Community

Chief Deputy Mike Coffin among 6 finalists for chief in scandal-ridden NSBPD in wake of evidence room thefts

Mike Coffin, VCSO deputy sheriff is a finalist for NSBPD chief / Headline Surfer®NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Mike Coffin, the chief deputy of Volusia County, is among six finalists for chief of the scandal-ridden New Smyrna Beach Police Department, still reeling in the wake of the evidence room thefts that have also resulted in four top cops in the past two years.

Mike Coffin, among the two local candidates along with retired South Daytona Police Chief Bill Hall, is considered a frontrunner and certainly the favorite in terms of overall experience and credibility, as far as New Smyrna Beach's newly-elected top leader is concerned.

"Yes, I would have to put Mike Coffin in the category of a favorite -- absolutely," Mayor Jim Hathaway told Headline Surfer® over the weekend.

NSB Commissioner-elect Jake Sachs snubbed by opponent after trouncing in general election

No contest cocaine plea continues to dog Stephen Sather's public office runs 

Jake Sachs defeats Steve Sather for NSB commission seat / Headline Surfer®

Jake Sachs wins NSB commission seat in Nov. 4, 2014 elections / Headline Surfer®Steve Sather loses NSB commission seat with past cocaine plea / Headline Surfer®Photos for Headline Surfer® /
Jake Sachs, far left, is the winner of the New Smyrna Beach zone 2 commission seat over Stephen Sather in the Nov. 4, 2014, elections.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Jason McGuirk, a New Smyrna Beach commissioner and the vice mayor, called Jake Sachs to offer congratulations after his decisive victory over Stephen "Steve" Sather in the commission zone 2 race in Tuesday's general elections.

ENDORSEMENTS: As NSB mayor, Jim Hathaway would fight to end trend of tax hikes pushed by Jack Grasty

Native son hoping to follow in late father's footsteps as municipal leader

Jim Hathaway endorsed by internet newspaper for NSB mayor / Headline Surfer®NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The time has come for an experienced community leader to take the reigns in New Smyrna Beach and right the ship that has run aground, especially in the last couple of years. That leader is none other than Jim Hathaway.

With that said, Headline Surfer® wholly endorses Hathaway for mayor of New Smyrna Beach in the Nov. 4 general elections over City Commissioner and former colleague Jack Grasty.

The taxpayers of the city by the sea have been hit with an increase in taxes for the new fiscal year that began Wednesday, following a tax increase last year as well. This is unacceptable in a city known for its charm that has a large bloc of seniors on fixed incomers and working class families struggling to put food on the table.

Hootenanny Oct. 12 to benefit New Smyrna Beach PAL Henry Frederick Thu, 09/19/2013 - 12:45
NSB Police Chief George Markert / Headline SurferHeadline Surfer photo  / New Smyrna Beach Police Chief George Markert is gearing up for an old-country style party on Oct. 12 -- a Hootennany -- to benefit the PAL programs for kids.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Sounds of contemporary country music and southern rock will fill a hangar at the New Smyrna Beach Airport next month. as the New Smyrna Beach Police Athletic League will host Hangar Hootenanny 2013.

The country-themed fundraiser will he held from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, in the American Aero Services hangar, 1501 Airway Circle, at the New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport.

Florida licensing/registration services at New Smyrna Beach mobile site in August Henry Frederick Fri, 07/26/2013 - 06:39
FLOW location N. Myrtle Ave, New Smyrna Beach / Headline SurferFLOW locator / Sams Ave & Julia St/ New Smyrna Beach / Headline SurferHeadline Surfer snapshots / The locator map at far left shows the location of a mobile driver's license mobile, 201 N. Myrtle Ave (Babe Jame Center), and the second locator shows the intersection of Sams Avenue and Julia Street (NSB City Hall).

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Local residents no longer need to travel several miles to renew a Florida driver license. For the convenience of rNew Smyrna Beach residents, the state will park a mobile office in the city twice in August.

The Florida Licensing on Wheels mobile will be open from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, at the Alonzo ‘Babe’ James Center, 201 N. Myrtle Ave., and Tuesday, Aug. 20, at the corner of Julia Street and Sams Avenue next to City Hall.

Traffic light coming to S.R. 44 at Sugar Mill Drive in NSB

Resurfacing of four-lane road to be completed in August

New traffic light to be installed at Sugar Mill Drive and SR 44 in New Smyrna Beach / Headline SurferHeadline Surfer photo by Henry Frederick / The blinking light at State Roadd 44 and Sugar Mill Drive will soon be replaced with a regular traffic light. The signal light qill cost $61,000, along with a $5 million resurfacing of the four-lane road, all paid for by the Florida Department of Transportation,

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The intersection of State Road 44 and Sugar Mill Drive soon will be safer for motorists with a new traffic signal to be installed in Auguest, a city official said.

“The new traffic signal is a result of a State traffic impact analysis to improve safety at the intersection – particularly the southbound left turn lane for Sugar Mill Drive motorists,” said Kyle Fegley, a city engineer.

New Smyrna Beach Regional Library kicks off summer programs geared to children June 11 Henry Frederick Wed, 05/29/2013 - 05:24
New Smyrna Beach Regional Library / Headline SurferPhoto for Headline Surfer / The New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, 1001 S. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach, is part of the Volusia County Public Library system. 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Children can beat summer boredom at the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, which is planning a full slate of free programs in June and July. First up, children in grades 1 through 5 can enter to win prizes by reading books. Reading logs will be available at the children’s desk beginning June 11.

Upstate New York candidate George Markert tabbed as New Smyrna Beach's top cop

City manager selection subject to city commission approval

George Markert is the new police chief designee of New Smyrna Beach / Headline SurferPhoto for Headline Surfer / George Markert, an administrator with 28 years of service with the Rochester, N.Y., police force is New Smyrna Beach City Manager Pam Brangaccio's choice to be the new police chief here.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- After an extensive three-month search and interview process, New Smyrna Beach is ready to welcome a new police chief.

“We conducted a very thorough search to make the right decision,” said Pam Brangaccio, New Smyrna Beach city manager. “We interviewed several very qualified applicants extensively. In the end, the best fit for New Smyrna Beach was clear.”

Brangaccio will appoint George E. Markert subject to confirmation by the City Commission at Tuesday night's City Commission meeting.

Getting to the 'yes' with CRAs doesn't mean it's business as usual

Create: Wed, 04/03/2013 - 01:51
Author: Deb Denys
Deb Denys / Headline SurferBy Deb Denys
Deb's District
Exclusive blog for Headline Surfer 
from dist. 3 county councilwoman
 
Badcock Building in New Smyrna example of smart CRA funding / Headline SurferThe CRA party's on Flagler / Headline SurferHeadline Surfer photos by Henry Frederick /

Restoration of the former Badcock Building on Canal Street and US 1 in New Smyrna Beach is an example of the kind of worthwhile CRA project county officials want to see. Alcohol-fueled street parties on New Smyrna Beach's Flagler Avenue are the types of CRA abuses the county wants to see end. 

DAYTONA BEACH -- The County Council last week voted unanimously to continue the countywide discussion regarding Community Redevelopment Areas (CRAs) for an additional 60 days.