- April 24, 2024
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+ Hispanic American club cancels Palm Coast festival
The Hispanic American Festival will not be held in Palm Coast’s Town Center this year. Club board member Carlos Pinto said there were many factors, including high costs from the city.
But, he said, “The biggest factors were (decreasing) attendance and not getting sponsors.”
City Manager Jim Landon said the city’s costs are fair. Last year’s costs were $1,900; this year the cost was supposed to be $2,485, but the city contributed $1,500 with a cultural grant to offset the cost.
Pinto said that the city’s requirements to have emergency staff on hand throughout the proposed three-day festival were unnecessary. For more, visit www.PalmCoastObserver.com.
+ Palm Coast candidate forum set for Aug. 23
The Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates, Flagler County Association of Realtors and Flagler Homebuilders Association will host a free political candidate forum, April 23, open to all residents.
The forum will take place at 6 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn in Town Center, with an opportunity to meet candidates at 5 p.m. David Ayres, general manager of WNZF News Radio will emcee the event.
All declared candidates have been invited to attend.
To submit anonymous business-related questions for consideration and possible inclusion in the program, email [email protected] before Aug. 5 or drop them off at the chamber, 20 Airport Road, Suite C.
Call 437-0106. Early voting begins Aug. 29, and the primary is Sept. 13.
+ Marc Dwyer to join Chiumento, Selis law firm
Following a string of office shake-ups around Flagler County, two law offices have recently announced they are joining forces.
Marc Dwyer, who ran for Circuit Judge last year out of the Knight & Dwyer firm, will be joining Chiumento and Selis as a partner, effective Aug. 1. The new name of the firm will be Chiumento, Selis and Dwyer.
Dwyer’s move is just one of many in the area of late. Scott Selis also joined the Chiumento firm this year. Livingston and Wolverton added Raven Sword last year. Michael Politis and Rue & Ziffra have added satellite offices. Philip Chanfrau opened Palm Coast Injury Law LLC.
In addition to Selis and Dwyer, the Chiumento firm also added Ron Hertel and Lew Berns this year and have hired six more staff members. Paul Guntharp has left the practice.
Dwyer’s focus in bankruptcy, family law, criminal law and litigation gives the firm a broader range of services, according to a statement from the company.
The move also helps save overhead costs, allowing the attorneys and staff to share office space and equipment.
As with many industries, the law has had to adapt to the down economy.
“We were kind of a victim of our own success in real estate,” Chiumento said. “People thought that’s all we did was real estate … We kind of got to the bottom and said, ‘What are we going to do, just sit here?’”
The firm began marketing itself as a more versatile firm. The addition of Dwyer is another step in that direction.
+ Postal inspector charged in violent dispute with brother
A 39-year-old U.S. Postal Inspector, Bryan J. Watts, was arrested July 17 as a result of a dispute with his brother, following the death of their father.
Booked with three domestic violence charges, Watts was released Monday afternoon from the Flagler County Inmate Facility, after posting a $3,500 bond.
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies said Watts had flown into Florida and traveled to his father’s Palm Coast home on Village Circle where he and his brother were to settle his father’s estate.
According to Watts, the dispute started around 10 p.m. when he went into his father’s closet to retrieve his father’s firearms. He told deputies his brother, Brent Watts, started to poke him in the chest during the argument. Bryan Watts then grabbed his brother by the throat, took him to the ground and handcuffed him.
Deputies said that when they arrived, they found Watts armed with a handgun that was secured in a belt holster. He immediately identified himself as a U.S. Postal Inspector.
Brent Watts, 43, said his brother threatened to shoot him.
Deputies reported that Bryan Watts was cooperative. A call was made to his supervisor who then requested deputies secure Bryan Watts’ badge, handgun and credentials for safe keeping. The equipment was turned over to the U.S. Postal Service.
+ Grady Prather artificial reef to be installed
As weather and sea conditions permit, Flagler County plans to deploy its 10th artificial reef, the Grady Prather reef, during the week of July 21.
Located 13.8 nautical miles out to sea, the reef will be installed in honor of Capt. Grady Prather, who dedicated his life to public service as a law enforcement officer with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. In his spare time, Prather spent countless hours leading the volunteer artificial dive team effort. Prather’s work made it possible for Flagler County to get an artificial reef site approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The project costs $71,750 and will be funded entirely through grants.
+ Second-annual Citizens Academy open to residents
Applications are now available online for the second-annual Citizens Academy, which will run from mid-September to mid-November.
Visit www.flaglercounty.org.
+ Corrections
• Palm Coast Code Enforcement was budgeted for $2.22 million in 2011. In 2012, the tentative budget is for $2.15, or a 3.1% drop.
• St. Elizabeth Ann Seton school will get a new principal.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Palm Coast City Council — the next workshop is 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, at City Marketplace.
Flagler County Board of County Commissioners — the next budget session is 9 a.m. Monday, July 25, at the Emergency Operations Center.
Flagler County School Board — the next public hearing to adopt the tentative millage/budget is 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, at the Government Services Building. The next regular meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, at the GSB.
Flagler County Tobacco Free Partnership — the next scheduled meeting will be 9 a.m. Monday, July 25, at the GSB, Room 3-B.
