Steve Settle is the new chairman of the Flagler Beach City Commission. He was elected unanimously Thursday evening by his fellow-commissioners (and himself). He replaces Jane Mealy, who’d served one year in the post.
The position is not entirely ceremonial. Although the chairman carries no weightier vote than other commissioners, he does set the tone and pace of meetings, both of which, in Flagler Beach, can be a challenge–to commissioners and to audiences.
Settle, 62, and Mealy, 68, were both re-elected without opposition this month. Commissioner Kim Carney nominated Settle. Joy McGrew seconded the nomination.
Commissioner Marshall Shupe then nominated Mealy for vice-chairman and got a second from McGrew. But Settle nominated Carney, who seconded her own nomination. The vote went 3-2 for Mealy, with Shupe, McGrew and Mealy in the majority. Mayor Linda Provencher does not take part in those votes.
Settle’s first request as chairman was to ask that anyone with a cell phone turn it off. “Give me a little bit of patience,” he then said, “because this is my first meeting as chairman of this body, and I’m probably going to make a few mistakes, so I ask for your tolerance as we go along.” He then called for the Pledge of Allegiance–and chaired a meeting that did not end until 10:10 p.m., almost five hours after it had begun (not counting the procedural meeting that had come before).
Settle also stepped down from representing Flagler Beach at the county’s Tourist Development Council, saying the position–like the chairmanship–should rotate every year. Provencher will be the city’s new representative on that nine-member body, which meets the third Wednesday of every month in Bunnell.
Robert Lewis says
Steve Settle a legend in his own mind. I give it a year before we hear of him abusing his power.
Dusty says
I agree with Robert Lewis. I still don’t think he should be a commissioner when his wife is an employee of the city. I’m just sayin.