompson sending it ahead when they voted on their budget in October.

Mayor Dennis Mulder and Commissioner Michael Carmolingo, who voted against the center previously, voted for it Monday.

To Dennis Mulder: Chin up. You still have almost three years to make a difference. A positive one, I mean.

Annus Horribilis Deltonus.

Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder was pretty upbeat in his "state of the city" address last month.

Politicians are so funny.

This was Deltona's worst year ever as a city. Space prohibits listing the past 12 months' disasters, but the Partnership Center fiasco is a fitting end.

A keen observer of Deltona reminded me that even Queen Elizabeth II did not sugarcoat a year of royal scandal.

She said: "1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an annus horribilis."

Next to 2006, 2007 in Deltona is bound to be an annus mirabilis -- a wonderful year.

What about the Partnership Center? So Deltona wants to get back on board . . . that's just delightful.

Except that the other partners signed a document declaring the project dead.

Deltona takes shot at salvaging center
The city comes up with a $1 million payment for the Partnership project.

Saying they want to show support and answer lingering questions, Deltona city leaders plan to have another meeting to try to revive the Partnership Center, officials said Tuesday.

The proposed center -- envisioned as a place for southwest Volusia County to hold graduations, concerts and large business gatherings -- appeared to be dead after the City Commission failed twice in recent weeks to approve making a critical $1 million payment. Deltona's partners in the project were ready to throw in the towel.

But City Manager Steve Thompson on Tuesday sent the payment to Daytona Beach Community College, the project's lead partner. City officials say the two public votes in which the commission deadlocked 3-3 on whether to make the payment were unnecessary because of a prior vote authorizing it.

Deltona is in open-meetings debate

City officials' calls about Partnership Center raise legal questions

Deltona officials' move to fund the multimillion-dollar Partnership Center amid lingering controversy raised questions Monday about possible violations of the state's open-meeting rules.

Some residents are concerned the city's decision to dispense $1 million for the center without having a public meeting may have skirted the state's "Government in the Sunshine" laws, which require government business to be done in public.

City officials made these moves last week behind closed doors:

Mayor Dennis Mulder asked City Manager Steve Thompson to release a $1 million payment for the proposed $23 million convention center, which supporters say would give southwest Volusia County a place to have graduations, concerts and large business gatherings.

Thompson called six city commissioners to let them know Mulder had asked him to release the funds and he planned to do it. He also wanted to find out whether the commissioners had concerns or objections.

Deltona still stuck in mess over center

What's Mike doing in this space today? Doesn't his column play golf on Saturdays?

Usually, but politically speaking, these are unusual times in southwest Volusia.

Did I say unusual? I meant bizarre. Grotesque. Alarming.

Especially in Deltona.

Get this: The City Commission held two consecutive meetings to consider a request from Daytona Beach Community College, which needs the city to advance $1 million on money it already has budgeted for the Partnership Center.

The college needed the money to make sure it got matching state grants toward the $23 million civic and education center.

Both times, commissioners deadlocked on motions to advance the money. When a motion receives a tie vote, it fails.

So DBCC President Kent Sharples took steps to dissolve the partnership. You couldn't really blame him since he was about to lose state money the civic center had to have.

Once Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder saw the deal unfolding, he called City Manager Steve Thompson on Wednesday and said he wanted to release the money to DBCC.

Wait a minute . . . if city commissioners twice rejected a motion to do that, how could Deltona release the money without another vote?

Mulder has no such authority. He's just a ceremonial mayor like all the other mayors in Volusia County.

Partnership Center is back in play

Deltona's mayor changes his mind about the project, but is it too late?

Days after the Partnership Center was declared dead, the man some of the partners blamed most for its demise tried to give it CPR on Thursday.

But it may be too late to revive the project.

Reversing his position, Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder asked City Manager Steve Thompson to release a disputed $1 million payment to fund the proposed convention center, which backers have sought to give southwest Volusia County a place to hold graduations, concerts and large business gatherings.

Mulder's change of mind came three days after the City Commission deadlocked 3-3 on whether to make the payment -- with Mulder leading the critics of the proposal -- in a vote that Deltona's partners in the struggling project viewed as the final nail in the coffin. Mulder and Thompson now say that vote wasn't even needed because earlier actions by the commission had authorized the money to be released.

Deltona manager supports center

DELTONA -- It's alive again . . . maybe.

The West Volusia Partnership Center has taken on the form of a horror movie, dying and coming to life again like so many zombies.

Two commissioners -- Mayor Dennis Mulder and Michael Carmolingo -- who formerly opposed giving $1 million toward the graduation and corporate training center, now favor it. They were both prepared to vote yes at a meeting scheduled for the entire commission to attend Dec. 12.

But that meeting may never happen, said City Manager Steve Thompson, who called it early Thursday, because the commission isn't required to vote on spending the money.

Thompson also said two stalemate 3-3 votes on whether to spend the money don't matter, either. The $1 million was approved in Deltona's October budget meeting, and Thompson is authorized to advance the funding.

And he "almost certainly" will, he said, a move that could help preserve nearly $12 million in state matching grants for the project overall.

'Tough cookie' Mulder chews out his foe Horn

Looks like Dennis Mulder isn't turning into such a tough cookie after all. Mulder recently fired off a venomous e-mail blasting his former political rival Doug Horn after reading Horn's comments in an Orlando Sentinel article about how a "clear vision for the future" was "sadly lacking" on the Deltona City Commission.

Mulder, who beat out Horn in the race for mayor more than a year ago, told a reporter recently that the job has been so challenging, he's becoming a "tough cookie."

But Mulder said this in his e-mail to the Sentinel at 7:31 a.m. the day Horn's comments were published in an article about Jamie Jessup -- Horn's political ally -- dropping out of a City Commission race:

"Doug Horn the rejected candidate for Mayor is now determined to destroy Deltona in any way possible. He deserves the sore loser and flatout loser award of the year. A city he was ready to represent but wouldn't have him; Deltona now has a better, more clear and sensible direction than it has ever had. This commission he claims is lacking vision? What a joke. It has vision for the very first time, a vision that is collaborated not dictated and god forbid involves public input and disclosure. Forgive me for being bothered by his constant attack of this commission, minus 1 or so buddies. Mayor Dennis Mulder."

Accomplishments Thus Far 

Mulder touts Deltona's finances, road plan

DELTONA -- Mayor Dennis Mulder delivered an upbeat message to about 50 people at City Hall during his first state-of-the-city address Tuesday night.

Mulder highlighted a series of major accomplishments under his watch.

Chief among these are hiring seasoned City Manager Steven Thompson, setting up an economic-development board, approving an $18 million road plan, opening new public facilities and launching plans for broadcasting commission meetings on cable TV.

"Deltona is headed in the most positive of directions," he said in closing. "We are financially sound, and I am remarkably confident in the path developed throughout this year."

Mulder made history last November when he was elected as the city's second and youngest mayor at 27. But his tenure has been marked by controversies, including a brief attempt to take prayer from City Hall.

Mayor tries to assure neighbors about land

He tells them the property he bought won't be developed without their OK.

Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder this week told neighbors of a controversial 13-acre property he bought recently that he will not develop the lakefront land without their approval.

Mulder met Wednesday night with about 35 people who live near the property at the corner of Outrigger Drive and Bardahl Court. He also told them that the property would be developed someday and that they would be better off if he were the one to do it.

"I am not going to come and dictate anything to that neighborhood," Mulder said Thursday. "I am not going to do anything without their support and input over the years."

The earliest Mulder would develop the land is 2016, when restrictions prohibiting homes can be terminated. Mulder had tried to terminate those restrictions early, but said Thursday that he plans to cancel that request.

Land purchase sullies image of city, mayor

Two months ago, the e-mail that landed in my inbox from Mayor Dennis Mulder seemed merely peculiar.

The press release announced the mayor had purchased some land in Deltona, land he would use as a test site for smart growth.

Mulder wrote that developing this 13-acre petri dish would be "challenging and very educational.

"This personal pilot project will answer a lot of unknown questions from all sides of the coin."

How noble.

Two months later, the mayor's e-mail looks less odd and more like a bit of calculated misdirection.

From what?

From the fact that Mulder bought 13 acres on a lakefront peninsula for a mere $250,000, which is about how much a house up the street sold for last year.

From the fact that Mulder got this sweet deal from a local soccer club whose corporate officers include Charlie Vance, one of his political cronies.

From the fact that the company Mulder formed to buy the property and profit from it -- Intrinsic Investments -- includes an officer who happens to be married to Vance.

From the fact that the soccer club made no genuine effort to sell the property until the mayor whipped out his checkbook.

Mulder: Land deal is no-win situation

DELTONA -- After city officials and residents spent more than two hours Monday night picking apart his controversial purchase of 13 acres, Mayor Dennis Mulder said Tuesday he is in a no-win situation.

If he develops the lakefront land he bought from the Deltona Youth Soccer Club, he will draw the ire of fellow commissioners who want the land because they said it was supposed to be donated for a city park.

If he sells the property to the city for the same price he paid the soccer club, he will likely run afoul of a state law that prohibits city officials from doing business with their own cities, according to the city attorney. And if he donates it to the city, as some have suggested, he will be out the $250,000 he agreed to pay the club.

"I really don't know," Mulder said after Monday night's meeting. "I will do what I can do, but I am not going to financially handicap my family. There is really no move I can make that is right."

He also disagrees with the city attorney's conclusion that Deltona is owed the land.

Deltona commissioners blast mayor over land deal

DELTONA -- Mayor Dennis Mulder and the Deltona Youth Soccer Club got an earful from city commissioners who debated whether a property Mulder purchased from the club should be given to the city for use as a park.

The discussion ended about 10:30 p.m. Monday with a decision that Mulder would meet with the city manager and the nonprofit club representatives to work out whether the land might become city property or remain in Mulder's hands.

In August, Mulder formed a corporation to purchase the property for $250,000 with his wife and Jayne Vance, wife of Charlie Vance, who contributed to his campaign and helps run the soccer club. He said he planned to pilot a "smart growth project" with the property.

Asked for legal advice on the matter, City Attorney Roland Blossom said he believes the land should be used as a park. He said the soccer club offered the 13-acre lakefront parcel on Outrigger Drive to the city in 1999 if the city agreed to build a soccer complex.

The city held up its end of the bargain, he said. Deltona later built a soccer complex at Dewey Boster Park.
 

Mulder willing to sell land

'I don't want to hold anything back from the city,' Deltona's mayor says.

Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder said Sunday that he is willing to sell a 13-acre lakefront property to the city for use as a park, a move that would address criticism that he is denying the city property for personal gain.

In a memo sent to city staff and the media, Mulder wrote that although he has not found any evidence that the property was slated to be donated to the city, if the city is interested in obtaining the property, he will make that happen.
 

Land deal draws more criticism of Deltona mayor

DELTONA -- He's done it again.

In office less than a year, 28-year-old Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder has found himself embroiled in numerous scandals.

First, there were campaign finance accusations. Then, he suggested revisiting the issue of holding a "moment of silence" at the end of a city meeting in March, which made residents say they felt left out of the process. And now he has purchased a property that some say should be handed over to the city to be used as a park.

Both supporters and critics are torn over Mulder's part in a $250,000 land deal involving 13 acres, property which formerly belonged to the nonprofit Deltona Youth Soccer Club.

Mulder to delay building on land

The Deltona mayor says he won't develop a lakefront plot until after he is out of public office.

DELTONA -- Mayor Dennis Mulder said Tuesday that he is putting the brakes on plans to develop a 13-acre lakefront property because he does not want people to think he is using his position as mayor for personal gain.

Mulder's announcement came after an Orlando Sentinel article raised questions about the land deal. In August, Mulder paid $250,000 for land that several former city officials and residents say was destined to be donated to the city for a park.

The Deltona Youth Soccer Club, whose board includes a political supporter of Mulder's, sold the land to a corporation formed by the mayor, his wife and the wife of the soccer-club board member.

Critics kick mayor's soccer-land deal

Questions arise on old promises, restrictions

In August, Mayor Dennis Mulder announced that he planned to try his hand as a developer with a "smart growth pilot project" on a 13-acre piece of property that he had just bought.

Now some residents -- including his predecessor as mayor -- are objecting, saying the lakefront property Mulder bought for $250,000 had been promised to the city for use as a park. Some also question whether it's appropriate for the mayor to develop land inside his own city because of potential conflicts of interest.

Meanwhile, the corporation Mulder set up to buy the land from the nonprofit Deltona Youth Soccer Club lists as one of its directors the wife of soccer club board member Charlie Vance, who also is one of Mulder's biggest political supporters, but both Mulder and Vance say there was nothing improper about the sale.

This Week's Spotlight: Dennis Mulder

Dennis Mulder became one of the area's youngest public officials last year when he was elected at 27 to lead Deltona, the youngest and biggest city in Volusia County. His detractors said that the political newcomer may be too green to grapple with Deltona's complicated issues, like the need for economic development and managed growth. Mulder's tenure as mayor so far has been tumultuous. He quickly found himself snarled in controversies related to the use of an ethnic slur by a city spokeswoman, removing prayer from city meetings and being fined for committing campaign-finance violations. Mulder talked recently with Sentinel reporter Tanya Perez-Brennan about his first year in office and the city's future.

Mulder mulls mileage of his fancy car picks

Apparently, gas mileage is a sensitive topic for Deltona mayor and flashy-car connoisseur Dennis Mulder, who said he shells out $50 to $60 to fill his silver 2003 Mercedes-Benz G500.

The compact, Hummer-like vehicle guzzles fuel and has a high gasoline-emission rate.

"I think it's totally criminal, and I can't wait to get rid of the beast," Mulder said.

But when a Pulser asked what car he'll pick next, he got aggravated.

He vowed to "get the greenest Toyota Prius, put a flower pot in the back and plant a tree."

Deltona mayor admits errors that brought $1,530 state fine

The Florida Elections Commission has fined Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder $1,530 because of 89 campaign-finance violations, Mulder said Friday.

"I think they were as fair as I expected them to be. They were very understanding," Mulder said of the state commission.

Deltona mayor fined lightly

TALLAHASSEE -- Inexperience has cost Volusia County's youngest mayor a lot of heartache, but it won't cost him much in fines.

The Florida Elections Commission decided at an informal hearing Thursday that Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder will have to cough up $1,530 in fines for 89 campaign violations -- about one percent of the $115,000 he could have been fined.

From outside the commission chambers, Mulder said he has heard the message not to take the law lightly loud and clear, and he just hopes this brings an end to the bitterness of the fall election.

Deltona mayor faces elections hearing in Tallahassee

DELTONA -- Volusia County's youngest mayor is about to learn the cost of his campaign mistakes.

At a hearing today in Tallahassee, Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder will be asked to explain accusations he committed 89 campaign finance violations during his 2005 mayoral run.

He faces up to $115,000 in fines, but the 28-year-old Mulder says he's confident the Florida Elections Commission will go easier on him.

The charges stem from a complaint to the commission in October by Jeff Ensminger, a supporter of his rival, Doug Horn, in last fall's bitter campaign.

Deltona mayor says he's not losing interest in post

DELTONA -- First, Mayor Dennis Mulder said in July he might resign because of a family illness, though he said it was unlikely.

Then he missed a free conference, a City Commission meeting, and last weekend another conference -- this one costing nearly $700, including lodging, prepaid by taxpayers.

Mayor to repay conference costs

Deltona -- Mayor Dennis Mulder plans to reimburse the city after he did not attend a statewide conference for which he registered, city officials said Monday.

Deltona paid a total of $6,925.75 to send six commissioners to the 80th annual Florida League of Cities conference in Jacksonville last week. That figure covers the conference registration, lodging at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel, meals and mileage.

According to a city travel expense form, Mulder charged $1,341.35 to the city's credit card, the highest amount of any commissioner.

It was not clear why Mulder, who could not be reached for comment Monday, did not attend the conference.

Hearing set for Deltona mayor

DELTONA -- Campaign finance violations charged against Mayor Dennis Mulder have been like a cloud hanging over the first-time politician.

But after a little rain, the mayor said he hopes that cloud may finally pass. A hearing has been set by the Florida Elections Commission on the violations Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in Tallahassee.

The commission found probable cause to cite him for more than 89 campaign-finance violations -- incurring a possible fine of more than $115,000.

Mayor tries to mend fences

Political rivals plan to meet

DELTONA -- Mayor Dennis Mulder is keeping his rivals so close he will be rubbing elbows with them in a restaurant booth.

Similar to the first Thanksgiving dinner, Bob Evans Restaurant will be serving the mayor and political watchdog Jeff Ensminger more than baked goodness. The two will get a chance to make peace over their personal differences.

The November mayoral race in Volusia County's largest city was capped by bricks being thrown through car windows and cars egged. On more than one occasion, the Sheriff's Office was called and police reports were filed.

Ensminger, a Deltona resident who campaigned last year for Mulder's opponent, former Commissioner Doug Horn, said he was reluctant to agree to a meeting. He said a sheriff's deputy showed up months ago at his door shortly after the last meeting, accusing him of threatening the new mayor's life.

But Mulder says it is time to clear that misunderstanding up, and Ensminger has agreed to meet.

Mulder responds to rumors

Sounds as if Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder needs a good spin doctor. He recently confirmed rumors he is contemplating resigning as mayor as a "last resort" if a sick relative's condition worsens. Mulder is driving a lot to visit the relative, who lives in Georgia.

Mulder's disclosure sparked a deluge of calls from concerned residents and supporters.

Even city commissioners were surprised to hear the news.

Mulder's response? Send an e-mail to commissioners and the city manager that partly read: "This seems to be a rumor spun badly." Huh?

Resigning would be 'last resort,' Mulder says
Worried residents drained his cell-phone battery Tuesday, the mayor says.

Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder scrambled to calm supporters Tuesday after acknowledging he might resign because of a sick relative in Georgia.

The revelation, which became public Tuesday, prompted concerned residents and supporters to call Mulder in such numbers his cell-phone battery was drained by noon Tuesday.

Mulder, elected in November as leader of Central Florida's second-most populous city, reiterated Tuesday that quitting his post is an extremely remote possibility. He wondered aloud if he should have denied rumors he was contemplating a possible resignation.

.

Mulder considers resignation
Deltona's mayor says an unnamed family member in Georgia is not well.

Mayor Dennis Mulder confirmed rumors Monday that he might resign because of an illness in the family.

Mulder, who won a hard-fought campaign in November to become the second mayor of Volusia County's most populous city, would not specify who in his extended family is ill, nor would he specify the nature of the illness.

Mulder said only that his relative lives in Georgia and that he has made several trips to help the family member.

Mulder, who recently celebrated his 28th birthday, said he has no plans to relinquish his post as mayor now but that resigning in the near future could be a possibility if his family situation worsens. His term runs through November 2009.

Resigning from the highest elected post in a city with more than 80,000 residents would mark a stunning turn of events for Mulder, a former tennis instructor who runs two day-care centers and who had never held public office before.
 

Mayor pledges tough dog-bite rule

Deltona leaders hear residents demand that dangerous dogs be removed.

DELTONA -- City commissioners on Monday pledged to toughen up a city rule so that dangerous dogs can be removed from neighborhoods after just one bite.

Several members agreed that Deltona should tweak its own ordinance, instead of following a state law that allows a dog to attack two pets before removing it from the city.

"We're on it," Mayor Dennis Mulder told nearly a dozen concerned pet owners and residents who said they have had recent run-ins with aggressive dogs.

Mulder's comments came a week after a 3-year-old poodle named Toby was mauled and killed by a neighborhood pit bull terrier. People outraged about the attack and the city's response expressed frustration during Monday's meeting.

Mayor puts Deltona on notice

DELTONA -- Mayor Dennis Mulder said Monday he might resign from his office, pending the health of a family member in Georgia.

The 27-year-old mayor of Volusia's youngest and largest city said it's too early to say for sure but if his family needs him, he will be there.

"If it gets to the point where I'm having to be gone more than I'm here, that's when I will go," he said.

However, Mulder, a first-time politician, doesn't think it will come to that.

Meanwhile, he and the city commissioners have plenty of issues on their plate such as residents who are demanding a stricter ordinance to take action against dangerous animals.

A pit bull named Big Boy that mauled and killed a neighbor's poodle last week is still hanging out at its owner's home on South Slater Drive, much to the dismay of the poodle's owner and a father who lives nearby.
 

He's got a fast car -- but Deltona mayor doesn't want it anymore

Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder has been getting a bit of ribbing ever since the publicity about his latest set of flashy wheels -- a 2005 Lotus Elise, a British sports car.

Mulder said he paid "in the 30s" for the blue model.

Before winning last year's election, Pulse told you Mulder likes to drive quality cars. He told us he paid wholesale -- $51,000 -- for a 2003 silver BMW 745 at an auction several months earlier with plans to sell it in a few months for more than he paid.

As for the 2005 Lotus Elise, Mulder told Pulse he hardly drives it. Maybe that's why he put the car up for auction on eBay.

Mulder taking mayoral duties head on

DELTONA -- At 8 a.m., Mayor Dennis Mulder shuffles through a short stack of letters, his office quiet a few minutes before the phones begin to ring.

Everything about the modern office and its big leather chairs is reminiscent of the business world he conquered at age 18, when he sold cell phones for AT&T Wireless and beat sales records. Watch the way Mulder greets people, the way he reads them, even the Lotus sports car he drives. But there's one big difference now: He's in politics. And in politics, it's personal.

"All of it's really junk mail, but I keep it anyway," says the 27-year-old, who also keeps his Publix receipts, just in case. "I'm not a paranoid person but I've learned to be very careful."

With the first six months of his term behind him, "careful" may be Mulder's new theme in his quest to serve as second mayor of Volusia County's largest -- and youngest -- city.

And the British sports car? He'd like to get rid of it, to learn how to drive a Corolla or a Civic into the ground like the rest of the working men out there. The last thing he wants is to appear out of touch with the city.

Disturbing serenity is a Dennis thing

Like Dennis the Menace, Dennis the Mayor doesn't really mean to cause trouble.

It just turns out that way.

Surely we can agree that Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder's heart was pure when he wrote a permission slip allowing remote-control boat enthusiasts to play in a city retention pond.

Of course it was. Some guys were having fun with their boats and didn't want the cops hassling them.

So Mulder wrote a note -- on city stationery -- that read: "Please call my office if there is a problem with residents on any public property. The folks that operate remote control vehicles on public property, do so legally. Thank you, Mayor Dennis Mulder."

The thing is, I can't find in the city charter where the mayor is authorized to unilaterally give residents permission to do anything.

Mulder, however, told a reporter that he did not think anyone could be denied the use of public property.

Really?

I was thinking of camping out on the front lawn of City Hall and then riding an ATV through the Lyonia Preserve.

Can I have a permission slip? . . .

Dear Mayor Mulder: Some buddies and I thought it would be fun to drive around town in a firetruck with the lights and sirens on.

Can we have a permission slip? . . .

Dear Mayor Mulder: I know some kids who think it would be cool to do skateboard tricks on the City Commission dais.

Can they get a permission slip?

Toy boats leave wake of discontent

2 who got mayor's OK to play on pond ask: Why all the fuss?

All Victor Vuturo and Sal Pandolfo wanted to do is play with their remote-control boats.

Vuturo, 65, and Pandolfo, 71, both disabled Deltona residents, never thought their choice to run their gas-powered boats at a small retention pond off Fort Smith Boulevard would give the city's mayor another headache.

Both men stepped forward Wednesday -- the same day a news story brought to light an unusual permission slip they got from Mayor Dennis Mulder to run the noisy boats in the pond despite complaints from some neighbors.

The two men Wednesday also produced a copy of the hand-written note -- the first to surface since Mulder wrote it a few months ago.

"Please call my office if there is a problem with residents on any public property," Mulder wrote. "The folks that operate remote control vehicles on public property, do so legally."

Complaints about noise to city administrators prompted Deltona officials to put up no-trespassing signs at the pond Thursday, rendering the note obsolete.

But controversy remains from critics who say the mayor overstepped his authority by implementing city policy without getting approval from his colleagues.
 

Noisy boats, mayor's note raise issue of authority

When Carolyn Linville moved with her husband to Deltona in November, they chose a house off Seybold Terrace behind a pond because they liked the quiet neighborhood.

But noisy motors from toy boats shattered the silence Sunday mornings and no one -- not even deputy sheriffs -- could restore the peace, because the guys with the boats had more than a remote control in their hands. They had a permission slip from the mayor.

Mayor Dennis Mulder's unusual note giving the toy-boat crew permission to play in the city's pond is raising eyebrows among his peers on the City Commission and residents in Linville's neighborhood off Fort Smith Boulevard.

"With all the bodies of water that we have in Deltona, why are you picking [one] in a residential neighborhood?" Linville said.

Mulder's note was effectively overruled by the no-trespassing signs Acting City Manager Roland Blossom had put up near the retention pond Thursday after the city got complaints from Linville and others since the motors started revving up almost every Sunday since March.

Still, details of Mulder's note are unclear. No one -- even Mulder -- has a copy. And he doesn't even remember the names of the two remote-control boat owners who asked for and received his permission at City Hall. It was also unclear whether Mulder had authority to issue such a note. Mulder said he was just doing what the boat enthusiasts wanted without realizing it was creating a problem for Linville and her neighbors.

"They asked for permission to be on public property and I don't know that I or anyone else can deny that," Mulder said. "They felt more comfortable with me writing it down because they thought that it would handle this issue. And I didn't know that these boats would make that much noise."

The note has revived concerns among the mayor's critics that Mulder overstepped bounds by trying to implement city policy on his own. It has also raised other concerns.

"I think the real problem here is that a public record is not available," Santiago said. Mulder said he didn't make a copy before handing the original to the two men whose names he couldn't remember.
 

State attorney reviews complaint on official

DELTONA -- An open-government complaint filed against a Deltona city commissioner is being reviewed by the State Attorney's Office, said spokeswoman Linda Pruitt.

The complaint alleges that Commissioner Janet Deyette violated the state's Sunshine Laws when she toured the city in a van with Mayor Dennis Mulder and candidates for city manager. The law states that two or more commissioners may not hold a meeting to discuss city business without a public hearing.

Elections commission finds cause to cite Deltona mayor

DELTONA -- Campaigning for political office is rarely cheap, but Mayor Dennis Mulder's win in 2005 may have become even more expensive.

The Florida Elections Commission found probable cause to cite him for more than 89 campaign-finance violations -- incurring a possible fine of more than $115,000.

The commission looked into Mulder's campaign spending after a complaint from Jeff Ensminger, a Deltona resident who campaigned for Mulder's opponent, former Commissioner Doug Horn.

Among the alleged violations Mulder is facing are 51 counts of spending money without enough funds in the account, as well as unlawful contributions from his campaign manager, use of a personal credit card for donations and accepting cash donations of more than $100. Mulder can either ask for a formal hearing before the Elections Commission where he can contest the accusations or he can admit the violations and explain why they happened or he can negotiate a settlement.

Mulder said he will hire an attorney and defend himself.

"I've never denied any of it, I just didn't know what I was doing wasn't allowable," Mulder said. "I'm fairly sure I can explain what the circumstances were."

Mulder said he has tried to correct the mistakes and that he had to do all the accounting himself because his treasurer was diagnosed with cancer. He feels most of the complaints are personal attacks because Horn lost the election.

"It's becoming clearly obvious to the public that this is all sour grapes," he said.

However, Ensminger says he just wants to create a level political playing field.

"If favoring a lawful politician over an unlawful politician is politically motivated," Ensminger said, "then yes, my complaints are politically motivated."

Mayor Facing 89 Charges, Over $100,000 In Fines

After nearly 90 violations and $115,000 in fines, Deltona's mayor is facing numerous allegations of campaign violations, all because a citizen's complaint. It could turn out to be a very costly election for Dennis Mulder in more ways than one.

The report from the state elections committee is about 50 pages long. Inside is listed campaign violation after campaign violation, 89 campaign finance violations against the new Deltona mayor.

Resident Jeff Ensminger first found the discrepancies and then passed them on to the state elections commission.
"I just scanned over them and had some questions about the numbers," he explained.

The state answered those questions with a litany of charges against Mayor Dennis Mulder. They said he misused funds, mistook contributions and basically made a mess of his campaign records.

The mayor also pointed out that Ensminger is a supporter of Doug Horn, the man who he took the mayoral job from, and this was just retaliation.

Ensminger said that doesn't make sense.

"All of my complaints were filed before the election, before anybody won or lost," he said.

If the charges are sustained, Mulder could be fined more than $100,000. What's worse, if the charges are found to be criminal, Mulder could be removed from office and face jail time.

Ensminger said he doesn't want that; he just wanted a fair election.

"It should be a level playing field," he said.

Mulder is allowed to appeal to the state board. He said he hired a lawyer to do just that.
 

Mulder's election finances probed

State investigators see 'probable cause' of errors that could cost Deltona's mayor up to $89,000.

Deltona Mayor Dennis Mulder triumphed last year by becoming the youngest person to win the city's highest elected post. But being a political novice may have its price: nearly $90,000.

Mulder learned Wednesday that the Florida Elections Commission staff found "probable cause" that he may have committed 89 campaign-finance violations in last year's election.

"Probable cause" doesn't mean he broke the law, but it means the agency has determined there is enough evidence to prove possible violations.

The agency's investigation was prompted by Deltona resident Jeff Ensminger,who filed complaints against Mulder alleging that Mulder had accepted excessive campaign contributions.

If found guilty, Mulder could be fined as much as $1,000 per violation, or $89,000.

Ensminger, who supported Mulder's opponent, alleged 41 campaign-law violations.

The commission found 89 possible problems, including nearly $5,000 in underreported cash contributions, the use of a personal credit card to pay for expenditures and sloppy bookkeeping on campaign treasurer's reports.

The agency's report, released last week and reviewed by the Orlando Sentinel on Wednesday, concluded that Mulder's actions were "willful."

'Sunshine' complaint roils Deltona politics

A Deltona resident filed a complaint Tuesday accusing City Commissioner Janet Deyette of breaking the state's open-meetings law.

Tammy Horn, who helped run her father's failed bid for mayor last year, said she filed the complaint with the State Attorney's Office because Deyette joined Mayor Dennis Mulder on a tour of Deltona with city-manager candidates May 19.

State law forbids two or more elected officials from discussing matters in private that could come before them.

Complaint alleges open-government violation

DELTONA -- A resident said she hand-delivered a complaint Tuesday against City Commissioner Janet Deyette, claiming she violated Florida's open-government laws during a tour with city manager candidates.

Tammy Horn of Deltona said she filed the complaint with the State Attorney's Office because she read in the news that Deyette discussed city business on a van ride two weeks ago with four candidates for city manager and Mayor Dennis Mulder. In the complaint, those issues include road projects, economic development, the joint-planning agreement and the D-Ranch.

The Sunshine Law requires that public business be discussed in open meetings when more than one elected official is involved.

Mulder said the tour simply pointed out areas of interest and did not involve any discussion between the elected officials.

"All that was said was, 'This is the activity center; it's the home of future economic development,' " he said. "And really, if you look at the (long-range city plans), that statement can't be debated because that's the way it's going to be there."

Complaint stirs up Deltona politics

A city tour broke the law, the daughter of the mayor's former opponent says.

A Deltona resident filed a complaint Tuesday accusing City Commissioner Janet Deyette of breaking the state's open-meetings law.

Tammy Horn, who helped run her father's failed bid for mayor last year, said she filed the complaint with the State Attorney's Office because Deyette joined Mayor Dennis Mulder on a tour of Deltona with city-manager candidates May 19.

State law forbids two or more elected officials from discussing matters in private that could come before them.

Both Mulder and Deyette have denied that they violated the law and insist that they did not discuss city business.

"I really think it stinks," Mulder said Tuesday of Horn's complaint.

"I think that everyone involved knows that there was no violation and that it was an innocent tour of the city. And I feel for Commissioner Deyette."

Mayor, there are rules about these things

Poor Dennis Mulder.

I am starting to think that if he strolled through a cow pasture he would not miss a single patty.

Hizzoner and Commissioner Janet Deyette deserved the heat they took for joining city manager wannabes on a recent driving tour of the city.

The pair piled into a van with the four candidates to see the sights, including a piece of land that has been the subject of a red-hot zoning controversy.

Hello? Anyone home?

The problem is not that Mulder joined the tour. He is the mayor, and that should be his prerogative.

The problem is that neither he nor Deyette instantly recognized the danger of both of them going.

This gets to the heart of Florida's open-meetings laws: Elected officials cannot get together and talk about issues they may have to vote on.

Commissioners: No standout in Deltona manager candidates

DELTONA -- City commissioners and the mayor face the tough task this weekend of deciding which city manager candidate they want to lead this young residential community into the future.

Interviews with the four candidates in front of a small public crowd Saturday focused largely on their experience. Each has managed cities or counties across the country for multiple decades. And each fits many of the city's needs -- from commercial growth issues to emergency management.

But the mood became tense briefly when Commissioner Michael Carmolingo asked what impressions the candidates got of the city from their Friday van tour around town. The candidates were accompanied on the tour by both Mayor Dennis Mulder and Commissioner Janet Deyette, Deyette confirmed.

Commissioner David Santiago said in an interview that four residents approached him with concerns that having two commissioners in the van did not appear to be consistent with Florida's open-government laws.

"The process was laid very clearly with us," he said. "We weren't supposed to be a part of that (van ride)."

Deyette said Mulder rode in the front with the Deltona fire chief while she was in the back, but, with tears welling in her eyes, she said city staff did not tell her that she could not go.

"I'm still new," Deyette said. "I am so open and naive, I guess I just got excited and wanted to enjoy their company."

Candidate tour spurs Sunshine debate

Deltona mayor, commissioner say city issues not discussed

DELTONA -- The four remaining candidates for city manager on Friday were taken on a tour that some say could be a possible "Government in the Sunshine" law violation because two members of the City Commission were present.

Mayor Dennis Mulder and Commissioner Janet Deyette accompanied the candidates on the tour of the city, which the elected officials insisted did not violate Florida's Sunshine law because no city issues were discussed.

Mulder and Deyette joined the candidates on a two-hour tour led by the city's fire chief that included several sites that have been the center of controversy in Deltona, such as the D-Ranch property, where a developer had proposed building 1,000 homes, and the boundaries in the Osteen area where the city is working with Volusia County to develop a joint-planning agreement.

"It was just light stuff," Deyette said of the conversations during the tour. "We didn't talk about city business."

However, when interviewed by the Sentinel on Friday night, two of the candidates said the topics discussed during the tour included road projects, economic development, the joint-planning agreement and the D-Ranch.

Deyette and Mulder said they were aware that state law forbids two or more elected officials from discussing matters in private that could come before them.

"I didn't think that it could be [a violation] because we weren't talking about city business," Mulder said. "I didn't know that Commissioner Deyette was coming along. It was a surprise."

Elections panel reviews charges against Deltona mayor

DELTONA -- At a hearing Thursday, the Florida Elections Commission convened to decide whether Mayor Dennis Mulder will face a later hearing to determine fines owed for violating campaign-finance laws.

Deltona resident Jeff Ensminger, who campaigned for Mulder's opponent last November, filed two complaints in September, accusing Mulder of not reporting all of his campaign expenditures and accepting contributions beyond the legal limit.

Though accused of being politically motivated to file the complaints, Ensminger said he did not decide to campaign for Mulder's opponent in the 2005 election until he discovered the alleged violations.

"I felt like he was withholding information from me and other voters by not reporting what he was supposed to," he said.

Don't blame mayor for all of Deltona's woes

The first time I heard the words "fear and smear" it was a frustrated John Kerry describing Republican campaign tactics.

The second time I heard that phrase it was a frustrated Dennis Mulder describing a Deltona city commissioner's recent attempt to derail a park purchase.

Forgive the young mayor's outburst. His first six months in office have produced some of the stormiest moments in the city's brief history.
 

Plans for Thornby property spark fierce debate in Deltona

DELTONA -- Some preservationists think the historic Thornby property may have been the site of a fort in the Second Seminole War.

On Monday, the 40-acre parcel sparked a new battle.

During a heated City Commission meeting that included booing and yelling from the audience, efforts to save the vacant property on Lake Monroe from development were boosted as Deltona decided by a 4-3 vote to pursue a grant to buy the land.

The city will apply to the Florida Communities Trust for a grant that would provide up to $5 million of the $6.8 million purchase price.

But the proposal touched off a fierce debate after it was pulled from the consent agenda -- which consists of items to be passed without comment.

Several city commissioners balked at the cost to the city not only to buy Thornby but to then turn it into a park.

Other residents shared the concern about costs.

"I think it is time for the commission to find out whether the residents want to commit that kind of money on the outskirts of the city," said Barbara Willey. "If we keep on stopping the growth and development, how are we going to pay for the services the residents need? Sooner or later we will have to raise taxes."

Mayor Dennis Mulder called that a "fear-and-smear campaign."

"I thought . . . we said that we would apply for the grant and have the county pick up the rest. . . . This wasn't going to cost the city anything," Mulder said.

Future of Thornby remains cloudy

Deltona is debating the details of a park on the historic property, and how it would pay for it.

DELTONA -- Though the city is considering the purchase of the historic Thornby property for a park, it has yet to come up with a clear vision for the project.

At Monday's meeting, commissioners are expected to approve the city's grant application to the Florida Communities Trust. The grant would provide up to $5 million, leaving the city with a financial burden of $1.8 million to cover the price tag for the 40-acre parcel fronting Lake Monroe.

Thornby has been at the center of a battle between the city, which had supported plans for a 200-unit housing development there, and residents and activists who want to preserve the land's environmental and historic identity.

Now activists, residents and city officials are debating what a park on the property could look like, and if they can all agree on its benefit.

Mayor Dennis Mulder said he would also support the idea of a park that preserves environmental and historical elements.

"I want to keep some sort of gem in Deltona," he said. "Sky-rises can be nice, but there's nothing quite like Thornby."

Mulder said that if the city buys the property, no decision on what kind of park is built should be made without citizen input.

"We need to pull people in on that," he said. "Everybody can be happy in this, but there needs to be compromise."

Deltona workshop to look at sex offender limits

DELTONA -- Belinda Rodriguez never considered herself an activist, but when a sex offender approached her two daughters, she said she decided to get involved.

She, along with several residents and a political action committee are pushing Deltona leaders to join with surrounding communities and adopt an ordinance restricting where sex offenders can live.

A political action committee also has taken up the issue. GoVolusia.org, which was formed this year, has added the issue to a list of priorities that also include improving city-county relations.

"The citizens of Deltona can wait no longer," said David McKnight, a member of the committee and a former City Commission candidate, who campaigned for a sex-offender ordinance.

"Deltona is a bedroom community, and we have children alone at home after school. We cannot wait for this," he told commissioners.

In response, commissioners have set a workshop for this Wednesday to discuss the issue.

In the past, city leaders have been reluctant to take up the issue, expressing doubts about the constitutionality of an ordinance and pointing to a program within the city that includes weekly face-to-face monitoring of the convicted sex offenders deemed most dangerous by deputies.

However, after listening to residents last week, some leaders say it maybe time for Deltona to get involved.

"You want to talk about the good fight, this is the good fight," said Mayor Dennis Mulder.

Deltona settles flap over prayer

A 'moment of silent invocation' will begin meetings of the commission.

DELTONA -- When officials changed "invocation" to a "moment of silence," they got an earful. Now prayer has been invited back to City Hall.

Commissioners and residents reached a compromise this week to settle a controversy over prayer that has dominated the city for months.

But some city officials say the real issue is not about religion but about politics. There is no difference between saying a "moment of silence" or a "moment of silent invocation," said Mayor Dennis Mulder.

"Some conservative folks believe that invocation implies prayer," he said. "Effectively, they think that they've somehow put prayer in government and it's a victory."

Jessup said that the city used invocation for years without problems. He saw no need for November's change.

"If all you're going to do is have a moment of silence, why bother?" Jessup said.

But Mulder said that all of the focus on words really diverts from the real issue: that all of this attention has benefited his political foes.

"The word on the agenda has changed and it's a victory for a political action committee," Mulder said. "And the truth is, it's unchanged for the general public."

Deltona resident challenges mayor on deleted e-mail

DELTONA -- A local resident is taking Mayor Dennis Mulder to task for conducting city business on a personal e-mail account that destroys some e-mails.

Mulder says it was an honest mistake -- he wanted to serve citizens better -- and that he has since changed his practice. An open records law expert says that's a good thing, because public records should be available.

Jeff Ensminger, who supported Doug Horn for mayor in last fall's election, said when he discovered Mulder was using a personal AOL account instead of a city e-mail account to conduct city business, he put in a public record request out of curiosity.

His request was for e-mails between Feb. 1 and March 3, but all the city could provide were e-mails for Feb. 22 to March 3 because AOL deleted everything before then.

"The taxpayers outfitted him with a very good mail system, so why is he instead opting to go to AOL, which automatically gets deleted in eight days?" Ensminger said.

Deltona manager keeps job

Commission takes no action on proposal to fire him

DELTONA -- A proposal to remove Roland Blossom as interim city manager went nowhere Monday.

Commissioner William Harvey said outright he would not support any such motion, while Commissioners Michele McFall and Zenaida Denizac proposed putting off the motion until a full commission and Blossom were present.

Both Commissioner David Santiago and Blossom, who is also city attorney, were absent from Monday's meeting.

"I feel that we are being unfair by discussing his future without him here," McFall said. "It should be when all parties are present."

Mayor Dennis Mulder, who brought forward the issue, said it was one of the hardest things he had ever proposed as a commissioner.

"The easiest thing for me to do is nothing. Is it the right thing to do? I don't think so," Mulder said. "(Blossom) is dedicated and it's completely obvious that he loves Deltona and has a passion for it. I have a great deal of respect for him as an attorney and friend."

Deltona manager in trouble

Some commissioners say Blossom overburdened, call for removal

DELTONA -- A month after granting a unanimous vote of confidence, at least two city commissioners said they Thursday they want Roland Blossom to step down as acting city manager.

Mayor Dennis Mulder said he will propose removing Blossom from the interim role and hiring someone else. Blossom also serves as city attorney, a position city leaders hope he continues to keep.

But "no matter how hard and how dedicated Blossom is, he is unable to do both jobs entirely because they are the two most full-time positions that we have," Mulder said. "It's not for a lack of trying. It's not from a lack of effort. It's not from a lack of dedication. It seems to be humanly impossible the longer it goes on."

Acting manager may lose spot

Deltona's mayor thinks the city attorney can't handle both jobs.

DELTONA -- City Attorney Roland Blossom's rocky tenure doubling as acting city manager could come to a premature end.

City Commissioner David Santiago said Thursday that Mayor Dennis Mulder will ask the commission to consider a new acting city manager because Mulder thinks Blossom cannot handle both jobs.

Blossom took on the added responsibilities after Fritz Behring resigned Dec. 1 after almost seven years as Deltona's manager to become Clay County manager.

"I don't think it's humanly possible for him to do both jobs," Mulder said Thursday. "I don't feel I'm being kept up to date on all the crucial elements of the operation of our city."

Deltona needs to speed up its manager search

Less than five months after Volusia County Manager Cindy Coto resigned, the county had her replacement under contract.

Less than three months after DeBary City Manager Richard Diamond was fired, council members selected his replacement.

Three days after Daytona Beach City Manager Rich Quigley retired, a new manager was on the job.

Deltona is taking -- how to put it? -- a more leisurely approach.

It has already been nearly five months since Deltona City Manager Fritz Behring submitted his resignation, and the city is just now getting around to placing some ads for the job.

What in blazes is the holdup?

In case no one noticed, Deltona has something of a leadership issue.

Make that a leadership crisis.

The lowlights of Acting City Manager Roland Blossom's tenure include sparking two of Deltona's biggest controversies in recent years -- both centering on the always passionate issue of faith.

Making matters worse is a well-intentioned young mayor who keeps lurching around like a political toddler.

Dennis Mulder's missteps kept the prayer and art issues boiling longer than necessary.

Mulder began the week, for example, with a baffling move to settle the prayer flap at the end of a long City Commission meeting, and without providing any public notice, despite the public's keen interest.

The commission then voted not to reverse its original decision to call the silent invocation a moment of silence.

Issue settled? Please.

If anything, Mulder has invited new criticism for cutting the public out of the decision. And this time, his critics are right.

The mayor is not aided by peevish remarks, including this gem: "I did what it was that they [critics] asked me to do. Now I'm moving on."

Deltona stuck in prayer debate

DELTONA -- This city's prayer debate is far from resolved.

The Deltona City Commission's decision Monday to reaffirm its stance on holding a moment of silence during public meetings is creating more controversy, rather than cooling a red-hot issue.

Commissioner Zenaida Denizac said Tuesday her vote in the 3-4 decision was done in error. She meant to vote in support of bringing back an invocation to the start of meetings.

"All along I have been saying I wanted the invocation back," Denizac said. "I knew where I stood from the get-go and I misunderstood the motion."

Residents, meanwhile, are upset, saying the commission's action left them out of the discussion process.

However, residents are saying that it was wrong of city leaders to bring the issue up near the end of a meeting, during commission comments when the general public could not participate.

Residents would have liked to see the issue as a schedule item on the agenda, said Jamie Jessup, chairman of a local political action committee.

"They didn't hear from the public," Jessup said. "I find that to be another one of the leadership problems we have in Deltona. They keep making these mistakes."

Denizac said she is looking to have her vote reversed, and might bring the issue up for a third time.

Mayor Dennis Mulder said Denizac can bring the issue back up, but as far as he is concerned, it is over for him.

"I would like to focus on real business," the mayor said.

Commission favors silence over invocation

DELTONA -- The Deltona City Commission reaffirmed its stance Monday to hold a moment of silence instead of an invocation at its meetings.

It was a split vote with Mayor Dennis Mulder, Vice Mayor David Santiago and Commissioner Michael Carmolingo supporting reinstating the word "invocation" and Commissioners Zenaida Denizac, Michelle McFall, William Harvey and Janet Deyette voting to stick with the moment of silence.

Deltona spokeswoman ends stormy tenure

DELTONA -- After a tumultuous eight months, Jeannie Gage resigned Thursday as Deltona's spokeswoman.

Her time was marred by two incidents that embroiled the city in racial and religious debates.

Gage, whose annual salary was $42,500, didn't state a reason for her resignation, but in a two-line letter wrote: "I wish the government, employees and residents of Deltona well." She later added during a telephone interview that she regrets things didn't work out.

Gage intended her resignation to take affect March 16, but Acting City Manager Roland Blossom decided to make it effective Thursday, stating it was at his discretion. At the same time, Blossom praised Gage, a former News-Journal reporter, and said she was partly responsible for the success of the city's 10th-year anniversary celebration.

"She is a very talented person and she knows the area," Blossom said. "She knows the people and she has worked very hard for the city."

Mayor Dennis Mulder said Gage was caught in some unfortunate circumstances.

"I am sure that given the opportunity she would have been a great resource," he said.

Mulder said a city the size of Deltona needs a PIO.

"It's not that tiny little bedroom community anymore," he said. "We need professionals that know how to handle the media. It's a necessary office."

Group wants prayer on Deltona city agenda

'Invocation' debate follows brouhaha over art

DELTONA -- First it was about a change of words. Then it was about religious paintings. And now it's about putting prayer in City Hall.

Disturbed by what they see as the city's attack on religion in the public sphere, a group of local residents and pastors have banded together on a mission to put prayer into City Commission meetings.

City officials have expressed mixed feelings. Mayor Dennis Mulder said he will accept whatever decision the commission makes but he sees putting prayer in City Hall as problematic.

"I'm concerned with the commission deciding which religion that they want to endorse," Mulder said. "That is a big deal. Is there a true nondenominational prayer?"

"I don't have a problem with different pastors coming in to do the prayer just so long as the people who want this to happen don't have a problem with a pastor doing a prayer that isn't their faith," Mulder said.

Deltona leaders getting pressure over prayer

DELTONA -- City leaders may have another battle over religion on their hands.

Some residents have been pressuring elected officials to bring prayer back to public meetings. Now, two city commissioners are joining that fight.

Commissioners David Santiago and Zenaida Denizac are asking fellow leaders to rethink a decision made last year to remove the word "invocation" from the commission's agenda. Even though no formal prayer was said at meetings, leaders decided to substitute "invocation" with the words, "a moment of silence." In November, the city dropped "invocation" to avoid any mixing of church and state.