AskFlagler Palm Coast City Council Interview: Shara Brodsky

Shara Brodsky is one of four candidates running for the Palm Coast City Council to represent District 1. Her opponents are Kathy Austrino, Ty Miller, and Jeffery Seib. The seat was vacated by the departure of Vice Mayor Ed Danko, who opted to run for Flagler County Commission instead of seeking a second term on the City Council.

The Palm Coast City Council elections, including Mayor, will be open to all residents of Palm Coast regardless of their party affiliation or whether they reside in the applicable district. In the District 1 race, a primary election will be held on August 20th with Austrino, Brodsky, Miller, and Seib appearing on the ballot. If one of those candidates receives one vote more than 50.0%, they’ll win the seat then and there. If none reach that threshold, the top-two in votes will advance to a runoff election on the November ballot.

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: May 19, 1980

Hometown: Staten Island, New York

Career/Educational Resume:

“Graduated from Flagler Palm Coast High 1998 with honors.

Obtained a A.S. In Interior Design Technology from Daytona State College with honors.

Obtained a B.A.S. in Supervision & Business Management also from Daytona State College with honors.

For the last 15 years I have been the store manager of the popular boutique Chez Jacqueline in Palm Coast. Managing our budget, sales, and specializing in customer service.”

1. Describe your experience forming and managing budgets, aside from personal/home finance.

“Managing Chez Jacqueline, a successful profitable business in Palm Coast has been a challenge over the years. We never know what to project as any other business. Being in-tuned with our community and customer needs is what has kept us going strong for the last 21 years.”

2. Is Palm Coast growing too rapidly? If so: what makes the growth excessive, and what should the City Council be doing differently? If not: what would you say to ease the concerns of those worried about the pace of growth?

“Palm Coast has definitely been growing too rapidly. I believe the excessive growth has a lot to do with the rezoning issues, COVID, and national politics. City Council needs look at what the rapid growth is doing to our community, infrastructure, and overall health. Having plans and educating our residents of their concerns is the first step in regaining trust, which I believe has been an issue for years.”

3. What do you make of the expression ‘development pays for itself’? Is that true in Palm Coast?

“This is definitely not true anywhere. How can development pay for itself if development brings increased population? Who pays for new schools, city workers, city equipment, infrastructure, first responders – we do. Costs of new development vs. impact fees and tax dollar accumulation doesn’t equal out to pay for itself.”

4. Are there any new or underutilized revenue streams you can name that Palm Coast could tap into to support its operating budget? If so, expand upon your plan for implementation.

“The City of Palm Coast doesn’t seem to have a problem with revenue streams, but I see a big problem with allocation of the revenue. Attending city meetings I know there is money wasted without smart decision making. Example in my opinion is the parks and recreation funds. The City has done a great job in this department, but that only accounts for a small percentage of residents that use those facilities. The council needs to figure out a way to reduce cost and expenditures.”

5. What’s your opinion on the firing of City Manager Denise Bevan? Was the firing necessary, and was it handled well by the City Council?

“Firing Denise Bevan I believe was a huge mistake and not handled well at all. I personally met with Ms. Bevan about a month prior to her abrupt termination day and was very impressed with her background. Ms. Bevan joined the city in 2007 as a Senior Environmental Planner then elevated to Chief of Staff of infrastructure. Learning all of this and her bachelor in ecology gave me no doubt that she was definitely the right person for this position. I also believe the firing was very unprofessional. Watching the council as they voted was clearly a shock to Ms. Bevan by her reaction. Some of the council stated that they wanted a ‘more development-minded manager’. Take that as you will. “

6. Give your evaluation of these city leaders: interim City Manager Lauren Johnston, Chief of Staff Jason DeLorenzo, and Stormwater & Engineering Director Carl Cote.

“My concern with the interim City Manager Lauren Johnston is her lack of experience with this position. Her dedication and willingness to learn and give it her all is obvious. Her assistant position was only assigned in 2022.

“Jason DeLorenzo was also appointed by past City Manager Denise Bevan in 2022. I believe Mr. DeLorenzo has taken his new position by the bull horns and proven his leadership skills. One concern I have is his previous connection with the Home Builders Association and the residents having full trust that he is doing his best for our City.

“Carl Cote is in a tough situation. I have heard from residents that their concern is Mr. Cote is not an engineer and they believe that is an important trait to have in order to be a director of such an important role that was created in 2019. I do believe he is doing his best of what was given to him. He has done great work while working for the city since 2005.”

7. Though Palm Coast has taken steps to plan educational and vocational opportunities for its graduating residents, many Gen-Z Palm Coast residents complain of little recreation or entertainment in the city that appeals to them. Is there anything the City Council can or should do to address these complaints?

“Growing up and living here myself for the last 29 years this has always been an issue. Most of the current and past council members that have not grown up here or have children here to know how important this topic is. The council needs to be conscious of what the needs are for our youth and what their interests are. I have said before that the Parks and Recreation department do a great job- for those who do those types of activities. The summer heat is an issue for outdoor entertainment, we need more options. I would try to implement a Boys and Girls club, and incorporate arts and culture. Building a facility to incorporate activities for all ages.”

8. City Council members are paid $24,097 a year, thanks to a raise the Council approved for itself in 2022. The Mayor makes $30,039 comparatively. Are you in favor of revisiting these figures, either to increase or decrease them, if you’re elected to the City Council?

“The job does require skilled and educated individuals that deserve to get a fair wage for their time. I believe the salary is fair and should stay the same until we have unlimited funds to bring that up for discussion.”