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NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority, rocked by a scandal involving former director Nicole Carni, narrowed its replacement to two finalists: Michelle Coats, employed by Volusia County and a New Smyrna Beach resident, and Tim Hamby, a marketing communications strategist from Ponte Vedra.

The SVAA board will make a final decision 11 a.m. Tuesday at its New Smyrna Beach Visitor's Center.

Volusia County Manager Jim Dinneen sought and received unanimous County Council authority eight months ago to immediately seize the assets of the ad authority, which collects more than a million bucks annually from bed taxes for overnight hotel accommodations.

DAYTONA BEACH -- By now you know the story all too well: On the 11th anniversary of the destruction of the Twin Towers, an Egyptian mob attacked the American Embassy in Cairo, scaled the wall, tore down and destroyed the American flag and replaced it with an Islamic banner containing the Arabic slogan, “Allah’s Messenger is Mohammad.”

ORMOND BEACH -- Americans place a high value on life. We have done this whenever we’ve gone to war which sounds quite odd, doesn’t it? After all, war is death and destruction on a grand scale. Americans are optimistic people. We tend to see the glass half full and think that everyone operates at the highest and best level. On Sept. 11, 2001, our country was attacked by mad men. It shook us up and made us reassess our whole lives through the glass of insanity.

EDGEWATER -- "Are you watching TV?" was the first thing out of my husband's mouth in a surprise phone call where he worked in Pennsylvania when we lived up north on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.

Join County Council dist. 5 candidate Rich Gailey 11 am to 8 pm Saturday at National Kids Day, Celebrating Bully-Proofing Deltona, at Dewey Boster Sports Complex, 1200 Saxon Blvd in Deltona.

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES -- Once again, at its convention last week, the new Democratic Party has shown its disdain for Israel. Along with the Republicans, the Democrats have traditionally been proud supporters of Israel, our only real friend, ally and supporter in the Middle East. But in recent years, the Dems have come to be dominated by their extreme left wing, led by the modern Marxist, Barack Obama.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- No matter the time, distance or circumstance, the remembrance of 9/11 hits home, even for those with no direct connection to the terrorist attacks 11 years ago today, with the exception of being an American.

More than a decade has now passed and to locals here, the distance between New York City and greater New Smyrna Beach is 1,045 miles or a nearly 18-hour drive non-stop.

"(It's) a terrible tragedy a real wake up call that we cannot let our guard down .... finally justice was served (with Bin Laden killed by US Navy Seals)," said Rosemarie Frutchey, a former Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce president and New Smyrna Beach resident. 

New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer said the 9/11 anniversary gives communities across the nation time to reflect and take stock in what happened.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Headline Surfer was the first media organization to hold public candidate debates, eight in all during a day-long marathon session on July 21, at the Brannon Center in New Smyrna Beach, leading up to the Aug. 14 primaries. The New Smyrna Beach-based Internet Newspaper is first again leading up to the Nov. 6 general elections with three debates at Oak Hill City Hall for Volusia County chair, county council dist. 3 and Oak Hill mayor.