Diesel

Not everyone is Military, but the vast majority are servicing them or the tourists. If there were no tourism and no military, the only jobs in town would be International Paper. Without them this town would die. Nothing is produced in Pensacola, without production you have no viable economy, all of the money generated in this town comes from out of the area.

I would be interested to know how many upper middle or even low end jobs are available in Pensacola that are not Service (ie. food service, real estate, retail, auto service, entertainment, bars, pawn shops, tattoo parlors, etc.) or Military & local government related.

We haven't even begun to explore the issue of retirees both military and otherwise that bring a lot of money to the area. Point being that this area is almost wholly dependent on having a positive image. A place where people would want to visit and or relocate to, and any unfounded or over-inflated negative press has an impact on us all whether or not you believe it.

wtbfishin

well said Diesel! I have lived in Walton Co for over 30 years, I remember tar balls on our beaches many years back and then they had seem to have vanished at some point in time, or I did not go down as much. We do have a few now, w/small BP crews and dip nets picking them up.
I did like our small community as it was back then, but everything changes, and we do need tourism.

trophy

LMFAO, I did the same damm thing this past winter. But in reality, the less traces I can find of BP, the better.