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NSB Cmdr. William Drossman cleared of racial e-mail accusation

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NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Police Cmdr. William Drossman has been cleared of accusations of sending a racially-charged e-mail about Barack Obama to fellow officers, but he was "counseled" against using city property for personal use -- in this case a computer in his office at police headquarters.

The summary of an investigation concluded last month by city-hired outside counsel Mark E. Levitt concluded there was "no specific racist or inappropriate conduct by Drossman in forwarding an e-mail a couple of months back that contained writings from two of Obama's books that a police officer told an Orlando television station had racial overtones because the e-mail chain message portrayed the Democratic nominee as anti-white and urged against supporting his candidacy.

Why McCain scares me

I'm not really afraid of John McCain, but I wanted to offer a counter viewpoint to that of my colleague, Peter Mallory. I believe McCain is sincere and his experience for the presidency is not in question. But what really bothers me about McCain is that he really doesn't stand for anything, except for campaign finance reform. He touts himself as the outsider -- the maverick -- but his record in Washington really does mirror that of George W. Bush. Obama says his candidacy is about "change" and that is what this country sorely needs. Let's face it; even if McCain pulls the upset Tuesday, he's going to butt heads with the likes of liberal Democrats Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Barney Frank. Colin Powell's endorsement of Obama carries great weight because it shows Obama's partisan appeal. Working with the other side will ease the political gridlock of Capitol Hill.

Trick or treat: NSB gal's got look-alike dibs on Sarah Palin this Halloween

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NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- She has the glasses, hair and shapely figure, but she's not interested in politics and she doesn't have a $150,000 wardrobe.

This 22-year-old is the spittin' image of Sarah Palin: That's right, the glasses, the long black hair partly tied up and the red blouse and black skirt.

Meet Meghan Clancy, the closest resemblance to the Alaskan governor and vice presidential candidate.

The occasion you ask? Well, it's Halloween, silly.

NSB cops: Body of 42-year-old Edgewater man found on North Causeway

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NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The body of a man found on the shoulder in the 300 block of the North Causeway early this morning has been identified as that of 42-year-old Glen Gagnon of Edgewater and police say they need the public’s help in determining what happened.

Police Sgt. Eugene Griffith did not release any other details except to say police responded to the scene at 12:44 a.m. "in reference to a deceased male lying on the shoulder of the roadway" and that homicide investigators and the medical examiner's office arrived as well.

The reality of propaganda and politics of our times

With the political campaigns reaching their climaxes, no one would dispute that there is a lot of propaganda being thrown about. Everybody connected with a political campaign readily admits that the opposing party is using a lot of propaganda. Sometimes it is quite difficult for them to recognize that their own party is using propaganda also.

At this time it is appropriate and instructive to take a look at the various forms of propaganda. Here we define propaganda as a concerted effort to get people to see things a certain way.

One main mantra used by the conservative side is that Barack Obama is in favor of “redistributing the wealth.” This resonates with people who favor free markets and capitalism. On John McCain's side, Joe the Plumber is being cited as the shining example of the type of worker who would be hurt by an Obama tax, even though in reality plumbers aren't in the higher tax brackets.

Tom Feeney believes in a strong America

I support Tom Feeney because he believes in virtually everything I do and acts accordingly.

In government, Feeney believes in a small government with limited powers. He believes that the constitution should be interpreted from the viewpoint of original intent rather than as a “living document.”

His ideas on the economy are completely in line with what classical economics tells us. That is a strong economy is built on low taxes, few regulations, sound money, unhindered foreign trade and a legal system that protects our property rights. This approach has been proven correct by experience as well as logic.

In foreign policy he believes in a strong America that can face the challenge of a world filled with “bad guys.”

In other domestic issues, the Oviedo incumbent Republican, whose district includes Southeast Volusia, believes that the trial lawyers have gotten out of hand and the system must be reformed to stop the “pillaging and devastation” caused by misuse of the legal system.

Having

NSB's Karen Clancy calls Congressman Tom Feeney the 'family candidate'

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NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Karen Clancy first met Congressman Tom Feeney seven years ago when he helped her with several community projects when he was speaker of the Florida assembly.

This campaign season, she's returned the favor, serving as the Oviedo Republican's Volusia County campaign director.

Clancy said she's a big fan of Feeney for very obvious reasons that she believes people relate to and want from their elected leaders: "He's very strong on small government and letting people live the American dream."