- November 7, 2025
Dear Editor:
In the recent past, the Observer has indulged myself and others to comment on issues negatively impacting Palm Coast. That has included poor leadership in the city manager position and in economic development. Today, Palm Coast has an opportunity to drastically correct course by choosing the correct city manager candidate.
That candidate is David Fraser. He is what cities strive to obtain in their city manager leadership: Management, economic development and visionary sides of the job, as well as excellent contract negotiation skills and excellent relations with thousands of team staff.
David Fraser brings extensive experience in dealing with community issues and issues that are at the heart of Palm Coast. Cheyenne, Wyoming, is home to a very integrated parks and rec program just like here in Palm Coast. This includes an extensive 37-mile trail system, two public golf courses (and we all know our issues around that topic), pool, Ice and Events Center, children's village, youth activity center, Kiwanis Community House, cemeteries, forestry and a host of other areas he has managed and enhanced.
Another area of concern is economic development and expanding our tax base to alleviate the tax burden on home owners. Similar to Palm Coast with U.S. 1/Interstate 95 and the railroad, David has dealt with economic development along I-80/I-25 as well as dealing with the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern and Santa Fe railways.
His position, though in a slightly smaller city than Palm Coast, included dealing with complex components to a viable city. These include an Air Force base (missiles), being the state capital, a public transit system (which we do not have), a regional distribution hub for Walmart and the NCAR-Wyoming Super Computing Center.
David brings a well-rounded approach to city government as you will see if you just look at the innovations and awards he's garnered in Cheyenne: Mid-America Economic Development Council Award, American Planning Association Award: Smart Growth Principles, EPA climate pollution reduction grants, etc. Finally, his education is second to none. David Fraser hasn't fallen into this career path. It is the one he chose and excels at.
Don Wilson
Palm Coast
