Executing the closest approximation of a midnight appointment in the city’s 25-year history, the Palm Coast City Council, with three of four members in their last weeks of service, appointed Charles Gambaro this evening to the seat Cathy Heighter resigned suddenly in August.
The council passed over Darryl Boyer, the recently defeated candidate for the State House. He was clearly the public’s favorite, and was championed by Council member Theresa Pontieri.
“My focus is entirely on the search, the identification and the selection of an exceptional city manager, which this city has sorely needed for a very long time,” Mayor David Alfin said. That’s why, he said, he was “trying to peel away the fan favorite” in order to choose the candidate best able to fill that responsibility.
“I just feel that whoever is sitting up here needs to be very in tune with the needs of our community,” Pontieri said, “and I just feel that Mr Boyer is more in touch with those needs than anybody.”
Danko wanted Gambaro. He was opposed to Boyer because “you just can’t move into a district after you lose an election and expect to be voted on.” Danko also doubted Boyer’s “gravitas,” since Renner endorsed Greco. “As much as I like Darryl, I can’t vote for Darryl.”
Pontieri bushed back against the “carpetbagger” criticism of Boyer, underscored his background and experience in Tallahassee, and made the motion for Boyer. Council member Nick Klufas seconded, but only for discussion’s sake–and tipping his hand: he was for Gambaro. Klufas said the next council’s responsibility for picking a new city manager was one reason Gambaro would be in a better position to carry out that responsibility.
Pontieri said if the democratic process were to have a role, Boyer had knocked on thousands of doors and earned thousands of votes. He did not win, she said, but that may have spoken more to his opponent’s money than to Boyer’s capabilities.
The motion for Boyer failed on a 2-2 vote. Danko’s motion for Gambaro carried 3-1, with Pontieri in dissent.
The decision was marred by the revelation that there may have been a sunshine violation in the run-up to the vote: Danko had replied to a citizen’s email in such a way–replying to all, including all council members–that it revealed to the rest of the council how he intended to vote this evening. The “reply to all” was unintentional, he said. City Attorney Marcus Duffy could not guide the council based on the information he had this evening, since he had just heard of it.
All the candidates were in attendance, most of them shoulder-to-shoulder in a front row, including Gambaro. Boyer sat a few rows further back. (For the first hour they witnessed the more ceremonial part of the job–five proclamations were on the agenda–and listened to the first public comment segment.)
Gambaro swiftly took the oath of office and took his seat.
The process had been workmanlike, at least at first. The council members had a worksheet listing the nine candidates. The council members were to mark their three leading candidates, if they had three to mark. The clerk then tabulated the results. If any candidate had a majority of three, with none other, that ended it.
Two applicants got three votes each: Darryl Boyer and Charles Gambaro. Demetrios Maroosis, Ronald Nakabaale, Meredith Rodriguez, and Robert Bogges, each got one vote.
Gambaro, 46, who has combined a military career with business, had been an appointed member of the Flagler County School Board almost two years ago, replacing Jim Guines, who had resigned, though he was soundly defeated when he ran for the seat. Boyer, 25, lost the Aug. 20 Republican primary to Sam Greco for the House seat currently held by Paul Renner. Both have deep ties to the Republican Party.
Surprisingly, neither Sandra Shank, who has served several years on the city’s planning board (and as such has a bounty of experience in one of the city’s principal issues: growth) nor Vincent Lyon, the attorney who previously served as an appointed member of the council, got a vote.
The council members were ready to make a motion after that first ballot, but opted to hear public comment. The council had scheduled a Sept. 24 workshop to hear public voices, but that workshop was canceled because of illness among several council members.
Several people advocated for Boyer. Five members of the public voiced their disappointment to the council over Shank’s absence from the council’s choices–one of them called herself “shocked”–and urged council members to rethink their choices. Shank herself spoke–both to alert the community to the “political process” on display this evening, and to advocate for Boyer.
“As I know my capabilities, I know my skills, and I know my commitment, and though you did not vote for me, that does not mean that there isn’t a vote for me,” Shank said. “Thank you. I will continue to serve this community as vice chair of the planning board and as a member of the affordable housing Advisory Committee.”
Jeff Seib, a candidate for a council seat, also spoke, but to oppose the process. “This isn’t the Politburo. This is America. We vote for our governmental leaders. It’s the American way,” he said. The seat should have been held over for an election, he said.
“You have to play Solomon today. That’s not an easy task,” Ed Fuller, one of the people who spoke to the council, said, before plugging Boyer: “Both very qualified, but one of the candidates, when he goes to Tallahassee, they know him,” Fuller said. “They shake his hand. They recognize him. He’s been up there. He’s been up there with the Speaker of the House, Paul Renner. He wasn’t just up there glad-handing, he was out there watching the legislation, see how it goes. We’re going to need that type of relationship.”
This evening’s agenda packages were distributed to all the candidates ahead of this evening’s meeting, so whoever was selected would be ready for the evening’s business.
Betty says
I hope the public understands that the sunshine law was violated multiple times to elect this man. It was evident particularly when his written speech started with the fact that he would pick a city manager that was strong – he matched Alfin, Klufas, and Danko on why they were picking him. Well how did he know to write that in his speech? Also, Klufas saying Boyer talked to the “crazies”. That’s disturbing that he sees residents in that light. Finally, get ready for this outgoing board to appoint a city manager. You can see that’s why they picked him. All planned.
Celia Pugliese says
Betty appointed district 4 new council Mr. Gambaro has a masters in Public Administration and also a Doctorate on it in his resume. These credentials make him a better candidate specially to be in a council that will have to hire a new city manager. Also Mr. Gambaro is perfectly bilingual English /Spanish and keeps the diversity in our council. Like Mayor Alfin said in the meeting he could have applied for the manager position as well. So lets start in a positive mood and see if get better in 2025 once new 3 candidates elected.
Fernando Melendez says
Congratulations! to Mr Charles Gambarro on his appointment to the Palm Coast City Council. I take my hat off to all that applied to serve, you all have your hearts in the right place to want to serve our community. I do really think that we will see our city weather this unprecedented growth in a responsible way by keeping up with our infrastructure to responsibly accommodate growth. The future is in your hands to make reasonable decisions about growth and smart management. I believe we’re heading in the right direction. Again, Congratulations on the appointment.
The Sour Kraut says
The will of the people has been subverted again. There is a reason most of these politicians have been voted out.
James says
Regardless of ANY of these candidates qualifications, this process of filling a vacated seat on the council, by a council vote, leaves me wondering… and I say this with great hesitation and apprehension (for I don’t want to add my voice to any existing apathy in this regard).
But I do wonder, why I’m bothering to vote.
Just an opinion.
Btw, DO get out and vote nonetheless.
My opinion says
Almost all of the Darryl Boyer fans who spoke on his behalf (including Pontieri) are members of the Flagler Republican Executive Committee, including Ed Fuller and Nick DeSantis, among all the others making public comment for Boyer. So they’re all in the same club. (That’s other than Diana McLemore, the perennial commenter on Facebook and other groups who’s only been in Palm Coast 6 years).
The above stated, here are some things I think sunk Darryl Boyer:
1. Very early on he got involved with Jearlyn Dennie and Sharon Demers.
2. He moved into district 4 just so he could get a seat on the Palm Coast City Council. He even had his picture taken with Cathy Heighter. (Now he can move back to where he was living before he decided to run for Cathy Heighter’s seat).
Moving into a district just to get a seat on the city council (Ms. Pontieri) smacks of a disingenuous person. For those who don’t know what disingenuous means, it means not honest, insincere or calculating. People aren’t stupid. Obviously others in the Republican hierarchy have misgivings too.
3. What age is Boyer? 23 or 25? He’s very young. I suggest going out into the real world and getting a real job. Dealing in the real world grows you up very fast. You have to put up with a lot in the real world and so you have to learn how to do that.
I would suggest Darryl Boyer either get a real world job or start a business and find out how hard starting, growing and running a business actually is. That also will grow you up very fast.
I wasn’t at all surprised by Pontieri pushing for Boyer. They’re in the same very destructive Flagler County political group called (once again) the Flagler Republican Executive Committee. I know because I was a member who resigned in disgust . . . along with a great many other members who have resigned membership in disgust. So being a member of the Flagler County REC is nothing to be proud of.
I’m happy with the choice made for City Council District 4.
Fernando Melendez says
Well said and I’m one of those that resigned amongst many more who are now proud Independent Republicans. The REC has lost all credibility along with it’s leadership. District 4 needed someone from the District that actually lives there.
Bob says
Fernando,
You have become a sad figure in Flagler County.
You started to deteriorate when you were Alfins campaign manager and spewed awful things.
You ran for City Council and, again, and had to run your mouth about your opponent in very unflattering ways. Another loss.
This last cycle, you spewed lie and lie. Just watching you at events, constantly whispering poison in people’s ears. Shameful behavior.
You probably quit the REC because they recognized your poor character and your never ending diarrhea of the mouth.
You chose your crowd: Alfin, Mullins, Danko. It makes complete sense because you’re as bad as they are.
It was very telling watching you take texts from big developers during City Council meetings. Yeah, we saw that!
You’re completely untrustworthy. You’re an awful liar and I’m thankful you’ll not be making any decisions for this county or community.
You’re damaged goods.
Fernando Melendez says
I’m flattered, thank you Bobby, very nice of you.
Celia Pugliese says
Is reported that Mr. Boyer is 25 years of age and is currently in Law School to be graduated in 2025. That he was not appointed does not mean he is a bad candidate or person. Lest be conciliatory and wish him like exemplary Councilman Gambaro did as soon as appointed and before sworn in, walked to Mr. Boyer and appreciated him being a good candidate and shacked hands! Mr. Boyer has a great future ahead of him and we sure wish to see him around for any future local government seats openings or legal services.
Gary Price says
I would like to say Bravo to Jeffrey Seib for his public comment regarding voting for a replacement for Cathy Heighter now instead of letting the public vote on their choice for replacing Cathy Heighter.
Here We Go Again says
Last night I had firsthand insight into the public corruption of our elected members in Palm Coast. I am so glad 3 of the 4 council and mayor are out. Palm Coast needs to be aware and rid itself of the good ole days. The open seat should have been voted on and not an appointed position. We need to make more of an effort to get to know the people running our county and hold them accountable. I’m shaking my head and hope those brave enough to file Sunshine law violations are heard. Enough is enough
Phoenix says
I am once again amazed at the corruption that goes on. Even on the way out, Alfin appoints the guy who will be steadfast in the corrupt nature of how they handle the town managers position. This garbage political stuff has to go. Palm Coast is circling the drain folks, and until you get people in politics who can direct what way the city is headed by common sense and not the pocket book, it won’t change. This guy is an Alfin puppet. He gushed over him from the start.