- September 16, 2026
Dear Editor:
This is my message to Greg Gimbert, a leading voice in the campaign to ban “Toilet to Tap” in Volusia County. On Aug. 25, Greg Gimbert levied a vile online personal attack against Kristin Deaton, Ormond Beach City Commissioner Zone 3. Gimbert called Deaton a vulgar word that I won’t repeat here.
In a fair and cordial society, there can be no tolerance for this type of public discourse.
Only after the immediate online backlash you posted, “it was petty for me to take a swipe at Ormond Beach city commissioner Kristin Deaton’s looks.” A rather lame walk-back, wouldn’t you agree?
Look, you owe Kristin Deaton two sincere apologies: a public apology — we’re still waiting for that one — and then a personal apology sent directly to her. Perhaps you may have done that by now.
I would expect that Kristin Deaton will be the first to say that she doesn’t need me — least of all me — to stand up for her. Kristin Deaton is a fine, decent person. To her credit, she knows her way around the city budget.
So, as her opposing candidate, I have attacked her performance as commissioner because she has demonstrated a pattern of placing her big donors over her constituents. Take note Greg: there is a difference between objective criticism and base insults.
I am compelled to say what many others in this county have been reticent to speak. The conduct of your character has extended far beyond this isolated incident. One by one many of your Toilet to Tap petitioners have abandoned you, tired of your relentless insults, silencing open debate, rebuffing efforts to find common ground, and alienating your allies.
You blew your moment Greg. I hope you take account as you look yourself in the mirror. Now please send those apologies.
Ted Rhodes
Ormond Beach
Editor's note: The Observer gave Greg Gimbert and Kristin Deaton a chance to respond. Gimbert declined. Deaton stated the following: “I hope this isn’t what politics in our city has come to. I have chosen to be the bigger person and move on.”
Dear Editor:
I am writing to express my support for Kristin Deaton for re-election for City Commissioner, Zone 3. During her time in office Kristin Deaton has demonstrated steady leadership, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to our community. She worked very hard to try to keep out the development of the Tomoka Oaks Golf Course.
I believe elections should focus on a candidate’s qualifications, record and vision for the future of the city, not personal attacks or unnecessary negativity. I encourage everyone to consider the facts and evaluate which candidate has consistently treated residents with respect and worked constructively to address local issues.
Roberta Naleway
Ormond Beach
Dear Editor:
During the July 28 Ormond Beach (OB) Commissioners meeting, mayor-elect Tolland said "I've heard multiple times code enforcement is a major concern, particularly Airbnb beachside." I was quite surprised by the ensuing discussion among the commissioners: there seemed to be a total lack of awareness how other Florida cities were combating short-term rentals (STR). The discussion ended with vague directions to staff to contact Volusia County for enlightenment.
I've been watching Daytona Beach (DB) code enforcement proceedings for the past five years as streamed video live on YouTube. Wonderful transparency! Compare that to OB which does not publicly post anything related to code violations or enforcement. Regarding STR, the proactive DB enforcement approach is stunningly toothy yet simple: the mere act of listing on Airbnb results in an immediate non-negotiable fine of $1,000 if/when noticed by a code enforcement officer. If an offender doesn't promptly remove their listing, the fine can and does grow to a maximum of $15,000. If they don't pay, a lien gets recorded on the property.
The present OB approach is reactive, and frankly quite toothless. That is, CodeE only gets involved if there's a noise complaint. Then and only then do they open an investigation. How to prove it really was a STR? Do they send an officer out at 11 p.m. with a sound-level meter? How many STR noise complaints have been received over the past 5 years? What is the fine schedule for first and repeat offenders? Because there's no transparency, who knows? But it should be evident that this reactive approach is labor-intensive and much harder to enforce.
I'm pressing the point because there's evidence more and more STR's are popping up in OB. Not just on Airbnb, but also on VRBO, Hotels.com, Booking.com, etc. And it's not just beachside. I easily found numerous STR listings for OB mainland too, including west of I-95. Also check out www.airdna.com to see more evidence of STR growth in OB.
Now is the time to let your commissioner know if you're content with the present toothless enforcement or not. Should OB adopt the proactive and toothy DB approach?
William Krug
Ormond Beach
Dear Editor:
I have been a resident of Ormond Beach for 53 years, and a resident of Tomoka Oaks for 30 of those years. I have served on numerous Ormond Beach advisory boards for many decades, as well as Volusia County boards, and State FHSAA board of directors. It has been my pleasure to work with Commissioner Kristin Deaton on numerous projects that benefit the residents of Ormond Beach. Kristin is a dedicated Commissioner striving for the best quality of life possible for you, me, and our families. It was an honor to witness her fight for Tomoka Oaks residents on and off the dais.
Those of you who know me, know that my trust must be proven to me by actions, not words. Kristin has my complete trust! Please join me in supporting and voting for Kristin Deaton for Ormond Beach City Commission Zone 3 in November.
Doug Thomas
Ormond Beach
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