- February 3, 2026
Dear Editor:
Conservative Citizens of Ormond Beach is excited to endorse Jennifer Bright for Ormond Beach Commissioner in Zone 2. Jennifer’s main theme is exactly what we need: “Transparency in Government.”
She also will be a team player who will strongly represent her constituents by standing against higher taxes, continued local out of control spending and overdevelopment.
Al Stewart, Joseph Oakes and Pamela Greene
Conservative Citizens of Ormond Beach
Dear Editor:
I am writing this letter to address a concern I feel is very important not only to me, but the LGBTQ+ community as a whole. Yesterday, I was at Dairy Queen with my girlfriend, enjoying our night. We sat at a booth, and a group of people around 16-17 years old, the same age as us, sat in front of us. After a few moments of just existing and sharing laughs, a boy turned around, and verbally harassed us for being a lesbian couple. This was a painful moment and the first time in this relationship I have faced backlash. It was devastating. I understand these individuals could’ve acted this way because it was something they don’t get or understand, but I feel very strongly that we need to educate people to prevent bullying.
In the last few decades, there has been growing representation of queer people in media, public spaces, and some art we admire. Even though it is more widespread, some environments queer people grow up in are still far from accepting. Some people are taught to hide themselves, which affects self-esteem and mental health. For literal centuries, people were taught to hide a part of themselves, and those attitudes are still present today. In an article produced by gaythrive.com, it says “Representation is not just about seeing ourselves reflected in the world; it’s also about recognizing that we are valued and respected members of society.” Visibility helps to defeat stereotypes and also shows young queer people that they are not alone, that their identities are valid, and that they deserve to exist openly without fear.
In of 2021, LGBTQ+ students who reported being bullied, had three times greater odds of attempting suicide. Bullying of LGBTQ+ students was reported in 52% of students enrolled in middle school and high school. Teaching students the importance of empathy, acceptance, and accurate information about LGBTQ+ identities is essential to reducing these numbers. When young people learn early on that differences are not wrong, but simply part of the human experience, they are far less likely to engage in this kind of behavior. Inclusive education doesn’t just protect queer students — it creates safer, kinder environments for everyone. Visibility, representation, and open conversations are key factors in preventing the kind of bullying that leads to lifelong emotional scars.
Lana Ballotti
Ormond Beach
Dear Editor:
In response to the Observer’s Brian McMillan “100 Words Give Or Take Everyday Or So” on Sunday regarding idea for a “Party for Peace,” there already is one: the Libertarian Party. This is an excerpt from the Preamble of the Libertarian Party Platform: “We believe that respect for individual rights is the essential precondition for a free and prosperous world, that force and fraud must be banished from human relationships, and that only through freedom can peace and prosperity be realized. Consequently, we defend each person’s right to engage in any activity that is peaceful and honest, and welcome the diversity that freedom brings”.
After seeing how both Republicans and Democrats elected to government have started and continued the foreign wars of their predecessors, and use government domestically for violence against peaceful people, funded by massive deficit spending and more policies infringing on Constitutional rights, I left both major parties for the only pro-freedom, pro-peace, pro-fiscal responsibility, pro-civil liberties Libertarian Party.
Joe Hannoush
Ormond Beach
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