Flagler Beach, FL – It may have been her last night on the dais, but it was a chance for Flagler Beach Mayor Linda Provencher to do what she does best – bring people together for the greater good.
As one of her last official duties, Provencher recognized several people who have flown under the radar for a project that will have lasting implication for the beachside town, long after she’s left office.
“This is my last meeting and I wanted to do it before I left,” said Provencher. “What they’ve done is amazing. The Army Corps was impressed. They’ve never seen a community come together like this so they definitely deserve the recognition.”
On hand to receive certificates of appreciation, no longwinded speeches came from Carla Cline and Craig Atack as they accepted the recognition, but Cline did throw out a request of her own – in hopes the city would spring for pier passes in gratitude.
Considering what the duo had accomplished, it’s a small price to pay.
Bouncing ideas around in 2020 as the city and county sought signatures from property owners along A1A to allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin a $25 million beach restoration project, residents were at their wits end with holdouts. Creating a GoFundMe, Cline and Atack raised more than $50,000 in about 48 hours – enough to help get closer to yes for property owners.
Working with Flagler Beach attorney Dennis Bayer, the GoFundMe effort was significant enough to keep the project on track. Unable to attend the meeting, Cline was quick to credit him for his work on the project.
“Dennis Bayer is our local attorney hero,” she said. “I reached out to him and said ‘hey man would you be interested in helping out’, and he had no idea it would take 5 months of his life and all the patience in the world.”
Both parents of young children, Cline and Atack hope their example is a model for not only their own children but others in the community, as well. He wasn’t surprised by the willingness of others to help out when the chips were down.
“I wasn’t really surprised which is why I thought it would work,” he said. “It’s remarkable and I’m taken aback by it, but I’m not surprised that there were really that many people that would contribute a little bit of money.”
“I hope it shows young people that community really matters.”
Thinking long-term, Cline sees it as one less burden on future generations.
“I just hope the kids don’t have to worry about their road falling into the water, which is a huge thing now but, and as money depletes from sources that can you can fix stuff, it’s one less thing they have to take care of,” said Cline.
