- May 3, 2024
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Why no coverage of Gov. Rick Scott’s visit to Flagler?
Dear Editor:
In recent years the Palm Coast Observer has become an award-winning newspaper that Flagler County residents look forward to reading on Wednesdays and Saturdays. So, when a significant event takes place in our county on a Tuesday, and the Observer acknowledges it by telling people to go on line to see an interview in its Saturday edition, I must register my strong disappointment.
Here in Flagler, most people read The Observer in hard copy, not online. We want and expect The Observer to cover and report on newsworthy events, especially when given more than a month’s notice.
On July 9, the Flagler Country Republican Executive Committee and the Republican Club of Palm Coast were successful in getting the governor of our state, Rick Scott, as our Lincoln Day Dinner keynote speaker to help Flagler County Republicans raise money and celebrate a major milestone — the fact that the county was one of only two in the state to switch from voting Democratic to Republican in the 2012 elections.
Confounding us most is the fact that your organization signed the press sign-in sheet at the event, but wrote nothing! Is there some reason why our home-town newspaper left coverage to others, which interestingly noted that this was the fourth visit by Gov. Scott to Flagler County in two years, and correctly noted that “landing Scott” was a big deal and a remarkable turnaround for our Republican Party, whose leadership recently was in disarray.
Flagler County’s Republican organizations are gearing up to play an increasingly active role in the 2014 elections, where 14 Republican national, state and local leaders will be on the ballot. We hope that we can count on The Observer to better inform your readers of significant Republican news down the road.
Susan Moya, media/communications for the FCREC
Director of the Republican Club of Palm Coast
Editor's Note: Thank you for your interest in having your event covered in the newspaper. We always take that as a positive sign. As we look to the future, we see our video coverage as an essential part of the Palm Coast Observer. We see it as an extension of the paper and a way to cover even more events than we would otherwise have room for in print. Moreover, we have started hearing organizations ask us for video coverage, rather than print coverage. So, we are trying to strike a balance between being comprehensive in print and finding the most appropriate medium for each story.
In addition to the video story on Gov. Rick Scott, we have also produced video of the Palm Coast Yacht Club's 30th anniversary celebration and the release of a rare sea turtle, which we felt were good subjects for video, as well. Follow us on Facebook for the videos and also check out the gray tab called "video" on www.PalmCoastObserver.com.
School Board should run the district like a business
Dear Editor:
Our School Board members seem to be dressed in the latest political gowns. They think that our students should be taught whatever subjects are deemed necessary by anyone who has a favorite topic. They seem to think that money is forthcoming for any pet project and for unlimited personnel.
Well, I see the education of our students as a business, which should be run as a business.
I worked in industry for 50 years as an engineer designing, building and using special assembly machinery. These machines ranged in cost from $50,000 to $30 million. When we quoted this machinery to a prospective customer, it was very clearly described and defined. Our customer then gave us a purchase order for the agreed upon amount. When we started building the machine, there was no going back to the well for more money. We had to do the job for the amount we said we would do it for! And, we had to make sure we did the job. Also, we had to make sure the machine we provided did its job. The contract was between the machinery vendor and the customer.
I see the operation of a school district to be no different. We hire (make a contract with) the board members to do a job for a certain salary and a certain budget. If they don’t do it, the contract should be canceled, and they should be replaced.
Now: (1) The 45 minutes cut from the class time should be reinstated, and another hour or two added! If our School Board can’t find the time or money to do it, I suggest replacing them immediately and finding someone who can.
(2) If we have too many schools for the number of students, close some of them.
(3) If our School Board and administrators can’t determine if we can meet the state class size requirements, they should all be replaced. Can’t we hire a consultant for a month to determine that with 100% certainty?
(4) If we have too many elective social classes that are serving only a few students, they should be dropped or subsidized by the parents.
(5) If we have too many non-teaching and direct support personnel, get rid of them.
The operation of our schools must be done on a business-like basis. The objective of the School Board and administration should be to educate our students, not to maintain an over balanced administration.
Jesse Stoner
Palm Coast
If you drive the speed limit, you don’t have to worry about the cameras
Dear Editor:
Here is yet another letter concerning the red light cameras. It appears that the only people opposing are the speeders who run red lights. I drive at the posted speed limit, which results in the following rewards:
I use less gas. My Blazer weighs 4,300 pounds with me in it, and I managed to get 104,000 miles on my front brakes and 117,000 on the rears. Oh, by the way, the same goes for the tires. I also never got a speeding ticket and never had an accident in 48 years of driving.
Most of the people that fly past me end up waiting at the red light. By the time I get there, the light turns green and I pass them, never having used my brakes. As one reader said: Life is too short; slow down and enjoy it!
On another note, my wife and I often drive to Flagler Beach in the afternoon to walk by the beach and have a snack at one of the local eateries. We usually park on Second Street by the museum. The last three times we were there, we noticed three parking stalls designated for half-hour parking only. All were empty on each visit.
I don’t know any activity that can be done in half an hour, as it takes 10 minutes to cross A1A, five minutes each direction. The fact that those parking spaces are empty for each visit leads me to believe this was a mistake on someone’s part.
Anthony Sciotto
Palm Coast
Red light cameras do not stop people from running red lights
Dear Editor:
It has been almost six years since my daughter-in-law's mother was killed by a hit-and-run driver during the afternoon in a church parking lot here in Palm Coast. People ask me how this relates to red light cameras.
What is the purpose of these cameras? To make money, of course. Do they inhibit people from speeding or deliberately running a red light? Of course not. As far as deaths by or in cars, this is covered by the highway patrol, and even they don't do a good job.
In the case I mentioned above, when I contacted the local police, they stated they weren't responsible. When I contacted the highway patrol to get more information on this tragic death, they stated at the time, the nearest office was in Jacksonville. When I called Jacksonville, they stated that the officer covering that would call me back, which he never did. I understand that the nearest office to Palm Coast is now in Palatka.
So what is the point of all these cameras, except to make money? The fine is atrocious, and I understand if one tries to take it to court, one better have a lawyer. I see those cameras flash many times when no car is involved, so how do we know that those cameras don't flash at cars that are really not breaking the law? How do those cameras know who is driving?
Also, those cameras do not help Palm Coast's reputation. As far as I am concerned, those cameras will not stop a seriously speeding car that runs a red light. At most, they will increase the likelihood of being rear-ended. I say, let's get rid of them.
Daniel Bowman
Palm Coast
Editor’s Note: Every time a camera flashes, the violation is reviewed by American Traffic Solutions. If ATS perceives that that violation warrants a citation and fine, video is sent to the city of Palm Coast for a second review.
Take a stand and tell the sheriff to enforce the laws
Dear Editor:
In reply to the reader who witnessed a driver yelling to another because the other driver was obeying the law: If you care about the quality of life and take pride in where you live, call and write to Sheriff Manfre and tell him you’re tired of people speeding on your road and you want to see something done about it. After all, we pay for this service and deserve a higher quality of service from his department.
Douglas Toth
Palm Coast
