With a growing sense of alarm, I viewed the proceedings of the Deltona City Commission late Monday night.  To my astonishment, I saw my own elected representatives place taxpayer’s funds at their disposal to pursue their own personal interests. Never in my dozen or more years as a professional observer of local government have I witnessed such theater, such folly. 

On the surface of it, city commissioners say their livelihood and security were at risk after they made the choice to successfully pursue public office. Bad guys are out to get ‘em, they allege. I remind our city commissioners that every citizen of the United States is protected under criminal and civil laws if they feel they have been wronged. Criminal acts should be investigated and prosecuted. Civil damages should be assessed and adjudicated. Those are givens in our society. 

But to have taxpayers fund such issues is wrong. The City Charter, State Constitution or U.S. Constitution does not provide for city officials to be compensated by the public for personal losses stemming from their positions. If that were so, any public figure in a community would be eligible for taxpayer’s support, not just those who collect a paycheck from a public agency or have the public’s trust to serve them. 

Monday night, Mayor Dennis Mulder, along with Vice Mayor Michael Carmolingo and Commissioners Paul Treusch and Janet Deyette, violated that public trust. They placed self-interest above public interest. That should not and cannot be tolerated in America.

I’ll avoid the frayed “If you can’t take the heat” references and simply say this: I strongly urge Vice Mayor Carmolingo and Commissioners Treusch and Deyette to renounce their action and recall the vote March 2.  

And Mayor Mulder, I look for you to keep to your proclamation from Monday night if they do: resign. The trust the public has in our city depends on it.

J Mark Barfield