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In Q&A with The Log, Gov. Scott offers to help solve erosive issue (PHOTOS and VIDEO)
Gov. Rick Scott says he always wanted to be in the newspaper business, so Tuesday morning he got to live vicariously through the local media as he sat down with members of The Destin Log and Freedom Communications’ Editorial Board.
“They (newspapers) add a lot of value to the community,” Scott said.
On a media tour of the Emerald Coast that would take him from Tallahassee to Pensacola, Scott sat down at The Destin Log office at 35008 Emerald Coast Parkway to share his thoughts on everything from illegal immigration and gun control to drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and the state’s job growth. He even waded into the Norriego Point debate.
To see more photos from the meeting, CLICK HERE.
The 45th governor said one of the No. 1 issues in the state and country for that matter was job creation, and he told the group that Florida is making progress under his watch when it comes to creating the 700,000 jobs he touted when running for office.
The state’s unemployment rate, according to Scott, has dropped from 12 percent to 10 percent and about 120,800 total jobs were created. He said Florida is only behind Texas when it comes to job creation.
“We’re on track but there are still 900,000 people without jobs,” he said.
Looking locally, Scott said the key along the Emerald Coast is to keep the military presence strong, while marketing “the living daylights” out of the area’s beaches and amenities — from our fishing to shopping, dining and emerald green waters.
As for drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, the governor gave a never say never answer, as he told the editorial board that “we have to be very cautious with any drilling in the Gulf.”
When The Log pressed the governor about cutting through regulation and pushing forward what city leaders call “an emergency” project in the stabilization of Norriego Point, Scott was receptive and willing to help out.
“Get me the info and I will figure it out,” he said.
Scott’s words were music to the ears of city leaders, who know the dire straights the city faces when it comes to stabilizing Norriego Point. City Manager Maryann Ustick called it the city’s No. 1 issue.
“Having the governor supportive and attentive to this is critical,” she said. “It doesn’t hurt to be on the top of the pile.”
Mayor Sam Seevers told The Log that any help the governor could offer would be of great importance as the city moves forward.
“With all of us going to Tallahassee, we should be able to knock this out,” she said.
