Mail carrier Jennifer Benson, 49, was treated for eight stitches after a dog at ex-Flagler Beach City Manager Bruce Campbell’s house attacked her when Campbell opened the door to pick up a package.
bruce campbell
Ex-Flagler Beach City Manager Applies for Unemployment, Though He Resigned (Twice)
Ex-city manager Bruce Campbell ad made clear to the Flagler Beach City Commission that it was his choice not to have his contract renewed, which would make him ineligible for unemployment as the decision to leave was voluntary.
Flagler Beach and Manager Newsome Agree To Open-Ended Contract at $88,000 a Year
City commissioners had only minor quibbles, such as the elimination of a $200-a-month car allowance and evaluation matters, before they adopted the contract with the long-time Escambia County government administrator.
Flagler Beach Manager’s Short-List Gets Shorter as 3 Withdraw, Leaving Only 2
Flagler Beach is having trouble attracting candidates for its city manager’s job, with just 23 applying and most of those making the short-list deciding to take jobs elsewhere. The commission interviews Andrew DeCandis this evening.
Three Companies Tee Up Proposals to Run Flagler Beach’s Fallow 9-Hole Golf Course
The 34 acres of the old Ocean Palm Golf Club will be in play this evening at 5:30 p.m. as a committee hears proposals to rejuvenate the grounds profitably through a lease.
In Flagler Beach’s On-Again, Off-Again Relationship With Manager Campbell, It’s On Again
The commission doesn’t want to have an interim manager, fearing a return to the years when it employed one—Bernie Murphy—for five years.
Flagler Beach Will Seek In-House City Manager Before Putting Out Broader Call
As it replaces Bruce Campbell, who’s leaving in september, the city will give preference to an internal applicant, then possibly advertise more broadly later this month if internal applicants don’t make the cut.
Ordering Them to “Get On With It,” Flagler Beach City Manager Tells His Bosses to Find His Replacement
Addressing his five bosses more bluntly than he has at any point in his four years as city manager, Cambpell told them he’s not interested in another contract and that he’s quitting in September.
Flagler Beach Doesn’t Have a Parking Problem. It Has a Big Government Problem.
If Flagler Beach adopts paid parking, it’ll invite a problem as onerous as Palm Coast’s red-light cameras, damaging its reputation, needlessly hurting its businesses and alienating its closest and most loyal visitors.
662 Spaces Would Convert to Paid Parking in Flagler Beach in Panel’s Vast, Costly Proposal
Flagler Beach’s Ad Hoc Parking Committee, at work two years, will submit its recommendations Thursday to a special meeting of the city commission, with a focus on two options that call for paid parking either in city lots or throughout premium areas of the city, including A1A.
To Replace Manager Bruce Campbell, Flagler Beach Returns to Old Playbook: Doing Nothing
Like his predecessor, who was an interim manager of Flagler Beach for five years before he decisively quit, Bruce Campbell is finding it difficult to walk away from the job, and the city commission is not making it easy for him.
Flagler Beach Settles With Ex-Flagler Beach Firefighters, Retracting Firing and Paying $80,000 to Each
Ex-Flagler Beach firefighters Jake Bissonnette and Shane Wood wrote resignation letters to replace their firing orders, but they will not be returning to work for the fire department.
Bruce Campbell Resigns As Flagler Beach City Manager
Flagler Beach City Manager Bruce Campbell on Friday told his staff he was resigning after three years on the job. He did not give any reasons.
Settle Wants Carney Out as Commission Chair in Flagler Beach, Underscoring Dysfunction
In an unprecedented move in the city’s history, Flagler Beach City Commissioner Steve Settled will seek to have Kim Carney removed from the commission chairmanship next week, and replaced with Marshall Shupe.
The End of Flagler Beach’s Blue Restaurant: A Loss Beyond Mahi Mahi Almondine
In her first interview since the announcement of the closure of Blue at the Topaz, Kelli O’Reilly describes the financial and other difficulties of keeping the business going, and many others reacted to the loss and its meaning.
650 Names, or 13% of Flagler Beach Population, On Petition Opposing $600,000 Fire Truck
The 65-page petition, published here in full for public examination, has not been authenticated by the city, but would, if verified, pose a serious challenge to a majority of commissioners still intent on buying the fire truck.
Far From Settled, Whistleblower Case Against Flagler Beach Fire Department Focuses on Captain’s Truthfulness
Flagler Beach Fire Captain Bobby Pace’s truthfulness on his job application and his handling of a probationer’s work hours at the station were the focus of a deposition in which Pace repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment’s right not to testify. An attorney is seeking to compel him to answer. The matter goes to court Wednesday.
Get Ready For Moonlight Fishing On the Flagler Beach Pier, Starting in September
The Flagler Beach pier’s balance sheet is struggling this year, with a $23,000 deficit the city government–which administers the pier–is trying to close before the end of the year. One idea: starting the first Saturday in September (Sept. 6), the pier will be open to fishing through the night, but for a $6 charge–the same rate fishermen must pay during the day.
Flagler Beach Fire Department Makes Pitch For $600,000 Fire Truck, Igniting Questions
City Commission Chairman Kim Carney has predicted last year that the fire department would soon be asking for a new fire truck, and is raising questions about its proposed financing, including taking more than $300,000 from the city’s infrastructure fund.
Flagler Beach Police Launch Initiatives to Protect Residents and Property, But Public Records Expose Vulnerability
Though the initiatives are very well-meaning, participating residents who want their house watched while they’re away or who live alone and need a daily check-in must fill out detailed applications that reveal a lot of personal information and details about their property. The documents are public records, and may potentially create vulnerabilities for the very residents police are aiming to protect.
In Flagler Beach, Muted Interest in Last Two Candidates Looking to Head Fire Department
Thursday evening’s town hall-style meeting with Bobby Pace and Brandon Seymour, the two candidates looking to be Flagler Beach’s Fire Captain (that is, chief), drew hardly an audience, possibly because City Manager Bruce Campbell’s choice, to be announced before Thanksgiving, has not been a secret.
Flagler Beach Police “Captain”: Last Three Candidates Make Their Pitch to the Community
Steve Clair, Matthew Doughney and Joe Sisti appeared in a semi-formal setting before some 35 people, including the whole membership of the Flagler Beach City Commission, who gathered at city hall to hear the candidates for police captain and mingle with them.
Nine Interviewed for Revamped Top Cop Post in Flagler Beach as Dan Cody Era Ends
The nine men (possibly 10) being interviewed by a four-man board in Flagler Beach are ex-cops, but they’ll be hired as captain of the police department, as City Manager Bruce Campbell has eliminated the police chief position and reduced its pay from $70,000 to $58,000.
Two Ex-Firefighters Sue Flagler Beach, Charging Their Firing Was Retaliatory
Shane Wood and Jacob Bissonnette say their firing by City Manager Bruce Campbell last February, over an allegation they stored home-made alcohol at the fire station, was retaliation for their role in an investigation that led to a charge of obstruction of justice against Bobby Pace, another firefighter who was briefly acting chief.
Creal Won’t Be Chief After All as Flagler Beach Fire Department’s Troubles Mount
Within 24 hours of being named Acting Fire Chief of the very troubled Flagler Beach Fire Department, Robbie Creal said he declined the post because of health, while City Manager Bruce Campbell said he’ll himself assume all administrative duties at the department, and have three firefighters–David Kennedy Stephen Cox and Dustin Snyder–be shift commanders.
Acting Flagler Beach Fire Chief’s Past Drug Issues Aside, Questions Arise Over Certification
City Manager Bruce Campbell and Commission Chairman Steve Settle say they were not aware of Acting Fire Chief Robbie Creal’s past marijuana use or the investigation that led to his resignation and retirement in 2002, and Campbell said he had not verified whether Creal has the certification to be an active fireman at fire scenes, in line with state law requirements that kicked in July 1.
State Attorney Files Obstruction Charge Against Robert Pace, Flagler Beach’s Acting Fire Chief
The State Attorney’s Office has filed an obstruction of justice charge against Bobby Pace, the acting fire chief in Flagler Beach, following an investigation into charges that Pace falsified the records of a probationer and destroyed evidence earlier this year.
“Fiercely Independent” Flagler Beach Says No to County Fire Services and $100,000 Savings
Flagler County is ready to take over the Flagler Beach Fire Department, provide a higher level of service that would vastly improve the city’s fire insurance rating and lower property insurance rates, and net the city a $100,000 annual saving, not counting capital savings, but the city is not interested for now.
Rape Crisis Failure:
How the Children’s Advocacy Center Betrayed a Victim at Her Most Vulnerable
After a Flagler Beach woman was allegedly raped on June 14, the Children’s Advocacy Center in Daytona Beach was responsible for providing a certified nurse to conduct an exam and gather evidence in a private setting. It failed on all counts. A FlaglerLive investigation reveals the extent of a failure that local police have been contending with since the center opted to cut its ties with the provider who’d ensured a functioning system for many years.
Sheriff Says Conversation With Flagler Beach Manager on Key Police Changes “Never Happened”
Flagler Beach City Manager Bruce Campbell told his city commission last week that Sheriff Manfre and Bunnell City Manager Armando Martinez had no problems with Campbell’s proposal to eliminate the police and fire chiefs’ positions. Martinez and Manfre dispute that, with Manfre sternly saying that he never had a conversation about the changes with Campbell.
Flagler Beach Plans to Eliminate Fire and Police Chief Posts, But Both Departments Survive
Flagler Beach City Manager Bruce Campbell wants to replace the fire and police chiefs with captains, and see them working the streets when necessary. The change, tentatively approved by the city commission, would eliminate high salaries but with proposed raises for the ranks, would only slightly lower payroll costs in the fire department, and raise them in the police department.
Shupe and Carney Clash as Fire Merger Referendum Proposal Enflames Flagler Beach Commission
Flagler Beach City Commissioner Marshall Shupe questioned fellow-Commissioner Kim Carney’s honesty over talks with county officials on a potential fire department merger after Commissioner Joy McGrew proposed handing the matter to voters next March in a citywide referendum.
In Flagler Beach, a First Friday Flare-Up Derails a Hot-Rod Idea, Cautioning Businesses
Flagler Beach has been urging businesses to get involved in planning First Friday events. A restaurant owner did, only to see her initiative–a hot rod contest judged by commissioners–cancelled, costing her $1,000, over questions Commissioner Steve Settle raised about the legality of Commissioner Jane Mealy’s judging the auto contest.
Flagler Beach Bats Down Fire Department Consolidation, Agreeing Only to Ask Questions
Flagler Beach Commissioner Kim Carney’s proposal to formally ask the county for information on possible consolidation got no support but was replaced by a watered-down agreement to “ask questions” and have them answered by City Manager Bruce Campbell, through meetings with the county if necessary.
Flagler Beach’s Opposition to Fire Department Consolidation Costing Taxpayers $200K a Year
Consolidating the Flagler Beach Fire Department with the county’s would save $200,000 and vastly improve fire and rescue services in the city, argues Rick Belhumeur, yet the Flagler Beach City Commission has consistently scuttled debate on the issue while pretending to invite residents to offer cost-saving ideas.
Flagler Beach Snuffs Out Discussion of Combining Fire Department With County
Flagler Beach City Commissioner had placed a discussion of consolidating fire departments on the agenda of Thursday’s meeting, only to have City Manager Bruce Campbell pull the item. Carney put the commission on notice that she wasn’t done.
Bobby Pace, Acting Flagler Beach Fire Chief, Faces Felony Charge Over Falsified Records
Bobby Pace, installed as interim fire chief just seven weeks ago to replace Martin Roberts, who was fired, faces a felony charge of tampering with evidence and a misdemeanor charge for obstruction of justice. It is only the latest shock to a fire department riven by conflict that reaches into City Manager Bruce Campbell’s office.
From Green to Red: With Golf Course Buy, Flagler Beach Fears Going Palm Coast’s Way
Flagler Beach officials are looking into whether the city should bid on the failed the Ocean Palm Golf Club course at a foreclosure sale, but they don;t want to repeat Palm Coast’s money-pit experience after that city bought the Palm Harbor golf course.
Not a Word on Fire Department’s Unraveling or Future As Flagler Beach Commission Meets
Business droned on as usual at the Flagler Beach City Commission meeting on February 28, with near total silence about an alcohol scandal that gutted this quaint oceanside city’s Fire Department. Neither city staff, nor elected officials talked about the firing of five Fire Department personnel after an independent investigation.
Between Firings and Wrist-Slaps: How the Flagler Beach Fire Department Was Gutted
Flagler Beach City Manager Bruce Campbell fired the fire chief and four others while retaining Acting Fire Chief Bobby Pace, who falsified records, after a three-day suspension. Volunteer firefighters were hired in the others’ place to ensure that the city remains protected.
Drinking On the Job Aside, Investigation Finds a Broken Flagler Beach Fire Department
Four Flagler Beach firefighters, including the fire chief, broke the city’s zero-tolerance policy on drinking on the job, but the independent investigation broadened to find a severely dysfunctional fire department riven by cliques, lacking authority and pointing tio disturbing acts such as record falsification.
As Flagler Beach Sees a Fortune From Parking Fees, Locals See Only Alienated Tourists
Flagler Beach government could make up to $3 million over 5 years by turning its streets into revenue-generating parking slots, but the city manager’s proposal faces stiff-but not unanimous–opposition from local residents and businesses, who fear jeopardizing the city’s charms and its appeal to tourists.
Flagler Beach City Government Wants to Take Over July 4 Events, But Unsure How
Flagler Beach government, eager to replicate Palm Coast’s method of making money from special events, would take over July 4 festivities run until now by the chamber of commerce, but city commissioners are uncomfortable with a complete take-over.
Flagler Beach Fire Chief and 3 Others On Leave as Drinking Allegations Trigger Investigation
Fire Chief Martin Roberts, Assistant fire Chief Shane Wood, firefighter Jacob Bissonette and Fire Police Captain Steve Wood have been placed on leave following now-acting fire chief Robert Pace’s allegations that they had drank at the station or answered a fire call under the influence.
As Flagler Beach Asks for Hand-Outs, A Commissioner Asks for Employee Raises
Flagler Beach City Commissioner Marshall Shupe proposed a mid-year raise or a $500 bonus for employees. Three commissioners rejected the idea, citing process and timing, including the recent lay-off of some employees. They could have also cited Flagler Beach’s hat-in-hand requests for money from the county'[s tourism council and from Palm Coast.
For Flagler Beach Manager Bruce Campbell, An Evaluation Only a Few Stars Shy of Glowing
Bruce Campbell, who was at the center of an 18-month controversy that finally ended in October 2011 with his permanent appointment as manager, came through his first full job evaluation as “outstanding,” assuring him of solid job security even from his two strongest critics on the commission.
Mulligan: County Re-Enacts Beach Dredging Meeting It Had Closed to the Public in July
A citizen had complained in July to the Flagler County Commission about a closed-door meeting on beach dredging proposals between the county administration and the U.S. Corps of Engineers that had nevertheless included three elected members of the Flagler Beach City Commission. Monday’s meeting was a redo for the public’s benefit.
Flagler Beach Fire Chief Gets His Job Back As Serious Allegations About City Manager Emerge
Flagler Beach City Manager Bruce Campbell retreated from plans to fire Flagler Beach Fire Chief Martin Roberts, giving him instead a three-day suspension, following a three-hour hearing that revealed a devastating series of issues surrounding the controversy and Campbell’s management of it.
“All Done With Pure Heart”: A Defense of Flagler Beach Chief Martin Roberts
Patricia Sigman, a long-time, Orlando-based labor and employment attorney, ended Flagler Beach Fire Chief Martin Roberts’s three-hour disciplinary hearing with a searing indictment of the the city administration and an earnest defense of Martin, who nhad kept silent throughout the month-long controversy. Here’s Sigman’s complete closing.
Flagler Beach Fire Chief Martin Roberts Faces Firing on Insubordination Charge
Flagler Beach City Manager Bruce Campbell told Martin Roberts he’d be fired pending a pre-disciplinary hearing on July 17. Roberts had served as chief since November 2005. He was at the center of a controversy over unauthorized trips.