Once Around The Mall

"People would come from places like Lake Wales to shop at the mall not realizing that 'mall' has different meanings," long time resident Larry Albritton told a group gathered at the Avon Park Historic Museum last Sunday. Avon Park's "Mile Long Mall" is the kind that is defined as "a public area often set with shade trees." Not the kind designed for shoppers. Although Larry did say that when he moved over from Wauchula back in 1958 the city had three department stores operating along the mall.

When he moved here it was also "a time when all the buildings were occupied," he said with a touch of nostalgia in his voice.

Larry Levey, the museum's president, is hosting a series of talks by local residents at what was once Avon Park's train station. He refers to the talks as the Summer Sundays Speakers' Series.

Last Sunday was the other Larry's (Albritton) turn to speak. Albritton, who was born and raised in Wauchula on a family spread along the Peace River, came to Avon Park 50 years ago to start his new profession of barbering. He had, in his youth, intended to be a professional orange picker. That career "lasted about 2 or 3 weeks," he recalled. Not only did barbering keep him out of the testy trees and the relentless sun, it put him in a position to watch the lovely Sue (Betty Sue) as she walked past the shop where he plied his trade. The couple recently celebrated their 47th anniversary.

Albritton, who is rapidly approaching 70, has not only viewed a changing city from the vantage point of his barber shop on Lake Avenue, he also served on the city council for 11 years starting in 1975, so he was able to share with the attentive group of listeners a lot of insight into the community. When he arrived, U.S. 27 was a recently completed two-lane highway and sadly it represented the beginning of the end for the mall's business activity. "There is nothing that can be done to help the downtown," he said.

Businesses migrated to where the traffic flows and the people follow.

The museum series continues throughout August. Watch for the announcements in your favorite local newspaper. There is no cost but donations are accepted, and refreshments are served.

A Shattered Sacred Trust
One of the attendees at the museum doings last week commenting on Albritton's 50 years of community commitment remarked about the lack of today's work ethics. He was referring to the fact that workers today may hold five or more jobs during their career. What he failed to mention was that today's work place has changed too.

There was a time that when a person applied for a job, especially at one of the larger companies, they were told about their potential future with the company including health care and retirement packages. "Come work for us," the companies said, "and in your later years we'll see to it that you will enjoy a comfortable worry-free retirement." Employees made long-term commitments to the company in exchange for the company's commitment to provide long-term benefits.

It Was A Sacred Trust
General Motors was one of those companies that entered into a sacred trust with their people. Until last week. While the announcement got little attention down here, in Detroit, the automobile center of the country, it made headline news. In a form letter GM told all their salaried retirees and their surviving spouses, "Effective January 1, 2009, GM is canceling health care coverage for salaried retirees and their dependents age 65 or older."

The Trust Is Broken
It becomes difficult for an employee to develop a work ethic toward a company when there is little incentive to do so. When promises can be broken. When it becomes difficult to plan because there are no assurances that the plans are built on a solid foundation.

Over the years I have talked to a bunch of loyal GM retirees almost all of whom were driving GM cars. They felt they had a moral obligation to the company that had "treated them so well." I wonder what make car they will be driving now that the sacred trust is shattered?