Many Flagler residents still cling to that small town atmosphere, but the reality is Flagler is quickly outgrowing its rural image. It is the second half of the American dream of owning a home but make no mistake it is not reserved for northeast urban whites. ITT was a multinational company and sold property literally all over the world. If there is such a thing as a retirement melting pot, Palm Coast is it. A stroll through the Palm Harbor Shopping Village in Palm Coast where the new city hall is located reflects the cosmopolitan mix of the population here.
Fast growth makes for unusual politics.
The elected office of county sheriff is usually the domain of long time law enforcement officials from the area. In Flagler County Jim Manfre, a New York attorney who moved to the county less than a year ago, was elected sheriff in November. The Florida environmentalist has been jokingly described as the guy who bought his condominium last year. But for the new City of Palm Coast the first order of business was to save the Live Oak canopy that lines East Palm Coast Parkway. Preservation, both historical and environmental, are big concerns of the new residents.