Outsiders USA co-owner Ella Ran will retain her seat on the Downtown DeLand Community Redevelopment Agency for a second term. The DeLand City Commission voted Aug. 7 to reappoint the Downtown DeLand business owner after her term had expired.
The seven-member CRA board is tasked with eliminating blight and encouraging development and enhancement of the Downtown corridor. The board consists of the five DeLand City Commission members as well as two additional members of the public. Each member has a four-year term.
Originally appointed in 2018, Ran’s reappointment means she will serve for another four years until 2026.
“I’m happy to serve,” Ran told The Beacon, “and continue to advocate for smart growth in our community!”
Ran’s business, Outsiders USA, sells outdoor equipment, surf goods, camping gear and more. It’s located in the back of The Muse Book Shop — operated by Ran’s mother, Janet Bollum — at 112 S. Woodland Blvd.
Also in the running for the CRA seat was Downtown business owner Jeanette Rodriguez. Rodriguez owns Vision & Heels, a coworking space at 100 E. New York Ave., Suite 103.
While she didn’t nab a seat on the CRA, Rodriguez said she hopes to get more involved with the city. After all, her business is right at the heart of Downtown DeLand.
In addition to City Commissioner Charles Paiva, who will be up for re-election in 2024, the next CRA member who will be up for reappointment is Elusive Grape owner Bill Budzinski.
While no more seats on the CRA board are up for grabs, the city has vacancies on a number of other boards, including the Citizens Advisory Task Force and the Economic Development Committee. The full list of city board vacancies and information on how to apply are available on the city’s website, HERE.
