- September 12, 2024
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Dear Editor:
Recently the final Jeopardy was "What is Pearl Harbor?" Pearl Harbor was named for its plentiful oysters. Thus, the name Pearl Waters. However, the oysters were disappearing until oyster gardening was introduced. Now, Ormond Beach is oyster gardening.
Our neighbor Chuck Gleichmann put out an email for volunteers: "Get ready to get dirty, have fun and clean up our river." You saw the photos and learned about our first workday in the Ormond Beach Observer. On Aug. 10, our second workday was again at the beautiful historic Lily River Inn in Holly Hill on Riverside Drive.
Please refer to the Observer's Thursday, June 27 edition to see the photos and learn the science behind Vertical Oyster Gardens by Jarleene Almenas.
Barbara Sandberg
Ormond Beach
Dear Editor:
The Aug. 15 Observer’s extensive coverage of the beautiful new Tomoka Elementary School quoted the superintendent describing it as a “true neighborhood school” and Mr. Persis calling it an example of collaboration between VCS and the city.
For years there has been an isolated pocket of homes that are less than 2 miles from both Tomoka Elementary and Ormond Beach Elementary Schools that are assigned to Pine Trails Elementary, which is approximately 7 miles from this disjointed area.
Even with the moving of students last year, this was not addressed. Children in this pocket do not have a “neighborhood school” nor an opportunity to attend the brand new school, which is practically in their backyard. Rather than make their kids stand in the dark for a bus not even near their home, they drive their kids to school and back each day passing right by what should be their “neighborhood school."
This would have been the perfect time to correct a situation that has gone on since Pine Trails opened in 1982. Where was the collaboration between the school district and the city in this plan?
Connie Colby
Ormond
Dear Editor:
At its Aug. 6 meeting, the City Commission unanimously approved a request by developer Scott Vanacore to remove a 37-inch historic live oak tree that precluded redevelopment of a North U.S. 1 commercial property. A 44-inch historic live oak on the property was preserved.
Mr. Vanacore agreed to mitigate the lost tree by planting 11 new trees while redeveloping a 1.36 acre eyesore property.
Result: A net gain for the environment and the city’s gateway.
During the meeting, Councilman Troy Kent reported a unanimous Council vote earlier in the day to continue the Regrow the Loop initiative created by Ormond resident Alan Burton, and expand the scope to a countywide Regrow Volusia program.
Scott and Todd Vanacore donated $30,000 to plant new vegetation along the Loop, and contributed time and sweat equity in working with city commissioner Lori Tolland to enhance the Loop’s green buffer. Commissioner Tolland has been a steadfast advocate for native plants and trees in public places and on commercial properties.
At long last, developers and environmentalists are now working together to maximize the city’s green space and validate Ormond’s designation as a “Tree City, USA”.
In the words of Helen Keller: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Jeff Boyle
Ormond Beach
