Palm Coast Observer 10-03-24

PALM COAST

Inside: SPEED CAMPAIGNING

wearing black T-shirts: Joseph “Booch” Buccini (left), Tyler Jeffries

CITY WATCH

City’s 25th Anniversary Celebration set for Oct. 26

Palm Coast is inviting residents and visitors to join in the city’s 25th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Central Park in Town Center from 4 to 8 p.m. This celebration will feature live entertainment, food, and fun activities for all ages. The 25th Anniversary Celebration will be headlined by Beach City Live, a high-energy band from Jacksonville known for covering a wide range of musical genres and decades. There will be other live performances by local groups. Local food trucks will be on hand. There will be interactive games and attractions for kids and adults of all ages. There will be city exhibits. Learn more about the Palm Coast’s services and how they help our community thrive. Palm Coast Historical Society will have exhibits featuring artifacts and stories about Palm Coast’s growth and transformation over the years. The event is free, and guests can purchase tickets for access to special activity zones featuring inflatables, carnival games, and more.

Gambaro appointed in 3-1 vote, after Sunshine debate

After two months, the Palm Coast City Council has a new District 4 representative: U.S. Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Charles Gambaro Jr. Gambaro was appointed to the position with a 3-1 vote on Oct. 1, with council member Theresa Carli Pontieri dissenting, and immediately after was sworn into the office and took up the seat. He replaces former council member Cathy Heighter, who resigned her seat in August, and will serve for the remaining two years of her term.

But the decision did not come easily. A sunshine violation regarding a vote for Gambaro’s appointment cast a pall on the vote for Gambaro.

After a motion to appoint applicant Darryl Boyer to the position failed in a 2-2 tie, with Danko and Mayor David Alfin voting against, Danko motioned to appoint Gambaro to the seat.

When the motion was seconded, council member Theresa Carli Pontieri interrupted before a vote could be cast to bring up a sunshine violation over email about supporting Gambaro for the seat. Pontieri said she did not believe the violation was intentional, but felt it needed to be brought up before a vote was cast.

“Let me be clear. I don’t think this person meant to violate sunshine, but it allowed us to know how they would be voting tonight, so it’s relevant,” Pontieri said.

The Florida Sunshine Law prohibits elected officials from conversing with each other on matters that will come up to a vote in meetings outside of public meetings, even by email.

The emails, sent to the Observer by Pontieri, relate two Palm Coast residents’ opinions on District 4 applicants, and were sent to all four council members. Danko said he did not realize he had hit “reply all” to the emails, sending his response to the council members as well as the residents.

“It was a total accident,” Danko said. “I think it was pretty clear from when we did the interviews a couple weeks ago where I stood on this. So the fact that I accidentally ‘replied all,’ I don’t think it [his response] was a surprise to anyone up here.”

The first email, sent from resident Scott Hunter on Sept. 30, asked the council members not to consider applicant Vince Lyon as the District 4 representative, specifically because of Lyon’s position on the Flagler Humane Society board member.

Danko replied at 9:55 a.m. on Oct. 1 saying, “I am not considering him.”

The second email was from resident Amy Listowski, sent at 5:05 p.m. on Oct 1, asking the council members to appoint Gambaro, based on his experience and credentials. “I feel he is best suited for this position, and would represent his constituents very well,” Listowski wrote.

Danko’s response, sent at 5:20 p.m., was “I fully agree with you!”

Alfin asked city attorney Marcus Duffy if the violation impacted the council’s ability to vote on Gambaro’s potential appointment. Duffy, who was hearing about the violation for the first time, said he would need to do more research first.

“I do not have enough facts to make that conclusion,” he said.

To clear the air, Alfin asked each council member if the violation swayed their decisions — they each said no.

Each of the two final applicants — Gambaro and Boyer — had received

three tallies during an initial tally vote to narrow down the remaining nine applicants.

While Boyer received Pontieri’s and council member Nick Klufas’ support, Danko took issue both with Boyer’s lack of experience and his recent move into Palm Coast’s R Section, which qualified him for the application.

Pontieri said Boyer’s young age — 25 — would actually be a plus to help keep the city’s youth here.

Beyond that, she said, he has a lot of local knowledge and experience as a life-long Palm Coast resident and is familiar to and supported by many Palm Coast residents because of Boyer’s recent run for the Florida House of Representatives office.

“He’s already been chosen by a lot of our residents,” Pontieri said.

In contrast, all four council members were impressed by Gambaro’s resume.

Klufas said that while he would be happy to see either applicant in the seat, Gambaro had experience filling positions with qualified people in high-ranking positions.

“I look at the most difficult decision that we’re probably going to have to make, which is hiring the next city manager,” Klufas said. “I think that will probably be the hard-

“It is absolutely clear to me that the hiring of a new city manager is a priority for our citizens and our municipality.”

CHARLES GAMBARO, Palm Coast City Council member

est decision that the next council is going to have to make almost immediately.”

Gambaro served as a senior advisor in several posts, including to the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon from November 2020 to April 2021.

Beyond his military service, Gambaro was also elected to the Flagler County Soil and Water Conservation District from 2006 to 2010 and then from 2007 to 2008 served on the Flagler County School Board after thenGov. Charlie Crist appointed him. Alfin said his vote for the District 4 representative was directly tied to who he believed would make the best selection for “an exceptional city manager.”

“As much as the city council may contribute to the process of government with the charter and the organization of the city of Palm Coast, it is the city manager which, in effect, makes it happen,” Alfin said.

Gambaro echoed Alfin and Klufas’ statements after he was sworn in.

“It is absolutely clear to me that the hiring of a new city manager is a priority for our citizens and our municipality,” he said. “I intend to be very involved in this selection process and select a strong leader to follow the intent and guidance of this council, drive staff to execute as directed but also mentor staff and help lead our city for many years to come.”

Email news story ideas to Sierra Williams at sierra@observerlocalnews. com.

U.S. Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Charles Gambaro Jr. is sworn in as the District 4 representative. Photo by Sierra Williams

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

SETTING A COURSE, BEFORE THE ELECTION

City candidates stress infrastructure improvements, luring commercial development to Palm

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The participants in the Flagler Tiger Bay Club’s General Election Candidate Forum agreed that Palm Coast’s infrastructure needs to be upgraded, the city needs to attract commercial development to create jobs and diversify the tax base and hiring the right city manager should be the next City Council’s top priority.

State representative District 19 candidate Adam Morley joined Palm Coast mayoral candidates Cornelia Downing Manfre and Mike Norris and City Council candidates Jeffery Seib, Ray Stevens and Andrew Werner at the forum on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the Palm Coast Community Center.

A panel of Tiger Bay Club members asked questions of each of the candidates during the two-hour forum.

An infrastructure upgrade must be done immediately, Manfre said. Wastewater treatment plant No. 1 is in a grave situation, she said, and is one of the reasons why she entered the mayor’s race.

Stevens, who is running against Werner for the District 3 council seat, said the city needs to “put the brakes” on what he believes is uncontrolled or poorly planned development that is putting a “strain on sewer, water, roadways and the general overall quality of life.”

Norris objected to the city’s charter amendment that would give the city “unlimited borrowing power.” He said the amendment is specifically aimed at a multi-use sports complex on the west side. Former mayor candidate Alan Lowe filed a lawsuit on Sept. 20 to remove the amendment from the Nov. 5 ballot.

Manfre said the amendment is not worded properly. “It is opening up the council to have a carte blanche borrowing power, and I believe that our founding fathers wanted us to have some kind of controls on what we are going to borrow for, or you go out to the public. I do not agree with this referendum,” she said.

Manfre said she’d like to see an industrial development park in the city similar to the Ormond Beach Airport Business Park, collaborative marketing and a more organized permitting policy. She’d like to see the city attract medical operators and technology companies.

Norris said he would like to see clean manufacturing such as making components to support the space industry at nearby Cape Canaveral. He said the city needs more land designated for industrial growth.

“We have to pull in those organizations that are going to diversify our tax base. Right now over 90 percent of our taxes come from ad valorem taxes,” Norris said.

Seib, who is running against Ty Miller for the District 1 seat, agreed that “ad valorem property taxes are skewed heavily toward homes and we really need to start moving it in the other direction.” He suggested offering commercial developers a 50% tax break for five years.

Werner said Palm Coast needs to sell itself.

“It is opening up the council to have a carte blanche borrowing power, and I believe that our founding fathers wanted us to have some kind of controls on what we are going to borrow for, or you go out to the public.”

“We have been rated the second safest city in the state of Florida. We’re close to the water and we have a beautiful landscape here. I can’t think of a business that wouldn’t want to come here and be a part of our community,” he said.

However, Werner added that in talking to business owners, infrastructure in some cases is an issue.

“I’ve been told at Town Center, new businesses that are wanting to come in, it could be up to three years before the city can provide them water. So we need to problem solve these issues so we can advocate for more businesses,” Werner said.

Stevens said it’s “pie in the sky” to think Palm Coast is going to attract major industry, but he said it would be realistic to pursue manufacturers of medical equipment, electronics,

computers and smartphones which he said would put very little strain on infrastructure. But he added that water, sewer and highways would need to updated before the city could lure industry here.

Manfre said Palm Coast needs a city manager “that can get in there and look at all the departmental budgets and see where there’s potential for cutbacks” to help address capital needs such as the sewer treatment plant.

“I don’t want to see services jeopardized. I think we have to see where the money is going and then start preserving money,” she said.

Stevens was asked that, given the termination of the last three city managers, what assurances the city should make to attract top-tier candidates.

“If you pick the right person for the right reasons, they will last. I think the pay is quite reasonable,” he said, adding that City Council support is important and, in choosing a candidate, the council should emphasize managerial and people skills.

In addition of going through the Florida League of Cities’ public notification, Manfre said she’d also be interested in talking to consultant companies about city manager candidates.

The City Council candidates were asked about housing, workforce and transportation solutions for special

“We have to pull in those organizations that are going to diversify our tax base. Right now over 90 percent of our taxes come from ad valorem taxes.”

needs residents.

Seib said that is a fitting question for him because his stepdaughter has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair.

“She is one of those who have had difficulties in the city,” he said. “For example, the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club was where she would go to get exercise because she could use the hydraulic chair to get in the water and swim.”

He said some city parks and other facilities are not compliant with the American Disabilities Act.

“This is one thing I think we can go ahead and work on as the next (City Council) group coming in,” Seib said.

Morley is a resident of Crescent Beach in St. Johns County. He is running against Republican Sam Greco for the seat which Speaker of the House Paul Renner held for the past eight years. Morley acknowl -

Former Palm Coast firefighter Zach Mahaney dies at age 43

Mahaney served at the Palm Coast Fire Department from 2023 to 2024. ‘The quality I loved most about him was he made my sister happy,’ brother-in-law said.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Former Palm Coast Fire Department firefighter Zachary Mahaney died on Sept. 26, 2024. Mahaney, 43, was a PCFD firefighter from July 2023 to June 2024, and had over 10 years of firefighter

experience. Neither Mahaney’s family nor the PCFD disclosed details about Mahaney’s death.

Mahaney is survived by his wife, Cassandra; his two children, Noah and Ophelia; and his parents, Rhonda and Robert Mahaney. Mahaney’s brother-in-law Christopher Gabriel said Mahaney was dedicated to his children and wife, and he loved being a firefighter.

“He was just a genuine guy,” Gabriel said. “He was very family oriented.”

In a statement from the PCFD, Lt. Patrick Juliano said they are all “heartbroken to learn of Zach’s passing.”

“Zach’s smile and personality

could light up a room,” Juliano wrote.

“He was an admired husband, loving

father, friend and brother to all those who he met.”

Before coming to the PCFD, Mahaney spent 12 years at the Sumter County Fire Rescue, where he earned the rank of lieutenant. After graduating with his Firefighter Certification in 2009, Mahaney spent time over the next 10 years earning his EMT Certification, Paramedic Certification an associate degree in emergency medicine and his bachelor’s degree in emergency management.

“Our hearts are broken for his wife, two children and his parents,” Juliano wrote. “As well as all his brothers and sister of the fire service who lovingly revered him.”

Mahaney was a creative man of many interests, Gabriel said: He

was a talented golfer and a musician who performed at local restaurants (including the one where he met his wife, Cassandra).

Most importantly, Gabriel said, Mahaney made his sister happy.

“The quality I loved most about was he made my sister happy,” Gabriel said. “She shined around him.”

A celebration of life ceremony for Mahaney will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Oceanside Beach Bar & Grill, at 1848 S. Oceanshore Blvd. For more information about Mahaney and the service, visit www.heritageflagler.com/ obituaries/Zachary-Mahaney/#!/ Obituary. Email sierra@observerlocalnews. com.

edged the difficulty he would have in advocating issues for the district as a freshman Democratic representative in a majority Republican House. He said he would choose issues popular among Floridians across party lines.

“I believe issues like conservation,” he said. “Amendment 1 (the Water and Land Conservation Amendment in 2014) passed with an overwhelming super majority. Those funds still haven’t been properly allocated. What people have said that they want, they are not getting. Water is the economic driver in our state. It’s one of the primary reasons people come here.

“Local control is an issue,” he added, “making sure that our local leaders are able to address their concerns, effectively and efficiently, and slowing the over-development, making sure that they have the resources for the future.”

Former PCFD firefighter Zachary Mahaney, 43, died on Sept. 26, 2024.

Photo courtesy of the Palm Coast Fire Department

Flagler Tiger Bay Club hosted a candidate forum Sept. 25, at the Palm Coast Community Center. Photos by Brian McMillan

Palm Coast City Council District 3 candidate Andrew Werner.

State House candidate Adam Morley

Palm Coast City Council District 3 candidate Ray Stevens.

Coast.

MIKE NORRIS, Palm Coast mayor candidate

CORNELIA DOWNING MANFRE, Palm Coast mayor candidate

Strong, Nieves named Student School Board members

BRIEFS

Flagler Schools plans to revamp Teaching and Learning position

Flagler Schools plans to retitle and change the duties of a vacant position in the Teaching and Learning department.

The former coordinator of data quality position will be

replaced by the new position of coordinator of professional learning, pending School Board approval.

The pay grade is the same, but the role has changed, Toussiant Roberson, the school district’s director of organizational talent, told the board at an Oct. 1 agenda workshop.

Louise Bossardet, who had been the coordinator of data quality, has moved over to the Technology and Information

Matanzas’ Jeh-Hannis Strong is an AICE Diploma candidate; Dani Nieves is a 5.0 IB student at FPC.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler Schools’ high school principals introduced the 2024-25 Student School Board members at the board’s September business meeting.

Jeh-Hanni Strong will represent Matanzas High School, while Dani Nieves will represent Flagler Palm Coast High School on the board this school year.

After their introductions, they took their places on board dais.

Strong was born in Colombia and immigrated here with her family as a small child, Matanzas Principal Kristin Bozeman said in her introduction. Strong is a member of student government, the debate club, Flagler Youth Orchestra, Key Club, Amigos Club, Leo Club and DECA Club.

She is also a member of the

Systems department as the director of IS.

The qualifications listed for the coordinator of professional learning position include a master’s degree, a Florida certification in education leadership with three years of successful experience in education and experience in developing and implementing professional learning related to performance responsibilities for instructional and support staff.

swim team and is the team manager for the boys soccer team. She has been an extended day counselor, swim instructor, summer camp counselor and lifeguard for Flagler Schools, and is highly involved in her church and has started playing violin for her church choir. Strong is an AICE Diploma candidate and is dual-enrolled through Daytona State. She is a threeyear participant in Matanzas’ Law and Justice program and wants to pursue career in law and eventually politics.

Nieves comes from a military family and has attended 12 different high schools, FPC Principal Bobby Bossardet said. She has a 5.0 GPA, a 1,370 SAT score, over 200 community service hours and over 1,000 working hours. She is also a member of the swim team.

Nieves is anticipating getting her International Baccalaureate degree. Bossardet said Nieves challenged herself to join Junior ROTC and “fostered the importance of stepping into a leadership role, taking pride in representing the diversity of the students we serve.”

Southern Recreation Center is county’s fifth early voting site

The Southern Recreation Center has been added as a fifth early voting site in Flagler County in anticipation of high voter turnout during the presidential election.

Board member won’t have to live in District 1

Governor’s appointment to replace Sally Hunt will have to reside in county, however.

BRENT WORONOFF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

A governor’s appointment to replace Sally Hunt on the Flagler County School Board would need to live in the county but would not need to be a resident of District 1.

Hunt resigned her District 1 seat on Sept. 20. At the board’s Oct. 1 agenda workshop, interim board attorney David Delaney said by statute elected board members must reside in their districts, but the statute does not address appointments.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is tasked with appointing a board member to finish Hunt’s term, which ends in November, 2026.

Board Chair Will Furry said he has received acknowledgment from the governor’s appointment office that they have received the resignation.

While parking is limited at the center for now, an ongoing second construction phase will expand parking for the whole facility.

During early voting, 15 parking spots will be reserved as voter parking.

Parking is a challenge at all of the early voting sites, a Palm Coast press release said.

Furry said he has had conversations with the governor’s office about moving forward with the appointment, but those conversations have been put on hold because of the governor’s priority of handling the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Furry said ideally he would like to see the appointment made at the time or shortly after when new board members Lauren Ramirez and Janie Ruddy are installed at the Nov. 19 board meeting.

“There are no promises. The governor’s schedule is very busy, but I made it very clear how important it is to us to get that appointment as quickly as possible,” Furry said.

The board will have four members until the governor appoints a replacement for Hunt. Until then the board will be unable to pass resolutions if there is a 2-2 vote.

Superintendent LaShakia Moore said Ramirez and Ruddy have been invited to join the board at the table at its next workshop on Oct. 14. That night will be the final business meeting for board members Colleen Conklin and Cheryl Massaro.

Early voting is from Oct. 21 through Nov. 2, from 10 a.m.6 p.m. Any registered voter may vote at any early voting site, a press release from the Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Office said.

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The five early voting sites are: The Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Office, 1769 E. Moody Blvd.; Flagler County Public Library, 2500 Palm Coast Parkway NW; Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE; Flagler Beach United Methodist Church, 1520 S. Daytona Ave.; and the Palm Coast Southern Recreation Center, 1290 Belle Terre Parkway.

The circle drive area near the entrance of the Southern Recreation Center was recently closed for parking due to safety issues. This parking lot design failure will be resolved in the Phase 2 parking expansion for future election years.

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cern with the site was the potential impact on tennis club members. The city asks members of the SRC to plan ahead to anticipate congestion and parking issues during the early voting period and to be respectful of the reserved voter parking spaces. This is a presidential election, along with many important federal, state, and local offices on the ballot. There are also six statewide proposed constitutional amendments. The parking is a temporary issue, considering Phase 2 of the development is planned for next year which will expand parking for the entire facility.

When you plan ahead, you can make your final wishes known and provide your loved ones with true peace of mind.

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Peak hours are expected from 10:00 a.m. to noon at this facility. Voters who are concerned about parking issues may plan ahead to visit the site in the afternoon, when more parking should be available.

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Flagler Schools’ 2024-25 Student School Board members JehHanni Strong of Matanzas and Dani Nieves of Flagler Palm Coast high schools. Photo by Brent Woronoff

‘Not immune to inflation’: Palm Coast budget climbs to $421.5M

The city’s budget for 2025 is an 17.9% increase over the 2024 budget. The 2025 millage rate was set to 4.1893, or $4.1893 per $1,000 of taxable property value.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

After a week of canceled meetings, the Palm Coast City Council has voted 3-1 to adopt its $421.5 million budget for the next fiscal year.

Vice Mayor Ed Danko was the only dissenting vote at the Sept. 25 meeting. The $421 million budget is made up of several different funds, $61 million of which is the city’s general fund, primarily funded by the millage rate, the tax rate property owners pay.

The city’s budget for 2025 is a 17.9% increase over the 2024 budget. The 2025 millage rate for Palm Coast was set to 4.1893, or $4.1893 per $1,000 of taxable property value.

As he has in every meeting discussing the 2025 budget, Danko asked his fellow council members for the city to find a way to cut $2 million from the budget and adopt a rolledback millage rate.

A rolled-back millage would mean the city’s property tax revenue would stay the same as it was in the adopted 2024 budget. The adopted 4.1893 rate, while more than the rolled-back rate of 3.9961, is a slight reduction from the city’s 2024 millage rate of 4.2570.

The $2 million is what the city would have needed to cut from the general fund budget to adopt a full rolledback millage rate. The general fund pays for city services like the fire department, code enforcement, public works and parks and recreation, among other departments.

As he did at the council’s Sept. 5 vote on the budget, Danko suggested that the difference could be pulled from the city $20 million reserve fund.

“To our seniors, this is a big deal,” Danko said. “I just think finding that $2 million out of a $20 million reserve is an easy thing for us to do and give our residents that relief.”

Council member Theresa Carli Pontieri said pulling money from the reserves for the budget sets a bad precedent.

“In my mind, that is equivalent to dipping into oil reserves in order to lower gas prices. It is a cheap trick, it is not fiscally responsible, and it’s not tenable,” she said. “You can’t continue to dip into reserves in order to lower

FCSO

MAKES CUTS TO MEET

$650,000 SHORTFALL

During the meeting, Vice Mayor Ed Danko as if the city could possible cut $650,000 from its contract with Flagler County Sheriff’s Office contract, since the FCSO announced it had found $650,000 in savings in its budget.

But FCSO Chief of Staff Mark Strobridge, who attended the Sept. 25 budget meeting at City Hall, said that the FCSO did not find an extra $650,000 in its budget but instead had to find an $650,000 to make up shortfalls in other areas.

After the FCSO had submitted its budget proposals to Flagler County and Palm Coast, Strobridge said, it found areas in the budget that weren’t accounted for in the original proposals. Instead of returning to either the city or county to ask for additional funds, he said, the FCSO worked to find areas it could cut to fund the $650,000 need.

“We didn’t come back and say we needed more

over, because then you have no reserves.”

The 2025 budget does include funding for new positions, both at the city and in public safety. It includes funding for nine new deputies to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, three new firefighters for the Palm Coast Fire Department, a city press release said.

It also allocates funds for two new fire stations, Pontieri said, some of the funding for which came out of the city’s reserve fund.

“Vice Mayor Danko, I hear you, I do,” she said. “I have to say, I take a little offense at the inclination that I don’t think it’s a lot of money and that we’re not considering seniors.”

The city, Pontieri said, is not

money,” Strobridge said. “We found a way to fix it internally, so we didn’t have to come back to this board.”

According to a press release from the FCSO, that money was found, in part, by eliminating four leadership positions that were no longer necessary: the Organizational Services Division and its division chief; one commander position was eliminated by combining the Investigative Services Section with the Homeland Security Section; the Community Policing Division’s Executive Officer/Relief Watch Commander; the OSD Special Projects Commander position.

Sheriff Rick Staly also combined three departments — Digital Forensics, Criminal Intelligence and Cyber Crimes — into one new division, the Cyber Crimes and Criminal Intelligence unit.Riegel at 3222047 or Huckaby at (727) 366-9997.

immune to inflation, through the cost of materials, chemicals and even employee health insurance. Financial Services Director Helena Alves said the health insurance fund increased by 18.4%, 16% of which was related to health insurance cost increases.

Pontieri said the city has done its best to find areas to save money and help the city’s seniors.

“This budget prioritize prioritizes life safety. It prioritizes our deputies, our fire stations and our union and it prioritizes public safety on our road,” she said. “I’m proud of this budget. I commend staff, and I commend this council for getting there, and I will be in full support of the current millage.”

Response: Ballot lawsuit is ‘flawed’

An injunction was filed to stop a Palm Coast charter change, but the injunction leaves out the only party that has the power to certify election results: the Canvassing Board.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Kaiti Lenhart has filed an answer to the injunction lawsuit by Palm Coast resident Alan Lowe regarding the controversial Palm Coast charter amendment.

Lowe filed the injunction on Sept. 20 and the case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Christopher France. The complaint lists both the city of Palm Coast and Lenhart as defendants and asks the court to either remove the amendment from the Nov. 5 ballot or to require the election results not be calculated by the defendants.

But neither the city nor Lenhart have the power to do so, according to the reply filed by county attorney Sean Moylan on behalf of Lenhart, as election supervisor, on Oct. 1. The reply states that the complaint is “fatally flawed and should be dismissed” as it does not name the only legal authority with the power to canvass the ballots cast and certify the results.

That power lies solely with the Flagler County Canvassing Board, the document said, who, by necessity, must be added to the complaint “as an indispensable party.”

The filed answer also states that removing the amendment from the ballot was impos -

sible because of the timing. Not only were ballots mailed to uniformed and overseas citizens on Sept. 20 — the day the complaint was filed — but also, another 20,000 vote by mail ballots were sent out on Sept. 27.

“As a practical matter, voting has begun, and it is too late to delete the referendum from the general election ballots or to issue new ballots,” the document states.

The document also asks that the court resolve the case prior to the certification of the ballot results, in order to prevent disruption for the Supervisor of Elections and the Flagler County Canvassing Board and confusion for Palm Coast voters.

If the court rules in favor of Lowe’s complaint ahead of the election, the document said, tabulators can be programmed to ignore the results.

Lowe is not the only Palm Coast resident to file court case referencing the amendment. Another resident has also filed a civil lawsuit against the city charter amendment on the November ballot.

The Charter Amendment is to remove Article VI section (3)(e) of the Palm Coast City Charter. That section outlines limitations on the city’s borrowing power, specifically limiting the city to only borrowing up to $15 million at a time and prohibiting it from entering a lease-payment

contract that is longer than 36 months, except with resident approval via a referendum vote.

Lowe’s complaint alleges the ballot language is misleading and does not adequately explain the chief purpose of the amendment, which would remove the referendum vote requirement as well as the borrowing limitations if it is approved. Both mayoral candidates have also spoken against the amendment.

Palm Coast resident Jeani Duarte filed a cease-anddesist demand against the city council on Sept. 25, attorney clerk and acting city manager. The complaint asked for injunctive relief against the charter amendment.

However, Duarte’s complaint was summarily dismissed by France for being “legally insufficient.”

“It is nonsensical and any attempt to answer the complaint would prove futile,” France wrote.

Duarte amended her complaint on Sept. 30, alleging that the constitutional rights of Palm Coast citizens are being violated and asking the court to either remove or cancel the charter amendment.

Lowe’s case against the city of Palm Coast and Lenhart, however, is still moving through the court system. Both defendants have been served since the original complaint was filed, though Palm Coast has not filed a response to the complaint yet.

“As a practical matter, voting has begun, and it is too late to delete the referendum from the general election ballots or to issue new ballots.”

THE FLAGLER HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ENDOWMENT FUND

Election Supervisor Kaiti Lenhart. File photo

Council member Theresa Carli Pontieri and Mayor David Alfin at a city council meeting. File photo

COPS CORNER

SEPT. 14

CARD SCHEME

should have bee in possession of the remains, but had been likely kicked out of his home. The next of kin, the man’s sister, said she would pick them up.

As for the other urn, the man’s sister did not know who they may belong to.

1:32 p.m. — 200 block of Northshore Drive, Ormond Beach Fraud. A 77-year-old Ormond Beach woman had her bank card stolen after she received a scam call asking her to leave her bank card underneath her front door floor mat.

Police report the woman was told her card had been compromised by a skimmer and that an FBI agent would retrieve her card for inspection. The scammer convinced her and she did as he asked. Later that day, a man came and took her card. She confronted him and he alleged he was the FBI agent, convincing her, a police report states. Later that week, she received a call from a local Publix store informing her of a $900 store purchase, which the woman had not made. She called her bank, discovered it had all been a scam, and was informed someone tried to steal $30,000 from her, but the cash advance request had been denied.

SEPT. 17

URNS FOUND

8:39 a.m. — 700 block of Airport Road, Ormond Beach Found property. While on Airport Road, police found a box containing two urns, both still holding ashes.

The reporting officer stated in his report that he contacted the crematorium and discovered one contained the remains of a man involved in a murder-suicide in 2019. The officer contacted the next of kin, who said the man’s son

BRIEFS

OBPD conducts traffic operation for road safety

The Ormond Beach Police Department, with assistance from several local law enforcement agencies, conducted a citywide traffic enforcement operation aimed at improving road safety and reducing dangerous driving behaviors.

Key results: „ 158 traffic stops „ 211 uniform traffic citations

57 warnings

6 criminal traffic citations

2 DUI arrests made

The operation was supported by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, Daytona Beach Police Department, New Smyrna Beach Police Department, Edgewater Police Department, Holly Hill Police Department, and South Daytona Police Department. Officers focused on high-risk areas throughout Ormond Beach.

“This operation is a prime example of the collaborative efforts that enhance public safety across our communities,” Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey said. “It is everyone’s responsibility to keep each other safe and look out for one another.”

First responders deployed to help Hurricane Helene

Volusia County Fire Rescue, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Rescue and Emergency Management all left for Taylor and Dixie Counties to help the communities devasted by Hurricane Helene.

Police contacted the crematorium, but were unable to get an answer, as the records employee was off-duty, the report states.

SEPT. 24

MONEY ON HOLD

11:45 a.m. — 600 block of South Nova Road, Ormond Beach Theft. A 50-year-old Ormond Beach woman gave her debit card to her boyfriend so that she would avoid spending money. But, she told police, he then spent $1,800 without her permission last month.

Police asked the woman to see her bank statements, but she said that she didn’t have any because “they cost money,” according to a police incident report. The woman’s mom also reported the boyfriend had stolen money from her — a total of $177, which she said was taken from her nightstand drawer, as well as $300 from her bank card.

The woman’s mom also was unable to show police proof, other than saying the boyfriend had “admitted” to the theft.

No charges were filed.

THREE’S A CROWD

10:22 p.m. — 100 block of Frontier Drive, Palm Coast Battery. A Palm Coast woman was arrested and charged with battery after she spat on her husband when he confronted her about having an affair with their roommate. The husband told deputies that he had been arguing with

Rescue and Volusia Sheriff’s Office.

The team will perform search and rescue operations, including vital water rescue services following the hurricane’s aftermath, a county press release said.

The team arrived equipped with their own vehicles and the resources needed to be self-sufficient until a centralized base camp can be established. They are expected to remain actively deployed for approximately 14 days, the press release said.

“During these challenging times, it is vital that resources are available to quickly respond and assist in the areas most impacted by the storm”, said Joe King, Fire Chief of Volusia County Fire Rescue. “By working together on this Joint Emergency Response Team, we’re not just responding to emergencies, we are looking out for each other and ensuring other communities get the help they need.”

In Flagler County, members of Flagler County Fire Rescue and Flagler County Emergency Management were sent to Dixie County while the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Mobile Command Center and two deputies were sent to Taylor County on Sept. 27, according to press releases and social media posts from the departments.

Flagler County Fire Rescue Tender/Engine 51 is helping to provide structural fire support to Dixie County Fire Rescue and assist in completing damage assessments, a FCFR Facebook post said.

As of Sept. 29, 67% of the Dixie County is still without power, according to a Flagler County Emergency Management Facebook post.

his wife about the affair for a while. He said he sleeps in the guest bedroom while his wife and the roommate share another bedroom, according to an arrest report. When he got home, he and his wife began arguing and the husband played a recording of a message she left the roommate as evidence of the affair. The wife and roommate both got angry at the recording, and she began spitting in the husband’s face while the roommate pushed him.

The husband managed to record this altercation as well and showed it to Sheriff’s Office deputies when they arrived. The wife and roommate were both arrested.

SEPT. 29

RETURNING TO THE SCENE 9:17 p.m. — 5600 block of State Road 100, Palm Coast Flee/elude law enforcement. A Saint Cloud man who fled Sheriff’s Office deputies just days before on his motorcycle, returned to the scene and was arrested.

In days prior, deputies patrolling the area caught sight of a motorcyclist with a female passenger speeding. When deputies tried to pull the two over, the driver instead sped up and got away, according to an arrest report. But when the same deputy stopped at a gas station in that area days later, he saw the same motorcycle and female passenger, identified by a tattoo on her wrist. The driver initially denied being the one driving that night, but later admitted to running from law enforcement. He told the deputy he fled and lied because he had a pending court date in Orlando regarding his suspended license.

Palm Coast man jailed for child neglect, home covered in feces

A Palm Coast man was arrested and charged with child neglect after he and his five children were found living in a home with urine, feces and mold in almost every room.

Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the home in Palm Coast’s B Section when a grocery delivery driver said a young child, around 2 years old, crawled into the backseat of her car as she was delivering an order on Sept. 27. The child eventually walked got out of her car and walked into an open garage on the street, and the driver gave that address to the dispatcher. When an FCSO deputy arrived and looked inside the window, he saw wet spots and garbage on the floor. Nicholas Robert Carter, 39, answered the door and allowed the deputy to tour the home. Inside, the deputy instantly was met with “warm stagnant air with a very strong and foul odor of feces, urine, mold and mildew,” the arrest report said.

In almost every room, the deputy found “large clumps of fecal matter” and urine, even in the master bedroom, where the youngest children slept. Flies gathered on piles of waste, garbage and dirty clothing that was spread out throughout the house.

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend area on Sept. 26 and has since swept through the Southeast, hitting Georgia, North and South Carolina and Tennessee. In response, Volusia County deployed a joint Emergency Response Team to Taylor County on Sept. 27 with personnel from both the Volusia County Fire

“Our hearts go out to them,” said Fire Rescue Chief Mike Tucker. “The state called for resources and assistance, and we immediately took a look at our roster. We are glad to be able to send Lt. Guerin and Firefighter Loertscher, along with a (water) tender truck to help Dixie County in its time of need.”

Carter’s five children — between the ages of 2 and 16 — were all walking around barefoot and a German Shepherd was also inside the home. Carter was arrested and the Department of Children and Families was notified. Carter and the children’s mother, Tiffany Berry, had both previously faced child neglect charges in February 2020. According to the arrest report, deputies have been called out to the home on 16 separate occasions since January 2023. In December 2023, the Palm Coast Fire Department was called to the home when one of the children ingested marijuana and began to have a seizure, the report said.

FCSO helps seniors guard against fraud

Warranty scams are just one of many that target senior citizens.

Last year, when Palm Coast resident Joanne Johnson started helping her 79-yearold friend organize her bills, Johnson noticed her friend was getting multiple mailings stating her home or vehicle warranty may be expiring.

One mailing was headlined, “Final Notice.” It stated, “Our records indicate that you HAVE NOT CONTACTED us yet to get your coverage up to date.” Another said, “Please call customer service tollfree at … as soon as you get this notice.”

Johnson’s friend did not have a warranty with any of the companies, but the wording on the mailings made her think she did, so she called and she sent money.

When Johnson went through the paperwork, she found her friend was paying home warranties with two different companies plus a car warranty. She paid one company about $300 a month.

“The letters looked so official,” Johnson said. “They’d say, Urgent, urgent, you’re past due. Pay now.”

According to a 2022 Federal Trade Commission report, the median individual money loss to fraud for seniors ages 70-79 was $800. For people 80 and over the median loss jumped to $1,500.

Commander Mike Lutz of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Community Engagement and Public Affairs Section, said the officer who takes walk-in reports at the FCSO’s District 2 Palm Coast office calculates that over 60% of the walk-ins are about fraud.

Billions of dollars a year are lost to fraud, Lutz said.

John Cannizzaro, an Assistant U.S. Attorney with the Middle District of Florida, described some of the most common types at the FCSO’s

second annual Summit to Protect and Serve Seniors on Sept. 19 at the Sheriff’s Office Operations Center.

There is government imposter fraud where scammers pose as government agents and employees from the Social Security Administration, Medicare, the IRS or the FBI. In romance fraud a relationship or friendship is developed online and then they trick you into giving them money. There is lottery fraud where you may be told you won a jackpot but need to pay fees and taxes first.

If someone tells you to send money or gift cards, it’s a scam, Cannizzaro said. Frequently check your bank accounts and change your passwords, he said.

Lutz added that if you lose your credit card, ask for a card with a new number.

The other speaker at the Summit was Jennifer Smidt, the wellness programs manager at the Northeast Florida Area Health Education Center. Smidt provided information for caregivers on the different types of dementia and their symptoms.

SENIORS VS. CRIME

Seniors vs. Crime is a statewide program providing direct services to seniors who may have been victimized.

The Flagler Seniors Vs. Crime Office is at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Operations Center and is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays. Call the local office at 386-586-2634, or leave a message with the state Seniors Vs. Crime headquarters at 800203-3099.

mail and computer, Sheriff Rick Staly started the senior summit last year.

Lutz asked the crowd of seniors attending the summit how many have received notifications that their warranty has expired. Hands shot up.

Johnson said her friend had been making payments for several months before Johnson called the companies to cancel.

“She did not have warranties with any of the companies. But the wording on the mailings made her think that she did,” Johnson said.

Canceling was not easy, Johnson said. When she called one company to say her friend never signed up, she was told they could put a hold on the warranty until her finances improve. Eventually Johnson canceled the warranties but her friend received no refunds.

There are over 200 different types of dementia with different symptoms and subcategories, she said. The Area Health Education Centers provide free senior programs, funded through grants. For more information, call 877784-8486 or 904- 482-0189.

Lutz said the FCSO has been making presentations to community groups and senior residences on senior issues and fraud protection for years, but with the prevalence of cybercrime and scams via phone,

Johnson asked them to remove her friend from their mailing lists, but the letters keep coming, she said. But now when her friend sees a mailing, she asks Johnson, “Is this something I need to pay?” Before, she was just paying them, Johnson said.

“She, like many seniors, is on a fixed income and gets confused easily, so in order to not be delinquent, she paid what appeared to be due,” Johnson said. “It’s predatory.”

Flagler County Sheriff’s

Jennifer Smidt, of the Northeast Florida Area Health Education Center.

BUSINESS OBSERVER

The Good Life Charters celebrate 10 years in business

Scott and Ashley Cornelius, owners of the Tomoka Outpost at Tomoka State Park, opened The Good Life Charters in 2014.

JARLEENE ALMENAS

EDITOR

MANAGING

Scott Cornelius always knew he wanted to be a boat captain.

And for the last 10 years with The Good Life Charters, he’s been living that dream.

Scott and Ashley Cornelius, owners of the Tomoka Outpost at Tomoka State Park, opened The Good Life Charters in 2014, celebrating their ribbon-cutting with the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 2 of that year, which also happened to be the couple’s wedding anniversary. At the time, Scott owned a landscaping business, and it had been his goal to obtain a captain’s license before he and his wife started a family.

He also specifically wanted to run his charter business from Tomoka State Park — and this was before he and Ashley purchased Tomoka Outpost from former owners Billy and Dani Talo.

“I remember telling my dad, I was like, ‘I’m going to go down in history as a boat tour guide at Tomoka State Park,’” Scott recalled. “He got a little chuckle out of it, and so I went into detail. ... What’s the difference between me and those guys in the old wooden boats back in the early 1900s showing people the Tomoka River?”

As someone who was born

and raised in Ormond, Scott said that was cool to think about.

He got his wish: To date, The Good Life Charters is the only legally permitted fishing and tour boat to operate from the state park. About a year after launching their charter business, after a frustrating week with Scott’s landscaping business, Scott suggested to Ashley that they go out on the river to relax. They drove to the Tomoka Outpost, backed their boat into the river and before Scott got out of his truck, Billy Talo came out and informed him

that he and his wife were ready to retire. He wanted the Corneliuses to buy the business.

Scott and Ashley had built a friendship and partnership with the Talos.

“To think back to where it all started to where we are now with The Good Life Charters and the doors that it has opened up for us, it’s pretty wild,” Ashley said. Scott still uses the same 1991 pontoon boat he first purchased for his business 10 years ago. He has worked on it over the years — including a total rebuild in 2020 during the pandemic shutdowns. Ini-

•

BIZ BUZZ

tially, the Corneliuses offered mostly fishing charters, but today, the tours are mainly pleasure cruises.

Through the years, Scott has been on TV shows like Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, Flip My Florida Yard with Chad Crawford and wrote the local paddling portion about Tomoka River in the “Paddler’s Guide to the Sunshine State.” He’s also taken a presidential chef and Navy generals on boat tours.

But most of the people who take the tours are locals — particularly ones who have done a tour in the past, and return when family members are in town.

“There’s two things about my tours I like more than anything,” Scott said. “For one, you can’t look up the information I share online because I’m born and raised within a mile of the park, so a lot of it is firsthand knowledge. ... The second one is you can’t fact-check me because you can’t look up any of it online. It just makes people laugh. It’s a unique sample of the area in a way that you’re not going to be able to find any other way.”

The boat charter business and the Outpost have also allowed the Corneliuses, who now have two children, to raise the family in “The Good Life.”

“That’s the life we wanted to live, a life on the water,” Scott said. “What we didn’t realize was how defined that name would actually become once we ended up with the Outpost and the whole world of park life, water life and everything. This has been my ultimate dream in the world.”

CRAB SHACK 386 CLOSES IN BUNNELL

Bunnell’s Crab Shack 386 has closed shop and will be moving to Putnam County in 2025.

After four years in Bunnell, the Crab Shack’s closed its doors on Sept. 28. Owners Kiona and Jimmie Gordon said on their restaurant’s Facebook page that “this is not farewell, but we’ll see you all soon,” as the family-owned and operated restaurant will be moving out of Flagler County.

The Crab Shack, located at 109. S. State St. and serving a range of seafood from crab to crawfish, will instead be moving to Putnam County, though the exact location has yet to be announced.

The Gordons announced the closing of the Bunnell location on Sept. 12 on their Facebook page and said on the post they will be taking a few months off “to care for our smaller children, in which they so well deserve.”

Until the new location in Putnam County is open, the Crab Shack’s mobile food truck, called Big Redd, will still be operational for occasions and

events and the Crab Shack will also still offer its catering services, the Facebook post said.

“We bow out gracefully to all of our friends, family, customers and community,” the Shack’s Sept. 28 closing post said. “It was an amazing four years.”

CAREERSOURCE APPOINTS NEW BOARD MEMBERS

CareerSource Brevard Flagler Volusia, the newly consolidated workforce board serving Brevard, Volusia and Flagler counties, has announced the appointment of its executive committee members.

These five board members will each help support the workforce board’s mission to connect employers with qualified, skilled talent and jobseekers with employment and career development opportunities, a CareerSource press release said. The new board members are: Lloyd Gregg, board chair and vice president of workforce development at PTX Engineering Services, LLC; John Wanamaker, vice chair and broker/ owner of Coldwell Banker Commercial AI Group; Colleen Browne, treasurer and Keiser University campus president; Savannah Jane Griffin, committee chair and CEO of Neighborhood Center of West Volusia; Michael Menyhart, committee chair and president of Migrandy Corporation.

The CareerSource Brevard Flagler Volusia board has 26 members, including private sector leadership and representatives from area agencies, academia and economic development, the press release said. Appointees will serve a staggered two-year term through 2026.

Scott and Ashley Cornelius hold a plaque containing an article celebrating the launch of their boat charter business, The Good Life Charters. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Crab Shack 386 closed its doors on Sept. 28. Photo by Sierra Williams

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

Ocean Hammock house

sells for almost $4M

Ahouse at 26 N. Ocean Ridge Blvd. in Ocean Hammock was the top real estate transaction for Sept. 12-20 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The house sold on Sept. 17, for $3,965,000. Built in 2018, the house is a 4/5 and has ocean views, a private beach walkover, a pool and and has 5,055 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $3.6 million.

Sanctuary The house at 2 Caitlin Court sold on Sept. 17, for $1,275,000. Built in 2007, the house is a 5/4 and has a dock and 4,612 square feet.

is a 4/2 and has a dock and 2,392 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $610,000.

Hammock Dunes

The house at 4 Cordoba Court sold on Sept. 12, for $1,014,400. Built in 1994, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool and 3,442 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $839,000.

Ocean Hammock

The house at 40 Kingfisher Lane sold on Sept. 16, for $1,290,000. Built in 2018, the house is a 3/4 and has a pool, outdoor kitchen and 3,072 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $690,000.

The house at 3 Sandpiper Lane sold on Sept. 17, for $830,000. Built in 2013, the house is a 3/3 and has a pool and 2,121 square feet. It last sold in 2021 for $600,000.

Palm Harbor The house at 46 Cottonwood Court sold on Sept. 16, for $993,000. Built in 2020, the house is a 4/3 and has a boathouse, a boat lift and 2,554 square feet.

The house at 6 Colony Court sold on Sept. 13, for $890,000. Built in 1987, the house is a 3/2 and has a boat dock, a boat lift and 2,202 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $675,000.

The house at 25 Cleveland Court sold on Sept. 12, for $900,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 3/2, on a canal and has a dock with a boat lift, a pool and 2,538 square feet.

Palm Coast Plantation

The house at 165 S. Riverwalk Drive sold on Sept. 17, for $1,043,750. Built in 2017, the house is a 3/4 and has a heated pool and spa, a sauna

and 2,989 square feet.

Rollins Dunes

The house at 25 Rollins Dunes Drive sold on Sept. 18, for $1.9 million. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/4 and has a pool and 3,968 square feet.

Armand Beach Estates

The house at 17 Ocean Dune Circle sold on Sept. 12, for $1,663,000. Built in 1999, the house is a 3/3 and has a private path to the beach and 2,650 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $833,000.

Grand Haven

The house at 59 Osprey Circle sold on Sept. 16 for $700,000. Built in 2002, the house is a 4/3 and has a screened-in lanai, pool and 2,777 square feet.

Flagler Beach

The house at 164 Avalon Ave. sold on Sept. 18, for $523,000. Built in 1983, the house is a 2/2 and has a dock, a boat lift and 1,320 square feet.

FLAGLER COUNTY

Plantation Bay

The house at 164 Woodbridge Drive sold on Sept. 20 for $1,462,500. Built in 2010, the house is a 3/4 with two half-baths and has a saltwater pool, hot tub and 4,642 square feet.

The house at 508 Stirling Bridge Drive sold on Sept. 16 for $855,914. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/3 and has a covered lanai and 2,813 square feet.

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

Tidewater home tops Ormond’s

sales list

Ahouse at 16 Tidewater Drive in the Tidewater subdivision was the top real estate transaction for Sept. 20-26 in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea. Built in 1989, the house is a 5/4.5 and has two fireplaces, a pool, spa, dock, boat house and 5,133 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $860,000.

JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR

Condos

The condo at 5500 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 93, sold on Sept. 20, for $105,000. Built in 1973, the condo is a 2/2.5 and has 1,252 square feet. It last sold in 1989 for $53,000.

ORMOND BEACH

Archer’s Mill

The house to be constructed at 342 E. Merimont Lane sold on Sept. 24, for $343,110. Once built, the house will be a 2/2 and have 1,816 square feet.

Fountain View

The house to be constructed at 1450 Fountain View St., sold on Sept. 24, for $374,990. Once built, the house will be a 4/2 and have 1,828 square feet.

Halifax Plantation

The house to be constructed at 2796 Portadown St. sold on Sept. 20, for $359,990. Once built, the house will be a 3/2 and have 1.614 square feet.

The house at 338 Newbliss Circle sold on Sept. 25, for

$385,000. Built in 1995, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,917 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $385,000.

Not in subdivision

The house at 481 Fred Gamble Way sold on Sept. 25, for $370,000. Built in 1985, the house is a 4/3.5 and has 2,483 square feet.

Oak Forest

The house at 1523 N. Beach St. sold on Sept. 20, for $285,000. Built in 1978, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,870 square feet. It last sold in 1996 for $105,000.

Ormond Beach Park

The house at 476 Riverside Drive sold on Sept. 24, for $700,000. Built in 1964, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,160 square feet.

Ormond Shores

The house at 84 Ormond Shores Drive sold on Sept. 20, for $310,000. Built in 1960, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,954 square feet.

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Plantation Bay

The house at 1096 Hampstead Lane sold on Sept. 25, for $990,000. Built in 2003, the house is a 3/3 and has a fireplace, pool, spa and 3,505 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $972,000.

Tymber Creek

The house at 425 Sand Creek Lane sold on Sept. 23, for $520,000. Built in 1997, the house is a 4/2.5 and has a fireplace, pool, spa and 2,183 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $539,000.

Village of Pine Run

The house at 71 Village Drive sold on Sept. 23, for $580,000. Built in 1981, the house is a 4/3, sits on 1.49 acres and has a fireplace and 1,726 square feet.

ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA

Brendale Heights

The house at 125 Longwood Drive sold on Sept. 20, for $200,200. Built in 1958, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,130 square feet. It last sold in 2001 for $89,000.

Ocean Shores The house at 58 River Shore Drive sold on Sept. 23, for $310,000. Built in 1955, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,026 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $225,000.

Seabridge South The house at 9 Sea Gull Drive sold on Sept. 25, for $515,000. Built in 1990, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, spa and 1,468 square feet. It last sold in 2010 for $218,000.

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

PALM COAST

ORMOND BEACH

Make yourself at home

‘Is this the destination?’

Luke gets caught having fun while doing work.

BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER

As I was cleaning out my garage last Saturday, I discovered about 100 bottles of drinking water buried in two totes. At room temperature, these water bottles would have had no expiration date, but let’s just say my garage is closer to oven temperature than room temperature. So, I decided to dispose

TRIBUTES

Martha R. Diggle

May 11, 1944 - October 4, 2023

On the one-year anniversary of her death, we remember Martha R. Diggle, whose spirit departed from us on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at the age of 79. Martha was born on May 11, 1944, in Virginia to Martha Cosby Rucker and Benjamin Ambrose Rucker Sr. She grew up in Arlington, VA and graduated from Yorktown High School in 1962. She continued her education earning degrees at Radford College and Ohio State University. Ironically, she met and married University of Michigan graduate, Raymond H. Diggle Jr. in 1966. In her professional life, Martha taught math at several schools throughout the US for 36 years before retiring from Mainland High School in 2009. After retiring, Martha dedicated her time to traveling, dancing, playing tennis, and playing bridge.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Jennifer L. Diggle, husband, Raymond H. Diggle Jr., brother, Benjamin Ambrose Rucker, and her parents, Martha Cosby Rucker and Benjamin Ambrose Rucker Sr. Martha leaves behind her beloved boyfriend, Stanley Lackza; brother,

of the water. It was sure to be a tedious task. Not how I wanted to spend my afternoon.

Fortunately, I had a helper. My 6-year-old son, Luke, was apparently so bored with sitting on the couch that he joined me. We set up two chairs in the shade of the 12-foot magnolia tree in the backyard and started opening the bottles and dumping

James Cowles Rucker of Richmond, VA; daughter, Laura Diggle (Nichole) of Daytona Beach; son, Douglas Diggle (Yeneir) of Port St. Lucie; granddaughters Allyson Nichole Diggle and Olivia Diggle; her two cats, along with countless friends who felt her warmth and generosity.

To honor Martha’s legacy, make some time this week to visit your local shelter or Humane Society and rescue a pet who is in need of a home. If you are not in a position to do so, make a donation in Martha’s name and help a cat or dog live to see one more day.

“It is never too late to be kind, polite, and a loving human being.” - Eddie Jaku, “The Happiest Man on Earth”

them into the grass, giving the thirsty tree a drink.

As I sat there with Luke, I thought about a home video I had recently watched, scenes from the backyard, just before Luke was born. The tree was only about 5 feet tall at the time. So much life has happened since then, and yet this tree has remained, year after year, its creamy white blossoms unfurling over its waxy green leaves.

The still, steadiness of the tree was in sharp contrast with Luke’s scurrying nature. And yet somehow, he was content to sit next to me, dump out dozens of water bottles, crush them one by one, and put the caps back on, filling a recycling tote with twisted balls of plastic.

“See?” I said. “This is more fun than video games, right?”

His response was half frown, half grin; he had been caught having fun while doing work.

I thought about a recent moment with Luke, when he

tried to teach me a similar lesson. With time running out while he was supposed to be getting ready for school one day, I caught him riding a scooter around the kitchen instead. “Luke!” I said.

“You’re supposed to be finding your backpack, not riding a scooter!” But he saw things differently: “I’m trying to find my backpack while having fun riding a scooter.”

With the bottles emptied and prepped for recycling, it was time to clean up. I grabbed the totes, and Luke helped yet again by carrying our folding chairs, but it was more than he had bargained for. I cheered him on, not realizing how much he was straining under the weight.

When he saw me stopping in front of the garage, he said, hopefully, almost in tears: “Is this the destination?”

I have heard that voice saying that phrase in my mind many times in the days since, a reminder of how children often long to be helpful, to please, to have our attention.

YOUR TOWN

Marion family of Foxhall Lane selected as the October 2024 Garden of the Month

The Garden Club at Palm Coast has recognized Maggie and Mike Marion of Foxhall Lane as the October 2024 Garden Selection of the Month.

They have friends from Michigan who had moved to Palm Coast, and they would visit them once a year to play golf. They liked it so much that they moved to Palm Coast 10 years ago.

They have a lovely front yard with so much color it attracts pollinators who enjoy its beauty and fragrances. The yard is dotted with many birdhouses and feeders and has four to five clutches of bluebirds a year.

In the hot weather, the Marions attach a miniature umbrella above their birdhouses to help keep the mother cool. The front island has many large magenta and bright red zinnias, plus beautiful red, pink, peach, and white roses. There are plumbago bushes, yellow allamanda, and firebush.

The Garden Club meets monthly on the second Monday of the Month at 1:00 p.m. at Club 51, 51 Old Kings Rd., from September through May. The plant sale is open to the public 11:30-1:00 p.m. $150 million gift benefits Daytona’s Museum of Arts and Sciences

The Museum of Arts and Sciences is looking to enter a new era — one where instead

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of being a “hidden gem,” the community knows it as a “crown jewel.”

On Saturday, Sept. 14, at the museum’s annual Passport to Florida event, Ormond Beach philanthropists Cici and J. Hyatt Brown announced a surprise endowment totaling $150 million, the largest gift to be ever granted to the museum. The endowment — which includes $75 million for a 3-to-1 match in the community — will facilitate the construction of a new 60,000-square-foot, twostory building on the 60 acres owned by MOAS at 352 S. Nova Road in Daytona Beach.

MOAS Executive Director Tabitha Schmidt said this is a rare and special occurrence.

“If you think about the history of museums and you think about how the great ones really got started, or really made a lasting impact, are fixtures in the community — it’s because of people like the Browns,” Schmidt said.

The Browns are longtime supporters of MOAS and have witnessed the museum’s evolution over the past 50 years.

Cici Brown started volunteering at the museum in 1972 as a member of the Junior League of Daytona Beach, one year after MOAS opened its doors. She fell in love with museum work and stayed involved ever since.

“We have seen the museum change dramatically over the years, and supported it in a lot of ways,” Cici Brown said.

MOAS is in process of completing its new strategic master plan, and a year ago, Cici Brown, who serves on the museum’s executive committee, started speaking with her husband about the museum’s needs and future.

Their endowment, coined the “Crown Jewel Campaign, isn’t the Browns’ first big initiative with MOAS. In 2015, they gifted MOAS with over 400 paintings for the creation of the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art. Over the years, they have donated

hundreds of more paintings, all depicting Florida. What’s on display at the museum?

Through March 2, the painted studies of John James Audubon will be exhibited at the museum. The works are part of Audubon’s “The Bird of America” collection, which reflects his ambition to paint every bird species in North America.

As part of this 12-year goal, he visited Florida from 1831 to 1832.

“Audubon’s Birds of Florida presents nearly eighty original prints, paintings, and related artifacts, primarily drawn from the Cici and Hyatt Brown Collection, which focus on a selection of birds the artist saw or wrote about from Florida in Ornithological Biography, as well as the majority of birds he painted while in Florida or shortly thereafter,” MOAS states on its website.

Maggie and Mike Marion of Foxhall Lane were selected the October 2024 Garden of the Month. Courtesy of the Palm Coast Garden Club

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PALM COAST MAYOR

DO YOU AGREE?

As a voter, what do you think about the state of Palm Coast? What do you want to see in the future?

We asked the candidates to consider several statements and tell us how much they agree or disagree with the statements, on a scale of 1-10. A “1” means you completely disagree; a “10” means you completely agree. (Note: There is no truly neutral number. A “5” means you slightly disagree; a “6” means you slightly agree.)

The statements are listed below. Take a minute to fill out your own reactions. How do your numbers compare to the candidates’ answers?

Cornelia Downing Manfre

 Years in Flagler County: Palm Coast, 25 years  Qualifications: 45 years of business background; 20 years with Fortune 100 firms in New York and 25 years in Florida developing commercial and industrial opportunities in NE Florida.  Priorities: Hire a competent experienced city manager; Outsource swale maintenance to save money and time; Review budget process to trim and pay down debt; Allocate funds for infrastructure maintenance; Strategic plan to bring in businesses to increase the commercial tax base and bring in jobs.

DISAGREE AGREE

If a property owner wants to decrease commercial/ industrial zoning in order to increase residential, the City Council should try to prevent it.

City Council members should listen to residents’ concerns more than they listen to staff’s concerns.

Tax increases may be necessary to pay for maintaining the city’s aging infrastructure.

The city should pay extra to add more law enforcement officers than it has now.

The city should invest more taxpayer funds to attract new businesses to the city.

The city should expand Parks and Recreation amenities, even if it means raising taxes in the future.

Mike Norris

 Years in Flagler County: Palm Coast, 18 years

 Qualifications: I have more than 30 years of leadership experience and public service. Served in the military as both an enlisted soldier and officer for more than 24 years. Civil service positions at both the state and federal level. Masters degrees in Management and Leadership and in Human Resources Management.

 Priorities: Revitalize existing infrastructure; Attract industrial growth and employment opportunities; Increase public safety and security; Smart growth; Empower the commercial development of Town Center business district.

DISAGREE AGREE

A request for the change of zoning should be determined based upon where it is located and the proposed use.

We are at a severe deficit in our ability to attract industries, because we don’t have the available lands zoned for their operations.

PALM COAST CITY COUNCIL

DISTRICT 1

Ty Miller

 Years in Flagler County: Palm Coast, in and out, 25 years  Qualifications: Combat veteran U.S. Marine Corps; Bachelor of Arts in Business, University of Central Florida; BA Communication UCF; Masters in Business University of Florida; 8 years of experience as Business Process/ Tech Consultant and Project Manager for Fortune 200 Company

 Priorities: Fixing the tax base to be less reliant on residential taxes; Infrastructure maintenance; Public safety

Jeffery Cortland Seib

 Years in Flagler County: Palm Coast, 29 years

 Qualifications: Involved with Palm Coast for over 10 years serving on committees and studying and speaking out on the issues at City Council meetings.

 Priorities: Preserving green spaces; Healthy canals; Consistent water supply; Drainage and infrastructure modernizations; Slow growth of taxes and fees; Safe and healthy community; and Improving our quality of life.

Residents concerns should be heard. Staff is responsible to supply answers to public concerns and advise the City Council. The Council will then determine the best direction for the public.

Without proper reporting of the infrastructure needs, it is not possible to determine if tax increases are needed. Revenue from increased values over the past 5 years should provide relief.

The city pays well for the law enforcement needs of the community. I do not see a need for additional officers after this last sheriff’s request.

The current budget outlines funds for economic development. I do not see a reason for additional funding at this time.

We should take a balanced approach; however, our whole goal should be to meet the needs of our residents.

7

Palm Coast needs to expand its commercial tax base to ensure a balanced economy. Converting commercial areas to residential would hinder that goal and limit job growth.

Elected officials represent the people, so residents’ concerns should take priority. However, staff expertise is crucial for making informed decisions. A balance is necessary.

This holds true if the city is not able to secure appropriations, through the state, for much needed infrastructure demands.

The city of Palm Coast is heavily dependent on homes for property taxes. We absolutely require and I strongly support more commercial and light industrial development.

City staff in departments such as budgeting, planning and stormwater are paid to know more than the average homeowner. But homeowners’ viewpoints are an essential component.

While maintaining infrastructure is critical, we should first look at cutting inefficiencies, claiming appropriations and expanding the commercial tax base.

We negotiate a contract with the Sheriff’s Office every year. If we require more deputies, then we have to pay for those deputies and support staff.

The city must dedicate resources to increase industrial and commercial businesses. Our marketing dollars have to be focused on attracting industries to relocate to our city.

At this time, I believe revenues should be allocated for infrastructure updating. The maintenance and updating of existing facilities have been added into this year’s budget.

Our near term priorities need to be infrastructure. Parks and Rec are great amenities but amenities mean nothing if your infrastructure is falling apart.

Palm Coast consistently ranks among Florida’s safest cities. Additional law enforcement spending should be based on data driven needs; current outcomes do not justify this expense.

Attracting businesses is important for growth and job creation. However, we must balance investment with fiscal responsibility, focusing on incentives that benefit the city long-term.

Parks are important for quality of life, but we should explore alternative funding sources or partnerships before raising taxes. Efficient use of current funds is key.

City infrastructure is a renewable asset, so we should be in a constant state of repair and replacement with annual budget funding. However, we must have reserves to cover repair costs.

Sheriff Staly presented his Palm Coast budget proposal, indicating what he considers a sufficient number of new officers, 911 operators, and equipment needs for the next three years.

The 2025 city budget includes a 20% increase in funding for economic development. We should all pitch in to help attract new businesses.

9 for the first phrase: We need more neighborhood parks, sidewalks, people friendly amenities. Five for the second: This should be a regular budget item, not in need of new taxes.

PALM COAST CITY COUNCIL

DO YOU AGREE?

As a voter, what do you think about the state of Palm Coast? What do you want to see in the future?

We asked the candidates to consider several statements and tell us how much they agree or disagree with the statements, on a scale of 1-10. A “1” means you completely disagree; a “10” means you completely agree. (Note: There is no truly neutral number. A “5” means you slightly disagree; a “6” means you slightly agree.)

The statements are listed below. Take a minute to fill out your own reactions. How do your numbers compare to the candidates’ answers?

Ray Stevens

 Years in Flagler County: Palm Coast, 20 years

 Qualifications: Experience gained as administrative lieutenant including personnel management, public information, information services, special events planning, development of traffic facilitation plans, and problem intersection assessment.

 Priorities: No new taxes; Gradual and well-planned development; Provide for increased public influence and input in the direction city government takes.

Andrew Werner

 Years in Flagler County: Palm Coast resident

 Qualifications: I have over 25 years of working in public and private services and spent the last 12 years working in education as a counselor and psychologist.

 Priorities: To focus on the Palm Coast quality of life issues involving safety, services, clean environment, and holding the voice of the people in the highest regard. I also want to bring a focus on economic vitality to ensure our city’s future as a top of the line city for our young families to enjoy for generations to come.

DISAGREE AGREE DISAGREE AGREE

If a property owner wants to decrease commercial/ industrial zoning in order to increase residential, the City Council should try to prevent it.

City Council members should listen to residents’ concerns more than they listen to staff’s concerns.

Tax increases may be necessary to pay for maintaining the city’s aging infrastructure.

The city should pay extra to add more law enforcement officers than it has now.

The city should invest more taxpayer funds to attract new businesses to the city.

The city should expand Parks and Recreation amenities, even if it means raising taxes in the future.

I am averse to zoning changes in general, to include spot zoning and up zoning, except in hardship cases.

The City Council should work with property owners to prioritize preserving commercial and industrial zoned areas for the

City Council members are elected by the people; city staff members are not.

Only if other methods have been exhausted. A relatively small increase in water and waste water impact fees to be spread out for the next four years. Impact fees should be considered.

An analysis should be conducted to determine the appropriate number of deputies that might be needed.

Resident concerns should drive policy and the direction of the city staff. It is the responsibility of city staff to adequately inform the residents.

Tax increases should be the last resort. Infrastructure should be made priority in the city’s budget before all else.

We need to adequately fund our law enforcement in order to keep our residents safe. Safety should be our number one priority.

The city should “head hunt” for certain types of industry. Light industry is a good fit, with a focus on the manufacture of medical equipment and parts.

Our future economic vitality depends on our city being able to recruit quality businesses and providing our residents with local job opportunities. Private enterprise should be given the lead in this area. The city should not enter into competition with privately owned businesses, such as golf courses, gyms and workout facilities.

Our city was founded on providing residents with diverse outdoor amenities and activities. I support expanding parks by making them priority in the current budget.

STATE HOUSE, DISTRICT 19

DO YOU AGREE?

As a voter, what do you think about the state of Florida’s Legislature? What do you want to see in the future?

We asked the candidates to consider several statements and tell us how much they agree or disagree with the statements, on a scale of 1-10. A “1” means you completely disagree; a “10” means you completely agree. (Note: There is no truly neutral number. A “5” means you slightly disagree; a “6” means you slightly agree.)

The statements are listed below. Take a minute to fill out your own reactions. How do your numbers compare to the candidates’ answers?

Sam Greco, Republican

 Years in the district: I live in District 19 in southern St. Johns County.

 Qualifications: I spent the last five years on active duty as a Navy JAG Officer.

 Priorities: I want to take my military experience to Tallahassee to deliver for our district and keep Florida free.

Adam Morley, Democrat



Years in the district: Born and raised in Southern St. Johns and Flagler Counties.

 Qualifications: Connected to the community, small business owner, passionate about accurate representation

 Priorities: Halting/slowing Overdevelopment, restoring local control/Home Rule, Clean Water and conservation.

STATE SENATE, DISTRICT 7

Tom Leek, Republican

 Years in the district: Ormond Beach, 32 years

 Qualifications: Since 2015, I served on the leadership teams of three House speakers. My work with Governor DeSantis in funding our state’s priorities, balanced with sales tax holidays, allows me to serve on day one.

 Priorities: The economy for families and business to thrive; defending our borders; supporting law enforcement; protecting our environment – initiatives to ensure Florida remains the freest in the nation.

George “T” Hill, Democrat

 Years in the district: St. Augustine resident for 20 years.

 Qualifications: I’ve been running multi-million dollar companies since I was 21 and am a visionary with a plan, not only for my business but my district and my city.

 Priorities: Transparency. All aspects of legislation are affected by the politicians who accept money from corporate interests, then prioritize the needs of these corporations over their constituents.

DISAGREE AGREE DISAGREE AGREE

The state Legislature is doing a great job addressing affordable housing, with measures such as the Live Local Act.

The state Legislature is doing a great job protecting the environment.

The state Legislature sometimes needs to pass laws to prevent local governments from making bad choices.

The state should invest more tax dollars to attract businesses to Florida.

I support ensuring that women have the right to have an abortion in some circumstances.

State lawmakers should vote based on their own understanding of the facts, not based on public opinion.

Declined to rate 1-10

Florida faces housing affordability challenges due to land scarcity and supply not meeting demand. I support efforts to streamline regulatory burdens and safeguard housing trusts.

Declined to rate 1-10

Florida’s environment and coast are part of what make Florida the best state. I’ll continue to protect our natural beauty, while never jeopardizing economic growth.

Declined to rate 1-10

Enacting laws that help local communities will be my top priority. I will always consult with local constituencies before voting on a law.

Declined to rate 1-10

Economic growth is a top priority for me and will be my guiding principle on any specific legislation I will vote on.

Declined to rate 1-10

I’m pro-life and believe it is a state issue. I support limits on abortion with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother.

Declined to rate 1-10

I will always listen to my constituents’ feedback and consider all the information in front of me when making a decision on how to vote.

Florida has diverted billions from the Sadowski Housing Trust Fund to cover other budgetary needs, limiting resources for affordable housing development over the years.

The Legislature prioritizes development over conservation, weakening environmental protections and failing to address pollution and protecting conservation lands.

Local governments know their communities best. Bad local decisions are easier to fix than rigid state laws that may not fit diverse needs.

We should prioritize enhancing our quality of life. This approach will attract businesses that align with our values and benefit our communities without excessive tax incentives.

Limited government means respecting individual rights. Women should have the freedom to make personal medical decisions without excessive government interference in certain cases.

Representatives should use their understanding but also seek a consensus from active constituents on specific issues to truly represent their district’s voice.

This will not be solved without examining areas of implementation and improvement each year, as supply is not meeting demand, which is driving up housing prices. 6 6

Recent legislation has not done enough to make housing affordable for Florida families; this must be rectified by politicians prioritizing the needs of Florida residents.

Florida has achieved an incredible balance through beach renourishment and other projects, planning for the future and protecting the environment.

Locals know best, but sometimes local governments impinge on your liberties. What works in one community doesn’t work in another.

I will support local entrepreneurs over big business every time. Florida is already attracting vibrant businesses by reducing regulations and keeping taxes low.

I am pro-life and have always supported measures to protect the sanctity of life, with exceptions.

Organizations that profit from exploiting the environment have been given priority despite the disastrous effects of climate change and environmental degradation on the state.

It should be the role of the state Legislature to support local government. New legislation must focus on attracting new businesses to Florida, rather than on banning innovation to protect the special interests of political donors.

It’s time for unqualified politicians to stop telling women what to do with their bodies.

I vote based on my principles, guided by what is best for local constituents, to best represent the opportunities and challenges we face together.

Lawmakers should vote based on scientific fact and not political demagoguery.

FLORIDA AMENDMENTS

Editor’s Note: The following analysis was published by the James Madison Institute and is republished with permission.

AMENDMENT 1

Establishing School Board Elections as Partisan

BALLOT LANGUAGE

“Proposing amendments to the State Constitution to require members of a district school board to be elected in a partisan election rather than a nonpartisan election and to specify that the amendment only applies to elections held on or after the November 2026 general election. However, partisan primary elections may occur before the 2026 general election for purposes of nominating political party candidates to that office for placement on the 2026 general election ballot.”

HOW THE AMENDMENT

REACHED THE BALLOT Florida State Legislature

WHAT YOUR VOTE MEANS

A Yes vote on this amendment: The state constitution currently requires that school board elections remain nonpartisan. Candidates for school board seats cannot run under a party affiliation (Republican Democrat, Libertarian, etc.) and instead must run with no party affiliation (NPA). A yes vote would overturn this requirement and allow parties to nominate their own candidates for these elections and permit candidates to have their political affiliation listed on the ballot.

A No vote on this amendment: A no vote would keep in place the Florida constitutional requirement that school board election candidates must remain nonpartisan and cannot run under a political party.

PROS Supporters of this amendment argue that voters are entitled to as much information about their candidates as possible and that the measure would increase transparency for voters. Having more explicitly political candidates could allow voters to learn more about the priorities of each potential school board member, as well as what candidates are likely to do while in office.

CONS Opponents argue that school boards (local government bodies that oversee public school funding and management) should remain as apolitical as possible.

CONSTITUTIONAL MERIT

This measure is not a reform that can be addressed by the State Legislature and thus requires a constitutional ballot initiative in order to be implemented.

IN SUM

This amendment to the Florida Constitution would require that district school board candidates run under a specific party affiliation.

On election day, more than 10 million Floridians will cast their votes. On the ballot will be six proposed constitutional amendments. Constitutional initiatives

AMENDMENT 2

Establishing a State Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish

BALLOT LANGUAGE

“Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to preserve forever fishing and hunting, including by the use of traditional methods, as a public right and preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife. Specifies that the amendment does not limit the authority granted to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission under Section 9 of Article IV of the State Constitution.”

HOW THE AMENDMENT REACHED THE BALLOT

Florida State Legislature

WHAT YOUR VOTE MEANS

A Yes vote on this amendment: A yes vote would enshrine the right to hunt and fish in the Florida State Constitution. If approved, Florida would join around two dozen states that already have that right in place. A state constitutional right to hunt or fish would make it harder for legislators to create laws that would ban or restrict various forms of hunting or fishing. Though such laws have not yet been considered in Florida, other states have bans or restrictions on such activities. Further, an affirmative vote would support hunting and fishing as the primary way to manage wildlife, where citizen’s hunting and fishing keeps animal populations at desirable levels.

A No vote on this amendment: A no vote means that the state legislature can more easily place restrictions on Floridians’ hunting and fishing activities. Such restrictions would likely be part of an effort to conserve various wildlife species or areas.

PROS

A right to hunt or fish would make it substantially more difficult for attempts by the state to ban or restrict the hunting or fishing of species of animals. It would protect individuals’ rights to gaming and sporting how they wish (in line with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s authority) and enshrine these activities, which play an important role in the traditions and economics of the state.

CONS While this amendment would not infringe on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s authority, conservationists worry this amendment will hurt the state’s wildlife. In rejecting this amendment, it would remain easier for the state government to make regulations restricting hunting and fishing of various species that may be threatened by excessive fishing and hunting, either commercial or recreational.

CONSTITUTIONAL MERIT

This measure is not a reform that can be addressed by the State Legislature and thus requires a constitutional ballot initiative in order to be implemented.

IN SUM A constitutionally-protected right to hunt or fish would make it substantially more difficult for attempts by the state to ban or restrict the hunting or fishing of species of animals.

play a pivotal role in the governance of the state, and thus warrant careful consideration. For this election, the six proposed constitutional amendments on the Novem-

AMENDMENT 3

Recreational Marijuana Legalization

BALLOT LANGUAGE

“Allows adults 21 years or older to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise; allows Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers, and other state licensed entities, to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute such products and accessories.”

HOW THE AMENDMENT REACHED THE BALLOT

Citizen-Initiated

WHAT YOUR VOTE MEANS

A Yes vote on this amendment: A yes vote would legalize marijuana consumption in the state of Florida for nonmedical purposes, including recreation. This legalization enables personal consumption and private cultivation of marijuana for sale, requiring a state license to do so. It allows those 21 and older to purchase and consume cannabis without a doctor’s recommendation. The proposal would also remove criminal or civil penalties for adults over 21 who possess and use up to three ounces of cannabis for personal use and allow marijuana dispensaries and other state licensed entities to “acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute” cannabis products and accessories.

A No vote on this amendment: A no vote retains the current marijuana law for the state, which allows for its consumption and sale for medical purposes only.

PROS

Legalizing marijuana recreationally gives citizens a new right enshrined in the state constitution. Further, marijuana businesses and increased sales from a new recreational market would significantly add to tax revenues. Such revenues could be used to fund a variety of other initiatives that benefit Floridians.

CONS

Opponents contend that recreational marijuana will reduce overall productivity in the classroom and workplace and that it will put Florida law at odds with federal law (where recreational marijuana is illegal). Legalizing marijuana could lead to greater drug abuse in Florida, exacerbating the public costs of drugrelated problems (such as automobile accidents, criminal activity, and fatalities).

CONSTITUTIONAL MERIT

This measure can be enacted in statute by the Florida Legislature. It does not require a constitutional amendment to address.

IN SUM

The Florida Constitution currently allows marijuana consumption and sale for medical purposes only, typically as a treatment for chronic illnesses. While recreational legalization could create substantial tax benefits, the cost should be weighed against the possible public health problems (and costs) such a measure may exacerbate. If the amendment passes, it will go into effect six months after the election.

ber ballot originate from two sources: the Florida Legislature and citizen initiatives. Regardless of how a measure makes it to the ballot, all amendments require a 60 percent voting majority to pass.

Additionally, each method for proposing constitutional

AMENDMENT 4

Right to Abortion

BALLOT LANGUAGE

“No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider. This amendment does not change the Legislature’s constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.”

HOW THE AMENDMENT REACHED THE BALLOT

Citizen-Initiated

WHAT YOUR VOTE MEANS

A Yes vote on this amendment: A yes vote would legalize abortion in the state of Florida before the period of fetal viability or when a healthcare provider deems it necessary for the safety of a mother. Fetal viability, or when a baby is estimated to be able to survive outside of the mother’s uterus, is generally assumed among health professionals to be around 24 weeks into pregnancy. However, because the ballot language does not clearly define when fetal viability is, it is open for interpretation and legal ambiguity.

A No vote on this amendment: A no vote would keep in place the state’s current abortion law, which sets abortion as legal only within the first six weeks of a pregnancy..

PROS

Supporters argue that such a ballot measure is crucial to guarantee Floridians’ right to an abortion, as state amendments are far more difficult to overturn than a legislature’s decision on the matter. Limited abortion access is currently offered to Floridians, but many supporters of this amendment see its passage as a way to expand and protect that right.

CONS

Opponents of the measure argue that it is not necessary to enshrine any right to abortion into the state constitution since the state legislature already has the ability to vote and regulate the procedure, without the necessity of a constitutional amendment. Additionally, the point of fetal viability varies by patient, likely setting the groundwork for future controversy. Further, this amendment would also allow abortions to protect a pregnant patient’s health, as determined by a health care provider, without any restriction on when that determination could occur.

CONSTITUTIONAL MERIT

This measure can be enacted in statute by the Florida Legislature. It does not require a constitutional amendment to change current law.

IN SUM

If the measure passes, it would overturn Florida’s six-week abortion ban and replace it with legalized abortions up until fetal viability or to protect a patient’s health, neither of which are defined in the ballot language.

amendments establishes different hurdles before an amendment can reach the ballot. For a legislatively-referred proposed amendment, 60 percent of both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate must agree to put the proposed amendment on the ballot.

AMENDMENT 5

Homestead Exemption Inflation Adjustment

BALLOT LANGUAGE

“Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to require an annual adjustment for inflation to the value of current or future homestead exemptions that apply solely to levies other than school district levies and for which every person who has legal or equitable title to real estate and maintains thereon the permanent residence of the owner, or another person legally or naturally dependent upon the owner is eligible. This amendment takes effect January 1, 2025.”

HOW THE AMENDMENT REACHED THE BALLOT Florida State Legislature

WHAT YOUR VOTE MEANS

A Yes vote on this amendment: A yes vote supports adding an inflation adjustment to the current homestead tax exemption. There are two $25,000 exemptions available to property owners, who can reduce $50,000 off the taxable value of their home. This measure would create an inflation adjustment for the second of those two $25,000 homestead exemptions which does not affect taxes that pay for schools. Under the measure, assessments would be indexed to the percent change in the Consumer Price Index. For example, if the rate of inflation is 8 percent, it would increase the value of the exemption from $25,000 to $27,000.

A No vote on this amendment: A no vote supports keeping the current homestead tax exemption regardless of inflation. This means that taxes will automatically rise as property values rise with inflation, without local officials having to cast a vote to increase taxes.

PROS

While property values continue to increase and homeowners pay more in property taxes, supporters argue that this measure will give homeowners relief on their taxes by adjusting for inflation.

CONS

Opponents of this measure highlight its negative impact on tax revenues for local governments. By adding an inflation adjustment to the homestead exemption, automatic tax increases will no longer occur. As a result, local governments will face decreased tax revenues, unless local officials vote to raise taxes.

CONSTITUTIONAL MERIT

This measure is not a reform that can be addressed by the State Legislature and thus requires a constitutional ballot initiative in order to be implemented.

IN SUM

The current homestead tax exemption structure for primary residences is not adjusted for inflation. An inflation adjustment would eliminate automatic tax increases going towards local governments and would require local officials to vote to increase taxes going forward.

This is called a joint resolution. As voters and engaged citizens of Florida, it is our civic duty to responsibly educate ourselves on important changes to the Florida Constitution. Below, readers will find an analysis of each ballot initiative.

AMENDMENT 6

Repeal of Public Campaign Financing

BALLOT LANGUAGE

“Proposing the repeal of the provision in the State Constitution which requires public financing for campaigns of candidates for elective statewide office who agree to campaign spending limits.”

HOW THE AMENDMENT REACHED THE BALLOT Florida State Legislature

WHAT YOUR VOTE MEANS A Yes vote on this amendment: A yes vote would repeal the provision of the Florida Constitution that provides public funds to candidates for statewide offices (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, Commissioner of Agriculture). Such funds are currently given to candidates that meet a few requirements, including limiting how much they will spend on their campaign and allowing an audit of campaign funds after the election.

A No vote on this amendment: A no vote would keep in place public financing for statewide candidates.

PROS

Supporters of this measure argue that those running for statewide office should not be entitled to taxpayer money for election purposes, and that getting rid of public campaign financing will lower taxes for Floridians and allocate general revenue funds to other important issues within the state.

CONS Opponents contend that by giving money to candidates that may not already have money or the capacity to raise sufficient funds, the measure can effectively level the playing field for aspiring officeholders that lack political and financial connections.

CONSTITUTIONAL MERIT This measure is not a reform that can be addressed by the State Legislature and thus requires a constitutional ballot initiative in order to be implemented.

IN SUM Voters will get to decide whether public campaign funds should be available for those running for statewide office or if candidates should no longer be able to spend taxpayer dollars in campaigning.

Angling for laughs

Two-night comedy show in Palm Coast will support Hookin’ Veterans

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Joseph Buccini was looking for ways to raise money for the nonprofit, Hookin’ Veterans, when it occurred to him that putting on a comedy show would be a perfect conduit for supporting what the organization is about.

“I wanted to do something different,” said Buccini, who is affectionately known as Booch. “My buddy put on a comedy show, so we put one on last year. We all need a laugh in our life.”

The second annual Hook, Line & Sinker Comedy Night will be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25-26, at Club 51 at 51 N. Old Kings Rd. in Palm Coast.

Buccini, a resident of Palm Coast, is one of three founders of Hookin’ Veterans, which provides deep-sea fishing retreats off West Palm Beach and Maine for disabled veterans. They have provided four-day fishing excursions for 50 veterans since 2015.

The trips include a learning session on how to fish and a chance to build new friendships with other veterans. Disabled veterans from all over the country apply to go on the trips. Several local veterans have participated.

“Doesn’t matter if you lost two legs, we’ll get you on the boat,” Buccini said.

The trips are quite expensive. Captains donate their boats, crew and gas. Hookin’ Veterans cover the remainder of the costs.

Sean Santore, the broker/owner of Launch Realty in Palm Coast, is a volunteer for the organization. He said one four-day trip for 15 veterans costs the organization over $25,000.

“Airfare, hotel, it’s all inclusive, dedicated to make sure these veterans get treated like they should be treated for all their service,” Santore

YOUR TOWN

said.

Buccini served in the Army for nearly 17 years from 2001 to 2017 which included two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was a door gunner on a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. He is a disabled veteran himself with three herniated discs, two bad shoulders, a bad knee and PTSD.

“Not all wounds are visible,” he says.

PEACE AND TRANQUILITY

The other founders of Hookin’ Veterans are Tyler Jeffries, who lives in North Carolina and Colby Briggs, who lives in the West Palm Beach area.

The nonprofit Jeffries’ brainchild, Buccini said. Jeffries is a double amputee who was wounded in Afghanistan in 2012 when a command-wired improvised explosive device detonated.

Buccini and Jeffries met at a Salute to the Troops event in 2015. It turned out they had met before.

“I showed him a picture of me in the helicopter and he said, ‘You flew me in.’” Buccini said. “I had flown him into Afghanistan and a few months later, he was blown up.”

They became fast friends. On a helicopter hog hunting trip together, Jeffries asked Buccini if he could arrange a deep-sea fishing trip for them, so he did.

“We were having a good time fishing,” Buccini said, “And Tyler said, ‘Dude I really want to do this for other veterans.’’

When Jeffries was at Walter Reed National Medical Center where he underwent his surgeries, he went out on the water and told Buccini that he found “so much peace and tranquility.”

That’s how the organization began.

“We let veterans experience this tranquility and respite,” Buccini said. “And the talk therapy is huge. They’re able to talk about their experiences in the military and maybe build common ground with another veteran. We provide that vent. Otherwise they keep it inside and it destroys them. We let them know we appreciate what they did for us and

World War II Navy veteran Gretta Smith celebrates 101st birthday Margaretta “Gretta” Busch Woodward Smith, a distinguished World War II veteran, celebrated her 101st birthday with her family on Sept. 21 at Good Sam’s Assisted Living Residence in Palm Coast. Gretta served as a U.S. Navy Storekeeper 3rd Class (Petty Officer 3rd Class) during the WWII. She enlisted in the Naval Reserve WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) on Jan. 6, 1944, at the age of 20. The WAVES was a groundbreaking branch of the Naval Reserve, es-

the sacrifices they made. The trips are a once in a lifetime experience.”

CASH CAB HOST TO HEADLINE

Ben Bailey, who drove the “Cash Cab,” for over 550 episodes, will be the headliner for the Hook, Line and Sinker Comedy Nights. Cash Cab was a TV game show that took place inside a New City cab with Bailey serving as both game show host and cab driver.

Buccini asked a friend about booking Bailey because he read somewhere that Bailey owns a house in St. Augustine. It took a month to book Bailey because he was listed as a game show host even though he is on tour as a stand-up comedian. Buccini said he doesn’t know if Bailey has a house in St. Augustine, but he intends to ask him that when he picks him up at the airport. The other comics in the show are PT Bratton and Dewayne White. They are both professional comedians and disabled veterans. Bratton is a 100% clean comedian, Buccini said, adding that he would probably

tablished to replace men stationed ashore and increase the number of sailors available for sea duty. More than 100,000 women served in the WAVES during World War II, marking the beginning of women’s permanent contribution to the Navy, and eventually paving the way for women to be accepted in all branches of the military.

She was honorably discharged on Aug. 1, 1945, from the U.S. Naval Barracks (Women’s Reserve) in New York.

Gretta’s service to her country was recognized with the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal, which she received for her dedication and commitment during a critical time in U.S. history. Her legacy of service extends

give the show an overall TV-14 rating. Tickets for each night are $45. (Order online at http://bit. ly/3Bp4HyX).

Included are an appetizer buffet catered by Chef Bills Legacy Catering, desserts by Sweet Melissa’s Homemade Ice Cream, a silent auction and a commemorative photo. The event will not only benefit Hookin’ Veterans, but Buccini said he will also donate $1,000 to the Disabled American Veterans Palm Coast chapter.

“If you’re going to support veterans, support veterans,” Buccini said. “I just wanted to give back to veterans.” Everyone involved in Hookin’ Veterans is a volunteer. All of the money raised goes toward the fishing trips.

Santore, whose father is a disabled Vietnam veteran, was hooked after he got know Buccini.

“Joe and I have been friends since our kids went to school together 15 years ago,” Santore said.

“He knows I love to fish. He started to talk to me about it. I said how

beyond her military contributions.

She is the daughter of World War I veteran U.S. Army Cpl. Joseph W. Busch, continuing a proud family tradition of military service. Gretta is married to Albert Smith, who turned 101 in July.

Flagler Beach Yacht Club

pitches in with canal and Intracoastal cleanup

The Flagler Beach Yacht Club made an impact with its canal and Intracoastal Waterway cleanup on Sept. 7.

By using their boats and even kayaks, FBYC members were able to reach a variety of areas to clear out discarded items such as lumber, seat cushions, a watering can and

“We let veterans experience this tranquility and respite. ... We let them know we appreciate what they did for us and the sacrifices they made. The trips are a once in a lifetime experience.”

JOSEPH “BOOCH” BUCCINI

do I get involved. Now I do some social media for them. I’m a go-fer. If I’m not doing my job, which is real estate, I’m doing something for Hookin’ Veterans.

“Veterans that go to these (fishing) events pull me aside,” Santore said. “They say, ‘This is the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me in my whole life.’ That quote makes me want to cry. We are actually doing something to make a difference in these guys’ lives.”

even a sink.

“It’s fantastic to see a communityoriented event that brings people together not only to beautify their surroundings but also to foster camaraderie — ending the day with a well-deserved picnic at Herschel King Park. What a meaningful way to contribute to the local environment,” the FBYC said in a press release. For information on becoming a member, checking out a meeting or participate in any of the club’s fun and community minded activities, got to flaglerbeachyachtclub. com or the Flagler Beach Yacht Club Facebook page.

Naval Reserve WAVES veteran Gretta Smith celebrated her 101st birthday on Sept. 21

Veterans on a fishing trip showing off a catch. Courtesy photo

‘It’s

just the luck of the draw’

Flagler Beach resident, activist shares her breast cancer journey

SIERRA WILLIAMS

STAFF WRITER

Flagler Beach All Stars cofounder Carla Cline said before her breast cancer diagnosis, she wasn’t the type of person who went to the doctor often.

That changed when she found a lump on her breast in 2022.

“I’m grateful that I found it,” she said. “That’s probably the biggest thing.”

Cline, 48, was diagnosed

with Stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer that December. According to the American Cancer Society’s website, tiple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer that tends to grow quickly. Cline said, because she spends a lot of time in the sun, she found the lump soon after it formed.

Cline said it was because of her friend Shelley Chapman that she even went to the doctor’s to get checked out.

“Looking back at it all, what saved my life probably is the fact that she was going through breast cancer,” Cline said.

Chapman is a registered massage therapist and was

“A lot of people did a lot of things for me. I feel like I need to put back as much as I can, as often as I can.”

— CARLA CLINE

diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer as well in September 2022. Cline is not only her friend of 12 years, but a client, and, when Cline pointed out the lump, Chapman said she knew right away that it was new.

“I looked at her and I said, ‘I hope that is a sebaceous cyst, but you need to go to a doctor right away,’” Chapman said. “‘Don’t delay.’”

Immediately after her diagnosis, Cline said she was going through more doctor’s appointments than she’d been through in years. She’s learned a lot through the process — like that breast cancer is not just hereditary like Cline thought.

One in eight women will develop breast cancer in the United States, the ACS website states. One in 40 will die from breast cancer.

“It’s just the luck of the draw,” Cline said.

The ACS recommends women over the age of 40 begin screening for breast cancer with annual mammogram exams. Chapman said she was actually at a routine mammogram exam when her doctors found her cancer.

It took Cline 16 rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and a full year to complete her treatments, finishing them in February 2024. Chapman and Cline went through their treatments

together, supporting each other. It was a relief, Chapman said, to have a friend who understood what it was like, in real time.

“The joke is, ‘we’re never playing that game again,’” Chapman said. “We’re going to play Monopoly next time, because that was no fun.”

Both women are now cancer free, but, Cline said, she knows “it’s not over.” Now she goes for blood work to check her tumor markers every three months.

“The fact that I still go is like a little like a security blanket,” Cline said. “Like, somebody’s still watching out for me and taking care of me, just in case.”

FIRST INSERTION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CITY OF BUNNELL,

FLORIDA

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA will hold a Public Hearing as authorized by law at 7:00 P.M. on the 14th day of October 2024, for the purpose of First Reading of Ordinance 2024-19, before the City Commission, in the Chambers Meeting Room of the Flagler County Government Services Building (GSB) located at 1769 East Moody Blvd, Bunnell, Florida 32110.

ORDINANCE 2024-19

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA AMENDING THE CITY OF BUNNELL LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE; PROVIDING FOR AMENDMENT TO MULTIPLE SECTIONS WITHIN CHAPTER 34 – ZONING; INCLUDING SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES AS A PERMITTABLE, PROHIBITED, OR SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE IN APPROPRIATE ZONING DISTRICTS; INCLUDING DEFINITIONS OF TERMS RELATED TO SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES; PROVIDING FOR LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT; PROVIDING FOR THE TAKING OF IMPLEMENTING ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND APPLICABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

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

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

(Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes) Oct. 3 24-00372F

On Oct. 6, Cline will be the official starter of the Pink on Parade 5K and One Mile PetFriendly Walk in Palm Coast, an AdventHealth press release said. The Pink on Parade, hosted by AdventHealth Palm Coast and the city of Palm Coast, raises funds for local cancer care services through the AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation.

In the race this year, cancer survivors will be able to ring a symbolic bell that will service as “a powerful symbol of hope, as cancer survivors ring it to celebrate the completion of their treatment,” the press release said.

That bell will soon be installed in the Freytag Cancer Center at AdventHealth Palm Coast, which is set to open in 2025.

For both Chapman and Cline, it’s important for them to give back to the community that supported them during their time in need. Chapman said the Her Turn surf competition, which donated money to help her pay for treatments, has made her a life-long volunteer.

“A lot of people did a lot of things for me,” she said. “I feel like I need to put back as much as I can, as often as I can.” Chapman said she encourages people to use all of their resources to get checked out.

“I would encourage anyone to use all their resources. If you go to a massage, tell them to look on your back. If you go to your regular physician, have them look at the weird mole,” Chapman said. “Don’t be shy. Reach out to all your resources.”

Cline said she still has her own message to share, too. It’s important to stay vigilant and aware of changes in your body, she said, and get checked out sooner than later.

“The sooner you find it, the easier it is to handle,” Cline said. “That’s with everything, and we know that. We put things off and put things off until the sink is broken or whatever, but when it’s your health … the earlier, the better, for sure.”

Carla Cline is a breast cancer survivor. Photo courtesy of AdventHealth

Carla Cline said she did not let her cancer diagnosis stop her from enjoying life.

Carla Cline with friend Shelley Chapman as they underwent breast cancer treatments together. Photo courtesy of Carla Cline

LOCAL EVENTS

THURSDAY, OCT. 3

RECIPES AND READS

CULINARY LAB: THE CULTURE AND HISTORY OF FOOD — AFTERNOON TEA

When: 3:30 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach

Details: Learn about tea made from hydrangea plants, presented by library staff. Free program. Registration is not required.

FRIDAY, OCT. 4

PILGRIM’S REST CEMETERY TOUR

When: 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 4 and 5

Where: Pilgrims Rest Cemetery, Intersection of West Granada Boulevard and Nova Road, Ormond Beach

Details: Join Pilgrims Rest Cemetery for a guided tour to hear the tales of both saints and sinners buried in the historic resting place. Tickets cost $20 per person; children under 12 are free. Visit ormon dhistory.org/cemetery-tour.

MOVIES ON THE HALIFAX

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Rockefeller Gardens, 26 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a showing of “Haunted Mansion,” rated PG-13. Movies are weathersensitive. Call 386-676-3216 for rainout information.

SATURDAY, OCT. 5

TRUNK SALE

When: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: St. Brendan’s Catho lic Church, 1000 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach

Details: St. Brendan’s Cath olic Church is holding its an nual Trunk Sale. Cost to be a vendor is $25. Hosted by the Council of Catholic Women. Free admission for the public. Call 386-405-6589.

19TH ANNUAL CREEKSIDE

MUSIC ARTS AND FOOD FESTIVAL

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5-6

Where: Princess Place Pre serve, 2500 Princess Place Road, Palm Coast

Details: Attend this year’s festival, to feature over 100 vendors, 30 food trucks and 40 craft vendor. Puppy Pals Live, a comedy act featuring rescue dogs, will perform at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. each day. The festival will host the First Responders fourth annual Chili Challenge. Gates open at 9 a.m. Tickets for adults cost $10; kids 12 and under are free. Free parking. Visit flaglerbroadcasting.com.

GOD’S FAMILY BIBLE CHURCH PANTRY FOOD DISTRIBUTION

When: 10-11 a.m.

Where: Parking lot across Gods Family Bible Church, 256 Old Brick Road, Bunnell

Details: God’s Family Bible Church distributes food every first and third Saturday in this drive-thru event.

ORMOND ART WALK

When: 3-7 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach MainStreet Arts District, 128 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach Details: Join Ocean Art Gallery, Frame of Mind, Art Spotlight, The Studio by Artist Angel Lowden, the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and more on the first Saturday of each month for art openings and art events.

SUNDAY, OCT. 6

13TH ANNUAL PINK ON PARADE 5K RUN/WALK

When: 7:45 a.m to 11 a.m.

Where: AdventHealth Palm Coast, 60 Memorial Medical Parkway, Palm Coast, Details: Help raise money for breast cancer at this annual 5K event hosted by the AdventHealth Palm Coast

St., Ormond Beach

Details: Discover places that can remind one of history of Daytona during this virtual cemetery tour, presented by library staff. Free program. Registration is not required.

TUESDAY, OCT. 8

WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP

When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Ocean Art Gallery, 197 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond

Beach

Details: Paint along with award-winning watercolor artist Stewart Jones. Class costs $75. All supplies are included. No drawing required. Call 386-317-9400.

NIGHT WITH A SCIENTIST

When: 5:30 p.m.

Where: Ormond Beach

Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach

Details: Ashley Jackson is the North Central Area Bear Biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and will share

Presenting Sponsor

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12th 2024

Mandatory Captain's Meeting Friday, October 11 @ 5pm Herschel King Park

Check Out

Saturday, October 12 @ 7-8am Bing's Landing, Herschel King, SR 100, or High Bridge

Weigh-In Opens @ 3pm 4pm Weigh-In Party Herschel King Park

-Angler Swag

Non Sequitur

Nancy

Mother Goose and Grimm

The Duplex

In the Bleachers

Cornered Ziggy

The Fusco Brothers

Pearls

SPORTS

Bucs’ bounty

Mainland puts itself in the district driver’s seat with its first win of the season, 43-0 over Matanzas

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Mainland heard the grumblings as the losses began to pile up to start the season.

Playing the third toughest schedule in the state, according to Florida High School Athletic Association’s ratings, the defending state champion Buccaneers were 0-5 entering their game at Matanzas.

But the only streak that really matters to the Bucs is 30 years in a row of making it into the playoffs. With their 43-0 thumping of the Pirates on Friday, Sept. 27, that streak will likely turn 31 this season.

“These kids put in so much work and they hear so much negative stuff from some people in the community, and to see finally their hard work pay off, I think it’s just a springboard for what’s going to happen the rest of the season,” said first-year Mainland coach Jerrime Bell, who collected his first victory with the Bucs.

In the team huddle after the game, Mainland athletic director Terry Anthony handed Bell the game ball.

The Bucs are now in the driver’s seat in the three-team District 4-5A. They can clinch the district championship and earn an automatic trip to the playoffs with a win over Belleview on Oct. 25. Belleview has struggled of late, falling to 0-4 on Sept. 27, with

THIS WEEK

MATANZAS AT MOUNT DORA

When: Friday, Oct. 4, 7 p.m.

Records: Matanzas 3-3, Mount Dora 4-1

Common opponent: Matanzas beat Atlantic 28-0 on Aug. 30. Mount Dora beat Atlantic 57-6 on Sept. 27.

Radio/stream: Listen — WZNF 94.9 FM; Flaglerbroadcasting.com; Flagler Radio app. Watch — Flagler Radio YouTube Channel; WNZF Facebook Page.

Saturday: Rich and Mike Show, 7:30 a.m. WNZF. Podcast on website and app.

FPC AT FLETCHER

When: Friday, Oct. 4, 7 p.m.

Records: FPC 4-1, Fletcher 4-1

DELAND AT MAINLAND

When: Friday, Cot. 4, 7 p.m.

Where: Daytona Stadium

Records: DeLand 4-2, Mainland 1-5

SEABREEZE AT ATLANTIC

When: Thursday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m.

Records: Seabreeze 0-4, Atlantic 0-5

its 13th consecutive loss over the past two seasons.

“That (playoff) streak means everything,” Bell said. “not just to these kids but to the alumni and everyone that put in the work. This group is a prideful group, and they don’t want to be the group that breaks that streak.”

Bell said the Bucs knew the first half of the schedule would be tough, especially when they were breaking in 18 new starters.

“We graduated 29 players from last year’s team. We have 26 playing college ball right now on Saturdays,” he said. “It’s tough getting rid of that many people and having to rebuild your roster, but we’re Mainland High School. We don’t run from competition.”

The game was close though most of the first half with the Bucs (1-5) leading 10-0 with less than two minutes remaining in the second quarter. But two Matanzas mistakes put the Pirates (3-3) in a hole they could not climb out of.

First, Christian Hudson returned a Matanzas fumble 55 yards for a score with 1:12 left before the break. And then the Bucs recovered a bad snap on a Matanzas punt attempt to set up Edward Williams’ 10-yard touchdown run with 6.4 seconds left to give the visiting team a 24-0 half-

time lead.

“I went into the game knowing we had to take care of the football,” Matanzas coach Matt Forrest said. “We couldn’t make mistakes. I knew we could not make mistakes against Mainland in order to have a chance to win.”

The Bucs didn’t ease up in the second half. Instead, they put their foot down on the accelerator.

“They weren’t satisfied,” Bell said of his players. “The defense said, ‘We’re going to go score for you coach and special teams said, ‘We’re going to get the ball back for the offense to score.’ When those guys have that type of belief we’re going to be a tough team.”

Junior quarterback Sebastian Johnson, who earned his first victory as Mainland’s starter, tossed a 52-yard touchdown pass to Eddie Lake Jr. to make it 30-0 in the third quarter. Christian Cooper scored from the 2-yard line following a Shawn Holmes interception to make it 37-0, and backup quarterback Cole Walker threw a 73-yard touchdown pass to Kajuan Curry in the final minutes under a running clock.

“It feels great,” Johnson said of the Bucs’ first win. “Obviously it’s the first with many more to come. We’ve been saying all week it’s a new season. It’s the new season and we start out 1-0, because you can’t dwell on what’s in the past. You just got to keep moving.”

Noah Lehman kicked a 39-yard field goal on Mainland’s first possession of the game and Kwasie Kwaku took a pitch and ran 31 yards for a touchdown early in the second quarter to give the Bucs a 10-0 lead.

Flagler Palm Coast High School transfers Zyquan Neal, who had a first-quarter interception, and Walker with the final touchdown pass, each contributed to the Bucs’ victory against their former crosstown rival.

The Pirates entered the game ranked eighth in the region by the FHSAA and are still in the hunt for one of the eight Region 1-5A playoff spots. Mainland was ranked ninth before the victory.

“Mainland’s record is not an indication of how good they are. They are a good football team,” Forrest said. “We just got to get back to work Monday. We came into this game in eighth place in the region, so our focus is to come to work Monday and try to find a way to beat Mount Dora

(next week) and hopefully get back in the top eight.”

Bell said in the past couple of weeks he could see signs of the Bucs turning the corner. They were coming off a 10-7 loss to Coffee High School of Douglas, Georgia, a reining state champ, on Sept. 20.

“We made a few mistakes (against Coffee), but we probably should have pulled that one out, so it felt good to finally get (the first win),” Bell said.

“These kids are starting to play for each other and not for themselves.

They’re playing for Mainland across their chest and not for the name that would be on the back of their jersey. When you do that, things happen.”

The game was stopped for several minutes at the end of the first half after Bucs wide receiver Jameil Patrick took an accidental hit to the back of his neck when a teammate ran into hime from behind. He was taken off the field on a stretcher.

“Everything that happened was out of precaution,” Bell said. “He had all movement. His mom said he does have a headache, so he’s probably going to be in concussion protocols.”

“These kids are starting to play for each other and not for themselves. They’re playing for Mainland across their chest and not for the name that would be on the back of their jersey. When you do that, things happen.”

JERRIME BELL, Mainland football coach

Matanzas senior Jackson Lundahl completed 4 of 8 passes for 30 yards in the second half.

Kwasie Kwaku turns the corner on a his 31-yard touchdown run that put Mainland ahead 10-0 with 9:43 left in the second quarter. Photos by Brent Woronoff Matanzas defensive back Cooper May (5) pressures Mainland quarterback Sebastian Johnson.

Matanzas student Letty Bartolome dresses patriotically.

FPC falls to University

Flagler Palm Coast’s football team lost its first game of the season, 34-19 at University, on Sept. 27. The Bulldogs (4-1) tallied 380 yards of offense but gave up 447 yards to the Titans (5-1). Anthony May rushed for 224 yards and three touchdowns for University. Marcus Mitchell rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown for FPC. Hayden Hayes threw touchdown passes to Robbie Dailey and Mikhail Zysek.

NSB shuts down

Seabreeze offense

Seabreeze was held to 47 total yards in a 35-6 loss to New Smyrna Beach on Sept. 28. Dylan Tocci ran for 32 yards and scored the Sandcrabs’ only touchdown but went 0 for 7 passing.

Seabreeze volleyball blanks Atlantic

Seabreeze’s volleyball team defeated Atlantic 3-0 on Oct. 1, for its fourth win in its last five matches. Andie Litz showcased her versatility with 10 kills, five blocks, 19 assists and eight digs. Lilli Litz had 16 digs.

Flagler umpire group a hit with youth leagues

Rich Yoegel had been umpiring youth baseball games for a short time in Flagler County when he posed a question to some of his fellow umpires.

“Why don’t we have an umpire association here?” he asked. The response he got was, nobody wants to organize one.

So, Yoegel got some umpires together and launched the Flagler County Umpire Association. The FCUA took over scheduling for Flagler Babe Ruth Baseball last spring.

Now, beginning with the Palm Coast Little League’s fall season opening day on Oct. 5, the new association will also cover that league.

“I cannot say enough good things about Rich and that organization,” said Forrest Hahn, the president of Flagler Babe Ruth Baseball. “We had an association that dissolved about four years ago. Then it was just on us to schedule the umpires. After I met Rich, he mentioned wanting to start an association. He took the idea and ran with it.”

The FCUA takes the scheduling load off the youth baseball organizations and has provided consistent umpiring, Hahn said.

Meanwhile, the leagues are paying the same rates to umpires that they paid before when they had to hire umps individually.

“It will be extremely helpful making sure we have umpires at every game,” Palm Coast Little League President Tiffany Schmidt said. “It will also will help with consistency. The umpires will be trained the same and know all the rules.”

Yoegel, the FCUA’s umpire in chief, said the organization has 25 member umpires. Yoegel, who has owned a house in Palm Coast for 12 years, moved here full time about three years ago. He now works remotely as vice president of merchandizing for Qurate Retail Inc., the parent company of QVC and HSN. He umpired in Pennsylvania and St. Petersburg before moving here.

He said his 10 years of umpiring experience is about average for the association. But they are also training and mentoring high-school aged umpires.

“We have umpires on our roster that have done college games and high school games and those that have only done youth games,” Yoegel said. “We also have five high school kids, and their engagement level is really high.”

Hahn said, “It’s really wonderful having youthful umpires on the field, 17-18 years old.”

The FCUA does training twice a year for its umpires and also has monthly meetings, Yoegel said.

“It’s non-stop learning from each other. We’re making sure we’re getting better as a group and making the game better for everybody involved,” he said.

Schmidt said it’s always been hard for the PCLL to find umpires.

“First we had 100% volunteers,” she said. “But there are parents and coaches that can be disgruntled, so people didn’t want to volunteer. About a year ago, we started paying them. Now (the FCUA) will schedule themselves. Their job is so very, very

important for the games.”

Hahn said the FCUA is doing more than umpiring games, it is integrating into the league itself, bonding with coaches, players and parents. In the spring, they told Hahn they wanted to give out a sportsmanship award to a deserving player. They nominated three or four candidates, Hahn said, and the Flagler Babe Ruth Baseball board chose 9-year-old Kellan Ball as the first Flagler County Umpire Association Sportsmanship Award winner.

“So they really do care and strive to be not just an umpire association but part of the league,” Hahn said.

Yoegel emphasized that the association does not want to compete with the A-1 Officials Association, which provides high school officials in Flagler, Volusia and other counties.

“We’re not trying to conflict with what they do,” he said. “We started our group to support the youth baseball in Flagler County.”

Palm Coast’s Mala Magic wins silver at nationals

Mala Magic, representing Flagler County and the state of Florida in the National Team Pickleball League Championships on Sept. 14-15 in Hilton Head, South Carolina, won the silver medal in the men’s doubles age 50plus 4.0 level. The team, consisting of 11 Palm Coast residents, took on teams from Arizona and Oregon, playing 180 games over the two days. Mala Magic lost 25-23 in the championship match after advancing with a come-frombehind win in the semifinals. Fit 2 Dink, Flagler County’s women’s doubles age 55-plus 3.0 team, is in Las Vegas for the WD National Championships, Oct. 3-6. The Florida Team Pickleball Leauge Inc. begins play for the fall season on Oct. 7 at pickleball courts across Voluisa, Flagler and St. Johns counties. Team registration

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SEA, THE SIGHTS by Michele Govier, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

Flagler County Umpire Association umps Joe Hahn, Eric Jedziniak and Rich Yoegel. Courtesy photo

approved by the Property Appraiser, and of applicants for exemptions which have been denied by the Property Appraiser, are maintained for public view in the County Property Appraiser’s Office, Second Floor, Flagler County Government Services Building, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Building 2, Bunnell, Florida, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The lists include applicants for the following exemptions or classifications: Homestead – all categories; Certain permanently and totally disabled veterans; Disabled veterans confined to wheelchairs; Permanently and totally disabled persons; Renewable energy sources; Charitable, religious, scientific or literary uses and additional exemptions relating thereto; Educational property; Property owned and used by labor organizations; Certain agreements with local governments for use of public property; Economic Development; Not-for-Profit sewer and water company property;

CITY OF PALM COAST

NOTICE OF AMENDMENT

RELATING TO THE LIVE LOCAL ACT PLANNING AND LAND DEVELOPMENT

REGULATION BOARD PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Palm Coast Planning and Land Development Regulation Board (PLDRB) acting as the Local Planning Agency will consider and make a recommendation to the City Council regarding Ordinance 2024-XX Entitled:

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM COAST, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTIONS 2.04, APPLICABILITY, 2.05 NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS, AND 3.03, NONRESIDENTIAL AND MIXED USE ZONING DISTRICTS; ESTABLISHING SECTION 3.06, AFFORDABLE HOUSING MIXED-USE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, CHAPTER 3, ZONING USES, AND DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS, OF THE CITY OF PALM COAST LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 166.04151, FLORIDA STATUTES; AMENDING SECTION 14.02 GLOSSARY, OF CHAPTER 14 OF THE CITY OF PALM COAST UNIFIED LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO ADD, DELETE AND RESTATE VARIOUS DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE; PROVIDING SUNSET PROVISIONS, AND PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION

The PLDRB acting as the Local Planning Agency will hold a public hearing on the proposed Live Local Act Ordinance, on October 16, 2024 at 5:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as possible, in the Community Wing of City of Palm Coast City Hall located at 160 Lake Ave., Palm Coast, Florida. A copy of this notice, the ordinance, and the file relating to the proposed amendment are available by contacting the Administrative Manager – Planning at 386-986-3736 or PLDRB@palmcoastgov.com. The public is encouraged to participate in the processes and procedures of the City and to request copies of the proposed ordinances. Members of the public who wish to submit comments, exhibits, or other documents for consideration at the public hearing may submit them to the following: PLDRB@ palmcoastgov.com. The e-mail should indicate that they are intended for public participation and may be submitted up until 5 pm the day before the meeting. The City reserves the right to redact or reject Documentary Evidence containing obscene material or material that is confidential pursuant to state law.

If a person decides to appeal any decision made with respect to any matter considered at the above referenced hearing, he/she will need a record of the proceedings. For such purposes, it may be necessary to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings should contact the ADA Coordinator at 386-9862570 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Oct. 3

24-00404F

FIRST INSERTION CITY OF PALM COAST NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held before the City Council of the City of Palm Coast on October 15, 2024 beginning at 9am or soon thereafter and on November 12, 2024 beginning at 9am or soon thereafter, in the Council Chambers in the Community Wing of City Hall located at 160 Lake Avenue, Palm Coast, Florida 32164. The purpose of the hearing is to hear all interested parties and act upon the adoption of the entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM COAST, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE UNIFIED LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE SECTIONS 2.04, APPLICABILITY, 2.05 NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS, AND 3.03, NONRESIDENTIAL AND MIXED USE ZONING DISTRICTS; ESTABLISHING SECTION 3.06, AFFORDABLE HOUSING MIXED-USE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, CHAPTER 3, ZONING USES, AND DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS, OF THE CITY OF PALM COAST LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 166.04151, FLORIDA STATUTES; AMENDING SECTION 14.02 GLOSSARY, OF CHAPTER 14 OF THE CITY OF PALM COAST UNIFIED LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO ADD, DELETE AND RESTATE VARIOUS DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING

ly and at right angles and along the North line of 60 foot street, a distance of 250 feet to the Westerly line of State Road A-1-A; thence Northerly along the Westerly line of State Road A-1-A a distance of 129.15 feet to a point; thence Westerly and at right angles to State Road A-1-A, a distance of 250 feet to the Point of Beginning. Together with all the land lying Easterly thereof, Easterly of State Road A-1-A. Together with improvements, structures and fixtures thereon.

/s/Mark J. Wolfson Mark J. Wolfson, FL Bar No. 0352756 Foley & Lardner LLP 100 North Tampa Street, Suite 2700 Tampa, FL 33602-5810 P.O. Box 3391 Tampa, FL 33601-3391 Telephone: 813.229.2300 Facsimile: 813.221.4210 Primary email: mwolfson@foley.com Secondaryemail:crowell@foley.com

Attorneys for Plaintiff

4889-1611-3880.1 Sept. 26; Oct. 3, 2024 24-00232G

THIRD INSERTION NOTICE OF SERVICE BY PUBLICATION (Termination of Parental Rights) IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION JUVENILE DIVISION FILE NO. 23 JT 2 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF MADISON IN RE: C.L.C., A

NOTICE OF ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: 2024CA000255 GREENSPRING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS ADMINISTRATOR OF RMH 2023-2 TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS, CREDITORS, DEVISEES, BENEFICIARIES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, TRUSTEES, AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER, OR AGAINST HAROLD C. BLEAKLEY, ITT LEVITT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, CITY OF PALM COAST, MATTHEW HAROLD BLEAKLEY, PHILIP GEORGE BLEAKLEY, JR., ALANA MARIE FARRELL, JEFFREY A. BLEAKLEY, ROXANNE R. WILLOUGHBY, Defendants.

To: Matthew Harold Bleakley

Last Known Address: 31 Firtree Lane Palm Coast, Florida 32137 Current Address: 420 Lakebridge Plaza Drive, Apt 207 Ormond Beach, Florida 32174 YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action has been instituted to foreclose a Mortgage covering the following real and personal property described as follows, to wit: Lot 32, Block 13, FLORIDA PARKSECTION-I, PALM COAST, according to the plat thereof as recorded in

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File Number 2024 CP 000517 Division 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF JANIE H. SINGLETON, a/k/a JANIE HOLLOMAN, and a/k/a JANIE HOLLOMAN SINGLETON, Deceased. The administration of the ESTATE OF JANIE H. SINGLETON, a/k/a JANIE HOLLOMAN, and a/k/a JANIE HOLLOMAN SINGLETON, deceased, whose date of death was March 31, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, File Number 2024 CP 000517, the address of which is Kim C. Hammond Justice Center 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Bldg. 1, Bunnell, FL 32110. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s 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 must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE

Plat Book 5, Page 86, as amended by instrument recorded in O.R. Book 35, Page 528, Public Records of Flagler County, Florida.

Property Address: 31 Firtree Lane, Palm Coast, Florida 32137

Each Defendant is required to serve written defenses to the Complaint or Petition on Gary M. Singer, Esq., Law Firm of Gary M. Singer. P.A., Plaintiff’s attorney, whose address is 12 S.E. 7th Street, Ste. 820, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, and to file the original of the defenses with the Clerk of this Court, on or before the 30th day following the first publication of this notice otherwise a Judgment may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

You may also e-mail the written defenses to the Complaint to the following e-mail addresses: service@garysingerlaw.com and/or singer@garysingerlaw.com.

This Notice should be published once a week for two consecutive weeks in the Palm Coast Observer. WITNESS my hand and seal of said Court at Flagler County, Florida, this day of 9/18/2024, 2024. Tom Bexley As Clerk of the Court By: (SEAL) Amy Perez Deputy Clerk

Respectfully Submitted, LAW FIRM OF GARY M. SINGER, P.A. 12 SE 7th Street, Suite 820 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Telephone: (954) 851-1448

Facsimile: (954) 252-2189

service@garysingerlaw.com

singer@garysingerlaw.com By: /s/ Gary M. Singer Gary M. Singer, Esq. Florida Bar No.: 544906 Sept. 26; Oct. 3, 2024

FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216732.228 applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of the first publication of this Notice is September 26, 2024. Personal Representative: Signed by: /s/ Romaine Fulton ROMAINE FULTON c/o 1515 Ringling Blvd., 10th Floor Sarasota, Florida 34236 Attorney for Personal Representative: RICHARD R. GANS Florida Bar No. 0040878 FERGESON SKIPPER, P.A. 1515 Ringling Boulevard, 10th Floor Sarasota, Florida 34236 (941) 957-1900 rgans@fergesonskipper.com services@fergesonskipper.com 4866-4443-6674, v. 1 Sept. 26; Oct. 3, 2024 24-0238G

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 must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is September 26, 2024. /s/ Diann Ford-Lewis Diann Ford-Lewis, Personal Representative 10 Crabapple Lane Waterliet, New York 12189

Attorney for Petitioner: /s/ Jennifer A. McGee Jennifer A. McGee, Esq. Florida Bar. No. 1023165 Attorney for Petitioner MCGEE LAW, PLLC 6 Meridian Home Lane, Suite 201 Palm Coast, Florida 32137 Tel: (386) 320-7300 jennifer@mcgeelawfl.com Sept. 26; Oct. 3, 2024 24-00235G

THIRD INSERTION

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR Temporary Custody of Savannah Bilyeu IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR Flagler COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: 2024 DR 000795 Division: Family Nancy Lester, Petitioner and Landis Bilyeu, Respondent. TO: Landis Bilyeu {Respondent’s last known address} 21901 Athens Blacktop Rd., Petersburg, IL 62675-2150

LEAKE & STOKES, PLLC /s/ Jamie A. Stokes Jamie A. Stokes, Attorney for Petitioner One Oak Plaza, Suite 207 Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 253-3661 N. C. Bar No. 33795 Sept. 19, 26; Oct. 3, 2024 24-00227G

THIRD INSERTION NOTICE OF ACTION FOR Temporary Custody of Savannah Bilyeu IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR Flagler COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: 2024 DR 000795 Division: Family Nancy Lester, Petitioner and Erica Lester, Respondent. TO: Erica Lester {Respondent’s last known address} 6393 Bucknell Ave, Keystone Heights, FL 32656 YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Child Custody has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Nancy Lester, whose address is 25 Claremount Dr, Flagler Beach, FL 32136, on or before 10/12/2024, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 1769 E. MOODY BLVD. BLDG. #1, BUNNELL FL 32110, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the addresses on record at the clerk’s office.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated: 9/4/2024.

CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT (SEAL) By: /s/ Jo Rios {Deputy Clerk} Sept. 19, 26; Oct. 3, 10, 2024 24-00228G

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Child Custody has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Nancy Lester, whose address is 25 Claremount Dr, Flagler Beach, FL 32136, on or before 10/12/2024, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 1769 E. MOODY BLVD. BLDG. #1, BUNNELL FL 32110, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the addresses on record at the clerk’s office. WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated: 9/4/2024. CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT (SEAL) By: /s/ Jo Rios {Deputy Clerk} Sept. 19, 26; Oct. 3, 10, 2024 24-00229G SECOND INSERTION AMENDED NOTICE OF ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF

Youre Invited

World-class amenities, including pickleball/tennis courts, dog park, resort-style pool, planned marina with water access for ALL lots. Come see how Veranda Bay is transforming into a beautiful Intracoastal community in Flagler Beach!

94 CORONADO ROAD • FLAGLER BEACH, FLORIDA 32136

We’re thrilled to invite you to the grand opening of The Veranda, our stunning new model home in Veranda Bay. This exceptional 3,570-square-foot residence features an inspiring Modern Coastal design that could be the perfect muse for your own custom home Come explore the Veranda Bay community and experience firsthand what makes it special. Knowledgeable land consultants will be on hand to answer your questions about available lots, exciting planned amenities, and the vibrant Veranda Bay lifestyle.

Attractive developer incentives available for this event only. Please see our community representatives under the tent near the model for details & registration for giveaways! Refreshments will be served.