Author: Keith Jones

Flagler officials: FEMA ineligibility letter not the last word

 

October 23, 2017 – Residents who have received an initial determination letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency – FEMA – ruling that they are ineligible for disaster assistance, should not consider this the last word on the matter.

 

“Don’t just accept the initial response, because every resident has the right to appeal any decision of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),” said Sally Sherman, acting Flagler County Public Safety Emergency Manager. “These appeals can relate to eligibility, the amount of help provided, a late application, a request to return money, or continuing help.”

 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends that applicants read their letters carefully, as the problem could be easy to correct. Residents who were underinsured or had uninsured losses can also appeal within 60 days by submitting the insurance settlement paperwork.

 

Mistakes should be reported immediately at the FEMA Helpline, 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-642-7585), or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center.

 

Currently, the closest Disaster Recovery Center is located at the Putnam County Fairgrounds, Building 1 – Expo Hall, 118 Fairgrounds Road, East Palatka. The listed hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

 

Letters of appeal can be mailed to:

FEMA National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

 

Appeals letters should include the following:

• An explanation about why the decision or amount is incorrect
• Full name
• Nine-digit FEMA registration number
• Four-digit disaster number (DR-4337)
• Date the appeal

Residents can also register with FEMA online at https://www.disasterassistance.gov.

      Tourist Development Office launches ‘Dodge the Dunes’ campaign in Flagler County, Florida

 

October 18, 2017 – Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches – Flagler County’s Tourist Development Office – launched an in-market campaign that its partners can use to help inform visitors about the importance of respecting the dunes to maintain the beach lifestyle that brings them here.

The public information campaign, “Dodge the Dunes,” strategically places messaging throughout Flagler County that will catch the attention of visitors and residents alike.

“Natural sand dunes play a much larger role in our community than the average beach-goer might expect,” said Amy Lukasik, who is both a Flagler County resident and the tourism and marketing director. “These wind-blown, golden dunes provide the first line of defense against storms and rough surf for homes, restaurants and hotels.”

Many of the inland waterways feed from coastal inlets, so all of Flagler County’s ecosystems are effected by the health of the dunes.

“After Hurricane Matthew, and now Irma, the community bounced back – businesses reopened and a temporary repair of State Road A1A was made,” Lukasik said. “But our dunes still needed a lot of help, and it was frustrating because it was out of our hands – we had to wait for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Department of Environmental Protection to do something.”

Dodge the Dunes focuses on simple actions that can greatly improve the health of the dunes that line the ocean’s edge:

• Avoid walking, parking or driving on the dunes or vegetation on the east side of State Road A1A.
• Only access the beach using approved stairs and access points.
• Do not walk, slide, jump, or throw items down the dunes to the beach.

The campaign will also serve as the source for information and updates when the beach renourishment projects in Flagler County begin, as well as permanent reconstruction of State Road A1A and Flagler Beach’s pier. Updates will be posted to a dedicated website, www.dodgethedunes.com, and Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/dodgethedunes.

“Businesses and organizations are welcome to join the Dodge the Dunes cause,” Lukasik said. “Selected high-traffic businesses in Flagler Beach, like 7-Eleven, have agreed to distribute free bumper stickers to promote the campaign.”

Key businesses will receive a Dodge the Dunes kit, complete with an informational handbook and other resources and assets they can distribute at will. Some 10,000 drink coasters were printed for use in local restaurants, cafes and bars.

“We have made a significant financial investment in this campaign because of the importance of our dunes,” Lukasik said. “We intend to make the same investment this fiscal year.”

“2017 Biketoberfest® & Motorcycle Safety”

 

This year marks the 25^th annual Biketoberfest® motorcycle event which begins tomorrow, Thursday, October 19th and runs through Sunday, October 22^nd.   The following information is being provided in advance of the event to educate visitors and residents with motorcycle related laws.

 

During Biketoberfest®, the Flagler Beach Police Department will be enforcing hazardous moving violations, which include but are not limited to; careless driving, aggressive careless driving, reckless driving, excessive speed, racing on a highway (drag racing) and driving under the influence (DUI).  Additionally, the following non-moving Statutes are in effect in the State of Florida and will be enforced;

 

316.211 – Equipment for motorcycles:

(2)  A person may not operate a motorcycle unless the person is wearing an eye-protective device over his or her eyes.

 

316.304 – Wearing of headsets:

(1)  No person shall operate a vehicle while wearing a headset, headphone, or other listening device, other than a hearing aid or instrument for the improvement of defective human hearing.

 

316.405 Motorcycle headlights to be turned on:

(1)  Any person who operates a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle on the public streets or highways shall, while so engaged, have the headlight or headlights of such motorcycle or motor-driven cycle turned on.

 

The goal for this year’s Biketoberfest® event is the safety of visitors and residents as well as compliance with the laws of the State of Florida.  We hope this year’s Biketoberfest® provides our visitors, residents and businesses with many happy memories and thank you in advance for helping make this year’s event a safe event for everyone.

 

If you have any questions regarding this year’s Biketoberfest®, please feel free to contact Chief Doughney at (386) 517-2020.