A HISTORY OF SERVICE AS THE GO-TO EXPERT FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY
SLOWED DOWN DEVELOPMENT OF THE SANDHILL GOLF COURSE IN DELAND
For the past three years, Wendy has been one of the most consistent community advocates working to slow the proposed development of the Sandhill Golf Course in DeLand. Wendy pushed for deeper review of the project after the EPA report revealed significant levels cancer-causing pollutants—arsenic, barium, and chromium—on the property. The reported levels were so high that the report recommended limiting children’s presence and only developing it as a 55+ community. Wendy is fighting to protect the 200+ historic oak trees on the site, recognizing their ecological and cultural importance to DeLand’s character. Instead of dense development, she believes the property should be reimagined as a nature preserve with paved bike and walking trails, finally creating a long-awaited connection between DeLand’s neighborhoods and the urban core. Her vision prioritizes health, safety, and long-term community value over short-term gains.
STOPPED DEVELOPERS FROM ILLEGAL WATER SIPHONING IN LAKE HELEN
As one of our Volusia County Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisors, Wendy played a key role in stopping developers from illegally siphoning water from Lake Helen. In the middle of a Central Florida drought, more than 55 million gallons of potable water per year were being taken without authorization and wasted on watering grass in DeLand. After the mayor reached out for help, Wendy stepped in, confronted the issue directly, and successfully forced the developers to stop the withdrawals. Her swift action protected a vulnerable water source, upheld the law, and preserved a critical community resource. Wendy’s leadership ensured Lake Helen’s water stayed where it belongs — with the people, not misused by developers.
SUPPORTED LOW-IMPACT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN DELAND AND ORANGE CITY
Wendy has been a strong advocate for Low-Impact Development (LID) projects in DeLand and across Volusia County promoting modern stormwater practices that reduce flooding and protect water quality. She has worked with engineers, planners, and local officials to advance solutions like permeable pavement, bioswales, rain gardens, and other “slow–spread–soak” strategies that keep stormwater on-site rather than pushing it into already stressed neighborhoods. Her support helped move several LID initiatives forward, demonstrating that development and environmental responsibility can work hand in hand. Wendy’s leadership has encouraged cities to adopt smarter standards that save money, reduce risk, and improve long-term resilience. Her work shows what’s possible when growth is guided by science, not shortcuts.
proven leadership for volusia county
Click the picture to the right to watch Wendy speak at the Volusia County Council meeting - August 5th, 2025.
Wendy explains that the proposed tower site sits within a Natural Resource Management Area. She expressed concerns about building such a structure on hydric, water-saturated soils, noting that the real engineering issue is whether the tower’s anchors and guywires can remain secure in unsta
Click the picture to the right to watch Wendy speak at the Volusia County Council meeting - May 6th, 2025.
Wendy challenges the commission’s claim that voluntary LID standards align with free-market principles, noting that incentives and subsidies are still forms of government intervention. She emphasized that addressing flooding is a core government responsibility and that LID provides a simpler
Click the picture to the right to watch Wendy speak at the Volusia County Council meeting - April 15th, 2025.
Wendy explains that many of the county’s own best practices—tree protection, wetland buffers, floodplain mitigation—are already Low-Impact Development. She urges adopting a hybrid, mandatory LID approach instead of voluntary incentives and encourages the county to help cities strengthen wea
Click the picture to the right to watch Wendy speak at the Volusia County Council meeting - February 11th, 2025.
Wendy states that adding six inches of fill won’t reduce flooding and may worsen runoff for nearby homes. She highlights that true solutions come from Low-Impact Development, which decentralizes stormwater through swales and rain gardens so water can infiltrate where it falls. Wendy urge
Click the picture to the right to see Wendy speak again at the Volusia County Council meeting - February 11th, 2025.
Wendy discusses how Low-Impact Development already covers key needs like stormwater, wetlands, trees, and flood mitigation, but the proposed ordinance is voluntary and ineffective. She urges the council to adopt a mandatory hybrid LID model so every development uses some proven tools
Click the picture to the right to see Wendy speak again at the Volusia County Council Special meeting - January 14th, 2025.
Wendy illustrates that increased rainfall, more pavement, and declining aquifer recharge demand new development codes. She highlights the need to move water back into the deep aquifer through “sponge city” and LID strategies. Wendy also urges cities to secure land for stormwat
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