Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

2022 Election

Flagler County Government Holding Receptions for Mullins, Pennington Amid Transition

Ⓒ AskFlagler

BUNNELL – The Flagler County government will be hosting a farewell ceremony to Commissioner Joe Mullins and a swearing in for incoming Commissioner-elect Leann Pennington next week. The former will take place on Monday, and the latter on Tuesday. Pennington defeated Mullins in this year’s Republican primary election for the District 4 County Commission seat, before then besting NPA candidate Jane Gentile-Youd in the general.

Mullins’ farewell reception will take place Monday from 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm at the Government Services Building, in the County Commission chambers. There will be food served and a brief time for mingling before Mullins takes the dais to Chair his last meeting as a County Commissioner.

ADVERTISEMENT

On Tuesday, Pennington will be sworn in and assume her seat on the Commission dais. Her swearing in will take place at 4:00 pm, with a welcome reception shortly thereafter. She and Commissioner Greg Hansen will be sworn in to their new terms, and a special meeting will then be held to appoint a new Chair and Vice Chair. Hansen is likely to receive the nod for Chair, having served as Vice Chair since late last year. Chances are Andy Dance will be appointed Vice Chair; an informal verbal agreement last year was given to him after he advocated for himself to have received it then.


Read More: Incumbents Ken Bryan & Debbie Phillips Face Four Flagler Beach City Commission Challengers


With Pennington’s appointment and those of Theresa Pontieri and Cathy Heighter in Palm Coast, every elected Board in Flagler County will have at least one woman save for the Mosquito Control Board. This distinction was clinched in August when Mullins, the only male candidate in the race, was eliminated.

The decision to hold an outgoing reception for Commissioner Mullins was met with mixed reactions on social media; some objected to the usage of taxpayer dollars to honor a Commissioner who many hold personal disagreements with. The ceremony is, however, a regularity for outgoing Commissioners, with one having been held for Charlie Erickson, Nate McLaughlin, and George Hanns when they left office. To not hold one for Mullins specifically due to public perception would likely implicate the county as having taken sides in an election. Even if that’s done after the votes are cast, it would set a hugely significant precedent.

Written By

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.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. TR

    November 20, 2022 at 9:36 pm

    After the farewell to Mullins (which I don’t think he deserves) Someone should be there to slam the door on his ares so hard it sends him back to Ga. This is the first time I hope the door hits him where the good lord split him. LOL

    Good riddens Joe.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

You May Also Like

2024 Election

FLAGLER BEACH – Candidate Tom Hutson, 79, has withdrawn his candidacy for the Flagler County Commission’s District 3 election this year, bringing the field...

2024 Election

PALM COAST – Victor Barbosa, a former member of the Palm Coast City Council, has withdrawn his candidacy from the District 5 Flagler County...

County Commission

BUNNELL – Flagler County Commissioner Andy Dance has been appointed to the Chair position, with Commissioner Leann Pennington ascending to Vice Chair. The pair...

2024 Election

PALM COAST – Nick Klufas, the Palm Coast City Council member representing District 3, has filed to run for the Flagler County Commission. Klufas’...

2024 Election

Palm Coast resident Fernando Melendez will run against incumbent County Commissioner Andy Dance in the 2024 election, according to the latest filings from the...