The Voter

February/March 2025

President's Remarks

Greetings! We are well into 2025, and it is proving to be another busy year. Just when we thought the election season was over, we were back at work spreading the word about the special election for District 6 House of Representatives. Our voter service team supported virtual candidates forums for both parties on January 14^th and will be at events throughout the county preparing voters for the general election on April 1^st.

In advance of the upcoming legislative session in Tallahassee, LWVFL identified four legislative priority areas for the 2025 session. Those priorities are Election Law, Education, Reproductive Rights, and Gun Violence Prevention. I had the opportunity to speak about our concerns to the Volusia legislative delegation at their listening session on January 7^th. Several bills related to those priorities are already in the works and once the session begins, League members will receive action alerts from LWVFL asking them to contact their representatives to express personal support or concerns. It is a terrific way to make your voice heard and we encourage all members to do so.

On February 1, the national League of Women Voters (LWVUS) will institute a new membership system. This change impacts our dues structure, the renewal process, and the timeline for yearly renewals. If you are not familiar with these changes, please go to www.lwvvc.org to learn more. If you have questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact me at president@lwvvc.org or Olga Hernandez at oah@vyndicar.com.

In the coming months, we will offer a variety of exciting programs. Upcoming topics will focus on timely local issues including student mental health, social justice curriculum issues in our schools, and local flooding concerns. These programs are free and open to the public and we encourage you to invite your friends and neighbors. To learn more, see the Events section in this edition of The Voter.

In May, we will hold our annual meeting during which members will vote on a new slate of officers including president, 1^st vice president, and directors. Strong leadership is crucial to our continued success. If you are interested in joining our amazing board of directors, please contact our Nominating committee chair, Monique Fischer at gritspc53@gmail.com.

My sincere thanks to each of you for your continued support of our work.

In League,

Nicki Junkins, President

“Fidos on Fifth Avenue" is the theme of DeLand's 2025 Mardi Gras Dog Parade and Festival, which will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 11 AM–3 PM. The event will be held in Historic Downtown DeLand.

The theme is a nod to New York City. Join the fun and march with us behind our LWVVC banner as we greet the crowd, spread the information about our wonderful League, and pass out colorful Mardi Gras beads.

If you are interested in participating in this fun event, email Cathy Egley at jetski49@bellsouth.net for more information.

In Memory of LWVVC Member William Cuthbert (1943 -2025)

Currently, the LWVVC has 234 members on the roster. Twenty-one will drop off unless we hear from them by January 30. They have been contacted multiple times with no response. 

The LWVUS Membership transformation will take place February 1, 2025. There will be a few bumps since we have not received any specific instructions as promised. 

LWVUS has added the zip code extension, which we did not have for all members.

 The latest news is that households are now “Joint” but when one renews the other will renew at the same price, (one renews at $75 and the other will also be charged $75).  I have contacted all household members who share an email address, asking for a unique email for each.  

Note that transactions for payment will show as three separate items, one to LWVUS, LWVFL and to LWVVC. That is so the money is automatically sent to the appropriate level.  

If you are inclined to make a donation specifically to the Volusia League, do it in the separate section. If not, the money will be split between all levels as shown above.

Happy New Year!

Olga Hernandez, oah@vyndicar.com

Membership Roster Administrator

Student Mental Health Issues and Concerns

February Hot Topic

The Education Action Team is proud to present a Hot Topic presentation on Education for February. The school district is making their board meeting room available to us. Ample parking is available on site.

Mr. Mike Micallef, Executive Director of Student Services, is our speaker to discuss Student Mental Health issues and concerns. In addition, the program may also include Captain Todd Smith, (Volusia County Sheriff's Office) to discuss the new house bill regarding safety and security. If time permits, we are also interested in learning about the new attendance initiatives from Volusia County Schools.

WHEN – Wednesday, February 12

TIME – 5:30 p.m.

WHERE – Volusia County School Administrative Complex, Board Room, 200 North Clara Avenue, DeLand



Optional Dinner - Forno Bello Wood Fired Pizza & Italian Cuisine, 138 S Woodland Blvd, DeLand

RSVP by February 8 to Jeanne Tanke - jeanne622lwvvc@gmail.com

Friends and neighbors are welcome. Be sure to let Jeanne know you are coming and if you want to join us for dinner.

Censorship in History and Its Impact on Public Education

March Hot Topic

Come hear Dr. J. Michael Butler, Kenan Distinguished Professor of History at Flagler College, discuss the rewriting of history in Florida, its implications, foundations, impact, and more. 

Dr. J. Michael Butler is the Kenan Distinguished Professor of History at Flagler College, where he has taught since 2008. His work has appeared in many leading peer-reviewed academic publications, such as American Studies, the Journal of Southern History, Southern Cultures and, most recently, The Journal of African American History. His book Beyond Integration: The Black Freedom Struggle in Escambia County, Florida, 1960-1980 won a 2017 Florida Book Award in nonfiction.

Dr. Butler, who received his PhD in History from the University of Mississippi, specializes in southern cultural history with an emphasis on the Black freedom struggle. He teaches several classes on the topics and has spoken to dozens of teachers and community groups about the civil rights movement and African American history. His work has been featured by PBS, NPR, C-Span, NBC News.com, Salon.com, Vanity Fair magazine, The Dan LeBatard Show, and an Emmy-winning First Coast News documentary, among others.

In 2024, the Organization of American Historians named Dr. Butler a “Distinguished Lecturer,” which he considers a career highlight.

WHEN - March 27, 2025

TIME - 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

WHERE - Volusia United Educators,1381 Educators Road, Daytona Beach, FL 32124

RSVP by March26: reclaim4all@gmail.com

There is no planned meal following this event. Friends and neighbors welcome.

We are planning for our panel discussion "Rising Water: Flooding Concerns/Solutions" . The panel of experts will consider the multiple factors of flooding in our county.

Stay tuned for more detailed information.

WHEN: - Saturday, April 26, 2025

TIME: - 10:30AM

WHERE: - Deltona LIbrary

Local Leaguers of West Volusia came together on January 28 in the lovely home of Pat DeSalvo. After enjoying wine and cheese, we listened to our President Nicki Junkins talk about the changes in our League membership processing procedures.

We always enjoy the opportunity to meet in small groups to learn about our League, participate in wonderful discussions, and enjoy the camaraderie.

Watch your emails for an invitation to a Membership Outreach Fair to be scheduled in April.  This will include a new member orientation, an action team expo, and a slide/photo presentation of League high points.   

Membership outreach will also be looking to bring together a team for a “think tank” on how to increase diversity in our League. If you are willing to sit in for a one session “think tank” to help us become more inclusive please email me at bonnietunes@yahoo.com or text 407-312-4944

 During March we will have another enjoyable, educational book discussion to celebrate Women’s History month. Watch your emails for Local Leaguers happenings. 

Bonnie Friedman

Membership Outreach Chair

Natural Resources Action Team

At the top of our team's environmental considerations is the increased flooding in Volusia County.

This was also a concern at the annual Legislative Delegation Meeting on 1/7/25. Many folks hoped that putting moratoria on building in communities would stop the flooding, but that is just one factor in solving this complicated problem. Our co-chair Pattie Gertenbach wrote a great letter to the editor in the Palm Coast Observer speaking to this issue. 

It is important to monitor the upcoming legislative session which starts on March 4. We will talk about how to access and follow environmental legislation and how the process works. We welcome any of our team who want to go to Lobby Days in Tallahassee 3/11 - 3/12.

We continue to plan for our panel discussion "Rising Water: Flooding Concerns/Solutions" scheduled Saturday, April 26th, at 10:30 at the Deltona Library. The panel of experts will consider the multiple factors of flooding in our county.

As a follow up to our combined Volusia Beaches Hot Topic with Volusia County last April, we helped promote the Beach Survey from the Volusia County Coastal Division.

Here is a link to a news story about it.



Nancy Vaughn, nancyvaughn411@msn.com

Natural Resources Co-chair

Despite the cold weather, we had a good turnout for the Growth Management Action Team on Economic Development Successes & Strategies. Our three speakers were very informative and positive!   

The LWVVC Growth Management Action Team met in October and November to discuss the work by the County’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee (ENRAC). This Committee, in which the League is represented, is devoting significant time to the review of and updates to existing county development standards as well as considering new development regulations. 

At their November 6^th meeting, ENRAC completed their work on Low Impact Development and recommended approval of a guidance manual, comprehensive plan amendment, and ordinance for implementation. Low Impact Development is a development strategy which is largely based on maintaining and utilizing natural topography as much as possible and maximizing stormwater retention on site. Based on previous County Council directive, the development standards for Low Impact Development are voluntary, and the recommended ordinance includes incentives to interest developers. Amongst others, incentives include additional density in urban areas, reduction in impervious surfaces and use of alternative pervious surfaces for parking.  

Additionally, ENRAC completed its work on an updated stormwater ordinance at its December 4, 2024 meeting. The proposed amendment includes multiple changes to various sections of the code consisting of:

1. 72-778 (3) -Requiring additional soil borings on the property to better determine permeability of the soils and location of the groundwater level.

2. 72-779 (a) – Requiring additional information to better estimate the seasonal high level of the ground water. The design calculations for the selected stormwater best management practice shall use a design normal water elevation equal to the highest measured seasonal high-water elevation plus 6 inches.

3. 72-779 (a) – Requiring the location of the pond be as interior to the project as possible to minimize impacts on adjacent properties. If a pond must be located near the property line, then it must be lined to ensure protection during extreme storm events.

4. 72-779 (a) – Requiring that the tailwater elevation (upstream of the project-from where water flows into the project) used in the design of the stormwater is to be based on a County approved basin study. If a basin study has not been conducted and approved by the County, then the engineer of record shall be responsible for coordinating with County Engineering staff to review and approve the tailwater information to be used in the calculations.

We anticipate that both the LID and stormwater ordinances will be sent to County Council at a February 11, 2025 meeting. You can view the staff reports by clicking on the links below. 

LID Link: here Stormwater Link: here

The League Board voted to support the GMAT recommendation to support the work by ENRAC to make meaningful change in development design and to address stormwater management challenges. We would have liked to see an approach that was not solely voluntary to accelerate progress towards improving design and stormwater management in our county. The Board encourages Council to consider and embrace bold and creative strategies to address development concerns and water management challenges..

Saralee Morrissey

LWVVC Board Member and GMAT Chair

saraleemorrissey@gmail.com

Observer Corps Reports

We need an observer for Holly Hill! 

You don't have to live there to be an observer for the Observer Corps!

You can share the responsibility with another LWVVC member. The function of the Observer Corps is to attend and observe meetings, and submit short reports for The Voter.

If you want to become an Observer and learn what this responsibility entails, please contact Susan Bayley at susancbayley@gmail.com. 

To view a PDF of the observer reports submitted by the Observer Corps members, please click HERE. You can download and read at your leisure.