Remembering 2009... and looking to the new year ahead in West Volusia cities

BEACON PHOTO/BARB SHEPHERD
Good planners —DeLand Mayor Bob Apgar center, congratulates members of the city's Planning and Zoning team, after the Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Planning and Zoning Association awarded DeLand's 2050 Vision Plan an "outstanding" designation. With Apgar, from left, are Planning Director Mike Holmes, Assistant City Manager Dale Arrington, who heads the Community Development Department, and Planning and Zoning assistants Blanche Hardy and Caroline Turgeon. Planning assistant Belinda Collins was not available for the photo.

PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF ORANGE CITY
Harley Strickland, mayor of Orange City

BEACON FILE PHOTO
Lake Helen Mayor Buddy Snowden

PHOTO COURTESY DENNIS MULDER
Dennis Mulder, mayor of Deltona

PHOTO COURTESY VOLUSIA COUNTY SCHOOLS
Volusia County School Board Chairwoman Candace Lankford.

BEACON FILE PHOTO
DeBary Mayor Bob Garcia

By Jen Horton
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Dec 31, 2009 - 10:44:04am

Water, foreclosures, development, budget cuts, unemployment, school redistricting — things that made headlines in 2009.

West Volusia cities faced challenges and made hard calls in 2009.

As 2009 becomes 2010, The Beacon asked mayors and other leaders to write about the sunset of this year, and the dawn of the next.

Volusia County School Board Chairwoman Candace Lankford reminds state leaders that the future of our state depends on strong schools, like the ones in Volusia County.

Harley Strickland, mayor of Orange City, reminds us the city has a great deal of work and celebrating to do in the coming year.

DeLand Mayor Bob Apgar notes his city has kept to the goals in its Strategic Plan, even while dealing with budget shortfalls.

DeBary Mayor Bob Garcia talks about creating a vision for his city’s future.

Dennis Mulder, mayor of Deltona, lists three priorities for the city in 2010.

Lake Helen Mayor Buddy Snowden talks about the town’s blessings and its hopes for 2010.

We thank them all for sharing their thoughts, and wish all West Volusia a happy new year ahead.

Statements from:

Volusia County School Board Chairwoman Candace Lankford.

Harley Strickland, mayor of Orange City.

DeLand Mayor Bob Apgar.

DeBary Mayor Bob Garcia.

Dennis Mulder, mayor of Deltona.

Lake Helen Mayor Buddy Snowden.

— jen@beacononlinenews.com

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