NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick. Mayor Sally Mackay checks out the boats during Saturday's annual Battle of the Badges fundraiser at Riverside Park.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson was all smiles Saturday during his annual "Battle of the Badges Inshore Fishing Tournament" at Riverside Park and Pub 44, attended by several thousand people, who descended on New Smyrna Beach to partipate in fishing activities, check out boats and law enforcement vehicles and gadgets and listen to live bands.
Sheriff's spokesman Gary Davidson was equally pleased, telling local media that with nearly 250 fisherman participating in the catch-and-release tournament alone, fundraising was expected to "meet or exceed our goal to raise $50,000" to benefit the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches.
And where there were people, politicians were sure to follow and that was certainly the case at Riverside. Mayor Sally Mackay, who is seeking re-election, ran into friends Michelle Martin and Jenny Middleton, who were there to look at the array of speed boats.