Tuesday Briefing: Frieda Zamba, Food Truck Tuesday, Spring Band Concert, Taxes, Job Fair, Pool Opening

Last week Hammock residents led by Jan Cullinane organized a demonstration protesting bills in the Florida Senate and House that would essentially nullify Flagler County government's ability to regulate the 100-odd short-term rental properties now operating in the Hammock. The protesters were not pleased with Sen. Travis Hutson who, though he is opposing the bill, has been more low-key about his opposition than a champion of Hammock residents opposed to the bills. Hutson had temporarily floated an amendment to the Senate bill, but withdrew it after protest from the Flagler County Commission, as the amendment would have done little to mitigate the effect of the bill. (Mary Kay Ulsamer for FlaglerLive) — Last week Hammock residents led by Jan Cullinane organized a demonstration protesting bills in the Florida Senate and House that would essentially nullify Flagler County government’s ability to regulate the 100-odd short-term rental properties now operating in the Hammock. The protesters were not pleased with Sen. Travis Hutson who, though he is opposing the bill, has been more low-key about his opposition than a champion of Hammock residents opposed to the bills. Hutson had temporarily floated an amendment to the Senate bill, but withdrew it after protest from the Flagler County Commission, as the amendment would have done little to mitigate the effect of the bill. On Monday, the Senate Community Affairs Committee voted 5-3 to advance the bill but in a completely different form, basically granting victory to the Flagler protesters. See a video of the event here. (Mary Kay Ulsamer for FlaglerLive)

Today: Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s inland…around 80 coast. East winds 10 to 15 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s inland, in the mid 60s on the coast. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Details here.
Drought Index is at 264.
Today’s tides: at the beaches, at the Intracoastal Waterway.
Today’s document from the National Archives.
The OED’s Word of the Day: hand-tame, adj..
The Live Community Calendar
Today’s jail bookings.

Today’s Briefing: Quick Links

First Light
In Flagler and Palm Coast
Flagler Jail Bookings and Sheriff’s Crime Reports
Announcements
In State Government
In Coming Days in Flagler, Palm Coast and Beyond
The Day’s Best Reads
Fact-Checking the Knaves
Palm Coast Construction and Development
Local Road and Interstate Construction
Cultural Coda

“Do Sharks Attack Humans Only When Crazed?”

–Headline in New York Times, July 30, 1916.

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.

The Sheriff’s daily incident reports and jail bookings are posted here.

The trial of James Albert Taylor, who faces a first-degree felony charge of lewd and lascivious molestation of an 11-year-old girl, is scheduled to begin with opening arguments at 9 a.m., before Circuit Judge Dennis Craig, in Courtroom 401, Flagler County courthouse. A mistrial was declared earlier this month in the case (2014 CF 000043). See: “James A. Taylor Trial: A History of Violence and Rapes of Women and Children That the Jury Will Not Be Allowed to Hear.”

The Palm Coast City Council meets at 9 a.m. at City Hall in Town Center. The Health Department will give a state of the county’s health presentation.

The Flagler County School Board meets at 6 p.m. in board chambers at the Government Services Building, Bunnell. Lynette Shott will summarize the victories of the county’s Future Problem Solvers. The board is expected to approve a $45,000 bid to replace a roof at Bunnell Elementary. Diane Dyer will present to the board a committee’s findings on the adoption of the district’s social studies textbooks.

Veterans Networking Meeting: 6:30-8 p.m. at the VFW, 47 Old Kings Road, Palm Coast. The purpose is to provide Flagler County veteran-owned businesses a venue to hire or refer a veteran, share and find resources. For more information, please contact Jimmy M Millhollin at (386) 931-0487.

Season Opening of Frieda Zamba Swimming Pool, 2 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (days and hours expand May 27), Frieda Zamba Swimming Pool, 339 Parkview Drive, Palm Coast. Daily rates and season passes available. More info: 386-986-4741.

Job fair: Numerous businesses are participating in a Daytona State College job fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Lemerand Center on DSC’s Daytona Beach Campus, 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd. Participating employers include Volusia County, Boston Whaler, SMA Behavioral Health, Heartland Dental, Silversphere, Thompson Pump and Manufacturing, Florida Health Care Plans, Halifax Health, Walgreens, Wells Fargo and others representing health services, education, banking, insurance, IT, hospitality, manufacturing and public service industries. Current DSC students and alumni are welcome to visit the college’s Career Services Department prior to the job fairs for assistance with resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation and other free services. Career Services is located in the Wetherell Building (#100), Rm. 205, on the Daytona Beach Campus. For additional information regarding the job fairs or DSC’s Career Services Department, contact Dean Howe, (386) 506-3379, [email protected].

AARP Driver Safety Program: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Frieda Zamba Pool Classroom, 339 Parkview Drive, Palm Coast. The nation’s first and largest classroom course for motorists ages 50 and older. This one-day course identifies ways that older drivers can compensate for the physical changes that occur as they age and helps older drivers update their driving knowledge and skills. Fees are $20/session ($15/session for AARP members). To register, contact AARP representative Karen Zimmerman at 386-585-4116.

Auditions for Spotlight on Youth Talent Show, open to all grades, 5 p.m. at the Flagler County Youth Center on the campus of Flagler Palm Coast High School.

Flagler Palm Coast High School’s band holds its Spring band Concert at Flagler Auditorium, 7 p.m.

Food Truck Tuesday, 5-8 p.m. at Central Park in Town Center, 975 Central Ave, Palm Coast. Purchase and enjoy delicious cuisine available from food trucks situated along Park Street next to Central Park. Free entertainment is also provided. More info: www.palmcoast.gov.com/foodtruck or call 386-986-2323.

Announcements:

G.W. Carver Center Auction to benefits the Carver Center in Bunnell continues. To bid, go here.

In Florida and in State Government:

Note: Some proceedings below can be followed live on the Florida Channel. Most legislative proceedings can be followed through the Senate or House websites.

Medical pot: The House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee will consider proposals (HB 1397 and SB 406), filed by House Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, and Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, that would carry out a November constitutional amendment that broadly legalized medical marijuana in the state. (House Appropriations at 9 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol. Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations at 4 p.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

Ridesharing goes to Senate floor: The Senate will hold a floor session and consider a series of bills, including a proposal (SB 340), filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would create statewide regulations for ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft. (10 a.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)

Communications tax: The House Ways & Means Committee will hold a workshop on “taxation of communication services.” (10 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

Credit card ‘skimming’ targeted: the senate criminal and civil justice appropriations subcommittee will consider a bill (sb 766), filed by sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, D-Miami, that would take further steps to crack down on the use of “Skimming” devices to fraudulently obtain credit-card information. (1:30 p.m.)

Best and brightest’ educators at issue: The Senate Pre-K-12 Education Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a series of issues, including a bill (SB 1552), filed by Chairman David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, that would revamp the Best and Brightest teacher-bonus program. Among other things, the bill would expand the program to include school principals. (1:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

Community redevelopment: The Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee will take up a bill (SB 1770), filed by Sen. Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa, that would place new requirements on community redevelopment agencies and could lead to the termination of some of the agencies. (1:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

Craft breweries: The Senate General Government Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a proposal (SB 554), filed by Sen. Dana Young, R-Tampa, that could help craft brewers through changes in distribution laws. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

Football player’s death: The Senate Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a “claim” bill (SB 48), filed by Minority Leader Oscar Braynon, D-Miami Gardens, that would compensate the family of Florida State University football player Devaughn Darling, who died while working out in 2001. (4 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

–Compiled by the News Service of Florida and FlaglerLive

In Coming Days in Palm Coast, Flagler and the Occasional Beyond:

♦ April 23: The Chamber Players of Palm Coast, under the direction of Paige Dashner Long, are in concert at 3:30 p.m. at Palm Coast United Methodist Church, 5200 Belle Terre Pkwy, performing works by Gluck, Abel, Bach, and Handel. This concert will also include a special appearance by the Harmony Chamber Orchestra, the advanced orchestra from the Flagler Youth Orchestra Program, directed by Sue Cryan. They will play one piece at the beginning of the concert and join together at the end of the concert to perform Handel’s Water Music Overture and the Lady Gaga Fugue. The concert is free and open to all. Please invite family and friends to this wonderful concert, as well as forward this email to those who may be interested. Palm Coast United Methodist Church is located at 5200 Belle Terre Parkway. For more details, call 386-445-1600.
♦ April 26: Anyone whose child has died is invited to an informal meeting to consider eventually establishing a local chapter of The Compassionate Friends, a nonprofit self-help bereavement support organization for families that have experienced the death of a child. There are some 650 such chapters across the country. The meeting will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Florida Hospital Flagler in classrooms A&B. for more information, call John Brady at 610/428-3139. To learn more about The Compassionate Friends, visit their national website at www.compassionatefriends.org. The meeting is open to all parents, grandparents, and siblings over age 18 who has suffered the loss of a child of any age.
♦ April 26: Free legal clinics: The Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller in partnership with the Flagler County Bar Association is proud to present a four part series of legal clinics free of charge. Come out and speak to attorneys who are experts in their respective field of law for free. These clinics will be held at the Flagler County courthouse in the 1st floor jury assembly room, 1769 E. Moody Blvd. building #1, Bunnell, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Today’s class: Probate, Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning. See the flyer here.

♦ April 28: City Market Place business owners have collectively come together to host a free Jazz Concert for the public at 7:30 p.m. The Jazz Concert will feature the Flagler-Palm Coast High School Jazz Band and is a fundraiser for the band. All sponsoring businesses will also have an Open House from 6 to 7 p.m. There will be free giveaways, prizes and a raffle drawing. The Flagler County Sheriff’s office will provide free fingerprinting of children. We would like to invite all Flagler County residents to join us for a wonderful evening of music under the stars.
♦ April 29: The People’s Climate Movement March, in conjunction with a march scheduled in Washington, D.C., will march locally, meeting at Wadsworth Park at 10 am and marching over the bridge to Veteran’s Park in Flagler Beach, where there we will a rally and speakers sharing a wide variety of issues and information on how to get involved.
♦ May 3: Free legal clinics: The Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller in partnership with the Flagler County Bar Association is proud to present a four part series of legal clinics free of charge. Come out and speak to attorneys who are experts in their respective field of law for free. These clinics will be held at the Flagler County courthouse in the 1st floor jury assembly room, 1769 E. Moody Blvd. building #1, Bunnell, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Today’s class: Criminal Law and Traffic. See the flyer here.
♦ May 15: Free legal clinics: The Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller in partnership with the Flagler County Bar Association is proud to present a four part series of legal clinics free of charge. Come out and speak to attorneys who are experts in their respective field of law for free. These clinics will be held at the Flagler County courthouse in the 1st floor jury assembly room, 1769 E. Moody Blvd. building #1, Bunnell, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Today’s class: Family Law: Divorce, Name change, Adoption, Domestic Violence Injunctions etc. See the flyer here.
♦ May 16: The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission holds a hearing the the case of Circuit Judge Scott DuPont, who faces several charges of misconduct during his 2016 re-election election campaign. He has admitted wrongdoing. The 9 a.m. hearing is taking place in courtroom 406-7 at the Duval County Courthouse, 501 W. Adams Street, Jacksonville, before a six-member panel: Eugene Pettis, Steven P. DeLuca, Robert Morris, Michele Cummings, Harry Duncanson (a lay member of the commission) and Jerome S. Osteryoung.

The Day’s Best Reads:

Why Tesla's future is so hard to predict, by @DKThomp https://t.co/u3PVIQ7LoM pic.twitter.com/oYboxUMy1E

— The Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) April 18, 2017

Three months into his presidency, Trump no longer has a tax plan https://t.co/FxBl4AlNR2

— New York Magazine (@NYMag) April 18, 2017

Don’t curse your IRS return. Taxes gave us Western democracy! https://t.co/KDXSPQmO1E pic.twitter.com/yGCj2xUsMq

— Slate (@Slate) April 18, 2017

Erdogan didn’t just win his constitutional referendum — he closed a chapter of Turkey’s modern history. https://t.co/WgUuYRA5pU pic.twitter.com/HS8qZZ9O5i

— Foreign Policy (@ForeignPolicy) April 18, 2017

Is London lost? Not in the slightest, say those who voted for Brexit. They say that London is reclaimed. https://t.co/9DxxPvo55R

— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 13, 2017

A Twitter List by PierreTristam

Palm Coast Construction and Development Progress Reports

The following is an update of ongoing permitting, construction and development projects in Palm Coast, through March 24 (the city administration’s full week in review is here):

Click to access development-march-24-2017.pdf

Road and Interstate Construction: