- April 23, 2024
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+ Tennis players are not to blame for Tennis Center struggles
Dear Editor:
The tennis players are not responsible for any bad decisions made regarding the viability of the tennis amenity.
The renowned Players Club fell into the hands of a fast-talking developer of the European Village, Peter Roehr, who convinced the powers that be that he would build a venue that would be recognized as a state-of-the-art facility that would attract clients from Europe. This was to be known as a “wellness center,” where patients would flock to get the latest in plastic surgery procedures and at the same time avail themselves of all that Palm Coast had to offer.
All that came of his wheeling and dealing and grandiose ideas is a sadly deteriorating condominium complex and struggling shopkeepers. The two-story club house at the now-defunct Players Club is in ruins and boarded up. The 18 courts (clay, grass, hard) plus the pool and racquet court have fallen into total disrepair.
These poor decisions were not made by the tennis players. These decisions were made by elected officials who failed to do due diligence before making very unwise decisions that have propelled us into the present state of affairs. So let’s put the blame for what some feel is ill spent money for tennis on the guilty ones.
It is ludicrous to say that the cost of playing tennis should be absorbed totally by those who play. This is absurd! First of all, tennis players do indeed pay to play either annually, quarterly or on a day-to-day basis. Do these complainers think that perhaps there should be a “toll” for walking on the sidewalks, biking on the trails or pay an entry fee for going to our parks or make the Little League players tap into their piggy banks or have a ticket-taker charge those who play bocce in our parks?
Maybe it’s time for the complainers to take the time to come to the Tennis Center, grab a chair under the canopy and witness the fit participants, as old as 96, doing an activity that is keeping them viable, healthy and alert. This would be far better than just sitting in an easy chair at home and venting about how providing tennis as a city (partially sponsored) amenity is digging a big hole into the fiscal viability of the city’s budget.
Phyllis Scheffler
Palm Coast
+ Friends of Library, not taxpayers, fund children’s programs
Dear Editor:
As president of the Friends of the Library of Flagler County, I would like to offer a clarification to an item included in the July 21 letter to the editor regarding the use of community tennis courts. Mr. Reiner gives examples of potential programs that Mr. Bennett should also consider cutting from the city or county offerings. Included in his list, Mr. Reiner identifies the “children’s shows” at the library.
In light of the upcoming budget cuts, let it be known that all of the children’s programs, as well as young adult and adult programs, held at the library are paid for by the Friends of the Library. No county taxpayer monies go to fund those “children’s shows.” And, since we are a county library, no city dollars go to pay for the library or its programs.
As further clarification, the Friends of the Library is a nonprofit organization whose sole mission is to advocate for and support the library. We do so by membership donations, quarterly book sales, bookshop sales and fundraising. In addition to supporting all of the library programs, we also fund purchases for the library, such as shelving, computer tables, sound systems and library carts.
Based on what we know of the upcoming 2013 county budget, the library will once again be impacted by budget cuts. Hours will be cut. On Tuesday and Thursday, the library will close at 6 p.m. instead of 8. Two employees will be demoted from full time to part time. This is a sad scenario and ongoing trend, considering how much value a library provides to a community. These changes will impact the value and services our library can offer.
As president of the Friends, I can guarantee we will continue our support of the library. I would also like to solicit the support of the community. First, I encourage your support through the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners. Let them know how important the library is to you. Second, please join the Friends of the Library. The money you donate will go to support the library!
Terry Jones
President, Friends of the Library of Flagler County
+ ‘Realtors learn how to attract Chinese buyers’ … Really?
Dear Editor:
Now we are teaching our Realtors to seek Chinese investors and all because they have money to spend? Why not make it easier for our American citizens to purchase American homes and land here with a lease-purchase program or some form of government assistance instead? I guess that would not generate the revenue the NAR is wanting. Forget helping our own — let’s go where the money is!
We already have debts to China to the extent that they own a chunk of our country. The borrowing from them by our government has put them in a strong leverage position. Before long, the United States of America will become the United Republic of China. We want to get our country back on track, but how can this be done when we are actively and openly marketing not only our manufacturing of products to China but now our land?
Jan Adams
Palm Coast
