LETTERS: We don't need fixed routes for county buses! Also: kudos to road workers and Senior Games volunteers

What is important — now — to Flagler County residents?


  • By
  • | 1:19 p.m. September 22, 2015
  • Palm Coast Observer
  • Opinion
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Buses? Stop spending our money on things we don’t want or need

Dear Editor:

The county now wants us to pay for a bus route we don't need.

Our commissioners can never find any money to help the county taxpayers with what they want or need, yet they continue encouraging the influx of low-income residents with subsidized housing (now called “adjusted income”). The taxpayers then have to pay for what the county thinks these people need because they are low income.

Of course, the county says most of the bus route cost will be paid for by a grant (formerly called ear marks or pork) from the Florida Department of Transportation. That money should be used for fixing our roads and bridges — and it is all taxpayer money.

The cost to buy a house at the beach is more than double anywhere else in the county; therefore the taxes are more than double also. The insurance is more than triple, as are many other expenses to live there.

County Administrator Craig Coffey said the new bus route will run from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. He said it would be a good way to get teens to the beach in the summer, "without Mom and Dad.” Just think about busloads of unaccompanied teenagers descending on the beach every day. What family would ever again want to come to our beaches? Why would we want to stay here?

The bus service we now have serves our county's real needs. We don't need a new bus route, and we don't want a county administrator or commissioners who think we do. Call them now, and remember them the next time you vote.

Jean Sbertoli
Flagler Beach

Senior Games success is a collaborative effort

Dear Editor:

We held the Palm Coast/Flagler Beach Senior Games Cycling on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 13. We had four events, a 5K and 10K time trials, as well as 20K and 40K road races.

Thanks to all of the volunteers, support people and racers who made the event a success, even with the rain, heavy at times.

First I want to thank the Flagler County Sheriff's two COP Deputies that helped with traffic control through the intersections safely. I can't begin to say what a great job they did to keep the motorists and cyclists safe. Plus they had a great attitude and went above and beyond what we had expected of them.

Second, I want to thank the Palm Coast Fire Department, who supported the 20K Road Race and keeping those racers and motorists safe.

Next I want to thank the city of Palm Coast Recreation Department and Ginger Parnell for the equipment they let us use for the event, the table and chairs, T-shirts and timing tools that made us look professional and help make every thing go smoothly.

We can't forget the Hammock Dunes Bridge Department for allowing the racers to pass through the toll booth safely and without tripping the counter.

I also want to thank the city of Flagler Beach for their support with the events using their roads. In addition, thanks to the Flagler County Parks Department for the use of Wadsworth Park during the event.

This event would not have happened without all of the volunteers that helped with registration, race timing, intersection control and cheering the racers. Thanks go out to all of the volunteers, friends and relatives of mine (this would not have happened without my wife, Paula).

Lastly, thanks to all of the racers ages starting in their early 50s to their 80s. Some came from other parts of the state, some were locals who know every bump in the roads.

Larry Coletti
Senior Games Cycling Event coordinator
Palm Coast

Thanks to all the road workers

Dear Editor:

I would like to say a big “thank you” to all of the road and construction workers who are doing a great job here.

I know the weather has been very hot and humid, with downpours of rain frequently visiting us. God bless you all!

Ria Geary
Palm Coast

 

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