- April 26, 2024
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Schools should use make do with less, just like the rest of us
Dear Editor:
It seems that once you get a job in which your salary and operations are paid for with public money, the religion of “it’s for the children” replaces common sense and professional responsibility. That’s because it’s much harder to tighten your belt, to deal with fraud and abuse, to reduce inefficiency and waste and to make do with what you’ve got than it is to go to the public trough and beg, “Please, Mr. Bumble, Sir, I want some more!”
So this letter will explain why I will be voting against the school tax in the June referendum: There is no more money.
It’s time for our public servants to do the same thing that any responsible householder must do when his going gets tough: He figures out how to make do with what he’s got, whatever it takes — there is no trough.
For a breadwinner to have a place to live and transportation in our humble county, he has to incur household debt of at least $200,000 — likely a lot more. But the median household income for county residents is less than $50,000. Do any of those asking for more taxes have any idea how to support such debt and then feed, clothe, house, transport and manage a household of three or four on an after-tax net income of less than $3,500 a month?
We’re already at a “wow” level, and we’re not at the end yet, which is where on earth are we going to be able to get the money they want from us?
Realistically, any “jobs” available in Flagler County pay something in the order of $15 per hour, or $600 for a 40-hour week, with minimal or no additional benefits. By contrast, benefits received by many of the teachers and school administrators are by themselves greater than the total household income of a large percentage of the families in the county! As said, there isn’t any more money.
Before I finish my rant, I’ll add that I wish our children were taught arithmetic, American History (including the root documents and history of the founding of the greatest republic in the history of the world), English (including spelling and syntax,) basic household economics, and that they be required to read no less than one great American classic work per month. Maybe if they got these things in their “education,” people here like me would be of a much different mind about coming up with more money “for the children”!
George Hibbard
Palm Coast
Falling enrollment is bad reason for more taxes
Dear Editor:
I see that School Board member Colleen Conklin got a whole editorial page to put forth her pro-school tax propaganda. Must be nice to be a member of the ruling class. Maybe I can get a few lines in rebuttal. The gist of Mrs. Conklin's statement seems to be that the fact we are losing student enrollment is a good reason to vote for a tax increase!
This is akin to the environmentalist argument that the fact the earth is cooling is just more proof that we are fast approaching massive global warming and man- (and woman-) kind is causing it.
I find it sad that a lot of people (27.32%) believe these arguments and sadder that enough of you will buy these convoluted lies and vote for yet another unnecessary and wasteful tax increase. Please note that Mrs. Conklin uses the term "statements that are not factual" in her editorial, and I use the old southern term, "lies."
Douglas R. Glover
Palm Coast
City employees showed great courtesy
Dear Editor:
This past week, I had an opportunity to observe and interact with employees of the Public Works department. They were repairing swales in my neighborhood. Their professionalism and caring for the homeowners' properties was outstanding. The attitude exhibited by these city employees were that of neighbors.
Their supervisor was very approachable, and the swale specialist addressed my questions and concerns with informed answers. Additionally, the director exhibited a high level of professionalism.
To say that I was satisfied would be an understatement.
Bob Alex
Palm Coast
Incredible: Plea deal reduces sentence too much
Dear Editor:
A recent article stated that Timothy Draper pled no contest to firing shots.
What?! Let’s recap: Mr. Draper pled no contest to firing shots in public near Herschel King Park, from a vehicle, within 1,000 feet of a person, while under the influence of alcohol — a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison — plus another second-degree misdemeanor charge. And he is sentenced to two years of probation and 50 hours of community service, a $500 fine and no firearms during his probation.
Thank you, National Rifle Association. Good work creating an environment that accepts such absurdities as this "plea deal" and a 54 to 46 Senate vote to say no to gun show/Internet gun sales background checks.
Bonnie C. Bellin
Palm Coast
