City leaders recognize life-saving "Christmas miracle," extend temporary housing relief

What do three young New Smyrna Beach girls and two boat captains have in common? According to Mayor Fred Cleveland, it’s their roles in a life-saving “Christmas miracle.”  

Shortly after New Smyrna Beach’s holiday boat parade last Saturday, Dec. 10, Harbor Pride, Annabella Ross, and Gabriella Ross were playing on a dock at Smyrna Yacht Club when they discovered what they believed to be a body floating in the water. They quickly alerted two nearby adults, Captain Jason Sharlow and Captain John Ellis, who pulled the victim from the water and administered CPR immediately, saving their life.

“On behalf of the City of New Smyrna Beach, we thank you for your bravery, vigilance, attention to detail, and most of all, exercising good judgement when you noticed something that did not seem right,” Cleveland read aloud from a proclamation given to all five honorees. “Your actions are honorable and appreciated. You are model citizens that are honorably recognized and highly esteemed by the City of New Smyrna Beach and its citizens.”

In other action during their Dec. 13 meeting, city commissioners:

- Heard a presentation on Hurricane Nicole recovery efforts by Volusia County Council District 3 Representative Danny Robins

- Allotted $40,000 in homeless and disadvantaged grants to local charitable and nonprofit organizations

- Discussed installing solar panels atop the city’s Maintenance Operations building at 124 Industrial Park Ave.

- Approved the first of two readings of an ordinance temporarily prohibiting residential development projects on properties 10 acres or larger located in FEMA Flood Zones A & AE until June 27, 2023

- Granted a six-month extension of an emergency ordinance allowing residents to live in RVs, campers, or FEMA temporary housing while their flood-damaged properties are restore

Would you like to know more? Please watch video replay of this meeting here and contact the City Clerk’s Office at [email protected] and (386) 410-2630.