- June 20, 2025
Dear Editor:
Facts:
On April 14, as First Step Shelter board member, Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie voted against the contract approved 4-2 for Executive Director Victoria Fahlberg. Under Executive Director Fahlberg’s leadership, the shelter has exceeded all expectations in fulfilling its mission, with a 50% graduation rate to income and housing, and a 93% rate of housing retention.
The April 16 News-Journal reported the following Leslie comments: “Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie warned that his city commissioners have expressed doubts about the shelter, and that voting on Fahlberg’s contract now could bring an end to the roughly $85,000 Ormond Beach contributes to the shelter each year.” He said Ormond Beach City Commissioners are “unhappy with the results” of the shelter, and “they don’t see many homeless people in Ormond Beach going there.”
Board members urged Leslie to look at the Shelter as a countywide success, but Leslie still suggested tabling the contract vote until October.
“I can’t stress this enough: I think we’re on thin ice,” Leslie said before the contract vote was taken. “We could be in jeopardy of losing tens of thousands of dollars.”
Contrary to Mayor Leslie’s public testimony, there has been no City Commission discussion of the First Step Shelter since he took office, and no negative commissioner comments.
No City Commissioner has ever “expressed doubts” about the shelter or ever threatened to pull the “roughly $85,000 Ormond Beach contributes” annually. No commissioner has ever said they were “unhappy with the results” of the shelter or the number of Ormond Beach homeless served there. Prior these unsubstantiated comments at only his second meeting, Mayor Leslie never communicated any of his concerns to the Executive Director.
Opinion:
Mayor Leslie’s public comments on the First Step Shelter did not represent Ormond Beach City Commissioners as he claimed, and instead fabricated commissioner positions.
Our city’s credibility and relationships in the community rely on truth and public trust. Mayor Leslie should apologize to the First Step Shelter Board, its executive director, and the Ormond Beach City Commission for his harmful misrepresentations. He should step aside from his appointed position on the First Step Shelter Board and allow the commission to appoint a new board representative.
Jeff Boyle
Ormond Beach
The Observer gave Mayor Jason Leslie a chance to respond:
"Per usual, Mr. Boyle chooses to take his suppositions to the court of public opinion, rather than asking for the facts. He has had it out for me since announcing my candidacy and the attacks feel more like a deep bitterness. Moving forward we should be striving for the unity of our community, instead of thwarting me. The First Step Board thanked me this week for a nice letter of continued support to the program. Maybe you will sponsor a table in support to First Step at next year’s gala?"
