- July 24, 2026
Editor's note: The following two letters were submitted in response to a previous writer, Doug Pettit, who called them "hit men," suggesting that the Lori Tolland campaign had "found" them, and that they were doing the campaign's "dirty work." Tolland declined to respond.
Dear Editor:
I am not involved with any campaign but exercise my constitutional rights by sharing my opinion. It’s disappointing that the letter was shared without reaching out to the citizens mentioned in it.
I was under the impression the Observer did fact checking per policy prior to publication?
It seems that the Mayor Jason Leslie got preferential treatment prior to Mr. Weader’s letter being published.
I guess us common folk just don’t get the same opportunity as the mayor.
James Powers
Ormond Beach
Dear Editor:
Doug Pettit's article about me being affiliated with Lori Tolland's campaign was false. I am not affiliated with any campaign. Before it was published, I personally informed him that I have no connection to Lori Tolland's campaign. Despite already knowing the truth, he published the opposite. I support the best candidate for the job, regardless of who that is. Readers deserve accurate reporting, not knowingly false claims.
I also question why the Ormond Beach Observer applied a different standard to Doug Pettit's article. When I submitted an article about Jason Leslie, it was scrutinized, fact-checked, and Jason Leslie was given an opportunity to respond. Consistent journalism requires the same level of scrutiny and fairness for everyone.
Jason Leslie has yet to respond to any of the claims I made in my article. Instead, he has made false personal claims against me rather than addressing the issues raised.
Derrick Weader
Ormond Beach
Editor's Note: The Observer is committed to building bridges of understanding, which includes checking facts and giving all sides an opportunity comment. Rebuttals of rebuttals can get complicated in that process, but we agree that Powers and Weader should have been given an opportunity to reply to Pettit's claims. We appreciate their willingness to respond now.
Letters can be submitted to [email protected].
