Endorsement: Nancy Schleicher for Deltona City Commission dist. 4

Nancy SchleicherHeadline Surfer endorsement: Nancy Schleicher

DELTONA -- Admittedly, we know very little about the inner political workings in Deltona municipal government, but after reviewing the candidacies of the candidates for the non-partisan dist. 4 city commission seat, we believe Nancy Schleicher is well versed on the issues and has continued her commitment to monitoring public meetings despite coming up short in a previous run for office.

Schleicher, 65, a Democrat and retired school teacher with 33 years in the Deltona public schools, lost to Paul Treusch in 2007, and since then has attended every city commission meeting and it shows in her knowledge of topics like upgrading sewers, looking at CRA districts and code enforcement issues in a city that has seen tremendous growth in the last two decades. Her list of civic achievements is unparalleled in Deltona.

Premo, on the other hand, has little, if any real experience in municipal government operations, though the 46-year-old small business owner is well intentioned and should be commended for his volunteerism in the local schools and YMCA.

We met Premo a month or so ago at a Republican Party rally at a local park and when asked if he would be willing to participate in a public candidate debate, he was not keen on the idea. That reluctance despite our explaining the importance of debating the issues resonated with us, considering Schleicher's public activism.

Both candidates are shining examples of citizenship and love of community, but in terms of dealing with pressing issues believes Schleicher is the better choice. With that said, Headline Surfer endorses Nancy Schleicher for Deltona city commissioner, dist. 4.

Candidate snapshots

Nancy SchleicherNancy Schleicher
Age: 65 
Career/Experience: Retired school teacher, founder Deltona Citizens Action Committee,  member Deltona Incorporation Feasibility/Charter Comm., member Deltona Comprehensive Land Use Plan Comm., past president, Deltona Civic Association, board member Volusia Visions, past chair ACT Out-Reach Support Council of Deltona, member West Volusia Hospital Auth. Citizens Advisory Comm., past president Deltona Lakes PTA, past regional VP Florida State PTA. 
Education and/or military service: Masters degree, Stetson University, DeLand, 1981;  BS degree, California State College, California, Pa, 1969
Key Endorsements: Volusia/Flagler Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO International Brotherhood of Elect. Workers, Florida ASFME retirees Political Education Comm.,  Florida Alliance of Retired Americans, Deltona Prof. Firefighters, Local 2913 Volusia Deputies Assn.
 
Tom PremoThomas Premo
Age: 46 Career/Experience: Business Owner/Entrepreneur in Deltona  Volusia County Schools & YMCA Volunteer  Worship, small group, & youth leader  Hospitality Management 
Education and/or military service: Franklin Academy 
Key Endorsements: Volusia County Republican Executive Committee
 

Editor's Note: The endorsements recommended to the voters are the sole decision of the reporter here, Henry Frederick, Headline Surfer's award-winning editor and publisher, who has covered news in Volusia County since 1996. In the interest of full disclosure, Frederick is a registered Democrat.

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