Tests in Leadership

This week I'd like to speak to "Tests" to leadership. I believe how a leaders performs as they are tested by situations and events is critical to the development of a good leader and ultimately gives us a look into the true "grit" of a leader.

The leadership of Bay County, Florida's Northwest, and of Florida are being seriously tested at this moment by the forces trying to block the relocation of the airport in Bay County. Our leaders have worked extremely hard, but now their at the 3 yard line and it's 4th and goal. This is the test to determine the true mettle of our leaders. The outcome will determine the direction of Florida's Northwest for the next 20+ years.

I believe as real estate leaders that we have a responsibility at the grassroots level to help. If we support the relocation of the airport, then we need to step up and "get the word" out to our agents and their clients. I think we can do this by encouraging people to support Florida's leadership in their fight against the small group of forces that oppose the airport.

If you'd like to voice your support or opposition to the airport relocation, please send an e-mail or call the offices of our leadership listed below.


Please take a moment out of your day to write an email or a letter to your congressman and let him know how you feel about the new Bay County International Airport and what it will do for the economy and growth of Bay County! Thank them for the job they have done, and encourage them to keep up the fight until Bay County has a new airport!
Here are some talking points in bullet format for you to use, just because ground had broken we still have some battles to win to make sure we get the new Airport!

This is from the Bay County Association of REALTORS.

● $330 Million Project
● Friends of PFN - Group that opposes Airport
● 75,000 acres total
● 62 square miles of preservation
● Zero feet of bay front will be developed, all preserved
● 2nd Circuit Court in NYC,NY gets to make the ruling
● Ft.Walton Airport will close in 2010 per Air Force (With or without new airport)

NOW IS THE TIME.... GET INVOLVED!!

Contact information provided by the 2008 Leadership Class

Congressmen Boyd email page http://www.house.gov/boyd/zip_authen.html

Washington, DC Office1227 Longworth HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-5235(202) 225-5615 Fax

Tallahassee Office1650 Summit Lake DriveSuite 103Tallahassee, FL 32317(850) 561-3979(850) 681-2902 Fax

Panama City Office30 W. Government St.Suite 203Panama City, FL 32401(850) 785-0812(850) 763-3764 Fax

Governor Charlie Crist's office
Citizen Services Hotline: (850) 488-4441
Executive Office of the Governor Switchboard: (850) 488-7146 [Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time]
Email address Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com

Mel Martinez office
Email address/site:
http://martinez.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInformation.ContactForm&CFID=1655110&CFTOKEN=25309206
Pensacola: Washington:
N. Palafox St.
Suite 159 United States Senate
Pensacola, FL 32502 56 Russell Senate office
BuildingMain: (850) 433-2603 Washington DC, 20510
Fax: (850) 433-2554 Main: (202)224-3041
Fax: (202) 228-5171

Bill Nelson Office
Washington, D.C. TallahasseeUS Court House Annex United States Senate 111 North Adams Street
716 Senate hart Office Building Tallahassee, Florida 32301
Washington DC, 20510 Phone: 850-942-8415
Phone: 202-224-5274 Fax: 850-942-8450
Fax 202-228-2183

Stephanie Kopelousos
Stephanie C. Kopelousos, Secretary of Transportation(850) 414-4100 605 Suwannee Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450

Jimmy Patronis
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/emailrepresentative.aspx?MemberId=4369&SessionId=57

Capitol Office:
1102 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: (850) 488-9696
District Office:
Suite A
455 Harrison Avenue
Panama City, FL 32401-2775
Phone: (850) 914-6300


I have no problem with someone opposing the relocation of the Bay County Airport....for rational and community oriented reasons. I do have a problem with opposition for selfish and irrational reasons. I've yet to here or ready and arguement against this project that makes any sense.

The fact is that the relocation of the airport will bring immense growth to Northwest Florida. This growth translates into jobs, income, new business opportunities, and obviously new real estate opportunities. Now, growth can be good and bay, but if handled properly (like I believe this is being handled) then growth can be great.

This is a true test of leadership. How will we all respond?

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

"Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do." (Pope John XXIII)