Idlewild is right. There is cautious optimism and yes Kurt is correct in that it would be "cool" if everyon could fully appreciate our fragile resources. I love this community and I want it to last forever for my children and grandchildren (hopefully) but there are some things that we need to recognize so that at least we are aware of. If some of my customers are telling me that things are not the same and have decided to move away then I should be mindful of this information for many reasons. It may not seem like a lot to anyone else but I have lost 2 or 3 customers in the last year with many others simply not spending. My customers are small businesses, local government, commercial businesses, rental homes, and residential . I am glad for all those that are getting well but not everyone is getting well at least not yet. One allure of the South Walton community is the sense of everyone being part of something bigger than themselves. This comes from the appreciation of our beautiful resources. Yes we have to move on from the BP disaster and yes we have learned just how fragile our paradise is? A new normal exists. I think you misunderstand me and that is my fault. We are basicly saying the same things. Idlewild is so right about this community pulling together in a crisis. That "ideal" is very important for ALL of us to try and protect. Being aware of those that are not "well" can only help this community.
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What happened to South Walton
- Thread starter Waterbaddrinkwine
- Start date
scooterbug44
SoWal Expert
I think South Walton is a very friendly place compared to most of the the US, but I do notice that the level of rush/dissatisfaction/cranky seems to increase significantly during the season.
I chalk it up to added stress and an influx of big city folk/visitors who aren't used to the pace and mood of Sowal.
I chalk it up to added stress and an influx of big city folk/visitors who aren't used to the pace and mood of Sowal.
joho
Beach Fanatic
I've been here for years and I still feel this place is one of the friendliest places you'll ever experience. I've heard it from many tourist that visit South Walton they can't believe how friendly, helpful and courteous the locals are. I reply with " look at where we live!" I'm proud to live here and everyday remind myself how fortunate I am to do so.
Kurt
Admin
I imagine you mean as the season wears on and the heat gets stifling. Dog Days of Summer.
True dat - things are easier after the GOBB party.
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Kurt
Admin
I am reminded that I heard of a couple of folks who moved. From what I heard I surmised they already had one foot out the door and may have ben been looking for an excuse. But I don't doubt that there were some businesses that were hanging by a thread and the spill caused them to pursue other interests. Either here or somewhere else. Don't confuse the spill with huge real estate problems that were already present. It just added to them.
I am saying the same thing about the "spill". We already had the real estate problems before the "spill". The recessionary problems of 2008 and 2009 had almost dissappeared (at least for my business) those first 4 months of 2010 before the spill. For two years we all limped along trying to recover from the recession and over built real estate market and finally the light at the end of the tunnel appeared. Then an almost unimaginable event occured that we could not plan for or much less "project" the economic damages. Many very good people and businesses could take no more. In other words the timing of the spill was very bad for all of us. Let me also vent that there is never a good time for a man made disaster that could have been prevented by following many levels of safety regulations. Okay, I am assuming your message to me is to let it go or to just move on and go to the beach and enjoy what we have. That is good advice that I have already said to myself just about every day. Unfortunately I still have a business to operate. I need to be able to project revenue. Through June 30th I have not had any economic recovery with no idea how long it will take or if it will ever fully recover or what "unknown" still exists from the spill. I therefore can relate to what "some" of my customers are telling me and must utilize the information to try and make projections. I think we agree on the basic community ideals but we may disagree on the information coming from the community. Some of us are still hurting. Our community is growing and changing. There are different stresses on all of us. In the end we are all just a part of the whole but I feel like every part is important in this community. Your statement to me that "you will never get it" could not be further from the truth.
Kurt
Admin
My only message is I hope things improve for you and to investigate use of the return key. 
Certain businesses are going to get hurt (first) when times are tough. Like landscapers, artists, auto detailing, etc - stuff that are not always essential or can be put off. I think some local businesses are going to hold off on some of those items and services. I can understand why some are "cautiously" optimistic. I just don't get pessimism.
Certain businesses are going to get hurt (first) when times are tough. Like landscapers, artists, auto detailing, etc - stuff that are not always essential or can be put off. I think some local businesses are going to hold off on some of those items and services. I can understand why some are "cautiously" optimistic. I just don't get pessimism.
i only know the contrast from where i live which has gotten much less of a place i want to live and raise children. i try to save my money so i can spend it in south walton where i feel appreciated-i know the heat and crowds can be tough but i like to spend money in a place where people act like they are happy and enjoying what they do instead of acting like it's a pain to help-maybe your day has been tough but you sure do make mine with that southern hospitality -and that is what brings me and my family back. the people who come down with us say the same.
Kurt, it is very difficult to successfully own and operate a small business on either pure optimism or pure pessimism. You better have some realisim in their somewhere. I can survive "normal" trends in the economy and have done so. The BP economic disaster has no precedent. I do not have a magic ball to see into the future. I have to forecast and project based on my own data. That data comes in the form of revenue and customer feedback.My only message is I hope things improve for you and to investigate use of the return key.
Certain businesses are going to get hurt (first) when times are tough. Like landscapers, artists, auto detailing, etc - stuff that are not always essential or can be put off. I think some local businesses are going to hold off on some of those items and services. I can understand why some are "cautiously" optimistic. I just don't get pessimism.
My message is obviously not getting across to you. BP is a destructive corporation- do not trust them or help them. Mega corporations are bad- they are reducing our abilities to choose products and services. Politics is broken- ideals will not pay the bills and maybe we need a third party. Our economic system is broken or least very sick- I have no idea what to do about it. You have somehow twisted my message into pessimism or doom and gloom when I have more energy toward a better future than at any other time in my life!
And finally, not everyone falls into your box of economic recovery- you can listen and learn or you can listen and make jokes or right us off as doom and gloom. A good leader will choose to listen and learn and I think you have that ability.