DWO 02 13 20

DAYTONA WEST

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

BABY ESCALADE PAGE 6

VOLUME 1, NO. 6

FEBRUARY 2020

State of Volusia County

Testing the waters 4 Rivers opens at One Daytona. PAGES 4-5

A ‘bright future,’ Ed Kelley says.

PAGE 3 INSIDE YOUR TOWN PAGE 2

VOLUSIA NEWS PAGE 8

SIGNING DAY

4 Rivers staff Mac Ward, Brooke Peterson, Shalini Ramalingam and Jenny Rice

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Soaring Buccaneers

Local Postal Customer

Photos by Ray Boone

Mainland's Jordan Sears drives to the hoop for a layup.

Buccaneers coach Joe Giddens celebrates after Mainland takes a double-digit lead against Spruce Creek.

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Bucs down Hawks behind stellar night from guard Jordan Sears

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 Ra’Mello Dotson (6-foot-1, 170 pounds), the Buccaneers’ athletic cornerback and wide receiver, signed with Kansas.  Ethan Gettman (6-foot-4, 185 pounds), the Buccaneers’ rocksolid place kicker and punter, signed with Bryant University.  Shayne Brennen (6-foot-9, 305 pounds), who started every game this season for the Buccaneers’ offensive line, signed with Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas.  Kaleb Costner (6-foot-3, 236 pounds) signed with Stetson.  Chad Johnson (5-foot-11, 270 pounds) signed with Alderson Broaddus, an NCAA Division II program located in West Virginia.  Katavion Scott (6-foot-2, 290 pounds), a member of Mainland’s stout offensive line, signed with Florida Memorial.  Lukas Walker (6-foot-3, 270), one of the toughest members of Mainland’s offensive line, signed with hometown team BethuneCookman.

DAYTONA WEST OBSERVER

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FEBRUARY 2020

FAME CHAPTER OPENS AT DSC

Courtesy photos

Steve Svopa, Channa Calzone, William Bullock, Debbie Jones, Mike Belmont and Len Capozzo.

MINTO HONORED

BY HOMEBUILDERS Minto Communities was presented with 22 gold and silver awards by the National Association of Home Builders at the 2020 International Builders Show in Las Vegas on Jan. 21-22.

The awards included recognition by NAHB’s 55+ Housing Industry Council, the National Sales and Marketing Council and Best in American Living Awards, according to a press release. MINTO received five Best of 55+ Housing Industry Council gold awards for Latitude Margaritaville. Other awards for the Daytona Beach community include:  Gold in Best Sales/Marketing Event for the Town Center grand opening event  Gold in Best Outdoor Lifestyle Amenity for the community’s Paradise Pool and changes in Attitude Bar  Gold in Best Integrated Marketing Strategy/Campaign for the Wheel of Fortune Home Sweet Home Promotion.  Silver is Best Lifestyle Program  Silver in Best Indoor Amenity Space for the Fins Up! Fitness

Center “Minto is deeply honored to be presented with these prestigious NAHB awards for our Latitude Margaritaville and Westlake communities,” Minto Communities President Mike Belmont said. “The Minto team has much to celebrate as we share in his highly valued industry recognition. Each member of our team is dedicated to consistently meeting and surpassing the expectations of our customers, and each is an important part of our success.”

EXHIBITION RAISES FUNDS FOR NASCAR FOUNDATION

The second annual Art of Speed exhibition held on Jan. 24 at One Daytona, raised $3,690 for the NASCAR Foundation, which helps children in need.

The exhibition of art and luxury automobiles at Gallery 500, a gallery that features art by both local and national contemporary artists, helped the donation come to fruition thanks to Lifestyle Group at Oceans Luxury Realty and local community supporters including Jon Hall Chevrolet, Chapman Root, Halifax Plantation

and Mutual of Omaha Mortgage, according to a press release.

The Art of Speed exhibition also benefitted the Daytona Beach Arts Alliance.

Daytona State College has now become home to Florida’s first chapter of the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education, a press release announced.

This is a collaborative effort between the college and local manufacturers that is designed to match students in the associate degree engineering technology program with local job opportunities. The first group is expected tot start classes in the fall.

FAME currently has more

than 25 chapters in 13 states.

Four companies in Flagler and Volusia counties have committed to sponsor at least one student in the first group: American Radionics in Palm Coast, Boston Whaler Inc. in Edgewater, Dougherty Manufacturing in Edgewater and Hudson Technologies in Ormond Beach.

Interested students must apply to both DSC and the FAME program before June 1.

For more information, contact Dante Leon, associate vice president of the college of business, engineering and technology at Dante.Leon@DaytonaState.edu

NAVY BAND COMING TO THE PEABODY The U.S. Navy Band is coming to Daytona Beach during its 2020 tour, which is one of the U.S. Navy’s signature outreach programs, according to a press release.

Daytona will be one of 20 cities in six states to host a performance, to feature the concert band, Sea Chanters chorus and Cruisers popular music group.

The performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 3, at the Peabody Auditorium, located at 600 Auditorium Blvd.

The concert band has been performing public concerts and participating in events for more than 95 years, the press release states. The Sea Chanters, the U.S. Navy’s official chorus, and the Cruisers group expands to include traditional wind band repertoire to broadway showstoppers.

All Navy Band performances are free and open to the public.

Cully Chapman, Ed Noseworthy, Dr. Thomas Seale, April Chilson and David Weis.

ADVENTHEALTH RADIOLOGIST SEALE NAMED PHYSICIAN OF THE QUARTER AdventHealth Daytona Beach recently recognized Dr. Thomas Seale as its physician of the quarter.

Seale is an interventional radiologist at AdventHealth Daytona Beach, according to a press release, and he uses minimally invasive image-guided measures to diagnose and treat diseases. He also performs a range of interventional medical

procedures, and, was nominated for the recognition by staff.

“Dr. Seale is an outstanding role model and physician who successfully balances the art and the science of medicine,” one team member wrote in a nomination form, according to a press release. “He is kind, meticulous and gives the very best care to each and every patient.”

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DAYTONA WEST OBSERVER

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FEBRUARY 2020

Volusia’s

BRIGHT future

Volusia County Council Chair Ed Kelley delivers his last State of the County address at the Ocean Center.

Volusia County propelling into a ‘bright future’: Kelley delivers 2020 state of the county address JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR

E

ach of the issues facing Volusia County today — from affordable housing and helping the homeless to protecting natural resources and creating jobs — represents opportunity, said Volusia County Council Chair Ed Kelley at the State of the County address on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

“The opportunity to exhibit bold leadership that helps propel our county into a successful and bright future,” Kelley said.

This will be his last time delivering the address, as he is not seeking re-election in 2020.

The presentation on Volusia County’s current state was mainly delivered via video; this year’s employed futuristic effects in line with the “2020 and beyond” theme of the event. The council members spoke about developments pertaining to six different categories: “A caring community,” “a safe community,” “protecting natural resources,” infrastructure development,” “community life” and “economic development.”

Each of these categories has a major impact on residents’ quality of life, Kelley said.

“We always concern ourselves with the details,” he said. “We never want to lose sight of the big picture.”

Kelley said 2019 was a year full of change and progress. George Recktenwald become the new county manager, the county hired an internal auditor, and a dozen new department directors were confirmed; some were hired within the county, while others were hired from outside.

The county also hopes to increase the number of aerospace jobs in the area. The State of the County address booklet stated Volusia County has “all the right stuff to capitalize on the explosive growth that’s enveloping the booming aerospace industry just

across our southern county border.” Last year, Volusia engaged in strategy sessions with Space Florida. Now, government, business and education leaders are trying to ensure the county has the regulatory climate and workforce to attract the industry.

“We’re not saying we’re going to go out there blasting rockets off from our beaches,” Kelley said. “That’s not the point. But we are so well positioned in the manufacturing triangle — from Melbourne to Orlando to Daytona Beach — and we are the eighth largest manufacturing county in the state of Florida.”

LOOKING BACK AT 2019

In the last year, the county has worked to improve its emergency medical services, including stationing an ambulance in Ormond-by-the-Sea and beginning a nurse triage program to manage nonemergency 911 calls.

Volusia County Councilwoman Heather Post spoke about the off-beach parking lots opened at Argosy Park in Ormond-by-theSea and the one in Ormond by the Cardinal Avenue beach approach.

She also touched on the major terminal renovation project currently in the works for the Daytona Beach International Airport, which hadn’t been renovated since 1992. Delta Air Lines and American Airlines are two major carriers that provide service from the airport.

“With so many projects in the pipeline for the new year, I look forward to Volusia County building on its successes of 2019,” Post said.

Councilman Ben Johnson highlighted the improvements to Volusia County Fire Service. In March 2019, the council approved nine new firefighter positions and approved the relocation of two fire stations over the next two to eight years.

Councilwoman Barbara Girt-

man spoke about the opening of the First Step Shelter last December. The county provided $2.5 million toward the shelter’s construction, and, for the next five years, it will contribute $400,000 annually for operations.

When it comes to protecting animals, Councilwoman Billie Wheeler brought up the new animal abuse registry on the county’s website.

In Ormond Beach, Security First opened its new headquarters in Ormond Crossing, and Brown and Brown began construction on its own new headquarters in Daytona.

“It was another impressive year of economic growth in Volusia County as evidenced by new and expanding businesses, record employment and continuing construction activity,” Councilman Fred Lowry said.

2020 AND BEYOND

Councilwoman Deb Denys said the issues plaguing Volusia aren’t unique — other communities are also dealing with challenges in protecting water resources, stimulating the economy and smart growth. Regional is the new local, she said.

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

“We always concern ourselves with the details. We never want to lose sight of the big picture.”

Volusia County Council Chair Ed Kelley

“These are universal issues that require collaborating and a regional approach across jurisdictional boundaries, and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” Denys said.

“The power of regionalism” is best seen by the hope to expand aerospace in Volusia, she added, “and the results from the recently concluded Bryce Supply Chain study confirm that this golden opportunity is in our horizon.”

Kelley said that in 2020, the county will be working on affordable housing; and continuing to work with local, state and federal governments, the business community and civic organizations to make sure growth is being managed “sensibly.”

“Managing it in a way that benefits and enhances our county, and is consistent with the community standards that you’d expect,” Kelley said.

The Vietnam Veterans of America Daytona Beach Chapter 1048 presents the colors.

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DAYTONA WEST OBSERVER

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FEBRUARY 2020

Four Rivers is now open The latest restaurant will occupy the former Oklahoma Joe’s space.

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The largest 4 Rivers Smokehouse restaurant will open at One Daytona on Thursday, Feb. 13, becoming the latest tenant in the 300,000-square-foot retail, dining and entertainment district across from the Daytona International Speedway.

John Rivers, 4 Rivers Restaurant Group founder and CEO, announced the opening date during a media preview event on Thursday, Feb. 6. The restaurant spans 6,500 square feet and features a private dining room and a bar. The restaurant chain was recently recognized as one of the “South’s Best BBQ Joints”

by Southern Living, according to a press release, and some foods that will be served at the 280-seat fast-casual restaurant include 18-hour smoked Angus brisket, barbecue nachos and Beyond Burnt Ends, a plant-based dish for vegetarians and vegans.

Rivers said he’d never seen this much excitement for an opening, making it one of the reasons why 4 Rivers chose to open a restaurant in Daytona Beach.

“We’ve got no other location that has this much of a fanbase that truly asked for us to come, and we’re here to serve and to be able to do that here is amazing,” Rivers said.

4 Rivers Caterer Mac Ward and Catering Manager Geona Roberts.

President of One Daytona Roxanne Ribakoff said bringing “destination” tenants is a dream for the district.

“And 4Rivers is absolutely no exception,” Ribakoff said.

The restaurant will be open in time for the NASCAR Speedweeks.

Rivers started 4Rivers as a ministry in his garage 15 years ago to help a child with cancer. While her family wouldn’t accept money directly from Rivers, they did allow him to host a fundraiser at their church.

The restaurant group was officially established in Winter Park in 2009. It currently has 23 locations across the state.

Email Jarleene Almenas at jarleene@ormondbeachobserver. com.

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4 Rivers Restaurant Group Founder and CEO John Rivers and his wife, Monica.

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Observer “If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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FEBRUARY 2020

BABY ESCALADE At 6-foot-7, 300 pounds, Mainland’s Ty’Rion Denson isn’t you’re average big man.

Publisher / John Walsh, jwalsh@ ormondbeachobserver.com Executive Editor / Brian McMillan, editor@ ormondbeachobserver.com Associate Editor / Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@ormondbeachobserver.com Sports Editor / Ray Boone, ray@ palmcoastobserver.com Real Estate Editor / Wayne Grant, business@ormondbeachobserver.com Page Designer / Hailey McMillan Advertising Manager / Jaci Centofanti, jaclyn@palmcoastobserver.com Senior Account Manager / Hallie Hydrick, hallie@palmcoastobserver.com Account Manager / Jeff Moore, jeff@ palmcoastobserver.com Advertising Coordinator / Jessica Boone, jessica@portorangeobserver.com Front Desk Associate / Bonnie Hamilton, bonnie@palmcoastobserver.com Operations Manager / Maureen Walsh, maureen@palmcoastobserver.com Circulation Manager / David Brooks, david@horizonroad.com

RAY BOONE SPORTS EDITOR

T

DELIVERY: To suspend or stop delivery, call Circulation Manager David Brooks, at 338-5080.

y’Rion Denson doesn’t fit into the typical “big man box” — although previous coaches have always tried to squeeze him into it.

Denson is 6-foot-7 and weighs 300 pounds. But he tries not to relegate himself to playing just inside the paint. That’s not to say he can’t or doesn’t post up defenders on the low block. It’s actually one of the most effective parts of his game. But he’s more than that.

He has the flash.

A quick YouTube search of Ty’Rion Denson reveals that.

Denson has done videos with popular basketball YouTube channels Overtime, HoopDiamonds, CityLeagueHoopsTV and more. Some videos, like “Ty’Rion Denson STILL BREAKING ANKLES,” have more than 1 million views.

They show his crafty dribble moves, his shiftiness, his lightning quick first step and his shooting touch.

His play, which has garnered attention since he was in seventh grade, has earned him the nickname Baby Escalade after the late

“I always just wanted to break people’s ankles.”

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TY’RION DENSON Photo by Ray Boone

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points and 8 rebounds.

“I like the energy around here,” he said. “There’s a lot of love.”

Mainland head coach Joe Giddens was familiar with Denson even before his transfer. He’d seen the YouTube videos.

“I was wowed,” Giddens said.

“For a guy that size who can move like that and has footwork like that, that’s special. I thought he had a lot of upside and he could be a good asset to our program.”

In some respects, Denson reminds Giddens of the Buccaneers’ Johnny Brown, a versatile forward, who graduated last year.

“I had the luxury of having Johnny Brown the past couple of years,” Giddens said. “Now, you bring in someone like this who I’m going to have for about two years. He’s going to be even better next year.”

He added: “We’re starting to get into the thick of things with our schedule. I think he’s going to be able to help us and be a difference for our team going forward.”

Denson has many goals he wants to achieve in his remaining time in high school. He wants to get good grades, he wants to garner attention from colleges and he wants to win a state title.

But more than that, he wants to leave behind a lasting legacy.

“I just want to show people that no matter what size you are, you can do anything you want to,” he said.

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Troy Jackson, also known as Escalade, who despite being 6-foot-10 and weighing nearly 500 pounds, became an American street ball legend through the AND1 Mixtape Tour in the early 2000s.

In addition to studying Jackson’s moves, Denson has also tried to pattern his game after NBA greats Kyrie Irving and Allen Iverson.

He spent much of his time growing up looking up YouTube videos on how to do crossovers and other dribble moves. He would then practice them in his front yard before gathering the courage to implement them in a game.

“I always just wanted to break people’s ankles,” he said.

Denson grew up in Orlando and played at both Colonial High School and Hagerty High School.

He was used to previous coaches shouting at him to stay in the paint or to stop dribbling.

“I used to take that as motivation,” he said.

Denson believed he needed a change of scenery entering his junior year. He transferred to Mainland High School before the start of the 2019-20 school year.

His mother, Felicia Ross, played basketball for the Buccaneers and graduated from the school in 1986.

Although he had to sit out the first half of the season due to transfer rules, he quickly fell in love with the program. His first game was a 72-38 win over Pine Ridge on Jan. 13. Denson had 13

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ADOPTABLE PETS

‘Highly inappropriate’: Post asks for oversight on staff raises

Left: Byron, a 6-yearold Chinese Shar-Pei, terrier and American Staffordshire mix. His adoption fee costs $35.

Right: Daniel, a 9-yearold domestic shorthair.

His adoption fee costs $35.

Former deputy attorney Jamie Seaman received a raise while owing $33,000 to Volusia County.

JARLEENE ALMENAS ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Pay raises for Volusia County government employees will face more supervision moving forward, with County Manager George Recktenwald looking over future requests.

The added oversight is a result of the discovery that in December 2018, former Deputy Attorney Jamie Seaman received an $11,000 raise shortly after making an informal agreement to repay $33,000 of mistakenly provided cashed-out leave over the course of three years.

Based on a leaked memo written by Volusia County Councilwoman Heather Post — which she emailed to all council members — Seaman agreed to biweekly payments of $434.78 to repay the debt; however, a raise equating about $376 bi-weekly was approved by former Human Resources Director Tom Motes and former County Attorney Dan Eckert.

Post called the situation “highly inappropriate,” and one that the county needed to make sure was not repeated. She also asked that the county’s auditor look into other possible instances.

“It’s not a matter of repayment,” Post said. “It’s a matter of

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any director being able to point to anyone in their division and do that without any oversight or accountability.”

Seaman’s salary was $180,250 at her time of resignation, with her final workday having been Jan. 31. Both Motes and Eckert had previously resigned as well.

With all three gone, County Councilman Ben Johnson said it was time to put the issue to rest, as nothing done was illegal, and accept County Manager George Recktenwald’s suggestion moving forward to disallow raises for employees who owe money to the county.

“We are a policy group,” Johnson said. “We cannot get down in the weeds of how people act and what they do in reference to the county and their division.”

Interim County Attorney Michael Dyer, who received a 5% salary increase earlier in the meeting, said county personnel rules state that any employee pay adjustments would require approval by the HR manager.

The council hopes Recktenwald’s added supervision will prevent another situation like Seaman’s from happening.

Recktenwald said he wouldn’t have approved her pay increase.

“I think the timing was terrible,” he said.

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