Litter Reduction Campaign Launches as Pilot Program at River to Sea Preserve

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May 9, 2021

St. Johns/Flagler County, FL – The United States ranks second in participation when it comes to the annual International Coastal Cleanup each September, helping as part of a global effort to remove more than 20 million pounds of trash and debris from the oceans and waterways in 2019.

As part of an effort to make a cleaner Earth an everyday activity, the Friends of A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway, Inc. are launching the first pilot location along the nationally designated All-American Road for the “Pack It In, Pack It Out – Be An A1A Scenic Byway Star” campaign. The organization was awarded a grant to help with the efforts by the Delores Barr Weaver Grassroots Grants Endowment at the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida on April 23rd.

Aiming to reduce trash and debris along the scenic byway’s waterways and shorelines, trash cans are being removed on June 1^st from the River to Sea Preserve, to encourage visitors to take their trash with them rather than leaving it on the beach or boardwalk.

Spearheading the campaign, Friends of A1A Vice President Adam Morley has long been an advocate for the reduction of single use plastics and anticipates a change in habits will result in a change in the amount of litter found along the byway.

“The great thing about this program is that it’s nothing new,” said Morley. “It’s been successfully implemented elsewhere in local, state and federal parks. We just need the public to know and understand what’s happening, so they can plan and prepare.”

Flagler Beach has already begun implementing the changes, inspired by Morley’s local advocacy, in their community to great success according to Flagler Beach City Commissioner Eric Cooley.

“There were numerous issues with cans being directly on the beach,” said Cooley. “First they couldn’t hold enough trash and as a symptom, would end up having large piles of trash on the sand from overflow or misses. They were not covered and trash tended to blow out of them.”

“We ideally want folks to remove everything from the beach that they bring onto it,” he said. “So far it has been a huge success and trash on the beach has been greatly reduced. We are hoping that once the learning process is complete and combined with the new littering ordinance we are rolling out shortly, this will put a stop to any trash on our beautiful beach.”

A corresponding educational campaign will be launched throughout the A1A Scenic Byway communities by the Friends of A1A and supporting stakeholders to help the public better understand the benefits of the Pack It In, Pack It Out project.

For more information, visit www.scenica1a.org.

Residents Urged to Plan Through National Hurricane Preparedness Week May 9-15

By

Flagler News Weekly

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May 8, 2021

Flagler County is encouraging residents and businesses to make preparations through National Hurricane Preparedness Week, which is May 9 through 15.

“We are less than a month away from the June 1^st start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season,” said Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord. “While the majority of Atlantic hurricanes occur between August and October, hurricanes can occur at any time during the season – and sometimes outside of hurricane season.”

The National Weather Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has established daily preparedness themes to guide the process: Determine Your Risk; Develop an Evacuation Plan; Assemble Disaster Supplies; Get an Insurance Checkup; Strengthen Your Home; Help Your Neighbor; and, Complete a Written Plan.

Residents and businesses should be prepared year round for any type of natural or manmade disaster by having a well-stocked emergency supply kit, creating an emergency plan, and by getting informed about what to do in a disaster.

While hurricanes have the greatest impact along the coastline, they are not just a coastal problem. Strong winds, tornadoes, and inland flooding can create hazards throughout Flagler County. Flooding in western reaches of the county can also be affected by the storm tides, including areas along Crescent and Dead lakes.

“Now is a good time to find out if you live in an evacuation zone,” Lord said. “Do this when no storms are threatening and keep it somewhere where it’s easy to find, like on the refrigerator.”

Zones are alphabetically named A, B, C, D, and F. Do not confuse zones B and F with the Palm Coast neighborhood sections. This information is available using the Flagler County Neighborhood App and typing the address in the upper left-hand search bar. This application is also accessible through the smart device app – U Gov Flagler – which is available as a free download for both iPhone and Android platforms.

Information about building disaster kits, developing emergency plans, and general information of disaster preparedness can be found at www.FlaglerCounty.org/emergency or by contacting the Emergency Management Office at 386-313-4200.

Additionally, for those who are looking to build or restock their disaster kits, May 28 through June 3 will LIKELY be a Disaster Supply Sales Tax Holiday. Get more information at towards the end of the month at www.floridarevenue.com/DisasterPrep or on the county’s social media pages.

Follow “Flagler County Government” or “Flagler County Emergency Management” on Social Media:

Flagler County Government

Facebook.com/FlaglerCountyGovernment

Flagler County Emergency Management

Media Release: Julie Murphy, MPIO

Operation C.A.R.E. Wave Gets Results in Flagler County

By

Flagler News Weekly

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May 8, 2021

On May 5^th, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) joined forces to participate in Operation C.A.R.E. Wave, a county and statewide traffic enforcement operation focusing on Crash Awareness and Reduction Efforts (C.A.R.E.).

During the operation, the agencies reported making a total of 76 traffic stops resulting in 64 NonCriminal Citations and 1 felony arrest in Flagler County. The FCSO also responded to 4 crashes during the operation.

“I want to thank the Florida Highway Patrol for partnering with us and contributing to the success of Operation C.A.R.E Wave,” Sheriff Staly said. “Reckless driving behaviors are extremely dangerous and will not be tolerated in Flagler County. We look forward to continuing to work together with the Florida Highway Patrol and our neighboring agencies to keep roads safe in Flagler!”

In addition to operations like this, in March 2021, the FCSO kicked-off Operation T.I.D.E.S., a year long countywide traffic enforcement operation focusing on deterring Texting while driving, Impaired driving, driving while Distracted or Exhausted, and Speeding (T.I.D.E.S.) with Bunnell PD, Flagler Beach PD and FHP.

In 2020, Flagler County experienced an increase in fatal crashes and crashes with injuries and the data revealed the majority of these crashes occurred on state roads. The focus for operation T.I.D.E.S. will be state roads including Interstate 95, US-1, SR-11, SR-100, and SR-A1A. A joint operation is planned for each month in 2021.

Media Release:

Date: 5/7/2021

Prepared by: Shannon Martin

Phone and Email: 386-281-9733; martin@flaglersheriff.com Release #: 2021-60

Palm Coast Business & Professional Networking Celebrates 20 Years

By

Danielle Anderson

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May 8, 2021

dl2 — Current director Jay Scherr is joined by Bill McGill, a member from the organization's early days, and Jack Corbett, a member since 2007, for the 20th anniversary celebration of the Palm Coast Business & Professionals Network at Cypress Knoll Golf Club on Thursday evening.

Palm Coast, FL – Business networking groups come and go, often starting as a true networking opportunity, but later devolving into little more than a social club, losing members who can’t afford to carve out valuable time to mix and mingle.

Looking back on the Palm Coast Business & Professional Network, an organization he joined when it was just getting off the ground, Bill McGill, an electrical engineer by trade, says membership in the organization was highly valued, and some leads producers could bring up to a dozen business opportunities to the table each week.

“He brought 10 or 12 every meeting – his name was Nick Beretta,” recalls McGill who left Miami to open A to Z Electric Motor Repair in Palm Coast. “I came here and I had no clients, nothing. He got me two or three jobs a week. He knew everybody.”

Stopping in on Thursday evening as the organization marked 20 years in operation with a celebratory dinner and trivia at Cypress Knoll Golf Club, he was greeted warmly by longtime members like Jack Corbett, twice a past director of the Palm Coast Business & Professional Network.

Joining in 2007, Corbett is a member because it’s not just a social club – it’s a true referral network.

“This is the longest standing networking group, and it’s home grown,” said Corbett. “It’s not sponsored by the chamber, it’s not BNI. We’re a nonprofit, homegrown business group and I think that’s what makes us strong,” he said.

“We track our referrals and that’s the whole purpose of taking the time and a little bit of money, and meeting for one hour a week. Once you deepen the relationships and people trust you, they’re more likely to refer you.”

The relationship building aspect of the organization allows him to assess fellow members, and as a realtor, make recommendations to clients new to the area, when they turn to him for guidance.

“As a realtor, customers ask me for stuff all of the time – ‘where can I get blinds for my house, do you know anybody that can do my taxes, where is a good salon I can go to?’. They’re always looking for things like that and as their trusted realtor, they ask me so I’m able to pump out a lot of referrals to people in the group,” shared Corbett.

Writing his first check to the Palm Coast Business & Professional Network in May 2001, locksmith Daryl Lore, owner of Coastal Lock Service said it’s the only organization he’s a member of, and the connectivity was instrumental when he launched his business 20 years ago.

Daryl Lore, owner of Coastal Lock Service, has been a member of the Palm Coast Business & Professional Network since 2001.

“In 2001 I’d just retired out of the Navy and started my own business, so I joined it basically for the camaraderie and to meet people,” shared Lore. “It’s just taken off since. Referrals and giving everybody referrals, it’s just been a tremendous thing. I didn’t think I was going to make it the first year and they helped me out a lot.”

Each member’s story resonated with other past and present members, as anecdotes were shared during dinner.

Currently serving as the organization’s director, since joining two years ago, Jay Scherr’s enthusiasm has put him on the fast track with members, and the business coach brings high energy with a laser focus that exemplifies the organization’s professional core values.

“Our core values really are giving and serving, supporting one another,” he said.

“Education is incredibly important to us, as is serving the community, always raising the bar and looking at ways we can share best practices, ways we can help one another grow and ways they can scale their businesses effectively, and just be a referral partner for one another. We are intentional about our vetting process, making sure the very best, top rated companies are coming into this group.”

The Palm Coast Business & Professional Network meets Thursdays from 7:30 am to 9:00 am at Carrabba’s in Palm Coast.

Featured Photo: Current director Jay Scherr is joined by Bill McGill, a member from the organization’s earliest days, and Jack Corbett, a member since 2007, for the 20th anniversary celebration of the Palm Coast Business & Professional Network at Cypress Knoll Golf Club on Thursday evening.

Sheriff Staly Serves as Detention Deputy for National Corrections Officer and Employees Week

By

Flagler News Weekly

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May 7, 2021

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) has joined in the national celebration of correctional personnel the week of May 3 – 9. National Correctional Officers and Employees Week is celebrated each year to bring recognition to the dedicated individuals serving in the corrections profession.

Sheriff Rick Staly showed his support for correctional personnel by becoming a Detention Deputy at the Flagler County Inmate Facility yesterday evening. While at the ‘Green Roof Inn’, the Sheriff served on duty to supervise inmates, screen visitors, serve dinner, monitor the control room, and book any offenders who are brought in on his watch.

“Detention Deputies and staff are deserving of praise and respect. Not only are they keeping watch over the offenders in our jail, but they’re also training, teaching, and mentoring those inmates so that they can work to rebuild their lives,” Sheriff Staly said. “I am very thankful to have such a wonderful group of men and women acting in such a vital role in our agency. “

Earlier this week, the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners read a proclamation at their board meeting on May 3rd recognizing May 3 -9, 2021 as National Correctional Officers & Employees Week. Chief Daniel Engert and his detention leaders were present for the reading.

National Correctional Officers Week is observed annually during the first full week of May. The week was designated by President Ronald Reagan under Proclamation 5187 enacted on May 5, 1984. It is designed to provide correctional employees the respect and recognition that they deserve.

Media Release:

Date: May 6, 2021

Prepared by: Shannon Martin

Phone and Email: 386-281-9733; martin@flaglersheriff.com Release #: 2021 – 95

ACLU Florida to Host Darnell Lamont Walker on May 11th for Racial Justice Speaker Series

By

Flagler News Weekly

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May 7, 2021

MENTAL HEALTH IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY

Darnell Lamont Walker will discuss challenges surrounding mental health in the Black community as a part of our Chapters’ racial justice speaker series.

Tuesday, May 11, 6:30 p.m. EST

Online via ZOOM

Upon registration, you will receive an email containing the ZOOM meeting details.

Meeting Details

RSVP TODAY

Please note: This link will take you to a third-party website, zoom.com.

Darnell Lamont Walker is an award-winning writer, filmmaker, and artist. He is a native of Charlottesville, Virginia. He is currently living between South Africa and North Georgia, and hitching himself around the globe, collecting stories and recipes to share. He’s a creator of children’s media content with 9 Story Media Group, a writer for shows like “Blue’s Clues & You,” and the coming Netflix animated series, “Karma’s World.” Having found the intersection where a degree in communication and culture and his art meet, he is currently touring and lecturing on strategies and approaches of effective leaders based on film and television classics.

His first film, “Seeking Asylum,” explores safe spaces around the world for Black Americans seeking to escape American injustice. Next, Darnell created “Outside The House,” exploring mental health in the Black community, and his latest, “Set Yourself on Fire,” a film about rape and sexual assault around the world. It is his goal to continue to develop and empower people and communities around the world.

RSVP to let us know if you can make it.

Information provided by Flagler County Branch NAACP – Unit 5417

Meet & Greet For Flagler Beach City Manager Set for May 18th

By

Flagler News Weekly

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May 6, 2021

Flagler Beach, FL – The Flagler Beach City Commission cordially welcomes the public to a

“Meet & Greet” with our new City Manager, Mr. William Whitson, on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. The “Meet & Greet” will be held at Wickline Park, located at 315 South 7^th Street in Flagler Beach. Light refreshments will be served.

Mr. Whitson officially started his tenure with the City of Flagler Beach on May 1, 2021 and he brings a wealth of knowledge and professional experience to our City. The Flagler Beach City Commission wanted to afford our community with the opportunity to “Meet & Greet” Mr. Whitson and his wife Becky in a relaxed and informal setting.

Please join us in welcoming William and Becky Whitson to Flagler Beach and show them first-hand what a friendly and hospitable community we have here in Flagler County. If you have any questions about the “Meet & Greet”, please feel free to contact Flagler Beach Commissioner Jane Mealy by phone at (386) 679-3698, or via e-mail at jmealy@cityofflaglerbeach.com

Media Release: Flagler Beach, Police Chief Matt Doughney

Flagler Tourism Office Celebrates National Travel & Tourism Week with Salute to Local Industry Employees

By

Flagler News Weekly

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May 6, 2021

Flagler County’s tourism office – Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches – will celebrate this year’s National Travel and Tourism Week (May 2-8) with salute to local industry employees who work so hard year round to make visitors’ experiences memorable.

This year’s theme emphasizes the “Power of Travel,” and Tourism Executive Director Amy Lukasik could think of no better tribute than to honor tourism and hospitality employees, frontline workers, with a small travel bag with a branded luggage tag, and a variety of goodies.

“Our office felt it was important to direct all our efforts to thank the folks that show up day in and day out to service our visitors,” Lukasik said. “Flagler County received a very high customer service satisfaction rating – a 9.1 out of 10 – from visitors who were polled in 2020.”

The Tourism Office also coordinated with the City of Flagler Beach to have message boards at the bridge with an acknowledgement to tourism and hospitality workers.

“Despite the hardships of the last year, Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches is ready and eager to welcome back visitors and help drive Flagler County’s recovery efforts,” Lukasik said. “National Travel and Tourism Week is an opportunity to remind residents and visitors of the incredible contributions of the travel industry not just to our local economy and workforce, but to our community’s identity and culture.”

Travel and tourism significantly affects the economy of Flagler County, supporting over 5,000 jobs in 2020, generating over $4 million in economic impact by visitor spending and bringing in over $2.3 million in revenue solely from the bed tax in 2020.

National Travel and Tourism Week, the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry, will spotlight the critical role that travel will play in driving economic recovery efforts and building the path forward.

Celebrated annually the first full week in May, National Travel and Tourism Week was created by Congress in 1983 to elevate the economic power of travel in the U.S. The 38th annual celebration arrives at an opportune moment to recognize the importance to the U.S. economy of initiating a post-pandemic travel recovery.

“National Travel and Tourism Week takes on a special significance this year as the travel industry looks to rebound quickly from the pandemic and accelerate recovery efforts,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. “The past year was incredibly challenging, but we saw the full power of the travel industry on display in the way we united and supported one another through this crisis.”

Before the pandemic, travel generated $2.6 trillion in economic output, supported 17 million American jobs and delivered a $51 billion trade surplus to the U.S. – evidence of the outsized role the industry will play in America’s broader economic recovery, according to Dow.

Visit www.ustravel.org/NTTW to learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week.

Media Release: Flagler County, Julie Murphy MPIO

Governor DeSantis Executive Order 21-102 & Face-Masks inside City Facilities

By

Flagler News Weekly

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May 5, 2021

Flagler Beach, FL –May 5, 2021 – In accordance with Governor DeSantis Executive Order 21-102

(Suspending All Remaining Local Government Mandates and Restrictions Based on the COVID-19 State of Emergency), which was issued on May 3, 2021, face-masks in City of Flagler Beach facilities are no longer required.

The wearing or not wearing of face masks as we move forward during the pandemic is a personal decision, and one that we respect. The City of Flagler Beach strongly recommends the wearing of face-masks in our City facilities, but again, they are no longer required.

In Executive Order 21-102, Governor DeSantis states, “WHEREAS, in light of these recently enacted reforms, the widespread vaccination of Florida residents, and the sufficient supply of vaccines for all eligible Florida residents, I find that it is necessary for the State of Florida to enhance its rapid and orderly restoration and recovery from the COVID-19 emergency by preempting and suspending all remaining local emergency restrictions on individuals and businesses and to return day-to-day life back to normal everywhere in the State”.

The health, safety and welfare of our community is our top priority, and based on the aforementioned Executive Order, we as a city will only strongly encourage our citizens and visitors to wear face-masks while inside City facilities.

Media Release: City of Flagler Beach, Police Chief Matt Doughney

FCSO Celebrates the First Permanent Home Base of the Palm Coast District Office in 40 Years

By

Flagler News Weekly

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May 5, 2021

so4 — An exciting moment as Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly and Flagler County Commission Chairman Donald O'Brien do the honors, joined by dignitaries from across Flagler County for the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the Flagler County Sheriff's Office Palm Coast location on May 5, 2021.

On May 5, 2021, the Flagler County Board of County Commissioner’s hosted the ribbon cutting of the District 2 Palm Coast Office, located at 14 Palm Harbor Village Way in Palm Coast, celebrating the milestone for the FCSO in having a permanent space in 40 years.

The new District 2 Office is the first permanent District 2 Office the FCSO has ever had. Until this point, the Sheriff’s Office Palm Coast Office has been a nomad, moving every few years since 1981 when the first Palm Coast substation was opened.

“Our staff from General Services and IT worked diligently with Sheriff Staly and his staff to take the vision that he cast for this district office, and to transform this former bank building to match that image,” Commission Chairman Donald O’Brien Jr. said.

The District Office provides a permanent location for residents to interact with FCSO, but it is also a full-service District Office. Deputies now have space to write reports, process evidence, meet residents, conduct shift briefings, interview suspects and hold training classes.

“Our team has done a tremendous job in serving the community and driving crime down,” Sheriff Staly said. “But it has been significantly more difficult to accomplish this without a work environment that is designed for the unique needs of a law enforcement agency. Today, we solved part of it. We are thankful for the first permanent Palm Coast District Office in 40 years and we look forward to this District Office providing a convenient location for providing services to our residents and visitors.”

Sheriff Staly and FCSO were honored to have many of Flagler County’s officials in attendance. Thank you to Chaplain Ed Reistetter, Flagler County Administrator Jerry Cameron, Flagler County Chief of Staff Jorge Salinas, Interim Chief of Staff Heidi Petito, Flagler County Commissioner’s Andy Dance, David

Sullivan and Donald O’Brien, Palm Coast’s Mayor Milissa Holland and City Councilman Victor Barbosa, City of Flagler Beach Commissioner Rick Belheumer, Clerk of the Court Tom Bexley and Flagler County Tax Collector Suzanne Johnston.

“There is no greater honor than to be associated with such incredible and talented people across the board,” County Administrator Jerry Cameron said. “Flagler County is incredibly blessed to have such talented and dedicated people working for them every day.”

Media Release:

Date: May 5, 2021

Prepared by: Melissa Morreale

Phone and Email: 386-529-4086 | mmorreale@flaglersheriff.com Release #: 2021-095

Featured Photo: Clerk of the Court Tom Bexley, City of Flagler Beach Commissioner Rick Belheumer, County Administrator Jerry Cameron, Sheriff Rick Staly, Palm Coast City Councilman Victor Barbosa, Flagler Commission Chairman Donald O’Brien Jr., Commissioner Andy Dance, Commissioner David Sullivan, Tax Collector Suzanne Johnston, Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland.

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