VOTERS REJECT POLICE DEPARTMENT

November 4, 2008

In a loud and clear message to the City Commission, Deltona voters today said they do not want the burden and uncertainty of a Deltona Police Department.  Over 55% of the voters were in support of keeping the Volusia County Sheriff as Deltona's law enforcer.

Despite their use of misleading figures to push their support of a Police Department, and despite their budget of $50,000 in tax dollars to propagate their misinformation, the Mulder-led commission, along with political group DeltonaFacts.org (comprised of Bill Tavernier, Veronica Kenny, and Michael Kiepert) failed to sway the voters.  In fact, the voters in Mayor Mulder's very own precinct voted NO to his PD idea.

Despite having told the voters in 2005 that he would not promote any project that did not have citizen approval through ballot or poll, and despite recently saying that including cost amounts in the PD question would be disingenuous and unfair, Mayor Mulder was recently spotted on street corners promoting the PD idea by holding large colorful "Vote Yes for Deltona PD" signs that included cost amounts.  His mug was also seen on numerous tax-payer funded postcards promoting the PD, using misleading numbers for cost amounts.

But citizens armed with hand-made signs and a strong love for their city prevailed.  With little budget to work with, citizens - like those who comprise the local Deltona Citizens Action Committee - put their personal lives on hold to fight for the safety of Deltona and to protect Deltona's delicate budget.

Had the controversial Police Department referendum passed, the Sheriff would have pulled out of Deltona in 2010, and the City would not have been scheduled to start a new Police Department until 2013, leaving the citizens with three years of unaccountable law enforcement.

UNKNOWN STARTUP and ANNUAL COSTS

Many Central Florida cities of similar size have to spend $20-30 million each year to maintain their own Police Departments.

The current annual cost to keep the Sheriff's Office is only $8.7 million, and

Deltona currently enjoys one of the lowest crime rates in the State.

Don't Get Snowed by the City on the Ballot Questions

MULTIPLE QUESTIONS but ONLY ONE ANSWER

This referendum should have been split into two separate referenda.

MULTIPLE QUESTIONS, and TRANSFERS POWER AWAY FROM the PEOPLE TO the GOVERNMENT

As it stands now, the commissioners can only get a raise if the people vote for one.

Under the proposed plan, Commissioners will be able to vote themselves raises when ever they want, without your vote.

RESTRICTIVE CONTROL OVER CM and CA

Should ever a grossly incompetent, negligent, or corrupt person ever become City Manager or City Attorney, it will be extremely difficult to fire them.

MULTIPLE QUESTIONS, and AMBIGUOUS

It's unclear what a YES vote will mandate, as some of the listed items are already required of the City Manager, and other items could be construed to provide the City Manager with unlimited power to do anything, without needing direction from the Commission.

MULTIPLE QUESTIONS, and LIMITS CITY ATTORNEY CANDIDATE POOL

Again, this is two questions, but only one answer is possible.

It also limits the candidate selection pool when the City is looking to hire a new City Attorney.

MULTIPLE QUESTIONS, and AMBIGUOUS

If the committee members are not elected, then who will appoint them?

If the committee members are not politically active, then will they be interested enough to ensure the votes are counted fairly?

UNNECESSARY CHANGE

MORE POWER to the PEOPLE