Volusia County Council District 2 race

By Al Everson
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Aug 9, 2008 - 8:52:05am

Only one spot on the seven-member Volusia County Council is being contested this year, and there is no shortage of hopefuls.

After serving only one four-year term, District 2 Council Member Art Giles is stepping down, and six people are vying to fill the pending vacancy. The six-pack of candidates includes a minister, a lawyer, a mayor, and three businessmen. A seventh candidate, Daytona Beach City Commissioner Rick Shiver, withdrew from the race.

Two of Giles' colleagues whose terms likewise expire this year, County Chair Frank Bruno and District 4 Council Member Carl Persis, were automatically re-elected because no one ran against either of them.

District 2 covers most of the Daytona Beach-Halifax area.

(Visit our VOTE 2008 online guide for more information.)

TYRONE BROWN

The pastor of Cathedral Faith Ministry of Daytona Beach, Tyrone Brown claims his work as a spiritual leader has prepared him for the realm of politics and dealing with the real-life problems he confronts every day.

"Talking to people, they want a change. They want jobs and health care. Their electric bill is going up, and if their electric bilI is going up, their phone bill is going up," said Brown, when asked why he is running to represent District 2.

Brown, 54, went on to say he believes he can make a difference in the material well-being of the people in his district and Volusia County residents in general.

"I want to try to create more jobs," he said.

Economic development is one of the prime issues in his campaign. Brown would like to see more local hiring for contractors working for the county.

"We have multimillion-dollar contracts going to companies that are not hiring people from Volusia County," he added.

Brown further claims the county should change its thinking about capital projects.

"Infrastructure is more than just bridges and roads and buildings; it's people," he said.

If Volusia County would focus on providing more employment opportunities, other problems, including the county's, would be solved or lessened, according to Brown.

"In order to create revenues, you've got to have more jobs," he explained.

To grow the local economy, Brown proposes to form a districtwide effort, including local officials, chambers of commerce, educators, churches and civic organizations.

"I want to try to get a consortium, and get all the cities from Ormond Beach to Ponce Inlet and sit down together," he said.

Brown did not say if he would favor setting the property-tax rate at the rollback, a figure that is higher this year due to a 10-percent decline in taxable values. He did, however, say he opposes using fees or special assessments as alternative revenue sources.

"That's just another way of increasing taxes," Brown said.

One fee Brown would like to abolish is the county's beach toll.

"The citizens don't want it," he said.

An issue that transcends district and county lines is water. Brown's solution to future water shortages lies to the east of Atlantic Avenue.

"We've got billions of metric tons of water off the coast," he explained. "We have the skills and the technology to bring that salt water in. Israel has done that for years."

Brown is not deterred by the potential cost of refining seawater, and he wants to develop the capability now, rather than later.

"I know it's an expensive proposition, but you can pay more or pay later," he added.

On how to handle growth, Brown discounted suggestions the county can keep people from coming. Instead of developing lands outside the cities, he said he would encourage the redevelopment of urban areas now blighted by "all these dilapidated houses and dilapidated buildings."

As well as serving as a pastor, Brown said he had worked as a Daytona Beach firefighter and as a corrections officer at Tomoka Correctional Institution.

PAUL CARPENELLA

No stranger to politics, Paul Carpenella says he would like to use his business experience in the county government.

"I'd like to hold the line on taxes and spending. I'd like to get better amenities on the beach," he said, describing fiscal policy as one of mainstay issues. "When the economy is bad, people feel the pain. It seems government doesn't feel that."

The Vietnam War veteran, former mayor of Daytona Beach and restaurateur is mounting his second campaign for the County Council. Carpanella ran unsuccessfully for the District 3 seat in 1990. At that time, District 3 covered roughly the same area as the current District 2. The districts' numbers were later changed to make the political districts of the County Council and the School Board consistent; that is, County Council District 2 is now the same as School Board District 2, etc.

Carpenella, 61, served a two-year term as mayor of Daytona Beach, winning the post in 1993.

He claims he is in tune with what his constituents want, as he and several of them drop into his restaurant, Chez Paul, every Friday morning for a kaffeeklatsch.

"I think the public is saying they've had enough in taxes," he added.

Carpenella is not a supporter of setting the ad valorem tax rates at the rollback this year, because the rollback is higher than the levy of the fiscal year now drawing to a close.

"They should get them as low as possible. Businesses and people can't afford them," he said. "Government has got to live within its means."

Government, claims Carpenella, has "this propensity to spend," and the budgets need to be scrutinized for unnecessary outlays.

"There's a problem with government, in that they take a budget and add 10 percent or 12 percent above what they had last year," he added.

Some fees may be in order, rather than increasing taxes, he explained, but one charge he would to scrap immediately.

"Eliminate the beach tolls," said Carpenella.

The county government, he continued, has not done a very good job of managing the ocean shoreline. Carpenella favors giving the seaside cities the opportunity to run the beaches within their boundaries.

"I'll put a task force together when I'm on the council, with the mayor of Daytona Beach and the other mayors, to make it again the world's most famous beach," he promised.

To head off water shortages, Carpanella is calling for cooperation among the local leaders.

"It's a territorial dispute," he said. "I think we need to get together on the use of water."

He does not want to see a centralized county agency.

"For the county to control the water — look what they did to the beach. They're doing a great job on the beach," he said, with a touch of sarcasm.

Viewing the water issue as intertwined with growth management, Carpenella endorses water conservation, but he wonders if there is an underlying motive for curtailing consumption.

"Do you want people to conserve, or do you want people to conserve so you can build more houses?" he asked rhetorically.

While he does not oppose the county's purchases of endangered and environmentally sensitive land, Carpenella also favors buying the development rights on agricultural lands. That is, the land would be safeguarded from development, while its owners may continue to farm on it.

The reuse, or redevelopment, of existing urban areas is gaining more attention in political and land-planning circles.

"We need to start growing from the hub and not out to the spokes," said Carpenella. "I didn't move here for a concrete jungle. I moved here for the sun, for the rivers and the green spaces."

— Carpanella declined to provide The Beacon with a photograph for use with this story.

NANCY EPPS

Ponce Inlet Mayor Nancy Epps may be the candidate of continuity.

"I want to carry on the work Art Giles did when he was on the council," Epps told The DeLand-Deltona Beacon. "He was honest and always did what he thought was right. He always researched the issues. He works well with the council, and I believe they respect him."

Besides wishing to continue on Giles' path of public service, Epps said she has other experience and insight to offer. Besides her political career, Epps is currently the laboratory director at Bert Fish Medical Center in New Smyrna Beach.

"I do have strong management skills. I have been a manager for 10 years in my business. I have been an elected official for six years. I have experience with budgets," she said. "I am a consensus-builder."

If she is elected to represent District 2, Epps said, she would like to expand employment opportunities within the county.

"I think we should promote economic development. It's no secret we're in an economic downturn," she said.

To realize its economic potential, Epps claimed the county should encourage the creation of "a well-trained work force." The county would also do well to identify certain industries for recruitment and development. While virtually "any sort of clean industry" would be welcome in Volusia County, Epps suggested the civic and business leadership encourage health-care technology and "the wellness industry."

As for the county's budget and taxation, Epps endorses the current moves.

"Frankly, I think the council is doing a good job this year," she explained.

The County Council has set its tentative 2008-09 property-tax rates at the rollback, a figure that is higher because of the 10-percent shrinkage in the county's tax base because of the fall in sales prices and the foreclosures of thousands of homes. The council may reduce the tentative rollback tax rate during its final round of fiscal deliberations in September, but it may not raise the levy above the tentative figure.

To stretch its tax dollars in a time of austerity, Epps said the county may wish to act more closely with the cities and the private sector on programs and projects.

"I believe that the best thing the county can do is to work with partnerships," she added.

As a supplement for declining tax collections, Epps said she is "in favor of certain fees."

One fee she does not support is the beach toll.

"We should take the tolls off," Epps recommended.

As the Water Authority of Volusia (WAV) fails to measure up to the potential promised by its founders a few years ago, Epps said she does not want the county government to fill the void.

"I don't think the county is the place for that. I think the St. Johns [River Water Management District] and WAV should get WAV back to where WAV was supposed to be," said Epps, who represents Ponce Inlet on the WAV board of directors.

The WAV's original inter-local agreement among the county government and 13 cities called for the agency to become a wholesale supplier of water and to initiate capital projects for alternative water sources, such as desalination of seawater. Last year, however, the WAV board amended the agreement to provide for the agency to become more of a planning organization than a powerful countywide agency acting independent of the county government.

As Volusia County deals with growth, Epps favors a mixed approach.

"I don't think we need to increase the overall density in the county. We need to control where it [growth] goes," she said.

The county and cities should also direct growth away from the Conservation Corridor, she explained.

— Epps declined to provide The Beacon with a photograph for use with this story.

JOSHUA WAGNER

A young lawyer has jumped into the political fray.

At 31, Joshua Wagner admits he is "a little younger than some of the candidates," but he sees a chance for his generation to begin making a name for itself.

"I think it was the opportunity, when Art Giles decided not to run [for re-election], to get in there," Wagner replied, when asked why he is running for the open seat. "Being a fifth-generation resident, I wanted to see what I could do for this community."

He is already staking out positions on fiscal issues.

"I won't vote to raise taxes for individuals and businesses," said Wagner.

Besides his family roots and his legal training, Wagner counts his status as a political newcomer as an asset.

"I think one thing is having a fresher perspective and not being stuck in the system for years," he answered, in response to what he would bring to the County Council and what sets him apart from his primary rivals.

As for the 2008-09 budget process now under way, Wagner says taxpayers will see some relief.

"We're all going to get the extra $25,000 homestead [exemption]," he said, referring to the additional tax break for homeowners provided under a state constitutional amendment approved by voters in the Jan. 29 presidential primary.

At the same time, all is not well, observed Wagner.

"People are hurting right now. People are getting out of work. Businesses are closing. Doors are closing right now," he said.

As the council sets its spending priorities, Wagner claimed some expenses cannot be trimmed, but greater efficiency may be achieved.

"There are services you can't cut, like Votran, right now," he explained, adding the blind and disabled rely heavily on public transportation. "We can utilize small buses. ... More people need to be riding buses."

Wagner said he does not want to use fees to make up revenues lost because of property-tax reform or the shrinkage of the county's tax base.

"I am completely against fees," he said. "If we're going to charge people fees, why not just keep the taxes, instead of calling them by another name?"

Like his fellow candidates, Wagner has no affection for the beach tolls.

"I think they should be eliminated," he said simply. "I want to make the residents realize this beach is part of your home."

The next County Council will probably have to make decisions on water policy, trying to figure out how to avert future water shortages and balancing the ownership and control of water systems throughout the county.

"To some extent, there's going to be a tug of war," Wagner said. "I try to do what I can as an individual to conserve water. ... A lot of municipalities make money off water."

He would not rule out the county's possible formation of a powerful water agency in the absence of the Water Authority of Volusia.

"I think it's going to happen whether I'm for it or not," Wagner said. "There would be such a huge amount of transition costs. Right now, I don't think it makes sense."

Wagner comes down on the side of the status quo on growth management.

"As for what they are doing with Map A, Map B and the Conservation Corridor, it makes sense," he said.

The county would also do well to "promote cluster building, walkable communities," he added.

JAMES WETHERELL

Yet another up-and-coming name in Volusia County politics is James Wetherell, who also boasts of his native status.

"I was born and raised in this community. I'm raising my two kids in this community," Wetherell said proudly.

The nephew of former longtime Democratic state Rep. T.K. Wetherell, James Wetherell says he would like to apply his business experience to the county government.

"To make a difference," he replied, when asked why he is seeking the District 2 County Council seat. "My concerns are the ways the government spends your money and my money."

Wetherell, 34, claimed his private-sector experience gives him an extra edge in his bid for the council.

"What separates me is my business background. I've had to balance budgets, trim budgets," he explained.

Wetherell claimed county officials "need to take a good hard look at the budget," as he endorsed the council's decision to adopt a tentative rollback property-tax rate.

"I think the county made the right decision to hold things steady," he said.

Besides his managerial expertise, Wetherell cited his ability to mediate differences as something useful in government.

"With the various boards I've sat on, we've always had to work toward consensus," he said.

Wetherell, who is vice president of Don Bell Signs, said he would like to focus on growing the local economy, as well.

"As these economic opportunities come forth, I want to be able to guide the county into the future," he added.

Part of that guidance comes in the form of ensuring the county has a work force prepared to fill the needs of new businesses starting locally or coming into the area, explained Wetherell, "rather than bringing in people" from elsewhere to provide the brainpower for high-paying companies.

Wetherell said he would like a different beach policy, including the removal of the tolls, at least for Volusians.

"It should be part of our park system," he said, regarding the ocean shoreline. "I would like to see our residents use the beaches for free. ... I do not like that we have about 40 approaches to the beach, and at any time only half of them are open. What kind of message does that send?"

Water promises to be a more precious resource in the years ahead, if the growth patterns of prior years repeat themselves in the East Central Florida region. Wetherell expressed reluctance to hand over municipal water systems to a super-agency under the county government, in the event the Water Authority of Volusia fails. The county, he said, should control water policy "only in the areas the county governs."

Still, the county could take some steps to head off any looming water shortage, by joining with its neighbors in planning for alternative water sources.

"I would like to see the county partner with Flagler County," he suggested. "I think we could partner with another county so that we don't have to absorb all of the cost."

The balance between a rising number of people and a fixed — or declining — volume of water and land similarly will challenge civic leaders.

"I like the concept of Map A," Wetherell said, referring to the designation of lands where growth and development should be discouraged or strictly regulated, if allowed at all.

"I think there should be incentives for anyone coming in here to leave some of these green spaces," he added.

ROBERT WOROBEC

Will his third campaign for the Volusia County Council be the lucky one for Robert Worobec?

Worobec is counting on his education, business experience, and civic and volunteer service to give him an edge in the crowded field of hopefuls.

"I've gone through hard times. I've gone through failure and bankruptcy. I had a stroke," he said, as he counted the adversities as assets.

Those hard times include legal troubles over his business dealings.

"I was discharged in June, and all my creditors were paid 100 percent," said Worobec, referring to his bankruptcy.

A graduate of Seabreeze High School, Daytona Beach Community College and the University of Florida, Worobec includes on his résumé a building contractor's license and his work with the American Red Cross as key assets in his life, besides his previous bids for County Council in 1994 and 1996.

"I'm in the Knights of Columbus," he continued, adding he has life experience many other people share and thus can feel for those he would represent. "I am a single parent. I am the primary parent of my daughter, who is 16. She'll be getting her wheels pretty soon."

Asked what he would like to accomplish on the council, Worobec said he would like "to streamline the government."

"I believe it's top-heavy. I won't say which departments I would cut 'til I get in there," he added.

If elected, Worobec, 46, said he would like to extend the proposed commuter-rail service from DeLand to Daytona Beach. The addition of commuter rail to the Halifax area would help bring more visitors, he explained.

"Why doesn't it [rail] shoot down [U.S. Highway 92]?" said Worobec. "It would attract more tourists to our beautiful assets. ... We can do a beautiful job of marketing the whole area."

He supports keeping EVAC ambulance service intact. That is, Worobec opposes allowing local fire departments to offer emergency medical transportation. Several Volusia cities, including Daytona Beach and Deltona, want the right to take victims from emergency scenes to hospitals, even though the county has given to EVAC the exclusive right to provide such service.

"I don't think it should be split up among the cities. That's one service that should stay under the county. We should not let the cities dabble with it," said Worobec.

As the County Council considers ad valorem taxes, he is calling for more relief for property owners.

"I think they should reduce them," said Worobec, regarding the tentative 2008-09 tax rates. "Government is top-heavy. We can perhaps cut the tax by cutting the waste. We have some people in the county [government] making over $100,000 a year."

At the same time, Worobec wants the county to maintain spending on law enforcement, because "crime goes up in lean times."

If, however, there is not as much waste to be eliminated from the county's budget, "without damaging quality service, then I think we should consider some type of fee or tax," Worobec added. He also said the county should impose "some sort of tax to take care of the homeless issue."

Like other candidates seeking to represent the coastal district, Worobec favors lifting the beach tolls. He also wants to open more ramps for seaside drivers.

"We need more access to our beach. The access is blocked," he said.

Worobec would not say if Volusia County should take a greater role in managing or regulating water supplies. Instead, he recommended county officials defer to the state agency that deals with water.

"I feel that the county government should strongly take the advice of the St. Johns River Water Management [District] about tapping into the St. Johns water resources," he said. "I think they're in a better position to advise us."

Worobec did, however, endorse the Water Management District's purchases of environmentally sensitive lands for conservation.

Putting prime development land into public ownership is one of the best ways to head off the downside of growth, he claimed.

"I think we need to be more proactive in saving our environment, making green spaces while we still have them, and before developers come in and find a way around the red tape," said Worobec. "I hope and pray no more condominiums will go up along the Halifax River."

Check out our 2008 Voter's Section

— al@beacononlinenews.com

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