- May 4, 2024
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Dear Editor:
With regard to the debate on the new Exit 293 on Interstate 95, at Matanzas Woods Parkway, and the risk of students crossing the on and off ramps: It would be my understanding that high school students are within three years of living independently. Many of them already drive and/or work part time jobs.
I have confidence that they are capable of crossing the street.
That being said, if I am mistaken and they truly cannot cross a road safely, we need to address that issue.
Adding a traffic light would not be the solution. If they do not know how to look both ways, they most likely would not understand or obey a traffic signal either. It would be more logical to make an eighth-grade passing requirement for a class in street crossing, or have crossing guards help them across said intersections.
Let’s have some common sense here and give our young adults some credit. I think they can handle it.
Kit Schiller
Lamour Lane
Dear Editor:
After reading a number of media stories about the final demise of the Flagler Schools property known as Flagler Technical Institute, I must say that the media appears to have swallowed the "spin" hook, line and sinker on this false narrative.
As Flagler Taxpayers we need to focus on the basis of this false narrative. The School Board claims it would cost about $54,000 per year to keep the FTI building, but when pressed, the staff is not able to give exact annual costs for the property. Staff used last year’s costs to estimate future costs, but they included things like moving equipment from the FTI building to another location, which is clearly not something that would be a recurring cost. Based on my experience mothballing buildings, keeping the building should only require paying for insurance and minimal electric bills, for a fraction of the staff’s estimate.
With that in mind, why vote to demolish the building?
Also, when the School Board was asked whether to accept the bid to demolish the building, the discussion was cut short. School Board member Sue Dickinson called the question, and Chairwoman Colleen Conklin proceeded without a second on the motion. There was no requirement to end the discussion just because Dickinson wanted it to be over. More discussion should have been allowed on this issue, and Attorney Kristy Gavin’s notion that the vote would have been the same even with more discussion is not right. How would she know?
Trevor Tucker, Andy Dance and Dickinson voted on an improperly advised vote to spend $175,000 of education capital dollars to demolish a good structure that they failed to properly manage for the 14 years the board has owned it. If the $175,000 was burning a hole in their collective pocket, they might have thought to use it for other capital projects.
The vote on this matter was Conklin and Janet McDonald no, vs. Tucker, Dance and Dickinson yes. Was this tear-down vote a way to forget that the board spent $3.5 million to buy this property in 2001 and failed miserably at utilizing it? Or rather was this a lesson for the voters to remember to elect members who represent students and taxpayers’ best interests?
Simply amazing.
Dennis McDonald
Palm Coast
Editor’s Note: Dennis McDonald is the husband of School Board member Janet McDonald.
Dear Editor:
Thanks to our local firefighters for their gracious service. My 4-year-old granddaughter absolutely loves watching whenever fire trucks pass by, so last week as we were driving past the fire station at Royal Palm and Belle Terre parkways, we made an impromptu visit at the station.
Firefighter Eric was most welcoming, and proceeded to give us a very enjoyable and informative tour of the station. My granddaughter watched in wide-eyed excitement as Eric turned on the flashing lights on one of the trucks. He was very patient, and took the time to make her visit a very special experience.
Thankfully, this is not an isolated incident, as other encounters with our firefighters have been equally positive experiences. Thanks again to our first-class Palm Coast firefighters, and their dedicated service to our community.
Bob Hibbert
Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
Every year, numerous organizations contribute their time, effort and money to clean up the waterways in Palm Coast. So it is disheartening when you witness homeowners living on the canal deliberately blow their leaves, tree limbs and overgrown vegetation into the canal. Their lawn maintenance people are no better.
We have a code enforcement agency in Palm Coast, and there are restrictions regarding this very subject. I was told to take a picture and they will act on it.
Many of us are fortunate to live on the water, so let us make every effort to keep the waterways clean and free of any kind of debris.
Ann Vorndran
Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
Drivers, I am sad to report that the automatic turn signals or blinkers on your vehicle do not exist. What? Let me explain.
I have left and right turn signals on my vehicle; they control visible signal lights on the outside of the vehicle that flash or blink when turned on by the driver. I have turn signal lights both in the front and in the back of my vehicle; your car does, too.
My car has a manual turn-signal control located on the lower left side of the steering column. This control or signaling handle is there so the driver of the vehicle can signal to other drivers their intentions to turn left or right, depending on the situation.
It seems that there are a lot of drivers here in Palm Coast that do not use this feature. My conclusion can only be that they must believe every other driver out there can read their minds.
Drivers who do not use the manual control to turn are in extreme danger of causing an accident or being in one yourselves. Please use the turn signals.
You can practice every time you go into your driveway. Next, try using your turn signals/blinkers when you come to a stop sign, even if there is no car coming to you or behind you. Before you know it, you will be using your turn signals for what they were intended.
Just remember, friends: That life you save may be your own and also someone else!
Dave Corson
Palm Coast
