- April 26, 2024
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Dear Editor:
This is a public service notice to Observer readers who received in the mail the vote-by-mail request, required because of recent changes to state law. Filling out the required information and returning such to the Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Office would then make one eligible for ballot requests to be received in the mail through 2024, including our Florida primaries and the general election.
The form easily leads one to believe that such things as their phone number, Florida driver’s license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number are required pieces of information in order to receive ballot requests by mail.
I urge everyone to take notice of the option to call the Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Office, rather than putting the personal information captioned above in the U.S. mail. You will be asked three things: your name, your date of birth, and the last four of your Social Security number or your driver’s license number.
I did this; the call took 30 seconds, and I will be able to continue to vote by mail in elections through the year 2024.
Bob Baumer
Ormond Beach
Dear Editor:
For several years, the idea of moving the police station has been brought up periodically. Without any input from the residents, the city wants to pursue a $100,000 land use study to replace or rebuild the current police station, which is only 23 years old. Surely, when the city constructs such a building, the life expectation should be at least twice that.
We have been told that the property is in a flood zone. FEMA map shows it as a Minimum Hazard area. We are warned about storm surge water. This area has never flooded.
It is reported that the building needs a new roof for $500,000. Any building would need a new roof after 23 years. A new roof is less expensive than the $51 million estimated for a new, unwanted and unnecessary building. The requested $1,451,875 requested from the state was red-lined from the budget this year.
It is said that the building is overcrowded. The parking lot is usually pretty empty, and it appears that most officers are out on the streets on patrol. To speak to an officer, you have to call on a phone in the lobby that is answered in DeLand, where they call back to Ormond to have someone come back to the station.
The current station is perfectly located in an area where most of the assistance is needed. It is centrally located between beachside and east of I-95. The police reports in the papers or online indicate that most of their activity is east of I-95. An EOC west of I-95 makes no sense, as most emergencies in this area are a result of hurricanes, which impact the ocean and river areas. West of I-95 could house a substation, and if needed, a training field center and shooting range. Neither of these two activities are desirable or beneficial for populated areas of living and dining.
It is not necessary for the city to spend thousands of dollars for studies. Meet with the residents and listen. This item should not show up on a City Commission agenda some evening and be agreed to without any input from residents.
It has been suggested that the real reason behind the push to move the police station is to make this property available to a developer for more apartments in that area. We do not need any more gas stations, car washes or storage facilities. This would not be in the best interest of the people they are supposed to represent.
Connie Colby
Ormond Beach
