The City's Decision: Read the rebuttal here.

OPINION: Editorial - February 28, 2007

Reasons Holmberg isn't city choice anti-erosion project
By JOHN FEIND
COMMUNITY VOICES

In recent weeks I have received a number of inquiries from citizens about the Flagler Beach Commission's decision regarding our grant submission related to funding a pilot project under the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Innovative Technology Grant Program. To aid us with our selection process, the city hired the coastal engineering firm of Halcrow HPA. The City Commission specifically instructed the Halcrow consultant to pay particular attention to the Holmberg Technologies, as this was of interest to a number of our citizens. The Halcrow engineering consultant presented a professional and objective report for commission review.

The following are reasons for the commission's selection of Beach Restoration Inc. instead:

• This was the recommendation of the consulting engineering firm.
• An apparent lack of cooperation on the part of Holmberg with our engineering consultants, even with our consultant agreeing to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
• Similar lack of cooperation displayed on the part of Holmberg as reflected in the minutes from North Topsail Beach, N.C. (There was also a citizens' group that lobbied the Topsail Beach Commission for Holmberg Technologies, as occurred in Flagler Beach. However, after reviewing all available data, Holmberg Technologies was not selected there either.)
• The Dec. 4, 2006, analysis report by the Flagler County staff to the County Commission regarding innovative beach technology, Holmberg included.
• Documentation from a number of scientists and geologists from Western Carolina University (Web site links below).
• Additional studies and evaluations from Western Michigan University, the University of Texas at Austin and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
• Public and private conversations with officials from the Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, other agencies and other coastal engineers who expressed serious concerns that a "hard" concrete structure would not receive the necessary permits for construction on the beach.
• Holmberg's initial request for $50,000 to be paid by the city for proposal submittal only.
• Holmberg's failure to follow through and meet with FDOT, one of the permitting agencies.
• Finally, Holmberg's failure to participate in the two innovative beach solutions seminars held in Tallahassee and South Florida by FDEP.

My own decision was based on an objective review of the facts, including numerous independent sources, as well as the recommendations of professional consultants and other professionals in the field.

Feind is a Flagler Beach commissioner. To review the Web site citations, go to:
www.wcu.edu/1043.asp (click on links at upper left in light blue box);
www.wcu.edu/1379.asp and www.wcu.edu/1377.asp

Read the rebuttal here.