LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 12.22.2012A

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

+ Why won’t Palm Coast help pay for Flagler pier repairs?

Dear Editor:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has agreed to give Flagler Beach a $908,251 grant to shore up the Flagler Beach Pier provided that Flagler Beach raises a 25% funding match of some $227,000.

Flagler Beach has already budgeted an engineering study in the amount of $94,350 (which does not count as matching funds), and the Flagler County’s Tourist Development Council has committed $160,000, leaving a gap of $67,000.

The city of Palm Coast (population 76,176) was asked to contribute $22,355 to help meet this gap in funding. Flagler Beach also asked Bunnell (population 2,717) and a Marineland-Beverly Beach combination to put up $22,355 each.

Palm Coast City Manager Jim Landon said Dec. 11 that Palm Coast should not help fund repairs to the pier. The City Council did not take a formal vote but went along with Landon’s recommendation.
I guess a new City Hall is a higher priority for our elected officials.

Pete Hull
Palm Coast
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