Community

No joke either: Bronze star recipient not pleased NSB mayor called cop/Iraq War veteran a 'pr-ck' while sarcastically shaking his hand

Volusia County Chair Jason Davis, shown here in an American flag campign photo, turns 51 today, April 1, 2013. What isn't a joke to Davis, recipient of the Bronze Star, is New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer disrespecting a city cop who served his country with a tour of duty in Iraq.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- County Chair Jason Davis is 51 years old today and that's no April Fool's joke.

"Yes, I was born on April 1, 1962," Davis said over the weekend with a laugh. "I'll be 51 on April 1, no fooling."

Another thing that's far from a joke to Davis, a Bronze Star recipient for his tours of duty in the Iraq, is the verbal abuse a New Smyrna Beach cop took from that city's mayor before the start of the municipal Christmas parade.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Here is a summary of action by the New Smyrna Beach City Commission at its meeting Tuesday night.

Recognition:

# Atlantic Center for the Arts – A presentation by Community Education and Outreach Manager Ren Morrison, accompanied by Community Artist Tory Tepp, of the organizations programs and planned activities for the upcoming year.

Headline Surfer photo by Henry Frederick / The 100 block of the North Causeway in New Smyrna Beach is being proposed for a 202-unit development that includes workforce housing, something nearby neighbors in the upscale Venezia neighborhood want no part of.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- It's known as NIMBY or "not in my backyard."

That was the message of some 250 New Smyrna Beach residents to a development on the North Causeway that includes workforce units or affordable housing for families making between $20,000 to $40,000 annually.

But the residents attending a special meeting at the Brannon Center called for by the project's developers want no part of the 239-unit apartment complex Causeway Landings.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Fire Chief Dave McCallister is being honored with the Volusia League of Cities' Distinguished Service Award for 2012.

McCallister was recommended by the VLOC nominating committee and voted in by the organization's executive committee.

This award is presented to outstanding individuals who have made their community, and Volusia County as a whole, a better place to live.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A 21-year-old biker apparently speeding was killed when he slammed his Suzuki sport bike into a minivan in front of him Saturday night while both vehicles were heading south on U.S. 1 near Skyline Drive, New Smyrna Beach police said.

Wade A. Althafer was pronounced dead at the scene of the 8:50 p.m. accident. The driver of the Chrysler minivan was not hurt.

"He was (going) at a high rate of speed when witnesses said he locked up his brakes," Sgt. Christopher Roos said told NSBNews.net.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Debra Gibson was a street walker with a record of petty crimes. James Desmond Booth was a convicted drug dealer. When their paths met again on Jan. 25, 2011, she was shot dead.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The SPCA is sponsoring two pet shot clinics Saturday:11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Kmart plaza on State Road 44 in New Smyrna Beach, and from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Family Dollar store on U.S. 1 in Edgewater.

These clinics are open to everyone and a veterinarian will be on hand to perform the shots. They only take cash at the clinics. If you need more information, please call 386-748-8993.