By Mike McElroy
I read with great interest–and some amusement–renewed discussion of a charter review for Palm Coast. The issue was raised earlier this week by a citizen at a very recent Palm Coast City Council meeting. For those who do not recall, back in May of this year, Councilman Steve Nobile proposed a citizen commission be appointed to take a look at the Charter. This was met with little apparent public support and, with the exception of Nobile, no support from city government or his colleagues.
In the discussions and comments that followed the May meeting, there was, at least on the part of a few, a concern that behind the review proposal was the Ronald Reagan Assembly of Flagler County. Wild speculation ensued about the RRR’s motives for supporting such a review. A few of these included elimination of non-partisan elections, the overthrow of city government, a commission stacked with RRR drones, and heavens knows what else.
No matter the reasons ascribed to the Assembly for wanting the charter review, the accusations don’t hold much water. First, Nobile proposed the review and asked if any Ronald Reagan Assembly members supported such a position. If they did, he requested they attend the council meeting to express their views. Full disclosure: as president of the Ronald Reagan Republican Assembly, I sent a note to members asking them to attend the meeting if they supported a charter review. Very few did attend. I was there, but did not speak as I am not a Palm Coast resident and really didn’t believe it was my place to express an opinion.
Implying that Nobile’s charter push is an effort to stack the city council with RRRs is termed absurd.
Although Steven is a member of the Assembly, he doesn’t attend many meetings and his views are his own. He isn’t the Ronald Reagan Assembly Councilman. He was elected by a majority of voters in the City of Palm Coast. Right or wrong, he is fulfilling his duties by attempting to represent his constituents and lead with ideas.
As to the ability of a lone councilperson to stack a citizen review committee appointed by the entire city council, well, it’s an absurd suggestion. Concerning the meat of the matter, does the city benefit from such a review? The question is best answered either by the people or by those elected to represent the voters.
One fact I would note is that during the sometimes vehement discussions in May, I believe that the legal counsel for the city identified at least one outmoded section of the Charter that might be in conflict with Florida law. It really is hard to fathom why leaders wouldn’t want to examine the Charter for archaic language or legal changes that affect the charter, or just because it’s a good idea. I have heard cost mentioned, but since it would be a panel of citizens volunteering their time, the expenses would relate to staff time and legal opinions that occur regularly in many legislative bodies.
Many municipalities do undertake a periodic review of their charter. Why not Palm Coast?
Mike McElroy, a retired law enforcement officer, is president of the Ronald Reagan Republican Assemblies of Flagler County.
Rich Mikola says
Denial is a river in Africa. This has always been a Ronald Reagan Republican Assembly issue and remains so. The first part of the letter claims ‘no support’ and the last paragraph supports it. The RRRA wingnuts support what’s good for the RRRA.
Anonymous says
So. Here’s your choice: Either the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing or they are lying. Either one, or both.
Layla says
Good question, seriously. I hope somebody will tell us. I hope those residents here will take a look at surrounding communities in Florida, learn a little something about charter reviews in other areas and ask the city the same question.
Don’t you think it bears an answer?
anon2 says
Layla, I have looked at communities across the United Stated that have been taken over by radical right groups like the Ronald Reagan Republicans and the results have been horrendous. What changes would you like to see in the Palm Coast charter?
YankeeExPat says
2014 RRRA Flagler Board Members
Mike McElroy, President
John Ruffalo, 1st Vice President
Bob Hamby, 2nd Vice President
Steve Wolfe, 3rd Vice President
, Secretary
Greg Hansen, Treasurer
Kay Afonso, Director
Bert Cordwell, Director
Vikki Hardley, Director
Dennis McDonald, Director
Ray Stevens, Director
Lisa Mrakovcic says
DO NOT VOTE FOR any candidate, running for any office, that gets endorsed by the RRRA!
Knightwatch says
Yeah, right!! Based on the antics of certain other RRRA members, I’m not buying it.
Layla says
And what do the other Republicans in Flagler support and why? Seems to me this is not a political issue but up to the citizens of this community.
Makes me extremely curious why some are so vocal about this.
Why do we not have the right to hear the pros and cons? Nobody has answered that question. Mr. Mikola, it’s obvious you have a grudge here. Now how about allowing the rest of us some answers?
Layla says
I’d like to hear that from the council and a mixed group of citizens, thank you. Isn’t this why we have NPAs? Again, I don’t see this as a party issue. Why are we being stopped from looking at this?
That’s my question.
Layla says
I don’t care if you want to list the complete member roster of MOVEON.ORG.
Tell this community WHY we are being denied a review.
PROS AND CONS, PLEASE.
Layla says
Actually, I’m considering not voting at all. The usual 15% or so show up at the polls to vote and the rest just stay home. Result: same old, same old. No wonder we can’t get businesses to move here; can’t even finish developing Town Center! How many old trees did we dig up to satisfy some rich property owner and developer? And for WHAT???
I think the lock on the elections may already have been accomplished by those in office here for years.
What have we got to show for it? Empty shopping centers, decaying neighborhoods, rising crime.
YankeeExPat says
This information is all publicly available online from the RRRA of Flagler County site. I would be glad to provide the “community” more for curiosity sake. Just a little transparency for the “community” !
RRRA Flagler Regular Meeting – Introduction of Members Running for Office
2/17/2014
0 Comments
Thank you to all who came out to meet the Ronald Reagan Republican Assembly of Flagler County members who are running for local offices in 2014.
Anne-Marie Shaffer
for Palm Coast City Council
District 2
Steven Nobile
for Palm Coast City Council
District 4
Michael McElroy
for Flagler County School Board District 4
Janet McDonald
for Flagler County School Board District 2
Dennis McDonald
for Flagler County Board of Commissioners
District 2
Mark Richter
for Flagler County Board of Commissioners
District 4
Carol Mikola says
Mr. McElroy, Steve Nobile is a member of your disgraced organization and, as such, he is not trusted by most of the community. It will take some time, if ever, for community members to trust him or his motives. You and your members have only yourselves to blame.
Bill says
And just what is so BAD about having a review of the city charter?? There may be some good ideas out there to improve the City. nowhere do I see that anything MUST be done if a review is done and a recommendation comes forward to add or subtract anything from it.
Please says
What is it that Netts and company want to hide and protect by not reviewing the City Charter. It hasn’t been done in 10 years. Any quality organization would realize that it is time….just do it. If there is nothing to hide, why not? Not everything that gets contested and brought out into the sunshine can be blamed on the RRR’s. Those responsible have to take ownership of their own blunders and screw ups.
Layla says
Ms. Mikola, exactly what did this organization do that has your nickers in a wad? Mr. Nobile is my councilman and as far as I am concerned, he is fine. I read nothing from you but personal attacks on this site.
So what is this really about? Would you care to give us some details?
Layla says
Thank you for some sanity, Bill. A review is only a review. All charters are reviewed periodically, except Palm Coast, apparently.
Sheesh!
stephanie Richards says
Rich Mikola- I am so happy to know you are proficient in geography, because you certainly take liberties with the truth when you spout of on local politics. The RRRA has NEVER had a City Charter review as a concern. You yourself are not a member of the RRRA and don’t know for certain what is discussed in a meeting. Unless you and your other friends are relying on 2nd hand information which has been stretched to the max. You and you wife delight in bashing this group week after week. If you need media attention so badly, try doing something positive for the community and stop condeming a group you know so very little about. Steve Nobile was voted into office by the voters of this county. There was NOT and is NOT an agenda he is following from the Reagans. Steve is an ethical and interested representative from what I have observed. He listens to the folks who elected him and takes interest in their matters. For you to get so flippin upset about a lousy little charter review is in my opinion funny as heck. Most businesses do a review of their documents every few years to insure they are still in compliance and have their fingers on the issues that could materialize to insure smooth operation and avoid thorough neglect of not viewing such doc’s place them in a position that could harm the community It’s the smart thing to do.
Edith Campins says
I find it ridiculous that Mr. Nobile claims citizens have asked him about doing a charter review. Most PC citizens know nothing about the charter.
Why do we need a charter review? What specifically are the concerns with the charter? If the RRR wants to change things, and yes I believe they are behind the push for a charter review, let them run their candidates and see what happens.
Let those who don’t care what it cost us to fight McDonald’s ill conceived law suit vote for him. Let those who don’t care that Richter is a lying bully vote for him.