PALM COAST
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 15, NO. 34
Cronk sets FPC record for sacks 6B
FREE ON NEWSSTANDS | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
First step to annexation into Flagler Beach Veranda Bay could double Flagler Beach’s population by 2044. Developer: ‘We are in the lifestyle business.’ 4A
10 candidates interviewed for District 4 seat
Remembering 9/11 Local ceremonies PAGE 1B
Danko vs. attorney argument nearly stalls City Council selection process PAGE 2A INSIDE A BETTER PIER
Flagler County approves grant improving boardwalk PAGE 5A
‘UNFATHOMABLE’
Former first responder arrested for molesting 19-year-old in back of ambulance PAGE 6A
Veteran of the Week feature on pause Of the 13,000 or so veterans in Flagler County, David Lydon interviewed 160. BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER
Due to a 60% increase in workload assisting veterans with claims in Flagler County, Veterans Services Officer David Lydon is taking a welldeserved break from writing the Veteran of the Week feature for the Palm Coast Observer, a service he has rendered for about three years. Of the 13,000 or so veterans in Flagler County, Lydon intersviewed SEE VETERANS PAGE 5A
INDEX
Business..................... PAGE 2B Calendar...................... PAGE 1B Comics ....................... PAGE 5B Cops Corner............... PAGE 6A Letters........................ PAGE 8A McMillan..................... PAGE 8A Public Notices............ PAGE 8B Sports......................... PAGE 6B Real Estate................. PAGE 3B
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Flagler Palm Coast Fire Academy students during the stair climb’s ceremony. Photo by Sierra Williams
Development, infrastructure, taxes: Candidates debate Palm Coast’s problems ELECTION 2024 Eight local, state and federal candidates met with voters at the Palm Coast Community Center. The event was hosted by the NAACP’s Flagler County chapter.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Development, infrastructure and taxes were the topics that dominated the discussion at a local nonpartisan political forum on Sept. 16. Eight local, state and federal candidates met with voters at the Palm Coast Community Center. The event was hosted by the NAACP’s Flagler County chapter. Both Palm Coast mayoral candidates — Cornelia Downing Manfre and Mike Norris — attended. Only two of the four Palm Coast City Council candidates — one from each of the District 1 and 3 races — attended, and only the Democratic candidates for the Florida State Representative District 19, the Florida State Senate District 7 and the U.S. Representative District 6 races attended as well. Adolphus Evans Jr., the NAACP Flagler chapter’s Veteran Committee chair, said the NAACP’s invitations to attend were declined by all of the absent candidates, except for the
U.S. Senate race. Neither candidate in that race responded to the invitation at all, he said. The candidates were given several prescreened questions, as well as opportunities for opening and closing statements. At the end of the session, the floor was opened for questions from attendees. The general election is on Nov. 5.
MHS Homecoming Cayla Sobin, Teddy Vanderbilt named Matanzas homecoming queen and king.
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PALM COAST’S MAYOR CANDIDATES TALK INFRASTRUCTURE
Manfre and Norris both used their time to highlight Palm Coast’s need for better infrastructure and jobs. Both candidates were given the opportunity to talk about how their experiences prepare them to be mayor, if elected. Manfre said she has a multitude of experience in the financial field, with training negotiating contracts and working with large companies. She said she is running to bring SEE FORUM PAGE 3A
Friday night lights Aubrei Sleep and Morgan Price cheer, but the Pirates lost 6-0.
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