I don't know about you, but I love Rocky movies.  I've seen them all at least a dozen or more times.  Sure, the fight scenes are a little contrived and Adrian can sometimes get on my nerves, but I like Rocky mostly for the philosophy on life that can be drawn out of every frame.  You can learn a lot from a beaten up, punch-drunk boxer.

       You see, Rocky is the classic American story.  A man of modest means yearning to be something other than "just another bum from the neighborhood," so he does what he has learned to do best while trying to survive on the streets in Philadelphia - he fights.  He trains hard, works his way up through to the boxing elite, and ascends from poverty to riches just to have it all taken away, while learning that the riches and fame aren't what matter; what matters are the things that last - faith, family, love, dignity, and self-respect.            

I have a file where I keep quotes that have touched my life through the years, and in it are many such axioms from Rocky.    

One quote is taken from the latest installment in the series, Rocky Balboa.  The old fighter is talking to his son.  The son likes to blame his dad for all of his life's shortcomings.  The son, like many of us, blames everyone other than himself for the way his life is.  In one of the most inspirational moments in the movie, Rocky seeks to encourage his son.  Listen to what he says."You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life.  But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward.  How much you can take, and keep moving forward.  That's how winning is done.  Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth.  But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody.  Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that!" 

Wise words from an old fighter.         

The essence of what Rocky is saying here can be applied to many areas in life, including our passion and zeal for the betterment of your community as well as the state of business here in Pascagoula. 

We have all weathered literal and economic storms.  We've been through alot, but yet we are still standing.  No, all of the problems and issues are not resolved and redevelopment and recovery still seems to be moving largely at a snail's pace, but Pascagoula is moving forward, thanks in large part to you as citizens who have invested yourselves into our community.  By being here tonight, you all are showing your desire to invest your time, resources and yes, even your selves into making a better Pascagoula.

As the manager of a local small business I have seen the decline in my revenues and have had to rethink and restructure.  Change is no longer a four letter word (think about that for a minute)- change is a must.  Do or die.  I have looked into the eyes of dedicated, longtime employees as I tell them they are being laid off, knowing full well what their families will be facing.  I feel the stress and know the sleepless nights.  From where I sit not only as a business manager but more so as an elected official, I believe that it is time that we light a fire under ourselves and our fellow citizens by uniting together to encourage everyone who truly cares about Pascagoula and its future to make our money and ourselves count!  As Rocky said, "If you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth."

        The truth is that those in Washington D.C. or Jackson or even in city hall cannot do what each and every one of us can do for ourselves and for our great city.  There are no bailouts or stimulus packages around the corner here - this isn't DC - this is Pascagoula.  It is time that we as citizens wake up to the cold hard facts and recognize the reality at hand.  Doing business in Pascagoula can be a challenge - believe me, I know.  People have a tendency to drive across the bridge or across the stateline when in reality, what they are looking for is sitting right in their back door.  We must change that mindset.  In addition to that, every dollar that is spent outside of Pascagoula is one more dollar that we as a city must make up somewhere, whether in the form of a loss of services, such as streets not being paved and drainage not being repaired, or in the form of a millage (yes, tax) increase which comes directly from your wallet - which I surely don't want to see happen.  If every citizen of Pascagoula truly thought before they bought we would see an enormous upswing in sales tax revenues, despite the current economic downturn, which would in turn provide the city with greater opportunities to accomplish those things we all want to see - including more business options.

And I have to tell you.I hear almost every day how we need more retail shopping options or more restaurants or more this kind of business or that kind of business - we've all heard and said this.  The truth is that unless we first support what we have now we will never have more.  I have talked to many struggling business owners and managers who have caught the vision of what Pascagoula can be but are now losing their passion because of apathy.  By thinking before we buy, we invest in Pascagoula's future.  Our businesses have invested in Pascagoula; the citizens of Pascagoula should be investing in them.  And when the citizens invest in local businesses, we as a city can provide more amenities, lower our tax burden, attract more options, and strengthen our local economy.

So the public has a stake in how Pascagoula succeeds or fails, but so do these businesses.

Being in business in Pascagoula is challenging right now - I won't deny that.  Cost of Goods have increased, the minimum wage has gone up, public apathy, national politicians seem to want to tax businesses more daily, employee healthcare is a concern, and on and on I could go.  The deck seems stacked against us. 

But we as small business managers and owners must take ownership as well for how our line of business fairs.  There is no pile of money any government is providing  - local, state, or federal.  It is up to us to do the small things right first. 

And we can begin by asking ourselves the tough questions -      

* Am I open during hours to best serve the public or best serve me?       

* Am I selling products or services that are marketable in this area or just selling items that I want?      

* Am I pricing myself out of this market?  This is a major concern in this area and we must acknowledge this fact.      

* Is my customer service up to a level where people feel welcome and served with a smile?  Am I people focused?      

* Am I open to criticism, good and the bad, or do I shy away from productive ideas?     

* Am I properly capitalized before I go into business?  This is another major factor. So often people go into business ill prepared for what that means. And we're all left thinking that we won't support new businesses and that is not always the case - sometimes new business owners just don't quite know the ropes fully.

* Is my product or service consistent?  Can I go in a get the same steak cooked the same way each time?  Can I get the same shirt or dress?  Is there someone at the desk that I'll know when I walk in? Consistency is key.          

And on and on I could go.         

The small business owner and manager must think about the public, the location and area the business is in, and be open to change if they want to succeed and thrive.  It's not 1959; heck it's not 1999; it's 2009 and we must meet the challenges head on.           

Local government also must come to the table.  We as a City must be business friendly and think customer service above all else just like these businesses.  This means at City Hall, at Code Enforcement, and elsewhere. We must create an environment where businesses want to locate and people want to live.          

Pascagoula is not just a blue collar town as some would have you believe.  Pascagoula is so much more.  We are poised for progress and with a little care and handling and continued beautification, planning, and assistance we can capitalize on the many positives on the horizon.

The great German author and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once stated, "Treat a man as he appears to be and you make him worse.  But treat a man as if he already were what he potentially could be, and you make him what he should be."  I believe this to be true in regards to Pascagoula's future.         

As long as the citizens and leaders of Pascagoula brand our city simply a "blue collar town," that is all we will be and no more.  Our economy will stay mostly the same.  The amenities of living here will never be enhanced.  New businesses will not come our way.  The plans and dreams of so many will never be realized.  If we treat Pascagoula as it appears to be, it will only get worse. 

It is time we treat Pascagoula as if our city already were what it potentially could be.  It is time for Pascagoula to start portraying what it wants and deserves.  Our citizens and leaders need to begin seeing Pascagoula differently.  We all must begin talking about Pascagoula in a new way.  We can no longer sell ourselves short just because someone says Pascagoula will only be a "blue collar town."  It can only remain that way if we treat it that way.           

It has been my personal goal for some time now to invest myself into Pascagoula.  But I am not alone in this venture.  There are hundreds people all across Pascagoula in every walk of life that participate daily in helping to secure a more attractive and enhanced city.  There are hundreds more that could give of themselves for the betterment of our city.  City government leaders cannot achieve the vision alone - it takes everyone speaking and portraying a positive Pascagoula.  What you do in our city, for our city matters.  How you think of and speak about our city also matters, if not more.         

So don't be one of those nameless, spineless accusers in the Sound Off or on those internet blogs.  Don't talk down about those around you. If you've got something to say, say it productively and be ready to invest yourself in solving the issue at hand.  When people come to me with an issue, I'll be more than happy to listen and counsel, but I'm going to expect action from that person. We must lift each other up and hold each other accountable.          

So let me encourage you to represent a positive Pascagoula in word and deed, in your day to day life, in your business and home.  No more branding or labeling that only serves to diminish the vision and dreams of your fellow citizens. 

Each of us need to be treating Pascagoula as if it had already reached its potential, thus enabling Pascagoula to be what it should be - a truly great place to live, work, worship and play.   

And don't forget what that old fighter said, "It ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward.  How much you can take, and keep moving forward.  That's how winning is done.  Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth.  But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody.  Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that" - you're from Pascagoula.