Deltona will almost certainly see a change in leadership with four of seven seats on the City Commission up for grabs this election season.
One of those contested races is in District 1, currently represented by James "Davison" Heriot. The incumbent was appointed to the commission in February to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former commissioner Tom Burbank.
Vying to unseat Heriot are Morris "Gunny" Froscher and Brandy White.
The News-Journal posed the following questions to each candidate with a request to limit responses to 100 words. Answers that exceeded the word limit were edited for space; otherwise, answers are presented as they were submitted, save for minor corrections to punctuation.
The candidates
Davison Heriot
Age: 33
Occupation: Financial Administrator
Political experience: Appointed to the Deltona City Commission in 2024.
What are your top three priorities?
1. Addressing our public safety needs today while preparing for the needs of tomorrow.
2. Stormwater prevention to prevent flooding of homes and ensure access to emergency services.
3. Development of a commercial tax base to reduce the burden on residents.
Why are you running? What is a life accomplishment that illuminates the kind of officeholder you will be?
As a young husband, I understand what it takes to establish yourself in a community, own a house and build a family. This personal connection to the community is what drives my commitment to the role of city commissioner, requiring patience, understanding and teamwork.
What is something about your community you treasure and aim to protect? What is something you will seek to change?
Our water bodies are among our most precious resources, and I treasure them deeply. They initially attracted me to the area and must be managed and protected. One thing I seek to change is opportunities for small businesses, attracting more family owned restaurants like My Greek Taverna and Mr. Chef.
Morris "Gunny" Froscher
Age: 62
Occupation: Retired U.S. Marine Corps, Volusia County deputy sheriff
Political experience: None
What are your top three priorities?
1. Utilize my military and federal service experience to bring CAP (Civil Air Patrol) and NJROTC (Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps) to middle schools in Deltona, with other tangible benefits as well for the citizens of Deltona.
2. Use my law enforcement background (almost 20 years) to ensure a quality relationship exists between Deltona and the Volusia Sheriff's Office.
3. To be available to the District 1 constituents and make decisions based on common sense (which has been formed through four-plus decades of public service) and to provide to District 1 citizens what I provided through my two decades of being a first responder in Deltona and Volusia County.
Why are you running?
The citizens of Deltona and Volusia need proven leadership. A Google search of Morris "Gunny" Froscher will show that for two decades I have answered the call in Deltona and Volusia County.
What is a life accomplishment that illuminates the kind of officeholder you will be?
As mentioned before, I have given over 45 years of public service (including almost 20 years as a first responder in Deltona and Volusia County). I put the needs of others before myself.
What is something about your community you treasure and aim to protect? What is something you will seek to change?
The community is vibrant and diverse. I will endeavor to protect the flavor of Deltona (as I did as a deputy sheriff). Something that needs to change is having responsible leadership that listens to the needs of the community.
Brandy White
Age: 45
Occupation: Self-employed local business owner
Political experience: None, just an active and engaged resident since 2015.
What are your top three priorities?
1. A.C.T- Accountability, Communication, Transparency
2. Budget
3. Development/flooding
Why are you running?
To give the residents of Deltona, and specifically District 1, a voice. To improve the relationship/engagement between residents and their government. To bring about better accountability, communication and transparency.
What is a life accomplishment that illuminates the kind of officeholder you will be?
I would probably have to say my community involvement as a resident. I have attended meetings, reviewed budgets, spoken on agenda items, held meetings with staff, and stood at the podium to speak for residents too scared to speak for themselves. I still continue to do this almost 10 years later.
What is something about your community you treasure and aim to protect? What is something you will seek to change?
I treasure the hometown feel and natural resources that are slowly dissipating. That is also what I will fight to change. With overdevelopment, loss of green space, lack of infrastructure, water quality and deteriorated roads, we need to protect what is left and focus on mitigating the damage. Focus on what is already here and abandoned or in disrepair. Work on getting the infrastructure needed to support all the overdevelopment and needed commercial development, to hold our county responsible for its roadways, and ensure we are filling in our potholes proactively.
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