Need something else!

[elgordoboy]

Please, stand up,
I wish to examine your hip
to see if you an Shelley
are attached to it.

That's Shelly leaning against the wall and that is me grasping Arnold's hand

 

[Matt J]

Many are struggling just to make ends meet and are increasingly frustrated by the apparent unconcern of those who could do something. HWY 331 is a major issue, we don't need a 4 lane, we need a 6 lane! This has gone on for way to long, without any change! Second, loosen up some restrictions for new business; don't expect everyone who starts up to have some rich uncle to pay for all the SoWal ordinances! Good grief! I realize that the objective has been to raise property values, but I think this thought has back fired? A sign ordinance that can only be made by an approved professional? It really isn?t that difficult, although the design leaves much to be desired. You can?t see it well enough to actually pull people in from the highway, much less those driving at the speed that is on 98! And, who thought it was attractive? You know, the zoning plans call for different types of businesses in particular areas; I?ve yet to see them recruit those types of businesses to buy the land needed in that area! It?s like they are playing with doll houses or something! You can?t manipulate citizens to do and build where the government dictates!
At one time, Walton County was a poor county, and paid their employees accordingly. That is no more, but the wages haven?t been particularly updated. Many of our SoWal Annex employees live in the North part of the county yet are given no more credit than those who work in DFS. Our tax base has drastically increased in the last 10 or more years, and the coffers along with it. Instead of sharing the wealth with the workers, they put in reserve funds, earning interest, and dress up the county properties. It?s like icing a cake that hasn?t been baked! I?m persuaded that if our county would loosen up concerning the wage/benefits for their employees, that the other companies would follow suit. I?ve heard this poor mouth thing all my life, ain?t got no money to pay workers, yet buy all kind of expensive stuff! Don?t get me started!

So now the progress of a new bigger bridge isn't enough? Something tells me if they built a perfectly straight bridge with 20 lanes you would complain that it wasn't 22 lanes? Again, I feel sorry for those that are here and struggling. However, at the same time I have to ask the same question I just recently asked a housekeeping team. If you know that we are slow this time of year why not hold back some of your earnings from the summer? The reason I say this is that my housekeepers generally earn $20-$30/hr. during the busy months (March thru Mid-October) and take home approximately $1500 per week during this time. Most of it seems to literally get "wasted". I have a salary and don't rely on the season, however I make substantially less than said housekeepers during the summer, but get a steady pay check in the winter months.

Also the notion that people "cannot move due to obligations" seems a little odd. Other than parole/community control issues I really don't see why someone can't move. My family lives in Tallahassee and I chose to move here. I still see them, albeit not everyday, and they come to visit me. It seems like nothing could possibly appease you unless ever service person in South Walton county is making $75,000 a year and can live in a brand new house purchased for $100,000. In short the majority of this argument seems to boil down to: sometimes life is not fair. This is something I learned long ago. Seriously if something is so bad that it is intolerable people will move or change things for themselves.

 

[florida girl]

So now the progress of a new bigger bridge isn't enough? Something tells me if they built a perfectly straight bridge with 20 lanes you would complain that it wasn't 22 lanes? Again, I feel sorry for those that are here and struggling. However, at the same time I have to ask the same question I just recently asked a housekeeping team. If you know that we are slow this time of year why not hold back some of your earnings from the summer? The reason I say this is that my housekeepers generally earn $20-$30/hr. during the busy months (March thru Mid-October) and take home approximately $1500 per week during this time. Most of it seems to literally get "wasted". I have a salary and don't rely on the season, however I make substantially less than said housekeepers during the summer, but get a steady pay check in the winter months.

Also the notion that people "cannot move due to obligations" seems a little odd. Other than parole/community control issues I really don't see why someone can't move. My family lives in Tallahassee and I chose to move here. I still see them, albeit not everyday, and they come to visit me. It seems like nothing could possibly appease you unless ever service person in South Walton county is making $75,000 a year and can live in a brand new house purchased for $100,000. In short the majority of this argument seems to boil down to: sometimes life is not fair. This is something I learned long ago. Seriously if something is so bad that it is intolerable people will move or change things for themselves.

The "family" I'm referring to are the many that live only on Social Security. I had 2 elders, one passed away in '96, and the other in '97, both lived only on the check they got from SS. One was 80, and the other was 92. I was the only family member left to do anything for them. Again, there is more info that should be considered.
I think a study needs to be done on exactly what the wages are, but, if they make 30,000, they think they have entered the middle class for a family of 4! Making 75,000 would be something like heaven?
There are many very opinionated people on SoWal, who believe most assuredly in their position. A weak response to the other side of the story flitters off somewhere, and isn't even remembered. Every action must be met with an opposite and equal reaction. As hard headed as one opinion is, the opposite has a right to push just as hard. How can any kind of accurate decisions, or opinions, be made without all the necessary info!

 

[Matt J]

.

The "family" I'm referring to are the many that live only on Social Security. I had 2 elders, one passed away in '96, and the other in '97, both lived only on the check they got from SS. One was 80, and the other was 92. I was the only family member left to do anything for them. Again, there is more info that should be considered.

How does this fall under the issue of employment, the original point of this thread? Are they still working at that age? If so, honestly, congratulations. I understand the issue of property taxes too, but I feel that is for another thread.

I think a study needs to be done on exactly what the wages are, but, if they make 30,000, they think they have entered the middle class for a family of 4! Making 75,000 would be something like heaven?
There are many very opinionated people on SoWal, who believe most assuredly in their position. A weak response to the other side of the story flitters off somewhere, and isn't even remembered. Every action must be met with an opposite and equal reaction. As hard headed as one opinion is, the opposite has a right to push just as hard. How can any kind of accurate decisions, or opinions, be made without all the necessary info!

 

[florida girl]

.

You asked why those low wage earners stayed in Walton County, I replied many had family to take care of, etc.