Mayor Mulder will not seek re-election
June 11, 2010 – A letter from Mayor Mulder
It is with much deliberation and reflection on my life goals both personal and professional, I have decided not to seek election to another term as Deltona’s Mayor. 
I assumed my role as Mayor at a time in life when most folks are starting a family. The people of Deltona have definitely become my family and will always in my heart remain such. More recent thoughts and goals have lead me to begin considering a family with children of my own.
I will assume a private life while continuing to serve our city wherever possible through charaties and worthwhile causes that effect Deltona throughout the County and State. I have felt strongly since becoming mayor that Deltona needs consolidated leadership at the state level. West Volusia deserves fewer representatives with Deltona being a larger part of their districts. Without representation at the state level through the redrawing of districts in a fair manor, Deltona will continue to be left behind in the state capitol and that should be a concern for any Mayor in the future. I will never stop serving and I wish more people would adopt that philosophy here in our city.
I believe strongly that the city has made immeasurable progress the last five years in becoming a sustainable city with its best times ahead of it. Someone wiser than I once said to me, “You’ve got to get terribly uncomfortable, in order to experience true comfort in your future”. I think we in Deltona have done just that and done it well. In my time as Mayor we took up almost every major issue facing any city. What some thought were controversial and divisive issues that should be avoided politically, were the same issues I believe show leadership and courage. Most of the major issues that have plagued our city even before incorporation I pushed to a vote of the commission or the people.
I am distinctly satisfied with delivering or attempting to deliver every promise I’ve made to the people of Deltona. I’m also very happy with poll numbers presented to me while I was making a decision on whether to run this year or not. In my final analysis taking this job for anyone should be about heart, not good poll results. In my job you make a lot of people happy and a lot not so happy. In every job we accept failure and make apologies when mistakes are made, otherwise we have no place in that job. I will move forward in my private life and career knowing that I’ll never be as great as my largest supporters tout, nor will I be as bad as my harshest critics have proclaimed. There is an instinctive trait acquired once you become a Mayor, it is to protect and defend like a parent. Deltona takes that place in my heart and I will always love and defend her.
In my brightest moments of political successes and in my darkest hours of doubt or indecision on any issue, I can honestly say that there was always some resident I had never met or talked to before there to cheer me on or to demand more of me. That single expression by the people of this city as a whole will never be forgotten. I have come to learn that this city’s largest asset is its people. We truly have talented, educated and best of all great hearted people in Deltona, which is why I know in the future it shall prosper. Deltona has the best potential of any city I have ever visited and when you have sat in the seat of Mayor for an amount of time, you can’t help but to look at every city you visit and compare it to yours.
Deltona has been my home since I was just a boy and it always will be. People often ask me if with all the headaches, aggravation and dirty politics that are sometimes played, do I have any regrets about taking on this job. I always answer by saying “I don’t regret a single moment of it!” Every job has its pitfalls, but there aren’t many jobs where you can help people that you have never even met and get to hear those stories months or even years later. It has been rewarding and humbling to be chosen to represent such a wonderful and large city.
I plan to help whomever the people of Deltona decide should be my successor. It is their city, not mine; they just let me carry the ball for a while. I intend to make sure that any and all succession efforts and transitions are smooth and that the next administration be given whatever tools they feel are needed from me to do the best job possible for Deltona. I will serve this city whenever and however asked, now and in the future. For me the sidewalk may be coming to an end, but for Deltona the road has just begun.
With the highest respect and humility to Deltona, Florida and to all my neighbors and friends,
Mayor Dennis Mulder