- April 15, 2024
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+ Headline on letter about sign vandalism was ‘inflammatory’
Dear Editor:
Last week’s letter to the editor about Holsey Moorman’s campaign signs being removed or vandalized would not require a response if it were not for the title of the piece. The title was inflammatory, incendiary, inappropriate and inaccurate.
Every year, campaign signs in the county are stolen or vandalized by ignorant people who have no regard for other’s property. There is nothing in the article that supports an ulterior motive.
I have always been impressed with Palm Coast and Flagler County’s cohesiveness with regard to diversity. Our county spends thousands of dollars each year to advertise that fact. It is disheartening to have a few people, with unknown agendas, destroy the good will and works of the majority, with unfounded misconceptions and innuendos.
Jean Sbertoli
Flagler Beach
Editor’s Note: The headlines to letters to the editor are sometimes written by the letter writer but most of the time are rewritten or adjusted by the editor for space. Linda Sharpe Haywood’s suggested title for her letter was this: “Racism is alive and flourishing in Flagler County.”
+ Logic of racist claims regarding signs ‘difficult to follow’
Dear Editor:
I refer to the letter, “Sign vandalism shows racism is alive and well in Flagler County,” submitted by the president of the Flagler County NAACP.
One of my questions to the writer is: Why does this show “racism is alive”? Because three campaign signs were removed from their locations, and one of the signs was painted blue? That’s a “show of racism”? I find it difficult to follow your logic.
I am curious how many of the other candidates’ campaign signs had been removed from their locations and either found elsewhere or not recovered at all.
Had Bill McGuire’s signs been removed, would that be a sign that racism is alive?
And you write that Mayor Netts would prefer Palm Coast doesn’t have such negative publicity. I say that the only negatives being spewed are by you.
Carl Marco
Palm Coast
+ Sign vandalism shows racism is alive and well? Really!
Dear Editor:
I read with interest the editorial by Linda Sharpe Haywood, concerning the vandalism of City Council member Holsey Moorman’s campaign signs.
I fail to see how the vandalism of these signs equates to racism. No one has been arrested and interviewed to determine the motive. Could it be that whoever is responsible doesn’t agree with Moorman’s politics, or are juveniles with nothing better to do than act like knuckleheads? Neither scenario justifies vandalism, but they could be motives.
I find it highly irresponsible for Ms. Sharpe Haywood, who identifies herself as president of the Flagler County NAACP, to conclude the vandalism to Moorman’s signs are racially motivated without offering any proof whatsoever.
I’ve lived in Palm Coast for five years. Prior to that I lived in New York and California. Palm Coast is without a doubt the most diverse community I’ve ever lived in. I’m proud to call many of these people my friends and neighbors.
Dennis Lynch
Palm Coast
+ Cancer is never ‘puny’: Survivor disputes word choice
Dear Editor:
I appreciate the article in the Palm Coast Observer, on my experience as a breast cancer survivor. I would however, like to clarify a comment in the article.
I do not consider any cancer diagnosis to be “puny.” Some diagnoses are more serious than others, but all are significant. A cancer diagnosis is not to be taken lightly as a joke. It will change your life and the lives of those dear to you.
Perhaps my upbeat take-charge approach to my cancer diagnosis was viewed as a cavalier attitude toward the disease, but it is in no way meant to minimize the battle. Rather it has been my way of dealing with my cancer journey.
That being said, I continue to enjoy being very active in the community and participating in sports, even if some of them that involve risk, such as road bicycling. Whatever your battle in life is, it helps to focus on positive things and to enjoy what each day offers.
Joy Mottel
Palm Coast
+ Banning bonfires on Flagler Beach would penalize law-abiding citizens
Dear Editor:
(Editor’s Note: This letter is adapted from a letter that was sent to the elected officials of the city of Flagler Beach.)
City Commissioners in 1992 passed the current lighting ordinance to protect sea turtles. For the past 20 years, that ordinance has satisfied the citizens of Flagler Beach.
The commissioners then in office took the state ordinance and used it as a guide, and their definition of artificial light did not include handheld light, vehicular light or bonfires. Please read the current code.
Since that time, the number of turtles nesting and hatching in Flagler Beach has grown. There are no verifiable statistics that bonfires have any detrimental effect on turtle nesting.
Current Florida Law states it is unlawful for any group to build a bonfire and leave it unattended or unextinguished. If you want to do something, enforce that current law; do not add laws that punish law-abiding citizens and Flagler Beach residents. Go after the law-breakers.
Adding bureaucracy to our current system just because you can is not the way to go. Bonfires during the summer are a time-honored tradition for residents and visitors. You will be ruining traditional summer Fourth of July events. What is next, banning the annual fireworks display?
Sharon Andre
Flagler Beach
SOMETHING STINKY THIS WAY COMES
+ DeLorenzo’s contribution from Waste Pro stinks
Dear Editor:
It was bad enough when City Manager Jim Landon wanted to award the waste contract without bidding it. It is bad enough to know that the request for proposal is heavily weighted in favor of Waste Pro.
I had assumed Mr. Landon was being lazy at best, or ethically dubious at worst.
However, with the revelation that Jason DeLorenzo has accepted a campaign contribution from this company, this begins to smell like garbage, indeed.
He was fully aware that there were negotiations under way. Is he so naive that he didn’t expect them to want something in return for their donation? I don’t think so. I think this demonstrates how he plans to operate and I, for one, find it incredibly arrogant.
Give the money back and re-issue the request for proposal to make sure everything is on the level.
Edith Campins
Palm Coast
