Recession hitting some harder than others

Sales tax revenues in the Laguna Madre are up over last year, but area residents and businesses are feeling the pinch of the national recession, some more than others.

Henry Lubbeck, who was one of the politicians who organized Laguna Vista into an incorporated town many years ago, said nothing has changed for him.

"I don’t do things any different, I’m still the same," he said. "As long as nobody bothers my pension or my Social Security I’m OK."

Amazing Walter McDonald, who is organizing October’s Sandcastle Days again this year, said, "I’m as broke as I was before the recession. My economy is day-to-day. But I see people around me, friends of mine, having trouble, and that bothers me."

As for Sandcastle Days, he said that "it’s always a struggle to get everything in place, and this time is no different. We have more sculptors coming, but at the same time we’ve lost some outside sponsors. We can always use help there."

But it was a different story for most.

"We’re not eating out very much," said Kay Lay, who partners with Steve Hathcock to operate a private museum on South Padre Island. "It’s not only the recession, but also a really slow season on top of that. I hate cooking, but I’m doing a lot of it. I’m becoming a regular hausfrau.

"We haven’t lost anything, but the gains are smaller."

She said they let the part time domestic help go. Long trips are out of the question, and she keeps a close eye on the political climate.

"We’re still driving the old rust bucket," she said. "We’d like to get a new one, but not this year."

Verne Lewis and his wife operate Isla, a clothing store on Padre Boulevard. Lewis also is instrumental in bringing college varsity basketball to the Island.

"I get to fish a lot more," he said. "There’s no business, so let’s go fishing."

He said business is off compared to 2007, but up compared to last year.

Lewis still manages to squeeze in some travel. "I haven’t cut distances, but I’ve cut the length of stay on each trip," he said, adding that he hopes the recession turns the corner by January 2010 so "we can all be off to the races again."

Stacy MacMillen owns LunaSea, a clothing and accessory store at the shopping center in front of Saida Towers.

"The recession has cut into sales, and that’s cut into my income," she said. "I’ve had to adjust. I’m promoting more sales in the store, and my regular customers try to accommodate that."

As for her own personal life, "I’m like everybody else, looking for a good deal," she said. "I’m hoping for a turnaround within the next year."