- November 7, 2024
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The office of the Flagler County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller is prepared to give those who have overdue traffic tickets or court fines and fees a discount of at least 40 percent for two weeks, according to a Flagler County government news release.
“We are offering this program to help our residents who have tickets, fines and fees that were in collection before June 1 of this year,” Court Clerk and Comptroller Gail Wadsworth said in the news release. “This may allow some to restore their suspended driving privileges once the outstanding fines and late fees are paid.”
This special program, dubbed “Walk In Drive Out,” is available for two weeks only – from Sept. 19 through Sept. 30.
While late fees will not be waived, anyone paying tickets, fines and fees within this time period will be spared the costs of collections surcharges.
“These charges can be considerable,” Wadsworth said. “It can be as much as $82.40 on a $206 speeding ticket for going 10 to 15 mph over the speed limit.”
Those who are uncertain about whether or not they owe money to the Flagler Clerk of the Circuit Court can do a name search on the website: www.flaglerclerk.com.
“Walk In Drive Out” between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in the first floor Central Receipting Office, Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Building 1, Bunnell.
Payments will be accepted in cash, check, money order or major credit card. Third-party checks will not be accepted. Phone and online payments will also be accepted.
Suspended driving privileges cannot be restored to drivers who have overdue tickets in another county, an expired driver’s license or other misdemeanor offenses that would make them ineligible.
The Florida Commission on Ethics voted unanimously the morning of Sept. 9 for the five petitions filed by Flagler County for attorneys’ fees to be heard before a Florida administrative law judge, according to a Flagler County government news release.
Chris Anderson, the General Counsel of the commission, testified that the petitions which are seeking to recoup the resources used to defend against the ethics cases filed against commissioners Nate McLaughlin, Charlie Ericksen, George Hanns, the late Frank Meeker and County Al Hadeed were adequate to go before an administrative law judge. The complaints were dismissed by the Ethics Commission for lack of probable cause in April 2016.
“These aren’t the kind of petitions we summarily dismiss,” he said, noting that Flagler County’s petitions met the legal criteria to be heard before a judge: the complaints were filed with malicious intent and contained allegations of ethics violations known to be false or were made with “reckless disregard for the truth.”
Former Supervisor of Elections Kimberle Weeks filed two of the five complaints in December 2014 — one against Ericksen and a second against Hadeed. Mark Richter Jr. also filed two of the complaints in December 2014 — one against McLaughlin and another against Commissioner Meeker. Dennis McDonald filed the fifth complaint against Commissioner Hanns in August 2015.
Mark Herron, the Tallahassee attorney representing Flagler County on behalf of its insurer, said the petitions were a pleading to move on to an administrative law judge for a recommended order with finding of facts and conclusions of law.
Members of the Ethics Commission heard all five petitions and unanimously approved Anderson’s recommendations within 30 minutes.
Neither Weeks, Richter, nor McDonald – or their legal representatives – attended the meeting in Tallahassee. Hadeed attended with Herron as co-counsel. Hanns also was in attendance, though neither he nor Hadeed were called on to testify.
Retired Judge Tom Freeman, of DeBary, made the first motion to approve Anderson’s recommendation in the petition filed by McLaughlin with “great deference” to his opinion and said it is important for the Commission on Ethics to build up a log of cases that address attorneys’ fees.
Vice-chair and Fort Walton Beach attorney Michelle Anchors made two of the motions for approval while Daniel Brady, Miami Shores, and Jacksonville attorney Stanley Weston made the other two.
While most of Anderson’s presentations were similar, he noted that the petition filed by Hanns included a two-page response by McDonald to the Commission on Ethics about violations to his First Amendment rights.
“Defamation of character has always been an exception to free speech,” he said, adding that granting attorney’s fees also does not violate the First Amendment.
Both Hanns and Hadeed appreciated the solemnity of the process.
“I have great confidence and respect for the Ethics Commission and its stewardship of Sunshine laws,” Hadeed said. “I appreciate its professionalism.”
The Department of Administrative Hearings will set a date for the petitions to be heard before an administrative law judge.
“I appreciate the outcome,” Hanns said of the Sept. 9 meeting. “I have always believed justice will prevail.
To honor former Palm Coast City Council member and Flagler County Commissioner Frank Meeker, who died in July, the city of Palm Coast soon will be dedicating a soccer field at Indian Trails Sports Complex and a tree and garden at Central Park in Meeker’s memory, according to a city of Palm Coast government news release.
The public is invited to both dedications. The dedication of Frank Meeker Field will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, at Field 3 at the Indian Trails Sports Complex at 5455 Belle Terre Parkway. Field 3 is near the main entrance and adjacent to the concession stand on the soccer field side of the complex.
Event speakers will include members of the Meeker family; Kayla Klufas, who was one of Meeker’s soccer players in the Flagler County Youth Soccer Association; and Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts. The new sign for the field will be unveiled. Local youth soccer players will also participate, and light refreshments will be served.
The dedication of the crepe myrtle tree and garden at Central Park will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, on the pathway around the Central Park lake (near the southwest corner of the lake) at 975 Central Ave. in Palm Coast. The tree and garden at Central Park will be dedicated right before the Palm Coast City Council meeting that evening and will include a short reading.
Meeker was elected to represent District 2 on the Palm Coast City Council in 2007, filling a partial term of Council Member Jon Netts before being re-elected in 2009 for a four-year term. He was to the Flagler County Commission in fall 2012.
As an employee for ITT Community Development Corp. and the St. Johns River Water Management District, Meeker prided himself on educating residents on water supply and environmental and drainage issues. He was a well-loved youth soccer coach, mentor and volunteer. His passion for youth soccer led him to advocate for bringing more sports tournaments to Palm Coast — a strategy that has been very successful in bringing visitors and economic activity to the community.
Prior to serving on City Council, Meeker served on the city of Palm Coast’s Planning and Land Development Review Board for seven years, being elected chairman by the board for two consecutive years. After he took office at the county, he continued to be active with the city at patriotic ceremonies and other events including last fall’s grand opening of Palm Coast City Hall.
