- April 24, 2024
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Dear Editor:
I am not a fan of newspaper election endorsements. These are usually a one-person view of the candidates and their qualifications for the offices in question.
Often, voters are lazy in their election preparation, and without adequate knowledge go with the papers endorsements which seem to carry more weight than just letter writers.
Our freedom of speech and of the press means we all can comment openly. So, I must say that I disagree with some of the Observer endorsements.
Flagler County Commissioner Mullins has not distinguished himself in office and should be voted out. Development will continue here in Flagler County. But there is nothing wrong with taking a critical look at what is being presented and possible project improvements that could be made for the people’s benefit. We do not need a boss; we need an administrator.
I am a little leery of a practicing attorney running for Palm Coast City Council. I always thought attorneys were like Tom Cruise in "The Firm," working 80 hours per week so no time for anything else. We already have a city attorney present at all council meetings. The City Charter is supposed to be law, but is vague in so many areas that makes it subject to manipulation by developers and a complacent city staff.
The county commission and city council approve everything by majority vote. One vote out of five will not change the earth’s rotation but a new voice may be just what we need to move the ball forward.
Jeffery C. Seib
Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
This past few months I have been walking doors speaking to the community about issues important to Flagler residents. I find these conversations to be so rewarding and it keeps me grounded in my job as a commissioner. As I spoke to a lady in the E Section today, she reminded me of why I ran and what I have been able to accomplish and how she loves it, but was disappointed by my actions at the traffic stop.
I really and sincerely apologize to my fellow residents of Flagler for my comments. I was truly frustrated and having a bad day. We are all human and, as we all know, regret things said or done the past. Life's lessons are very often learned the hard way.
To this extent, I ask that the people I represent accept my humble apology for failing you and this community with my behavior. I know, in cases, it may be difficult, but it is my sincere wish that you all know ... I do care and pledged to have learned important lessons.
I also want you to know that I want to continue to be a good servant leader in the community. I want to continue to make the measured progress we have made in working with you and other government officials, such as ... broadband countywide; improved public safety and state and federal funding for our shores and major infrastructure projects.
Thank you for reading this letter to the editor and, again, I pledge to be a better elected representative and community example as I grow in my love and fondness for this great community that we live in. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive my mistake and provide me the chance to continue to serve you and Flagler County.
Joe Mullins
Bunnell
Dear Editor:
In 2018, the Palm Coast Observer described Joe Mullins, who was then running for commissioner, as a “flawed candidate,” but then surprisingly opted to endorse him anyway.
It’s four years later, and after having to endure the disastrous shenanigans during his time on the commission, it was even more startling, perplexing and disheartening to once again see a Mullins endorsement.
John Walsh, the Observer’s publisher, admitted the endorsement would cause him “heartburn,” but cited only the infamous “Ticketgate,” when Mullins claimed “I run the county” to avoid a speeding ticket, as an example of his apparent concern.
Walsh surely must be aware of Mullins' catalog of controversial actions and problematic behavior that should, by most standards, bring to an end his public office electability. A candidate’s character often dictates how they implement policies and how they represent their constituents and should always be of great significance.
The Mullins flaws Walsh worried about in 2018 have not abated, but have increased over the last four years, yet were seemingly not given the weight they deserve in the endorsement decision. The Observer’s endorsement is actually rewarding bad behavior and may enable it in the future should Mullins be allowed a second term.
Robert Gordon
Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
Two of the four candidates for the District 2 Palm Coast City Council seat have controversial and concerning pasts that would usually be disqualifying based on the expected standards of electability.
Alan Lowe, a handyman, had previously aligned himself with the radical sovereign citizen ideology, declaring he was no longer a U.S. citizen and was immune to U.S. laws. The Sovereign Citizen movement is viewed by the FBI as a domestic terrorism threat.
Theresa Pontieri, an attorney, was recently forced to resign from our sheriff’s department for racially biased public statements that were viewed as “offensive, divisive and inflammatory.”
The pasts of these two candidates pose a concern and the potential of bringing either an extremist ideology or racial divisiveness to the council and our community.
And it is befuddling why Lowe and Pontieri, with their respective past baggage, would ever have emerged as viable candidates for the public office jobs they are vying for let alone be given any serious consideration by voters.
Sally Bryant
Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
Flagler County School Board member Jill Woolbright has a long and well-established record of confusing her church’s doctrine with Flagler County School policy. Woolbright’s quest to ban books she and her church regard as pornographic runs afoul of the First Amendment to our US Constitution. Her opposition to Flagler-Palm Coast High School protests against the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill that prohibits school instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade is yet another expression of her interpretation of a particular brand of Christianity.
In a hand-written letter to the Flagler County Sheriff’s office, Woolbright ordered that all young adult books be checked to see that they complied with her understanding of the demands of her Christian faith. Yet she went ahead to “bear false witness” when she swore to “support the Constitution of the United States” while showing her contempt for the First and Fourteenth Amendments by seeking to establish Christianity as the religion of our local public schools.
In contrast, Belle Terre Elementary School’s Abbey Cooke, a gifted and talented educator, had a long and well-established record of exemplary service to our Flagler County Schools and to her students. Her dedication to our curriculum, her support of her colleagues and her devotion to her students was unsurpassed. Thanks to a misguided Jill Woolbright, we have lost an outstanding teacher, Abbey Cooke, as if such accomplished educators grow on trees and are plentiful throughout our community! As we prepare to fill out our ballots, it is wise to remember that Flagler County needs many more Abbey Cookes and a lot fewer Jill Woolbrights.
(Rabbi) Merrill Shapiro
Palm Coast
Editor’s note: Jill Woolbright submitted the following response to Shapiro:
My Christian faith compels me to follow the law of the land. As a constitutional officer, I took an oath of office swearing to uphold the Constitution. That is what I have done.
You falsely stated that I was on a quest to ban books. My constitutional duty is to uphold the Florida Statutes. The statute in question regarding “All Boys Aren’t Blue” was F.S. 847, the statute on obscenity. The superintendent decided for this book to be removed from circulation in our middle and high schools.
Next, Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law is the correct name of the statute I believe you are referring to. The operations of the school district did not adhere to the School Board policy.
Lastly, you falsely accuse me of the dismissal of a former teacher. The truth is personnel issues are under the authority of the superintendent. The investigation was completely handled by the superintendent’s office. I was informed the teacher violated the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida.
The school board’s duties are to:
The public often gets confused on the duties of School Board members versus the superintendent of schools.
