ORMOND BEACH
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 13, NO. 37
RECORD BREAKER PAGE 4B
FREE ON NEWSSTANDS | THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2025
City Commission: We support First Step After the mayor said Ormond may pull funds for the shelter, officials say he ‘misspoke’ on their behalf. PAGE 2A
INSIDE VOLUNTARY ‘LID’
Volusia County Council approves an incentivized, voluntary low-impactdevelopment process.
Carrying the torch
Ormond Beach Police hold second Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida PAGE 1B
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A FINALE ON POINTE
Ormond Ballet seniors to perform in “Swan Lake.” PAGE 3B
PHOTO READY
Ormond Beach Arts District launches sculpture photography contest. PAGE 3A
COME HUNGRY
IHOP now open in Ormond Beach at Granada Pointe. PAGE 7A
Ormond Beach Police Sgt. Jay Brennan (center) holds the torch as he stands next to Carson Fraiser, who finished first in the race on Saturday, May 3. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
DISTRICT 4
Volusia County Councilman Troy Kent to host meeting. PAGE 5A
ART ON DISPLAY
Former OBMS band director dies at 83 JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Artist Sheila Psaledas. Photo by Connor McCarthy
Ormond Beach hosts the 51st annual Art in the Park. PAGE 1B
INDEX
Business......................PAGE 7A Calendar..................... PAGE 2B Cops Corner................PAGE 5A Crossword.................. PAGE 2C Letters........................ PAGE 8A Public Notices............ PAGE 4C Sports......................... PAGE 5B Tributes ...................... PAGE 8C Real Estate................. PAGE 6A
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A celebration of life will be held Saturday, May 10, for longtime Ormond Beach Middle School band director Walter Bailey, who died on March 21, at 83 years old. Bailey led the band at the school, formerly known as Ormond Beach Junior High, from 1966 to 1997, and “lived a life full of kindness, humor and dedication, touching the hearts of everyone who knew him,” his obituary states. Bailey’s impact on music students was “second to none,” said Peter Waidelich, assistant chair and director of instrumental music at Daytona State College, and former student of Bailey’s. “He had a positive impact on virtually every student that went through his program,” Waidelich said, adding that many went on to become musicians or music educators. The celebration of life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, at the OBMS gymnasium, at 151 Domicilio Ave. Those who wish to honor his memory are invited to donate to the OBMS Band Parents Association at https://tinyurl.com/ OBMSBand1. ‘HE TOUCHED THEIR HEARTS’
Bailey was born on Dec. 11, 1941, and is originally of Waycross, Georgia. He started his job at OBMS in 1966, where he spent his entire teaching career. Ormond Beach resident Marsha Chusmir Shapiro met Bailey in 1972 when she started work-
ing as the orchestra director at OBMS, as well as the former Seabreeze Junior High. Bailey was a mentor to her, she said. “I would watch him,” Shapiro said. “I would learn from him, just by watching, and then also the things he would say.” Bailey, was not only funny, but warm with his students, she recalled. He acted the same way toward her, including supporting her as she wrote her first band composition — Ormond Overture. Bailey played it with his students, featured it in a concert and then gifted her with a plaque containing her name and the title of composer. “I still have that on my desk,” Shapiro said. Bailey, a trumpet player, was one of the few band directors she’s ever known who promoted orchestra to his students, even letting his best players leave band class one day a week to play with the strings. It helped create a 60-piece orchestra at OBMS. “The kids remember him today — they all do,” Shapiro said. “... He touched their hearts.” BAILEY’S LEGACY
In 2023, OBMS held a concert in honor of Bailey, who was known as “Uncle Fuzzy” to his students. Bailey was 81 years old at the time and was able to attend in person. That was a special moment, said Waidelich. The concert was also attended by longtime Seabreeze High School band director Dave Smith and longtime Mainland High School Earl
INSIDE
Statebound Walter Bailey. Courtesy photo
Williams, both who taught in the same era as Bailey. Waidelich is a Seabreeze grad, and said he’s where he is today because of Bailey and Smith. “Between the two of them, my fate was sealed as a musician and especially as an educator,” Waidelich said. Bailey was always modest, Shapiro said. He didn’t seek attention, but Shapiro said Bailey was the OBMS Teacher of the Year at least twice during his career. “I think he appreciated that he was respected, but he wasn’t going for the accolades,” Shapiro said. Bailey is survived by his wife Diane Bailey and daughters Erin Bailey and Kristen Casaubon, as well as two stepchildren and seven grandchildren. “Walter’s legacy of kindness, music, and laughter will live on in the hearts of everyone who had the privilege to know him,” the obituary states.
Mainland High School’s Kajuan Curry qualifies for the state track championships in three events.
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Running start Mainland coach likes what he sees during first week of spring practice.
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