Sparks flew during the March SunRail meeting

It got real on Thursday at the SunRail Commission meeting with Volusia County Council Member Pat Patterson sticking it to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

For the past several meetings there have been testy exchanges between Dyer and Patterson over Patterson’s request to make changes to the funding agreement between the counties on how they’ll pay for SunRail in 2021 after the Florida Department of Transportation turns the rail system over to the local governments to pay for and operate.

Patterson bickers from the right as Dyer looks on from the far left

The original SunRail plans call for a second SunRail station to DeLand. Volusia County only station is in DeBary. For several reasons, money for the second station was not provided by the federal government and or other sources. Volusia residents feel shortchanged and they fear the original contract will have them paying for service they are not receiving.

Dyer has repeatedly assured Patterson that Volusia won’t pay for a station that was never built, but Patterson wants that understanding in writing. Seminole County Commissioner Bob Dallari, who had been chairing the rail commission until Thursday wants to wait until all the funding partners – including Volusia -- can submit their amendments at one time.

There have been several testy exchanges between Dyer and Patterson. On Thursday when the commissioners were voting on new officers, Dyer was nominated to serve as the vice chair.

Normally that’s a routine vote with all members supporting the nominee. On Thursday, however, Patterson voted “No” – a biting public rebuke of Dyer.

So just in case, you’re wondering Volusia residents – Pat Patterson is fighting for your best interests.

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