The Flagler County Commission this evening unanimously elected Leann Pennington its new chair, replacing Andy Dance, who served two years in the position, and Kim Carney as vice-chair.
The commission annually reorganizes, voting on its own leadership. That segment of the meeting is handled by the county attorney.
When County Attorney Michael Rodriguez opened the floor for nominations, Commissioner Pam Richardson nominated Pennington. Commissioner Kim Carney seconded. Commissioner Greg Hansen then nominated Dance.
Dance declined. “I think we have a good candidate,” he said. The commissioners then all voted for Pennington, who was elected to the commission three years ago after crushing Joe Mullins in the primary and as easily taking the general election. Pennington has filed for reelection.
Hansen nominated Commissioner Carney for vice chair. She was the only nominee, and that vote was unanimous. The commissioners moved right on to the next order of business, a routine budget amendment.
“I have to learn how to make motions and seconds again,” Dance said as the meeting neared its end, not yet past the 30-minute mark. He congratulated his colleagues. “ we expect 30-minute meetings every time now. No pressure. Just 30-minute meetings every time.
Richardson in her closing comments called it “a very long, long year” but thanked the county staff for helping her along. Carney echoed Richardson, “but we have to learn as we grow,” she said. It’s not clear whether the references were to difficulties on the commission, in their personal lives or both. Pennington lost her husband to cancer this year, and the county administration lost Deputy County Attorney Jorge Salinas, who, with his wife, died in a car crash last month.
The commission’s reorganization did not include committee assignments. But as chair, Pennington will be taking over the chairmanship of the county’s Tourist Development Council, which oversees about $4.5 million in annual tourism sales surtax revenue.
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
Fantastic choice. Pennington has kept her campaign promises and served the county’s citizens extremely well. I only wish she, Andy Dance, Kim Carney and Greg Hansen had served concurrently during the disgraceful Mullins era instead of the bankrupt former slum landlord from Georgia. Mullins and his minions voted pro-developers time after time and did inestimable damage to Flagler County. We’ll be paying the price for decades to come. Old Kings Road South looks like a war zone and dumping ground because of the disastrous mega-development Kolter Homes is building over the next 25 years. It’s all a result of Mullins casting the tie-breaking vote alongside his dopey sidekicks. Development on Old Kings South could have been done thoughtfully and with consideration given to flooding, traffic, environmental and wildlife concerns. Instead, it’s bleak and deforested. It resembles one of the ugliest overdeveloped parts of New Jersey. And it’s all thanks to slimeball Mullins, who cared only about speeding around in his rented Ferrari, impressing real estate lawyers and developers, and flashing his county commissioner’s business card at any opportune occasion. The Mullins cabal taught Flagler County taxpayers that their opinions meant absolutely nothing, although the commissioners would gladly continue to use our tax dollars to support their comfortable lifestyles. It’s good to see that ethics have returned to the Flagler County Commission, and let’s hope that never changes. Congratulations, Commissioners Pennington and Carney.
Taxpayer says
This lady has lied from day one!!! She was asked if she got in what change would she try to make and she said the first thing she would do is try her best to get rid of hydie as county administrator… That hasn’t happened, she joined right in with all the underhanded things there doing…
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
Those are strong words, Taxpayer. You might want to think twice before calling someone a liar in a public forum.