The Palm Coast City Council on Tuesday rejected a long-standing proposal to rename the Palm Coast Community Center for Jon Netts, a former mayor and City Council member whose 15-year tenure in city government shaped Palm Coast more than any other elected official in the city’s history.
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Pam Richardson, Flagler County Commission District 5 Candidate: The Live Interview
Pam Richardson is one of two Republican candidates for Flagler County Commission, District 5, in the Aug. 20 primary. It’s an open seat as Commissioner Donald O’Brien has elected not to run for a third term. Richardson faces Ed Danko, currently serving as a Palm Coast City Council member. Only registered Republicans may cast a ballot in the election.
Ed Danko, Flagler County Commission Candidate District 5: The Live Interview
Ed Danko is one of two Republican candidates for Flagler County Commission, District 5, in the Aug. 20 primary. It’s an open seat as Commissioner Donald O’Brien has elected not to run for a third term. Danko, a one-term Palm Coast City Council member, faces Pam Richardson.
Bill Clark, Flagler County Commission Candidate District 3: The Live Interview
Bill Clark is a Republican candidate for Flagler County Commission, District 3, in an open-seat election, as Dave Sullivan has opted not to run again. Clark faces Republicans Kim Carney and Nick Klufas in the Aug. 20 primary.
Kim Carney, Flagler County Commission Candidate District 3: The Live Interview
Kim Carney is a Republican candidate for Flagler County Commission, District 3, in an open-seat election, as Dave Sullivan has opted not to run again. Carney faces Republicans Bill Clark and Nick Klufas in the Aug. 20 primary.
Nick Klufas, Flagler County Commission District 3 Candidate: The Live Interview
Nick Klufas is a Republican candidate for Flagler County Commission, District 3. The two-term Palm Coast City Council member, who is term-limited, faces Kim Carney and Bill Clark, both Republicans, in the Aug. 20 primary. Because a write-in candidate has filed expressly to close the election to non-Republicans, only registered Republicans may cast a ballot in this race.
Fernando Melendez, Flagler County Commission Candidate District 1: The Live Interview
Fernando Melendez is a Republican candidate for Flagler County Commission, District 1. He is challenging incumbent Andy Dance in the Aug. 20 primary. Since no non-Republicans filed to run, it will be an open primary: all registered Flagler County voters from all parties or no-party affiliation may cast a ballot in this race, which will be decided on Aug. 20.
Andy Dance, Flagler County Commission Candidate, District 1: The Live Interview
Andy Dance is the incumbent candidate for Flagler County Commission, District 1. Fernando Melendez is challenging him in the Aug. 20 primary. Both candidates are Republicans. Since no non-Republicans filed to run, it will be an open primary: all registered Flagler County voters from all parties or no-party affiliation may cast a ballot in this race, which will be decided on Aug. 20. There is no run-off.
4 Palm Coast Council Members Uninterested in Rolling Back Taxes Yet Still Inexplicably Defer to Danko’s ‘Starting Point’
Four of the five Palm Coast City Council members voiced opposition today to adopting the rolled-back property tax rate as they did last year, with one week to go before they have to vote on a tentative rate. Nevertheless, the fifth and lone dissenter, Ed Danko, inexplicably carried the day staving off a decision and keeping the rollback proposal alive.
Palm Coast City Manager Matt Morton’s Evaluations at Year 2: One Brutal, One Good, 3 Glowing or Stellar
City Manager Matt Morton’s past year saw some of the city’s most challenging times during the pandemic, and some of its greatest successes, with the landing of two university campuses and the return of the city’s largest manufacturing company, with 300 to 400 jobs.
3-2 Vote Clears 268-Home Development on Matanzas Golf Course, But With Severe Restrictions
The plan the Palm Coast City Council approved strikes at the heart of the proposal, denying the developer authority to develop a key tract and upholding the city administration’s interpretation of protected golf views.
‘Councilman Corrupt.’ ‘Councilman Full of Crap.’ It’s a Grim New Day on the Palm Coast City Council.
A confrontation between Palm Coast City Council members Eddie Branquinho and Ed Danko devolved into name-calling this morning soon after Danko was sworn in during an already tense meeting, signaling an unprecedented divide on the council.
With 4 of 5 Council Seats In Play, Palm Coast Could Be In for Radical Redirection. Voters Face Far-Reaching Choice.
A comprehensive analysis of the 10 candidates for the four Palm Coast City Council seats, including mayor, illustrates to what extent voters are poised to make a choice that could either significantly shift the direction of the city, but with an uncertain destination, or maintain its course.
Zack Shapiro, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Zack Shapiro is a candidate for Palm Coast City Council, District 3, running against incumbent Nick Klufas and Cornelia Manfre in the Aug. 18 primary. All registered voters in Palm Coast regardless of party affiliation or geography may cast a vote.
Cornelia Manfre, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Cornelia Manfre is a candidate for Palm Coast City Council, District 3, running against incumbent Nick Klufas and Zach Shapiro in the Aug. 18 primary. All registered voters in the city may cast a ballot in that non-partisan election regardless of party affiliation or location in Palm Coast.
Nick Klufas, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Nick Klufas, a first-term incumbent, is a candidate for Palm Coast City Council, District 3, running against Cornelia Manfre and Zach Shapiro. All registered voters in Palm Coast, regardless of party affiliation, may cast a vote in the Aug. 18 primary election.
Palm Coast Manager Morton Turns Down $7,000 Raise After Solid Performance Review of 1st Year
Palm Coast City Manager Matt Morton got a 3.73 out of 5 in his first annual evaluation, 14 months into his job, and turned down a 5 percent raise as an example, he said, of the sacrifices he’s asked of the rest of city staff.
Facts Dissolve in Antifreeze In Largely Misinformed Protest of Palm Coast’s Taxes and Budget
Palm Coast’s 2020 tax rate and the size of its budget drew some protesters at a hearing Wednesday, but many residents addressing the council were misinformed or mis-characterized the numbers.
Palm Coast Council Picks Matthew Morton as Its City Manager in Sharp Turn ‘From This Nice Little Box’
The Palm Coast City Council chose Matthew Morton in a 3-2 vote, bypassing Interim Manager Beau Falgout, in what council members described as the city’s desire for a “game-changer.”
Mayor Welcomes Public, But 3 Palm Coast Councilmen Will Hold Closed-Door Interviews With Manager Candidates
Mayor Milissa Holland is leaving her door open to press and public during her one-on-one interviews with manager candidates Thursday, Eddie Branquinho, Bob Cuff and Nick Klufas are closing their doors. Jack Howell isn’t holding interviews.
It’s Increasingly ‘The Beau Show’ as Palm Coast Council Strains To Project Fair Manager Interview Process
Interim Palm Coast Manager Beau Falgout continues to solidify his place atop the list of five or six candidates for the permanent manager spot, leaving it to the council to convince other candidates that they still have a chance.
Holland and Cuff Put Their Differences To Work in Search for New Palm Coast Manager
Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland and Council member Bob Cuff disagreed on key search parameters for a new manager, but the disagreements only shaped a more synthesized process that may yield a new manager by late winter.
Palm Coast Streetlights: $860,000 Plan Would Light Up 23 Miles Of Roads Over Next 5 Years
Two-thirds of the cost would be one-time capital and one third would be recurring, and in addition to the $700,000 a year the city spends now on lighting the city.
Palm Coast’s Shocking Electric Tax Scheme
Out of nowhere the Palm Coast City Council is about to ram through a large tax increase on residents and businesses with hardly any discussion, no hearings, no public education. No wonder we have tea parties.
Palm Coast Council Fires City Manager Jim Landon, Ending 11-Year Tenure
The Palm Coast City Council this morning voted 4-0 to fire City Manager Jim Landon, ending his 11-year tenure after weeks of mounting tension and clashes with the council.
Palm Coast Council and Manager Jim Landon Again Clash Sharply Over Methods and Goals
Palm Coast Council members repeatedly and sharply criticized Manager Jim Landon over a “disconnect” between their goals and his execution, the latest in a series of increasing clashes.
Steve Nobile Resigns From Palm Coast Council, Triggering Repeat of 2016 Appointment Dilemma
Citing family health issues, Palm Coast Council member Steve Nobile is resigning his seat in May, repeating the dilemma the council faced when Bill McGuire resigned in 2016.
Palm Coast Council Whittles Charter Amendments Down to 3 Minor Changes
Council members discarded the idea of expanding the council to seven members and stuck to minor changes about elections in case of death or resignation, and the next charter-review process.
Palm Coast Council Kills Memorial To 208 U.S. Soldiers Its Beautification Committee Had Unanimously Approved
The council killed a proposed plaque that memorializes the 34 Navy sailors and Marines killed and 174 wounded by an Israeli attack on the USS Liberty in 1967.
Ending Uncertainty, Palm Coast Will Welcome Medical Pot Dispensaries Starting In Fall
The Palm Coast Council emphatically decided that it would allow medical pot dispensaries in the city’s major business districts even as it may approve an extension of a moratorium to work out a zoning regulation.
Palm Coast Council Will Decide Manager’s Future in Extraordinary Workshop on Aug. 3
The council is moving toward ending Jim Landon’s 10-year tenure. That workshop is expected to be followed with a special meeting in a matter of days to ratify whatever decision is reached on the 3rd.
Palm Coast Council Ready To Fire Or Push Out Jim Landon, Dismissing His Secretive “Succession” Ploy
Four Palm Coast City Council members have lost confidence in Manager Jim Landon and want him gone, with severance issues an obstacle. He wants to stay two more years and appoint his successor.
Palm Coast Would Turn Over Its Cell Towers To Contractor Even as New Law Revamps Landscape
Even as a new state law just has just revamped the whole wireless landscape, the Palm Coast council is about to sign a contract grounded in previous-generation realities about cell coverage.
No New Street Lights in Palm Coast, But $547,000 For Field Lights and $1 Million For Toilets
Six new field lights at Indian Trails Complex will cost $547,000, not including operating costs, where current lights cost the city $108,000 a year in light bills. The bathrooms are paid for from a less flexible pot.
Palm Coast Approves $425,000 Parasols at 4 City Parks, But Council Members Grumble
Council members Nick Klufas and Steve Nobile, who are seeking more oversight of the city administration, had serious misgivings about cost and a bidding process that left them with little choice.
Senate Committee Kills Recovery Centers Palm Coast Opposes, But Approves Expanded Surgical Centers
A Senate committee today killed a proposal to create the sort of “recovery care centers” Palm Coast government and Florida Hospital Flagler oppose, but it agreed to expanded ambulatory care centers.
Palm Coast Retreats From Mayor Radio Show In Favor of Free, Staff-Hosted Podcast
After the controversy triggered by City Manager Jim Landon’s mishandling of a radio show proposal featuring the mayor, his administration is proposing a podcast instead, but while still spending $8,000 on promotional radio advertising.
In Ugly Meeting Over Mayor’s Radio Show, Palm Coast Manager and Council Member Turn Offensive
City Manager Jim Landon made baseless accusations of “misinformation” and council member Steve Nobile called fellow-member Nick Klufas a child during a discussion of a proposed weekly radio show featuring Mayor Holland, and paid for with public money.
Palm Coast Will Pay $10,000 to Air Mayor’s Weekly Radio Show; Council Was Not Informed
Mayor Milissa Holland and City Manager Jim Landon worked out the $10,000 proposal with WNZF Radio without discussions involving the rest of the council. Some council members are not pleased.
Palm Coast’s Jim Landon Gets 4% Pay Hike, Raising Total Compensation to $226,700
The Palm Coast City Council unanimously endorsed the $6,700 pay raise but limited annual automatic increases to 1 percent through 2021, and set aside concerns over Landon’s very generous severance package.
Palm Coast Council Favors $6,800 Raise for Manager Landon, and Automatic Increases
Vying for a raise for the third time in 10 months, Palm Coast Manager Jim Landon appears to have convinced a new council to award him a 4 percent raise and build in automatic annual raises absent intervention by the council.
Palm Coast’s New Founders:
Nick Klufas Trains Vigilant Eyes on the City
In his picture of Palm Coast for the next four years, City Councilman Nick Klufas lays out his goals for a city with better cell coverage and emergency communications, among other needs.
Palm Coast Council Talks As If It Wants To Be Pioneer in Medical Pot, But Post-Moratorium
In a radical departure from its previous incarnations, the Palm Coast City Council discussed medical marijuana in terms of economic development potential for the city as well as in line with its purported humane benefits.
Palm Coast Favors $6 Million Reconstruction of Public Works Facility Off U.S. 1 Over 5 Years
Public work costs are usually the result of new or improved roads, bridges, parks, swales and so on. But Palm Coast’s aging 10-acre public works facility will itself become Ground Zero for a $6 million reconstruction project.
Pam Richardson, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Pam Richardson is a candidate for Palm Coast City Council, District 3. She faces Nick Klufas in the non-partisan runoff election culminating on Nov. 8. All registered voters may cast a ballot in that election regardless of party affiliation.
Nick Klufas, Palm Coast City Council Candidate: The Live Interview
Nick Klufas is a candidate for Palm Coast City Council, District 3. He faces Pam Richardson in the non-partisan run-off election culminating on Nov. 8, in which all registered voters may cast a ballot.
Flagler’s Primary Results: Shocks, Coronations and Probabilities
There were one or two shocks in the Flagler primary election results, not least of them another dismal turnout, but for the most part the numebrs produced expected winners and losers. Here’s a full analysis.