Letter: How Palm Coast became a city

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

How Palm Coast became a city

Dear Editor:

Sept. 14 marks the 25th anniversary of the election scheduled to determine whether or not the citizens of Palm Coast would vote to incorporate as a City. Due to the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Floyd, then Governor Jeb Bush ordered an emergency postponement. The outcome of the contentious debates between the Palm Coast Home Rule Coalition (PCHRC) promoting incorporation and the Not A Done Deal Association (NADDA) opposed to the new charter would have to wait another week.

Finally, on Sept. 21, 1999 more than 60% of the nearly 12,000 voters who cast ballots on the referendum voted YES! Winning the final election on Dec. 14 were Jim Canfield, mayor; and Ralph Carter, Jerry Full, James Holland, and Bill Venne, city councilors. The group began meeting immediately and dubbed Palm Coast a “Millennium City” even though the official birthdate was still two weeks away.

For more information about “How Palm Coast Became A City” and other historical information, visit www.palmcoasthistory.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. All are encouraged to visit the Palm Coast Historical Society and Museum in Holland Park, open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1 to 3 p.m. or by appointment to learn about the past and help Keep History Alive!

Kathy M. Reichard-Ellavsky

Palm Coast Historical Society President