Pam Richardson is one of three candidates filed to run for the Flagler County Commission in the District 5 election. A Republican, Richardson will have to beat fellow Republican Ed Danko if she wants to move on to the general election against write-in candidate Michael McElroy. Richardson has never held elected office before, but has familiarized herself to the community in various volunteer and administrative positions.
Richardson will be on the August 20th primary election ballot, in which she’ll face Danko in the Republican primary. Flagler County residents must be registered Republicans to vote in the Danko/Richardson race on August 20th, but will be able to vote in the general election regardless of party affiliation.
Other Candidate Interviews
Flagler County Commission:
- Andy Dance – Flagler County Commission, District 1
- Fernando Melendez – Flagler County Commission, District 1
- Kim Carney – Flagler County Commission, District 3
- Bill Clark – Flagler County Commission, District 3 (Did Not Complete)
- Nick Klufas – Flagler County Commission, District 3
- Ed Danko – Flagler County Commission, District 5
- Michael McElroy – Flagler County Commission, District 5
- Pam Richardson – Flagler County Commission, District 5
Flagler School Board:
- Derek Barrs – Flagler School Board, District 3
- Janie Ruddy – Flagler School Board, District 3
- Lauren Ramirez – Flagler School Board, District 5
- Vincent Sullivan – Flagler School Board, District 5
East Flagler Mosquito Control Board:
- Julius ‘Jules’ Kwiatkowski – East Flagler Mosquito Control Board, Seat 1
- Perry Mitrano – East Flagler Mosquito Control Board, Seat 1
- Lance Alred – East Flagler Mosquito Control Board, Seat 3
- Ralph Lighfoot – East Flagler Mosquito Control Board, Seat 3
Palm Coast City Council:
- David Alfin – Palm Coast Mayor
- Peter Johnson – Palm Coast Mayor
- Alan Lowe – Palm Coast Mayor
- Cornelia Downing Manfre – Palm Coast Mayor
- Mike Norris – Palm Coast Mayor (Did Not Complete)
- Kathy Austrino – Palm Coast City Council, District 1
- Shara Brodsky – Palm Coast City Council, District 1
- Ty Miller – Palm Coast City Council, District 1
- Jeffery Seib – Palm Coast City Council, District 1
- Dana ‘Mark’ Stancel – Palm Coast City Council, District 3
- Ray Stevens – Palm Coast City Council, District 3
- Andrew Werner – Palm Coat City Council, District 3
Interview Criteria
- The object of the interview is not to grill the candidate, nor to give them softballs. Ideally, in their answers the candidates provide to voters a useful insight into their ideology, their priorities, and their knowledgeability and preparedness for office.
- These questions are sent to each declared candidate in Flagler County’s local elections. All candidates running for the same office received the same exact questions.
- The only edits made are for spelling, formatting and basic grammar (i.e., ‘their’ when it should be ‘there’). Censorship of profanity may also be applied if it were applicable. Otherwise, answers are presented in their full form as the candidate provides them.
- Answers are subject to fact-checking if they contain information that’s blatantly misleading or untrue (misrepresenting factually verifiable information, misquoting a statistic, etc). Clarifications will be added underneath the candidate’s answer if applicable. The answers will still be presented as given even if a fact-check or clarification is needed.
Candidate Interview
Date of Birth: June 9th, 1958
Hometown: Raised in Hollywood, Florida
Career/Educational Resume:
- “I am a local successful businesswoman, with a strong family history of community service.
- I have proudly served the Flagler County community for over twenty years in the following positions:
- Award Winning Speaker and Distinguished Toastmaster of the Toastmasters International
- Flagler County Republican Executive Committee Member
- Flagler County Republican Club Officer (2010-2012)
- Precinct Clerk for Flagler County Supervisor of Elections (2006-2014)
- Member of the Flagler County Planning and Zoning Board (2013-2015)
- Member of the Palm Coast Code Enforcement Board (2005-2010)
- Founding Member of the Women’s Initiative United Way Flagler (2008)
- Allocations Panel of the Flagler/Volusia United Way
- Director of the Flagler Symphonic Society (2005-2008)
- Officer of the Flagler County Civic Association (2009-2011)
- Event Chair for the Flagler County Cultural Council (2022-Current)
- Vice President of the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club (2022-2023)
- Neighborhood Watch Facilitator (2010-2012)
- Graduate of the Palm Coast Citizen’s Academy
- Trained Ombudsman/Mediation”
1. Do you believe your national political views are relevant to Flagler County voters? If so, explain what you hope those beliefs will communicate to residents about what kind of commissioner you’d be.
“Yes, to some extent, national political views are relevant in local politics. Locally, you will see that I believe in Constitutional rights for all, and I believe in limited government regarding how and what we legislate. I understand that I will be elected to represent the entire community and I will be focused on the needs and issues of all.”
2. What personal qualities do you possess that you believe would make you effective in forming consensus in a group with diverse viewpoints and philosophies?
“I am a great supporter of our community. I am an advocate for what’s fair and right, and I care greatly about our residents. These traits will carry with me to the board. I am a trained ombudsman and Distinguished Toastmaster. I will be able to have reasonable discussions with my peers and be effective and persuasive in my delivery of my thoughts and findings.
3. In the long term, how much of Flagler County should remain undeveloped? Are local elected officials doing enough to prioritize conservation?
“I am aligned with the County’s goal to continue acquiring environmentally sensitive lands and build out our Wildlife Corridor. The Commission has expressly stated that Conservation is a priority by advocating these past two sessions for legislative funding for the purchase of conservation land for the Wildlife Corridor in Flagler County. The county has a dedicated millage for acquiring conservation. I am in total agreement with conserving a great deal of the county that we consider to be critically sensitive lands. I will side with my fellow Commissioners on continuing to make conservation land purchases a top priority in the county. I would also implore other municipalities to continue to leave lands in conservation, rather than remove them from such designations.”
4. How do you view residential versus commercial development in terms of importance to Flagler County’s economic future? Is the county falling behind on either?
“It’s apparent that all municipalities have concentrated heavily on residential development and have allowed residential where commercial should have resided. At this point, we need to ensure that commercial development is the priority and that lands designated for commercial remain such. If we are to have any serious job recruitment projects in this county, we have to prioritize commercial zoning and adhere to it. We are running low on designated lands for large scale commercial projects.”
5. Flagler County Commissioners are not bound by any term limits. If not compelled, do you believe in voluntarily relinquishing a seat after a certain number of years? How long would you serve in office if it were up to you?
“I absolutely support term limits within the government. I think that two terms is sufficient.”
6. A 2016 study by the New York Times found that coastal flooding in Flagler County had more than doubled since the 60’s and 70’s. What actions can the county government take to help protect its coastal residents from this trend?
“I will defer to reporting from state and federal agencies and heed their advice and recommendations regarding coastal resiliency. As it has been stated previously, the county made a commitment with the Army Corps of Engineers to fund dune restoration. The do-nothing approach is not an option. As to what’s fair and equitable in regards to funding, I think it is difficult to say that all residents should equally pay for it. I cannot commit to how to fund it, because I don’t agree with what has been proposed to date. However, using tourism funds is a good start to offsetting the commitment.”
7. Give your evaluation of these county administrative leaders: County Administrator Heidi Petito, City Attorney Al Hadeed, and Special Projects Chief Holly Albanese.
“Ms. Petito has extensive knowledge of the history of the Flagler County government and was a good choice for replacement for the role at the time of her appointment. I’ll need to take time, when elected, to assess the entire administration before answering strengths and weaknesses.”
8. What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made in your professional career, measured by how it impacted others? What were your next actions?
“I’ve been very blessed to have a successful career with a wonderful, supportive office of co-workers. I can’t recall mistakes or regrets.”
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.
