20 minute read
Letters
from PCO 04 08 21
Palm Coast is growing too fast for its own good
Dear Editor:
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In two years Palm Coast Parkway and Belle Terre will be horrible to drive on! The traffic is ridiculous now!
Also, we don’t have enough code enforcers now to enforce the restrictions. What’s going to happen with thousands of more homes? Palm Coast is already starting to look trashy in many neighborhoods.
More water and electric plants? More schools? Did anyone think of these things? Oh, but we have a nice new splash pad! That’s important!
PAT STASIO Palm Coast
Here’s a suggestion for next April Fool’s
Dear Editor:
The April Fool’s headlines were entertaining as always is. Very creative. But you missed an obvious prank: “City to reduce spending, taxes going down.” This fake news item would have fit right in. Maybe next year.
CHARLIE HAYES
Palm Coast
House bill will help prevent violent protests
Dear Editor:
James Manfre’s “My View” should have been printed on the front page in the April Fool’s edition of the Palm Coast Observer, not Page 6. Everyone must read House Bill 1 before coming to a conclusion.
I don’t know any Floridian who wants a Portland, Minneapolis, Seattle, etc., disaster in Florida. Many people died in those “peaceful protests.” Those cities were burned and looted, and their businesses were destroyed. This House Bill 1 is to help prevent those outcomes, and not to prevent “real” peaceful protests.
Exaggerating one political side of an issue, and completely ignoring a much worse political side, has unfortunately become commonplace. This kind of obvious creation of division is disgusting, and is not at all helpful in this situation or any other.
JEAN SBERTOLI
Flagler Beach
COVID and the flu are still here, so don’t trash your mask yet
Dear Editor:
Have you noticed that the flu seems to be nearly nonexistent this year? Even the CDC states that flu activity is unusually low this season.
Has an increase in hand hygiene and properly wearing masks in public decreased flu incidence throughout the 2020-2021 flu season? Yes, I think so!
If wearing masks can reduce the spread of COVID-19, then maybe it can continue to reduce the spread of the flu in the future.
Respiratory droplets are how the flu transmits. This can be directly from person to person, say during a conversation, or from even touching a contaminated surface, like a door handle.
Having a barrier between those respiratory droplets coming from our mouth or our nose and entering the air or landing on door handles will reduce the spread of the virus.
The flu can be contagious three to four days before symptoms even begin. We could be in contact with someone who has the flu and they don’t even know that they are sick.
We are fortunate to have an effective flu vaccine; however, there are many limitations to it. Allergies to components of the vaccine, misinformation about vaccinations, and flu mutations are just a few obstacles we face with the flu vaccine.
So who should continue to wear masks? Everyone! Encouraging everyone to wear a mask in public to overcome some of these obstacles is an effective and simple option.
This public health effort will help vulnerable populations from becoming infected with the flu.
Unfortunately, it is still common for employees to go in to work feeling under the weather, especially here in the United States due to lack of sick leave provided by employers. Wearing masks in public settings would protect the general public from getting infected from these people who are continuing to work even though they may be ill with the flu. And conversely, those who feel sick should also wear a mask to help protect the general public from becoming infected.
The flu claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year and affects many more. Wearing masks in crowded public areas, like the grocery store, concerts, or airplanes, will save lives.
We should all feel a sense of personal responsibility to help reduce the spread of the flu.
Don’t trash that mask yet!
CARA ROTMAN
Jacksonville
Palm Coast reader asks ‘What happened to civics and history education?’
Dear Editor:
What Supreme Court Sandra Day O’Connor once called a “quiet crisis” has become a deafening one.
O’Connor was referring to conspicuous deficiencies in U.S. civics and history education, deficiencies which were depriving entire generations of Americans of the prerequisites for constitutional selfgovernment.
In my recent experiences (last couple of years) in interviewing juniors in high schools in Flagler County for certain programs that my organization offers, the vast majority of the junior students could not name our elected officials — neither local, state, or federal.
American constitutional democracy cannot run on auto-pilot. By putting civic education on cruise control and falling asleep at the wheel, the American ship of state has run off course. If we are to avoid running aground, we need to open the eyes of all Americans, beginning in K-12 classrooms, to the essential knowledge and civic virtues necessary to maintain our constitutional democracy for future generations.
American civic education should mirror the kind of American identity we would like to cultivate. This identity, at its best, has always consisted in a common commitment to certain ideals — certain “inalienable rights,” in the words of the Declaration of Independence — rather than the mere fact of living in the same place. A common commitment to ideals can, in turn, inspire common assent to a shared narrative of American history. Until this is achieved, the United States will continue to fall short of being the “city upon a hill” that its best moments have called it.
GARY OWENS
Palm Coast
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No more anonymous code enforcement tips?
Anonymous tips would no longer be justification to begin code-enforcement investigations in many cases, under a proposal advancing in the House and already approved by the Senate.
The House Public Integrity & Elections Committee on March 29 backed a bill (HB 883) that would change county and municipal codeenforcement rules so that inspectors and enforcement officers would be blocked from initiating investigations unless people reporting alleged code violations provide their names and addresses.
Code enforcement officers could still take action on anonymous tips if they have reason to believe the violations present imminent threats to public health, safety, or welfare or may result in the imminent destruction of habitat or sensitive resources. House sponsor Toby Overdorf, R-Palm City, said the bill is intended to stop “frivolous” complaints and to keep code-enforcement officers from becoming a “pawn” in community disputes.
A House staff analysis said local governments have adopted a variety of rules for taking complaints. “Many jurisdictions allow for the anonymous submission of complaints, while some require the complainant to provide identifying information,” the analysis said. “Code inspectors accept information initially provided in the complaints and may investigate the allegations made.”
OPINION Affordable housing is under attack
Editor’s Note: Florida Realtors recently published the following message. It was sent to the Palm Coast Observer by the Flagler County Association of Realtors, with approval of FCAR President Ryan Ford.
This is your wake-up call, Florida, and we need your help to save affordable housing. Last week, Senate President Wilton Simpson and Speaker of the House Chris Sprowls unveiled legislation, HB 5401 and SPB 2512, to permanently redirect two-thirds of the housing trust funds each year to sea level rise and wastewater infrastructure projects.
That’s some serious money that won’t be available to teachers, firefighters, nurses and other first responders for housing assistance. If this legislation passes, 66% of the $423 million available in the housing trust funds will go toward priorities other than housing.
This is unacceptable.
For nearly 30 years, the State Housing Initiative Program has received $2.6 billion from the housing trust funds that has helped 217,000 households with down payment and closing cost assistance, among other housing programs. A $423 million investment into housing programs next year would create 33,000 jobs and more than $4.9 billion in positive economic impact. That’s sound policy as we seek to restore our economy to a pre-pandemic state.
Monies for the housing trust funds come from a portion of the documentary stamp taxes charged on every real estate transaction. In 1992, Realtors advocated for this tax — 10 cents per $100 of value — on the condition that all monies collected went to housing programs.
But for years, that hasn’t happened.
During years of budget shortfalls, legislators swept more than $2.3 billion collected for the housing trust funds into general revenue. And now, when the people of Florida are experiencing pandemic-related challenges that include a critical shortage of affordable, attainable housing, there’s a plan to permanently reduce these vital “trust” funds to the lowest level of all.
The idea of permanently redirecting two-thirds of the housing trust funds is concerning during a pandemic. Housing has been our refuge, office, child care and more. Essential workers, our first and last line of defense, would be left with one less option to secure housing, be it down payment or rental assistance.
Florida Realtors is the voice for millions of property owners who have paid into the housing trust funds. On their behalf, know that we appreciate the need to fund other priorities. But affordable
PALM COAST Observer
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Palm Coast Observer, LLC
P.O. Box 353850 Palm Coast, 32135
housing IS a priority now more than ever in this post-pandemic economy. Affordability housing IS a priority for the elderly on fixed incomes and low-income families. Affordable housing IS a priority for teachers, firefighters, first responders and others who serve our communities. Our essential workers have guided us through the pandemic, and housing trust funds should be available to help them achieve the American dream of homeownership.
In 1992, lawmakers created a dedicated trust fund for housing purposes. HB 5401 and SPB 2512 would permanently change this dedicated funding source.
Visit https://affordablehousingfl.org/ TODAY to tell your elected leaders to honor the intended purpose of the trust funds and support affordable housing by voting NO on HB 5401 and SPB 2512!
Woman arrested for manslaughter in her disabled mother’s death
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office’s Cold Case Unit has arrested a 64-year-old woman for manslaughter in the 2018 death by starvation of the woman’s disabled mother. It is the Cold Case Unit’s first solved case.
Family members told detectives that the suspect had collected money weekly ostensibly for the victim’s food, but then isolated the victim and refused to let other family members see her.
The suspect, Kim Zaheer, had called 911 on Dec. 5, 2018, to report that her 85-year-old her mother, Frances King, needed an ambulance and that she was “not breathing.”
FCSO deputies and paramedics arrived at the residence and discovered King deceased. King was extremely malnourished. Deputies also noted the living conditions inside King’s bedroom were “extremely bad” and the odor of feces and urine was unbearable. A black garbage bag had been taped to King with duct tape as a makeshift diaper.
The District 23 Medical Examiner’s Office was contacted, and an autopsy was complete. It found that King had lost 53.8 pounds, or 52% of her body weight, over four years.
The cause of death was determined to be “Severe Emaciation and Emphysematous Cystitis” due to “Elder Abuse, Neglect and Starvation.”
The medical examiner ruled King’s death a homicide.
In the summer of 2020, Sheriff Rick Staly created a fulltime Cold Case Unit, the first in agency history.
Detective Andrew Cangialosi was selected as the first fulltime Cold Case detective.
The FCSO arrested Zaheer on March 31. She is charged with Manslaughter of an Elderly Disabled Adult and is being held on a $500,000 bond.
Felon arrested in connection with car break-ins
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office’s Real Time Crime Center analysts have helped catch a wanted fugitive responsible for multiple car break-ins: Caisy Frank.
Once stopped by officers, Frank began throwing items and evidence — including a firearm — over a bridge.
Caisy Frank is a convicted felon in Florida, was a fugitive from Georgia and New York with an active warrant from Georgia for Larceny from an Automobile, and had an active warrant from New York for Parole Violation for a weapon’s offense.
“This type of crime would have taken days to months, and possibly years, or maybe never solved if we had not implemented cutting edge technology and created our Real Time Crime Center,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “The work of our crime analytics team along with constant communication between detectives and other agencies allowed law enforcement to arrest him once we found his current location. Of course, a raised draw bridge helped too.”
97 traffic stops made during TIDES
Earlier this month, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Flagler Beach Police Department, and the Bunnell Police Department, announced that they would be combining efforts to participate in Operations TIDES, a countywide traffic operation focusing on deterring Texting while driving, Impaired driving, driving while Distracted or Exhausted, and Speeding.
During the operation, the agencies reported making a total of 97 traffic stops resulting in 5 Criminal Citations, 27 NonCriminal Citations, 71 Written Warnings, and two arrests.
“The unity of the law enforcement agencies in Flagler County to make our roadways safer will only help our incredible community,” said Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney.
While there is a high concentration of efforts across multiple agencies for Operation TIDES, the FCSO remains vigilant 365 days a year on roadways in Flagler County. For example, on March 30, FCSO Deputy Nunziato, a member of the FCSO Traffic Unit, observed a red sports car traveling at 124 mph in a 60 mph speed zone on SR 100.
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EMERGENCY: 9-1-1 NON-EMERGENCY: 386-313-4911 FLAGLERSHERIFF.COM
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Sheriff Rick Staly
Deputies protect woman chased by armed man
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies on April 2 protected a woman from an armed man who’d threatened to kill her.
The Flagler County Communication Center received a 911 call from the victim reporting that she had received multiple threatening text messages from her estranged boyfriend, Aaron Thayer, 39.
FCSO deputies arrived at the victim’s residence, where the victim showed multiple text messages that had been sent to her by Thayer.
The text messages were graphic and threatening, making the victim fear for her life.
FCSO detectives obtained a warrant for the arrest of Aaron Thayer for Sending Written Threats to Kill with nationwide extradition.
“This guy told the victim he was going to kill her, and less than 24 hours later he had driven all night and was at her door to kill her,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “I am so thankful that my deputies were able to intercept this guy, and used their training, tactics and deescalation techniques before he was able to hurt anyone. They handled a very volatile and dangerous situation by running toward danger to protect the victim. This situation that could have had an entirely different outcome with either the victim, suspect or deputies injured or killed if not for the heroic efforts of our deputies.”
Thayer was arrested and charged with Written Threats to Kill, Attempted Premeditated Murder with a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm/Ammunition by a Convicted Felon, Petit Theft and Resisting Arrest without Violence.
He is being held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Detention Facility on no bond.
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HOLLY HILL ARTS FESTIVAL
April 10 & 11, 2021
Festival staged on Sunrise Park 1135 Riverside Drive, Holly Hill, FL 32117 1.35 Acre Park located on the Halifax River Saturday, April 10 • 10AM to 5PM Sunday, April 11 • 10A to 4PM
Family friendly and FREE to the public Featuring 80+ Juried Fine Artists & Creative Crafters Star Spangled Banner performed by two Holly Hill Schools Music and Food Trucks
Free Parking at Holly Hill City Hall with shuttle to Sunrise Park
Presented by: Helping Hands Thru Arts For more information: www.HollyHillArtsFestival.com
Barbosa presses for city manager’s firing in dispute over Code Enforcement
Fellow City Council members did not support Barbosa’s motion to fire City Manager Matt Morton.
JONATHAN SIMMONS
NEWS EDITOR
A routine Palm Coast City Council meeting veered into conflict April 6 as Councilman Victor Barbosa asked his fellow council members to fire City Manager Matt Morton, alleging in comments near the end of the meeting that Morton’s behavior in a dispute about code enforcement amounted to corruption.
Barbosa’s motion died for lack of a second.
Barbosa, who has his own recent history with the city’s Code Enforcement — he’s been warned for parking his company truck outside his home in violation of the city’s ban on commercial vehicles in residential areas, and has pressed the city to eliminate that rule — has in recent weeks driven the city’s residential areas, noting code violations and reporting them to the city manager.
Morton, Barbosa said, had emailed city Code Enforcement Manager Barbara Grossman and told her to list Barbosa as the complainant on those code cases, writing, “I want to be able to keep track.”
But Barbosa wasn’t just listed as a complainant in the city’s internal system, as Morton’s letter seemed to be suggesting: Barbosa was also listed by name on the actual notices of violation that were sent to people’s homes — and not only for the specific violations he’d noted, but for other ones that staff found on the same streets.
Barbosa found that improper, and suggested at the council meeting and in a later Facebook Live video that Morton was responsible and was trying to sabotage Barbosa’s political prospects.
“I’m very angry — very angry, hurt and disappointed,” Barbosa said. “... This is several examples of the use of my name associated with properties I did not complain about. This is a direct result from Matt Morton to Barbara Grossman to slander my name and my position.”
He called Morton’s actions “gross misconduct and corruption” and a “partisan political attack.”
He didn’t provide evidence that Morton himself had instructed that Barbosa’s name be appended to the unrelated cases or the notices of violation themselves.
A city staff member said that when someone submits a complaint stating that multiple properties on a street have the same issue, Code Enforcement attributes the properties found with that problem to the original complainant.
Barbosa said he had records showing other code violation notices that did not reveal a complainant’s name.
That showed, he said, that listing a complainant’s name on the actual violation notices was not standard.
City staff weren’t able to immediately clarify why Barbosa would have been listed by name on the actual violation notices.
He asked his fellow council members to terminate Morton.
“If you don’t vote against, which I have clearly shown proof, then you’re in favor of corruption and mismanagement in our city,” he said.
No one seconded his motion.
Councilman Ed Danko said he wanted more time to review the documents Barbosa had provided, and proposed tabling Barbosa’s motion — but, because no one seconded it, was not able to do so.
Councilman Victor Barbosa in a video he posted publicly to his Facebook page about code violations in Palm Coast
JONATHAN SIMMONS
NEWS EDITOR
The Flagler County Veterans Services Office is working with the Flagler Broadcasting and the city of Palm Coast on Independence Day festivities. Flagler Broadcasting’s annual Freedom Fest — generally held in November around Veterans Day — will be held this year on July 3, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The city of Palm Coast is also planning a fireworks event on July 3 in Central Park in Town Center, to follow Freedom Fest.
VETERANS SERVICES OFFICE AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH VA BENEFITS
STAPLEFORD APPOINTED TO F.I.N.D. COMMISSION
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Palm Coast resident Randy Stapleford to the Florida Inland Navigation District Board of Commissioners.
Stapleford, a retired Navy captain and aviator, handles military affairs for U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, serves as a liaison for Waltz’s office on the Flagler County Veterans Advisory Council and is a member of a number of veteran service organizations.
On the 12-member FIND Commission, he fills the seat formerly held by the late Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts.
Flagler County’s Veterans Services Office is available to help veterans with their veterans benefits.
The county’s Veterans Services Officer, David Lydon, said the Veterans Services Office is trying to get the word out so that local veterans don’t drive out of their way for assistance that’s available locally.
“They sometimes drive 30 miles out of the way when they could have help with their veteran’s benefits right here,” he said. “ ... A lot of people do it on their own at home ... but we also find that they’re not as successful, because they don’t know the ins and outs of what the VA’s looking for.”
FLAGLER COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
n American Legion Post 115, 386864-2885 n AMVETS Post 113, 386-263-2972 n Disabled American Veterans 86, 386-439-2122 n Jewish War Veterans Post 300, www.jwv.org n Marine Corps League Det 876 Flagler County, 386-585-0847 n Military Officers Association of America, 386-315-4628 n Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 0808-FL-4 n Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8696, Palm Coast, 386-446-8696
See: flaglercounty.org/departments/veterans_services.
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