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Endorsements and breaking news our priorities today

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- With Tuesday's general election now a day away, our priorities today are endorsements and any major breaking news.

We'll also try and squeeze in our exclusive coverage of the New Smyrna Beach High School Homecoming half-time show. If not today, then Tuesday or Wednesday. We have a lot of ground to cover over the next 36 hours so we appreciate everyone's patience and support as we are providing the kind of in-depth election coverage we believe is important to the voting public.

Endorsement: Christopher Kelly for County Judge (group 4)

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Christopher Kelly attended a candidate introduction forum prior to the big state senate debate between Dorothy Hukill and Frank Bruno at the Brannon Center on Oct. 20. It was Kelly's 44th birthday, no less. He learned of his endorsement right there and then in front of 200 citizens.

Endorsement: Clerk of the Circuit Court Diane Matousek, 'Yes!'

Headline Surfer videos by Sera Frederick / Clerk of the Circuit Court Diane Matousek introduces herself to 200 citizens at the Brannon Center in New Smyrna Beach, finishing her enthusiastic presentation with a "Yes!" NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- There's an old saying that goes like this: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." That adage applies to the leadership, mentoring and professionalism of Diane Matousek, Volusia County's outstanding clerk of the circuit court.

Endorsement: Mitt Romney for President of the United States

Mitt Romney in Ormond Beach back in MarchMitt Romney had one very important question to ask 5,000 supporters at an Ormond Beach lumber yard back in March: "Are you ready to send Barack Obama home from the White House?" The crowd roared back "Yes!"

We agree. The country needs a change in leadership. Ironically, it's Romney who exhibits the hope and change Obama promised four years ago in his run for the White House.

Endorsement: No clear-cut choice between two enthusiastic candidates for Edgewater City Council, dist. 1

Newspaper Section

EDGEWATER -- The race for the Edgewater City Council dist. 1 seat offers a stark contrast in candidates: Christine Power, a political newcomer, and James Paul Brown, a former two-term councilman, who occupied this very seat for six years, from 1999 to 2005. 

Power, 44, has shown in interest in seeing a Community Redevelopment District set up along U.S. 1 to help spur economic development. Brown, 67, owns a nearby bookstore.

Voting an 'intregal part of our freedom' so go vote

Newspaper Section
NSB Mayor Adam BarringerMayor's Message
By Adam Barringer
Mayor of New Smyrna Beach
Exclusive for Headline Surfer

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Get out and Vote!

Why vote?

I asked this question to quite a few people as we entered into the campaign season and the answer was standard across the board, "Because it is my right, because we are a democracy, it is my civic responsibility, because I love our country, because we need change."

As you can imagine, there were a few others full of expletives.

As mayor, I believe everyone needs to vote and here ae the reasonds why:

1. All politics are local. Many of the local leaders who have a great impact on your daily lives are elected with narrow margins. Your vote definitely counts. (In 2009, 112 votes made the difference in my election).

Endorsement: Carl Persis for county chair

Newspaper Section

Carl PersisORMOND BEACH -- With a victory in today's general elections, Carl Persis could finally emerge from the shadow of Frank Bruno and become the new face of Volusia County government.

Only one man stands between Persis and that eight-year wait for the non-partisan county chairmanship: Jason Davis. The registered Republican was the forgotten candidate from the moment qualifying ended and print media had its camera on power attorney Ted Doran.

Davis faced further humiliation when the Daytona Beach News-Journal teamed up with the Tiger Bay Club to host a debate and Davis was excluded. But Davis persevered.