Flagler County is ready to take over the Flagler Beach Fire Department, provide a higher level of service that would vastly improve the city’s fire insurance rating and lower property insurance rates, and net the city a $100,000 annual saving, not counting capital savings, but the city is not interested for now.
Flagler Beach City Commission
Sheriff Says Conversation With Flagler Beach Manager on Key Police Changes “Never Happened”
Flagler Beach City Manager Bruce Campbell told his city commission last week that Sheriff Manfre and Bunnell City Manager Armando Martinez had no problems with Campbell’s proposal to eliminate the police and fire chiefs’ positions. Martinez and Manfre dispute that, with Manfre sternly saying that he never had a conversation about the changes with Campbell.
Flagler Beach Plans to Eliminate Fire and Police Chief Posts, But Both Departments Survive
Flagler Beach City Manager Bruce Campbell wants to replace the fire and police chiefs with captains, and see them working the streets when necessary. The change, tentatively approved by the city commission, would eliminate high salaries but with proposed raises for the ranks, would only slightly lower payroll costs in the fire department, and raise them in the police department.
“That’s Crap,” McGrew Tells Fuego Del Mar Owner After Accusation of Business Unfriendliness in Flagler Beach
When Fuego Del Mar Restaurant owner Nicolas Kimball accused the city of wanting businesses to be successful only up to a point, Flagler Beach Commissioner Joy McGrew shot back, sharply and unapologetically, setting down a marker against repeated accusations of business unfriendliness.
Shupe and Carney Clash as Fire Merger Referendum Proposal Enflames Flagler Beach Commission
Flagler Beach City Commissioner Marshall Shupe questioned fellow-Commissioner Kim Carney’s honesty over talks with county officials on a potential fire department merger after Commissioner Joy McGrew proposed handing the matter to voters next March in a citywide referendum.
In Flagler Beach, a First Friday Flare-Up Derails a Hot-Rod Idea, Cautioning Businesses
Flagler Beach has been urging businesses to get involved in planning First Friday events. A restaurant owner did, only to see her initiative–a hot rod contest judged by commissioners–cancelled, costing her $1,000, over questions Commissioner Steve Settle raised about the legality of Commissioner Jane Mealy’s judging the auto contest.
Flagler Beach Bats Down Fire Department Consolidation, Agreeing Only to Ask Questions
Flagler Beach Commissioner Kim Carney’s proposal to formally ask the county for information on possible consolidation got no support but was replaced by a watered-down agreement to “ask questions” and have them answered by City Manager Bruce Campbell, through meetings with the county if necessary.
Flagler Beach’s Opposition to Fire Department Consolidation Costing Taxpayers $200K a Year
Consolidating the Flagler Beach Fire Department with the county’s would save $200,000 and vastly improve fire and rescue services in the city, argues Rick Belhumeur, yet the Flagler Beach City Commission has consistently scuttled debate on the issue while pretending to invite residents to offer cost-saving ideas.
Flagler Beach Snuffs Out Discussion of Combining Fire Department With County
Flagler Beach City Commissioner had placed a discussion of consolidating fire departments on the agenda of Thursday’s meeting, only to have City Manager Bruce Campbell pull the item. Carney put the commission on notice that she wasn’t done.
Bobby Pace, Acting Flagler Beach Fire Chief, Faces Felony Charge Over Falsified Records
Bobby Pace, installed as interim fire chief just seven weeks ago to replace Martin Roberts, who was fired, faces a felony charge of tampering with evidence and a misdemeanor charge for obstruction of justice. It is only the latest shock to a fire department riven by conflict that reaches into City Manager Bruce Campbell’s office.
U.S. Corps’ Cost to Rebuild 2.5 Miles of Beach: $39 Million and Up, Storms Not Included
The Corps of Engineers is favoring “renourishing” a 2.5-mile segment of beach from South 7th Street to South 28th Street in Flagler Beach five times through 2060 by rebuilding dunes and dumping 320,000 cubic yards of sand five times over, for $39 million. Adding another segment could add $30 million.
Between Flagler Beach and the County, a Clash of Visions Over Protecting an Eroding Shore
Flagler Beach and Flagler County may be heading toward a showdown over the fate of the eroding beach they have in common. Between now and then, the Flagler Beach City Commission itself may fracture on either side of an unresolved conflict between those opposed to protecting the beach by way of dredging up and dumping sand on it, and those willing to give that approach a shot despite its costs and uncertainties.
Steve Settle Is Named Chairman of the Flagler Beach City Commission on 5-0 Vote
Steve Settle is the new chairman of the Flagler Beach City Commission. He was elected unanimously Thursday evening by his fellow-commissioners (and himself). He replaces Jane Mealy, who’d served one year in the post.
Fuego del Mar Restaurant in Flagler Beach Spices Up Town’s Gastronomic Renaissance
Nicholas Kimball’s Fuego del Mar restaurant on A1A’s Oceanshore Boulevard in Flagler Beach is expected to employ 100 people and provide high wages to full-timers while burnishing the city’s growing reputation as the county’s destination for authentic, original, non-chain restaurants.
From Green to Red: With Golf Course Buy, Flagler Beach Fears Going Palm Coast’s Way
Flagler Beach officials are looking into whether the city should bid on the failed the Ocean Palm Golf Club course at a foreclosure sale, but they don;t want to repeat Palm Coast’s money-pit experience after that city bought the Palm Harbor golf course.
Not a Word on Fire Department’s Unraveling or Future As Flagler Beach Commission Meets
Business droned on as usual at the Flagler Beach City Commission meeting on February 28, with near total silence about an alcohol scandal that gutted this quaint oceanside city’s Fire Department. Neither city staff, nor elected officials talked about the firing of five Fire Department personnel after an independent investigation.
Between Firings and Wrist-Slaps: How the Flagler Beach Fire Department Was Gutted
Flagler Beach City Manager Bruce Campbell fired the fire chief and four others while retaining Acting Fire Chief Bobby Pace, who falsified records, after a three-day suspension. Volunteer firefighters were hired in the others’ place to ensure that the city remains protected.
An Insulted Flagler Beach Commission Rebuffs Holmberg’s Plan and Wants Its Money Back
The Flagler Beach City Commission Thursday was offended by the shoddiness and ill-mannered presentation of Dick Holmberg, who’d received $50,000 for an analysis of the shore’s erosion problem, and as a first step to a $10 million solution he was proposing. The city decided to cut its losses instead.
Cut-and-Paste: Holmberg Beach Study Falls Short of City Commissioners’ Expectations
A 42-page report by Dick Holmberg analyzing the Flagler Beach shoreline for potential installation of his “undercurrent stabilizers” to rebuild the beach’s sands drew severe criticism from city commissioners, who called it lacking, and not reflective of a $50,000 job, which the city was to pay for with county dollars.
As One Candidate Withdraws, Jane Mealy and Steve Settle Are Re-Elected in Flagler Beach
With the withdrawal of Oceanside Grill owner John Lulgjuraj, Jane Mealy and Steve Settle were automatically re-elected to the Flagler Beach City Commission, making the March 5 election unnecessary.
Drinking On the Job Aside, Investigation Finds a Broken Flagler Beach Fire Department
Four Flagler Beach firefighters, including the fire chief, broke the city’s zero-tolerance policy on drinking on the job, but the independent investigation broadened to find a severely dysfunctional fire department riven by cliques, lacking authority and pointing tio disturbing acts such as record falsification.
As Flagler Beach Sees a Fortune From Parking Fees, Locals See Only Alienated Tourists
Flagler Beach government could make up to $3 million over 5 years by turning its streets into revenue-generating parking slots, but the city manager’s proposal faces stiff-but not unanimous–opposition from local residents and businesses, who fear jeopardizing the city’s charms and its appeal to tourists.
Flagler Beach City Government Wants to Take Over July 4 Events, But Unsure How
Flagler Beach government, eager to replicate Palm Coast’s method of making money from special events, would take over July 4 festivities run until now by the chamber of commerce, but city commissioners are uncomfortable with a complete take-over.
Oceanside Co-Owner Lulgjuraj Joins Mealy And Settle in Flagler Beach Commission Race
Flagler Beach City Commission incumbents Jane Mealy and Steve Settle are being challenged by John Lulgjuraj, owner of Flagler Beach’s Oceanside Grill, in the March 5 election. Two of the three candidates will win.
The Funky Pelican Finally, Quietly Opens In Place of the Pier Restaurant in Flagler Beach
The Funky Pelican in Flagler Beach, a sister-restaurant of the River Grille in Ormond Beach, replaced–after protracted negotiations with the Flagler Beach City Commission–what had for years been the Pier Restaurant, which had long been in decline.
Flagler Beach Fire Chief and 3 Others On Leave as Drinking Allegations Trigger Investigation
Fire Chief Martin Roberts, Assistant fire Chief Shane Wood, firefighter Jacob Bissonette and Fire Police Captain Steve Wood have been placed on leave following now-acting fire chief Robert Pace’s allegations that they had drank at the station or answered a fire call under the influence.
As Flagler Beach Asks for Hand-Outs, A Commissioner Asks for Employee Raises
Flagler Beach City Commissioner Marshall Shupe proposed a mid-year raise or a $500 bonus for employees. Three commissioners rejected the idea, citing process and timing, including the recent lay-off of some employees. They could have also cited Flagler Beach’s hat-in-hand requests for money from the county'[s tourism council and from Palm Coast.
For Flagler Beach Manager Bruce Campbell, An Evaluation Only a Few Stars Shy of Glowing
Bruce Campbell, who was at the center of an 18-month controversy that finally ended in October 2011 with his permanent appointment as manager, came through his first full job evaluation as “outstanding,” assuring him of solid job security even from his two strongest critics on the commission.
Flagler Beach Kills Discussion on Amendment 4 as Property Tax Measure Divides Politicians
The quick death of the discussion item is a reflection of the polarizing effects of Amendment 4, which has ardent anti-tax advocates–including politicians elected on limited government platforms–rallying around it while some local government representatives strain to explain how it would short-change revenue.
Live, “Loud” Music Again Riles Flagler Beach Residents, Who Demand a Rule Rewrite
Two years ago it was Hurricane Patty’s. This time it’s Johnny D’s whose live music is that’s drawing the ire of residents. One Johnny D’s neighbor is asking the Flagler Beach City Commission to more strictly rewrite its noise ordinance. A workshop is scheduled for November to consider the request.