Letter to the Editor

     Destin, FL, May 6 - I’m sending this letter to you to address a couple of issues concerning the oil spill from the Deepwater Horizon. This email reflects the views of members of the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce who have called and talked with me about the situation.

     I’d like to state that, at the time of this writing, doom and gloom has not set in on the Destin Area. In fact, the weather is spectacular, our beaches are clean, the water is clear, the charter boats are fishing and making great catches (I’m even trying to get out and fish myself), and the restaurants are serving great seafood.

     While we understand that wind and Gulf currents could change the present scenario quickly, why does the media continue to spread the doom and gloom message? I actually received two phone calls from regional and national media earlier this week who said they heard Destin was closed and would be closed through June! I set the record straight and emphatically expressed that Destin was open for business, and would remain open for business. And if the beaches should be closed, and the waterways shut down, there is much to do here outside of those activities. This is the message we’re giving to callers and emailers concerned about their vacations.

     Yes, there have been cancelations at some of our resorts and vacation properties. However, there are many still planning on coming to town this summer. I’ve heard from two companies, one very large, the other a smaller company, who told me that they are actually receiving more calls with people making reservations than they are cancelations.

     Another concern I have is the lack of questions being steered to our local state government representatives. While I have been pleasantly surprised by the work Senator Don Gaetz and Representatives Marti Coley and Matt Gaetz have done in keeping the electorate updated on the spill, these are the same officials who have either voted for near-shore drilling or campaigned in favor of near-shore drilling. Imagine if this had happened at a rig just three miles off our shore. Then the doom and gloom message would be accurate. Why have the media not asked these same officials if they still support near-shore drilling? This is an election year. The electorate deserves to know their position.

     I thank Dino Villani, Jim Curry, Greg Kisela, and Destin Mayor Sam Seevers for their constant information-sharing. They are providing the Destin Area Chamber the information we need to keep our business leaders informed. It’s a dicey situation, no doubt. The chamber will continue to work with them and do what’s asked as we work toward protecting our county’s beautiful coastline and waterways. Let’s continue to prepare for the worst, but hope for the best. As a matter of fact that’s exactly what we’re enjoying at the present time.

     In the meantime, let’s keep the positive in mind. As Newman Dailey Resort Properties said in a recent email, the only oil on our beaches is suntan oil. Destin is open for business, and business is good!

Shane A. Moody, CCE, IOM
Destin Area Chamber President & CEO