Candidates lay out visions for Palm Coast and Flagler County during Tiger Bay election forum

City Council and County Commission hopefuls highlight growth, infrastructure, public safety and fiscal responsibility during nearly two-hour community forum

  • By Rich Carroll
  • | 3:05 p.m. June 27, 2026
  • Palm Coast Observer
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Candidates seeking seats on the Palm Coast City Council and Flagler County Commission shared their visions for the future of the community Thursday evening during the Flagler Tiger Bay Club's candidate forum at the Palm Coast Community Center, outlining priorities that ranged from responsible growth and infrastructure to public safety, economic development and government transparency.

The event drew approximately 100 people to the Palm Coast Community Center and was broadcast live on WNZF 94.9 FM while also being livestreamed on YouTube. As of the writing of this article, the livestream had been viewed 210 times on WNZF's YouTube channel.

The forum featured candidates seeking two open Palm Coast City Council seats and two Flagler County Commission seats. Palm Coast Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri is seeking election to the County Commission, while County Commission Chair Leann Pennington is the lone incumbent in the field.

Three candidates are running for the Palm Coast City Council District 2 seat: Tony Amaral Jr., Jeani Duarte and Jimmy Hengy. Four candidates are running for the District 4 seat: Dylana "Dee" Galery, John Kvederis, Ramon Marrero and Darlene Shelley.

The District 3 City Council seat was not part of the forum. Former Councilman Ray Stevens, who resigned shortly after winning election in November 2024 because of health issues, was automatically reelected after qualifying as the only candidate for the seat.

On the county side, Greg Feldman, Pontieri and Raymond Royer are running for the District 2 County Commission seat. Pennington faces Anna Jones and Drew Moss in District 4. Write-in candidate Denise Calderwood also participated in the forum, while Moss, though invited, did not participate and was in the audience.

Candidates each received 90 seconds for opening remarks before answering questions from a panel on growth, flooding, transportation, taxes, economic development and public safety. They later concluded the evening with closing statements summarizing why they believe voters should support their campaigns.

District 2 City Council candidates

Tony Amaral Jr. opened by emphasizing his lifelong connection to Palm Coast, noting he has lived in the community for 43 years and operates a small business. Amaral said residents should elect someone who understands the city's history and has firsthand knowledge of the challenges created by rapid growth.

He acknowledged that Palm Coast continues to struggle with traffic, transportation and infrastructure, but said those problems can be solved by leaders willing to work together and rely on facts instead of politics.

Amaral urged voters to choose someone they trust to enter City Hall "confidently, knowing the information, having the data."

In his closing remarks, Amaral again stressed trust and preparation, telling voters that informed, data-driven leadership is needed to help Palm Coast navigate future growth while attracting higher-paying jobs and improving residents' quality of life.

Jeani Duarte introduced herself as a retired mother of six, grandmother and 10-year Palm Coast resident. She said her campaign centers on identifying the root causes of Palm Coast's problems rather than repeating mistakes that have contributed to today's challenges.

Duarte listed transparency, accountability, consistency and ethical conduct as the foundation of her platform. She also identified the city charter, data centers, water infrastructure and fiscal responsibility among her top priorities, saying the city must live within its means before taking on additional debt.

"We need to be responsible for what we have before we bond ourselves for even more," Duarte said.

During her closing statement, Duarte returned to those same themes, saying Palm Coast residents deserve a government that follows its charter, operates transparently and exercises greater fiscal restraint before pursuing new projects.

Jimmy Hengy said he retired to Palm Coast after spending decades owning businesses in South Florida. Having witnessed both thoughtful planning and uncontrolled growth, Hengy said he immediately recognized similar warning signs after moving to Flagler County.

He described himself as a concerned resident rather than a politician and pointed to water infrastructure as one of Palm Coast's most pressing challenges.

"I'm a concerned resident. I'm not a politician, I'm not a builder, developer," Hengy said.

Closing the evening, Hengy said infrastructure must remain the city's top priority while urging residents to decide what kind of community Palm Coast should become. He called for additional economic development, particularly technology jobs, while preserving wildlife, green space and the natural character that attracted so many residents.

District 4 City Council candidates

Dylana "Dee" Galery said Palm Coast deserves leaders who listen, communicate openly and place residents first.

A University of Central Florida graduate with a political science degree, Galery said growing up in a military family taught her service, integrity and accountability. She said Palm Coast has an opportunity to continue growing while protecting quality of life through investments in infrastructure, public safety and business recruitment.

"My campaign is about bringing people together, listening to every voice and making decisions that put our community first," she said.

She reinforced that message during her closing statement, saying leadership is not about having all the answers but about listening, making decisions based on facts and remaining accountable to residents. She pledged to represent all of Palm Coast, not just District 4, if elected.

John Kvederis described himself as a lifelong Palm Coast resident who returned home after years of traveling and starting a business.

He said the city's changes became obvious upon returning, noting that natural areas he enjoyed as a child had disappeared and flooding now affects his family's neighborhood.

"My old tree fort's gone and my mom's house now floods," Kvederis said, presenting himself as both a businessman and a neighbor concerned about Palm Coast's future.

Kvederis closed by emphasizing practical leadership focused on solving growth-related issues while protecting neighborhoods and preserving the quality of life longtime residents remember.

Ramon Marrero told attendees he has spent 18 years serving the community through nonprofit organizations, churches and volunteer work after retiring.

He said Palm Coast's next chapter will require integrity, hard work and community involvement, adding that his experience building nonprofit organizations has prepared him for public office.

During his closing remarks, Marrero again emphasized integrity and service, asking voters to give him the opportunity to help guide Palm Coast through its continued growth.

Darlene Shelley said her family chose Palm Coast because of its beaches, natural beauty and promise of a peaceful place to retire.

Instead, she said, explosive growth has created flooding, traffic congestion, utility challenges and rising costs for residents.

Shelley pointed to 35 years in leadership with Home Depot and her family's business, describing herself as "a problem solver" rather than a politician. She pledged to advocate for smart growth, fiscal responsibility, transparency and public safety.

She returned to those themes in her closing statement, describing Palm Coast as being "at a crossroads." Shelley pledged to oppose "growth at any cost," cut wasteful spending, improve transparency and ensure infrastructure keeps pace with development while putting residents' safety and quality of life first.

County Commission District 2

Greg Feldman highlighted his 47-year career in law enforcement, saying he hopes to continue a lifetime of public service on the County Commission.

The retired assistant police chief said his family remains deeply connected to Flagler County through his two sons, who serve as firefighter-paramedics.

Feldman said he understands the needs of Palm Coast, Bunnell, western Flagler County and the Hammock, and believes those perspectives will help him make balanced decisions.

His closing remarks focused on experience, public safety and listening to residents, saying decades spent serving the public have prepared him for county leadership.

Theresa Pontieri pointed to four years on the Palm Coast City Council, including two years as vice mayor, highlighting accomplishments involving public safety, infrastructure and economic development.

The attorney and mother said she is equally proud of initiatives she believes she prevented from moving forward after conducting extensive research.

"I've really been proud of what I've been able to protect our residents from," Pontieri said.

Closing the evening, Pontieri said she would continue putting residents ahead of special interests while maintaining the transparency and bold leadership she said have defined her time on the City Council.

Raymond Royer introduced himself as a Navy veteran, retired firefighter and independent candidate.

He said decades of military service, union leadership and public safety work have prepared him to serve Flagler County while improving affordability for working families.

Royer concluded by saying local government should focus less on outside influences and more on local residents, adding that affordability remains one of the county's biggest issues.

County Commission District 4

Anna Jones said living in nationally recognized master-planned communities gave her firsthand experience with successful growth management.

She argued that roads, schools and infrastructure should always precede development while emphasizing fiscal accountability and long-term planning.

"We all moved here for the beauty and quality of life that are now at risk of being lost," Jones said.

Jones echoed that message in her closing statement, saying Flagler County must preserve what makes it special while ensuring infrastructure remains concurrent with future development.

Leann Pennington highlighted nearly three decades in banking, investigations and corporate strategy, saying accountability and making decisions based on facts have shaped her leadership.

She identified public safety and conservation as her two biggest priorities, pointing to millions of dollars secured for land preservation while noting the county has reduced tax rates, increased reserves and paid down debt.

"Safe communities don't just develop out of pure luck. They take strategy," Pennington said.

During her closing remarks, Pennington said experience matters as the county faces significant financial and growth challenges, pledging to continue emphasizing fiscal discipline, collaboration and public safety.

Write-in candidate Denise Calderwood also participated in the forum. Calderwood said she entered the race to give a voice to residents struggling with affordability while stressing government accountability and preserving Flagler County's natural resources. She also highlighted decades of civic involvement, grant writing and community organizing.

Closing the evening, Calderwood again urged residents to become engaged in local government, emphasizing community partnerships, accountability and voter participation.

As the nearly two-hour forum concluded, candidates made one final appeal to voters, but despite differences in experience and policy proposals, many shared common themes. Nearly every candidate spoke about responsible growth, improving infrastructure, protecting the community's quality of life and restoring public trust in local government.

Forum organizers thanked the candidates and audience members for participating, saying the goal of the event was to help residents become better-informed voters before the Aug. 18 primary election.

 

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