Well, its been a very busy week! From campaign stops in garages and backyards to the groundbreaking at US Foods this morning, its been a full week. We met a lot of great people on Tuesday night at the National Night Out Against Crime. A terrific event sponsored by our very own Port Orange Police Department. Thursday was a chamber of commerce luncheon with the county council. Today included the Port Orange Chamber's Morning Mix & Mingle and a groundbreaking ceremony on the expansion of US FOODS, which will bring more good jobs to Port Orange!
Going back to Wednesday, I met with the PBA to discuss their issues and my campaign. That night, we heard from the sherrif about his proposal to take over the PD. I look forward to next Tuesday's council meeting on the subject, as there are still too many unanswered questions, and there is a need for a lively and vigorous debate with interaction from our citizens. The hardest part of the presentation was hearing that our officers would lose all their benefits, rank and seniority as well as be reverted back to starting pay if they were hired by the Sherrif's Department, for which there are no guarantees...doesn't sound much like community policing to me. Hopefully the city and the PBA can get back to the bargaining table and work something out that is good for everybody. We enjoy a relatively low crime rate in our city, and accepting a change in a service for public safety that has worked well would be a step backwards. Another of my concerns is that the unfunded pension liablity the city has for these officers does not go away and is not solved in a service change. Seeing a brand new building occupied by someone other than the POPD just feels wrong. This issue will likely be addressed by the current council, before I or anyone else would possibly be sworn in. Therefore it is important that people express their views to the current council, whatever they may be so they can act accordingly.
Looking at the week ahead, early voting begins Monday, August 9th. I encourage anyone who might find it difficult to get to the polls on August 24th to take advantage of this. In east Volusia, you can vote early in Daytona Beach at the Volusia County Library Center at City Island, in the Ormond Beach area at the Ormond Beach Regional Library, and in the New Smyrna Beach area at the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library. It seems we have a need in Port Orange for an early voting sight...this is something I wil work on for our city!
Tuesday I will be appearing on the Marc Bernier Show on WNDB, and I look forward to a lively discussion of the issues for our city.
Stay well everyone!

City budget 2010

Yesterday's 9 hour marathon budget workshop was a culmination of the many budget workshops I have attended this year. The great news is that council selected an option that won't be cutting 3 police officers and 3 fireman as discussed in earlier workshops. The bad news is they didn't cut much else either. They still have work to do. I was happy to see their commitment to not cutting public safety any further than has been done already. Discussion of emergency transport at last Tuesday's council meeting was also promising. Now we need the city to get their situation with the police and fire unions resolved. To meet fiscal constraints, we must have cost certainty to move forward,as well as content professionals on the street giving their all for us. Our taxpayers need to know that they will get the services from the city when they need them most. It's a vital balancing act for the city---providing top-notch public safety, all the while keeping it affordable for the taxpayer!

Candidate forum on POG-TV and Internet Tuesday

The CANDIDATE FORUM is upon us! The Port Orange Chamber is sponsoring the candidate forum, coming up this Tuesday the 13th, beginning at 530pm from City Hall. For those who cannot be there, it will be broadcast on POG-TV, cable channel 199. For those who don't have cable access, you can use the internet to get the live stream from http://www.port-orange.org/pogtv/pogtv6.php
Candidates from all three citywide races, including me, will answer questions from moderator Dave Laing of WNDB radio. When its over, email me your opinions to BURNETTEforPO@aol.com
I want to hear from you and know what you think!!!

Hospital Taxing District

Living in the part of Port Orange that is represented by him, I met with Representative Taylor last week to let him know that a number of us here in Port Orange are frustrated with the 2 hospital taxing districts that affect our city. The hospital districts were established roughly 50 years ago, and they put approximately 8,000 Port Orange residents in the Bert Fish taxing district, even though these people are served locally by Halifax Medical Center in Port Orange. As strange as this is, adding to it is the fact that these residents pay a much higher rate (among the highest in Florida)into a hospital district which by charter allows for no representation on its board by any citizen living in Port Orange. Factor in the sale of Bert Fish Medical Center to a private entity based in Orlando, thus further reducing public oversight. Bob Williams, CEO of Bert Fish, was twice on the PORT ORANGE CITY COUNCIL'S agenda to address these concerns over the sale of his hospital to Florida Hospital, but he decided against appearing. I really would have liked to have heard his side of it, but I guess that won't be happening. High taxes without representation paid to a private entity that doesn't even serve our residents? I have a problem with this one...

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