This time, it’s final: there will be no fireworks off the Flagler Beach pier on July 4.
The Flagler Beach City Commission Thursday evening killed the possibility as Mayor Suzie Johnston said she would not sign a fireworks contract. She and commissioners cited unapproved changes to a fireworks contract since they had signed off their own approved version two weeks ago. Some, including the mayor, were angered by what they saw as procedural improprieties and lack of communication from the administration. And several were not comfortable with the vendor still not having proof of insurance.
Commission Chairman Ken Bryan and Commissioner Jane Mealy were still willing to give Ryan Allen, the Green Cove Spring-based pyrotechnics producer, seven days to make good on his promises. But when Mealy made a motion to that effect–to sign the agreement pending cancellation of the agreement without proof of insurance–she got no second. The motion died, and with it the possibility of July 4 fireworks.
That means the Flagler Beach pier will be dark of fireworks the night of Independence day for the third year in a row, and could be dark for many more years than that as the city is preparing to demolish the old pier to make room for a new, concrete structure. That’ll take several years.
It was the unsurprising culmination of six dreadful weeks of zigzagging promises, backtracking and halfhearted hopes that a show could be pulled off since City Manager William Whitson revealed to the commission in late April that the administration had sought to book its usual show with Fireworks by Santore too late in the season to secure the July 4 date. That started a scramble for other vendors.
Allen’s Island Outdoor Management–a lawncare company within which he was “doing business as” North Florida Pyrotechnics–emerged as an option, largely on Allen’s enthusiastic pledges of a “spectacular” show. But Allen then backtracked, said he couldn’t do a Santore-like show for $24,000, then agreed to do a modified show for that amount, then raised the cost to $25,000, and all along never produced proof of insurance, though on Thursday evening Whitson assured the commission there was a letter indicating it was a matter of time before he’d get the insurance. (See the letter here.)
For some commissioners and the mayor, however, the back and forth, and especially the changes to the contract they’d approved two weeks ago, revealed other issues that went beyond Allen. The mayor is reserved and measured at most meetings. But when she sees something seriously amiss, she does not leave doubt about her opinion.
“Wednesday I was here for a finance meeting was again given the contract asked to sign it,” Johnston said, retracing her timeline. “It wasn’t until I inquired about any changes I was let known that the contract was changed. The price was increased. The time was reduced. I’m not comfortable, and I’m not going to sign a contract that’s been modified and not told. That was an agreement that this body in this condition came to upon price and time. It was changed without this body’s notification, without their permission or input, and it leads to me to start to believe about procedures for contracts. I’m not comfortable changing the procedure of how this body works. And I’m not comfortable with the city manager changing how the procedures of contracts work. So as long as I’m going to sit in this chair as a mayor for the city, I’m not going to sign a contract that has been altered without commission consent. So you, this body here, can sign the contract. But I will not put my signature on it. I’m sorry.”
Bryan did not see the alterations as deal-breaking since the total amount appropriated for fireworks was originally $25,000, with a grant from the Tourist Development council. The city manager has authority to approve any contract on his own, up to $20,000. Bryan saw the alteration of the contract as dealing with $1,000. Nor did Whitson, who said the extra $1,000 was to find additional materials for the show. “And so there’s a slight uptick in the price for that. Everything’s going up,” Whitson said. “So I didn’t see that being a big deal to change the price from 24 to $25,000. I’m sorry if I offended the mayor or this board, but I did not see that as a significant change. So I will take responsibility for that.”
Whitson said he also did not see the three-minute difference in the show as significant, and that it could be addressed by stretching out the show.
But the notification issues were also in contention. “I’ve never heard of a contract being changed that the commission has agreed on without commission’s consent. Never have I ever heard of it,” Commissioner Eric Cooley said.
“Well, I agree with that. But I think it also goes back to how much authority we have given the city manager,” Bryan said. “I’m not being defensive, defending anyone here, I’m just trying to look at the principle of it. How much authority had we given our city manager authorization to approve” without commission intervention. “In this particular situation here he uses authority to exercise a decision to spend an extra $1,000.”
“City manager does not have any right to change commission contracts,” Cooley said sharply. “We’ve gone through this with real estate. Y’all been here when we sold property. If we are giving the city manager bargaining rights, then we stated clearly: we will go up to, or we will go to here, and we define the parameters. Then the city manager negotiates within those parameters.”
“This is why I asked what was the the amount that was totally allocated for the fireworks, which was the $25,000,” Bryan said, considering the final number still within that frame. “I’m talking about getting the job done here. You know: do we want fireworks or not? That’s the bottom line.”
“Not from this guy,” Cooley said, later elaborating on the recent history and the “red flags” from the vendor describing a different show than originally promised. “This guy has done bait and switch the entire time we’ve been doing business with him. I’ve called it on every single solitary meeting. I’ve asked for a backup every single solitary meeting for the fireworks provider. It is going to be a waste of our taxpayers money to do business with this guy. That is my opinion and my prediction.” He added: “If we have to choose bad fireworks over no fireworks, I’m thinking none.”
Commissioner Deborah Phillips described herself as “torn” over the matter. She conceded that the changes to the contract were minor, but was not comfortable with the process. “So I think at this point, I’m going to have to say that I think we need to not have a firework display this year.” Commissioner James Sherman, who spoke by phone–he was ill–said he was “let down” by the process. He said he’d lost sleep over the issue, but did not feel it was in the city’s best interest to risk going forward with Allen.
“It is disappointing that it appears that the vote is going to go with a no show,” Bryan said.
Scott Spradley, the Flagler Beach attorney who headed the city-appointed advisory committee on fireworks and Independence Day events (it concluded its work with a report in January, recommending to move forward with fireworks within certain parameters), had raised questions about the city’s handling of this year’s fireworks for weeks.
“I want to make it clear to anyone who has not been following this aware that this was not a Flagler Beach City Commission fail,” Spradley said on Friday. “ Problem one was when city management failed to hire the proven vendor, Santori, After the City Commission approved 4th of July fireworks. Everything since then has been an attempt to find a leftover vendor and that was unsuccessful. And this was not the City Commission’s fault either. While Mr. Whitson did the best he could with what was left, it did not work. The vendor made a bid, it was approved, the contract was written and sent to him. And here we are 3 weeks later with essentially a counter offer from the vendor to his own bid, which the City Commission rejected. And that’s basically it.”
It was not as simple as waiting yet another seven days for proof of insurance, Spradley said, considering the extent of preparatory work and staffing necessary if fireworks were to be held. “We are already less than a month from the event. Having the police chief and others sit on the sidelines wondering if they are going to have to staff the event makes no sense and is not fair to those trying to make 4th of July plans. Moreover, [we] are dealing with an unproven vendor who continues to change his mind on virtually everything. So in my view the City Commission made the responsible decision last night.”
Skies will not be entirely dark the weekend of Independence Day: Palm Coast has scheduled its own show on July 3, this time at the Flagler County airport, produced by Fireworks by Santore.
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Jimbo99 says
I’m sure pet owners are thankful for that.
Mark says
Doesn’t faze my dog one bit, he enjoys them.
Dennis C Rathsam says
My show will go on over Matanzas Lake on the 4th as planed. Many of my neighbers pitched in and we will have a great show starting at 9pm. I will light up the skys over the lake for a 1/2 hour. This is our 9th celibration, since I moved to L section. Every year it gets biger and better. Special thanks to all my contributers,& friends!
Ronny says
That does sound awesome and please be careful. To me it really sucks that between Flagler beach Flagler county and city of Palm Coast they could all sit down and make a plan for the airport plenty of room there controlled traffic in and out just ashamed that all the politicians can’t get it together and make all of us happy not only on Independence Day but everyday. I served a total of 30 months in south east Asia. I just would say I have seen enough of them you could also stay home and watch Washington DC or even New York City from lower Manhattan on your big screen. What ever you do just please stay safe
The Voice Of Reason says
don’t think the airport would be safe for fireworks or any other event. It’s not an executive airport. It’s a FLIGHT SCHOOL airport with most flights originating and ending at Daytona Airport. These ENDLESS Cessna 172 planes spew a constant dusting of leaded exhaust upon the airport and surrounding neighborhoods. 90% of their activity are touch and go operations. There’s a reason autos stopped using leaded gas LONG ago. The exhaust is toxic to all and especially to young children and harm their cognitive development resulting in reduced iq’s and learning difficulties. The FAA and EPA are 100% aware of it and all drag their feet getting rid of leaded gas in flight school planes. It’s a dirty industry where the vast majority of students are foreign students with a success rate comparable to AA, not good. Frankly, this airport should be shut down. It’s a glorified toxic waste dump. Have your fireworks somewhere else. Don’t believe me, look up effects of leaded gas used by the Flight school industry. Companies like Embry Riddle, Phoenix East Aviation and their numerous derivative names, University of North Dakota Aviation Schools, etc… The effect of leaded fuel exhaust is similar to Flint Michigan water. Parents around the Flagler airport, look up this issue. Your children are breathing this polluted air. Look up Reid Hillview Airport in San Jose Ca, an airport comparable to ours. There are LOTS of airports around here, Daytona. Ormond Beach, Palatka, Deland, Spruce Creek, St Augustine. Flagler has the vast majority of air traffic from Daytona’s flight school industry. Frankly they’re crapping on us. 9/11 was a result of our flight school industry in the good old USA.
Gina Weiss says
Voice of Reason: Embre Riddle and Phoenix East are at least trying to do their best and has been with our voluntary noise abatement and fly friendly procedures. The new outlaws in town which has been
hammering over our communities are BRAVO LEASING and DOLPHIN with BRAVO LEASING being the worst. Maybe their their CEO’S from Pennsylvania will take a look and see this and have some shame left in their makeup instead of money and greed.
JohnX says
I’m ok with that. If it had gone forward and was a crappy show or the pier caught on fire or any number of problems from a half assed promoter, they would have been blamed also.
The dude says
Fauxtriotism is messy and expensive.
Who needs this little show of coerced patriotism anyway?
Oh wait, the fascists do to distract attention from their war on democracy, decency, and keeping kids in classrooms safe.
Anthony says
We all saw that coming.
Duncan says
Good call by the Commission! A small fireworks show would have been nice, but not at the risk level proposed.
This was a Ryan Allen disaster in the waiting! No proof if insurance is a non-starter, not to mention lack of confidence in the Vendor ability.
Ryan Allen should be ashamed of himself!
Gina Weiss says
I don’t understand this city manager saying that this person is still trying to get insurance???? HELLO you mean that he still doesn’t have insurance to put on a firework event which is less than 1 month away???? Has he done other shows without insurance???? And this city manager still supports him and has faith in him???? This city manager makes changes to a contract and doesn’t inform the Mayor or commissioners???? Sloppy work Whitson! And furthermore, it’s not the Mayors or comissioners fault if there wasn’t a firework display during COVID crisis and the Pier was dark during that time they shouldn’t have to make up for it to put on a risky event.
Karma Chameleon says
Wait, the City Manager can’t just do whatever he wants? Well, that’s interesting. I wonder if Mr. Whitson knew that or just disregarded the fact out of disrespect?
The ORIGINAL land of no turn signals says
Stand tuff, the city would have handed them a blank check after all it’s only taxpayer money.
Ann says
They said a year ago they didn’t want fireworks!!
They didn’t want all the people and their trash there!!
What are they going on about all this story for now 🙄
Robin says
First off you spelled Santore wrong its not santori second Santore and sons has been in this town forever I know because I worked there when I was younger why are we not supporting our local business??? You shouldn’t have to think twice about which company to go with. I get that he was to late to book them but my confusion is why are you not on a continual contract with them for fireworks each year?? They are a big staple to this town and are part of the history of Flagler county why would even chance not having them shoot the best show you will ever see?? Stupid .. stop being cheap and start supporting local business for once.
KL says
Fireworks are a tradition on the pier. I have been here for 2o years. This place gets worse every year. In case you don’t know it this beach and pier is called “FAILURE Beach”. I think if you start now MAYBE will have fireworks next year. WAKE-UP. That whole area down there has a lot to be desired.Meetings,meetings and more meetings .
Realist says
MY family will not be in Flagler Beach for the 4th of July. Tradition broken.
Kassiem Gibson says
With all the things you could possibly take away after so much has been take away already, the one thing you managed to to is remove……is fireworks…… on the forth of July while you guys trapes up to St Augustine or fly elsewhere and watch them. This is Diet America with a terrible after taste.
elizabeth cutler says
she sounds like a good mayor… no insurance, no contract!
Motherworry says
Yeah, that was a very good position for our Mayor to take. Glad somebody is paying attention and has the brains to say enough is enough.
FireMan says
I am surprised no one has mentioned how Flagler Beach fought Palm Coast about having 4th of July Fireworks . That should be the real story about this. How Flagler Beach has totally screwed this entire thing up. At the end of the day, the only reason that NOWHERE in the area we will have fireworks ON THE 4TH OF JULY is because of inept administration of THE CITY OF FLAGLER BEACH. Thank you Flagler Beach for totally dropping the ball. Going forward, I am totally in favor of Palm Coast holding the event.
JimBob says
You need to boycott Flagler Beach. That’ll teach them uppity beachsiders a lesson.
KL says
Trust me there is nothing uppity about beachside in Flagler.
BeachLover says
Best 4th of july ever! No loud fireworks to scare my dogs. No Idiots parking on my properties and blocking my driveways.
With the pier being removed hopefully this will kill the fireworks for good…
Good Riddance!