Feedback by Fred Rowlands

Date: 2007-12-04
Email: fredrowlands@yahoo.com
Subject: We Want Our CMP!

Good evening Sir,

We, all the people of the area, NEED THE CMP. It's not going to be easy, it's not going to be quick so it needs to start NOW. You want to "revitilize" downtown, you must have people living in downtown, things for them to do and places for them to shop. You must also pay them decent wages but that's for another time. Every downtown project I've ever seen (7 now) have taken time and money but in the end have been well worth it and NOTHING gets accomplished by listening to the NO people and the naysayers. Look at Downtown Norfolk and the entire Hampton Roads area. In 1983 they had an area that was used occasionally, now they have museums, places to shop/eat/live and a vibrant day and night life. Some of what they do is free just so people can come into the area and enjoy life. But so often there area committee was only a sham. No one could agree, no one wanted to step forward and agree with another member to get something accomplished but little by little it improved. And now even Portsmouth is a changed city.

Pensacola could be a leader, the CMP a rallying and starting point but you and others need to do what you were put into office to do: LEAD. So what if people don't like who is heading the project, they aren't going to make money doing this. So what if everyone has their own idea, where is their motivation to get out and sacrifice for the betterment of others. The leaders of CMP are putting time, money and effort into a project for the community. It won't make money at first, it won't be a success at first but it will be a step forward to a better future. This is a long term process and it needs to start and start NOW.

Thank you for your time,
Fred Rowlands
850-516-7176