Ormond Beach Observer 12-22-22

lawsuit

Santa and Mrs. Claus were all smiles during the 16th annual Holidays at The Casements event on Thursday, Dec. 15.

Photo by Krystal DiSantis

Charlotte Low celebrated her birthday by

City of Ormond Beachs hosts 16th annual Holidays at The Casements event.

Photo by Alyssa Kemper

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

Local gas station robbed Monday

A gas station store in Ormond-by-the-Sea was robbed by a masked suspect at around 9:47 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives are investigating the armed robbery, which occurred at the Speedy-Mart at the Chevron gas station at 1716 Ocean Shore Blvd.

VSO reports that the suspect entered the store while brandishing a handgun and demanded money from the clerk. The clerk complied, and the suspect left.

The VSO describes the suspect as a white man wearing dark clothing, gloves and a bandana over his face.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call the VSO at 386-323-0151 or email Detective McIntosh at dmcintosh@vcso.us.

CEO appointed to state board

Ormond Beach resident

Barbara Bonarrigo, cofounder and CEO of CJ Manufacturing, Inc., was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Florida Small Business Development Center Network Statewide Advisory Board on Monday, Dec. 19.

Hamlin seeks more parking spaces

The Ormond Beach Planning Board on Dec. 8 recommended that the City Commission approve two measures to allow construction of a 16-space parking lot at 101 Fiesta Drive.

The additional spaces would extend parking for the Hamlin and Associates building at 801 W. Granada Blvd.

The land is currently occupied by a vacant home.

The two changes are a rezoning and a small-scale comprehensive plan land use map amendment.

The board voted 4-1 to approve changing the comprehensive plan land use map designation from “low density residential” to “residential, office, retail.” The vote to rezone the 0.3-acre property from R-3 Single Family Medium Density

to B-1, Professional Office/Hospital was unanimous, with the condition that a restrictive covenant be added to assure residents of Fiesta Heights that the property will never be developed or used as anything other than a parking lot.

Neighbors who attended the meeting said they were concerned about employees using their residential street to access the Hamlin building.

“We deal with the intense traffic, and [are] acutely looking and paying attention now,” resident Sandra Biddle said. “So if we’re getting any more cars around us, or at our entrance, it’s going to be worse.”

Speaking on behalf of the property owner, developer Paul Holub said there would be no access to the neigh-

borhood from the proposed parking lot. John Hamlin, CEO of Hamlin and Associates, needs the additional parking to lease out the remaining space in the building, Holub said.

Board members voiced concerns about lighting on the building disrupting the abutting homes. Holub said light guards could be considered.

Board Chair Doug Thomas was the lone vote against the comprehensive plan land use map amendment, saying he wished there was a masonry wall separating the building from the Fiesta Heights neighborhood.

“We just want to build a parking lot, but the only way to get there is to change the land use and zoning,” Holub said.

The proposals will go before the City Commission on Jan. 24.

City facilities to close for holidays

Ormond Beach City Hall and all non-emergency city facilities will be closed on Monday, Dec. 26, and Tuesday, Dec. 27, for the Christmas holiday.

Normal hours will resume on Wednesday, Dec. 28.

These facilities will also be closed on Monday, Jan. 2. Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

No change to waste schedule

No need to switch up your weekly routine: There will be no change to the city’s garbage or recycling schedule for Christmas and New Year’s.

Off-duty deputy arrested for DUI

An off-duty Volusia Sheriff’s Office deputy was arrested on a DUI charge on Saturday, Dec. 17, after she was pulled over in her personal car by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper.

According a VSO press release, Deputy Julia Curtin was stopped at around 11:30 a.m. on I-4 in Seminole County due to her driving pattern. Curtin, 23, had been hired in 2019. She has been placed on paid administrative leave.

BY THE NUMBERS

views of the city’s livestream of the Dec. 10 annual Home for the Holidays parade.

Email Senior Editor Jarleene Almenas at Jarleene@ ormondbeachobserver. com

Photo courtesy of Google Maps

John Hamlin wants to add 16 more parking spaces for his building at 801 W. Granada Blvd. by eliminating a vacant singlefamily home at 101 Fiesta Drive.

“I don’t know of a member of the council that’s been more dedicated to service, of first responders and everything else that happens in the county.”

County

Council Chair Jeff Brower on Heather Post’s time in office. See Page 5A

Band of honor

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

People bowed their heads to observe a moment of silence at Volusia Memorial Park on Saturday, Dec. 17, as the sound of passing cars on the nearby road echoed through the otherwise quiet cemetery.

The annual Wreaths Across America ceremony at the park that day was one of over 3,400 held throughout the U.S. to thank and honor deceased veterans and their families. Moments of silence were also observed at ceremonies at nearby Hillside Cemetery and Oak Ridge Cemetery in Ormond Beach and at Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home and Cemetery in Flagler Beach.

“There are millions of Americans gathering safely as one nation to remember, honor and teach,” said Brian Carter, Wreaths Across America location coordinator at Volusia Memorial Park. “We’re all proud to be Americans that live in a free society made up of many people, from many walks of life. The freedom we enjoy today has not come without a price — lying here before us in this cemetery, and throughout

the nation, are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live free, without fear.”

About 2,500 balsam wreaths were laid on veterans’ graves at Volusia Memorial Park in Ormond Beach, costing around $30,000 and funded through a year-long donation effort by Sons of The American Legion Squadron 120.

New this year at the ceremonies was the addition of a ceremonial wreath for the U.S. Space Force.

At Hillside Cemetery, Dee Clark, Wreaths Across America co-chair for the Capt. James Ormond Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, reminded participants that they were not there to “decorate graves.”

“We are here to remember not their deaths, but their lives,” Clark said. “Each wreath is a gift of appreciation from a grateful America.”

The DAR placed wreaths on 145 soldiers’ graves at Hillside. The Oak Ridge cemetery ceremony was presented by the Vietnam Veterans of America Daytona Beach Chapter 1048. The ceremony at Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home and Cemetery honored more than 400 veterans.

Jake Montgomery contributed to this story.

Wreaths Across America holds ceremonies in Ormond, Flagler Beach.

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Joyce Zuccaro Vernon lays a wreath on the grave of her father, a World War II veteran, during the Wreaths Across America service at Volusia Memorial Park.

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Sherman Burres lays a wreath on a veteran’s grave during the Wreaths Across America service at Volusia Memorial Park.

Troop 711 Girl Scouts Samantha Gilliard, Kate Gilliard, Raelynn Crawford and Quinlee Anderson, with Danielle Gilliard, lay wreaths on veterans’ graves at Volusia Memorial Park.

Photo by Jake Montgomery

Rondald L. Boisvert stands in silence behind the Navy’s wreath at Hillside Cemetery.

Photo by Jake Montgomery

Linda Petrie places a wreath on a veteran’s grave at Hillside Cemetery.

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Bear Cub Scout Gabriel Palmer and Gary Benson lay a ceremonial wreath during the Wreaths Across America service at Volusia Memorial Park on Saturday, Dec. 17.

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Andrea Rocke lays a wreath on a veteran’s grave during the Wreaths Across America service at Volusia Memorial Park.

Photo by Jake Montgomery

Steve Wolfe places a wreath on a soldier’s grave at Hillside Cemetery.

Photo by Jake Montgomery

Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington, speaking at Hillside Cemetery, dedicates the day as “Wreaths Across America Day” in Ormond Beach.

Photo by Jake Montgomery

Bob Richardson is accompanied by Arthur Shults and Steve Rounds as he lays a wreath at the base of the U.S. Coast Guard’s flag at Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home and Cemetery.

Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Patty and Enso Hoolehan participate in the Wreaths Across America service at Volusia Memorial Park.

Photo by Jake Montgomery

Suzanne O’Meally and husband John O’Meally watch the ceremony at Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home and Cemetery.

Judge upholds rental regulations County manager,

county.”

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

A Volusia County judge ruled on Dec. 12 that Volusia County’s code of ordinances does indeed prohibit short-term rentals of less than 30 days in residential zones. But the property owners of the Vacation Rental Home Alliance of Volusia are not ready to give up, and plan to file an appeal.

The alliance — along with Steven Murray, another shortterm rental owner — filed a lawsuit against the county in June 2021, a month after the Volusia County Council voted 5-2 against loosening its short-term rental ordinance following about three hours of public comments. The council members said they did not want to hurt neighborhoods or lose the ability to regulate short-term rentals.

The county argued that changing its 2004 ordinance would make the ordinance run afoul of a 2011 law that preempts local governments from prohibiting short-term rentals or regulating the duration or frequency of stays. The 2004 ordinance had been allowed to stay in effect despite the conflicting newer law — it was “grandfathered in” because it was passed first — but would lose that status if amended.

The council’s no vote also halted efforts to create a short-term rental advisory committee.

Richard Feller, president of the VRHA, said Judge Kathryn D. Weston’s ruling did not come as a surprise. The alliance felt Weston was “basically a representative of the

“We anticipated this,” Feller said. “We didn’t feel like we were actually going to be able to get an unbiased ruling in the county itself, especially since the county is the defendant, but it was a necessary step for us to take so that we could proceed forward on to the appeal process.”

JUDGE RULES FOR COUNTY

In VRHA’s petition, the group of short-term rental owners disputed the county’s position that it may prohibit vacation rentals through its ordinance for hotels and motels. The ordinance holds that vacation rentals are the same kind of property and therefore cannot be operated in residential zoning districts.

Because the county’s ordinance doesn’t specifically mention vacation rentals, VRHA argued that any restriction of vacation rentals is preempted by state statute.

In a press release issued Dec. 13 regarding Weston’s ruling, the county quoted a portion of the ruling, which states, “While the county’s definition of ‘hotel/motel’ and the state’s definition of ‘vacation rental’ are not identical, their primary characteristics overlap. Both phrases apply to buildings being rented to the public to be used as transient lodging for periods of less than a month. ... Plaintiffs rely on, but misinterpret, a nonbinding, informal opinion of the Attorney General to argue that a zoning ordinance must use the phrase ‘vacation rental’ or ‘resort dwelling’ to have grandfathered protection.”

VRHA PLANS APPEAL

Municipalities have dealt with the issue of vacation rentals in different ways, Feller said. But he felt that the state under-

stood the importance of vacation rentals when it passed its law in 2011.

“I feel like there’s a number of loopholes that this municipality is trying to use to maintain preemption,” he said. “And preemption rules are pretty cut and dry from the state level, so there’s not a lot to argue there, but yet counties [and] municipalities try and do this.”

He countered the judge’s statement that the VRHA relied on the Attorney General’s opinion. He said the VRHA is relying instead on its belief that the ruling the judge used in its case was “bad law.”

Residents have voiced opposition to short-term rentals in Volusia County, particularly in Ormond-bythe-Sea and Bethune Beach. In Ormond Beach, shortterm rentals are prohibited in residential areas; they’re only allowed in properties that are east of State Road A1A and do not have residential zoning.

During the Citizens for Ormond Beach candidate forum in October, District 4 County Councilman-elect Troy Kent said he and his wife “live the nightmare of three hotels operating around us,” referencing issues with shortterm rentals in his neighborhood.

Feller said that local vacation home rental owners who have lived in their properties and are selective about their guests also want the best for their neighborhoods, while still protecting their property rights.

“I think we’re prepared to take this as far as it needs to go,” Feller said. “But I will say that we’re very, very confident in the appeal process. I don’t think we would be moving forward with the appeal if we didn’t feel so confident in our case.”

JARLEENE ALMENAS SENIOR EDITOR

Volusia County Manager George Recktenwald and County Attorney Michael Dyer will each receive a 4% raise. The Volusia County Council approved the raises in two 5-1 votes on Tuesday, Dec. 20, after discussing performance evaluations.

Recktenwald’s salary will rise from $237,218 to $246,706, while Dyer’s will rise from $221,738 to $230,608.

Only County Council Chair Jeff Brower voted against the raises, saying he did so not because of the men’s job performance, but because he would have preferred to hold his evaluation until after the conclusion of an investigation into Corrections Director Mark Flowers, whom the county is trying to fire.

“For me, I think it’s premature to evaluate and discuss a raise until the results of that investigation are done, because I believe that the county manager and the county attorney are serious about having an independent, fair evaluation, and I believe that’s underway,” Brower said. “I don’t want to give out any false ideas that there’s other underlying problems. I have a very good working relationship with the county manager and the county attorney.”

On Dec. 9, Volusia County issued a press release stating it is seeking to fire Flowers after an internal affairs investigation allegedly revealed he created a hostile work environment and violated inmates’ rights. Flowers, in turn, claims the county retaliated against

him for blowing the whistle on inmate abuse. Brower said that, at Recktenwald’s request, Flowers has been given more time to respond to the county and perform his own investigation.

The rest of the council members proceeded with the evaluations, with the majority saying their evaluations were supposed to cover an entire year and shouldn’t be reliant on one issue.

“I’m going to evaluate them on their overall performance of what I have seen this past year,” Councilman Ben Johnson said.

Council members highlighted some of Recktenwald’s leadership successes, including the county’s increased social media presence, better contracts negotiated for first responders, the pursuit of grants for critical projects, the addition of 41 positions to the county’s public protections department, increasing communication between the county and its municipalities, and Recktenwald’s management of staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have the utmost respect and trust in his ability, and he’s by far one of the most knowledgeable people that I’ve seen here in Volusia County in all aspects of this,” Councilman Danny Robins said.

Recktenwald thanked the council members for their faith in him.

“I’m also grateful to hear you compliment the team,” he said. “When I took this position, for me it was all about the team and the chance to build a team that I knew was coming, and that’s my proudest accomplishment ... the people that I work with every day.”

Council members praised Dyer for always providing comprehensive information,

OUTGOING COUNCIL MEMBERS RECOGNIZED

For four council members, the Dec. 20 meeting was their last time sitting behind the dais. Council members Ben Johnson, Billie Wheeler, Heather Post, Barb Girtman and Fred Lowry — who finished his seventh year of office in November, after he ran unsuccessfully for School Board — were recognized for their public service at the end of the meeting. A video slideshow spotlighted the committees and boards on which they served.

Post, who has represented District 4 on the council since 2017, said the last two years in office were eye-opening for her.

“We put people before profit and people before politics, which is a constant thing to be hitting home,” Post said.

Post will be succeeded by former Ormond Beach City Commissioner Troy Kent.

for his navigation through significant settlements and for making himself available when needed.

“Each time something’s been accomplished, you’ve identified how that was done, who did it and gave them kudos for it,” Councilwoman Barb Girtman said. “And I think that says a lot about a leader.”

The Vacation Rental Home Alliance plans to appeal.

A new council will be sworn into office in January.

COPS CORNER

DEC. 6

EX-BOYFRIEND PROBLEMS

7:40 p.m. — 1000 block of State Road 100, Bunnell Criminal mischief. A man was arrested after allegedly stealing his ex-girlfriend’s car and leaving it at an intersection.

The man was caught on surveillance cameras driving off with the car from a bar in Bunnell, and then returning for his own vehicle, according to an incident report. The stolen car was found abandoned at the intersection of Deen Road and Boundry Street.

When the owner of the car arrived, she told deputies she had been receiving texts from her ex-boyfriend, who’d stated that he took the car and then returned home. She said she kept a spare key to her car in a safe at the home where her ex still lives, but that he didn’t have permission to drive the car since they’d broken up,.

The ex-boyfriend was arrested.

DEC. 10

THE MAN WHO CRIED SWORD 4:19 p.m. — 4600 block of Mahogany Boulevard, Bunnell False report of a crime, misuse of 911. Five Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies across four patrol zones responded to a 911 call about a man with a gun being chased by a man with a sword.

The caller told the operator a man with a bullet proof vest was chasing him with a sword, according to the incident report. The caller said he wasn’t injured and that he had a .45 handgun on him, and told the operator to “step it up and bring a lot of help.”

When deputies arrived, they found a yard sale but no gunwielding man being chased by a sword-wielding man. No

one at the yard sale had seen a sword, the incident report said.

A motion camera recording the yard showed no evidence of a sword, or the accused chasing the caller. When deputies approached the caller and asked him why he’d said he had a gun and was ready to shoot someone, he told deputies “I was just saying that to get you here quicker.”

The man was arrested for filing a false report and misuse of 911.

BARRICADE BUST 6:18 p.m. — Intersection of Division Avenue and South Washington Street, Ormond Beach

Aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer. An 81-year-old Ormond Beach man drove up to a police barricade, which was in place for the city’s Home for the Holidays parade, and told the community service officer who was on duty that the man was going to get through “no matter what.” The man threatened to run the officer over. His pickup truck brushed the officer’s leg as he spoke, according to a police report.

The man then drove to another barricade and threatened to run over the police officer on guard. He then drove around the barricades, and in doing so, almost hit the officer with his truck. The man lives in one of the streets affected by the road blocks.

Police officers arrested him.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING PRESSURES

8:46 p.m. — 1500 block of West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach Grand theft. A 50-year-old Holly Hill woman was arrested for stealing more than $800 worth of merchandise from a local supermarket.

An employee saw the woman placing items into a red plastic tote in her shopping cart, according to a police report. The items included

personal care items, home decorations and groceries. The woman went to a selfcheckout lane and paid for a liter of soda before leaving the store. She had taken $855.28 worth of merchandise.

When detained by police, the woman said she knew stealing was wrong and that she had never done anything like that, but she had wanted to get Christmas gifts for her family. She was arrested.

DEC. 11

DEFYING ORDERS

6:43 p.m. — 100 block of South Nova Road, Ormond Beach

Resisting an officer without violence. Police responded to an ice cream shop after employees called and said they believed a man was vandalizing the restroom.

Arriving officers saw the man walking away in the parking lot. The man, a 47-yearold from Middleburg, looked directly at their patrol car, according to a police report, and an officer activated the overhead lights. The man continued to walk away, and the officer told him to stop.

The man complied, but became “verbally defiant,” the report states. The officer asked him to sit down; the man refused.

The officer took out his Taser and asked him again. The man, again, refused — at least until a second patrol car arrived at the scene. Then he sat down. He was secured in handcuffs.

Police discovered that the ice cream shop’s bathroom had not been vandalized. The man was arrested for resisting the officer’s orders. In the patrol car, he insinuated that he would find the officer once he got out of jail and “become violent” when he did, the officer noted in his report.

The man said the officer was “lucky” the man hadn’t attacked him when the officer first approached him.

The man was taken to jail.

BRIEFS

Locals urged to take ‘internet speed test’

Flagler County officials — on behalf of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity — are encouraging residents to take an anonymous one-minute speed test to help identify opportunities for expansion of broadband services in Florida.

The test, available at www. FasterFlorida.org, can be completed on any device and from any location.

“The recent launch of Florida’s Broadband Speed Test, and the corresponding availability map, is testament to the state’s continues commitment to boosting infrastructure by giving communities like ours the opportunity to provide information to support decisions about broadband internet expansion,” said Deputy Flagler County Administrator Jorge Salinas, who has been working on the county broadband initiative to bring internet access to underserved areas.

The speed test results will populate the “Broadband Availability Map” in real time with the location’s internet speed and responsiveness to help develop the state’s strategic plan for broadband.

Flagler County in November 2021 voted to negotiate

a contract with a

of

Communications to build connections over 187 “route miles.”

The likely timeline for completion of Phase 1 of the three-phased project is the end of 2023, barring circumstances outside of company control like permitting delays.

Edgewell Personal Care earns responsibility ranking

Edgewell Personal Care was recently named one of America’s most responsible companies in 2023 via Newsweek’s list of Statista Inc.

This is Edgewell’s fourth year being honored, and its ranking is up 105 spots from last year, according to a press release.

The company, which has a manufacturing location in Or-

mond Beach, was also ranked eighth amongst 43 consumer goods companies on the list.

“Our inclusion on this list of impressive organizations reflects our dedication to being a people-first company; one that is both mindful and active in the communities we serve and where we operate,” said Rod Little, Edgewell president and chief executive officer. “I could not be prouder of our teams around the world who work tirelessly to grow and operate our business responsibly.”

The selection process ranked the top 500 companies based on corporate social responsibility and publicly available key performance indicators, according to the press release.

Companies were also selected based on an independent public perception survey based on 13,000 U.S. citizens’ evaluations of the companies’ reputations related to corporate social responsibility.

Department of Health to offer free HIV, hepatitis testing on Dec. 28

from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

3

from 1 p.m.

The Health Department is located at 208 Dr. Carter Blvd., Bunnell.

No appointment is necessary.

For more information, call 386-313-7063.

There will be free giveaways in the lobby.

Palm Coast woman, 46, dies in head-on crash on U.S. 1

A 46-year-old Palm Coast woman died in a head-on crash on U.S. 1 the night of Dec. 16 when her sedan was struck by a pickup truck that was driving in the wrong direction.

The pickup truck driver, a 64-year-old Palm Coast man, had serious injuries.

The woman was driving south in the inside lane at about 8:38 p.m. near 5600 N. U.S. 1, about halfway between Palm Coast Parkway and Whiteview Parkway, according to a news release from the Florida Highway Patrol.

The pickup truck driver was driving north in the inside southbound lane and struck the sedan.

Both vehicles came to rest in the roadway.

The woman, who was not wearing a seatbelt, died of her injuries, according to the press release.

Health Department offers Narcan kits

The Florida Department of Health in Flagler County is distributing free Naloxone (Narcan) nasal spray kits to people 18 or older who ask at the department’s front desk, according to a news release from the Health Department. Narcan is used to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses.

The kits consist come with two nasal sprays that can be administered without a health care professional present, according to the news release.

It can be administered by a bystander before emergency medical assistance is available, but it is not intended to substitute for professional medical care.

Individuals should call 911 immediately when an opioid overdose is suspected, before administering Narcan.

Persons requesting a kit from DOH-Flagler County must be 18 years old or older and must be individuals at risk of experiencing an opioid overdose, caregivers who may witness an opioid overdose, or others likely to experience or witness an opioid overdose.

The kits are available at the DOH-Flagler County offices at 301 Dr. Carter Blvd., Bunnell. No appointment is required.

Loving Memory of Edward Lebre

subsidiary

Charter

The Florida Department of Health-Flagler will be offering free HIV and hepatitis A, B, and C testing Wednesday, Dec. 28, in honor of World AIDS Day. Testing will be offered

and

to

p.m., according to a news release from the Health Department.

Rod Little, Edgewell president and chief executive officer

School Board in favor of guardian program

The board directed the district to create a survey to gauge staff interest in becoming guardians.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The Flagler County School Board is committed to implementing the School Guardian Program. Questions remain on when and how.

At its workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 20, the board directed the school district to create a survey of instructional and non-instructional staff to gauge how many employees would be interested in training as school guardians. Board members would also like to hear from stakeholders on what model of guardian program they would prefer.

The Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program was created in 2018 in response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting to train volunteer staff members to carry a weapon to prevent or abate an active assailant incident. State law requires all schools to have a school resource officer or guardian on site.

Flagler’s schools already have School Resource Deputies on each campus. The guardians would supplement the SRDs. Unlike the deputies, the guardians would have no law

BY THE NUMBERS

enforcement authority. Guardians are required to complete a minimum of 144 hours of training.

If a School Board opts to implement the guardian program, the Sheriff’s Office in that county is required to provide the training. In August, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly told the board that his office will provide guardian training only if the guardian program is to supplement the SRDs, not replace them.

Guardian grant funding covering training and equipment is available to sheriff departments. However, next year’s grants won’t be available for training held before July 1, 2023, which would be too late to start the program at the beginning of next school year.

Flagler Schools Safety Specialist Tom Wooleyhan was directed to check on possible timelines.

The two types of guardian programs would be training current employees at the schools, or hiring new employees specifically to be guardians. The former would be the more inexpensive option.

The state provides an allocation for the School Resource Officer Program. In 2022, the district was allocated $1,004,159. The district used $944,064 to fund the the School Resource Deputy Program and the Crossing Guard Program with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

The Board will have to decide on qualifications for the guardians, such as whether prospects would have to have previous law enforcement or military training, Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt said.

There are 20 districts in the state that currently used guardians to supplement their school resource officers. School Board member Colleen Conklin asked the district to check on the models that those districts use.

BOARD MEMBERS UNHAPPY WITH CLUB’S DEFICIT

The new School Board has come to the same conclusion concerning the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club as the old School Board: The business model isn’t very good.

BOARD SUPPORTS NARCAN DISTRIBUTION

The School Board indicated it is interested in allowing school nurses and perhaps other staff members to store and administer Narcan in the case of possible drug overdoses in the schools.

Narcan can save lives by restoring normal breathing in as little as two or three minutes for a person whose breathing has been slowed by opioids.

The Flagler County Drug Court Foundation and Open Arms Recovery Services have received a grant to provide free Narcan wherever it’s needed in the county and have pledged to provide the district with free boxes of Narcan as well as training and education.

School Board Chair Cheryl Massaro asked district staff to answer

Joshua Walker, the district’s coordinator for community services, informed the board that the Swim and Racquet Club’s projected operating loss for 2022-23 is $169,847. The profits from the district’s extended day program are floating the facility, said Patty Wormeck, the district’s chief financial officer.

The deficit doesn’t even take into consideration capital expenses on the horizon for the 44-year-old facility, said Dave Freeman, the district’s chief of operations.

Board member Will Furry noted that an opportunity to make more money at the club is to renegotiate with health insurance companies who pay the district to provide use of the facilities for their members.

Revenue from the club’s 90 members plus daily use fees will total $21,018 this year. Revenue from insurance companies total $29,829, with the companies paying between $12 and $46 per member. The school district has increased club membership to $47 a month or $300 a year for adults.

some policy questions and bring back a little more structure at a future workshop.

BOARD APPROVES HURRICANE MAKEUP DATE

At its monthly business meeting on the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 20, the School Board voted to make up the Nov. 10 school-day cancelation due to Hurricane Nicole. The board unanimously approved a makeup day on March 17, 2023.

The board also honored the district’s teachers of the year, rookie teachers of the year and employees of the year. Also honored were Flagler Schools’ Prinicipal of the Year Marcus Sanfilippo and Assistant Principal of the Year Donelle Evensen, both of Bunnell Elementary School.

A total of 713 insurance members have signed up with the club, but that does not mean that many have used the facility, or use it with any regularity.

Furry said the district might be able to get more money from insurance companies because the facility has a pool in addition to a gym.

Flagler Palm Coast High School’s swim team and two clubs that include Flagler County students use the pool. Furry and board member Sally Hunt questioned whether students get enough benefit from the facility to justify annual deficits.

“We need more revenue,” Furry said. “Whether it’s through membership, through additional services, whether we bring on somebody to lease it ... we need more revenue or we need to justify the loss as an educational benefit, as an investment rather than a loss, right? But based on what I have in front of me today, I’m not seeing it. But I think there is an opportunity to close this gap. But it’s going to take some tweaking.”

County commissioner recovering

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The Flagler County Commission is temporarily short one member as he recovers from a stroke.

Commissioner David Sullivan, 81, is recovering at a rehabilitation hospital in Ormond Beach after having a stroke on Dec. 7. Sullivan said that he is expected to be released from the hospital on Dec. 20. He is expected to make a full recovery, without any permanent damage, Sullivan said.

“I’m looking forward to getting out of the hospital,” he said. “I’m going to be fine.”

He said he was sitting at home on his computer when his left arm went numb. Sullivan said he immediately called 911, and emergency responders brought him to the hospital.

Sullivan spent several days at AdventHealth Palm Coast and then was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital in Ormond Beach. Thankfully, he said, he never lost his speech, and the minor numbness he still has is expected to fade.

“There are worse strokes,” he said. The commissioner said he’d actually had tests scheduled for Dec. 9 because of some numbness in his left arm about two and a half weeks before his stroke on Dec. 7.

Sullivan said the rehab hospital was helping him re-learn basic tasks for living at home alone, though his daughter will be staying with him for a short time during the holidays. In the meantime, he said, he is keeping up with what is going on at work virtually, since he can’t be there in person.

“I fully intend to be at the next meeting,” he said.

Commissioner Chair Greg Hansen opened Dec. 19’s meeting with a short prayer for Sullivan, and wished him a speedy recovery.

“I went and visited him, and he’s doing great,” Hansen said.

Dreams on pointe

on her art, and it became her biggest year of improvement,

That was also the year Falb met Michelle Boutros — now her director at Ormond Ballet — when Boutros taught at Falb’s former dance studio.

“When I started teaching her, she was the youngest in her class, and she had a lot of promise,” Boutros said. “I couldn’t not watch her in class, and she had so much natural ability on top of, she’s extremely Falb was passionate about ballet even then, Boutros said — fearless, and an easy student to teach.

“Watching her grow has been amazing, and she’s had different levels of adversity, whether it’s been previous experiences in dance or through different health issues, and she’s just risen to the top,” Boutros

A ROLE OF A LIFETIME

At her first dance studio’s production of “The Nutcracker,” Falb was a Christmas angel, and she also got an understudy role. From then on, she started to understudy roles that were more advanced than those usually taken by dancers her age, generally by at least one or two years.

Falb estimates she’s had around 14 understudy roles in the last decade — including, last year, an understudy role for sugar plum fairy at her for-

Last year’s production, in which she played the role of dew drop fairy, also marked her return to “The Nutcracker”: She hadn’t performed in the show since she was 12.

Falb was also coming off a sevenmonth break from dance at the time. She had needed it both mentally and physically, she said: She’d developed eosinophilic asthma, which causes swelling in a person’s respiratory system, because of an illness in 2019. She’d also had injuries, including achilles tendonitis.

If someone had told her she’d be dancing the sugar plum fairy role in 2022, after 16 weeks of rehearsals, Falb wouldn’t have believed them,

“But it’s been an experience, and a really good one,” Falb said. “I’m really honored to get to do it because there’s very few people who get to dance a principal role like this anywhere, even at a small studio or especially in a company. It goes to the highest of principles, so it’s just such an honor to be among the very few and the very prestigious few that have gotten to dance this role.”

Falb and Boutros will be filming her professional ballet audition videos and working on her resume over the Christmas break.

January, February and March will be full of auditions. Falb will also be preparing for her spring recital, and, of course, her high school gradua -

Botrous is confident that Falb will

She recalled the first time she met Falb, who had been learning a dance from a video. Falb soon knew everyone’s part. Boutros said it’s typical for Falb to know the entire ballet.

“Not only will she excel as being a professional, but then later, when she transitions into being a teacher or director or choreographer, she’ll be great at that as well, because she picks up details and she immerses herself in the scene, whether she’s an understudy or not,” Boutros said. “... She’s very detail-oriented and it comes out through her dancing.”

Hearing her director’s confidence and praise gives her strength, Falb said.

Botrous showed faith in Falb even in the moments didn’t have faith in herself, Falb said.

“In my moments of doubt, she’s always been the one to pick me up and grab me by the shoulder and be like, ‘Taylor, yes you can. You were made to do this. Very few people can do what you do. You need to push through,’” Falb said. “I would not be here without Ms. Michelle. I would not be in this place. I don’t even think I’d be standing here. She’s helped me through so much and I appreciate her more than words can describe.”

Her words of wisdom for future sugar plum fairies?

Breathe.

“Take a step back,” Falb said. “Take a deep breath. It’s all going to be OK, and enjoy it — because it flies.”

Photo by Jarleene Almenas Taylor Falb performed the role of sugar plum fairy during Ormond Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker" at the Peabody Auditorium on Saturday, Dec. 17.

Make yourself at home

I am the Grinch: a Christmas streaming tale

mischievous smile: “I think he’s kind of cool because he’s scary,” Luke said. “I love that his head can turn all the way around!”

Infrastructure, resiliency stack wish list

BRIAN MCMILLAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

One day last week, my 4-year-old son, Luke, was on the couch, his feet barely hanging over the edge of the cushion. He opened Amazon Prime, raised the TV remote to his lips, held down the voice-search button, and said, “Mr. Grinch.” (Actually, he pronounced it “Gwinch,” since he has some lingering trouble with R’s.)

The smart TV couldn’t understand this adorable little-boy version of Cindy Lou Who, so I stepped in to translate.

“Let’s spell it out,” I told him. “First, a G. Then, an R.”

He navigated to each letter and hit search. But when he tried to press play on “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” the screen said that the Dr. Seuss cartoon, at least the 1966 version, was not available.

“It’s got to be somewhere,” I said. I took the remote and tried Disney+, HBOMax and Netflix. With each search, my own indignation grew three sizes bigger. Why am I paying for all these services, and I can’t even find the Grinch at Christmas time?

Finally, I found it scheduled on “regular TV,” i.e., Hulu Live, the most expensive one of all (and the one I was about to cancel), and I set it to record later that evening, gritting my teeth, muttering about the good old days before streaming.

Joined by my 8-year-old daughter, Kennedy, we settled in to meet the Grinch outside his snowy cave at the top of Mount Crumpet. Luke seemed to take an alarming pleasure in his

We watched the Grinch strap an antler on Max the dog and then steal all the Whos’ roast beast and Who Hash, their snoof and their fuzzles, their tringlers and trappings.

I watched Luke and was a little worried that he wasn’t feeling too sorry for the Whos, even after seeing Cindy Lou Who appear in her pink nightgown-sack, with those impossibly blue eyes.

Back on the top of Mount Crumpet, the anti-Santa Grinch peers down on Whoville below, hoping he has succeeded in stealing Christmas — and silencing their joyful noises. Instead of silence or sadness, he hears the Whos singing: “Christmas Day is in our grasp / So long as we have hands to clasp.”

Then the miracle occurs: The Grinch’s heart grows three sizes larger. I asked Luke what had happened, and he said he doesn’t like the Whos.

“Why not?” I asked.

“Because they sing, and I don’t like that song,” Luke said.

I cringed. Luke wasn’t an adorable little Who after all —he was a Grinch just like me!  Then Kennedy saved the day. She said she knew why the Whos were singing, even though their presents had been stolen.

“Because that’s not the true meaning of Christmas,” Kennedy said. “They still basically have everything.”

Kennedy gets it. She’s a Who, while Luke and I are little green men. Next time, I’ll count my streaming services as blessings and not complain. But if there’s hope for the Grinch, I think there’s hope for a change of heart for Luke and me, too, maybe even before Christmas.

Email brmcmillan@gmail.com.

SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Officials of Flagler County and its municipalities presented state representatives with legislative priority lists for the new fiscal year on Monday afternoon, Dec. 19.

House Speaker Rep. Paul Renner and Sen. Travis Hutson sat on the dais at the Flagler County Commission chambers on Dec. 19 for the annual legislative delegation meeting. Representatives from the county, municipalities and organizations had three minutes each to speak about their needs.

Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin and City Manager Denise Bevan presented the city’s requests, including funding for Palm Coast’s planned expansion to the west.

“I am very impressed and incredibly optimistic,” Alfin said afterward. “They’re looking at not just the short-term, but the long-term.”

Bevan said the planned westward expansion would provide extensive economic opportunities that the city needs. Bevan also listed conservation as a priority consideration.

“My priority [is] to ensure that green-print comes before the blueprint as we continue to grow and as we continue to grow the westward,” she said.

County Commission Chairman Greg Hansen listed five key areas of need.

But the first priority, Hansen said after the meeting, is Flagler’s dunes.

The Florida State Legislature passed a disaster relief bill on Dec. 16 with money for emergency sand, and Hansen said the county is already filling out the paperwork for some of that grant money.

“They’ve got 150 million,” Hansen said. “We need 200 million. But we’re going to get [an] oar in the water to get some emergency sand put out on the beach.”

Hansen said Renner and Hutson have given great support to Flagler County.

“They are the strongest supporters for Flagler County that I’ve seen,” he said. “So we’re very grateful to the both of them.”

COUNTY’S PRIORITIES

FLAGLER

Flagler County’s priorities concern public health and safety and community resiliency.

The county first wants to build up the dunes, and is asking the legislature for funding for “shovel-ready” projects.

In public health and safety, the county wants to consolidate the fire department’s administration and replace the county’s only emergency helicopter, Fire Flight. The county is asking for funding for the construction of a new fire administration and station building and a replacement helicopter.

The county is also asking for funding to expand the current SMA Healthcare Access Center with the

an integrated stabilization unit and a men’s residential treatment program in Flagler County. The county also hopes to see local funding to acquire five properties for a wildlife corridor.

PALM COAST PRIORITIES

The city of Palm Coast sent in a list of 11 items identified for public health and safety, infrastructure growth, conservation and resiliency.

Among its infrastructure priorities, the city wants to focus on westward expansion with a railway flyover and continuing its Old Kings Road construction project into the next phase. The city has also identified five water-related community resiliency projects as priorities.

Those projects include funding stormwater capacity improvements with the London Waterway project, building culverts and updating the flood map for the Blair Drive-Colbert Lane area, and building a rapid infiltration basin to treat wastewater. An analysis of the city’s PEP system is also on the list again this year.

The city also hope to acquire funding and legislative support for its conservation goals, as well as replacing Fire Station 22, which is no longer able to serve the city’s needs.

In Palm Coast, both conservation and infrastructure projects — including the westward expansion plan — top the city’s legislative requests.

Photo by Sierra Williams

Florida Speaker of the House Paul Renner shakes Flagler County Commission Chair Greg Hansen’s hand.

BEACH

ORMOND

Scams a plenty

Dear Editor:

It’s that time of year again! Oh, wait! Every day lately is that time of year.

You hear about internet/email or text scams on the news. You read stories in the newspapers. You may have even gone as far as to help a dear friend bail themselves out of jail in Paris because they didn’t have their passport, or any other sad story you receive.

I’ve always been the first to say things like, “Don’t click on links in

emails you receive,” or, “Before you decide to be helpful, check out the story to make sure it is legitimate.”

But when I received an email from a much loved and respected member of our community, I really wanted to help.

She was stuck in the hospital with only her laptop, according to the email. It was her friend’s birthday. She wanted to send her an Amazon e-card, but her credit card was declined. She asked me to send the e-card and she’d pay me back when she got home.

“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that; what hospital are you in?” I asked. She said her doctor/family thought it best not to disclose that informa-

tion. “Call me,” I said. She couldn’t, even though most hospital rooms have phones in them; all she had was her laptop.

Wanting to be helpful, I asked for the details. She wanted to send $250 to this friend. Well, that made me want to be better friends with her. My birthday is coming up soon.

After the back and forth, combined with the request for $250, my “Spidey” senses perked up. Before I went any further I telephoned a mutual friend. She told me “It’s a scam!” They almost had me. I emailed them back and said, “No can do. Good luck. Call me when you get home.”

I’m writing this to remind

everyone to be careful when you want to be helpful to someone you know, especially if they are greatly respected and loved. Don’t click on links in your email, even if it is from a friend. Trust your instincts. Use it! If it can happen to me, a more than marginally computer savvy person, it can happen to you. Happy Holidays!

JANIE M. RAY Ormond Beach

Send letters up to 400 words to jarleene@ormondbeachobserver.com. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

Observer

“If

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Publisher John Walsh, jwalsh@palmcoastobserver.com

Managing Editor Jonathan Simmons, jonathan@palmcoastobserver.com

Senior Editor Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@ormondbeachobserver.com

Associate Editor Brent Woronoff, brent@palmcoastobserver.com

Staff Writer Sierra Williams, sierra@palmcoastobserver.com

Design Editor Hailey McMillan, hailey@palmcoastobserver.com

Media Director Holly Oliveri, holly@ormondbeachobserver.com

Senior Media Specialist Susan Moore, susan@palmcoastobserver.com

Advertising Coordinator Jessica Boone, jessica@palmcoastobserver.com

Office Coordinator Bonnie Hamilton, bonnie@palmcoastobserver.com

SUBSCRIBE

Chabad

tona

The event featured a menorah lighting, gelt drop, carnival games, a petting zoo, rock climbing, food and entertainment, including a concert by Oneg Shemesh and a performance by the Anti-Gravity Boots team.

HOLIDAYS AT THE AIRPORT

The Palm Coast & Ormond Beach Observers are published every Thursday. To subscribe for driveway delivery, visit PalmCoastObserver.com/subscribe, call 386-447-9723, or email subscribe@ palmcoastobserver.com.

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Call the office at 386-447-9723. For Classifieds or Business Directory, call 386-492-2784 or email pcoclassifieds@ palmcoastobserver.com.

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The Ormond-by-the-Sea Lions Club has been helping the community this holiday season.

Lions Club President Greg Evans and Lions Mary Yochum and Bobbie Cheh helped prepare 200 Thanksgiving dinners at Hope Place for the homeless population on Nov. 24.

SPRUCE CREEK CHEERLEADER IS HEADING

TO LONDON

Spruce Creek High School student Morgan Brown will participate in the upcoming London New Year’s Day Parade, representing Varsity Spirit All-Americans.

Cheerleaders, dancers and drum majors who are invited to perform are among the top 12% of All-Americans, and were identified at Varsity Spirit summer camps, according to a press release.

Morgan, of Port Orange, was selected during the Universal Cheerleaders Association camp in Daytona Beach in August.

“We are thrilled to be back participating in the London New Year’s Day Parade, and that these excellent athletes will have the chance to perform and experience our special events abroad,” Varsity Spirit President Bill Seely said.

The program is celebrating over 30 years of honoring camp standouts.

“Making All-American means the world to me,” Morgan said. “Being able to represent my school and the Varsity brand is just so mind-blowing. Ever since I was 4, I have been wearing the Varsity brand, and now as a 14-year-old, I’m actually going to represent it. It’s honestly a dream come true, and I’m super excited to be going to London. I’m most excited about the parade, and getting to visit some of the actual places where the movie Harry Potter was filmed.”

Then, on Dec. 2 and 3, Lions and Alfie’s Restaurant staff volunteered to raise funds for the Salvation Army at the Publix in the Ormond Beach Mall in Ormond-by-the-Sea, according to a press release.

Cheh and Yochum also delivered toys to Beachside Elementary, thanks to a collection from the club and Alfie’s Restaurant patrons.

On Dec. 12, 60 people attended the Lions Community Holiday Party

at Alfies Restaurant. Donations were presented to Volusia County Fire Rescue, Florida Lions Foundation for the Blind, Florida Lions Diabetic Retinopathy Foundation and the Florida Lions Diabetes Foundation.

Lastly, Evans was Guiding Lion to the new West Volusia Action Team Lions Club, chartered on December 14 in DeLand.

An induction of members, installation of officers and signing the Charter was held at LifePoint Community Church. Second Vice District Governor Bob Armstrong, First Vice District Governor Vivian Henegar, District Governor Glenn Brown and Council Chair Penny Gregrich were all in attendance.

The Daytona Beach International Airport has been celebrat ing the holidays with musical performances and themed activities.

The airport has new holiday decorations, including a 22-foot tree with LED lights, according to a press release. The airport’s poinsettia tree — which has been on display during the holidays for over 30 years — will also be available for viewing.

The AcaFellas, from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, performed on Dec. 16, and the Galaxy Middle School chorus performed on Dec. 17. On Wednesday, Dec. 21, the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting crew at DAB served hot cocoa in the concourse, and on Thursday, Dec. 22, Volusia Sheriff’s Office deputies will serve hot cocoa from 10-11 a.m. Volusia County Beach Safety officers and lifeguards will also serve hot cocoa from 12-1:30 p.m on Thursday, Dec. 22.

Passengers arriving between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 23, will be greeted by Santa and Mrs. Claus in the airport’s baggage claim area.

ADOPTABLE PETS

CLASS WERE:

Joseph Santiago

Rich Small

Joshua Stennett

To adopt any of these animals, or see others, visit the Halifax Humane Society’s main campus at 2364 LPGA Blvd. or call 274-4703.

Alice, a 5-year-old terrier and American pit bull mix with a black and white coat. Her adoption fee is $50.

Bruce, a 5-year-old terrier mix with a brindle coat. He would do best in a household with no cats. His adoption fee is $50.

Lucie, a 9-year-old terrier and American Staffordshire mix with a fawn coat. She would do best in a household with no cats. Her adoption fee is $50.

Zim, a 7-year-old domestic shorthair and Siamese mix cat with a white and golden coat. His adoption fee is $25.

Families partook in the celebrations during the Mega Chanukah event on Sunday, Dec. 18.

Volusia County Emergency Medical Services’ Tom Rovegno, Lion Mary Yochum and Robert William, from Volusia County Fire Rescue

Courtesy photos

Morgan Brown, of Port Orange, was selected during the Universal Cheerleaders Association camp in Daytona Beach in August.

Photo by Valley Photo, Inc.

Lubavitch of Greater Day-

held its Mega Chanukah event on Sunday, Dec. 18, commemorating the start of the eight-day Jewish celebration.

Jakell Brunson

James Crayton

CHABAD LUBAVITCH HOLDS MEGA CHANUKAH EVENT

LOCAL LIONS BECOME HOLIDAY HELPERS

Members of the MOCI cohort stand with Daytona State faculty and staff members Enaris Inman (front left), Job Clement (front center), LaToya Shannon (front right) and Cerese Ramos (center).

YOUR NEIGHBORS

A merry little Christmas

The Christmas celebrations continued at The Casements this season, as the city presented its 16th annual Holidays at The Casements event on Thursday, Dec. 15.

Due to the day’s weather, the concert was moved inside John D. Rockefeller’s historic home, with The Moonlighters playing familiar

Christmas tunes from the second floor. The event also featured harp artist De Luna, a dessert social and the chance to view The Casements decorated for the holidays.

The event is presented annually by the city’s Department of Leisure Services.

–OBSERVER STAFF

Harpist De Luna plays inside The Casements.

The Moonlighters’

saxophone section performs.

Joe Mirante sings.

Karen and Jonathan Booraem, as John D. Rockefeller, sit in the audience.

Families gather around the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Gardens.

Dedee Blanchard and Merrill Hendler attend the 16th annual Holidays at The Casements.

Photos by Krystal DiSantis

Ormond hosts Holidays at The Casements event.

LOCAL EVENTS

FRIDAY, DEC. 23

CHRISTMAS SERVICE IN

ORMOND

When: 4:30-7 p.m.

Where: Rockefeller Gardens, 26 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach

Details: Celebrate Christmas with Salty Church. Bring your family and friends, chairs or blankets. There will be activities such as a petting zoo, train and an appearance by Santa at 4:30 p.m. The service will begin at 6 p.m. Visit salty.org.

CHRISTMAS UNDER THE STARS

When: 6:30 p.m.

Where: Riverbend Church, 2080 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach

Details: Join Riverbend Church for “Christmas Under the Stars,” an outdoor worship service with music, marshmallow roasting and hot chocolate. Bring chairs or blankets. Visit riverbendchurch.

SATURDAY, DEC. 24

CALVARY FAMILY CHRISTMAS

When: 3-6 p.m.

Where: Calvary Christian Center, 1687 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach

Details: Attend Christmas Eve communion and see a live nativity with Calvary Christian. There will also be a Christmas Day service at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 25.

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT

SERVICE

When: 6-7 p.m.

Where: New Way Church, 293 Old Moody Blvd., Palm Coast

Details: Come join New Way Church for its Christmas Eve candlelight service.

There will also be a Christmas Day service at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 25. Call 386-437-9575.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28

CELEBRATION

KWANZAA

When: 2-6 p.m.

Where: African American Museum and Cultural Center, 4422 U.S. 1, Palm Coast, FL

Details: The African American Cultural Society will observe the Kwanzaa tradition of nguzo saba, learn about the seven principles of Kwanzaa, enjoy food from local vendors and shop for African clothing, jewelry and crafts during this event. There will also be African drumming, spoken word and an African fashion show. Visit aacspalmcoast.org.

in the New Year with a Studio 54-themed disco costume party with live entertainment, poker tables, dining options and a champagne toast. Try some hors d’oeuvres, enjoy the dinner buffet and stick around for a dessert station. Four beverage tickets per person are included with the tickets. Event costs $210 for single tickets and $350 for couple tickets. A family-friendly party will also be held in the Grand Ballroom with food, drinks, dancing and more. Free admission with the purchase of Doc Bales Grill Dinner or New Year’s Eve Party. Walk-in tickets cost $29 per person. Visit DaytonaHilton.com/ NewYearsEve.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 4

THE NATIONAL BALLET OF UKRAINE PRESENTS ‘SLEEPING BEAUTY’

events such as a a movie on the lawn, holiday bazaar, Santa sightings and live music concerts. An opening ceremony with a tree lighting will take place at the News-Journal Center on Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 5:30-6:3 p.m. Visit RiverfrontEsplanade. com.

SIXTH-ANNUAL MAGIC OF

LIGHTS

When: Through Jan. 1 Where: Daytona International Speedway, 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach Details: The popular drive-thru lights extravaganza is back with holiday scenes and more than one million lights. New this year is the premiere of the Barbie holiday light display, as well as the Big Foot Monster Trucks and Prehistoric Christmas. Tickets cost $20 per vehicle in advance through Dec. 8, or $30 at the gate weekdays; or $35 on weekends. From Dec. 9 to Jan. 1, weekday entrance costs $25 in advance or $35 at the gate; or $40 on weekends. Visit MagicofLights.com.

MOAS EXHIBITIONS

FRIDAY, DEC. 30

NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH, FLORIDA CRACKER RANCH

When: 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30 through 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1

Where: Florida Cracker Ranch, County Road 200, Bunnell Details: Celebrate the new year over three days at the 1,200-acre Florida Cracker Ranch. Camping, hot showers, bathrooms and ATV wash stations are available, There will be three bands, live music and food, as well as fireworks at midnight on New Year’s. Tickets cost $45. Visit flaglerbroadcasting.com/events/ florida-cracker-ranch-new-yearseve-bash.

SATURDAY, DEC. 31

HILTON DAYTONA BEACH’S STUDIO 54 NEW YEAR’S EVE DISCO COSTUME PARTY

When: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Where: Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, 100 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Details: Ring

When: 7 p.m. Where: FlaglerAuditorium, 5500 State Route 100, Palm Coast Details: See the National Ballet of Ukraine perform “Sleeping Beauty,” the tale of Princess Aurora, who was cursed by the evil fairy Carabosse to sleep for 100 years after Aurora pricked her finger on her 16th birthday. The classical production features music by Tchaikovsky. Tickets cost $44-$54.

ONGOING 2022 CHRISTMAS WALKTHROUGH DISPLAY

When: 5:30-10 p.m. daily Where: 111 Pine Creek Court, Ormond Beach Details: The Schoolcrafts’ 2022 Christmas Display, with over 170 inflatables, is now open, wind and weather-permitting. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. A movie theater plays movies nightly at dusk. Well-behaved leashed animals are welcome. Visit facebook.com/scdecorationsormondbeach.

A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER

When: 6-9 p.m., Dec. 7-31 Where: Riverfront Esplanade, 249 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach Details: Start a new holiday tradition while you explore the new Riverfront Esplanade overlooking the Halifax River in downtown Daytona Beach. This multi-day celebration features a variety of community

EXERCISES FOR THE MATURING BODY

When: 10:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays Where: First Baptist Church Of Palm Coast, 6050 Palm Coast Parkway, Palm Coast Details: Presented by Synergy Senior Fitness, attend upbeat classes with Senior Fitness Specialist Artie Gardella. Classes are ongoing. Insurances that cover fitness are accepted, or a donation for those with no coverage. Visit Synergyseniorfitness.com.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Where: Museum of Arts and Sciences, 352 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach

Details: Want to spend a day looking at fine art? The Museum of Arts and Sciences has the following shows on display: “Minor Masterpieces: Porcelain Painted Scenes from the Collection,” “Magical: The Art of Susan Zukowsky,” “Selections from the MOAS Contemporary Art Collection,” and “Pacific Exotics: The Woodblock Prints of Paul Jacoulet.”

Photo courtesy of Magic of Lights

The popular drive-thru lights extravaganza is back, with holiday scenes and more than one million lights.

Ormond Beach artist Beth O’Connor paints murals full time, and she often depicts native Florida plants and animals to bring attention to the fragility of our ecosystems.

Her work is on display at Frame of Mind and Gold Leaf Coffee — where O’Connor also recently completed an indoor mural — in an exhibition titled “Ornamental Variety,” which will be on display through December.

“Her personal style hovers around magical realism with elements of abstraction and a dash of unexpected quirk,” states a newsletter by Frame of Mind. “She is influenced by the energy of certain places, the transcendent beauty in small moments, the magic in the mundane.”

Frame of Mind and Gold Leaf Coffee are located at 19 W. Granada Blvd.

–JARLEENE ALMENAS

‘We will be back’

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

A day after his Bucs suffered a heartbreaking loss in the state championship game, Mainland football coach Travis Roland received a text from Orlando Dr. Phillips coach Rodney Wells. It said, “Don’t hang your head.”

Wells knows what it’s like to lose a close game in the state final. Dr. Phillips lost to Miami Southridge by four points in 2016 and then got back to the title game in 2017, this time defeating Delray Beach Atlantic to win the Panthers’ first state championship.

Mainland fell to Lake Wales 32-30 in the Class 3S final at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, Dec. 16.

The Highlanders finished the season with an undefeated record at 15-0. Like Dr. Phillips five years ago, Roland expects the Bucs to get another shot at the championship next season.

“We will be back,” Roland predicted. “We will be right back in the same stadium. We’re going to hoist that trophy next year.”

One of the players who won’t be on

the field for the Bucs next season is Ajai Harrell, who carried Mainland on his back throughout the playoffs and finished his senior season with an otherworldly performance against Lake Wales.

Harrell rushed 24 times for 195 yards and three touchdowns and caught nine passes for 139 yards. His 1-yard run with 2:14 left pulled Mainland to within a score at 32-30 with 2:14 left. But, due partly to a controversial defensive holding call, the Bucs didn’t get the ball back until there were just 12 seconds remaining.

“Ajai’s performance was very Vince Young-esc in the Rose Bowl,” Roland said, making reference to the Texas quarterback’s 467 yards of offense and three touchdowns against Southern Cal in the 2006 Rose Bowl game.

“Ajai is one of the best to ever wear a Mainland uniform,” Roland said. “I wore the number 1 (uniform for the Bucs), but I don’t think there has ever been a number 1 at Mainland better than Ajai.”

Harrell’s 38-yard catch from Damarcus Creecy in the first quarter set up Creecy’s 56-yard touchdown toss to James Randle, which put the Bucs up 10-0. Harrell’s 6-yard TD run in the fourth quarter tied the score at 16-16, and his 3-yard run on a direct snap put Mainland ahead 23-22.

But the Highlanders followed with a field goal. And an interception by

Lake Wales’ Dylan Simmons set up quarterback Trent Grot jan’s second touchdown run of the game to make it 32-23.

After Ajai’s 1-yard TD, Main land forced a third-and-10 with less than 2 minutes remaining at Lake Wales’ 42-yard line. Randle bat ted down a pass intended for Diyante Landrum. But Randle was called for defensive holding. The Bucs thought Randle made a good play. Roland said if he had been the official, he would not have made such a close call in that situation, potential ly deciding the state championship.

Because of the penalty, the High landers were able to run the clock down with three more plays. The Bucs got the ball back at their own 10 with 12 seconds remaining and were able to run two plays before time ran out on their season.

“People keep showing the play. There’s a bunch of different views,” Roland said. “My dad has told me, you can’t leave the game in the hands of an official. The guy made a call he thought was correct. He has a tough job. I’m sure Lake Wales is pointing to the first play of the game when a fumble went our way.”

The Bucs were playing in just their second state championship game.

county history. After the game, Roland gave his players a message similar to the one Wells of Dr. Phillips would send to Roland.

“I told them, ‘No words I could give you will make the pain go away,’” Roland said. “‘But you’ve got to take solace in that only one other Mainland team made it this far.’”

“It was a really good game,” Roland said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the way the kids fought tooth and nail to stay in the game and had the opportunity to win at the end. That’s all you can ask for.”

A year after losing in the first round of the playoffs and finishing at 5-5, the Bucs won four playoff games — three of them against higher seeded teams on the road — and finished with an 11-4 record. While Mainland will be losing Harrell, Creecy and leading tackler Ty Richmond, among other key players, they will return seven starters on offense and six on defense next season.

“The kids were resilient,” Roland said. “We showed that Mainland football is still here, and we’re going to be here for a long time.”

FPC wins sixth consecutive Five Star Conference girls weightlifting title

Seabreeze placed seventh in the traditional competition and eighth in Olympic lifts.

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Colleen Haaf said she felt her knee buckle on her final clean and jerk lift. She couldn’t complete the lift, but she did complete the meet and wound up winning a championship at the Five Star Conference girls weightlifting championships on Thursday, Dec. 15, at Flagler Palm

Coast.

Haaf was one of three FPC lifters to win titles in the traditional competition as the Bulldogs won their sixth consecutive conference title. FPC also won the Olympic competition.

Olympic lifts are snatch and clean and jerk, while traditional counts the clean and jerk lift as well as the bench press.

New Smyrna Beach finished second in both competitions.

FPC won Olympic handily, defeating New Smyrna 55-38. But the traditional competition was close, with the Bulldogs topping the Barracudas 48-41.

With his team competing in the

Power of Christmas meet at Live Oak Suwannee the following day, FPC coach Duane Hagstrom held back some of his lifters at the Five Star.

“It almost backfired on me,” he said. “New Smyrna is definitely going to make a lot of noise at the 2A state championships.”

FPC’s Aryannah Rosa (119-pound class) and Brianna Tucker (129 pounds) took first-place medals in both the Olympic and traditional competitions. Tucker did just one lift in each of the three disciplines.

Haaf won the unlimited title in the traditional competition after injuring her knee while attempting a 165-pound clean and jerk. She still

FIVE STAR GIRLS WEIGHTLIFTING

LOCAL MEDALISTS, OLYMPIC COMPETITION

101: Madeline Brinker (FPC), 2nd place, 160 total; Angelis Rosa (FPC), 3rd, 140. 110: Nereyda Campos (FPC), 2nd, 160. 119: Aryannah Rosa (FPC), 1st, 240; Lauren Cruz (Mainland), 6th, 160. 129: Brianna Tucker (FPC), 1st, 260; Camilla Arellano (Seabreeze), 5th 190. 139: Leila Turner (FPC), 2nd, 255. 169: Chloe Long (FPC), 2nd, 260. 183: Midlyne Thomas (FPC), 2nd, 290; Eva Rojas (Mainland), 6th, 190. 199: Rylee Diehl (Seabreeze), 6th, 160. Unl: Zoey Gotera (FPC), 1st, 285. Colleen Haaf, 2nd, 275.

finished second, behind her teammate, Zoey Gotera, in the Olympic competition.

Hagstrom said Haaf had to be helped to the bench for all three bench press attempts. She hit all three, setting a personal record of 160 pounds for a 315 total. Gotera was the runner-up in unlimited traditional, with a 305 total.

The Bulldogs’ Chloe Long (169) and Midlyne Thomas (183) each placed second in both the traditional and Olympic competitions.

Madeline Brinker (101), Nereyda Campos (110) and Leila Turner (139) also took second-place medals in the

TRADITIONAL COMPETITION

101: Brinker (FPC), 4th, 160; Angelis Rosa (FPC), 5th, 155. 110: Campos (FPC), 4th, 170; Rylie Deiter (Seabreeze), 6th, 155. 119: Aryanna Rosa (FPC), 1st, 280. 129: Tucker (FPC), 1st, 275; Ava Warren (Seabreeze), 5th, 185. 139: Turner (FPC), 3rd, 270. 154: Charlotte Lowe (Seabreeze), 5th, 205; JahMya Hill (Mainland), 6th, 175. 169: Long (FPC), 2nd, 275. 183: Thomas (FPC), 2nd, 315; Olivia Williams (Mainland), 6th, 210. Unl: Haaf (FPC) 315; Gotera (FPC), 2nd, 305.

Olympic competition for FPC. Seabreeze finished seventh in traditional, with five points, and eighth in Olympic, with three points. Seabreeze’s Charlotte Lowe (154 pounds) placed fifth in traditional on her birthday.

Mainland placed ninth, with two points, in both competitions.

FPC finished 10th in traditional at the Power of Christmas meet. Reigning 3A state champ Navarre won the title, followed by Clay and reigning 1A state champ Suwannee. Rosa (fourth place), Tucker (fifth), Thomas (fifth) and Turner (eighth) all placed in their weight classes.

FPC’s Leila Turner finished second in Olympic and third in traditional at 139 pounds.

Photo by Brent Woronoff

Bucs battle to the end in state championship football game.

Ajai Harrell runs between two defenders. Harrell amassed 334 yards of offense against Lake Wales.

Mainland’s Clarence McCloud makes a catch.

Photo by Alyssa Kemper

Seay hey kid

BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Flagler Palm Coast’s Jessie Seay had never scored four goals in a varsity soccer game before. It was only fitting that she accomplished the feat on senior night at Sal Campanella Memorial Stadium.

Seay’s fourth goal ended the game with 2:11 left because of the eightgoal rule as FPC defeated Matanzas 8-0 on Friday, Dec. 16.

“She’s really an aggressive player. She has a lot of pace,” Bulldogs coach

Pete Hald said of Seay, who was one of six seniors honored before the game along with Emma Swearingen, Ava Houstoun, Hailey Tucker, Ava O’Malley and Isabella Zuller.

Savannah O’Grady, Isabella Kummernes, Erin Hughes and Neveah Battle each added a goal for the Bulldogs (10-2-1), who stretched their unbeaten streak to eight games.

Seay scored four goals in a game as a freshman on the JV team, but never on this level, she said. She scored two goals with her left foot and two with her right.

“Tonight we were definitely good on through balls,” Seay said. “Through balls get us where we need to be.”

The four goals gave Seay 11 for the season, and they came in the first game that FPC was playing without Swearingen, who broke her collarbone in a 3-1 win against New Smyrna Beach on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Swearingen, who plays both center back and forward, led the Bulldogs with nine goals entering the game. She suffered a similar injury two years ago and missed four weeks, Hald said.

Hald doubts that Swearingen can return for the Five Star Conference tournament, which begins on Jan. 7, but he hopes the Bulldogs’ co-captain can return before the district tournament, which begins Jan. 25.

“It’s a huge loss for us,” Hald said. “Some of our other players are going to have to grow up.”

Matanzas fell to 0-4-1. The Pirates are in a rebuilding season, with 13 freshmen and sophomores and just four juniors and seniors on the roster. They are scheduled to host First Baptist Christian Academy at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 20.

Check out palmcoastobserver. com to see more photos!

FPC freshmen take leadership roles

It’s not typical that freshmen are named captains of a high school sports team.

But Flagler Palm Coast girls basketball players Alexandria Connerton and Carolyn O’Lear have been leaders since they began participating in the Bulldogs’ offseason program as eighth graders.

WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Titles for Pirates

Matanzas, the top-ranked girls wrestling team in the state, competed in the Let Freedom Ring Invitational on Dec. 17 in Orlando, earnig two individual championships.

Mariah Mills won the 110-pound title to improve her record to 12-0 on the season.

Brielle Bibla won the 130-pound title, and is also 12-0 this season.

Christina Borgmann (8-1) placed third in the 120-pound class. Kendall Bibla (10-1) placed third in the 140-pound class, Gabrielle Proctor (9-5) placed third in the 145-pound class and Ani Brown placed sixth in the 235-pound class.

The Matanzas boys competed in the Johnny Rouse Invitational duals tournament Dec. 16-17. T.J. McLean (106 pounds) went 7-0 in his matched while Dylan Parkinson (152 pounds) went 6-1.

“They’ve really set the tone with their work ethic,” coach Anthony Wagner said. “They’ve worked hard since April, when they were in eighth grade. They work hard with everything they do.”

With senior Naria Hill out with an injury, O’Lear said she and Connerton have become more vocal.

“Our team captain is injured, so we’ve helped her out and stepped in a little bit,” O’Lear said. “We’re trying to lift everyone up, make sure everyone has their heads up.”

“Even though we look up (to the seniors), they look up to us too, because we’re team players,” Connerton said.

The Bulldogs have won four games in a row, defeating each of those opponents by at least 35 points. They are 7-4 heading into the Tampa Christmas Invitational Dec. 28-31 at Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex in Wesley Chapel.

Connerton and senior Hannah Clark lead FPC in scoring. Clark had consecutive career-high scoring games last week with 22 points with four 3-pointers in a 54-19 win over Pine Ridge on Dec. 14 and 29 points with five 3-pointers in a 73-22 drubbing of Atlantic on Dec. 16.

Clark is now averaging 10.5 points per game, while Connerton is averaging 10.0 points per game. Junior Brynn Gifford is averaging 7.2 points,

and senior Shy Leblanc is averaging 6.0 points.

Connerton and O’Lear, who has grabbed a team-high 53 rebounds in 11 games, play together on the Flagler United Youth Basketball travel team, which will be joining AAU this year.

The team won three tournament championships over the summer.

Connerton’s moved to Flagler

County from New Jersey before eighth grade. She said she’s been playing on higher-level basketball teams since she was in third grade.

“We have a mix of young girls who are hungry blending with veterans,” Wagner said. “We’re starting to hit our stride.”

Email results and story ideas to brent@palmcoastobserver.com

World-record holder

Bunnell powerlifter Kelly Schlobohm is an all-time world-record holder.

Although the numbers are not yet official, Schlobohm set a new deadlift record of 462 pounds for women age 50-59 in the under-148 pound class with a single-ply suit. She was competing in the King & Queen of the Platform, an RPS federation meet, on Dec. 10-11 in Port Charlotte.

Scholbohm weighed in at 143 pounds. Her other lifts were 430 pounds in the squat, 231 pounds in bench press, and a 1,123-pound total.

“My meet went very well, and I am happy with the lessons learned,” she said.

“There was some very strict judging, and I struggled with my bench press, but I finished top tier.”

Her next meet is April 16, 2023, at The Women’s Pro/ Am, in Cincinnati, which will be on a world stage.

“I will be working hard to bring my numbers up in the meantime, and also be looking for sponsors to help me with the process. It will be an expensive endeavor, unfortunately,” she said.

Jessie Seay scored four goals in FPC’s girls soccer win against Matanzas.

Photos by Jake Montgomery

FPC junior Nevaeh Battle throws in the ball.

Matanzas

freshman goalkeeper Taylor Basiger reaches for a save.

Matanzas senior Mya Barker (18) handles the ball as FPC senior Isabella Zuller (2) defends.

FPC senior striker Jessie Seay (4) pushes forward to score one of her four goals as Matanzas sophomore Maria Martins (12) tries to defend.

“She’s really an aggressive player. She has a lot of pace.”

PETE HALD on senior Jessie

Seay

BRENT

Photo by Brent Woronoff

FPC freshman girls basketball players Alexandria Connerton and Carolyn O’Lear.

MORE PHOTOS

Pool home on the beachside tops list

Ahouse in Ormond-by-the-Sea was the top real estate transaction in Ormond Beach and Ormond-bythe-Sea for the week of Nov. 6-12 in the Multiple Listing Service. Damian and Victoria Flowers — of Hancock, Maine; and Groton, Connecticut, respectively — sold 4 Sand Dollar Drive to Jeremy and Marie Clifford, of Ormond Beach, for $665,000. Built in 1989, the house is a 5/3 and a fireplace, swimming pool and 3,104 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $469,900.

$189,900. Built in 1984, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,083 square feet.

Condos Thomas Fry, individually and as trustee, and Audrey Greene sold 3110 Ocean Shore Blvd., Unit 2100, to Lisa Brent, of Monticello, New York, for $332,500. Built in 1991, the condo is a 2/2 and has 873 square feet.

Gem Devlin and Daniel Ruiz sold 203 S. Orchard St., Unit 2C, to Marcia Marion and Natasha Washington, of Ormond Beach, for

Banyan Estates

Brian and Denise Held, of Ormond Beach, sold 75 Banyan Drive to Kelley McHale and Matthew Barron, of Ormond Beach, for $604,000. Built in 1964, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,388 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $371,500.

Halifax Plantation

Leslie and Marguerite Rosenberg, of West Palm Beach, sold 4091 Campa Lane to Greg and Dana Isaac, of

Ormond Beach, for $567,000. Built in 1995, the house is a 3/2 and has a swimming pool and 2,159 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $440,000.

Reagan Sanders, of Clemmons, North Carolina, sold 1169 Athlone Way to Debbra and Dale Koetje, of Ormond Beach, for $356,100. Built in 1998, the house is a 2/2 and has 1,506 square feet. It sold in 2017 for $175,900.

Plantation Bay

Robert Bower, of Daytona Beach, sold 710 Dolphin Head Lane to Paul Stancato and Carol Marcus, of Shorewood, Illinois, for $635,000. Built in 1993, the house is a 3/2.5 and has a fireplace, swimming pool and 2,399 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $515,000.

Jeremy and Marie Clifford, of Ormond Beach, sold 434 Long Cove Road to Jeffrey and Flora Wells, of Ormond Beach, for $485,000. Built in 1998, the house is a 3/2 and has a swimming pool and 1,983 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $280,000.

The Trails

Seeding Alpha LLC, of Boca Raton, sold 2 Whispering Pines Trail to Yechiel Sprei, of Spring Valley, New York, for $650,000. Built in 1979, the house is a 4/3/2 and has a fireplace, swimming pool and 3,842 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $300,000.

Tomoka Park

Melvin Stack, as representative, sold 5 Whippoorwill Lane to Carol Durr, of Ormond Beach, for $349,500. Built in 1976, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,765 square feet.

Villaggio

Tibor and Elisabeta Mody, of Davie, sold 53 Apian Way to Kenneth and Shelly Chadwick, of Ormond Beach, for $615,000. Built in 2016, the house is a 3/2 and has a swimming pool and 2,382 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $347,600.

WAYNE GRANT REAL ESTATE EDITOR

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

Courtesy photos

The top real estate transaction for the week features five bedrooms and a swimming pool.

The house at 434 Long Cove Road sold for $485,000.

The house at 5 Whippoorwill Lane sold for $349,500.

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 Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board 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)

ORDINANCE 2023-XX AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA PROVIDING FOR THE REZONING OF REAL PROPERTY TOTALING 6.74 + ACRES, OWNED BY GPR1 LLC, BEARING PARCEL ID: 10-12-30-0850-00180-0000 LOCATED

DIRECTLY EAST OF EAST MOODY BOULEVARD AND ABUTTING CANAKARIS STREET BETWEEN SOUTH CHAPEL STREET AND DR CARTER BOULEVARD IN THE CITY OF BUNNELL LIMITS FROM THE “B-2, BUSINESS DISTRICT” AND “O-1, OFFICE, MEDICAL AND RELATED SERVICES DISTRICT” TO THE “L-1, LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT”; PROVIDING FOR THE TAKING OF IMPLEMENTING ADMINSTRATIVE ACTIONS; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF MAPS BY REFERENCE; REPEALING ALL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR NON-CODIFICATION AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE as may be legally permitted on the day of the meeting. Instructions on how to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www.bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for up-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 Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board 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)

FIRST INSERTION

DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that a workshop meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the Grand Haven Community Development District (the “District”) will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. at the Grand Haven Village Center, Grand Haven Room, 2001 Waterside Parkway, Palm Coast, Florida 32137. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss matters brought to the board.

Copies of the agenda may be obtained from the District Manager, DPFG Management & Consulting LLC, 250 International Parkway, Suite 208, Lake Mary, Florida 32746, Telephone (321) 263-0132, Ext. 193.

The meeting is open to the public and will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Florida law for community development districts. The meeting may be continued in progress without additional notice to a date, time, and place to be specified on the record at the meeting. There may be occasions when Staff and/or Supervisors may participate by speaker telephone.

Pursuant to provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in the meeting is asked to advise the District Manager’s office at least forty-eight (48) hours before the meeting by contacting the District Manager at (321) 263-0132, Ext. 193. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service at 711, for assistance in contacting the District Manager’s office.

A person who decides to appeal any decision made at the meeting, with respect to any matter considered at the meeting, is advised that a record of the proceedings is needed and that accordingly, the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

Grand Haven Community Development District

David McInnes, District Manager (321) 263-0132, Ext. 193 December 22, 2022 22-00262F

FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF RULE MAKING BY THE GRAND HAVEN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO AMENITY RULES

A public hearing will be conducted by the Board of Supervisors of the Grand Haven Community Development District (“District”) on January 19, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. at the Grand Haven Room, Grand Haven Village Center, 2001 Waterside Parkway, Palm Coast, Florida 32137.

The public hearing will provide an opportunity for the public to address proposed amendents to the District’s Rules, Policies and Fees for All Amenity Facilities and including policies and procedures related to service animals and clarifications regarding hostile treatment of District Employees. Specific legal authority for the rule includes Sections 190.011(5), 190.012(3), 120.54 and 120.81, Florida Statutes (2020).

Any person who wishes to provide the District with a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative as provided by section 120.541(1), F.S., must do so in writing within twenty-one (21) days after publication of this notice. The public hearing may be continued to a date, time and place to be specified on the record at the hearing.

If anyone chooses to appeal any decision of the District’s Board with respect to any matter considered at the hearing, such person is required to have a verbatim record of the proceedings including the testimony and evidence upon which such appeal is to be based and should ensure that such a record is made accordingly. Any person requiring special accommodations at this meeting because of a disability or physical impairment should contact the District Manager at the address and number below.

A copy of the proposed rule may be obtained by contacting the District Manager at 250 International Parkway, Suite 208, Lake Mary, FL 32746, (321) 263-0132 ext. 193, or by email at dmcinnes@dpfgmc.com.

December 22, 2022 22-00261F

State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated this 1st day of December, 2022. Ozkan Erdem December 22, 2022 22-00259F

GRAND HAVEN COMMUNITY

NOTICE OF BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WORKSHOP MEETING

PAPER CHAIN by Chris Moss, edited by David Steinberg

By Luis Campos