Daytona Commission Zone 3 candidates discuss their priorities

Eileen Zaffiro-Kean, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
·4 min read

DAYTONA BEACH — One of the three Daytona Beach City Commission races on the ballot Nov. 8 is the contest for the Zone 3 post.

Zone 3 encompasses most of the beachside and pushes west into the downtown and other older areas of the city.

The two candidates are incumbent Quanita May and challenger Steve Miller.

The winner will be sworn in Nov. 23 and will have four years in office. Commissioners have an annual salary of $23,650, and the mayor's post comes with an annual salary of $41,059.

Quanita May is running for re-election as Daytona Beach's Zone 3 city commissioner. Her challenger is Steve Miller.
Quanita May is running for re-election as Daytona Beach's Zone 3 city commissioner. Her challenger is Steve Miller.

Here's a closer look at the two candidates.

Name: Quanita May

Age: 51

Occupation: Daytona Beach business owner

Political experience: May has been the Zone 3 Daytona Beach city commissioner since November 2018. Prior to being on the city commission she was the vice chair of the Daytona Beach Downtown Redevelopment Board.

Why are you running? I want to complete my major projects: The first tiny home development; rehabilitation of the East International Speedway Boulevard corridor; completing the Beach Street renovation and witnessing the complete opening of the Riverfront Esplanade Park.

Other Volusia County election news: It's Fuqua vs. Reinhart in Volusia Council District 2 race

Volusia County Council races also on the Nov. 8 ballot: Volusia Council District 4 candidates talk about impact fees, fairgrounds

Who will be the next Volusia County Council at-large representative?: Military vets square off in Volusia County Council at-large race

What is a life accomplishment that illuminates the kind of city commission member you will be?

I am a successful woman in business for 16 years. This required focus, energy and a lifestyle motto of 'continuous improvement and customer service.'

I’m trained in problem solving as both a State of Florida Family Mediator and as a Registered Intern Marriage and Family Therapist. I bring all of my skills to every interaction.

What is something about Daytona Beach you treasure and will fight to protect, and conversely, what is something you will fight to change?

I treasure our lifestyle: ocean, river, neighborhoods and green space.

I will fight to eliminate our pockets of slum, blight, poverty and deferred maintenance while continuing to build trust between the people and government through action.

Steve Miller is challenging Quanita May in Daytona Beach's Zone 3 City Commission race. May has been the Zone 3 commissioner since 2018.
Steve Miller is challenging Quanita May in Daytona Beach's Zone 3 City Commission race. May has been the Zone 3 commissioner since 2018.

Name: Steve Miller

Age: 69

Occupation: Tax Accountant

Political experience: Daytona Beach city commissioner from 1993-1995, member of the city's Leisure Services Advisory Board

What are your top three priorities?

Improving the lives of the city’s residents by increasing affordable housing, attracting higher-paying jobs and providing youth recreation programs.

Revitalizing the older neighborhood business districts such as Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, Ridgewood Avenue, Main Street and East International Speedway Boulevard.

Ensuring development incentives produce benefits that are real, verifiable and enforceable.

Why are you running?

I have been a George W. Engram Boulevard accountant for many years, witnessing the financial struggles of Daytona Beach residents. The city needs an effective, affordable housing program. Perhaps more, it needs living wage jobs so our residents can afford quality housing and other necessities.

Revitalizing the neighborhood business districts will help by bringing jobs closer to home. Providing living wage jobs should be the prime objective of development incentives.

We need to strengthen our community.  We should provide recreational opportunities for our children, particularly those left alone while their parents work. We need gathering places for the elderly, allowing them to participate fully in community life.

What is a life accomplishment that illuminates the kind of city commission member you will be?

I solve problems and build coalitions. As an accountant, I help clients create and expand their businesses. With that background, I understand the financial issues of residents, small businesses, and the city. I can help structure beneficial and verifiable development incentives.

As a community organizer, I led the campaign to change the Land Development Code to allow homeowners to operate a business out of their homes. The change has been a great success, as shown by the increase of home businesses.

I will continue to build coalitions across all neighborhoods and financial circumstances to improve our city.

What is something about Daytona Beach you treasure and will fight to protect, and conversely, what is something you will fight to change?

Daytona Beach has a broad beach, lush vegetation, and a beautiful river. But what I treasure most about Daytona Beach is its diverse population. With a police force of guardians not warriors, we have found a way to live together without the strife found elsewhere. Now it’s time to work together.

I will fight for better jobs, more affordable housing, more recreation programs for young and old, enhancing and protecting our natural beauty, revitalizing our business corridors on Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, Ridgewood Avenue and Main Street. If we work together, our diverse community is capable of great things.

You can reach Eileen at Eileen.Zaffiro@news-jrnl.com

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Commission incumbent Quanita May competing against Steve Miller