Jeani Duarte, a candidate for the Palm Coast City Council in the 2026 election, on Tuesday evening accused the city of planning a sewer infrastructure that will turn residents into cannibals. She was not correct.
Duarte often addresses the council at its workshops and meetings, often several times a meeting (she did so at least three times Tuesday), often to make statements that are either inaccurate or “nonsensical,” as Circuit Judge Chris France twice termed a civil action she attempted against the city, before France tossed it.
Other members of the public at times make nonsensical statements during public-comment segments before the council or other local governments. The nonsense would not be remarkable unless the person is running for elected office.
Duarte is a 58-year-old retired nutritionist and resident of the C-Section running in District 2, for the seat held by Theresa Pontieri, the vice mayor. Duarte is one of two announced candidates for that seat so far. Tony Amaral Jr. is the other. Pontieri has not said whether she is planning to defend the council seat, only that she will remain in local politics. (Duarte was an applicant to serve on the city’s Charter Review Committee. She was not picked.)
After the council discussed the city’s water supply management plan for 40 minutes, Duarte addressed the council. She spoke for two minutes. She made five inaccurate or misleading statements. Except for one of her statements, she was not corrected after she spoke.
Duarte claimed that Waste Water Treatment Plant 1 in the Woodlands, the city’s oldest, has “plenty of capacity that is not being utilized.” It does not.
As people who have attended council meetings in the past year would have learned (Duarte is usually in attendance) the plant has a capacity of 6.83 million gallons per day. It is typically under capacity during dry month, and over capacity during the wetter months, including a 14 million gallon spike in one day during Hurricane Milton in 2024. It is under a state consent order to expand and modernize. It would not be under a consent order if it had adequate capacity.
In March the council approved spending $168 million just to upgrade the plant to 10.83 million gallons per day, part of a nearly $300 million spending plan for the utility infrastructure in the next five years. Waste Water Treatment Plant 2 just doubled its capacity to 4 million gallons, easing the pressure on WWTP1 and giving it time to expand. (See: “Palm Coast Relieves Itself 3 Years Late as Much-Needed $31 Million Sewer Plant Expansion Doubles Capacity.”)
It’s not clear why, but Duarte then spoke of brackish water, which she defined as “shower water, toilet water, dishwashing water, etc.” That’s not accurate. Brackish water, as Peter Roussel, the utility’s deputy director noted in the only corrective to Duarte that evening, is when freshwater has a certain amount of salt content. The Intracoastal, for example, can be considered brackish water. Duarte may have confused wastewater with brackish water.
Duarte was concerned about the co-location of Wastewater Treatment Plant 2 and Water Treatment Plant 3 (which produces potable water), “so close that their backup generators are housed side by side in the same building.” The suggestion that the co-located generators implied a co-mingling of operations was misleading.
The co-located generators–which enable the plants to be powered for 10 days before refueling, in case of emergencies or long-term power cuts–is a matter of efficiency, as generators are suited to be at the same location for refueling and maintenance. It is no different than if a manure-processing plant and a baby formula plant shared an access road.
“It’s my understanding that the reclaimed wastewater and solids are used for irrigation and fertilizer,” Duarte said. She was right on both counts. The city’s recycled, or “reuse” water is used to irrigate golf courses, lawns and medians. Biosolids generated at the plant are shipped to Merrell Brothers, a company that dries and pasteurizes biosolids into fertilizer pellets.
“This is something that we want to try to get established here in the county in the future,” Danny Ashburn, the manager of wastewater treatment and reuse, said today in a presentation to U.S. Rep. Randy Fine, who was visiting WWTP1. Merrell has a facility in Pasco County. Flagler County could have its own.
Duarte said she’d worked in alfalfa fields in California, where Alfalfa was watered with recycled water–it is the most water-intensive crop–but the alfalfa was only fed to horses. In fact, alfalfa is generally not for human consumption (supplements aside), but for livestock, horses and so on.
Then came the wilder claims. “It is also my understanding that the future vision for these wastewater treatment plants are to reuse the reclaimed water by recycling it back into potable water,” she said, inaccurately. While putting recycled waste to various uses is an ongoing debate–and a common practice on the International Space Station–the city, which doesn’t even fluorinate its water, has no such plans.
“For those of us with religious and spiritual concerns, the thought of consuming reclaimed water from human waste containing human DNA and who knows what,” Duarte said, “is strictly forbidden and runs along the lines of cannibalism. A symptom of cannibalism is madness. I don’t know about the rest of you, but this feels and seems unethical and very evil.”
Cannibalism, which has been around for millennia, has never been linked to causing madness, though in modern times its practice has been associated with a predisposition to mental illness and psychosexual disorders.
Duarte addressed the council one more time later in the evening to say that the nearly $100 million the Legislature appropriated for the “Loop Road” connecting Matanzas Woods Parkway to Palm Coast Parkway, through the empty scrubland west of U.S. 1, should be “reallocated, taken back, and proposed for Waste Water Treatment Plant 1.” That would not be legal.
Michael J Cocchiola says
Um… no words come to mind.
Jim says
Well, I, for one, want to thank Duarte for speaking up and telling us all what she thinks. And now that she has done that, I won’t have to give her a second thought when it comes to voting for city council in the next election.
I really hope Theresa Pontieri does run again. She has been in the minority of council members who seem to have decent reasoning skills, common sense and a true intention of doing what is best for Palm Coast. And, I hope when the current mayor is either removed from office or his term (our prison term) is up, she will run for mayor. I think she’d make a great candidate and a great mayor. We’ve already been able to watch her basically do the mayor’s job while Norris sulks in his corner.
It’s just a shame how many people think they’d be good elected officials when they constantly show their ignorance of basic facts and not understanding of science at all. Duarte fits that bill to a “T”. She doesn’t deserve serious consideration but I’d be lying if I said I’m not looking forward to hearing what other wonderful thoughts she has going forward.
Short term gains says
Maybe she’s talking about a time not far off that people are literally hungry enough to eat the rich! Most farm land has been so polluted so it’s not safe for human consumption it why they lowered the standards to make it ok for animal consumption. Sell your water and clean air ! a billionaire somewhere else needs your local tax dollars!
Villein says
Yes, cannibalism is unethical.
Plastic Charlie says
Just think they don’t even measure for plastic or pfas! Public municipalities Only do measure/test for just a couple dozen of the ever growing list of tens of thousands of new chemicals from large industrial corporations like DOW chemicals…ever heard of Teflon? Just keep spreading it around! Yeah cancer is up but you don’t even have basic healthcare….
Oh and the EPA was just gutted and now pushes misinformation so there’s that!
Forced recession, gives depression!
Oh Brother says
Is she sick in the head? Is Another totally clueless wannabe throwing their hat in the ring. Please stick to what you do best: making a joke of yourself at the podium- we have enough “comedians” on the Council as is.
Joe D says
Everyone has the right to free speech…at least at the moment, before the current administration “edits” that right… as long as its not threatening, slandering (intentionally lying about someone), profanity in public, and a few other details.
So Ms Duarte (however misguided and inaccurate) does have the right to (respectfully) voice her OPINION, support or opposition, related to any proposed legislation.
That being said, can we PLEASE have additional (MORE REASONABLE) candidates file to run for the office in question. If we thought MICHAEL NORRIS’ recent behavior inside and outside council meetings was disruptive or divisive, I SHUDDER to think (in my opinion) what a true CIRCUS future meetings would be with the extreme views of Ms Duarte coming from the OTHER SIDE of the Council chambers
Mothersworry says
Listening to her makes me feel like I’m a proctologist.
Call me Disappointed says
Duarte is a fool.
She spouts off nonsense every time she opens her mouth. It was hard for norris to disguise his disbelief at her remarks last night. Just watch the video to see the City Council’s reaction to her inaccurate and unbelievable rhetoric. As a mayor minion, we can expect no less.
carol stoughton says
She will get my vote, and it would be nice if you all on this rag stopped bashing people who go to council meetings, ask questions, and try to get answers. Much is hidden with the Acting City Manager making over $300.00 and more than our good past city manager. She was fired for telling what was going on with the last bunch, who are no longer here, except 1. Jeanie Duarte is for us the people, the taxpayers, renters, our water and accountability and mainly truth in spending and hiring. And you only have a hand sign for heads up, and the first two comments are from your group that is for development and other hidden agenda. Carol Stoughton, it would be nice to see the names in these comments ,, so we know who you all put up to nonsense.
Laurel says
SOYLENT GREEN!!! IT’S PEOPLE! IT’S PEEEEEEPPULLLL!!!
Maybe RFK has a job for her.
notthatsherry says
I was cringe worthy😩
john stove says
Holy Hell…has this woman lost her ever loving mind? What is going on in this County?
I have worked for over 25 years in the Public Water and Waste Water field and I can tell you that reclaimed Waste Water is never pumped directly into the potable water system. In states with aquifers, any reclaimed water not used for irrigation is injected deep underground into the aquifer where it is diluted before it is pulled back out by a well pump and into the water treatment plant for purification (again).
Jesus H. Christ please don’t let this woman anywhere near a public office!
Ed P says
Short term gains,
First, about 53% of the Uber wealthy are independent /democrats. Only 46% are Republican leaners. Don’t eat your own.
The rich are different but are not villains.
The general populace will never pick up the pitch forks and go after the rich because the rich understand they must appear charitable, caring, and compassionate to keep that from happening. Besides, we are all too busy trying to survive and don’t have the time.
Sherry says
Sounds like another MTG! Hell No!
Monica says
What kind of drugs is she on??
carol stoughton says
Just a typo, at 87 years of age, my typing fingers are not as nimble as they used to be,,,,,, but the acting city manager is making over $230,000 and that is with a car allowance, and I do not know if that is with health insurance, etc., and pension plans, etc., anyway, as I said at council meetings, the raises from the last Mayor and Council were given out like jelly beans, to the favorites, and jobs given in the Brown Building that were not needed, it is surely a group that is paid so well in that building, especially H.R % Communications Dept., and all the assistants this and that and deputy this and that. So lets get people in office who will investigate, and see why all this office staff is needed. We need Jeanie Duarte, and two others on council who will not go along with the dictators, builders, and past councils, bashers, and story tellers. Ann
CK says
Seriously or is this some kind of sick joke? This can’t be real…..Totally off the charts ridiculous! This absurd woman Duarte is as ignorant as they come and equal to Norris in the Self Absorbed category! Every council meeting she says the most untrue interpretations of her mindless misunderstands of all things pertaining to Palm Cosst of anyone I have ever heard before , besides Norris that is. No matter the subject and every issue she comes across as nothing more than a typical dumb blonde begging for attention. She struts away from the podium as if she owns it LOL!!! . True twin brother and sister be Nincompoop Norris and Dunce Duarte!
. I will never vote for either of the Despicable Duo
Doesn’t Palm Coast have any intelligent people in the entire city???
Joe D says
For Ed P…
Wow…I would LOVE to know where you got YOUR STATISTICS!?! I can almost guarantee that A large majority of the “Uber” wealthy are Registered Republicans, NOT Registered Democrats or Independents…although there are certainly exceptions on BOTH SIDES.
Florida for example has a 4 out of 5 voter advantage for Registered Republicans over Democrats/Independents (4 registered Republican voters for each 1 Democratic/Independent voters)
As for Charitable Contributions and Humanitarian efforts…, many high income Republicans and Democrats do make donations….however, on a side by side basis, especially in the now “no limits” political contributions, I could also guarantee Republicans at upper income levels VASTLY outspend “Wealthy” Democrats on Local and National political campaigns and political action groups.
I’m sure FlaglerLive could pull up those contribution statistics
JimboXYZ says
Conceptually, how wrong is she concerning cannibalism ? Granted it’s not the literal eating of another’s flesh ? But let’s face it, any sewage system that begins or eventually ends in a home bathroom produces airborne fecal particles. As good as the City utility would like to think they are at recycling water for that purpose, the experts that they are, they aren’t that good to remove everything. In a pinch, no alternatives toilet water is drinkable for a short term. As much as we all don’t want to admit or even discuss it a cannibalism of sorts has always been out there for the human race. We’re already “relative” cannibals and have always been generation to generation, before our own individual existences. If you believe in science, the science confirms that much. Denying that is just ignorantly uninformed. 60+% contaminated just for the bathroom alone, imagine airborne human fecal particles in your kitchen, when you are preparing dinner for yourself/family ? And it’s worse over at that restaurant that has higher volume traffic for dining. Anyone heading over to the restroom is exposing themselves to the entirety of whatever was expelled in that room. Chicken or the egg thing, maybe this is a major reason why we all eventually die ? Links provided, food, or poop for thought ? Not a debate, reconcile it with yourself for what you can live with as a mental concept of the entire process. Having lived in Miami, there were sewage leaks into the ocean at Bal Harbor, the beaches are shut down there, “turds in the lineup” for those that are surfers, the surf sludge report.
Another reason why Alfin-ville growth ruined Palm Coast. They knew the State wasn’t going to expand the STF’s, and that much is evident with the recent Randy Fine positional statement on the state of the union/fecal matter. Was it that obvious that grow to need, then try to blackmail & extort grant money that was rejected under Alfin, further cut by DeSantis for other grant wants/needs ? And that’s where Norris is right & those on the council that opposed the moratorium in a vote are just as worthless as Alfin & his merry band of growth proponents were. End of the day, there is no solution. we can only strive to reduce & eliminate any of it. Growing Flagler County to a concrete & paved slab, end to end, side to side is counter to saving the environment for an impact. Doesn’t matter how pleasingly nice it looks to the naked eye, more people has always meant more pollution. The clean up is always more costly.
https://people.howstuffworks.com/cannibalism.htm
https://biologyinsights.com/are-poop-particles-everywhere-the-science-explained/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/heres-what-really-happens-when-you-flush-the-toilet-180981278/
https://flaglerlive.com/randy-fine-wwtp/
PeachesMcGee says
Some people just like hearing themselves speak.
Ed P says
Joe D,
You would be wrong. Stop guessing. Try Ai. Easy.
Ed P says
Joe D,
Did you know lots of Florida dems and independents are registered republicans so they can vote in primaries against candidates. Ask Pierre.
The dude says
Definitely part of Palm Coast’s brain trust.
DuDuarte says
This is It Palm Coast, we have reached the bottom of the barrel. This is a Norris goon or goonette. The IQ is dropping dramatically on this council. We really need to find some competent people to run. This woman has never had any factual information at any meeting. City staff should never respect this clown nor should they put up with her moronic “facts”. She will 100% vote only in Norris view and will propose a strong mayoral system and most definitely will break sunshine laws more than we could possibly imagine. This woman has been to multiple council meetings, taken notes and still can’t get her facts right. This circus will only get bigger if she is elected but the problem will be that it’s here for four years.
Ed Danko, former Vice-Mayor, PC says
Typical Norris crazy town supporter, hate to be mean, but let’s talk about confusion. She doesn’t have a clue what reality is!
JC says
carol stoughton, please get some help.
Laurel says
CK: “…typical dumb blonde…”
Whoops, CK, you showed your true colors!
BillC says
To extrapolate from Ed P’s numbers, it follows that “Uber wealthy” independents and democrats are better at managing wealth than republicans!
Bob says
So sad. Perhaps she’s gone Coo Coo from Kuru Puffs?
FYI says
… it’s legal to have a composting toilet in Florida.
https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage/documents/composting-toilets-approved-use-state-florida-updated
CK says
Laurel- I’m thinking you. LOL ! My true colors are beautiful.
carol says
You all can see how they comment, never giving their names, many are in the top pay bracket earning over one hundred grand a year, others are in building organizations or developers blogging never leaving their real names. If they were so concerned they would come out of their sheep costume and participate in the city welfare on spending, infrastructure, water and bills, taxes, and so much more. Thank Goodness for people who come out and question and many of us never get answers. The hardest workers are the ones who make under $50,000 a year, work in the heat, rain and cold, on mowers, weed wacking, digging. Do you all think the salary of $232 grand a year is pushing her pencil to the paper, and going on radio shows worth that expenditure. She is out to change the charter and live as she does outside the city, and should have stood up for the woman who had the city manager joband Alfin fired her for no cause. And she go’s on Friday free for all and more saying how her feelings are hurt, why cause a woman questioned her in her job. Don’t live in a glass house for this city over the past 10 years has been hiding much. Also we should be able to manage the sludge from the plant from toilet waste, however our systems have call in private companies and pay $$$$$$$$$ much to take it away, so when you do not like us all investigating for the people, toooo bad !
carol ann stoughton says
so they flag us citizens and taxpayers that are not into their way of thinking, you call this now, Flagler Dead for that is your station in my opinion,
Joe D says
Additional comment for Ed P:
“Try Ai. Easy”
…Really? I DID…
Is that the SAME AI results that list a DISCLAIMER at the bottom of each Ai result in Google that states “information in this response may contain mistakes”…THAT “EASY “Ai?
That’s the same search that produced this AI comment:
“recent data, particularly regarding political donations from the wealthiest, reinforces a Republican lean. Analysis of billionaire family spending in the 2024 election shows a heavy preference for Republican candidates and causes, with one report indicating 70% of donations going to the GOP. Another analysis shows that nearly two-thirds (65.6%) of billionaire money backed Republican/conservative candidates, while about a quarter (26%) supported Democrats/liberals. This suggests a strong connection between wealth and Republican affiliation, at least in terms of financial support for campaigns”.
Your “statistics” are pulled from a Pew Research poll (highly reputable source I agree)….but it’s from 7/27/2023!!! If you think the financial and political landscape hasn’t CHANGED since 7/27/2023, in my opinion, you are out of touch.
Now, I have to AGREE with your subsequent comment about Democrats registering as Republicans, so they can vote in Florida primaries (RHINOS: Republican in name only)…I think you have a valid point. To be honest with you, I actually considered doing it myself (only the THOUGHT of my deceased staunchly DEMOCRATIC Irish/German mother returning from the grave to chase me in my dreams with a cast iron frying pan 😆 stopped me).
I considered it, after the recent Flagler Co primary election, when certain GOP party members had “Ghost candidates” (people who register as candidates, who NEVER intend to campaign or take office) register as candidates in the local primaries due to local election laws that allow Democratic/Independent registered voters to vote in the Republican primaries, if the candidate number drops below a certain number ( I can’t recall the actual numbers). So in the last local Republican primaries…those “ghost candidates” were added to push the slate of candidates NUMBER ABOVE the cut off to EXCLUDE Democratic /Independent voters from participating.
That legal ( but DIRTY TRICK) loophole both frustrated and enraged me…but unfortunately that’s the tactics used to exclude 20% of voter participation in PRIMARIES (where essentially the REAL decision for elected local candidates is usually made). What are local GOP leaders AFRAID OF? Aren’t elections supposed to represent the WILL OF THE PEOPLE, and not just TACTICS to RETAIN POWER?
Ed P says
Bill C,
My first response was that it’s also possible that Elvis and Michael live.
Then I thought, no value in bashing your logic in that manner.
Rational possible reason for the shift from republicans leaners to Dems/ independents is simple economics. New money is different than old money. Todays Uber wealthy are 2 generations beyond the “old money” and have a different philosophical outlook. Their educational path is vastly different.
It also trends more liberal the wealthier one becomes as they are removed from the daily struggles of surviving and paying bills. It’s too easy today to forget where they came from.
Like most things with humans, if you follow the money, you will find the answers.
Geeze! says
Sounds like a Dennis McDonald disciple, to me. They just LOVE the attention. If I told you I had this burning desire to be a pediatrician and treat your children, would you hire me without checking my qualifications? These are the people who voted for our joke of a mayor. Throw it against the wall, and if it sticks, vote for it.
I have my doubts that this woman could pass a citizenship test, let alone have anything in her background which even remotely qualifies her to hold public office. Angry is not a qualification. Poorly informed voters are creating this sideshow of government in Palm Coast and this woman is the Poster Child.
Horatio says
@CK,
Would you want to run for office here among candidates like this? I doubt she can keep her own check book balanced.
CK says
@Horatio Never in a million years would I ever run for office in this joke of a city that Palm Coast has become ! Been living here in Palm Coast for over 30 years and never has there been a bigger bunch of baboons running the city. We certainly don’t need a female version of our fried out cheese brain mayor Mike Norris 😵💫
@carol get off your holier than thou attitude and get yourself some help. You’re so far off the mark you’re the biggest comic of all. There’s a comedy club in Palm Coast. 🥱
Ed P says
Joe D,
Did you know that inherently Ai is left leaning? Ask any of the platforms.
To get a more centrist answer you can ask it to do just that. Ask Chatgpt or Grok to give you a more neutral answer if you are seeking the truth.
And yes, they are never 100% correct, but who is?
Adam Frank says
Didn’t Theresa Pontieri once want to annex the Flagler County Mala Compra Beach access so that it could be considered to be in Palm Coast? That would be an unncessary expense on the Palm Coast taxpayer for the bragging rights to a beach access that Palm Coast residents can already utilize.
CK says
@ Adam Frank
Pontirie sure did want to annex Flagler County Mala Compra Beach access. A what a really stupid idea and extremely costly that was. You’re absolutely right it’s completely unnecessary to annex when we already have full access.
Her constant campaigning on every City Council meeting is unacceptable. The way the council and the mayor base their decisions on what’s right for our city is beyond ridiculous!
I will not be voting for Pontieri she’s way too wisshie washy and I will not be voting for Duarte either she’s completely off the rails KooKoo!!!
Why isn’t there any intelligent people to be in the position of city council that’s has the comprehension of what the position is about and that is also an
honest and trustworthy person in Palm Coast???? Is that too much to expect for a growing city?
If there are anyone that fits the criteria please step up !!!