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| Some Folks online have a defeatist, pessimistic outlook on our community---completely and purposely looking past all the good things that are happening currently. I choose to focus on the positives! |
When I was a young man, someone who had a very profound influence in my life once told me "Life is hard and it is for everyone. But if you focus on the negative it is harder. Instead--focus on the positives, think of five things every day for which you feel very fortunate--and it will help you get through the rough days...."
And I took that to heart. And it isn't always easy to do.
But it is something that helps to give a proper prospective--being optimistic instead of pessimistic.
Escambia County and Pensacola have a lot to be optimistic about these days---but you'd never know that reading some online Facebook "chat" sites.... No, no. Nope---to read some garbage and lies on some sites--you'd think our state and our community was no better than Haiti or Afghanistan. It's disgusting what some of these people on line say and the lies they tell. It's revolting. Most importatnly, it's just not accurate---we have a LOT to be happy about if we choose to be (Minute 8:00 of this video).
---We have a brand new bridge over the bay which will be completed next year.
--We had a RECORD tourist season in 2021-----Despite the COVID-19 variant spiking in the late summer/fall.
---Trip Advisor for 2021 named Pensacola Beach as one of the Nation's top Beaches (#15 on the top 25 list!)
---We have record low unemployment, record high home ownership locally.
---Property values have SKYROCKETED for citizens locally over the last 5 years that own property.
---Our area is growing, houses are selling before they are built and existing homes listed are selling in many cases within 7 days for above list prices
---our area has a HISTORIC level of demand for housing (only about a 20 day supply on the market--contrasted with 6-Month's worth in 2008-2009)
---We have recently been advised that ST Engineering is teaming with UPS on job training. We have been awarded Triumph Grants for Massive Job creation at our Airport. OLF-8 is coming online within the next 12 months.
---Wages are going up for nearly every category of job that is available--for those who choose to work
---Escambia County was named the best employer for handicapped employees in the State!
---U.S. News and World Reports for 2021 named our area a TOP TEN city, nationwide, for retirees.
---9-Mile Road 4-Lane Project has been substantially completed
---New Baptist Hospital is half-way completed, it's coming
---Crime rates are down in nearly all categories-with fresh new leadership in the Sheriff's Office and Pensacola Police Department
---COVID-19 is finally starting to diminish and vaccination percentages are inching upwards slowly
---The county has MASSIVELY raised pay for first responders and all of our union employees and non-represented employees
---We are getting the repairs from last year's Hurricane Sally completed, and we dodged the storms this year
--and on and on. We are completing sidewalk and drainage projects monthly throughout the area, a new library is coming on the west side, and lots of great things, to include a new I-10 interchange and lots more jobs at NFCU and OLF-8, are on the way over the next decade.
Yes we know on the national level there are things we need to watch and be concerned with (Inflation, massive spending and borrowing)--but locally and in this State we run balanced budgets and there is plenty to be happy about.
So if you know someone who is anti-social, depressed, obsessed, or just plain cantankerous and onery---knock them out of their stupor, pry them off their keyboards and out of their darkened living rooms, and shake them while telling them "Hey--the sky's not falling!! Things aren't perfect--But things are looking good, though--get out of the house and off the internet--get some fresh air and sunlight and see all the good that is happening!!!!"
Help them out!
