- April 23, 2024
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Anneliese Brown Clark with her daughter, Christina. This photo was taken as part of a photo documentary series by Jennifer Kaczmarek. See more of her work at takingfocus.org.
Dear Editor:
Christina Clark, now age 12, has had such health struggles that she hasn’t been able to do so much as give her mother a kiss — until she started taking cannabis oil.
Her mother, Anneliese Brown Clark, says she can now see the light on again in her daughter. Christina Clark is diagnosed with generalized, intractable seizure disorder. Failed: 17 meds, four diets, VNS, three brain surgeries. At age 10 she was diagnosed with underlying unspecified metabolic and autonomic disorder, possibly triggered by side effects of meds and surgeries.
'What lengths would you go to save your child?” was the title of Anneliese Brown Clark's TED Talk that focused on her daughter Christina Clark's journey to cannabis. It is a question we should all ask ourselves: What measures would we take to save our loved one?
My name is Jennifer Kaczmarek, I am the founder of Taking Focus inc., a 501c3 organization that is based on documentary photography. For the past two years, I have been documenting the lives of those in need of Amendment 2 passing. These families want you to know that they have already tried everything that conventional medicine can do for them, and this is their last resort.
We urge you to get educated about all the facts. To stay up to date and learn more about these stories and Amendment 2, please follow us on Facebook @Taking Focus, INC. In-depth stories can be found on our blog at www.takingfocus.org.
Please head to the polls with an open heart and open mind. We as a community have the opportunity to save thousands of lives by voting yes on 2.
Jennifer Kaczmarek
Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
Have you ever sat in the parking lot of our library, or at a Winn-Dixie, a Publix, a Walmart? What you readily see is the abuse of "handicap" tags — I would guess 75% of those who have them.
Why? Because the same people (doctors) who wholesale them out are the same people (doctors) who will issue (wholesale out) permits to use "medical" marijuana.
You can claim it is for "medical" reasons, but soon it will be for headaches, sore back, sore throat, tooth ache, belly ache, or whatever. You know it, and so do I.
When is the last time on record that handicap tags were verified and/or pulled? Oh no. Can't do that. That's discrimination. It is, as long as the general public sits back, does nothing, and gets ripped off.
I say, vote no on Amendment 2. It's not good for the country, certainly not good for our children.
Bill Nelson
Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
I have been a Flagler County resident now for over 12 years. I am writing this completely unsolicited as my vote of support for Rick Staly as Flagler County sheriff.
I had the opportunity to work with Rick for two years during our time at the Ginn Companies. Rick was my boss. What I would like to speak to is the quality of leader Rick is.
He was at times a bit of a taskmaster, but he wanted things done right, and there were no options to him but "right." But mostly, Rick was fair, honest, and completely transparent about his vision, his work ethic, and his dedication to his employer.
As I got to know him better, I began to understand that this was Rick Staly, the way he always has been (and still is). His dedication to his beliefs, be they to his job, his family or his community, is something to be enviable of. As we spent time together, I began to learn what made Rick be Rick: the life he has led in law enforcement and policing. He has a record and resume any law enforcement officer would be proud to have.
I have watched him be a community leader in Flagler County over the past years. I have seen him around his family and friends, how he engages all who approach him, and I feel beyond any doubt that he is by far the best, most qualified candidate for Flagler County sheriff.
Steven Oplinger
Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
During the course of the election process, I have been approached by numerous Flagler County residents who have voiced their concern about the validity of fellow sheriff candidate Rick Staly's endorsements. Mr. Staly has stated he received the endorsement of Flagler County employees, firefighters, sheriff deputies and teachers?
In fairness to Mr. Staly, I would like to give him the opportunity to answer the following questions:
Who are the teachers that have endorsed you? Were all the above endorsements voted on by all of the workers? Do you have any documentation of the percentage of workers who voted on your endorsements?
I believe that Mr. Staly should be given the opportunity to respond to these important questions. The honesty and integrity of the sheriff position is paramount to the safety of all Flagler County residents.
Tom Dougherty
Palm Coast
Editor's Note: Tom Dougherty is running for sheriff, with no party affiliation. The Observer attempted to reach Rick Staly to give him a chance to respond to these questions, but did not get an immediate response. Of the endorsements listed, we do have some information about the sheriff deputies' endorsement. According to the Police Benevolent Association, there was a vote taken among deputies in the PBA, with these results: Staly 67, Larry Jones 35, Dougherty 1, no endorsement 18.
UPDATE: Rick Staly responded after this story was published and provided documents for each of the endorsements he has received, including from the teachers union, which is called the Flagler County Educators Association. The letter does not provide details as to which teachers voted, but it does include this statement from the union president, Katie Hansen: "We will ask our members, their friends, neighbors, co-workers and families to support your candidacy because of your commitment to public employees and citizens of Flagler County. On behalf of all of the professional educators that FCEA represents, we wish you the best of luck in your campaign."
