Government Affairs

When J. Saxton Lloyd was asked about the possibility of Civic League involvement in political affairs, he noncommittally stated that in the future the League might recognize the prudence and practicality of entering politics. Consequently, the League became entwined in local politics shortly after its formation as members realized that political inactivity would jeopardize the progress the League hoped to imbue within the community. Furthermore, many of the proposed bills and planned development, supported by the League, required the vote of an informed citizenry. To forgo political activity would contradict the League's purpose of facilitating progress because so much of community improvement is wrapped up in politics.

Mrs. Herbert Kerman, President of the League of Women Voters of Volusia County, sent a letter to J. Saxton Lloyd on November 12, 1970. In the letter, Mrs. Kerman informed Lloyd that the League of Women Voters was an organization "based on the premise that our form of government requires an informed citizenry." She continued by listing the activities of the Voters League for the year of 1970. These activities included the support of the County Charter, informing voters on candidate platforms and providing explanations on proposed State Constitution amendments. In addition, she added that the latest election proved the need for a more informed voting public. She justified her argument with the fact that only 28,900 of the 78,500 registered voters, voted for the at-large candidates for the new County Council. She ended by thanking Lloyd and the Civic League for their tireless effort on the Charter campaign.

On October 20, 1976, Thomas T. Cobb wrote a letter to Donald Holton in reference to Holton's question concerning resident requirements for City Commissioners. Cobb stated that the law was quite clear on the matter. He said laws requiring City Commissioners to be residents "are universally held to be constitutional and valid."

The danger of power politics reared its head in early May 1978 in respect to the City Commission's decision to fire Police Chief, Phillip Ash. On May 5, 1978, the Civic League sent a letter to Mayor Lawrence Kelley and the City Commission, expressing the League's concern and outrage over the firing. The League thought that Phillip's dismissal was a return to the oppressive power politics prominent in the 1950's and 1960's. "We believe that the affairs of Daytona Beach should be administered by the finest professional people available. Only in this way will we leave behind us our legacy of government by crony and the consequent high-handed disregard of the public interest." This letter was published in the News Journal on May 6, 1978, along with an article discussing Ash and the community's protest to his dismissal. The article stated that several organizations and individuals were circulating petitions to be sent to the City Commission. In addition, the article highlighted Ash's accomplishment as an effective, efficient Police Chief who narrowed the racial gap in Daytona Beach.

On February 25, 1983, the Civic League passed a resolution to ask the Volusia Legislative Delegation to "appoint a study commission for consolidation of the local government problems existing in the Halifax area." League President Jay Adams suggested that the resolution also called for a report by the study commission by January 1, 1984. This same resolution was adopted earlier by the Daytona Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Daytona Beach Mayor Larry Kelly and City Manager Howard Tipton. Opposition to political unification came from elected officials in Daytona Beach Shores, Holly Hill, Ponce Inlet and South Daytona. Adams asked that the commission be fair and responsible to all parties involved and called for public hearings in which all constituencies would be represented. Democratic State Senator Ed Dunn of Ormond Beach stated that such a commission could be useful but he warned that the participants should be "independent and not enter its research tasks with preconceived opinions." Dunn said he would take action if the commission satisfied three criteria. The findings would have to show that consolidation would save taxes, improve government services and demonstrate "grass root" support for consolidation.

At a Civic League Membership meeting on March 22, 1984, the League once again tackled the issue of city unification. After hearing speeches by David Monaco, chair of the Charter Drafting Committee, and Bob Martin, Chair of the Halifax Unity Group, League members voted on a motion by Tom Cobb to have League President Pete Heebner notify the Volusia Legislative Delegation of the League's decision to support the recently drafted charter. Martin stated that it was time for consolidation supporters to commit to their cause and contribute to the fundraising drive. Unfortunately, the efforts of the League and other organizations supporting consolidation were not realized as it failed to win approval. J. Saxton Lloyd wrote to Mr. W. Lockwood Burt, Chairman of the Charter Study Committee. He thanked Burt for his tireless efforts and begged him not to be discouraged by the outcome. Lloyd concluded by saying that other community problems awaited and he hoped Burt could enthusiastically attack them.

After hearing a speech by Dr. T. Wayne Bailey, a Stetson University professor and Chairman of the County Charter Committee, the Civic League decided to endorse all five Charter amendments. These five amendments include: unify beach management under control of the County, creation of a growth management commission, strengthening county powers over the environment and changes to ease the marketing of bond issues. Bailey was optimistic for the amendments' chances because of the support in DeLand and Daytona Beach. Bailey concluded by stating that the November ballot was full of state and local proposals for amending the state constitution, therefore, the Charter amendments could easily fall through the cracks. It was important for an organization like the Civic League to support such changes so that the Charter issue received the proper attention.

Since 1965, City Commissioners were voted on a citywide basis. In early July 1991, Mayor Larry Kelly told the Commission that he placed the citywide vs. single district voting on the agenda for the July 10, 1991 meeting. Mayor Kelly said he was supporting the referendum because of the complaint by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People that the citywide voting weakened minority political power. Kelly suggested; however, that the referendum be placed on the November 3, 1992 ballot because the national election would insure greater participation. Willie Wright, Chair of the NAACP committee to study the issue, commended the Mayor's views, but he did not think the time frame was acceptable. Wright suggested that the vote be taken as soon as possible. Mayor Kelly solicited the aid of the Civic League to help enlist support. League Chairman, Jon Kaney, stated that the League would serve as a neutral moderator at public forums to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of single district voting. On July 10, 1991, the Commission passed the first reading of the plan. A public hearing and final reading of the plan was scheduled for July 24, 1991. Mayor Kelly once again reiterated his call for a massive public education on the plan with the aid of the Civic League. A July 16, 1991 News Journal article expressed the NAACP's challenge of the 1992 vote. They called for a 1991 vote and rejected Mayor Kelly's use of the Civic League as a moderator because of the League's limited membership.