Need something else!

[florida girl]

About 7 years ago I and a business associate were watching tv. A news report came on focusing on the plight of a tribe in Africa that had been suffering from a 40 year drought. I was getting caught up in the sadness of it all when I my associate shouted at the tv...MOVE!! I don't know why it had never occurred to me before, 40 years these people had been sitting in the same dry spot having water brought in and still suffering. I don't know if that truly would have been feasible but I know I have picked up stakes before and may do so again though I am going to try very hard to stay here. Florida is a difficult state in which to run a business. States must compete for the jobs that some say are lacking. Service businesses must be run in the area in which they service. If I were an automaker (or other producer) looking to expand I am going to do so in a state that puts a less onerous tax and insurance burden on me. I have to sell my product in areas other than Florida also and if I am paying more to produce my item due to higher taxes, insurance, etc.. then I am at a disadvantage to the company who makes the exact same item in GA, AL, or anywhere else. "They" can't pay more. "They" can't lower housing costs. Markets do that. I can't type more here go read a bit on free markets and stay away from communist manifestos. Sometimes it gets scary that's just the way it is. I posted elsewhere how much fun I have when peeps do this so here I go--I will not be posting in this thread again as I now consider the case closed.

Moving is not an option for some of our folks, there are family members that need them, and responsibilities that they have to take care of. Besides, why should they? If there is a problem, why not try to fix it instead of just moving? Either raise the wages, or lower the cost of living, including housing.

 

[SHELLY]

I read this letter to the editor in the DeFuniak Herald this past week and thought it should be posted here. He's hit the nail on the head as far as housing costs go.

The writer of that letter is assuming that someone will actually buy those houses....good luck with that. The days of "Zero-Down, 'X' here, Fog-this-Mirror, You're Approved" Mortgages are o-ver. National papers are now filled with stories of "developments gone bad." I don't think Freeport has much to worry about until housing prices fall to ACTUAL affordable levels.


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[florida girl]

I blame the mortgage company for funding such a project! It's crazy!

 

[SHELLY]

I blame the mortgage company for funding such a project! It's crazy!

The banks that funded late-to-the-party developments are now starting to find out that it wasn't such a good idea.


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[graciecole]

I think everyone that works at my restaurant uses their brain regularly-- some of them have MBAs, all of them can move to any big city for a "real" job with a view of the concrete. Might I suggest you become an entrepreneur and create the job you want to work or move to a major metro market so you can get the skills you need to do it on your own. Happy New Year.

 

[florida girl]

I think everyone that works at my restaurant uses their brain regularly-- some of them have MBAs, all of them can move to any big city for a "real" job with a view of the concrete. Might I suggest you become an entrepreneur and create the job you want to work or move to a major metro market so you can get the skills you need to do it on your own. Happy New Year.

Hmmm, that's what I've been doing for the past 20 years! Takes a lot of imagination to live in SoWal! You said, works at "my" restaurant, do you think that those who worked hard, plus expense, of gaining degrees, are in their target job, and they would actually tell their boss that they were not satisfied with their position as a long term job? Can you see them retiring from your restaurant at the age of 65 and settling in while their kids have grown and gone to college also, and are close by? Something about using a brain? I don't recall "concrete" as a requirement for a real job? In fact, we have a "concrete" facility here, called Sikes Concrete!
What gets me the most, is the controversy concerning better jobs in Walton County. Those who protest apparently like to be on the top of the heap? Is there no concern about the welfare of our neighbors who might be struggling? This my 4 and no more attitude will sink this ship, in my opinion. When neighbors, and business show concern for their fellow human beings, things will improve.

 

[scooterbug44]

The concrete she was referring to was the "concrete jungle" of big cities and her point was that her employees had chosen this area and lifestyle even though they had other options and the skill set to attain them.

I guess I don't understand exactly what your constant gripe is.

I know many people who have grown up in this area, gone to school nearby, and earn a decent living. Personally I worked as an unskilled agricultural laborer, then several retail jobs, then graduated from college and moved here for a white collar job and made less than many people in the "service industry" jobs you disparage.

 

[florida girl]

The concrete she was referring to was the "concrete jungle" of big cities and her point was that her employees had chosen this area and lifestyle even though they had other options and the skill set to attain them.

I guess I don't understand exactly what your constant gripe is.

I know many people who have grown up in this area, gone to school nearby, and earn a decent living. Personally I worked as an unskilled agricultural laborer, then several retail jobs, then graduated from college and moved here for a white collar job and made less than many people in the "service industry" jobs you disparage.

I guess I know a lot that do go through much distress because of the wage/cost of living issue.

 

[scooterbug44]

What exactly are they doing and how do you think their life can be improved?

I'm not saying the cost of living doesn't cause problems, or that everyone is sipping mai-tais by the pool, just that I don't think those problems are solely in this area.

 

[SHELLY]

I think everyone that works at my restaurant uses their brain regularly-- some of them have MBAs, all of them can move to any big city for a "real" job with a view of the concrete. Might I suggest you become an entrepreneur and create the job you want to work or move to a major metro market so you can get the skills you need to do it on your own. Happy New Year.

Just curious....what positions in your restaurant require an MBA?


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