The Florida Department of Health in Flagler County learned last week that administrator Bob Snyder has been named Citizen of the Year by the Rotary Club of Flagler Beach. Roseanne Stocker, president of the Rotary Club of Flagler Beach for 2020/2021, presented Mr. Snyder, who is also a Rotary Club of Flagler Beach member, with his award on Thursday, June 10^th at the club’s Annual Installation Banquet held at the Palm Coast Community Center.

“In a year where people across the world experienced the devastating effects of the global pandemic, we were blessed to have one of our own – a Flagler Beach Rotarian and Citizen of Flagler County – as the person charged with keeping us safe,” said Roseanne at the banquet. “This person showed extreme calm, sense of purpose, intelligence and selfless dedication to protecting the citizens of Flagler County exactly when we needed it the most.” Roseanne added.

Roseanne went on to say “while expertly managing the pandemic response and subsequent vaccine roll out, Bob was also totally hands-on -- personally helping the elderly and most vulnerable at the vaccine sites and allaying the fears of citizens through one conversation at a time. In a time of great uncertainty, we rested a little easier knowing we were in good hands here in Flagler County.”

In Bob’s acceptance speech, he thanked the crowd of nearly 60 Rotarians and guests, letting them know that when it came time for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, he called Roseanne and said, ‘I need help’. Rotarians and volunteers stepped up, playing a pivotal role in the success of Flagler County. Bob stressed that success doesn’t happen accidentally. That success? Out of 67 counties in Florida, Flagler County still has lowest COVID case rate on a per capita basis.