“Insufficient staffing, signage and other resources make a simultaneous fireworks display with Palm Coast unworkable, unsafe and unsound, and I have many reasons for that,” Scott Spradley, chairman of Flagler Beach’s Ad Hoc Committee on July 4, told the Flagler Beach City Commission Thursday evening.
Spradley, a Flagler Beach attorney, was responding to interest among three of the Palm Coast City Council’s members, expressed earlier this week, that the Palm Coast fireworks should no longer be held on July 3, though that’s been the tradition for more than a decade, since Palm Coast started having a fireworks show of its own. The show was started by Flagler Broadcasting and the Rotary Club in 2010 as an addition to, not as competition with, the Flagler Beach fireworks, and as such, the Palm Coast fireworks were to always be scheduled the night of July 3. (See: “‘You Had Me at 8-Inch Shells’: Palm Coast Would Shift Fireworks to Airport, But on July 4, Clashing With Flagler Beach.”)
Last year the Flagler Beach City Commission considered ceding the July 4 fireworks to Palm Coast. It appointed a committee to study the feasibility of continuing with fireworks, and other issues related to Independence Day events in Flagler Beach. The events’ growing attendance has been overwhelming the small city to some degree. The committee met nine times since August and completed its work. Spradley wrote the committee’s final report and presented it to the commission on Thursday–with the recommendation that the city’s fireworks shows continue.
He spoke as himself, not as a member of the committee, when he addressed the issue of simultaneous fireworks in the two cities, since the committee last met two weeks ago, before councilmen in Palm Coast made their surprising request. But based on the tenor of the Ad Hoc Committee’s discussions, Spradley was very likely reflecting what would have been the opinion of the committee as well. Either way, his voice carries weight with commissioners, he echoed his position in a detailed email to Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin on Jan. 11, and it was unlikely to find dissenters at City Hall.
“I have many reasons for that,” Spradley told commissioners of his opposition to simultaneous shows. “When we talk about the issue of law enforcement alone, it’s not just the Flagler Beach Police Department. It’s drawing on the Sheriff’s Department,” which in turn is drawing help from Bunnell and other agencies. “There’s not enough support to do that. I’ve heard some say, well, it’ll split the people. Half will go here, half will go there. I mean, I’m sorry. That’s not how it works. What are you going to tell the officer at the intersection, only half of you has to be here now because it’s only half? I mean, it doesn’t work that way.”
When Spradley spoke of his call with “senior staff at Palm Coast” (he was referring to Johnston) about moving the show to July 3rd, members of the city commission sneered at the idea, as did Spradley. “With the disclaimer that I don’t speak for the city of Flagler Beach, what I said was, I think the answer would be an unequivocal No, or an unequivocal Hell no,” he told the city commission.
“I anticipate that by next Tuesday’s city of Palm Coast meeting, which I’m going to attend, that hopefully that’ll be the end of that discussion. It doesn’t work. It just doesn’t work at any level you want to look at it, in my opinion,” Spradley said. “And again, because of the Sunshine Law I haven’t been able to talk to the committee members about it, but I will say I think it’s more likely than not that they would agree with me. I think the commission agrees with me. It’s just not something that could be done.”
In separate comments about the matter today, Sprdaley described it as a “logistical nightmare” if visitors to Flagler coming off I-95 were bifurcated by fireworks signs, one pointing to Palm Coast, the other to Flagler Beach. He said Altamonte Springs traditionally holds its fireworks show on an alternate day so as not to create traffic and safety management issues with Orlando’s fireworks. “There has been no compelling reason given to change the status quo,” Spradley said. “‘If it aint broke don’t fix it’ seems to have great application here.” Two Palm Coast council members who want the show on July 4 say that’s Independence Day. One of them, Ed Danko–a foe of Spradley’s–says holding the fireworks on July 3 is like moving New Year’s Eve celebrations to another day.
But while the calendar is rigid about New Year’s Eve, it is not so about Independence Day, with historians to this day debating whether the declaration of independence was (as opposed to the signing of the Declaration of Independence) was on July 2, as opposed to July 4. The Continental Congress voted to declare independence on July 2, and John Adams at the time thought that would be the day forever remembered. The Declaration was technically an afterthought, a sort of ratification that could be publicized, reprinted and memorialized, and it was completed and signed on July 4, and sent to the printer that day. Many communities’ stretching their Independence Day festivities over several days, in other words, are closer to the historical facts and actions of the founders than today’s calendar dogmatists.
It’s an indication of the sensitivity–or centrality–of the issue that while Spradley’s presentation to the commission was designed to provide a sum-up and end point to the committee he chaired, the matter of fireworks timing became the main event.
At any rate, the substance of the committee’s work was no secret to anyone in the room, as it had been reported and discussed before repeatedly, as the committee was developing its ideas. Spradley summarized the panel’s report–the diminishing parking on the island, the potential availability of over 700 new parking spots off the island, tied to shuttle buses, the coming mayoral campaign against underage drinking, the safety concerns and the need for the city to support as much law enforcement capabilities as possible during the event, the shortening of the parade, and of course the persistent desire to preserve the July 4 fireworks–on July 4. (In 2010, the city held them on July 3.)
Commissioner Jane Mealy praised the committee’s work, calling its report “outstanding, very detailed, covered everything that I think we needed to think about.” She had no questions: the report pre-empted them. But the detailed execution of the report is ahead.
“We’re not going to solve everything Fourth of July tonight,” Commission Chairman Eric Cooley said. “We’re going to need to have a agenda item where we do tackle all this.” He added later: “This is going to be a huge piece of the discussion that we have moving forward, which we’re going to do shortly, and this is a lot of insight. There’s a lot of data.”
There’s also been a lot of cooperation between Flagler Beach and Palm Coast administrations: “The acting city manager in Palm Coast, Ms. Bevan, has been in constant touch with me, she’s been great,” City Manager William Whitson said of Denise Bevan, the interim manager. “She picks up the phone and texts me and calls me on a regular basis and we have a very open and positive dialogue. Chief [Matt] Doughney has been amazing in this and is working directly with the sheriff himself. So I think we’ll have more information and we’ll be happy to put it on the next agenda if it’s ready for discussion. It really kind of, the ball is more in Palm Coast’s park, I would say.”
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Mark says
Palm coast is a joke, an empty hollow shell of a city with trash for leaders
Resident says
Let the issue go people and continue as usual. You’re trying to make a problem out of nothing. Work on something productive for the City of Flagler Beach, fixing flooding, trimming back bushes beside all stop signs so people can see (when did you stop doing that? talk about hazards) and extreme speeders on South Central. Please stop crying and let the police and sheriff’s offices handle it as usual. It’s especially embarrasing living over here with this commission.
A. Lewis says
I totally agree with you. You have speeders on Central all day long. They would rather sit at the base of the bridge for hours. Most of the time 2 cars. I can’t tell you the last time I seen a patrol car come down my street on S. Daytona Ave. as far as the fireworks are concerned just keep it at FB. In the last 3 years there have been 5 arrests in FB on the 4th of July. This guy Doughney is a JOKE! He brought all his buddies from Daytona Beach in and look at the the city now.
Dennis C Rathsam says
Sour Grapes Stadley…There,s a new biger and better plan in Palm Coast. Times are changing, who wants to put up with all that traffic? We can tailgate at the airport, bring our own food SAVE MONEY… A few rides for the kids would be super, maybe some food trucks…Make it the best 4th of July in Palm Coast history!
Mark says
Garbage ideas.
Soulless, spiritless, blood sucking ideas
Leila says
Yeah, sure… no traffic problem, no cops needed at the airport. Right. At the airport, traffic backs up all the way to I 95. You want all airport staff, and County officers to work on the 4th so that you have a place to go on July 4th. Nothing wrong with this picture.
Ever heard off the old fashioned family backyard barbecue?
Flagler county business says
Flagler beach will not let any mobile food truck or any mobile vendor in the Flagler beach city limits sept Kona and his trailer get away with it
Michael Van Buren says
As a retired Motor Sergeant that worked both events for well over 10 years, Palm Coast’s current plan is dangerous to the citizens, visitors, Law Enforcement, and Fire/EMS serving that night. We had a hard enough time staffing both events on two separate days, and Palm Coast Council now wants to compete? Not withstanding the law enforcement and Fire resources needed, did you have any idea that PCPW also supplies message boards, light towers and cones to assist Flagler Beach and law enforcement to help provide traffic control for their event. Not only did I use them while coordinating these events, I also worked many overtime hours as a Palm Coast Public Works Employee after my FCSO Retirement to fulfill this need.
You need to put your egos aside and realize the world does not revolve around Palm Coast or you!
And yes, I do agree with one thing presented. Town Center has not been a good venue for many years. The Palm Coast Tornado during the Christmas parade proved that as well as the evacuation and shelter was a nightmare. (And for the record, we did use Indian Trails Sports Complex one year for fireworks and it worked at the time)
Palm Coast City Council, it’s time to grow up and stop acting like a spoiled child that is mad and going to take his toys home if he doesn’t get his way.
I’ve already worked for that guy.
Roy Longo says
100% correct Mike. Let me add in recent years FireFlight has been used for traffic control in Flagler Beach. Let me see them divide FireFlight in half! There are thousands of cars headed west from Flagler Beach to get on 95 and now they want thousands of cars headed east from the airport to get on 95. Even with no accidents, 100 will be a parking lot for hours. Try getting emergency vehicle through that nightmare.
Concerned Citizen says
I can understand the consternation.
I’ve helped with 4th of July festivaties for years in the area. And it’s always hectic. Even with the best planning.
A lot of folks don’t realize the resources put in play to make it happen. Especially on the Public Safety side. You have to have extra coverage for Law Enforcement , Fire Rescue and Life Guards. You also have outside agencies come and assist. And the crowd size is not always predictable. It can be decent or enormous depending on weather.
I can remember when it took forever to clear the traffic after the event. Then Kevin Guthrie and Chief Doughney got Fire Flight (another expense but needed) involved. Having air support was a tremendous asset. Because then we could see what was going on. And establish a better plan. But then that incurs risks as well. Because the pilot and ground observers are watching for drones and lanterns. As well as supporting LEO”S on the ground.
I understand that folks want Fourth festivities. As a veteran I can appreciate them. But think of the nightmare of logistics on having multiple ones in the same area. On the same day. It’s not always about squashing your freedom. Sometimes it boils down to practicality.
bob says
Lets have independence from bridge toll for a day. A little give to the people while the take from flagler beach says you only want to be a bully for 364 days
Jimbo99 says
The July Palm Coast & Flagler Beach fireworks shows aren’t what concerns me the most, it’s the one’s around the neighborhood that launch their fireworks from the driveway and over other’s homes & wooded lots. I usually end up picking up spent fireworks casings from the yard & driveway. There’s always the possibility one lands on the roof as well. Flagler Beach fires theirs off over the ocean at the pier. The worst they can do is burn down the wood pier that’s going to be replaced with a concrete one anyway over the next couple of years anyway. As for the airport, that’s a no fly zone, so they would close down the airport for fireworks ? The Town Center lake area is almost too close to even be setting off the fireworks near the airport. I mean, if flashing a laser at a helicopter is illegal anywhere on the planet, exploding rockets red glare fireworks doesn’t make any sense either. That is, if safety is the reason of empowerment.
Michael Cocchiola says
It’s not all about Palm Coast. Regardless of our size and throw weight, we need to be good county citizens and there is no loss of prestige if we hold our celebration on the 3rd.
This is not a community fight we need to have.
Mythoughts says
Mr. Spradley thank you for voicing your concerns to have two firework shows at the same time. The major issue I have with it is the safety of our citizens and first responders. The City of Palm Coast Council doesn’t have an oz. of brains in their heads that don’t recognize this.
Once again thank you for speaking up.