- October 7, 2024
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Former Flagler County Commissioner Charlie Ericksen Jr. was a staunch Republican who didn’t care about party politics, according to those he worked with him and knew him well.
“He was one of those rare fellows who simply governed. He was not driven by political expediencies, which is a hard thing to do in our two-party system. That was his outstanding trait,” said Bob Updegrave, a former chairman of the Flagler County Republican Executive Committee.
Ericksen died at age 80 on Monday, July 31, in the Orlando area, where he had recently moved. He served two four-year terms as a county commissioner from 2012 to 2020.
Commissioner David Sullivan, announced Ericksen’s death at a Commission workshop on July 31.
In a phone interview with the Observer on Aug. 1, Sullivan said Ericksen was a traditional Republican.
“He believed government wasn’t the answer to all problems, but he also felt it was important to follow the rules that was agreed to. He was very interested in doing the right thing and was representative of all the people,” Sullivan said.
Ericksen was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on Jan. 27, 1943. He graduated from the University of Connecticut where he was a cadet in the Army ROTC program. As a first lieutenant, he served stateside during the Vietnam War, informing families that their loved ones had been killed or were missing in action. He received the U.S. Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service.
He worked in the insurance industry for 35 years before moving to Palm Coast in the early 2000s. He first ran for office in 2011, losing in the Palm Coast mayoral race to Jon Netts. In 2012, he defeated incumbent Alan Peterson by 138 votes in the Republican primary for the District 1 County Commission seat. There was no general election.
He had the courage and the sensibility to govern despite the political ideological pressures of the day.” — BOB UPDEGRAVE, former Flagler County Executive Committee chair.
“It was a very close election,” Updegrave said. “I and a gang of others supported him. I believe almost every other Republican in Flagler County came to appreciate his service on the Commission. He grew as a statesman on the job. He had the courage and the sensibility to govern despite the political ideological pressures of the day.”
Ericksen was passionate about issues involving seniors, young people and the disadvantaged. He attended every graduation of the Flagler Drug Court, he chaired the Carver Center Governance Board. He served on the Circuit 7 Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, the Flagler County Department of Juvenile Justice Council, the School Planning Oversight Committee and the Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board.
“He was involved in a lot of social services,” Sullivan said. “He was concerned about too much growth without preserving the environment. He really loved the county and he liked being here. He was tough. He would stick to his guns. As county commissioners, we deal with a multitude of issues. He paid attention and was up to speed with what was going on.”
Former Commissioner George Hanns said Ericksen was always quick with a joke to lighten the mood when discussions got tense.
“He was very good at being the voice of reason," Hanns said. “He was one of the most reliable, honest, dedicated commissioners you'd want to work with."
Flagler Republican insider Ed Fuller, who became a close friend of Ericksen's, said the commissioner was a big supporter of the Flagler Youth Orchestra, never missing a performance.
“He got great delight in that,” Fuller said. “He just loved the kids. He believed in that program.”
Ericksen was an avid bicyclist, who kept track of his mileage. In 2014, his odometer displayed 24,902 miles, equal to the circumference of the Earth.
Sullivan said Ericksen is one of the reasons there are so many bicycle paths in the county.
“He really supported those efforts,” Sullivan said.
Ericksen began having health problems in early 2015 starting with surgeries to alleviate bleeding on the brain and a gallbladder removal. Less than a month later, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Fuller would drive him to his radiation treatments.
“When he was ill, I never heard him complain,” Fuller said. “It was never about his maladies. He had a real sense of purpose. He was always looking for solutions. He didn’t have time for people who didn’t want to help make things better. He’s the kind of guy they make movies out of. He was always trying to do the right thing.”
He was very good at being the voice of reason.He was one of the most reliable, honest, dedicated commissioners you'd want to work with." — GEORGE HANNS, former Flagler County commissioner
Despite his health issues, Ericksen won re-election in 2016 with over 54% of the vote.
“Charlie didn't run campaigns,” Updegrave said. “His reelection campaign consisted of two boxes of business cards that said ‘Reelect Charlie Ericksen.’ He didn’t operate campaigns. He didn’t have to. By the time he stood for reelection, everyone knew him.”
County Commissioner Greg Hansen stayed in touch with Ericksen until he moved.
“He was a real pleasure to serve with because he was a real gentleman,” Hansen said. “He was so thoughtful and caring. He’s all you can ask in a commissioner. He did his homework. He was always ready for the meetings, which takes a lot. We’re going to miss him.”
