PALM COAST
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Sal Passalaqua and daughter Alyna Passalaqua
DONORS RECOGNIZED PAGE 4A
VOLUME 14, NO. 34
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2023
Developer proposes 850 homes Cascades developer asks to double homes to 850; Pontieri and Alfin debate growth in Palm Coast. PAGE 2A
Picture perfect
Flagler Palm Coast is victorious against Matanzas in the Potato Bowl. PAGE 3B
The Bulldogs pose for a team picture with the County Championship trophy after defeating the Pirates 28-9 on Sept. 15.
Observer office moves to site near library OBSERVER STAFF
For the first time since 2010, the Observer has a new address: 50 Leanni Way C3, Palm Coast, FL 32137. Stop by on weekdays to meet the new owners, Brian and Hailey McMillan. The red newspaper box at the former location, at 1 Florida Park Drive N., Suites 103-104, will remain for the time being. It has long been one of the most popular spots to pick up a free copy of the Observer. For a full list of rack locations, visit o bse rve rl o ca l n ews.co m /ra c klocations. Free copies will also be available at 50 Leanni Way C3. What can the Observer do for you? Let us know what you want to see in our printed pages or online. Email Publisher Brian McMillan at brian@ observerlocalnews.com. Send letters to the editor to Managing Editor Jonathan Simmons at jonathan@observerlocalnews.com.
INDEX
Calendar..................... PAGE 2B Cops Corner............... PAGE 6A The Fine Arts.............. PAGE 3B Letters.......................PAGE 12A McMillan....................PAGE 12A Public Notices............ PAGE 8B Real Estate..................PAGE 7B Sports......................... PAGE 4B Veterans....................PAGE 12A
Why Bunnell assemblies happened Former teacher explains why he proposed assemblies for Black students.
LAW ON THE BOOKS New law eases process of removing books from Volusia and Flagler County school library shelves. PAGE 3A
ANNEXATION
Palm Coast’s Pontieri floats idea of annexing Mala Compra Park in joint county workshop. PAGE 13A
Photo by Brent Woronoff
GAVIN UNDER FIRE
School Board votes to seek outside counsel on firing its own attorney. PAGE 5A
STILL GROWING
Building permits issued in Palm Coast have decreased, but residential growth has not slowed. PAGE 10A
BULOW EVICTIONS
Bulow RV Resort residents seek county government’s help as management pushes them to leave. PAGE 14A
PLAYING A COACH
Tennis coach Frank Acierno was perfectly cast in his latest movie role. PAGE 11A
PAGE 5A
Remembering Lisa Walsh The Palm Coast and Ormond Beach communities likely never knew how instrumental Lisa Walsh was in the early days of the Observer. But I knew. She was my patient and wise mentor, editing every page with me on deadline for the first year or two, on the phone, from Longboat Key. She died Sept. 14, at age 69 — way too early. Her life and life’s work are captured well in the Observer Media Group’s story: –BRIAN MCMILLAN
25 years of service From firefighter to “gentleman farmer”: Fire Department Lt. Rich Cline retires to Tennessee.
PAGE 14A
Stretch goals Seabreeze swimmers sweep Matanzas and Atlantic at tri-meet.
PAGE 5B
Crossing 100 Photos by Jake Montgomery
Matanzas’ Mandy Flaherty reaches with each stroke towards the finish.
Flagler’s new pedestrian bridge over S.R. 100 opens for public use.
PAGE 12A