Every picture tells a story and the clouds Wednesday night here lived up to their billing with a fierce storm that had everyone dodging puddles, hoping their windshield wipers were working and when they got home safety that their power would be on.
I am always amazed at how industrious and talented our community bloggers are in writing about what is important to them and their stake in it. They are valued ambassadors to the public right here in greater New Smyrna Beach and across Volusia County.
Two in particular I'd like to single out are Shira Beth Wild and Jeanette DiCara for their passionate approaches to topics that are important to them. An admitted lover of feral cats, Shira Beth backs up her love of helpless animals by pointing out that euthanizing isn't the solution and the costs are outrageous: $2 million annually countywide. Her blog is aptly called "Fur Real."
Photos by Henry Frederick / New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer says he's pleased the city's finances are sound, but with unfunded balances in police and fire, the city is at greater risk financially. Daytona Beach cop Bob Walker, new business agent for Teamsters Local 385, says its unfair to curb pay increases for cops and firefighters and expected them to pay more for pensions they've earned.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The news behind New Smyrna Beach's annual audit is good considering the escalating costs of government doing business in this economy.
DeLand, Fla. -- Robert Huth Jr., an experienced business and finance administrator who currently serves as executive vice president at Middlebury College in Vermont, has been named vice president for business and chief financial officer at Stetson University.
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Photo by Henry Frederick / Port Orange Fire Chief Tom Weber, shown at far right, participated in a regional fire services meeting in New Smyrna Beach on March 11, 2010, regarding the prospect of joint fire services, which did not go beyond the discussion stages. On the left in the photo at that meeting is Edgewater Fire Chief Steve Cousins and in the middle is New Smyrna Beach Fire Chief David McAllister.PORT ORANGE -- After 35 years of public service as a firefighter in Port Orange where he rose to the rank of chief, Tom Weber is turning to the private sector to continue his love of fire services.
"The world has gone nuts... I listened to our President deliver the same garbage that has come out of the mouth of every president we have had for the last 40 years. We are now in another non-declared war (Libya) and don’t believe Obama, there will be troops on the ground within weeks.
You have just shot a nice eight pointer. As you drag him out of the woods and get ready to put him in the truck, a plain dressed (or uniformed) individual approaches you, shows their identification and asks you for your hunting license, your tags (if applicable) and your driver’s license.
I try not to watch the news but every now and then it is on while I am doing something else so I hear it. Tonight was one of those times and let me just tell you a couple of things I heard. These should help explain to you why I don’t like to watch.
DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. -- In my last Guidepost, I very strongly urged the GOP to demand draconian spending cuts as the best means of saving our nation from bankruptcy and the world from a financial crash which could dwarf that of 2008, or even 1929.
