- April 19, 2024
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+ When you build a fence, you diminish your full potential
Dear Editor:
Christine Speno’s recent letter highlights an irrefutable, oft-proven economic fact: “When you build a fence, either to keep folks in, or to keep others out, you diminish your full potential.”
To enjoy true economic growth and development, those of us in Flagler County need — and should openly welcome — cross-pollination with our neighboring counties and states.
I mean, come on, if it weren’t for New York and New Jersey, Palm Coast wouldn’t even exist! And in the spirit of full disclosure, I admit to having dined, shopped and purchased gas in St. Augustine, Daytona and Orlando. I am truly sorry!
Frank Zedar
Flagler County Economic Opportunity Advisory Council
+ School Board overstepping bounds with uniforms policy
Dear Editor:
I am writing in response to the statements made by certain of our School Board members in the Jan. 19 edition of the Palm Coast Observer. I was most appalled by Colleen Conklin’s statement: “I look at this as doing ... families who are facing economic hardship ... a favor.”
No matter how the School Board spins it, uniforms cost money — money that most do not have right now. Flagler County has the highest unemployment rate in the state. Doing this now, placing yet another hardship on our working class families, is completely irresponsible.
(Given the new guidelines), students are being controlled over their outerwear, as well, and now parents will have to buy new coats and jackets because most are unlikely to own plain gray or white.
It’s the principle of the thing to me. The School Board is taking more and more of our choice away and dictating more and more of our lives.
I don’t think the School Board has the right to tell us what we have to spend our hard-earned money on and threaten punishment of my children if we don’t agree.
What happens to the children who come to school without these uniforms because their parents couldn’t come up with the extra money? Detention, suspension? Are they going to be punished for being poor?
Keri Crider
Palm Coast
+ What is the goal of uniforms? How will success be measured?
Editor’s Note: A version of the following letter was also sent to the School Board.
Dear Editor:
With regard to the newly passed uniforms policy, can the School Board provide the following information in an effort to truly evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the proposed policy?
1. What is the objective or goal? What exactly would the board like to accomplish with this initiative?
2. What are the actions the board will take to implement, communicate and enforce the new policy?
3. What is the expected cost and impact on the budget? If uniforms cannot be purchased with tax dollars, who is expected to donate the funds necessary to purchase them and how will the board solicit those funds? Will these donations be in addition to what is already given by current donors, or will these costs be taken from existing donations? Additionally, how will we fund the implementation, communication and enforcement of the new policy?
4. How will the objective/goal be measured, so we can better understand at what point the new policy can be declared successful or not? For instance, if the goal is increased student achievement, how will that be measured? What are the target measurements/numbers we should all be reaching for with the uniforms policy?
Zelia Giuliano
Palm Coast
+ Red light cameras are a good revenue source for our community
Dear Editor:
In response to the recent letters regarding red light cameras, I would like to voice my opinion in their favor.
I, as a resident, welcome anyone’s voluntary contribution to the city’s coffers. First, we can always use the money. Second, it essentially amounts to voluntarily paying a tax. That’s not something many people willingly do. Many thanks to those who are contributing to our city’s financial health.
I would advocate these devices be placed at every intersection controlled by a traffic signal. I do believe that red light cameras influence driving behavior in ways that do save lives and prevent serious injuries.
My belief is that these drivers who consistently run red lights (and stop signs) are thieves. They steal other peoples’ time, physical welfare and sometimes their lives.
Regarding the excuse that these devices would cause an increase in rear-end accidents — this is merely an excuse.
The remedy is very simple: 1. Follow at a safe distance. 2. Obey the speed limits or adjust your speed for conditions. 3. Stop when the light turns yellow.
Christopher Lemke
Palm Coast
KEEPING SCORE IN THE PALM HARBOR RATES DEBATE
+ Stop the winter green fee at Palm Harbor for local residents
Dear Editor:
The Palm Coast-owned golf course, Palm Harbor, increased its green fee during the winter months for local residents. Why?
Local residents support the course year round. This includes the dog days of summer, when the course offers special rates to encourage play. We believe special rates should be offered to local residents during the winter to entice locals who might otherwise put their clubs aside because of the cold.
Instead, rates are being raised. The increase flies in the face of reality in our community of retirees on stagnant incomes and a city/county with the highest unemployment rate in the state.
The increase would appear to undermine efforts being put forward to bring businesses and jobs to our beautiful city/county. A pleasant and well-maintained municipal golf course with reasonable rates would be an excellent selling point.
Presently, Palm Harbor’s green fee is almost the highest in the area. It is not clear who initiated the increase — the city or the management company. In fact, we have seen little information from the city on the course operations since it opened in November 2009.
We believe the city should provide periodic and annual reports on the club. The residents are stakeholders in the club, and should be provided information on its operations.
We want our golf course to be a success. Loyalty to the course can be developed if residents are kept in the loop.
Perhaps the management company and the city are following the outdated golf course management model that has most golf courses in such dire straits. We believe a green fee structure which has year-round prices for city and county residents, Florida residents, and floating rates for all others would keep the club financially sound.
We are gathering signatures on a petition to our elected officials, urging them to stop the increase in green fees for local residents. We have almost 100 signatures with comments. We are not talking about one or two golfers. There are several groups of 20 or more golfers who play golf at other courses on a regular basis. Can the city afford to lose this revenue?
Columbus “Tom” Thomas
Palm Coast
Editor’s Note: The following is a sampling of comments left by people who signed the online petition:
Floyd Thorpe: It’s not only too high during winter months; when you look at the rates for other city-owned courses in the area, it’s too much for any time of the year. The city should be ashamed.
Kenneth Hirsh: I would play more if the green fees were not so high in the winter.
James Cauley: Stop the winter green fee at the Palm Harbor golf course for local residents.
Edward Walker: Help us help you. Keeping the cost reasonable to city residents will enable Palm Harbor to have more business. More business means more revenue. In the end, all are happy.
James Hunt: Stop ripping off the locals.
Penny Killackey: You need the locals to support the club. Give them a break.
Ezekiel Walters: I am a Players Club member because I wanted to support my city. It seems like the city is shafting us.
Byron Stewart: A city course charging higher fees than private courses hurts the city golfers who negotiate with private courses for lower fees.
+ Rate increases are necessary; courses add value to homes
Dear Editor:
We have recently (Jan. 16) put in place our in season rates. For residents, it’s $39.50. A 10% discount if they are a Players Club card member takes the rate to $35.55.
Nonresidents pay $45, and they too receive a 10% discount if they are Players Club members, making the rate $40.50.
The seasonal rate increase is a regular practice in the golf industry and helps to maintain the cash flow through the off season when rates and revenues are low.
Without this rate, we would have to maintain a higher rate in the off season and shoulder months. As in any business, our costs have also risen — mainly due to oil prices. Thus, we have small incremental increases each year to help offset these costs.
The 2012 in-season rates for residents are only $2 more than 2011; the non-Florida resident rate last year was $59, but we have eliminated this rate. Our rates are tiered and reduce with the time of day. For more information, the rates can be seen on our website at www.PalmHarbor GolfClub.com.
Golf courses must price their rates according to how the course is maintained and to cover the costs of operation. Palm Harbor is often praised for course conditions and value. This all comes at a cost.
It is painfully evident by all the sales and bankruptcies filed by many of the local courses that to stay in business you must ask for a reasonable rate, maintain your course conditions, and not give in to price competition between noncomparable properties.
For example: We hear a few people say that they will drive to Daytona Beach to play golf because the rate is $6 less than we are. There, they play a course that cannot compare in condition, service or layout to Palm Harbor and other courses here in Palm Coast.
What they do not realize is that they spend that $6 in gas instead of supporting their local clubs.
Palm Harbor and the other clubs in the area add value to the homes in the surrounding areas, as well as attract new homeowners and businesses to the city of Palm Coast. Cities cannot survive without having something to attract families and business to them. Golf, tennis, youth sports and parks are all key elements to a thriving community.
We are proud to be a part of that, and we will maintain our fiduciary responsibility to grow the club.
Rich Stanfield
General Manager
Palm Harbor Golf Club/ Kempersports
