- April 16, 2024
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+ My generation got tattoos, fought to protect your freedom
Dear Editor:
This is in response to Ms. Smith’s March 7 letter to the editor. First, I would like to say that I am the mother of two elementary school boys — both honor roll students. My oldest son plans on attending West Point and honorably serving his country. The youngest wants to be a medical scientist and find a cure for cancer.
I don’t believe that wearing shorts, jeans or flip-flops to school will change what is in their hearts or their minds. It’s clothing, not an invitation to a life misspent.
Ms. Smith talks about her generation adhering to strict dress codes, which apparently made them great citizens. What she failed to mention about her generation is that they were the ones who not only protested the Vietnam War, but they were also the ones in the airports when our veterans came home from the war, spitting on them and calling them “baby killers.” That’s positive? These were men and women who did their duty and served our great country, while the rest of her generation was fleeing our country to avoid serving.
I must also mention that I was one of the parents who supported the uniforms policy, but only from an economic standpoint. I don’t believe that children will turn out to be miscreants just because they can express themselves with their clothing.
I grew up in South Florida and also adhered to a dress code, but I still maimed myself with multiple tattoos and piercings. But, I also have a degree in criminology from Florida State University and served 13 years with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office as a uniformed deputy and detective.
I have never been arrested and don’t do drugs, even with all my tattoos and piercings — imagine that. My husband, who also has multiple tattoos, is currently serving in the U.S. Army, has been to Iraq four times, the last time in 2011, and he came home injured, fighting for Ms. Smith’s right to complain about anything she wants to complain about.
The generation in school today is the future of our great nation, and I believe that they will shine when their time comes — flip-flops, jeans and all.
Tracey Norris
Palm Coast
+ Why were the redundant street lamps installed in the first place?
Dear Editor:
Saturday’s paper reported that Palm Coast intends to remove some 41 of the city’s 2,876 lights it installed during the past few years, due to the cost of lighting. If I am correct, your reporter said that this removal will save the city of Palm Coast approximately $4,572 per year after an initial cost of $15,444 to the taxpayers of our fair city.
I have been a resident here since 1997 and actually watched in amazement at the installation of more than 40 of these street lamps. As I recall, no one asked the taxpayer if they thought it a good idea, or if it were even necessary to install a street lamp every 40 or 50 feet apart in residential areas that now resemble the Daytona International Speedway. Where lights are needed, they are not installed, and now they are going to spend monies that could have been saved initially to remove the unnecessary lights.
Am I missing a point here, or does the city spend money on these and other projects that could be omitted and save it for really necessary projects?.
Dana Williams
Palm Coast
FUTURE OF TENNIS?
+ Tennis center should reduce overhead costs
Dear Editor:
This will be the fifth year that the Palm Coast City Tennis Courts will be open for business. What business? They lost $134,000 last year.
The cost to build these courts was about $2 million. The clubhouse is extremely small with only one rest room per gender. The $2 million was taken from the general fund, i.e., taxpayer dollars. If we add the four previous years that it has been in operation, it has lost about $2.5 million.
Kemper, a national golf contractor, took over the operation last year. I guess our city manager thought they did such a good job, only losing $130,000 last year, that he would renew their association with the tennis facility. Plus, the Kemper manager’s wife is now the clubhouse manager. I don’t know what her pay is, but I felt the job should pay $10 per hour and be posted with the public.
We have got to cut the losses and get off the ship before it goes down. Eliminate most of the overhead and make it a real city facility that can be used by everyone.
Some successful events could be wheelchair tennis exhibitions, cardio fitness classes, tennis for Special Olympics, some free tennis, develop a big program for 6- and 7-year-olds, and try to have a junior development program. Can we do this at a very low overhead? Yes, we can!
Joe Sheldon
PTR 2A Certified Tennis Professional
