Once upon a time, in a land far far away from here, labors the seer  local columnist, sitting and wondering, how do I turn my friendly toad in an argyle sweater and checkered shirt into a Prince in shining armor?  Got it! My special “yellow potion”!

Have a secret meeting with the toad, have him bring his imaginary ingredients.  Add an extra portion of conjecture, personal secret ingredient, drain well to remove any hidden fact or truth, mix well with mumbo jumbo, then huff and puff and tap the toad with my magical pen soaked in “journalism bias ink”, voila, another fairy tale produced!  

Yellow journalism is generally defined as “biased opinion masquerading as objective fact” and “the sole purpose of boosting newspaper sales and exciting public opinion”.  The great absence of fact, and deception, of this one “columnist” appears to assimilate the fantasies created by a child’s book author.

Straight Talk- Deltona tried to sue “residents who disparaged it”.   Can the writer substantiate the statement by her toad, now annointed Prince, and  provide the fact and documentation to justify that this did occur?  No, because it did not.

“Motion by Vice Mayor Carmolingo, seconded by Commissioner Deyette for the City to provide reimbursement and expenditures of legal fees to protect both proactively and reactively the City as a government including its employees and its Mayor from material damages, slanderous or libelous comments or claims and unsubstantiated allegations past, present and future where the Mayor feels is necessary and that a report of fees expended be made available for the public for their review.  

Amended motion by Vice Mayor Carmolingo, seconded by Commissioner Deyette for the City to provide reimbursement and expenditures of legal fees to protect both proactively and reactively the City as a government including its employees and its Mayor and those members who wish to be represented in the this motion, Commissioner Treusch, Commissioner Deyette, Vice Mayor Carmolingo and Mayor Mulder where needed from material damages, slanderous or libelous comments or claims and unsubstantiated allegations past, present and future where the Mayor feels is necessary and that a report of fees be expended and be made available to the public so they may see the extent of damage that has been caused.

An “attorney” goes to the state attorney, with nothing more than a dream, and asks for an investigation on what he believes may be an improper land purchase, hoping the toad fairy tale can be re-created.  But, in the real world he was rightfully rebuffed, the fairy Queen could not help him there.   FACT being, this is the same “attorney” who represented an out of state client against the City of Deltona and received a Princely sum, actually a King’s ransom for services.  How the client selected him is unknown, as it certainly falls under attorney/client privilege.  What desperately needs to be investigated is the following, regarding the same “attorney”, and land deals.  All FACT based.

The item was added to the Deltona City Commission meeting without comment from Commissioners Denizac and Zischkau, although both had frequently vehemently objected to agenda add on items in the past.

Item F. – Deltona City Commission meeting of September 21st 2009.  Add on item requested by James “Skip” Fowler, Acting City Attorney.

Excerpts from the September 21st,2009 Deltona Commission meeting minutes, Ms. Segal-George was present as Acting City Attorney during the absence of Mr. Fowler :

F.   Consideration and approval of contract for purchase of vacant property located at 593 Tradewinds Drive, for the construction of a  stormwater management pond for the planned widening of Fort Smith Boulevard 9Section 3) – from Primrose terrace to Rokery Avenue improvements.

Mr. Fowler worked with the property owner’s attorney (Lonnie Groot), two (2) appraisals were done on the property, and the purchase price was negotiated based on the recent appraisal, attorney fees and court costs.

Commissioner Zischkau stated he does not know why the $88,250 is higher than Mr. Logan’s (sic) appraisal but, it is common to pay more than the City’s appraisal.  He stated it does not look like the City is being asked to pay for the owner’s appraisal fee and he thinks this is a good deal.

Ms. Segal-George stated it is her understanding that in negotiations between Mr. Fowler and Mr. Groot there was discussion as to what rent would be from March to today and that was the sum of $10,000 which was added to the price.