- April 19, 2024
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To deny racism is to deny the opportunity for change
Dear Editor:
In response to the letter written by Douglas Glover:
How does one lower the illegitimacy rate? Is that monumental task really the responsibility of the NAACP or the Southern Poverty Law Center? If so, more the reason to file a complaint against the school district.
Demanding equal opportunity in education is a great way to start. The numbers, if you want to talk percentages, speak for themselves. They indicate that there has been systematic racism perpetrated against black and minority students. Lack of education leads to the percentages you speak of.
So does the failure of the Legislature that would improve the plight of single-parent households, especially for working parents. Daycare is costly and inadequate, and wages for undereducated parents are low.
Compared to other developed countries, we are lacking in the resources that would assist the parents that are working two or more jobs to make ends meet. If a fair wage was paid, more parents would be home and able to assist their children obtain B’s and A’s. As per your statement about certain people pushing programs for people to live off taxpayers, programs that benefit the poor and disabled are not limited to minorities. More whites are on public assistance than minorities. Any benefit derived from a program would help any American citizen, regardless of race.
Our education module is what prompted the complaint against the school district. As a result, there has been work done on both sides to improve the academic success of minorities. The tentative agreement that has been submitted to the School Board by the SPLC will result in a benefit for all students.
Unfortunately, too many people have preconceived notions of what the NAACP is about. Google our history. We are the oldest civil rights organization in the world: 106 years old. Founded by whites and blacks in Niagara, New York.
To deny racism is to deny the opportunity for change.
Linda Sharpe Haywood,
President, Flagler County NAACP
Cell towers are necessary for progress
Dear Editor:
Come on people, let’s try and solve a simple problem. Even if we would prefer to have a pristine landscape with no man made objects in sight (we are past the point of whether the information age has affected the city/county), be reminded that we live with water towers, so we can get in-home delivery.
Cell towers are needed to get on the bandwagon of the info highway with the rest of the world’s 21st-century communication system.
Like it or not, cell phones and smart devices need the infrastructure to work seamlessly. Progress means you make optimized choices to advance civilization. If you want nature, go out to Princess Place and pitch a tent and camp. If you want Palm Coast to compete/stay abreast of the rest of the world, fix this problem!
While you are at this, get Fibernet to make money. Also, towers on city property helps defray the overall tax burden on us. This is why thinking people would/should choose this as an option whenever possible/practical.
David Ferguson
Palm Coast
No free care for someone because of age?
Dear Editor:
Every time I read an article in the Palm Coast Observer about the Flagler County Free Clinic, I’m tempted to write a letter. This latest issue made me so mad, I finally decided to write that letter.
I tried going to this “free” clinic several years ago, and they refused to help me. The reason: I was over 65. They discriminated against me because of my age. They tried to tell me it was because I was eligible for Medicare. But the sad truth was, I could not afford Medicare. How is this different from all those people they do help, even those people are eligible for some kind of medical insurance but — like me — they can’t afford it? That’s why they go there.
I couldn’t afford medical insurance, but I was denied. The only difference? I was over 65.
How is that fair?
I suspect the real reason they refused to help me is because people of my age tend to have more medical problems. We, the people who need it the most, are not allowed treatment at this “free” clinic. And yet they will see people like that person in your article who destroyed his own health by drinking and drugging.
People like me who have always taken care of themselves, never drank, did drugs or smoked, exercised, ate right, did everything I could to stay health — we are refused help. And my only sin? I got old.
P.S. Because they refused me medical care, I am now crippled for the rest of my life.
Charlotte Smith
Palm Coast
Why can’t we drive on all lanes of Palm Coast Parkway right now?
Dear Editor:
The I-95/Palm Coast Parkway interchange improvements are still progressing (very slowly).
I asked this back in February: With several of the lanes finished for many months, except for the final layer of paving, that these lanes cannot be finished and opened to relieve some of the traffic congestion. The answer at that time was totally unsatisfactory. They still are not open.
Can't anyone on the Palm Coast City Council force these lanes to be completed and opened?
Jesse Stoner
Palm Coast
Editor’s note: According to the public information officer: “The road project is now about 83% complete. Phase two, the westbound lanes, is presently in progress, to be finished mid-August 2015. Phase Three will extend until December, 2015 when all six-lanes will be open and construction will be complete.”
