- November 25, 2024
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+ Better late than never on the fence at Ralph Carter Park
Dear Editor:
It has been a long, hard battle over the past 18 months to convince both the Palm Coast City Council and city officials that a fence is needed along Ralph Carter Park to protect the residents of the R-section.
As leader of the Neighborhood Watch for this section, I am very pleased with the council’s vote.
Since the opening of Ralph Carter Park in 2008, residents of the R-section have reported burglaries to their homes and vehicles, trespassing and destruction of their property, stealing of mail, loitering, harassment and fires set by hoodlums exiting and entering the park by way of Richardson Drive. There have also been armed robberies and drug arrests in the park.
It has only been by the grace of God that no innocent bystander has been attacked or hurt in this long time waiting for a fence.
Though the city has stated it cannot provide residents with the fence requested, as there is a shortage of city funds, residents are happy a fence is being provided.
The Sheriff’s Office needs to continue to patrol the park. The city needs to post signs warning that trespassers will be prosecuted.
I feel sad that it took the length of time it did to agree on erecting a fence. The increased bad publicity is not something I wanted for the city I chose to live in. However, it has brought to light the element that has taken over the park.
All in all, better late then never. I thank the council for its decision. I also thank the Sheriff’s Office for its response over the last 18 months.
Marion Petruzzi
Palm Coast
Neighborhood Watch Leader
IS ENTERPRISE FLAGLER OPERATING IN THE SUNSHINE?
+ It’s like the Secret Service
Dear Editor:
Enterprise Flagler appears to pick and choose the Flagler County cities it wants to represent. Enterprise Flagler has been supported financially by the local governments and private sector for three years. During a closed and unadvertised meeting, it restructured and formed one 12-member board in lieu of the 24-member board.
This agency and its selected officers appear to be operating as a Special Secret Service Agency Organization. Are they exempt from the Florida Sunshine Laws? How many officials and employees are receiving a salaries and the amount?
Walter Albano
Palm Coast
Editor’s Note: Sunshine Law only applies when two members of the same elected board are present; at Enterprise Flagler, only one person from each board is present. Therefore, the meeting does not need to be open to the public.
+ Be inclusive, not exclusive
Dear Editor:
It has been reported that during a recent meeting of Enterprise Flagler’s executive board, actions were taken without benefit of consensus by all of its members.
Unfortunately, this closed-door meeting excluded city representatives from Bunnell and Flagler Beach from voting.
I attended three sessions of the Economic Summit, which featured an outside consultant as well as the majority of our city and county leaders. It seemed that everyone was aboard, and that perhaps government entities could (and would) work together for the common good of the whole county. What happened?
At the aforementioned closed-door meeting, Enterprise Flagler Co-president David Ottati presented a restructuring plan. This plan was to eliminate Bunnell and Flagler Beach as members.
These officials deserve far better treatment than they received. It makes no sense at all to eliminate anyone from the original board.
Bunnell is, by the way, the county seat and has annexed land that would support industrial development. Flagler Beach is important to the development of Flagler County: It offers a tremendous quality of life to this area. Where in the world does Enterprise Flagler get off telling community leaders their participation is not needed?
I find it very hard to believe that the members of Enterprise Flagler’s executive board voted unanimously to accept this restructuring.
I would like to know the reasoning behind such a move. I believe the public has a right to know. Keeping things a secret is not the way an organization creates trust. If this group continues to operate this way, then taxpayer funding should be eliminated. As far as I’m concerned, this organization is on thin ice in a warm climate. I believe that Enterprise Flagler should reconsider its rash, poorly planned reorganization.
Restore the excluded members and start to create an atmosphere of inclusion — not an organization of exclusivity.
Ron DeCosta
Palm Coast
