- November 26, 2024
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The deadline to enroll as a candidate for Flagler Beach’s election ended on Friday, Jan. 12, with only Flagler Beach resident Patricia "Patti" King registered for the mayor seat.
Without any opponents in the race, King will be the city's next mayor on March 21 when she is officially sworn in. King, the executive director of the Flagler Beach Historical Museum, said she decided to run for the seat after learning Mayor Suzie Johnston was not planning on running for reelection.
King said wants to keep the community unified through the changes the city is undergoing over the next several years, and beyond.
“Change is happening every day to all of us,” she said. “So I would rather go into it with the attitude of let's manage the change and control the change, so we're not managed or controlled by the change.”
She said she knows there are those who are not happy with projects like the hotel or the beach renourishment — both projects will begin major construction work during 2024.
Her promise to the city, she said, is to maintain what Flagler Beach’s forefather’s wanted for the city.
“We don't want to lose our quirky little beach town, but it's happening,” she said.
Commission Chair Eric Cooley’s seat is the only other position up for election in March. Cooley will be running for reelection against Flagler Beach resident Robert Smith Cunningham III. The election for Flagler Beach is held on March 19.
A previous version of this story had the incorrect date for the Flagler Beach election.