The Ponderings From Palm Coast Podcast

Mark interviews special guest, Al Ritondo, the videographer, editor and one of the producers of Ponderings about this weeks goings on in Palm Coast. They discuss Conservative vs Liberal philosophies, Project 2025 coming to life, Hate and Fear in America that is politically manufactured, violence begets violence, Anonymous posts, and what's coming up in the Palm Coast City Council this week. Please remember to like, subscribe and sh...

Mark talks with Special Guest former Sheriff Jim Manfre. His interesting background brought him to Palm Coast in 1999 the year Palm Coast was incorporated. Two years later he was Sheriff. They discuss egregious double taxation on Palm Coast residents regarding law enforcement and the explosion of the PC budget that is continually requested by the Sheriff's department. He discusses the historical mismanagement of properties owned/so...

Indivisible.org is a grassroots movement of thousands of local Indivisible groups with a mission to elect progressive leaders, rebuild our democracy, and defeat the Trump agenda. Today we have Sandi Sites who runs the Indivisible Flagler group to tell us about the history of the group in our area and tell us about the projects and protests organized by Indivisible, the issues of most importance to her and most importantly how to ge...

In our continuing discussion about code enforcement in Palm Coast Mark talks to former Code Enforcement Board member Mark Stancel with the inherent problems with not only with enforcement but with the way the codes are written and discusses possible solutions. He describes in detail what happens when you come before the board and if you don't! Mr. Stancel also tells us about a group he and his wife Donna Stancel started called Seni...

Mark interviews Donna Harkins, President of the Palm Coast Democratic Club. They discuss problems arising from cuts to social services and people with disabilities being hurt, nonpartisan rallies such as getting rid of the Belvidere gas terminal in Palm Coast and how many causes are about all the citizens regardless of party affiliation. They also talk about the benefits of belonging to a club, the social aspect of being around peo...

Flagler County State Democratic People Roger and JoAnn Soman recently elected to a 4 year term, talk about their exciting experiences in Orlando and in Tallahassee learning about how our state government works, getting involved, the recent special election in Congressional District 6, the urgency of getting more people to register to vote by mail, getting more people to vote and particularly younger people to understand that their ...

Mark begins with a City Hall wrap up and introduces us to the weekly happenings in Palm Coast. Today's subject is LYING., Why do we lie? Have we come to have an expectation that politicians will be lying to us no matter what. What is an embellishment? The FCC regulation on equal time for each party and it's removal. Why do people limit themselves to a single news source for information and refuse to hear the other side of the issue...

Mark ponders about the special election results, the Hands Off demonstrations, and the Belvidere gas refueling facility that is being considered for Palm Coast. He then introduces us to his special guest Jay Wagner, a 15 year resident of Palm Coast that retired from dentistry when he moved here to escape the snow and the high taxes in NJ. Jay educates us on the need for fluoride in the water and how it prevents tooth decay and plac...

Special GUEST - KATHY DUFFY. Also, Special election day in District 6! Did you vote? Also, this evening there is a city council meeting starting at 6PM at Lake Avenue. Saturday April 5 RALLY - HANDS OFF. from 11 - 12. When did immigrant become a bad word? Importance of being PASSIONATE about your work. The Librarian Speaks we're losing our libraries, museums, Smithsonian and African American Museum all in danger of cutbacks in serv...

Mark talks about the lack of critical thinking and analyzing information before making a judgement. Mayor Norris changing his mind about his support of development in Palm Coast. Rise of the billionaires, filling the local council seat left vacant by April 15th, the critical special election April 1 it's so important to VOTE. Post comments, like and subscribe to receive upcoming notices of when the podcasts are posted. Full video o...

Mark chats with Vicky Spencer Haley, a Palm Coast resident who talks to us about how she's involved in the community and walks us through some ways you can get involved, even if you don't have much time. On Tuesday, March 4th there is a Rally for Ukraine! Come out and show your support! Vicky has organized a free Little Library of 'Banned Books at her home. If you would like to drop off donations they will be gladly accepted. She i...

Mark interviews Rabbi Merrill Shapiro, former head of the national group called Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. He now heads the Florida Atlantic Coast chapter of the association, as well as moderates the new weekly discussion and podcast titled Conversations in American Democracy consisting of residents of Palm Coast and Flagler County. Full video of this episode is available on YouTube at: https://youtu.b...

Mark interviews Josh Weil, candidate for Congress from our very own District 6, which encompasses Flagler County, Volusia County, Lake County, Marion County, Putnam County, and St. John's County. The special election for this congressional seat is April 1, 2025. Josh covers a wide range of topics and issues important to residents of our district and nationally what his responsibilities will be if he is elected to represent this dis...

Mark Webb talks with Ken Frasier, a Flagler Beach resident and one of the moderators of the Blue Forum, about hot topics such as the Federal Employees who are losing their jobs and what that loss of experience means to the country, along with suspending USAID and the effects all up and down the line and the ripple effects, DEI the original purpose and what it means that it is being expunged from all government websites. He shares a...

Mark interviews Mark Vetter, a resident of Palm Coast. They discuss the horrific water and sewage situation in Palm Coast, and the additional costs that will be exacted from the residents and the political missteps that brought on this debacle. Time to make your voices heard at the City Council meetings. Learn about what is happening and how it is unfolding. Use your three minutes at the city council meetings to let them know what ...