Meet the candidates for DeLand City Commission Seat 3: Jessica Davis and Deirdre Perry

Unlike DeLand's mayoral race, which could head to the general election in November, voters will decide seats 3, 4 and 5 on the City Commission during the Aug. 23 primary.

Seat 3 incumbent Jessica Davis is running against newcomer Deirdre Perry.

Commissioners, who are elected citywide, serve four-year terms and receive an annual salary of $11,601 and change.

There are three candidates — Chris Cloudman, Buz Nesbit and Reggie Williams — running for mayor. If neither receives more than 50% of the vote, the two candidates with the most votes head to a runoff in November.

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Seat 3 candidates

Jessica Davis, 38, is a middle school teacher with Volusia County Schools. She became the first Black woman elected to the commission in 2014; she ran unopposed in 2018.

Davis also is a member of multiple political and civic organizations: Florida League of Cities; Volusia League of Cities; National League of Cities; Florida Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials; National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials; Minority Elected Officials of Volusia County; Young Elected Officials Network; Spring Hill Community CRA Board; and the Downtown DeLand CRA Board.

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Her top priorities include: 

• Increasing the number of police, fire and information technology staff. Additional officers dedicated to community policing reduce recidivism, prevent crime, and improve efficiency and effectiveness. Additional firefighters, who also serve as medical responders, mean more timely responses. Additional support in IT is critical to combat potential cyber security attacks.
• Safe, efficient and updated real assets – including bridges, roads, highways, sewage systems, parks, sidewalks, trails and power grids – are crucial to our continued growth and development. I proudly supported a $100,000 investment to improve our sidewalks and trails. As our economy recovers from COVID-19, investments in infrastructure will be necessary to help DeLand fulfill its destiny.
• COVID-19 taught us we must be prepared for uncertainties on all fronts. Because voters approved a $15 minimum wage hike, I supported efforts to be proactive. Budgeting for wage hike implications now allows us to phase in these investments and gives us a comprehensive plan for finances today and into the future.

Deirdre Perry, 53, is a business administration manager for Macy's.

Her top priorities include:

• Being transparent in order to build trust with the constituents: This will give a more open line of communication so when concerns are being addressed, we can openly discuss them with honest responses.
• The concern for the development in our area and the impact positively or negatively on our citizens, making sure they understand the why behind the discussions, and allow them to have a voice as how this type of growth would affect their community.
• More investment into our youth: I would like to focus on programs that would decrease the rising number of instances of bullying and harassment within our schools, and increase teacher/parent interaction to identify at-risk students.

Candidates comment

The following questions were posed to each candidate with a request to limit responses to 100 words. Answers are presented as they were submitted, save for minor corrections to punctuation.

In your opinion, what is DeLand's most pressing issue, and what efforts would you make to address it?

Davis: In DeLand and across our nation, we are experiencing an affordable housing crisis causing more of our workforce to become homeless. We must be innovative and creative in our approach in moving forward to accommodate our residents and their housing needs. I will be actively engaged in looking to provide solutions.

Perry: One of the most pressing issues that has been a concern is the development of the area. Many of our residents are concerned about the growth and how it has/will affect the natural resources. When decisions are made on development, we should make sure that the areas that are being developed would not destroy natural habitats.

In your opinion, what is DeLand's best feature, and how can it be expanded on?

Davis: There are many great things happening in the beautiful city of DeLand, also known as the "Athens of Florida." I want to expand on the great things we are doing in DeLand by strengthening public safety, investing in infrastructure improvements and budgeting for DeLand’s future. Add additional police officers dedicated to community policing and more firefighters to reduce wait time during an emergency. All components work together simultaneously.

Perry: DeLand is best known for its hometown feeling. Our downtown area is popular for its unique businesses, historic buildings and a great university, plus the people who make it all worth visiting. We can expand this by keeping landowners responsible for maintaining unused properties to a standard that will represent the hometown feel and having more beautification acknowledgments throughout the city that will speak to DeLand's beauty as a whole.

Why should someone choose you over your opponent?

Davis: I am a dedicated and experienced public servant who is active in our community, and I did not start being involved last week. I have missed less than three meetings and I missed no budget workshops in eight years. I made a commitment to my constituents to stay engaged, therefore I will!

Perry: I am a true DeLandite. Born and raised in DeLand would give you an idea that my heart is truly here and for the people. With the many changes throughout the years, I have always been an advocate for people, regardless of their background. I have a passion to help others and would be the voice they need to address concerns they may feel have been unheard.