- November 23, 2024
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How the cost of rent is already being covered at City Marketplace
Dear Editor:
Florida real estate is and always has been cyclical — boom or bust. Eventually, as the economy changes, the bust leads to recovery or, even better, to a renewed surge or boom. You can cite as examples Ortega in Jacksonville in the 1930s and ’40s, Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra in the ’80s. Closer in time and distance, the Ginn property in Flagler County, the Creek Course at Hammock Dunes, Harbor Village, The Conservatory or the Town Center in Palm Coast, all of which are currently in the sidewalk-fire-hydrant-empty-lot stage.
What sets the Town Center apart from the others is the role the city of Palm Coast seems to be taking in the process. After lending the Town Center developers $5.8 million via the Community Redevelopment Area financing, the town fathers seem to be trying to double down by having the CRA borrow the funds to pay back the loan so the city can build a new City Hall which, in turn, will enhance the prospects for the Town Center development.
I do not think it is the city of Palm Coast's job to bail out the developers of the Town Center properties. Regarding the issue of the city's need to pay the City Hall's rental cost of $240,000 per year, there is a simply solution: The CRA is not paying down its debt to the city. It is only paying the interest at a rate of 5% per year or $290,000, enough to pay the rent with $50,000 left over.
Pete Hull
Palm Coast
Thanks for publishing letters to the editor
Dear Editor:
Three letters in the Aug. 19 edition struck my fancy.
The first letter was from Edith Campins on the Town Center. My husband and I have joked many times about the so-called town center. She said it all, so thank you, Edith.
The second is from Michael Estes regarding the missing Flagler County school buses. I share his concerns and applaud him for alerting parents to be extra watchful. As parents, it has always been our priority to protect our children. Sadly, the norm is to look for dangers and hazards where we previously thought our children would be safe.
The third letter is from Deborah Susswein, commenting on the “Please Drive Safe” sign near Buddy Taylor Middle School. I agree with her reminder to students to “Please use correct grammar.” At this point I cease to comment to avoid making a grammatical error myself.
Lastly, I thank you, the editor, for printing our letters. There are many caring citizens in Palm Coast, and we are privileged to learn how our neighbors feel about a variety of issues.
Donna Fitzgerald
Palm Coast
Flagler County has a cancer center
Dear Editor:
I recently completed radiation treatment for prostate cancer at Flagler Hospital Cancer Center in Palm Coast.
I would like to thank Dr. Alvares and everyone in the radiation department. They are all very knowledgeable professionals. Everyone treated me not just like some patient, but as if they were treating a member of their own family. I really appreciated that.
Talking with people from Palm Coast and the Flagler area, I am surprised to learn that people do not know Flagler Hospital has a complete up-to-date cancer unit.
Pat Conboy
Palm Coast
Why I'm all for the red light cameras — 1,000%
Dear Editor:
This is in response to all these so called do-gooders who do not like all the red light coverage we have here in our city of Palm Coast.
In all the letters I've read, not one gave an alternative in lieu of these red light traps that we have. These were put up because of stupid people running the red lights and having an accident and then want to blame the guy who had the green light.
When you applied for a license, they gave you a manual to read and, if you studied this manual, you go by these rules.
When you come along a road and you see a green light off in the distance and you are not sure when it's going to turn, we call that a “stale light,” and you should be prepared to stop. It's the same for yellow lights. If you have time to stop, stop. Do not try to beat a losing battle, and you won't get a $158 summons and go crying to a lawyer to get you off.
The other gripe I have is this business of slowing down to 12 mph and making a turn on a red light. Even if you slow down to 2mph, it's wrong. Do you know you can hide a car in the post by your front window? That's when you slow down to make a turn. Try it some time.
Okay, I'm a thousand percent in favor of these lights and it's because of you so-called drivers who think you know the answers and don't. You then get nailed for doing something stupid. You should pay through the nose.
H.W. "Red" Gensch
Palm Coast
