Tuesday Briefing: Meet the Candidates in Flagler Beach, Suicide Prevention, Bowling Trial, Palm Coast Manager

flagler beach city elections — The Flagler Woman’s Club hosts a Meet the Candidates night with the four candidates in the March 5 election. From left, incumbents Jane Mealy and Rick Belhumeur, second-time challenger Paul Eik, and newcomer Deborah Phillips, a business owner in town. See details below. (© FlaglerLive except for Phillips’s picture, provided by Phillips)

Today:: Cooler. Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Highs in the upper 60s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Details here.
Today’s document from the National Archives and the Astronomy Picture of the Day.
Today’s tides: at the beaches, at the Intracoastal Waterway.
Drought Index: 92
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day: prestigious.
The Live Community Calendar
Today’s jail bookings.

Today’s Briefing: Quick Links

First Light
In Flagler and Palm Coast
Flagler Jail Bookings and Last 24 Hours of Incident Reports
Flagler Beach A1A Construction Updates
US 1-Old Dixie Highway Roundabout Construction Updates
Announcements
In State Government
In Coming Days in Flagler, Palm Coast and Beyond
Fact-Checking the Knaves
Palm Coast Construction and Development
Cultural Coda

“When I was young I read interviews with writers with avid interest. I wasn’t looking for a method, I don’t think; what I wanted to find out was rather what it took. A pattern, a common denominator: what makes a writer a writer? Now I know that all writers are amateurs, and that perhaps the only thing they have in common is that they don’t know how a novel, a short story or a poem should be written. This fundamental uncertainty creates the need for habits, which are nothing other than a framework, scaffolding around the unpredictable.”

–From Karl Over Knausgaard’s “Winter.”

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.

In Court: A new trial continues with opening arguments at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 401 at the Flagler County courthouse in the case of Michael Bowling, the 47-year-old Palm Coast man accused of molesting a 15-year-old girl in a closet during a sleep-over, as the girl was visiting her friend–Bowling’s step-daughter. Bowling also faces accusations of raping his step-daughter, but those charges are to be tried separately. Bowling was tried on just the molestation charges in December. The trial ended in a mistrial.

The Flagler County School Board meets in workshop at 1 p.m. in training room 3 on the third floor of the Government Services Building, Bunnell, and at 6 p.m. in a meeting in board chambers at the GSB. The workshop will update board members on the district’s safety plan.

The Palm Coast City Council meets at 9 a.m. at City Hall at Town center.

The Palm Coast City Council holds a special meeting as part of its city manager search, 6 p.m. at City Hall at Town Center. Council members are narrowing down their search based on more extensive backgrounding of their short-listed candidates, including cover letters, resumes, written questions, and a video questionnaire. The candidates’ full package is here. The video questionnaires are available in the City Clerk’s office.

The Flagler County Economic Opportunity Advisory Council meets at 9 a.m. in board chambers at the Government Services Building, Bunnell. An agenda for that meeting was not posted at the county’s website.

The Flagler Woman’s Club hosts a Meet the Candidates night at 7p.m. at 1524 S. Central Avenue in Flagler Beach. Four candidates including two incumbents are running in the March election to the Flagler Beach City Commission: incumbents Jane Mealy and Rick Belhumeur, second-time challenger Paul Eik, and newcomer Deborah Phillips. See the background story here.

The Matanzas High School band is in concert at 6 p.m. at Matanzas.

A State Built on Slavery: The Daytona State College Foundation’s Wisdom in Senior Education (WISE) program: Advanced Technology College (ATC), 1770 Technology Blvd, Daytona Beach, Multipurpose Room (Rm. 109), A State Built on Slavery West Florida – The Sequel. When England won Florida from Spain there were two distinct areas – West Florida and East Florida. So different in ideology and lifestyle that at one point England considered them to be the 14th and 15th original colonies of America. Life, culture and attitudes toward slavery were so different in each region that it was hard to imagine them part of the same state. The west under Spanish influence embraced the Americans, while the East, ruled by the English, cruelly enslaved them. Presented by Dr. Nancy Duke. The Foundation created the WISE program to provide continuing education and cultural enrichment activities to senior members of the community. WISE is open to anyone age 50 or older, for $30 for an individual or $50 per couple per year. Find a complete list of spring presenters at DaytonaState.edu/wise. For more information, contact Suzette Cameron (386) 506-4506, or [email protected].

COMMUNITY INPUT SOUGHT ON HEALTH ISSUES: Flagler county residents are being asked to speak up and voice their opinion on a variety of health-related topics through an online survey. The input from the community will be used to create health improvement plans to address community concerns and improve quality of life. The survey is online here countyhealthsurvey.com and is available in English and Spanish. Results of the survey provide the foundation of Community Health Needs Assessments, which are a collection of data used to inform communities and develop goals to improve health outcomes. Once the assessments are complete, they will be used to create three-year Community Health Improvement Plans for both Volusia and Flagler counties. The assessments are being conducted in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health in Flagler and Volusia counties, Flagler Cares, local hospitals and Volusia and Flagler county government. Residents, employers and community partners are encouraged to share this link and ask others to take the survey as well. The survey will close February 28, 2019. Please take the survey here.

Blood Donations: The Big Red Bus will be at the following locations this week (schedule your donation by going to the website and entering a Palm Coast zip code, then locating one of the venues below):

Tuesday: Sea My Home Realty, 4750 East Moody Boulevard, Bunnell, from 1:30 to 5 p.m.
Wednesday: Palm Coast Ford, 1150 Palm Coast Parkway, 9 a.m. to noon.
Wednesday: St. Thomas Episcopal Church Of Flagler County, 5400 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast, 1 to 4 p.m.
Thursday: Metro Diner, 250 Palm Coast Parkway, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday: Walmart, 174 Cypress Point Parkway, Palm Coast, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jail Bookings and Last 24 Hours' Incidents in Flagler, Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell


Jail Bookings, June 19-22 Sheriff's night shift incident reports, June 21 Sheriff's day shift incident reports, June 21 Flagler Beach's night shift incident reports, June 21 Flagler Beach's day shift incident reports, June 21 Bunnell police's night shift incident reports, June 21 Bunnell police's day shift incident reports, June 21
Previous and archived reports

Sources: Flagler County Sheriff's Office, Flagler Beach Police Department, Bunnell Police Department. This is Flagler County's only comprehensive, one-stop compilation of all local law enforcement's daily day and night shift commanders' reports.

Flagler Beach Is Open For Business: A1A Construction Update:

FlaglerLive is providing weekly updates to year-long construction on and near State Road A1A in Flagler Beach as the Florida Department of Transportation rebuilds a 1.5-mile segment from South 9th Street to South 22nd Street, and builds a sea wall at the north end of town. These updates are provided through DOT or local officials. If you have any relevant information or images, you’re welcome to email them to the editor here.

Segment 2 (South 22^nd Street to South 9^th Street) Project Update

Lane and Road Closures:

Residents are advised that several side streets will be closed at S.R. A1A to accommodate removal of barrier wall on Thursday, Feb. 14, from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- The contractor will close all side streets from South 19^th Street to South 13^th Street at S.R. A1A. Traffic will not be able to turn onto or off of S.R. A1A at those side streets.
- Local traffic will be able to access driveways on the side streets between Central Avenue and S.R. A1A.
Single lane closures with flagging operations will continue on this segment. Motorists are asked to use caution and be prepared to stop.

Dune Walkovers:

The project team has announced that reconstruction of the walkovers is tentatively scheduled to begin in fall 2019. This timeframe is based on the current work schedule. Please note the schedule may be affected by weather or unforeseen circumstances. All walkovers impacted by construction will be restored to their pre-construction condition. The project team is taking care to store materials for each walkover separately, and is taking photographs to ensure walkovers are reconstructed to the way they were before work began.

Please note that the walkovers must remain closed during construction for safety reasons. The walkovers had to be removed to accommodate the temporary pavement for the northbound travel lane that will be used during construction. Walkovers remain open to the north and south of the project.

Segment 3 (North 18^th Street to Osprey Drive) Project Update

New Traffic Pattern Starting Friday, Feb. 15:

The contractor will be shifting the travel lanes along S.R. A1A slightly to the west to accommodate work on the buried seawall.
- The new pattern will maintain one lane in each direction along S.R. A1A between North 18^th Street and Osprey Drive.
Single lane closures with flagging operations will be in place on Thursday.

Dune Walkovers:

The contractor will continue to remove dune walkovers as needed to accommodate construction of the buried seawall. The affected dune walkovers include both public and private walkovers between North 18^th Street and Osprey Drive. By contract, all affected dune walkovers will be reconstructed once work is complete to their pre-construction condition. The contractor is carefully removing and storing separately the existing materials for each walkover. Photographs also are being taken to document existing conditions and will be used to assist with reconstruction.

Please note that the walkovers must remain closed during construction for safety reasons.

The contractor has 300 days to complete the work.

See Also:

The proposed roundabout at the intersection of Old Dixie Highway and U.S. 1 is intended to drastically reduce the number of severe crashes at one of the county's most dangerous intersections. Two other such roundabouts are proposed for other dangerous intersections in Flagler. Click on the image for larger view. (DOT) — The proposed roundabout at the intersection of Old Dixie Highway and U.S. 1 is intended to drastically reduce the number of severe crashes at one of the county’s most dangerous intersections. Two other such roundabouts are proposed for other dangerous intersections in Flagler. Click on the image for larger view.
(DOT)

U.S. 1 and Old Dixie Highway Roundabout Construction Updates:

FlaglerLive is providing weekly updates to the planned 15-month, $4.1 million construction of a roundabout at U.S. 1 and Old Dixie Highway. The project started in late January and is scheduled for completion by spring 2020.

This week southbound U.S. 1 will be reduced to one lane and be shifted slightly west onto new pavement. Southbound U.S. 1 traffic heading to Old Dixie Highway will be directed to stay on southbound U.S. 1 and make a U-turn to return to Old Dixie Highway using northbound U.S. 1. Old Dixie Highway drivers heading to southbound U.S. 1 will have to turn onto northbound U.S. 1 and make a U-turn to access southbound U.S. 1. Later this week, northbound U.S. 1 will be reduced to one lane and shifted west onto the existing southbound side of the roadway. Once this shift is made, U.S. 1 will have one lane in each direction through the project area. The speed limit will be reduced along U.S. 1 through the construction zone, and drivers are asked to be alert and use caution when traveling through the work area.

More details here.

See Also:

Announcements:

Flagler Beach Citizens Academy: Eight consecutive Wednesdays beginning on March 6, 2019, running through April 24, 2019, from 2 to 5 p.m. Learn all there is to know about the history of your city, how your government works and is financed, and the responsibilities of staff and elected officials. Tour your city’s recreational, first responder, library, and public works facilities. Discover plans for the city’s future and opportunities for resident involvement. These sessions are open to anyone residing within the City of Flagler Beach. There will be a limit of 20 participants. Registration applications are available at City Hall, Building Department, Library, Police Department, Fire Department and on our City’s website (www.cityofflaglerbeach.com). All applications must be received by February 22, 2019. Jane Mealy, Commissioner City of Flagler Beach PO Box 70 Flagler Beach, FL 32136 You will then receive a detailed schedule of the sessions and where each will be held. If you have any questions, contact Jane Mealy at: 439-4811 [email protected].

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.

TAX ISSUES ON TABLE: The House Ways & Means Committee will receive a presentation about Florida’s corporate income tax and federal tax reform. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM AT ISSUE: The Senate Health Policy Committee will consider a series of bills, including a proposal (SB 366), filed by Sen. Oscar Braynon, D-Miami Gardens, that would expand a needle-exchange program for intravenous drug users. Braynon filed the measure to build off a pilot program that has operated in Miami-Dade County in recent years. Under Braynon’s proposal, needle-exchange programs could operate across the state and be administered by hospitals, health-care clinics, medical schools, substance-abuse treatment programs or HIV and AIDS organizations. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SUICIDE PREVENTION EXAMINED: The House Health & Human Services Committee will hold a workshop on suicide prevention, with speakers expected from the Department of Children and Families, Florida State University and the University of Central Florida. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

PREEXISTING CONDITIONS EYED: The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee will take up a bill (SB 322), filed by Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, that would provide a contingency for people with preexisting medical conditions if the federal Affordable Care Act is ever repealed or invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill would require each health insurer and HMO in Florida to offer at least one major-medical insurance policy that could not exclude people because of preexisting medical conditions. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

CHILD ABUSE CHANGES SOUGHT: The Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee will consider a proposal (SB 128), filed by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, that would make changes in child-abuse laws, including addressing cases in which children die or suffer more-severe injuries because they were not properly restrained in vehicles. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

SANCTUARY CITIES DEBATED: The Senate Judiciary Committee will take up a bill (SB 168), filed by Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, that seeks to prevent “sanctuary cities” in Florida. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

BROWARD SHERIFF CASE CONSIDERED: Senate Special Master Dudley Goodlette will begin moving forward with an appeal by suspended Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, who was stripped of his post by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Goodlette, appointed as special master by Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, will hold a case- management conference. DeSantis last month suspended Israel, accusing the sheriff of “neglect of duty” and “incompetence” related to the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018. Israel requested a hearing from the Senate, which has the authority to remove or reinstate officials suspended by the governor. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

UCF SPENDING PROBED: The House Public Integrity & Ethics Committee will hold an investigative hearing on the University of Central Florida’s improper use of operating funds to pay for building projects. The Orlando-based university has faced investigations since an audit in September detailed the improper use of state operating funds to build Trevor Colbourn Hall. The UCF issues have also led to a broader look at how state universities are using money. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

CONSTITUTION REVISION PANEL TARGETED: The Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee will consider a proposal (SJR 362), filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that seeks to abolish the Florida Constitution Revision Commission. The 37-member commission meets every 20 years and has unique power to place proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot. But it drew criticism last year, in part, because it “bundled” unrelated issues into single constitutional amendments. (Tuesday, 2:30 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

DRONE USE CONSIDERED: The House State Affairs Committee will take up a bill (HB 75), filed by Rep. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, that would expand the circumstances in which law-enforcement agencies can use aerial drones. The bill would allow drones for such things as assisting in crowd control or traffic management. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

CELL PHONE USE AT ISSUE: The Senate Infrastructure and Security Committee will consider a proposal (SB 76), filed by Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, that would allow law-enforcement officers to pull over motorists for using cell phones while driving. The bill would prohibit texting, reading data or talking on wireless handheld devices while behind the wheel. Currently, texting while driving in Florida is prohibited, but it is enforced as a “secondary” office. That means motorists can only be cited if they are stopped for other infractions, such as running a stop sign or speeding. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

—-Compiled by the News Service of Florida and FlaglerLive

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

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A Twitter List by PierreTristam

Keep Up with Donald Trump’s attacks on the press through the ACLU’s running tab here.

Keep Up with mass shootings in a running database here.

Palm Coast Construction and Development Progress Reports

Here’s a summary of the latest city developments as of Feb. 15, 2019, with a link to the full week in review here.

Click to access week-in-review-feb-15-2019-developments.pdf

Cultural Coda

J.S. Bach: Trio Sonata in E-Flat Major, BWV 525, Doug Marshall, Organ