Local News Now

Exclusive video interview: 'Pavement, personality and perseverance' pay off for Volusia County Chair Jason Davis

Newspaper Section

Videos produced by Multimedia Editor Serafina Frederick / Volusia County Chair Jason Davis sat down with Headline Surfer Editor/Publisher Henry Frederick for an exclusive indepth video interview in Frederick's New Smyrna Beach home on Dec. 31. Here is that hour-long interview in three video segments.

Volusia County Chair Jason Davis interviewed by Henry Frederick / Headline SurferNEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Volusia County Chair Jason Davis of Edgewater cites the three "Ps" that led to his successful and overwhelming victory in the Nov. 6 general elections: Pavement, personality and perseverance.

Though he officially took over as county chair when the ball drop to the new year, per the county charter, Davis will be sworn in Jan. 10, a largely ceremonial function.

Please click the videos for an indepth interview focusing on how Davis dealth with being the clear underdog and political outsider, how he won so handily and how he's handling crtitical media coverage focusing on a decade-old arrest that was dropped and dredged up again with a big front page story. Davis also highlights his priorities and his approach to governance and leadership.

Related:

'Up to the challenge' of leading Volusia County
Tony Ledbetter of Ormond Beach named to key Florida Republican leadership post Henry Frederick Sun, 01/06/2013 - 09:50

ORLANDO, Fla -- Pledging to his GOP colleagues that he would be a "conservative voice" for the party, Tony Ledbetter, chairman of the Republican Executive Committee of Volusia County, was elected Congressional District 6 chairman for the Republican Party of Florida at its annual meeting this weekend at the Rosen Centre Hotel. 

4. Spoiled pork chop murder, giant eyeball washing ashore and other bizarre stuff in the Sunshine State Henry Frederick Sat, 01/05/2013 - 12:02

5. Bill Nelson cruises to re-election in US Senate race; Congressman Allen West finally concedes Henry Frederick Sat, 01/05/2013 - 08:52

Frank Hechman doesn't see a 'negative' in kids exposed to New Year's Eve drinking crowd

Newspaper Section

kid in costume

Video produced by Multimedia Editor Serafina Frederick / Frank Hechman, head of the Beachside Neighborhood Watch, reacts with glees to the New Year's Eve block party on Main Street, estimating 20,000 people showed up. Click the video to watch what he had to say.
 

DAYTONA BEACH -- Frank Hechman, the elder statesman of the Beachside Neighborhood Watch was more jovial than acerbic in giving his reaction to the New Year's Eve beach ball drop and the huge crowd.

Disgust too mild a word for our 'leaders' in Washington with the Fiscal Cliff

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- What we witnessed in Washington, DC, over the past few weeks – both in the posturing, unseriousness and sheer disregard for the duties that our elected representatives, including both Congress and the White House, were voted by the American people to handle responsibly –was as despicable as anything I have ever witnessed in federal government.

New Year's Eve on Canal: The scenic look of a winter wonderland minus the snow

Canal Street all lit up on New Year's Eve / Headline SurferCanal Street Christmas tree in New Smyrna Beach on New Year's Eve / Headline Surfer Headline Surfer photos by Henry Frederick / Canal Street in New Smyrna Beach, is shown here on New Year's Eve just after 10 p.m.

 NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- With the bars on Flagler Avenue playing host to the New Year's Eve festivities, the city's other heavily invested CRA street was as dead as a door knob, a far cry from the hustle and bustle during traditional business hours.

Bar patrons take the party outside with New Smyrna Beach cops MIA at peak of New Year's Eve celebration on Flagler

Newspaper Section

Mom and daughter at NSB New Year's / Headline SurferIllegal public drinking on Flagler at New Year's Eve / Headline Surfer

The New Year's Eve party on Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach was a fun night out for Jennifer Collier and little girl while revelers drank from open containers with no fear of the cops because they weren't around when the fireworks lit up the sky at 9 p.m. and at least the next hour.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Jennifer Collier got an eyeful when she took 6-year-old daughter, Ella, to the New Year's Eve fireworks celebration on Flagler Avenue where countless people among the crowd of 2,000 were drinking right out in the open.