Tuesday Briefing: Education Funding Fallout, FPL Footpath Rethink, Women in Politics, World Refugee Day

FlaglerLive | June 20, 2017

Ambassador Nancy Soderberg, who is considering running for U.S Representative for Florida’s 6th Congressional District, which includes all of Flagler, and Stephanie Mickle, a democratic strategist, are the speakers at a Coquina Coast Democratic Progressive Caucus event at African American Cultural Society this evening. See the details below.

Today: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent. Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 70s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent. Details here.
Drought Index is at 94.
Today’s tides: at the beaches, at the Intracoastal Waterway.
Today’s document from the National Archives.
The OED’s Word of the Day: exemplum virtutis, n..
The Live Community Calendar
Today’s jail bookings.

Today’s Briefing: Quick Links

First Light
In Flagler and Palm Coast
Flagler Jail Bookings and Sheriff’s Crime Reports
Announcements
In State Government
In Coming Days in Flagler, Palm Coast and Beyond
The Day’s Best Reads
Fact-Checking the Knaves
Palm Coast Construction and Development
Local Road and Interstate Construction
Cultural Coda

“The news in those days was full of war and migrants and nativists, and it was full of fracturing too, of regions pulling away from nations, and cities pulling away from hinterlands, and it seemed that as everyone was coming together everyone was also moving apart. Without borders nations appeared to be becoming somewhat illusory, and people were questioning what role they had to play. Many were arguing that smaller units made more sense, but others argued that smaller units could not defend themselves.”

–Mohsin Hamid, from Exit West: A Novel (2017).

Previously:

In Flagler and Palm Coast:

Note: all government meetings noticed below are free and open to the public unless otherwise indicated. Many can be heard or seen live through each agency’s website.

The Sheriff’s daily incident reports and jail bookings are posted here.

The Palm Coast City Council meets at 9 a.m. at City Hall in Town Center. The council, at the behest of members Heidi Shipley and Steve Nobile, will reopen a discussion of the previously approved foot path through the F-Section, under the FPL powerlines. The project, mishandled by City Manager Jim landon (as it was mishandled in 2008) is drawing considerable opposition from residents, as it was rejected in 2008. Nobile asked for options to be discussed at today’s meetings.

The Flagler County School Board meets at 1 p.m. in workshop, and will discuss the impact of House Bill 7069, which will affect the district’s finances. (See details here.) Board members will also discuss coaches’ pay. In Training Room 3 on the third floor of the Government Services Building, Bunnell. The board meets again at 6 p.m. in a regular meeting, in board chambers on the first floor. The board is scheduled to approve a bif for renovation of the Flagler Auditorium’s restrooms.

The Bunnell Planning Board meets at 7 p.m. at Bunnell City Hall, 201 West Moody Boulevard, City Commission Chambers, Building 3. On the agenda: a request for a special exception to allow a transitional housing project for women and children at 210 N. Fig Street. The city is recommending approval, pending certain amendments: “Given the congestion of this area during school hours and the narrowness of the existing street, the potential to park on the City right-of-way overnight, during school hours or for any length of time which may affect the traffic flow in this area is a concern that needs to be addressed,” city staffers say.

Women in Politics Forum: Ambassador Nancy Soderberg, who is considering running for U.S Representative for Florida’s 6th Congressional District, which includes all of Flagler (currently held by Republican Ron DeSantis, who may be running for governor) and Stephanie Mickle, a democratic strategist, are the speakers at a Coquina Coast Democratic Progressive Caucus event at African American Cultural Society, 4422 N US Highway 1, Palm Coast, starting at 6:30 p.m. Ambassador Soderberg has served in the White House as Deputy National Security Advisor, as an Ambassador at the United Nations, as an advisor to Senator Edward M. Kennedy, and on four presidential campaigns. She is President and CEO of Soderberg Global Solutions and the Director of the Public Service Leadership Program at the University of N. Florida in Jacksonville. Stephanie Mickle, Esq. is an attorney and political consultant providing strategic advice and representation to businesses, government entities, and national and international organizations in the areas of government relations, regulatory affairs, public policy analysis, messaging, media and strategic communications. Come meet these two political influencers and hear first-hand how to take constructive action and increase your impact. More details here.

Food Truck Tuesday, in Palm Coast’s Central Park, starting at 5 p.m.

Today is World Refugee Day: Every minute 20 people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror. Details here.

Announcements:

None.

In Florida and in State Government:

Note: Some proceedings below can be followed live on the Florida Channel. Most legislative proceedings can be followed through the Senate or House websites.

Gov. Rick Scott is expected to speak during a New York State Republican gala event. (7 p.m., Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, 811 Seventh Ave., New York.)

In Coming Days in Palm Coast, Flagler and the Occasional Beyond:

To include your event in this section, please fill out this form.

♦ July 19: Urban Surf 4 Kids Surf Camp, 9 to 1 p.m. at South 6th Street on the Beach in Flagler Beach.
♦ July 19: The Flagler Beach Charter Review Commission meets at 9 a.m. at City Hall, 105 S 2nd St.
♦ July 19: Dive-in Movies, 8 p.m. at Palm Coast Aquatics Center, 339 Parkview Drive. Just bring your swimsuit and enjoy the show! Dive-in movie nights at the Palm Coast Aquatics Center provides a unique outdoor movie viewing experience for the entire family. Be sure to grab your favorite snack, sit back and enjoy the show! Food and snacks will be available for purchase. This month features “Incredibles 2” (PG). More info: 386-986-4741 and www.palmcoastgov.com/movies.
♦ July 20: Flagler Pier Fishing Tournament, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Flagler Beach Fishing Pier. For any questions, please contact the Pier bait shop at 386-517-2436.
♦ July 20: Youth Fishing Derby, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Waterfront Park, 150 Waterfront Park Road, Palm Coast. Come out to Waterfront Park for a day of family fun, food, and catch-and-release fishing. Youth will be eligible for various prizes based on different categories such as longest fish, heaviest fish, most fish, smallest fish and others. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Any adult actively assisting a youth must have a fishing license. For ages 15 and under. Free and registration is encouraged but not required at www.parksandrec.fun/events. More info: 386-986-2323.
♦ July 20: Meet with your local Fire Rescue personnel, while you tour your community’s Fire Station and equipment, at Flagler County Fire Station 92 at the county airport, 130 Airport Rd., Palm Coast, from 9 a.m. to noon. Additionally, personnel from Florida Forest Service and Flagler County Emergency Management will be available to explain and assist residents in signing up for the ALERTFlagler emergency notifications, and Special Needs Sheltering programs. For more information please contact Chief Fire Marshall (386) 313-4258
♦ July 20-21: Jr. Lifeguard Camp, 8 a.m-12p.m. at Palm Coast Aquatics Center, 339 Parkview Drive. The Junior Lifeguard Camp offers step-by-step lifeguarding skill development. Learn water safety, lifeguard rescues, and First Aid CPR/AED in a weekend camp. Class attendees will receive a CPR mask, Red Cross whistle and T-shirt. For ages 11-15 years. $70/session. Registration required at www.parksandrec.fun/camps. More info: 386-986-2323.
♦ July 20-21: "Sleeping Beauty," at the Daytona Playhouse, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., Adults $13, Seniors 55 and up, $18, Youths 18 and under $7. Address: 100 Jessamine Blvd., Daytona Beach, or see directions here. Buy tickets online here. Box office: 386-255-2431.
♦ July 22:

The Flagler County Stamp and Coin Club meets at 4:30 p.m. at the VFW Post 8696 47 N. Old Kings Road. From 4:30 - 6 p.m. the time is used for buying, selling and trading stamps and coins. The club meeting starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 7:30. There is a live auction of stamps and coins at the end of the meeting. The club is open for members, the general public, and all who are interested in stamp and coin collecting and investing. Free stamps and coin evaluations at all our meetings. The club is the only non-profit Stamp and Coin Club in Flagler County. For more information please visit the club's web site.
♦ July 22: Nar-Anon offers hope and help for families and friends of addicts. Every Monday, 6 p.m., St. Mark by the Sea Lutheran Church, 303 Palm Coast Pkwy NE, Palm Coast, Fellowship Hall Entrance. See the website, www.nar-anon.org, or call (800) 477-6291.
♦ July 23: Flagler County is hosting a ceremonial signing of its beach renourishment agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers at 2 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Government Services Building. Commission Chair Donald O’Brien and Jacksonville District Commander Colonel Andrew Kelly will make a few opening comments about the 2.6 mile 10-foot dune and beach profile extension in Flagler Beach. They, along with County Attorney Al Hadeed, will sign four copies of the final agreement. The 50-year, $100 million project is largely unfunded but will depend on Flagler County to secure half the money. The federal government would assume the other half. It applies to only 2.6 miles of beach in Flagler Beach. See: "Flagler About To Sign 50-Year, $100 Million Deal to Rebuild 2.6 Miles of Dunes in Flagler Beach. It Has Only a Fraction of the Money."
♦ July 23: The Flagler County Opioid Task Force meets at 6 p.m. at the Flagler County Public Library, 2500 Palm Coast Parkway. The task force will meet the fourth Tuesday of every month at the library through November.
♦ July 24: A meeting of Facing Grief Together, formerly known as Compassionate Friends, is scheduled at the Vitas Office at 4 North Old Kings Road (across from Kentucky Fried Chicken) in Palm Coast. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. Facing Grief Together, a nonprofit self-help bereavement support organization for families that have experienced the death of a child. The meeting is open to all parents, grandparents, and siblings over age 18 who has suffered the loss of a child of any age. For more information, call John Brady at 610-428-3139. To learn more about Facing Grief Together, visit their national website at www.compassionatefriends.org.
♦ July 25:

Carolyn Gosselin, Vice President of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, is the featured speaker at the Flagler Chamber's Common Ground breakfast, 8 a.m. at the Palm Coast Hilton Garden Inn, 50 Town Court. Registration is required by July 19. Members can preregister for $25, Guests and future members can attend for $35. No walk-ups.
♦ July 27: Tour de Palm Coast: Ride along the scenic route of St. Joe Walkway on this free tour. The tour will begin leaving promptly at 8 a.m. from the Palm Coast Community Center. Riders are encouraged to bring water, and all riders must wear a helmet.
♦ July 27: First Aid and CPR/AED, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Fire Station 25, 1250 Belle Terre Pkwy., Palm Coast. This class is a seven-hour course (one hour for lunch) designed to meet OSHA regulations and teach administering CPR to children and adults, using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), using a mask or barrier device, assisting with bleeding, broken bones. $50/person with registration required by 9 a.m. June 27. Register at www.parksandrec.fun/adults. More info: 386-986-2300 and cprcertification@palmcoastgov.com.
♦ July 27: The Flagler County Chamber of Commerce and the Palm Coast Area Council invites you to a small business development workshop. With Thaddeus Hammond, Economic Development Director of the SBA North Florida District, a leading expert in developing small businesses as guest speaker. 5 to 7 p.m., The Windsor of Palm Coast, 50 Town Ct, Palm Coast. Chamber Member: $15 per person, Guest and Future Chamber Member: $25 per person. Contact Melinda Rivera at 386-437-0106 or send her an email at melinda@flaglerchamber.org.
♦ July 29-Aug. 2: Monday-Friday, July 29-Aug. 2, 8 a.m-5 p.m. at Palm Coast Aquatics Center, 339 Parkview Drive. Love art? Come enjoy a week where you can let your creative side take flight. Campers will spend their days creating, drawing, sketching, painting and more! Of course, we’ll go to the pool and play some games, too. Lunch is provided at no extra charge by the Flagler County School District. For grades 6-8 (grade just completed). $80/entire week. Registration required at www.parksandrec.fun/camps. More info: 386-986-2323.
♦ July 29: Nar-Anon offers hope and help for families and friends of addicts. Every Monday, 6 p.m., St. Mark by the Sea Lutheran Church, 303 Palm Coast Pkwy NE, Palm Coast, Fellowship Hall Entrance. See the website, www.nar-anon.org, or call (800) 477-6291.
♦ July 31:

An evidentiary hearing twice postponed is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in the case of James McDevitt, who is serving a 40-year prison sentence in the 2015 rape of a woman in Flagler Beach, has been postponed to July 31. McDevitt pleaded guilty to the rape charge, but is now claiming ineffective counsel by two successive lawyers and is seeking to have the conviction and sentence vacated. The hearing is before Circuit Judge Terence Perkins in Courtroom 401 at the Flagler County courthouse. Perkins has reserved one hour for the hearing. The hearing had originally been scheduled for early April. McDevitt's lawyer asked for it to be rescheduled because of an emergency family issue (regarding the lawyer's family). It was again postponed to May 17. McDevitt has been at the Flagler County jail since April 4, awaiting the proceeding. He is normally incarcerated at Taylor prison in Perry, in Florida's Big Bend area. See details here.

For events beyond this date, see the fuller Coming Days here.

To include your event in this section, please email the details, including date, time, a brief description of the event, contact information, and, if you wish, an image, please use this form.

The Day’s Best Reads:

Record 65 million people displaced in 2016: UN https://t.co/l0WI25vDhp

— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) June 19, 2017

Recent immigrants are more educated than Americans in 26 states https://t.co/b2ONFNOtNP

— The Economist (@TheEconomist) June 19, 2017

Jesse Lee Peterson says that the Democrats who prayed before the congressional baseball game were praying to Satan. https://t.co/r78LvgqA4N

— Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) June 19, 2017

Being a writer in prison: Dean Faiello finds daily meaning through the act of writing. https://t.co/GO7RRFq3ne pic.twitter.com/pq8er4r9nn

— Literary Hub (@lithub) June 5, 2017

In a harrowing new book, Edward Luce argues that liberal democracy "is facing its gravest challenge" since WWII:https://t.co/POOHkV1aDG

— Michiko Kakutani (@michikokakutani) June 19, 2017

A Twitter List by PierreTristam

Palm Coast Construction and Development Progress Reports

The following is an update of ongoing permitting, construction and development projects in Palm Coast, through June 8 (the city administration’s full week in review is here):

Road and Interstate Construction:

Florida Department of Transportation Road Project List

Cultural Coda:

From WQXR in New York: ““Down in the River to Pray” is a fantastic song. Maybe you know it from Alison Krauss’ beautiful rendition in 2000’s O Brother Where Art Thou, a film that also boasts one of the greatest soundtracks of all time.) It’s a simple melody, and its calming lyrics act as a balm for the soul. That serenity translates pretty well to baritone and bass brass, as the The University of Texas Tuba/Euphonium Studio demonstrates in the featured video. Many orchestra’s don’t typically need a combination of 11 tubas and euphoniums — let alone to carry the melody — so we’re very happy to see them take center stage. Not much is known about the history of this song. In 1867’s Slave Songs of the United States, an early effort to compile the spirituals and work songs of the country’s recently emancipated population, “Down in the River” (titled “The Good Old Way”) is classified as a song of the “Inland Slave States” (Tennessee, Arkansas, and the Mississippi River). It’s also attributed to a certain George H. Allan. However, Allan was almost certainly not the composer. Like many folk tune compilations, the contribution here is most likely the work of a transcriber who simply wrote down what they heard.”

Down in the River to Pray: University of Texas Tuba/Euphonium Studio