HMO 10 17 19

THE HAMMOCK

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

REAL ESTATE PAGE 11 FREE • OCTOBER 2019

VOLUME 4, NO. 4

Bring in the reinforcements After more erosion from Hurricane Dorian, what’s next for Flagler County’s beach dunes? PAGE 3

Who would pay for city water?

Hammock divided on water proposal.

PAGE 6 INSIDE LADY PIRATES’ LEADING RUNNER

Meet Matanzas Cross Country’s Kelly Steffens.

PAGE 10

KEEPING WATCH

Flagler Beach entrepreneurs become inventory gurus at local bars.

PAGE 4

REGULATIONS IN THE HAMMOCK Residents concerned about development.

PAGE 2

Photos by Paola Rodriguez

Jordan Bryan’s alarm goes off between 3 and 4 a.m. He drinks his coffee and heads out to conquer the day around the same time the sun does.

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FPC vs.

Matanzas Pirates boys golf improves to 12-1 after topping FPC. Matanzas freshman Alek Libby, who shot a 4-over 40, was the match’s medalist.

Photo by Ray Boone

FPC’s Cameron Coates hits an approach shot on the seventh hole.

PAGE 9

INSIDE

Love of dogs Palm Coast 11-year-old sells plushies to benefit K9 units.

PAGE 8

HAMMOCK OBSERVER

|

OCTOBER 2019

Time for new development regulations in The Hammock?

Mullins, calling the area’s codes ‘convoluted,’ urged community members to get involved to clarify them.

JONATHAN SIMMONS NEWS EDITOR

Many Hammock community members would like to bar the sort of development that County Commissioner Joe Mullins voted to approve on Sept. 16.

Their frustration with his decision showed when Mullins held a town hall event at The Hammock Community Center the evening of Sept. 23. But residents also expressed hope that they might be able to coordinate to help pass the sort of restrictions whose absence, Mullins had said, had paved the way for his vote in favor of the controversial Beachwalk development.

Mullins had suggested that the county’s development codes affecting the area, which he called “convoluted,” should be clarified,

with community input.

“It needs to be as clean as it can, and it’s got a lot of cleaning up to do,” Mullins said. “ ...You all are here to enjoy your life, not to come in and fight every developer. ... It needs to be set up so you don’t have to fear everybody driving down the road looking up and saying, ‘I see a beautiful high rise here.’”

He proposed some possibilities: Requiring that new developments use sewer, rather than lessenvironmentally friendly septic tanks. Increasing required buffers. Requiring that developers who want to build in the area purchase and set aside a certain amount of land for conservation.

The developers of the proposed Beachwalk project had used their willingness to use sewer rather than septic — and the prospect

“You all are here to enjoy your life, not to come in and fight every developer. ... It needs to be set up so you don’t have to fear everybody driving down the road looking up and saying, ‘I see a beautiful high rise here.’”

DON’T

BEACHWALK’S BACKSTORY

Photo by Jonathan Simmons

County Commissioner Joe Mullins

MISS

OUR

The proposed Beachwalk development along State Road A1A would include 50 homes on a 12-acre lot at the intersection of A1A and Jungle Hut Road.

Jacksonville-based developer Ken Atlee brought the proposal to the County Commission in March,

seeking to have it approved as a Planned Unit Development, which would allow greater density. At the time, he was turned down unanimously by the commission.

But when the proposal was brought before the commission again in Sep-

that if their project didn’t go through, some other developer could come in and put septic tanks on the parcel — as a selling point when addressing the County Commission.

But several community members said the area already does have codes that had seemed to prohibit a development as dense as Beachwalk. But those were not, they said, followed in the Beachwalk decision when commissioners approved the development as a Planned Unit Development, or PUD. “I mean, if you gave (county staff) the direction to follow the code, I’d be happy,” said Hammock Community Association President Joy Ellis. “They’re the ones who are getting you in trouble: county staff, by acting as developer representatives.”

Community members noted that the county’s code regarding PUDs requires that a proposed PUD be innovative. Beachwalk, they asserted, is not.

FALL

tember, the commission voted 3-2 in favor of the proposal. Commissioners Joe Mullins, Donald O’Brien and David Sullivan voted in favor, and Commissioners Greg Hansen and Charlie Ericksen voted against.

Mullins said that it seemed the area doesn’t have a vision or strategy for the future.

Community members replied that it does have a vision — and, when Mullins responded that that vision hadn’t been set in stone, several people interjected, saying that it had.

Mullins suggested that community members get involved in establishing regulations.

“We’ve been asking to be involved … and what we were told was there will be a public reading and then there will be an approval,” Ellis said. “People want to be involved; they don’t want to wait until it’s a done deal. ... We need our commissioners to impress on the staff that ... we have valid input.”

“I love challenge; I think this is a challenge,” Mullins said. He added later, “This is not just The Hammock; this is all over the county it’s like this. ... We need to start setting the precedents all over the whole county.”

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HAMMOCK OBSERVER

|

OCTOBER 2019

What’s next for Flagler County’s beach dunes?

File photo by Brian McMillan

HOW MUCH IS STILL OWED FROM FEMA? Palm Coast:

$283,217

of the $3,015,400 the city requested from FEMA for reimbursement for Hurricane Matthew.

$1,011,094

of the $4,314,625 the city requested in reimbursement for Hurricane Irma.

Flagler County:

$5,217,838

for Hurricane Matthew.

$1,275,493

for Hurricane Irma.

JONATHAN SIMMONS NEWS EDITOR

F

lagler County is considering moving forward with the renourishment of an additional section of its beach dune, even as it awaits word from the federal government on whether or not it will be able to recoup more than $3 million to cover its expenses from Hurricane Dorian, which removed much recently-placed sand.

Commissioners at a County Commission meeting Oct. 7 were wary of approving, without more detailed discussion, a proposed agreement between the county and the state for a Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) renourishment project that would be performed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They agreed to discuss the matter at a future workshop.

WORKSHOP PLANNED ON EROSION CONTROL LINE FOR BEACH DUNES Flagler County, in coordination with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, will host a workshop followed by a public hearing on Oct. 22 to address the creation of an Erosion Control Line along the upcoming 2.8-mile Army Corps of Engineers project within the city limits of Flagler Beach, acording to a county news release.

State law requires the establishment of an Erosion Control Line before the construction of a beach renourishment project that places sand seaward of the Mean High Water Line, such as with the Army Corps project – scheduled to begin in May 2020 between South Sixth and South 28th streets.

“This sand placement will be the initial construction of the federal shore protection project that will slightly widen and subsequently maintain the existing beach and dunes conditions,” County Engineer Faith Alkhatib said.

The Erosion Control Line in this instance will be estab-

lished at the Mean High Water Line as surveyed in July 2019.

It will fix the boundary between the upland property owners – regardless of future beach erosion or accretion – and the submerged land owned by the state “Staff from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Army Corps of Engineers, and I will be at the meeting to explain the Erosion Control Line, answer questions, and take public comments,” Alkhatib said. “Maps of the Erosion Control Line will be available at the workshop and public hearing.”

A 27-page letter and meeting notice was emailed to officials at the City of Flagler Beach Tuesday, and will be mailed to all oceanfront property owners within 1,000 feet of the proposed Erosion Control Line.

It is available online.

The workshop and public hearing will be held 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 in the Government Services Building, 1769 E. Moody Boulevard, Bunnell.

The proposed project would involve the FDOT investing $6.1 million in the project in order to support State Road A1A, including work on a 3.4-mile stretch of dune outside the Army Corps’ project area.

The state had allocated $16 million for the purpose of protecting A1A and area beaches after Hurricane Matthew, County Engineer Faith Alkhatib told commissioners, but had not spent it.

The county would also potentially receive an additional $3 million from the state Department of Environmental protection.

“This is a very complicated process,” Commissioner David Sullivan said. “It has to be everybody working together. ... We need to be on the same team on this in order to get it done.”

Commissioner Greg Hansen had some concerns about the finances.

“I think we should do it, but if it’s not fiscally responsible to start down that road, then let’s not,” he said.

He added that it was his understanding that a dredge used for one portion of the project would be removed, and thereafter unavailable, for subsequent dune work.

He asked if it would be possible to arrange to keep it available for a longer period of time.

County Administrator Jerry Cameron said he would explore the possibility of retaining it.

The proposed dune project will continue the work that the county and the state have already completed along Flagler County’s beaches.

Earlier this year, the county finished an 11.5-mile dune renourishment project in northern Flagler County, using half a million cubic yards of sand to support the area’s dune — about 4-10 cubic yards per linear foot.

Another proposed stretch of renourishment, which will extend for 5.6 miles, is expected to use 2 million cubic yards of sand — 10 times that amount of sand per foot.

Sand that would be added to a 2.8-mile section to be renourished by the Army Corps of Engineers, from South Sixth Street to South 28th Street in Flagler Beach

HOUSING DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE Flagler County is taking applications for the Residential Mitigation Retrofit Program (RMRP) and for State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Disaster Assistance for Hurricane Dorian-related damages, according to a county government news release.

Applications are by appointment only.

“Assistance is available to income-eligible homeowners in Flagler County who meet respective program guidelines,” SHIP Administrator Ralston Reodica said, according to the news release.

The Residential Mitigation Retrofit Program s intended to increase the wind resistance of single-family homes built before 2002.

The SHIP Disaster Assistance Program is intended to assist homeowners with critical repairs and homeowner insurance deductibles for Dorian related damages to their single-family homes. Assistance will be provided on a first-qualified, first-served basis with priority to households with special needs, seniors, or lower income.

To schedule an application appointment, call Devrie Paradowski at 386-586-2324 option 5, or email rreodica@flaglercounty.org. The application period ends Friday, October 18.

For details, visit www. flaglercounty.org/ship.

would “slightly widen and subsequently maintain the existing beach and dune conditions,” according to a letter sent from the county to area homeowners.

The proposed work would begin in May 2020.

3

HAMMOCK OBSERVER

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OCTOBER 2019

Pour

RESPONSIBLY

Flagler Beach entrepreneurs become management masterminds and inventory gurus.

PAOLA RODRIGUEZ STAFF WRITER

Photos by Paola Rodriguez

Jordan Bryan and Christine Edwards run Sculpture Hospitality from Palm Coast.

Jordan Bryan has been in the hospitality business for more than 10 years.

Before the sun rises, Jordan Bryan and Christine Edwards are already at the bar.

But they’re not drinking.

They’re already halfway done with the first inventory of the day.

As local franchise owners with the company Sculpture Hospitality, they go in and out unnoticed, uncovering hidden losses and stopping revenue leaks for restaurants and bars. According to the California Restaurant Association, 75% of employees have been found to overpour drinks or give liquor to friends at least once.

So Bryan and Edwards track, measure and compare every product — bottles of liquor or beer kegs — with a barcode scanner and a scale. Their data is stored in a cloud-based inventory for the business owner or manager.

Kyle Ecker, co-owner of BreakAwayz in Flagler Beach, says Sculpture Hospitality has been “a great asset.” He added that Bryan is “precise” and has helped Ecker improve his company’s bottom line.

Oceanside Beach Bar and Grill also employs Sculpture Hospitality to great effect, helping the business know how much liquor is being given away and how to improve sales, according to Man-

An app, a scale and a cloud-based inventory database.

ager Anna Romanina.

Call 232-8469 or email j.bryan@sculpturehospitality.

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HAMMOCK OBSERVER

|

OCTOBER 2019

Hammock divided on city water proposal Some residents in The Hammock have already paid to install expensive reverse-osmosis systems. stuck with it whether or not I use this?” resident Courtney VandeBunte asked. She has already paid thousands of dollars to install a reverse osmosis system, she said, and does not need city water.

The answer was yes — if the project is approved.

That’s a steep price, residents said, especially for the many families that have already paid to have special water systems installed.

One woman said she and her husband had just put a lot of money into their own water system. “We’ve put the money in already; we are going be paying for our kids to go to college before we’re even done paying off our student loans — we do not need another 150 dollars a month bill for the foreseeable future,” she said.

But other residents said they’re suffering with water so poor that they don’t even like to use it for showers.

Resident Julie Coolidge said she built her dream home in the neighborhood with her husband in 2010, installed a water system, and has now had to replace two pumps, each in a separate well.

“The water quality continues to deteriorate,” she said. “I cannot dig another well. … On an even more serious note, there are still no fire hydrants,” so if there is a fire, residents would have to wait on pumpers to bring water to the scene.

“We can’t shower, can’t run the dishwasher — it’s awful,” said

JONATHAN SIMMONS NEWS EDITOR

There was no disagreement at a community meeting Oct. 2 that there are water quality problems in the Willow Woods community of the Hammock, which relies on well water. But there was much disagreement on the source of the problem, and whether bringing in water lines from the city of Palm Coast is the right fix.

The meeting had been called by the Flagler County administration, which had floated the city water proposal in a Sept. 23 letter sent out to local homeowners inviting their attendance.

“The proposed project would consist of the City of Palm Coast providing a water distribution system to your neighborhood that not only provides connections for consumer consumption to each property, but would also include fire hydrants for the protection of life and property,” stated the letter, which was signed by Cameron.

The sticking point with the proposal is money: The new system, if installed, would be paid for with a special assessment on local properties. It would come out to an estimated $1,700 per property per year, for 20 years, county Special Projects Coordinator Michael Esposito told residents at the meeting.

Those numbers elicited groans from audience members.

“If this move forward … am I

THE HAMMOCK

Observer

“We can’t make everybody happy, but we can make everybody heard, and we’re going to do that.”

JERRY CAMERON, county administrator

resident Vita Nausedaite.

Underlying many residents’ frustrations was the suspicion that the ongoing construction of a neighboring KB Homes development, Las Casitas, has caused much of the recent degradation they’ve seen in well water quality — and that fixing it is therefore a burden that should not be carried by residents.

“This is happening because of Las Casitas,” one resident said, “and $1,700 a year for 20 years is three college tuitions for my three toddlers.”

Residents said they had noted that their water began gurgling and spurting out of their taps right around when the Las Casitas development began dewatering (that is, removing groundwater from the construction area), and built and filled a retention pond.

One man said the link between the construction and the water degradation had been “painfully obvious.”

“They should step up,” he said.

“They’ve got a heck of a lot more money than us.”

Another resident, Lincoln Soule, said he’d spoken to a hydrologist about the issue, and

was told that dewatering can lead to saltwater intrusion.

“They also said that it’s almost impossible to prove that our compromised water was caused but he dewatering, and so they were just saying, ‘Look, city water is going to help you,’” Soule said.

“We’re not against city water,” VandeBunte said to the county officials. “We’re against paying $34,000 for city water when it is not our fault. … The issue is there are people here who need it tonight, and you’re talking like two years down the road we’re going to get something and we’re going to have to pay $34,000 for it. That’s not a good solution. You, as our leaders, as our elected officials, we need to come up with something that can actually help us, instead of hurt our wallets.”

Cameron said the county will investigate the issue. He also noted that if the area is placed on city water and gets fire hydrants, its Insurance Services Office rating for fire protection, or ISO rating, would improve, potentially leading to a reduction in homeowners insurance rates of more than $1,000 per year.

Publisher John Walsh, jwalsh@ palmcoastobserver.com Executive Editor Brian McMillan, editor@ palmcoastobserver.com News Editor Jonathan Simmons, jonathan@ palmcoastobserver.com Real Estate Editor Wayne Grant, business@ ormondbeachobserver.com Page Designer Hailey McMillan Advertising Manager Jaci Centofanti, jaclyn@ palmcoastobserver.com Senior Account Manager Susan Moore, susan@ palmcoastobserver.com Account Manager Shawne Ordonez, shawne@ ormondbeachobserver.com Automotive Specialist Jeff Moore, jeff@ palmcoastobserver.com Advertising Coordinator Jessica Boone, jessica@ portorangeobserver.com Front Desk Associate Bonnie Hamilton, bonnie@ palmcoastobserver.com Advertising Graphic Designer Kristin Thomas, kristin@ palmcoastobserver.com Circulation Manager Dave Brooks, david@ horizonroad.com Operations Manager Maureen Walsh, maureen@ palmcoastobserver.com Locally Owned / Publishers of The Palm Coast Observer Palm Coast Observer, LLC

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HAMMOCK OBSERVER

When hurricanes and tropical storms strike, the residents and visitors of Flagler and Volusia counties trust us to keep them informed and connected.

Before, during and after Hurricane Dorian, Observer web sites received nearly 451,500 page views and 138,300 unique visitors.*

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* Source: Google Analytics, August 23 - September 4, 2019.

Your Trusted Source for Local News.

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OCTOBER 2019

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HAMMOCK OBSERVER

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OCTOBER 2019

Palm Coast 11-year-old sells plushies to benefit K9 units

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Emma Stanford, 11, and the K9 plush that inspired her fundraiser.

“Honestly overwhelming, unexpectedly great. I don’t know if it’s for the K9 unit, or if the community just really loves the plushies.”

Emma has no set monetary goal for the project, operating through EmmaLovesK9s.com. They plan to sell as many as they can for as long as they can, with all proceeds going to Flagler County K9s and their handlers.

“I have to order more,” Carmen Stanford said, “we’re running low again.”

Until Emma can realize her goal of joining the county’s K9 officers, she will continue going to school and volunteering with the Police Athletic League.

“She’s a child who has a dream,” Stanford said, “and it’s very exciting, She just wants to make sure the dogs and the handlers have what they need.”

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Palm Coast 11-year-old Emma Stanford wants to be Flagler County’s first female K9 officer, and has started a fundraiser to support K9 officers and their dogs.

When Emma first wanted a dog, the Stanfords considered getting a German shepherd. Her parents reached out to Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly for advice, and Staly sent a pair of K9 officers to talk to the Stanfords about owning the breed. Emma became enamored not just with German shepherds but with K9 handlers and their dogs.

After reaching out to K9 Officer Paul Puente of the San Gabriel Police Department on Instagram and receiving from him a plushie of his dog, Bentley, Emma got the idea of selling plushies based on Flagler County K9s.

“That’s where the adventure started,” said Carmen Stanford, Emma’s mother. She works for a company that has been designing and producing the plushies.

There are eight K9s so far: Valor, Baro, Odin, Axle, Holmes, Tag, Jax and Marko, each with its name on its vest, each priced at $25.

“It’s been awesome,” she said.

* One entry per person. The contest is open to subscribers of the Observer’s eNewsletters. All entries must be received by 10/24/19. Late entries will not be entered. Participants will be entered into the drawing to win an $250 Visa Gift Card. No cash alternative to the prize is offered. The prize drawing will be independently supervised. The winner will be selected at random and notified by the Observer by 10/31/19. It is the recipient’s responsibility to obtain any permission necessary and entrants must be aged 18+. The winner agrees for their name, job title and company to be published in our publications: Palm Coast Observer, Ormond Beach Observer, Plantation Bay Observer, Hammock Observer, Port Orange Observer, and Daytona West Observer. Employees of the promoter and their immediate families or anyone professionally connected with the promotion will be excluded from the prize drawing. The winner is responsible for any tax liability which may arise from receipt of a prize. The promoter is the Palm Coast Observer whose decision in all matters is final. Promoter does not accept liability for damaged or faulty prizes. The winner’s details are available upon request from maureen@palmcoastobserver.com. These terms and conditions are available upon request.

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HAMMOCK OBSERVER

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9

OCTOBER 2019

Pirates boys golf improves to 12-1 after topping FPC in regular season finale Matanzas freshman Alek Libby, who shot a 4-over 40, was the match’s medalist.

RAY BOONE SPORTS EDITOR

It’s been a long process the past couple of seasons for Matanzas’ boys golf team. But with the postseason nearing, the Pirates are starting to see the fruits of their labor.

The Pirates completed the season sweep of rival Flagler Palm Coast, defeating the Bulldogs in the final match of the regular season with a total score of 173 to 199 the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 10, at Palm Harbor Golf Club.

The victory propelled the Pirates to a 12-1 record.

Matanzas freshman Alek Libby, who shot a 4-over 40, was the match’s medalist. Libby fired a 3-over 39 to earn medalist honors the first time these teams met at

the beginning of this season.

Pirates coach Thad Busby said his team has improved about 20 strokes from last season.

“These guys come to practice every day and work,” he said.

“That’s what it takes.”

The Pirates’ Erik Libby, who shot 44, added: “Every single year we’ve gotten better. It’s been a great run.”

Erik Libby was among several seniors for the Pirates who played their final rounds at Palm Harbor Golf Club, their home course.

Three seniors played their final regular season matches for the Bulldogs, as well.

“We’re leaving behind some great memories,” said FPC’s Joseph Rizzo, who has played for the Bulldogs since he was a freshman. “I’m definitely going to miss it. It’s a little emotional. It’s been a long, great journey, and I’m just happy to be here.”

Matanzas’ Alek Libby hits a putt on the par-5 seventh hole.

Photos by Ray Boone

FPC’s Alex Machado hits a drive on the final hole of the match.

Matanzas’ Erik Libby hits his tee shot onto the green on the par-3 eighth.

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OCTOBER 2019

2 0 1 9 / 2 0 2 0

Perseverance pays off

S E A S O N

How Matanzas XC’s Kelly Steffens became a leader for the Pirates RAY BOONE SPORTS EDITOR

Investing in the Arts for our Community.

Airmen of Note US Airforce Jazz Band Mon., Nov. 11 - 3PM

Absolute Queen

Fri., Nov. 29 - 7:30PM

Ethan Bortnick, Live in Concert

A Merry Country Christmas, Live from Nashville Sat., Dec. 7 - 7:30PM

Navy Band Southeast Holiday Concert

The Ten Tenors

Wed., Dec. 4 - 7:30PM

Sun., Dec. 15 - 3 & 7PM

Sat., Dec. 21 - 7:30PM

Married to Broadway Sun., Jan. 5 - 7:30PM

National Ballet of Odessa presents Romeo and Juliet Thurs., Jan. 9 - 7:30PM

Rita Rudner, Live from Las Vegas

The Bronx Wanderers

Tues., Jan. 14 - 7:30PM

Kelly Steffens has been a mainstay for Matanzas’ girls cross country team her entire high school career.

She’s qualified for four-straight FHSAA state championships, she’s in her second year as a team captain, and is a sub-20-minute runner, breaking the benchmark in last season’s regional meet.

But there was a time where all of that almost didn’t happen.

Steffens entered her freshman year at Matanzas in 2015. During her freshman orientation, she went looking for the soccer team’s table, but the voice of then-coach Danny Weed rang out through the crowd. He asked her if she wanted to join the cross country team.

“I didn’t even know what cross country was,” Steffens said with a laugh. “But my mom told me I needed to make some friends.”

She decided to join the team.

Cross country practice is grueling for everyone involved, but it was even more excruciating for Steffens. For practice, the Pirates would run nonstop for 30 minutes. Too exhausted to continue, Steffens would usually end up walking for the majority of the practice.

But by the end of the season, she grew into a varsity role. She made the varsity team for districts and was able to tag along as an alternate at that year’s state meet, where she was the fifthhighest finisher for the Pirates.

The rest is history. She’s qualified for the state meet the last two seasons and is expected to do so again this year.

However, the 2019 season got off to a rough start.

She was stuck in a rut that she struggled to run her way out of.

The weight of her senior year, her races and her college recruitment was almost too heavy.

But she persevered. She broke the sub-20 mark for the first time in nearly a year after placing 22nd with a 19:50.00 at the Katie Caples Invitational on Sept. 21 in Jacksonville.

“It felt like there was a weight taken off of my chest,” Steffens said. “Before, I don’t want to disappoint anyone. Now I felt confident with myself again.”

Photo by Ray Boone

Matanzas runner Kelly Steffens

“It felt like there was a weight taken off of my chest. Before, I don’t want to disappoint anyone. Now I felt confident with myself again.”

Steffens has always been a shy, reserved person. Being counted on as the leader of a cross country team since her sophomore year has helped her come out of her shell.

She looks to lead by example at every moment.

For example, during the 2017 regional meet, Steffens crossed the finish line shortly before her former teammate Rain Marti. It didn’t take long for Steffens to recover from the 5,000-meter trek across mud, mulch and wet grass, but Marti wasn’t as fortunate. She collapsed to the ground and struggled to stand.

Steffens couldn’t leave her fellow Pirate behind. She ran back to the finish line and carried Marti off the course.

“That’s just Kelly,” Pirates coach Tim Kane said. “She’s a great leader and a great person.”

The lessons she’s learned from running extend far beyond the race course or track.

It’s helped her to be a more disciplined student: She’s made straight-A’s every year of high school. She’s also dual-enrolled at Daytona State and is on track to receive her AA degree. She hopes to continue running in college.

She’s currently being recruited by Lynn University, Embry-Riddle and North Florida.

“You have to be committed to do this sport,” Steffens said. “You have to put yourself through a lot of pain. I’d say you’d have to be a little bit insane.

“It’s definitely taught me not to give up —even if I want to.”

Join us for All Souls Day at the Craig-Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens

Tues., Jan. 21 - 7:30PM

Each year the Church uses the month of November to remember & honor All of the Faithful Departed (All Souls). It is good to pray for our dead, and better, when we, as church, can come and do that together.

The Capitol Steps

Fri., Jan. 31 - 7:30PM

5500 East Hwy 100 • Palm Coast, FL Across from the Flagler County Airport

386.437.7547 FlaglerAuditorium.org

the Catholic community of Flagler County will conduct a special blessing for those who have died and are interred at Craig-Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens.

We will offer prayers and individual grave & mausoleum blessings for your loved ones.

All families & friends who have a loved one in Craig-Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens are asked to gather at the funeral home at 511 Old Kings Road, Flagler Beach, by 11:30 a.m.

The service will begin inside the funeral home and conclude with blessings at the respective resting places in the cemetery.

For more information, call Sal Passalaqua at Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home 439-5400

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We’ve Only Just Begun: Carpenters Remembered Sat., Jan. 25 - 7:30PM

Saturday, Nov. 2nd at 11:30 am

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REAL ESTATE

HAMMOCK OBSERVER

Island Estates has the top seller

High tech body scanners at jail

WAYNE GRANT REAL ESTATE EDITOR

HAMMOCK DUNES Redico Properties LLC sold 19 Avenue de la Mer, Unit 902, to Robert and Delane Buck, of Palm Coast, for $699,000.

Built in 2005, the condo has three bedrooms, 2.5 baths and 2,340 square feet. It sold in 2006 for $1,021,800.

Courtesy photo

The top transaction has a swimming pool and boat dock.

Gregory and Marilyn Sanders, of Ormond Beach, and Todd Sanders, of Flagler Beach, sold 10 Rue Renoir to Sue Slack, of Palm Coast, for $415,000.

Built in 2019, the house has three bedrooms, three baths, a fireplace, swimming pool and 2,501 square feet. It sold in 2010 for $310,000.

John and Ellen Gordon, of Frederick, Maryland, sold 15 Avenue de la Mer, Unit 2705, to Pamela Barrett, of Palm Coast, for $389,000. Built in 1996, the condo has three bredrooms, two baths and 2,705 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $325,000.

OCEAN HAMMOCK Karen Wankelman, individually and as trustee, sold 200 Cinnamon Beach Way, Unit 131, to Robert and Debrah Ritter, of Canton, Georgia, for $428,000. Built in 2005, the condo has three bed-

rooms, three baths and 2,003 square feet. It sold in 2007 for $737,000.

YACHT HARBOR Roger and Marcia Steimle, of Palm Coast, sold 284 Yacht Harbor Drive to Sharoen Kline, of Palm Coast, for $599,900. Built in 2012, the house has three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a swimming pool and 2,247 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $515,000.

Yacht Harbor Condo LLC, of Solon, Ohio, sold 102 Yacht Harbor Drive, Unit 569, to Barry and Frances Buchter, as trustees, for $245,000. Built in 2006, the house has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,570 square feet.

Toby Tobin, of gotoby.com, contributed to this report.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has installed a $149,000 full-body contraband detection system called the Intercept Scanner at the Flagler County Inmate Facility, according to an FCSO news release.

The jail is the first detention facility in the state to have the new system, according to the release.

The scanner is less intrusive than the strip search process used by most jails, and it takes less time: A strip search typically takes about 15 minutes, compared to a scan, which takes about 4 seconds, according to the news release.

It has already detected drugs and drug paraphernalia on incoming inmates.

County to consider impact fee changes

Domestic violence cases down 8%

Flagler County, which has not levied most impact fees since 2012, will pay a consulting firm approximately $150,000 to study the matter.

Impact fees are the upfront fees collected by local governments from developers in order to offset developments’ likely impact on local infrastructure — as, for instance, when adding a residential or commercial development would mean that the county would need to widen nearby roads, add traffic signals or build a new fire station.

Flagler County levies impact fees for parks, but not for transportation.

The Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV) has awarded the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office with equipment totaling more than $3,000 to aid FCSO detectives’ investigation of domestic violence cases.

Sheriff Rick Staly had identified domestic violence as a major community issue in 2017, calling for the community to come together to create a solution.

The FCSO’s initiatives are showing positive results, according to an FCSO news release.

As of mid-September 2019:  Domestic violence cases are down 8.43% from 2018 in

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the FCSO’s primary response jurisdictions  Domestic violence arrests are down 8.60%  Domestic disturbance calls are down 8.71%  Violation of domestic violence injunctions are down 56.52%.

“The only way to tackle a problem like domestic violence is to work together with community partners and organizations like the Florida Coalition against Domestic Violence,” Staly said.

“We are very thankful for their continued support.”

The FCADV’s award to the FCSO provided funding for cameras, a Mega-Max ALS kit, SD cards, and wireless signal detectors to help detectives investigate domestic violence cases.

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11

OCTOBER 2019

BRIEFS

A

house in Island Estates was the top seller in the Hammock from Aug. 15 to Sept. 11. U.S. Bank N.A., as trustee, sold 93 Island Estates Parkway to Robert and Tamora Rusnak, of Palm Coast, for $740,600. Built in 1999, the house has five bedrooms, 4.5 baths, a fireplace, swimming pool, boat dock, boat house and 4,503 square feet. It sold in 2006 for $1.9 million. Following is a partial list of other sales.

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Call forfor a complimentary portfolio consultation.

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400 W. Granada Blvd., 2nd Fl. Ormond Beach, FL 32174 Direct: 386-671-3039 john.demers@wellsfargo.com wellsfargoadvisors.com

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Investment and Insurance Products: NOT FDIC Insured NO Bank Guarantee MAY Lose Value Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade namename used byused Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC,Services, Member SIPC, registeredSIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade

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by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered Wells Fargo & Company. © 2016 Wells Fargo ClearingWells Fargo Services, LLC. All rights reserved.

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John Demers / Christine 400 W. Granada Blvd., 2ndCapps Fl. John Demers, CFP ® Ormond Beach, FLJohn 32174 Senior Financial Advisor Demers, CFP Senior Vice President – Investments Direct: 386-671-3039 Senior Financial Advisor john.demers@wellsfargo.com Senior Vice President – Investments Christine Capps, CFP® wellsfargoadvisors.com Financial Advisor Christine Capps, CFP Vice President – Investments Financial Advisor Vice President – Investments

HAMMOCK OBSERVER

|

OCTOBER 2019

Mari Parks Owner - Broker - REALTOR®

(386) 569-6947

mari@takeactionproperties.com

Scott Parks REALTOR®

(386) 569-6929

Take Action Properties is working with Toys for Toys to help collect toys for needy families in Flagler County. You can help by stopping by our office located in The Shops of Palm Harbor with an unwrapped toy. All gifts will be sent to the MLS board and sorted by boy/girl/age range. Families will be able to shop free of charge to provide gifts to their children during the holidays thanks to this great program.

scott@takeactionproperties.com

“STOP BY TO VISIT YOUR LOCAL AGENTS!” We are located in The Shops of Palm Harbor between the Portugal Wine Bar & Grill and Palm Harbor BBQ-Grill.

Listed & Sold by The Take Action Team!

22 Oak View Circle East Hammock Beach

7 Collington Court Palm Harbor Canal

16 Andover Drive Sea Colony

12 Mahoe Drive S The Hammock - Walk to the Beach!

Open Houses Every Day! Call for Times and Info!

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