Last summer, the haters had a field day. Finally–they thought with glee–the Studers were getting bashed by the daily newspaper. The PNJ and the CMPA director and its attorney accused the Studers of welshing on what they claimed was a second pledge of $2 million for the maritime park. A few months later, the daily reported the Studers had brought in venture capitalists into their consulting firm, Studer Group.
The Haters were giddy. They could call Quint Studer a liar. They said he was bailing on Pensacola -taking his money and leaving the town in debt. They popped bottles of champagne and toasted their “success.”
Well, this paper proved that there never was two pledges. The CMPA board agreed.
The Studers gave the CMPA over $200,000 to upgrade stadium seating. The Studer Group hasn’t moved from the area and is adding 40 employees this year. The couple bought the building on the corner of Palafox and Main streets that has been empty for decades and begun renovating it. They launched the Pensacola Business Challenge to help jumpstart small businesses. They have bought a home inside the city limits of Pensacola. They have given $1 million to establish a scholarship fund for Pensacola high school graduates.
Will the Haters admit they got it all wrong? They haven’t, even though they have been wrong since 2005.
Haters will continue to hate and tear down people. They will create conspiracies. They will misstate facts. They will lie. Some will hide behind fake names. They will contribute nothing to the betterment of this community.
Fortunately, the Studers will continue to give to this place that they chosen to make their home.