YETMO

“City or Sanctuary — We’re Moving!”

Recent Census results confirm what we already know. They’re a lot more of us in Flagler County than there were 10 years ago — nearly 74% more.

At this rate, we’ll exceed China’s population in 13 & ½ years. Not really, but it seems that way some days.

This is the second installment in a series of articles I threatened two months ago. I’ve started talking with the “3 C’s,” the county commissioners, city councilmen, and community leaders. The latter includes a multitude of folks in a variety of fields: business, education, volunteer associations.

Given the scores of men and women who lead and guide us, it’ll take a while for me to connect with them. I’ll probably inadvertently overlook many who play vital roles in shaping and defining our community.

So, where are we and where are we going? One thing’s for sure. We’re moving real fast.

What’s not as clear is where we’re heading and who we’ll be when we get there.

Many folks are comfortable right now. We have golf courses, the Intracoastal Waterway, still not too dense a population, and fairly pristine areas in our veritable backyards.

Many folks want more, or at least different, than what we have today. Nobody I’ve talked with wants massive growth, sprawl, or unplanned development.

The good news is that most recognize that to have the most balanced and viable community, we need better jobs and economic conditions. Many people are working on that goal.

The bad news is that no one so far has a clear vision of what Palm Coast or Flagler County should become and how. What’ll define us? What’ll be our claim to fame? Why will people come here? For recreation? Quality of life? Jobs? All three?

My questions to our leaders have been: what’s your vision? How will we achieve it? And how long will it take?

In defense of those in Palm Coast, the city is awaiting key study data to learn what type of businesses and Palm Coast fit best together. Until those results are in, it’s hard to make an informed decision.

One leader said that he didn’t want Palm Coast to be just another exit off I-95. Another pointed out that only 28% of the lots sold in the city have been developed. Watch out! More growth is coming.

But if we don’t have an economically viable and sustainable community, you’ll see these recent immigrants, especially those with young children, exiting 3-5 years after their arrival if no meaningful opportunities exist for them or their kids.

I’m hoping these articles stimulate thought, debate, and introspection over our future. Orlando’s known for theme parks, Daytona for racing, and St. Augustine for history. What’ll be our schtick?

I’ll give my vision as a starting point for debate.

We’ll be the Intellectual Capital of Florida. High-powered think tanks and consultant groups will reside here. We’ll be an Educational Mecca. We’ll have the best K-12 public school system in the state and people will want to live and work where their intellectual stimulation is assured.

We’ll be at the cutting edge, no pun intended, of medical research and services, especially for cancer, cardiac, and Alzheimer care. We’ll attract the best and the brightest doctors who’ll revel in our central location between Jacksonville (Mayo), Orlando (Florida Hospital), Daytona (Halifax), and St. Augustine (Flagler). We’ll not only have superb medical facilities here, but our docs will be close enough to deal with colleagues and facilities in the four neighboring cities.

Our new hospital, under the management of the respected Adventist system, will become a leading medical facility and draw people’s attention to the wonderfully evolving Palm Coast/Flagler area.

We’ll be a cultural center for Florida. Already we have a varied mix of residents. When our Town Center Regional Mall is constructed, we’ll host bi-annual cultural festivities that will be recognized in all the Southeast Region as the right way to display and explain the role of culture in our past, present, and future.

We’ll attract cultural associations and foundations that will showcase Flagler as a cultural exemplar. We’re living proof of a diverse county that lives and works well together. We can share lessons learned with others.

The Vision: education, medicine, and culture.

How about business and commerce? Does the vision allow for solid, high-paying jobs that can perpetuate a strong middle- or upper-middle class? How will be achieve it? When?

Hold on! We’ve covered enough for one column.

I’ll have to get back to you on the rest.