The Flagler County Commission Monday morning voted unanimously to “reconsider” Heather Haywood’s service on the county Planning Board, pointing to her possible removal, should she not comply with a public record request FlaglerLive filed on Nov. 21.
Haywood, a Realtor, on Nov. 20 stood before the commission and accused Greg Hansen, who was chairing the commission at the time, of writing to her inappropriately: “Mr. Hansen, I answered your very very personal questions via Facebook Messenger despite the fact that I felt that they had very much so crossed the line,” she told him. (See: “Commissioners Keep Haywood on Planning Board But Boot Davies Off Contractor Review Panel.”)
Today Hansen said Haywood lied, as he has never used Facebook messenger, and a scouring of his email account produced no such communications. “She stood right there and lied about–that I had sent her inappropriate emails. Well, there is no record of any such emails. And she has been asked to produce them and she cannot. So I’m very concerned about that. And, and if Mr. Hadeed agrees I think it’s appropriate here to make a motion to reconsider her appointment to the Planning Board. We can’t have someone sitting on the Planning Board who would stand in front of us and lie to us.” Al Hadeed is the county attorney.
Haywood’s service on the Planning Board had been questioned for months by Commissioner Leann Pennington, because Haywood was then and still is homesteaded in Volusia County, a fact she did not disclose when she applied to serve on the county’s panel (after being rejected by the Palm Coast City Council for service on the city’s planning board). Her homestead status raised questions about whether she is a resident of Flagler County, where she has been a renter for several years following her divorce. (See: “Heather Haywood Is Homesteaded in Volusia But Serves on Flagler’s Planning Board. A Commissioner Questions That.”)
The commission on Nov. 20 decided to clarify some of its rules for service on its advisory boards, and also to let Haywood continue to be on the board. She had addressed the commission before the vote, accusing Pennington, too, of inappropriate conduct: “I have dealt the last five months of rumors being spread by Leanne and the community about my divorce who I was in good graces with his back pocket I have been in. I have spent the last five months answering extremely personal questions via text message from the people that she has chosen to speak to.”
Haywood did not back up her claims with any evidence for the record. FlaglerLive filed a public record request the morning of Nov. 21 for all communications to or from her related to her service on the Planning Board, going back to Oct. 1. All individuals serving on government advisory boards are subject to the public record law, just as elected officials are, and are required to share even communications with private individuals, if those communications relate to the public matter at hand.
Haywood on Nov. 29 told the county attorney’s office that she would comply (“I have received this request and will compile the communication,” she wrote Assistant County Attorney Sean Moylan and others at the county attorney’s office).
She followed up her initial response with another email to Hadeed bigotedly questioning this site editor’s citizenship (“I am not sure who he is, but I’m assuming he is not American,” she wrote, “as I just observed an American holiday with my family and have just finally settled back into work”), fabricating claims that the request was “harassing behavior” or that FlaglerLive was “in cahoots with Leann Pennington about my actions and or character questioning or right to file a record request,” among other mis-characterizations and preposterous claims as unsupported as those she made before the commission (“I need to make sure this doesn’t turn into a dangerous situation.”)
Nevertheless she again said she’d comply, but didn’t say when: “this is not high on my priority list as naturally I don’t just have these elementary things compiled on my desk,” she wrote. ” I have real-life matters to attend to currently but will make sure it gets done.” But she wrote that there was no “deadline” in the request, and in a misunderstanding of the law, claimed that “his time expectancy is on a turnaround [sic.], isn’t really a ‘me’ problem but he def could have requested one if he wanted to be more efficient.”
A week after Thanksgiving, Hadeed wrote her to correct and caution her. “The person requesting the information does not have to identify a deadline. The law does that for the requestor. The Florida Attorney General has emphasized that unjustified delays are not lawful,” Hadeed wrote Haywood. “Any records requested must be produced to the requestor within the limited reasonable time allowed the custodian of the record to retrieve the records.
The county attorney added: “Whatever your personal opinions about the requestor, whether wise or unwise, they do not matter under the Sunshine Laws. The requestor can even be anonymous. Regardless of your feelings or reluctance, you must provide the requested data. There are penalties for not producing public records, both civil and criminal. There also may be consequences to your continued service on the County’s Planning Board if you do not uphold the law in good faith. I do not mean to startle you, but this is the law. I don’t know what Mr. Moylan was able to discuss with you about the specific records, but we are prepared to assist you. You really need to complete the task as quickly as you can to reduce your jeopardy and the County’s.” Hadeed reminded her of the request’s parameters.
A clearly concerned Hadeed brought up the matter to the commission at this morning’s meetings, saying she had still not responded to the request. “The law requires us to promptly provide under reasonable circumstances, the records requested,” hadeed told the commission. “Any individual on your advisory board is a representative of the county government. And so ultimately, we bear that responsibility. … It’s obviously troubling for a number of reasons because it’s a statutory requirement. And I’ve done all I can to try to bring about that compliance.”
Hansen said today that the accusation Haywood had made on Nov. 20 about him being inappropriate “went right over my head.” He thought heshe was speaking about Pennington. But he reviewed the video of the meeting and realized the accusations had included him. “There’s no such record of any such thing,” Hansen said. “So she just made it up.”
Since the public record request specified that communications to or from Hansen, among others, be included, Hadeed communicated with Hansen about it. Hansen told Hadeed he’d not sent any communications. “I asked him to check with his wife and daughter because they use social media. And the response was no,” Hadeed said.
The FlaglerLive records request was placed to verify Haywood’s statements, as it would obviously be a serious matter had Hansen “crossed the line,” as she described it–just as it would be a serious matter if she had fabricated or mis-characterized the issue. (To Haywood, it “seems odd that some random internet blogger needs this information,” she’d written the county attorney’s office.)
Commission Chairman Andy Dance set the next commission meeting as the commission’s deadline once again to decide Haywood’s fate, if she “submits those documents that are being asked for, and then if she does, so then we’ll consider that,” he said. “But I would mention that she the deadline to respond is not in two weeks because she needs to respond as quickly as possible.”
Haywood did not respond to a text to her cell phone this morning.
Mercus Aurelius original says
I think we all need to seriously reconsider how people are appointed to these boards . . . in this instance, the Flagler County Planning Board.
How did this woman get appointed to the Flagler County Planning Board, especially since she’s a realtor under the brokerage of Grand Living Realty (aka Grand Haven Realty), which is owned by Suzie Johnston, mayor of Flagler Beach, AND affiliated with David Alfin who is also a realtor under the brokerage of Grand Living Realty (aka Grand Haven Realty).
She is also in violation of Florida Statutes regarding her legal domicile and where she actually lives (supposedly as a renter in Palm Coast). See her licensing information below.
I may file a complaint with the DBPR and the State of Florida licensing board.
If she only became a realtor in 2019, and has only been “renting” in Palm Coast for a few years, how’d she get a seat on the Flagler County Planning Board???? There are many, many well-qualified actual citizens of Flagler County who could have been appointed to that seat on the planning board.
Did she get appointed through her affiliation with Palm Coast Mayor, David Alfin???
Did she get appointed through her affiliation with Flagler Beach Mayor, Suzie Johnston??
How is this woman qualified to make decisions regarding Flagler County planning? She isn’t.
Here’s her licensing information (again). When I posted this previously, someone commented to “give her a break”. Why?
On doing a deep dive into the people who hold these board seats, it seems many of them are affiliated with realtors, developers and “engineers” who are working for developers. How do they get appointed if they have a conflict of interest?
And we wonder why Flagler County, Palm Coast and Flagler Beach are being developed to hell.
And this woman has the audacity to be on her high horse making dismissive and vile accusations.
Next, we need to look into how Fernando Melendez got his seat on the county planning board despite having no education and no qualifications other than being David Alfin’s former “campaign manager”.
Licensee Information
Name: HAYWOOD, HEATHER RAE (Primary Name)
Main Address: 200 W PENNSYLVANIA AVE
DELAND Florida 32720
County: VOLUSIA
License Information
License Type: Real Estate Broker or Sales
Rank: Sales Associate
License Number: SL3441752
Status: Current,Active
Licensure Date: 05/03/2019
Expires: 03/31/2025
Related License Information
License Number Status Related Party Relationship Type Relation Effective Date Rank Expiration Date
CQ1037994 Current, Active GRAND HAVEN REALTY LLC DBA:GRAND LIVING REALTY Employed By 12/21/2021 Real Estate Corporation 09/30/2024
Rose Marie says
Elected officials really should be allowed to file suit against those who make false and slanderous claims against them. Cough up the proof or we’ll see you in court. There has to be equal accountability.
Laurel says
Well, well, well. Doesn’t this sound familiar? Start with top secret files stacked up in Mar A Lago’s club bathroom. Then go to subpoenaed politicians not bothering to show up to testify at the January 6th Insurrection Investigation. Then, one person (Stone) found guilty of seven felonies by a jury of his peers, his sentence commuted because “he suffered enough already” according to his buddy. Followed by “deranged” prosecuting attorneys on a witch hunt of an elite, wealthy, powerful, white, male, eternal victim.
This attitude is now trickling down to local government boards. This is disregard for the law, for Florida’s Sunshine Law. It is a lack of respect for the citizens they supposedly represent. It is a weakening of civility and a breakdown of democracy if allowed to continue.
This woman doesn’t even bother with a dog whistle. Why on God’s green Earth would she assume the editor here is not an American? She didn’t assume, she pushed the bigoted buttons of those who have a need to feel superior to their fellow Americans instead of coming together for a stronger, more positive country.
Any sincere person who makes such claims would be more than happy to back those claims up ASAP. If she does not, then out she must go. Enough of this nonsense.
Qualified homesteaded resident..... says
She’s a hot mess. Hayward doesn’t seem to understand the job. First, she can get straight as to where she lives. Who are you working for sitting on that board? Now, this drama is with two of the most productive commissioners in years. Get her off this board. She doesn’t need to represent this community!
Dennis C Rathsam says
Geezzz, Heathers a realtor too, Palm Coast must be ripe for the taking!
Roy Longo says
Where the hell does this county find these idiots. She should run for the school board. She would fit like a glove.
CELIA PUGLIESE says
Why did then FCBOCC appoint her without proper background search to start with?
CallMeIshmael says
Hey, Mr. Random Internet Blogger, how about a weekly column where you request and publish the text/phone records of a “random” elected/public official?
Maybe they’ll get it then.
Thomas Hutson says
Let’s get real, this BOCC can terminate this obviously unqualified planning board member; they don’t need to go through this farce of trying to get her to cooperate with them. She is at will, just terminate her period .
Thomas Hutson says
OK enough of this nonsense. The current BOCC can terminate this board member immediately; they don’t need a reason. However, this member is unqualified to hold the position and her disrespect is more than enough for this current BOCC to terminate her. Enough said.
Concerned Citizen says
They are brought in by the people voted in.
This county keeps voting in the same. And expecting different
c says
@Laurel ;
“She didn’t assume, she pushed the bigoted buttons of those who have a need to feel superior to their fellow Americans instead of coming together for a stronger, more positive country.”
This line stopped me dead in my tracks. Laurel, I don’t know if you realize it, but this particular line is one of the most precise, concise, and – above all – dead-on hit-the-bullseye definitions of the current state of American politics I have ever seen.
Food for thought, indeed.
Erod says
If that were the case nobody would ever be allowed to post to social media again.
Tired of it says
I hope Hansens sues her for defamation. This is what you get when you vote for/appoint Republicans.
Jim G says
these boards should comprise of citizens that live in the county and or city, And that should be the first qualification, and the most in portent one.
Laurel says
c: Pass the Tums.
TR says
That would be the right way to do things. But it seems that every time a department wants to cover their butts for not doing their job the right way from the start. they always make it seem like their is all this red tape and channels that have to be followed. Just fire her and be done with it and the next person they want to put in her place. Do your due diligence and make sure all requirements are in place.
TR says
Has nothing to do with political affiliation. There has been plenty of Democrats hired for many positions and they are not qualified for that position or didn’t meet the requirements before being appointed to that position. The biggest one is in the WH. LOL
Rose Marie says
@Erod
Possibly, but at least we’d stop all the slandering being thrown around. If you make an accusation, you’d better have the proof to back it up. Just think how quiet our local elections might become. And FACTUAL. They can’t all be crooks, or can they? It has become far too easy to sling dirt and see what sticks. And too many times recently that covers up the fact that a candidate hasn’t the necessary experience or substance to hold office.
This is our community as well as our reputation. Don’t kid yourselves that these things don’t matter when considering a move or starting a business.
Laurel says
TR: Please do explain how Biden did not meet the requirements or was not qualified to become President. Please be specific, and you can use his many years of experience to make your point. Also, please explain how he was “appointed,” unless, of course, you mean he was elected by the voters of this country. “Appointed” is an incorrect term.
You can do the same with Trump, but please be advised, being the President of the United States was the very beginning of his political career, and his actual experience was in marketing and reality TV. He has never even been the Mayor of a town with a population of one. BTW, he was a Democrat in New York until it became inconvenient for himself personally.
Tired of it says
Yes it does, that is how we eneded up with Flurry, Chong, Danko, Mullins et al. AN Pres. biden was not appointed, he was elected by an informed electorate.