A month from retirement after a career spanning four decades as county attorney for Flagler County government, Al Hadeed on Thursday received the Gordon Johnson Award “for his distinguished service to Flagler County and outstanding contributions to local government law in the State of Florida.”
Hadeed received the award during the Florida Association of County Attorneys’ annual two-day continuing legal education seminar, an event featuring panels with such titles as “Grand Juries: Oh What Fun!,” “Attorney Wellness & How to Stay That Way!,” “Navigating the Digital Landscape: Social Media and Public Employees,” and “Live Local Act: Two Years Later.”
“I was very humbled to receive it,” Hadeed said by phone from the Hilton Orlando, though it was Jewel White, the Pinellas County attorney and the association’s president, who said what Hadeed would not: “He’s just done great work. I can tell you, half the people on my staff know Al, because he’s a great resource. We call him. He’s always got information for us. He reaches out to help us on things that we don’t even know.”
Service on the association helped Flagler County give “access to the specialized knowledge that existed in other counties where they ran into situations where they had to come up with work arounds or special remedies to deal with the issues that confronted them,” Hadeed said. That worked both ways: other counties drew on Hadeed’s experience, as one of the state’s longest-serving county attorneys.
Two examples stand out during his tenure: One was the 2015 ordinance he crafted and the County Commission approved, regulating short-term or vacation rentals. That ordinance became a template for numerous local governments around the state. “Probably more copied our vacation rental ordinance than any others that we’ve developed,” Hadeed said. Palm Coast adopted a similar ordinance just this year. Flagler County’s ordinance withstood a challenge at the Fifth District Court of Appeal (the county was sued two weeks after enacting the ordinance.).
The other example Hadeed spoke of–one he cherishes especially of his affinities for environmental protection and public access to natural resources–is the 2018 ordinance securing “customary” public access to Flagler County’s 18 miles of shoreline, whether on private property or not. The ordinance preempted a law enacted that year that closed off such access in many counties.
“We promote the beaches to bring tourists, right? Not not just a little county, but the whole state does that,” Hadeed said. “So it was odious to that objective, and when that thing passed, and the information about what it was doing, the public just rose up all around.”
The Legislature repealed the law this year after an outcry, and the governor enacted the repeal a few days ago.
Hadeed said he’d relied on Assistant County Attorney Sean Moylan’s research, “his evidentiary planning and drafting, and his work with Beverly Beach and Flagler Beach in getting them to join the county’s efforts with the customary use ordinance. He would similarly rely on him to secure the scores of easements necessary to make last year’s Army Corps of Engineers’ beach renourishment project possible in Flagler Beach (an arduous, three-year process.)
White, the county attorney association president, spoke of two qualities Hadeed brought to bear: his mentorship of younger attorneys and his institutional memory. Hadeed, a past president of the Flagler County Historical Society, was county attorney from 1990 to 1998, was interim county attorney and special counsel in 2001, and was again rehired as county attorney in February 2007, in essence working the job 27 of the last 35 years.
“Institutional memory is huge,” White said. “We can remember litigation that might have happened, or we’re doing it this way, that might seem a little off, but it’s because this happened 10 years ago, so it’s extremely important. And I can tell you–hopefully Al is doing this on his staff, since I know he’s retiring soon–but in Pinellas County, we really make a big point of trying to pass that institutional memory on, because it’s just that important.”
He is doing it: Hadeed has been preparing Moylan for the job. Moylan (who graduated from Flagler Palm Coast High School in 1994, got a an undergraduate degree from Columbia, a master’s in education from the University of Florida and a law degree from Florida A&M) has been deputy county attorney for 11 years. He has the confidence of at least two county commissioners to take over the job, but other commissioners have been resistant.
“I think all of you know, I’ve been around the block for a long time,” Hadeed told the County Commission at a meeting on June 16. “I started thinking about retirement, not yesterday, no, a number of years ago. And so I’m very active among the county attorneys. You all know that. So I was looking for all of those young lawyers and watching them, watching them perform, watching them present issues, hearing how they spoke, and I am evaluating them. Is this the person potentially that can succeed me?”
That started about two years ago. He was disappointed. “I went to Sean, and I said, Sean, I’m so sorry. I have been looking and looking and looking, and I haven’t found anybody that really interests me, that I think can do this job in the way I believe it should be done for this county.” But Moylan got his endorsement. “He understands how I approach these issues,” Hadeed said. (Moylan was also in Orlando for the conference.)
Hadeed has been on the board of the association since 2012, chairing its finance and tax committee until last year, and has been a member of its Amicus Curiae Committee, which reviews and decides what cases should be argued before the Florida Supreme Court, and what role the association should take in that effort on behalf of local governments. He will have to step down when he retires on Aug. 2.
Robert Cuff says
Well deserved, to say the least. Al’s devotion to Flagler County and his never ceasing professionalism should be an inspiration to all lawyers, not just local government attorneys.
Al Hadeed says
I am humbled by the recognition of my fellow county attorneys in the State.
I also cannot fail to mention the countless citizens, civic organizations, and businesses that actively supported our efforts at these community level projects.
Appreciated too is the support of countless county administrators, the departments and the staff at all levels in bringing these successful projects forward over the last four decades. Who could doubt the dedication of staff of the only county to construct a substantial dune project without an outside contractor for the Hurricane Matthew recovery, and yes, admirably accomplished under budget and ahead of schedule.
And, most importantly, the legal department staff who were right there in the fight with me to the end.
I would be remiss in failing to thank the County Commissioners who were willing to take the institutional risks in countering legislation and other barriers that were crippling to local government, the very government after all that is closest to the people.
There isn’t enough room in this post to thank literally the thousands that made these accomplishments possible, including the officials and workers of other local governments in Flagler and those of our state and federal partners.
I once described the mettle of this community that I have been blessed to serve, as a community that accomplished these many advantages “by sheer grit and determination.”
There is an iconic image that I have used a number of times in beach related presentations. The image is of a solitary dozer from our Road and Bridge Department at the direction of our Engineering Department working ceaselessly to close a dune breach against the pounding power of the ocean. And they did succeed. You can see the picture here.
Thank you all who were parts of these great community stories that I hope will have many sequels to count as serving the public interest.
Jay Gardner says
Congrats. Al, your dedication to our county has been amazing. We could always count on you when we needed help in the property appraiser’s office. So many things to thank you for but none more than your tireless efforts regarding our beach. Enjoy your upcoming retirement.
Just my thought says
Well deserved and Mr. Hadeed with be missed. Taxpayers are hoping that Flagler County Commissioners promote Mr. Moylan who has all Mr. Hadeed’s great experience and training for the job.
Please make the right decision for Flagler County and its taxpayers.
Jake from state farm says
Congratulations Al!! Well deserved. You will be missed.
Bonnie Simms says
What would Flagler County do without Al Hadeed? I cannot imagine it! I moved, from Chicago, to Flagler County in 1995, a week after my retirement as an educator. I attended a Hammock Community Association meeting and there was Al. His enthusiasm, caring for and knowledge about his community and the county instantly impressed me…and I am impressed to this day. Though I have now moved to a continuing care community in Volusia County, I view my 1995 move to Flagler County as a plus and knowing Al Hadeed and his work – especially in the area of environment – as a definite part of that plus. Have a wonderful retirement, Al, you absolutely deserve it!
Please No! says
PLEASE do NOT hire Mr Moylan!!!!! He is a horrible attorney. He always favors the developers and does not stick up for the citizens of Flagler. Let us get an attorney in there that will stick up for us and not pander to the developers. Hadeed did the same thing. He taught Sean Moylan. Sean Moylan sits there and sugarcoats things to the commissioners and sells them a bill of goods so they will approve things for developers. Many of the Commissioners are learning thought and starting to see we need new blood in Flagler County.
Megan Wall says
My inspiration since the 80’s when he started and ran Southern Legal Counsel in Gainesville (and all the great things that nonprofit public interest firm has done!). Al Hadeed inspired me to go to law school and become a public interest lawyer (a path I have loved ever since!). The movie of Al Hadeed’s life would be “A Wonderful Life” remake: if the world went back in time (and specifically Flagler County, in this case) and saw what the county looked like had he not lived, had he not had the vision to save the natural resources, had he not dedicated his amazing genius and talents in this way as a County Attorney, …we all know what a priceless impact he has made! What a blessing he is to the county, the state, the world! My hero, my inspiration, my eternal gratitude! Thank you is not enough, but thank you!
dennis bayer says
While from time to time we may have had a difference of opinion, Al has served Flagler County well for all these many years. Look at the treasures saved from development- Princess Place, Bings Landing, Haw Creek- all due to his leadership. I am so fortunate to have been able to work with him over the years.
A well deserved accolade!
Ron says
Congratulations Al! Enjoy your retirement. You have work so hard protecting our neighborhoods from Commercial Transient Public Lodging Establishments, AKA Vacation Rentals.
Unfortunately our legislators had other ideas. How can they allow these commercial lodging establishments to operate in zoned residential single family neighborhoods is mind boggling! Especially when these zoning laws have been in place prior to 2011.
Using Common Sense says
Perhaps the County should hire outside council and save 250k plus benefits every year, since they have paid outside council millions in addition to at least two county attorney salaries. Happy retirement Mr. Hadeed.
Ben Hogarth says
Al is a professional through and through. He really cares about the county and dedicated much of his life to public service. If only the layperson truly understood the kinds of sacrifices and care that goes into such work. I’m happy for him in his retirement and honestly, he will be far better off not serving in times where such service is both underappreciated and even targeted. Best of luck in your next adventure, Al.
PlanetEarth says
Flagler County has been blessed to have Al Hadeed’s counsel all these years.
His professionalism, legal acumen, and deep love of Flagler County and its special places have provided a legacy that few Florida counties have been able to match.
Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement, Al. I suspect you will be seeking new adventures that continue to spark your passion for Florida’s history and environment.