If you live in Duval County, on March 22 you have an opportunity to exercise your right to vote. Although I would never suggest who is best to lead our great city, I will strongly urge you find the time to roll up your sleeves and be a part of making our city all it can be. Cast your vote.
For months now, I have shared many of stories about the brave and hardworking people of this community. Some utilize personality, some creativity and some just plain intelligence. But, regardless of differences, they are all looking for what it is going to take to survive this disastrous economy and keep people working.
I have watched very successful people in very well-run businesses rightsize, downsize and even subside.
After 36 years in business, I’m finding each and every day a different challenge with what seems to be an artificial light at the end of the tunnel.
We are a city of profound personalities who exercise a strong will to succeed. We possess greater assets than many cities our size. Yet, I have to admit that I never imagined that in the spring of 2011 many of us would be working harder, longer, or, in many cases, willing to do what it takes to make it happen.
Many no longer include savings as a line item in their budgets. Instead, they are concerned with how long their savings will last.
We are encouraged by the news of an uptick in the real estate market, even if stoked by investors with cash who take advantage of the bottom of the barrel prices.
Speaking of barrels, the price of a barrel of oil reached $106 the week of March 7. That’s up 40 percent from last August. Even worse, that’s a 4 percent increase in just two weeks. Fuel costs will only soften an already fragile economy and will have a serious effect on households that previously looked forward to milder weather and lower electricity costs.
Opportunity may be less obvious and harder to develop but it is out there – especially with an aggressive administration that will make economic development a priority. We have to look at the city like we would our businesses and do what it takes to make it competitive and thrive.
As with all businesses, here at Bailey Publishing we are constantly looking for ways to communicate better with greater frequency and efficiency.
That brings us to a fun and easy way to share thoughts and drive interested readers to our publication and website.
Although I’m one who thinks e-mail will suffice, I’m willing to embrace any responsible medium that will help facilitate our purpose.
Realty Builder now is on Facebook. What that means is you can “like” our page and quickly link to all the features we print each month.
In this issue alone there are more than 200 photos of local real estate and builder professionals in action around our community. Now you can share them with your friends.
As a final note, I want to share with our readers a story about our friend Fred Seely. For the first time in this publication’s existence, you will not see a byline or story composed by Fred.
That is not to say his influence isn’t felt on every move. From layout to style, to the way a reporter turns in a story, Fred is around.
After a routine physical, doctors found an area of concern and wanted to operate.
Fred – not a man to share his personal issues – gave in and had the surgery but made it clear: don’t call, don’t come visit. I’ll need my rest and I’ll get through this faster and better.
After a bit of a complication and a second trip to the operating table, I am happy to report that Fred is right again and on the mend. He will be back and I know he’ll be even better at everything he does.
Besides his resilience, the impressive part for me was watching his coworkers voluntarily engage in a process and produce a high-quality, informative, educational publication with Fred’s influence all over it.
I’m proud of all of them, Codi in graphics and the Bailey editorial staff for filling in, but I’m proud of David Chapman, an able reporter for Daily Record who not only stepped in but took control and made it happen.
Thanks David and thanks Fred laying the foundation.
By the way, Fred – hurry back, we respect your peace and quiet but miss you here at Bailey Publishing.