The last few years have been challenging for everyone. My family and I understand that as much as anyone. Our west Volusia Community is blessed to have a great health care system, good people, strong education system and some of the most beautiful outdoor recreation anywhere. The rest is just problem solving in a way that makes life better for all.

I will focus on building collaborative relationships and leveraging resources to solve problems. My term as President of the Volusia League of Cities has shown me Volusia County citizens have more similarities than differences. We all want our children to be safe, be able to provide for our families and to live in a clean environment. As an experienced leader I feel I can get work done that builds a sense of community, creates good paying jobs and preserves our quality of life.”

An ex-employee at the Deltona Hills Golf & Country Club is facing an arson charge after he was accused of torching the clubhouse early Friday morning because he was angry at his former employer. Responding Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies tracked the defendant, 31-year-old Rodney Grimes, to his home about a quarter-mile from the country club, where he was sitting in his garage bleeding from a gash to his forearm and with a gas can nearby. Deputies charged Grimes  with arson and criminal mischief.

Deputies were initially dispatched to the country club at 1:35 a.m. in response to a burglar alarm. Shortly afterwards, the fire alarm was activated. When deputies arrived, one side of the clubhouse was in flames and a window had been smashed out. Firefighters at the scene determined that the blaze had been intentionally set. While a Sheriff’s K-9 team began tracking to the west of the country club, in the general direction of where Grimes lives, the owner of the country club said he suspected Grimes was the culprit. So deputies headed to his house on East Union Circle, where Grimes was found in the garage. When deputies first asked Grimes how he injured his arm, he told a story about being cut with a knife by a man during an argument over a debt. But when confronted with the fact that the K-9 had tracked from the county club to his house, Grimes changed his story and admitted he was mad at his former employer. Grimes, who was fired from his job at the country club several years ago, was ordered off the golf course earlier this week. Grimes said he tried to explain that he was looking for a friend’s lost wallet, but he said the owner treated him disrespectfully and told him he had been a poor employee. Grimes later admitted to dousing the clubhouse with gasoline and setting it on fire. In the process, he cut his arm while smashing the window.

After being treated at the hospital for his injury, Grimes was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail inDaytona Beachand booked in shortly before 8 a.m. on $7,500 bond.

The Enterprise Preservation Society will be hosting its 5th annual Chili Cook – Off on Saturday, February 18 at Mariners Cove Park from 11:00 to 3:00. $5.00 gets you in and all you can eat Chili.

This event is a real competition that draws competitors from Deltona, Debary and throughout Volusia County. ALL the Chili in the competition MUST be made onsite the day of the event with no home brew two-day crock pot Chili.

The event promises fun for the entire family with lots of fun stuff for the kids including a Bounce Houses, a Stilt Walker, and Face Painting.

There will be a live auction at 2PM with over 25 very nice items

Hot dogs and burgers for those who don’t want chilli will be on sale

Rog Lee will be with us for a few hours. www.RogLee.com

All the proceeds will go to restoring the old 1936 2-story schoolhouse that will be opening soon as the Enterprise Heritage Center.

   Contestants as of Feb. 11, 2012

1. Briefcase Full of Brew (Brews Bros.)
2. Stillmeadow Chili Chicks  #1 (Monica Navarro)
3. Stillmeadow Chili Chicks #2
4. Stillmeadow Chili Chicks #3
5. Finster’s Famous Fixins (Kevin Finn)
6. Cookie’s Chili (Travis Holmes & Amy Kuveke)
7. Pookie Bear Chili (Travis & Amy)
8. The Doc Show Chili (Doc Holiday)
9. Uncle Freddie’s Campfire Chili (Dustin Johns)
10. Iron Man (Eric Shaw & Henry Lamplough)
11. Ya Can’t Beat This Heat! (Rob & Alicia Gordon)
12. Kicken Chicken Chili – (Prestige Painting Specialists LLC—Rob & Alicia Gordon)
13. Genuine Red Alert (Genuine Bistro – Tommy Vitek)
14. Mile Marker 0 – (George Fitzgerald & Rodney Tilson)
15. Voodoo Stew – (Gary Campbell, Kristina Paradis )
16. Dallas & Mark’s All American Chili – (Mark Matzinger)
17. Dennis Mulder for Volusia County Council District 5
18. Tyler Stengen –

Many people want to make changes to conserve energy and water and lower their utility bills at their residences and businesses but probably aren’t sure where to get started. The City of Deltona wants to help. The City is sponsoring a Water and Energy Conservation Expo from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Feb. 24, in the Commission Chambers and Courtyard at City Hall, 2345 Providence Blvd.

The expo will feature information, companies and products that encourage conservation and complement the City of Deltona’s commitment to a greener future. Free American Standard LED light bulbs are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Residents will be wowed by the latest in green vehicle technology and get a hands-on look at the tailpipe free, 100 percent electric, Nissan Leaf; the aerodynamic, electric-hybrid, Chevy Volt, the Fiskar Karma (an all-electric luxury performance vehicle), and for business owners the Ford Transit Connect and a propone gas powered utility van (sponsored by Ferrell Gas).

The Florida Green Building Coalition will offer seminars on gray water and energy conservation. Solar-Fit will demonstrate the use of the latest home insulation products on the market and Lowe’s Home Improvement Store will display the latest energy efficient bathroom upgrades.

“We all have a responsibility to even make a little change in our lifestyles to make our environment sustainable,” said City Manager Faith Miller. “We hope residents will take advantage of this expo.”

The expo is sponsored by the City’s Energy Efficiency and Community Block Grant program. For additional information on the event, call the City of Deltona’s Grants Coordinator, Cheryl Atkins, (386) 878-8853.

Paula Barker

A U.S. Marine deployed for more than six months was shocked to discover when he returned home that thousands of dollars were missing from his bank account. Making matters worse, he suspected the culprit was his own mother. An investigation by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the Marine’s fears, resulting in the arrest of Paula Barker Tuesday evening on a warrant charging her with fraudulent use of personal identification information. She was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail inDaytona Beachwith $5,000 bond.

Chadwick Barker had returned from Afghanistanin September 2011 and discovered that about $4,000 was missing from his bank account. He told a Volusia deputy that he believed his mother had obtained his account information before he had deployed and used it while he was gone. The subsequent investigation revealed that Paula Barker (2/6/1969) had used the account to buy an airplane ticket and send cash to herself through Western Union. When an investigator spoke with Paula Barker in November, she denied knowing about the bank account charges. However, the evidence gathered was enough for County Judge Robert A. Sanders, Jr. to sign the arrest warrant on Tuesday. Paula Barker was then arrested at her Ormond Beach home that evening without incident.

“We reached 7,575 students last year inVolusiaCounty, but we still have JA program requests from educators in many elementary and high schools that need to be fulfilled,” said Tammy Hayward, program director of JA of Volusia County. “JA provides all the training, material and support you need. Volunteers receive an all-inclusive packet of materials – including a consultant guide with scripted, detailed lesson plans and the resources needed to lead activities.”

There are current JA volunteer needs atSunriseElementary School, University High School (OrangeCity) andDeltonaHigh School.

Volunteer opportunities are available at three levels and require approximately one-hour per week for five to seven sessions, depending on the program.

-       Elementary school programs teach students the relevance of education to the workplace through fun and interactive activities.

-       High school programs prepare students for the business world through courses in economics and business, emphasizing real-world applications.

Trainings are scheduled locally as needed. For more information about volunteer opportunities, contact Tammy Hayward at (386) 566-8362 or thayward@jacentralfl.org.

 “Kids in the Kitchen events are an exciting way to engage kids and talk about the importance of a healthy eating habits and making fresh food choices,” said Stella.  

Featured frequently on nationally televised shows such as ABC’s The View, CBS 48 Hours, QVC, Entertainment Tonight and The Insider, Stella has also hosted the weekly Food Network series, Low Carb and Loving It, and has authored four best-selling cookbooks. He is a spokesperson for the 250 Chapters of the Association of Junior Leagues International for their ongoing Childhood Obesity Awareness campaign.

The Iron Kids Chef Challenge with celebrity chef George Stella will take place on the “Kids in the Kitchen” main stage, where 10 lucky kids will be chosen from the audience to join in the fun cooking competition encouraging healthy food choices

Kids can exercise with yoga classes then make healthy snacks at several different food stations. Other activities include dancing with Radio Disney, balloon art, face painting, giveaways, and a visit from the Daytona Cubs mascot, Cubby; with participation from American Martial Arts Leadership Performance Team and Yoga Power Dance.  

Junior League of Daytona Beach has partnered with Halifax Health to offer this free educational program for the community. Additional sponsors include: WNDB Radio, Daytona Beach Cubs, The Little Gym and McKay’s Tavern.  

More information on “Kids in the Kitchen” can be found at www.jldb.org

Retailers who do not release circular information early may really be taking a hit, without knowing it.  This shopper, for example, has a list-compiled coupons included, and ready to hit Publix on Thursday. 

Why Publix?  If the early release information is correct with a $100.00 grocery purchase, you will receive a $10.00 Publix card, or, just like getting another 10% off, even more if you are good at using coupons.  The $100.00 purchase for the reward is based on the gross purchase price, before presenting coupons, so the more coupons you use the better the $10.00 gift card looks on a percent basis.  Another reason why Publix, they are the only grocery locally who you find the advance pricing on.

Some items on the Publix shopping list:  16oz. Kraft shredded cheese, $4.99 toward gift card purchase but actual net cost of $2.99 after using $1.00 off Kraft coupon in a Publix flyer and a $1.00 off internet coupon for any 1# block, shredded or cubed American made cheese.  Publix chunk cheese 1# block, $4.99 toward gift card, but only $3.99 after using another of the above $1.00 American made cheese coupons.

Pompeii Olive Oil, different varieties in a 16oz. bottle are buy one get one free, (BOGO) for $7.09 that goes toward the $10.00 gift card.  After using two $1.00 off coupons your net cost for two 16oz. bottles of olive is $5.09.  Planter’s peanut is another of the many BOGO’s this week at Publix.  Valued at up to $4.29 depending on which type nut you buy, use your $1.50 coupon off the purchase of two Planters nuts, and end up paying $2.79 for two jars or cans of Planters nuts.

In summary, how do you stand so far in getting the $10.00 Publix gift card?  Between cheese, olive oil and peanuts only, your credit to reaching the $100.00 purchase level to get the gift card is; $21.36.  The amount of cash you have spent after coupons; $14.86 for a savings percentage of 30%! 

By using other BOGO’s and coupons available on the products you use, and maintaining  a 30% savings rate  on $100.00 in purchases, plus the $10.00 gift card you receive, would equal $110.00 in groceries for $70.00 or nearly  37% in total savings.

The Deland Area Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee recently sponsored a “Meet the Mayors Forum.” In attendance were; Mayors John Masiarczyk of Deltona, Tom Laputka of Orange City, Bob Garcia DeBary, Bob Apgar from Deland, and Mayor Snowden of Lake Helen.

John Evans moderated the Mayor’s panel discussion and entertained questions from the audience.

Mr. Evans presented the panel with the emperor’s questions. If you were Emperor Mayor and could mandate one thing and one thing only without regard for cost for your city, what would that one thing be?

“Redevelop the 17/92 corridor that runs through Orange City with new Infrastructure,” explained Mayor Laputka.

Mayor Masiarczyk of Deltona, also answered with redevelopment, and explained that Deltona was designed in the late 50’s and early 60’s  and the city finds it difficult to be a 21st century city with its’ current layout.

Creating jobs in Deland and throughout West Volusia, would be Mayor Apgars mandate.

Paving roads was the biggest concern of Lake Helen Mayor Snowden, followed by the development of the 80 archers on the north end of Lake Helen.

Mayor Garcia would like to focus on economic development with surrounding cities.

“How satisfied are we that our region fully understands what our region has to sell?” was the next question presented to the panel.

The three largest strategic initiatives the West Volusia Mayors agreed to work together on were water, land use, and economic development.

“Are you (The Mayors of the panel) getting the cooperation, and working together in your relationships with the county that you need to achieve the things you need to work on” asked John Evans.

Answers from the panel ranged from “the highest praise” to “if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing.”

Dennis Mulder, who is running for Volusia County Council district five, was also in attendance. When asked about the mixed statements regarding the working relationship between the county and cities, Mulder’s response was, “having been Deltona Mayor, it’s disappointing to hear feelings of tension between the county and cities from west Volusia mayors. I hope to work to change those feelings over time. As a Mayor myself I think it could be a workable goal.”

Mayor Masiarczyk of Deltona made a point of mentioning the confusion with the local Chambers of Commerce. “We have them starting, stopping, up and down, back and forth” in response to a question of whether the Deland Chamber should hold more panel discussions.

Recently, the Deltona Chamber of Commerce changed their name to the West Volusia Chamber and relocated outside of the City of Deltona. Meanwhile, the Volusia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce located in Deltona and became very active in the community.

Masiarczyk went on to question the amount of money the West Volusia cities have spent towards economic development and suggested that the local cities work together to make West Volusia the best it can be.

Mayor Laputka shared with the panel that Orange City had seven projects last year totaling “around $16 million.”

The Stetson University family welcomed the newest member into the fold this weekend when John B., the new Athletics mascot, made his debut at the Edmunds Center.

Shrouded in smoke, John B. made his first public appearance at halftime of the Hatters’ Atlantic Sun Conference basketball game against Florida Gulf Coast on Jan. 20. With sirens blaring and his whip cracking, he delighted the crowd while performing with the Stetson cheerleaders.

John B. is the first Stetson Athletics mascot in more than 10 years since the old Mad Hatter was unofficially retired. The new mascot, with his signature Stetson hat, green bandana and alligator skin boots, will be a fixture at future Stetson events, and will also make guest appearances throughout the community.

“I am thrilled with the new mascot,” Stetson University Director of Athletics Jeff Altier said. “John B. represents the university’s heritage and embraces the traditions that are so important to our students and alumni. I am confident he will be received well because he is what being a Stetson Hatter is all about.”

John B.’s grand debut was sponsored by the Stetson Co., makers of fine hats, apparel and accessories since the 1860s. The event was also supported by the Daytona Beach News-Journal.

In 1889, StetsonUniversitywas named after John B. Stetson, the Philadelphia hatmaker who gave generously of his time and fortune to the university. Because of this, Stetson athletes and alumni will forever be named the Hatters.

“But we want to give the Hat an attitude, a personality that rallies school spirit and gets people fired up,” said Joel Jones, Stetson director of Creative Services.

Stetson’s Hatter mascot has taken on a variety of looks over the past 50 years – from a 10-gallon hat with big eyes and curled eyelashes to a leprechaun-looking Mad Hatter. There was even a pot-bellied statue that stood on the Hat Rack patio.

The last version, a Mad Hatter with a crazy “Doc Brown” hair-style and giant teeth, was rumored to have scared children, and stopped making public appearances 10 years ago.

In spring 2011, Stetson kicked off a Mascot Challenge to give the Hatters a new look and personality. Alumni, students, faculty, staff, student organizations and university departments were invited to submit ideas and drawings, and everyone including the general public was given an opportunity to vote on the 70 creative submissions. Ideas ranged from a Hatter-pillar, a bear, several cowboy types and even a few fictitious creatures.

“The breadth of involvement we had, with the 70 submissions and the thousands of online votes for the finalists, was very rewarding to me because it indicated how important this mascot is to so many people associated with the university,” Altier said. “Every member of our constituency was involved in the process and we were able to call on professionals in the industry to help in the final design.”

From the top five mascot submissions, a committee began its work last summer to select the new mascot and then develop and refine the new Hatter. The committee included representatives from the Athletics Department, community, alumni and Disney’s character division.

Judging was based on originality, feasibility and overall appeal. Each of the five finalists in the mascot contest will receive a genuine Stetson hat as part of their recognition for participating. The author of the winning submission will receive a Walt Disney World vacation stay at the Swan & Dolphin Resort.

After careful consideration, choosing the final mascot and winning submission was unanimous. The new Hatter mascot embodies the history, tradition and spirit of StetsonUniversity. Just like John B. Stetson himself, the new mascot captures the pioneer spirit of those daring individuals who founded the university and helped settleFloridamore than 150 years ago. From the Stetson hat to the alligator boots, the new Hatter mascot embodies the history and spirit of Florida’s first private university.