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NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick. Bob Tolley (left) and Bob Rees are regular attendees of New Smyrna Beach City Commission meetings. Both were instrumental as members of the Public Watch Committee in holding the inaugural candidates debate, along with NSBNEWS.net.
BobTolley has been speaking out at New Smyrna Beach City Commission meetings for 10 years. Bob Rees has been doing the same for 20 years.
No one else comes even close. These two joined forces to establish the Public Watch Committee, which along with NSBNEWS.net, sponsored the initial NSB candidates debate Aug. 29, at the Hidden Lakes Golf Club.
Thanks to the hard work of these two private citizens, the debate was an overwhelming success with participation by all nine candidates for two city commission seats as well as mayor, with three vying for each.
More than 200 people turned out for the debate, despite last-minute changes that included a change in venue because of seating issues, parking and traffic issues.
This turnout is a testament to every-day people wanting accountability from their elected officials, especially during these trying economic times. With so many living paycheck to paycheck and government in general out of step with concerns about job security and families staying in their homes and providing for their children, voters are taking notice regarding fiscal spending.
Several people, including myself, had talked in recent weeks about holding a debate. The two Bobs were willing to go the extra mile to make it happen with their newly formed Public Watch Committee and I was more than pleased to provide coverage and participate in the actual debate as a member of the local working press.
Tolley and Rees were more than professional in keeping their personal views out of the actual debate sessions, leaving questions of the candidates for the press and the public. Tolley served as the moderator and Rees as the timekeeper.
Tolley and Rees have set up a second debate to be held 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12, at the United Church of Christ, 203 Washington St., at the corner of Faulkner Street.
This second debate will focus on two major topics: The budget and taxes; and police and fire issues. All nine candidates have said they will attend just as they did the first time around.
At least one debate is planned prior to the general election by the PWC, scheduled at this point for Saturday, Oct. 17.
So if you were at the first debate or have watched them on our extensive video coverage here at NSBNEWS.net, give your kudos to the two Bobs -- Bob Tolley and Bob Rees. This was a longtime dream of their's and it became a reality.These two are your Public Watch Committee and together they have generated renewed interest in local government accountability and real transparency.