DeLand mayoral candidates share thoughts on growth and development, annexing Spring Hill

DELAND — With longtime Mayor Bob Apgar not seeking reelection, residents will choose between three candidates to serve as the city's next leader.

Vying for the position held by Apgar, 75, since 2001 are Chris Cloudman, Buz Nesbit and Reggie Williams.

The community heard from Cloudman, Nesbit and Williams during a recent debate hosted by Stetson University and co-sponsored by the West Volusia Beacon.

Each candidate shared his take on myriad matters including, but not limited to, growth and development, quality of life, the city's award-winning downtown and what he wants to accomplish if elected.

The three are on a citywide ballot in the Aug. 23 primary, and if neither earns more than 50%, the top two finishers will compete in a runoff in the Nov. 8 general election.

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Cloudman, 44, a city commissioner since 2014, described himself as a product of Volusia County Schools, "simply here to be a servant to the people." He's lived in DeLand since 2008 and works as an energy specialist for Cenergistic.

He represents DeLand on multiple boards, including the River-to-Sea Transportation Planning Organization Board and the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, and is a recent past president of the Rotary Club of Downtown DeLand.

Cloudman said he wants to help ensure DeLand remains a special place for future generations.

Nesbit, 66, a member of the city's planning board, has lived in DeLand since the late 1990s. He's worked as a realtor since 2014, following more than 30 years in the telecommunications field.

Nesbit, a Rotarian of more than 40 years, said he wants to serve because "our quality of life is being attacked by not having a clear, concise direction."

Williams, 71, is retired but continues to serve in multiple organizations, such as the Volusia Remembers Coalition, the board for the African American Museum of the Arts Inc. and the Concerned Clergy Coalition. He's lived in DeLand for more than 50 years.

Williams has worked in various departments with Volusia County, including planning and community services, and with the state, including the Department of Children and Families.

"I’m running because I feel as though I can make a difference," Williams said.

Takes on development, downtown

Candidates fielded multiple questions pertaining to the rate and type of growth and development taking place in the city.

Asked about their stances on adding more housing developments, Cloudman said different types of housing are needed if DeLand wants to have affordable housing.

He said it was easy to comment on developments put before the commission as a resident; as an elected official, "you have to balance not only your personal feelings but also the rights of the people who own that property."

Williams and Nesbit shared similar sentiments about how direct and specific the city should be with developers regarding what's acceptable.

"One of the first things I would do is have a workshop of the City Commission that looks at the possibility of developing strategies so that when a developer walks through the door, they will know exactly what the city’s expecting," Williams said.

Nesbit suggested the city's strategies be codified.

"We should be able to tell the developer what we want, not them tell us what they want," Nesbit said. "You have to be able to communicate what you want, and hold their feet to the fire, you cannot have a bait and switch."

There also were multiple questions about the state of downtown, such as what actions the candidates, if elected, would take to bring more tourists and visitors to the historic district.

Williams said he would look at increasing advertising that promotes the city and focus on the future SunRail station.

"We need to be using and partnering with this asset better than we are," Nesbit said, referring to Stetson University.

He also said the city needs incubators for new businesses and their promotion.

Cloudman expressed confidence in the current state of the community and the efforts of the West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority and MainStreet DeLand resulting in people visiting from all over the world.

"This is a place people want to live because we have so many great amenities," Cloudman said. "I have to say, I think we’re doing well."

Expanding the city

None of the candidates spoke against annexing Spring Hill, where the demographics are unlike most of the city.

The Spring Hill Community Redevelopment Area, which was created in 2004 to address blight and revitalize the region, is north of Taylor Road, east of State Road 15-A, south of West Beresford Avenue and west of South Woodland Boulevard.

According to PolicyMap, which uses data from the most recent U.S. Census in 2020, DeLand's population was more than 73% white and the city's median household income was $54,397. Spring Hill's population is predominantly Black and approximately 20% of the people residing in the census tract that includes Spring Hill live in poverty.

Nesbit said DeLand "absolutely" should annex Spring Hill.

"We should be embarrassed that we have not made that happen," Nesbit said.

A referendum in 2002 to annex Spring Hill and other unincorporated communities south of DeLand failed when only 32% of the community's voters supported it.

Cloudman said annexation, which the city is open to, would make sense, especially given the joint CRA and the memorandum of understanding related to law enforcement and fire services.

Williams said the city should ask what the residents of Spring Hill want.

"If they say yes, then we need to find every opportunity and resource that's out there and available to make it happen," Williams said.