Henry Frederick's blog

DAYTONA BEACH -- What does Daytona Beach News-Journal Editor Pat Rice have against Jason Davis, the county chair-elect that he held up for ridicule on Dec. 6? I say "he" because Rice signs off on all stories to be published. That he won't even acknowledge that a story was written March 10, 2008, about Jason Davis' past shows the lengths he and his newspaper will go to marginalize Davis.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- We'll have photos and a video today of Saturday's Christmas parade as well as the newest installment in our investigative series on Robert Lott, the former Flagler Avenue business owner.

We'll also have the latest installment of our online show "The Roundtable" and we'll be pushing New Smyrna Beach officials to release invoices and receipts for the controversial sendoff parties.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- In the wake of several issues related to the blurring of Mayor Adam Barringer's public and private business interests, Headline Surfer has notified him in writing Tuesday night by e-mail that the "Mayor's Message" blog that was posted every other week or so in the "Community Spotlight" section on the home page of the 24/7 Internet newspaper is no longer being published.

The decision was made because of unanswered questions as to why the mayor's restaurant was made available for a private party honoring 18-year city commissioner Jim Hathaway eight days ago. The city has earmarked $1,410 in taxpayer for a private dinner for Hathaway attended by 47 guests.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- We've got a busy night ahead with government agenda items beginning at 6 p.m. with a special CRA meeting that will be followed by the 6:30 p.m. regular meeting of the city commission. We're hoping to get answers as to the extent of taxpayer money used for a surprise private sendoff party a week ago tonight at the mayor's restaurant for retired longtime Commissioner Jim Hathaway.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Since Daytona Beach News-Journal Editor Pat Rice is so concerned with County-elect Jason Davis' pledge to reduce Volusia County's gas tax and instead suggests he focus on economic development, I've got an idea of my own. Why not just restore beach driving behind the Ocean Walk Shoppes?

After all, we are known as the "World's Most Famous Beach." Isn't that right, Pat?

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- We have lots of fresh news on the way today, including "The Sunday Conversation" with New Smyrna Beach High School Principal Jim Tager on the Cudas big football season, along with video highlights of the playoff game, plus stories, photos and videos from Saturday night's big parade and tree lighting in Daytona Beach as well as our multimedia investigative reports package on Robert Lott and the bankruptcy proceeding that impacted the community.

Advertising & editorial entwined for promotion of auto insurance salesman Buddy Davenport 

His face can be seen on park benches and the occasional bus stop across the landscape of New Smyrna Beach.  Now Buddy Davenport is featured as a writer in the revived Observer, promoting his car insurance business.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The former weekly Observer newspaper has emerged from the ashes of bankruptcy court after its ownership was relinquished last spring by Robert and Michelle Lott and purchased by Realtor Tom Alcorn for a mere $2,500. 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Today is a day to take stock in who we are and to appreciate what we have instead of what we don't have and that is or faith, our families and our lives. This is Thanksgiving where families come together and rejoice -- to give thanks for what the day promises.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- For those of you accessing us directly or indirectly through the search engines with Internet Explorer, you likely saw images on the home page that were overlapping or out of sync.

That was a glitch stuck in default mode that has been fixed. For those Internet Explorer browser users, all you'll ned to do now is simply refresh the page one time and the images should be back to normal.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- My wife, Serafina, and I gave ourselves a break from the grind of this 24/7 Internet newspaper by taking in a game Tuesday night in Orlando at the Amway Arena with the Orlando Magic hanging in there until the latter half of the fourth quarter when the New York Knicks took control and easily won by 10 points.