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I was having lunch in Dallas last week
with broadcasters Marty Greenburg, Michael Spears, and
George G. Before we began our business conversation I
mentioned that hurricane Ivan might be looking at Florida to
join cousins Charley and Frances. Marty said, “I don’t know
why anyone would live there…with that threat all the time”.
And I responded, “Because the other 364 days of the year are
so beautiful”. Since then I have had some time to think
about both statements, and I have come to the conclusion
that I must be crazy!!!! Here is why: First, I grew up in
the Texas Gulf Coast as the son of a rancher and rice
farmer. At least three hurricanes destroyed my father’s crop
and killed hundreds of cattle. It was tough going
financially for our family during those hurricane years.
Second, a radio station I co-owned was in a state that was
hit hard by a large hurricane, and all advertising was
cancelled or altered downward for almost a year. That was
tough, too. Third, Hurricane Andrew (a category five) hit
south Florida eleven years ago and created severe damage to
our neighborhood….no power, garbage collection, cable
(obviously), telephone service, air conditioning (it is HOT
in September in Florida), water and grocery stores for three
weeks. Fortunately, we did have our portable radio for
communication IF there were batteries to be found. Fourth:
The thought of a hurricane forming in the Atlantic is enough
to want to call for the nearest shrink, and who can afford
that!!!!!??????
I am not the only resident of Florida that is terrified of
an upcoming hurricane, or who has had damage. My attorney,
Jason Shrinksy, e-mailed this last week to cancel a lunch
because he was stuck in D.C. waiting for his Florida power
to be repaired and turned on again.
So, as I pondered Marty’s statement I starting thinking
about where one could move and not have major weather or
related event that was bad news. One of the places is El
Paso, a city of 800 thousand population. It is called the
SUN CITY because of the number of cloudless days.. only 10
cloudy days a year. In those clouds could be rain, and
occasionally snow. They have no earthquakes. And, no
tornadoes. Yes, it gets a little nippy in the winter, and
very hot in the summer…BUT one doesn’t have to worry about
mother natures fury. Hey, that all sounds pretty good!!! I
have a best friend living in El Paso, and he says “come on
out here..it is fabulous”. Any one of you readers have an
additional idea of a safe from nature city let me know, and
I will publish the info in some future column.
I have been in the eye of a hurricane. I WAS THERE…it was
frightening!!! Maybe Marty has the right idea. HOWEVER,
Florida is a beautiful state, and maybe it IS the other
beautiful 364 days that keeps folks there as a primary
resident. So, my solution is to have a residence in two
cities. A small apartment when Florida is out of whack
because of a hurricane!!! Dallas, Atlanta, Denver, New York,
Charlotte, Boston, Phoenix, and other great cities seem
right.
e-mail Kent
kent@kentburkhart.com
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