World's Most Famous Beach, Daytona 500 and Bike Week part of winning formula

Headline Surfer® photos / Daytona Beach is vital to Florida's tourism health and the three time-trusted staples are the World's Most Famous Beach, the Daytona 500 and Bike Week.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Gov. Rick Scott was more than eager to have a press release sent out to Florida's daily media outlets on Friday, the day after he visited the Daytona Beach Chamber of Commerce with promising tourism figures -- increasing numbers of visitors and tourism-related jobs.

"According to VISIT FLORIDA's preliminary estimates, Florida has experienced another record quarter for visitation, with 24 million visitors during the months of April-June 2014," the governor boasted.  

Incumbent county councilwoman hasn't even been on dais that long

Headline Surfer® graphic /

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Deb Denys, elected in 2012, brags in a recent campaign mailer that she "voted against tax increases two years in a row,"  which is impossible since she hasn't even been in office long enough to even come close to completing a second annual budget cycle. 

Ex-County Chair Phil Giorno worth consideration

Headline Surfer® photo / Rich Gailey, candidate for Volusia County Council district 5, is endorsed by Headline Surfer® with fellow candidate Phil Giorno of Deltona recognized as an alternate endorsement by the award-wining 24/7 internet newspaper.

DELTONA -- The maturation Rich Gailey has shown since his initial run two years ago against an entrenched incumbent has been truly amazing.

And Gailey's hard work on the campaign trail brings hope for the folks of Deltona, DeBary, Enterprise and Osteen in reversing what has been an abysmal two years under term-limited incumbent in Patricia Northey.

And this endorsement is as much about the past as it is the future. Gailey is that future and his presence on the county dais is desperately needed now.

DEBARY -- Lisa Gailey understands and fully supports her husband in his quest to win elective office and represent the interests of Volusia County's forgotten area.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Attendance was sparse for Saturday's inaugural Red Bull Global Rallycross at Daytona International Speedway. But the spectators who dared challenge the hot Florida sun in two bleacher sections saw Rhys Millen take the checkered flag in this high-flying race on dirt and asphalt, even as his engine failed on the final lap.

Incumbent Peter McGlashan put up $100,000 campaign war chest, but concern about his Speedway-connected contributions

Headline Surfer® endorses Angela Dempsey over incumbent Peter A.D. McGlashan in the race for Volusia County judge.

DAYTONA BEACH -- County Judge Peter McGlashan early on put up a six-figure bounty hoping to dissuade any and all comers who would challenge him for his appointed seat on the bench in the current election cycle.

One candidate had the courage of her conviction to challenge him and that is Angela Dempsey, a DeLand-based private attorney. Dempsey has earned the endorsement of Headline Surfer® for her determination, grit and respect for the judiciary and the responsibility that comes with it.

New Smyrna Beach siblings attend Burns Sci-Tech in Oak Hill

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Daddy's little girl returned to school Monday along with about 61,000 other Volusia County students.

It was the day of school for Ray Catheline's little princess, Olivia, who entered kindergarten at the Buns Sci-Tech Charter School in Oak Hill. Big brother, Nicholas entered second grade.

Misty Burris Catheline took one final snapshot of the kids at home in New Smyrna Beach before the drive to Oak Hill and a couple more photos with father and the children in their respective classes.

"(We're) missing our babies, but we have a little downtime now," the proud mom lamented.

Political consultant Jim Oddie: Unless governor consents to usage, it's misleading  

DAYTONA BEACH -- The head of the Republican Party of Volusia County is using Gov. Rick Scott's photo on his exceutive committee's Facebook page as if the governor's speaking for that organization.

And the county's lead office holder and Republican thinks it's improper.