Bunnell Manager Armando Martinez had already received a 5 percent “cost of living” raise, but was eligible for a merit raise, bringing his salary to $104,470. A split commission blocked the increase.
bunnell city commission
In Bunnell, A Succession of Disagreements Over Who’s in Charge When Head Cheese Isn’t
Bunnell City Manager Armando Martinez names either his finance director or his grants director as the acting manager when he’s away. Commissioner Elbert Tucker says it’s a violation of the city charter, which spells out who’s in charge when the manager isn’t: the city clerk, the chief of police then the mayor, in that order.
Despite County’s Spike, Most Flagler and City Homeowners’ Tax Bills Will Fall in 2013
It’s been a familiar and recurring complaint, but also an inaccurate one: that property taxes keep going up. They don’t. For most people, property taxes fell this year. And for most people, property taxes will either stay flat or fall again in 2013. Here are the city-by-city details.
In a Historic Breakthrough, County Will Cede Old Courthouse to Bunnell for Its New City Hall
No money will change hands, though the transaction isn’t quite free for Bunnell or the county, which retains the larger, annex portion of the building, and several building and maintenance rights (and costs).
Seeking “Closure,” Ex-Bunnell Commissioner Flynt Will Pay $2,500 Fine on Ethics Violations
The ethics case against Jimmy Flynt was filed by Bunnell City Commissioner Elbert Tucker when Flynt was still a commissioner, in late 2010. Flynt admitted to three violations of law and now looks forward to possibly running for the commission again.
Bunnell’s Potato Festival Dishes Up Mouthfuls of Charm Despite Candidates by the Casserole
Bunnell’s Potato Festival featured a knock-down, drag-out potato dish cook-off between some 20 local candidates for political office, plus what has become the festival’s traditional highlights, from the parade to the mashed-potato eating contest. A tasty photo gallery.
County Welcomes, With Cautions, Bunnell and Sheriff’s Interest to Use Old Courthouse
Bunnell’s city administration has secured a $1.5 million loan that would allow it to refurbish the old county courthouse and move out of the county’s administration building, where it’s been housed rent-free. Refurbishing the annex portion for the sheriff’s uses would cost $5.25 million.
Bunnell Welcomes Its Newest Police Chief as Jeff Hoffman Steps In and Arthur Jones Exits
Jeff Hoffman, 41, a captain at the Daytona Beach Police Department, where he’s been for 21 years, was endorsed by a unanimous Bunnell City Commission. He starts work at the end of the month.
Capt. Jeff Hoffman of Daytona Beach PD Wins the Job as Bunnell’s Next Police Chief
Jeffrey Hoffman, 41, been a captain in the Daytona Beach Police Department since January 2001, supervising 75 uniformed patrol cops, he’s been in that police department since 1991, and lives in Ormond Beach. He’ll be taking a $45,000 pay cut.
Bunnell’s Insurer Offers Ex-Cop $100,000 to Settle Whistle-Blower Suit; He May Not Take It
Ex-Bunnell cop Frank Gamarra was reportedly seeking $250,000, but last week was willing to accept $100,000 as a result of what he considers his wrongful termination in 2010. Bunnell City Manager Armando Martinez said the city was willing to fight it out in court.
Bunnell’s Police Chief Candidates Narrowed To 2; Lt. Randy Burke Doesn’t Make the Cut
Lt. Randy Burke, at the Bunnell Police Department for two decades, was among the 19 candidates who made the first cut, from 31 applicants, but wasn’t chosen among the first six finalists, or the last three. City Manager Martinez will make a decision this week.
City of Bunnell Centennial Celebration Logo Contest
The City of Bunnell, in preparation for its 100th anniversary in June 2013, is sponsoring a logo design contest to produce a graphic symbol that will be used on all materials created for this event . The logo should represent the city’s heritage and the spirit of its community.
In Bunnell Police Chief Battle, a Popular Choice Against City Manager’s Unpopular Criteria
Lt. Randy Burke wants to be Bunnell police chief and has been at the department for almost 20 years. Some 200 people signed a petition favoring his appointment. But Burk has no BA–a new job requirement that outgoing chief Arthur Jones never had to meet, and that Burke says was put there to keep him out.
In Bunnell, Scrapping for Police Chief’s Pay And a Taxpayer-Funded Christmas Party
Bunnell City Manager Armando Martinez’s request for a $60,000 salary for the next police chief was batted down (to $50,000) while a proposal to pay for next year’s staff Christmas party with city scrap metal proceeds drew resistance.
Prayer Becomes Official Policy at Bunnell Meetings; “You Can Wait Outside” If Offended
Bunnell voted to open its government meetings with one or more prayers, an idea proposed by Commissioner Elbert Tucker. The city attorney offered cautionary guidance rather than objections.
Bunnell Commission, With 14 Jobs in Jeopardy, Calls Emergency Meeting for Today
The Florida Department of Transportation has contracted with Bunnell for the past six years for road maintenance. Now Bunnell is one of 24 bidders on the same contract, and it’s heavily disfavored as Gov. Rick Scott pushes for privatization.
Bunnell Manager Wants His Gun Back–as a Reserve Officer for Sheriff or Flagler Beach
Even though it’s a personal matter to the manager, the Bunnell City Commission agreed to use its city attorney, at $145 an hour, to seek out a state Attorney General’s opinion on whether Manager Armando Martinez may serve as a reserve cop elsewhere.
Flirting With the Bizarre and the Unconstitutional, Bunnell Retains 4 Lawyers
A Bunnell city commissioner opened Monday’s commission meeting with a hard-core Christian prayer as seven lawyers, including the city attorney, looked on–and took the fifth on the matter, as most were angling for a contract with the city.
Back from the Dead, Carver Gym Is Rededicated By Those Who Nearly Killed It
Flagler’s governments gathered at South Bunnell’s Carver Gym Saturday to celebrate the rebirth of what, just 15 months ago, looked to be the end for the community center. Some of the applause was deserved, much of it was self-serving.
Sheriff Fleming on Palm Coast and Bunnell Gambling Halls: “I Have Bigger Fish To Fry”
Sheriff Don Fleming’s stance on internet cafes and other such gambling halls has wide implications for Palm Coast and Bunnell, both of which are wrestling with ordinances that would regulate the establishments.
In a Case With Implications for Palm Coast and Bunnell, Polk Sheriff Shuts Down Internet Cafe
The Internet cafe–or gambling parlor–shut down in Davenport Monday is similar to those in Palm Coast and Bunnell, where local officials and residents are debating whether and how to regulate (or ban) the businesses.
Bunnell Mayor Outflanks Rookie Rogers, Shutting Down Talk of Martinez’s Future
Bunnell City Manager Armando Martinez survived what could have been a vote of confidence tonight thanks to a maneuver by Mayor Catherine Robinson, who prevented it.
Bunnell’s Armando Martinez a Finalist for Melbourne Police Chief; Special Meeting Set
Bunnell City Manager Armando Martinez applied for the Melbourne job one or two months ago. Commissioner John Rogers wants a special meeting of the commission to discuss Martinez’s contract in light of the revelation.
Like Palm Coast, Bunnell Wrestles With Gambling Posing as Games–and Punts
Some define internet cafes as gambling. Some define it as business. Some define it as nobody’s business but their own. A 3-2 vote of the Bunnell City Commission sent the matter to the sheriff with a question: if it’s gambling, would he arrest its practitioners?
Ex-Bunnell Commissioner Jimmy Flynt Faces State Ethics Violations on 3 Counts
Bunnell City Commissioner Elbert Tucker filed a series of ethics charges against Jimmy Flynt last August. Flynt faces fines of up to $10,000 on each of the three violations. Several others were thrown out.
Bunnell Commission Says Nyet To Reducing $1 Million Police Force, Whatever the Savings
Bunnell City Commissioner Elbert Tucker proposed reducing the police department’s ranks to cut back its $1 million burden on a $4 million general fund budget. The rest of the commission smacked him down.
Bunnell’s Challenges: Lawsuits, Layoffs, Deficits, and That $900,000 Police Department
Bunnell entered this year’s budget season facing a $900,000 deficit (about the cost of its police department) and the potential loss of a $1.3 million state contract, among other steep challenges.
Bunnell and Flagler Beach Angrily Denounce Enterprise Flagler’s Secretive “Done Deal”
A closed meeting restructuring Enterprise Flagler last week is unraveling into angry reactions by those left out, putting at risk half a year of economic development discussions and further miring the public-private partnership in controversy.
Jack Hardin, Only Basketball Coach to Take Bulldogs to Final Four (Twice), Dies
Jack Hardin, who taught social science at Bunnell and FPC from the 1960s to the 1980s, had also been a Bunnell city commissioner and ran for school board against Herschel King in 1982.
Bunnell Puts Its Stamp on Day of Prayer While Another Group Marks “Day of Inclusivity”
The Bunnell city administration coordinates an event with distinctly Christian overtones on its city hall’s steps Thursday afternoon while church-state separation group celebrates Inclusivity Day at heroes Park Thursday evening.
Bunnell Police Miscues Helping To Lessen Case Against Ex-Cops John and Lisa Murray
Lisa Murray faces one less count of official misconduct, but while a grand theft charge against John Murray was dropped, a charge of official misconduct was added. The cases, for now, are proceeding to trial.
Bunnell Commissioners Crain-Brady and Rogers Are Sworn In, Flynt Exits After 8 Years
Unlike last year, when the mayor and two commissioners were re-elected after facing no opposition, Jenny Crain-Brady and John Rogers were the survivors of a five-way race last month.
John Rogers Certified as Bunnell City Commissioner after Provisional Ballot Count
John Rogers will be sworn in with Jenny Crain Brady on March 14. For Bill Baxley, who lost by just three votes, the election is a learning experience. He says he will run again at the next election.
Election Winners: Carney and Shupe in Flagler Beach, Crain-Brady and Rogers in Bunnell
Kim Carney and Marshall Shupe replace Ron Vath and Joy McGrew in Flagler Beach, beating out Phil Busch. Incumbent Jenny Crain-Brady is re-elected, and John Rogers replaces fellow-wrecker and nine-year incumbent Jimmy Flynt.
Ryan Rogers, Son of Bunnell Commission Candidate, Jailed on Drug and Other Charges
Rogers was allegedly trespassing on Flagler County Housing Authority grounds, from where he ran when a cop confronted him. He is in jail on $1,500 bond.
Commissioner Flynt’s Election-Qualifying Check Bounces, But Not His Candidacy
Flynt made good on the check as soon as the city clerk informed him of the bounce, 20 days after qualifying ended, but did so with cash. State law requires the payment to be made with a cashier’s check, “the end of qualifying notwithstanding.”
State Attorney Larizza on Bunnell’s Ghetto Spy-Cams: Should Be a Cost-Benefit Thing
State Attorney R.J. Larizza echoed comments by Public Defender Jim Purdy and Bunnell Commissioner Elbert Tucker on the economics of spy cameras, though a majority of the commission appears sold on the idea.
Donald Flynt, Son of Bunnell Commissioner, Jailed on Fraud Charge
Donald Flynt, the 25-year-old son of Bunnell City Commissioner Jimmy Flynt, was jailed on Friday on a charge of obtaining property by fraud.
Small-Town Big Brother: Bunnell Eying Slew of Spy Cameras In City’s South Side
The eight cameras would allegedly deter crime in the drug-prone south side, though the city has no evidence they’d be effective. The commission is debating costs, but is sold on the idea as one way to buttress the short-staffed police department.
As Bunnell PD Tries to Clear Its Name, Missing Evidence Turns Up, Discrepancies Remain
A follow-up investigative report by the State Attorney’s office sheds more light, and raises more questions, on the Bunnell Police Department’s habit of producing previously missing evidence and paperwork.
Video: Ghost Opposition to Cold-Weather Shelter Draws Out Advocates in Bunnell
Unseen and unheard opponents of the cold-weather shelter in Bunnell have complained to that city’s mayor. Shelter advocates made their case at a city commission meeting this week.
Bunnell Manager Armando Martinez Forced To Give Up Cop Shield, But Not Extra $7,500 Pay
The Florida Constitution forbids public employees from holding two public officer jobs simultaneously. Martinez had argued that he was a cop but not a “public officer” as such. The city attorney disagreed.
Bunnell’s Central Commerce Park Finally Breaks Ground, With an Order of Wendy’s
A new Wendy’s restaurant in April will be the first business at Flagler Central Commerce Park in Bunnell, a 1 million square foot commercial development seven years in the works. So far, no other business has signed up.
Bunnell’s Armando Martinez: Cop or City Manager? Constitution Says Choose One
Martinez is city manager and public safety director, at an extra cost of $11,000 to taxpayers. Yet the state constitution is clear: “No person shall hold at the same time more than one office under the government of the state and the counties and municipalities therein.”
Revels Plan Would Resurrect Carver Gym—If It Can Surmount Buck-Passing
The county and the school board appear ready to commit their recurring share of Carver Gym’s annual bill. Bunnell, where the gym is located, and other groups are either less committed or less certain about their capabilities.
Bunnell Police Inquiry: In Videos, Chief Jones Strains to Keep the Focus on John Murray
Three video clips illustrate some of the background of the inquiry that led to the arrest of two Bunnell cops, but also continue raising more questions than have been answered since.
Ex-Bunnell Cops Lisa and John Murray, Facing 6 Felonies, Angle for 6 Trials–and Pleas
The defense’s tactic is an attempt to dilute the force of the felony charges the Murrays face. While it may backfire, the cases are unlikely to go to trial as both sides are talking of a resolution.
Ending 8 Years of Extortion, Bunnell Quietly Invites Drivers to Get Their Money Back
From 2002 to May 2008, Bunnell charged owners a $350 “administrative fee” for impounding their vehicles, even when there were no legal grounds to impound the cars. The burden is now on vehicle owners to get their money back.
Bunnell Police’s Latest Slipshod Accusations Clear Ex-Cop of Counterfeiting
Former Sgt. Frank Gamarra had cooperated with a State Attorney’s investigation of shoddy policing at the Bunnell PD only to be fired and charged with carrying a fake $20 bill.
Carver Gym on the Drawing Board: Rosy Goals, Grayer Certainties
A committee set up to save Carver Gym from the cleaver isn’t lacking for ideas and objectives, but money and ownership remain the unanswered questions.