TRIBUTES

Kendall Graham Williams Sr. Flagler Beach

1933-2023

Kendall Graham Williams Sr. was born on August 11, 1933 in Providence, R.I. and died on June 19, 2023 in Flagler Beach, FL.

He is survived by his youngest brother, Thomas F. Williams, Sister-in-Law, Eileen Kahrs-Wires, Daughter, Anita A. Williams, Son, Kendall G. Williams Jr, two granddaughters, Samantha and Victoria Parker and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Kendall was a man that people would write books about, but his humbleness to stay in the shadows of our nations triumphs and frustrations led to his greatest strength, to quietly encourage others to live for something greater than themselves. His zeal for life started just after his 18th birthday when he joined the US Air Force and deployed to Korea to support the US’s involvement in the Korean War as a USAF pilot. He completed military training and education and served honorably while attached to the US Embassy Japan, US Embassy England, and with other government agencies in Laos, Africa and other places around the world between 1950 and 1961.

After government work, he worked security for Eastern Airlines in Miami, FL seeing spillover at its beaches.

Palm Coast City Council member Theresa Carli Pontieri suggested the city first gather survey data about what draws people to Flagler Beach, specifically. Easy access, lifeguards, nearby shops and amenities — Flagler Beach is the only beach along the county’s coast that offers all of those amenities, she said.

Cooley said the survey suggestion was one of several great proposals from the meeting.

“We don’t have the data about who’s on the beach and why they’re there,” Cooley told the Observer “And it’s low-hanging fruit: It’s easy to do. It’s not expensive, and it’ll give you a wealth of information.”

The group also discussed ways to relieve the pressure on Flagler Beach by directing people to other beaches and parks along the coast.

County Commissioner Leann Pennington said it would be worth talking with county staff about adding lifeguards at county beaches, while County Commissioner David Sullivan suggested looking at how other parks with water access and beaches are marketed.

“You’d think the people that live here a while, they would know,” he said. “But they don’t.”

The group also considered focusing development or economic growth opportunities around those other locations.

Pontieri said that as people arrive to develop or change over businesses, the city should try to direct them to areas where old restaurants or build- ings sit to the north.

There was also a suggestion to look to state appropriations and potentially ask for funding for another bridge to the coast.

Pontieri said Flagler County may be behind in that area.

“It’s going to get stop-and-go very soon,” she said.

Sullivan said removing the tolls on the Hammock Dunes Bridge, operated by the Dunes Community Development District, would be a faster option, if it is possible.

“That’s a lot easier a project than trying to build a whole new bridge,” he said. “[The Florida Department of Transportation] would be willing to take responsibility for that bridge.”

The group also briefly discussed other topics brought forward by representatives from Beverly Beach, Bunnell and Palm Coast: affordable housing, the state of development in Flagler Beach, the status of the city’s golf course and sea level rise.

Cooley said it has been almost 10 years since a similar joint meeting was held, and much has changed.

The meeting showed that everyone had an appetite to discuss and develop tactics, he said.

“I just think it’s important for us to get out of the silo,” Cooley said.

The group will meet again in a few months and will consider a quarterly workshop.

“[This is] all of us trying to resolve a future problem that’s coming at us,” Emmett said. “It’s not you, it’s not us. It’s Flagler County and the towns.”

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

Volusia County Schools’ superintendent and school board attorney both received high ratings in their written evaluations from the School Board.

The board discussed the evaluations at a June 13 meeting.

This is the first year the board has implemented a written evaluation for both its superintendent and school attorney. Previously, only the school board attorney was evaluated.

Superintendent Carmen Balgobin received unanimously “proficient” ratings on 15 objectives. For the remaining 11 objectives — split between seven overall goals — at least one board member marked her as having made “reasonable progress toward expectation.”

Balgobin told the board that out of the four school districts she’s worked at, she’s found that “there’s something special about the people in Volusia County.” Her evaluation, she said, is a reflection of the entire VCS team.

“My goal for Volusia County is to leave a legacy and to have systems and structures in place and a staff well trained, so that for years to come, the students in this county will benefit from those systems and structures and the culture that we’re building,” Balgobin said.

Balgobin was hired as the district’s superintendent in May 2022, though she served as the interim superintendent from July 2020 to February 2021 while former Superintendent Scott Fritz — whom the board later fired — was on medical leave.

School Board member Anita Burnette commended Balgobin at the meeting for her work as superinten- dent. Burnette said she hears a lot of appreciation for Balgobin from the community.

“I think the overall feel of everything is that Volusia County Schools is being led by a good leader,” Burnette said.

In her written evaluation, Burnette noted that Balgobin assumed the position during a “challenging time” and made “positive strides to help our district get back into a positive position with our VCS team and community.” throughout the 60s and 70s. In the 1980’s, after the airline folded, he founded his own private airline business with his wife, who was also a pilot.

But there’s still work to do, Burnette wrote. She explained that Balgobin knows the district needs to increase retention for staff and educators and is aware of educational deficiencies that must be improved to help VCS become an “A” district. Volusia is currently a “B” district, according to the Florida Department of Education.

Unlike Balgobin’s evaluation, the evaluation for School Board Attorney Aaron Wolfe, with the Doran Sims Wolfe and Yoon firm, did have an overall rating. He earned a total of 19 points, the maximum number possible.

Wolfe has been advising the board since September 2022 after he switched with firm partner Ted Doran, who had earned a low evaluation score from the board.

School Board member Ruben Colon thanked Wolfe at the meeting.

“As reflected in this evaluation, we are very happy with the services you are providing,” Colon said.

In his evaluation of Wolfe, School Board Chair Jamie Haynes highlighted the attorney’s communication skills and willingness to step into the role for two of the three years of the district’s contract with his firm.

“I appreciate his professionalism, calmness and well-thoughtout comments when he answers or provides guidance during a School Board meeting,” she wrote.

Wolfe thanked the board members for their comments.

“It’s been a real pleasure representing the board for the last nine months,” he said.

During his years of retirement, Kendall relocated to Flagler Beach, Fl where he worked steadily for 31 years at the Flagler Beach Fishing Pier. He was the longest and oldest city employee at age 89 and was known to regale those around him with his little boy wit and mischievous redhead notions.

Kendall’s greatest love was for family. He loved his wife, Ellen Kahrs Williams, dearly for 52 years until her passing on June 20, 2019. He continued on proudly but was overcome by bouts of cancer to which he had beaten three times in just as many years.

There will be no funeral service for Veteran Kendall Williams as per his wishes. His family will celebrate his life privately with friends and loved ones. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to support the VFW - Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8696 in Palm Coast, FL. where he would go every Sunday afternoon. You can also support through their website at https://www.vfw.org/ donate/your-supportmatters.

We are saddened to announce the passing of our Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son, Brother, Uncle, Cousin and Friend.

Randy astounded the Mayo’s medical community with his Strength, his Bravery and his Determination and positive attitude. Cancer DID NOT win ….Complications from medications prescribed on an ER visit caused his untimely passing.

Randy passed away peacefully at his Florida home with his wife of 43 years by his side.

Randy was an avid Fisherman, outdoorsman, gardener, a builder and a Jack of all trades. He was a storyteller, He loved being around nature and was always on the water when ever given the chance. He enjoyed spending time with his family and teaching his Grandchildren how to grow their own gardens, how to Fish and how to cheat at cards. LOL He enjoyed History, a good Debate, He loved Jesus, his country and was baptized by Phil Robertson. Randy loved BIG and if you were lucky enough to be one of the few he allowed to be part of his life, I would consider yourself blessed. ❤

Randy has left behind a beautiful legacy- he is survived by his Wife Vicki “Rinea” of 43 plus years, his Beautiful daughters, Beth Manis - Indiana, Jennifer

Simmons - Florida. Four adorable grandchildren, Lyric Manis, Isaac Manis both from Indiana and Alexander Simmons, Chloe Simmons of Florida, His Mother Deloris “Jeannie” Lynch (Robert Ed Lynch - husband) of Florida, Brothers - Richard

“Rick “Rhonemus (Sherri Spay) of Indiana, Rodney Rhonemus of Florida, Russell Rhonemus of Florida. Brothers in law, Lonny Whitaker (Sandy Whitaker - wife) of Indiana and Paul Whitaker of Indiana and Several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He’s preceded in death by his father Marvin J Rhonemus, both Grandparents, Arthur and Lois Rhonemus, Virgil and Arletta Hill, His Mother in law Shirley Evans, His Sister in law Karen Cox, Brothers in law Mark Whitaker, Troy Whitaker, And his baby boy Christopher Joe who was taken from us before birth.

The family would like to Thank the Doctors and nursing staff at Mayo Clinic - Jacksonville Florida. A very special thank you to Dr Jason Starr, Natasha Wylie, Dr Richard Taylor and the entire Oncology - Radiology team. Also a special thank you to Halifax Health Hospice care team Daytona Beach Florida and Heritage Funeral home Palm Coast Florida for their kindness and compassion during this truly difficult time. There will be a Celebration of Randy’s life announced at a later time.