- April 24, 2024
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+ Tennis Center is an important amenity for Palm Coast to support
Dear Editor:
I was dismayed to read in the July 11 Palm Coast Observer about the fallacious arguments used by some City Council members regarding the fiscal viability of the Palm Coast Tennis Center.
It is stated that “there are a lot of taxpaying citizens who don’t play tennis and are tired of subsidizing a losing situation.”
It is absolutely true that there are a lot of taxpayers who do not play tennis. But neither do the vast majority of our populace use the sidewalks with reinforced metal side railings going over low areas along Belle Terre Parkway, the bike trails, the Indian Trails Sports Complex and the several park areas.
These multi-million-dollar projects are all provided for the use of Palm Coast residents who may or may not selectively choose to avail themselves of these amenities.
Presently, the day-to-day operation of the Tennis Center is outsourced to an independent company. I have no negative feelings about this management group but the city could immediately recoup that cost by having in-city management under the auspices of the recreation department.
It’s time for those on the City Council to stop targeting the tennis facility as the deterrent to the operation of a sound city budget.
It would be wise for Councilmen Bill McGuire and Jason DeLorenzo to look beyond the nets on the Tennis Center and focus on those in our city management who continue to use our tax dollars for expensive projects that might possibly be delayed for the future when our economy improves.
It would appear, however, that these two gentlemen continue to give their blessings for what the city management may propose. In conclusion, tennis is just as important as other amenities to a first class community.
Phyllis Scheffler
Palm Coast
+ Union-led raises come at the expense of all taxpayers
Dear Editor:
In a recent letter, the president of the Flagler County Educators Association made some points in an attempt to defend the existence of her organization. Several arguments were made, but two things caught my attention.
The justification given for awarding salary increases to the teachers was that the 1,700 School Board employees spend their money locally and therefore “suggesting that teachers and educational professionals don’t deserve the raises that the School Board agrees to hurts not just our families, but also many more families throughout Flagler County.”
But she fails to mention the obvious fact that in order to give raises to union members, the money must be extracted from the taxpayers of Flagler County. The inescapable logic of her statement is that expenditures by teachers and educators are of greater benefit to the community than that of ordinary citizens.
Teachers deserve a fair and competitive salary consistent with the performance of their duties and economic realities. But not for the reasons cited above.
Her second point, ostensibly to respond to an assertion that the unions are a tool of the Democratic party, was to attack Republicans for attempting to raise a lot of money for the 2012 elections. She would be wise to recognize that Republicans also vote on the sales tax increases and extensions that provide additional funding for schools.
The FCEA president demonstrates considerable enthusiasm for defending her union and deflecting criticism of its allegiance to the Democratic party. I hope similar vigor is directed at doing what is necessary to educate our students. Readers can judge for themselves if they believe the FCEA’s priorities are in order.
James Ulsamer
Palm Coast
+ Thanks to the caring woman who returned my purse
Dear Editor:
I would like to bring attention to something that happened on June 20. I had been shopping, and I pulled into my driveway in Palm Coast before I realized I had left my purse in the shopping cart.
I had been having a very stressful week already so you can imagine how that added to that stress. I rushed right back to the store’s customer service desk when a woman approached me and asked if I was Mrs. Hamilton. I guess she knew it was me by the anxiety in my face. She told me she had found my purse and had turned it over to customer service. She was waiting there to make sure I got it.
I cannot begin to describe the relief I felt. This lovely, honest, caring woman has restored my faith in mankind.
We can use more of her kind in our area. This wonderful woman’s name is Carolyn Hunley, from Grand Haven. To her I will always be grateful and remember her comforting kindness.
Carmen Hamilton
Palm Coast
+ The Observer should not have printed attack on Valentine
Dear Editor:
I strongly object to the Palm Coast Observer printing the nasty attack on Janet Valentine and her daughter. I don’t know Valentine, but I do know her daughter and I know that her daughter is a disabled veteran with PTSD and a child with special needs. No responsible parent would turn their back on their child and grandchild in this situation.
I am sure Evelio Reyes is not the only person to object to the new position and the money, but that letter expressed an attitude of hostility and intolerance that too many people in this country have today, and I believe it is undermining our value as human beings and destroying this country. The Observer should not have printed it.
Loretta J. Djalatta
Palm Coast
