HMO 12 2020

THE HAMMOCK

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FPC TAKES ON MHS 10-11 DECEMBER 2020

VOLUME 5, NO. 6

Remembering Russell FPC Principal James Russell died after a battle with COVID-19. How the school honored him: PAGE 3

Judge won’t toss out Captain’s lawsuit The restaurant’s attorney wants a deposition of county attorney and county administrator.

JONATHAN SIMMONS NEWS EDITOR

A circuit judge ruled against the Flagler County government Nov. 18 after its legal team made an unusual request — that the judge toss out a restaurant’s breachof-contract lawsuit against the county on the grounds that the county had entered into the contract illegally.

Judge Terence Perkins found that argument unconvincing.

Perkins denied the county’s request without prejudice, so the county could raise the issue again in the future.

Captain’s BBQ, a restaurant on county-owned land at Bings Landing park, had alleged that the county violated a lease agreement with the restaurant after the County Commission voted to approve the lease in November 2018 but then reversed itself two weeks later, deciding after a new board member was seated to reconsider the matter.

By then, area residents had organized to oppose the restaurant’s expansion plans or its pres-

A side view of the proposed resort.

Image from city of Flagler Beach meeting backup documentation

Coming to Flagler Beach A hotel is an appropriate use for the parcel, the commission decided. The particulars of the project will be reviewed later. Townhomes are also planned. PAGE 6

SEE JUDGE PAGE 4

PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID DAYTONA BCH FL PERMIT #447

Matanzas’ Reaves is Flagler’s top principal

Local Postal Customer

Flagler Schools honors Reaves and top Assistant Principal Stacia Collier.

Jeff Reaves

Courtesy photo

JASON WHEELER FLAGLER SCHOOLS’ COMMUNITY INFORMATION SPECIALIST

Flagler Schools Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt was able to spread some cheer on Monday, Dec. 7, as she and the Executive Directors of Flagler Schools visited this year’s Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year.

Jeff Reaves, principal at Matanzas High School is the district’s Principal of the Year. Stacia Collier, assistant principal at Buddy Taylor Middle School is the district’s Assistant Principal of the Year. Both will now represent Flagler Schools for the statewide

Principal and Assistant Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership.

Reaves was surprised to see Mittlestadt walk in with balloons and celebratory cookie cake. “I’m humbled and honored to have the opportunity to represent Flagler Schools. It’s a privilege to serve in this community,” Reaves said.

Collier was also taken aback. “I am shocked but so honored,” she said. “It is so awesome to represent our district. I love Flagler County with everything. I grew up here, I live here, and I am just happy to represent us.”

Mittelstadt said: “We have two outstanding leaders for Fla-

gler Schools. They both look to see what their school buildings needs, and then their willingness to share their ideas with the rest of their colleagues throughout the district. It is the mark of a great leader to see things beyond just their school buildings.”

Jeff Reaves has been principal at Matanzas High School since 2017. He’s been in education for 15 years. He is a 1997 graduate of Warner Southern College and earned his Masters of Science Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern in 2008.

Stacia Collier, a 2000 graduate of Flagler Palm Coast High School earned both her Bachelors of Science in Exceptional Student Education and Masters of Science in Exceptional Student Education from Florida State in 2005.

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DECEMBER 2020

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DECEMBER 2020

‘He made you feel

important’ Flagler Palm Coast remembers Principal Russell BRIAN MCMILLAN EXECUTIVE EDITOR

R

esponding to tragedy with a fight song, Flagler Palm Coast High School hosted a memorial event Dec. 11 for Principal James “Tom” Russell, who died Dec. 9 after a three-week battle with COVID-19.

Dozens of cars lined up in the parking lot at FPC and honked their horns as they drove past the football stadium and listened to the band play the fight song. The plan was for the lights at the stadium to shine in the night for 20 minutes, 20 seconds in his honor.

It was a fitting tribute, said Evana Fretterd, Student Government Association activities director. When the pandemic prevented students from returning to school after spring break at the end of the 2019-2020 school year, Russell was extremely sensitive to the members of the Class of 2020, who were missing out on prom and grad activities.

“He made it a point to start something,” Fretterd recalled, “so they had Friday Night Lights.”

Every Friday, she said, Russell would go to the stadium and talk to a staff member on Facebook Live, sharing information and encouragement with the FPC families.

The Dec. 11 event was intended to commemorate his spirit of inclusion and love for the stu-

dents by hosting another Friday Night Lights in his honor.

Russell also started a tradition of having the fight song played during the morning announcements, which is why the band played on Dec. 11.

Fretterd said that as she organized the drive thru and recruited people to help, everyone was enthusiastic.

“There were a lot of yeses in a time of nos,” she said.

GENUINE EMPATHY

Fretterd was one of many who told similar stories of Russell’s genuine love for the staff and students. After serving as superintendent of Volusia County Schools for several years, Russell was hired as FPC’s principal only before the 2019-2020 school year, and yet, Fretterd said, “You would think he was here for 20 years. His impact is obvious.”

Ginger Smith, a 1997 FPC alumna who is now the front desk receptionist, said, “He loved his support staff. He really cared about us.”

Fetu Kiliona Kalawaianui, registrar, called him “a true, genuine person. He made me feel like my job was important.”

Assistant Principal Amy Ferrer first met Russell when she worked at Mainland High School, when Russell was superintendent in Volusia.

“He was inherently empathet-

VOLUSIA COUNTY SCHOOLS REMEMBERS RUSSELL On Dec. 9, Volusia County Schools issued a statement commemorating Russell’s legacy in its district. The statement reads: “It is with a heavy heart that we share that Tom Russell, former Superintendent of Volusia County Schools, has passed away. Mr. Russell was with VCS for 28 years. During that time, he had many different roles – he was a teacher, an Assistant Principal, a Principal, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent. He was a kind and compassionate educator, leader, and friend.

He will be greatly missed here in Volusia County, as well as

in Flagler County where he was Principal of Flagler Palm Coast High School. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife, Julie, his children, and grandchildren, as well as the many colleagues and friends who worked with him over the years. Please keep the Russell family in your thoughts in the coming days.”

A memorial service for Russell is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18, at the Jackie Robinson Ballpark, located at 105. E. Orange Ave. The family requests attendees to dress warm, wear a mask and social distance.

ONE PARENT’S EXPERIENCE The following is republished from Facebook, with permission by Jennifer Bertrand: I want to explain why this man, Mr. Tom Russell, meant so much to us.

We did not know him well, but what we did know of him....well, he was an amazing human being.

Many of you know that my son was bullied by a teacher at his former high school. We transferred to FPC in January of last year. We reached out to the school to make sure we were doing everything needed to make this transfer as smooth as possible, given the circumstances.

Mr. Russell reached out to us personally and invited us to meet him at the school, DURING Christmas break, to help make sure we were 100% comfortable. He took time from his holidays to meet with us. One of the first things he said to us was that his goal was for Elliott to graduate and he was going to do everything in his power to help make that happen. This included already having Elliott’s transcripts from the other school and personally helping make a schedule. It also included having a school ID made with Elliott Bertrand on it....which wasn’t something he NEEDED to do but felt it was necessary to help in welcoming Elliott to his school. And when it was made with only one “t”, he had another one made ASAP. This wonderful man accepted our son, unconditionally.

Every single time I reached out to him, he returned my messages in quick fashion.

Quite simply put....HE CARED. About every single student and family in his school. He knew the names of every single student, over 2,500. He would greet students every single morning. He was ever present in the hallways, at every school sports event and fine arts display. He was vigilant about safety this school year, wearing two masks himself.

So while I say we did not know him well, I believe we knew the best part of him. He was kind, compassionate, passionate and A GOOD MAN. My son does not trust easily or lightly. He trusted Mr. Tom Russell.

ic,” Ferrer said during the Dec. 11 drive-thru event. “He always knew who I was. I don’t know how he did it, but he just knew. He knew my daughter’s name.”

Teacher Michael Rinyu also told a story of how Russell proved he cared. Soon after Russell was hired, he drove through Orlando traffic just to see Rinyu and two students speak at a conference for about 15 minutes. It was the first time Rinyu met Russell.

“He told us what a great job we did,” Rinyu said. “It immediately showed me what kind of a person he was. He went out of his way to tell us we were important. He listened more than he talked. You always felt important.”

Bookeeper Linda Longo said Russell always asked the support staff, “How can I help you?”

Exceptional Student Education teacher Katie Kastner called him “genuine.” “He wanted to know what you did, but it was more important to know you as a person,” she said.

Eleventh-grade trumpet players Josh Pilecki and Daniel Skinner also had fond memories of Russell.

“He was inspirational to the whole school,” Skinner said. “He brought up our spirits.”

“He knew our names,” Pilecki said.

‘FPC IS A FAMILY’

As the cars finished driving through the bus loop and the lights were turned off, one student remained: Allie Metz.

Metz, a member of SGA, was walking the bus loop and taking down the banners that she had helped create earlier in the day to honor Russell. She felt sad, but there was something more.

“I also see such a great thing happening,” she said. “FPC is a family, so it’s great to see that we did something like this for someone passing who was so important.”

She will remember Russell for being a constant presence in the cafeteria, talking to students.

“He would ask how your day was,” she recalled. “He would see you at an SGA event, and he would ask questions, and you would feel important. He would make you feel singled out in a good way. He made people feel important.”

Email editor@palmcoastobserver.com.

“He always knew who I was. I don’t know how he did it, but he just knew.”

AMY FERRER

Evana Fretterd, Ginger Smith and Fetu Kiliona Kalawaianui.

Amy Ferrer, Linda Longo and Katie Kastner.

Photos by Brian McMillan

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DECEMBER 2020

Florida’s mental health struggles

Judge won’t toss out Captain’s lawsuit Observer THE HAMMOCK

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ence as a commercial entity in the park.

The county has argued that the 2018 lease — which would have allowed an expanded restaurant site in a different part of the park — was “an illegal and void contract” that was not enforceable because the county hadn’t gone through the proper bidding process under Florida law, according to the text of the county’s request for summary judgment.

The illegality of the contract, the county argued, was grounds for the restaurant’s lawsuit to be dismissed.

Even if the lease had been valid, the county government has not breached it, the county argued.

The restaurant is currently operating in the park under a 2011 lease, and, in the meantime, “The county does not have any affirmative obligations under the amended/restated lease which apply before Captain’s BBQ constructs the new location,” the county document states. “That is, the county’s obligations concern actions to be taken only after the new location is constructed.”

Those obligations would involve expanding visitor parking and upgrading the site’s septic system, among others.

In a written response to the county’s request that the case be thrown out, attorney Gregory Snell, representing Captain’s BBQ, contested the county’s assertion that the county was required to follow the state’s “best and highest bidder” law regarding the restaurant.

This is the third report since the governor’s request in February 2019 following the Parkland shooting.

JIM SAUNDERS THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

A statewide grand jury studying school safety issued an interim report Dec. 10 that tore into Florida’s mental-health system, saying that “deficiencies in funding, leadership and services related to mental health care tend to turn up everywhere like bad pennies.”

“This grand jury has received a great deal of evidence and testimony regarding financial deficiencies, conflicts between various agencies over information sharing and privacy, inadequate or inefficient provision of services and a number of other serious problems,” the report said. “To put it bluntly, our mental health care ‘system’ — if one can even call it that — is a mess, and we have formulated a spate of recommendations for straightforward improvement and further study in this critical area.”

The 27-page document posted on the Florida Supreme Court website was the third interim report issued by the grand jury, which the court impaneled in February 2019 at the request of Gov. Ron DeSantis. The request came a year after a gunman killed 17 students and faculty members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

While the interim report addressed several issues, it

focused most heavily on what the grand jury saw as problems in the mental-health system. The accused Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz, a former Marjory Stoneman Douglas student, had received treatment for mental-health issues — leading to scrutiny of the mental-health system.

The grand jury said in the report that it is “clear to us that inadequately addressed mental health issues have the peculiar potential to spiral out over time into criminal acts and violent behavior resulting in serious injury and loss of life.”

While acknowledging that “these are hard problems,” the report described a disjointed, under-funded system and called on the Legislature to form a commission to study mental-health services. It suggested that such a commission could be similar to a panel known as the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, which the Legislature formed after the 2018 shooting to investigate school safety and make recommendations.

“It should be apparent to any reader of this report that this grand jury has only scratched the surface of the myriad difficulties involved in comprehensively addressing the sad state of mental health care services in the state of Florida,” the report said.

scott Parks, REALTOR®

386-569-6929

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

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Publisher / John Walsh, jwalsh@palmcoastobserver.com Executive Editor / Brian McMillan, bmcmillan@ palmcoastobserver.com News Editor / Jonathan Simmons, jonathan@ palmcoastobserver.com Page Designers / Hailey McMillan, Jennifer Edwards Advertising Manager / Jaclyn Centofanti, jaclyn@ palmcoastobserver.com Senior Account Manager / Susan Moore, susan@ palmcoastobserver.com Senior Account Manager Hallie Hydrick, hallie@ palmcoastobserver.com Front Desk Associate / Bonnie Hamilton, bonnie@ palmcoastobserver.com Operations Manager / Maureen Walsh, maureen@ palmcoastobserver.com Circulation Manager / David Brooks, david@horizonroad.com

File photo by Paige Wilson

And, he added, “The county maintains that they should be excused from performing the obligations they voluntarily agreed to with Captain’s BBQ because they were so incompetent that they did not comply with statutory bidding requirements.”

The restaurant’s filing notes that the 2018 lease itself stated that the restaurant’s original and current location “suffers from significant structural deficiencies, defects, and deterioration, which is well beyond normal wear and tear and not cause by lack of maintenance or repair, that renders the original location unsuitable for the lessee’s intended use and occupancy for the remainder of the present term of the lease agreement.”

Captain’s BBQ’s attorney has asked the judge to compel depositions of Flagler County Attorney Al Hadeed and County Administrator Jerry Cameron. Perkins has not yet issued a ruling on that request.

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Lawsuit says school district didn’t respond adequately to bullying before teen’s suicide The district is denying allegations contained in a lawsuit filed by the mother of Shauntiana Stafford, an FPC student who died by suicide in 2019.

JONATHAN SIMMONS NEWS EDITOR

A Flagler Palm Coast High School student who died by suicide last year repeatedly told school district staff that she was being bullied, but the district failed to intervene to help her, her mother has alleged in a lawsuit filed against the school district. The district is contesting the allegations.

Shauntiana Stafford died in January 2019 at age 17. Her mother, Carissa Jackson, said Stafford had been tormented at school by other students.

Jackson’s complaint, filed Aug. 31 by attorney Eric Andeer of Morgan & Morgan, calls the district “negligent in the performance of its duties ... resulting in the death of Shauntiana A. Stafford.”

“At all times material hereto Defendant FCS had a non-delegable duty to all students enrolled in its school system, including Shauntiana A. Stafford, to develop and implement a policy for identifying bullying and harassment occurring on school property, during school hours or at school related functions and events; to investigate incidents of student bullying both reported and unreported; to ascertain that those responsible for the bullying and harassment are identified and

Shauntiana Stafford

immediately stopped from doing so; to identify victims of bullying and harassment; and to identify counseling and other supportive services necessary to address the effect of bullying on a student victim,” the complaint of the lawsuit states.

Stafford, the lawsuit continues, “suffered physical and emotional injuries of a permanent and emotionally debilitating nature and/or suffered from an aggravation of previously existing emotional injury as result of multiple instances of bullying and/or harassment while a student.”

The bullying Stafford endured including being “constantly insulted” for her appearance, pushed and kicked, and bullied on social media, according to the complaint.

Although Stafford and Jackson reported the bullying to teachers and administrators, “defendant FCS’s principals, administrators, teachers or agents failed to

take any action,” according to the complaint.

The suit alleges that the school district breached its duty of care regarding Stafford by failing to investigate instances of bullying and harassment, failing to take measures to protect her, failing to adhere to policies for identifying bullied students, failing to take disciplinary action against the student who bullied her and failing to provide counseling or other measures to curtail harassment.

The district’s Nov. 4, 2020, response to Jackson’s complaint acknowledges the district’s “duty of reasonable supervision” to Stafford and other students at school and school-sponsored events, but denies any breach of that duty.

It acknowledges that Stafford and her mother had reported incidents of bullying and negative comments by other students, but denies that the district responded inadequately.

“The injuries and damages alleged to be suffered by the Plaintiff were caused by persons and/or entities over whom the Defendant had no control or duty to control,” the district’s response states. “... The School Board is not the insurer of the safety of its students and is not strictly liable for any injuries that may occur.

Further, the School Board did not have a duty to Shauntiana A. Stafford to supervise all of her movements at all of the times.”

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BRIEFS Firefighters rescue blind, missing dog on embankment Flagler County firefighters have rescued a missing, blind dog that fell down a steep, 20-foot embankment along the Intracoastal and got stuck in the mud.

The dog, an older Jack Russell terrier named Mattie, had gone missing during a stroll with her owners, who looked for hours before calling Animal Control.

A crew from Station 41 was also dispatched to assist Animal Control, according to Fire Rescue Lt. Mike Pius.

Flagler County Animal Control Officer Dawn Morton and helper Ronnie Williams found Mattie on the other side of the bank. The dog had wandered into a wooded area and fallen down the embankment along the water.

Pius, Firefighter Paramedic John Raffo, Firefighter Paramedic Marianne Houston and Firefighter EMT Noah Dunaway showed up to help.

Houston climbed down the embankment, and the crew used a canoe provided by a neighbor to get the dog, who was reunited with her owners unharmed.

Image courtesy of Flagler County government

The crew with Mattie after the rescue.

years old, was raped by suspect Charles Swindell multiple times over more than a year, according to a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.

Swindell took the girl to his pickup truck to assault her. At some point, someone who suspected that Swindell was abusing the girl placed two iPads in the truck, set to audio record, before Swindell entered the truck with the girl.

Swindell suspected that someone had placed a recording device in the truck, so he made the girl search it. She found both iPads but only showed him one, leaving the other hidden and set on record.

The person who’d placed the iPads later reviewed the audio and contacted the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

Swindell has previously been arrested and charged with crimes including burglary, witness tampering, illegally possessing a firearm as a felon, aggravated battery and child abuse — for an incident in which he’d deliberately burned an 11-year-old boy’s face with a pair of hot sunglasses.

Felon charged with raping girl A 50-year-old felon who has repeatedly been arrested only to shortly thereafter be released and commit yet more crimes has now been arrested for raping a girl, according to a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.

The girl, between 12 and 18

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DECEMBER 2020

Proposed downtown Flagler Beach Resort gains commission’s unanimous preliminary approval A hotel is an appropriate use for the parcel, the City Commission decided.

The particulars of the project will be reviewed at a later meeting.

County will proceed with eminent domain on two dune holdouts A handful of property owners represented by a Clearwater-based attorney recently agreed to terms.

JONATHAN SIMMONS NEWS EDITOR

JONATHAN SIMMONS NEWS EDITOR

A proposed new resort in downtown Flagler Beach just west of Veterans Park earned initial approval from the Flagler Beach City Commission on Thursday, Dec. 10.

The commission unanimously approved a special exception application that will allow the placement of a hotel on a 1.38acre parcel off Moody Boulevard, bordered by North Central Avenue and South Daytona Avenue and currently used for the Flagler Beach farmers market. The site is separated from A1A by Veterans Park.

The commission’s decision concerned the question of whether a hotel would be an appropriate use of the property, rather than the particulars of the individual proposal. A more detailed level of review will follow after the developer submits a site plan.

The land is zoned general commercial, and while that zoning designation allows for hotels, they fall within a special category of uses that must undergo a secondary layer of review and approval.

The land had been the site of the Flagler Beach Hotel from 1925 to 1972 and is now owned by Zoee Forehand, the owner of the Z Wave Surf Shop.

The proposed two-story, 97-room hotel building would be designed by Anjon Resort Homes and would also have a tavern.

Ten townhomes would also be constructed on the site.

Image from city of Flagler Beach meeting backup documentation

A side view of the proposed resort.

A management company has not yet been named, but confidential talks with a national resort chain were underway when the city’s Planning and Architectural Review Board gave the proposal its unanimous vote of support on Dec. 1.

Only one resident expressed opposition to the proposed resort, at the Dec. 10 meeting, saying she was concerned that it would impact roadway traffic and increase pedestrian traffic that damages the beach dune. No members of the public had expressed opposition to the proposal at the PAR Board meeting.

Commissioners asked a few brief procedural questions of staff before their vote.

“We all knew sooner or later

that that commercial piece of property was going to be developed,” local attorney Dennis Bayer said at the Dec. 10 meeting, “and I think the Forehands have really gone the extra mile to find the proper proposal for the property. ... It’s finally going to give us that boost for our community redevelopment area that’s really been stagnant since the recession. It’s going to really help bring in the money that we can use to help revitalize downtown, provide additional parking, complete the under-grounding of the utilities and all the other things that will make us a vital downtown area that will be a benefit to the community.”

Email Jonathan Simmons at jonathan@palmcoastobserver. com.

Flagler County is moving forward with eminent domain proceedings concerning two lots that are impeding the planned Army Corps of Engineers beach renourishment project in Flagler Beach, and hopes to soon have signed easements that will allow the work to proceed across the other properties.

The Army Corps requires all property owners whose land will be affected by the project — which involves dredging sand from an offshore borrow pit and using it to length and reinforce the beach — to sign easements that will allow staff to access their land.

A handful had resisted granting it, imperiling the project: If some properties aren’t reinforced, the gaps in the dune could undermine the whole thing.

One property owner who owns two lots has refused to grant

access, and the county has started eminent domain proceedings, County Attorney Al Hadeed said in an update on the project at a Flagler Beach City Commission meeting Dec. 10.

Other property owners had retained Clearwater-based eminent domain attorney John LeRoux and pressed the county to pay them for the easements, prompting Flagler Beach residents to create a gofundme.com campaign that raised $41,000 to pay off the holdouts.

Those property owners agreed to negotiated sums. By Dec. 14, they had started setting appointments to do so.

The proposed Army Corps work is expected to start in April.

The Corps has told the county it would like to see a traffic management plan created for beach access from State Road 100 across A1A, and the county is working on developing one, Hadeed said.

“I think it’s going to benefit all of us business owners in the downtown area, and I think, hopefully, it will be the kickstart to other redevelopment in the downtown of Flagler Beach.”

File photo

Much of Flagler Beach has only a narrow strip of sand to protect the homes and businesses to the west.

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DECEMBER 2020

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HAMMOCK OBSERVER

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PalmCoastObserver.com

DECEMBER 2020

County moves ahead with $20 million FCSO building COVID-19 has driven up cost estimates, according to county staff. A previous estimate was $15 million.

JONATHAN SIMMONS NEWS EDITOR

The planned Flagler County Sheriff’s Operations Center on an 8.4-acre parcel of land off Commerce Parkway will be two stories and 51,615 square feet, with room for an additional 30,000 square feet of expansion in the future.

County commissioners voted unanimously to give the proposal their support during a Dec. 7 meeting.

The proposed building would be about twice the size of the FCSO’s evacuated former headquarters, and would cost an estimated $20 million.

An earlier proposal for a new Sheriff’s Office building, when the county had planned for it to be an enhanced district office on Palm Coast Parkway rather than a formal Operations Center in Bunnell, had been for $12 million to $15 million “The location is great, because once the future Commerce Parkway bypass is built, then deputies leaving can go north, they can go south into Bunnell — it’s near fleet maintenance, it’s near fuel, it’s near the courthouse, it’s near the EOC, it’s near the dispatch center and it’s near the county administration,” Sheriff Rick Staly said at the meeting. “So this is really a perfect location, and by angling the building we take into account the future and the current [needs] today.”

The Sheriff’s Office’s staff has been divided between multiple county buildings ever since the FCSO evacuated its previous Operations Center in the summer of 2018 due to concerns that the structure, a former hospital that had been renovated for the FCSO’s use, was a sick building that was causing employee illnesses.

“We are very spread out and decentralized, which brings its own problems,” Staly said.

The cost estimates on the proposed new building aren’t final, but the county administration estimates that paying for it will require a $20 million bond, paid over 15 years, County Administrator Jerry Cameron said.

If the building were to cost several hundred thousand more than that, he said, the county could cover the difference with reserves.

The bond money would come out of sales tax money, he said. COVID-19-related labor and material fluctuations are making projections difficult.

“It’s what you don’t know that always complicates things, and when we did these original projections, they were very conservative,” Cameron said. “But nobody had ever heard of COVID at the time, and it has created an entirely different picture than we were operating off of. It appears that that will get worse before it gets better, in terms of prices and availability of materials and craftsmen, so it behooves us to

Rendering by Architects Design Group.

move forward with it.”

The proposed building was designed by the Architects Design Group, which has designed many other law enforcement buildings in Florida.

C o m m i s s i o n e rs l a rge ly approved of the building they saw displayed in renderings during the meeting, with one exception: It lacked a secondary entrance to the secure staff parking area.

“I don’t like that,” Commissioner Greg Hansen said. “Seems to me, for safety, your guys need more than one entrance and exit.”

A secondary entrance had been a major topic of conversation in the FCSO’s Zoom meetings about the proposed building, Staly said.

“It’s really going to depend on what the budget comes in — that we have a budget limitation,” Staly said. Staly said it may be possible to leave a secondary gravel entrance that could later be converted into a paved one when

Image courtesy of the FCSO

the county has money for the upgrade.

“If I had to bet money today, I’d bet that by the time this building is constructed, that we would have something,” Cameron said, “even if it is a stabilized area that would represent another entry point for the deputies.”

But with the FCSO currently as cramped as it is, he added, “We can’t wait to kick this project off until all those questions are answered.”

Former County Commissioner Charlie Ericksen, speaking during the meeting’s public comment period, urged the county to move forward.

“I think we need to get into second and third gear,” Ericksen said.

“The sheriff should have all his men and women in one location.”

Email jonathan@palmcoastobserver.com.

“This is really a perfect location, and by angling the building we take into account the future and the current [needs] today.”

RICK STALY, Flagler County Sheriff

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HAMMOCK OBSERVER

REAL ESTATE

PalmCoastObserver.com

Oceanfront condo sells for $1.3 million

Following is a partial list of other transactions for the week.

WAYNE GRANT REAL ESTATE EDITOR

Condos Myles and Dina Campbell, of The Villages, sold 45 Riverview Bend S., Unit 1946, to Daniel and Sharon Mouch, as trustees, for $345,000. Built in 2006, the condo is a 3/3 and has 2,007 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $300,500.

Peter and Sally Hyde, of Fishers Landing, New York, sold 85 Riverview Bend S., Unit 1534, to Herold and Co. Inc., of Hackensack, New Jersey, for $183,000. Built in 2006, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,283 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $183,000.

Belle Terre Seagate Homes LLC, of Palm Coast, sold 66 Princess Ruth Lane to Kathleen McK-

endry and Johannes Grinsven, of Palm Coast, for $217,600.

Built in 2020, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,300 square feet.

Bratcher Estates Intracoastal Properties V LLC, of Cissna Park, Illinois, sold 1000 Hardy St. to Debra and Ronald Harrington, of Bunnell, for $169,000. Built in 1970, the house is a 3/2 and has a swimming pool and 1,200 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $85,000.

Flagler Beach Catherine Behrens, of Pierson, sold 2312 S. Ocean Shore Blvd. to Thomas and Lynn Tye, of Danville, Kentucky, for $615,000. Built in 1980, the house is a 3/3 and has a fireplace and 1,946 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $540,000.

Grand Reserve and Golf Club D.R. Horton Inc. Jacksonville,

DECEMBER 2020

9

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

NOV. 5 - NOV. 11

A

condo in Hammock Dunes was the top real estate transaction for the week of Nov. 5-11 in Flagler County in the Multiple Listing Service. Michael and Matthew McDonald, individually and as trustees, sold 28 Porto Mar, Unit 703, to Jacqueline Hamilton, individually and as trustee, for $1.3 million.

Built in 2007, the condo is a 4/4 and has 3,847 square feet. It sold in 2007 for $2.45 million.

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Palm Coast, for $253,900. Built in 2020, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,851 square feet.

Grygorly and Olga Tykhomyr, of Palm Coast, sold 29 Pine Croft Lane to Pedro Celestino, of Palm Coast, for $219,000.

Built in 2004, the house is a 4/2 and has 2,013 square feet. It sold in 2005 for $169,900.

Courtesy photo

A four-bedroom, four-bath condo topped the sales list.

of St. Johns, sold 23 Birdie Way to Patrick and Lynn Seward, of Bunnell, for $262,990. Built in 2019, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,585 square feet.

Hammock Dunes James and Marjorie Eubank, of Winter Park, sold 3 Monterrey Drive to Fadl El-Laoune, of Atlanta, for $360,000. Built in 1994, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,123 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $265,000.

for $258,900. Built in 2020, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,851 square feet.

Libby Veling and Susan Alderdice, individually and as trustees, sold 2320 Daytona Ave. to Doug and Melissa Stewart, of Flagler Beach, for $228,000.

Built in 1962, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,171 square feet. It sold in 1990 for $52,500.

Indian Trails Vintage Estate Homes LLC sold 9 Butterfield Drive to Gregory and Yelena Moroshek, of Palm Coast, for $278,000. Built in 2020, the house is a 4/2 and has 2,203 square feet.

Palm Harbor Michael and Maria Luzzi, individually and as trustees, sold 40 Foxhall Lane to Elena Arrazola, of Palm Coast, for $234,999. Built in 2001, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,650 square feet. It sold in 2005 for $225,000.

Lehigh Woods LGI Homes Florida LLC, of The Wodlands, Texas, sold 27 Roxboro Drive to Christopher and Branda Yates, of Palm Coast,

Pine Grove LGI Homes Florida LLC, of The Woodlands, Texas, sold 56 Ponce Deleon Drive to James Curtis Jr. and Tyler Curtis, of

Pine Lakes Ethelbert Symister, as representative, Murdith Brown and Shema Watson sold 116 Wellstone Drive to Christine and Gregory Mason, of Palm Coast, for $200,000. Built in 2001, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,547 square feet. It sold in 2001 for $95,000.

Sea Colony Paul Propis, individually and as trustee, sold 42 Sea Vista Drive to Erin Phelps and Michelle Delisle, of Palm Coast, for $790,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a fireplace and 2,211 square feet. It sold in 2003 for $620,000.

Seminole Woods RH Asset Holdings LLC, of Orlando, sold 11 Seville Place to Carlos and Angelica Paneto, of Palm Coast, for $241,300. Built in 2020, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,650 square feet.

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

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HAMMOCK OBSERVER

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PalmCoastObserver.com

DECEMBER 2020

Jacob Cope

Marcus Freeman, Ethan Dattilio, and Michael Martinez.

Desmond Neal

Last minute tax saving strategies

Every year around this time we receive an influx of clients looking to save as much as they can on their taxes. We employ several strategies and options, some easier than others, which can potentially have a dramatic impact on the amount of money that our clientele have to forward to the IRS. Below we will outline some of the more obvious and easily accessible options.

Traditional IRA contributions: There are some limited restrictions on deductibility of Traditional IRA contributions. However, if you are not subject to the income limitations phase out, it is a very easy way to reduce your tax burden.

For 2020 you can contribute $6,000 into a Traditional IRA account, if you are over 50 years of age the amount increases to $7,000. This contribution can be made by both spouses, if married, regardless of whether both spouses work. The only caveat is that there has to be enough earned income to justify the contributions by at least one of the two participants. In essence, if you meet the criteria, it’s an easy $12,000-$14,000 tax deduction. In many cases people have excess money just sitting in savings accounts earning almost nothing. We can use that money to fund IRA contributions to take advantage of the tax deduction. You have until the tax deadline in 2021 to contribute to IRA accounts for 2020.

SEP IRA’s: Many of our clients are small business owners who are self-employed. A great vehicle for tax savings in these scenarios is

FPC Bulldogs win crosstown battle at Matanzas the SEP IRA. As a business owner, you can contribute the lesser of either 25% of your compensation or $57,000. This can potentially be a huge savings for high income earning small business owners looking to minimize their excessive tax liability on earnings. Like the Traditional IRA above, contributions must be made prior to the tax deadline in April 2021, for 2020.

Health Savings Plans: An HSA is a tax-advantaged personal savings account that can be used to pay for medical, dental, vision and other qualified expenses now or later in life. To contribute to an HSA, you must be enrolled in a qualified high-deductible health plan (HDHP) and your contributions are limited annually. Payroll deduction is most likely offered by your employer. Your annual contribution will be divided into equal amounts and deducted from your payroll before taxes.

Direct contributions can also be made from your personal checking account and can be deducted on your personal income tax return. The limit for 2020 is $3,550 for individuals and $7,100 for family.

There are several more strategies that can be incorporated, but for the sake of this article we tried to highlight three of the most popular. If you have an interest in discussing what options may be available to you personally, please feel free to contact our office for a complimentary consultation.

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HAMMOCK OBSERVER

PalmCoastObserver.com

FPC boys basketball traveled to Matanzas on Dec. 11 to play their crosstown rivals.

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DECEMBER 2020

11

F

lagler Palm Coast and Matanzas went head-tohead at The Ship in what turned out to be a highly intense Friday night game Dec. 11.

The Bulldogs would eventually win 67-47.

FPC extended its winning streak to four games, bringing its record to 4-1 on the season.

Matanzas remained winless for the season, at 0-5.

— KA’DEEM WYNN

Alex Alives

Photos by Ka’Deem Wynn

Ty Smith Tate Winecoff

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HAMMOCK OBSERVER

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DECEMBER 2020

PalmCoastObserver.com

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