Category: News

End of Free Yard Waste and Debris Removal

Hurricane Irma impacted our community on September 11, 2017 and the City of Flagler Beach has worked diligently to pick up storm related yard waste and construction debris over the past six plus (6+) weeks.

Crowder Gulf: Disaster Recover & Relief was contracted by the City to pick up storm related yard waste and construction debris and they’ve completed their contractual obligations to our City.  Since the middle of this month our City Sanitation Department has removed additional storm related yard waste and construction debris and the time to return to normal sanitation removal has come.

Effective on Monday, October 30^th there will no longer be free removal of construction debris or excessive yard waste by our City Sanitation Department.  City Manager Larry Newsom stated “We’ve worked really hard to get our City to look like it did pre Irma and I’m very proud of the work done by our Sanitation Department”.  Newsom continued by saying “If you put out excessive yard waste now and it’s green, it’s obviously not related to Hurricane Irma”.

The City’s Sanitation Department will continue to be responsible for the removal of household garbage and recyclables, and they will follow their regular pick up schedule.

If there are any questions regarding the removal or excessive yard waste or construction debris related to Hurricane Irma please feel free to contact Flagler Beach City Hall at (386) 517-2000.

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.

“Police & Local 7-11 Partner for Gratis Vouchers to Reward Youth”

                                                                                                 

The Flagler Beach Police Department and the local beachside 7-eleven store have partnered to reward the youth of our community when they display good moral character, citizenship and community spirit.

Starting tomorrow, Tuesday, October 10, 2017, Flagler Beach Police Officers will be issuing “Gratis” vouchers that when presented to a child will allow them to receive a free ¼ lb. hot dog, a free taquito and a free single serve 7-select chips.  Two-hundred (200) “Gratis” vouchers will be distributed and are valid until December 31, 2017.

“It costs nothing to be nice to others and the definition of “Gratis” means without charge; free. This partnership will help show our children that being a good citizen, making good decisions and being friendly literally pays off” said Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney. Doughney continued by stating “Partnering with our local 7-11 to reward and reinforce the positive behavior of our kids is a great idea and it’s something we’re proud to support”.

 

The Flagler Beach Police Department is extending the “Gratis” vouchers to parents, business owners and neighbors in our community who serve as “eye witnesses” and would like to help acknowledge a child’s community spirit and good will.

 

If you know a child that you believe deserves a “Gratis” voucher, please free to contact:

Chief Doughney at (386) 517-2024 or stop by the Flagler Beach Police Department

Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.