- April 26, 2024
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+ Leave the bobcats alone; they were here first!
Dear Editor:
I read your editorial page and Tina Burnham’s letter about wanting the government to pay for the removal of a bobcat.
Bobcats are solitary, territorial predators that have a home range of about 4,900 acres, and they will not let another male hunt on their land. I admire predators. They don’t expect handouts; they don’t rely on anyone else.
I’ve lived here 25 years, and we’ve had bobcats around since we’ve been here. Why? Because we live on his range! They were here first. I leave him alone and he leaves me alone.
About 70% of a bobcat’s diet consists of rabbits and rats. In two years, a female with three kittens will consume 7,000 cotton rats and mice. I prefer bobcats to rats.
As far as trapping and removing the bobcat: There are, on average, 80 bobcats per 100 square miles. Remove one and another will very shortly replace it. You can’t trap ’em all.
If you fear anything in Palm Coast, fear your neighbor’s pit bull. A bobcat kills to eat; a pit bull kills because it’s bred into them, and they enjoy it!
Douglas R. Glover
Palm Coast
+ Best Bagels & Deli owners are honest, hard-working people
Dear Editor:
It is wonderful that Ed and Grace Tutak want to resurrect Best Bagels & Deli! Perhaps they can also resurrect the Food Lion on State Road 100, Dollar Discount, Hong Kong Buffet, Palm Coast’s Kmart, Quiznos and several other of the ventures that have gone out of business in our community.
Perhaps they have more experience in the restaurant business than the 50 years that Alan and Karyn Phillips brought to bear in opening and keeping Best Bagels running for so long. Perhaps they have deeper pockets and will be able to pay their help for the next four Christmas seasons by taking out loans from banks and mortgaging their home, as did Karyn and Alan Phillips.
Perhaps Palm Coast Properties LLC and property manager Rob Robinson could have found other tenants to pay $10,000 per month over the past four years and more, for their space.
Or, perhaps the Tutaks and Palm Coast Properties will notice what the rest of us see every day of every week of every month: That we are in an economic downturn, that times are tough and the business environment is tougher! Perhaps they’ll take note of the empty storefronts all over our community. Perhaps the former employees of Best Bagels will discover that too many other people are also out of work — and have been for a lot longer than they have been — in Flagler County.
I happen to know that the one member of the Phillips family was on-site and at work each and every one of the 365 days each year they were open. While Palm Coast Property may cry foul, they charged the Phillips full rent for nine months before their restaurant could open because of the difficulties in getting approvals and permits. If that location is such a bargain, surely many other businesses will be lining up to move right in!
I happen to know that every single employee of Best Bagels got paid on time during each and every pay period simply because the Phillipses, who took no salary at all, borrowed the money to make sure they were paid.
Karyn and Alan Phillips were and are honest business owners who tried valiantly, at significant cost of money, time, effort, energy and attention, to create a business and jobs in our community.
Merrill Shapiro
Palm Coast
+ Editor’s criticism of ‘negative residents’ unfair, hypocritical
Dear Editor:
On Dec. 31, I was listening to a local radio station interviewing a panel of movers and shakers regarding the coming year. The editor of a local paper couldn’t contain himself from slobbering over our long-term mayor who we will now look forward to for five more years of spin.
He mentioned how intelligent he finds this individual and the words of wisdom that flow from his tongue. He went on to praise the past City Council members and the great job they have done.
However, he could not help but criticize the negative residents who attend government meetings and complain. The reporters who attend these meetings profit by having something to write about due to the different positions expressed. The attendees, in my humble opinion, are carrying out their responsibility as good citizens and should be encouraged, not looked down upon.
The good news is that the elections are over and until next time, you will see little of your elected officials except for a photo shoot.
Joe Cunnane
Palm Coast
+ Tax-free real estate should be enough for religious edifices
Dear Editor:
Kudos to Rabbi Shapiro for his Dec. 22 letter referencing the proposed Amendment 7. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution pretty much guarantees religious freedom. Not implicit in that amendment, but practiced here in the United States, is that religious edifices are awarded tax-free real estate. Apparently that isn’t enough of a boost for some legislators.
Shirley D. Carter
Palm Coast
+ Thanks to everyone who helped with Be a Santa to a Senior
Dear Editor:
We would like to thank everyone who helped with this year’s Be a Santa to a Senior program. With support from generous shoppers and Palm Coast Walgreen’s, we were able to collect more than 85 gifts for seniors who otherwise might have been overlooked this holiday season.
We also would like to thank the many volunteers who collected, wrapped and delivered the gifts.
Thanks to all those who helped us brighten the holidays for our local seniors and truly making a difference in our community.
Deborah Ronson and Bebe Kelly
Home Instead Senior Care
