Palm Coast, FL – (May 14, 2022) Capturing the history of Palm Coast’s first 50 years, artist Bill Stead says he took his cues from members of the Palm Coast Historical Society and was grateful for the opportunity. A visually arresting piece, the hand-painted mural representing the area’s early history adorns the frontage of the organization’s museum in James F. Holland Memorial Park in Palm Coast.
While many of Saturday morning’s spectators were present to view the finished work of art, it was the dedication of the mural to the memory of past mayor Jon Netts that the speakers focused during their remarks.
Netts’ wife Priscilla was pleased to help unveil the art work alongside Palm Coast’s current mayor David Alfin.
“I can’t express how thrilled I am, how happy I am that this is being done for Jon.”
“He was awesome,” she said emphatically. “He cared so much for people and the city. This to me is a wonderful tribute. I miss him.”
Attending his second event of the morning – after starting his day at the Tunnel to Towers Foundation 5K in Town Center, Alfin shared the many virtues of Jon Netts as a leading public servant and guiding presence for the fledgling city during his time on the city council and as mayor.
“We’re here at the Palm Coast Historical Society to honor and to memorialize one of the most heartfelt, loved, beloved mayors of the City of Palm Coast,” said Alfin.
“I look at the longevity, and again, incorporated only in 1999, but we have a small town feel, even though we’re not a small community any longer. That small town feel makes us feel very close together, so even though he was only one of a small number of mayors, he stands out head and shoulders as one of the great leaders, and leads us into the future,” he said.
Elected officials from both the City of Palm Coast and the Board of County Commissioners attended the event alongside civic organization leaders and family friend friend Bob Linton, to pay their respects to Netts’ legacy.
Appointed by then Congressman Ron DeSantis to fill Netts’ seat on the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND), retired Navy Captain Randy Stapleford, reminded those present of Netts’ many contributions to the overall Flagler County community, positively impacting Bings Landing, waterfront Flagler Beach, and the Marineland Marina in addition to the City of Palm Coast during his 13 years of service on the FIND Commission.
“Jon played a major role in shaping this wonderful city of Palm Coast to become what I call the Crystal City by the Sea,” said Stapleford. “Jon was an inspirational human to all and I think Jon knew this simple principle of leadership and that is to take care of your people.”
Netts served the public in many facets throughout his lifetime including as the city’s second mayor and as president of the Palm Coast Historical Society, making countless friends along the way on both sides of the political aisle.
“I think people love him because he’s a people’s man,” said Elaine Studnicki, president of the Palm Coast Historical Society. “He loved this community and he was all over this community at different events, with different kinds of people and that’s why he’s so popular. That’s why people love him. He loved them.”
To view the mural, visit the Palm Coast Historical Society and Museum, located at 18 N. Florida Park Drive, Palm Coast.
