Palm Coast Observer 9-21-23

Sal Passalaqua and daughter Alyna Passalaqua

CITY WATCH

Cascades developer asks city to allow up to 850 units

A developer’s request to increase a proposed development’s number of units from 416 to a maximum of 850 inspired debate from two council members at a Sept. 19 City Council meeting.

In the first of two votes, the council approved a land use map and zoning amendment for the Cascades development on the north side of Seminole Woods Boulevard near where it connects to U.S. 1.

Market Avenue.

The council also approved a 62acre annexation into the city on the east side of Old Kings Road.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Emails prompt Sunshine Law discussion

An email from Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin to council member Cathy Heighter led to a discussion of potential Sunshine Law violations at a Sept. 19 City Council meeting.

Florida’s Sunshine Law bars elected board members from discussing outside of public meetings any topics that may come before their board.

During the meeting, Heighter said Alfin had emailed her a New York Times article on affordable housing and asked if she wanted to discuss the topic. Heighter had emailed back, saying she wasn’t sure the two could discuss it because of the Sunshine Law.

Alfin then sent the emails to City Attorney Neysa Borkert, asking if a philosophical discussion of affordable housing would be a violation. Borkert replied that because the topic had come up before at council, it was not something members should discuss outside of a meeting. She called that a “slippery slope.”

At the meeting, Borkert said no violation occurred because no discussion took place. A violation, Borkert said, requires back-and-forth communication.

The council annexed the 375-acre development into Palm Coast on Aug. 15.

Council member Theresa Carli Pontieri voted against the land use and zoning amendments, saying she did not see how allowing the increase would benefit current residents.

“I’m not OK with this,” Pontieri said. “We are earning a reputation in Palm Coast that, if you don’t have it in the county, just annex it into the city and developers will be able to double their density.”

Before the land was annexed, in 2005, the county approved a development agreement that would allow 416 units over 696 acres. More than 350 acres in the development are environmentally sensitive and were transferred to the county as part of the agreement.

Now, annexed to Palm Coast, the land includes an additional parcel that was not part of the 2005 agreement, and the applicant wants the city to allow a maximum of 850 units.

The applicant wants the land zoned for both multi-family and single-family units.

“I haven’t heard a single person on here tell me how this is in the interest of the public,” Pontieri said. “Because that is ... the criteria that we were supposed to talk about.”

Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin asked her how the development would degrade residents’ quality of life. Pontieri said the increased traffic and the wear-and-tear on roads were two such concerns, along with the strain on the city’s infrastructure and utilities.

City planner Bill Hoover noted in his presentation to the council that the development would increase the demand on public infrastructure and facilities.

“Why do we have to annex the property and then double the capacity?” Pontieri said. “We up here can say no.”

Alfin said the city is growing, which comes with the hardships of congestion and traffic and increased demand on facilities — and that there are processes in place such as impact fee requirements that developers must comply with to mitigate those effects.

“We are experiencing growth,” he said. “ Now, we have to master plan growth as best we can, but there’s no denying growth.”

“The 14,000 units we’ve already approved isn’t enough?” Pontieri retorted back.

“Are you trying to put a limit on growth?” Alfin asked. “I don’t see any of us standing out in the court telling people they can’t come to Palm Coast any longer. It doesn’t work that way here.”

Aside from the Cascades development, during the Sept. 19 business meeting, the City Council also gave final approval for two other developments: The Legacy at Town Center, which would add a 300-unit apartment complex next to Imagine School at Town Center; and phase one of the Retreat at Town Center, a 39-acre development that would add 66 single-family homes at the end of

The Cascades applicant, Palm Coast resident Jeff Douglas, said that saying the development was doubling its number of requested units was “false,” and that council members and residents were pushing “false messaging” because the property is different now than it was when it was approved in 2005.

“I feel like I’ve just walked into something that’s utterly unfair,” he said. “Please stop saying that we doubled the units. It’s simply, factually, not true.”

Several residents whose homes are directly across from a location where the Cascades hopes to build four-story apartment buildings spoke against the development.

“I have two young girls. I’ve invested my time here in Palm Coast,” resident Joelle Almeida said. “If I wanted to live in Daytona, I would buy in Daytona.”

Though Pontieri was the only one on Sept. 19 to actually vote against the request, council member Cathy Heighter said she felt the applicant needed to continue working with residents to address their objections.

“I just think that the privacy of the residents with a high-rise built on stories — that’s a lot to contend with,” Heighter said.

Attorney Michael Chiumento said the applicant has agreed to add a buffer of trees along the property to protect other residents’ privacy and would move the apartments back an additional 150 feet, increasing the distance between the homes and the apartments to 245 feet.

But the 245 feet — “almost the length of a football field,” Alfin said — includes the 80 feet of Seminole Woods Boulevard.

Vice Mayor Ed Danko confirmed with the city attorney that nothing would be set in stone until after a later, second-reading council vote. Danko said he wanted to see what changes the applicant would propose between the two votes.

Pontieri said she doesn’t oppose

development. But the city needs to consider the residents who already live here and what benefits them, too, she said.

“We want the integrity of people who have invested in this community,” she said. “We’re pushing them out. We’re pushing them out so that we can allow more people who are new.”

BY THE NUMBERS

375 acres slated for a development known as the Cascades were annexed to Palm Coast from the county on Aug. 15.

416 units originally approved for the Cascades in 2005, when the developer applied for a development agreement with the county

850 units

the proposed unit maximum the developer is seeking, up from the current cap of 416

2,040 the projected population of the requested 850 units. The originally approved 416 units would potentially add 988 residents.

255,000 gallons of potable water would be used by the proposed 850 units each day, according to city staff estimates.

391

additional daily trips would be generated by the development’s proposed 850 units.

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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

“We are experiencing growth. Now, we have to master plan growth as best we can, but there's no denying growth."

DAVID ALFIN, Palm Coast mayor

“We want the integrity of people who have invested in this community. We're pushing them out."

THERESA CARLI PONTIERI, City Council member

SHELF LIFE

Volusia County Schools said in a statement to the Observer that the new law doesn’t require a revision to the district’s current policy on media selection of print and non-print materials.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

MANAGING EDITOR

A total of 89 books were challenged in Volusia County Schools in the 2022-2023 school year, according to data released by the Florida Department of Education. Two books were removed.

Ormond Beach parent Anna Hannon called the ratio of challenged books to removed books “the worst in the state by a landslide” in an email to Volusia County School Board members and school district officials.

“When I see these numbers, I see a quality measure — a quantitative measure of the partnership between VCS and the parents,” wrote Hannon, who is part of the Moms for Liberty Volusia Chapter, a parental rights organization.

In an interview with the Observer , Hannon said that various parents — including herself and chapter chair Jenifer Kelly — have been working with VCS on pulling books with inappropriate content off library shelves since April 2021.

“We felt like we were making progress, like we were being heard,” Hannon said. “And to go through this yearand-a-half of book challenges and this entire exercise of the challenge process, and then only two of those being removed? It just doesn’t feel like they are listening to the parents or that they respect our opinions on the fact that these are obscene books.”

Hannon and other parents plan to speak on the issue at a Sept. 26 School Board meeting, hoping to get more books removed. They’re relying on Florida House Bill 1069 to get this accomplished. The bill, which went into effect on July 1, states, “Parents shall have the right to read passages from any material that is subject to an objection.” If the board denies a parent the right to read passages due to explicit or obscene content, “the school district shall discontinue the use of the material,” the new law states.

At a recent Indian River County School Board meeting, the local Moms for Liberty chapter was successful in removing 34 books after the school board chair stopped people from reading passages or placed a content warning on the speaker, according to Treasure Coast News.

VOLUSIA CHALLENGES

In previous meetings where speakers read aloud from book passages that contained explicit material, School Board Chair Jamie Haynes issued a disclaimer. When asked if this would continue to be the protocol, the district stated, “This is at the discretion of the School Board chair.”

Ormond Beach resident Sheila Zinkerman, of a state grassroots organization called Citizens for Truth and Justice in Education, said the strategy used at the Indian River County School Board meeting was wrong and based on “bad law.”

“They (the committees) are reviewing the book as a whole, and Moms for Liberty just pick out these sections and these passages,” Zinkerman said. “... You can’t make a decision based on one little section.”

OBJECTIONS QUESTIONED

The two titles removed from library shelves in VCS were “Flamer,” by Mike Curato and “Relish: My Life in the Kitchen,” by Lucy Knisley. The district’s list only mentions the removal of “Flamer.”

Kelly said “Flamer” was removed because the governor called out the school district for having the book during a press conference, and that “Relish” was removed by a principal and a media specialist at one school at her request.

“So neither one of those books through all the challenges that we put forth over the last year and a half were removed by the actual policy,” Kelly said.

The district stated the claim about “Flamer” was not accurate.

Zinkerman said CTJE has been tracking the objections and found that VCS has not been very transparent about the process with the public. There were 89 reported objections, but the majority were resolved during school-based reviews.

“That’s what we were trying to find out: What happened to all these books?” Zinkerman said. “And so it looks like the other removals happened during the informal school-level reviews, and it seems the district knew the outcome of these removals. ...

But it’s unclear why detailed outcomes of the removals didn’t appear on the recorded report.”

According to a list by VCS, eighteen books went through the challenge process and were retained. The books were:

„

“All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson (Retained in high school libraries only)

„ “The Black Flamingo” by Dean Atta (Retained in high school libraries only)

„ “Burned” by Ellen Hopkins (Retained in high school libraries only)

„ “Crank” by Ellen Hopkins (Retained in middle school and high school libraries)

„ “Darius the Great Deserves

Better” by Adib Khorra (Retained in high school libraries only)

„ “Fade” by Lisa McMann (Retained in high school libraries only)

„ “Glass” by Ellen Hopkins (Retained in high school libraries only)

„ “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” by Erika Sanchez (Retained in high school libraries only)

„ “I’ll Give You The Sun” by Jandy Nelson (Retained in high school libraries only)

„ “Laura Deen Keeps Breaking Up with Me” by Mariko Tamaki (Retained in high school libraries only)

„ “Looking for Alaska” by John Green (Retained in high school libraries only)

„ “Out of Darkness” by Ashley Hope Perez (Retained in “upper” high school libraries only)

„ “Sold” by Patricia McCormick (Retained in middle school and high school libraries)

„ “The Infinite Moment of Us” by Lauren Myracle (Retained in high school libraries only)

„ “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chobsky (Retained in high school libraries only)

„ “TTFN” by Lauren Myracle (Retained in high school libraries only)

„ “TTYL” by Lauren Myracle (Retained in high school libraries only)

„ “YOLO” by Lauren Myracle (Retained in high school libraries only)

The process for challenged materials is critical, she added. The committees are made up of professionals who review the books as a whole, not in sections.

“A child sitting in school at a desk reading this book, even with these passages in it, is much different than somebody standing up in public, picking out a few sentences and just blurting them out to get what they want, which is to ban it,” Zinkerman said.

No challenges, according to the district, have been submitted for this school year.

IS THE PROCESS WORKING?

VCS states on its website that each school library media collection is developed in accordance with Volusia County School Board Policy 320.

The policy states that “the primary objective of the school’s educational media center is to implement, enrich, and support the educational

program of the school. The media center shall provide a wide range of materials in a variety of formats on all levels of difficulty, with diversity of appeal, and representing different points of view. Materials are considered for their quality and appropriateness and must serve both the breadth of the curriculum and the need and interests of individual students.”

It states that the materials selected will also comply with Florida statutes, and outlines definitions of what constitutes “harmful materials,” “harmful to minors,” “obscene” and “sexuallyoriented material.”

The challenge process starts when an individual brings their objection to the principal of a school where the book is present. Then the complainant meets with the principal and school-based instructional personnel to discuss the objection. Then, according to the policy, if the objection is not resolved, it must be presented in writing on a form.

The appeals process begins at the school level with the school’s instructional review committee. If a resolution is not reached, then the material is reviewed by a district-level committee appointed by the superintendent.

After that, if the complainant still disagrees with the decision, he or she may file an appeal to the superintendent, and the school board will make the final decision.

It’s a long process and one that feels like it’s “designed to fail,” Hannon said.

“A parent would have to go through several different levels of the challenge process, and I just don’t think that any parent has that kind of time to continue to go through all these different levels,” she said.

CUT MIC, BANNED BOOK

Another reason Kelly said the School Board’s policy must be updated is that HB 1069 states that objections not resolved at the district level can now be reviewed by the State Board of Education.

“I’d like to continue to work with [the district],” Kelly said. “But I am going to take the path of least resistance to get the sexually explicit material out, and if it is reading it at the microphone to have the microphone cut, that’s what we’re going to have to do.”

The process was working, which is why Moms for Liberty opposes it, Zinkerman said.

“The books were going back to where they were supposed to be, and that’s why they passed this [HB] 1069

FLAGLER CHALLENGES

The Flagler County School District removed 11 books from its media centers in 2022-23 after 24 books were challenged. The district weeded out eight of the titles. One book, “Sold” was appealed to the School Board and was retained by a 3-2 vote.

“Nowhere Girls” was approved by a district committee but was later removed by the superintendent.

The books removed were:

„ “A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Maas

„ “Damsel” by Elana K. Arnold „ “Dreaming in Cuban” by Cristina Garcia „ “L8r, G8r” by Lauren Myracle „ “Lucky” by Marissa Stapley „ “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” by Jesse Andrews „ “Precious/Push” by Sapphire „ “The Haters” by Jesse Andrews

„ “The Nowhere Girls” by Amy Reed „ “Tilt” by Ellen Hopkins „ “What Girls are Made Of” by Elana K. Arnold — BRENT WORONOFF

law, because the process to go through review was working,” Zinkerman said.

This is about the students, she added.

“It’s not about banning books,” Zinkerman said. “It’s not about this culture war. It’s not about Moms for Liberty coming in and causing havoc on school board meetings. It’s about the wellbeing of students for the greater good, and when a chair on a school board defends that right, that’s the bottom line.”

There’s a misconception, Hannon said, when the public hears about “banned books” that Moms for Liberty is trying to remove classic literature, like “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. She also said they’re not targeting books that have LGBTQ or diverse representation.

“That just happens to be part of the book as well, but we are going after the sexually explicit books,” Hannon said. “So I don’t think it’s fair that people call us racist or homophobes due to trying to pull the sexually explicit books.”

"They (the committees) are reviewing the book as a whole, and Moms for Liberty just pick out these sections and these passages ... You can't make a decision based on one little section.”

SHEILA ZINKERMAN, Ormond Beach resident

New law makes it easier to remove books from school libraries.

"I'd like to continue to work with [the district]. But I am going to take the path of least resistance to get the sexually explicit material out, and if it is reading it at the microphone to have the microphone cut, that's what we're going to have to do."

JENIFER KELLY, chapter chair, Moms for Liberty Volusia

Flagler County Education Foundation honors its donors

Executive Director

Teresa Rizzo said the Ed Foundation will easily surpass its goal of raising $1.1 million for Flagler Schools this year.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The Flagler County Education Foundation’s donor tree is thriving. At the Ed Foundation’s Donor Recognition Night on Sept. 14, donors pointed to their tiles on the Annual Giving Honor Roll in the lobby of the Government Services Building.

Executive Director Teresa Rizzo announced that the Ed Foundation raised over $950,000 for Flagler County School District students last year and is on track to easily surpass its 2023 goal of $1.1 million.

Amanda Lasecki, the vice president of operations for United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties, pointed to both the United Way tile and the

Women United Flagler tile for Ed Foundation photos.

Women United Flagler is an affinity group of United Way of VolusiaFlagler. Through the Power of the Purse fundraiser, Women United Flagler awarded a $70,000 grant to the Ed Foundation for the third year in a row.

“We renewed the grant for two more years for the Education Foundation’s mentoring program (Take Stock in Children),” Lasecki said.

Take Stock in Children is breaking the cycle of poverty, Rizzo said, by providing mentors and scholarships to low-income, high-potential students.

Rizzo honored Bill Willis, who died last month. Willis was instrumental in helping Palm Coast develop its fiber network before opening Chef Bill’s Catering. Rizzo presented a statuette of Chef Bill to his daughter, Angela, who catered the Donor Recognition event.

Rizzo also recognized the Ed Foundation’s Board of Directors, Flagler Schools leadership, mentors in Take Stock, and the Ed Foundation’s partners and donors.

“Flagler Schools is so appreciative of what the Flagler County Education Foundation does,” said Ryan Deising, the district’s chief of technology and innovation. “The impact you have on our students is immeasurable.”

Flagler Health+ is excited to share we are now UF Health St. Johns. Building on a 130-year legacy of caring for the community, our dedication to delivering high-quality and patientcentered care has never wavered. With enhanced access to the latest medical breakthroughs, expanded treatment options, clinical trials and world-renowned comprehensive care through UF Health, this change marks the dawn of a bright new beginning for health care in St. Johns County.

Amanda Lasecki, vice president of operations for United Way of VolusiaFlagler Counties, points to the Women United Flagler tile.

Photos by Brent Woronoff

Luci and Andy Dance point to their tile on the Flagler County Education Foundation’s Annual Giving Honor Roll.

Brittany Wright, Kelly Wright, Robert Gordon and Liz Gordon of the Quantum Family of Businesses

Flagler County Education Foundation Assistant Director of Fund Development Samantha Adams (left) and Board of Directors Executive Committee Secretary Victoria Tiehan (center) speak to Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Ellis.

Report: Few teachers, administrators knew of segregated assemblies

A presenter said comments about jail and being shot and killed were ‘heartfelt’ and in the moment.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

According to the final report on Flagler Schools’ investigation into the segregated assemblies at Bunnell Elementary School, few teachers or administrators had any knowledge of the content of the assemblies and no one reported any misgivings.

The district released the investigative summary filed by Michael Rinaldi, Flagler Schools’ coordinator of professional standards, on Sept. 18. Rinaldi investigated teacher Anthony Hines, who initiated and presented the assemblies, and Bunnell Elementary Principal Donelle Evensen, who approved them.

Both Hines and Evensen resigned shortly before Rinaldi’s investigation was closed on Sept. 7. They had both been placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

Superintendent LaShakia Moore released a statement along with the investigation transcript.

“My message is the same as I’ve told the parents of Bunnell Elementary School: this was unacceptable,”

she said. “ We will do better, and that begins with transparency and training for all our staff, administrators, and educators. This incident was not indicative of Flagler Schools, and we have much to do to regain the trust of many in our community. This process starts on September 27th, when we host a Community Connection forum at the Carver Center, starting at 6:00 p.m. I look forward to an open line of communication among our entire Flagler County community.”

The report itself did not include a conclusion or any punishments. A legal basis for the investigation included violations of School Board policies regarding professional ethics and unlawful discrimination and six Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession pertaining to the protection of students’ well-being.

The assemblies were held on Aug. 18 for African American fourth and fifth graders as an introduction to an expanded mentoring program that Hines, the school’s fifth grade ESE support facilitation teacher, had started in the 2022-23 school year.

Hines, who is Black, had suggested to then BSE Principal Marcus Sanfilippo on May 23 to expand the program. The assemblies included a slideshow that showed that the school’s African American subgroup had underperformed on the state’s

assessments tests over the past three years. A bracketed competition with fast-food meals as awards was to incentivize the students to do better.

Evensen, the school’s assistant principal who was promoted on July 28 when Sanfilippo was transferred to the district office, approved the assemblies and slideshow.

Hines told Rinaldi that all the African American students in the two grades were included in the assemblies because the higher-performing students would be a good example and help lead when the students were put in “tournament brackets.”

Hines said “no one in administration said don’t invite them all.”

The one administrator, other than Evensen and Sanfilippo, who was questioned in the investigation said she had no knowledge of the assemblies until the night of Aug. 18, when she read about them on Facebook hours after they had taken place.

There was no mention in the report as to why parents were not notified about the assemblies. But the absence of parent notification was one of the allegations listed against Evensen and Hines. The report also alleged that the content of the assemblies was inappropriate for both the intended audience and the general school setting.

Rinaldi asked Hines if during his presentation he referenced “going

to jail, being shot or going to an early grave.”

“Yes, I did,” Hines responded.

He told Rinaldi that in the moment he was spilling his heart out.

“What was said was, in my experience, the friends and people that I grew up with that made bad choices and didn’t do well in school ended up in jail, shot or are not with us anymore,” he said.

Teachers Tyonna Steed and Gary Gabriel were also present for the assemblies and were to be included in the expanded program. They said they did not know about the assemblies until Evensen sent out emails on Aug. 15-16. Gabriel said he didn’t hear much of the presentation because he was moving students who were being disruptive or not paying attention to other seats. Steed said Hines spoke about making good choices and the consequences for not doing so.

Those consequences were not included in Hines’ PowerPoint. Evensen said that when she walked into an assembly toward the end, Hines was talking about the planned competition, not the consequences of making bad choices.

Hines said his limited mentor program for African American students last year included goal setting with the promise that he would buy pizza at the end of he year if the students reached their goals. He said 65% of

the students achieved their goals.

Sanfilippo, who has returned to BES as the principal on an interim basis, said he approved expanding the program but did not approve an assembly on May 23 or Aug. 2 when he had an impromptu meeting with Hines.

Evensen said two assemblies, one for each grade, were arranged so the students would be taken out of special areas and not miss regular class time.

She said she got the names of the African American students through Skyward, Flagler Schools’ student information system. She emailed a list of students who would be included in the assemblies to fourth and fifth grade students on Aug. 16. The list included 37 fourth graders and 47 fifth graders according to the emails released by the district with the names deleted.

Rinaldi interviewed fourth grade team lead Melissa Anderson who contacted Evensen after the initial email was sent out on Aug. 15 about the assemblies without listing the students’ names

She said some of the fourth grade teachers had come to her because they were not comfortable with which students to send because they didn’t have a list. Evensen told her she was getting the most accurate list from Skyward. She sent it the following day.

School Board seeks outside attorney’s opinion on firing its own attorney

Nearly two years ago, two Flagler County School Board members voted to replace Attorney Kristy Gavin. Now, two new board members want to explore options for terminating her contract. The board voted 4-0 on Sept. 19 to seek an outside counsel’s guidance on what options it has concerning Gavin’s contract. Board member Col-

leen Conklin was absent.

Board member Will Furry was tasked with finding an employment attorney to answer board members’ questions. Christy Chong and Sally Hunt both said they would like to discuss the possibility of terminating Gavin’s contract.

“The relationship with our attorney and myself has been fractured,” Chong said, adding, “Do we want to continue this contract?”

Furry asked board members what

areas of the contract they would want the outside attorney to look at.

“My focus is on the termination of the contract,” Hunt responded. The three other board members, including Chair Cheryl Massaro, asked Furry to recommend an employment attorney at the Oct. 3 workshop, with the board approving the choice at a meeting on Oct. 17. Gavin, who was clearly upset by the discussion, asked if the board wanted her to continue her duties.

“The question I ask of you is are you comfortable that I continue to perform legal services at this time while this is going on?” Gavin asked.

“I am,” Massaro answered.

Furry said, “Outside of a resignation, we expect you to.”

Gavin responded that she is “here to serve the board.”

Gavin has served the board for t17 years. When her contract was up for renewal in December 2021, former board members Jill Woolbright and

Janet McDonald voted not to renew, while Conklin, Massaro and Trevor Tucker voted in favor of renewing Gavin’s contract for three more years. Hunt, Furry and Chong joined the board in November 2022. In April, the three new board members voted not to renew Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt’s contract.

Gavin is in the process of drawing up a superintendent’s contract for LaShakia Moore, who has been the interim superintendent since June 30.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

COPS CORNER

SEPT. 11

NEIGHBORLY LOVE

7:39 p.m. — 600 block of 23rd Street South, Flagler Beach

Criminal mischief, resisting an officer with violence. Police officers arrested a 54-year-old Flagler Beach woman for throwing rocks and other items at her neighbor’s security cameras.

Officers have been called to the address multiple times because of the same woman throwing things or spraying water at the cameras, according to the woman’s arrest report. In this incident, the woman — who admitted to throwing objects at the cameras — threw shampoo bottles, a ceramic Mother Mary figurine, a bra and golfball-sized rocks.

The cameras recorded the whole incident and the rocks destroyed one camera. Officers tried to tell the woman she can’t throw things at the cameras, but she yelled and stomped around her yard.

As officers arrested her, the woman kicked two police officers in the legs multiple times, yelling at them to let her go.

SEPT. 12

NAP TIME

3:23 a.m. — Interstate 95

northbound Exit 293 off-

ramp, Flagler County

Refusing to sign citation, DUI. A man was found asleep in his SUV with urine on his clothes on the northbound I-95 Exit 293 off-ramp.

A Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the scene to check out a potentially disabled vehicle, but found the man, 39, passed out in the driver’s seat with his genitals outside of his waistband and urine on his shorts and shirt.

The SUV was still on, and several open containers of alcohol were in the car, according to his arrest report.

The deputy woke the man up. The man told the deputy he’d parked there to sleep. He admitted drinking about seven drinks and refused to perform a field sobriety test. The deputy arrested the man and had his vehicle towed.

MACK THE KNIFE

3:02 p.m. — 300 block of North U.S. 1, Ormond Beach Loitering or prowling. Police arrested a 33-year-old Ormond Beach man who was seen walking near local businesses with a knife in his hand.

When the man spotted police cars, he tried to hide behind a business, according to his arrest report. He was seen walking into the bay of a nearby auto shop.

Police caught him in the middle of the bay and found he was carrying a folded pocket knife. The man told po-

lice that he was in the shop to get his car worked on, according to the report, and that he hadn’t committed any crimes. He then told police that he went into the auto shop “to get water” and hadn’t tried to elude police. He said he was with his friend and that they were on their way home to go swimming, then fishing.

Police also found a knife stuck in a nearby tree. A witness later said that the man had been holding this knife when he tried to approach an elderly couple. The witness alerted the couple to the man’s presence and had them return to their car before the man could reach them.

SEPT. 15

SENDING THE WRONG

MESSAGE

3:30 p.m. — Ormond-by-theSea Robbery by sudden snatching. A 35-year-old Ormond Beach woman was arrested after she bit her mother’s forearms and punched her in the face for downloading WhatsApp on the daughter’s phone.

The woman then took her mother’s phone and threw it from a fifth-story balcony, according to a police report. Her mother went downstairs to collect it, then called police. The woman refused to open her condo door for deputies, but deputies entered when her mother gave them a key. The woman was arrested.

ALL

Man found guilty of killing his girlfriend Charges filed after child left in room with dead man

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

A Palm Coast man charged with the fatal March 2021 shooting of his 22-year-old girlfriend has been found guilty of murder.

A six-person jury found Brenan Hill, 34, guilty on Sept. 15 of second-degree murder in the shooting of Savannah Gonzalez. The jury also found him guilty of aggravated battery and firing a weapon inside an occupied vehicle. Hill will be sentenced on Dec. 1.

Assistant State Attorney

Melissa Clark told the jury in her closing arguments on Sept. 15 that Gonzalez hadn’t wanted Hill to own a gun because she was afraid he would kill her.

“Within a week of him obtaining that gun, he did exactly what she was afraid of,” Clark said. “He shot her out of anger.”

Judge Terence Perkins presided over the case. Closing arguments began Friday, Sept. 15, after three full days of witness and expert testimony. The jury deliberated for two hours and forty minutes.

Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies had arrested Hill for the shooting in 2021. Gonzalez was shot in the head while the two were in their car in a Publix parking lot.

Hill had initially told detectives that he and Gonzalez had been in their parked car together when someone approached from behind in an alleyway, asked to buy weed, then shot Gonzalez in the head. He changed his story multiple times and later admitted that he’d shot Gonzalez, but said the shooting was accidental.

Gonzalez died in November 2022. Hill pleaded not guilty to all three charges.

During closing arguments, Clark reviewed evidence and testimony and said it all pointed to Hill and his “web of lies.”

“He’s lied over and over and over again,” she said. “If this was truly an accident, why are we coming up with a new version?”

Defense attorney Gerald Bettman argued that the state did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the shooting wasn’t an accident or that Hill had a depraved mind, one of the standards for a seconddegree murder charge.

“It’s a terrible case of lying and cover up,” Bettman said. “But there’s still reasonable doubt.”

Bettman argued that some evidence was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The state also did not show evidence of what happened inside the car, he said — just speculation.

“They have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said, “and it’s reasonable to believe that it was an accident.”

Clark said that there should be no doubt that the shooting was not an accident.

“He was angry. He was frustrated, and he lashed out,” she said. “And then he did everything he could do to try and hide the fact.”

In a press release, Sheriff Rick Staly said thanked everyone involved in the investigation and prosecution.

“Our investigative team became the voice of Savannah to get to the truth in this case,” Staly said. “While we can’t bring Savannah back, we hope this brings some closure for her family.”

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A Palm Coast woman allegedly left her son in a room where a man died after using drugs and having a threesome while her son slept in the same

BRIEFS

Cyclist dies after being struck by SUVs

A Palm Coast cyclist was killed on County Road 302 at 6:55 a.m. on Sept. 15 when he was hit by two SUVs.

The man, 51, who was not wearing a helmet or reflective gear, died at the scene, a Florida Highway Patrol report said. The cyclist was going west on C.R. 302 in the westbound lane ahead of two SUVs.

The first SUV hit the cyclist with its passenger side mirror, knocking the 51-yearold off the bike and into the westbound lane. The second SUV hit the cyclist as he lay in the lane, the report said.

Hammock Beach Resort fined over labor violations

The Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa violated labor protections by not providing a private space for an employee to pump breast milk and overworking its 14- and 15-yearold employees, according to

room.

Amy Kemper, 32, was arrested and charged with felony child neglect on Sept. 10 after Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Flagler County paramedics responded to a call at Hammock Beach Resort about an unresponsive man. Paramedics tried to revive the man but could not.

As FCSO deputies spoke to Kemper, she told them that she, the victim and several others drank and used cocaine and marijuana in the room the night before. She and a man

the U.S. Department of Labor.

The resort is being fined $6,800 in civil penalties, a press release from the Department of Labor said.

An investigation by the department found that it took the resort four months to find a place for a new mother to pump breast milk at work, the press release said. She was eventually offered the use of a manager’s office. That space was not private, and another worker at one point entered the room while the mother was attempting to pump milk.

The resort also issued a “written counseling” for the employee when she left her workplace without permission to find a private place to express breast milk.

The Fair Labor Standards Act requires employers to provide reasonable break time to express breast milk for one year after a child’s birth. Employees are entitled to a place “shielded from view and free from intrusion,” other than a bathroom, to do so.

The department also found that the resort employs eight 14- and 15-year-olds who were working more than the law allows.

had stayed the night with the victim in the hotel room to have a threesome, according to her arrest report.

Kemper’s 11-year-old son was in the hotel room the entire night, sleeping on a couch tucked partially into the closet, the arrest report said.

Kemper told deputies that she had hung a sheet to separate the couch from the bed during the threesome so her son would not see anything if he woke up.

Kemper and the other man left around 5 a.m., she said,

Man gets 35 years for murder

A man charged with seconddegree murder in connection with a death during a home invasion in 2021 pleaded no contest and has been sentenced to 35 years in prison.

A Flagler County court sentenced Kwentel Moultrie, 24, for second-degree murder and armed burglary on Sept. 14. He was also sentenced in January to 10 years for sexual battery. He will serve the two sentences consecutively, a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office press release said.

The murder victim, 23-yearold Zaire Roberts, was working with Moultrie and Taylor Manjarres to steal drugs from a drug dealer in the R-section of Palm Coast, a 2022 FCSO press release said.

Roberts distracted the resident as Moultrie and Manjarres tried to steal drugs from the home. The resident shot Roberts in self-defense after Roberts shot him twice. Manjarres, arrested alongside Moultrie with the same charges, pleaded guilty in May. She has not yet been sentenced.

leaving Kemper’s son in the room with the unconscious victim, cocaine, and drug and sex paraphernalia. She told deputies they thought their friend was “just sleeping it off.”

When they returned around 9:30 a.m., the victim was cold and unresponsive, Kemper said in the arrest report. The two called 911 and began chest compressions.

The son told deputies he had no idea what was happening until deputies arrived.

CRIME REPORT

Prank call leads to bomb search at Matanzas

Matanzas High School received a prank phone call about a bomb threat on Sept. 18, prompting staff and Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies to search the school.

The search was out of “an abundance of caution,” and deputies did not find anything suspicious, according to an email sent to MHS parents from Principal Kristin Bozeman. The “swatting” prank call was phoned in to the school’s front office.

The school’s front gate was briefly locked during the search.

“We know the intention of these kinds of prank calls is to instill fear and interrupt our school operations,” Bozeman wrote in her email. “We are appreciative of the support of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office in responding quickly to assist us in keeping our students and staff safe.”

On a seemingly endless loop, each day blended into the next: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. The routine was repetitive, a relentless cycle that drained me from my existence. Seven days, 168 hours, essentially the same 24hour day on repeat - days that felt indistinguishable from one another. Yearning for a change, a better one.

Then, unexpectedly, they entered my life - injecting excitement into my mundane routine like a comet streaking through the night sky. Texting before class, during class, between class, and even after; I’d devoted my life to them. Was it worth my time? Laughter, tears, smiles, and endless conversations, we shared it all. Suddenly, my schedule felt different, and I was no longer a prisoner of the ticking clock; and the time seemed to pause when I was with them – my "25th hour;" a moment dedicated to someone truly special.

Amid this seemingly hopeless reality, I believed I'd found an escape, but that wasn't the case. I became overly dependent on them, neglecting myself. Sleepless nights on calls replaced early bedtimes, and I started waking up late, skipping breakfast. School assignments, once a priority, slipped from my mind as thoughts of them consumed me. Not only did my mental well-being suffer, but the bonds with my friends began to disappear. They felt unheard, neglected, as I completely ignored them for this stranger who I thought held meaning towards me. Years of friendship seemed to evaporate before my eyes.

Months passed, and our relationship began to slip away. Yet, I had always seen them as my "25th hour," an extra hour in a day that defied the laws of time. However, the truth is, we all live within the same 24 hours, and in their 24, I didn't have a place. The realization was a sobering one, and I had allowed those precious hours to slip away, ignoring the world beyond our conversations. There we were, two strangers who hold many memories.

Generally speaking, love is an essential element in the mixture of time. Some say the most heartfelt thin that the best gift to give someone is the gift of your time because once it's given, you can never get it back. It’s the moments we share, the memories we create, and the hours we dedicate to each other that truly enrich our lives and relationships, leaving a lasting impact that love alone cannot match.

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The writing prompt was supplied by Ms. Giuliano's class at Flagler Palm Coast High School. Keep an eye out for further topics contributed by additional students in her class.

Lorraine Wilson

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

A woman admitted to deputies that she and her friends had a threesome and did drugs in the room while her son slept.

Provision Packs to hold Backpack Bash

Provision Packs is facing an $87,000 deficit next year, but founder Carrie Torres and her volunteers are continuing to work to feed children in need.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

EDITOR

MANAGING

For Provision Packs Founder Carrie Torres, the bottom line of her organization’s mission is to feed hungry children.

Since 2015, Provision Packs has upheld that mission, and though the nonprofit has no plans to stop anytime soon, the rising cost of food due to inflation has posed a significant challenge. Now feeding upwards of 850 children a week in 13 schools in Volusia and Flagler County, this year was the first since Torres founded Provision Packs where she was unable to expand services. Rising costs means rising need, but it also means a decrease in donations.

“It’s like this triple whammy that we’re trying to get through,” Torres said. “We’re trying to be able to combat the rise in cost while still being able to feed that need.”

Feeding America found that one in five children in 2020 lived in food insecure households. To close that gap, Provision Packs distributes nutritious food for children in financial need to have during the weekends and extended breaks throughout the school year.

Provision Packs’ biggest annual fundraiser, its Backpack Bash, will be held from 6-10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Forever Ranch in Ormond Beach. The fundraiser features food from local restaurants, plus outdoor games, a silent auction and live music by local band Hayfire. Tickets cost $50 per person in advance and $60 at the door.

Provision Pack’s goal is to raise $70,000.

Currently, the nonprofit helps students from Beachside Elemen

tary, Champions Elementary, Holly Hill K-8, Ormond Beach Elementary, Pathways Elementary, Pine Trail Elementary, Port Orange Elementary, Spruce Creek Elementary, Tomoka Elementary, Bunnell Elementary, imagine School at Town Center, Rymfire Elementary and Wadsworth Elementary. There are six schools, Torres said, that are waiting to get help from Provision Packs.

For the upcoming 2023-2024 school year, Provision Packs is looking at a food cost of $303,000 to cover 36 weeks of feeding 850 children per week. That averages to about $8 per bag, Torres said. In 2019, it used to cost Provision Packs $5 a bag per child. Peanut butter alone this year is costing them $10,000 more, she added.

Torres said she and her board are facing an $87,000 budget deficit next year. “We plan one year in advance,” she said. “This also tells us how we can and cannot grow.”

Provision Packs doesn’t require schools to provide any statistical or analytical data to deem a child eligible to receive food. While that increases accessibility, it also means Provision Packs can’t qualify for

Dune restoration work shifts north

Efforts on the FEMA emergency dune project are shifting to the section of coastline south of Marineland, including the areas of the Beach Haven and Matanzas Shores neighborhoods.

Starting Tuesday, Sept. 19, the work staging area moved to the River-to-Sea Preserve on the west side of State Road A1A, and trucks are accessing the beach on the north access road at Washington Oak Gardens State Park, according to a Flagler County government news release. Motorists should expect traffic delays and dump truck traffic on the roadways between Marineland and Washington Oaks Gardens State Park.

state funding.

That’s why fundraising is so important, Torres said. Changing Provision Packs’ model would mean some students would not receive food.

“We don’t want red tape,” she said. “So a lot of it is we just keep going in faith.”

And it’s primarily the local businesses that keep them going, Torres said. The following restaurants are participating in the Backpack Bash: Fugu, Ormond Garage, 31 Supper Club, Riptides, The Grind, Mario’s, Avanu, Hulls Seafood, Rose Villa, Sovereign 63, SoNapa and Salty Pint.

“The small businesses in this community — they’re not only the backbone of the community, they are the backbone of this organization,” she said. Torres said over 50 local businesses have helped make the Backpack Bash possible in its seventh year.

“It makes me feel humbled, because everybody is going through it,” Torres said. “So many of these (businesses) are restaurants — their costs are rising too, and there’s just a lot of organizations that love this community, and knowing that this is their home base, they want to serve the community that they’re in.”

Bunnell solid waste fees increase by $12

Bunnell’s new solid waste services fee increase of $12 went into effect on Sept. 11.

Residents will now pay $32 per month instead of $20, for the same services. The only other significant change is that there will no longer be any free bulk pickups for household goods, a Bunnell press release said.

Instead, residents will be charged by the cubic yard for pickup. The Bunnell City Commission adopted the increase at its Aug. 28 meeting.

The fees were last changed in 2017 for residential services and 2018 for commercial services.

Airport joins disabilities program

“They will start placing sand in front of the Beach Haven neighborhood access and work south to Washington Oaks Gardens State Park for approximately four weeks,” said Flagler County Coastal Engineering Administrator Ansley WrenKey. “Then they will focus on the northern portion of the project.”

Efforts are being made in collaboration with the Town of Marineland to keep the beach parking lot open for events during the project, which is expected to be finished by midNovember.

The dune work, which is being done with post-Nicole emergency funds, will be consistent from Riverto-Sea Preserve to Beverly Beach. This northern terminus completes the dune work for this year, where about six cubic yards of sand per foot will have been placed on the northern 11.6 miles of the coastline.

“The remaining FDEP and FEMA funds for beach and dune recovery will be spent on a larger beach nourishment project,” Wren-Key said. “It will go through a design and permitting phase.”

Old Salt Park has re-opened, and Jungle Hut Park should be open Wednesday or Thursday (Sept. 20 or 21).

“This work is critical for Flagler County, and we appreciate everyone’s continued patience,” said County Administrator Heidi Petito.

Daytona Beach International Airport is striving to make air travel easier for people with hidden disabilities.

Travelers with brain injuries, hearing loss, memory loss, asthma, diabetes, or any number of other hidden disabilities that may not be outwardly noticeable to airport staff can now receive extra assistance through the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, according to a press release.

The airport recently joined the Sunflower program, which has grown to include more than 220 airports worldwide, including nearly 100 in the United States, plus 12 airlines and a host of other businesses. This voluntary program for airport passengers identifies hidden disabilities by the green sunflower product they choose to wear.

While this program does not allow for special treatment or expedited service, it is an indication to airport staff that the passenger may require additional assistance.

By wearing a sunflower lanyard, badge, or pin, people can discreetly inform staff that they have a nonvisible disability and may need extra help, understanding, or just more time.

DAB offers complimentary Hidden Disabilities Sunflower items (a lanyard and ID card or pin) at information desks and at Airport Control, located on the first floor near the elevators.

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Carrie Torres founded Provision Packs in 2015.

Bring your bike to Central Park Friday, Nov. 3 from 5-7pm for the Fun Ride. Kids can ride around the lake with their favorite Palm Coast Firefighters and Flagler County Sheriff’s Deputies! We’ll have free helmets & lights, food trucks, and more!

Three

Developers propose 977-unit community

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

A 977-unit residential development — to consist of apartments, single-family homes and townhomes — could soon be proposed for a 222-acre property at 1845 N. U.S. 1. Developers met with the Ormond Beach Site Plan Review Committee on Wednesday, Sept. 6, and presented a concept plan for the “East Shore at Ormond” development, composed of 359 single-family lots measuring 40-50 feet wide, 294 townhome units and 324 multi-family units. The property is east of the Flagler County line in unincorporated Volusia land, near the Future Foods Enterprises manufacturing company. It abuts the Plantation Bay subdivision.

The property has a “lowdensity” land use, which allows eight units per acre, according to the meeting’s minutes. The property, made up of three commercial parcels, has three zonings: “Commercial” B-8, “Highway Tourist Commercial” B-7 and Planned Business Development. The developers would likely pursue a PBD rezoning process.

Though the land is in unincorporated Volusia County, it has city zoning districts because it is part of the city’s Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement Area with Volusia County. Annexation would eventually be required for connection to city utilities.

Planning Director Steven Spraker outlined several concerns with the project, one

being the proposed width of the townhomes. The developer — Cathay Financial Holdings — proposed 20-footwide townhomes. The city’s minimum width requirement is 24 feet.

The development would also impact 39 of the 73 acres of wetlands onsite. Spraker said that draws red flags for city staff.

“Thirty-nine acres of wetland impacts is a lot,” he said. “It’s high from what we’ve seen in other developments and other subdivisions, and while you may have the technical right through your state agencies and federal agencies to do it, you are in a negotiated zoning district, and staff, Planning Board, commission may have concerns with that.”

The developers of the Ridgehaven subdivision, one of those most recently approved by the commission, reported about 8 acres of wetlands on the 84-acre property. The approved site plan impacted 1.75 acres of wetland.

City Planning Civil Engineer David Allen agreed with Spraker.

“The wetland impacts are significant, and it’s kind of discouraging to know that you’re going to go and wipe all that out,” he said.

Bill Lites, with Zev Cohen and Associates, said the

Permits drop; Palm Coast growth steady

Despite a 37.5% decrease in residential building permits, an executive officer for the Flagler Home Builders Association doesn’t see reason for worry.

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developers planned to use a mitigation bank to offset the wetland impacts.

“The value of the bank is higher than the value of the wetland impacts,” he said.

Spraker said wetland impacts would likely be discussed during public hearings as well.

“We’ve seen with other applications — Plantation Oaks, Tomoka Reserve — the Planning Board and commission are very concerned about site design,” Spraker said. “Your lot size. Your parks. Your wetland impacts.”

He added that he assumed the 977 units would be the “maximum development scenario” and advised the developers to think about how they would justify their impacts in a public hearing.

Lites said a wetland on the east side of the property was cleared in the past, so it wasn’t a “pristine, functional wetland,” but that he understood the hearing process would be more complicated if the developer didn’t try to avoid wetland impacts altogether.

This was a pre-application meeting. Once a site plan is submitted to the city, the development would need to hold a neighborhood meeting before being reviewed by the Planning Board and City Commission.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Over the last two years, the number of residential building permits issued by Palm Coast has decreased by almost 38%.

Data from the city of Palm Coast shows that in the summer of 2020, the city was issuing an average of 200 singlefamily and duplex residential building permits in a month. That number has decreased to an average of 125 a month from August 2020 to July 2023.

In 2005 and 2006, Flagler County was the fastestgrowing county in the state. Twenty years later, the county is still the fourth-fastest growing county, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The declining number of issued permits, at a glance, may lead some to believe the growth rate is slowing, but Annamaria Long, an executive officer for the Flagler Home Builders Association, said that isn’t necessarily the case. For one, Palm Coast has an inventory of new construction builds now.

“We have more housing stock now than we did in 2021 and 2022,” she said. “There wasn’t a choice then but to build a new home.”

With more complete homes to purchase, fewer people are building their own homes, so fewer permits are issued.

Developments also tend to request individual residential permits in batches, Long said, which means that development tends to happen in waves: The developer or builder will request a batch of permits, receive them, build the homes and then request another batch.

The drop in permits is not significant enough to worry about, she said.

“What we’re seeing here is actually pretty healthy,” Long said. “What would make me very nervous is if I had really, really large numbers, because they’re not sustainable.”

Realtor Carl Lilavois, of Keller Williams Realty, said that despite the rise in property values in the last few years, Flagler is still one of the cheapest counties in Florida in which to buy a home — especially if a family is moving from a more expensive market.

“They’re selling their property for maybe $750,000,” Lilavois said. “And they’re able to purchase a really nice home here and either A, have more money leftover in the bank, or B, come here, still buy that nice property here, and use the leftover funds that they have to buy a secondary property or an investment.”

Greg Blosé, president and CEO of the Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber of Commerce, said while residential growth may not be slowing down, Palm Coast and the county need to focus on bringing in businesses.

“We’re upside down on the percentage of our population, the residents paying taxes versus businesses,” Blosé said.

Blosé said some industries are drawn to an area by the number of rooftops: retail stores like Walmart, Target and Publix. And while those are good jobs too, he said, the city and county need to focus on highly skilled, high-paying jobs.

“We need to invest more in economic development programs in Flagler County,” Blosé said. “That’s how you get there.”

Developers on Sept. 6 presented a concept plan for the ‘East Shore at Ormond’ development.

Concept plan by Zev Cohen and Associates

Initial plans for the “East Shore at Ormond” include 359 singlefamily lots, 294 townhome units and 324 multi-family units.

Tennis coach Frank Acierno was perfectly cast in his latest movie role

The Flagler Beach native plays a tennis coach in the movie ‘Never Give Up,’ a true story about the perseverance of deaf tennis champ Brad Minns.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler Palm Coast High School

graduate Frank Acierno is a tennis coach and an actor. So when he auditioned for the role of a tennis coach in the movie “Never Give Up,” he thought he might have a pretty good chance.

“In the audition, I had to describe topspin and backspin, which I thought was so funny because that’s what I do all day,” he said.

Acierno, who is from Flagler Beach, got the role.

“Never Give Up” tells the true story of Brad Minns, who lost his hearing at age 3. At 20, Minns won the gold medal in men’s singles tennis at the 1985 Deaf World Games. Minns came back from match point down in the third set to win in the fifth set of a five-hour match.

Acierno, 34, plays tennis coach Jim

Davis, who inspired the 7-year-old Minns to become a tennis player.

“He believed in Brad before Brad believed in himself,” Acierno said. “He took this frail, little kid who had a massive hearing device and not a lot of self esteem, and made him into the most positive type of monster on the tennis court you can imagine.”

Minns couldn’t hear the sound of the ball, so Davis taught him how to make up for what you can’t hear with what you can see, Acierno said, focusing on the seams of the ball and how to use all the spins.

The movie opened in about 700 theaters nationally — including Epic Theatres in Palm Coast — at the end of August in time for National Deaf Awareness Month in September. It played for about two weeks. It is expected to be picked up by Prime Video, Acierno said.

Acierno’s costume for the role included a bushy mustache, which was an exaggerated version of Davis’ mustache.

Minns was on the set, Acierno said. When they spoke while Acierno was in costume, Minns had trouble understanding because the mustache covered Acierno’s lip.

“He was like, ‘dude, I don’t know what you’re saying,’ which was kind of funny,” Acierno said. “It was a bit of a challenge because the kid (child actor Thomas Parobek) had to play deaf, and I had to really emphasize what I was doing with my mouth, so that he could even see my lips.”

TENNIS PLAYER, COACH, ACTOR

Acierno played tennis in high school and at Florida Gulf Coast University. At FPC, he and Max Watson won the district doubles title in 2007 and went on to win the doubles championship in the state’s Class 4A nonteam tournament.

Acierno is currently a tennis coach at the Interlachen Country Club in Winter Park. He also still competes.

“I actually won a national tournament in April that I’ve been trying to win for seven years,” he said. “So I’m going to continue to compete in the national age division probably for the rest of my life, as well as acting.

That’s my plan. I’m going to act and be in tennis for the rest of my life.”

Acierno began acting about 11 years ago after he started taking acting lessons on a lark. He was playing tennis one day with a friend who invited him to his acting class, taught by accomplished character actor Gary Grubbs.

“I just was going to acting class and really became obsessed with it, and over the course of a year or two Gary pulled a number of us aside and said, ‘You guys are ready for representation.’ And so the next thing we know we’re in the New Orleans area, and we’re live auditioning for ‘NCIS New Orleans,’ ‘Preacher,’ TV shows, big movies,” Acierno said.

Acierno moved to Atlanta to concentrate on his acting career. During COVID, when filming paused, he moved back to Florida. He has appeared in several independent and short films, including the short comedy “Monsters Anonymous,” which won several short film awards. In the

past year, he has filmed three national television commercials.

His part in “Never Give Up” is his most notable role to date, he said. He realized that the movie’s message of perseverance can be applied to his own acting career.

“Even just booking a movie called ‘Never Give Up’ meant a lot to me,” he said. “It describes my career in a lot of ways. Then when it ended up being a movie about tennis, the whole thing was very symbolic.”

He said he didn’t know a lot of the other actors in the movie who weren’t in his scenes. At the premiere, he discovered several of them are actually deaf.

“To listen to them talk about how they weren’t having a lot of success in the industry and say they were ready to quit acting, and this movie re-inspired them, it shed light on what it’s like to be deaf in a hearing world,” Acierno said. “I’m a big fan of the movie, because I think it has a really important message. We all

“Even just booking a movie called ‘Never Give Up’ meant a lot to me. It describes my career in a lot of ways. Then when it ended up being a movie about tennis, the whole thing was very symbolic.”

FRANK ACIERNO

have reasons why we can’t do something. We all have reasons why we can’t chase our dreams. So I think rather than making everything as safe as possible, the brutal honesty is all there: We’re going to double down, work harder, be stronger. I think that encourages other people to do the same.”

Courtesy photo

Frank Acierno (right) wore a cosmetic mustache as he played tennis coach Jim Davis, who inspired a young Brad Minns, played by Thomas Parobek (left), in the movie “Never Give Up.”

Frank Acierno, left, on the set with Thomas Parobek during the filming of "Never Give Up"

LETTERS

Parcel off U.S. 1 could be a good fit for new YMCA

Dear Editor: While the mayor and others may see an “integral community feature,” as he says, like the proposed new YMCA should not be an oasis and so should be built right in the middle of an already packed (and soon to be more) Town Center, perhaps we should take the other side and look at the “Y” as an oasis, and place it in an area that would be dispersed and diffused from the soon to be sardine can of the Town

Center. For this to happen, one must look at what’s available.

At a recent City Council meeting, city staff gave a listing of the large parcels of city-owned properties. These belong to all of us and have been “in the family” since before incorporation. One of these parcels stuck out to me as a perfect location for a new “Y,” and I recommended this to the council at a recent meeting. It’s called the “Peavy Grade parcel,” and it’s right in the middle of lots of new activity on U.S. 1. It’s large, 103 acres, which would allow not just the “Y,” but the city and county could join forces as they recently said to make this a worldclass recreational facility. This loca-

Make yourself at home

tion will become amenity-rich as time goes by.

The city and county could build at least four of the badly needed full-sized sports fields to rotate use, thus alleviating the ragged overuse of the few fields we have now, as detailed to the City Council by the flag football guy. It would have the acreage for plenty of parking to solve that problem at city parks now. A natural area could be left at the rear of the parcel so as to give the wildlife that occupy the site a place to stay. The funds for the “Y” already appropriated could be used strictly for the facility and not for any land purchases as necessary in the Town Center.

Pitcher perfect: practicing with Kennedy

Those pale green eyes, the frazzled hair — she was a picture of determination. How could I say no?

way that seemed to say, “If I’m no good, don’t forget that I only barely cared.”

But there was more to the story.

BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER

After a week or two of practices for my 8-year-old daughter Kennedy’s new softball team, the coach asked if anyone wanted to learn how to pitch. Ever so slightly, she raised her hand, volunteering — but in a

Kennedy’s journey began more than a year ago, at the swimming pool. I was playing catch with my son with a foam ball, and it bounced away from us and skidded to a stop in front of Kennedy. I asked her to throw it back to me, and, without hesitation, she threw a perfect strike across the pool.

“Whoa,” I said.

We tried to sign her up for softball last spring, but we were too late, so she played baseball instead, on a

team of mostly boys. This fall, she’s on a true softball team for the first time.

After practicing in the 95-degree heat, watching her looking sweaty and bored in left field, I suggested she could try pitching. So we went to a park and tried it out one day. Mostly, she rolled grounders in my direction.

I expected her to give up. Pitching had a lot of strikes against it, so to speak. Specifically, if you were going to mess up on a softball field, pitching was the most embarrassing way to do it. But something caught hold of her.

At the next practice, this week, she volunteered to pitch to a real catcher, in front of her peers, alongside a few other girls who wanted to

YOUR TOWN BIZ BUZZ

DETECTIVE NAMED OFFICER OF THE YEAR

A Flagler County Sheriff’s Office detective has been awarded the Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award for Flagler County.

Detective First Class Adam Gossett of the FCSO Major Case Unit received the Crime Stoppers award on Sept. 14 at the Crime Stoppers Annual Banquet at the Daytona 500 Club at Daytona International Speedway.

Gossett was also FCSO’s Deputy of the Year for 2022, according to an FCSO press release.

Gossett was nominated for the award for his role in saving the lives of two children involved in a severe motor vehicle crash on April 4, 2022, on Interstate 95. Though off duty at the time, Gossett carried the children away from the vehicle, which had caught fire, and used his shirt to stem the bleeding of an injury.

“DFC Gossett embodies the spirit and service to our community and is in keeping with the highest traditions of law enforcement,” Sheriff Rick Staly said.

UNIVERSITY WOMEN OF FLAGLER HOSTS ARTS CENTER DIRECTOR

The University Women of Flagler held its first meeting of the season on Saturday, Sept. 9, with Amelia Fulmer as guest speaker.

Fulmer has been the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center’s director for four years and spent 32 years as a Flagler Schools music educator, according to a news release from UWF.

Fulmer gave a brief history of the 1991 founding of the auditorium and noted that in addition to hosting performances, the auditorium serves as a classroom for students who wish to go into the performing arts.

FLAGLER TIGER BAY CLUB ELECTS NEW OFFICERS

The Flagler Tiger Bay Club has elected new officers to two-year terms on its Board of Directors.

Jay Scherr will serve as president, Amelia Fulmer will serve as first vice president, and Joe Saviak and Marc Dwyer will serve as second vice presidents, according to a news release. Gary Walsh will continue as secretary and chair of the Governance Committee, Cheri Orr will continue as recording secretary and program manager, and Jim Uveges will continue as treasurer.

For information on the club, go to flaglertigerbayclub.com.

PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER S.R. 100 OPENS

Flagler County’s new pedestrian bridge over State Road 100 is open and ready for use after five years of design and construction.

In a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 19, County Commission Chair

Greg Hansen said the bridge design was inspired by the A-frame of the iconic Flagler Beach pier. The bridge is 14 feet wide and stretches 690 feet across over S.R. 100.

It cost $9.8 million to construct.

“This is a bridge that will be enjoyed by generations of Flagler County residents,” Hansen said.

The Flagler Palm Coast High School track and field team ran across the bridge after the ribbon was cut. Coach Dave Halliday said this is a great new place for the team to practice.

Hidden Lakes resident Larry Coletti said he and his wife, Paula, are avid cyclists. Coletti said he’s glad he and his wife have a safer option now than to crossing S.R. 100.

“It just keeps us off the road more,” Larry Coletti said. “My blood pressure goes way down when I get on here. We feel much much better, because we’re off the road.”

The decision making that goes on at City Hall has to consider all possible outcomes in each situation. Now the mayor has established a group containing Town Center landowners, so it may seem like a done deal. But it doesn’t have to be. The Peavy Grade parcel is to be utilized as detailed by staff “for economic development.” What would be a better use than a new, world-class YMCA. Remember, “Build it, and they will come.”

JEFFERY C. SEIB Palm Coast

All of her practice pitches bounced at least once before reaching the plate. But this is a fall instructional league, so she wasn’t alone. Everyone was trying to learn.

Hot and pink-faced, she approached me after the practice, as the rest of the team was leaving.

“Can we stay and pitch some more?” she asked.

Those pale green eyes, the frazzled hair — she was a picture of determination. How could I say no?

As the mosquitoes came out to dine, I crouched at home plate in the orange clay, and she stood tall, all alone on the field, under the lights, letting the ball fly in my direction, over and over again, regardless of the failed tries, preparing for some future game, when she will face her fears, and maybe, if the coach believes in her, become a pitcher.

To me, she’s already a star.

Sept. 1 and have already had success stories, Todd Stewart said. Quantum Leap uses the Energy Enhancement System — a non-invasive treatment that uses bio-photonic energy fields called scalar waves — to help promote overall health, a press release from Quantum Leap said.

The EES system doesn’t heal anything itself, Todd Stewart said, but instead provides energy for the body to heal itself.

Sara Stewart — who has a background as an esthetician — discovered the holistic healing method, invented by Dr. Sandra Rose Michael in 1978, just over a year ago.

Courtesy photo

SYNERGY SENIOR FITNESS ADDS NEW CLASS

Synergy Senior Fitness is introducing a new senior fitness class.

The new class, with 20-year Senior Fitness Specialist Artie Gardella, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Mondays and Thursdays at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church at 5400 Belle Terre Parkway in Palm Coast, according to a news release.

“With the expanded class schedule, we’re taking a leap towards a stronger and more vibrant community of seniors, one class at a time,” Gardella said. The classes offer seniors an opportunity to enhance strength, endurance and flexibility, according to the news release. Classes are covered by most insurance plans. Individuals without coverage may attend with a donation. View the full class schedule at synergyseniorfitness.com or go to facebook. com/synergyseniorfitness.

BUSINESS OFFERS HOLISTIC HEALING

Palm Coast’s new holistic healing center encourages the body heal itself using bio-photonic energy fields, according to the business’ owners.

Todd and Sara Stewart opened Quantum Leap Wellness Center on

“The body wants to heal itself,” she said. “And this energy room is just creating that optimal environment for the body to be able to heal itself.”

Located at 25 W. Palm Harbor Village Way, Suite 8, the center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. by appointment. Its phone number is 386-225-4419.

OPIOID TREATMENT CENTER OPENS

A national opioid addiction treatment center has opened a new location in Palm Coast.

The New Season Treatment Center held a ribbon cutting for its new Palm Coast location at 57 Town Court, Suite 215, on Sept. 19. The New Season is opening another center on Oct. 3 in Gainesville, a press release from New Season said.

Amanda Hudak, senior vice president of New Season’s Florida-based operations, said New Season is committed to addressing the need for comprehensive opioid-use treatment options.

The company has over 30 locations in Florida, treating over 11,000 patients, and nearly 90 centers nationwide. New Season’s media coordinator, Kristen McCullough, wrote in an email that New Season offers medication-assisted treatments, counseling for the individual, groups and families, medically supervised withdrawal, medical exams, convenient outpatient services, referrals, confidentiality and takehome benefits after meeting criteria.

PALM COAST

“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.”

Publisher Brian McMillan, brian@observerlocalnews.com

Managing Editor Jonathan Simmons, jonathan@observerlocalnews.com

OBO Managing Editor Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@observerlocalnews.com

Associate Editor Brent Woronoff, brent@observerlocalnews.com

Staff Writer Sierra Williams, sierra@observerlocalnews.com

Design Manager 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

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VETERAN OF THE WEEK

The Flagler Humane Society is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1 Shelter Drive in Palm Coast.

Margaretta ‘Gretta’ Woodward Smith

 Branch of military: U.S. Navy  Dates of service: 1943-1945

 Rank/occupation: Petty Officer 3rd Class/Navy Storekeeper

 Eggroll, 3, is a friendly, laid back, handsome male cat.

 Ellie, 3, is a sweet and smart dog who needs to build trust with new people and animals before being brought into the home.

 Nibbles, a sweet, laid back, 7 yearold-female cat.

 Freja, 7, is a gorgeous female dog.

photos

For

details, scan the QR code at right.

 Hometown: Harrison, New Jersey Gretta Woodward Smith will be 100 years old on Sept. 21, 2023. Woodward Smith joined the Women Accepted for Volunteer Service (WAVES), an auxiliary of the U.S. Navy, in December 1943. She went through bootcamp at Hunter College in New York City, and as she recalls spent quite a bit of time at the shooting range. During bootcamp she also sang in the Navy choir. Gretta still loves to sing. Her duties took her to Washington, D.C., and she was assigned to the Navy submarine base in New London, Connecticut. That is where she met her future husband, Joseph Wooward, who was also in the Navy. They were married for 46 years until he passed in 1991. The Woodwards had five children. She loved being a mother and referred to the experience as heaven on earth. The Woodwards moved to Beverly Beach in 1988. Husband Joseph became the treasurer of the Santa Maria Del Mar Catholic Church, and Gretta was the secretary for the pastor. It was a position she held for many years. Gretta has 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She remarried in 2006 to Al Smith, and they currently reside in Palm Coast. There are plans for a 100-year birthday party for Woodward Smith, to be held at VFW Post 8696. Family and friends are coming from around the United States and at least one from out of the country. If you see Gretta, thank her for her service and wish her a happy birthday!

NEED HELP WITH VETERAN SERVICES?

For information about benefits and support organizations for veterans, call 386-313-4014.

Senior Fitness Specialist Artie Gardella teaches a class.

Photo by Sierra Williams Flagler County Commission Chair Greg Hansen cuts the ribbon on the new State Road 100 pedestrian bridge.

learn.

Adoption fees vary based on the animal, and the shelter has both dogs and cats up for adoption. Anyone who is interested in adopting or has questions about the process can contact the Flagler Humane Society at 386-445-1814 or apply online at flaglerhumanesociety.org.

PETS UP FOR ADOPTION

and

Pontieri proposes annexing Mala Compra Park

address infrastructure concerns that the county — and Flagler Beach in particular — is facing due to projected population growth.

Flagler Beach Commission Chair

Eric Cooley said Flagler Beach is illequipped to handle that influx.

Flagler Beach approves three-story residential, commercial building

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Palm Coast City Council mem -

ber Theresa Carli Pontieri said she wants the record to be clear: Her idea to annex Mala Compra Park to the city stems from a desire to help Flagler Beach with its overcrowded beaches and give Palm Coast residents beach access. It is not a land grab, she said.

“Annexation isn’t the only option,” Pontieri said. “I’m not opposed to some type of joint ownership between the county and the city.” Mala Compra Park is a Flagler County government park.

Pontieri pitched the idea to her fellow council members at a Sept. 12 City Council meeting, and to Flagler County’s municipalities at a joint workshop on Sept. 13.

“This intention is simply to improve a beautiful piece of land into what could be a really nice amenity and park that is currently, in my opinion, not being optimized in its utilization,” Pontieri told the Observer

Pontieri told the Observer she has been reaching out to groups and communities in the Hammock area that would be directly impacted by an annexation, trying to allay any concerns ahead of time. Almost all of the land surrounding Mala Compra cannot be developed, she said.

“We want to preserve its integrity, and we want to improve it. And this would accomplish so many different things,” Pontieri said. “We could really turn Mala Compra into a beautiful beach.”

In June, Flagler Beach asked the county’s municipalities to come together for a joint workshop to

Cooley said the population increase is a countywide problem, since many of the county’s residents and tourists are coming directly to Flagler Beach, and not to the rest of the county’s shoreline.

County Commissioner David Sullivan presented data from a 2020 survey created by the county’s Tourism Development Council. In 2020, 80% of tourists went to Flagler Beach.

The purpose of the joint meetings, Cooley said, is to brainstorm ideas to address infrastructure concerns for the whole county and figure out how to draw beachgoers to the county’s other beaches, spreading out the crowd.

The commissioners and council members discussed drawing people to other beaches by using better marketing and potentially adding more lifeguards. Pontieri said annexing Mala Compra to Palm Coast so the city could manage and improve it could be another way.

The idea received mixed responses, both from the Palm Coast City Council and from other representatives at the joint workshop.

Palm Coast City Council member Ed Danko said he was concerned about the response of residents in the Hammock who might be impacted by the annexation. Hammock residents are very protective of the area, he said.

“I’d have to see a lot more to move forward with this,” Danko said.

Flagler beach representatives Cooley and City Commissioner Scott Spradley said at the Sept. 13 workshop that they supported the effort and concept as a way to help overcrowding problems, though Cooley said he wasn’t sure about the “nuts and bolts” of the idea.

“It’s up to Palm Coast how to get there,” Cooley said.

County Commissioners Andy Dance and Sullivan expressed almost

The new building will feature retail and commercial on the first floor and residential or resort units on the second and third floors.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

A proposed three-story building featuring retail, residential and vacation rental space at the corner of North Second Street and State Road

A1A has received the Flagler Beach City Commission’s approval.

ent of his.

The building will be just under 9,300 square feet, City Planner Larry Torino said, and is required to have a total of 15 parking spots, seven of which will be on-site — including one handicapped parking spot — while the other eight will be provided through the parking pool.

no reaction, except to defer the issue for when Palm Coast came together to pitch a more solid plan.

“I think until the city actually formulates a proposal that has buy-in from all the members, we should probably just limit our input,” Dance said. But Pontieri was not deterred. She told the Observer that people don’t understand the gravity of the situation Flagler Beach is facing, both now and in the coming years. She said will continue reaching out to community organizations involved and then work with the city’s legal staff and the county government to figure out the best path forward.

“If we don’t jump on board with trying to find ways to address it, now we’re going to be in a much tighter and more unfortunate situation,” she said. “Annexation is free; entering into a joint ownership agreement with the county is free. And then we just spend money on improving the park.”

The commission voted 4-0 on Sept. 14 to approve a final site plan for the proposed mixed-use building at 205 N. Ocean Shore Boulevard, on the site of the former Saltwater Croc’s Grill restaurant. The applicant, John Zemball of Zahn Engineering, will raze all existing structures and redevelop the 8,300 square-foot lot, according to documents from the Sept. 14 Flagler Beach City Commission meeting.

Commissioner Scott Spradley abstained from voting on the project because the applicant is a legal cli -

The parking will be beneath the first story of the building, Torino said. The three planned residential units require a combined six parking spots on site, he said. The one resort unit is considered a commercial use. Torino also said the applicant intends to improve the sidewalk around the property, with Zahn Engineering building a sloped, ramp-like walkway along Ocean Shore Boulevard and South Second Street “to enhance pedestrian access and safety.”

The second and third floors will include two residential units and one resort dwelling on the second floor and one residential unit on the third floor, according to meeting documents.

The application was reviewed twice by the city’s Planning and Architectural Review Board, which addressed concerns about the building’s design.

‘We could really turn Mala Compra into a beautiful beach,’ Palm Coast City Council member Theresa Carli Pontieri said. She said the idea is preliminary.

Photo by Sierra Williams City Council member Theresa Carli Pontieri at a joint workshop on Sept. 13

A rendering of the proposed design Image from Flagler Beach meeting documents

From firefighter to ‘gentleman farmer’: PCFD lieutenant retires

with the Flagler County Ambulance Service — back when the county had 25,000 people and only four ambulances, he said — then joined the PCFD in 1999.

He was one of the department’s first three paramedics and was promoted to lieutenant in 2008.

— the Hall of Terror — drew more than 1,000 participants for the first time. Cline, alongside former Fire Chief Jerry Forte, created the nowannual Halloween event.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Rich Cline has been planning his retirement from the Palm Coast Fire Department for years now.

“I started kind of shedding jobs about five years ago,” Cline said.

To celebrate his retirement, he and his wife spent the first few days at Disney World. But after that, Cline and his wife packed up their home in Flagler County and moved to the mountains of Tennessee to be closer to their daughter, granddaughter and other family.

Cline spent the last 25 years working in Flagler County. He started

“Is it saving lives, or is it helping people?” Cline said. “The majority of the job, I mean — you don’t save lives every day as a firefighter. … It’s about helping, not the hero stuff.”

He has a lot of good memories from his time with the department, he said — and a lot of bad ones, too. But he focuses on the good memories and the good relationships.

“It’s like the old saying, ‘When the rats and roaches are running out, we’re running in,’” Cline said. “We see things that normal people don’t see and shouldn’t see. And the good memories kind of make those go away a little bit.”

One of his best memories is when the PCFD’s Halloween horror house

“We had like two kids come in to get candy from the first year,” Cline said. “And the last year that I participated in it, which was two years ago, we had a little under 5,000 come through in two nights.”

Forte has known Cline since before Cline joined the PCFD. He said the idea for the Hall of Terror came about when the two of them were sitting around the old fire station.

“Let’s face it,” Forte said, “a lot of ideas are created out of boredom.”

Forte and Cline built the Hall of Terror up to what it has become — a safe community event for scares and family fun.

Cline became the “Boo Master,” a title he later bestowed upon PCFD Lt. Dan Driscoll when Cline began shedding his job titles.

The Hall of Terror is where Cline

became close friends with Driscoll. One of Driscoll’s favorite memories of Cline, Driscoll said, is of a training exercise in the middle of August where Driscoll soaked Cline with a hose.

“It always makes me laugh when I tell that story,” Driscoll said. “And he always laughs when I tell it now.”

Cline is just that type of man, Driscoll said — passionate and a team player. Cline and his wife will return to Flagler County in the spring to attend MegaCon with the Driscolls: The two couples have attended together for the last several years.

Driscoll said that if he had to describe Cline to a stranger, it would be as “a love-able oaf with Tigger energy.”

“He’s not one of those guys that ever grew older or grew stale,”

Driscoll said. “He’s just always one of those guys who stood up for what was right.”

Forte said Cline is one of those guys who will always have your back.

“He just has a big heart, and he wore it on his sleeve,” Forte said. “He deserves the opportunity to be near his granddaughter and be part of her of her life.”

Now, after a lifetime of service, Cline said he has traded in his multitude of titles to be with his family, sit on his porch and watch his grass grow.

“I’ve always had a title; I’ve always had an identity around the job I was in,” Cline said. “Now, the only title I have — as one of the guys told me the other day — is: papa and gentleman farmer.”

Bulow RV Resort residents seek county’s help as management pushes to evict them

The RV park has told residents who have unpermitted structures — and haven’t removed them as ordered — to tear them down and leave.

JONATHAN SIMMONS

MANAGING EDITOR

For over a year, the Flagler County government has warned the Bulow RV Resort that “permanent structures” on residents’ lots are a code violation. Now, the RV park’s management is ordering residents to remove those structures, and the residents are pleading with the county government to stop the park from forcing them out.

“We will have to pay thousands of dollars to get our homes torn down and hauled away and lose every dime we used to buy our homes,” one resident told county commissioners during the public comment period of a Sept. 18 commission meeting. “There has to be some kind of moral responsibility” when displacing longtime residents, she added.

County commissioners expressed sympathy for the residents and said they wanted to gather more information.

“I think it’s it’s critically important

that we try to ... do what we can to assist,” County Commissioner Andy Dance said. “... If the code enforcement action is what’s instigating this, then if we give time and put that off until after the new year or something, we can maybe have further discussions with the owner on how to rectify their situation.”

A Bulow RV Resort lease shown to the Observer states that residents may occupy the park for only up to six months out of the year. “This Resort shall not be your permanent residence,” the lease states. Still, it became just that for some locals who have lived there continuously for years and now don’t know where they could go next if they’re forced to leave.

Bulow RV Resort spokeswoman

Jennifer Ludovice wrote in a statement emailed to the Observer that county government staff notified the RV Resort in the fall of 2022 that some lot sites were in violation of county code.

The resort’s management contacted the “guests” at those sites on Nov. 18, 2022, she said, and told them that their sites must be brought into compliance with county code within 30 days.

“Since that time, we have repeatedly followed up with guests who have not brought their sites into compliance with the county’s requirements, informing them that if sites are not brought into com -

pliance, we will be unable to renew the guest’s lease,” Ludovice wrote.

“After allowing nearly 10 months to bring their sites into compliance, on Aug. 31, 2023, we notified certain guests whose sites remain noncompliant that their lease would not be renewed upon expiration on Oct. 1, 2023.”

She added, “We appreciate the efforts of those guests who worked over the last 10 months to bring their sites into compliance and regret that it has become necessary to not renew the leases of those who would not make the required alterations to become compliant with county regulations.”

One RV Resort resident speaking at the County Commission meeting confirmed that timeline, saying that she and others had been notified last November and then received a 30-day eviction notice on Aug. 31 telling them that they must tear the structures down and vacate by Oct. 1, 2023.

The three residents who spoke to commissioners said they can’t move their homes that soon.

“I’m asking you for your help and your assistance in at least giving us additional time,” one resident said.

“I have an RV park model. I can’t just hook it up to a truck. ... There’s logistics. I have to hire an electrician to disconnect the electric. I have to hire a plumber. I have to hire a transportation company to move this

property off ‘their dirt,’ as the attorney referred to it as. That takes time.”

One resident said the he’d bought his trailer from Bulow with the permanent structures attached.

“I bought a trailer, a park model, from Bulow, from the corporation, with additions, porches, everything there — and now they want to throw me out,” he said. “I have no money. I have nowhere to go. I’m on oxygen. ... What do we do? Do I get to be homeless? We all get to be homeless now? Is that what our county wants for us?”

The Bulow RV Resort’s written statement did not answer the Observer’s question about whether trailers had been sold to lot lessees with permanent structures already in place.

County Commissioner David Sullivan asked Sean Moylan, the deputy county attorney, about the county government’s communications with Bulow RV Resort about the code violation case.

Moylan said the county began code cases against the park landowner last fall because of concerns about safety.

“There were too many structures too close together, and it becomes a fire hazard,” Moylan said. “They asked for additional time — I believe it was till October — and I suppose that’s why it’s coming to a head.”

The county hasn’t heard much since then from the property owner, and has just been waiting to see if

the owner has brought the park into compliance, Moylan said.

“Certainly we have nothing to do with non-renewing of leases,” Moylan said. “... The county is has no role in that or jurisdiction — would never ask them to do such a thing.”

Commissioner David Sullivan said he wanted to be cautious about making statements. But, he said, “It just seems like a terrible situation. We don’t want people thrown out of their houses.”

Commissioner Leann Pennington implored the county administration to work with the RV Resort’s management to find a solution for the residents.

“We summoned the wind, and now they’re reaping the whirlwind of it,” she said. “So I would, I would hope that for your [residents’] benefit, that things are resolved amicably, and I feel horrible that you’re facing this at this time.”

Moylan said the county administration was “never out to punish anybody” and had reached out to the landowner that afternoon to start a conversation.

“We just want to make sure that the structures are not in a dangerous position,” Moylan said. “... Certainly we will ask them to please not throw people on the street because of this.”

Email Palm Coast Managing Editor Jonathan Simmons at jonathan@ observerlocalnews.com.

After 25 years on the force, Rich Cline only wants to hold two titles for the rest of his life: papa and gentleman farmer.

Photos courtesy of the PCFD

Chief Berryhill, Rich Cline, retired Chief Jerry Forte and Dan Driscoll pose in front of the City Council dais in 2022, after the City Council proclaimed October as Hall of Terror Month.

PCFD Lt. Rich Cline reads to a class of Flagler County students.

YOUR NEIGHBORS

The coast is clean

Volunteers participate in annual International Coastal Cleanup event.

SUZANNE McCARTHY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Ocean Conservancy’s 38th International Coastal Cleanup was held Saturday, Sept. 16, with more than 20 locations up and down local beaches.

Volusia County’s Environmental Management Division hosted the local effort in Volusia County, where volunteers collected trash along the coast and local rivers.

Ocean Conservancy’s cleanup event has grown to include more than 150 countries. Locally, volunteers filled contractor trash bags with debris, including hubcaps, propane tanks, dishes, refrigerant parts, and a car’s side mirror. Volunteers at Tomoka State Park collected 915 pounds of trash, according to Dream Green Volusia.

Ormond Beach resident Martina Wasdin, a Volusia County International Coastal Cleanup site coordinator, organized volunteers at Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park in Ormond-by-the-Sea.

“This is our home,” she said. “We live here, and every single day, I want to come and see this. ... People are very active, and they are happy to participate.”

She was joined by her husband, Scott Wasdin, and daughter Lindsey Kauffman.

“We like doing our thing for our beaches and our parks,” Martina Wasdin said.

Thirty-nine volunteers participated at the Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park location.

In Flagler County, the county’s Land Management staff supported a cleanup in Marineland, hosted by the University of Florida and the GuanaTolomato-Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve.

“I am happy to be participating and picking up trash,” Public Lands & Natural Resource Manager Michael Lagasse said, according to a Flagler

County news release. “The International Coastal Cleanup engages people from around the world to remove trash from the world’s beaches and waterways, and it’s great to be a part of that.”

Flagler Beach residents took part in a cleanup event organized by the Flagler Beach All-Stars along the stretch of beach near the city’s pier.

“Personally, what I have been seeing the most of on the beach have been the rubber bands for hair ties,” said the All-Stars’ Carla Cline. “That’s like the new straw, I guess. And then, obviously, the cigarette butts.”

The All-Stars have been organizing beach cleanups for about eight years.

Flagler Beach Mayor Suzie Johnston took part in the All-Stars cleanup and noted that the Matanzas High School National Honor Society and Students Working Against Tobacco participated, earning volunteer hours.

Attendees recorded their finds on Ocean Conservancy’s Clean Swell App, she said. the cleanup, they found more regular litter than washup trash, she said. said. “As long as people are happy to show up, I’m happy, and people always show up with a really great atti tude.”

Coast Man aging Editor Jonathan Simmons contributed to this story.

Courtesy photo Linda Provencher, Carla Cline and Flagler Beach Mayor Suzie Johnston attended the International Coastal Cleanup with the Flagler Beach All-Stars on Sept. 16.

Photos by Suzanne McCarthy

Lindsey Kauffman waits for volunteers to return during the International Coastal Cleanup in Ormond-bythe-Sea.

Trash and Recycling cans on the beach near Michael Crotty Bicenten-

Scott Wasdin takes out the trash at the Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park location of the International Coastal Cleanup.

Mosquito Control District has tentatively adopted a measure to increase its property tax levy:

Last year’s property tax levy:

A. Initially proposed tax levy............................................$4,440,446

B. Less tax reductions due to Value Adjustment Board and other assement changes...............................................................$ 920,206

C. Actual property tax levy...............................................$3,520,240

This year’s proposed tax levy.........................................$4,440,446

All concerned citizens are invited to attend a public hearing on the tax increase to be held on:

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 5:01 PM DISTRICT OFFICE, 210 FIN WAY, PALM COAST, FL

A FINAL DECISION on the proposed tax increase and the budget will be made at this hearing.

LOCAL EVENTS

THURSDAY, SEPT. 21 ORMOND BEACH AREA DEMOCRATIC CLUB

MEETING

When: 7 p.m.

Where: 56 N. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: The Ormond Beach Area Democratic Club will host guest speaker Carl Persis, Volusia County School Board member for District 4. Check-in and social visiting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Likeminded nonmembers are welcome to attend as guests. Visit ormondbeachdems.org.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 22

“HELLO, DOLLY!”

When: Weekends of FridaySunday on Sept. 22-24, Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, and Oct. 6-8. Friday and Saturday shows start at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday shows start at 2 p.m.

Where: Flagler Playhouse, 301 E Moody Blvd., Bunnell

Details: The exploits of Dolly Gallagher-Levi, turn-of-thecentury matchmaker, will thrill and entertain you in “Hello, Dolly!”, a musical adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s hit play “The Matchmaker.” Buy tickets at flaglerplayhouse.org/hello-dolly.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 23

SONG BIRD CRAFTS

When: 11 a.m. to noon

Where: Ormond Beach Environmental Discovery Center, 601 Division Ave., Ormond

Details: Join the EDC for a craft activity. Recommended for ages 4-11. Space is limited. Call 386-615-7081.

COLLECTORS DAY

When: 12-3 p.m.

Where: Anderson-Price Memorial Building, 42 N. Beach St., Ormond Beach

Details: The Ormond Beach Historical Society is inviting the community to this free event where attendees can peruse collectables — postcards, photographs, toys, watches, coins, glassware, cards, military items and more. Feel free to wear historical clothing. There will be free food and beverages.

AAUW’S ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP TEA

When: 1-4 p.m.

Where: Historic Holden House, 204 East Moody Blvd.,

Bunnell

Details: The American Association of University Women Flagler County Branch is hosting its annual membership tea. Learn more about the organization. Light refreshments will be served. Visit flaglercountyfl.aauw.net.

CRUIS’N 4 PAWS

When: 3-7 p.m.

Where: Palm Coast Town Center, 975 Central Ave., Palm Coast

Details: Help Saving Missing Animals Response Team celebrate a successful year of rescue. This dog-friendly event will feature a car show, music, food trucks, vendors, a dance performance and a fun zone for kids. Contact shara@ smartflagler.com or caroline@ smartflagler.com for sponsorship opportunities.

FALL FOR FLAGLER

FESTIVAL

When: 3-6 p.m.

Where: Veteran’s Park, 101

S.R. A1A., Flagler Beach

Details: Celebrate the fall season with Flagler Beach Historical Museum’s new fundraiser. Enjoy tastings from local restaurants, a silent auction, and DJ entertainment. Tickets cost $45. Visit flaglerbeachmuseum.org.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 24

LOST ARTS FESTIVAL

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Florida Agricultural Museum, 7900 Old Kings Road North, Palm Coast

Details: Attend this festival and enjoy canning, candle dipping, meeting farm animals and more. Museum members get free admission. Tickets for non-members cost $12 for 12 and up; $10 for children 4-12. Children under 3 get in for free. Bring a canned good for $2 off admission, to be donated to a local food bank or homeless shelter. Visit floridaagmuseum.org.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 27

BUNNELL BLOCK PARTY

When: 4:30-6 p.m.

Where: George Washington Carver Center, 201 E. Drain St., Bunnell

Details: Come out to the Bunnell Block Party and join Flagler Palm Coast High School, Buddy Taylor Middle School and Bunnell Elementary to learn more about resources

available for all students and celebrate students who are “changing the game.” Afterward, join Superintendent LaShakia Moore for a Q+A about moving Flagler Schools forward in a Community Connection forum.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 29

‘I HRT BROADWAY: A MUSICAL REVUE’

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29 and Saturday, Sept. 30; and 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1

Where: The News-Journal Center, 221 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach

Details: Head out to the News-Journal Center to see the Halifax Repertory Theatre’s “I HRT Broadway: A Musical Revue.” The Broadway musical revue will include selections from musicals that HRT would like to choose from for upcoming seasons, with songs from “42nd Street,” “Guys & Dolls,” “Les Miserables,” “School of Rock,” “Matilda” and more. Featuring guest artist Chelsea Turbin. Tickets cost $30 for adults and $25 for children under 18. Buy tickets at halifaxrep. com/tickets/index.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 30

MATANZAS CHORUS MATTRESS FUNDRAISER

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Matanzas High School cafeteria, 3535 Pirate Nation Way, Palm Coast

Details: Ready for a new mattress? Attend Matanzas High School’s second annual mattress fundraiser, where each purchase helps support the Matanzas chorus’ planned January trip to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Prices up to 50% off retail. More than 25 styles on display. Pillows and mattress protectors also available. For information, text keyword: “Pirates” to 321-521-2327.

AACS ’60S AND ’70S

DANCE PARTY

When: 6 p.m.

Where: African American Cultural Museum of Florida, 4422 N. U.S. 1, Palm Coast

Details: The African American Cultural Society invites the community to a themed ’60s/’70s dance party to celebrate the AACS’ inaugural Arts, Media, Communications, and Hospitality Internship program and the closing of its student-produced Summer of 1969 exhibition.

THE FINE ARTS

p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22.

The show features humor, romance, energetic dance and some of the greatest songs in musical theatre history, according to the playhouse’s website.

The show will run Friday to Sunday through Oct.

8. Friday and Saturday shows start at 7:30 p.m. Sunday shows begin at 2 p.m. The playhouse is located at 301 E. Moody Blvd. in Bunnell.

Tickets cost $30 and are available at flaglerplayhouse.org/hello-dolly.

–JARLEENE ALMENAS

Mariah Snow as "Dolly."

Photo is by Mike Kitaif

Full spud ahead

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Marcus Mitchell sat on the bench with a huge smile on his face.

The scene was typical. Mitchell is almost always beaming from ear to ear. But this moment was special.

Flagler Palm Coast High School’s junior running back had just scored his fourth touchdown of the night, and Mitchell’s teammates were putting their finishing touches on a 28-9 victory over county rival Matanzas on Sept. 15 at the Pirates’ stadium in the annual Potato Bowl game.

A capacity crowd in both the Matanzas home stands and the FPC side across the field witnessed Mitchell’s dominating performance. The 5-foot-8, 225-pound bruising runner ran over, around and through the Pirates’ defense on the way to 288 yards rushing on 25 carries. His final touchdown, a 44-yard run with 8:28

left in the game, took out whatever wind was left in the Pirates’ sails.

“You just can’t bring Marcus down with one person,” FPC coach Daniel Fish said. “He’s so determined, he’s so physical. He’s got a low center of gravity and he’s got tree trunks for legs. You can hit him as hard as you want to, but you got to wrap him up and you’re going to need help along with that as well.”

Mitchell has 527 yards rushing in three games, which is more than half his rushing total of 1,025 yards last season.

“We all worked hard as a team,” Mitchell said. “I wouldn’t have done it without the O-line, without the defense getting stops. But it feels great to have a breakout game like this.”

It was the Bulldogs’ 12th victory in 15 meetings with the Pirates.

FPC improved to 2-1 after losing its season opener at Live Oak Suwannee. Matanzas, also 2-1, lost its first game of the season after opening with wins at South Lake and Tocoi Creek.

“I still firmly believe we got a really good football team,” Matanzas coach Matt Forrest said. “I think that was a really good football team we played tonight. It’s a hard pill to swallow. It’s rivalry game. It means a lot to these kids, this community, but we’ve got to move forward.”

The Pirates couldn’t overcome mistakes and turnovers. A Matanzas personal foul on an FPC punt kept the Bulldogs’ opening drive alive, and Mitchell followed a 20-yard run with a 4-yard scamper for his first touchdown of the night.

Matanzas then fumbled on its first possession, with FPC defensive end Colby Cronk recovering at the Pirates’ 31. Five plays later, Mitchell scored on a 21-yard run and the Bulldogs led 14-0 with 4:09 left in the first quarter.

“We had a good game plan,” Matanzas senior Cole Hash said.

“We came into it knowing we had a chance to win, but we had too many mistakes and they had too many big plays, and we just couldn’t rebound. So much momentum was on their side that we couldn’t reel it back in.”

Matanzas appeared to score early in the second quarter on a 28-yard pass from Dakwon Evans to Daniel DeFalco, but the touchdown was called back because of holding. Hash then caught a 30-yard pass to set up a fourth-and-1 at the 10. But FPC middle linebacker Zaiden Greene tackled Hash for no gain to force a turnover on downs.

The Pirates get on the board with a safety on the first play of the second quarter when an FPC punt snap sailed over punter Chase Magee’s head. But the Bulldogs added another score before halftime on Mitchell’s 1-yard run to make it 21-2.

Matanzas receiver Andre Andrews

caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from Dakwon Evans with 8:07 left in the third quarter. Andrews caught a short pass and broke several tackles to get into the end zone.

Matanzas drove to the FPC 9-yardline on its next possession, but its chance of making it a one-possession game ended when Greene tipped a pass to himself for an interception.

Fish said Greene, a sophomore who moved in during the spring, earned the starting middle linebacker spot after starting spring practice on JV.

“I just heard him putting his pads on people every practice, so I was like, let’s give this kid a try,” Fish said. “He doesn’t shy away. He’s not scared of

anybody.”

A trick-play pass by Hash on the first play of the fourth quarter was intercepted by FPC cornerback Aiden Peterson, setting up Mitchell’s fourth touchdown.

The Bulldogs rushed for 337 yards. Quarterback Caden Gonzalez added 117 yards passing. Evans passed for 152 yards and rushed for 77 yards for Matanzas. Cronk had two sacks for the Bulldogs.

“It was a game of two teams battling hard and at the end of the day, the one that made the most plays won. And they deserved that,” Forrest said.

Email brent@observerlocalnews. com.

Marcus Mitchell (4) rushed for nearly 300 yards against Matanzas.

FPC linebacker Zaiden Greene celebrates the Bulldogs’ victory.

Matanzas’ Daniel DeFalco (6) hands the ball to an official, but his catch for a touchdown was called back because of holding.

FPC cheerleader Maci Marsh watches the action.

Photos by Brent Woronoff

“He's so determined, he's so physical. He's got a low center of gravity and he's got tree trunks for legs. You can hit him as hard as you want to, but you got to wrap him up and you're going to need help.”

DANIEL

FISH, FPC football coach, on tackling Marcus Mitchell

Cole Hash (4) blocks for Pirates quarterback Dakwon Evans.

Mitchell’s 288 yards, four touchdowns are no small Potatoes in FPC’s victory.

Seabreeze swimmers sweep Matanzas and Atlantic at tri-meet

The Sandcrabs went on to break six school records at Spruce Creek’s Record Break Invitational.

OBSERVER STAFF

Seabreeze swept Atlantic and Matanzas in a swimming tri-meet at the Ormond Beach YMCA on Sept. 13.

Three days later, the Sandcrabs broke six school records at Spruce Creek’s Record Breaker Invitational at the Port Orange YMCA.

Seabreeze won every event at the tri-meet. The Sandcrabs defeated Matanzas 119-51 in the boys events and 120-49 in the girls races. The Matanzas boys defeated Atlantic 117-46, while the Pirates’ girls edged Atlantic 88-79.

Seabreeze coach Sam Fabulich expects the Sandcrabs to perform well at state in their relay events. The problem, she said, is selecting

Full Service Real Estate Firm

Seabreeze’s Laurel Carson swims the butterfly.

Matanzas swimmer Jackson Hull (center) dives off the blocks.

Matanzas’ Matthew Sholes pushes off after a flip turn.

Photos by Jake Montgomery

SEE SWIM PAGE 6B

Seabreeze swimmers sweep Matanzas and Atlantic at tri-meet

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5B

which relays to compete in during the postseason.

“I feel our relays are going to do very well, both the boys and girls,” Fabulich said. “They’re able to do everything, which is nice, but we have to pick two relays between the 200 medley, the 200 freestyle or the 400 freestyle.”

Martin Montalvo, Tyler Smith, Kai

SIDELINES

McMeeking and Cole Conland broke a school record in the 400-yard freestyle relay with a time of 3:22.9 at the Record Breaker meet.

Other Sandcrabs to break school records at the meet were Conlan in the 200 free (1:48.97) and the 100 butterfly (51.71 seconds), Montalvo in the 200 individual medley (2:00.63) and the 100 backstroke (53.59 seconds) and Kenzie O’Keefe in the girls 500 freestyle (5:22.10).

Matanzas volleyball team goes undefeated at River City Classic

Courtesy photo

The Matanzas volleyball team went 5-0 at the River City Classic in Jacksonville.

crossword

seven matches before losing their first set against Bartram Trail in their final River City match. They won the next two sets against the Bears to win the match.

The Matanzas volleyball team improved to 11-2 after winning five straight matches and the Coastal Division title at the River City Classic in Jacksonville. Senior outside hitter Senna Thayer and sophomore libero Rylan Miller were named to the alltournament team. The Pirates have won eight straight matches heading into a game at Beachside on Tuesday, Sept. 19. They won 17 consecutive sets over

Cross country results

Flagler Palm Coast’s boys and girls cross country teams each finished sixth at the 3D Distance Classic at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City. Arianna Slaughter led the Bulldogs’ girls with a 19th-place finish with a time of 20:43.7. Cassidy De Young (21:03.30) was 23rd, and Taylor Novak ran a personal-record 21:36.70 to finish 29th.

Braedyn Wormeck led FPC’s boys with a ninth-place finish with a time of 16:22.0. Justin Gilliam (17:03.0) was 24th.

Seabreeze’s boys placed third at the Embry-Riddle Cross Country Classic. Sophomore Hunter Shuler placed seventh with a time of 18:29.4. Riley Hale led the Seabreeze girls with a time of 23:45.40 for 13th place.

Matanzas’ boys finished eighth at the Katie Caples Invitational at Bishop Kenny. Christian Norfolk (17:53.17) placed eighth. Blaine Vogel (18:27.01) finished 24th. Father Lopez’s Anna Nugent (22:45.20) placed 15th in the girls race.

celebrity cipher

By Luis Campos

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

“X ACFFBM JN RB C ANFBCANWXP. X

JBMH JN WNNS CJ FVNRWBTE CE CM

NFFNVJLMXJK JN HN ENTB GNVS.” CMMC HBCOBVB ETXJA

Puzzle One Clue: K equals Y

“F NVRNWL UTINKIU MG PIFYC N OMSYXTW KSLFO LFYCIT, PSX F YIAIT

UTINKIU F’U PI N KIKPIT MG XJI CTNYU

MVI MHTW.” XTFLJN WINTRMMU

Puzzle Two Clue: A equals V

“X GCXJM EJW GXBH E BZAXH SEJ

XJOUXVH WZI GZ GCXJM EJY VHRTHSG

EJY TZZM EG WZIV TXRH, XG’O E OISSHOO.” PZJ DHVJGCET

Puzzle Three Clue: T equals L

© 2023 NEA, Inc.

sudoku

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

that snuggles

102 “Violet” prefix

104 Nonprofit for pets (Abbr.)

108 Opera star

109 Spaghetti ___ carbonara

112 Having a bad day

114 Enjoyable

116 Fleur de ___ (expensive salt)

SHORT FILMS by Adam Simpson, edited by Jeff Chen

Matanzas swmmers McKenzie Manhart, Carmella Cuccinello and Karolina Jaronis speak with teammate Sam Peters.

Matanzas swimmer Giovanni DeAquino takes a breath.

Seabreeze’s Kai McMeeking swims the breaststroke.

Matanzas’ Kailah Hayes swims the butterfly.

Matanzas’ Keaton Lasicki takes a breath during the breaststroke.

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

Tuscany Hammock Dunes condo tops list

Acondo in Tuscany Hammock Dunes was the top real estate transaction for Aug. 3-9 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. Vicki Shearer, as trustee, sold 85 Avenue De La Mer, Unit 1001, to James and Peggy Garrison, as trustees, for $1,975,000. Built in 2006, the condo is a 4/3.5 and has 3,070 square feet of space. It sold in 2021 for $1,745,000.

Bayside

Dillan Walls, of Palm Coast, sold 24 Barring Place to 510 SFR FL Operations 1 LLC, of Temple Terrace, for $252,500.

Built in 1990, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,668 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $184,900.

Cypress Knoll

Danny and Theresa

Thibodeau, of Bunnell, sold 25 Empress Lane to James and Linda Fernandez, of Palm Coast, for $510,000.

Built in 2006, the house is a 3/2 and has 2 half baths, a pool and 2,316 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $337,000.

Easthampton

Ievgen Guralnyk, of Clearwater, sold 24 Empire Lane to Douglas and Erika Sands, of Palm Coast, for $350,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,370 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $308,000.

Indian Trails Louis Civitano and Michele McCarthy, of Yorktown Heights, New York, sold 114

Boulder Rock Drive to Alan and Susan Baker, of Palm Coast, for $329,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,087 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $280,000.

Carmen Gonzalez De Cruz, of Palm Coast, sold 70 Brockton Lane to Irina Geraldine O’Gara, of Palm Coast, for $320,000. Built in 2003, the house is a 4/2 and has a fireplace and 2,078 square feet. It sold in 2009 for $117,000.

Lehigh Woods

Steven Carnes, as trustee, sold 122 Red Mill Drive to Brielle and Ryan Mahannah, of Sedalia, Missouri, for $295,000. Built in 2003, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,681 square feet. It sold in 2003 for $118,900.

Matanzas Woods Green Monster Properties, LLC, of Daytona, sold 1 Linda Place to William Cole Jr. and Coral Cole, of Palm Coast, for $385,000. Built in 2000, the house is a 3/2 with a pool, hot tub and 1,560 square feet. It sold in 2023 for $282,000.

Not in a subdivision

Ryan Daniel Ivkovich, of

Halifax

is

Palm Coast, sold 20 Bressler Lane to 510 SFR FL Operations 1 LLC, of Temple Terrace, for $295,000. Built in 2008, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,141 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $223,900.

Ocean Hammock Kevin and Debbie Stackis, of Oracle, Arizona, sold 48 Ocean Oaks Lane to Mark and Eileen Weitzel, of Palm Coast, for $1,820,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 4/4 with a pool and 4,295 square feet.

Palm Harbor Brite Legacy LLC, of Orlando, sold 90 Lancelot Drive to Danyelle Leigh Shufelt and Thomas Moriarty, of Palm Coast, for $450,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,306 square feet.

Pine Grove

Seagate Homes, LLC, of Palm Coast, sold 83 Princeton Lane to Luis and Mike Pedro, of Palm Coast, for $358,400. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,832 square feet.

Pine Lakes

Edith Koehler, of Brooklyn, New York, sold 106 Whippoorwill Drive to Teresa Mendez, of Palm Coast, for $305,000. Built in 2002, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,732 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $205,000.

Royal Palm Wesley and Maria Brink, of Palm Coast, sold 15 Ryberry Drive to Robert and Morgan Porter, of Palm Coast, for

Plantation home

top sale in Ormond

Ahouse in Halifax Plantation was the top real estate transaction for Aug. 6-12 in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea.

Mark Allan Errico, of Ormond Beach, sold 3126 Silvermines Ave. to Jeffrey Robert Kafel and Kristi Ann Kafel, of Maple Glen, Pennsylvania, for $726,900. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,712 square feet of space.

ALEXIS MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Condos Scott Durnin, of Grove, Virginia, Kevin Durnin, of Shelton, Connecticut,and Brian Durnin, of Hamden, Connecticut, sold 1575 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 205, to Robert Lort Sr., Cythina Steinmann, William Lort Sr. and Sondra Lort, of Ormond Beach, for $405,300. Built in 1974, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,227 square feet. It sold in 1994 for $103,000.

Randy Morse and Carol Jan Morse, of Grove City, Ohio, sold 3370 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 5040, to George Bryan Dobbs, of Ormond Beach, for $440,000. Built in 1987, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,275 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $176,000.

Jean Burns Schammel, as trustee, sold 671 Wellington Station Blvd., Unit 17, to Cindy Rybicki, of Ormond Beach, for $185,000. Built in 1986, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,000 square feet. It sold in 1999 for $55,000.

Steven and Barbara McMa-

hon, of Ormond Beach, sold 672 Wellington Station Blvd., Unit 68, to Teresa Osinski and Jerrime Joseph George Osinski, of Ormond Beach, for $218,000. Built in 1997, the condo is a 2/2 and has 975 square feet. It sold in 2006 for $153,300.

ORMOND BEACH

Autumn Wood Kathleen and Eoin Harty, of Sierra Madre, California, sold 202 Pine Cone Trail to Patrick Connor McGuire and Rachel Corrinne McGuire, of Ormond Beach, for $305,000. Built in 1978, the house is a 3/2.5 with a fireplace and 1,630 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $163,000.

Breakaway Trails Cecile Helfritz, Lucie Pare and Lynn Bechard, of Ormond Beach, sold 97 Shadow Creek Way to Jason Daniel Williams and Grasiele Williams, of Ormond Beach, for $300,000. Built in 1988, the house is a 3/3.5 and has a pool, a fireplace and 2,492 square feet. It sold in 1995 for $196,900.

Country Acres Point of Loss Systems, Inc.,

of Holly Hill, sold 3438 Longleaf Road to Christopher Robert Brehm and Marie Judith Brehm, of Ormond Beach, for $750,000. Built in 1985, the house is a 4/3.5 and has a pool, a hot tub, a fireplace, a workshop, an in-law suit and 3,754 square feet. It sold in 2012 for $92,500.

Gardens at Addison Oaks

Jeffrey and Jennifer Schaeffer, of Port Orange, sold 81 Bella Vita Way to Darlene Smith, of Ormond Beach, for $309,900. Built in 2020, the house is a 3/2.5 and has 1,736 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $216,000.

Halifax Plantation

D.R. Horton, Inc., of Orlando, sold 2994 Monaghan Drive to Courtney Lerean Pine and Blake Edwin Pine, of Ormond Beach, for $522,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,381 square feet.

Mallards Reach Maureen Hamilton, of Ormond Beach, sold 6 Archangel Circle to George Martinelli, of Ormond Beach, for $585,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool and 2,428 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $450,000.

Not in a subdivision Lewis Darr and Stephanie Coleman, as trustees, sold 440 Palm Ave. to Steven and Jessica Taft, of Ormond Beach, for $590,000. Built in 1971, the house is a 3/3 with a fireplace and 2,625 square feet. It sold in 2014 for $225,000.

This one-of-a-kind, Estate home is located in The Preserve section of Breakaway Trails. It’s massive, private yard, sky-high ceilings and stunningly designed pool, are all sure to leave you in AWE. No expense was spared in this highly upgraded, savvy home. NEW ROOF to be put on 9/25/23!

MLS#1113893 $1,399,000 Call Jen Haines 360-878-1443.

This 3 bed/ 2 bath little slice of heaven is located on a corner lot. Perfect for hosting friends and family w/ this open split floorplan. Enjoy your mornings or evenings out on the screened in porch, and the privacy of a fenced in yard. Updated kitchen cabinets, plantation shutters, and a 2023 roof. MLS#1109995 $384,995 Call Joshua Petrick 386-871-1539.

ORMOND

Hear the ocean breeze from this totally renovated first floor 1 bedroom condo . One of the only ones with a dishwasher! No storm damage. Nothing to do but move in. Bedroom features ample closet space. Cute back porch to sit and enjoy the sunrise and sunsets. MLS#1110012 $172,000 Call Debi Giles 386-566-7763.

HERITAGE CONDO

Quiet Riverfront condo with Spectacular 5th floor views. This is the largest 2 bedroom floorplan offered. The updated unit has had renovations completed new primary suite Bathroom, Kitchen, Plantation Shutters, all tile flooring in main living areas. The Ormond Heritage Condos offer onsite management, and endless amenities. MLS#1113884 $539,900 Call Jennie Kulzer 386-527-9050.

Welcome to this fabulous move in ready home. This home has it all, brand new roof 2023, inground pool and spa with enclosure and covered patio with remote controlled awning for a spectacular shaded entertaining space poolside. 4 spacious bedrooms, 2 full baths, open floor plan on large lot. MLS#1113855

$599,000 Call Peggy Placek 386-341-4492.

Sitting high and dry high on a dune this wonderful 76’ wide lot is ready to build with no impact fees, as all utilities are on site. Original home demolished but footprint is still evident. Now is the time to make the dream of an oceanfront living a reality. Located in desirable area of nice homes. Old survey on file.

MLS#1113903 $1,200,000

Call V. Ann Alexander 386-503-7220.

$275,000. Built in 2002, the house is a 4/2 and has 1,782 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $135,000.

Sawmill Creek Adams Homes of Northwest Florida, Inc., of Pensacola,

sold 110 Rivertown Road to Wayne Harvey Bruce and Linda Marie Bruce, of Palm Coast, for $365,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,940 square feet.

Wynnfield Raymond Rada, of Palm Coast, sold 88 Woodside Drive to Randall John Page

and Donna McGuinness, of Palm Coast, for $455,000. Built in 2005, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,775 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $319,900.

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

Ortona Jovon Itwaru and Sobia Hassan Itwaru, of Ormond Beach, sold 93 Ivanhoe Drive to Christian Atkins, of Ormond Beach, for $670,000. Built in 1958, the house is a 5/4 with a fireplace, in-law suit and 3,065 square feet. It sold in 2020 for $375,000.

Tomoka Oaks Trung Phan and Thuy Thanh Phan, of Sunnyvale, California, sold 35 Pebble Beach Drive to Justin Duhaime and Anna Torio, of Ormond Beach, for $530,000. Built in 1986, the house is a 4/3.5 and has a fireplace, dock, boathouse and 2,409 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $405,000.

Woodmere South Prudence Walker, as trustee, sold 167 Kimberly Drive to Ronald and Sandra Hull, of Ormond Beach, for $338,200. Built in 1972, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,878 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $229,000. John Adams, of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors, contributed to this report.

OF THE FIRST PUBLI-

CATION 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 the 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 NO -

TICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702

WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT, SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

CASE NO.: 2023-CP-000478 DIVISION: 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF RYAN VILLAFUERTE CANDO, Deceased.

The administration of the estate of Ryan Villafuerte Cando, deceased, whose date of death was June 21, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 E Moody Blvd, Bldg. 1, Bunnell, Florida 32110. The names and addresses of the personal representatives and the personal representatives’ attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to 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

Florida 32164 on the third Friday of every other month at 10:00 a.m. unless otherwise noted as follows:

November 17, 2023

January 19, 2024

March 15, 2024

May 17, 2024 – Tentative Budget

July 19, 2024 – Adoption of Budget

September 20, 2024

There may be occasions when one or more

Supervisors will participate via telephone.

Any interested person can attend the meetings at the above location and be fully informed of the discussions taking place. The meetings may be continued to a date, time

and location to be specified on the record at the meetings without additional publication of notice. Any person requiring special accommodations at these meetings because of a disability or physical impairment should contact the District Office at (954) 603-0033 at least 48 hours prior to the meetings. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service at 7-1-1, or 800-955-8771 (TTY)/800-955-8770 (Voice), for aid in contacting the District Office. Each person who decides to appeal any action taken by the Board at these meetings is advised that person will need a record of the proceedings and accordingly, the person may need to ensure a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which such appeal is to be based.

Bob Koncar District Manager

September 21, 2023 23-00225F

NOTICE OF ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7th JUDICAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER, FLORIDA. CASE No. 2022 CA 000744 PROVIDENT FUNDING ASSOCIATES, L.P., Plaintiff vs. SCOTT MCGANN AKA SCOTT ALAN MCGANN, AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE OF THE JAMES E. MCGANN AND MICHELE A. MCGANN REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST DATED AUGUST 1, 2012, et al., Defendants TO: UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF SCOTT MCGANN AKA SCOTT ALAN MCGANN 1255 PASADENA AVENUE, S #727 SAINT PETERSBURG, FL 33707 AND TO: All persons claiming an interest by, through, under, or against the aforesaid Defendant(s).

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action to foreclose a mortgage on the following described property located in Flagler County, Florida: UNIT 5-202, OF THE WOODHAVEN CONDOMINIUM AT PALM COAST, ACCORDING TO THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM, RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 177, PAGES 248 THROUGH 340, INCLUSIVE, AND ALL VALID AMENDMENTS THERETO, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA; TOGETHER WITH AN UNDIVIDED INTEREST IN THE COMMON ELEMENTS AS SET FORTH IN THE EXHIBITS TO THE SAID DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM, AS RECORDED, EXEMPLIFIED, REFERRED TO AND SET FORTH IN SAID DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM AND EXHIBITS THERETO.

has been filed against you, and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to this action, on Greenspoon Marder, LLP, Default Department, Attorneys for Plaintiff, whose address is Trade Centre South, Suite 700, 100 West Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale,

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO. 2023 CA 000540 LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. MELISSA C. ROCKWOOD AND JOHN PARAGIOS, et al. Defendant(s). NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated August 2, 2023, and entered in 2023 CA 000540 of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit in and for Flagler County, Florida, wherein LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC is the Plaintiff and MELISSA C. ROCKWOOD; JOHN PARAGIOS; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; ENERBANK USA; GULF STATES CONTRACTOR SERVICES, INC. are the Defendant(s). TOM W. BEXLEY as the Clerk of the Circuit Court will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at https://flagler.realforeclose.com, at 11:00 AM, on October 06, 2023, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: LOT 9, BLOCK 89, SUBDIVISION PLAT ROYAL PALMS - SECTION-32 PALM COAST, ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 10, PAGE 54 THROUGH 66, INCLUSIVE, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. Property Address: 6 ROBIN HOOD LN, PALM COAST, FL 32164

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 in accordance with Florida Statutes, Section 45.031.

IMPORTANT

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES

ACT. 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, 101 N. Alabama Ave., Ste D-305, Deland, FL 32724, (386) 257-6096. Hearing or voice impaired, please call 711.

Dated this 11 day of September, 2023.

ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorney for Plaintiff 6409 Congress Ave., Suite 100 Boca Raton, FL 33487 Telephone: 561-241-6901

Facsimile: 561-997-6909

Service Email: flmail@raslg.com

By: \S\Danielle Salem Danielle Salem, Esquire Florida Bar No. 0058248

Communication Email: dsalem@raslg.com

23-107206 - NaC September 14, 21, 2023 23-00149G

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 first publication of this notice is September 14, 2023. Personal Representative:

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