Letters

Be a good citizen and clean up after your dogs, please

Dear Editor:

We certainly agree that most pet owners, especially dog owners, are not as responsible for their pets as they should be, but we now own an adorable Pembroke Corgi who loves to run on his leash to catch the salt water ocean bubbles that blow up on the sandy beach. Well, to our sad surprise, on our recent trip to the beach, we saw many signs posted on the beach saying “No Dogs Allowed.”

We were taught years ago in England to always carry a plastic piddle bag with paper towels to clean up after our dogs, if necessary. So being good taxpayers and good citizens everywhere we go, we are prepared. Also, since the beach waves usually wash out all things in its way, one could conclude that it stays cleaner than most areas.

Still, one should be responsible for their pets; cleaning up after them is good exercise for everyone, and it’s being a good neighbor to all — not forgetting that our state brings a lot of other people from elsewhere who bring pets too.

If a fine were posted as a lawful state rule, some people would abide by it. Surveillance cameras could be posted too. Of course, not everyone would adhere to it, but, when others are around and seeing the misbehavior, they could quickly jot down the needed information and report it, that way they would be doing a good citizen act for all concerned.

This may be a lot to ask, but no one enjoys stepping in dog messes, so clean up after them. Be a good citizen.

Even the dog parks, for which one needs to register in order to use them, have similar rules. We love our animals but not everyone does, so be a good citizen everywhere you go so all can enjoy our beaches parks and walkways.

MERRI CHURCHILL

Ormond Beach

Letters up to 400 words can be submitted for publication by emailing jarleene@ormondbeachobserver. Editor may edit for clarity and length.

VCSO HONORS AWARD WINNERS

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office recently honored three detectives and a local group Stefanie Levi Detective of the Quarter: Jan

with awards for their teamwork in fighting against prescription medication addiction during the agency’s staff awards.

VCSO Detectives Austin Littleton, Sgt. Joel Hernandez and Lt. Kurt Schoeps streamlined how residents drop off unwanted prescription drugs at the agency’s five district offices after researching how other law enforcement agencies collect those unused medications, according to a press release. The N.O.W. Matters More Foundation of New Smyrna Beach donated $4,475 for the effort, allowing VCSO to buy five med return drug collection units, which are locked, steel mailboxstyle disposal receptacles. This was done before National Prescription Drug Take Back day last fall.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood the agency’s Problem Solving award for this project. He also recognized Luis Delgao, founder of N.O.W. Matters More, and President Trinity Phillips with the civilian award for their contribution. N.O.W. Matters More helps raise money for people in need of treatment.

VCSO also honored the following second-quarter award winners:

Volunteer of the Quarter:

George Wood

Telecommunicator of the

Quarter: David Jewell

Employee of the Quarter:

presented the detectives with Gardner Deputy of the Quarter: Andrew Hudson

JEEP BEACH AIDS FOOD BRINGS HOPE

Jeep Beach recently presented Food Brings Hope with a $5,000 check to aid in the continuation of the nonprofit’s work in the community. Since 2012, Jeep Beach has donated over $1.8 million to local charities through its annual event fundraising efforts, according to a press release. All proceeds raised are distributed to charities throughout Central Florida.

“We are grateful for business partners like Jeep Beach whose constant support ensures that Food Brings Hope fulfills their mission of serving the children of our community,” said Judi Winch, FBH’s executive director in the press release.

NEW ADDITION TO LOCAL BANK

Intracoastal Bank has added Mark Martens to its team as its new vice president and business relationship manager, a role in which he will be responsible for developing and servicing business banking relationships, a press release announced.

Prior to joining Intracoastal Bank, Martens was the senior vice president and business relationship manager banker for

Courtesy photos Beth Miller, Brad Gaines, Nathan Feeser, Ratsamy Bouttavong, Linda Caracushansky, and Nellie Lupoli.

SHOES FOR KIDS

ICI Homes Employees recently collected 275 pairs of shoes and 881 pairs of socks in its Annual Walk for Hope to donate to Food Brings Hope students, according to a press release.

Through this donation, KidsZone and TeenZone sponsors were able to choose 10-12 pairs of shoes and a bag full of socks for their students. The annual collection grows every year.

“Food Brings Hope appreciates this annual event which reflects the caring hearts of ICI Homes’ employees,” said Judi Winch, FBH’s executive director in the press release. “It’s an event we look forward to each year.”

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the Krakowiak family.

ORMOND MAN DIES IN HELICOPTER CRASH; FUNDRAISER SET UP FOR THE FAMILY

An Ormond Beach man died in a helicopter crash in Jones County, Mississippi, on Dec. 29, 2020, and a GoFundMe has been set up to help his family.

Jason Krakowiak, 40, worked as a helicopter pilot and flight instructor, and died while attempting an emergency landing while flying for work, according to the fundraising site. He used to perform aerial firefighting, oil and gas support, government and private charters, as well as worked as an aerial saw pilot. He died a week after his birthday, and is survived by his wife and two sons.

“Jyl, Parker, and August Wells Fargo Bank. A graduate of Truman State University, he arrives to Intracoastal Bank with over 34 years of experience in local banking.

Martens is a long-term resident of the greater Daytona Beach area, the press release states. He has been active in several civic organizations including the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce, Team Volusia, Volusia Manufacturers Association and the Halifax River Yacht Club.

PROVISION PACKS RECEIVES $8,000

Provision Packs founder and CEO Carrie Torres announced that the nonprofit organization has received an $8,000 donation from Grind Gastropub and Kona Tiki Bar. The donation is a result of the Grind’s 8th-annual “Giving Thanks at Grind’’ charity event held on Nov. 25.

The organization is planning its own fundraiser in May: “The River Scramble - ParTee on the Halifax.”The event will include floating greens, golf boats and biodegradable fish food balls make the event the “par-tee” on the water. There are no golf carts, only boats. More information and registration can be found at https://www.provisionpacks.org/events.html. have been devastated by the loss of their husband, father, and hero,” said James Martin, the campaign organizer on the GoFundMe page.“In these poignant times, Jyl is still trying to process the loss of her soulmate, while being the anchor for her children.”

Krakowiak was his family’s main provider and the goal of the fundraiser is to help his family find a source of income.

So far, the community has raised over $37,000 of the $150,000 goal.

Want to help? Here is the GoFundMe site: https://gf.me/ v/c/gfm/help-jyl-and-her-two-

young- boys

ADOPTABLE PETS

CeeCee, a 1-year-old terrier and American Staffordshire mix. Her adoption fee is $70. Stephanie, an 8-year-old terrier and American Staffordshire mix. Her adoption fee was paid.

Mona, a 10-year-old shepherd mix. Her adoption fee is $35.

Olympia, a 3-year-old domestic shorthair cat. Her adoption fee is $50.

ORMOND BEACH Observer

“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 “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Publisher / John Walsh, jwalsh@palmcoastobserver.com Executive Editor / Brian McMillan, bmcmillan@ palmcoastobserver.com Associate Editor / Jarleene Almenas, jarleene@ ormondbeachobserver.com Page Designers / Hailey McMillan, Jennifer Edwards Advertising Manager / Jaclyn Centofanti, jaclyn@palmcoastobserver.com

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Douglas Property & Development breathes new life into Town Center

With the aim of bringing diversity, options, and opportunities to Palm Coast, residents can expect more groundbreaking developments in 2021.

EMILY BLACKWOOD CONTRIBUTING WRITER

There’s a lot of factors that go into building a healthy community. You need secure jobs, available housing, and a high standard of living. While good weather and the beach give Palm Coast an enviable quality of life, Douglas Property Development, Inc. President Jeff Douglas knew there was more to do.

When DPD took over the Allete portfolio in 2017, he and his team reenvisioned the 2,050acre Town Center as a livable downtown area and an innovative hub for med-tech jobs.

“To have a healthy community, Douglas said. “You need a healthy service sector growing with tactic jobs. There’s an absence of strategic, leading-edge companies here, and I think we can all recognize that.”

From Douglas’ perspective, attracting medical companies and institutions serves two purposes simultaneously: it fills the gap and meets the need for high-quality medical services for current residents, and it keeps young talent from leaving the county to find work.

The first step in attracting these key players was creating more housing. Last year, Central Landings, a 233-unit complex, was constructed, and The Palms at Town Center, an 88-unit complex, also broke ground and was 100% leased up within three weeks of its certificate of occupancy. Both complexes are waiting-list only.

Another 184 single-family homes are being constructed in Town Center, as well as 350 additional apartment condominiums.

“Diversity of housing and diversity of job opportunities is what we’re bringing,” said Walker Douglas of DPD. “Prior to this project, Palm Coast was lacking in multi-family and townhome options. We brought in more housing options that attract people with different lifestyles.”

With more housing options in the works, Jeff Douglas said DPD is turning its attention to partnering with medical education powerhouses like Jacksonville University and UNF MedNexus. Both institutions are opening campuses in Town Center that will focus on healthcare training and education.

“We are now on the radar of these institutions, companies, and the spinoffs that come from bringing these institutions here,” Jeff Douglas said. “We have great partners here already, like Coastal Cloud, Flagler Health, and ACI. Let’s give them the education, tools, product, and people so they can continue to expand.”

“Our goal is to get those medtech jobs into Town Center and Palm Coast Park.”

In order to get to attract more of those necessary partners, Jeff Douglas said Palm Coast requires leadership that shares that vision of a healthy community, like Mayor Milissa Holland, Representative Paul Renner, and Senator Travis Hudson.

“We have Matt Morton as a city manager, and Jerry Cameron at the county level who have both come in and reenvisioned that the citizen and the taxpayer is a customer, not a burden. And the companies that have come [to Palm Coast], done business and left over the years, are now coming back.”

With more housing and jobs coming to Town Center, entertainment is the obvious next step. DPD is planning 35,000 square feet of cafe, restaurant, office, retail space, and a separate art district and a regional design district. While it’s a lot of work now, Douglas believes that with the help of local leadership and the community’s support, this new vision for Town Center will soon be a reality.

“You’re going to see more key announcements in Town Center in the next 12 months,” Jeff Douglas said. “And I like to think in 24 months, we’ll be the envy of Florida communities.”