When three members of the Palm Coast City Council voted to fire City Manager Denise Bevan on Tuesday, none of the three explained why beyond vague generalities about going in a different direction that does not seem much different than where the city has been going–more development–and balancing the “competing interests” of growth and quality of life, as Mayor David Alfin put it.
In a 40-minute interview Tuesday afternoon, Alfin explained what led him to make his motion, threading a needle between lavish praise for Bevan in one sentence and sharp criticism of city management in the next, while explicitly conceding that Bevan may have been the victim of political circumstances. He said “rumors” had been building for months, and that, as he told her before the vote, he no longer had “the ability to hold back the tide.”
What rumors? “There’s been rumors about changes without any definition about what those changes might be, and I hear that from folks in the streets, people I know,” Alfin said. “I believe that Denise was aware of the banter as well.”
Bevan, in sum, paid a paid a price for political currents she was not in control of. “That’s exactly correct,” Alfin said. “So is she a victim of the political circumstances? No question about it, and I said that to her. That, my friend, is part of the fact of city managers.” County and city manager tenures are notoriously unpredictable, some stretching to patriarchal lengths, many ending abruptly if not always unexpectedly, as did that of William Whitson in Flagler Beach last year and that of County Administrator Craig Coffey, after a longer agony, in 2019.
Whitson had been hired through the very process that Alfin is suggesting could be used to hire Palm Coast’s next manager: the “Range Riders” counsel of retired city managers who shepherd cities to their next appointment. But that process is fraught with favoritism and subjectivity, as was the case in the hiring of Whitson–by his old boss of eight years in Port Orange, Ken Parker.
“These are risky times. You’ve got politics at play, you’ve got people that maybe don’t understand good governance, people that may be serving for the wrong reasons. All of that puts an executive at risk,” Alfin said, a veiled allusion made more explicit later in the interview to the way certain issues–drainage problems in parts of the city, utility costs–have been weaponized for political ends in an election year.
Three seats are up on the council this year. Alfin is running for re-election. Council members Ed Danko and Nick Klufas are running for County Commission seats, which means at least two seats, possibly three, will turn over on the council. Bevan had nothing to do with that weaponization, and everything to do with redirecting city staff to address drainage issues as few issues have been prioritized to quickly, upending other priorities. Alfin recognizes the pivot.
“Make no mistake, I have not a single negative thing to say about Denise and her performance,” Alfin said, promising to help her to forward her career. But his charge is to ensure that the city has the “best qualified, best experienced top talent to lead us forward while making sure that today’s residents are happy with the reason they came to Palm Coast, because it’s a dream.” Which is to say that Bevan was somehow not that person.
Sounding at times overtly patronizing toward Bevan, he said removing her was in residents’ best interest and hers, “in terms of her future. I know it sounds awfully vague, but change is inevitable especially when you have just such special unique opportunity ahead, and sometimes you need new perspectives to navigate those challenges.”
Alfin said the public may not have understood where he was coming from because it does not see “the underside of the belly of the beast,” which itself suggests more deep-seated problems. Asked to elaborate, he said: “There have been several issues that have not been handled as well as I hope they would have been, and to qualify that I’m not sure some of them have a solution, so perhaps being in charge at the wrong moment in time is tough. If there are problems in the city at the end of the day they all bubble up and you’re the boss.”
Alfin spoke candidly of three specific problems that contributed to Bevan’s demise, only one of which could be directly attributed to her: Palm Coast Connect’s inadequacy, the Utility Department’s request for rate increases, and strategic decisions related to the utility’s ask. The first two were not Bevan’s doing. The third was, at least in Alfin’s view.
Alfin wanted Bevan to be more politically attuned to the reality of an election year, and to have delayed a controversial utility rate study that could be turned to political ends until a non-election year. In other words, Bevan’s a-political approach–an approach city and county managers are trained to follow–worked against her. Managers are not comfortable making politically driven decisions. Doing so raises ethical questions that run counter the profession’s code. The politics are for the elected officials to deal with. In this case, the elected took a lot of flack over a sensitive issue. Alfin blames it on Bevan.
“The utility rate hike study was presented at the beginning of an election cycle,” Alfin said. “I think that’s wrong because I think it could have been done a year ago and not become part of political pandering or footballing or whatever. The problem is when you allow it to fall on the calendar this way, I don’t know that you debate and consider it on its true merits without a thought of how this will affect the upcoming campaign, and I think at the top level of leadership, those kind of questions are very important.”
Alfin considers the city’s customer service to be sub-par. Palm Coast Connect, the online tool the city has been using since 2019 to communicate with residents when they have issues and want problems solved, to be the wrong tool, and to have caused its own share of problems and misunderstandings. He’s making it part of his Strategic Action Plan, or future goals, to eliminate and replace.
“Palm Coast Connect is described as being problematic,” he said, and not salvageable. “I’m not convinced that our customer service team is an A-tiple plus. When you start putting things together, all of these things need to improve.” The city is not responding to people’s complaints in a timely way, he said, and the system itself has confused customers with automatic responses that suggest cases may be closed when they’re not, causing frustration.
“There’s a long road ahead of us to be able to communicate effectively, efficiently and continuously to the public,” the mayor said. He stressed that he was critical of Palm Coast Connect, but not of the city’s Communications Department. “Our team is the best,” he said of that department.
Alfin was also displeased not just with the timing of the utility rate increase but with the merits of the increase itself. Here, too, there was needle-threading by the mayor: he does not dispute that the city’s infrastructure is aging and that it needs a lot of work, and therefore a lot of money. He speaks of that publicly and frequently. But he disputes the department’s method and conclusions.
“I was very clear when I voted no about the utilities’ ask for large increases of money, and explained very carefully that I was unwilling to invest further in the utility department at this moment, until I was assured and felt confident their plan was correct,” Alfin said. “I did not have that confidence.”
Diametrically opposed words to those Alfin had spoken of the utility department and its rate study during the State of the City address only last month: “You have all played pivotal roles in maintaining Palm Coast’s infrastructure, and we are grateful to you for your determination and effort,” he’d said. “We also conducted a thorough study that looked at different scenarios for addressing utility rates. We understand that hearing about possible increases in utility rates can be unpleasant. But please know that these decisions are not made randomly. They’re part of a plan to ensure our utility services remain exceptional both now and in the future.”
The department was asking for an 18 percent rate increase over four years, coming off equally steep rate increases over the past decade that had been rationalized for the same reason: the infrastructure is aging. The department was also asking for a steep increase in utility impact fees, the one-time levy on new construction. That revenue is used to defray the cost of new infrastructure, not existing infrastructure. The council approved the impact fee increase, with Alfin dissenting. It did not approve the rate increase.
“As a result changes have been made in the utility department, which I’m sure you’re aware of,” Alfin said, referring to the removal of Steve Flanagan from the director’s position. Bevan had explained that the removal was more of a shift to a position that would enable Flanagan to develop a succession plan at the department. Alfin said Flanagan “voluntarily took a different job title,” but the mayor connected that both to the “phenomenal ask” for a rate increase and to what he saw as the department blaming the council for the need for that ask.
“I need to know they have a plan in place so that stuff really gets fixed,” Alfin said. “Changing Steve is a step that’s probably part of a whole strategic plan to raise the bar in one particular department, and you can pick other departments.”
The interview suggests that rather than a City Council firing, it was very much Alfin’s move to push Bevan out, just as it had been Alfin’s to push her into the job two years ago. Fellow-council members Ed Danko and Cathy Heighter seemed unsurprised when Alfin made the jaw-dropping motion, like supporting actors following a script. Their jaws were as unperturbed as if Alfin had been talking about the recent Strawberry Festival at Town Center. Danko left the room immediately after casting his vote.
Only the dissenters, Nick Klufas and Theresa Pontieri, recoiled with controlled fury, raising questions about the appearance of a pre-arranged coup that in their view implied a sunshine law violation.
Alfin dismissed all suggestions of a pre-arranged vote. “That’s not a dream vote you look for, I’m always a big fan of unanimity,” he said of the 3-2 split. “If I knew it was going to be that close, would I have approached it differently? Perhaps.”
He said Bevan knew his motion was coming. He’s spoken to her ahead of time. “I consider our relationship very close, so I do not ever spring surprises on those that are stake holders,” he said, detailing what he told her ahead of the meeting: “My words were no more complicated than there’s a time that’s been coming because this rumor has been floating for months and months. I no longer have the ability to hold back the tide.”
Alfin’s firing motion also included engaging the services of the Florida League of Cities’ help in finding the next manager, “the sooner, the better.” He dismissed proposals by Pontieri to delay the decision until the next council is seated. “I took exception to the comment because I was thinking to make this decision, are you better making it with an experience group, even though they may not all go forward, or are you better putting it in front of the experienced group,” he said, describing the delay as kicking the can down the road. “I thought the argument was light.”
Assistant City Manager Lauren Johnston is now the acting manager. Alfin was asked whether the search for the next manager would look inward, specifically to Johnston and Jason DeLorenzo, the chief of staff. “I consider those two top shelf,” Alfin said. “But I’ve not ever sat and talked to them about their career path because it was not my job to do that. I can tell you this: I would never offer them up and risk their careers until I was absolutely sure that it was something they wanted and that it was a good fit.”
The mayor said the council will likely have to hold a special workshop to more clearly decide on next steps.
As for his own decision to motion for the firing of Bevan, Alfin said it was nothing like the appearance of calm he projected during that segment at the meeting Tuesday, and it was never an unequivocal decision. I wasn’t calm at all. My insides were anything but calm,” he said.
“It’s been spinning in my mind for some time. I can’t tell you a particular moment. I think I’ve tested myself, yea, nay, countless times,” he said. “You second guess yourself relentlessly. I finally got to a point that I felt all things considered, it would offer the best outcome to the residents and the employees as well. But it was not an epiphany.”
BLINDSPOTTING says
Alfin needs to go. he is full of hot air, he voted against the utility impact fee,
he is for the developers which is why he wanted to delay that topic because
it made him look bad and showed his true colors, he handled this interview
like the true chameleon he is and he knows he’s going to lose this election,
so buh bye already. He was never good for Palm Coast and never will be!
Agree with Blindspotting says
1. In my opinion, the City of Palm Coast mayor’s race is now a 3-man race: Peter Johnson, Mike Norris and Alan Lowe. Alfin doesn’t factor into the equation any longer (after his latest fiasco yesterday, firing Denise Bevan without cause).
2. Regarding his mention of “hearing rumors” or rumblings of complaints about Ms. Bevan, I would assume he’s been listening to his backers at the Flagler Republican Executive Committee (Perry Mitrano, Sharon Demers, Jill Woolbright, Jearlyn Dennie, who is not a member of the REC but in that group) as well as many other members of the voting Republicans in Flagler County.
3. Regarding Alfin’s quote in the article . . . “But his charge is to ensure that the city has the “best qualified, best experienced top talent to lead us forward while making sure that today’s residents are happy with the reason they came to Palm Coast, because it’s a dream.” makes no sense since we now have a completely unqualified and apparently very toxic interim city manager in the form of Lauren Johnston. No qualifications. The projects Lauren Johnston has overseen have been complete disasters . . . the splash pad at Holland Park being just one example. But her disasters have been covered up and/or she’s blamed others for her disasters.
Could it be that she’s part of a very powerful political family here in Flagler County? How’d she get elevated to deputy city manager and now to interim city manager?
By all accounts Lauren Johnston is an extremely toxic individual with no qualifications whom many employees working for the City of Palm Coast dislike (a lot).
This was Alfin doing the bidding of the political powers behind the scenes here in Flagler County.
Unfortunately, he committed political suicide with his latest move (firing Denise Bevan).
What he doesn’t understand is that many members of the Republican Executive Committee want Mike Norris for mayor. They have destroyed Alfin without Alfin even realizing how it all happened. Silly man.
3-man mayoral race now . . . Peter Johnson, Mike Norris, Alan Lowe.
BLINDSPOTTING says
Agree with Blindspotting: to be perfectly frank I don’t know how Johnston
can even accept Bevan’s position as interim or replacement city manager
at this point, I sure hope she is reading the comments on here about what
people are saying about her but she is still young and if she wants to can
learn from past mistakes but now is not her time so Ms. Johnston say
no to Brevan’s misfortune and learn by it, you are being led by satan,
Alfin doesn”t care about your future, he thinks because he knows some
people with clout that he can manipulate for his western ho down legacy,
work your way to the top like Denise did and don’t let that pie in the sky
easy way in mislead you cause once you are up there it’s downhill the rest
of the way, as they say it’s in the journey that you can truly say that you
did it all by yourself.
Lorraine says
I so agree!! 💯 %!
My vote will never include another real estate broker! They only line there own pockets! I will be voting Mike Norris! The rest I am voting out also!
Cathy says
Our Palm Coast players are too political. The powers that be are failing. We need some new blood. I wish we could study successful cities that solve problems and are proactive. I am sure we can change for the better. These are old and tired. JMO
Greg says
I agree. Alfin is not a good fit for Palm Coast. The circus needs to end
Endless Dark Money says
Just republicons sabotaging someone so they can place one of their own pundits in there. Not sure how one plays politics with so much corruption. Got what ya voted for which is republicon corruption and ignorance and hate. Enjoy the dumpster fire.
Concerned in Palm Coast says
Has nothing to do with Republican or Democrat it has everything to do with politics as a whole. Every politician I have ever known on both sides is going to fill positions with like minded individuals that will push forward their agendas no matter what side of the aisle. if you dont think both sides do then you are a delusional.
Rose Morrissey says
I totally agree with that statement.
Concerned in Palm Coast says
This happens on both sides has ZERO to do with party. Every politician I have ever known or followed surrounds themselves with people that are going to push their agenda if you don’t see it then you are blind. You can make this about party but you would be wrong it is always about the person not the party.
Rose Morrissey says
There are no democrats in Palm Coast government
Lacy says
The more I read this article and Alfin’s explanation on firing Bevin in some words he is complimenting her work and then in different explanations he is saying he fired her because of rumors. What it is telling me Alfin should be the one fired. His explanations are bull crap and sorry not buying a word of what he is trying to explain.
I am so looking forward to his re-election when the taxpayers can speak and show the City we want him gone.
Dennis C Rathsam says
Firing the city manager, is another nail in Alfins reellection coffin! Its time for a change, before P/C turns into a shithole. We need a mayor with vision, one who listens to the voters. Whom ever is up for reellection, kick em out. Thier part of the problem too!
Nancy N. says
Well, those are a whole lot of words, Mr Alfin…but they don’t make any sense.
Bobby says
You are so correct he doesn’t make any sense. He fired her to put one of his realtor friends in her place. I hope she is seeing a good lawyer and files a lawsuit against him. He is a real con artist and as a taxpayer he didn’t get my vote the first time and he isn’t getting it the second time. I can spot a snake oil sale person a mile away.
Concerned in Palm Coast says
Makes perfect sense she did an evaluation of the Utility rates in an election year and put Alfin in a bad place and he was pissed because it may hurt his reelection bid. Alfin is only worried about his reelection and not what is right for Palm Coast its that simple. He got pushed into a corner and didn’t like he had to answer for his ineptitude. He also had to expose his love for the developers with the only no vote of the raising of the impact fees it didn’t fit the narrative of all the favors he owes to the big PAK money people that got him elected. Alfin is just a puppet of the developers and the big money folks that want to line their pockets with developer money
Willy Boy says
What a bunch of double talk! I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is a Sunshine violation with the firing of Ms. Bevan. The State Attorney should investigate.
Dumpsterfire says
https://legacy.myfloridalegal.com/contact.nsf/contact?Open&Section=Citizen_Services
Form takes 5 minutes to fill out. Maybe if enough of us use this we can see change (I did it on my phone)
Deborah Coffey says
Done! Thanks for the link.
BLINDSPOTTING says
Alfin got some pair. He has the audacy to say that he is going to help
further Brevin’s career by firing her! Politicial doublespeak at it finest,
in fact Brevin is a hero in my eyes as she is the one who put a nail in
his coffin, first with the utility agenda and now with him getting even by
him firing her, she bit the bullet for the residents of Palm Coast, I wish she
were in his seat! ALFIN YOUR A LOSER!
Mike says
Alfin is the one that should be fired! He’s full of political corruption and isn’t worth a dime for Palm Coast!
bill says
I agree with all the other comments made by the viewers who are reading this article I read it and I let my wife read it we’re both college educated she holding a masters degree and nursing and she doesn’t understand the mumbo-jumbo. I don’t understand the mumbo-jumbo, so Alfin if he’s trying to communicate with us, bring it down a couple notches, the bottom line is you’re dirty you’re liars you’re Backstabber you’re just like the feds in DC
Gina Weiss says
I was recently in a meeting with Denise and the Johnston, Denise
was very accommodating and pleasant, Johnston had a stone cold
look on her face and was clueless about a topic that was discussed
but tried to act as though she was an expert and knowledgable about
it, one could plainly see that she was uncomfortable when I corrected her
and she saw that I was the knowledgable one. It’s beyond me
how she would be put into Brevins position since she is a charlatan,
and the only reason she would be placed in Brevins position is
because she is one of the crony members and now I hear that she i
is a bully seems par for the course.
Gina Weiss says
And may I add Denise Bevan was also very knowledgable about a
number of topics that were brought up and was spot on up to date
on them as well, she struck me as being very sympathetic for the
residents of Palm Coast and very concerned about issus at hand,
that’s because she built her career from the ground up and was
not handed anything on a silver platter, she originally did not
want to take this job.
Wow says
I think the “best interests” of a city are to provide a safe and interesting place for the residents. The profit motive of development may be in someone’s best interest but not ever for the current residents.
Michael Morris says
What he didn’t want to say in an election year. By the time the expansion at Wastewater Plant 2 is complete both plants will be at capacity, and they put off the cost of an engineering study for expansion at Wastewater plant 1. The Water plants have already reduced pressure by 10 psi to conserve water and it’s not even the high demand season. They don’t have enough wells to rotate so the ones they have are being overused. You can’t just dig a well and pump the water to the plants for treatment. By the time Water Management District approves a new well, engineering, and testing is complete it’s well over a year. They don’t want to tell you how much it’s going to cost to meet the current demand, let alone future demand. Hint it won’t be cheap.
Ed P says
Michael,
I believe you are very correct in your assessment Palm Coast’s water capacity. In fact they routinely reduce pressure during peak draw to be certain demand does not out strip the supply. My home has been effected.
Last year when the Dunes system was reduced/down for a maintenance period and they were drawing from the city, it was a daily occurrence.
By reducing the pressure, less water flows through the system to our homes and businesses.
It will also occur during the dry summer sprinkling days between 3 am and 6 am routinely.
Expansion is needed sooner than later. Kicking the can down the road is going to be a problem.
Michael Morris says
When you replace a competent Utilities Director with the Director of Community Development don’t hold your breath on expansion. Odd that never opening was never posted. 30% of water produced goes to irrigation so when they reduce watering days, you’ll know water supply is getting tight.
Deborah Coffey says
This is SO correct!
Where's My SOUP?! says
The Republican Party (deplorables) cannot govern. They never have been able to govern. They’re simply deplorable, but you dim-witted sheep keep flocking to them thinking they’re going to solve all of your problems and somehow make your pathetic, miserable lives better. They obfuscate every matter (for you dumbass backwoods deplorables that means to confuse), usually because they don’t understand much of anything that requires a smidgeon of sense, and damn near every one of them in power or influence ultimately ends up in jail, bankrupt, indicted, convicted, barred, humiliated, on and on. They think they’re business experts, when 80% of all businesses go out of business in just a few short years – predominantly created and managed by deplorables. When you elect a “businessman” to run your government, you can expect to get the business – good and hard.
Concerned in Palm Coast says
yea like career Democrats do any better with their bleeding heart Garbage. Thats to funny!! Rather people govern on common sense instead of their feelings and how people are going to feel
Deborah Coffey says
Well, there is a ton of data, Concerned….Democrats do govern better…even (lol) with their bleeding hearts.
Cathy says
Deplorable can be used for both parties. Humans. That is a human trait. Getting political again eh?
Deborah Coffey says
Okay, got it. Alfin is finished. He’s been the worst mayor in our 24 years living in Palm Coast.
Judith Michaud says
Deborah, not only the worst mayor, worst city government period ! I have been here for nearly 28 years and have never seen such a debacle ! Our school board has never been worst, except for 2 and one is leaving! Palm Coast was a haven when I moved here. I can not believe what it has become. Sadly, it all began when more Republicans moved in and started pushing their greedy , radical views ! Hey, when we have city officials that are still supporting Trump , we have a BIG problem!
Pogo says
@Tap dancing…
…while performing verbal 3 card Monte like a master. Alfin, and his whiny, absurdly unrealistic critics deserve each other. The circular firing squad keeps on rolling.
Alfin, and Bevan, at least, are adults who know what’s up. Florida is a right to work state. PIPs (Performance Improvement Plans) are a euphemism for you’re fired — leave on your feet, or you’ll be carried out.
Killers eat first in every jungle.
Bill C says
Alfin talks out of two sides of his mouth… three sides if it were possible.
TR says
Actually he talks out his back side, if you know what I mean.
TREEMAN says
RINO Alfin is DESTROYING Palm Coast (with the help from RINO Dumko)! Time to STOP the GREEDY Developers from DESTROYING Palm Coast and Flagler County!! Repair and Widen the roads in Palm Coast BEFORE building a new road (for the GREEDY Developers) in Western Flagler!!
Nancy N. says
You seem very confused about what the GOP is…catering to the needs of business over the needs of individual residents is exactly what it is. Alfin and Danko aren’t RINOs…they are doing exactly what the party expects them to do. The fact that they’ve somehow snowed you into believing otherwise is unfortunate testament to the con job they’ve pulled on the American people.
Dumpsterfire says
So we took someone’s livelihood away due to politics and perception. Think about this, the people who gave themselves a raise after trying to have fist fights in the parking lot of city hall fired and took away income from a person because they thought she made them look bad. Alain and danko (you can add that degenerate Lowe in there too) are out for themselves and this interview doesn’t prove it I don’t know what else to tell you. It took 5 minutes to file a complaint with the state attorney general I suggest more of you do, take back your city from these political losers before it’s to late
Randy Bentwick says
Alfin is a weaselly politician and nothing he says can be trusted. If he couldn’t find anything negative to say about Miss Bevan then why even bring up the motion to fire her? Because he is hoping they can find a replacement who will put the wishes of the council above the needs of the city and its residents.
Danko is even worse. He was against hiring her from the beginning.
JimboXYZ says
At the end of the day, this is Alfin’s growth plan & underfunded mess. He couldn’t hold back the tides any longer ? How noble of him, then again these are the tides he created. Like I stated before, I’d rather leave the $ 30 million that is short of developing West Flagler County with flyovers & roads to undeveloped land. If the City & County doesn’t have the money to finish those projects. What sense does it make to build more infrastructure as debt, when the existing & proposed new will be short of being maintained for the previous population size, let alone the current grown population. Nobody takes on more responsibility when they are struggling to handle their current load of responsibility. Alfin seeks o saddle every citizen with inflation for taxes for this very concept. He can’t hold back the tides in an election year over the Bevan fire, but he can drag his heels on a tax increase that he knows he’s going after, provided he is re-elected later in Nov 2024. He’s very candid yet vague about that in his description of the timing of presentations for increases. Alfin picks & chooses the tides for politics, 4 more years as Mayor, like they all do & it has nothing to do with what is in the best interest of Palm Coast or quality of life. Not when the growth plan in an inflationary economy is the driver of the lower quality of life. Sometimes you have to own that, Alfin should be 1 (partial term) & done Mayor, just as Bevin was a short stint City Manager.
PeachesMcGee says
She wasn’t ‘political’, they fired her.
She did her job well, they fired her.
Our city leaders are no longer buffoons, they are just plain turds.
Edith campins says
““Make no mistake, I have not a single negative thing to say about Denise and her performance,” Alfin said”. So a competent employee has been fired because of rumours? And Alfin, Danko and Heighter violated the Sunshine Law? Elect Republicans and this is what you get. P. S. I think Sally Hunt must have been advising them on how to fire someone without cause.
Jim says
This comment nails it. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a person getting fired when there is nothing negative to say about the person or their performance. Never. Whatever “rumors” are going around should not factor into an employee’s job security. A good leader would investigate rumors to see if there are facts to support them.
And unless there are facts, no action should be taken. (By the way, there is a rumor running around that Alfin is a realtor and he wants to push growth in Palm Coast to pad his bank account….of course, just a rumor….)
Apparently having the forethought to look proactively as a rate hike to cover the projected and expected growth here in a “political” year was the nail in the coffin. Managers in general and city managers as well are explicitly expected to anticipate issues and determine a path to mitigate the issue. Sounds like Bevan did just that. And got fired for it.
Alfin is lying throughout this. He and his cronies preplanned this and that is a violation of the sunshine law. Alfin has shown himself to be interested in everything but the best interests of Palm Coast. He’s so bad, I’ll actually consider Alan Lowe (and I can hardly keep my stomach contents down when I say that….).
Final comment, Heidi Petito should send Alfin and Friends a Thank You note – got her out of the limelight until her next faux pas……
Callmeishmael says
Ms. Bevans should run for Mayor now.
BuckeyeGuy says
Denise Bevan is a consummate professional, leader, and expert administrator. She didn’t deserve this, as evidenced by Alfin’s confession that she was railroaded by political motivation. How stupid is he to admit that his attempted clandestine manipulation (postponement) of a city survey, during the year’s election cycle, was the reason for her dismissal? He wants everything sugar-coated and smelling sweet for his re-election. If he’s willing to manipulate her for personal gain, who else has he manipulated? She was fired for doing her job and for not complying with the wishes of a snake in the grass. Bring her back and oust Alfin the Dictator. Palm Coast is not new to state-level investigations. Let’s start this one now. And let’s put in the mayor’s seat someone more deserving of Palm Coast’s trust and more capable of overseeing the needs of Palm Coast citizens.
James says
Oh my, so this was related to the utility rate hike??? Alfin is claiming it’s all political?!?
It’s NOT POLITICAL (at least not for me), it’s just the truth.
That is, to ask the public to bear another utility rate hike to patch up a water system undergoing stress due to new (and anticipated new) construction is wrong.
Or was the rate hike a way to pay for mediating some of the inappropriate building practices of recent note… i.e. the housing elevation/flooding issue???
Yet another issue related to builders and development that the tax payers must cover?!?
And why are the builders building at a higher elevation? Do you really think that will make a difference for the eventual home owner?
No.
I suspect it’s something like this…
The builder too has to carry insurance… at least until someone purchases the property. It’s gotten difficult to get, as ALL housing related insurance has in Florida, and in order to appease THEIR insurers, they too must come up with ways to show they’re a reduced risk.
So anyway you look at it, another utility rate hike is underwriting the efforts of the builders.
In THAT sense Alfin is right… it is political.
Good bye, Alf.
Just my opinion.
Concerned in Palm Coast says
It was political Alfin had to vote against the higher impact fees and it made him look bad for his reelection campaign. He had to vote no to please his PAK money developers that he owes favors to. This isn’t about Democrat or Republican its about the man himself
James says
I think I sorta said as much.
Ya know, being from NYC and reading the first headline from a day or so ago… with the ominous “this is an unfolding story” at the end… well, my first impression was “here it is, we’re bankrupt.”
That is, that someone made a critical error in calculation, or it was discovered that someone had absconded a few million somehow.
It appears not to be the case. But one in which two employees were made examples of simply for stating the truth.
But then again, we now have Alfin speaking of “rumors” and the dark underside of politics or some such dramatic gibberish. Which, as someone who knows no one “in the know,” and hears no rumors first hand, is lead to conclude perhaps this isn’t over after all. It strike me as a golden opportunity for another “shoe to drop.”
And what will people remember most?
Rumors.
What rumors?
“Don’t know. But they did fire the city manager last year, and there were a few folks attempting to have audits carried out that went nowhere… humm.”
Will be the response.
Thanks to Alf.
Not to mention a possible veiled threat of diminishing water quality… sorry but that’s what I read into his last few comments.
Thanks again Alf… just keep adding to the mistrust.
Just a few more opinions.
Btw, it’s not too late to go with the whole “Garfield, Magic 8-Ball” suggestion I made a-ways back.
Just say’n.
David Schaefer says
Alfin, stinken Danko, Klufus you need to be flushed down the hole from where you came from. I will supply the T.P .
The Sour Kraut says
Remember this at election time. Do not let this behavior continue.
jeffery cortland seib says
Reading this interview, I get the impression that this is Mayor Alfin’s version of Disney’s Fantasyland. If Alfin and the other two votes to fire her had a beef with any of the city operations, they should have aired those grips in open council meetings. The entire council could then direct he city manager as to policy for all concerns. If Palm Coast Connect is junk, then fix it. The council could then direct the city manager as to a time frame for reporting back on the plan and the progress. Because it’s an election year, city departments like utilities shouldn’t be requesting rate increases, even if the department heads and consulting firm reports call for increases? if she ignored that information, to me, that would be a more serious dereliction of her responsibilities. Now, we will have an interim city manager, and a new one in the works, with two or possibly three new council members in the mix. This has trouble written all over it.
Laura says
Alfin’s arrogance once again shows his spite against residents of this city. I’ve been at numerous meetings and seen how he acts so condescending towards other certain council members and local residents who dare to question or expose his incompetence. Can’t imagine the good long term city employees whose livelihood depends on his “favor”. Hope he has another prospect going because PC gonna vote him OUT!
Jack Flagler says
Alfin made a decision based on “rumors”…. are you kidding me.
What kind person in a position power makes a critical decision that directly affects the performance of an organization and services that we tax payers deserve based on rumors. Perhaps Alfin misunderstood that the rumors were about city council ‘s inability to do the job that they were elected to do and stop playing politics. The only elected officials that understands their job in this city are Councilwoman Pontieri and Councilman Klufas.
Alfin and Danko are just developers’ puppets. They know that the city doesn’t have water and sewer capacity for additional development and the City Manger along with Mr. Flanegan have been communicating this issue for the past couple of years. But the developers that control Alfin and Danko wanted to hide the truth by eliminating the people that didn’t align with their false vision for the city by demoting a long term excellent employee Mr. Flanegan and firing a good City Manger.
It seems that Danko was well aware of what was about to happen and was eagerly awaiting the gabble. I would venture to say that these two (Alfin and Danko) should be investigated by the state attorney.
The Sour Kraut says
I bet Alfin & Co. believe they will still be in power after the next election. Don’t let this happen! For all our sakes.
Laurel says
Some folks here state it’s not a Republican problem, but this is a, now, Republican run city, in a Republican run county, in a Republican run state. If you are not happy with what is going on, you know what to do. Unfortunately, good Republicans are rightfully upset as it reflects on them, and it shouldn’t. Sorry folks, get rid of the bad, take back your party, and vote in the good. Maybe voting the current system out will send a message to the corrupted that they are no longer wanted.
James says
Spot on Laurel.
And as for “Rumors?”… probably the album with the most 70s airplay ever, wouldn’t you agree. :-)
… And “Darkside” only eclipsed by “The Wall.” :-)
Just say’n.
Mark S says
Came to Palm coast in 2015 with great expectations, and left in 2021 when reality finally sunk in that it wasn’t, and won’t get better. Too many self-interests overruling reasonable management of what could be a wonderful town.
Atwp says
All these comments about Alfin should go, we will see in November. We will see if he get the boot. Why not clean the Republican Palm Coast house.
David M says
So let me get this straight Alfin makes decisions based on rumours that effect his livelihood (real estate) in a voting year. If that isn’t “I only look out for myself attitude”, what is it then. Decisions should be made for the betterment of Palm Coast and I believe Ms. Bevans was doing that. With Alfin in charge you won’t be able to flush your toilets soon enough. The city needs a utility rate study, needs to raise impact fees and needs to get the infrastructure to a point it can support development. It doesn’t now and I fear the time will soon come to pay the piper and us residents of PC will then find out just what Alfin’s reign cost us.
KMedley says
To paraphrase, David Irwin Alfin is about realize the voting power of women in Palm Coast.
I’ve read this article several times. I have not yet decided if our Mayor is being deliberately obtuse, or if the explanation is as simple as that of a power seeking politician. I suspect it’s the latter.
I do not know Denise Bevan’s political ideology. Regardless of how she leans, right or left, this well qualified woman was summarily fired and that effort was led by a man who is the epitome of the very patriarchal controls from which women fougt to break free. The 40 minute mansplaining was nothing less than insulting to all women. What’s worse? Any Body But Alfin (ABBA) convinced one of two women on the City Council to vote with him. The third vote is but the puppet of Joe Mullins, a career woman hater, IMHO.
Alfin gave no clear explanation and only referred to “vague generalities” and “rumors” that finally prompted him to launch his mission to remove Ms. Bevan. Of the three problems he cited, while taking 40 minutes to thread a needle, the only one “directly attributed to her” was the “strategic decisions related to the utility’s ask.” By the way, it wouldn’t take a woman 40 minutes to thread a needle.
Translation? Alfin tells us this was due to “the reality of an election year”. It’s not personal, it’s politics.
Alfin and Danko did not want to address the 18% increase in rates, sought by the Utility Department, during an election season. I don’t know about you, but I’d prefer to know what an elected official believes about such an increase BEFORE voting for him or her. Finding out afterwards is what has caused this current mess with Palm Coast City Council, IMHO.
Neither Heighter nor Danko were surprised by Alfin’s motion. Are all three beholden to the developer machine headed by MCIII?
The fact this patriarchal attitude exists 176 years since the first Women’s Convention held at Seneca Falls and 104 years since Women Won the Vote with the passage of 19th Amendment is telling.
Primary Election Day in Flagler County is August 20, 2024.
City of Palm Coast elections include:
Mayor (Currently held by Any Body But Alfin)
Council Member, District 1, (Danko)
Council Member, District 3, (Klufus)
Klufus and Danko are presently seeking to ascend the dais of the Flagler County Commission, Districts 3 and 5, respectively.
Make sure you know the candidates and more importantly, who’s backing the candidates. The Flagler County Supervisor of Elections provides detailed information for each candidate, including campaign contributions and expenditures:
https://www.flaglerelections.com/Election-Info/Local-Candidates-Committees
Simply click on the candidate’s name, then click list all contributions and expenditures to learn more about contributors.
Alfin and Danko MUST be defeated and women must unite to send a clear message. Alfin, IMHO, seeks to pave the way for Jason DeLorenzo, former Governement Affairs Director for the Flagler County Homebuilders Association for 10 years, to become the City Manager, JMHO. DeLorenzo had strong ties to the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce as his wife was president for several years.
As for the interim city manager, Lauren Johnston, I wish her well but I would caution her to watch her back. If Denise Bevan, with her impressive resume can be unceremoniously fired based on “rumors”, “vague generalties” and “the reality of an election year”, then what do you suppose Alfin, Danko, and Heighter will do to you, regardless of your family?
BLINDSPOTTING says
KMEDLEY: We agree with you, he lost the women vote here in
Palm Coast. Firing of an employee as far as I know should be done
behind closed doors and not for the person to be publicly humiliated
it was stomch turning on how it was done as we watched the video.
We are also surprised at Heighter that she was drawn into Alfs evil
ways, women should be champion each other and not publicly
become part of the ill treatment by a bully. We voted for you Cathy
and we are disappointed, if you felt that she was not qualified you
should have opted not to do this in public.
bruces says
I feel sorry for her she tried and as said she was no ready for this position
This city council the only thing they have done is build build build
25 gas stations 25 storage places and 25 car washers
more fast food places
They have no concern how they spend our money not theirs
where is the safety of the roads crime and safe sports facilities
where is the safety of traffic lights sitting at palm coast pkway for 15 minutes is not fun
good by affin, goodby Ed and goodby clues nick 8 years and you did nothing for the people loser
Concerned Citizen says
Flagler Voters, Remember these two names well.
Denise Bevan Kristy Gavin.
Both of these former employees are about to cost this county A LOT of money.
This county deserves to be sued for everything it has. Lastly. All of this falls on every single voter who allowed these people in. To continue what they are doing.
Barbara Lyons says
Can someone explain what the rumors are about? I’m not following this part at all.
I watched the meeting where they fired Denise. It was absolutely preplanned. The other two that voted against her showed zero surprise and zero emotion.
Did Alfin really say in that article that he fired her for bringing up utility rate increases during an election year? Is he that stupid?
I understand that if a developer has bought land and it is zoned correctly they have the right to build and the city has little to say about it. And if the city does deny it we would just lost lawsuits that will cost money. However it is wrong to allow so much development when the infrastructure cannot handle it and current residents have to pay the penalty. Isn’t this something the Planning department should have addressed a long time ago? And stop saying this is what ITT planned because it is a different city from back then and I doubt they foresaw us running out of water.
I was really disgusted how the entire episode was handled and I agree that Alfin has a very condescending attitude towards most of the residents that appear before the council.
We can vote him out but this problem is definitely not being addressed and will continue to worsen as the years go by. I don’t know what the solution is but it needs to be figured out quickly.