- April 25, 2024
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+ SRDs should carry Tasers
Dear Editor:
Regarding the use of Tasers in our local schools, I’m at a loss to understand School Board member Colleen Conklin’s opposition. The deputies already have guns, batons and Mace in their possession. Does she think those weapons are less likely to be “lethal, or could damage developing brain cells”?
I don’t have any children in the schools at my age (thank God), but her stance is completely baffling, to say the least.
Doug Pusey
Palm Coast
+ Economic plan: same old story
Dear Editor:
Albert Einstein once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
The quote came to mind when I read in your paper that the former director of Enterprise Flagler is the new economic development manager for the recently created Economic Development Advisory Council. I wonder how many other members of the Enterprise staff will be moving over.
So in their wisdom, our elected officials decided to rename the old dog, give it four times more funding and start it off with at least some of the same people. Funny, but I think most people will still recognize the old dog, in spite of the shiny new collar.
I suspect we will be taking about the same unemployment, lack of new businesses and empty commercial real estate next year.
Edith Campins
Palm Coast
+ Beach sand debate uninformed
Dear Editor:
With regard to the recent debate about ways to save Flagler’s beach, you were smart enough to pick up on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ criticism of the Holmberg Undercurrent Stabilizer system; however, your paper needs to go into more detail on this subject of beach erosion, which is so important to Flagler County.
The Holmberg tubes, perpendicular to the beach, will slow the long-shore current, causing it to drop more of its sand load along the shoreline opposite the tubes. This will indeed build the beach at that location, but starve the long-shore current, and hence the downstream beaches, of sand.
Because the dominant set of the long-shore current is to the south, beachgoers and property owners to the south of 14th Street should be alarmed at the idea. The other ideas for reducing wave action will have the same effect.
As a geologist, I can tell you that sea level has been rising for at least the last hundred years, and when sea level rises, the beach retreats. There is no magic way to beat Mother Nature, which is why “nourishing” the beach with sand will have to be repeated every five years or so, depending on storm frequency.
I suggest that you and Save Flagler’s Beach read “The Beaches Are Moving,” by Kaufman and Pilkey, Duke University Press, 1983, and “The Corps And The Shore,” by Pilkey and Dixon, Island Press, 1996, to become more fully informed.
Jack Salisbury
Palm Coast
+ Death on Seminole Woods was tragic, but not the city’s fault
Dear Editor:
Regarding the accident that happened in August, on southern Seminole Woods Boulevard: Officials, people and parents should look at the facts.
On that evening, the kid (under 16) had everything against him: propelling a bicycle late in the darkness, no reflective jacket, no helmet, no tail lamp, no reflector and no light.
It was a regrettable accident, but it was waiting to happen.
In such an accident involving the young, certain individuals without knowing too much have a tendency to blame city government officials.
In this particular case, no city government officials should have to bear or feel any remorse or responsibility for this.
Sidewalks, streets lights and an emergency helicopter would not have made any difference.
Parents can impress upon their children the importance of safety.
Dallas Prentice
Palm Coast
+ City Council schedule favors retirees and wealthy
Dear Editor:
I have frequently wondered why, in a city with more than retirees and the independently wealthy, that one of our two monthly City Council meetings is at 9 a.m. on a weekday.
This makes is practically impossible for anyone who works for a living to be able to attend the meetings and also to consider running for city office.
Lisa Dawson-Andrzejczyk
Palm Coast
UP THE CREEKSIDE WITHOUT A PADDLE
+ Chamber’s policy unfair
Dear Editor:
I am extremely concerned over what appears to be political partisanship on the part of the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates.
There is an important Palm Coast election of City Council members coming up this November, and one of the candidates is Jason DeLorenzo, whose wife happens to be a vice president of the chamber.
When driving by the chamber’s headquarters, you see cars in the parking lot with DeLorenzo’s campaign signs, and the cars appear to be staff cars, since they are there regularly. Shouldn’t the chamber proactively avoid any hint of any organizational partisanship?
And even worse, it appears there’s a calculated effort by the chamber to keep council candidates from appearing at the Creekside Festival in October — except, you guessed it, Jason DeLorenzo.
It seems he can appear as part of the Flagler Home Builders Association (his employer) display, which affords him the opportunity to meet and greet the public to build name recognition — a key advantage in any election.
Now, I know the chamber represents the county’s business community, but should it be engaged in partisan politics? Our city’s election officials should look carefully at this, and I would encourage the news media to do the same. We have nothing in Palm Coast if we don’t have fair elections.
Mike Cocchiola
Palm Coast
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