What about the economy? by William T. Cobb
Now that the “Maritime Park,†as envisioned by CMPA, will probably become a reality, despite the many, many remonstrative letters and objections by the citizens who first want the Sewage Plant removed from the waterfront and exposure to future damage and failure; how can we expect the “Park” to improve our local economy?
With old “Stinky” still producing an atmosphere equal to the odiousness one gets by reading of the disputes at City Hall and Chamber meetings as to whose areas expand for the added taxes; is it likely that people will come there bringing money to boost City Revenues?
I think it more likely that the “Park” will be populated by people who are PAID to go there, be they from Tax- funded Academia or the employees of the other proposed “Occupants” of the “Park.†Their time there will probably consist of their “Duty” hours only, and their monies will go home (or elsewhere) with them; while the “City” (read that Taxpayers!) will be burdened with a tremendous “Infrastructure” construction, upkeep and policing, 24/365.
With the City of Pensacola being one of the very poorest in all of our great Nation, and the City’s Budget increasing at a rate far above that of any similar city (despite population loss); it seems to me that the City Council should be concentrating on plans to improve the economical conditions and encourage annexations. By getting the “Budget” under control, insisting on more efficient operation, better use of the “Port” and adjacent areas, less “Rubber-Stamping” of each Department Heads’ “Want List” and pay raises far abovethose of the civilian populace; we might yet have a city encompassing more than the “Strip along the Bay” that has changed little in almost forty (40 !) years.
The un-necessary “make-work” projects that influential parties engender have been pleasing to some degree, but they are not conducive to a healthy economy! When a large area of the City’s “Downtown” district is increasingly occupied by TAX-FUNDED people and facilities, it is not going to get better!
Without geographical, commercial, and Industrial growth, we are in a downward spiral!
I pray that, before I am “put away” (which won’t be too long, now), that I will see our City Council populated by elected individuals who care about the CITY and its future taxpayers.
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Most of you can pick this apart fairly easily. Of course, the CRA pays for the police protection and upkeep inside its district. The CRA/City Council recently increased the allocation.
He follows the SOC/Elebash logic that people who work at the park or attend classes there will stay in their cubicles all day and never venture out and shop or dine downtown. No facts – just his opinion from his Lazyboy lounger. The only people I see with that mentality are the older City and County workers.
Mr. Cobb needs to look at the county if he wants to see huge pay increases and bloated budgets.