- December 4, 2025
Dear Editor:
Cultural Arts is an investment in the life of all citizens of Volusia County. The grants given by the county is a huge part of that investment. Volusia County should at all times support those funds on behalf of the electorate.
When did the Volusia County Councilman actually meet with the citizens of this county, who they claim to support, to ask their opinion of the grant funding, which supports their children and families?
Chairman Brower claims that arts and culture support is not a "core government responsibility," yet the council was able to find millions of dollars of taxpayer money to bring entertainment to Ocean Center.
Robins and Johansson made an issue about rentals made by two of the applicants to outside gay organizations claiming they weren't "family friendly." Will the councilmen hold the same "family-friendly" standards to the Ocean Center when they bring in entertainment? This will be closely watched.
Many other counties are looking at the comments and actions not taken at the Oct. 7th meeting as these counties understand the importance of this investment to enhance the quality of life and economic impact in their areas. How embarrassing to be a citizen in a county that does not support the arts.
I challenge the councilmen to become knowledgeable regarding the importance of the arts to their constituents, as their lack of support is very obvious...They don't get it!
Lucy Jackman
Ormond Beach
Dear Editor:
The recent news about the county's halt on funding toward local arts and culture organizations is deeply troubling to me. As a resident of Volusia who grew up in the county and an artist myself, I believe one of Volusia's biggest highlights is its promotion of the arts. From my youngest years, many of the institutions have been important promoters of both my and other residents' artistic growth. Three quick examples: The Athens Theatre, where youth actor's camps were held to help us develop an appreciation for live performance; the Ormond Beach Historical Society, which helped to demonstrate Ormond's importance to Florida history and create a sense of community within the city; and the Atlantic Center for the Arts, which hosted multiple retreats for a wide array of artistic fields and allowed artists to develop their skills. And I am sure many other readers can list their positive influences from the various groups denied funding from the council.
By cutting the funding to these groups due to political grievances with a handful of them, the council has created a "throwing out the baby with the bathwater" situation. Regardless of one's political feelings toward the groups the Athens and Shoestring Theaters hosted, they were, by all indications, third-party events that were not the main focuses of these institutions. This also creates an uncomfortable precedent, as now arts and cultural organizations will have to think twice about who they host lest they be defunded by the whims of a persnickety County Council. Much like how individuals are guaranteed freedom of expression in America, arts and culture organizations should be granted the freedom to discuss ideas that are not popular and host whomever they desire in Volusia County.
I do not know if the County Council will reexamine its decision, but I will be doing my utmost to support the defunded groups in the near-future, through either patronage or promotion to others. I recommend other readers do the same and keep Volusia's arts alive.
Samuel Oatley
Ormond Beach
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