The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige and even his life for the welfare of others.” Dr. Martin Luther King…….
No matter the outcome in the 2018 Volusia County Council District 1 race, first time candidate Jeff Brower is already a winner. Brower, local businessman and father of nine announced his candidacy Monday in a growing field to unseat long time politico Pat Patterson.
Brower is new to the political arena, but certainly not to the ideal of public participation in government. A blue collar private business owner (Southern Living Outdoors and as an Organic Farmer) with a white collar acumen, Brower get’s it when it comes to understanding the relationship between government and “the everyday man”. He is as articulate as he is decisive not sitting on the sidelines when it comes to being involved. He uses his voice to express the concerns of most Volusian’s over the deaf ear and blind eye reaction from the County Council with citizen input. Using social media, local citizens groups and in person, Brower has been found to stand up to the County Council on various issues only to be turned away as has the multitudes of citizen objectors.
As a father, Brower has exposed his children to these events. In 2014, 2016 and in between, his children accompanied him to various political events getting a civics lesson from firsthand experience. Candidates that he has supported in the past receive not only his support but his family’s as well finding them passing out campaign material and putting up signs. During court hearings on issues relating to the public’s right to a redress of grievances, it is a family event as well. “I want my kids to learn early that our constitution is our way of life”, Brower has been known to repeat often. He teaches his children the hallmark of our Democracy is outlined in the Bill of Rights.
Unlike most candidates who would seek out the blessings of members of the all powerful political “Five Families of Volusia County”, Brower instead sought out the blessings of his family. “I am doing this for my family and you and your families”, he said while making his announcement on Volusia’s Historic County Courthouse steps in DeLand to a gathering of family, friends and supporters. Instead of the usual high powered money contributors waiting in the wings who will no doubt again finance Pat Paterson’s campaign, Brower had his main support, his family, in the sunshine beside him. “These are my political backers”, said Brower pointing to his family, “not the developers, not the rich and famous who get their way with our tax dollars.”
Brower and Patterson come from different perspectives when it comes to the U. S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Incumbent Pat Patterson sees it differently. He is quick to point out that ours (meaning our government) is “a Republic” where elected representatives are charged with making all decisions. Patterson’s history on the county council shows that he often ignores the wishes of public protestants, even when petitions are presented signed by thousands, he will still vote on an issue his way. More times than not, Patterson actually belittles public participants when they speak out on issues or attempt to question his votes. He takes the attitude, “if you don’t like what I do, then vote me out.”
Patterson and Brower further share a more local constitutional disagreement. Brower believes in the role of a Constitutional Sheriff, while Patterson is not only against it, he spends tax payer dollars to oppose it. Brower sees the need to have “separation of powers” as the U.S. Constitution calls for in the federal government as the model for local government. Thus, the need for the enforcement arm of government to be controlled by the people, instead of the administration and legislative branch as pushed for by Patterson. Brower said he will be working to seek change in Volusia County to bring about the Constitutional Sheriff concept.
On campaign finance and control, Patterson and Brower are as different as night day. Patterson’s campaigns are financed by the powerful elite, with funding from the political “Five Families of Volusia County”. It is therefore understandable when they seek county support, Patterson’s vote is there to be had. In all his years on the council, Patterson , seldom if ever, has opposed any issue that favors the “Five Families” which includes development issues and zoning changes for Mori Hosseini, beachside issues for George Anderson, millions upon millions for the France Family Speedway operations and most recently, millions for the Godfather of Volusia Politics, J. Hyatt Brown on his downtown Daytona development.
Brower takes a different approach. While he supports the growth of the speedway, our beachside, residential and commercial development and the Brown and Brown project, it is not the projects he opposes, to the contrary, he welcomes them. He sees the role of government to assist these ventures as it would for any type of business. Where he draws the line is when tens of millions of dollars in tax money coming from the pockets of every day citizens is given up on a silver platter by Patterson and others on the county council to these multi-millionaires who can well afford the costs. He sees these payments and benefits as nothing but an abuse of political privilege and benefit not extended to the everyday citizen. “If these millionaire rich men and women truly cared about Volusia County as they claim, they would never ask for the everyday citizens to support their mega wealth.”
The amount of money given to special interests over the years could easily have expanded Volusia’s bus service providing much needed transportation to the less fortunate, seniors, disabled and more. Patterson, along with other members of the county council, have ignored for years the need to expand the bus service to all corners of the county. Even repairs and transportation woes on county roads continue to go unresolved with the county council. This is where Brower says it’s time to think outside the box and work with local governments and the school board in developing a realistic sharing of tax sources to resolve these issues.
A top priority list in hand, Brower sees the need to act now instead of talking about future problems. He sees the abuses of our environmental lands, water supply and waste corrupting our eco systems and chemical intrusion in our fresh water aquifer. He believes in a cooperative effort with the school board for vocational education and sees combining administrative costs that could result in savings into the tens of millions annually. He is a supporter of returning beach access to the people free of charge and turning over to the Sheriff all public safety responsibilities. His plans mirror those of Sheriff Mike Chitwood which could yield better services and millions in public tax dollar savings.
Brower also sees a need to spend time with local seniors in ensuring that government is recognizing their special needs when it comes to transportation, parks, access to government services and more. The same he sees to be done for children as well.
Jeff Brower is a winner already in that he has placed himself front and center to work on making our lives better. He does not seek public office to hold a title, rather, he sees it as his patriotic duty to serve his fellow man. He is a thinker and a doer not a procrastinator who tells the people why it can’t be done, rather he believes bringing them into the discussion to reach positive results.
No doubt Brower’s entry into the race just gave Patterson that much needed jolt to convince his close financial contributors to add an extra zero to those campaign checks. He will no doubt spend more money in this election than ever before. Patterson will need to as his former grass roots appeal has been grown over with dead weeds and decay. He cannot muster the type of volunteer support that Bower brings to the table whose campaign will be much like what we saw with the top three candidates for Sheriff in 2016. In order to get the people behind you, you need to be one of them. Patterson abandoned that position years ago. He will run a traditional “Ormond financed and managed” campaign bombarding voters with mailers, radio and newspaper ads and of course yard signs. He will no doubt be the recipient of the well manipulated Republican Executive Committee endorsement even though this is a non partisan race.
In light of the continuing high powered money brokers buying political seats for their yes candidates, with all the corruption and immoral activities of our leaders, with the feeling that the little man has been forgotten it is refreshing and rewarding to see a man such as Jeff Brower step up to the plate.
Based on outcomes from previous campaigns and elections, one can only assume that Brower faces an uphill battle against the powerful entrenched political “Five Families”. However, in this election, Brower can raise more human capital than Patterson can raise money. While Patterson may outspend Brower two, possibly even three, four, heck ten to one, Brower will overcome with boots on the ground and a solid resolve to serve the people. This is why Brower is already a winner, no matter what, he cares about the people.
I am David Lee Davis and this is my view.
Publishers Note: In full disclosure I have known Jeff Brower for several years now watching the interactions of he and his family through social media and public appearances. As to Pat Patterson, I have known Pat for close to 32 years having served with him on the ACT Board of Directors, supported his candidacy in the past and even purchased health insurance from him years back.
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