- October 30, 2024
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Dear Editor:
The Palm Coast City Council says we need a tool to maintain status quo. The status quo in the extreme north end of Palm Coast for the 20+ years that I’ve lived here is having to drive five miles to get to the nearest retail.
The council also spoke about dollar stores possibly posing a danger to mom-and-pop supermarkets. Breaking news: Walmart wiped out mom-and-pops years ago.
Banning “bottle clubs” is one thing; banning neighborhood stores is quite another. Neighborhood store: You have the freedom to walk or bicycle to buy a quart of milk (reducing carbon emissions and roadway congestion). Neighborhood store: You have the freedom to see your neighbors. Neighborhood store: Neighborhood employment opportunities.
I’ve waited over 20 years for a neighborhood store near me, and now my government appears to be on the verge of telling us “Government control good, Town Center good, neighborhood bad, freedom of choice bad.”
“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this – a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” — Friedrich Hayek
Randy Jones
Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
Now that the City Council has addressed the threat of dollar stores in Palm Coast, might they now have time to address the third-world cell phone situation; the life-threatening automobile driving habits of many; the economic development vacuum; and many other real problems facing Palm Coast? Let’s stick to our knitting. The market can look after itself.
Art Schwartz
Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
I am wondering why are we not allowing basic supply and demand to determine what businesses thrive in Palm Coast?
Especially in areas where it is already zoned for these businesses.
Where will the moratorium on dollar stores end? Will McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell and others be next?
Where is the statistical data that backs up this claim of “food desert?” Is this a personal issue, or is Palm Coast becoming a “nanny state?” One certainly doesn’t have to drive far to shop at Publix, Winn-Dixie, Walmart or Target.
My understanding is that people who shop at Dollar General stores shop there as an extension to supermarkets and fruit-and-vegetable stands, not as a sole source.
One wonders, wouldn’t our City Council’s time and energy be better spent on recruiting more businesses and creating jobs in Palm Coast than discouraging businesses that create jobs, contribute to our community and pay taxes?
Renee Wickowski
Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
Why are dollar stores being singled out for supposedly hurting mom-and-pop stores? Perhaps the chain grocery stores see it as a threat?
As a resident living near Matanzas, I welcome any sort of store in our area.
My husband I are retired and have to go all the way to Palm Coast Parkway to purchase anything. When the roads are dark, we have no choice but to wait until the following day.
So our elected officials see no problem allowing three-story apartments on the corner of Belle Terre and Matanzas Woods parkways, but not a store which would benefit residents.
Plus, we are having a large development shoved down our throats, making the golf course property available to developers, and that’s what our leaders are doing for our benefit?
Obviously, the people of Palm Coast are not being represented.
Joanne Miller
Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
With regard to building dollar stores, it appears that the restriction is written to apply to all “small box” stores, which is appropriate rather than singling out a particular business.
We have one going in on the south side of Matanzas Woods Parkway spoiling the green environment.
Such stores should by restricted to malls having a large anchor store such as a Publix supermarket or The Home Depot. Also, the same should apply to “large box” stores such as a Best Buy to cut down on traffic congestion in residential areas.
In other words, plan the malls in advance to accommodate these stores.
Martin Noyes
Palm Coast
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