YETMO

”A Balanced Point of View?"

Hello, Palm Coast. I'm here and I'm happy.

I've had my eyes on you for some time. For the past three years, I've been working on ways to relocate my family to this fine frontier of the New Florida.

I'm Fred, your friendly freelancer. Or I hope to be. We'll see what you and the editor think.

With any luck (yours or mine?), I'll be writing and ranting about this and that. My mission is to stimulate thought, debate and introspection.

I'm a radical or moderate depending upon whether you agree with my pointed pontifications.

We'll have fun, but we'll also discuss and dissect important issues facing us as Palm Coasters and -- dare I say it -- humans, although worldly events often make me question that assertion.

We'll talk about the good and the bad and the best and the worst that we humans offer ourselves and others.

We'll also suffer and commisserate together when incidents remind us how of how far we have yet to go as a race.

But we'll always have hope, for without hope....

Don't look here only for the latest on 'local' happenings. As I said, we'll do that, but more. The fine reporters at this paper will ably provide you with relevant facts about what Flagler/Palm Coast is doing and how it effects your pocketbook and quality of life.

I suppose the hottest issue now is i-n-c-o-r-p-o-r-a-t-i-o-n. That spells confusion. That's how I see it. It'll either be the greatest thing to happen, the worst, or it won't matter at all. And you can quote me on that.

One thing's for sure regardless of the outcome. Flager/Palm Coast will change and grow, prices will increase, and people will gripe (and I'll add my two cents). Some will go out of their minds and lose perspective; only you and I will know what's the best or worst for this town, country and universe.

I never cease to marvel at how smart I think I am and how challenged I think others are. I also never cease to marvel at how smart others think they are and how challenged they think I am.

It's a natural law. Call it the Apelquist Phenomenon and it can be stated thus: "The farther others are from the central object (i.e., you or I), the less wise, capable, entitled, and worthy they are."

Call it the human equivalent of a law of psychics. It explains and proves the expression that "everyone is crazy but thee and me and I'm not so sure about thee."

My column will always be affected by the Apelquist Phenomenon. I won't be mentioning that regularly, of course, but you should know that it'll likely be the controlling force behind my work. It's just always there like the sun, taxes, and the fact that Flagler/Palm Coast will have to figure out how to continue to thrive as a mixed community.

Even during my brief tenure in this terrific town (9 months), I've noticed how well we relate to each other in this diverse city.

In addition to the obligatory home-grown Floridians (locals) and northern immigrants (outsiders), we have a surprising supply of Russian, German, and Italian immigrants as well as those hailing from numerous others countries on God's great green earth.

It's like we're a microcosm of Planet Earth -- everyone mixed together in a sprawling small town of 33,000.

Neat. Exciting. Interesting to watch.

As far as I can see, all Palm Coasters have managed to do is what many others merely talk and dream about: get along regardless of racial or ethnic background.

I'm still observing our little town and its dynamics to see why that is, if it really is. If I can bottle and sell this force, I'll be set for the rest of my life financially, emotionally and spiritually.

Yes. We're going to have some fun.

Hang on and stay tuned.