NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- A public meeting to address New Smyrna Beach traffic issues and strategies called for by Volusia County Councilwoman Deb Denys scheduled for this morning was cancelled by Denys.
The meeting was important because Denys had said on the county dais last month that she was going to vote to take cars off the beach behind two proposed hotels on the beachside in Daytona Beach, which would likely cause more beach-goers to frequent the beach in New Smyrna instead and increase the already congested traffic.
Denys promised during the 2014 election campaign that she would not vote to take cars off the beach, but that is exactly what she intends to do at the May 7 meeting of the County Council.
Denys arranged for the public meeting a to discuss New Smyrna Beach beachside traffic issues and strategies. It was to be held from 10 - 11 a.m. Thursday, April 30, at the Alonzo "Babe" James Community Center, 201 N. Myrtle Ave., New Smyrna Beach.
Expected attendees were to include New Smyrna Beach Mayor Jim Hathaway, City Commissioner Judy Reiker, City Manager Pam Brangaccio, Police Chief Mike Coffin, city and county staff, Florida Department of Transportation staff, and representatives from the chambers of commerce and advertising authorities. But Denys canceled.
A county PR staffer sent out an email to media outlets saying Denys canceled due to a scheduling conflict, but no details were provided. Denys did not return messages for comment.