- July 14, 2026
Dear Editor:
Have you ever wondered who is really running our town? Jason Leslie moved to Ormond Beach from New Jersey in 2021, and with no political experience, much education or any city involvement, was quickly elected mayor in 2024. As someone who was once close to him, Ormond Beach deserves to know everything I know as well.
Jason claims that The Great Gatsby was written about his family. When questioned, it turned into “the idea for the Great Gatsby was inspired by Scott Fitzgerald while he attended one of Jason’s great aunt’s parties.” It seems Mr. Leslie likes to think that anyone with the last name Leslie is related to him.
Jason claims that Captain James Ormond worked for one of his family’s companies Panton, Leslie and Co. Jason bragged about this at an Ormond Beach Historical Landmark Preservation Board meeting. Only, John Leslie of Panton and Leslie’s legitimate children died in infancy per Ancestry and his wife passed away in 1805. Again, Jason Leslie seems desperate to give off the impression of family wealth, and claims to be related to anyone prominent with the last name Leslie that he can find.
Also to note, Panton and Leslie were famous slave traders.
He claims to have been a major business consultant for Fortune 500 companies. He mentions this quite frequently from the dais. This is another inaccurate statement. Jason has multiple failed small businesses, such as failed buy here pay here lots in New Jersey, many lawsuits against him and his buy here pay here lot due to the quality of the cars sold.
His city biography states he holds a real estate license and provide consulting services for new business start-ups and real estate sales agents. But according to the state of Florida, he doesn’t even have a real estate license. There is no evidence or websites soliciting consulting services for business starts-ups.
Something that is true is that Jason sued Subway because the Footlong was not exactly 1 foot. This is readily available via Google.
He settled for $1,000. He also sued his real estate brokerage in New Jersey over lack of understanding how broker fees work.
With all of these lies, can we really trust him to effectively run our city? His first term has proven he cannot lead effectively and consistently flip flops on voting. I urge you to research who is actually running your city.
Derrick Weader
Ormond Beach
Editor's note: Derrick Weader is the ex-boyfriend of Jason Leslie's sister. The Observer has reviewed the claims in his letter, independent of the family connection. According to a biography on the Panton, Leslie & Company, written by William S. Coker and Thomas D. Watson, John Leslie had three children — all girls — and none lived past 5 years old, meaning he has no direct descendants. Additionally, public court records from the state of New Jersey show at Leslie's previously owned used car dealership was sued at least twice for faulty cars; once in 2017, and again in 2019. The 2017 suit was settled. The 2019 suit was dismissed.
Leslie did sue Subway in 2013 and he did sue a real estate brokerage in 2020. The latter was settled in 2022.
While his city bio does state he holds a real estate license, it doesn't specify for which state; Leslie doesn't hold a real estate license in Florida, but he holds one in the state of New Jersey. It will expire on June 30, 2027.
Jason Leslie, who is running for reelection as mayor, was given a chance to respond:
It is disheartening that what should remain a private family matter has become public. It is also troubling that Mr. Weader appears so focused on disputing stories that were shared with me as a child by my grandparents — his children’s great-grandparents — while continuing to make personal attacks.
Unfortunately, this is one of the consequences of helping my sister leave a years-long contentious and toxic relationship. For those interested in learning more about Mr. Weader, public court records are available through the Clerk of Court.
Rather than continuing personal attacks, I believe his time would be better spent securing stable employment and fulfilling his obligations to his children. He should also read the City Charter and understand that the City of Ormond Beach operates under a city manager form of government, where the mayor does not manage the day-to-day operations of the city.
I wish him well. My focus remains where it belongs—serving the residents of Ormond Beach and preparing for the important city matters and upcoming initiatives that affect our community.
Dear Editor:
On the 250th anniversary of the first draft of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson’s words still resonate: “We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable, that all men are created equal and independent...” Our Constitution and the First Amendment enshrine five fundamental freedoms. Among them, freedom of speech and of the press allow this letter, while the right “to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” inspires my focus today.
Alexis de Tocqueville, in Democracy in America, celebrated the American genius for voluntary association — the powerful way citizens come together to offset concentrated power and solve community problems. Volunteerism remains a cornerstone of Florida’s strength, as shown by many local successes:
The same spirit of volunteerism that built these successes can restore the past glory of the River Bend Golf Course. In the Spirit of ’76, I offer to volunteer cleanup of the parking lot, landscaping, and grounds at 730 Airport Road. I invite residents who want to see River Bend returned to a community asset like the Ormond Beach Sports Complex to join me.
I respectfully ask the Ormond Beach City Commission to set a date and time for this first cleanup at the City Commission meeting on July 28 at 7 p.m. This is citizen petition in action — an exercise of our First Amendment right to ask our government to partner with us in restoring a valuable community resource.
Alan Burton
Ormond Beach
Editor's note: Alan Burton is running for Ormond Beach City Commission Zone 1.
Dear Editor:
Floridians are living through an affordability crisis. I know because in just nine years, my property insurance premiums have doubled. Families in Ormond Beach and across the state are being squeezed by rising housing costs, higher energy bills, and the growing cost of extreme weather.
Numbers do not lie: research has shown that climate change is helping drive up home insurance costs in Florida. But just this month, HB 1217, a new state law championed by public officials that would limit local governments from regulating pollution, went into effect. Our state leaders should be doing everything possible to lower costs instead of creating policies that tie the hands of communities that want to cut energy prices and prepare for worsening climate risks.
Local governments are on the front lines tackling the problems that families face. Cities and counties know where flooding is getting worse, which neighborhoods are more prone to heat, and what investments must be made to save money over time. Blocking them from pursuing clearer and more affordable solutions won’t make Florida stronger; it will just leave us less prepared.
Unfortunately, politics on both sides of the aisle too often descends into mudslinging instead of focusing on what really matters to Floridians. Ignoring the impacts of a changing climate comes at the expense of Floridians who are already paying the price.
If public officials are serious about affordability, they should stop blocking local solutions and start addressing the root causes of rising costs, including the growing impacts of a changing climate.
Vatche Tavitian
Ormond Beach
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