- May 2, 2024
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It is up to all of us to change the message on race
Dear Editor:
An article in the March 20 Palm Coast Observer reported community concern over an achievement gap between black and white students.
The report itself is a problem. Everyone should be concerned that reading and math scores are not higher for every child.
As soon as we became "integrated' with the Civil Rights, self-serving preachers, politicians, and "do-gooders" began to segregate us again. Without racial issues they would have no national notoriety. Without racial division there would be no political advantage. This division has gone on for years. Low-income housing created ghettos. Affirmative action may have helped a few but diminished the achievements of those who rose before it, or without it.
Saul Alinsky's "Rules For Revolution" stresses the need for division in order to gain power and control. Our president's book " Dreams From My Father" suggests blacks are incapable of getting ahead without help from others. The do-gooders believe this propaganda and do more harm than good. Despite the rhetoric, all the self-serving actions since the Civil Rights Amendment have been telling blacks they are not equal.
The Civil Rights Amendment did not make blacks equal. It gave them the opportunity to have equal rights. Read black history. Many blacks accomplished prominence despite tremendous disadvantages, and no opportunities. They were always equal.
Our community has always seemed racially cohesive. In the last few years, however, several issues have been reported as "black issues" instead of community issues. The message, from the top down, divides us, and the kids suffer. Why try at all if you believe the propaganda, and don't think you are able to excel?
It is up to all of us to change the message. We must not make everything easier and everyone dumber. We must raise the expectations and promote equal opportunity with responsibility. If all kids know they are just as good and smart as every other, they will try harder. All the kids are equal. Let's start with that to fix our problems.
Jean Sbertoli
Flagler Beach
There are, in fact, speed limits lower than 30
Dear Editor:
I wrote a letter to the editor some time ago lamenting the fact that the speed limit in Town Center is a totally ridiculous 25 mph, where there is no traffic, no kids and an empty devoid area of anything that warrants a 25 mph speed limit.
So, Mayor Jon Netts is wrong: There are indeed speed limits lower than 30 in Palm Coast.
Lynn Stote
Palm Coast
Sheriff’s Office needs to enforce speed limits on Florida Park Drive
Dear Editor:
In reply to the article about Florida Park Drive speed limit, I have to point out some important facts. First, I agree that 25 mph is reasonable. Second, More tickets need to be issued. Third, people need to slow down, period!
Respect the law, respect the rights of others and do what is right. If you do the speed limit, also realize that the word “limit” means that all conditions must be met to do the limit. That means observing pedestrians, school bus stops, weather conditions and everything else that constitutes slowing down.
The Flagler County Sheriff Office really needs to get with the modern times with how deputies function. All cruisers should be equipped with radar, and all deputies need to enforce traffic laws. All surrounding counties are fully trained and do have radar in all cruisers. If those deputies who are patrolling our neighborhoods had the proper training and modern equipment, things would change for the better, and the county would find a new source of revenue, which in turn could be used for more deputies on the road.
If you take the time to look at the trash thrown out of cars, it will tell quite the story about what is being consumed while driving, and I don't mean legal beverages!
Douglas Toth
Palm Coast
Water bills are reasonable in Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
I'm writing this letter about a person who said his water bill was approximately $70 in Las Vegas. I have lived here more than 15 years, and my water bill has averaged $100 per month, including sewer. Well, when I lived in Michigan, my water was an average of $100 a month, from 1992 through 1998. That was over 20 years ago! We live in a great city.
Ernie Roberts
Palm Coast
Three pet peeves
Dear Editor:
1) People who don't clean up after their dogs. Some even allow their dogs to go on people’s lawns and leave it. There are quite a few vacant lots, and even there, it should be picked up because of children playing on the side of the road, and also for people who walk at night and move off the road to let cars go by.
2) The number of newspapers thrown on driveways even when no one lives there. The deliverers should be able to ascertain that no one occupies the home by seeing that papers are piling up.
3) People who can't be bothered to return their carts to the cart return area at all local grocery stores.
Betty McDonough
Palm Coast
Editor’s Note: If you know of a home that needs delivery discontinued, please email Circulation Manager David Brooks at [email protected].
Good idea to have a mail-in ballot for School Board’s tax increase
Dear Editor:
Supervisor of Elections Kimberle Weeks’ suggestion of a mail-in-only for this election a great idea.
Why not contact our shopping centers, and post office officials to allow you to set up temporary booths in their lobby? No standing in long lines. Just think: You’ve done your shopping and voted at the same time, and there will be an increase in our voters.
Walter Albano
Palm Coast
