Oct 16 Wrap: To drill or not to drill? Not a simple question.

Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast cranked it up a notch with this week's guest, State Representative William Snyder (District 82), who was on hand to discuss the topic of offshore drilling.

Points covered included the economic benefits offshore drilling may provide to help Florida relieve its current $2.4 billion budget deficit, environmental concerns and safeguards, and how exploration and drilling technology has improved since the ban on offshore drilling went into effect here in Florida in 1990.

Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors also discussed St. Lucie County's progress in establishng tourism and sporting endeavors with Grand Bahama Island. And, they touched upon the two-month new Coastal Angler Magazine Flahama issue that's being well-received both in Florida and the Bahamas.

Robin issued the Getaway Giveaway question of the week, which is: Who is Florida's featured artist for Historic Preservation Month? First one to send the correct answer to talkintourism@gmail.com wins a Harborage Yacht Club & Marina 3-day, 2-night boaters getaway.

Talkin' Tourism is pleased to serve as a platform for providing information on this lively, provocative and potentially emotional issue. Talkin' Tourism will continue to keep listeners informed through various guests in the future. If you wish to appear as a guest on the show to provide information, perspective or a point of view on this topic, please contact Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast at talkintourism@gmail.com The only criteria for being granted an appearance on the show regarding this issue is that you or the organization you represent be engaged in the tourism industry.

Special thanks to Representative William Snyder for taking time out of his busy schedule to appear on the show.

If you missed the show, you can download it or listen to it HERE.

Guests and subject line-up for this week's show (Friday at 10 a.m.) to be posted later this week.

CORRECTION: Listeners, please note that the reference to Enid Atwater as the wife of Senate President Jeff Atwater was certainly incorrect. Ms. Enid Atwater is Jeff Atwater’s sister.

Florida Exchanging Suntan Oil for Crude Oil?

In the final weeks of the spring legislative session, a bill was introduced to give the Florida Cabinet the power to grant oil and gas drilling leases in state waters. The proposal has the backing of the oil industry, as well as key business lobbyists. The Florida Senate has not yet voted on the bill approved by the Floria House. Proponents plan to file a similar proposal again, though the details are not yet set. Governor Charlie Crist has said he thinks the proposal is worth considering as early as this year during the special session; however, legislative leaders say it’s more likely to be considered next year in the 2010 regular session.

It's no surprise that environmental groups, as well as some tourism-industry associations, are opposed to offshore drilling. They are concerned drilling may negatively impact state beaches and natural resources.

Listeners, this is a topic that Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast wants you to know about. Both the pros and cons of this topic needs public thought and comment. To quote Bob Gabordi, executive editor of the Tallahassee Democrat (http://www.news-press.com/): "On an issue this important, with implications this far reaching, Floridians deserve the best thinking and information. Our concern is to make the process as fair as possible so that the best ideas, not the best politics, win the day.”

This week, Talkin' Tourism is honored to have the Honorable William “Bill" B. Snyder, Florida House of Representatives, District 82, in the studio to help educate the listening audience on this issue. Not only is this a Florida issue, it's an issue of global impact to the energy industry, as well as the tourism industry.

Get informed! Tune in Friday (October 16) to WPSL 1590 a.m. or to http://www.wpsl.com/ (to listen to the show's livestream via computer) at 10 a.m. to learn more about this issue and its possible implications.