Last Updated: 10:31
Twelve candidates have applied in hopes of appointment to the Palm Coast City Council seat Cathy Heighter resigned last month, two of whom have previously been appointed to local elected boards–including one who served on the City Council–and two who served on government advisory boards. One applicant did not qualify because she does not live in District 4, so 11 applicants will be interviewed when the council convenes at 1 p.m. today.
The application window drew more candidates than three previous such appointment rounds since 2018, likely because the appointment will be for two years, will give the winner the advantage of incumbency when the seat is up for election in 2026, and will automatically make that winner the council member with the second-most seniority once three new elected members are sworn in the first week of December. Two of the three previous rounds drew just three applicants each, the third drew eight.
The only former applicant to apply again is Vincent Lyon, who is also the only applicant to have been previously appointed to a council seat, which he did not subsequently contest. Ironically, or perhaps sadly, several of the applicants for appointment have qualifications for the job that, at least on paper, exceed those of some of the candidates in the Nov. 5 runoffs for Council.
The council decided not to hold a special election concurrent with the Nov. 5 general election, saying there was not enough time for candidates to gather petitions, and paying the qualifying fee would have meant limiting the candidate pool to those who could afford it. The council ruled out a special election later, and ruled out leaving the next council to make the appointment.
The council will interview candidates in an open meeting on Sept. 17 and discuss the applicants again on Sept. 24, when the public will be given a chance to weigh in. The vote to fill the seat will be on Oct. 1.
Here is a summary of each applicant with each application linked to his or her name.
Robert Bogges, 71, has been a Palm Coast resident for 17 years. He’s a retired paramedic and support services manager who worked for eight years before his retirement for Volusia County government, and was the director of administrative services for Daytona Beach government before that, a title he held in the culmination of a three-decade career there. He currently serves on Flagler County government’s Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board. “Whether it is supervising a group of medics in a military ER, managing employees in an emergency or office environment, I have learned that every person has something to offer to an organization to meet that organization’s goal,” he writes. He was the Ormond Beach Jaycees’ Outstanding Young man of the Year in 1980, among other honors.
Darryl Boyer, at 25 the youngest of the applicants, he gained prominence in the past year and a half as a candidate for the State House seat that includes Flagler County. He lost a bid to replace Paul Renner in that seat, a bid especially damaged when Renner–for whom Boyer had been an aide in the 2022 campaign–decided to endorse his opponent, Sam Greco, who took 64 percent of the vote in last month’s Republican primary. (Greco faces Democrat Adam Morley in the Nov. 5 election.) A 2018 graduate of Flagler Palm Coast High School (college and university years aside, he’s a lifelong Palm Coast resident), he was a legislative aid in the State House in 2023 and a clerk staffer there the previous year. The experience “has given me firsthand knowledge of the legislative process and appropriations process,” he writes, “while my work as a private investigator and legal assistant has sharpened my analytical and problem-solving skills.” He was a marketing director for the Woolsey Morcom law firm.
Regina Davis, 62, has been a Palm Coast resident for a year and a half. She’s a mental health clinician with Hopelink Behavioral Health of Virginia, a field she’s been in since 2018. She’s also a real estate broker with Richardson Realty an Lifestyle International Realty. “I have had experience running for political office in Georgia and serving as a Community Activist,” she writes. Davis had to withdraw since she does not live in District 4.
Charles Gambaro, 46, is an 18-year resident of Palm Coast and a previously appointed member of the Flagler County School Board, where he served between 2007 and 2008, when he was working for a uniform company. He’d been appointed to replace Jim Guines. He came in third in an election that eventually seated Andy Dance on the board. In November 2022, he founded a company called Spearhead Strategies for which he is the only listed agent. He describes it as “an international management consulting company that supports government and private sector clients in the supply, logistics, defense, and security sector.” He was previously on active duty in the military, chaired the Soil and Water Conservation Board and served on the executive committee of the Flagler County Republican committee.
Leslie Giscombe, 60, a resident of Palm Coast for 33 years, is the founder in 2018 and CEO of the African American Entrepreneur Association of Daytona Beach, which spurs small businesses with a focus on the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color community, and a founding member of the Flagler Tiger Bay Club. He’s previously founded other companies focused on marketing and business development to support non-traditional students or entrepreneurs. He served as an advisory board member of CareerSource Florida. He’s cultivated relationships eith large and small local businesses. “These connections enable me to advocate effectively for initiatives that drive community prosperity,” he writes.
Vincent Lyon, 53, is the only applicant so far who can say that he has experience as an appointed member of the Palm Coast City Council: The lawyer and now 12-year resident of Palm Coast was appointed to serve the remaining six months on the seat Steven Nobile had vacated. He was with the Chiumento law firm at the time, but has since 2021 run his own firm, Lyon Law. “In that role,” he wrote of his service on the council, “I made tough decisions and served with diligence and distinction.” In 2020 he ran for a School Board seat but lost to Jill Woolbright (who would go on to declare that she was in “satanic warfare” with her colleagues and file a criminal complaint against the superintendent over books she wanted banned). Lyon is also on the board of the Flagler Humane Society.
Demetrios Maroosis, 29, has been in Palm Coast 17 years. He is the director of analytics at Florida Health Care Plans, the insurer, where he’s been employed since 2019. His degree in statistics from the University of North Florida, he says in his application, “enables me to make decisions for the City of Palm Coast with an expert level of understanding of population growth and identifying process inefficiencies.” He writes of his leadership skills “in both my career and my church family.”
John McDonald, 48, has been a Palm Coast resident since 2021. He’s been an enterprise architect with Onix consulting for the past eight months, with a few recent stints in security consulting. He’d attempted a run for mayor this year until he had to pay the steep qualifying fee. “I am confident in my ability to analyze data, identify solutions, and make sound recommendations to the council,” he writes.
Ronald Nakabaale, 41, has lived in Palm Coast nine years. He’s been a full-time soccer referee with the United States Soccer Federation since 2017. He briefly worked at Boston Whaler and worked for several years at The Vitamin Shoppe in Palm Coast. “I grew up in a small village in Uganda where I was actively involved in all maters within the village from construction of new projects to disputes between neighbors,” he writes. “I use practical analysis, not emotions, to make decisions, regardless of whether I make the popular choice or not.” Curiously, he felt it necessary to not that “I am not a realtor, have no developer ties and am only connected with my wife here.” His wife is the he the Supervisor of Elections’ operations administrator. Kaiti Lenhart, the elections supervisor, is listed among Nakabaale’s references.
Meredith Rodriguez, 44, has been a permanent resident of Palm Coast for 19 years, is the marketing director at SunBelt Land Management, and previously–for seven years–led Marketing 2 Go’s social media and brand communications. She’s also been the communications director at Bethune-Cookman University and, before that, at the former Flagler County Chamber of Commerce. “I was born and raised in a small town in New Hampshire by my parents, who both served our community as elected officials and town board members,” she writes. ” I was later recruited by my client, SunBelt Land Management, for whom I have served as marketing director for six years, driving sales for its private residential communities across the Southeast, including two here in Flagler County. I am heavily involved in the growth and progress of these communities and have enjoyed learning from this company the impact of being a responsible, professional land developer.” She lists among her references Ken Belshe, the SunBelt executive and the driving force behind Veranda Bay, which Tuesday evening (Sept. 17) is expected to be annexed into Flagler Beach, and Cindy Dalecki, the owner of Marketing 2 Go.
Sandra Shank, 56, is well known in government and civic circles in Flagler and Palm Coast, serving on Palm Coast’s planning board since 2019–she is still a member, but would have to resign the seat if appointed to the council–and previously chairing Flagler County’s Affordable Housing Committee, an advisory board to the County Commission. She’s lived in Palm Coast for 23 years. She is a Realtor with TAG Ventures Real Estate Services, the company owned by Kathy Austrino, who ran in this year’s election for the city council’s District 1 seat. Shank is also the founding owner and CEO of Abundant Life Ministries-Hope House, Inc. Her commitments to local advisory boards, she writes, “are proven examples of my ability to serve effectively as a with my knowledge and skills.”
Jared Truehart, 39, has been a Palm Coast resident for five years. He’s a program manager with the Florida Army National Guard in St. Augustine, previously serving as an officer in the military, until 2019. Those years made him an “accomplished leader” with “experience in public service in various capacities,” he writes. He has a master’s in public administration.
An earlier version of this article initially appeared on Sept. 6, when the number of applicants totaled nine. The application window closed on Sept. 11. The full agenda package is here.
Mike says
Definitely not another realtor!
Joanne C says
No more realtors please. Way too many of them on the County Commission and City Council now. I always wonder at their motivations and if that’s the reason we are seeing Palm Coast losing it’s character with so many developments.
Billy says
Already lost. One big piece of asphalt just like any other big town dump!
Wallingford says
Is the reason that Boyer has not removed many of his campaign posters the fact that he is now running for the District 4 Council seat and wants his name out there. It speaks volumes that your Boss – Speaker Renner – endorsed your opponent in the Senate Primary.
JC says
You don’t know the full story. Boyer got screwed over because the other guy has $$$$ and more/less brought their seat in this district. FL GOP wants those with connections and $$$ to be their yes people in the capital.
Here's some extra detail says
Maybe, just maybe, Boyer’s associations with Sharon Demers, Jearlyn Dennie, Joe Mullins, Perry Mitrano and others didn’t sit well with Paul Renner, Gov. DeSantis and others in the Florida GOP hierarchy. (Facebook post and photo dated April 6, 2024 “Flagler Republican Party”).
Plus, this young man was always registered to vote in the “C” section. Now all of a sudden he’s living across town in Heighter’s district?
Before trying to get into politics, Boyer needs to start a business, become successful at starting, marketing and maintaining a business or become otherwise successful in some other profession. Only then will he be seasoned enough to serve in politics. What’s the rush with him? Is he 23 or 25? Go and learn about how the world works. Learn about economics. Learn about capitalism. Learn about business. Get an MBA to learn about the tenets of capitalism. Read some books. Then in 10 years come back and serve on the city council.
Mike says
A realtor is really someone we don’t need. Another conflict of interest
nbr says
I looked up Spearhead strategies for candidate Gambaro, and found Nothing
The Sour Kraut says
Maybe 2 of the listed above seem like good choices. Palm Coast needs to be lucky this time.
DMFinFlorida says
NO MORE REALTORS! ENOUGH ALREADY!
Deborah Coffey says
Leslie Giscombe. Longtime resident and very diversified. Thank you.
TR says
Not in my book he’s not. Bad choice. Thank you.
LG says
I guess your book is as powerful as his business partners. You sound like a fiction author.
TR says
Not a good pick IMO. I say no to Leslie Giscombe. I know for a fact as to how he handled one of his businesses with deception to the customers. No thanks.
LG says
Please support your accusation with evidence.
NoMoreCons says
Giscombe has a rap sheet longer than Jewrlyn Denny.
Celia Pugliese says
Please No Lyons. He was already serving i the council in the past also appointed…He is also now in the Flagler Humane Society board that shown to be insensitive to reply to volunteers and taxpayers letters delivered to them. Exactky like when he was in city council was nit receptive to residents issues brought to council and here is where we are today still. This trend needs to be broken so we the people have a voice and is heard and act upon.
Sheri says
Flagler Humane Society is not insensitive to anyone that contacts them. Unfortunantely there have been some disgruntle ex-volunteers that continue to spread lies and gossip about the Flagler Humane Society. Those spreading the lies and gossip has only hurt the homeless animals wanting to get adopted.
And for those believing the gossip and lies shame on you.
Scott McDonald says
“with a few recent stints in security consulting”
lol
please research ordinance 2023-14
This affects all small craft businesses and farmers markets here. It was signed in 2 weeks last year did you know about it?
The farmers market section 28-46 is at the bottom. See items numbered 3 and 13.
Section 28-46. Farmers Markets(s).
1. Definition of a Farmers Market:
A temporary outdoor multi-stall market where local farmers sell locally grown
agricultural products directly to the public at a central or fixed location. Selling
fresh fruit and vegetables (but also include meat products, dairy products, and/or
grains), and goods produced from products on the farm.
2. Private farmers markets shall be permitted to operate upon approval of a special
event permit in all commercial zoning districts. Additionally, farmers markets are
permitted in a Commercial MPD (with the approval of the Owner and property
association). Farmers Markets are not permitted within the Palm Coast Parkway
and Gateway overlay zones.
3. Permits may be applied for quarterly and would cover a once per month (3
consecutive days) farmer’s market event if in compliance with the special event
code, Section Sections 28-34, 28-36, 28-37, 28-38, 28-39, 28-41, 28-43, 28-45 and
28-46 of this Article, as well as special event policy and procedures imposed by
Special Event Review Team (SERT).
4. A maximum of two private farmers markets may be permitted to operate at the
same time in different locations by different organizers with approval from City of
Palm Coast Land Use Administrator.
5. No person shall vend fresh fruits, vegetables, or other produce or operate a farmers
market without a valid Agricultural Dealer’s License issued by the state department
of agriculture and consumer services.
6. The owner or operator of the farmers market must obtain a notarized letter from the
property and the business owner stating that the market can be operated on the
Ordinance 2023-14
Page 11 of 12
property. Proof of liability insurance will be required meeting limits set forth in the
special event code .
7. Fresh fruits, vegetables or other consumables shall be confined to tables that are at
least 3 feet above the ground and must provide sanitary health conditions for
customers.
8. Conveniently located toilet facilities, including a hand wash lavatory with hot and
cold water, and parking shall be available for market vendors and patrons. Location
of such facilities shall be determined on a case-by-case basis, including review by
the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and City of Palm Coast’s planning and zoning,
public works and building departments.
9. Vendors may arrive one hour prior for set-up and may remain one hour after for
break-down. All vendors participating must be permitted through the farmers
market operator. The owner or operator of the market is responsible for maintaining
current license verification for all vendors quarterly and providing that verification
to the City business tax department. No vendors may be added once list is
approved.
10. All trash, refuse and garbage must be removed from the site at the end of each day.
The premises occupied by the farmers market shall be kept clean and free of
accumulated trash, refuse or garbage during and after the hours of operation. All
discarded fresh fruits, vegetables or other produce will be removed by the vendor.
11. Farmers Market Cottage food items, food from mobile food vendors, local fruit,
vegetables, flowers, seedlings, and plants may be sold at the Farmers Market
provided that the product is produced, processed or manufactured in an
establishment licensed by the department of agriculture and/or the department of
business and professional regulation. Vendors must provide proof of their current
licenses to the Local Business Tax Department to obtain their Business Tax
Receipt; vendors with a temporary vendors permit will not be allowed to
participate.
12. No more than 2 of the same type of vendor will be permitted to participate in a
Farmers Market.
13. Crafts, souvenirs, and antiques are just a few of the items that cannot be sold at the
Farmers Market.
14. The sale of the following items is prohibited: live animals, alcoholic beverages
and/or any food processed, packed, or prepared at a home or other source not
approved by federal, state, or county health authorities or inspected by federal, state
or county health authorities.
15. Only one banner sign shall be permitted on site (not in right of way) and limited
to 16 square feet in size on 48-inch-high stakes with property owner’s permission.
Banners are allowed on site two hours before the event and removed two hours
after the event.
This was passed last year. No one I talked to knew about it.
**Note The European Villages “Palm Coast Farmers Market” has an exemption from 8 years ago in MPD Development Agreement 2016-5 for European Village. Up to 1k per weekend.
Michael J Cocchiola says
Vince Lyon would be a superb choice. He has the background having served on the council once before. He has the right temperament – calm, measured, analytical and willing to listen to all sides. He is honorable to the core – he can’t be bought. And, as a professional attorney, we know he can dig down deep into issues to ensure our citizens won’t be bamboozled by fast-talking business representatives trying to sell something to the city.
Vince Lyon will save our city time and money.
Charles says
The City of PC taxpayers DO NOT WANT ANYMORE REALTORS. We had enough with Alfin and his side kick realtors.
Kat says
No realtors, Developers, or land use attorneys please! Can we please get somebody who’s conservation minded I want rubber stamp every development or land grab?
Nephew Of Uncle Sam says
Has Boyer moved into District 4 or is the local GOP still looking for a place for him.
Reading the above there are a couple good Candidates led by Lyon who has been on the City Council before.
Should be interesting how this plays out.
FlaglerLive says
Boyer said during his interview that he’s now an R-Section resident.
Here's my vote says
Vincent Lyon for Heighter’s seat.
He’s educated. He’s able to follow a complex discussion during city council meetings (Heighter couldn’t), because of his education he’s able to make a measured and well-informed decision, and for all intents and purposes he’s “normal”. I don’t think he comes with any political agenda either. PLUS he’s already temporarily served on the city council