- December 4, 2025
Dear Editor:
It is time to recognize Mayor Mike Norris for taking a step that can help Palm Coast move past recent turmoil and get back to the work residents expect.
Over the past eight months, the City Council has endured more than its share of controversy: allegations of verbal attacks before the election, claims of CIA wiretapping, questions about resignation requests, accusations of quid pro quo, an independent investigation, an ethics review, a failed lawsuit, two censures and a vote of no confidence.
It has been a period of disruption that has distracted from the real issues facing the city. Now, however, there is reason for optimism. Mayor Norris has withdrawn his motion for a rehearing and voluntarily dismissed his lawsuit against the city ... with prejudice. This decision allows the council and the community to turn the page and focus on priorities that matter most: drainage, water, property taxes, roads and the many responsibilities of local government.
Recent meetings have already shown improvement, with discussions becoming more productive and informative; a positive indication that, as Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri aptly stated, it is “time to get back to city business.”
Regardless of individual opinions about the mayor’s style, many residents, including myself, support the platform he ran on and the values he has promoted. Those values resonate not only within Palm Coast but across Flagler County and beyond. There are many who want to see the city grow in the right way, with residents’ needs kept at the forefront.
I commend Mayor Norris for choosing to dismiss the litigation and refocus his energy on governing. It is the right move at the right time. The residents deserve leadership that puts progress above personal disputes. With this chapter in the rearview, the city of Palm Coast now has an opportunity to move forward together.
Ron Long
Flagler County
