- April 25, 2024
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Rather than trying to hold a fireworks display on July 4 — the same night as Flagler Beach's fireworks display — the city of Palm Coast, which has historically held its Independence Day celebration on July 3, will approach Flagler Beach and discuss swapping dates every year.
"It will strain not only the manpower resources of the Sheriff’s Office, but the other seven-plus entities that may be involved."
JON WELKER, FCSO Community Policing Division chief
Palm Coast city councilmen backed away from a previous proposal to hold simultaneous events after a Flagler County Sheriff's Office chief told council members at a Jan. 18 council meeting that holding the events on the same night would tax the agency's resources.
"It will strain not only the manpower resources of the Sheriff’s Office, but the other seven-plus entities that may be involved," Community Policing Division Chief Jon Welker said.
Another complication, he added, is that the local population has grown, while some other municipalities are considering canceling their events this year — raising the possibility that Flagler County could see an influx of visitors.
The FCSO could plan to handle known issues, like traffic, Welker said, but could then come up short staffed if there was an emergency, potentially having to field employees who'd been scheduled to have the day off.
Other resources could be a concern as well, Welker said: For instance, Flagler Beach and Palm Coast have each used the same traffic message board and traffic cones for their events, which wouldn't be possible if the events are on the same night.
The idea of simultaneous events had been proposed at last week's City Council meeting by Councilman Victor Barbosa, earning words of support from council members Ed Danko and Eddie Branquinho.
Danko, at the Jan. 18 meeting, said he understood that safety was of utmost importance. Echoing a suggestion made by Branquinho the previous week, he said he'd like to see Flagler Beach and Palm Coast swap back and forth on July 3 and July 4, so that each city would get to host Independence Day on July 4 every other year.
That way, Danko said, "We get to work with our neighbors, instead of fight with them."
Mayor David Alfin noted that Flagler Beach's pier — which serves as the launching area for its fireworks events — is expected to be undergoing renovations next year.
"Flagler Beach may not have a pier next year, so it may be their last hurrah," he said.
Branquinho agreed with alternating July 4 events.
"I think that’s the way to do it," he said.
Alfin said that he and interim City Manager Denise Bevan will approach Flagler Beach.
"It's always in everyone's best interest to find a common solution that fits both, actually, our one larger community," he said.
He challenged his fellow council members, city staff members and residents to read the Declaration of Independence.
"Read it for yourself. It is a fluent — it is a beautiful — piece of writing," he said. "Read it for yourself, interpret it for yourself, and make your own judgements. Don’t let others tell you what it means. Find out what it means for you. And once you're armed with that, celebrate two great days of the Fourth of July celebration here in Flagler County."
