Leave it to U.S. Rep Randy Fine, who’s not known for his political or rhetorical propriety, to upstage a local official’s election announcement in her presence, on her own turf, when she turned up to support him.
Palm Coast City Council member Theresa Pontieri was among the eight elected officials arrayed behind Fine this morning at a press conference on federal beach funding coming Flagler County’s way. Fine acknowledged the officials by name, Pontieri among them.
“She’s doing a great job,” he said. He could’ve stopped there. He did not. “I hear she may be making a big announcement about her future and to serve Flagler in a new way. Looking forward to hearing about that, not today, but soon.”
There it was. The announcement Pontieri had been holding back for several days so as not to upstage Hansen after he announced he was not running again, the announcement she was preparing for later this week, if not possibly later today, was suddenly not hers to make. Fine did not say what office Pontieri would be seeking, but he might as well have.
Pontieri was startled. “I guess my official response to him would be,” she said after the press conference, “I will be taking the next progression in local politics, and we will be likely moving to represent the county. So I haven’t filed yet, obviously, because my intent was to file and release to you guys with a kind of announcement.” The necessary papers were in her car, but for her treasurer’s signature. (In mid-afternoon, Pointieri issued the announcement she had been preparing. She filed her papers just before 5 p.m.)
Pontieri will serve out the 15 months remaining on her City Council term and run for Hansen’s seat. She had only told a handful of people about it previously. FlaglerLive had learned of the coming announcement but had agreed to embargo the news, as is common with certain announcements. She had not told Fine. She doesn’t know how he found out. She had told Hansen, who was among the elected shmoozing with Fine today.
“I had committed to Greg several years ago I wanted to work with him because we a lot of the same constituents, obviously, in counterpart districts,” Pontieri said, “but that I would not run against him. I would wait until he decided on his time when he was done, and then I would be happy to take up the torch when he was done.” When he announced he wouldn’t run again, Pontieri had a serious conversation with her family, and went for it.
Winning isn’t a given. In the last election, then-Palm Coast City Council members Nick Klufas, who was term-limited at the city, and Ed Danko, who was finishing his first term, ran for County Commission seats and lost. Andy Dance, who chairs the commission, successfully made the jump from the school board. But the last one to successfully jump from the city to the county was Frankl Meeker in 2012. He died in office in 2016. Then-Gov. Rick Scott appointed Hansen. And now Pontieri is seeking the one seat that has smiled on a council member before.
“I do feel that, from a fiscal standpoint, I can have a larger impact on our full county,” she said, “We’ve done some really good things fiscally for the city, as far as lowering taxes, doing it at the same time as improving public safety and expanding our fire service. We’ve done a lot of good things on a really, really good budget. So I want those skills to translate over to the county, and I think that I can. I know that there’s a heavy focus on conservation and responsible development, particularly in the Hammock area.”
The one hesitation Pontieri had about moving to the county was creating the certainty that three seats on the City Council will again turn over, on a council where she is the senior voice on the panel (not counting Dave Sullivan, who has eight years of county commission experience behind him, not to mention a lifetime.) The three open seats also set up a possibility for Mayor Mike Norris to be joined by members more aligned with his vision, in a city likely to have a new city manager also short on sea legs.
“It’s concerning,” Pontieri said. “I thought about that, and to be quite frank with you, that’s been a concern of mine, and the reason why I struggle with whether or not I wanted to move to the county or resign from my city seat. There’s a big part of me that wants to stay in the city and finish a lot of the things. But when I look back at a lot of the things that we’ve been able to accomplish, I’ve been able to tie a bow on a lot of our accomplishments, and so I don’t feel like I’m leaving anything kind of hanging.”
Pontieri does not see issues of dynamics on the current commission. She considers its propensity for debate healthy and sees alignments ahead with current members, should she be elected. She described herself as more fiscally conservative than Hansen.
Dance had no idea who was going to run for Hansen’s seat when Hansen announced. Now he knows. “All you can ask for is somebody who comes prepared, understands the issues, can speak to the issues to the public,” he said after the news conference. Pontieri, he said, “has good rapport with the public as well. Those are good, those are positive points.”
County Commissioner Leann Pennington said she respects the work Pontieri has done on the council. “I welcome anyone that will do that kind of work, especially on the commission,” Pennington said, “and will help, obviously, with all of our issues, with the beach and what’s going on with us. I think she’d be a good addition for that. I think she’s a strong voice, and we need that.”
Elvis has left the building. says
Big gain for the County and huge loss for Palm Coast.
Thank you for your public service.
Larry says
Great… How will that ego of hers fit in with the County? Get ready for a lot of political grandstanding. Pontieri should just retire before she ruins Flagler County, she is awful in Palm Coast.
Jim says
And Randy Fine shows his true colors once again. I just hope someone (other than Will Furry) defeats him in the primary and we have a chance to upgrade in the next election. Worst case, maybe the Democrats can run a decent middle of the road candidate that enough Republicans can vote for in his place. What a sorry excuse for a congressman/person.
I sincerely hate to see Theresa Pontieri leave the city council. During this sad time of Norris the non-mayor mayor failing to do his job, Pontieri has stepped up and completely filled the tiny void left by our little worthless mayor. I really hoped she would run for mayor next time. I think she would win by an overwhelming margin amongst those voters who prefer leaders who think, do their homework and try to do what’s right for their constituents. We could use a mayor that cares about this city instead of what the empty carcass we have now.
I’ll vote for her when/if she runs for county commissioner. She’s proven she is willing to do the work and work for us. Right now, politicians that fit that mold are few and far between. (I point at Randy Fine and Norris as two prominent examples of what passes for “elected officials” in these times).
I fear for the city, though. If somehow, the citizens of this city vote for more morons like Norris and Danko before him, or tone deaf politicians like Alfin, we are going to see this city spiral completely into the ground. I ask those that do end up running to make a point of distancing yourselves from these disasters as part of your platform. If you can make me confident you won’t join the looney tunes contingent, I’ll give strong consideration to voting for you!
Ron says
I would actually like to see a candidate from the barrier island run. This way you have someone that sees first hand what the problems are.
Larry says
Question:
Where does Theresa Pontieri stand on the 1/2 cent beach renourishment tax?
Andy Montgomery says
My congat to queen tp wisest woman in town and maybe USA
-//-
Dime to a dollar bill
Happy and sad you deserting us to help ya fam.
What we gonna do when Lauren get a Yummie full and losing hard to find quality folks.
Guess you’ll do three or four jobs fer still Pennie’s compared to what you bring to the table.
Glad to help ur campaign. I’ll frugally print effective non color glossie $5 a hand out go in the trash handouts. Smart folks design on a time with their money and master patient repurposers.
Congratulations. I’m in Flager beach so yes I finally finally get to vote for the wisest woman in government law life who smells good – of Him and therefore others.
Gimmie some handouts for my Finn’s family the late night heart of fun for all weary. I’ll threaten my buddies on the force if they don’t leave em on the driver’s side windshield even in the rain.
I’ll carry the us 100 A1A where F…. Biden will be replaced with TPs protect and serve has a ringer in the game, don’t tell anyone. She and most who run and work for our citizens are recruited and governed by Father Gods gift of the Holy Spirit Emmanuel – God with us?
What ya need? 1.98, time, working the crowds of our people rebel rousing for goodness
Her to serve. Mommie
Be at the Diaz shortly to praise y’all’s visions.
God bless you and keep you and make his light shine upon you your family all those you love and those who love you (everyone who recognizes brilliance and character and strength – the it combination laced with common sense and kindness) Emmanuel God with Us called you into existence to be and propagate.
A baby jesus not so dumb Sheppard sheep of love and service.
Kinda like His happy little girl, mommie.
Congratulations,
RESPECTFULLY,
Andy Montgomery
Vice President
Flagler Veterans Village
2531 Lakeshore Drive
Flagler Beach, Fl 32136
386-999-1996
http://www.FlaglerVeteransVillage.com
shark says
Maybe she can get a beach for palm coast and chickens !!! Please stay out of politics !!!!
NOT voting for Pontieri says
Where does Pontieri stand on a building moratorium? She’s flip-flopped on this issue several times.
Other than that, I called this political move a year ago because they’re both members of the Flagler Republican Executive Committee.
I will NOT vote for her.
Can someone or anyone list any of her accomplishments while on the PC City Council? I’m waiting. I would like a list of her accomplishments. If no one can come up with a list, then WHY VOTE FOR HER?????
Sian Wiese says
Leave it to Randy Fine to wreak havoc on what should have been a celebrated event. The same Randy Fine who proposed the Thump Thump Act which would allow Drivers to run over Protestors or the same Randy Fine who suggested the Residents of Gaza either be Nuked or Starved.
Paul Larkin says
Wishing Theresa Pontieri well in the next stage of her political life. The City Council is losing its MVP and the County Commision would be gaining someone with the best of qualities to serve in public office. Thank You Theresa for your high quality contributions to the present City Council and to the Citizens of Palm Coast. You have served your city well.
Looking Ahead says
Once Theresa filed today it would be in the best interest of the current remaining council members to literally soak up as much knowledge as possible over the next 15 months so we have some assemblance of foundational knowledge to continue on this council once her term is expired when she leaves. Her void to the City will be a huge blow to the amount of information and background beyond her level of education she brings to her seat and the constituents. The City and residents meed to be assured the remaining members are well suited and have put in every effort beyond the learning curve if their newly positions to take the reigns once she departs. Beyond the void, these meetings need to be full of decisions and preparedness which at the current state they still lack of full preparedness .
We have a lot to do and 15 months will go quickly.
Taxpayer says
Same thing over and over. Can’t we get some new candidates in Flagler County, it’s the same people just moving around to one area to the other.
Taxpayers want new and fresh people not the same old same old.
Pig Farmer says
I would hate to see Theresa Pontieri go. Palm Coast needs more people like her. Mayor Pontieri has a nice ring to it. The city’s loss will be the county’s gain.
Tired of it says
She will do a good job. She is intelligent and willing to work hard.
Michael H. Brown says
She has been a very good councilwoman for a city that should start feeling a bit desperate.
Mort says
With everyone bailing on the Council, who will run the city? We are going to be in some serious trouble if Norris is still Mayor. He is clueless. That coupled with the lack of any institutional memory spells disaster for our city.
Adam Frank says
Good-now I have a 2nd reason NOT to vote for Ms. Pontieri for County Council, after her ill-advised plan for Palm Coast to take over Malacompra Park from Flagler County.