Editor, The Beacon:

I recently read Harper Hill’s Facebook page announcement about running for the DeLand City Commission, Seat 2, and it left me frustrated. I currently serve in this seat, as vice mayor.

I believe that his announcement, which mentions me, is misleading and disingenuous.

Harper Hill writes that, “I decided to run for office when I learned that my friend Charles Paiva was not seeking re-election. It is crucial to me that a quality candidate steps up to fill the spot he is vacating.”

The first issue I have with his statement is that it is a stretch for him to claim that we are friends. I do know Harper Hill. We are business acquaintances and have been friendly in those interactions. We have never, however, shared any typical friendship experiences. And I would not describe him as my friend.

I also find it difficult to understand, if we were truly friends, why Harper Hill decided to run against my father, Richard “Charlie” Paiva, for Seat 2. My father qualified to run for my seat a week before Harper Hill did. And Hill was very aware that he would be opposing my father.

I also resent the implication of Harper Hill’s statement, “It is crucial to me (Hill) that a quality candidate steps up to fill the spot he (me) is vacating.” That implies that no “quality candidate” was running.

My father is a very qualified candidate. He has deep roots in DeLand, having lived here for 68 years. He cares deeply about DeLand.

My father helped dozens of good people get elected to lead DeLand and Volusia County, including myself. He is a UCF graduate in journalism. He has been an advertising executive, business owner, a YMCA program director and served as executive director of The Neighborhood Center.

Since 2001, my father has been involved in every aspect of my journey as a DeLand city commissioner. He understands the concerns and needs of the people in DeLand. And he understands all of the important issues facing the City of DeLand. My father’s motivation for running is to continue our family’s history of serving our fellow citizens.

In closing, I publicly request that Harper Hill stop referring to me as his friend. And stop stating, or implying, that I support his candidacy. I also request that this newspaper edit out any false claim, made by Harper Hill, that he is my friend. Or anything that implies that I support his candidacy.

I support my father, Richard “Charlie” Paiva, a very qualified candidate, to replace me on the DeLand City Commission.

Charles Paiva
Vice Mayor, City of DeLand