UPDATE: USA Today had a good print story related to this problem recently.
Additional USA Today video story link.
Nice to see someone paying attention.
It’s amazing how some people seem focused on short term tactics rather than long term strategic planning. I just read that Courteney Cox was scheduled to do a PSA spot for Alabama’s beaches. Her spot will likely be rotated with another featuring Taylor Hicks promoting our coast. Lucy Buffett (Jimmy’s sister) did a spot that has been airing for a short period already. All of that is great, I’ve been asking for this sort of thing for more than two months. We certainly can stand the favorable publicity. But wait, they just plugged the hole, didn’t they? For weeks everyone has been proclaiming the beaches clean and clear anyway.
Hey guys, school starts back next week. I know revenues from tourism spread throughout the year. People have been headed south during the fall and winter months for years. Do you think those people don’t know the oil has stopped flowing? Of course they do. The biggest issue we faced for the past month or so has been the uncertainty. With the oil flowing, it might hit the beaches and spoil my vacation. That part seems over (we hope) and perception will be that the beaches are once again in great shape. News coverage of the mess has begun to dwindle already and everyone’s breathing easier, right!
Let’s look at the issues and possible solutions. Tourism has suffered greatly. It’ll come back. Taxes from lodging are way off. That will come back, too. Retailers and restaurants who have suffered actual losses will be compensated and for those people next year will be better. What about those poor souls who actually made their living from the sea. The fishermen of the Gulf have suffered enormous losses. They’ll be compensated to some degree, but as the all-clear sounds for tourists, the dinner bell isn’t ringing for gulf coast seafood (particularly oysters and shrimp).
The campaign we really need is one that support our fishing industry. Let’s do something about that. Maybe Courteney can eat a bunch of shrimp and down a few oysters in the commercial. Mmm-good would go a long way in helping a group that may be all but forgotten in this whole mess.
Goodbye Bayou La Batre… (Hey Jimmy, think about that for a song title)
elamink 
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