A Strong "Yes Vote" for Salamander Hotels

On February 2, Flagler County’s Board of County Commissioners have an important decision to make, whether or not to approve Salamander Hotels' proposal to invest $72 million in the expansion and redevelopment of the existing lodge at Hammock Beach. Our chamber, representing 800 local businesses, supports this smart development project and urges commissioners to do the same for the near- and long-term economic benefits it will bring to our community.

Salamander’s proposal is not about constructing high-rise towers that obstruct views, redeveloping a golf course or clearing acres of undeveloped land to build something new. It’s about generating and preserving jobs, diversifying our tax base, boosting the local economy and sending a clear message that Flagler County is, in fact, open for business.

Here are a few more reasons why our Chamber supports Salamander Hotels’ proposal:
• Increased tax revenues. In its first five years, the new lodge with its 198 rooms, meeting space and ballroom, will generate $4 million in new county taxes, and $6 million in new state taxes.
• Domino effect revenues for local businesses. Flagler County’s Tourism Development Council estimates that in addition to the revenues generated by the resort directly, an additional $55 million in ancillary spending — transportation, restaurants, retail, services, etc. — will be generated during the first five years of operation.
• Community value and quality. The new project provides the platform for the resort to preserve an important and profitable destination property and community asset, the Hammock Beach Resort. The redevelopment will allow Salamander to address gradually deteriorating facilities and transform the property into a world-class tourism destination that attracts lucrative conference business and introduces affluent guests to the area.
• Economic engine. Salamander Hotels and Resorts’ willingness to invest $72 million in Flagler County will positively impact the entire region. Approval of the project will also encourage other high caliber businesses to consider Flagler County for future investment and development opportunities.

In addition to the many local businesses and organizations like the Chamber, Flagler County Home Builders Association and Hammock Business Alliance that support this initiative, the CEO Business Alliance of Volusia County recently sent letters to Flagler County commissioners to share their support. As a nonprofit organization that works with cities, Volusia County and its neighbors to support efforts that create economic growth and jobs, the alliance sees the expansion as a “critical step in furthering the region as a major international destination” that will also “further Flagler’s position in the recreational community.”

We are grateful that a well-respected partner like Salamander Hotels is willing to make a significant investment in our community, and believe the expansion and renovation of the Lodge at Hammock Beach Resort is the kind of smart development Flagler’s Board of County Commissioners should embrace without hesitation. If you agree, please join the Chamber, local businesses and Hammock Beach property owners at the Board of County Commissioners meeting, Monday, February 2 at the Government Services Building. We encourage supporters to arrive well before the 5PM start time and to wear a white shirt.

With your help, we can demonstrate why this project is important to Flagler’s businesses, residents and the community’s long-term prosperity.

Two Elections Down, Two to Go and a Happy Coincidence

Now that the general election is over, our government affairs focus has quickly shifted to special elections – a primary and general election – to determine who will represent Flagler County in Tallahassee. Though we certainly wish our former State Senator John Thrasher the best as president of Florida State University, it means we’ll have to endure a special "silly season" after the start of the year for two important state seats, Senate District 6 and House District 24. Our Flagler Votes committee plans to host candidate forums before the January 27 primary and April 7 general special elections. In fact, we've scheduled our next forum for January 13, 2015 at the Hilton Garden Inn. Stay tuned for more details.

Speaking of elections, we want to share with you a strange, but happy coincidence about the election results. As you may know, a few weeks ago we released “straw poll” results from our Flagler Votes Forum and Creekside Festival. We shared this information reluctantly, after we had multiple requests from the media and candidates. In the news release, we mentioned that the straw poll results were “informal indications of voter sentiment” and there was little statistical relevance to our poll. Our goal was to remind voters there was time to rally behind candidates and affect outcomes on Election Day. Nonetheless, we received criticism for releasing the straw poll results, calling the numbers “unreliable, unimportant and unscientific.” The morning after the General Election, we compared straw poll results with those reported by the Flagler County Supervisor of Elections. Strangely, or coincidentally enough, there was a significant correlation between both sets of “results.” True, the margins varied, but the straw poll actually “predicted” winners in 11 out of 12 races. The Flagler County School Board race was the only exception, where Janet McDonald defeated incumbent John Fischer 54 to 46% compared with our straw poll results, which had Fischer winning, ironically, by the identical margin, 54 to 46%.

The main take away from our straw poll “experiment” was that it’s possible to tap into the pulse of public opinion using fairly basic and unscientific tools. While we may have gotten lucky, we’re pleased that our unscientific and admittedly statistically invalid straw poll gave us an opportunity to engage residents and encourage voters. That’s important, and, in fact, part of what we’re trying to accomplish as advocates for local businesses. Based on these outcomes, you can expect to see the Chamber, Flagler Home Builders Association and Flagler County Association of Realtors continue to identify opportunities to educate and engage residents before elections.

Voting is a right and a privilege that we hope all of our citizens take seriously, especially when Flagler County's representation in Tallahassee is at stake. Please vote and encourage your family, friends and colleagues to do the same.

Redefining "Silly Season"

Having wrapped up our third and final Flagler Votes Forum of the year, I’ve heard many people refer to “election season” as “silly season.” Because I’m both a word and history geek, I was compelled to find out what the expression “silly season” really means.

According to Wikipedia, the expression “silly season” was first coined around 1861, and appeared in Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, as “the part of the year when Parliament and the Law Courts are not sitting (i.e. August and September).” In the U.S., references in The Huffington Post describe silly season “an annual event brought on by hordes of political reporters scrambling around, devoid of actual stories, while Congress is away on its six-week vacation.”

Further down the Wikipedia page, I found a “politics” section and a more relevant definition: “In US politics and lifestyle, the silly season is a period from early summer until the first week of October of election years. Primary elections are over at this time, but…the general election is still weeks away. Issues raised during this period are likely to be forgotten by the election, so candidates may rely on frivolous political posturing and hyperbole to get media attention and raise money.”

I was getting closer, though this definition wasn’t an especially glowing commentary on our country’s electoral process. Going back to Google, I added the word “political” to my search. The results brought me to an “Urban Slang” dictionary where the definition for “Political Silly Season” was: “In politics, the time, especially just before the election, when undeliverable promises and wild accusations are the order of the day.”

Hmmm, another less-than-favorable definition...Though some of us know politicians who've made empty promises to get elected, you have to have faith that many candidates are ethical, don’t buy in to “silly season” antics and truly want to serve their community as elected officials. Running for public office is definitely not for everyone, and I give our local candidates credit for throwing their hats in very public, and often contentious, rings.

With only a few days before the general election, I hope Flagler voters will look past the negative ads, name-calling, rumors and conspiracy theories that make up “silly season.” If you haven’t done so already, I hope you’ll take time to learn where candidates stand on issues, understand what each brings to the table and support those you believe are capable of bringing about positive change.

As Americans, voting is both an inherent right and a personal privilege. It’s a privilege that we exercise by voting and choosing those who represent us. This is a time to make our voices heard, Flagler County. Let’s show our neighboring counties and cities how much we care and that “Flagler Votes.”

Early Voting is Underway

Early voting in Flagler County’s general election began Monday, October 20and will continue through next Saturday, Nov. 1. The primary election is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Any registered and qualified voter who is eligible to vote in a countywide election may vote in person at the early voting site. You must present a Florida driver's license, a Florida identification card or another form of picture and signature identification to vote.

There are three early voting sites in Flagler:

Palm Coast Public Library               2500 Palm Coast Parkway NW
Palm Coast Community Center      305 Palm Coast Parkway NE
Supervisor of Elections Office        Government Services Building

Voting sites are open 10AM to 6PM each day, including weekends.

A sample ballot listing all offices participating in the primary can be found here.

Flagler County’s local media have published interviews with candidates to give voters additional insight before heading to the polls. The Daytona Beach News-Journal published a guide before the primary and has other articles online. Flagler Live conducted interviews that can be found  here, and the Palm Coast Observer interviews here.

We do encourage you as residents, chamber members and business leaders of our community to vote in this general election. Let’s ensure the voices of Flagler County’s businesses are heard!