Latest news with #Howington
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Deltona leaders considering halting development to tackle flooding issues
Deltona city leaders will discuss a plan to temporarily halt development to get a handle on infrastructure and flooding issues. Commissioners were supposed to discuss the issue on Monday, but Deltona's regular city commission meeting was postponed because the city didn't have quorum to proceed. Hundreds of new homes have already been approved in the city so far this year, according to Commissioner Dori Howington. Meanwhile, hundreds of existing homes are still dealing with the effects of flooding from the past few storm seasons. 'We can't sustain that with the infrastructure we have, and if we aren't charging enough in impact fees, then the developers aren't doing it which means our residents have to pick up the pieces,' said Howington. Howington said the cost to develop in Deltona hasn't gone up in a decade. It's an issue the city has been working to address since December. Because there hasn't been much movement, she's suggesting a temporary pause on building altogether. Homeowners like Jody Lee Storozuk are supporting her. 'We need to take care of things that matter to residents. What color the walls are in City Hall doesn't matter to people who have water in their living rooms,' said Storozuk. In 2023, WFTV reported residents would see a roughly 30% increase on their property tax bills to improve stormwater and drainage systems after hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022. The city is considering another increase this year. Howington said she believes rate hikes like that could be avoided if developers are held accountable. 'Right now, we are making existing residents pay for what development is doing to our community,' said Howington. This item will now be heard on June 16. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Candidate is replaced on Hackensack mayor's slate due to potential conflict of interest
HACKENSACK — A new candidate is running with Mayor John Labrosse and his team after a member of the slate withdrew from the ticket to avoid a potential conflict of interest. Richard Garcia, a Democrat employed by the Bergen County Clerk's Office to help people get county government services, is replacing Marco Howington, a real estate development consultant. 'After interviewing several possible candidates, we are very proud to welcome Richard to our team,' Labrosse said in a statement. 'Richard shares our commitment to open honest government that puts taxpayers first and to finishing the job of making Hackensack one of New Jersey's finest communities.' Story continues below photo gallery. If elected, Garcia will focus on expanding recreation programs and creating more affordable housing in the city, he said in a statement. 'I am very pleased to have this opportunity to serve the people of our great city as a member of the Labrosse Team,' he said. He joins Labrosse, Deputy Mayor Kathy Canestrino, Lance Powell and Marlene Somerville, who are running together on a ticket for the May 13 election. Hackensack holds elections for all five seats on the City Council every four years. Members are elected at large. Powell and Somerville lost their bids for reelection to the city Board of Education in November. Labrosse was first elected to the council in 2009 and has served as mayor since 2013. Canestrino, a retired aerospace engineer, has served as deputy mayor since 2013. Howington decided not to run after learning of a state law that went into effect at the end of last year. The law bars anyone who has an interest in a cannabis business from holding public office. Howington has limited financial interests in the industry, officials said. 'Marco remains a good friend, key supporter and an important part of our team,' Canestrino said. 'No one had any idea about this new law until a few days ago.' Howington said in a statement that he will continue to back Labrosse and the rest of the ticket. 'I am 100 percent behind the Labrosse Team and will continue to do everything I can to reelect this administration to keep our city moving forward,' he said. 'I am proud to be part of the city's revitalization.' Labrosse and the other candidates will face a slate called Hackensack Unites in May. The candidates — Caseen Gaines, Agatha Toomey, Roberto Diaz, Philip Carroll and Sonya Clark-Collins — announced their campaign to challenge Labrosse's slate at a kickoff event in late January. Council candidates have until Feb. 27 to file petitions of nomination and acceptance. Petitions are available at the Hackensack City Clerk's Office. This article originally appeared on Candidate on Hackensack mayor's slate steps down, see why
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mayor of Deltona defends trip to D.C., saying he never went to inauguration
The Mayor of Deltona is speaking out for the first time after he was accused of going to the presidential inauguration on the city's dime. Mayor Santiago Avila Jr. said he was only in D.C. for the US Conference of Mayors. ▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS The mayor claims he did get approval for the trip. But he admits that approval didn't come from the commission. The mayor said the city manager was aware and signed off on it. We asked the city if that was true and were told the city manager doesn't have that power but is in favor of any commissioner attending events where decision-makers are present. Read: 7-year-old girl dies after junior drag racing accident in Orange County, family says 'I spoke to the city manager, I said look the U.S. Conference of mayors, I got a cool email from Senator Scott's office, they gave me a personal invitation to be at the inauguration,' said Mayor Avila. We learned the Mayor's Conference has a $1,500 registration fee and a city spokesperson said Deltona didn't pay for that. Instead, the spokesperson said Avila attended as someone's guest. Commissioner Dori Howington said she doesn't care why he was in D.C.; she just wanted to be made aware. Read: Florida citrus growers say disease, weather impacts could spell end of the industry 'That isn't a factor. Because the fact that he got there without our permission, that's a concern,' said Howington. Howington also believes city business could have been handled in Florida. 'He can travel within Florida! He can actually attend up to three conferences here in Florida without commission approval,' said Commissioner Howington. Read: State of hospitality and tourism discussed in Central Florida We asked the mayor if he was aware of the travel policy, and he said he was aware of one from 2013 but that commissioners were going off one from 2007. We looked at both policies and each says elected officials must get commission approval before traveling out of state. The commission has agreed to discuss a vote of no confidence for the mayor's actions at the Feb. 17 meeting. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
