Top 100 Stories

Wink and a nod: Time for Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority chairman to resign

Newspaper Section

Deb DenysEditor's Note: Deb Denys, a New Smyrna Beach resident and an announced candidate for the Volusia County Council dist. 3 seat representing Southeast Volusia, is calling for the resignation of SVAA Chairman David Kosmas. Here is her guest blog on the controversy surrounding the ad authority: 

By Deb Denys
Special to NSBNews.net

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Without excuse, our tourist economy and community deserve better. Revelations of the last couple months, draws the glaring conclusion that the chair of the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority (David Kosmas) either is unwilling or unable to exercise due diligence of the position as chair of an ad authority.

It is the chair’s responsibility to oversee the board, agenda, reporting, and ultimately the executive director. The days of governing with a ‘wink and a nod’ are over.

Marin Truex Jr. has poll for today's Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway

Martin Truex Jr.DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Martin Truex Jr. won the pole for today's 34th annual Budweisrer Shootour at Daytona Internationl Spedway.

Driving the No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing, Truex drew the pole position for the shootout. Making his second career Budweiser Shootout start, Truex peeled off the No. 1 wrapper on the Budweiser bottle.

"Came here with a plan and I'm sticking to it," said Truex Jr., driver of the No. 56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota owned by Michael Waltrip Racing,  on his strategy of winning the 75-lap non-points race.

Issue of legalized gambling topic of Daytona Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast

DAYTONA BEACH -- This Friday's Daytona Area Chamber of Commerce "Eggs and Issues" will look at the pros and cons of gambling with legislation being considered in Tallahassee in addition to a possible referendum in Volusia in Novemeber.

The 7:45 a.m. breakfast will be at Gene's Steak House, 3674 W. International Speedway Blvd. 

Gambling is on Florida's government radar. What does it mean for our state and Local tax base? Our economy? Our tourist market? Are their any social problems associated with it? Both sides of gambling will be discussed with special guest speakers: Daytona Beach Kennel Club's Dan Francotti and No Casinos Inc.'s Paul Seago. 

New Smyrna Beach City Commission acts as de facto CRA; approves Hub artist rental program on Canal Street

Newspaper Section

Sally Mackay and Bill PrestonNSBNews.net photo by Henry Frederick / Former New Smyrna Beach Mayor Sally Mackay confers with her "Hub" group's attorney, Bill Preston, during Monday night's City Commission meeting.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Former Mayor Sally Mackay's Hub artist rental program on Canal Street was approved tonight by the City Commission as a de facto Community Redevelopment Agency, a move that essentially puts the CRA out of business as a governing body.

The CRA couldn't act on the program earlier this month because it's down to four members and one of them, attorney James C. Petersen, its acting chairman, had a conflict of interest and had to abstain, leaving the board without a quorum.

BREAKING NEWS: Robert Lott removed from Edgewater's economic development advisory board

Newspaper Section
Robert LottNSBNews.net photo by Sera Frederick / Robert Lott, shown here running a recent workshop of the Edgewater economic development advisory board, was its chairman despite a history of financial and legal troubles including the folding of the weekly Observer, foreclosure proceedings on his Riverside Drive residence where he was running the paper until it folded in November and he's awaiting court action on a lawsuit filed by an 82-year-old New Smyrna Beach widow who alleging she was defrauded of $60,000.

EDGEWATER -- Robert Lott, a polarizing figure in the business community was removed from the economic development advisory board tonight, a move spearheaded by Edgewater Councilman Justin Kennedy in a 3-1 vote.