The Palm Coast City Council today rejected a call by a former council candidate to cancel the city’s long-standing advertising contract with FlaglerLive in retaliation for a news article published soon after the shooting, and a subsequent opinion column that denounced activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, but also many of his views.
A majority of council members cited the site’s vast readership, its advertising reach for the city and its ROI, or return on a relatively modest investment to reject the call to cancel–at least not before an update on the numbers.
“This was brought up by Councilman Danko, I don’t know if it was last year, the year before, I can’t recall,” Council member Theresa Pontieri said, referring to former Council member Ed Danko’s attempt to cancel the contract, “but we did look at numbers at one point. And you know, love it or hate it, the medium does reach a lot of people. So to the extent we are trying to reach all members of our community, and I think we are, I don’t know that we should not advertise based on not agreeing with a viewpoint.”
Council member Ty Miller and Pontieri cautioned against the pendulum swinging to the other side, “to the extent there are other people in our seats later on who have different viewpoints than us, if they decide to not advertise with something that we may read in the future, and now we’re not getting access to our government information that we think we should get access to because they don’t agree with our viewpoint. I think that is a bad policy decision.”
She said if the ROI wasn’t there, the funding would be pulled, though that would be based on ROI, not content.
Today’s 14-minute discussion at the council was a faint if hoarse echo of a cancel-culture spree sweeping the nation since the Kirk assassination as dissent from prevailing Kirk orthodoxies on the right have led to fired teachers and professors, suspended or cancelled contracts, and threatened government prosecutions or deportations. The difference is that the council went against the grain.
“I know we’re not censoring but we’re just withholding advertisement dollars, but in a sense, it’s the same thing,” Miller said. “My view is that when someone has a disagreement with you that’s so incompatible, that there’s no conversation to be had, then ignore them and move on.” The city, he said, is compelled to advertise its events and information. It does not imply an endorsement. “And then, where does that stop? Because it could be somebody else up here making that same decision about you at some point in the future.”
Andrew Werner, who ran in last year’s council election and lost to Ray Stevens (Stevens won 58 percent of the vote after getting into the run-off by two votes; an earlier version of this article incorrectly reversed the sequence). Werner wrote Council member Dave Sullivan on Sept. 16, asking him “to make a motion to discontinue the city’s advertising with FlaglerLive” over a news article in the immediate aftermath of the Kirk assassination (“Shock, Sadness, Anxiety: Flagler County Leaders Grapple with Charlie Kirk Assassination, and Worry About What’s Next.”)
The 2,300-word article, characteristically verbose for FlaglerLive, included interviews with 10 local elected officials, business leaders, both major parties’ local presidents, the sheriff, and others reflecting on the assassination. The article included a brief summary of Kirk’s often radical views–a radicalism he championed–and a few national reactions.
Werner in his email to Sullivan, inaccurately claimed the article was “connecting [Kirk’s] death to him being an antisemitic [sic], connected Charlie Kirk to an organization he has no affiliation with in order to make it look like there will be a violent reaction without evidence.” (The article cited Kirk’s support for the so-called Great Replacement Theory, which has its origins in anti-Semitism; Kirk himself has not been documented to make anti-Semitic statements, but has raised alarms about migrants replacing white Americans.)
Werner also took issue with the article quoting Janet Sullivan, chair of the Flagler County Democratic Party, saying, “based on some of the comments that people had after this, I’m a little worried about going to work today.” Werner, referring to Janet Sullivan as “a local political affiliate” (he never named her) called reporting on Janet Sullivan’s fears “divisive rhetoric,” and asked Dave Sullivan to cancel the contract. (Dave Sullivan is not related to Janet Sullivan.)
Dave Sullivan rebuffed him by email, citing the site’s reach. “If you only focus on one side of the political spectrum you have no chance of convincing people to understand what is going on in all the various City activities,” Sullivan wrote Werner. “I personally strongly disagree with most of the positions that FlaglerLive puts out on politics and National news. Maybe one of the other PC Council members might want to bring up this issue but in my opinion it will cause more division and harm that good.”
Sullivan today called the opinion column “projection,” “disgraceful,” and “a horrendous article to write the time.”
Werner turned up at today’s council meeting to renew his call, this time seemingly citing Friday’s column, by Editor Pierre Tristam, which had also aired in part on WNZF, again repeating the false claim that “he called [Kirk’s] faith anti semitic” and for writing “extreme and divisive rhetoric. I, you know, I don’t think there’s a place for our city to be connected with talk like this.”
He had Mayor Mike Norris’s support, but no support from any of the other council members. “I started reading the article, and I got probably 500 words into the blah, blah, blah, which is usually typical with Pierre’s writings,” Norris said with unusual accuracy. He characterized it as just blogging, not news, though he added, “I follow FlaglerLive because like I said, some of his stuff, some information is factual, but when it gets down to his opinion and what he feels, you know, his view of the world is, to me, it’s garbage.”
When Norris started questioning FlaglerLive’s nonprofit status (“where’s the profit going? Are you feeding your family with it?” he asked. “Where is the money going?”) City Attorney Marcus Duffy intervened: “Mr. Mayor, I would advise you to move on.”
Steve Robinson, a retired journalist who chairs FlaglerLive’s board of directors, had heard today’s discussion at the council. “Contrary to the characterization of Pierre’s column as ‘Extreme and divisive’ and, as one councilman stated, ‘Disgraceful,’” Robinson said, “the column stated an essential fact, that ‘Condemning the Kirk assassination without qualifications is essential, as is condemning any assassination.’ Moreover, Pierre’s reminding us of the venom Kirk directed at his innumerable targets is grounded in indisputable fact–grounded in Kirk’s own words, words that Pierre painstakingly included in detailed footnotes.”
Robinson added perspective from 1968, the year of the Tet Offensive, the Prague Spring, and the assassinations of Marin Luther King and Robert Kennedy. “I, for one, am old enough to remember the words Ted Kennedy spoke of his brother Robert, four days after his assassination,” Robinson said. “The country in that spring of 1968 appeared just as divided as we our now. But even in the throes of grief Kennedy was brave enough to state, ‘My brother need not be idealized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life.’ Pierre’s column was an apt reminder to apply that truth to the present.”
Jake Scully says
I listened to the meeting and I think what I heard was along the lines of…
“I support the freedom of speech.
But because I disagree with this expression of free speech, I must therefore advocate for punishment of he who I purport to support.”
(Me again) – Punishment puts consequences on speech and therefore an infringement (if effective).
Free speech and freedom of the press is important to Right, Left, and Center.
But you are free to disagree.
Jim says
Kudos to Ty Miller and Theresa Pontieri for standing up for level-headed reasoning. If a right-leaning journalist wants to start a similar public service posting and has a similar base, have at it, and the city can advertise on it, too. I don’t always agree with the opinion pieces, but I find the “reporting” accurate. The weekly events are helpful. If you don’t like the opinions, don’t read them. Don’t censor them for everyone else. First amendment, free speech…
John Stove says
Whats the matter Andrew and Mike?…..cant stand the light shinning on the truth? Snow flake much?
When you collectively list all of the “Heroes” of the Republican party…..yikes what a rogues gallery it is, not to mention the orange faced buffoon who leads them.
Pogo says
@FlaglerLive lives
… and that’s a good thing.
Deborah Coffey says
Good for the Council! It’s all about free speech…and, every good American should approve of it if we want to live in a democracy. Advertising is not an endorsement of what is written in any publication. Let’s not confuse the two.
cynthia says
Happy to read that there was some sense in Flagler County. Happy Flagler Live will continue with important advertisers.
Just Saying says
Flagler Live is the Only reliable local news service. I’ve depended on it since I first arrived here just before Matthew. My take on it is – if you don’t like it don’t read it. But like a few other things that are going on right now in this country, don’t take away my right to do it. Judging from all the comments I’ve read over the years seems like a whole lot of people who don’t like it read it. Maybe they just like to complain.
t.o. Doug says
Every American is a staunch advocate of free speech when their own point of view is targeted for censorship.
What is revealing is how those same people act when they have the power. This is not a good look for Werner or Danko.
Joe D says
Wow…how does it feel Pierre (“Jimmy Kimmel”) Tristam…to be lumped together with Nationally recognized ( and currently controversial) media celebrities?!?
I read this article on the RIDICULOUS conversation brought up in the Flagler County Council meeting recently…I have been WAITING for such a CENSORSHIP ATTEMPT! It didn’t take long.
I actually stumbled onto FlaglerLive shortly after I bought my Flagler Beach retirement home, in 2019. It was the comments, and the weather coverage comments, and the detailed PHOTOGRAPHS of our NOW City Commissioner during one of the devastating hurricanes to hit Flagler Beach, which led me to sign up for FlaglerLive…so I would KNOW what was going on in the community, the local government(s), and the issues I should be paying attention to as I transitioned to making Flagler Beach my permanent retirement residence. What a Gem of INFORMATION, I would CLEARLY have MISSED!
As the new and seriously concerning Washington Administration strongly “TAKES HOLD” (I don’t know how else to describe what’s going on since January 12, 2025)…the concern for “Retribution” (Pres. Trump’s exact words, not mine)…has taken hold of ALL THOSE, who chosen to have (and speak of ) a DIFFERENT REALITY and truth…and CERTAINLY a different OPINION than our current White House Resident. NEVER before just a few months ago, did I EVER consider putting “in my opinion” next to a Blog comment or news item, I had made…but I do with almost EVERY POST now!
NOW….I have to be VERY CAREFUL how I word my comments ( here and other places), and make sure they are based on FACTS (as I know/ understand them), or make sure to add the LEGAL qualifier “In my opinion,” so someone of a differing opinion, can’t attempt to SUE me (what a worthless $$$ exercise THAT would be), for LIBEL (writing untruths in an attempt to smear someone’s reputation KNOWING that your writings are UNTRUE vs SLANDER, which is identical, except you SAID IT, rather than WROTE IT).
I also hope that although people commenting on this site can use an ANONYMOUS name, that they are aware, that if someone (usually government or police organizations, but also under court ordered SUBPOENAS), legally requests the NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS of the commenter, Pierre is then put it the LEGAL position of having to either COMPLY with the legal request, or be held in “CONTEMPT OF COURT” if Pierre decides to withhold that information (to the point of being JAILED)! Pierre maybe you can confirm (or maybe confirmed by “Ray W”…who appears to be a retired local ATTORNEY, who has done SO MUCH on this site to document FACTS, and SOURCES of information…I almost think I’d like to invite him for coffee to discuss “How” the country/world got into this MESS).
I am SO GLAD the request by a defeated electoral candidate was SHUT DOWN in the meeting, when the request ( both informally and it appears MAYBE formally) was made, that the County drop its ADVERTISING in the FlaglerLive site, because of some of the (perceived) “liberal” slant on local and National issues.
I’m glad several Commission members commented on the LARGE READERSHIP of the FlaglerLive site, and the low advertising cost vs the wide range of readers who follow it (from both sides of the political spectrum). That’s what is called “ROI” in the business world ( Return on Investment).
BRAVO to Pierre, his writers, (his FAMILY)…who I’m sure have had to deal with the COMPLEXITIES of living with an “Independent Journalist.” If anyone can afford to be an “independent” journalist is this time of UNBELIEVABLE GOVERNMENT ATTACKS ON FIRST AMENDMENT FREE SPEECH (protected by the US Constitution….remember THAT old paper)?
Of course this is all JUST “in my PERSONAL opinion.” 😉
DC says
Let’s just stick to the business at hand locally. Chain of command, if needed can be utilized accordingly. Opinions, to me, are personal however when the blah, blah blah starts- I feel it wastes time that can be used on our direct focus. The City of Palm Coast. Working together is not a hard thing to do, personality clashes- once discovered can be identified but again: the business at hand needs to be addressed and resolved as efficiently and cost effectively as possible. Cutting back in essence, is not the same as as fulfillment of a contract.
Thank you.
Pierre Tristam says
Thank you Joe D. The person Joe D is referring to in Flagler Beach is Scott Spradley, the attorney, photographer and City Commissioner whose very popular Spradley’s Beachside Blog was quite the hit during Hurricane Ian, giving barrier island residents who’d had to leave the island, and the rest of us, live and lively updates on local conditions.
After the article above published yesterday, Scott Spradley texted me the following, reproduced here with his permission: “4 years ago, a Palm Coast City Council member called for the boycott of all FlaglerLive advertisers, which included my law firm and which included the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. As here, the complaint was that the Council member disagreed with the editorial content of FlaglerLive. Since all of my employees were residents of Palm Coast, I went to the next City Council meeting and complained during public comment about the absurdity of an elected official calling for a boycott of local businesses, which could affect the employment status of the Council’s own constituents, solely because the member disagreed with the editorial content of a journal. Today’s incident is the other side of the same coin.”
Tom j says
Got lucky !republicans kneel for the orange terror as dissidents end up like Charlie. How fascist work!
BillC says
If Mike Norris is against it, that’s a positive indicator that FlaglerLive is headed in the right direction.
Bo Peep says
Yeah some people don’t like that leftist chit
Skibum says
Thank you, Joe D. While reading your comment above about how you make sure you include “in my opinion” so you don’t get a lawsuit slapped on you for stating your opinion, it irritates me that there are idiots out there who are quick to give their opinions and sometimes those dreaded “alternate facts”, but cannot get beyond anyone else having an opinion that differs from theirs.
Some commenters who have disagreed with me and my views over the years have tried to bait me, even commenting as to why I need to hide my real name and instead have always used “Skibum” when commenting on Flaglerlive.
Your comment says it perfectly. While I have been a loyal follower and commenter on this website for a number of years, I can do without people who may disagree with me knowing my real name and exact address, thank you very much. I may joust verbally from time to time with those who have differing viewpoints, but I don’t need anyone who may be upset or unbalanced paying a visit to my street if I may have upset them for some unknown reason.
In today’s world, you can never tell what may set someone off.
NJ says
Freedom of Speech is the Key to America’s Freedoms therefore we should welcome the SHIT4BRAINS editorials in Flaglerlive!
Sparks says
I am for freedom of speech. But not Lies! There is a lot of corruption in Palm Coast. I’m finally realizing. It’s so sad when you write terrible things when a man was assassinated because he was a Christian and a Republican. The hate and anger with people is just horrible. And shame on you Theresa & Ty.
PeachesMcGee says
People believe in free speech only IF it benefits themselves.
James says
Those who propose and support such things are indeed Fascists.
Samuel L. Bronkowitz says
Ah, temu Jordan Peterson has a problem with free speech and Flagler Live.
Andrew Werner says
You know I love you Pierre and I want you to be free to say whatever you feel you need to say. You never know, I might even read it.
However, I don’t want to give you my tax dollars.
Be Blessed!
Pierre Tristam says
@Andrew Werner, Good to see you’ve been catching up on your Shakespeare (“My only love sprung from my only hate”) but I assure you Andrew, you’re not my Juliet, and I sure as hell am not your Romeo.
Laurel says
Yet, those who condemn Flagler Live are still allowed to post here, and Pierre will protect their identities should they want it.
Sherry says
Never forget. . . wonderful Pierre has created an “award winning” media web site whose truly excellent “investigative journalism” keeps all Flagler county readers informed on the often unethical twists and turns of local politics. In addition, their “comments platform” allows for “lengthy” expressions of opinions, which most other outlets do NOT. Not all comments lend themselves just to the small size of a text. With the exception of out and out disinformation/obvious trolling, Pierre and Cheryl publish the vast majority of comments that are submitted to Flaglerlive. I can imagine that there are often times that they do so even when the words are contrary to what they personally believe with every fiber of their being. Would “you” manage to do that? I’m not sure I could.
In any case, it seems to me that there have been several occasions over the years that the “public outcry” published in the Flaglive comments section has motivated a change in the direction of public policy decisions. Therefore, Flaglerlive has become “vital” to the community discourse between local political/governmental leaders and their constituents.
THANK YOU FLAGLERLIVE!