- April 18, 2024
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+ Advice to boccie players: Storm City Council
Dear Editor:
I applaud Theresa Naeff for her support for a roof over the boccie court at Holland Park in Palm Coast. Unfortunately, for the residents in this city, the only way to get the attention and action from the current City Council is to round up as many boccie players and their families, friends and neighbors and dress in the same color T-shirts, storm the City Council meeting and state their request. I will gladly purchase such a shirt and join them in this worthwhile cause.
It’s common knowledge that long exposure to the hot Florida sun is hazardous to the skin. Let’s prevent skin cancer by helping these seniors enjoy their sport safely.
Joe Cunnane
Palm Coast
+ Thanks to emergency staff for making FTI event a success
Dear Editor:
The Flagler Technical Institute just completed its first Emergency Medical Technician Program. This program is the initial training for emergency medical responders and is a vital link in care given to persons that are sick and injured. Students not only had to complete lectures, practical skills challenges and written testing, but they had to complete clinical learning about patient care in ambulances and the emergency room.
I would like to take the time to say thank you to some people who helped make the class a rousing success: Chief Don Petito and his staff at Flagler County Fire Rescue; Chief Mike Patterson and his staff at Putnam County Emergency Medical Services; Dr. Peter Springer; Julie Gabriel, nurse in charge of the emergency room; David Hall, from educational services; and the wonderful staff from Halifax Medical Center; and Medical Director Dr. Ed Forsberg.
Without their assistance in leading the way for allowing our students to participate in exemplary clinical settings, we would not be able to offer this program for Flagler County.
Jack Jarrell
Program manager, fire and EMS
+ Trees too expensive; permits unreasonable in Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
Recently I found out that a permit is needed to take out a tree from my property. (Also, one is need to put a tree in.)
The city determines what size and type of tree is needed for the replacement. In my case, it had to be at least 7- to 8-feet tall and 2 inches in diameter. For those of you who have not priced this, it is about $180, not including delivery (about $30) or installation (about $80).
I’m sure there are many homes in Palm Coast that have lost trees, and they have not been replaced because the price is prohibitive.
I read the city will be having Arbor Day festivities and giving away saplings. Who is paying for this? Is it the citizens who need to shell out $300 to replace one tree?
Leslie Catanzaro
Palm Coast
Editor’s Note: From City Manager Jim Landon: “Palm Coast is a designated Tree City USA, and we have local ordinances in place that help preserve our natural resources.
“We do attempt to protect all trees, but residents are allowed to remove a healthy tree for good reasons, such as constructing a pool or an addition onto their home.
“A minimum number of trees are required on residential lots. If the removal of a tree reduces the number of trees on the lot below the required minimum, it must be replaced with one or more 2-inch diameter trees or larger. The replacement tree must be one that will grow healthy in our climate. The city has a lengthy list of authorized trees. The city also has more specific preservation requirements for historic and specimen trees.
“A permit is required to help assure the resident is aware of the rules before they remove a tree. There is no fee for the permit.
“The cost of our community Arbor Day celebration, including the free trees, is paid from the revenue we receive from the residential recycle materials we collect every week in our neighborhoods.”
+ Volunteers, beneficiaries alike gain from service
Dear Editor:
For those seeking a way to alleviate the difficulties we are facing, make new friends, positively contribute to their communities, and possibly find employment, I have one simple suggestion: Volunteer!
Volunteers strengthen entire communities. I can personally tell you from 25 years I have spent volunteering that it also provides a multitude of benefits to the volunteer. Volunteers gain as much as those they are helping, meeting new people who share common interests; gaining skills that can be transferred to the work environment; and experiencing improved health, happiness and self-esteem.
April is Florida Volunteer Month. In April, Floridians have a special reason to contact a local school, community or faith-based organization, environmental cause or charity to offer their time as a volunteer.
For those looking for a place to start, United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties’ website (www.liveunitedinvolusiaflagler.org) has a list of links to more than 150 active volunteer opportunities right here in Flagler and Volusia counties.
“VOL NTEER; all that’s missing is U!”
Bruce Page
President and CEO of Intracoastal Bank
Board member, United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties Inc.
SEVENTH-GRADE WISDOM
Editor’s Note: The following letters were submitted by Lori Scarpa’s seventh-grade class, at Indian Trails Middle School.
+ Story on Chloe Walker evokes tears from reader
Dear Editor:
I enjoyed the article, “8-year-old wakes after four-week coma.” Just reading over it makes me want to cry. I feel so bad for that little girl and her family. I could only imagine not being able to speak, or what it’s like to wake up after four long weeks. And imagine being the parents, not knowing if your daughter will wake up. It’s terrible. But I’m very glad you published that, even though now I’m scared to set foot in my car.
Bailey Pemberton
+ Chloe Walker waking up from coma inspires
Dear Editor:
The article, “8-year-old-wakes after four-week coma” was an excellent article. It gave all the information that was needed, and reading it made me feel like I was there. I loved how Chloe’s school, Old Kings, is giving her family donations, and the church donated a van to transport them to and from the hospital. I think that is awesome. People should do that more often.
Katie Winters
+ Next time, add pig chariots to Rib Fest; eat loser
Dear Editor:
I really enjoyed the article about the “Rock ’n’ Rib fest Redux” and I’m telling you now you could get a lot more readers by putting food on the front cover. Not only did it include my favorite food (ribs), but it also included racing of the pigs. Imagine what we could do: If the pig racing was more popular, we could have pig chariots, and the loser would be eaten.
I’m going off topic here; the point is I really enjoyed this article, and I hope to see more (hopefully with pig chariots).
Jonathan Cedeira
+ Story about Flat Stanley traveling was enjoyable
Dear Editor:
I read the article describing the second-grade class at Belle Terre Elementary School that researched other countries. I liked this article because I see how the children could use reading a story to connect it to studying the culture of a country.
One thing I would have enjoyed if it was in the article would be how the students would have connected their family to the project.
Karie Glover
+ Good to see Mardy Gilyard help his home town
Dear Editor:
I chose your article, “Q&A with NFL player Mardy Gilyard.” I chose this article because it’s nice to see someone who made it big come back and help his home town.
One of the pluses of this article is that you explain your own experience with watching Mardy play football from high school into college. The other plus of this article is that you don’t only ask him about football but what he is doing with his life, too.
Megan Dukes
+ ‘Amazing’ Kayla Lamphier deserves praise, is a role model
Dear Editor:
I chose to read your lead sports article in the April 14, edition in the Palm Coast Observer. I grew up with Kayla Lamphier and her siblings, so I wasn’t surprised to see how amazing she is.
I was really glad to see the credit given to Kayla, bragging about how she made varsity when she was a freshman, and mentioning her two inside-the-park home runs.
She inspires me to be a better player and to strive for the best.
Kayla has always been a role model for me to follow in the sport life, as well as her personality. Thank you for writing this article and reminding me where I belong.
Shout out to Kayla for me and congrats to her for all of her success!
Grace Emery
+ Please visit the website for Maddy Hance
Dear Editor:
I chose to read the article “H.U.G.S. for Maddy” because she is one of my younger sister’s friends.
It’s such a shame that this poor girl has to go through so many surgeries and feel so much pain.
Madison and my sister met in voluntary pre-kindergarten last year, here at Indian Trails. She is such a positive, sweet little girl and she is very tough, considering all of the trauma she and her family have had to deal with.
I will definitely be helping the Hance family with their daughter’s treatment by raising money. It is so sad to hear about these things, but it is harder to deal with when you actually know the person. Hopefully, her diagnostic exam in Boston will help. I liked how in the article you explained how traumatizing it is to be in the shoes of Madison. She is such a precious child and does not deserve to suffer from this disorder.
I also appreciate you putting the information for the benefit in the article as well. I wish there was more information on her disorder within the article, though. I would just like to thank you for recognizing this little girl and her family and how they must struggle with coping with Maddy’s sickness. Please visit the website! (www.giveforward.com/hugsformaddy)
Shayla Rauber
