Meet Scott Stiltner and Derek LaMontagne

In the August 20 election, Port Orange residents will decide on a new mayor.

Current Mayor Don Burnette is running for Volusia County Chairman. Current Deputy Mayor and City Council District 4 Representative Scott Stiltner is running to take his place and will face Derek LaMontagne.

But that’s not all when it comes to changes in Port Orange. City Council District 3 Representative Drew Bastian is ineligible to run again due to term limits, and that seat will also see a new member: Barry Pitek or Shawn Goepfert. Stiltner’s seat is also now open and is being contested by Joseph Mialki III and Lance Green.

Election 2024: Meet the 3 Candidates Running for Volusia County School Board District 2

Candidates responded to a questionnaire from the News-Journal. Responses have been edited for space and grammar.

The candidates

Derek LaMontagne

Name: Derek LaMontagne.

Age: 38.

Occupation: Chemist/conservative.

Political experience: Volusia Forever Advisory Board member; former chair of Port Orange Environmental Advisory Board (resigned in protest of city’s poor enforcement of environmental laws); former volunteer at local assemblyman’s office; campaign volunteer for 6+ local races over the years; ran for mayor in 2020; student government experience in college.

The three main priorities:

1. Stop illegal overdevelopment and protect our wetlands, especially Spruce Creek.

2. Make Port Orange government more transparent and responsive to its residents.

3. Reduce government waste and keep taxes low.

Why are you running?

To save Port Orange, that is, to make Port Orange feel like a small town again. I hope to address all the grievances of our city’s residents, from urban sprawl to inflation. Learn more at www.SavePortOrange.com.

What life accomplishment exemplifies the type of public servant you will be?

As a non-lawyer, I have spent over a year of my time pro bono representing nonprofits in court and recently obtained a favorable ruling that the dangerous interchange between Interstate 95 and Pioneer Trail was clearly not in the public interest and that its permit should be denied. However, the state arbitrarily ignored this fair hearing and issued the permit anyway. We are currently appealing this travesty of justice, but entities (like Port Orange) that should be advocating for the protection of Spruce Creek are instead spreading misinformation about this terrible and expensive project, and I am committed to stopping it and protecting our people and environmental resources.

What do you value about your community that you want to protect? What will you seek to change?

It’s easy: the Spruce Creek Waterway and the Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve! Both areas are threatened by harmful projects that our city is doing nothing to stop. These projects, like the horrific Pioneer Trail Interchange, are designed to isolate and starve the Spruce Creek Preserve, ignore and worsen the pollution of Spruce Creek, and destroy what little watershed remains necessary for drinking water and flood prevention. This is unacceptable, and Port Orange deserves a leader who will stop approving bad development projects and instead protect our quality of life, without apology.

Scott Stiltner

Name: Scott Stiltner.

Age: 54.

Occupation: Retired law enforcement and water treatment specialist.

Political experience: Port Orange City Council / Vice Mayor.

The three main priorities:

1. Maintain strong public safety services throughout our community.

2. Continue efforts to improve stormwater retention and drainage infrastructure.

3. Constantly working to improve overall quality of life factors throughout our city.

Why are you running?

I have received tremendous encouragement and support from my constituents and business owners over the past year to take office and become Mayor of Port Orange. My experience in public service, knowledge of how the city operates, positive attitude, and leadership skills make me the best candidate to be Mayor of Port Orange. I have served and invested in the City of Port Orange for over 35 years, and I want to help make it the best city it can be.

What life accomplishment exemplifies the type of public office holder you will be?

Being a father. My proudest accomplishment is raising two amazing children in the community I have served for so long. Watching your children grow into productive, successful adults under your guidance and influence is hands down the greatest accomplishment a parent can have. Raising a family in Port Orange allows you to see and utilize all aspects of city government and services from an authentic and invested perspective. I love that both of my children also want Port Orange to be their forever home.

What do you value about your community that you want to protect? What will you seek to change?

Port Orange is an extension of my home and family. It still has a great community spirit, with everything you need to have a wonderful life. Overall quality of life is an important issue, and it matters to all of our residents. We must do our best to protect and improve it. We must improve the way we look at stormwater issues from a regional perspective. It takes time and money to improve stormwater management infrastructure that, in many cases, is 40 years old or more. I will fight for state funding to help improve these issues and work collectively with regional partners to find viable solutions.