Governor offers comforting words
To the editor:
We are facing an unprecedented incident. I have visited with business owners in Pensacola, Destin, Panama City and St. Petersburg. They are hurting. The oil spill has affected the livelihoods of families and businesses along our coasts, as well as other areas of the state.
That’s why I called together the Gulf Oil Spill Economic Recovery Task Force, which met this week, to help ensure as minimal impact as possible to our businesses, and help us make sure they have every opportunity to keep their doors open and to grow and prosper. The Task Force will help to monitor BP’s efforts to provide financial relief to businesses filing for assistance. They will also help gather and track appropriate economic losses.
Most importantly, we need to take every opportunity to make certain Floridians, our nation, and the world knows the Sunshine State remains open for business, and is a great place to enjoy a wonderful vacation. The vast majority of our beaches are still clean and pristine, and our seafood is delicious and healthy.
Floridians have proven time and again, we are resilient people, and we will come through this if we continue to work together.In the meantime, keep eating Florida seafood, keep coming to our beaches, keep fishing in our ocean.
Thank you and God bless.
Charlie Crist
Florida Governor
Tallahassee