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| Imagine this: Someone that works for Navy Federal Credit Union saying they would NOT support a similar firm coming to OLF 8 to bring thousands of jobs and that they would in fact WORK AND VOTE AGAINST THIS! (I can't make this stuff up....) |
Toward the end of the Beulah Town hall Meeting that was held last night--several folks waited behind to speak with me directly.
Several were very complimentary--which I appreciated.
Several were vocal opponents of mine going back several years when these same folks supported my opponent in the election, the opponent who wound-up finishing in last place.
"Asinine" was the word one woman showed me the definition for as she had it up on her cell phone and approached me at the podium. "Why did you not read that word, it isn't a cuss word" she queried? I told her I didn't feel it was appropriate--but we discussed her concerns.
Next a frequent and vituperative critic came up. (Ironically, this individual is critical of growth and has sharply criticized the growth in Beulah--yet this same person works for Navy Federal Credit Union) "You are dead-set on a commerce park---but why? she asked. "I want to bring more jobs" was my response. Then I asked her a hypothetical question----to which I received the COMMENT OF THE NIGHT.
"XXXXXXX imagine if, hypothetically, we were able to lure another large financial services firm to our park at OLF 8--perhaps something like USAA. What if they were going to bring over 6,000 good paying jobs to our area and develop OLF 8 like Navy Federal Credit Union developed their McDonnel campus next door--wouldn't that be a great win for the community?" I asked.
With a smirk on her face, she answered as she turned walked away "No, we would vote against
that! It's the number of people--we don't want more PEOPLE out here even if it was USAA!"
I know this is the mindset of some out in Beulah that wish the 4-H club and cow pastures were still the view along 9-Mile Road --but this comment seemed astonishingly selfish and amazingly myopic.
Like I have said--I can't have a rational conversation with someone who looks at Navy Federal Credit Union, and all they have brought to our area, and says "I wish they would have never come here!"
Likewise, I cannot have a logical discussion with someone who, knowing firsthand how beneficial NFCU is to the community, would fight against a similar institution bringing good jobs to our area.
I have to believe this misguided, self-centered, and negative opinion is not the sentiment of most of this area's population.
Luckily, I do believe this individual is in the extreme minority in this opinion given the facts that are known about what a grand slam home run NFCU has been for our community.
15 comments:
You should have asked a group of more than 150 residents for a show of hands...on what they wanted. You had a perfect cross section of Beulah to sample from..both ends of the income spectrum as well as people who owned alot of land and people who own nearly none...people who have been here more than 50 years and people who just recently moved here.
Bergosh: "I have to believe this misguided, self-centered, and negative opinion is not the sentiment of most of this area's population."
FALSE....because you also take things out of context Mr. Bergosh.
WE WANT INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT THESE MOVES BEING MADE. Safety for the residents driving here every day maybe? Before thousands others are jammed onto the same dangerous roads?
You sir, have a simplistic view of the problems of unrestrained growth in a small community, and a condescending and dismissive attitude toward the people who elected you. We don't long for the 4-H club and the pastures. We are cognizant of and appreciative of the good things Navy Federal has brought to our community. You are right that Navy Federal has been a big home run, but the failure of our County Commissioners to expand our roads in anticipation of the growth has not been a home run at all. What we are asking is that you not make the same mistake again. We want jobs. We want growth. But we want the infrastructure to support it first.
Colleen Harris: I take nothing out of context here. I re-told a conversation I had with a constituent where the answer I got was astonishing to me! Infrastructure is a game of catch up unless you live in a Blue state like New York or California with budgets that are un-salvageable and where they build things like bridges to nowhere and airports to nowhere and trains to nowhere and *hope the development catches up. How do I know this? Answer--because I lived in these places and I've traveled the world. So yes--growth is painful but growth brings the revenue necessary to build the infrastructure necessary to support the growth. Without NFCU--we would NOT be getting the 4-laning of 9-mile road. We're getting that BECAUSE of NFCU. So my question that I asked, based upon everything we are seeing and reading about the massively positive impact of NFCU on our economy, was simple. And the answer I got was astonishing. If we did a survey of Escambia County and said "If OLF 8 becomes a commerce park, we potentially could bring another NFCU type of tenant--would you support this? If that was the question what do you realistically think the county-wide answer would be?????? I have to believe it would be 80-20 in favor. And that is being conservative. Infrastructure is important yes, and believe you me I heard that loud and clear and that will be discussed and you will see some movement on fees and development---but at the end of the day growth is good and provides so, so, much. If we do not want to tax the citizens into bankruptcy like the blue states, if we want to keep taxes low and grow this economy, then we must grow the economy. A rising tide floats all boats, and If we are not growing as a community we are dying............
You come across very defensive and insecure. Appreciating the compliments, but mocking those who disagree or oppose you is not impressive as a leader.
D. Lee: You are wrong: I have a "Realistic" not a simplistic view of the problems with unrestrained growth. Remember this--I live right across from NFCU since 2004. I've been on the ride the whole way--yet I still appreciate what NFCU brings and that's why I support NFCU. About infrastructure: It is always a battle of keeping up....If you live in a Blue state like California, New York, or Illinois though--they build infrastructure first, yes they do. Look at their state budgets. Look who has bridges, roads, and airports to nowhere. If you approach infrastructure on a "build first, grow second" basis---you, too, can have budgets shortfalls like the blue states with red for as far as the eyes can see and budgets that are un-fixable. I don't want to be like the blue states--I moved away from there. I don't want to live in the "build it and they will come" mentality. Infrastructure follows the growth so money is not wasted. I do agree, however, that we can do better here at making that process happen more quickly after the growth happens...
You are wrong. Her opinion is certainly not the minority. Unfortunately you hear nothing the citizens have to say.
Lilly--I'm confident in my positions but you are certainly welcome to your opinion LOL. Watch that video, watch the meetings I run, and then come back and tell me I come off like I'm not confident. LOL
Shelby: You are wrong. I listen to those I represent. That's why I have town hall meetings and coffee meetings on a frequent, recurring basis. That's why I went to 8,634 housed door to door in my election to hear what is important to the people I serve. I heard what was said at the meeting--but I also know that one person does not "represent" or "speak" for Beulah.
Build a commerce park and they will come right? Hmm Sorry, did that seem a bit smarky. I like some of the stuff you do and say, but I think that what some folks are saying is don't be an ass about things. And on bringing in folks to work in a new commerce park, lots of folks will not move here because the school system sucks. Hey, what were you doing for the last 10 years? Sorry, snarky again? See where I am going with this? You were elected to represent all the people in your district, not the red ones or the blue ones or the ones you deem worthy. If you want to argue back and forth with one of your fellow politicians, that's cool. Dont do it to your constituents, that's not.
The rest of the county most likely absolutely wants a Commerce park built on the land Swap site and do not want any NIMBY to stop one of the most important economic potential opportunities to come to Escambia County. The one commissioner in D2 Undermorgan is just playing up to these people and using OLF 8 like a Political Football to pretend he is a guru. The RESTORE dollars that the new candidate ( hopefully)for D2 helped to secure is tantamount to this project. Think goodness we have developers like Cronley working for us. These vocal few are out numbered, they may try to you cost you a re election but by then it may be time to move off to bigger and better horizon any way. It would be a travesty to use it for neighbor hood ball field or parks for these few people. Build it and they will come. We need the revenue in the coffers. Go to Fee simple on the Beach also. Have a brain people. Bergosh, you are the best commissioner on the board.
You, Sir, are the trash talking bully on the board, not Underhill. When he calls children "monsters," he's just being blunt. But when you disagree with Ms. Vance, who complains the west of this nation was settled before the railroad was built, that is mean to disagree with her. She's right. You must build infrastructure first then development, any socialist will tell you so. You're common sense and intellect bully her. She should run against you in two years and showcase her intellect on the myriad of issues facing this county. That would be entertaining. Also, I notice at the meetings you watch blunt Underhilll when he pontificates and when he pauses to breathe, you take the floor, which causes him to rush his thoughts and it makes him look bad. Please, please let him ramble, I've got nothing better to do those days and you're efficient meetings are getting me back to work far sooner than before.
Also remember, when you receive donations from folks, they own you. When Underhill gets money from "there's no room at the inn, because the inn is not free" hotels owner King Julian McQueen, he's being principaled and is not owned by the special interests on the beach. Just ask Jaqueline Aimee "J'Aimee" Shultz Rogers who biasedly runs ECW touting Underhilll, while her daughter works for him. So no conflict there, right? King Julian, the Hare Krishna, he doesn't own Doug, or does he.
I also don't like Andy Marlette who draws Doug Underhill as a trash talking trash can. Or as a swamp creature. No, no. I like Jim Little who does the expose on Doug's angry persona with the alleged domestic violence protective order. He doesn't go to the source document. No he goes to the source, Doug Underhill who denies it. I like him. He covers Doug so well. Pulitzer Prize winning journalism. I notice Jim Little seems to have twinkle in his eye around Doug. Maybe a man-crush? I guess we'll never know unless Marlette does a cartoon about that twinkle in Jim's eye.
So, let's recap. You're bad because you disagree with the six NIMBY toothless rednecks on the ECW. Doug is good because he calls children names and takes money from rich special interests on the beach all while being angry. Get it? Got it? Good?
Anonymous 6:29 AM...Sarcasm and irony noted. I doubt the other red necks will "get" it.so you have also noted the man crush..
oh...anonymous 6:29..you HAVE been paying attention..
Good recap..got it..
LOL Anonymous 629...HAHAHA.. Preach it!! Inside Joke for some..
Anonymous 6:29--I shot coffee through my right nostril this morning when I read this in the moderation queue. What a funny series of observations you make--quite funny. Normally I don't approve these sorts of posts but this one was so funny I had to...plus I get ravaged by the same 7-10 people on Escambia Hate Club on a daily basis so in some respects it is fair game for them to take a hit. Funny stuff, you should consider stand-up. :)
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