Need something else!

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

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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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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.

Many are struggling just to make ends meet and are increasingly frustrated by the apparent unconcern of those who could do something. HWY 331 is a major issue, we don't need a 4 lane, we need a 6 lane! This has gone on for way to long, without any change! Second, loosen up some restrictions for new business; don't expect everyone who starts up to have some rich uncle to pay for all the SoWal ordinances! Good grief! I realize that the objective has been to raise property values, but I think this thought has back fired? A sign ordinance that can only be made by an approved professional? It really isn?t that difficult, although the design leaves much to be desired. You can?t see it well enough to actually pull people in from the highway, much less those driving at the speed that is on 98! And, who thought it was attractive? You know, the zoning plans call for different types of businesses in particular areas; I?ve yet to see them recruit those types of businesses to buy the land needed in that area! It?s like they are playing with doll houses or something! You can?t manipulate citizens to do and build where the government dictates!
At one time, Walton County was a poor county, and paid their employees accordingly. That is no more, but the wages haven?t been particularly updated. Many of our SoWal Annex employees live in the North part of the county yet are given no more credit than those who work in DFS. Our tax base has drastically increased in the last 10 or more years, and the coffers along with it. Instead of sharing the wealth with the workers, they put in reserve funds, earning interest, and dress up the county properties. It?s like icing a cake that hasn?t been baked! I?m persuaded that if our county would loosen up concerning the wage/benefits for their employees, that the other companies would follow suit. I?ve heard this poor mouth thing all my life, ain?t got no money to pay workers, yet buy all kind of expensive stuff! Don?t get me started!

I am pretty sure it is because you live in a "dreadful tourist" town. Those kinds of jobs are needed for a "dreadful tourist" town. I think you might want to ask some of the people that work in these jobs if they think their jobs are "real". I bet they would tell you real quick how hard they work, and that yes their jobs are "real". I would work three of them if I could live off the salary and be able to live in that "dreadful tourist town".

I would clean condos to be able to live down there at the beach.

I would clean condos to be able to live down there at the beach.

....so would the folks who clean condos down here. They don't make enough in wages to live at the beach either--Catch 22.



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Originally Posted by florida girl [ame="http://sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?p=340585#post340585"][/ame]
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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Not all loans are made expecting a return in the near, Dear.;-)

Originally Posted by florida girl
I blame the mortgage company for funding such a project! It's crazy!



Not all loans are made expecting a return in the near, Dear.;-)

Banks DO expect a return in the 'near'...why do you think they get put the bulk of the interest payment upfront?


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Banks DO expect a return in the 'near'...why do you think they get put the bulk of the interest payment upfront?
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Because we have chosen to buy property outside of our immediate means, cannot blame them for taking advantage of our upscale appetities, can we?

Banks, as any other investing house, may expect near but, as today's market shows very dramatically, they will take afar...and expect that part of their portfolio will always be afar.

Do you read all the troubles and woe and truly believe that after years of over the top lending, developing and selling that all of a sudden, out of the blue, everything came to a halt, fell apart, blamo whamo? Surprising these bastions of commerce, CitiBank, Chase, ChinaCountryside, et al, al et and etc?

Really?

Because we have chosen to buy property outside of our immediate means, cannot blame them for taking advantage of our upscale appetities, can we?

Banks, as any other investing house, may expect near but, as today's market shows very dramatically, they will take afar...and expect that part of their portfolio will always be afar.

Do you read all the troubles and woe and truly believe that after years of over the top lending, developing and selling that all of a sudden, out of the blue, everything came to a halt, fell apart, blamo whamo? Surprising these bastions of commerce, CitiBank, Chase, ChinaCountryside, et al, al et and etc?

Really?

That is EXACTLY Shelly's position. He just couldn't see the writing on the wall- people kept telling him the end was near but noooo. Cheapest entertainment around folks....SOWAL.

That is EXACTLY Shelly's position. He just couldn't see the writing on the wall- people kept telling him the end was near but noooo. Cheapest entertainment around folks....SOWAL.

:shock: There's a problem with the banks??? Not to worry, it'll be contained at the lowest levels.



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Originally Posted by elgordoboy [ame="http://sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?p=341303#post341303"][/ame]
That is EXACTLY Shelly's position. He just couldn't see the writing on the wall- people kept telling him the end was near but noooo. Cheapest entertainment around folks....SOWAL.

:shock: There's a problem with the banks??? Not to worry, it'll be contained at the lowest levels.
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Au contraire,
you and I will pay
for their avarice,
that is
if you pay taxes

That is EXACTLY Shelly's position.

Please, stand up,
I wish to examine your hip
to see if you an Shelley
are attached to it.

Please, stand up,
I wish to examine your hip
to see if you an Shelley
are attached to it.

That's Shelly leaning against the wall and that is me grasping Arnold's hand

Many are struggling just to make ends meet and are increasingly frustrated by the apparent unconcern of those who could do something. HWY 331 is a major issue, we don't need a 4 lane, we need a 6 lane! This has gone on for way to long, without any change! Second, loosen up some restrictions for new business; don't expect everyone who starts up to have some rich uncle to pay for all the SoWal ordinances! Good grief! I realize that the objective has been to raise property values, but I think this thought has back fired? A sign ordinance that can only be made by an approved professional? It really isn?t that difficult, although the design leaves much to be desired. You can?t see it well enough to actually pull people in from the highway, much less those driving at the speed that is on 98! And, who thought it was attractive? You know, the zoning plans call for different types of businesses in particular areas; I?ve yet to see them recruit those types of businesses to buy the land needed in that area! It?s like they are playing with doll houses or something! You can?t manipulate citizens to do and build where the government dictates!
At one time, Walton County was a poor county, and paid their employees accordingly. That is no more, but the wages haven?t been particularly updated. Many of our SoWal Annex employees live in the North part of the county yet are given no more credit than those who work in DFS. Our tax base has drastically increased in the last 10 or more years, and the coffers along with it. Instead of sharing the wealth with the workers, they put in reserve funds, earning interest, and dress up the county properties. It?s like icing a cake that hasn?t been baked! I?m persuaded that if our county would loosen up concerning the wage/benefits for their employees, that the other companies would follow suit. I?ve heard this poor mouth thing all my life, ain?t got no money to pay workers, yet buy all kind of expensive stuff! Don?t get me started!

So now the progress of a new bigger bridge isn't enough? Something tells me if they built a perfectly straight bridge with 20 lanes you would complain that it wasn't 22 lanes? Again, I feel sorry for those that are here and struggling. However, at the same time I have to ask the same question I just recently asked a housekeeping team. If you know that we are slow this time of year why not hold back some of your earnings from the summer? The reason I say this is that my housekeepers generally earn $20-$30/hr. during the busy months (March thru Mid-October) and take home approximately $1500 per week during this time. Most of it seems to literally get "wasted". I have a salary and don't rely on the season, however I make substantially less than said housekeepers during the summer, but get a steady pay check in the winter months.

Also the notion that people "cannot move due to obligations" seems a little odd. Other than parole/community control issues I really don't see why someone can't move. My family lives in Tallahassee and I chose to move here. I still see them, albeit not everyday, and they come to visit me. It seems like nothing could possibly appease you unless ever service person in South Walton county is making $75,000 a year and can live in a brand new house purchased for $100,000. In short the majority of this argument seems to boil down to: sometimes life is not fair. This is something I learned long ago. Seriously if something is so bad that it is intolerable people will move or change things for themselves.

So now the progress of a new bigger bridge isn't enough? Something tells me if they built a perfectly straight bridge with 20 lanes you would complain that it wasn't 22 lanes? Again, I feel sorry for those that are here and struggling. However, at the same time I have to ask the same question I just recently asked a housekeeping team. If you know that we are slow this time of year why not hold back some of your earnings from the summer? The reason I say this is that my housekeepers generally earn $20-$30/hr. during the busy months (March thru Mid-October) and take home approximately $1500 per week during this time. Most of it seems to literally get "wasted". I have a salary and don't rely on the season, however I make substantially less than said housekeepers during the summer, but get a steady pay check in the winter months.

Also the notion that people "cannot move due to obligations" seems a little odd. Other than parole/community control issues I really don't see why someone can't move. My family lives in Tallahassee and I chose to move here. I still see them, albeit not everyday, and they come to visit me. It seems like nothing could possibly appease you unless ever service person in South Walton county is making $75,000 a year and can live in a brand new house purchased for $100,000. In short the majority of this argument seems to boil down to: sometimes life is not fair. This is something I learned long ago. Seriously if something is so bad that it is intolerable people will move or change things for themselves.

The "family" I'm referring to are the many that live only on Social Security. I had 2 elders, one passed away in '96, and the other in '97, both lived only on the check they got from SS. One was 80, and the other was 92. I was the only family member left to do anything for them. Again, there is more info that should be considered.
I think a study needs to be done on exactly what the wages are, but, if they make 30,000, they think they have entered the middle class for a family of 4! Making 75,000 would be something like heaven?
There are many very opinionated people on SoWal, who believe most assuredly in their position. A weak response to the other side of the story flitters off somewhere, and isn't even remembered. Every action must be met with an opposite and equal reaction. As hard headed as one opinion is, the opposite has a right to push just as hard. How can any kind of accurate decisions, or opinions, be made without all the necessary info!

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The "family" I'm referring to are the many that live only on Social Security. I had 2 elders, one passed away in '96, and the other in '97, both lived only on the check they got from SS. One was 80, and the other was 92. I was the only family member left to do anything for them. Again, there is more info that should be considered.

How does this fall under the issue of employment, the original point of this thread? Are they still working at that age? If so, honestly, congratulations. I understand the issue of property taxes too, but I feel that is for another thread.

I think a study needs to be done on exactly what the wages are, but, if they make 30,000, they think they have entered the middle class for a family of 4! Making 75,000 would be something like heaven?
There are many very opinionated people on SoWal, who believe most assuredly in their position. A weak response to the other side of the story flitters off somewhere, and isn't even remembered. Every action must be met with an opposite and equal reaction. As hard headed as one opinion is, the opposite has a right to push just as hard. How can any kind of accurate decisions, or opinions, be made without all the necessary info!

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You asked why those low wage earners stayed in Walton County, I replied many had family to take care of, etc.