Could We Stand ‘Tragedy’ of Full Employment?

Mom liked to listen to Billy Graham when he’d preach salvation on crusades around the globe. One quote the good evangelist proclaimed that stuck with me like peanut butter: There are two tragedies in life: not getting what you want, and getting what you want.
The North Carolinian was onto something that can easily be transferred to Cape May County. Right now the salvation for this geographically terrific pocket of unemployment seems to be employment. With it, however, would follow consequences that, to this point, have fallen on hard times or have been rejected outright by the populace.
For starters, affordable housing would be needed, lots of it. Until now, that crying need has been as well accepted as increased taxes. “Put ‘em anywhere but here,” is the general consensus on that housing needed by working class families. Sorry to aggravate, but it’s true.
It would doubtless mean the loss of precious open space. Few want that, even if it means a paycheck instead of an unemployment check. For sure the state Department of Environmental Protection and various groups would suffocate even the idea of building large plants that could employ hundreds. You can’t have it both ways.
Last week we reported on two upcoming job fairs, and a firm seeking 600 workers. Those events are being held to counter the nasty tales so often heard about the lack of ambitious local workers to fill seasonal jobs. In case you breezed past that story on your way to Spout Off or the even more exciting Dining and Entertainment section, those fairs will be held March 24 in Wildwoods Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hosted by the county’s Advisory Commission on the Status of Women.
The next will be in Stone Harbor on March 31 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. hosted by the local Chamber of Commerce to fill positions from a variety of employers.
Finally, it told of 600 jobs Morey’s Piers has available, and would like to fill them with local people. I will be very anxious to learn the outcome. If you go, let me know.
Just how many folks will attend those fairs of potential places of employment is anyone’s guess. For those motivated from youth with a work ethic, these are but the key in the door to opportunity. They will likely go, complete applications and attempt to convince employers why they ought to be considered over anyone else for a job. There are still among us those who value working hard over not working. Isn’t it odd that such people do not have any problem finding and keeping a job?
Driving to the office last week, I imagined Cape May County maxed out with places to work, factories, etc. Could we stand it? Would we survive the prospect of nearly full, year-round employment with jobs that paid $20 an hour or more (because that’s probably the minimum we need to fend off the bill collector and still have insurance and a buck left over to play the lottery).
Driving past a few of Ralph Sheets’ fields in Green Creek, I wondered what they’d be like with grain elevators and feed trucks hauling grain to chicken houses throughout the county. After World War II there were many poultry farms, especially in the northern part of the county. Would there be complaints about odor if such Delmarva-like structures were to spring up here?
Imagine, Mayor Bill Pikolycky, factories once again humming three shifts in the Borough of Woodbine. They would be churning out clothing made by Cape May County workers, pants, shirts, ties, socks, shoes (sneakers???). Think of that thriving town that once was Woodbine, restored as the northern shopping hub of Cape May County with stores and malls and restaurants and firms that employed hundreds of people or more. Weekends would not be complete without a visit to Woodbine. It could happen, but is the county truly ready, are we, the people, prepared for such fortune?
Imagine, Mayor Ernie Troiano, a Wildwood Boardwalk, partially enclosed, so that crowds could visit the city’s seaside walk and attractions year round, stroll the wooden way, ride the rides, nibble the fresh-air fare that doesn’t taste the same at home, and otherwise enjoy wholesome exercise regardless of weather.
Think of the expanded possibility of small, off-season (sorry “quiet” season) conventions in Wildwood. They could attract 5,000 or so attendees in mid-February or March. Bringing spouses or significant others, there would have to be at least 5,000 hotel rooms available for those folks. They’d need restaurants year round. They’d need taxis and cleaners, banks and travel services. Some would need to fly here via their jets. Lacking a fixed-base operator at the county airport doesn’t send a good message to them.
Think of all the people who would be needed (i.e. employed) to keep such a 365-year tourist season going. Wildwood Linen would be pressing sheets and pillowcases around the clock, just to keep up with demand. It would be incredible.
Before blinking your eyes, ask, “If these pipe dreams came true, would we be satisfied as a county that we had jobs and sufficient money to comfortably live?”
Do we possess the will to work? Are we imbued with vigor to work nights and weekends, 12 months a year, to make our fortunes? Would that be sufficient reason for our sons and daughters to go off to college and return here to make their future in a county far different than the sleepy, largely unemployed place we now call home?
Rethink Dr. Graham’s words. What would be the greater tragedy unemployment or jobs?