From my vantage point on the perch, it seems that I was one of the few fortunate ones' to be able to hear any part of what was going on at Tuesday night's city commission meeting, as our I.T. department blew it out there tail feathers yet again.

Can anyone in that department explain why that in 2009, our I.T. birds are still unable to provide a reliable audio feed allowing the citizens to listen in to the meetings being held by their elected and appointed officials?

DELAND -- The 28th annual Farm Tour - set for Friday, Nov. 20 - will offer residents a behind-the-scenes look at agricultural operations in Volusia County.

The tour is sponsored by the University of Florida/Volusia County Extension and the Volusia County Farm Bureau to showcase the county’s agricultural industry, which has a $781 million annual impact on Volusia County and generates more than 8,300 jobs. The county’s 1,114 farms cover more than 229,000 acres and produce the area’s fruit, vegetables, honey, cattle, sod, fish, timber and plants.

Our forefathers’ original mistake in printing American currency was to blur the “L” out of it, and so it is that we continue to insist we’re a Christian nation because our coinage hymns out, “In God We Trust.”

Biblically speaking, this was one of those “fortunate falls.” Where else more appropriate for “God” than His endorsement printed on the object Americans worship the most?

“Gold” just doesn’t ring with it!

DAYTONA BEACH -- The Business 2 Business Expo is coming to the Volusia County Ocean Center Nov. 17 - 18. With Microsoft as the signature sponsor, the Expo will include nationally recognized business speakers, seminars, exhibitors and more. Organizers anticipate more than 2,000 business owners, CEOs and leaders will attend to network and learn about up-to-date business strategies and resources.

Did Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas take $132,000 and other donations from PhRMA?

Did this convince her to vote no to Health Care Reform?

Since the Newe Smyrna Beach Democrat voted against the Health Care Bill in the house I am convinced that PhRMA was an influence on her vote. I have emailed her Washington DC office four times asking for an explanation of why she took an estimated $132,000 from PhRMA used in a direct mail piece. I have received no response.

We have a new Guard. The Nov. 3 municipal elections brought more voters. Yet out of 18,000-plus voters, we had roughly 6,000 show up.

It starts in your own backyard people.

NSB wanted change, leadership, and success for our city. We will see what happens.

We, in America, can only change our "future" by voting. This is a "sorry turnout."

Maybe, and I mean maybe, when it gets so bad, people will realize that change will come with the power they have, their "VOTE." This goes with federal, state, county, and municipal elections.

So where are we?

NSBNEWS.net photos by Sera Frederick. The New Smyrna Beach High School 'Cudas defeated Spruce Creek 43-0 before a big crowd at Homecoming earlier tonight. At left, the defense was all over the Creek squad, stifling both the running and passing plays. At center, quaterback A.J. Granger led a balanced offensive attack. At right, 'Cudas alumnus and Mayor Adam Barringer got a close-up view of the games on the sidelines.