- December 20, 2024
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Dear Editor:
While the Ormond Beach Municipal Airport approaches $1 million in red ink, including a doomed River Bend Golf Course property tax challenge with enormous legal fees already paid, the City Commission continues full speed ahead to build a 600-foot runway extension to accommodate the jets and larger aircraft of special interests.
Lost in the debate is the issue of how a noisier, busier airport will affect the property values of homes within or near the 2.5-mile FAA Airport Hazard area. When a homeowner recently complained about a land purchase beside an airport that was now going to grow bigger and noisier, a City Commissioner told him: "You should have done your due diligence."
That due diligence would have revealed a loud 2004 public protest against a previously proposed runway extension and a 5-0 City Commission vote not to proceed with the project. That vote included two commissioners who now still occupy elected seats in 2022. The property owner's due diligence would not have uncovered today's reversal of a strong, long-standing public mandate against runway expansions to now accommodate jets and larger aircraft.
Dan Higgins
Ormond Beach
Dear Editor:
I'd like to applaud and support the recent letter to the Observer highlighting the derogatory and hateful signs that are continually posted along one of Ormond's busiest streets.
While no one denies that this is the homeowner's right, one has to ask what kind of hate lives in their heart that compels them to post such rude and inappropriate (for children) signs on a continual basis. Who mistreated them to such a degree that they must "shout out" their anger for all to see? Why do they condemn and insult rather than try to promote a more united message?
Unfortunately, living along the beach in one of the most expensive areas of Ormond seems to have driven this person to the edge. Perhaps their good fortune makes them feel vulnerable and they fear "the others" who they've heard about but do not know. Whatever the reason, I'm not trying to cancel this homeowner's right to free speech — but it sure would be nice to not see these incendiary eyesores posted at the gateway to Ormond's beachside.
Andrea Miller
Ormond Beach
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