Ormond Beach Observer 7-20-23

Society staff member Victoria Kerry holds an adopted puppy as the pooch and William Cossa sniff

during

view at the new HHS Dog Adoption Center located in the Volusia Mall.

Odyssey campers Grace Gildon, Ady Cooke and Anna Viscomi

Photo by Michele Meyers

CITY WATCH

Commission sets tentative tax rate

Should the city keep its tax rate low, or should the rate rise to fund maintenance at city properties? The Ormond Beach City Commission is leaning toward the latter option.

On Tuesday, July 18, the commission voted 4-1 to set the tentative millage rate at 4.0060 mills for fiscal year 2023-2024, or about $4 for every $1,000 of taxable property value.

Ormond Enclave gets city’s OK

The City Commission also unanimously approved two rezoning amendments and a development order for the Ormond Enclave development, to become new multifamily apartments between Dix Avenue and Highland Avenue.

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

121 East condos approved

The Ormond Beach City Commission unanimously approved a 24-unit condominium development for 121 E. Granada Blvd. at its meeting on Tuesday, July 18.

The 121 East development will be composed of one- to three-bedroom units in a five-story building, with parking underneath on the ground floor, at the 0.76acre beachside parcel. The commission approved both a development order and a rezoning for the property from “B-4 Central Business” to a Planned Business Development.

Commissioner Harold Briley, who mentioned that he was part of the Downtown Revitalization Taskforce in 1993-1994, said 121 East is the exact type of development the district is seeking.

“Actually, when I saw this, I got kind of excited about it,” Briley said.

The commission agreed.

“I think this is an epic project for Ormond Beach,”

Commissioner Susan Persis said. “It’s exciting to have this new kind of housing for our residents to possibly buy.”

The development is consistent with the city’s Downtown Master Plan, she added.

While the tentative millage is 4.16% above the current fiscal year’s tax rate, the commission opted for the rate increase so the city can dedicate $500,000 to Leisure Services capital projects and add $300,000 to the city’s Facilities Renewal and Replacement fund, which funds maintenance at city-owned facilities.

Mayor Bill Partington voted against the tentative millage rate, saying the proposed tax rate — which is 13.71% above rollback, the rate needed to generate the same amount of tax revenue as the previous year — was too burdensome for the city’s financially constrained citizens, particularly given that he wasn’t sure which Leisure Services projects would utilize the funding.

“Everybody has tons of additional things that they want to do,” Partington said. “And that’s our hard job — is to prioritize and balance that against available resources, keeping in mind the senior citizen that is single and living by herself on a fixed income and has to pay for her medicines.”

Partington favored adopting the tentative tax rate proposed by city staff of 3.8410 mills — which, while 8.94% above rollback, was 0.13% lower than the current fiscal year’s millage rate.

The proposed rate increase, to cost the average taxpayer $62.04 more next year, was recommended by the city’s Budget Advisory Board, whose

members felt the city needs to begin financially addressing maintenance that has fallen to the wayside over the years.

The Facilities Renewal and Replacement Fund is allocated about $500,000 tax dollars every fiscal year, and the city uses all of the money. In fiscal year 2021-2022, the city went over $220,000 over budget.

Budget Advisory Board Chair John Olivari said there was “no honor” in keeping the city’s tax rate as the second-lowest in Volusia County. The city of DeBary has the lowest tax rate.

“We’re behind the eight ball, and the longer we wait on any of these additions, it’s going to be that much harder to get us out of the hole,” Olivari said.

Commissioners Lori Tolland, Travis Sargent and Harold Briley agreed with the board’s recommendation, all mentioning the maintenance needs of the baseball fields at Nova Community Center.

Commissioner Susan Persis was supportive too, but said she wanted to explore a lower rate before the budget is adopted in September,

once a list of projects comes before the board.

“I don’t want to kick the can down the street, because we need to do something — clearly,” Persis said.

Tolland referenced the city’s recently updated Parks and Recreation Master Plan, noting that 69.5% of surveyed residents said they would be willing to pay $12-$16 a year to fund Leisure Services programs.

“I think it’s absolutely the right time to move the needle and be proactive,” she said.

Sargent said he felt the city’s budget of $118.6 million (calculated before the higher tax rate) this year was about catching up with needs.

“We have almost a million dollars for upgrading equipment, the website,” he said. “That’s almost a million that we’re budgeting for items that are 30 years old.”

Yes, it’s a tax rate increase, Briley said.

“But it’s also an investment in our facilities to keep them to the standard our residents have come to expect,” Briley said.

The development, formerly known as “The Courtyards at Ormond Beach,” will be located at a 6.34-acre property at 145 N. Yonge St., next to the existing Dollar General. The apartments will have 64 units.

This approval comes four years after the commission approved three comprehensive plan amendments for the property to allow the construction of 48 units and a 10,889-squarefoot commercial building. After feedback from neighbors, the developer — CST Holdings, LLC — decided to eliminate the commercial portion of the development and build 16 more units instead.

Mayor Bill Partington thanked the developer for listening to residents to bring back a better project that will benefit the nearby downtown district. “We already have a walkable downtown with a lot more people than we’ve ever had, and this is just going to add to that,” he said.

BY THE NUMBERS

3.4525

mills is the rollback rate.

The tentative millage is almost 14% higher.

Email Senior Editor Jarleene Almenas at Jarleene@ observerlocalnews.com.

1 Florida Park Dr. N, Suite 104, Palm Coast, FL 32137 PHONE: 386-447-9723

WEBSITE: www.ObserverLocalNews.com

TO EMAIL US

Email press releases, announcements and Letters to the Editor to: Jonathan Simmons, jonathan@observerlocalnews.com

TO ADVERTISE

Display Advertising: To obtain information, call 386-447-9723 or email advertising@observerlocalnews.com

Classified Advertising / Marketplace: Call 386.447.9723, email redpages@observerlocalnews.com or place your ad online, classifieds@observerlocalnews.com

TO SUBSCRIBE

To subscribe: Please call 386.447.9723 email subscribe@observerlocalnews.com or visit observerlocalnews.com/subscribe

PUBLIC NOTICES

The Palm Coast Observer meets the legal requirements to publish legal notices in Flagler County, per F.S. 50.011. The Ormond Beach Observer meets the legal requirements to publish legal notices in Volusia County, per F.S.50.011.

AUDITOR INFORMATION

Circulation Verification Council 12166 Old Big Bend Road Suite 210 | Kirkwood, MO 63122

File photo by Brian McMillan

Ormond Beach City Hall

“We can come up with projects. We can talk about existing projects. ... But the bottom line is, how do we get things done?”

Port Orange Mayor Don Burnette on transportation subcommittee. See Page 12A

Too important to rush through

JARLEENE ALMENAS

SENIOR EDITOR

It’s back to the drawing board for the developers of Tomoka Reserve, the proposed 276-unit development on the former Tomoka Oaks Golf Course.

After a five-hour Planning Board meeting on Thursday, July 13 — where the board heard from over 30 residents of Tomoka Oaks and surrounding neighborhoods, all but one voicing opposition to the development — the board decided to continue the public hearing to a meeting on Monday, Aug. 21.

“I’ve been on this Planning Board for 33 years, and I’m going to tell you: This is in the top five of the most important issues I’ve ever heard,” Planning Board Chair Doug Thomas said. “And I am not going to go along with forcing this through — if it takes us two months, if it takes us three months.”

Thomas also lives in Tomoka Oaks.

Developers Carl Velie, Ray Barshay, Sheldon and Emily Rubin are asking the city to issue a development order so they can build a gated single-family home subdivision on the 147-acre golf course, which closed in 2018. The property, located at 20 Tomoka Oaks Blvd., has been zoned as a Planned Residential Development after a 2006 attempt to develop about 30 acres of the golf course failed.

The latest Tomoka Oaks development order application came before the Planning Board with a city staff recommendation that the board deny it based on its lot sizes and setback plans and the developer’s proposal for a 50-foot buffer without a permanent irrigation system.

Planning Director Steven Spraker also said city staff felt the developers should reconfigure the St. Andrews Drive and Tomoka Oaks Boulevard diamond road design and add sidewalks on both sides of Tomoka Oaks Boulevard. If built, Tomoka Reserve’s only entrance and exit would be on Tomoka Oaks Boulevard.

If the City Commission denies the development proposal when the commission reviews it, the developers will seek to rezone the property to R-2 Single Family Low Density and develop it under that zoning designation, which requires 100-footwide lots. With that zoning designation, the development would not have to go through the City Commission review process again, and the minimum buffer requirement would be 6 feet. The property had an R-2 zoning designation before it was zoned as a PRD in 2006.

“The R-2 is what we call a ‘by right’ use,” Spraker said. “It’s a permitted use of the zoning district, so as long as they meet the criteria and the land development code, there’s nothing the Site Plan Review Committee can do to basically deny the application.”

Switching to R-2 Single Family Low Density is a move Dennis Bayer, the attorney representing the Tomoka Oaks Homeowners Association, called the “nuclear option.”

“They’re telling us in one breath that ‘We have to have 80-foot lots — we can’t have 100-foot lots because the market won’t support it, but if we don’t get our way, we’re going to have nothing but 100-foot lots,’” Bayer said. “It doesn’t make sense.”

EXPERT TESTIMONY

The developers brought a team of 10 experts to testify at the Planning Board meeting. In an unusual move, city staff asked all public speakers to take a sworn oath.

“Normally, we don’t swear in the witnesses because we don’t have an issue that is this hotly contested,”

City Attorney Randy Hayes said.

If the developers appeal a denial by the City Commission at a later date, Hayes explained, the judge will be able to know that he or she is reviewing sworn testimony if all public speakers were sworn in.

The city also held the meeting at Calvary Christian Church because of how many citizens planned to attend.

Attorney Rob Merrell, representing the developers, said the developers have been working on bringing the Tomoka Reserve development forward for two years.

The city’s recommendation to deny it, he said, was based on things the Planning Department wanted to be done differently.

One by one, the experts brought in to testify defended the developer’s proposal for lot widths ranging from 50 feet to 80 feet, the maintenance plan for the 50-foot buffer, the proposed density of 1.87 units per acre, and the development’s traffic study and architectural standards.

Sans Lassiter, president of LTG Engineering and Planning, said the traffic study by his firm — which calculated that the subdivision will add about 2,774 daily trips — found that the existing diamond intersection at Tomoka Oaks Boulevard and St. Andrews Drive is sufficient.

The study projects that 96% of the trips generated by the new development will use Tomoka Oaks Boulevard, and 4% will use Iroquois Trail to access Granada Boulevard.

For existing residents, about 64% go through the Trails and 36% exit on Nova Road, Lassiter said.

“The thing I like about this project, because of its location, its primary impact is going to be on Nova Road, a state road,” Lassiter said.

One of the experts who testified, Michael Hotaling of Moody Williams Appraisal Group, said that the closed golf course has hurt property values.

“Any potential development that’s done there, regardless of size, is going to have a positive impact on those values,” Hotaling said.

Addressing concerns that the developers’ proposal is not compatible with the existing Tomoka Oaks neighborhood, Mark Karet, director of planning and landscape architecture for Zev Cohen and Associates, argued that it is: The land use is residential in both cases, he said.

“This is infill development,” Karet said. “It’s encouraged throughout your [comprehensive] plan.”

The pending R-2 zoning application is “not a nuclear threat,” Merrell said.

“The point is the shoe doesn’t fit. This Cinderella will never have that shoe fit, no matter how many different ways it’s going to be packaged to us.”

“It’s the zoning that we’re surrounded by,” he said. “... I think your city attorney will tell you, we are entitled to a zoning. You guys pick it for us: We picked two. We have two of them now in process, one of them that’s custom, that you get to pick what goes in it, or another one that’s cookie-cutter.”

The project’s previous develop

ment order expired in 2014. The developers applied for a new development order to acquire zoning entitlements for the property.

‘IT DOESN’T FIT’

Residents’ concerns ranged from increased traffic and lack of medical infrastructure to support further growth to the incompatibility of lot sizes and a decrease in quality of life, particularly for the estimated 170 property owners whose homes back up to the golf course.

Residents don’t want cookie-cutter houses, said Tomoka Oaks homeowner Barbara Handsman Doliner said to the board. They don’t care if the subdivision is gated or if the developer puts in sidewalks. That’s not the point.

“The point is the shoe doesn’t fit,” Doliner said. “This Cinderella will never have that shoe fit, no matter how many different ways it’s going to be packaged to us.”

Tomoka Oaks resident Carolyn Davis — who for the last year has argued that the golf course can’t be legally developed, because the property’s original covenant declared that it must be used perpetually as a golf course — asked all Tomoka Oaks and surrounding homeowners to raise their hands.

“I want the board to see the faces of my professionals,” Davis said. “Board members, please take a good look at our faces and tell me we are not credible as well.”

On Wednesday, July 12, Davis’ attorney, Brent Spain, submitted an opinion to the Planning Board stating that the golf course’s original 1963

restrictive covenant remains valid.

Tomoka Oaks residents Leonard Gaspary and Scott Ryalsalso opposed the development. Gaspary built homes in the subdivision, and Ryals tried to develop the property in 2006 with his father.

Gaspary testified that the lots fronting the golf course were more expensive at that time.

“I do feel that the closing of the golf course will impact the value of my home and my lot, and I am just seeking some way to mitigate the loss of value of my house,” Gaspary said.

“I also feel that it changes the complete character of the community by adding 276 lots, which will add close to 800 people when everything is said and done.”

Ryals said that when he tried to develop the property in 2006, they could only fit 122 units. The proposal included 35 townhomes and six condo buildings on about 30 acres of the property.

“I’m the one that proposed that if we did anything with that property, that it would remain a golf course,” Ryals said. “I beat my head night and day on how I could do it.”

Bayer said that the developers’ presentation didn’t address staff’s comments and concerns.

The Tomoka Oaks Homeowner’s Association also brought in Thomas Harowski to testify. Harowski, a certified planner and a resident of Tomoka Oaks, said that Tomoka Reserve would become “the new heart of Tomoka Oaks” when built.

“It’ll be the first thing that people see when they come into the community,” he said. “And it will be a defining element. To the extent that new homes give a different impression of the neighborhood, that’s going to change how people view Tomoka Oaks and our existing neighborhood.”

CONCERNS LINGER

Two of the developers spoke at the meeting. Velie said they were proposing 80-foot lots because that’s what current market buyers are seeking.

A 100-foot lot would run the price of a new home into the $1 million range, and while there may be some buyers for that, he questioned whether there would be 200 of them — and whether they would be looking to buy in the next five years.

“I want to build something, or have a product that can be built on, that will sell quickly, will be as good or better than what’s in the neighborhood,” Velie said.

Sheldon Rubin said he didn’t understand why the residents and the city want 100-foot lots.

“We will have a higher-priced house in a community with a [Property Owner’s Association], with security and those benefits with a bigger buffer,” Rubin said.

The development team has gone through several iterations of this proposal, Rubin said.

“I have total confidence this is all going to work, but give us some flexibility here,” he said. “Don’t lock us down. This is a superb site plan.”

At the end of the meeting, board

members said they still had too many questions to come to a decision. They wanted improvements in lot size, in particular.

Board member GG Galloway likened the development to putting 5 pounds of sugar in a 1-pound bag.

“There has to be a happy medium here somewhere,” Galloway said. “The homeowners have to realize that something will be built there, or they need to come to the table and buy your land.”

Developers have rights, Thomas said. So do homeowners.

“We’ve got to compromise,” he said. “We have to find something because there is a hardcore group of residents who don’t want anything in there.”

The homeowners are already compromising, said board member Angeline Schull. The developers need to as well.

“This is a totally unique piece of property, and that has to be taken into consideration,” she said.

Board member Barry du Moulin asked if the developers would be willing to explore other development options, such as an agroenergy farm. If the developers want to develop homes, he said, he would rather they be million-dollar homes.

“Is there another way that you can look at this, that everybody wins?” du Moulin said.

Board member Mike Scudiero said the proposal would likely be considered low-density in cities like Miami.

“But up here in Ormond, it’s not,” Scudiero said. “Not in this neighborhood. Not with what’s going in the middle of that doughnut hole.”

Board member Al Jorczak shared his concerns regarding density, especially as more people move to Florida.

“We should not be looking at just augmenting what has been done in the past,” Jorczak said. “We should be looking for excellence — what can we do that goes above and beyond what we’ve already done, that helps make Ormond Beach the jewel on the East Coast that people want to come here and live.”

Attorney Dennis Bayer speaks on behalf of the Tomoka Oaks Homeowners Association.

Board members Mike Scudiero, Angeline Schull, Chair Doug Thomas, Barry du Moulin, Al Jorczak and GG Galloway

Planning Board asks developers of Tomoka Oaks Golf Course to reevaluate plans.

Photos by Jarleene Almenas

BARBARA HANDSMAN DOLINER, Tomoka

Oaks

homeowner

“I’ve been on this Planning Board for 33 years, and I’m going to tell you: This is in the top five of the most important issues I’ve ever heard. And I am not going to go along with forcing this through — if it takes us two months, if it takes us three months.”

DOUG THOMAS, Planning Board chair

NewD.R.HortonHomes InPalmCoast!

Sawmill Branch

Express Series homes from the low $300’s*

Tradition Series homes from the low $400’s*

Minutes from nearby shopping, dining and beautiful Palm Coast beaches!

• Thoughtfully designed and energy-efficient

3, 4 & 5 bedroom floorplans ranging from 1,698 – 2,499 square feet

• Home Is Connected® smart home package featuring an industry-leading suite of smart home products

• Highly rated Flagler County schools

Volusia County stormwater fees to rise by 50 cents

THIS YEAR’S MILLAGE

tal increases, the county wouldn’t have to ask for dollar increases now, he said.

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

Stormwater utility fees for unincorporated areas of Volusia County — such as Ormond-by-the-Sea — will rise slightly in the coming fiscal year.

The Volusia County Council unanimously approved a 50-cent increase to the monthly $6 stormwater utility non-ad valorem assessment fee, which had remained the same since 2005, at a July 11 meeting.

County staff initially sought the council’s approval for a $1 per month fee increase for fiscal year 2023-2024, to be followed by another $1 increase in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, but council members thought the proposal — which would have generated almost $760,000 per year — was too steep for taxpayers.

The Volusia County Council has unanimously approved a preliminary property tax rate of 4.8499 mills ($4.8499 per $1,000 in taxable value) for the upcoming fiscal year. The rate is the same as the current rate.

The county is proposing a total budget of approximately $1.4 billion, with the operating budget accounting for about $1.19 billion.

Four property-taxsupported funds will be adopting the rollback rate, according to a county news release: the library fund, the Ponce DeLeon Port Authority, the Municipal Service District and the Silver Sands Bethune Beach MSD. The rollback rate is the rate that would generate the same dollar amount of revenue as the county received in the preceding fiscal year.

Conceptual Resort Style Amenities Coming Soon!

Model Homes Open Daily | 386-800-8752 |

D.R. Horton is an Equal Housing Opportunity Builder. * Home and community information, including pricing, included features, terms, availability and amenities, are subject to change and prior sale at any time without notice or obligation. Pictures, photographs, colors, features, and sizes are for illustration purposes only and will vary from the homes as built. +Square footage dimensions are approximate. Buyer should conduct his or her own investigation of the present and future availability of school districts and school assignments. D.R. Horton has no control or responsibility for any changes to school districts or school assignments should they occur in the future. CBC058997 ©2023 D.R.

Inc. All rights reserved.

See a Doctor Who Specializes in Hearing

NOT a Salesman

can affect your life in many ways.

• Increased dementia risk

• Increased risk of falling

• Decreased likelihood of being able to live independently as you age

Services We Offer

• Hearing testing and hearing aids

• Ear cleanings and wax removal

• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) evaluation & management

• Checking and testing of your current hearing aids to make sure they are properly fit

Check out our blog for informative articles: ormondhearingcenter.com/blog

Unhappy with your hearing aids? Call us, we can help!

Call today for a free hearing screening!

*By Appointment Only

The county knows there are significant stormwater problems, County Council Chair Jeff Brower said. But he wondered if the county could use some of the $329 million in hurricane relief funding it is receiving from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to offset some of the operational costs, at least temporarily.

“Everybody up here realizes that stormwater is critically important,” Brower said.

County Manager George Recktenwald said that the $329 million is allocated to the entire county — including its 16 cities.

About $40 million can be used for capital mitigation projects, he said, and the county is assessing those needs.

Recktenwald added that the county could cover the operational shortfall this year, and return next year with a rate study.

“Whatever we don’t deal with this year, we’ll just be dealing with next year,” he said.

Staff brought the fee increase proposal to the council because stormwater fund expenditures are expected to exceed revenues by fiscal year 2025-2026, with a $200,000 shortfall in 2023-2024.

“Anytime you’re looking at raising fees or raising taxes on the public, that is a very serious decision, and as staff, we don’t bring these decisions to the council lightly,” Public Works Director Ben Bartlett said.

The increasing expenditures, he explained, are the result of rising operational

The council will review the final budget and proposed tax rate at a first-reading hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5.

costs, not additional personnel.

County Councilman Troy Kent said the fact the fee has not risen in 18 years places a burden on the current council.

“This is a tax,” Kent said.

“... It hits your poorest in the community the hardest.”

If prior councils had approved small, incremen -

Initially, the council considered a 25-cent increase instead of a 50-cent increase, but county staff said that while a 25-cent increase would bridge the gap for this fiscal year, it wouldn’t be enough in future years.

“That gap is concerning as it increased,” Bartlett said. “... We have experienced record inflation in the last three years. That’s something that wasn’t anticipated and has probably hastened this discussion.”

Horton,

I-95 US-1 SAWMILL BRANCH Matanzas Woods Pkwy

PALM COAST

Located off US-1 at Matanzas Woods Pkwy in Palm Coast 4 Summerwood Rd. S. Palm Coast, FL 32137

drhorton.com/nfl

County staff initially proposed a $1 rate hike, but council members thought that was too steep.

Flagler Beach chooses new city manager

interview. “You’re expected to jump in and pick up where the last city manager left off.”

He said he would be able to start within a month, at the latest.

he was the city manager of Fernandina Beach for the last seven years.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The Flagler Beach City Commission has chosen former Fernandina Beach city manager Dale Martin as Flagler Beach’s new city manager.

The City Commission voted unanimously for Martin after interviewing the four final candidates on July 14.

Martin said that coming into the position, he would rely on the professionalism and experience of the city’s department directors.

“There’s no spring training for city management,” Martin said during the public

The commission held public interviews July 14 in the City Commission chambers before commissioners picked their top two candidates.

All of the commissioners picked Martin as their first choice and James Gleason, of Littleton, Massachusetts, as their second choice, should negotiations with Martin fall through.

Interim City Manager Mike Abels, who was hired in February, said that as a condition of his hiring, he could only stay on until September.

Martin, a U.S. Army veteran from Michigan, has 25 years of local government experience. Most recently,

Commission OKs 39-unit apartment complex

Martin’s term in Fernandina Beach ended in March after he was terminated in February in a 3-2 vote, according to a news article from the News-Leader in Fernandina Beach.

Martin said his most significant accomplishment was helping to reconstruct Fernandina Beach’s marina after Hurricane Matthew destroyed it in 2016.

Several residents who attended the public interviews said during public comment periods that Martin was the best fit for the community.

“I think Dale is a great choice,” Flagler Beach resident Paul Chestnut said. “And I think you’re going to hit on a home run.”

Commission Chair Eric

of 14.5, and would sit between several single-family homes and a retention pond.

A PVC and screened fence would separate it from the houses, while another fence would separate it from the pond.

Leslie Street will be the main entrance. A secondary entrance will be available on Joyce Street, but will primarily be used for emergency access.

Cooley said participating in choosing a city manager is almost more important for the public than electing commissioners.

“These seats change often,” Cooley said. “But that seat should not change often.”

Several commissioners asked how Martin would handle multi-tasking multiple large projects immediately.

Martin said the city’s stormwater management would be one of the biggest challenges, alongside maintaining the city’s character and quality of life as it grows.

He said prioritizing projects is key to being a city manager. He likened juggling a city’s many projects to being a plate spinner in the circus.

“That’s my job,” he said. “To keep the plates from falling.”

deck at one end of the pond for fishing and potential kayaking, and a sidewalk around the building for walking and bike riding, with benches.

Cooley and Commissioner Jane Mealy both expressed concerns about whether the recreation area would meet the definitions of active and passive recreation amenities.

Torino said a sidewalk can be multipurpose.

A proposal to build two apartment buildings near the intersection of State Road 100 and Anderson Highway won the Flagler Beach City Commission’s approval in a 4-1 vote on July 12.

Commission Chair Eric Cooley voted against the proposal.

The future apartment complex will sit on a 3.16-acre parcel between Joyce Street and Leslie Street, southwest

of the S.R. 100 and Anderson Highway intersection. Cooley thought the 39-unit apartment complex could generate too much traffic on Leslie Street. He was also unimpressed with the complex’s proposed recreation

Paid Advertorial

spaces. For example, he said, the walkways are really just sidewalks to access the buildings.

“My concern is we’re calling something an ‘active and passive recreation area’ that, in my opinion, does not meet

BETTER BACK TOGETHER

Family Reunification In

Our Community Daytona Beach, Fla. - There is a widespread myth that the child welfare system wants to separate children from their families. But the reality is that everyone involved works very hard to reunify families so they can live safely and happily together.

The non-profit organization Community Partnership for Children (CPC) leads the local child welfare system. Together with a network of community partners, CPC provides a comprehensive system of care for abused and neglected children in Flagler, Putnam, and Volusia Counties. CPC always strives to prevent abuse and neglect before they start. The organization employs prevention programs that connect at-risk families with the local resources they need to thrive. Strengthening families in this way allows children to avoid entering the formal foster care system.

When prevention is not possible, children are removed for their own safety following a judicial hearing. In these cases, the children are placed temporarily with relatives, kinship caregivers, or foster parents. The youth receive love, care, and services while their parents follow a case plan approved by the court.

The family’s case plan includes a variety of components designed to address the underlying factors that led to their children’s removal. CPC and its partners work closely with the parent to help them through the process. Meanwhile, the court continues to monitor the case, including a judicial review every six months.

“Compassion for those parents who have had their children removed is critical,” said Karin Flositz, CEO of Community

Partnership for Children. “Many people face great personal struggles like addiction or generational violence and deserve an opportunity to be supported and receive the help they need to overcome the challenges they have experienced.”

After the parents complete the case plan, the happy day arrives when children and families are reunified. Over 6,700 Florida children have been reunified with their families this past year. The final reunification represents a victory won by child welfare professionals, service providers, the judiciary, guardians ad litem, foster parents - and of course, the biological parents themselves.

There are many ways that everyone in our community can help strengthen families, from donating to abuse prevention efforts, to volunteering with CPC, to becoming a foster parent. More information is available at CommunityPartnershipforChildren. org.

communitypartnershipforchildren.org

(386) 238-4900

135 Executive Circle, 2nd Floor, Daytona Beach, FL 32114

the definition,” Cooley said. The proposed site plan consists of two buildings — one with 27 apartment units, and the other with 12 — and 79 parking spaces. It has 12.3 units per acre, which is below the city’s cap

Cooley said he would like to see Joyce Street paved to reduce traffic on Leslie Street. The developer is not planning to pave the road, but has agreed to help stabilize it as an access road.

City planner Larry Torino said the applicant has addressed every concern that city staff members have raised, including adding a second fire hydrant.

The development includes a

“You’re providing the potential for active recreation,” Torino said. “That’s the intention.”

Mayor Suzie Johnston suggested adjusting the sidewalk design to make its recreational purpose more explicit — for instance, by adding an area for hopscotch.

The commission approved the plan on the condition that the developer make the recreation areas more defined.

Photo by Sierra Williams

Dave Martin, the former city manager of Fernandina Beach, was unanimously selected as Flagler Beach’s next city manager.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

City Commission selects former Fernandina Beach city manager Dale Martin.

Flagler Beach City Commission approves two-building complex in 4-1 vote.

Photo by Sierra Williams

The new Flagler Beach City Commission has been organized, with Commissioner Eric Cooley now serving as chair.

COPS CORNER

Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the home in Palm Coast’s B-section when a property controller reported the damage.

The building was filled with about an inch of water, according to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies identified the boy, who lives on a street near the vandalized home, through an anonymous tip, the press release said.

When they interviewed him, the boy admitted that he had flooded the toilets because he was bored.

He is charged with felony criminal mischief, burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and trespassing on a construction site.

ON THE DEFENSE

around aggressively,” and the store clerk thought he was trying to strike her, so she sprayed him with pepper spray, she told police.

Police found the man lying on the ground in a nearby parking lot.

He was detained and treated for pepper spray exposure before being taken to the hospital, then to jail.

The store clerk retrieved the wine bottle and told police she wanted to pursue charges for the theft and assault, according to the police report.

JULY 13

BOLTED

reported as stolen later on June 7, after it was impounded.

The deputies allowed the tow truck driver to leave with the car.

JULY 12

IDLE HANDS

8:30 a.m. — 100 block of Bud Hollow Drive, Palm Coast Criminal mischief. A 13-yearold boy was arrested for felony criminal mischief after he clogged the toilets of an under-construction home and flooded it, causing $25,000 in damage, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

6:07 p.m. — 1400 block of West Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach Petit theft. Police arrested a 52-year-old DeBary man who, while attempting to steal a bottle of wine, was peppersprayed by the liquor store clerk.

The clerk told police that the man had come into the store earlier that day and tried to steal a bottle of vodka, according to a police report.

During the later incident, after the man walked out of the store with the wine, she followed him to try to get the wine back.

But the man “turned

12:05 p.m. — First block of North Yonge Street, Ormond Beach Vandalism. A trailer park property manager called police after she noticed that a deadbolt on one of the trailers had been damaged.

The property manager told police that one of the trailer’s windows had also been broken by a piece of coral rock, according to a police report. None of the nearby residents saw anything or anyone suspicious near the trailer.

The property manager said the park had had a dispute with a former renter, but that she didn’t have proof that he’d caused the damage. She said she wanted to pursue charges if a suspect is identified.

BRIEFS

Weekend rains cause washout on shoulder of State Road A1A

Weekend rain has washed out an over-25-foot-wide section of sand along the eastern shoulder of State Road A1A in Flagler Beach.

The washout occurred in the 3500 block at around 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 16. Construction crews were able to fix the washout by 3 p.m. Monday, July 17 and reopen the road.

Traffic on both lanes of A1A was diverted to Clubhouse Drive until the roadway was repaired, according to a Facebook post from the Flagler Beach Police Department.

FBPD immediately contacted the Florida Department of Transportation on July 16, which sent contractor Louis Berger and crews from Cline Construction to begin repairing the roadway.

FBPD Chief Matthew Doughney said Cline Construction had begun work at 8:30 a.m. on July 17 to reopen the roadway by Monday afternoon.

“This has really been a team effort,” he said. “There’s a lot that goes into getting these things done.”

Doughney said the “extremely heavy” rain caused the collapse.

The FBPD has also been coordinating with the Flagler Turtle Patrol. There are a few turtle nests near the washout site, Doughney said, but so far, none appeared damaged.

Semitrailer crash closes northbound Interstate 95

A semitrailer crashed into a disabled car on Interstate 95 and jackknifed the morning of July 13, shutting down all northbound lanes from Palm Coast Parkway to Matanzas Woods Parkway.

Southbound I-95 was still moving, but with one lane closed. No one was injured, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred at about 5:02 a.m., and lane closures lasted into the afternoon.

A southbound sedan had been stopped in the southbound lanes after the 19-year-old driver lost control of the car and struck the center guardrail, then veered back into the roadway near mile marker 292, according to a news release from the FHP.

The driver and his passenger, a 46-year-old man, got out of the car and stood on the shoulder.

Soon after, a 59-year-old Port St. Lucie man driving south in a tandem semitrailer didn’t see the disabled car and struck it.

The truck pushed the sedan onto the shoulder and into the tree line, then struck the guardrail and jackknifed across all three northbound lanes.

The truck was carrying a small amount of sodium nitrate and an acid-based chemical, and spilled several gallons onto the road, according to the Palm Coast Fire

CRIME REPORT

Man charged in fatal US 1 crash

A Palm Coast man was arrested on a DUI manslaughter charge July 14 in connection with a fatal car crash last December.

The Florida Highway Patrol has been investigating the crash over the last eight months.

A judge issued a warrant for the arrest of 64-year-old suspect Joseph Siano on July 13.

Siano’s blood alcohol content

after the crash was almost three times the legal limit, according to his arrest report.

The crash happened at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 16. Siano was driving a pickup truck north in the southbound lanes on U.S. 1 and collided head-on with a Chevrolet Malibu just north of Whiteview Parkway.

The Malibu driver died at the scene crash site while Siano was taken to Halifax Medical Center with incapacitating injuries, the report said.

Department. The spill was not hazardous to the public, and the St. Johns County Fire Rescue Hazmat Team helped mitigating it, according to the Fire Department.

Marine habitat master naturalist training offered

Environmental enthusiasts can earn a certificate in Marine Habitat Restoration by taking a 24-hour course offered by Volusia County Environmental Management, UF/ IFAS Extension Volusia County and the Marine Discovery Center.

The course, which is part of the Master Naturalist Program, will focus on restoration of seagrass, artificial reefs, corals and sponges, according to a news release.

The non-degree, hybrid Marine Habitat Restoration program was developed by the University of Florida.

It will run from July 31 through Aug. 11 and includes a trip to the Florida Keys.

Through online, classroom, field trip and practical experience, participants will learn about Florida’s natural marine habitats and ways to restore them.

The $200 course fee covers educational materials, field trips and classroom sessions.

There will be an additional $125plus accommodation fee for the Florida Keys portion. Participants completing the course will receive a certificate,

A Florida Highway Patrol trooper took a statement and two blood samples from Siano at the hospital. Siano told the trooper that he did not remember anything from the crash and had not consumed any alcohol. The results from the blood tests came back on Feb. 28 and showed that Siano had a blood alcohol content of 0.219.

Children found after abduction by father

Two young children abducted in Flagler County on July 14 were found

patch, and pin denoting their expertise in marine habitat restoration.

The registration deadline is July 20. Class size is limited to 20.

Registration can be completed online at conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ fmnp/MR23-03hybrid.html.

The website includes a secure page for participants who want to pay with a credit card.

For more information, contact Environmental Specialist Trey Hannah at thannah@volusia.org.

For information on the Florida Master Naturalist Program, go to masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu/ become-a-master-naturalist.

Dune work at Jungle Hut Park to limit beach access

Beginning July 17, beach access at Jungle Hut Park will be limited for about two weeks due to emergency dune work at Old Salt Park.

The contractor working at Old Salt Park, on 16th Road in the Hammock, will be using Jungle Hut Park as a beach access point.

The work is part of the first segment of the FEMA emergency dune project, according to a press release from the county government.

Jungle Hut Park will remain open to the public, but beachgoers are asked to be alert and take caution — especially families with young children and pets, the press release said.

County Engineer Faith Alkhatib said there will be around 20 dump trucks per day operating out of the

west of Jacksonville by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office deputies and the Florida Highway Patrol.

The children — a 3-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy — were abducted from their home in the Z-section of Palm Coast at around 2 p.m.

The children’s biological father abducted them, placing them in a minivan with Indiana plates and driving off, according to a press release from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

The FCSO issued a “be on the lookout” (BOLO) advisory for the grey Toyota Sienna just after 3 p.m., noting that the children had been

park. Sand deliveries will occur from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday during the two weeks of construction, Alkhatib said.

Auditorium becomes Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center

The Flagler Auditorium is now The Fitzgerald Center for the Performing Arts.

The performing arts center unveiled its new logo across its social media accounts on July 11.

The rebranding signifies a fresh chapter for the auditorium and highlights its commitment to remain a cultural hub providing exceptional entertainment, according to a post on the performing arts center’s Facebook page.

The Flagler Auditorium was named The Flagler Auditorium Dennis Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center more than 10 years ago, when the Flagler County School Board dedicated the auditorium to Dennis Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald served on the School Board for eight years and was committed to advancing music and performing arts education programs, according to the performing arts center’s Facebook post.

The rebranding includes a new logo to embody the performing arts center’s “vibrant energy and dedication to artistic excellence,” the Facebook post said.

taken by a family member who did not have legal authority to take them.

FHP and JSO law enforcement officers found the children just before 4 p.m. on Interstate 10 near mile marker 346 and arrested the father. The children were unharmed.

The father has been charged with two counts of kidnapping a minor under 13 and is being held in the Duval County jail on no bond pending a transfer to Flagler County’s jail.

The father said he traveled to Flagler County in order to abduct the children, the press release said.

Development, real estate + business news

AdventHealth trains yoga teachers to offer classes for cancer patients

created the foundation in Jacksonville in 2010.

ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

When yoga instructor Christina Phipps was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, she found that yoga helped her with her chemotherapy. She soon began teaching classes to try to help other cancer patients, and after she died in June 2010, her family continued her mission, helping other yoga instructors learn to teach yoga to cancer patients. On July 8, AdventHealth Daytona Beach hosted an oncology yoga training class with the Christina Phipps Foundation, certifying 15 yoga instructors.

Ben Phipps, Christina’s father,

“After she had her first PET scan after her treatment, and it came back clean, she offered her first class free to yoga students,” said Jarrett Phipps, president of the foundation and Christina Phipps’ sister. “While my father came up with the idea of the foundation, he totally took this idea from what Christina was already doing.”

Research shows that yoga “can help reduce stress and fatigue, and improve flexibility, circulation, strength, breathing, sleep, mood, balance, and overall well-being,” according to a news release from AdventHealth.

“From an AdventHealth initiative, we go at it from a team approach — so you have medical oncology, surgery, radiation, but we also look at the yoga team as part of our team,” said Jody Sullivan, director of radiation oncology at AdventHealth Daytona Beach and AdventHealth Palm

Coast. “We look at it as part of the journey the patients go through, and at them [yoga instructors] as a helping hand.”

The yoga classes offer modifications for every pose and stretch to make sure cancer patients do not stress their bodies. The classes are offered in person and on Zoom.

“When someone goes through cancer treatments, and they experience fatigue, or they have pain or mobility issues, yoga helps restore that or maintain the function they already have,” said Andria Roberts, a cancer care navigator at AdventHealth Daytona Beach. “It can also help them calm any anxiety or depression.”

Kim Friedman, a member of the Christina Phipps Foundation board and a yoga teacher at AdventHealth, said instructors aim to help bring a “body awareness” to the students.

“If yoga can bring body awareness to them, which we try to focus on, hopefully they’re in touch with their

bodies enough so when the body is speaking to them about a pain that is not going away, that they don’t ignore it anymore,” she said.

During the July 8 training class at AdventHealth Daytona Beach, AdventHealth physical therapists and certified lymphedema therapists

Melanie Muller and Maria Dulay spoke to the upcoming instructors about oncology, treatment and things to look for in their patients.

“We see them initially, then when they’re finished with us, they know how to manage their diagnosis for the rest of their life, and they can continue with yoga classes to help that,” Muller said.

Dulay said that yoga can help prevent secondary complications like stiffness and limited range of motion.

LuAnn Henry became a certified yoga instructor in 2017, but has been doing yoga her whole life. At the recent training event, she earned her certification for oncology yoga treatment.

“Being able to connect with their [patients’] spiritual side will help them mentally,” she said.

“I want to help,” she said.

Michele Jain has had her yoga certification since 2001 and began teaching at AdventHealth in 2016.

“Doing these classes is kind of a way of me giving back,” Jain said.

“I know the benefits of yoga classes for people undergoing cancer treatments pre-, post- and during. I know that yoga has been helpful to everyone I have taught.”

Sherrill Crotts, one of Jain’s current students, has been doing yoga at AdventHealth since 2017.

She did yoga before her cancer diagnosis but began participating in AdventHealth’s yoga classes during treatment.

“When I walked in the room with all of these people that are in the same place I am, it just felt so good to be around people that understood,” Crotts said.

She said yoga helped her body and spirit, and helped her find camaraderie with other patients.

“It would be entirely their choice, but I encourage everyone to at least try it, because it really does help,” Crotts said.

The classes are held at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays at AdventHealth Palm Coast and at 9:30 a.m. on Thursdays at AdventHealth Daytona Beach. There is also a class at 7 p.m. Thursdays held via Zoom.

The classes are held weekly at both AdventHealth Daytona Beach and AdventHealth Palm Coast.

Michele Jain and her yoga class students on July 11

Fifteen yoga teachers participated in the oncology yoga training class.

Photo by Alexis Miller

Soraya Mediterranean Cafe opens in Ormond Beach

New restaurant offers Turkish coffee, tea and pastries.

ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The new Soraya Mediterranean Cafe at 156 E. Granada Blvd. brings Turkish culture to Ormond Beach.

“We want to be a little more traditional and closer to our culture through our menu,” said Ayten Hooper, who opened the cafe with Fay Sarshory.

The cafe celebrated its grand opening on June 25, when Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington and Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Debbie Cotton surprised the owners with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“The experience when you walk into the building itself is just a warm, comforting feeling, and you kind of get to experience another world in there, between the coffees and teas they serve and the decor they chose, which I know was their goal going into this,” Cotton said.

Sarshory and Hooper specialize in Turkish coffees and pastries, such as baklava and simits.

The cafe offers a collection of jasmine herbal teas as well as soups and salads. Most of the menu is vegan

estate broker and owner of Florida Property Experts for the past 20 years, and will continue to run her business in addition to Soraya. Hooper has been in the restaurant business for several years and has owned other restaurants. Sarshory said she has always looked for coffee shops that are cozy

“I’m a world traveler and when I travel, the first thing I check out are the coffee shops, so this has

BRIEFS

FHP and FDOT announce ‘Operation Southern Slow Down’

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Florida Highway Patrol and Florida Department of Transportation are taking part in a multistate speed enforcement campaign that began July 17. The campaign, called “Operation Southern Slow Down,” is held in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the states of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee, according to a press release from FDOT.

FHP will focus on detecting and citing drivers for speeding on Florida’s interstates. Speeding contributed to 10.5 % of all crash fatalities statewide in 2022, resulting in more than 368 deaths, according to the press release.

been years of inspiration of my traveling bringing this together,” Sarshory said.

The cafe’s dishes and cups come from different countries. The name Soraya, Sarshory said, means “cluster of stars,” and was also inspired by Queen Soraya, the second wife of the last shah of Iran. Her photo is displayed in the shop.

“I just wanted to be the new location where people feel comfortable to meet their friends here, have private parties here, or work from here,” Sarshory said. “I want a place people would be proud of.”

The cafe is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

It hosts private events such as meetings and wine nights after closing hours.

A sitting area inside Soraya.

Homemade baklava

The main lobby of Soraya

Soraya also offers Mediterranean protein bowls with homemade tzatziki dressing.

Soraya offers baklavas.

Photos by Alexis Miller

Courtesy photo

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and its division of the Florida Highway Patrol, in collaboration with the Florida Department of Transportation, announced the kick-off of “Operation Southern Slow Down.”

Flagler considers new pavement program

The county would need to implement a new half-cent sales tax or dedicate some property tax money to fund the initiative.

Proposed repaving and resurfacing of Flagler County roadways could cost the county government $5.6 million in 2024.

A county staff-proposed Pavement Management Plan would repave 5.32 miles a year and resurface a road every 12-15 years at an average annual cost of $2.6 million, staff members told Flagler County commissioners at a July 17 workshop. The county’s share of the cost for Florida Department of Transportation projects in Flagler County would add millions more in 2024, bringing the 2024 total to $5.6 million.

To cover the $5.6 million, the commission could either dedicate four tenths of a mill from ad valorem taxes to the program or implement a halfcent discretionary sales tax.

As a small county, Flagler County is eligible to levy up to a 1% small county surtax. The county currently levies a half cent and is the only eligible county that does not levy the full 1% sales tax, County Administrator Heidi Petito said.

The sales tax would generate $9.7 million, but the revenue must be split among the county’s municipalities: Only $4.4 million would go to the county government.

Petito said that although the sales

tax would generate less funding, the cost would be divided between residents and visitors, lessening the burden on property owners.

“There is a cost to delaying maintenance,” she said. “If you don’t have … some sort of a maintenance schedule and plan, you’re going to just be redoing roads.”

Commissioners directed staff to reach out to the county’s municipalities first.

Commissioner David Sullivan said similar initiatives received negative feedback in the past, so the county needs the support of local municipalities before implementing the tax or millage allocation.

“The problem to me is a publicity problem and a marketing problem,” Sullivan said. “I would like to see, if we’re going forward with this … that we have some support from Palm Coast, Flagler Beach and Bunnell.”

Commissioner Donald O’Brien agreed.

“Politically, they don’t have any risk,” O’Brien said. “We have the risk.”

Road and Bridge Manager Ryan Prevatt said regular repaving would fix roads before they need total reconstruction, which costs three to five times as much as resurfacing.

“It’s about applying the right treatment, to the right road, at the right time,” Prevatt said. “There’s only been numerous benefits.”

Prevatt said the program would primarily use the asphalt mill and overlay method, which requires grinding down the top layer of asphalt, then placing a new layer to extend the life of the road.

Mill and overlay is the most expensive maintenance strategy, he said, but also provides longer road life between resurfaces and the highest return on investment.

The program would resurface roads that rate “good” or “fair” in road maintenance evaluations, Prevatt said.

An in-house Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating — or PASER — survey rated 137 of the county’s 188 lane miles as good, very good or excellent.

BY THE NUMBERS

$2.6

million would cover the average annual cost of the proposed Pavement Management Plan $5.6 million would cover the cost of the pavement plan and the county’s share of the cost for local FDOT initiatives in 2024

Four-tenths of a mill of ad valorem taxes would generate the needed $5.6 million

$4.4 million in revenue would come to the county government if the county implements a new halfcent sales tax

The ones that rate lower than “fair,” Prevatt said, need more expensive reconstruction that can be done by FDOT programs.

The county’s public works program is funded primarily through a gas tax that generates $2.5 million per year, but all of that money goes to day-to-day maintenance work, Petito said.

FDOT offers programs that cover resurfacing, but they have restrictions based on the nature of the project, the year the program was built and the county’s population size.

“As we continue to transition from a small county to a mediumsized county, we need to develop a plan while we still qualify for smallcounty funding,” Petito said.

Even state or federal grants, Petito said, require some form of funding match, and a sales tax or dedicated mill allocation would help pay for those as well.

“These are all the different challenges that we have,” Petito said. “Not just as Flagler County as it is today, but even moving forward, because we don’t have a dedicated source of revenue for our roads.”

Flagler County begins Comprehensive Plan update

The process will include public workshops and outreach and last from July 2023 to November 2024.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Local officials may enact new policies on workforce housing, coastal development and transportation connectivity as they update Flagler County’s Comprehensive Plan this year. The Flagler County Commission and Flagler County Planning and Development Board held a joint workshop July 17 to meet with Inspire Placemaking Collective, the planning and design firm that will direct the full Comprehensive Plan update alongside county staff. Since communities and counties change over time, so do a community’s needs, said Inspire project manager Chris Dougherty.

“That’s why it’s important to look at your plan every five, 10 years to make some tweaks and address the community’s desires,” Dougherty said.

A comprehensive plan is a guideline that helps define how a community will look in the future, Dougherty said. State law requires all Florida communities to have one and update it every seven years.

Commissioners and Planning Board members suggested the firm investigate:

„ Developing plans or priorities to build workforce housing

„ Reviewing policies for coastal high-hazard flood areas and development impact

„ Inventorying old development agreements

„ Addressing growth and traffic on major roads like State Road 100 and Palm Coast Parkway

„ Studying the possibility of adding a third access point from the mainland to the barrier island

„ Improving transportation connectivity within the county.

Commission Chair Greg Hansen, among other commissioners and board members, emphasized the importance of protecting the county’s open spaces and ecosystems.

“We’re trying to create a historical preservation corridor,” Hansen said. “I don’t think we can do enough.”

The Comprehensive Plan update will take just over a year. Inspire began its work on July 16, Dougherty said, and will continue through November 2024, when the updated Comprehensive Plan is adopted. The project will occur in three phases. The first will involve data analysis and outreach.

Planning and Development Chairman Fernando Melendez said the firm and county need to push for members of the public to get involved.

“It’s important that we reflect their efforts and what they think we need to implement in our comprehensive plan,” Melendez said.

The firm will host three public workshops throughout the county, with the first scheduled for sometime in August, and the second in January.

It will also host two additional joint workshops with Flagler County commissioners and Planning and Development Board members.

Synopsis of Barefoot In The Park

Corie and Paul Bratter are a pair of newlyweds and their first home is an apartment in New York City. Corie is a light-hearted person who is very optimistic about their future. Paul, however, is more grounded and anxious about things like the state of the apartment, the hole in the skylight, the leaky closet and the lack of a bathtub.

Shortly after moving in, Corie tries to ‘set up’ her Mother with their eccentric neighbor Mr. Velasco. Over the course of four days, Paul and Corie learn to live together while dealing with the daily ‘ups and downs’ - during which time, Corie tries to get Paul to be more easy-going and run “barefoot in the park”

Thursday,

Friday, August

Saturday, August

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

“It’s important that we reflect their efforts and what they think we need to implement in our comprehensive plan.”

FERNANDO MELENDEZ, Planning and Development chairman

“Politically, they don’t have any risk. We have the risk.”

DONALD O’BRIEN, county commissioner

Volusia holds first Transportation Subcommittee meeting

JARLEENE ALMENAS

SENIOR EDITOR

Roads can be state, county or local, with jurisdictions switching every few miles or so.

But as Volusia grows and road use climbs, local officials want to have a say on potential road projects — whatever their jurisdiction — and hope that a newly formed subcommittee will help.

The Transportation Subcommittee, part of the Roundtable of Volusia County Elected Officials, met for the first time on Monday, July 17, at the Volusia County Road and Bridge Northeast Services Facility in Daytona Beach.

Chaired by Port Orange Mayor Don Burnette, the subcommittee aims to address safety and capacity needs for Volusia County’s roads and infrastructure.

Members will discuss ways to coordinate services and roadways more collaboratively, according to a news release.

“We can talk all day about projects,” Burnette said. “We can come up with projects. We can talk about existing projects. ... But the bottom line is, how do we get things done?”

In addition to Burnette, the committee includes Daytona Beach City Commissioner Stacy Cantu, Del -

LETTERS

School Board’s unexcused absence during Pride Month

Dear Editor:

The Volusia County School Board’s failure to recognize LGBTQIA+ Pride Month 2023 implies a lack of support for students and families in the public school system. It is essential that our public schools create an inclu-

tona Mayor Santiago Avila, DeLand Mayor Chris Cloudman, New Smyrna Beach Mayor Fred Cleveland, Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington and DeBary City Manager Carmen Rosamonda.

Partington and Rosamonda could not attend the first meeting, in which members heard a brief presentation about road capacity needs and projects and then drafted the group’s mission statement.

County Engineer Tadd Kasbeer gave the group an overview of the county’s road program and anticipated needs.

In the county’s Impact Fee Zone 1, which includes Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Holly Hill and Port Orange, Kasbeer highlighted four segments that need improvements:

„ Tymber Creek Road and Airport Road intersection

„ Tomoka Farms Road intersection at Bellevue Avenue and International Speedway Boulevard

„ Williamson Boulevard from Madeline Avenue to Town West Boulevard

„ Hand Avenue extension, to be explored in an alignment study.

Those priorities are based on capacity numbers, both current and anticipated, but the county understands that numbers don’t always tell the whole story, Kasbeer said.

“What we’re looking for, what

sive environment for all students who invest their time in education and personal growth within these institutions, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. Every student deserves equal treatment, recognition and support. Nevertheless, anti-studentinclusion extremists have imposed their own political, cultural and belief systems on the VCSB system by submitting numerous meritless book challenges. As a result, a vast majority of books that are censored are authored by LGBTQIA+ and

Volunteers helped put on the Bible camp, which was free for students.

ORMOND LEI-DEES 50+ GROUP DONATES TO FOOD DRIVE

The Ormond Beach Lei-dies for 50+ participated in a food drive for Halifax Urban Ministries as the social group’s community project on July 7.

Members brought in cans and boxes of nonperishable goods; a donation of $70 was also provided to Halifax Urban Ministries.

HUM provides emergency assistance to prevent homelessness among low-income families and helps reestablish permanent hous-

TOMOKA UNITED METHODIST HOLDS BIBLE CAMP

Tomoka United Methodist Church held a one-day Bible camp for rising kindergarteners through fifth grade students on Saturday, July 15.

Themed “Gone Fishing,” the camp also featured a special demonstration by Ormond Beach firefighters.

we’d love, is feedback ... on certain road segments that are county road segments that you’d like to see improved,” Kasbeer said.

County Manager George Recktenwald said the county is seeking road solutions that differ from previous ones, though some projects will require a regional approach, with help from the River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization.

“We need to be right along with what developments are going on, because they’re coming along and they’re going to put those trips on there a lot faster than we’re going to be able to expand that road,” Recktenwald said.

People want to see road improvements happen in conjunction with development, he said.

The county receives proportionate fair share funding from new development, but Recktenwald said that money often comes in increments too small to cover road project costs. The exception, he said, has been in Daytona Beach.

“It’s taken almost explosive growth to do that over in Daytona,” he said. “In all the other places, it’s just a little piece here, a little piece there, and then hopefully we can tie enough of them together and throw in some ... impact fees or gas taxes or a grant from the DOT or something

people of color. Extremists have previously influenced VCSB decisions on LGBTQIA+ inclusion. In March 2021, they asked the School Board not to approve a resolution for LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week on March 23-26. The motion died without a second; the majority of the School Board failed to acknowledge that LGBTQIA+ are placed at higher risk of harm because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society. This event signaled the ongoing tendency of LGBTQIA+

ing for those that have become homeless.

It has two food pantry locations in Ormond Beach and provides more than 500 tons of food each year to help families living below the poverty line. To learn more, visit halifaxurbanministries.org.

MEET OMAM’S FEATURED ART NIGHT FAMILY FOR JULY

Harry and Sandra Gersh — along with their daughter, Sarah Nellans, and granddaughter, Soshi Nellans — are Ormond Memorial Art Museum’s featured family from the museum’s July 7 Free Family Art Night event.

Harry Gersh has been a Volusia County resident since 1976, when he opened the Daytona Magic Shop at 136 S. Beach St.

His granddaughter Soshi, who is 3, is “already becoming a magician.” according to a statement to the Observer by OMAM.

For Family Art Night, the family made miniature books depicting a fun summer experience.

“The family came to the Ormond Free Family Art Night to get Soshi more involved in art and to be a part

to fill in that gap and do the project.”

Burnette said the committee should discuss funding opportunities for road infrastructure.

He noted that Volusia considered implementing a half-cent sales tax to fund infrastructure and water quality projects in 2019, but 55% of voters rejected it in a special election. Burnette said he was hesitant to consider a sales tax as a future funding source, given that history.

“If that’s where everybody wants to go and we want to float it, then that’s fine and great,” he said. “But I want to make sure that we do this right and that we have citizen committee involvement.”

The committee will meet again on Aug. 28.

ORMOND BEACH Observer

“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.”

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Publisher John Walsh, jwalsh@observerlocalnews.com

Managing Editor Jonathan Simmons, jonathan@observerlocalnews.com

Senior Editor Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@observerlocalnews.com

Associate Editor Brent Woronoff, brent@observerlocalnews.com

Staff Writer Sierra Williams, sierra@observerlocalnews.com

Design Editor Hailey McMillan, hailey@observerlocalnews.com

Director of Engagement Kaitlyn Stier, kstier@observerlocalnews.com

Senior Media Specialist Susan Moore, susan@observerlocalnews.com

Advertising Coordinator Jessica Boone, jessica@observerlocalnews.com

Operations Manager Bonnie Hamilton, bonnie@observerlocalnews.com

Circulation Coordinator, Draven Owens, dowens@observerlocalnews.com

SUBSCRIBE

The Palm Coast & Ormond Beach

Observers are published every Thursday. To subscribe for driveway delivery, visit www.observerlocalnews.com/subscribe, call 386-447-9723, or email subscribe@ observerlocalnews.com.

TO ADVERTISE Call the office at 386-447-9723.

individuals to be absent from public recognition. VCSB should openly support LGBTQIA+ diversity throughout the year to make all students feel safe and valued beyond the School Board’s website. Acknowledge them. Recognize their Pride Month.

SHEILA ZINKERMAN Ormond Beach

Editor’s note: Sheila Zinkerman is the co-founder of Citizens for Truth and Justice in Education.

of Ormond Memorial Art Museum,” the museum’s statement continues.

The museum’s Family Art Night takes place from 5:30-7 p.m. on most first Fridays of the month. All art supplies are provided, and the program is sponsored in part by the Women United Volusia Chapter.

The next program is scheduled for Aug. 4.

Locally Owned / Publishers of The Palm Coast Observer Palm Coast Observer, LLC P.O. Box 353850 Palm Coast, 32135

ADVENTHEALTH, NASCAR TEAM UP TO HONOR CANCER HEROES

The names of cancer heroes will ride with drivers in all three of NASCAR’s national series during September in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation and The NASCAR Foundation Honor a Cancer Hero online auction, presented by AdventHealth, is returning for a fourth year.

Fans can bid to have their cancer hero’s name placed on the signature panel of their favorite driver’s race vehicle, according to a press release.

Bidding is live at NASCARfoundation.org/cancerhero. The auction runs through July 24, with heroes honored during the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races at Kansas Speedway.

“It’s been incredibly humbling to see the teams, drivers and fans get behind this program to make it a success every year,” said NASCAR champion Martin Truex Jr. “ We’re looking forward to seeing how much we can raise this year and seeing all the names of the cancer heroes riding along with the drivers.”

Proceeds from the online auction will benefit MTJF and The NASCAR Foundation.

Since 2020, the auction has raised more than $300,000.

For more information, including a complete list of participating drivers, visit NASCARfoundation.org/cancerhero.

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

The transportation subcommittee met for the first time on Monday, July 17.

Courtesy photo

The Gershes and their daughter Sarah Nellans came to the free event to get 3-year-old Soshi more involved in art.

Courtesy photo

Tomoka United Methodist Church campers participate in an activity.

Courtesy photo Sieglinde Simon and Tish Gressang, of the Ormond Beach Lei-dees for 50+ Group.

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Shop and adopt

Halifax Humane Society holds Puppy Preview at the Volusia Mall.

MICHELE MEYERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Six puppies were adopted in two hours during the Halifax Humane Society’s Puppy Preview on Friday, July 14.

The HHS leadership team hosted the event as a soft opening for their new Dog Adoption Center in the Volusia Mall. The official grand followed the next day.

HHS Chief Outreach and Development Officer Vershurn Ford, along with the leadership team, maintenance staff, animal care staff, volunteers and community service participants were “all hands on deck” after the entity partnered with the Volusia Mall to open the dog adoption center.

Halifax Humane Society CEO Adam Leath signed the contract in June, and the team completed the buildout in approximately two-anda-half weeks.

“This was the brainchild of necessity,” Ford said. “As a leadership team, we had to be strategic about

“Some people go into the shelter and it’s a little sad for them. This is a whole new 21st century, ‘Hey, come see what we have.’ People know who we are, so it’s a way for them to see what we do aside from the shelter. If you’re not going to come to us, we are going to come to you. Anything that we can do to get these dogs into the homes they deserve.”

BECKY HAZE, assistant director of operations, Halifax Humane Society

the future sustainability of the shelter and what that looks like. We were looking at other spaces to be able to provide adoptions. We thought about malls and the odds of something like this happening.”

Becky Haze, assistant director of operations, has been with HHS for six weeks. She is excited about the change of pace the new center offers the dogs and the people who are considering adoption. The bright, airy environment, located in a venue where people go to shop, eat and hang out, offers a level of comfort people may not experience at the shelter.

“Some people go into the shelter, and it’s a little sad for them,” she said. “This is a whole new 21st century ‘Hey, come see what we have.’ People know who we are, so it’s a way for them to see what we do aside from the shelter. If you’re not going to come to us, we are going to come to you. Anything that we can do to get these dogs into the homes they deserve.”

Fourteen-year-old Jarielys, 12-year-old Judielys and 9-year-old Ariel Pagan were walking around the mall when they saw puppies playing in an enclosure just inside the brightly lit storefront. Ford invited them in, and a brindle puppy named Bruno greeted them.

“He is my favorite,” Ariel said. “He kept going around us.”

The DeLand residents were not planning on adopting, but after Bruno “chose” them, parents Ariel Pagan and Myrna Vazquez paid the special event adoption fee of $25, signed the paperwork, snapped some photos and took Bruno home.

HHS Development Manager Michelle Hebb is in charge of “going out and finding money.” She said the reduction in the adoption fee was made possible by a grant from the Bissell Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters program, which makes adoption affordable by reimbursing shelters that lower adoption fees.

Funding has always been a challenge for the nonprofit.

Ford said pet and animal overpopulation in Volusia County requires a creative approach. With the community’s help, HHS should be able to address concerns regarding the welfare of animals in its charge, he said.

“We are a group of people who have complete passion for animals,” he said. “We want to make sure we can successfully take care of them.”

Haze attributes Leath’s experience advocating for animals — he was the previous Volusia County Animal Services director and served on the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Field Investigations and Response team — with his ability to lead the team.

“With him at the top of Halifax Humane Society, good things are coming and they are going to be coming fast,” she said. “I’m very excited for the future. I’m happy to be part of the journey and part of the team.”

Photos by Michele Meyers

Mickey (left) and Charlie greet everyone who walks by.

Ronnie Harris poses with his new puppy, Sultan.

Ariel Pagan pets his new puppy Bruno’s nose before taking him home.

Halifax Humane Society staff Victoria Kerry holds an adopted puppy.

Shelby and her dad, Halifax Humane Society CEO Adam Leath, hang out with one of the puppies during the Puppy Preview event.

Halifax Humane Society Chief Outreach and Development Officer Vershurn Ford and Development Manager Michelle Hebb chat as they walk.

Registration for the Pink on Parade 5k is open! Sign up at pinkonparade.com. Funds raised stay in Flagler County to support residents with early detection screenings, treatment, research, & education.

LOCAL EVENTS

THURSDAY, JULY 20

ORMOND BEACH AREA DEMOCRATIC CLUB MEETING

When:

Where: Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: Ormond Beach Area

Democratic Club for its monthly meeting. The meeting will focus on promoting awareness of lo cal, state and national issues and responsive ways to put American democratic values into action. There will also be an emphasis on preparing to vote under new election laws. Social visiting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Likeminded nonmembers are welcome to attend as guests. Visit ormondbeachdems.org.

FRIDAY, JULY 21

SUMMER SOUNDS

When: 6-8 p.m.

Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach Details: See The Hindenburgs band perform rock ‘n’ roll hits from the ’50s through the ’90s. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and celebrate summertime with the city of Ormond Beach’s Department of Leisure Services. Free.

SATURDAY, JULY 22

TOUR DE PALM COAST

When: 8-10 a.m.

Where: Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast Details: Grab your bike and take part in the Tour de Palm Coast. The tour will begin and end at the Palm Coast Community Center, and participants will ride through Linear and Waterfront Parks. The ride will be done at a leisurely pace, with stops for water and exploration. Pre-registration and helmets are required. The city encourages riders to bring water. Light refreshments will be served after the ride. Visit parksandrec.fun.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach’s downtown district, Granada Boulevard between A1A and Orchard Street

Details: Ormond MainStreet will host the sixth annual Christmas in July shopping and dining event. Celebrate locally owned businesses in the downtown. Check Ormond MainStreet’s Facebook page for

Santa’s schedule and the scavenger hunt locations for this year’s event.

ORMOND YACHT CLUB

OPEN HOUSE

When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Ormond Yacht Club, 63 N. Beach St., Ormond Beach Details: Enter the historic 1910 Ormond Yacht Club during this free open house. Guests will be asked to sign a liability waiver and wear closed-toed shoes due to the nonconforming construction of the building, which is being restored. The open house will take place during Ormond MainStreet’s Christmas in July event.

For more information, contact Event Chairman Bill Partington at 386-5663004.

SUNDAY, JULY 23

CHESS CLUB

When: 10-11 a.m.

Where:

Chabad of Palm Coast, 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite A208, Palm Coast

Details: Chabad of Palm Coast is hosting a chess club for children, to be taught by Yuriy Geller. Free. Snacks will be provided. Email info@ chabadpalmcoast.com to sign up your children.

DUO ART EXHIBITION

OPENING RECEPTION 1-3:30 p.m. Expressions Art Gallery on Colbert, 2298 Colbert Lane, Palm Coast Artists Grace Senior Morandi and Christine Broussard’s works make up the Duo Art Exhibition, inspired by “finding treasures, learning about different cultures, and capturing special moments through art.” The exhibition will run through Sept. 2.

TUESDAY, JULY 25

VOLUSIA-FLAGLER SIERRA

Hidden Treasure Rose Bay Grill, 5993 S. Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange

Details: The Volusia-Flagler Sierra Club will host a social get-together for food, drink and conversation.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26

HAPPY WANDERERS ORMOND BEACH FUN

WALK

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Granada Plaza, 161 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach Details: Join the Happy Wanderers for a 5K fun walk. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. Walk with the group or at your own pace. Maps can be provided. Visit happywanderersfl.org or call 386-214-3890 or 386-256-2160.

ONGOING EXERCISES FOR THE MATURING BODY

When: 10:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays

Where: First Baptist Church of Palm Coast, 6050 Palm Coast Parkway, Palm Coast

Details: Attend upbeat classes presented by Synergy Senior Fitness and taught by Senior Fitness Specialist Artie Gardella. Classes are ongoing. Insurances that cover fitness accepted, or a donation for those with no coverage. Visit Synergyseniorfitness.com.

MOAS EXHIBITIONS

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

Where: Museum of Arts and Sciences, 352 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach Want to spend a day looking at fine art? The Museum of Arts and Sciences has the following shows on display: “Unfolding the Universe: The James Webb Space Telescope” and “Caribbean Indigenous Resistance.”

For more information or to register, visit parksandrec.fun Check

PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS; PROVIDING FOR CONDITIONS; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO RECORD THE ORIDNANCE WITH THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, WITH THE CHIEF ADMINSTRATIVE OFFICE OF FLAGLER COUNTY AND WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE; PROVIDING FOR LEGAL DESCRIPTION AND A MAP; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR NON-CODIFICATION AND THE TAKING OF ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE as may be legally permitted on the day of the meeting. Instructions on how to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www. bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for up-todate information on any changes to the manner in which the meeting will be held and the location. The failure of a person to

appeal any decision made by the City Commission on this matter a recording of the proceeding may be needed and for such purposes the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. (Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes)

MORE OR LESS OF REAL PROPERTY, GENERALLY LOCATED NORTH OF INTERSECTION COUNTY ROAD 304 AND STATE HIGHWAY 11, MORE PARTICULARLY AND LEGALLY DESCRIBED ON EXHIBIT A, ATTACHED HERETO AND FULLY INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE; PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT OF CITY BOUNDARIES TO CONTRACT THE SUBJECT PROPERTIES FROM THE CITY BOUNDARIES; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF PRIOR INCONSISTENT ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE as may be legally permitted on the day of the meeting. Instructions on how to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www. bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for up-todate information on any changes to the manner in which the meeting will be held and the location. The failure of a person to appear during said hearing and comment on or object to the proposed Ordinance, either in person or in writing, might preclude the ability of such person to contest the Ordinance at a later date. A copy of all pertinent information this ordinance can be obtained at the office of the Bunnell Customer Service Office, 604 E. Moody Blvd. Unit 6, Bunnell, FL 32110. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to attend this proceeding should contact the Bunnell City Clerk at (386) 437-7500 x 5 at least 48-business hours prior to the meeting.

NOTICE: If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission on this matter a recording of the proceeding may be needed and for such purposes the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. (Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes)

Sweet crafts: OMAM hosts ice cream themed children’s art

The workshop featured an appearance by MicheLee Puppets.

EMMA BRUGNA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Children ages 4-12 created their own ice cream puppets in a youth workshop at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens on Wednesday, July 5.

The museum’s “School’s Out for Art” workshop celebrated National Ice Cream Month.

The children made their puppet friends by wrapping their colored yarn of choice around a Styrofoam

sphere to resemble a scoop of ice cream.

Then, they formed the cone by drawing brown diagonal lines from both directions on a piece of paper and rolling it into a cone shape.

At the end of the event, each child received a complimentary sock puppet from MicheLee Puppets as a reward for their sweet art skills.

Special guests Denise Lucich, from MicheLee Puppets, along with puppets “Ms. Raz-berry” and “Max Mint,” greeted the students.

Lucich said MicheLee Puppets works to “empower kids with the art of puppetry.”

Diamond Johnson, curator of youth and outreach programs, organized and led the activity.

Kameron Sigala and her mom work together to finish their ice cream cone puppet.

Alaisa Spearman crafts the cone for her puppet.

Samantha Gonzalez chooses pink yarn to craft her ice cream-inspired puppet.

Denise Lucich helps Alexis Aldana add the final touches.

Cora Suarez shows off her new ice cream friend, Penny Pistachio.

Mary Frances Philpot poses with her art.

Photos by Emma Brugna

Student earns associate degree at 16

Aziza Kadirbek graduated from high school at 14. Two years later, she’s already working on her bachelor’s.

ABBIE PACE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Ormond Beach resident Aziza

Kadirbek graduated from Flagler Palm Coast High School at 14 and earned her associate degree at 16, taking just over a year to complete the degree.

She is now pursuing a bachelor’s in health sciences at the University of Central Florida. Kadirbek is interested in anesthesiology and hopes to one day attend medical school.

“I think all of us kind of look up to my mom and my dad,” Kadirbek said. “My dad was a neurosurgeon in Uzbekistan, and comes from a family

of neurosurgeons.”

Her mother, Nargiza Ayupova, said she has always emphasized the importance of education to her children.

“Success is not about talent or intelligence, it is also about persistence and sheer determination,” Ayupova said.

Kadirbek took part in dual enrollment, a program that allows students to attend college while still in high school.

She enrolled at FPC’s Allied Health CTE program and took classes with Viki White, a teacher who Kardibek said ignited her interest in the medical field.

“I think that she (Kadirbek) is aware that she has not had the ‘normal’ school experience, yet she remains humble,” White said. “Aziza is unique in that she has an ability to make everyone feel valuable and included.”

White said she hopes Kadirbek “stays curious.”

Kadirbek excelled on the Postsecondary Education Readiness Test, known as PERT, achieving high scores in math, reading and writing.

So, with the support of Daytona State College adviser Mark Nabors, she embarked on a rigorous academic path, taking four to five college classes each semester, including summers.

She completed her associate degree in just over a year.

“It was noticeable that she was highly intelligent and goal-oriented,” Nabors said.

Most students take two to three classes per semester, but Ayupova encouraged her daughter to take on a heavier course load.

“I want to be just like my mother,” Kadirbek said. “She’s the only one that’s pushing me. If it wasn’t for her, I would not be doing this at all.” Kadirbek’s achievements have

also motivated her friends, cousins and three younger siblings to pursue their own educational goals.

Her brother Imronbek Kadirbek,

12 and an eighth grader at Imagine School at Town Center, has already taken the PERT to take classes at DSC.

“LPX’N APWZUN NRON AWUULPD ET XUBUW TPDUNREXZ NRON VOX FU NOGUX APW ZWOXNUL.”

OXZUIO DUWGUI

“XRZVN GUYR ZC U GUIIRD FW XZDIK. XRZVN U GUV ZC U GUIIRD FW UNR. XPI

XRZVN U NRVIYRGUV ZC U GUIIRD FW BKFZBR.” OZV SZRCRY

“E’L FTS D GEZ CDF TC SDPUEFZ DGTXS AJEFZ. DFA SMKF E LDUK D LTOEK RMKHK E UEPP KOKHJGTAJ.”

© 2023 NEA, Inc.

Puzzle One Clue: V equals C Puzzle Two Clue: N equals G Puzzle

AEHKBSTH DGKP CKHHDHD

Aziza Kadirbek

SILENCE IS GOLDEN by Michael Berg, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

Tide together

Campers make friendships and memories at new Surf and Springs camp.

MICHELE MEYERS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Odyssey Adventure Club’s Surf and Springs campers never know which beach they’ll be surfing.

Owner Steve Waterman has camp counselor Scott Cooke check marine conditions every day to find the best spots.

“I like to follow the tides and swells, which is how we plan this (the camp),” Cooke said. “We base things off of where it’s going to break good based on the tide change.”

Cooke has been a camp counselor for OAC for 10 years, since his

Trails Middle School dean and Flagler Beach resident started surfing when he was 12.

He returns to the camp every year to share the activities he grew up with and watch the campers have as much fun as he did.

“Developing something that we can do as we grow in life is important,” he said. “(I’m) 41 years old and still getting to surf, enjoy the ocean and all the beauty that’s around us in this area. We are doing something that is leaving a lasting impression on the kids. Steve’s amazing at setting that foundation. That’s why the kids keep coming back. They know that we love it as much as they do.”

The Surf and Springs camp is new this year. Traditionally, Odyssey Adventure Club’s camp has been a five-day surf camp in the sun. Waterman decided to break the beach days up with two days dedicated to trips to the springs.

“Five days in the sun is a lot,” he said. “ I decided alternating with two days at the springs would give everyone a break. This is the first year that all of us feel exhausted by the end of the week. The heat has been so intense every single day. Everybody feels it.”

Waterman was camp counselors Nicole Sanclemente and Jan Michael Scott’s fourth and fifth grade teacher at Horizon Elementary in Port Orange.

Sanclemente reconnected with him six years ago after she taught for a couple years at Spruce Creek High School. She now teaches physical education at Cypress Creek Elementary and coaches cross country and softball for SCHS.

Scott has been teaching at Old Kings Elementary for 13 years.

“We’re out, we’re kayaking,

we’re snorkeling and when it’s not surf camp, we’re rock climbing, disk golfing, ice skating,” Scott said. “We get to work with kids like we do throughout the school year but it’s a little different environment. It’s exciting. It’s fun for us.”

Waterman incorporates STEM — scientific, technology, engineering and math — into just about every facet of his life, but believes the subject of climate change is a little heavy for the weeklong summer adventure camps.

He delves into the subject in detail at his independent school Modern Minds Learning in Ormond Beach, where one of his six-week units covers climate change and its effects. His school also offers STEM academies for junior and master engineers in the summer.

Waterman and his counselors begin the adventure camps with a safety talk for campers at Fortunato Park, stressing the importance of hydration and sunscreen. Campers respect the necessary water and sunscreen breaks but love the watermelon rind throwing contest the best.

“Sometimes he (Waterman) finds a bucket, then we all eat our watermelon, then we throw it in,” camper Grace Gildon said. “If you make it in, you can either get another piece of watermelon or like candy or a doughnut hole. It’s really cool.”

Odyssey camper Luke Gildon rides out.

Camp buddies Grace Gildon and Anna Viscomi hug after Grace’s treatment for a jellyfish sting.

Emme Jordan (right) cruises the sand on a boogie board as Preston “P Doggy” Klein (left) crawls up to retrieve his board.

Finlee Welch chills on her board.

Odyssey camp brothers Kyle and Connor Chang hang out with their cousin Levi Jones during lunch.

Odyssey campers Piper Hulin with sisters Ava and Emme Jordan

Owen Ralston and Isaac Wittnebert slap hands.

Camp counselor Jan Michael Scott, Odyssey Adventure Club owner Steve Waterman, camp counselor Nicole Sanclemente and camp counselor Scott Crooke

Shore explorer Logan Parker shows off his find.

Photos by Michele Meyers

REAL ESTATE

PALM COAST

House in Island Estates tops sales list in Flagler

County

Ahouse in Island Estates was the top real estate transaction for June 1-7 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. Dennis and Patsy Browning, of Palm Coast, sold 113 Island Estates Parkway to Celia Michelle Panovich and Donald Panovich, of Palm Coast, for $1,650,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 4/3.5 and has a fireplace, outdoor kitchen, pool, boat house, boat dock, hot tub and 4,333 square feet of space. It sold in 2016 for $1.1 million.

ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Condos Gloria Danaher, as trustee, sold 26 Oxford Lane to Michael Lund, of Palm Coast, for $215,000. Built in 1984, the condo is a 2/2 with 1,098 square feet. It sold in 2013 for $72,000.

Lynette Souza, of Palm Coast, sold 102 Club House Drive, Unit 208, to James and Lora Ramsey, of Unit Belmont, North Carolina, for $600,000. Built in 2005, the condo is a 3/3 and has 2,414 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $415,000.

Cinnamon Sands, LLC, of Windermere, sold 900 Cinnamon Beach Way, Unit 852, to Margaret Glenn, LLC, of Lake Mary, for $750,000. Built in 2003, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,682 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $474,300.

BUNNELL

Unicorporated

Marius De Bruin, of Naperville, Illinois, sold 22421 Otis Stone Hunter Road to Dustin and Monica Derickson, of Bunnell, for $1,085,000. Built in 1990, the house is a 5/3 and features a pool, an in-law suite, a barn, a car port

and 3,000 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $421,000.

FLAGLER BEACH

Oakview AcresLinda Caryn Celli, of Carnegie, Pennsylvania, sold 3304 John Anderson Highway to Rolf and Lori Pickering, as trustees, of Evergreen, Colorado, for $440,000. Built in 1979, the house is a 2/2 and has a fireplace, a pool and 1,448 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $322,000.

PALM COAST

Cypress Knoll INB Fund 1 LLC, of Orlando, sold 40 Egan Drive to Jonathan Pham, of Palm Coast, for $349,900. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,650 square feet.

Grand Haven Beatrice Joan Zicht, of Palm Coast, sold 3 Village View Way to Harry and Barbara Vinci, as trustees, for $455,000. Built in 2002, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,108 square feet. It sold in 2002 for $263,800.

Indian Trails Scott Tuomey, of St. Augustine, sold 18 Brookside Lane to Michael Haines, of Palm Coast, for $328,000. Built in 1988, the house

is a 3/2 and has 1,580 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $320,000.

Sophon Kes and NY Kes, of Palm Coast, sold 7 Buffalo Meadow Lane to Elizabeth and Robert Crowe, of Palm Coast, for $415,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 4/3.5 and has 3,016 square feet. It sold in 2004 for $150,900.

Lakeside at Matanzas Shores

Patricia Shaw, Robin Dallanegra, Lori Steigerwald and William Dietz, of Acworth, Georgia, sold 45 San Carols Drive to Philip Perna and Michelle Powers Perna, of Palm Coast, for $515,000. Built in 2007, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,748 square feet.

Matanzas Woods

Lucy Perez, of Palm Coast, sold 14 Lemay Place to George Fraser and Gail Buccafurri, of Palm Coast, for $545,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 4/4 and has a pool, a hot tub and 2,731 square feet.

Not in a subdivision

Roger Musson and Gloria Jean Musson, of Kingsport, Tennessee, sold 5 Commander Court to Dana Dwight Richards and Lillian Kaye Langs, of Palm Coast, for $500,000. Built in 1991, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a boat dock and 1,843 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $243,500.

Palm Harbor

Sean and Cynthia Osowski, of Villa Rica, Georgia, sold 14 Crossleaf Court East to Jeffrey Allen Leopardi and Karen Eileen Leopardi, of Palm Coast, for $840,000. Built in 2010, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool, a hot tub, a boat dock and 2,570 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $530,000.

Robert and Janet Koester, of Brunswich, Ohio, sold 86 Forsythe Lane to Francis Cutruzzola, and Lisa Darlene Cutruzzola, of Palm Coast, for $499,000. Built in 2002, the house is a 3/3 and has a pool and 1,963 square feet. It sold in 2013 for $227,500.

Steven Michael Merritt and Joy Clark, of Palm Coast, sold 13 Cool Water Court to Brendan and Angela Bonner, of Palm Coast, for

BIZ BUZZ

FOUR AGENTS JOIN REALTY EXECUTIVES OCEANSIDE

$752,500. Built in 1985, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a hot tub, a boat dock and 2,483 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $644,000.

Pine Grove Florida Sun Partners LLC, of Orlando, sold 25 Pinetree Drive to Wesam Said, of Palm Coast, for $435,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,306 square feet.

Pine Lakes Elisa Rivetti and Patricia Holterhoff, as trustees, sold 71 Wentworth Lane to Dale Groves and Jo Ann Groves, of Kent, Ohio, for $395,000. Built in 1993, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a pool and 2,575 square feet.

William Spratt, of Weeki Wachee, sold 12 Woodfair Lane to Sheldon Somsky and Rosa Duffy, of Palm Coast, for $499,000. Built in 1996, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a hot tub and 1,959 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $204,000.

Seminole Woods Israel and Yarinette Dominguez, of Richard Hill, Georgia, sold 6 Sea Ship Place to Christopher Strozier, of Palm Coast, for $376,900. Built in 2006, the house is a 3/3 and has 2,427 square feet. It sold in 2007 for $190,000.

Willow Woods Frances Bennett, as trustee, sold 17 Debra Lane to The Duly Appointed Trustees of The Gary and Carol Williams Trust, of St. Augustine, for $1,350,000. Built in 2013, the house is a 4/2 and has a boat dock, a boat lift, a fireplace and 2,203 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $675,000.

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

Four new agents are joining Realty Executives Oceanside: Angie Thomas, Angela Cerniglia, Iwona Baj and Julie Aguiar.

“We are honored to have Angie Thomas, Angela Cerniglia, Iwona Baj and Julie Aguiar join the talented individuals on our Realty Executives Team,” Broker/Owner Bruce Vinnick said, according to a press release. “They will be an excellent addition to our energetic, professional office culture.”

Realty Executives Oceanside has offices in Palm Coast, Ormond Beach and Jacksonville. For more information, go to RealtyExecutives.com.

CENTURY 21 SUNDANCE PARTNERS WITH SPRUCE CREEK

Century 21 Sundance Realty, with offices in Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach, is joining with Country Club Properties of Spruce Creek in Port Orange to expand the firm’s service area and market share in Volusia and Flagler counties.

Spruce Creek is a luxury community built around a private airport that allows residents to fly in and out of their backyard, according to a press release.

Before its affiliation with CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty, Country Club Properties of Spruce Creek had 12 dedicated real estate professionals. Country Club Properties of Spruce Creek owner Anne Busse-Gandt has assumed the role of broker-associate and will focus on her real estate sales profession.

“Anne has built her real estate business around the Spruce Creek community so to have her deep expertise in serving this niche community is an incredible asset to our combined company,” said CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty broker/owner Nancy Dance, according to the press release. “... This new business relationship will provide tremendous professional development resources and opportunities for our newly affiliated agents.”

Well maintained ICI-built home that exudes luxury and comfort. 3BR, 2BA, and a 2-CG. Spacious formal living room and dining room. Private master suite with private master bath. The large screened-in lanai has a summer kitchen, inground salt water pool, and heated spa make outdoor living a breeze. MLS#1108937 $589,000 Call Buzzy Porter 386-405-1000.

Beautiful 3 bed 2.5 bath family home. Located on a large corner lot w/ gorgeous golf course views!! New windows in 2023, laminate flooring in 2021, and a new screen porch in 2021. The bright open kitchen has plenty of cabinets and counter space. $425,000 Call Bill Navarra 386-334-9991.

Extraordinary Hanger Home 4BR, 4BA, 2-CG at Spruce Creek Fly In. Beautiful kitchen with high-quality cabinetry and granite countertops. Large owner’s suite with luxurious bathroom and opens to the lanai. Stunning outdoor oasis with a lap pool, spa, waterfalls, fire bowls and gourmet outdoor kitchen. MLS#1109380 $1,975,000 Call Buzzy Porter 386-405-1000.

$635,000

Automated hurricane shutters. MLS#1104068

Call Buzzy Porter at 386-405-1000.

Welcome to your dream home on the most sought-after street in Ormond Beach! This riverfront house offers an unparalleled living experience with breathtaking views of the river from every room. 3 bed 3.2 bath. new dock, boathouse and lift. Call Bill Navarra 386-334-9991.

REAL ESTATE

House in Plantation Bay tops sales list in

Ormond Beach

Ahouse in Plantation Bay was the top real estate transaction for June 4-10 in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea. Margery Henkel-Zimmerman, of Ormond Beach, sold 1229 Castlehawk Lane to Michael Facchini, of West Milford, New Jersey, for $1.1 million. Built in 2016, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool, a hot tub, an outdoor kitchen and 3,024 square feet of space. It sold in 2017 for $599,900.

ALEXIS MILLER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Condos

Jaqueline Gordon, of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, sold 2700 Ocean Shore Blvd. Unit 507, to James and Darlene Sinaly, of Ormond Beach, for $375,000. Built in 1986, the condo is a 3/2 and has 1,415 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $293,000.

Platinum Process Home Buyers, LLC, of Rowlett, Texas, sold 640 N. Nova Road, Unit 307, to Sharon Czarny, of Ormond Beach, for

$171,900. Built in 1976, the condo is a 2/2 and has 935 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $65,000.

Adam Saperston, Lisa Bond and Eric Saperston, of Boise, Idaho, sold 2750 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 8, to Hakima Haraji, of Port Orange, for $270,000. Built in 1973, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,184 square feet. It sold in 2002 for $117,000.

ORMOND BEACH

Ann Rustin Estates Alexander Strautmann and Eden

Neumann, of Ormond Beach, sold 210 Ann Rustin Drive to Nathan and April Munson, of Ormond Beach, for $749,000. Built in 1968, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool and 2,416 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $370,000.

Assessors Ormond Beach

Robert and Karen Brownrigg, of Longwood, sold 111 Royal Palm Ave. to Troy Allen Vanest, of Ormond Beach, for $425,000. Built in 1961, the house is a 3/3 and has a fireplace and 2,199 square feet. It sold in 1977 for $55,000.

David Point

Irina Grosz and Olga Gorbarenko, of Daytona Beach, sold 46 S. Arbor Drive to Nichole Osinski and Alexander Slemp, of Ormond Beach, for $390,000. Built in 1957, the house is a 2/1.5 and has 973 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $110,000.

Halifax Plantation

Maxine Radke, of Ormond Beach, sold 4090 Campa Lane to Brian and Debra Taylor, of Ormond Beach, for $456,000. Built in 1994, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 2,049 square feet. It sold in 1994 for $144,800.

Hickory Village

Eirini Pappas and Derrick Ken Ferguson, of Daytona Beach, sold 12 Trina Street to Paul Phillips and Mary Kathryn Phillips, of Ormond Beach, for $335,000. Built in 1986, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,525

square feet. It sold in 2017 for $27,500.

Hunters Ridge Robert Sheldon, of Eastham, Massachusetts, Ronald Sheldon, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, and David Sheldon, of Elberon, Virgina, sold 28 Laurel Ridge Break to Anthony and Any Louise Anthony, of Ormond Beach, for $380,000. Built in 1999, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 2,015 square feet.

McNary David Goosman, of Ormond Beach, sold 167 N. Ridgewood Ave. to Trenton Butler, of Ormond Beach, for $508,000. Built in 1985, the house is a 4/2 and has a fireplace and 2,489 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $130,000.

Oak Forest Cecelia Kay Degnan, of Daytona Beach, sold 1207 N. Beach Street to Daniel and Cheryl Hansen, of Edwards, Colorado, for $495,900. Built in 1979, the house is a 4/3 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,154 square feet. It sold in 2013 for $215,000.

Oak Park Tomie and Reba Johnson, of Ormond Beach, sold 413 Division Ave. to Daniel Bugyi, of Ormond Beach, for $250,000. Built in 1972, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,138 square feet. It sold in 2009 for $107,400.

Michael and Vicki Williams, of Marianna, sold 19 Maria St. to First American Finance Corporation, of Miami, for $275,000. Built in 1957, the house is a 2/1 and has 887 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $168,500.

Ormond Lakes Jamie Beth Maragas, of Ormond Beach, sold 17 Lochwind Lane to Lewis Darr and Stephanie Coleman, as trustees, for $535,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,949 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $345,900.

Plantation Bay

Patricia Stewart, of Newtown, Pennsylvania, sold 1096 Hampstead Lane to Steven and Stacy Ayers, of

Ormond Beach, for $972,000. Built in 2003, the house is a 3/3 and has a pool, a hot tub, a fireplace and 3,505 square feet. It sold in 2004 for $581,500.

Rosemont

JMFAB Enterprises LLC, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, sold 152 Ponce De Leon Drive to Limans 024 LLC, of Miramar, for $335,000. Built in 1956, the house is a 4/3 and has 1,492 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $130,000.

Tomoka Oaks

Arden Riggs and Marcia Buss Riggs, of Palm Coast, sold 84 S. St. Andrews Drive to Michael Stragapede and Mary Ellen Jarrell, of Ormond Beach, for $457,000. Built in 1975, the house is a 4/2.5 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,127 square feet. It sold in 2011 for $203,000.

The Trails Jonathan and Karen Booraem, of Daytona Beach, sold 6 Tomahawk Trail to Timothy Salemo, of Ormond Beach, for $305,500. Built in 1979, the house is a 2/2 and has a fireplace and 1,575 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $187,500.

Woodmere John and Emily Coppa, of Ormond Beach, sold 911 Woodmere Circle to Christopher Allen James and Maria Corazon Macarang James, of Ormond Beach, for $424,900. Built in 1963, the house is a 4/2 and has a pool and 1,930 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $175,000.

ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA

Robert Roy Mohr, as trustee, sold 46 Silk Oaks Drive to Gino and Denise Di Re, of Ormond Beach, for $438,500. Built in 1972, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,605 square feet. It sold in 1981 for $84,500.

John Adams, of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors, contributed to this report

FIRST INSERTION Flagler County Schools Food and Nutrition Services FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Café EDU, the Flagler County Schools Food and Nutrition Service, today announced an amendment to its policy for serving meals to students under the National School Lunch / School Breakfast Programs for the 2023-2024 school year. All students will be served lunch and breakfast at no charge at the following schools:

Belle Terre Elementary Rymfire Elementary Indian Trails Middle Bunnell Elementary Wadsworth Elementary Flagler-Palm Coast High Old Kings Elementary Buddy Taylor Middle Matanzas High

For additional information please contact: Attention Café EDU Flagler County Schools Food and Nutrition Services, Angela Bush, Director, Food and Nutrition Services, 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Bunnell, FL 32110, (386)437-7526 EXT 1159, BushA@FlaglerSchools.com

in person or in writing, might preclude the ability of such person to contest the Ordinance at a later date. A copy of all pertinent information this ordinance can be obtained at the office of the Bunnell Customer Service Office, 604 E. Moody Blvd. Unit 6, Bunnell, FL 32110. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to attend this proceeding should contact the Bunnell City Clerk at (386) 437-7500 x 5 at least 48-business hours prior to the meeting.

NOTICE: If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission on this matter a recording of the proceeding may be needed and for such purposes the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. (Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes) July

23-00177F

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-ComplaintForm-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 6329992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Kargar/Venture Development Realty

OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is July 20, 2023. Personal Representative: HOWARD S. KROOKS, ESQ. 1801

FLAGLER COUNTY LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Notice is hereby given that undersigned intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property under The Florida Self Storage Facility Act Statutes (Section 83.80183.809). The undersigned will sell at public sale by

SUBSEQUENT INSERTIONS

DATE.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE as may be legally permitted on the day of the meeting. Instructions on how to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www. bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for up-todate information on any changes to the manner in which the meeting will be held and the location. The failure of a person to appear during said hearing and comment on or object to the proposed Ordinance, either in person or in writing, might preclude the ability of such person to contest the Ordinance at a later date.

decides to appeal any decision made by the City Commission on this matter a

SUBSEQUENT INSERTIONS

SECOND INSERTION

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN AND FOR CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL DIVISION CASE NO.: 22-CA-000478 U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR VELOCITY COMMERCIAL CAPITAL LOAN TRUST VCC 2021-2 Plaintiff, vs. BRINDAL EXANTUS, individually; and UNKNOWN TENANT(S)/ OWNER(S)/ SPOUSE(S) IN POSSESSION, Defendants. NOTICE IS GIVEN that pursuant to the Final

to wit: THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE COUNTY FLAGSTAR, FLORIDA: TRACT 2, OF BLOCK 7, OTHERWISE DESCRIBED AS SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF NORTHEAST 1/4, OF SECTION 27, TOWNSHIP 12 SOUTH, RANGE 29 EAST, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OF ST. JOHNS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 1, PAGE 7, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA, TOGETHER WITH 25 FOOT INGRESS AND EGRESS EASEMENTS ALONG THE EASTERLY LINE OF SAID PARCEL, THE EASTERLY LINE OF TRACT 1, BLOCK 7 AND THE WESTERLY LINE OF TRACT 3, BLOCK 7. ALSO, A 30 FOOT INGRESS AND EGRESS EASEMENT ALONG THE WESTERLY LINE OF TRACT 1, BLOCK 2, SAID SUBDIVISION OF SAID SECTION. TOGETHER WITH THAT CERTAIN

be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of the first publication of this notice is July 13, 2023.

FL 33647

VOLUSIA COUNTY LEGAL NOTICES

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO. 2018 31282 CICI FINANCE OF AMERICA REVERSE LLC, Plaintiff, vs. LOUIS A. ROSSI, et al., Defendant. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Summary Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered April 24, 2023 in Civil Case No. 2018 31282 CICI of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT in and for Volusia County, Deland, Florida, wherein FINANCE OF AMERICA REVERSE LLC

is Plaintiff and Louis A. Rossi, et al., are Defendants, the Clerk of Court, LAURA E. ROTH, ESQ., will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash electronically at www. volusia.realforeclose.com in accordance with Chapter 45, Florida Statutes on the 11th day of August, 2023 at 11:00 AM on the following described property as set forth in said Summary Final Judgment, to-wit: Lot 94, Winding Woods Unit #4, according to the plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 41, Pages 124 through 125, of the Public Records of Volusia County, Florida. Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens, must file a claim before the clerk reports the surplus as unclaimed.

If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to access court facilities or participate in a court

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Notice is hereby given that on 8/4/2023 at 10:30 am, the following mobile home will be sold at public auction pursuant to F.S. 715.109. 1977 SKYL HS 01611096K . Last Tenants: FRIEDA MAXINE KNIEBES AND TERESA LYNN ARTLIP and all unknown parties beneficiaries heirs . Sale to be at CS1031 MAPLEWOOD ESTATES MHC DST DBA TREASURE ISLE ESTATES, 141 ROYAL PALM CIRCLE, PORT ORANGE, FL 32127. 813-241-8269.

July 20, 27, 2023 23-00098V

proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. To request such an accommodation, please contact Court Administration in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administration, 125 E. Orange Ave., Ste. 300, Daytona Beach, FL 32114; (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 1 (800) 955-8770. By: /s/Robyn Katz Robyn Katz, Esq. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC Attorney for Plaintiff 225 East Robinson Street, Suite 155 Orlando, FL 32801 Phone: (407) 674-1850 Fax: (321) 248-0420 Email: MRService@mccalla.com

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Notice is hereby given that on 8/4/2023 at 10:30 am, the following mobile home will be sold at public auction pursuant to F.S. 715.109. 1983 HOME HS 03610346S Last Tenants: RHONDA LEE ROOP and all unknown parties beneficiaries heirs Sale to be at LEGACY HCE LLC DBA HIGHLAND COUNTRY ESTATES MHC, 830 NORTH HIGHWAY, DEBARY, FL 32713. 813-241-8269. July 20, 27, 2023 23-00097V

for Volusia County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Post Office Box 6043, DeLand, FL 32721; that the decedent’s date of death was January 17, 2023; that the total value of the estate is $257,961.08 ($195,000.00 exempt property) and that the names and addresses of those to whom it has been assigned by such order are:

Melissa Axiotis 14063 Claridge Road N Jacksonville, FL 32250 ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE

NOTIFIED THAT:

All creditors of the estate of the decedent and persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent other than those for whom provision for full payment was made in the Order of Summary Administration must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS

SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES

SECTION 733.702. ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2)

YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECE-

DENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this Notice is July 20, 2023.

Melissa Axiotis, Petitioner 14063 Claridge Road N Jacksonville, FL 32250

FRED B. SHARE, ESQUIRE Florida Bar No. 256765

1092 Ridgewood Avenue Holly Hill, FL 32117

Telephone: (386) 253-1030

Fax: (386) 248-2425

E-Mail: fredshare@cfl.rr.com

2nd E-Mail: brobins@cfl.rr.com

Attorney for Petitioner July 20, 27, 2023 23-00137I

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7TH

JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA. CASE No. 2018 30708 CICI REVERSE MORTGAGE FUNDING

LLC, Plaintiff, vs. UNKNOWN SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF EASTER MAE GIBSON, DECEASED, et. al.,

Defendants.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to an Order or Final Judgment entered in Case No. 2018 30708 CICI of the Circuit Court of the 7TH Judicial Circuit in and for VOLUSIA County, Florida, wherein, REVERSE MORTGAGE FUNDING LLC, Plaintiff, and, UNKNOWN SPOUSE, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF EASTER MAE GIBSON, DECEASED, et. al., are Defendants, Clerk of the Court, Laura E. Roth, will sell to the highest bidder for cash at WWW. VOLUSIA.REALFORECLOSE.COM, at the hour of 11:00 AM, on the 16th day of August, 2023, the following described property: LOTS 95 AND 96, MASON HILLS SUBDIVISION, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 11, PAGE 287, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA. Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, must file a claim per the requirements set forth in FL Stat. 45.032. IMPORTANT

If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to access court facilities or participate in a court proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance.

To request such an accommodation, please contact Court Administration in advance of the date the service is needed: Court Administration, 125 E. Orange Ave., Ste. 300, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711.

DATED this 12th day of July, 2023.

GREENSPOON MARDER LLP

TRADE CENTRE SOUTH, SUITE 700

100 WEST CYPRESS CREEK ROAD

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33309

Telephone: (954) 343 6273

Hearing Line: (888) 491-1120

Facsimile: (954) 343 6982

Email 1:

Karissa.Chin-Duncan@gmlaw.com

Email 2: gmforeclosure@gmlaw.com

By: Karissa Chin-Duncan, Esq. Florida Bar No. 98472 58341.0097 / JSchwartz

July 20, 27, 2023 23-00138I

VOLUSIA COUNTY LEGAL NOTICES

FIRST INSERTION WAYPOINTE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 BUDGET; NOTICE OF PUB-

LIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE IMPOSITION OF OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS, ADOPTION OF AN ASSESSMENT ROLL, AND THE LEVY, COLLECTION, AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE SAME; AND NOTICE OF REGULAR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING. Upcoming Public Hearings, and Regular Meeting

The Board of Supervisors (“Board”) for the Waypointe Community Development District (“District”) will hold the following two public hearings and a regular meeting on August 11, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., at the Downtown Executive Center of Deland, 120 S. Woodland Blvd., DeLand, Florida 32720.

The first public hearing is being held pursuant to Chapter 190, Florida Statutes, to receive public comment and objections on the District’s proposed budget (“Proposed Budget”) for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2023 and ending September 30, 2024 (“Fiscal Year 2023/2024”). The second public hearing is being held pursuant to Chapters 190, 197, and/or 170, Florida Statutes, to consider the imposition of operations and maintenance special assessments (“O&M Assessments”) upon the lands located within the District, to fund the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2023/2024; to consider the adoption of an assessment roll; and, to provide for the levy, collection, and enforcement of assessments. At the conclusion of the hearings, the Board will, by resolution, adopt a budget and levy O&M Assessments as finally approved by the Board. A Board meeting of the District will also be held where the Board may consider any other District business.

Description of Assessments

The District imposes O&M Assessments on benefitted property within the District for the purpose of funding the District’s general administrative, operations, and maintenance budget. A geographic depiction of the property potentially subject to the proposed O&M Assessments is identified in the map attached hereto. The table below shows the schedule of the proposed O&M Assessments, which are subject to change at the hearing:

SECOND INSERTION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Notice is hereby given that on 7/28/2023 at 10:30 am, the following mobile home will be sold at public auction pursuant to F.S. 715.109. 1990 BARR HS FLFLK33A13168BA & FLFLK33B13168BA .

The O&M Assessments may be collected on the County tax roll or by direct bill from the District’s Manager. The O&M Assessments will only be imposed on lots sold to third parties, including lots sold during the Fiscal Year 2023/2024, and any portion of the District’s Proposed Budget not funded by the O&M Assessments will be funded by a developer funding agreement. Note that the O&M Assessments are in addition to any debt service assessments, if any, previously levied by the District and due to be collected for Fiscal Year 2023/2024. IT IS IMPORTANT TO PAY YOUR ASSESSMENT BECAUSE FAILURE TO PAY WILL CAUSE A TAX CERTIFICATE TO BE ISSUED

AGAINST THE PROPERTY WHICH MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF TITLE, OR FOR DIRECT BILLED ASSESSMENTS, MAY RESULT IN A FORECLOSURE ACTION,

The

hearings and meeting are open to the public and will be conducted in accordance with Florida law. A copy of the Proposed Budget and assessment roll, and the agenda, for the hearings and meeting may be obtained by contacting DPFG Management & Consulting LLC, 250 International Parkway, Suite 208, Lake Mary, Florida 32746, 321-263-0132 (“District Manager’s Office”). The public hearings and meeting may be continued to a date, time, and place to be specified on the record. There may be occasions when staff or board members may participate by speaker telephone. Any person requiring special accommodations because of a disability or physical impairment should contact the District Manager’s Office at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1, or 1-800-955-8771 (TTY) / 1-800-955-8770 (Voice), for aid in contacting the District Manager’s Office.

Please note that all affected property owners have the right to appear and comment at the public hearings and meeting, and may also file written objections with the District Manager’s Office within twenty (20) days of issuance of this notice. Each person who decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at the public hearings or meeting is advised that person will need a record of proceedings and that accordingly, the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which such appeal is to be based. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the District Manager’s Office.

District Manager

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO. 2022 11100 CIDL ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS INC., Plaintiff, vs. LILLIAN GONZALEZ, et al., Defendants. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Summary Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered May 22, 2023 in Civil Case No. 2022 11100 CIDL of the Circuit Court of the Seventh Judicial Circuit in and for Volusia County, Deland, Florida, wherein ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS INC. is Plaintiff and LILLIAN GONZALEZ, et al., are Defendants, the Clerk of Court, LAURA E. ROTH, ESQ., will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash electronically at www.volusia.realforeclose.com in accordance with Chapter 45, Florida Statutes on the 24th day of August, 2023 at 11:00

Last Tenants: ROBERT CLIFTON ASAY AND ROBERT CLIFTON ASAY JR AND ROBERT CLIFTON ASAY III and all unknown parties beneficiaries heirs . Sale to be at SUN KINGS LAKE LLC DBA KINGS LAKE MOBILE HOME PARK, 369 KINGSLAKE DRIVE, DEBARY, FL 32713. 813-241-8269.

July 13, 20, 2023 23-00088V

SECOND INSERTION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Notice is hereby given that on 7/28/2023 at 10:30 am, the following mobile home will be sold at public auction pursuant to F.S. 715.109. 1984 SOUT HS TWFLA6144A & TWFLA6144B . Last Tenants: JOHNNY EMIOS HAWKINS

SECOND INSERTION

WALKERS GREEN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2023/2024; AND NOTICE OF REGULAR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

The Board of Supervisors (“Board”) of the Walkers Green Community Development District (“District”) will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Cobb Cole Center, 149 Ridgewood Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114 for the purpose of hearing comments and objections on the adoption of the proposed budget (“Proposed Budget”) of the District for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024 (“Fiscal Year 2023/2024”). A regular Board of Supervisors meeting will also be held at that time where the Board may consider any other business that may properly come before it. A copy of the agenda and Proposed Budget may be obtained at the offices of the District Manager, c/o PFM Group Consulting, LLC, 3501 Quadrangle Boulevard, Suite 270, Orlando, Florida 32817; Ph: (407) 723-5900 (“District Manager’s Office”), during normal business hours. The public hearing and meeting are open to the public and will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Florida law. The public hearing and meeting may be continued to a date, time, and place to be specified on the record at the meeting. There may be occasions when Board Supervisors or District Staff may participate by speaker telephone. Any person requiring special accommodations at this meeting because of a disability or physical impairment should contact the District Manager’s Office at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1, or 1-800-955-8771 (TTY) / 1-800-955-8770 (Voice), for aid in contacting the District Manager’s Office.

Each person who decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at the public hearing or meeting is advised that person will need a record of proceedings and that accordingly, the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which such appeal is to be based.

Jane Gaarlandt, District Manager

July 13, 20, 2023 22-00087V

CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2023-30271-COCI CYPRESS HEAD MASTER HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION, INC. Plaintiff, -Vs.UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THOMAS D. CAVANAUGH, Defendant. YOU ARE NOTIFIED that pursuant to the Summary Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated the 27th of June, 2023, Case Number 2023-30271-COCI in the County Court, Seventh Judicial Circuit in and for Volusia County, Florida, in which CYPRESS HEAD MASTER HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC, is the Plaintiff, and UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THOMAS D. CAVANAUGH is the Defendant; I will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at Volusia.RealForeclose.com, on the 14th day of August, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. the following described property as set forth in said Summary Final Judgment of Foreclosure:

Lot 88, Cypress Head Phase II-A, according to the plat thereof, recorded in Map Book 44, page 145 et seq., Public Records of Volusia County, Florida. The physical street address of said property is: 1232 Siesta Key Circle, Port Orange, Florida. Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale.

ATTENTION: PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

In accordance with the American with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Court Administrator at Suite 300, Courthouse Annex, 125 E. Orange Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32114; Tel.: 386-257-6096 within two (2) working days of your receipt of the NOTICE OF SALE; if you are hearing impaired, call 1-800-955-8771; if you are voice impaired, call 1-800-955-8770. THIS IS NOT A COURT INFORMA-

TION LINE.

DATED this 11th day of July, 2023.

ROBERT ROBINS,

RED

INFORMATION & RATES: 386-447-9723

redpages@palmcoastobserver.com palmcoastobserver.com/redpages

The Palm Coast Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only.

*All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher.

*It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the Palm Coast Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Grand Opening Event