Not so clear
My father used to say - - after WW2, when Tyndall Field later TAFB, and the Navy Base were coming to be realized as core, essential elements of our Panama City community - - used to say that any town whose economy depended on a local military base was setting itself up for financial disaster. That didn't seem so clear to me in those days when what was clear was that our Navy and especially Air Force installations were permanently here to stay forever, and no worries about it with Bob Sikes, Earl Hutto and our other powerhouses in Congress.
What, despite officials' assurances to the contrary in the wake of Hurricane Michael, is no longer clear, is a clear threat to our economy and future here: that whether indeed to rebuild Tyndall after all is, considering the prospective cost of it, an issue of uncertainty among those who do not represent us in Washington and who could like to see those billions spent closer to their own electorates.
The ruin brought by Hurricane Michael seems in one day to have destroyed small business, eliminated jobs and forced many families to leave; instantly cut the enrollment of our public schools such that apparently several schools will not reopen for the Fall 2019 schoolyear. Hospital staff lost jobs, and parts of our community still look like a war zone, snapped over trees near the epicenter of a nuclear blast.
Again, for all the catchy slogans, forced and feigned optimism and stiff upper lips, our area is endangered. Of course I say this remembering years ago in the Pacific Northwest when the popular saying was "Last one out of Seattle, turn off the lights." And despite the state of mind that descends as I cross Hathaway Bridge and especially driving into the Cove, I'm not moving anywhere out of sight and smell of salt sea or north of US98.
https://www.stripes.com/news/us/house-lawmakers-question-whether-tyndall-air-force-base-camp-lejeune-should-be-rebuilt-1.572537
https://www.co.bay.fl.us/342/Major-Employers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_City,_Florida
What, despite officials' assurances to the contrary in the wake of Hurricane Michael, is no longer clear, is a clear threat to our economy and future here: that whether indeed to rebuild Tyndall after all is, considering the prospective cost of it, an issue of uncertainty among those who do not represent us in Washington and who could like to see those billions spent closer to their own electorates.
The ruin brought by Hurricane Michael seems in one day to have destroyed small business, eliminated jobs and forced many families to leave; instantly cut the enrollment of our public schools such that apparently several schools will not reopen for the Fall 2019 schoolyear. Hospital staff lost jobs, and parts of our community still look like a war zone, snapped over trees near the epicenter of a nuclear blast.
Again, for all the catchy slogans, forced and feigned optimism and stiff upper lips, our area is endangered. Of course I say this remembering years ago in the Pacific Northwest when the popular saying was "Last one out of Seattle, turn off the lights." And despite the state of mind that descends as I cross Hathaway Bridge and especially driving into the Cove, I'm not moving anywhere out of sight and smell of salt sea or north of US98.
https://www.stripes.com/news/us/house-lawmakers-question-whether-tyndall-air-force-base-camp-lejeune-should-be-rebuilt-1.572537
https://www.co.bay.fl.us/342/Major-Employers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_City,_Florida