- February 16, 2026
Dear Council Chair and members of the County Council,
We write to you today to encourage you to stay the course with Volusia Forever. The voting electorate knew what they were voting for when they voted overwhelmingly in 2020 to reauthorize this now 25 year land preservation program.
As of now we have preserved approximately 63,000 acres of land under our three voter-approved programs, beginning in 1986 with Endangered Lands to be followed by the referendum in 2000 and now 2020. Each time the program meets the needs of the residents of this county. And the percentage of approval has grown.
Your staff working with the advisory board has done a very good job of preserving the land and honoring the wishes of the voters. Trust them to take us forward with this latest version of Forever.
76% of the voters knew that when they voted yes for Volusia Forever that Forever meant exactly that…Forever.
Julie and Ken Sipes
Ormond Beach
Editor's note: This letter was originally sent to the Volusia County Council and reposted in the Observer per the citizens' request.
Dear Editor:
I’ve written several letters, emails, social media posts, etc. over several years regarding the high cost to maintain green grass in the medians, right of ways and other public landscaping, not only directly to taxpayers via government budget, but for regular watering and mowing but also for the environmental costs chemicals are also used to maintain.
In recent weeks, we have seen that despite even those resources being consistently expended, Mother Nature will humble us by turning much of that green grass, and other shrubbery, brown. I once again encourage decision-makers in our governments to re-evaluate their approach towards landscaping sustainability, cost and environmental impacts. There is a better way.
Joe Hannoush
Ormond Beach
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