DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The audio recordings created by court reporters to supplement written transcripts in the Waverly Media sworn interviews of two dozen witnesses and under the custody and care of County Council-hired investigator Jonathan Kaney, Jr. have been discarded.
This, despite the fact, that under Florida Public Records Law, these audio recordings, once created are public records and must be retained by government responsible for them.
Headline Surfer® learned of this unprecedented development in a public records request for 25 audio recorded interviews in an email reply from County Attorney Daniel Eckert.
Photos for Headline Surfer® / DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - With seven new judges -- six elected and one appointed -- along with several retirements at year's end, the 7th Judicial Circuit, which comprises Volusia, Flagler, Putnam and St. Johns counties, will see judges in new assignments in January like a game of musical chairs except where they land has been determined by the chief judge.
Circuit Judges R. Michael Hutcheson, Shawn L. Briese, Robert K. Rouse Jr., and Terry LaRue are retiring at year's end. Circuit Judge Thomas Portuallo and Volusia County Court Judge Peter McGlashan are leaving as the result of this year's election.
Photos for Headline Surfer® / DELAND, Fla. -- Deputy Sheriff Mike Coffin has a grown daughter and two grandchildren among his offspring, but because they live out of state, he has devoted much of his personal time mentoring young people despite his many demands as second in command of the largest cop shop in Volusia County with 460-plus sworn personnel.
Editor's Note: Morton Culligan of DeBary, a citizen watchdog (shown here at far left), who often appears at Volusia County Council meetings, and an attendee at a HeadlineSurfer.com public candidate debate for the at-large County Council seat at the Oak Hill City Hall back in June for which candidate Pat Northey (shown here far right) was a no-show, wrote the following after Thursday'sCounty Council meeting and sent it to local media outlets. Culligan was reacting to Councilman Joshua Wagner's criticism of Northey for the mailer on County Council at-large incumbent Joyce Cusack (shown here in the middle). Culligan's reference to 'Fast Freddy' is Fred Lowry, candidate for the district 5 seat Northey now holds, but is term-limited in, which is why she's challenging Cusack. Lowry is battling fellow candidate Rich Gailey of DeBary, who won the August primary:DELAND, Fla. -- Whats next? Big Spat at Volusia Council meeting. Pat Northey slips back into the gutter -- again.
DAYTONA BEACH -- At-large Councilwoman Joyce Cusack knew the so-called Waverly investigation was a farce -- a certifiable "witchhunt" -- from the onset pushed by the likes of her opponent, district 5 term-limited Councilwoman Patricia Northey.
DELAND -- A community activist is leading a grassroots "goodwill job connection" seminar on Friday for those who have had brushes with the law and are having trouble finding employment.
DAYTONA BEACH -- The recount for the at-large county council primary between Webster Barnaby and Pat Northey is over. And now so is the campaign of Barnaby as Northey moves on to a November showdown with incumbent Joyce Cusack.
DELAND -- Children can give their brains and bodies a workout during free programs at the DeLand Regional Library this fall.
