PORT ORANGE
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
CONGRATS, GRADS! 5-16 FREE MONTHLY • MAY 16, 2019
VOLUME 2, NO. 17
Mayor pleads for better voting turnout Runoff election on June 11 for the Port Orange District 1 City Council seat.
Puppy Power
TANYA RUSSO STAFF WRITER
Paws of War provides services dogs for veterans and first responders. Marilyn Ford
Lee Barreiro
Port Orange residents will choose who they want to occupy the District 1 City Council seat vacated by the late Bob Ford in a Special Election held on June 11. Marilyn Ford and Lee Barreiro were the top two contenders after the Special Primary Election on April 30. Ford had 45.61% of the votes; Barreiro came in second with 18.37%. Ford recently retired as director of Volusia County Corrections. She said her knowledge of finance, government, business, and how large systems work give her an experienced background in the daily workings of the city. Barreiro is also retired. He said his background in environmental engineering, nursing and teaching, as well as his extensive volunteer work within the community, make him a strong candidate for the District 1 seat. “I’ve got to admit I was disappointed in the turnout because usually Port Orange — we have the most registered voters in the county,” Mayor Don Burnette said at the May 7 regular City council meeting, where he also congratulated Ford and Barreiro. “ ... Put June 11 on your calendars. Put a reminder in your phone.” Mail-in ballots for the election have been sent to residents. Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If residents need to vote early, they can contact the Volusia County Board of Elections at www.volusiaelections.org.
SEE PORTORANGEOBSERVER.COM
Roxy shows her puppy side with Port Orange resident Eddie Johnston.
TWO TRIPLE THREATS
INSIDE
A history of Port Orange Stables
BODY IDENTIFIED IN HALIFAX RIVER
PAGE 17
56-year-old Darrick Van Gipson was found April 28. PAGE 2
HALF-CENT SALES TAX
Mail-in ballots for the half cent sales tax went out to voters on May 1. Residents need to return them to the Volusia County Board of Elections before May 21. For residents who do not desire to mail their ballots, a locked drop box has been set up at Port Orange City Hall near the Clerk’s Department. At the City Council meeting on May 7, Mayor Don Burnette again encouraged residents to vote. “For some 18-year-olds, this might be their first time to vote,” he said. Election results can be viewed at www.volusiaelections.org, after 7 p.m. May 21.
Photo by Kaitlin Sargent
PAPER, PLASTIC, HAY, BAMBOO?
Spruce Creek students want to improve the environment with alternatives to single-use plastic straws. PAGE 3
APARTMENTS NEAR ATLANTIC
288 apartments will be built next to high school. PAGE 3 Triple Threat and his son, Triple Threat Again.
Photo courtesy of the Metzger family