Top 100 Stories

EDGEWATER -- County Chair-elect Jason Davis could be on the job on or about Dec. 1 by virtue of appointment by Gov. Scott to fill the county chairmanship vacated by Frank Bruno the day before the general elections.

"I got a call from the governor's appointment staff informing me of his decision to name me chairman," Davis told Headline Surfer, adding he was excited about the governor's decision.

"There's a lot of work to be done and I'd like to get started as soon as possible," Davis said Wednesday night from his Edgewater home.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Fresh off his election-day victory over then-City Commissioner Edith Shelley, Derrick Henry was administered the oath of office as Daytona Beach's new mayor by Circuit Judge Hubert Grimes in a packed commission chambers tonight.

2014 Contest Florida Press Club

General News Reporting, Third Place, Henry Frederick, Headline Surfer

New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer raised taxes while not paying his own tax bills

May 4, 2014

Editor's Note: Ed Connor of the Volusia Tax Reform and an ocasional comminty blogger for Headline Surfer was asked to give the 24/7 Internet newspaper his perspective on rejction of the school referendum, which was narrowly defeated Election Day, but today is the subject of a recount by the supervisor of elections:

DAYTONA BEACH -- Despite a relentless barrage of meetings and pleadings with neighborhood groups, notes sent home in lunch boxes threatening loss of vital programs and the endorsement under duress of the Chamber of Commerce and several business leaders in Daytona, the referendum for a new one mill school property tax failed to receive voter approval by half of 1 percent triggering a recount which began today in Deland under the supervision of Ann McFall.

This tax was opposed most actively by Volusia Tax Reform on the basis it would harm the business community disproportionately. The tax would have raised $104 Million over four years. Of that amount about 52% would come from business and a few high end homes.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Jason Davis was supposed to be the forgotten candidate. But he finished ahead of high-power attorney Ted Doran in the August primary and then crushed Carl Persis in Tuesday's general election. He tells his story of success in an exclusive video interview.