DELTONA BONA FIDE

Commissioner Carmolingo, Mayor Mulder Support Deltona Flea Market

Commissioner Santiago opposes idea, says this is not his idea of economic development

January 22, 2007

Deltona Activist Robert Bello wants the City of Deltona to host a regular flea market at Wes Crile Park.   Bello says that 20 tables will generate revenue for the City. Mayor Dennis Mulder and Commissioner Michael Carmolingo support his plans to bring a flea market to Deltona.   Standing in their way is a city ordinance which prohibits flea markets within city limits.

Commissioner Carmolingo stated that he “supports the flea market idea” and feels it will be good for Deltona.    Carmolingo, like most others elected in 2005, promised to bring economic development to the city.

However, not all commissioners agree with Carmolingo.   Commissioner David Santiago is against the idea. He wants staff to focus on corporate connections for economic development.   He doesn’t believe a flea market will provide the type of economic development that the citizens want.

Santiago said “We have so many objectives still to complete in the city with limited resources. We should instead be having our staff focus on the high priority objectives rather than implementing a flea market within the city.

Former Commissioner Doug Horn says he is not opposed to a flea market if it is done right.   However, he questions whether a flea market would be appropriate in a residential community in a public park.   “I’ve got real concerns about that… city parks are not designed for flea markets.   They are designed for recreation and leisure, not for someone making money.”

Political activist Jamie Jessup says he cannot believe that Mulder and Carmolingo think that the residents surrounding the park will approve of this plan. “This is outrageous. Do Mulder and Carmolingo believe this is the type of economic development that will benefit the citizens? Can you imagine what the neighbors of the Wes Crile Park will say when they hear there is a desire to put a flea market in their backyard? Imagine what that neighborhood will look like when the flea market warriors attack.”

Mayor Mulder stated that he did not want the market to supplement economic development but that he sees it more of a community-building type of project.

However, Jessup questioned if this is what Mulder and Carmolingo meant when they promised to bring more shopping and job opportunities to Deltona. “If so, I believe they should have stated their plans when they were running for office. Many voters are going to feel duped again by this administration. So far this mayor has supported turning land zoned for parks into a development and now a flea market.”

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