Local News in Flagler County
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How Bunnell’s Backroom Bootlickers Sold Out West Flagler for a Trash Mountain
Bunnell City Manager Alvin Jackson kept a plan for a 610-acre garbage dump in the heart of West Flagler--a landfill almost a third the size of Fresh Kills, New York City's old landfill on Staten Island--long enough to ensure its approval by a spineless, misinformed planning…
Leery of Van Kleeck, Last Remaining Finalist, County Commission Will Re-Interview Him for Administrator Job
Flagler County commissioners couldn't bring themselves to vote for a new county administrator at a special meeting today, discarding two of the three finalists. Aaron Van Kleeck emerged as a last contender, but he'll be re-interviewed as some commissioners are concerned about his…
Cutbacks Force Closure of Flagler’s Free Hazardous Waste Facility as County Scrambles for Alternatives
Flagler County is closing its free Household Hazardous Waste site on Old Kings Road on Sept. 18 as part of budget cutbacks. Residents must now pay Waste Pro in Bunnell to dispose of dangerous materials like paint and electronics, though commissioners are facing resident backlash…
Clerk of Court Tom Bexley Calls County Commission Rudderless, Ineffective, Misinforming and Wasteful
Flagler County Clerk of Court Tom Bexley publicly admonished the County Commission for spreading misinformation and overstepping their authority. In the course of his eight minutes he said certain county commissioners were disparaging, misinformed, misinforming, wasteful,…
Flagler County Property Appraiser Jay Gardner Slams Homestead Amendment 3 As a False Solution
Flagler County Property Appraiser Jay Gardner is voting against Amendment 3, the proposed constitutional amendment that would raise the homestead exemption to $150,000 next year and to $250,000 the following year, ravaging local government revenue. He warns the exemption will…
Flagler Beach Personnel Board Backs City Manager In Controversial Firing Of Fire Chief Stephen Cox
The Flagler Beach Personnel Review Board voted 3-1 to uphold the firing of Fire Chief Stephen Cox following a three-day hearing, and the board chair calling the firing the result of a "coup" by other firefighters. City Manager Dale Martin fired Cox after five firefighters…
Sullivan Uthmeier v. New York Times
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is a busy, busy bee, darting from human trafficking prosecutions to going after shoplifting gangs to trying to outlaw drag queen Christmas shows to accusing Microsoft of anti-Christian bias to cheerleading book bans. His current obsession…
Grand Jury: DeSantis ‘Misappropriated’ $10 Million to Wife’s Hope Florida Charity and Political Allies
A state grand jury report found Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration “misappropriated” funds by diverting Medicaid money to a nonprofit, eventually ending up in political committees supporting the governor’s agenda. But the report didn’t find enough to pursue criminal charges…
Bunnell’s New $10 Million City Hall Plagued by Leaks and Mold Since Day 1. Manager Hid Problems From Commission.
Bunnell Vice Mayor John Rogers was incensed to learn that the newly built $10 million City Hall and Police Department has been leaking since it opened a year ago. Black mold is growing as well. City Manager Alvin Jackson hid the construction defects from the Bunnell City…
Palm Coast and County Officials Raise Alarms Over Bunnell’s Secrecy on Zoning Change
Bunnell government is withholding all details regarding a special zoning exception for a confidential economic development effort dubbed Project Butterfly. The city's planning board plans to vote on the special exception on Sept. 1 without disclosing the applicant, the location,…
Flagler County Hesitant As Palm Coast Suddenly Wants To Hand Over Animal Control Services
Palm Coast and Flagler County are discussing a complete reversal of their animal control consolidation plans as the city seeks to get out of the service and let the county assume full responsibility for it following significant staff resignations and shifting cost estimates.…
Commissioner Andy Dance Wants to Hear From Flagler’s Agricultural Community
Commissioner Andy Dance, who in July became the Chair of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Policy Committee within the Florida Association of Counties (FAC), is seeking input from Flagler County’s robust agricultural community about legislative issues affecting Florida…