- May 1, 2024
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Let revenue rise as the market returns; vote no on schools tax
Dear Editor:
I can’t say enough how extremely disappointed I am with our School Board and our county commissioners regarding the referendum to raise our school taxes.
The gut reaction of most is to accuse any opposed to this tax hike as being against education and against the kids. Both are far from the truth for me. I strongly believe that the foundation of healthy communities is supported by good education. But when you read between the lines, the reality is that this tax hike referendum really isn’t about improving education. If you have been reading anything about this, you’ll probably find it resembling the AT&T commercial with the little girl explaining why more is better. Unfortunately, this situation is not anywhere near as cute or funny. It’s just plain sad to say the least.
First, according to Colleen Conklin, “The bottom line is, we’re trying to address an issue that’s been raised due to this tragedy (in reference to the Sandy Hook shooting)."
This is about increasing our taxes to put armed guards on school grounds, a notion originally presented by the NRA, which had a huge backlash from the public. I, and many residents here, are also against this as a part of a school security plan. It is trying to put a Band-Aid on a larger wound. The argument being that these “resource officers” also train in regard to “drugs and gangs.” I’m sorry, but I don’t recall the horrific and tragic event at Sandy Hook having anything to do with drugs or gangs.
Likewise, I find it extremely disrespectful to the victims and the families in Sandy Hook to use the tragedy they must endure every single day as a marketing angle to try and raise our taxes. A car bomb went off in Afghanistan, should we clothe our schools in steel walls? Didn’t Columbine wake people up?
I also find it extremely disrespectful to the residents of Flagler County to then try and redirect the focus by claiming the referendum is about other things, like 45 minutes being added back in. Maybe there is something wrong with me (my wife would attest to that), but doesn’t “bottom line” denote that is the main reason? Talk to Conklin, and you’ll find facts and figures changing multiple times. According to her, our schools cut more than $82 million in the last five years but later she corrects herself and says it’s more like $12 million operationally because the $70 million was for construction. Granted, $12 million is a lot. But it is a figure which is understandable in the economic situation over the last few years. Also, if she is claiming that five years ago (with house values being unrealistic and exploded) being the norm for their budget, she (and any other board member feeling that way) is living in a dream world!
Second, I find it appalling for our School Board to make a gambling decision to “double down” on trying to get an additional .25 mill out of homeowners, rather than simply ask for an extension to the .25 mill that is expiring. Then to bully residents by stating that if this doesn’t pass, the schools stand to lose double what they would if just the original .25 mill isn’t extended? That responsibility is on our School Board and not the residents of Flagler County.
And I am extremely disappointed in County Commissioner Charlie Erickson for making a comment that it is not his place to question the School Board. That is exactly what he was elected to do!
Third, we keep hearing about the reduction in revenue because of the economy. We get it. Why? Because we’ve all been living it every single day. We’ve all been sacrificing a lot of cups of coffee just to get by each month. We’ve all had to cut back because of the rising prices of gas and groceries, cuts in hours, jobs lost, etc. Our lifestyles have changed, and we’ve all felt the repercussions over the last few years. We haven’t even talked about how much this “special election” is costing taxpayers. Ask Supervisor of Elections Kimberle Weeks.
Obviously, real estate plays a role (a huge one) in the revenue for our schools. The local real estate market is seeing a recovery, but it is a fragile recovery. One of the top concerns with those relocating here (which is one of the primary real estate buyers here) is property taxes. If we allow this to go through, our schools will not stop, and it will open the door to other departments doing the same thing. The next thing you know, we have tax bills looking like New Jersey’s. Home buying will slow considerably, and we all know the repercussions of that. Those repercussions include more revenue problems for our schools in the future.
The solution is not to increase our taxes, but to leave them where they are and allow the market to continue to recover, which will bring in more tax revenue for our schools. That is the better solution for the future.
I’m voting no.
The front page of the Flagler Schools website has a button on the left hand side which says to “Report Bullying.” That is what I am doing here: reporting bullying by our School Board. We’ve stood behind them time and time again, as they have depicted doomsday scenarios if we didn’t do what they asked. Yes, there have been cuts, but our schools still run and they run well. Look at your property tax bill: About half of your taxes goes to the schools each year. Enough is enough. It is time to say no and to demand real justification for taking more from us. It’s time to demand a real plan for the future. It is time to truly hold our School Board (who are getting paid and are not cutting their take) accountable!
Brad M. West
Palm Coast
Vendors at Rib Fest were disappointing
Dear Editor:
My wife and I went Saturday night. We really enjoyed the bands. It seemed to me to be a very large attendance. All of the food vendors were very busy with long lines.
It appeared to me to be the same vendors that are always at an event in Palm Coast.
This is my problem. I stood in line 43 minutes to get a sandwich, which is ridiculous. It looks like there should be more vendors.
When I got my order, I was in shock. I didn't want to purchase their entire business, just a sandwich. Why aren't prices displayed? Why aren't prices regulated?
Come on, Palm Coast, we are better than this. The organizers need to get a grip of what's happening.
Jerry Peters
Palm Coast
