Pubdate: Mon, 09 Jan 2017
Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal (FL)
Copyright: 2017 News-Journal Corporation
Contact:  http://www.news-journalonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/700
Note: gives priority to local writers
Author: Matt Bruce

MARIJUANA DEBATE REKINDLED IN FLAGLER

Officials were expecting the measure to go before the County Commission in
February or March. But several things have changed since the county's
Public Safety Coordinating Council passed a version of the bill in August,
and officials from at least two of the county's cities are opposed to
opting in should the county pass an ordinance. Matt Bruce It's been about five months since Flagler County leaders last discussed
the prospect of a proposed countywide adult civil citation ordinance that
could give law enforcement the discretion to cite rather than arrest
people caught with small amounts of marijuana.

Officials were expecting the measure to go before the County Commission in
February or March. But several things have changed since the county's
Public Safety Coordinating Council passed a version of the bill in August,
and officials from at least two of the county's cities are opposed to
opting into the program, should the county pass an ordinance.

Elected officials from Bunnell and Flagler Beach have yet to discuss the
issue during a public meeting. But city managers for both towns said last
week they would recommend that city leaders vote against opting in.

The jail diversionary program would make pot possession of 20 grams or
less -- a first-degree misdemeanor under state law -- a code violation
that would carry a fine for first-time offenders in Flagler.

The public safety panel comprised of Flagler law enforcement, judicial,
mental health and court stakeholders approved the measure by a 7-5 vote
during an Aug. 10 meeting. That moved it forward to be considered by the
County Commission.

Volusia County approved a similar ordinance on March 3 allowing officers
to cite pot culprits on beaches and in other unincorporated areas of the
county. That measure went into effect April 1.

But county officials in September said they would wait until after the
November elections to reconvene on the matter, citing possible shake-ups
on the governing bodies for both Palm Coast and Flagler County.

The political landscape in Flagler has shifted dramatically since then.
Former County Commission chairwoman Barbara Revels and former sheriff Jim
Manfre -- two of the biggest proponents of the measure -- are no longer in
office. Today there's a new sheriff in Flagler, along with three new
members of the Palm Coast City Council, including Mayor Milissa Holland.

Donald O'Brien, who supplanted longtime commissioner George Hanns on the
county board, has said he favors the proposed ordinance. David Sullivan
also said he'd support it during his campaign, though he shows no signs of
being anywhere near the advocate that his predecessor Revels was. Revels
chaired the public safety committee throughout last year's debate.

County Administrator Craig Coffey said he's delayed placing the ordinance
on the agenda to give the two new commissioners time to get up to speed on
other issues affecting the county, such as the ongoing battle to deal with
destruction caused by Hurricane Matthew. He expects it to come before the
board within the next two months.

The Palm Coast City Council has not yet discussed the ordinance. Bunnell
Police Chief Tom Foster cast one of the votes against the ordinance and
was one of its most ardent critics. Davis said he based his opposition to
the proposed partly on Foster's outlook. Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt
Doughney was also skeptical of the bill, although he was not present to
cast a vote during the Aug. 10 committee meeting.

Flagler Beach City Manager Larry Newsom said his concerns with Flagler's
proposed ordinance also stem from those of his police chief.

Many local leaders said they would be more supportive of a statewide
program, and doubted the effectiveness of a disjointed county-by-county
system, with some areas opting in while others don't. Some still expressed
concerns as to how law enforcement and court officials will track offenses
if there is no uniformity.

Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly said he sees flaws in the proposed ordinance,
too, but said he'd direct his deputies to use citing minor pot offenders
as an new alternative if it passes.
- ---
MAP posted-by: