Early November 2009 - Pelican Bay

The H2B programBy Jim Hoppensteadt, Foundation PresidentThe Foundation is continuingour H2B program for theupcoming season. From thestandpoints of recruitmentexpenses, cost to implementthe program (including housingand cost of capital), reductionin benefit expense,reduction in unemploymentcompensation exposure, increasingthe pool of experiencedservice workers, andincreasing retention, the H2Bprogram benefits the Foundationand its membershipon all accounts. In fact, theH2B program is designedspecifically to mitigate thecosts of seasonal staffing, whileproviding a reliable, sustainable(unless the governmentintervenes) source of experiencedservice workers — particularlyin resort markets.With the most recent unemploymentrate for the Naplesarea being reported at 12.6%,one might think that therewould be a glut of workers;however, it’s not the overallavailability of workers that’srelevant, it’s the type and qualityof available workers. If youlook a little deeper into ourarea’s unemployment, youquickly find that half of the unemploymentis in agriculturallyrelated jobs. The other twomajor job categories showingsignificant unemployment areMining, Logging, Construction,and Trade, Transportation,and Utilities.As you look at the Leisureand Hospitality employmentstatistics, it is important tonote that in 2005, throughthe first eight months of thecalendar year, there was anaverage of 21,700 employedin this service field — arguablyat the height of Naples’wildlife...continued from page 8We can then do the follow upand contact the appropriateservice department to handlethe situation.There is no black and whiteanswer for any alligator issue,but we will do our bestwith the information wehave and in conjunction withthe Florida Fish and Wildlifeboom. In 2009, through Augustof this year, there hasbeen an average of 21,425workers employed in theleisure and hospitality field;a decrease of only 1.2%. Sowhile companies like theBonita Bay Group have laidoff a number of employeesover the past year, during thesame timeframe, seven newrestaurants have openedin Mercato alone. In fact, ifyou visit one of the newestof these, Blue Martini,you will find that this is stillprimarily staffed with corporate,out-of-town employees.Walking down 3 rd Street on aSaturday night in October, SeaSalt, Campiello’s, HandsomeHarry’s, Ridgeway Grill, andTommy Bahama’s were allopen and apparently doing abrisk business. Turning up 5 thAve. S, the only apparent restaurantclosing is Trilogy’s…everybody else seems to behanging in there…the serviceenvironment in Naples iscertainly unique.While competition foryear-round service workersin Naples is still tough(despite the economy — asreflected above), the supplyof seasonal workers is evenmore scarce. The Foundationgoes from a workforce levelof approximately 120 in theoff-season, to almost 300 inseason.The Foundation’sstaffing ramp-up and dropoffof these levels is veryabrupt, during a timeframewhere every other serviceentity is trying to gear up aswell. The H2B program hasserved the Foundation well,and we expect it to do so forthe foreseeable future.Commission to do what isbest for the community andthe alligator. For questionson alligators or any otherwildlife issue in Pelican Bay,feel free to contact me at 239-596-6180 ext. 235 or via emailat rdahn@pelicanbay.org.Beach GourmetWelcome back! It is a pleasureto see the familiar facesof friends and neighbors asthey return to our beautifulPelican Bay. There have beenlots of changes at the restaurantswhile you were gone.So please, read on!The Sandpiper was closedfor renovations as we hardenedit for future hurricanes.It has a new roof, a new A/Csystem, new Anderson hurricaneglass windows, and anew tile floor. The new floorwill be a help with cleanup,but more importantly,be a great help with membersafety.The Sandbar is featuring areally nice selection of lightPelican Bay Resident RealtorCelebrating her Silver Anniversaryof providing world-class serviceto clients for over 25 years.When it comes to Pelican Bay,let Sheila’s expertise guideyou home!Gulfshore Life Best in ClientSatisfaction Award — Top 7%of Southwest Florida Realtors“Beach Fare” entrees. Hoursof operation are 11:30amto 8pm daily, seven days aweek. We continue to offerfun daily specials, whichyou can find posted on ourwebsite; and daily drinkspecials on beer, wine andspirits. The Happy Hourspecials are the best! (Try the$3 Sea Breeze — Yummy!)The Sandbar will offer itsmillion dollar views and casualspecials, so stop by andsee Mary, Kyle, Ralph, Daveand April to enjoy the funand exciting experience ofthe “Sunset Cafe” during theconstruction transition.There is a new menu there,which I detailed in the lastBy Sheila VarnumThanksgiving Dayat the beachSandpiperThanksgiving breakfast8:30-10:30amThanksgiving dinner12-8pmSandbarThanksgiving dinner12-8pmBeach Gourmet, and it hasbeen very well received.Another fresh new menu willbe rolled out at the Café forthe upcoming season.SandpiperThe Sandpiper will be opencontinued on page 11Call Todayfor yourcomprehensivemarketevaluation.Direct: 239-596-1453Mobile: 239-272-1443Sheila@Varnum.comwww.SheilaVarnum.comwww.pelicanbay.org Pelican Bay Post, Early November 2009 9