The Sunshine Law requires that e-mails and other written forms of communication by public officials and employees be archived. The county wants to add social networking to the list.
by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer
One-hundred and forty characters: Some might say that's not enough to express anything, but that's all Twitter -- the fastest growing Web site on the Internet -- allows.
In fact, that first sentence exceeded Twitter's allowance by 31 characters. But, Flagler county believes the site will be useful.
"Social networking is a new phenomenon," said Carl Laundrie, public information officer for the county. "It's an effective means of communicating with a lot of people, at a very little expense."
Laundrie has spearheaded the movement to revamp the Sunshine Law, which dictates they way social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, can be used. For example, press releases could be replaced or enhances by posts and tweets instantaneously.
The Sunshine Law requires public officials, elected or appointed, to do public business in full view of the public. Meetings and notes are public record. A separate law requires officials to archive their e-mail and other correspondence for at least three years, and Laundrie wants to update that list to include Facebook and Twitter. The problem is, Facebook posts and Twitter tweets -- including those sent to public officials from residents -- would then need to become public record, as well.
Laundrie said the Internet usage law hasn't been updated or revised in 10 years, so he is hoping the county will amend it on the local event. In the plan he is working on finalizing, Laundrie said, various departments, including the Emergency Operations Center, would be responsible for managing their own Twitter accounts.
Cindy Dalecki, owner of Marketing 2 Go, a business that predominantly uses Facebook and Twitter to promote a company's brand, said that since 2007, nearly 300 million businesses have created fan pages on Facebook. In March, Facebook was the most-visited Internet site, beating out Google for the first time.
"It's social media, not social selling," Dalecki said. "You're building a relationship. It's not an advertisement."
Dalecki did allude to the fact that having a county or city page on Facebook or Twitter could be beneficial from an economic development perspective because it could show different businesses what the county or city has to offer, enticing them to relocate.
Contact Andrew O'Brien at andrew@palmcoastobserver.com.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Commission declares this April Sexual Assault Awareness Month
With domestic violence on the rise, the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners and the Family Life Center are raising awareness.
by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer
The good news: Florida's crime rate is at a 39-year low. The bad news: The report released April 7 by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement reflected a 15.6% increase in domestic violence-related murders, and a 71.4% increase in domestic violence manslaughters. One out of every three girls and one out of every six boys are sexually abused before the age of 18.
"These statistics are devastating, but we must remember they're not just numbers on a report," said Diana Christen, CEO of the Family Life Center. "Each report represents women, men and children whose lives have been turned upside down by someone who is supposed to love them.
"We must never forget that 232 people were killed by someone they once trusted, someone they once loved," she said, adding that one of the victims was a Palm Coast resident.
Those statistics, coupled with the growing concern over the lack of reporting of sexual violence crimes, encouraged the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners to declare April Sexual Assault Awareness Month, putting the county in line with the national movement.
"We're blessed to have great partnerships with the county, the school district and the school board," Christen said. "Because they support our efforts, we are able to reach even more Flagler County citizens."
But Christen is still concerned, and she's hopeful the recent declaration can bring awareness now more than ever.
"We hope that one day the violence will end as a result of people understanding what the violence actually does to another person," she said.
As part of the education emphasis, staff of the Family Life Center has appeared at Matanzas High School and will head to Flagler Palm Coast High School next month. At Matanzas, the center conducted more than 70 classroom presentations, teaching students about dating violence, bullying and other topics.
"Our hope is to not only intervene with some of the students who are experiencing it, but we're hoping to prevent it for years to come," Christen said. "(Education) begins in the home, but it also becomes a soceital issue because it infiltrates into our schools, and then it really becomes everybody's issue."
Through the James F. Holland Foundation, County Commissioner Milissa Holland has been an advocate of sexual assault awareness.
"Our children are suffering from sexual abuse," Holland said. "Although it's an uncomfortable conversation to have, it's a necessary one to help them overcome their challenges and support these victims."
The Family Life Center has been in Flagler County since 1987, and there are currently 20 people staying at the shelter, along with another 18 in transitional housing. Emergency shelter, crisis counseling and court advocacy are among the most-used services the Family Life Center provides to more than 500 individuals annually.
Victims or others with questions should call the 24-hour crisis hotline at 437-3505, or go to www.flcsafehouse.org. To donate food, clothes or supplies to the Family Life Center, call 437-7610.
Contact Andrew O'Brien at andrew@palmcoastobserver.com.
by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer
The good news: Florida's crime rate is at a 39-year low. The bad news: The report released April 7 by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement reflected a 15.6% increase in domestic violence-related murders, and a 71.4% increase in domestic violence manslaughters. One out of every three girls and one out of every six boys are sexually abused before the age of 18.
"These statistics are devastating, but we must remember they're not just numbers on a report," said Diana Christen, CEO of the Family Life Center. "Each report represents women, men and children whose lives have been turned upside down by someone who is supposed to love them.
"We must never forget that 232 people were killed by someone they once trusted, someone they once loved," she said, adding that one of the victims was a Palm Coast resident.
Those statistics, coupled with the growing concern over the lack of reporting of sexual violence crimes, encouraged the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners to declare April Sexual Assault Awareness Month, putting the county in line with the national movement.
"We're blessed to have great partnerships with the county, the school district and the school board," Christen said. "Because they support our efforts, we are able to reach even more Flagler County citizens."
But Christen is still concerned, and she's hopeful the recent declaration can bring awareness now more than ever.
"We hope that one day the violence will end as a result of people understanding what the violence actually does to another person," she said.
As part of the education emphasis, staff of the Family Life Center has appeared at Matanzas High School and will head to Flagler Palm Coast High School next month. At Matanzas, the center conducted more than 70 classroom presentations, teaching students about dating violence, bullying and other topics.
"Our hope is to not only intervene with some of the students who are experiencing it, but we're hoping to prevent it for years to come," Christen said. "(Education) begins in the home, but it also becomes a soceital issue because it infiltrates into our schools, and then it really becomes everybody's issue."
Through the James F. Holland Foundation, County Commissioner Milissa Holland has been an advocate of sexual assault awareness.
"Our children are suffering from sexual abuse," Holland said. "Although it's an uncomfortable conversation to have, it's a necessary one to help them overcome their challenges and support these victims."
The Family Life Center has been in Flagler County since 1987, and there are currently 20 people staying at the shelter, along with another 18 in transitional housing. Emergency shelter, crisis counseling and court advocacy are among the most-used services the Family Life Center provides to more than 500 individuals annually.
Victims or others with questions should call the 24-hour crisis hotline at 437-3505, or go to www.flcsafehouse.org. To donate food, clothes or supplies to the Family Life Center, call 437-7610.
Contact Andrew O'Brien at andrew@palmcoastobserver.com.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Lady Bulldogs rejuvinated
In a district tournament warm-up, Flagler Palm Coast High School shut out Spruce Creek 9-0 April 9.
by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer
"More what?"
"Mor-gan!"
It was the bottom of the third inning. Flagler Palm Coast High School second baseman Morgan Bunting was at the plate, leading off the inning. Her teammates cheered her from the dugout as Bunting dug in and ripped a double down the left field line. She coasted into second base, pumped her fist, and the inning was underway.
The next two batters did some bunting of their own. Kayla Lamphier and Kelsey Donahue, two of the faster players on FPC, bunted for base hits to load the bases for slugger Lee Ann Spivey. Spivey, the sophomore catcher, hammered a ball to dead-center field, and the Spruce Creek center fielder dropped the ball at the fence. One run scored, and the bases remained loaded.
Two more infield bunt-hits improved the Bulldogs lead to 3-0, and then after a Spruce Creek pitching change, FPC scored three more runs to extend the lead to 6-0.
That was all sophomore pitcher Maria Matty would need. She kept the Spruce Creek bats silent to complete the 9-0 shutout victory.
With only one game remaining until the district tournament, the Bulldogs (11-7) had hoped for a strong showing the week of April 5. Instead, before the Spruce Creek win, they dropped two to district opponents, losing to last year's No. 1 seed, Deltona, and this year's top team, DeLand, in extra innings Monday and Wednesday, respectively.
FPC coach Sarah Poppe told the Bulldogs after their two losses that they needed to play as though they were starting a new season if they wanted to make a run at the district championship.
"We have the team for it," Poppe said after the Spruce Creek game. "Tonight, the girls were so positive. They're getting back to the ... way they were at the beginning of the season. It's doing the little things that matter."
The "little things" include some of the wildest plays, which the team practices so it will be ready for a situation such as the play to end the Spruce Creek game.
There were two outs in the seventh. Runner on third. The Spruce Creek batter lifted a soaring fly ball to right field. The ball seemed destined to land in the center of a triangle formed by right fielder Ashton Stevens, first baseman Sam Mittel and second baseman Bunting. Then Stevens came sprinting in and dove. The ball landed in her glove, but as Stevens hit the ground, the ball flipped into the air.
Bunting to the rescue. She reached out and snagged the ball barehanded, bobbled it, and then squeezed it into her glove. Game over. FPC wings.
"I saw the ball and it was just a reaction," said Bunting, who smiled through stitches in her right cheek, the price to pay for trying to turn a double play against Deltona earlier in the week. "To catch it with my bare hand was exhilirating."
The Bulldogs had a lot to smile about in the game against Spruce Creek. All the bounces went in their favor.
by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer
"More what?"
"Mor-gan!"
It was the bottom of the third inning. Flagler Palm Coast High School second baseman Morgan Bunting was at the plate, leading off the inning. Her teammates cheered her from the dugout as Bunting dug in and ripped a double down the left field line. She coasted into second base, pumped her fist, and the inning was underway.
The next two batters did some bunting of their own. Kayla Lamphier and Kelsey Donahue, two of the faster players on FPC, bunted for base hits to load the bases for slugger Lee Ann Spivey. Spivey, the sophomore catcher, hammered a ball to dead-center field, and the Spruce Creek center fielder dropped the ball at the fence. One run scored, and the bases remained loaded.
Two more infield bunt-hits improved the Bulldogs lead to 3-0, and then after a Spruce Creek pitching change, FPC scored three more runs to extend the lead to 6-0.
That was all sophomore pitcher Maria Matty would need. She kept the Spruce Creek bats silent to complete the 9-0 shutout victory.
With only one game remaining until the district tournament, the Bulldogs (11-7) had hoped for a strong showing the week of April 5. Instead, before the Spruce Creek win, they dropped two to district opponents, losing to last year's No. 1 seed, Deltona, and this year's top team, DeLand, in extra innings Monday and Wednesday, respectively.
FPC coach Sarah Poppe told the Bulldogs after their two losses that they needed to play as though they were starting a new season if they wanted to make a run at the district championship.
"We have the team for it," Poppe said after the Spruce Creek game. "Tonight, the girls were so positive. They're getting back to the ... way they were at the beginning of the season. It's doing the little things that matter."
The "little things" include some of the wildest plays, which the team practices so it will be ready for a situation such as the play to end the Spruce Creek game.
There were two outs in the seventh. Runner on third. The Spruce Creek batter lifted a soaring fly ball to right field. The ball seemed destined to land in the center of a triangle formed by right fielder Ashton Stevens, first baseman Sam Mittel and second baseman Bunting. Then Stevens came sprinting in and dove. The ball landed in her glove, but as Stevens hit the ground, the ball flipped into the air.
Bunting to the rescue. She reached out and snagged the ball barehanded, bobbled it, and then squeezed it into her glove. Game over. FPC wings.
"I saw the ball and it was just a reaction," said Bunting, who smiled through stitches in her right cheek, the price to pay for trying to turn a double play against Deltona earlier in the week. "To catch it with my bare hand was exhilirating."
The Bulldogs had a lot to smile about in the game against Spruce Creek. All the bounces went in their favor.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Resilient Roberson
Matanzas High's Kendrick Roberson was hospitalized for 24 days in September 2009. Now, he owns the school record in the shot-put.
by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer
Crouched in the shot-put ring, the 5-foot-11, 205-pound Kendrick Roberson rocked back-and-forth and then exploded up to hurl the 12-pound, gold ball.
"Don't worry, I'm just throwing," he said to Matanzas High School assistant track and field coach Jeremy Schaefer. But "just throwing" in Roberson's mind translated to 40 feet. He was just having fun.
Schaeffer talked Roberson into playing track and field while Roberson was a freshman. Prior to that, Roberson was pure football.
"Kendrick has a very strong work ethic," Schaefer said. "He doesn't stop." He said that on the football field, Roberson "would catch the ball and run over the defensive backs." Roberson started to get attention from colleges, including Florida Atlantic University.
Then, disaster struck.
It was week two of the 2009 season. Roberson had been feeling poorly for a few days, but he continued to push hard.
"I was sick, I was weak," he said. "I couldn't run, and coach was getting the team lined up to do sprints. I was ready to tell coach that I couldn't do it, but the whole team pushed me. When I got home, I didn't even make it into the house. I was sitting in my truck because I was too weak to move."
Roberson's mom came home and saw him sitting in the truck. They scheduled a doctor's appointment for the next day. After 10 minutes at the doctor's office, he was told he needed to go to the hospital.
"It was either the hospital or death, so I didn't have much of a choice," he said.
Roberson had been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease similar to Crohn's diseas, in February 2008, but it hadn't affected him much until now. Over the course of 24 days in the hospital in September 2009, he lost nearly 60 pounds.
"I was about 150 pounds, wearing my little brother's pants," he said.
But while his family, coaches and friends were concerned for his health, Roberson had other things on his mind. At one point, he was told he wouldn't play high school football again.
He said, "I looked at my mom and said, 'No, I will be back on the football field.'"
He was told to take him off, but he wouldn't quit. "I think it was the next day after he got out of the hospital that he was doing push-ups and squats," said his mother, Dawn Roberson. Now, Roberson is doing what he knows best: throwing. At the Ron Riddle Invitational on Feb. 19, Roberson threw for a school record 45 feet, 10 inches. It was a personal best and far enough for first place. He has placed first in all three meets in 2010.
This season, Roberson aspires to make it further than last year's sixth-place regional finish. The top four qualify for the state finals.
Back at practice, Roberson made that gold ball look small in his hands. As the wind blew, he said he felt free, just as he did when he was released from the hospital.
Schaefer said he didn't expect Roberson to be back, but said now he's better than ever. "Kendrick is a fighter and a survivor," he said.
Contact Andrew O'Brien at andrew@palmcoastobserver.com.
by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer
Crouched in the shot-put ring, the 5-foot-11, 205-pound Kendrick Roberson rocked back-and-forth and then exploded up to hurl the 12-pound, gold ball.
"Don't worry, I'm just throwing," he said to Matanzas High School assistant track and field coach Jeremy Schaefer. But "just throwing" in Roberson's mind translated to 40 feet. He was just having fun.
Schaeffer talked Roberson into playing track and field while Roberson was a freshman. Prior to that, Roberson was pure football.
"Kendrick has a very strong work ethic," Schaefer said. "He doesn't stop." He said that on the football field, Roberson "would catch the ball and run over the defensive backs." Roberson started to get attention from colleges, including Florida Atlantic University.
Then, disaster struck.
It was week two of the 2009 season. Roberson had been feeling poorly for a few days, but he continued to push hard.
"I was sick, I was weak," he said. "I couldn't run, and coach was getting the team lined up to do sprints. I was ready to tell coach that I couldn't do it, but the whole team pushed me. When I got home, I didn't even make it into the house. I was sitting in my truck because I was too weak to move."
Roberson's mom came home and saw him sitting in the truck. They scheduled a doctor's appointment for the next day. After 10 minutes at the doctor's office, he was told he needed to go to the hospital.
"It was either the hospital or death, so I didn't have much of a choice," he said.
Roberson had been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease similar to Crohn's diseas, in February 2008, but it hadn't affected him much until now. Over the course of 24 days in the hospital in September 2009, he lost nearly 60 pounds.
"I was about 150 pounds, wearing my little brother's pants," he said.
But while his family, coaches and friends were concerned for his health, Roberson had other things on his mind. At one point, he was told he wouldn't play high school football again.
He said, "I looked at my mom and said, 'No, I will be back on the football field.'"
He was told to take him off, but he wouldn't quit. "I think it was the next day after he got out of the hospital that he was doing push-ups and squats," said his mother, Dawn Roberson. Now, Roberson is doing what he knows best: throwing. At the Ron Riddle Invitational on Feb. 19, Roberson threw for a school record 45 feet, 10 inches. It was a personal best and far enough for first place. He has placed first in all three meets in 2010.
This season, Roberson aspires to make it further than last year's sixth-place regional finish. The top four qualify for the state finals.
Back at practice, Roberson made that gold ball look small in his hands. As the wind blew, he said he felt free, just as he did when he was released from the hospital.
Schaefer said he didn't expect Roberson to be back, but said now he's better than ever. "Kendrick is a fighter and a survivor," he said.
Contact Andrew O'Brien at andrew@palmcoastobserver.com.
City accepts gold designation
One year ago, Palm Coast accepted silver. Now, it's gold, and green ideas keep evolving.
by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer
In 2007, the city of Palm Coast established a group to focus on the green movement: the Green Team. Then, the Green City Committee was established. Local legislation offered incentives to protect the environment. For its efforts, the city has been recognized by the Florida Green Building Coalition as a gold-level, green local government.
This award is received for extraordinary environmental stewardship throughout all departments and across the community.
Denis Bevan, senior environmental planner, said the process has been an overall team effort. She added that perhaps the biggest factor in achieving the gold designation is that many programs work together for the ultimate goal.
"It's about being consistent throughout the city," she said. "Every department has initiatives, and they're all thinking about ways to help."
Public works, a program housed by the utilities department, has contributed through its swale rehabilitation project. Bevan said public works sifts through the soil to extract all usable elements in the swale soil. Some of the materials are then used to fill sandbags and then offered to Palm Coast residents for free in case of emergency.
Another significant aspect is the city's waste consumption. In December 2009, nearly 60% of households in Palm Coast recycled, and household waste has gone down while recycling has gone up.
According to Palm Coast waste-consumption data, the city produced 29,355 tons of garbage in January 2007. In 2009, January garbage was 26,172 tons. In the same time period, recycling tonnage increased from 3,253 to 3,954. Bevan said the data is evident that the citizens are doing their part and also represents the city is providing the proper services.
The recent gold-level designation for Palm Coast makes it the ninth local government to receive the award. However, Palm Coast is the only city in Northeast Florida.
Mayor Jon Netts said there is a misconception that going green costs money, when in fact, it can save money.
"It's indicative of a mindset," he said.
Netts added that achieving the gold-level designation wasn't implementing new strategies; however, it was the community picking up on the importance of going green and really focusing on the things already being done.
Perhaps one o the easiest ways to express the amount of dedication the city of Palm Coast is putting into becoming more environmentally friendly: The fire departments no longer use cups. Instead, each employee is given reusable coffee mugs.
In November 2009, the City Council adopted the Green Development Incentive Ordinance, which will require the city of Palm Coast to be able to numerically quantify the impact the green initiatives are doing.
And when the numbers will be available in January 2011, Bevan said it will help residents realize the full benefits.
Contact Andrew O'Brien at andrew@palmcoastobserver.com.
by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer
In 2007, the city of Palm Coast established a group to focus on the green movement: the Green Team. Then, the Green City Committee was established. Local legislation offered incentives to protect the environment. For its efforts, the city has been recognized by the Florida Green Building Coalition as a gold-level, green local government.
This award is received for extraordinary environmental stewardship throughout all departments and across the community.
Denis Bevan, senior environmental planner, said the process has been an overall team effort. She added that perhaps the biggest factor in achieving the gold designation is that many programs work together for the ultimate goal.
"It's about being consistent throughout the city," she said. "Every department has initiatives, and they're all thinking about ways to help."
Public works, a program housed by the utilities department, has contributed through its swale rehabilitation project. Bevan said public works sifts through the soil to extract all usable elements in the swale soil. Some of the materials are then used to fill sandbags and then offered to Palm Coast residents for free in case of emergency.
Another significant aspect is the city's waste consumption. In December 2009, nearly 60% of households in Palm Coast recycled, and household waste has gone down while recycling has gone up.
According to Palm Coast waste-consumption data, the city produced 29,355 tons of garbage in January 2007. In 2009, January garbage was 26,172 tons. In the same time period, recycling tonnage increased from 3,253 to 3,954. Bevan said the data is evident that the citizens are doing their part and also represents the city is providing the proper services.
The recent gold-level designation for Palm Coast makes it the ninth local government to receive the award. However, Palm Coast is the only city in Northeast Florida.
Mayor Jon Netts said there is a misconception that going green costs money, when in fact, it can save money.
"It's indicative of a mindset," he said.
Netts added that achieving the gold-level designation wasn't implementing new strategies; however, it was the community picking up on the importance of going green and really focusing on the things already being done.
Perhaps one o the easiest ways to express the amount of dedication the city of Palm Coast is putting into becoming more environmentally friendly: The fire departments no longer use cups. Instead, each employee is given reusable coffee mugs.
In November 2009, the City Council adopted the Green Development Incentive Ordinance, which will require the city of Palm Coast to be able to numerically quantify the impact the green initiatives are doing.
And when the numbers will be available in January 2011, Bevan said it will help residents realize the full benefits.
Contact Andrew O'Brien at andrew@palmcoastobserver.com.
Couple have fostered nearly 75 children
Ed and Alice DeCosta were inspired to begin fostering after witnessing abuse in the 1980s.
by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer
Alice DeCosta was living in Boston with her five children in the 1980s. She was visiting her friend next door while her own children were playing upstairs in one of the bedrooms. Suddenly, everything got quiet.
DeCosta headed upstairs to find the children kneeling in front of the window, looking outside into the adjacent yard. The girls were crying, watching, while the neighbors physically abused their two kids. This moment changed DeCosta's life forever.
DeCosta, 60, and her husband, Ed, 72, began foster parenting in 1990, and have since house approximately 75 foster children. The DeCostas moved in 2005 to Palm Coast and got re-licenses, since the licensing is different from state to state.
DeCosta explained the difference between two different types of foster children: traditional and therapeutic. Mmost of the time, the therapeutic children have severe behavior issues or need medication, and it's tough for them to make it in a traditional home.
"We've always done therapeutic fostering," Alice DeCosta said. "I'm always up for a challenge, and they were the ones that always needed the help. ... A lot of these kids feel dirty, and they don't trust anyone, that's one of the biggest things: to earn their trust."
Florida state laws limit therapeutic foster parents to no more than two children in the house and one time, while parents housing traditional foster children may be allowed to take in up to six, depending on how many biological children are in the home already. DeCosta said foster chidren can remain in a particular home for any amount of time, ranging from one week to five years, up until the release age of 18.
DeCosta tries to keep things as normal as possible for the foster children during their stay. She said the children have gone through so much hardship already, and they don't need disruptions.
"You do whatever you can do and hope that it works out for them," she said. "Eventually, as time goes on, something will click with them, and they'll do well."
The DeCostas welcomed their first foster child in 1990. Over time, they became close friends with that child's stepmother. DeCosta said she worked closely with the child's family to take her back. To this day, DeCosta remains in contact with the stepmother, who lives in Virginia.
Meanwhile, Radina, one of Alice and Ed's daughters, has expressed interest in beginning to become a foster parent, too. DeCosta said her daughter, who now lives in Fort Lauderdale, went to college to become a social worker.
"It brings joy to my heart that she would want to reach out and help other kids after having so many different kids in the house, having to share her toys and share her parents," DeCosta said.
And while Radina and her husband continue the training to become foster parents, Alice and Ed continue to do their part.
They just took in another child March 15. They are now foster parents to a boy and a girl in their home.
"This is what God wanted us to do, so this is what we do," DeCosta said. "We just do the best we can, and hopefully, it works out."
The Life Center, located at 4882 Palm Coast Parkway N.W., will host a free informational meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 26. The event will feature state-provided foster care packets, a question-and-answer session and free coffee and refreshments.
Contact Andrew O'Brien at andrew@palmcoastobserver.com.
by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer
Alice DeCosta was living in Boston with her five children in the 1980s. She was visiting her friend next door while her own children were playing upstairs in one of the bedrooms. Suddenly, everything got quiet.
DeCosta headed upstairs to find the children kneeling in front of the window, looking outside into the adjacent yard. The girls were crying, watching, while the neighbors physically abused their two kids. This moment changed DeCosta's life forever.
DeCosta, 60, and her husband, Ed, 72, began foster parenting in 1990, and have since house approximately 75 foster children. The DeCostas moved in 2005 to Palm Coast and got re-licenses, since the licensing is different from state to state.
DeCosta explained the difference between two different types of foster children: traditional and therapeutic. Mmost of the time, the therapeutic children have severe behavior issues or need medication, and it's tough for them to make it in a traditional home.
"We've always done therapeutic fostering," Alice DeCosta said. "I'm always up for a challenge, and they were the ones that always needed the help. ... A lot of these kids feel dirty, and they don't trust anyone, that's one of the biggest things: to earn their trust."
Florida state laws limit therapeutic foster parents to no more than two children in the house and one time, while parents housing traditional foster children may be allowed to take in up to six, depending on how many biological children are in the home already. DeCosta said foster chidren can remain in a particular home for any amount of time, ranging from one week to five years, up until the release age of 18.
DeCosta tries to keep things as normal as possible for the foster children during their stay. She said the children have gone through so much hardship already, and they don't need disruptions.
"You do whatever you can do and hope that it works out for them," she said. "Eventually, as time goes on, something will click with them, and they'll do well."
The DeCostas welcomed their first foster child in 1990. Over time, they became close friends with that child's stepmother. DeCosta said she worked closely with the child's family to take her back. To this day, DeCosta remains in contact with the stepmother, who lives in Virginia.
Meanwhile, Radina, one of Alice and Ed's daughters, has expressed interest in beginning to become a foster parent, too. DeCosta said her daughter, who now lives in Fort Lauderdale, went to college to become a social worker.
"It brings joy to my heart that she would want to reach out and help other kids after having so many different kids in the house, having to share her toys and share her parents," DeCosta said.
And while Radina and her husband continue the training to become foster parents, Alice and Ed continue to do their part.
They just took in another child March 15. They are now foster parents to a boy and a girl in their home.
"This is what God wanted us to do, so this is what we do," DeCosta said. "We just do the best we can, and hopefully, it works out."
The Life Center, located at 4882 Palm Coast Parkway N.W., will host a free informational meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 26. The event will feature state-provided foster care packets, a question-and-answer session and free coffee and refreshments.
Contact Andrew O'Brien at andrew@palmcoastobserver.com.
FPC sprinters, MHS runners shine
The East Coast Classic featured 11 schools, with FPC boys winning it all March 26.
by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer
The Flagler Palm Coast High School track was speckled with coaches, athletes, trainers, fans and, well, weird socks on March 26, during the sixth annual East Coast Classic.
Gilbert Absolu, junior, sprinter for FPC track, said he and his 4x100-meter teammates like to stand out while competing.
"You can be fast and look good at the same time," he said.
Absolu and teammates Corey Shellings, Kent Coleman and Tyler Cue did look good in the preliminary round, posting the second-highest relay time at 42.71 seconds. But, Fleming Island High School managed to shave nearly one-half-of-one second off its preliminary time, placing first, with a time of 42.74, just four-tenths ahead of FPC.
In the end, the FPC boys won the meet with 163.5 points. Matanzas scored 51. The two local girls teams finished tied for fourth.
1,600 meters
The meet showcased many FPC sprinters, who won two of the three main sprinting events, but two Matanzas High School girls track athletes stood out among the rest.
Hannah Loder and Christine Marcano gave fans a glimpse into the future of MHS track. The two freshman came into the 1-mile run with two of the top seed times. Marcano, who has been running for about three yeras, won the event with a time of 5 minutes, 26 seconds, just one second ahead of her previous personal record. Loder, who has been running for about two months, placed third with a time of 5:36.
Marcano and Loder have been battling over the past few weeks, according to head girls track coach James Wolfe. He said that just a few weeks ago Loder was the owner of the school record for the mile with a time of 5:34. But Marcano then increased the pace and took over the record after running 5:27. Then, on Friday, Marcano broke her own record again by nearly a full second.
Loder won the 3,200-meter race with a time of 12:12.
Wolfe thinks the competition between his two freshman phenoms is healthy.
He said Loder joined track after playing soccer earlier in the school year, and her raw ability to run has helped Marcano shave nearly 20 seconds off her mile time. Because they are young, Wolfe has been working with the two girls to steady their pace.
"On the first lap, they come out a little hot, usually within the first 20 meters," he said. Wolfe added, "The good thing is, they don't get boxed in."
Wolfe believes the two have potential to contend for the district championship this year, and ultimately, a state championship during their four-year careers.
Pole vault
And on a day when times tended to be slower due to the windy conditions, FPC senior Kenlee Critcher underestimated how strong the headwind really was.
Critcher, a standout in the football as well as in track and field, competed in the pole vault, the 110-meter hurdles, the 300-meter hurdles and the 4x400 relay.
Critcher came into the pole vault, his first event of the day, with the highest seed height at 13 feet, 6 inches. As was the case with fellow FPC pole vaulter Cory Soard, Critcher didn't need to enter the competition until the height reached 12 feet. Because they both were able to successfully clear the 12-foot mark earlier in the meet, Critcher and Soard were alone in the competition for first place. Neither knew if they wanted to start at 13 feet, 6 inches, or jump right to the 14-foot mark. So, they left the decision up to one of the pole plugs, which served for the makeshift coin toss. Fate chose 13 feet, 6 inches.
But the wind proved too strong for both Critcher and Soard, and they failed to complete any of their three attempts. Instead, they settled for a tie, splitting the 18 points awared to first and second place between them.
"The headwind was stronger than I thought," said Critcher, sporting his Appalachian State University sweatshirt. He plans to attend ASU next year and play wide receiver. He played quarterback and kicked in addition to playing wide receiver during his high school career for the Bulldogs.
Despite the tie, Critcher knows it's good for him and his teammate, Soard.
"We're just trying to make each other better," he said.
In addition to Critcher's first place tie in the pole vault, he placed second in the 110-meter hurdles, third in the 300-meter hurdles and helped lead the 4x400-meter relay team to second place.
Another bright spot for Matanzas was senior Greg Harvey. Coming into the pole vault, Harvey's personal record was 11 feet. Fighting through the strong winds, Harvey launched himself to a higher personal record, vaulting 11 feet, 6 inches.
Contact Andrew O'Brien at andrew@palmcoastobserver.com.
by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer
The Flagler Palm Coast High School track was speckled with coaches, athletes, trainers, fans and, well, weird socks on March 26, during the sixth annual East Coast Classic.
Gilbert Absolu, junior, sprinter for FPC track, said he and his 4x100-meter teammates like to stand out while competing.
"You can be fast and look good at the same time," he said.
Absolu and teammates Corey Shellings, Kent Coleman and Tyler Cue did look good in the preliminary round, posting the second-highest relay time at 42.71 seconds. But, Fleming Island High School managed to shave nearly one-half-of-one second off its preliminary time, placing first, with a time of 42.74, just four-tenths ahead of FPC.
In the end, the FPC boys won the meet with 163.5 points. Matanzas scored 51. The two local girls teams finished tied for fourth.
1,600 meters
The meet showcased many FPC sprinters, who won two of the three main sprinting events, but two Matanzas High School girls track athletes stood out among the rest.
Hannah Loder and Christine Marcano gave fans a glimpse into the future of MHS track. The two freshman came into the 1-mile run with two of the top seed times. Marcano, who has been running for about three yeras, won the event with a time of 5 minutes, 26 seconds, just one second ahead of her previous personal record. Loder, who has been running for about two months, placed third with a time of 5:36.
Marcano and Loder have been battling over the past few weeks, according to head girls track coach James Wolfe. He said that just a few weeks ago Loder was the owner of the school record for the mile with a time of 5:34. But Marcano then increased the pace and took over the record after running 5:27. Then, on Friday, Marcano broke her own record again by nearly a full second.
Loder won the 3,200-meter race with a time of 12:12.
Wolfe thinks the competition between his two freshman phenoms is healthy.
He said Loder joined track after playing soccer earlier in the school year, and her raw ability to run has helped Marcano shave nearly 20 seconds off her mile time. Because they are young, Wolfe has been working with the two girls to steady their pace.
"On the first lap, they come out a little hot, usually within the first 20 meters," he said. Wolfe added, "The good thing is, they don't get boxed in."
Wolfe believes the two have potential to contend for the district championship this year, and ultimately, a state championship during their four-year careers.
Pole vault
And on a day when times tended to be slower due to the windy conditions, FPC senior Kenlee Critcher underestimated how strong the headwind really was.
Critcher, a standout in the football as well as in track and field, competed in the pole vault, the 110-meter hurdles, the 300-meter hurdles and the 4x400 relay.
Critcher came into the pole vault, his first event of the day, with the highest seed height at 13 feet, 6 inches. As was the case with fellow FPC pole vaulter Cory Soard, Critcher didn't need to enter the competition until the height reached 12 feet. Because they both were able to successfully clear the 12-foot mark earlier in the meet, Critcher and Soard were alone in the competition for first place. Neither knew if they wanted to start at 13 feet, 6 inches, or jump right to the 14-foot mark. So, they left the decision up to one of the pole plugs, which served for the makeshift coin toss. Fate chose 13 feet, 6 inches.
But the wind proved too strong for both Critcher and Soard, and they failed to complete any of their three attempts. Instead, they settled for a tie, splitting the 18 points awared to first and second place between them.
"The headwind was stronger than I thought," said Critcher, sporting his Appalachian State University sweatshirt. He plans to attend ASU next year and play wide receiver. He played quarterback and kicked in addition to playing wide receiver during his high school career for the Bulldogs.
Despite the tie, Critcher knows it's good for him and his teammate, Soard.
"We're just trying to make each other better," he said.
In addition to Critcher's first place tie in the pole vault, he placed second in the 110-meter hurdles, third in the 300-meter hurdles and helped lead the 4x400-meter relay team to second place.
Another bright spot for Matanzas was senior Greg Harvey. Coming into the pole vault, Harvey's personal record was 11 feet. Fighting through the strong winds, Harvey launched himself to a higher personal record, vaulting 11 feet, 6 inches.
Contact Andrew O'Brien at andrew@palmcoastobserver.com.
Mailing error stunts census count
Pockets of Flagler County have yet to receive census forms in the mail. A second mailing should come soon.
by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer
Employees strolled around in white T-shirts on Thursday, April 1, at the Government Services Building, in Bunnell. But it wasn't an April Fools' joke.
by Andrew O'Brien | Staff Writer
Employees strolled around in white T-shirts on Thursday, April 1, at the Government Services Building, in Bunnell. But it wasn't an April Fools' joke.
The shirts read "March to the Mailbox," urging residents to fill out their U.S. Census forms, all part of the Flagler Counts! campaign the county has been broadcasting for the past few months.
But there's a slight glitch in the fluidity of the census efforts: There are still large pockets of homes that have yet to receive a census form. Palm Coast was 29th in the nation in return rate last week, and now, the city has dropped off the top-50 list.
Flagler County is still among the best in the state, however; as of April 6, the county was at a 71% return rate, just two percentage points behind Sumter County for the highest in Florida. Could the results be even higher if not for the mailing glitch?
County Commissioner Milissa Holland has spearheaded the census efforts on behalf of the commission. She said the county wants to thank its residents for their efforts so far, and urged those who have not received their forms not to give up yet.
"It's something we've recognized and are trying to correct immediately, and we're asking people to be patient and remain motivated to accomplish our goals," she said.
Holland is among those who have yet to receive their forms in the mail.
"We're frustrated, just like you," she said. "I've been out there informing and educating the public on the importance of the census, and I haven't even received on yet."
While the U.S. Census Bureau looks to rectify the situation, residents can take action. Forms are available at the Flagler County Public Library, Palm Coast City Hall and the Emergency Operations Center, where census workers are available Monday, Wednesday and Friday to assist with any questions.
Holland also stated that some people may not be able to pick up a form on their own, and suggested neighbors could offer to help obtain forms for neighbors who don't have them yet.
"This is going to be a true community effort," Holland said.
According to Holland, the problem was initially noticed toward the end of March when the county was told that all the forms were mailed out and received by residents. However, as more and more phone calls and e-mails came in, questions mounted.
Residents in gated communities in particular appear to be missing forms. The county has since been told that a second mailing will take place.
Meanwhile, Holland is trying to keep residents dedicated to the task at hand, which is having the most accurate return rate in the state and reaching the 100,000 population mark.
Reaching the mark would increase the county's share of state and federal allocations with transportation, education, roadway and infrastructure dollars. It will also bring the county to a threshold it has never seen in regard to retail opportunities and the ability to be more competitive with commercial and industrial jobs, which could ameliorate the unemployment rate.
"This will give us the opportunity to show that we (as a county) have an available and ready workforce to support those endeavors," Holland said.
Reaching 100,000 could also mean more representation in Tallahassee. That is especially important this year, because the redistricting will take place in 2012.
Holland said when the second mailing goes out, it can definitely put Flagler County in the state lead in returns and closer to the 100,000 mark.
"I've been told we're very close," Holland said.
Contact Andrew O'Brien at andrew@palmcoastobserver.com.
But there's a slight glitch in the fluidity of the census efforts: There are still large pockets of homes that have yet to receive a census form. Palm Coast was 29th in the nation in return rate last week, and now, the city has dropped off the top-50 list.
Flagler County is still among the best in the state, however; as of April 6, the county was at a 71% return rate, just two percentage points behind Sumter County for the highest in Florida. Could the results be even higher if not for the mailing glitch?
County Commissioner Milissa Holland has spearheaded the census efforts on behalf of the commission. She said the county wants to thank its residents for their efforts so far, and urged those who have not received their forms not to give up yet.
"It's something we've recognized and are trying to correct immediately, and we're asking people to be patient and remain motivated to accomplish our goals," she said.
Holland is among those who have yet to receive their forms in the mail.
"We're frustrated, just like you," she said. "I've been out there informing and educating the public on the importance of the census, and I haven't even received on yet."
While the U.S. Census Bureau looks to rectify the situation, residents can take action. Forms are available at the Flagler County Public Library, Palm Coast City Hall and the Emergency Operations Center, where census workers are available Monday, Wednesday and Friday to assist with any questions.
Holland also stated that some people may not be able to pick up a form on their own, and suggested neighbors could offer to help obtain forms for neighbors who don't have them yet.
"This is going to be a true community effort," Holland said.
According to Holland, the problem was initially noticed toward the end of March when the county was told that all the forms were mailed out and received by residents. However, as more and more phone calls and e-mails came in, questions mounted.
Residents in gated communities in particular appear to be missing forms. The county has since been told that a second mailing will take place.
Meanwhile, Holland is trying to keep residents dedicated to the task at hand, which is having the most accurate return rate in the state and reaching the 100,000 population mark.
Reaching the mark would increase the county's share of state and federal allocations with transportation, education, roadway and infrastructure dollars. It will also bring the county to a threshold it has never seen in regard to retail opportunities and the ability to be more competitive with commercial and industrial jobs, which could ameliorate the unemployment rate.
"This will give us the opportunity to show that we (as a county) have an available and ready workforce to support those endeavors," Holland said.
Reaching 100,000 could also mean more representation in Tallahassee. That is especially important this year, because the redistricting will take place in 2012.
Holland said when the second mailing goes out, it can definitely put Flagler County in the state lead in returns and closer to the 100,000 mark.
"I've been told we're very close," Holland said.
Contact Andrew O'Brien at andrew@palmcoastobserver.com.
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