- April 26, 2024
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Address the standing water in the swales, not garage sales
Dear Editor:
One would think the city of Palm Coast would be more concerned with the standing waters in the swales and/or easements along our streets than they would be about garage sales.
Then again, one would think the residents of Palm Coast would consider replacing our city officials with some people with common sense!
Donald Farron
Palm Coast
City needs an ordinance to solve erosion problem on canals
Dear Editor:
The morning of Sept. 12, the city’s code official, at my request, came to witness my complaint of the erosion of the property adjoining the return ends of my bulkhead, causing the undermining of the return end that will eventually breakaway taking may lawn with it.
This was not my first complaint to the city and was given the same answer: “Not the city’s responsibility.” I was supposed to contact the owner of the property. That was done, and I never received a reply.
I also sent an email to U.S. Rep. John Mica, who had the Army Corps of Engineers contact me. Their response was “Not responsible.”
The city does not want to shake up a can of worms and add an addendum to its saltwater canal ordinances, that all non-bulkheaded properties shall install a retaining wall.
Note: Most of the empty saltwater canals are more than 30 years old, and the erosion of the properties does have an effect on the ordinance’s required depth of water that is being replaced by soil. One day, there will be a hefty tax bill in the mail for everyone to pay for the dredging, caused by the owners of the vacant non-bulkheaded properties.
Why would not the city add an addendum to the bulkhead ordnances that all non-bulkheaded canal property after Jan. 1, 2013, shall not be sold without a water retaining wall structure?
Walter Albano
Palm Coast
Red light cameras promote injustice
Dear Editor:
Justice.
Exactly what is the meaning of that word in Flagler County?
I recently received a Notice of Violation in the mail that was generated by the camera on Cypress Point Parkway. It shows my vehicle slowing to a short stop and proceeding to make a right turn on a red light. It does not show the driver. I decided to contest this since I could not understand how a vehicle could be ticketed without identifying the driver.
I read the back of the violation and it clearly stated that if you wanted to contest this, you should not respond to the violation and you would be issued a citation and be contacted by the court for further instruction.
A week later, I received a citation that increased my fine from $158 to $264! I immediately called the city and was advised that there is a law in place in Flagler County which allows the ticketing to the registrant of a vehicle filmed on the cameras. They do not need to identify the driver. A vehicle cannot create a violation. Someone must be driving the vehicle.
When asked about the increase in the amount of the fine, I was told that somewhere at the bottom of the violation, it states that contesting this may result in higher costs. Vague, to say the least. My only recourse was to write a letter to the judge and ask for mercy.
I have now done so, and hand delivered it to the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center. It would seem that much “injustice” happens there. This law has nothing to do with justice of any sort and is nothing more than a new and wonderful way to bring in more revenue. We need to get rid of these cameras.
Janice M. Donohue-Scifo
Palm Coast
FROM THE MOUTHS OF SEVENTH-GRADERS
Editor’s Note: The following letters were submitted by Lori Scarpa’s Indian Trails Middle School seventh-graders.
‘Turtle power’
Dear Editor:
I really liked your article on the turtle nest. I liked it not just because I like turtles, but because younger kids get to experience seeing a turtle nest being cleaned.
Just by looking at the pictures, it looks like the kids are having fun out at the nest.
Also, another thing I really liked about your articles is that it’s about turtles. I absolutely love turtles. If I was one of those kids, it would be an honor for me to be out at the nest.
I wish your article could be longer, though. I think it should be longer because I believe that you should add more of what the kids say. I always want to know what kids think about nature.
Olivia Reynolds
‘After 9/11, a new life’
Dear Editor:
I have just recently finished reading the article “After 9/11, a new life,” and I just wanted to add that you did very well.
I felt like I could picture what had happened just by reading the article. I really liked how you wrote about how Jodi LoDolce came to work because “she had to do what needed to be done,” even after the horrible events that happened that day. Most people would’ve just stayed home with their families. I also liked how you were very descriptive about how it felt at the hospital that day. Was it true that no patients came until late at night? Overall, I’d say you did very well.
The only thing that could’ve made it better was if you would’ve explained more about the power outage. You could’ve explained what caused it, and what happened because of it.
In all, I think you did very well.
Anthony Zheng
