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ORLANDO -- Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney descended upon the Republican National Convention in Tampa on a mission: to humanize himself and dispel caricatures portraying him as a corporate raiding automaton focused on profits and losses, not people.

If that was Romney’s aim, his forceful acceptance speech achieved solid footing for the 65-year-old successful businessman to capitalize on during the upcoming sprint to Nov. 6.

OAK HILL -- Until you have been diagnosed with cancer and have a million questions, you don't think about what the American Cancer Society does or what it can do for you.

Headline Surfer photo by Henry Frederick / The 100 block of the North Causeway in New Smyrna Beach is being proposed for a 202-unit development that includes workforce housing, something nearby neighbors in the upscale Venezia neighborhood want no part of.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- It's known as NIMBY or "not in my backyard."

That was the message of some 250 New Smyrna Beach residents to a development on the North Causeway that includes workforce units or affordable housing for families making between $20,000 to $40,000 annually.

But the residents attending a special meeting at the Brannon Center called for by the project's developers want no part of the 239-unit apartment complex Causeway Landings.

ORMOND BEACH -- If the idea was to make Mitt Romney “more accessible and likeable,” then the Republican National Convention in Tampa succeeded beyond anyone’s imagination.

When I was growing up in St.Augustine, Labor Day always signaled the start of school and the beginning of Fall. I got new Saddle oxfords and a few dark print dresses because it was supposed to be cooler, after all.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Carl Persis wants to become the face of Volusia County as its next elected chair. But standing in the way is surprise second-place finisher in the primary, Jason Davis.

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES -- Barack Obama has been running for re-election (or perhaps coronation) and the Republicans have been running against him ever since Obama was elected president in 2008. But this week the 2012 election campaign really and truly got started.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Republicans worried that former Gov. Mitt Romney might not be up to the task of presenting himself favorably to the convention attendees and viewing audience on Thursday night went to bed believing that they’d heard the words of the next president of the United States.