TDC Death Match: Round One

From Commissioner Grover Robinson:

From: “Grover C. Robinson”
Date: September 26, 2011 5:38:12 PM CDT
To: “Grover C. Robinson” , ewb , “‘julian@innisfree.com'” , “‘robertr@resortrealtylife.com'” , “‘marilynhess@aol.com'” , “tammy@tammybo.com” , Buck Lee , Randy Oliver , “‘info@highpointe.com'” , “‘collier.merrill@communitymaritimepark.com'” , “‘terryrscruggs@cox.net'” , “‘THOMNW@BP.com'” , “dschneider@pnj.com” , Rick Outzen , “jhizer@pensacolachamber.com” , “lbearjr@aol.com” , “blaise.adams@rbc.com” , “blair.simmons@ge.com” , “debbie_calder@navyfederal.org”
Cc: “Becky L. Azelton”
Subject: RE: Panama City Beach tops lists for travel

I talked to Todd Thompson of BP today. Todd says that BP has some spots set for Pensacola with the DeLuna Fest and the Songwriters Festival that Ed had worked with them. However, Todd says they are happy to promote whatever we have. He also confirms that Bay County has been very aggressive with promotion.

Where is Escambia County? We have fired the one person who had a relationship with BP. No one is looking out for Escambia County in its entirety. We have no plan and we are not really concerned with success. We are acutely aware and responsive to scandal, but we have little concern for truth.

The truth is we are totally inept, small and petty. I have included you on this email as either an economic or tourism leader in Escambia County. What is our plan? How do we promote Escambia County in its entirety?

This is what is so frustrating. I have worked countless hours to produce the most we could get for this community. Few know how close we came to losing the first round of BP money in May 2010 when Governor Crist was in charge of those funds. As for the second round, despite TDC request, the decision went nowhere until a unified band of counties under their BCC Chairs sat with the Governor. If I hadn’t called BP personally, we would still be behind on this as well. In the end, I could care less about any credit for this work, but I certainly do not expect to be smeared the way I have for my efforts.

The facts are we are far, far behind the counties to the east. The criticism hurts but it’s true. We have no one looking out for the county as a whole, not individual parts. We vilify anyone who challenges the status quo. What are we going to do?

I have submitted my ideas. They may not all be good but it is a start. We need more and we need the best ones, and the longer we stall the further behind we are. No change is not an option.

Grover