Next Monday the Flagler County Commissioners will vote on imposing a moratorium on odor-producing industries. It may sound like a good idea at first sniff, but it's a stinky proposition.
Nobody's against regulating how smelly our air should be. There's been much in the press about the ordinance, but little about the moratorium. It's one thing to take responsible legislative action to protect citizens. It's quite another to economically cripple current and future generations. At the last Commissioners meeting, it was noted that Jacksonville had a good odor ordinance. Pass that and lose the moratorium.
It seems as though whenever anyone even ponders about growing the economic viability of this place, politicians say we need a moratorium to think about things.
Where have our leaders been? Is it possible that they haven't noticed the County's huge 74% population growth this past decade? We were the fastest growing county in the state and 22th nationally!
I suspect that our politicos know full well what's going on, but probably hope the phenomenon will pass. What other explanation could there be?
I don't read about many proactive steps by the County or Palm Coast to responsibly develop this area. We're lacking a vision. Where's our roadmap?
It's the children, stupid! We're entrusted to nurture, protect, and develop them. Flagler County doesn't offer kids enough economic opportunity. It seems as though a small portion of the population has deemed this to be a farming or retirement enclave and has relegated children to second-class status. We'll tolerate you until you graduate from high school, but then leave. Get out! We don't want you here unless you'll ring up our groceries or serve our burgers.
I marvel at this short-sighted approach. What happens when the old get older and, literally, cease to exist? Does the county itself die? Are some of the current residents so self-centered that they couldn't care less about this locale once they go to the big canopied Palm Coast Parkway in the sky?
Many folks have worked hard and productive lives and now want a well-deserved rest. They've raised families and want to ensure their own needs and desires. That's fine, but to the exclusion of others?
A look at various Flagler statistics offers a telling story. There's detailed 1990 census data, limited 2000 census data, and 1993 and 1997 employment information.
I don't know how you'd define "middle-income," but the 1990 household stats show only 1 in 5 homes with incomes in excess of $50,000 and less than 40% over $35,000. I know many families have two wage earners. If these hard-working folks together can't exceed $35,000, or $50,000, it's telling you how pitiful is our economic health.
What are our leaders doing? They reflexively consider moratoria on anything that raises its head. What message does that send? It says we either don't know what we want or don't want growth. It doesn't mean, as some leaders would like us to believe, that they're being responsible, deliberative, and thoughtful in protecting constituent interests.
If our leaders were so responsible, they would have long ago defined what this City and County want to become and actively seek the businesses that match that profile. Only this will give us and our children the type of enduring lifestyle we need.
At the last Commissioners meeting, many folks spoke emotionally about poor air quality and not wanting dreaded pulpwood mills. Who can argue with that? But why now, with talk of a new boat-building company coming here, is there such a hub-bub?
That question also gives the answer. Arnold Levine wrote in this paper that the current industrial zoning laws haven't changed since the late 1980's. Where have our leaders been all these years?
Much of this odor ordinance and moratorium talk is simply scare tactics. Why, even with Flagler's lax zoning rules, haven't we been overrun with polluters? As I told the Commissioners at that meeting, fear not. Businesses aren't beating down our doors. And contrary to what some people may think, that's not a good thing.
Our leaders should worry about the 62% of female householders with children under 5 who were living below the poverty level in 1990. When I get the 2000 census data, I pray that this shameful stat is a lot lower. Nearly 30% of all female-headed households lived in poverty and the percentage increased as the children's ages decreased. That's a prescription for endemic poverty. The issue must be addressed.
Contrast that with pensioners on fixed incomes. Older people here were much less likely to live in poverty. Slightly over 5% of those over 65 fell into that category, whereas 9% of the overall population did. Thus, our economic challenge does not rest with the seniors.
In 1993 and 1997, retail and service businesses represented 55% and 63%, respectively of our employment. Agricultural, forestry, and fishing, what Flagler (the County with the Potato on its Seal) was known for, was only 2% of the jobs both years. We only gained one company that employed over 100 people. We need more good-paying, professional jobs. We're a different place now. We must look ahead -- and act positively and boldly.
Our leaders can either watch or lead. The next few local elections will be critical. We'll see how economically self-sufficient and progressive we choose to be. We'll see whether we want our children to stay or leave.
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Fred W. Apelquist, III, M. Ed.
Approximately 900 words.
(c) 2001