Picture this – an empty plot of beachfront land, the community trying to decide what to construct in its place, a bar or family-oriented restaurant, and in the midst of the arguments, Beirut is slammed a number of times:
Proponents of the [bar] project included Amit Patel, of the Rodeway Inn in Daytona Beach.
“It looks like Beirut when you drive down Daytona,” Mr. Patel said referring to the empty lot on which the developers want to build. “It looks bad. I just want something there.”
Other suggestions for the property included turning it into a beachfront park.
“I would love more than anything to see that property developed (into a park),” said resident Randall Phillips. “It’s like a war zone when you look at that property.”
[…]
Edith Shelley, who is also running for city commission Zone 1, said she was appalled at the exaggerations that were made.
“Anyone who says our beachfront looks like Beirut obviously has not been to Beirut,” said Ms. Shelley.
Edith’s comment was definitely the icing on the cake. Who would have thought that you’d have such a concentration of poorly informed people living in the same area. Maybe it’s all that sea air getting into their brains. Nevertheless, certificates will be mailed out, in the meantime, you can admire the award here until you receive it (Amit, Randall, Edith).
Apparently this plot of land "looks like Beirut".
If it’s any consolation, at least there aren’t any burnt cars or pile of garbage on the land!
Good work though on helping to end the Beirut=warzone stereotype, quite frankly after 20 years of peace, it’s pretty lame!!
Thanks! Hopefully we’ll rid the world of the cliche.
Good site here guys, and for the record I was the one who first stated the area in question “looked like a war zone”. I never mention Beirut. I own a bar here in town and many students from many different foreign countries, continue to frequent my establishment. I would never hint to say that another place to where I’ve never visited looks like a war zone. I’ve lived here in Daytona for more than 30 years and yes our beach side continues to look like a “war zone”.
From someone who was born and raised in the Middle East, lived in Daytona Beach for 5 years, and visited Beirut well over 5 times, I have to admit that both towns are as adorable as their people! Big it Up Gents!
Yeah …looks like you jumped to conclusions about what Randall actually said…looks like you are gonna have to take back your award and maybe apologize…people in Beirut do that, right?
Randall, Doug, thanks for the comment. I’ve re-read the article and the journalist clearly has Randall’s quote sandwhiched between Patel’s and Edith’s Beirut comment which would suggest agreement with their point of view. There is nothing to apologize for – you’ve made your point and I’ve made mine. Although Randall you didn’t mention Beirut, the article does suggest you might have. Now that you have cleared the confusion, a certificate will be dispatch to the journalist, Jennifer Sheppard, as she tied you in to the comment.
Wow wasn’t looking for an apology. I saw what was written and I knew more than likely I would have came up with the same conclusion. I just didn’t want it to seem like “the sea air was getting to my brain”. I will be keeping an eye out for these comment for you too! And respectfully correcting the masses as I meet them!
Thanks Randall! I do apologize though, I really didn’t mean the “sea air” comment as anything personal – its just that the “looks like Beirut” phrase gets me really fired up. Since I started this blog in 2009, I’ve sent over 70 certificates and I know that I’ve still got a long way to change people’s perception.
I am thrilled though that you would help in my cyber crusade.
Thanks again.