DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Though Frank T. Bruno, Jr. stepped off the dais in November 2012 after a 20-year-run as the face of Volusia government -- the final eight as the first elected county chair -- his political legacy remains in place, considering his successor and others meet twice monthly in the council chambers re-named in his honor.
Bruno told Headline Surfer® that he feels content and fulfilled with the routine he has grown accustomed to in this relatively new chapter of his life away from the often taxing political spotlight -- pun intended.
"I'm too busy to really miss it," said Bruno, who quietly celebrated his 66th birthday the day before Halloween with his wife, Mary Bruno, along with a visit from 9-year-old grandson, Ian Dillon of Port Orange.
Asked what kind of presents he received and if there was one in particular he liked, perhaps dress socks, new neck ties or cologne, Bruno responded, "Nothing like that. The only present I got that was really special was Ian giving me his report card."
Bruno continued, "He opened it for me and I saw that he had all good grades, which made me feel so proud. That was the best birthday present I could ever want and have."
Former Volusia County Chair Frank T. Bruno, Jr. told Headline Surfer® that he feels content and fulfilled with the routine he has grown accustomed to in this relatively new chapter of his life away from the often taxing political spotlight -- pun intended. "I'm too busy to really miss it," said Bruno, who quietly celebrated his 66th birthday the day before Halloween with his wife, Mary Bruno, along with a visit from 9-year-old grandson, Ian Dillon of Port Orange.
Asked what kind of presents he received and if there was one in particular he liked, perhaps dress socks, new neck ties or cologne, Bruno responded, "Nothing like that. The only present I got that was really special was Ian giving me his report card. He opened it for me and I saw that he had all good grades, which made me feel so proud. That was the best birthday present I could ever want and have."
Bruno was at the Historic Volusia County Courthouse on Election Day -- for the August primary and November runoff -- for his new duties on the Canvassing Board, along with Supervisor of Elections Anne McFall and County Judge Christopher Kelly. He had been appointed after his successor, County Chair Jason Davis, opted not to serve on the Canvassing Board after complaints from council colleagues Deb Denys and Pat Northey.
Frank Bruno took over duties on the Canvassing Board for County Chair Jason Davis after a spat beteen the current chair and colleague Deb Denys and Pat Northey, shown here from left to right.Denys and Northey objected to Davis serving on the elections panel that certifies votes for the primary and general elections after Davis told Osteen residents upset with the Rails to Trails bicycle path slicing through their front yards, "If you don’t like the people that are doing the job, you vote ‘em out!” adding “November, that’s how you change governments.”
So in order to avoid further controversy, Davis stepped down in May and Bruno was tabbed to serve, which he did without missing a beat.