Monday Briefing: Be Careful Out There, It’s Back to School Day, Bush and Manatees, DSC Fights Cyber Crimes

Today: high in low 90s, low in mid 70s, 50 percent chance of showers. Details here.
Today’s fire danger is low. Flagler County’s Drought Index is at 266.
The weather in Dresden, Germany: high 81, low 58. Details.
Today’s document from the National Archives.
The OED’s Word of the Day: pari passu, adv. (and adj.).
The Live Community Calendar
Today’s jail bookings.

Today’s Briefing: Quick Links

• In Flagler and Palm Coast
• Local News Recap
• In Court
• In State Government
• Beyond
• Police Notes
• PR Releases
• In the Press, In the News
• Palm Coast Construction and Development Progress Reports
• Local Road and Interstate Construction
• In Coming Days in Flagler and Palm Coast
• Comment of the Day (From the Comment Section)
• Cultural Coda

In Flagler and Palm Coast:

Note: all government meetings noticed below are free and open to the public unless otherwise indicated. Many can be heard or seen live through each agency’s website.

Today is the first day of school as some 14,500 children go back to public, charter and private schools in the county. Matanzas High School parents and students are advised to take special precaution around construction near the school. See the story for details and special bus routes.

Flagler County Commission: a budget workshop scheduled for 9 this morning was cancelled.

The Bunnell City Commission holds its second budget workshop at 6:30 p.m., where it will discuss its non-tax generated funds, such as the water utility and the waste disposal budget, which has been in the red. The commission reconvenes for a business meeting at 7 p.m. The background for the budget workshop is here.

Flagler-Volusia Compassion and Choices: Educational meetings for and about people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness with six months or less to live. Learn about states that have aid-in-dying laws and help those in Florida who chose to die have a say in having the best death possible for them. Contact Deborah Susswein for additional information, 386/446-1416. Palm Coast Community Center, 7 p.m.

Local News Recap:

A Whirlwind Weekend For The Princess Place Preserve Before It was Finally Saved Sunday From Incursion: There will not be an extreme-sport race on the soil of the Princess Place Preserve, which was saved again from undue encroachment–as it was in the 1990s, when the conservation preserve was created–by a public outcry that shook and surprised county government. County Administrator Craig Coffey, conceding to the outpouring of opposition to holding such a race at the preserve—and to a majority of county commissioners’ categorical opposition to the event there—informed commissioners Sunday that the race would be pulled, and different venues considered, among them the Agriculture Museum at the edge of the preserve. On Wednesday, the Tourist Development Council had recommended moving forward with the race in a unanimous vote.

• How County Government Is Pimping Princess Place While Spinning Fairy Tales

Nearly Condemned, Old Courthouse in Bunnell Gavels Back to Life as Christian School: Friday, under an unforgiving noon sun and three days from the first day of school, the school re-baptized as First Baptist Christian Academy hosted a ribbon-cutting on what used to be the courthouse steps, ensuring that the building would not only remain a defining part of Bunnell’s identity, but turning it into a viable part of the town’s economy again. The school opens Monday with a 291 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, a total staff of 53—40 of them full-timers, and 32 of them teachers. The private school, Pastor Kevin Lautar said, plans to grow to 500 students now that it has the room to do so.

Matanzas Woods Construction Forces Temporary School Bus Routes For Nearby Students: While the school district does not anticipate detours or wholesale road closures, work remains ongoing, with lane closures expected for the forseeable future, but no during school hours. There will be no lane closures along Matanzas Woods Parkway between 7 and 8:30 in the morning or 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. on school days. Four temporary bus stops have been established for affected families living on the west side of I-95, who normally walk to school.

Belle Terre Pool and Racquet Club members form committee, seek $50,000 by Sept. 21: “About 110 people packed a classroom at the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club Friday, Aug. 21, voting overwhelmingly in an at-times boisterous meeting to have the newly formed Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club Advisory Committee raise money to lease the facility from the School Board and operate it itself,” the Observer’s Jonathan Simmons reported. “If they can’t do it, the School Board will close the facility, which operates at a deficit, this coming month.”

Bill Would Ban All Confederate Flags on Public Grounds as Question of “Security” Is Raised Over Ag Museum Civil War Reenactment: The same day that Bill McGuire, the Palm Coast City Council member and a member of the Flagler Tourist Development Council, was raising security concerns about the Confederate flag flying at a Civil War reenactment at the Agricultural Museum in Palm Coast, an Orlando legislator filed a bill that would ban all displays of the Confederate flag “on publicly owned or leased property.”

Lawmakers Can’t Get It Done: Redistricting Session Collapses, Leaving It Up to Courts: Negotiations between the House and Senate broke down Friday over a Senate proposal that emerged last week to amend a staff-drawn base map (HB 1B). The Senate proposal would have consolidated eastern Hillsborough County into a single congressional district and drawn all of Sarasota County into one district. But the House balked, saying the cascading population trade-offs required to make the numbers in all districts equal would force a district now wholly combined in Orange County to pick up some territory in Lake County — something the House said could run afoul of the anti-gerrymandering “Fair Districts” requirements approved by voters in 2010.

New Buddy Taylor Middle School principal emphasizes school pride: Nathan Lovelette, a 15-year veteran of Flagler schools, including as assistant principal at Buddy Taylor for seven years, takes over the top job left open by the departure of Stephen Hinson. “He sees the two years between elementary and high school as an opportunity to help the students understand what they are working toward,” the Observer reports.

In Court:

Circuit Judge J. David Walsh holds felony arraignments starting at 8:30 a.m. in Courtroom 401. Judge Charles Cino holds infraction arraignments in more than 56 cases starting at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 101, and infraction trials at 1:30 p.m. in the same courtroom. Judges Michael Orfinger and Melissa Moore-Stens hold a variety of hearings throughout the day.

In State Government:

Note: Most proceedings below can be followed live on the Florida Channel.

Lawmaker seek fracking ban: Sen. Darren Soto, D-Orlando, holds a news conference to announce legislation aimed at banning the method of oil and gas drilling known as “fracking.” Flagler County passed a resolution supporting such a ban. Palm Coast government refused to go along. (2 p.m., outside the Orange County Commission building, 201 South Rosalind Ave., Orlando.)

Republican Congressman Ron DeSantis, who represents the district that includes all of Flagler County and is running for the U.S. Senate in 2016, is slated to speak during a meeting of the Broward County Republican Executive Committee. (7 p.m., Deicke Auditorium, 5701 Cypress Road, Plantation.)

Police, Fire and Emergency Notes:

The busiest part of hurricane season: Hurricanes and strong tropical storms have the potential to create hazards in Flagler County, Flagler County Emergency Management cautions. Each storm is different based on the approach and the impacts vary from excessive wind speeds, to elevated tides and surge for coastal areas, as well as inland flooding. Storm surge and flooding can be particularly dangerous and are the cause for most storm-related accidents and injuries. However, having a plan ahead of the storm greatly reduces your risk and consequences to your home or business. Know your evacuation zone; communities east of I-95 are more likely to experience evacuations from incoming Atlantic based storms. When evacuating leave early to avoid higher traffic volumes and consider traveling further inland or in the opposite direction of the storm. Flagler County offers evacuation assistance for those with special needs; be sure to register through the Emergency Management office. If sheltering in place be prepared for power outages by creating a storm supply kit, including extra medication for all family members and pets, food items not requiring refrigeration or cooking, and comfort items such as books, games, and toys. Remember certain non-perishable food items contain higher concentrations of sodium and should be considered for those with specific dietary concerns. Review or obtain an inspection of your home or business construction type. This will assist you by targeting structural and non-structural aspects proven to lessen and prevent damage caused by storms. Click the links below for more tips on preparedness and get your plan today. See helpful links here.

Beyond:

The sentencing of James E. Holmes, the Aurora movie theater killer, takes place starting with the testimonies of more than 100 victims and survivors of the July 20, 2012 attack. A jury spared him the death penalty.

Oil prices and stock markets are tanking. Here’s the latest on oil:

PR Releases:

DSC named Center of Excellence in cyberforensics: Daytona State College has been designated a Center of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence (CDFAE) by the Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3), an arm of the U.S. Department of Defense. The designation applies to the college’s Center for Cyberforensics and Cybersecurity which houses the Advanced Technical Certificate in Cybersecurity and Cyberforensics program. Daytona State is one of only about a dozen schools nationwide that meets the requirements for the CDFAE designation by DC3’s Academic Cyber Curriculum Alliance, which sets standards and best practices for digital forensics practitioners, educators and researchers. The CDFAE designation is good for three years. “This is quite an achievement, and represents the college’s commitment in continuing the advancement of digital forensics education in our region,” said Daytona State professor, Dr. Philip Craiger, who heads up DSC’s $1.8 million National Science Foundation grant-funded Advanced Cyberforensics Education Consortium (ACE). “It demonstrates the quality of our cybersecurity program and makes our students more competitive in the employment arena.” The CDFAE program offers designations to accredited academic programs that confer a digital forensics-related degree. The designation process required the college to map its curriculum to a comprehensive list of standards and criteria identified as requirements for proficiency in cyberforensics. “The Center of Excellence designation allows DSC students who have completed our cyberforensics certificate program to take a proficiency test developed by DC3,” said Craiger. “Students who pass the test demonstrate proficiency in cyberforensics and can be hired without the need to spend additional dollars training them. They come in prepared with proven capabilities to get the job done.” DSC’s Advanced Technical Certificate in Cybersecurity and Cyberforensics is an 18-hour program that focuses on the protection and analysis of computer and network systems. The program incorporates innovative, tested methods of instruction with hands-on lab work. It is open to students who have earned an associate of science, associate of applied science, associate of arts or previous bachelor of science degree. The program is available fully online, offering convenience and flexibility for students. Credits earned in the program can be applied toward Daytona State’s Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology. The BSIT and BSET, along with the college’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management, have put the college in the Top-10 ranking in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for three years running. Daytona State is the lead institution in the NSF-funded ACE Consortium, whose goal is to advance cyberforensics education in the southeastern United States. The consortium is comprised of nine colleges from Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. It is taking a multi-threaded approach to promoting digital forensics education, including training faculty; creating and distributing comprehensive course materials; working with K-12 schools to implement cybersecurity and digital forensics programs; and serving as a catalyst for workforce development. According DC3, the U.S. is in a cybersecurity workforce deficit. More than ever, organizations need to plan for the future as significant shifts in cyber operations accelerate globally.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes the demand for cybersecurity professionals will increase by 37 percent over the next eight years, with median pay for experienced professionals averaging near $86,000 annually. Cybersecurity jobs are found in business, industry, military, law enforcement, government, academia and the intelligence community.

Embry-Riddle Becomes a National StormReady University: National Weather Service officials will recognize Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach as a StormReady community during a ceremony to be held at the school’s Jim W. Henderson Administration and Welcome Center onWednesday, Aug. 26, at 11 a.m. Home to more than 7,000 students, faculty and staff at the Daytona Beach Campus, Embry-Riddle becomes the 13th Florida university to achieve StormReady status.  The StormReady program helps community leaders and residents better prepare for hazardous weather and flooding. StormReady communities across the country have made a strong commitment to implement the infrastructure and systems needed to save lives and protect property when severe weather strikes. “StormReady encourages communities to take a proactive approach to improving local hazardous weather operations and public awareness in partnership with their local National Weather Service office,” said Scott Spratt, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Forecast Office in Melbourne, Fla. Spratt will present university officials with a recognition letter and a special StormReady sign during the ceremony.  “Embry-Riddle already has a culture of safety that is the gold standard for the profession and the industry, so it’s only natural that we continue to build on that culture by becoming a StormReady university,” said Dr. Richard H. Heist, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research. “The safety of everyone on all of our campuses is paramount, and by being StormReady the university is able to extend a greater level of protection.” The nationwide community preparedness program, founded in 1999, is a grassroots approach to preparing for natural hazards. Today, more than 2,300 U.S. communities are better prepared for severe weather through the StormReady program. “As a StormReady community, Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus maintains a 24-hour communications and emergency operations center. We monitor local weather and flood conditions and have multiple ways to alert the campus and the public when severe weather threatens,” said Dan McCune, the university’s Associate Vice President for Safety and Risk. “We conduct emergency preparedness and response training exercises and we help our surrounding communities prepare by organizing public preparedness programs. This is just one more tool to enhance the overall safety culture of our entire campus, which in turn helps us be better prepared for any and all emergencies.”  The StormReady program is part of the National Weather Service’s working partnership with the International Association of Emergency Managers and the National Emergency Management Association. The StormReady recognition is valid for three years and can be renewed.

In the Press, In the News:

Florida jobless rate falls to 5.4 percent in July, down 0.2 percentage points from revised June numbers. The latest monthly unemployment mark represents 517,000 jobless Floridians from a workforce of 9.5 million, according to the state Department of Economic Opportunity. In June, there were an estimated 532,000 Floridians out of work with the workforce standing at 9.55 million. The monthly jobs numbers were driven by increases in the fields of leisure and hospitality, professional and businesses services and local government. Gov. Rick Scott maintained his focus on 16,900 private-sector jobs created across the state, according to the latest numbers. “Thousands of Floridians are finding new opportunities to find a great job, provide for their loved ones, and achieve their dreams in our great state,” Scott said in a prepared statement. The state’s unemployment rate moved closer to the national number, which remained at 5.3 percent from June to July. The state agency said in a release that over the past year, Florida’s job growth rate of 3.5 percent has exceeded the national rate in the same time, which was 2.1 percent. Florida’s unemployment figure for June was revised up to 5.6 percent after initially being posted at 5.5 percent. Metro areas with the biggest gains over the past year were Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, up 45,300 jobs, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, with an additional 31,800 jobs, and Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, with an increase of 27,700 jobs. News Service of Florida.

Another Drama in Harper Lee’s Hometown: “But in Ms. Lee’s hometown here, the effects of publishing “Watchman” linger, like debris from a departing county fair. Even as life returns to its slow rhythms, many residents are adjusting to a new order of things when it comes to Ms. Lee, one firmly under the direction of Tonja B. Carter. Ms. Carter is Ms. Lee’s lawyer, and over the last several years she has consolidated an unusual amount of control over the author’s affairs. In recent months she has extended her reach, sometimes to the most minute of details. […] She is Ms. Lee’s lawyer, spokeswoman and the trustee of her estate. She holds power of attorney over Ms. Lee, who is 89 and infirm, and she has had a role in a trust that the author established around 2011. She says she is the one who rediscovered the long forgotten manuscript for “Watchman” and negotiated the deal with HarperCollins for publication rights. And lately, she’s taken the reins of a nonprofit organization that Ms. Lee created, and she gained control of the play based on “Mockingbird” that is performed each spring inside the courthouse. “This level of involvement is highly unusual,” said Sallie Randolph, a lawyer who represents authors. Ms. Carter’s control of Ms. Lee’s affairs has become a polarizing issue that hangs over this town of about 6,300 residents. Praised by some as the dutiful protector of an aging friend, she is derided by others as a spiteful person who wields too much influence over a vulnerable client.” From The Times.

Jeb Bush said he loved manatees, but preferred boaters: “What happened with Bush and manatees remains one of the great what-ifs of Florida environmental history and provides a window into how he might deal with similar situations as president. Bush took office in January 1999 at a crucial moment for manatee protection. The Save the Manatee Club and other environmental groups had spent years building a coalition that could take both the state and federal government to court. They based their lawsuits on the rising death toll of manatees clobbered by boats and the continuing loss of habitat to waterfront development. […] Someone from the boating industry suggested assessing a $10 fee on each new boat registration. That would raise enough money to hire 100 new wildlife officers to patrol. Everyone at the summit agreed that was a great idea. But when Bush heard about the proposal, he rejected it. […] Bush’s rejection of what summit participants recommended marked one of the great missed opportunities for Florida’s manatees. […] In his eight years in office, 650 manatees died after being hit by speeding boats. Even today, Florida’s wildlife agency struggles to put enough officers on the water to enforce the speed zones designed to protect them.” Craig Pittman in the Tampa Bay Times.

Palm Coast Construction and Development Progress Reports:

The following is an update of ongoing construction and development projects in Palm Coast, through Aug. 6:

Palm Coast Parkway Six-Laning is 87 percent done: Widening on the north side of the parkway almost complete. Landscape irrigation work continues. Milling and Resurfacing of Roadway continues. FPL began installation of light poles and fixtures along the north side of the roadway.

Holland Park, 27 percent done: Continuation of installation of new water main. Began installation of FP&L primary conduit to new transformer.

Palm Coast City Hall at Town Center, 84 percent done: Installation of drywall on interior walls, mechanical duct work & VAV damper installation, electrical conduit rough-in and fire sprinkler piping are all 98% complete. Painting of interior and exterior walls continues. Floor tile in bathrooms continues. Mechanical system startup occurred. Parking lot curbing completed. Irrigation installation began See ongoing images of construction here.

Colechester Drive Bridge, 32 percent done: Bridge deck being removed, curbing on all sides has been removed.

County’s I-95 Interchange Matanzas Woods Reclaim Water, 25 percent done: Contractor has installed approximately 1,000 ft. of reclaim water main total installed 5,000 ft. to date.

Palm Harbor Parkway Roadway Extension, 6 percent done: Contractor working on submittals and coordinating utility work with FPL & ATT.

Island Walk Shopping Center Phase 1, 91 percent done: The second run of gravity main was installed near Starbucks entrance.

Shops at Pine Lakes Convenience Store, 96 percent done: Pump station start-up and testing completed.

Old Kings Road Force Main – Master Pump Station, 10 percent done: Clearing crew on site removing trees.

Road and Interstate Construction:

Palm Coast:

Palm Coast Parkway: Expect heavy delays on Palm Coast Parkway From 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19: Westbound traffic will be reduced to one lane on the I-95 bridge. These lane closures are required for street light pole installations. In addition, motorists and other travelers should expect intermittent eastbound and westbound nighttime lane closures on Palm Coast Parkway between Florida Park Drive and Cypress Point Parkway / Boulder Rock Drive from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m., Sunday through Friday until the completion of the project in December 2015. One lane eastbound and one lane westbound will remain open at all times. These lane closures are required for paving and traffic signal operations.

Old Kings Road Lane Closures: On Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 17 and 18, motorists and other travelers should expect lane closures on Old Kings Road in the vicinity of the Matanzas Woods Parkway intersection. A single lane will remain open at all times. From Friday, August 21, through Sunday, August 23, motorists and other travelers should expect lane closures on Old Kings Road and Matanzas Woods Parkway in the vicinity of the Matanzas Woods/Old Kings Road intersection. A single lane will remain open at all times.

Complete Road Closure on Old Kings Road: On Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 19 and 20, motorists and other travelers should expect a complete road closure on Old Kings Road and Matanzas Woods Parkway in the vicinity of the Matanzas Woods intersection. Matanzas Woods Parkway will be closed at Bird of Paradise allowing eastbound traffic to Matanzas High School only. Travelers heading south on Old Kings Road at the U.S. 1 intersection will be notified that Old Kings Road is open to local traffic only. Old Kings Road will be closed at the Forest Grove Drive intersection allowing northbound traffic to Matanzas High School only.

Road Closure Note: The northbound lane of S. Old Kings Road from Town Center Boulevard going north approximately 2.5 miles will have a moving lane closure starting Monday, July 27. The lane closure will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and will continue for approximately three weeks. A flagman will direct traffic.

Lane closures to begin July 27 on South Old Kings Road in Palm Coast: The northbound lane of S. Old Kings Road from Town Center Boulevard going north approximately 2.5 miles will have a moving lane closure starting Monday, July 27. The lane closure will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and will continue for approximately three weeks. A flagman will direct traffic. This lane closure is needed to allow a City contractor to clear the right-of-way along the roadway in preparation for an upcoming wastewater system project.

Flagler County Road 302 is Closed to all but local traffic as repaving began on June 7 and the roadway will be closed to all but local traffic. Others will be required to detour around County Road 302 using State Road 100. The roadway will be closed for 90 days, or until early September.

Palm Coast’s Colechester Lane bridge to be closed July 7 through Sept. 4:  A detour will be established taking travelers over the Colorado Drive bridge instead. Signs will be posted directing motorists to the Colorado Drive bridge. The City of Palm Coast strives for safe construction zones. The City asks for the cooperation and patience of residents as this important bridge improvement project is completed. For more information, contact Palm Coast Customer Service at 386-986-2360.

US 92 to close overnight Tuesday for pedestrian bridge installation: The new pedestrian bridge installation is scheduled overnight Tuesday Aug. 18. Construction will run from 10 p.m. Tuesday night  to 5 a.m. Wednesday morning. During the installation, US 92 (International Speedway Boulevard) will be closed – eastbound and westbound – between Daytona Boulevard and Bill France Boulevard. Well-marked detours will be in place.

Detours:

• Traffic going eastbound on US 92 will turn left on to Daytona Boulevard, right on to Avenue B, and then right on to Bill France Boulevard, where US 92 eastbound can be accessed.
• Traffic going westbound on US 92 will turn right on to Bill France Boulevard, left on to Avenue B, left on to Industrial Parkway, right on to Avenue A, and left on to West Road, where US 92westbound can be accessed

This pedestrian bridge will be 750 feet west of Bill France Boulevard, and will include landscaping, lighting, fencing and bridge treatments. The bridge is part of the ongoing pedestrian improvements on US 92, which include upgrading the Williamson Boulevard intersection with new mast arms and other improvements, and replacing existing sidewalk and ditches with 12-foot sidewalks and closed drainage system. All businesses within the construction zone will be accessible during the instillation of the pedestrian bridge. For more information about this, and all Central Florida state roadway projects, visit www.cflroads.com.

Volusia: I-4 Widening from SR 44 to east of I-95, Monday and Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Eastbound/Westbound shoulder closing. Sunday through Thursday, Eastbound and Westbound lane closures as needed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursday, 9:00 p.m. – 5:30 a.m. EB road closure between Canal St./SR 44 and I-95 with detour at US 92 exit ramp.Motorists should be aware of traffic shifts near Canal St./SR 44.

• Palm Coast Parkway Project Website
• Florida Department of Transportation Road Project List
• County Road 304 Project Map and Description

In Coming Days:

Click on the links for more details:

• August 29: Flagler Chapter of the NAACP Hosts Annual Freedom Fund Banquet, 6 p.m. at the Ocean Ballroom of the Hammock Beach Resort, 200 Ocean Crest Drive, Palm Coast. The branch boasts of fine dining, dancing, and music provided by Darnel Butler & Xpression.
• Registration opens for 2015 Palm Coast & the Flagler Beaches Senior Games. The deadline is Sept. 1.
• Friday, Sept. 11: The Palm Coast Arts Foundation Presents Big Band Night (and more) with The Chris Thomas Band of Jacksonville, in the Ballroom of Halifax Plantation, 4000 Old Dixie Highway, Ormond Beach. Dinner and dancing is all part of the ticket price ($50 PCAF members; $60 general public).  Click here for details.
• Sept. 21: Flagler Beach Police Captain Matthew Doughney and 7-Eleven host “Doughnuts with Doughney”: The Flagler Beach Police Department and the city’s 7-Eleven have partnered to host “Doughnuts with Doughney” on Monday, September 21, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at 408 South Oceanshore Boulevard.
• Sept. 28: Bunnell’s State of the Art Water Treatment Facility Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at 100 Utility Drive (directly across the street from the Flagler County Government Services Building), from 4 to 6 p.m.
• Oct. 6: The Flagler County School Board holds a town hall meeting at the Government Services Building.
• Flagler County is now accepting applications for the Fall 2015 Citizens Academy. Classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. beginning September 10 for nine weeks. For more information, click this link or go to flaglercounty.org/academy.
• Nominate Your Veteran of the Year: Flagler County government is taking nominations from Aug. 1 through Sept. 30 for the veteran of the year. Nominations must be mailed in to the county. Click here for details.

 

Comment of the Day (From the Comment Section):

From Tulip, in “Princess Place Saved Again: Flagler Pulls Extreme Race Out of Preserve and Looks Elsewhere.” “As pleased as I am that the race won’t be at Princes Preserve, it seems to me that a bunch of sunshine laws were broken, as it appears evident that there were many phone calls and conversations amongst the commissioners and decisions made that weren’t made publicly. In fact this whole thing seemed to have been planned privately. I see that of the two M&M’s McClaughlin was for the event and I get the impression that Meeker was too. It was mentioned here in the article that the Ag center was a possibility. It is on the Edge of PP, would people be able to take advantage of free parking of both residential vehicles and event vehicles. Maybe that’s not a good idea. People have mentioned having it in the fairgrounds or land nearby. That sounds like a better idea. I certainly hope and pray a totally different contract is written up, there has been enough sneakiness and stupidity as it is, never mind giving away all the potential money and having to foot the expenses of putting a show like this on. It’s like having someone have a big fundraiser in your yard, but you pay the expenses. No way. I wish there was a person higher up in the county that could put a rein on Coffey and his shady dealings. Now that the TDC is in “county hands”, we have Dunn doing the same thing. It’s like Coffey is king and everyone else has to fall in line. Guess we’re going backwards to what the BOCC was like in the 80’s and 90’s.” Reply to Tulip here.

Cultural Coda:

Bach’s Complete St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244, the Ton Koopman Interpretation