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HVAC Career Training for Homeward Bound Inmates – Flagler County Sheriff Growing Education for Growing Need

March 18, 2022

At Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly’s “Green Roof Inn,” a partnership born two years ago with Flagler Technical College (FTC) has officially launched its latest offering to help inmates gain new career skills so they are better prepared to successfully re-enter everyday life in Flagler County. Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly started the “Homeward Bound” program a few years ago now includes a new six-month Pre-Apprenticeship Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) program for inmates.

The first classes are taking place in the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility with five student-inmates learning new skill sets and gaining experience in the HVAC field. A majority of the courses in the 150-hour program will take place in a classroom setting in the jail. Under the watchful eyes of a Detention Deputy, the inmates will also travel to the HVAC Technology Bin (lab) at FTC during the semester to put their classroom instruction to the test.

“The students get homework assignments, they have to review their chapter work and then be prepared for the next class,” Chief of Court & Detention Services Division Dan Engert said. “The classes meet twice a week from 8 a.m. to noon. It’s set up just like any other FTC trade course.”

The goal of Homeward Bound, which now offers HVAC, as well as a Vinyl Graphics Application Program, Restaurant Certification and Landscaping is to help inmates learn new career skills skills to set them up for success once they are released back into the community. The Vinyl Graphics Application Certificate Program has already graduated four students since its inception last year.

“Programs which help meet the local workforce demands of our business community are always being explored. Our inmates, if properly trained, can eventually help satisfy them,” Staly said. “Serving time should be about more than just being locked up. These are inmates who will re-enter our community at some point in their life. If we can get them back on track to become productive members of our community it helps strengthen not only them, but their families, our businesses and our community.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the HVAC field is expected to see a 13% job growth nationwide through 2028. The median salary for specialists in the field is currently just over $50,000 annually.

The Homeward Bound initiative is made possible in part through the assistance of the instructors and curriculum of Flagler Technical College in offering job training. Upon successful completion of the program, the inmates will earn a certificate from the Florida Department of Education that can help lead to admission into FTC’s HVAC Apprenticeship Program after their release.

FTC HVAC Instructor Frank Tasmarski is new to the college and the Homeward Bound program. However, with a life-long career filled with experience in both the contractor and government side of the industry, he has a lot to offer these new students. Tasmarski spent most of his career working as a contractor and a building inspector in Connecticut.

“They really seem to want to work hard and put in the effort. That’s so much of what this kind of career is about,” Tasmarski said. “Everybody deserves a second chance. This is not only an honest job that helps pay the bills. It is a career that can change their lives and the lives of their families.”

When asked about the new class and new instructor, one Homeward Bound student quickly replied, “He’s a good teacher. He really seems to know what he’s talking about. Once you find a trade like this, you’ll have a career anywhere you go.”

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About FTC: Flagler Technical College is your local resource for career and community education. FTC is the adult division of the Flagler County School District and accredited through the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and focuses on career and technical education programs for high-demand trades to meet the business and industry needs in Flagler and surrounding counties. Students learn practical specialized skills from industry professionals in a personalized and hands-on learning environment. For more information visit our website at https://flaglertech.edu

Melissa Morreale, Public Affairs Officer

Organizational Services Division

Flagler County Sheriff’s Office

Intracoastal Bancorp Announces Annual Meeting Results

Flagler News Weekly

March 17, 2022

Daytona Beach, Florida (March 17, 2022) – Intracoastal Bancorp, Inc. held its annual meeting of shareholders on March 15, 2022 at 3:15 PM at the company’s Volusia Banking Center.

At the meeting, the following individuals were elected to serve as directors for the coming year: Dr. Pamela Carbiener, C. Scott Crews, Thomas L. Gibbs, Anand Jobalia, Albert B. Johnston, Jr., Gerald P. Keyes, Michael Machin, Bruce E. Page and Ryan T. Page.

Bank management provided a progress update highlighting the growth and success the Bank experienced in 2021. The highlights included the following:

Total assets at December 31, 2021, were $524.7 million, up $41.1 million, or 9%, from $483.6 million at December 31, 2020.

Total deposits at December 31, 2021 were $478.1 million, up 63.1 million, or 15% from $415 million, at December 31, 2020.

Total loans at December 31, 2021 were $296 million, up 13.6 million, or 5% from $282.4 million, at December 31, 2020.

Total loan production for 2021 was $143 million, up 21 million, or 17% from $122 million during 2020.

Net income for the full year 2021 increased by 12% from the full year 2020.

The Bank continues to be safe and sound with strong credit quality with no material delinquent loans and no charge offs for 2021. Management also reported the Bank has reinvested $829 million in loans in the community since opening its doors in 2008 with an estimated local economic impact of over $2.5 billion. Intracoastal’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bruce E. Page said, “Intracoastal‘s 2021 results far exceeded expectations. The Bank continues to perform significantly better than industry norms in most key areas and in overall performance. Intracoastal’s proven track record of exceptional financial results has positioned the Bank to offer our community a high quality, safe and sound, local alternative. This elite level of performance also gives Intracoastal Bank the ability to continue to grow and make loans for the betterment of the local economy and community.”

Intracoastal Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Intracoastal Bancorp, Inc. Intracoastal Bank is a locally owned and operated financial institution. Intracoastal Bank’s Flagler County banking center is located at 1290 Palm Coast Parkway, NW, Palm Coast, Florida 32137. The Bank’s Volusia County Banking Center is located at 2140 LPGA Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32117. The community bank serves the Northeast and East Central Florida area. The Bank offers a full range of deposit and loan products and services tailored to meet the needs of consumer and business customers. Intracoastal provides an unmatched client experience by offering a high-touch relationship based banking with high-tech delivery solutions. The company offers state of the art convenience through digital solutions including online and mobile banking and a 24-hour ATM network. The Bank is a state chartered commercial bank, member FDIC. Corporate information and e-banking are available at www.intracoastal.bank. They can be reached at 386-447-1662, or Facebook at https:www.facebook.com/intracoastalbank.

Media Release: Bruce Page, Chairman & C.E.O

Intracoastal Bank

Wildlife Photographer Charles Glatzer to Make Stop in Palm Coast

Flagler News Weekly

March 17, 2022

Governor DeSantis Signs Groundbreaking Legislation to Make Florida a National Leader by Eliminating High-Stakes Testing

Flagler News Weekly

March 16, 2022

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by Speaker Chris Sprowls, Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran and legislative leaders to sign Senate Bill 1048, which officially replaces the Florida Standards Assessment with progress monitoring to measure students’ growth. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Manny Diaz, Jr. and Representative Rene Plasencia, makes Florida the first state in the nation to transition fully to progress-monitoring for school accountability. Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, Florida students will have three short check-ins instead of multi-day, end-of-year, high-stakes tests for English Language Arts and Mathematics. Progress monitoring will benefit students, teachers and parents by allowing for informed instruction in a timely manner, helping instruction to be tailored to each student’s individual needs.

“While much of the country has struggled to even open schools, Florida’s education leaders are continuing to push ahead and better help students, parents and teachers to close achievement gaps,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “In three years, we have eliminated Common Core, invested approximately $2 billion to increase teacher pay, focused on literacy and created civic standards that empower our students to become great citizens. By signing this bill, we are setting an example for the nation.”

“This great legislation addresses concerns we have heard from parents and teachers about the kinds of high-stakes testing we have in our schools,” said President Wilton Simpson. “Testing is an important accountability tool for schools, teachers and students, but it doesn’t do much good to wait until the end of the year to find out a student has been having trouble. Transitioning to progress monitoring will provide more timely information about how students are doing throughout the school year so that any struggles can be addressed quickly.”

“Even while Florida is ranked third in the nation in student achievement, we refuse to stop there and simply maintain status quo because Florida kids and families deserve the best,” said Speaker Chris Sprowls. “This bill is about parents and kids — taking away the stress of a one-size-fits all test, giving each student a chance to succeed as an individual and empowering parents with the knowledge they need to help their kids reach their greatest potential.”

“I want to thank Governor DeSantis for his leadership. I am proud of the work we have done with SB 1048. Progress monitoring is going to help drive instruction and keep parents informed in real time,” said Senator Manny Diaz. “We should know how the students are doing and we should be able to provide opportunities for acceleration while reducing testing time in the process.”

“As a public school teacher who dedicated the greater part of my adult life to making sure our kids receive the best education possible, it has been an honor to now work as a legislator alongside our Governor, the DOE and Senator Diaz on this groundbreaking legislation,” said Representative Rene Plasencia. “This bill is the first step in streamlining and reducing test time in the classroom. Being able to work on this bill is the reason why I ran for office.”

“January 31, 2019, via EO 19-32, Governor DeSantis gave me clear direction to eliminate Common Core, create the best standards in the nation, elevate the quality of our curriculum, streamline testing, make Florida #1 in civics education, identify pathways to become the most literate state in the nation and most importantly in all things reflect on how students, parents and teachers interact,” said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran. “As a father of six, I know education will reach its pinnacle when we inform and empower those conversations between students, parents and teachers, and with this legislation we hit a home run. Hands down, we have the most pro-student, pro-parent and pro-teacher governor in the nation.”

In accordance with Senate Bill 1048, this school year will be the last year for the FSA. Next year, Florida will become the first state in the nation to fully transition to progress monitoring-based school accountability. The 2022-2023 school year will serve as the new baseline for school accountability, and school grades will resume the following year. This change maintains the proven, successful components of Florida’s school accountability that has seen Florida’s students grow over the last two decades, with a focus on students’ readiness and growth, especially in closing achievement gaps, but provides that information to students, parents and teachers in a more timely and actionable manner.

Today’s announcement builds on a lengthy list of achievements in education that Florida has made since 2019:

Florida has already risen to third in the nation for K-12 education according to Education Week. Florida eradicated Common Core and did so by elevating the quality and alignment of learning opportunities through creating Florida’s B.E.S.T. (Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking) Standards.
Governor DeSantis, Commissioner Corcoran and the Legislature have continually secured the highest ever K-12 public school and per-pupil spending totals in Florida’s history.
Marking the last few years as “The Year of the Teacher,” Governor DeSantis has elevated Florida as one of the top states in the nation in terms of starting teacher pay by securing approximately $2 billion in pay increases for teachers.
With Commissioner Corcoran, Governor DeSantis provided a roadmap to make Florida’s standards number one in the nation, streamlined testing and massively invested in early learning, literacy and civics education like no other state in the nation.
Florida was the first state in the nation to reopen schools in August 2020 and guarantee families had an in-person instructional option five days a week.

“Governor DeSantis’ leadership has been instrumental in many ways. This is just one of those many ways,” said Dr. Tonjua Williams, President, St. Petersburg College. “What he has done has been extremely focused on K-12, because he knew that our K-12 students are our future. If we are going to make Florida the number one workforce state, we have to build the workers and to do that, they must finish high school and finish high school on-time and prepared for the work we have laid upon us.”

“As a mother to foster children, I can attest that the current testing schedule and environment negatively impacts my children’s self-esteem, mental health and access to academic support. When I heard that our state was changing to a new system that reduces the anxiety and stress school children face, I was thrilled,” said Laney Gibney, a foster parent of two girls. “For my children, I want our schools to have an assessment that truly captures their brilliance and instills confidence in them. I want my children to enjoy school, to look forward to demonstrating how much they have learned and grown in a year, something that is tailored to their individual needs and unique skills. Thank you, Governor, for not just this bill, but everything you have done for education and the foster care system. As a foster mom of two precious girls, this means the world to me.”

“In 2021, I had a student that needed to improve her PERT score to demonstrate her college readiness,” said Zanetta Robinson, Teacher, St. Petersburg Collegiate High School – Tarpon Springs. “As a teacher, I knew I could help her reach her goal, but in 2021, our Governor Ron DeSantis reached out from his office in Tallahassee, took my hand and said, ‘Together we’ve got this. Let’s do what is right for Florida’s students, teachers and families.’ He implemented progress monitoring. Now the student had low stakes and accurate descriptions of her readiness and I had a low stakes, real time way to inform my instructional practice.”

“Every effective teacher knows that progress monitoring works,” said Daniel Walch, Math Teacher, St. Petersburg Collegiate High School – St. Petersburg. “You start with a lesson, you give assessments along the way that would determine my lesson plans and I would change my lesson plans on a daily basis and retool and relearn. That is what progress monitoring is all about, retooling and reteaching the students what they need to know and what they have lost along the way.”

Media Release: Office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

Love Bugs: Herbie Makes a Stop in St. Augustine for 53rd Anniversary

Flagler News Weekly

March 16, 2022

Details

Florida Home Builders Association Recaps 2022 Legislative Session

Flagler News Weekly

March 16, 2022

Below is a quick inventory of FHBA priority legislation identified at the start of session. These issues were lobbied by FHBA members who “took to the hill” during the 2022 FHBA Spring Conference.

Construction Defects: After negotiations between the Senate and the House continued late into the night on Thursday, March 10, it became clear that finding a deal which advanced the industry’s position and was acceptable to the House could not be crafted. Despite this, the FHBA team was successful in convincing the Senate and key House members the importance of lowering the statute of repose and revising the definition of material violation to avoid the disastrous economic consequences of nuisance suits. The work on this issue will continue.
Tortoise Sanctuaries: Language in Senate Bill 494, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission package by Sen. Hutson, establishes a process for public lands to be used as tortoise sanctuaries. Opening more lands for use of sanctuaries should reduce the costs to relocate a tortoise.
Additional Personnel for 404 Permitting: The FHBA supported and lobbied for the Governor’s budget proposal to add an additional 23 FTE’s to the Department of Environmental Protection’s 404 Permitting Operations. Budget negotiations resulted in an additional 25 positions being funded. Special thanks to Chair Senator Albritton for holding the line on the needed positions and Chair Representative Tomkow for working the House the raise the bar.
Private Inspections of Septic Tanks: Representative Fetterhoff and Senator Brodeur successfully passed legislation allowing private inspections of septic tanks. This is a much-needed provision in areas where septic tank inspections can take up to six weeks for completion.
Code Timing: Although legislation requiring energy software to be available at least 3 months prior to the effective date of the building code and the fire code to be completed and least 3 months prior to its effective date was never considered, a major concession and future strategy resulted from the bill being filed. We have a commitment from the State Fire Marshal that the fire code will be finalized at least 3 months prior to its effective date. Additionally, policymakers expressed a concern over delaying the building code because energy software (a private -market product) was not available in a timely fashion, but expressed interest in exploring the delay of the specific Energy Code if such software was not timely available.
School Concurrency: Legislation by Representative McClain and Senator Perry passed specifying proportionate-share mitigation may be set aside and not spent if improvements have not been identified, a sort of “pay-as-you-go” provision to address school concurrency.

A couple other issues of interest:

Sadowski Funding: True to the commitment made last year, the Trust Fund was not “raided” as more than $300 million was appropriated for affordable housing. In addition to the traditional SHIP and SAIL Funds, the legislature provided down payment assistance for a program called “Home Town Heroes” for first responders, teachers, and certain health care professionals.
Association Standing to File Suite Over Excess Permit Fees: Homebuilder, FHBA Member and State Representative Blaise Ingoglia added a provision specifically granting legal standing to local and state associations to file a suit against a local government for exceeding the statutorily-authorized amount for excess permit fees to HB 423 by Representative Lamarca.
Tax Package: The Legislature gave final approval to HB 7071 during the extended session along with the vote on the state budget. The omnibus bill includes a two-year sales-tax free period, beginning July 1, 2022, for impact-resistant windows, doors and garage doors. The bill also includes a two-year timeframe for a sales-tax exemption for Energy Star appliances, commencing July 1, 2022. HB 7071 also creates a “Tool Time” sales-tax free holiday, September 3-9, 2022. Tools typically utilized by skilled-trades are exempt from the tax, including hand tools, power tools, power-tool batteries, work gloves, safety glasses, coveralls, work boots, tool belts, tool boxes, vehicle tool boxes, industry text books and code books, LED flashlights, shop lights, electrical testing and voltage equipment and handheld pipe cutters, drain-opening tools and plumbing inspection equipment. HB 7071 also includes a two-week “Back-to-School” sales-tax holiday, a two-week “Disaster-Preparedness” sales-tax holiday expanded to include pet supplies, and a “Freedom Week” holiday for outdoor recreational activities and supplies, concerts, attractions, museums, theatre tickets, and pool supplies.
Condominiums: Bills filed by Senator Bradley and Representative Perez attempted to include several recommendations from the Florida Bar RPPTL Condominium Law and Policy Life Safety Advisory Task Force, however disagreement on mandatory reserve studies and whether reserves could be waived by associations and developers resulted in the legislation’s demise. Both bills would have required milestone inspections for all multifamily residential buildings three-stories or more, with more frequent inspections for buildings within 3 miles of the coast.

Palm Coast Fire Chief Jerry Forte Announces Retirement

Flagler News Weekly

March 16, 2022

Palm Coast, Florida – Palm Coast Fire Chief Gerard “Jerry” Forte formally announced his retirement at the March 15 Palm Coast City Council meeting. In a January 31, 2022 letter to Palm Coast City Manager Denise Bevan, Chief Forte shared his intentions to retire in mid-October after 32 years of service with the Palm Coast Fire Department after reflecting back on the defining moments of his career. In early March, Chief Forte shared his plans with his fire department personnel at the conclusion of a promotional pinning ceremony.

Forte joined Palm Coast Fire Department in 1990 as a volunteer firefighter at the encouragement of his brother Joe, then a Holly Hill firefighter. He became a full time firefighter under the mentorship of Chief Norman Lewis. Throughout his career in the fire service, Forte accomplished many personal and professional achievements. In 1996, he earned his Fire Instructor Certification, in which he trained and mentored firefighters throughout the region for many years. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1997, Captain in 2000, Deputy Fire Chief in 2009 and Fire Chief in 2018.

In 2019, he spent eight months as the Interim Director of Public Works to fill a leadership role until the position was filled by Matthew Mancill. Most recently, Palm Coast City Council selected Chief Forte to serve as the Interim Assistant City Manager in which he worked closely with City Manager Denise Bevan. “Among the many accomplishments celebrated as part of Forte’s legacy, the greatest may be the succession planning and mentoring program which has prepared the Palm Coast Fire Department for the next generation of officers to come and is a proven method to hire lifelong employees that place an emphasis on character first,” Bevan said. “We all wish Chief Forte the best in his retirement and thank him for his years of dedicated service.”

Forte earned the Chief Fire Officer designation from the Commission on Professional Credentialing in 2017. An honors graduate of Daytona State College’s Fire Science program, Forte also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy. He holds numerous state certifications and is a member of the Florida Fire Chiefs Association. He was the state’s 2002 Training Officer of the Year.

“For 32 years, the Palm Coast Fire Department has not only been a constant in my life but provided the stability to raise my children to see them live up to their potential. I could not be more proud of them as they now raise my grandchildren,” Chief Forte said. “This organization has also carried me during the most challenging times and raised me up to be a better person along the way. As a result, I have a loving wife, Lisa, and an expanded family that brings us happiness, joy and love.”

Jerry and his wife Lisa have four children between them and six young grandchildren. The Forte Family have deep roots within the fire service to include his brother Joe, a retired Holly Hill Fire Chief, daughter Jessica Matthews, a Daytona Beach Fire Department Battalion Chief, son Anthony, a Lieutenant with Flagler Beach Fire Department and nephew Jason, a Lieutenant with Flagler County Fire Rescue.

City Manager Bevan will appoint the next Fire Chief in the coming weeks. Chief Forte will be celebrated at a formal Transfer of Command Ceremony that is scheduled for the afternoon of Friday, October 14, 2022 at the Palm Coast Community Center.

Media Release: City of Palm Coast