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Travel Industry Welcomes Lifting of Pre-departure Testing Requirement for Inbound Air Travelers Following Months of Advocacy

By
Flagler News Weekly
-

WASHINGTON – U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement on the Biden administration’s announcement that the pre-departure testing requirement for inbound air travelers to the United States will be lifted on June 12:

“Today marks another huge step forward for the recovery of inbound air travel and the return of international travel to the United States. The Biden administration is to be commended for this action, which will welcome back visitors from around the world and accelerate the recovery of the U.S. travel industry.

“International inbound travel is vitally important to businesses and workers across the country who have struggled to regain losses from this valuable sector. More than half of international travelers in a recent survey pointed to the pre-departure testing requirement as a major deterrent for inbound travel to the U.S.

“Prior to the pandemic, travel was one of our nation’s largest industry exports. The lifting of this requirement will enable the industry to lead the way toward a broader U.S. economic and jobs recovery.

“A new analysis found that repealing the pre-departure testing requirement could bring an additional 5.4 million visitors to the U.S. and an additional $9 billion in travel spending through the remainder of 2022.

“U.S. Travel and our partners advocated tirelessly for months to ensure this requirement would be lifted, pointing to the monumental scientific advancements that have made it possible for us to reach this point. We thank President Biden, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Dr. Ashish Jha and others in the administration for recognizing the immense economic power of travel and its ability to reconnect the U.S. with the global community.”

Please click here to see U.S. Travel’s latest inbound travel forecast, which also includes pandemic-related losses, upside economic impact scenarios based on policy changes, and an analysis on where inbound travel should be in terms of growth had the pandemic not occurred.

Media Release: U.S. Travel Association

Image: Roger Dow, U.S. Travel Association/Flagler News Weekly, IPW 2022

Flagler Schools: New Principals Named, Changes in District Leadership Team

By
Flagler News Weekly
-

Flagler Schools Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt announces a handful of leadership changes within the district Friday.

The first is the appointment of Bobby Bossardet as the next principal of Flagler-Palm Coast High School. He has previously served as the district’s Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services.

“I have heard the same thing each time we ask teachers, staff, students, and parents,” says Superintendent Mittelstadt. “They want someone who knows the culture and climate of FPC. That is exactly what Bobby brings to the table. He has served this district in a variety of roles over the years, but putting him at his alma mater perfectly matches a person’s abilities with the needs of the campus.”

Of the move from district administration back to campus administration, Bossardet says, “We have amazing things happening throughout our district and I believe in the vision moving forward. I have gained a whole new level of respect for the men and women working diligently behind the scenes at the district office for remaining focused and continuing to support our core mission of academic success throughout the last few very challenging years. I know exactly what the Bulldog family is capable of accomplishing, and I am extremely excited for the opportunity to return to FPC to help reestablish the standard for what Flagler Schools is all about.”

Superintendent Mittelstadt also announces current Chief of Operational Services Paul Peacock will be the next principal at Wadsworth Elementary School.

“Paul’s passion for the students is apparent to anyone who has seen him on our campuses,” says Superintendent Mittelstadt. “His years of leading Indian Trails Middle School and his vision for excellence will translate well at Wadsworth Elementary. He has shown the value of getting students, teachers, staff, and parents involved and how that creates a winning culture.”

Peacock adds, “I am excited to return to a campus where I can have that daily interaction with the students. They are why we do what we do.”

This means there are two important openings in the Superintendent’s senior cabinet. LaShakia Moore will move from Director of Teaching and Learning to Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services. David Freeman, who is the Director of Plant Services will become Chief of Operational Services.

Media Release: Flagler Schools, Jason Wheeler

A Life Worth Binge Watching S2: E6: Don’t Put Baby in a Corner

By
Melodye Lewis
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A Life Worth Binge Watching

S2: This is 50 E6: Don’t Put Baby in a Corner

Opening weekend, my family and I went to see Top Gun Maverick and we were not disappointed!  The original Top Gun was definitely one of my all time favorite movies, along with so many others that debuted in the 80’s.  On the drive home, my daughter said to me, “Mom, I wish I would have grown up in the 80’s. You had the best movies and music!” It’s funny, I totally agree with her. We did have all of that, and more. It was a pretty amazing time to grow up, so let’s take a trip down memory lane!  

I could write an entire article on just the music of the 80’s.  Well heck, I could do the same with pretty much anything to do with this memorable decade.  But seriously, the music was the best.  We finally had two-sided cassette tapes that we could pop into either a Sony Walkman or blast from a boombox.  Not only that, we created mix-tapes of all our favorite hits. 

For the younger generation reading this, think “playlists.”

The 80’s was monumental in establishing new genres such as Hip Hop, New Wave, Big Hair Metal Bands, Boy Bands and the emergence of MTV.  I remember driving up and down the strip in Daytona (A1A) with my friends every Friday night because we really didn’t have anything else to do. From Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” and  Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”, to The Beastie Boys “No Sleep till Brooklyn” and Depeche Mode’s “Just Can’t Get Enough”, we patiently waited for our favorite songs to play on the radio unless we were lucky enough to have a tape deck!  There were so many great musicians that came from this era.  Just a to name more than a few, Prince, The Cure, Journey, New Kids on the Block,  LL Cool J, Salt-n-Pepa, Duran Duran, The Cars, The B-52’s, The Police, Van Halen, Twisted Sister, Ratt, Guns and Roses, I could go on and on.  The 80’s was a mecca of incredible music.  To add to the list, there were also one-hit wonders like Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love” which was one of my favorites, Toni Basil’s “Mickey”, and a-ha’s “Take on Me.”  With all of these amazing artists, it’s no wonder my daughter prefers the music I grew up with!!

I can remember spending hours watching the first music videos on MTV like “Thriller” from Michael Jackson, and “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits. Who could forget the Super Bowl Shuffle performed by the Chicago Bears!  Now let’s all sing along to this one – Josie’s on a vacation far away….. you are welcome! 

The 80’s also produced some of the best movies of all time.  It doesn’t matter if you were interested in Reece’s Pieces and extraterrestrials, time-traveling DeLoreans, or treasure maps and high school adventures, the 80’s had you covered. In addition to “Top Gun,” every girl remembers Tom Cruise’s underwear dance during “Risky Business.” 

I can remember seeing “Ghost Busters” at the theater with my family and “Goonies” with my friends.  I was obsessed with the teenage heartthrobs in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”, “The Breakfast Club,” and my favorite, “Sixteen Candles.” All of my friends had dreams of Jake waiting outside for them, leaning up against his Porsche, armed with a birthday cake. I mean what more could you want than a hot guy with cake? 

If an action-packed flick was what you wanted, “Empire Strikes Back,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” and “Robocop” were just a few of the gems in that genre. For horror enthusiasts, we can’t forget “The Shining,” “Halloween,” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”  I’m pretty sure some of my nightmares stemmed from these thrillers! 

One of my favorite movies, “Dirty Dancing” inspired me to perform the dance from “I’ve Had the Time of my Life” for my high school talent show!  My friend Todd and I learned every move and even practiced the final lift in the pool!  Those were the best times!  

These were the movies and music that shaped my pre-teen and teenage years.  To be honest, there haven’t been many songs or box office hits that I have felt as connected to, as the ones I grew up with. Sometimes it’s fun to connect with things from your past to remember where you came from and where you have been in order to fully embrace where you are going!  I hoped you enjoyed our little glimpse into the past.

Bueller???

Melodye Lewis is a Friday columnist for Flagler News Weekly giving you something to talk about over lunch. Follow @ALifeWorthBingeWatching on Facebook. #ALifeWorthBingeWatching

The Friday Morning Round Up: Welcome to the Political Parley

By
Danielle Anderson
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We are rapidly approaching the mid-term elections and here at Flagler News Weekly, we know there are many new residents in the area who may be interested in getting involved in the local political scene or learning more about what some of the established organizations stand for. Welcome to The Friday Round Up: Political Parley, where we’ll ask a question of party leaders, candidates or the public, and share the responses with you as our Friday headline.

This week we hear from Greg Davis, President of the Flagler Tiger Bay Club, Robert Updegrave, Chairman of the Flagler County Republican Executive Committee, and Jan Sullivan, Chairwoman of the Flagler County Democratic Executive Committee.

Question: What do you see as the biggest issue facing our nation right now, and what do you think we as voters can do about it? 

Flagler County REC Chairman Robert Updegrave

Thanks for inviting me to comment.  My answer with all respect:

While the U.S. has plenty of major solvable issues to go around, many have been moldering forever.  I am a Conservative and Chairman of the Flagler County Republican Executive Committee, and my view is through that sensible political lens.  We Republicans consistently endeavor to meet our Democratic counterparts on solving things, but the more accommodating we are, the farther the Dems move the goalposts making for purposeful intractable hard stops.  Our friends on the other side overreach every time real opportunity presents itself, killing hopes for any reasonable solutions.  It is clear that while Republicans are straining to get things right the other side demonstrates its preference for divisive nation-splitting issues.  It is unfortunate that we are saddled with a weak fragmented, largely inept White House with an agenda the antithesis of reality as it continues to taint every aspect of  American life and security through its economic failings, its awful social policies coupled to an overall disregard for our citizens – predominant mode is to blame Republicans in order to gain cheap negative scores in hopes of fooling Voters.  Voters will be able to get a big part of it fixed this year and the balance in ‘24.

 

Flagler County DEC Chairwoman Jan Sullivan

I think it’s more appropriate that you ask questions about the County, as we are leaders of County organizations.

 

 

Flagler County Tiger Bay Club President Greg Davis

I do not believe our nation is facing one singular big issue but multiple big issues.  Several of the big issues intersect and coalesce.  We have a twenty-four-hour news cycle that many times is factual yet often builds and speculates on incomplete information.  The news cycle tends to amplify or completely dismiss news stories.  It blends commentary and opinion with news driving a point of view of the stories reported towards their constituency and advertisers.  The challenge for citizens is to determine what is fact and make their own informed decision on what policy they agree and should support through their vote.

We have a litany of issues and challenges to ferret through this election cycle.  There is no issue that is insurmountable.  Many are hold overs from past election cycles.  Many we have been through before.  To me, today’s driving issues include:

  • The overall economy – how long can growth and expansion last?

  • Inflation

  • Supply chain issues and dependencies on other nations

  • COVID’s continued impacts on healthcare, healthcare worker shortages. healthcare cost, and supply chain issues and interruptions

  • Approaching full employment with millions of unfilled jobs and labor cost increases resulting in increased automation and higher skilled employees

  • Immigration policy challenges and when it may be in our best interests to bring in more immigrants legally through H1B and other H1 and guest worker programs to fill persistent job vacancies including critical industries

  • January 6th

  • Abortion

  • Russian aggression and Ukraine

  • Etc.

The common solution with all these issues is citizens educating themselves on the issues, becoming an informed voter, and finally showing up to the polls and voting.  In the CATO Institute publication “When Ignorance Isn’t Bliss: How Political Ignorance Threatens Democracy” September 22, 2004, Policy Analysis 525 states: “Democracy demands an informed electorate. Voters who lack adequate knowledge about politics will find it difficult to control public policy. Inadequate voter knowledge prevents government from reflecting the will of the people in any meaningful way. Such ignorance also raises doubts about democracy as a means of serving the interests of a majority. Voters who lack sufficient knowledge may be manipulated by elites. They may also demand policies that contravene their own interests.”

I believe it was Harvard University that published a study that concluded the most uninformed voters were those who received their news from primarily a single source be it CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, NY Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal. etc.  The more informed voters received their news from multiple sources, analyzed what was presented and came to their own conclusions.

At Flagler Tiger Bay Club, one of our founding principles as a non-partisan political club is that if you present the voters with all sides of the issues in a civil environment, they are intelligent enough and will draw their own informed opinion.  They do not need to be told what to think or be told what they just heard.

The answer to what voters can do about the issues is the same across all the topics.  The challenge for voters is achieving a balanced understanding of what the issues really are.  For me, getting a balanced understanding on current issues involves casting a wide net with a diversity of points of view, facts, and opinions.  Reading, listening, and discussing those diverse views, facts, and opinions in an atmosphere of civility and without judgement is necessary to develop well founded viewpoints.  It requires listening to people from their points of view.  It is when I am secure in my foundational beliefs that I can listen and discuss those with others.

The sky is not falling.  We have been here before.  I believe we are the only nation ever founded on an idea.  As in our Constitution we are “Building a more perfect Union.”

Florida Art: Aspiring Artist Brandon Santiago Gets Regional Support for Opening Reception on June 16

By
Flagler News Weekly
-

One of the St. Johns Cultural Council’s new team members, Brandon Santiago, is June’s featured artist at Gallery500 in Daytona Beach.

Inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Picasso, and Jazz, his abstract expressionist style is experimental, gestural, and intuitive. During live painting sessions, he invited the viewer to impact the work between layers of colors, lines, and shapes.

Meet the artist next Thursday, June 16th from 5-7 PM for a reception at Gallery500, 1870 Victory Circle, where his collection will be on display through the month of June.

Image: “Raise” // acrylic on canvas

Gallery 500 (at ONE DAYTONA) – JUNE 16TH AT 7 PM 

Join us as we welcome featured artist Brandon Santiago to GALLERY500.

See work from this local, up and coming artist, the newest in our Emerging Artist Series. Have the unique opportunity to meet Brandon and see his work firsthand.

Enjoy an evening of beautiful art, great conversation and the chance to collect the early work of an emerging local artist.

 

15 Florida Restaurants Recognized with MICHELIN Stars in Miami & Orlando

By
Flagler News Weekly
-

The stars are shining brightly over Orlando and Miami, with 15 new MICHELIN-Starred restaurants joining the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Miami, Orlando and Tampa

The very first MICHELIN Guide Miami, Orlando and Tampa is launching with 15 new MICHELIN-Starred restaurants—four One Star restaurants in Orlando, 10 One Star restaurants in Miami, and one Two Star restaurant in Miami. Read on to find out where to tuck into sushi, Korean barbecue, Colombian fare, and more, then start making your reservations. Click through to see all the new MICHELIN Guide restaurants in Florida, and including 29 new MICHELIN Bib Gourmands.

Miami

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami — Two Stars

Cuisine: French
The menu here offers both tasting portions and large plates, but go with the seasonal prix fixe. The bread basket is a lovely opener, arriving in advance of such thrilling bites as a seared sea scallop with toasted spices. The Design District setting bears all the beloved hallmarks of this trendy neighborhood, with its counter and open kitchen.

L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami © Katie June Burton/L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami © Katie June Burton/L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami

 

Ariete — One Star

Cuisine: Contemporary
Chef Michael Beltran’s Coconut Grove mainstay is immediately welcoming, with a menu that weaves together Cuban and French influences to dazzling effect.

 

Boia De — One Star

Cuisine: Contemporary
A neon-pink exclamation mark that glows above the front door is impossible to miss. Surprising is certainly an apt descriptor for chefs Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer’s distinctive and impressive menu.

Boia De © Andrea Lorena/Boia De

Boia De © Andrea Lorena/Boia De
Cote Miami — One Star

Cuisine: Korean/Steakhouse
Owner Simon Kim and his team know what they’re doing in this highly stylized Korean steakhouse, which almost feels like a temple to beautifully marbled and aged beef, much of it on display in a nearby room.

 

The Den at Sushi Azabu Miami — One Star

Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
Tucked away in the Stanton South Beach hotel, through Sushi Azabu’s dining room and behind a sliding door, is this intimate temple to sushi. Fish flown in a few times a week is treated and dressed minimally, often with just a single brush of nikiri.

 

Elcielo Miami — One Star

Cuisine: Colombian
The menu offers diners a taste of traditional Colombian cuisine presented in a modern and dramatic manner. Colombian-born chef Juan Manuel Barrientos’ culinary artistry has garnered international fame, with various locations globally, including Washington, DC.

 

Hiden — One Star

Cuisine: Japanese
This spot is indeed hidden in the thick of bustling Wynwood. Chef Shingo Akikuni sticks to tradition, sourcing most of his product from Japan—beautiful slabs of tuna, sweet botan ebi, and generous portions of uni are highlights of a tasting menu that never feels stuffy or overly reverent.

 

Le Jardinier Miami — One Star

Cuisine: French
Stylish from head to toe, this dining room is a celebration of the seasons. The menu is a study of vibrant tastes and smart compositions that pack big flavor minus the heaviness.

 

Los Félix — One Star

Cuisine: Mexican
This is cooking that sends guests on a gustatory trip—at the hands of servers who are armed with ample information about the provenance of each ingredient. Recent highlights have included hearty pork cheek carnitas with a myriad of salsas and snapper crudo topped with shavings of jicama and avocado aïoli.

 

Stubborn Seed — One Star

Cuisine: Contemporary
Stubborn Seed is sexy and sleek with its industrial chic décor and glass-fronted display kitchen. Chef Jeremy Ford brings the heat, and his ambitious and brashly creative cooking is best enjoyed by way of the tasting menu.

 

The Surf Club Restaurant — One Star

Cuisine: American
Located within this elegantly restored landmark and now in league with the Four Seasons, The Surf Club is a prime location for Thomas Keller’s first Florida venture. Sauces are what this team does best, starting with the scallop crudo with buttermilk-basil dressing and followed by the brilliantly reimagined Maine lobster thermidor with sauce Américaine.

Orlando

Capa — One Star

Cuisine: Steakhouse
At the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World, this steakhouse flaunts a decidedly Spanish accent. Kick things off with ace tapas before indulging in a main dish, like flame-kissed ribeye with tamarind-ancho sauce.

 

Soseki — One Star

Cuisine: Sushi/Fusion
This tiny operation, with chef Mike Collantes at the helm, is an ideal illustration of a contemporary meal expressed by way of an omakase. A laser-like focus on local Florida produce results in a menu that changes monthly.

 

Kadence — One Star

Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
The omakase opens with hot dishes and cool sashimi. This is food that’s free-spirited, yet manages to honor the classic methods. Pacing is on point in sashimi like hamachi and hirame. Nigiri, like snapper with lemon and sea salt, will have you yearning for more.

 

Knife & Spoon — One Star

Cuisine: Steakhouse
This iteration from chef John Tesar inside the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is the picture of plush. Care and skill are the hallmarks of this team, as they turn out contemporary steakhouse fare woven with seafood.

Knife & Spoon © Don Riddle/Knife & Spoon

Knife & Spoon © Don Riddle/Knife & Spoon

Hero image: L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami © L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami

Images & Media Release: Written by The MICHELIN Guide

 

Rubio, Scott Lead Resolution Recognizing Anniversary of Terrorist Attack at Pulse Nightclub

By
Flagler News Weekly
-

Washington, D.C. (June 8, 2022)— U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) led a resolution recognizing the anniversary of the terrorist attack at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida on June 12, 2016, honoring the 49 innocent lives lost in that senseless tragedy. The resolution passed the Senate unanimously.

Rubio also submitted a statement to the congressional record. The full text is below.

Mr. President: This weekend will mark six years since 49 of our fellow Americans were killed in one of the deadliest attacks in our nation’s history.

It was a tragic, despicable terrorist attack on the Hispanic and gay communities in Orlando. Each person killed was a son or daughter, brother or sister, mother or father, husband or wife. They were part of our families and communities.

The assault on Pulse was an act of pure evil that was and remains the worst terror attack on U.S. soil since September 11, 2001. And it was inspired by the same ideology of hate.

But ultimately, that hateful ideology failed to tear apart our community.

June 12, 2016 is a day that I will never forget. The senseless, tragic loss of life will never dull with time, nor will the memory of how our communities came together in the days and weeks that followed.

Pulse was a well-known nightclub in Central Florida. It was part of the fabric of the local community, and that awful day struck a terrible blow. But the community awoke from the tragedy stronger and more united than it was before.

The terrorist would have been horrified to see the First Baptist Church in Orlando—another pillar of the local community—opening its doors to the LGBT community, welcoming them and their families, and holding services there.

The terrorist would have hated to see Floridians from all across the state bringing
food and water to support victims, families, and first responders.

There were unending lines to donate blood. There were memorial services around the state.

There was a sense that there was something greater than any one person worth sacrificing for—there was a sense of community, fellowship, and solidarity. This is the America I know and love, and it is our country at its best.

Sunday will be a day for reflection, for remembering those who lost their lives to an evil, hateful ideology. It will also be a day to acknowledge the tremendous impact their families and the survivors have had, not only on their community and state, but on our nation.

And while the fight against evil and hate continues, we can and should take inspiration from their strength.

Media Release: Office of US Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
Image: Florida Politics

Sheriff Staly Elected as President of Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association

By
Flagler News Weekly
-

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly is honored to have been elected as the President of the Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association (FDSA) with his term beginning in July 2022. Sheriff Staly previously was the Vice President for FDSA for two years.

“I’m honored to have been elected as the President of the Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “This is a great organization that supports Florida’s Deputy Sheriff’s and I’m proud to be a part of it. The Florida Deputy Sheriff’s Association upholds a standard of excellence that I believe in and I am excited to start my term in July as the President of this prestigious organization and carry-on the tradition of providing support and improved benefits to our members.”

The mission of the Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association is to establish a network of knowledge, promote professionalism, support law enforcement and detention deputies and employees of Florida Sheriffs.

Made up of 11 executives as the Board of Directors, the Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association is committed to providing a foundation of education and cohesiveness throughout the state. Today, the FDSA is the largest association of Deputy Sheriff’s in the country with over 16,000 Florida members.

The Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association is a not-for-profit association that was established in 2008 by Sheriffs to provide comprehensive benefits and a professional network, as well as camaraderie and a communications forum for Sheriffs’ Office staff. Membership is available to the more than 40,000 staff, volunteers and retirees of Sheriffs’ Offices throughout Florida. The association provides insurance policies, legal benefits, training and other services to deputies and staff that may not otherwise be available to Sheriff’s Office personnel.

For more information of the Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association, click here.

 

Palm Coast Fire Department: The Passing of the Torch

By
Danielle Anderson
-

Palm Coast, FL (June 9, 2022) Cheers of congratulations went up from colleagues and co-workers who have known Battalion Chief Kyle Berryhill over his 17 years of service to the city of Palm Coast as his name was announced to become Palm Coast’s next fire chief on Tuesday night during the city council’s business meeting.

With big shoes to fill, Berryhill will follow the respected and admired Palm Coast Fire Chief Jerry Forte upon his retirement this fall. In service since 1990, Forte grew misty eyed when thinking about what comes next after 32 years of service.

“I started in 1990 and entered into the career service in 1992,” said Forte.

“There are so many boxes that I can check, but at the end of the day, it’s the people. All of the people that leave their families to give their all for strangers that they don’t know, because that is what they want to do, when you have a group of people of this caliber, it’s not work. When you go to your job, it’s another family, and that’s how I’ve been looking at it for years.”

Palm Coast Battalion Chief Kyle Berryhill and Palm Coast Fire Chief Jerry Forte share a moment after the announcement during the Palm Coast City Council meeting on June 7, 2022. (Flagler News Weekly)

Forte has been working with Berryhill on the administrative side to help prepare to lead the department, something Forte says he’s well-equipped to do.

Forte is a bedrock in the City of Palm Coast’s administration, providing a steady hand through turbulence and sharing his expertise during times of uncertainty. Forte’s confidence in the ability of Denise Bevan to serve as the city’s interim manager was shared by the city council, and Bevan went on to earn the permanent position in 2022.

Vetting and mentoring Berryhill, Forte has the same confidence in his ability to lead the next generation of firefighters for the city.

“When you’re in a position of responsibility and you have to ensure that the organization carries on, no matter what, you look for those folks that are skilled and specialized,” explained Forte.

“Kyle is the all-around entity that can carry the load. He’s got street credentials with the folks working on the trucks, he’s administratively brilliant, he’s able to master all the tasks needed to be a leader. For me, leaving an organization in such a condition, I know that they’re going to do well with his leadership. The staff is very supportive of him and he’s very supportive of the staff.”

A round of backslapping and congratulations echoed just outside chambers in city hall as members of the fire department surrounded the two men after the announcement, demonstrating the deep feeling both have inspired.

“It’s great to work with people you really care about and to be a person that helps people on a day that they have a tough day,” said Berryhill. “I’ve learned to lead from the front. To make sure that there is never a job that is too small and to really trust the people that are out on the streets every day that are really the tip of the spear for protecting our community in the Palm Coast Fire Department.”

“We feel really good about where we are today and the future of our department.”

The Transfer of Command ceremony is scheduled for October 14, 2022.

New Phase of State Road 100 Pedestrian Bridge Construction to Begin – Expect Periodic Lane Closures

By
Flagler News Weekly
-

June 8, 2022 – A new phase of construction for the soon-to-be pedestrian bridge that will cross over State Road 100 begins Thursday (June 9) when crews begin to install beams across the roadway.

“We are very excited about the progress of the future Graham Swamp Pedestrian Bridge and trail,” said County Engineer Faith Alkhatib. “This scope of work will take about one week to complete and will require periodic lane closures.”

Motorists will encounter nighttime lane shifts on June 12 and 13.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience during this period of construction of the new enhancements to the Flagler County trail system,” Alkhatib said.

The bridge, along with its associated trails and sidewalks that round out the project, link the Lehigh Trail, Old Kings Road sidewalk, conservation lands in Graham Swamp, and the Flagler County owned property known as Bulow “Parcel D,” which has potential for future trails.

The $9.48 million pedestrian bridge construction project that is situated east of Interstate 95 and Old Kings Road is largely funded from federal sources. It includes the construction a 1.6 mile paved “shared-use” path – 12 feet in width – that will go through the Graham Swamp Conservation Area from just south of State Road 100 to the Lehigh Trail. There will be an 8-foot-wide concrete sidewalk along the south side of State Road 100 that will connect with the existing sidewalk along Old Kings Road.

The crowning feature is currently under construction – an enclosed pedestrian bridge spanning the four-lane divided highway, which will provide a critical connection to serve pedestrians and bicyclists now and in the future.

The process for the project – that spent years on the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Alternative Priorities ranking list (also referred to as TAP projects) – began in 2018 when the Board of County Commissioners approved the $1.5 million design phase, also paid without the use of local tax dollars.

“The Engineering Department works very hard to plan ahead to meet the wants and needs of our community,” Alkhatib said. “It’s better to plan for the future, rather than react once the need is there. We know our residents embrace Flagler County’s outdoor amenities and trails.”

Media Release: Flagler County. Julie Murphy, MPIO

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Flagler News Weekly Editor: Danielle Anderson Published by Sunrise Media Group, LLC ©Flagler News Weekly, All Rights Reserved.
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