Name: Jim Wetherell (James N. Wetherell)

Age: 34

Contact Address: 1693 Promenade Circle Port Orange, FL 32129

Contact Phone Number: 763-2089

Contact Email Address: jwethe2@donbellsigns.com

Web Site: www.jimwetherell.com

Office Sought: Volusia County Council District 2

 

Biographical Data:

    Education: Please See Personal Bio attached

    Occupation, Training, Experience:    Sales Manager Sears Roebuck and Co. 1996-1998

                                                         Business Analyst Sears Roebuck and Co. 1998-2001

                                                         Vice President Don Bell Signs, LLC 2003-2008

                                                          See Attached Personal Bio for Various Non Profit and Business Board Positions

 

Answers to Questions: 

 

10a: 1. Economic Development 

 

 

Economic development is the process by which a community may increase its ability to produce goods, services, and jobs. 

  1. All levels of government and private industry should be encouraged to enhance and /or create programs that stimulate the retention and expansion of existing businesses, the relocation of new businesses, and the start up on new businesses in Volusia County Area.
  2. These programs should be available to all businesses regardless of the size or type of business within reason.
  3. Economic Development programs include infrastructure investment, tax credits, training grants, and lowered interest loan programs.
  4. The greatest chance for economic development success will occur where there is a cooperative and collaborative effort by the County, the city, and the business community.

Solution:

Provide incentives in the form of tax credits for companies to move their operations to the area and to existing companies who expand their current operations.  These incentives should be based on new jobs created and maintained not just to entice them to come to the area. We need to support those companies who have been in the area for years.

 

2. Finance and Taxation

 

 

The fees and taxes exacted by the Volusia County government must be competitive with other Central Florida communities.

 

  1. Alternative funding sources to reduce local government’s dependency on fees and taxes.
  2. Providing a framework for mitigation of, abatement of, and credit for taxes and fees in order to attract new business.
  3. Growing revenues is not enough. To have a greater chance of achieving the best value for our residence, we must consistently strive to be the most efficient through sustained cost management.

 

Solution:

Taxation is not the answer. Government will be operated as a business, financial integrity will be achieved during the budget process through line item reviews of departmental budgets to include justifications.

 

10b: It is my opinion that the State should not get involved with the County Gov't, and the County should not get involved with the individual Municipality's Gov't. It is up to the citizens to put the elected officials into each gov't, and if the citizens are not happy with certain elected officials, they should not vote them into office once their term is up.      

 

 

11. Develop in conjunction with the local governments a long range plan to include joint applications for grants and bonding to maintain necessary services, roads, water/sewer, expand public transportation ect.. Insure that all new development includes provisions where the developer sets asides space and basic funding to ensure that the services, schools, fire and recreational, ect. Are provided for.

 

12. Continue to develop infrastructure that provides the needed services to support the anticipated growth and economic development.

 

Ideas

1. Take a look at current service delivery and explore different funding strategies to sustain and maximize resources for generations to come.

 

 

 

2. Develop a communication plan to educate the public regarding critical infrastructure needs.

3. Develop a long-range infrastructure plan that is inclusive of communities and interest groups to balance urban and rural perspectives.

 

 

13. Quality of Life

 

The Volusia County area has a tremendous number of assets that contribute to a successful business environment. The events within our community are among those assets, and the County should assume a leadership role, collaborating with others to maintain and improve upon the existing events.

  1. Quality of life events and opportunities in the Volusia County area are an important part of our identity and the local economy.
  2. Quality of life events and opportunities are an asset that people seek out when considering relocating their families, employees, and businesses.
  3. A variety of diverse artistic and cultural experiences with in the Volusia County area improve the quality of life for the residents, and forms a more complete foundation for the future.

 

Solution:

There is a wealth of talent in the area, assist the schools, civic and other organizations to publicize the vast and diverse programs we have available.

 

James N. Wetherell

 

Age: 34

 

Married 11+ years to Olivia

 

Two Children: Austin 9 and Preston 5

 

Born in: Daytona Beach, FL

 

Graduated from: Spruce Creek High School in 1992

 

Graduated from: Daytona Beach Community College in 1995 (Associate of Arts)

 

Graduated from: University of Central Florida in 1997 (Bachelor of Science)

 

Leadership Daytona: Class XXVII (2007)

Political Leadership Institute (Orlando, FL) February 2008

 

 

Appointments and Offices Held

 

Don Bell Signs, LLC

Vice President: 2003 - Present

Board of Directors: 2006 - 2007

 

Inlet Harbor Marina and Restaurant

Board of Directors: 2002 - 2003

 

Port Orange/South Daytona Chamber

Board of Directors: 2007 - Present

Executive Board: 2007 – Present

Vice President of Economic and Government Affairs: 2007 – Present

President Elect: 2008

 

The Community Foundation (A division of the United Way)

Board of Directors: 2007 – Present

 

Daytona Checkered Flag Committee

Various Volunteer Duties Including Make a Wish, Halifax Health, Etc…

2007 – Present

 

Halifax Health Center Foundation Board of Directors

2007 - Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hobbies

 

 

Family, Outdoors, and Golf

 

 

 

References

 

  1. Jim Cameron 386-255-0981 Halifax Area Chamber of Commerce
  2. Clint Parker 386-589-6072 Keller Williams Realty
  3. Tommy Stricklin 386-316-7310 Learning Rx

 

 

 

 

Major volunteer roles at this time/Organization:

 

Board of Directors, Port Orange/South Daytona Chamber

A Tasteful Affair, Port Orange/South Daytona Chamber

Afternoon Golf League, Port Orange/South Daytona Chamber

Crystal Apple Awards, Port Orange/South Daytona Chamber

Economic and Government Affairs, Port Orange/South Daytona Chamber

Golf Tournament, Port Orange/South Daytona Chamber

Membership Services Committee, Port Orange/South Daytona Chamber

 

Civic and Professional Activities

 

Port Orange Athletics, Assistant Baseball Coach for my Sons Team (2006)

Port Orange/South Daytona Chamber Golf Committee (2006)

Port Orange/South Daytona Chamber Board of Directors (Present)

Various Chamber Committees (2006-Present)

Inlet Harbor Rest. Board of Directors (2002-2003)

Don Bell Signs, LLC Board of Directors (2006-2007)

United Way for Don Bell Signs (Present)

DBCC Culinary School Festival (2001-2007)