Here and Now: Two Promising Candidates for Mayor

[fieldafm]

http://unrestrainedliberal.blogspot.com/2010/10/two-promising-candidates-for-mayor.html

Two Promising Candidates for Mayor
Posted by Mikey on Thursday, October 07, 2010
One of the downsides to Jacksonville's consolidated government is that the city's leaders have to find a way to balance the interests and needs of folks who live in communities as different as Springfield and Jacksonville Heights; Mandarin and Bayard; Riverside and Argyle Forrest; Murray Hill and Oceanway.  In other words, it's a constant conflict between urban, suburban, and rural.  It's a difficult balancing act and one that no mayor has ever gotten just right.  I would even argue that finding such a balance is impossible.  Ultimately, Jacksonville will have to decide if she wants to be the anchor of a modern metropolitan region with a vibrant urban core or if she wants to be the overgrown and sprawling redneck backwater that the rest of the country sees us as.  You can probably guess my preference.

What I'm looking for in a mayor is someone who shares my vision of what Jacksonville can be.  As a city, we have been cursed by countless development plans started and abandoned.  One only need observe the downtown skyway for a perfect example of a good idea that was sabotaged by city leaders with no vision and less courage.  There aren't too many mass transit systems in this world that don't actually link people's homes with where those people want and need to go.  Our people-mover doesn't bother connecting to residential areas in Springfield, Riverside or San Marco.  Instead, one must drive and park.

Unfortunately, there are very few clues this early as to who amongst our mayoral candidates is not only dedicated to helping Jacksonville catch up with other modern American metropolitan cities that have been growing while we have been spreading, but who also has a clear and realistic vision for how to make this happen.  There are, however, some clues and the early indications suggest that we have two candidates who would most closely meet the qualities of the mayor I'm looking for.  Those two candidates are Audrey Moran and Jim Bailey.

Moran is currently the president of the Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless and previously she was Mayor Delaney's chief of staff.  She has expressed a familiarity with and support for elements of the New Urbanism movement which includes an emphasis on walkable neighborhoods and smart growth.  She has been endorsed by both Wayne Weaver and Tom Petway, two of our city's great civic leaders and philanthropists who have spent years working to make Jacksonville an engine of economic growth for the region.  Her experience running a non-profit organization that plays such a crucial role in our city has likely given Moran a unique perspective of the challenges the urban core must overcome before Jacksonville as a whole can progress.  In addition, she brings to the table the experience of having already worked at the highest level of the executive branch of Jacksonville's city government, thus already being aware of the political and business interests that frequently conspire to derail attempts at change and progress.

Jim Bailey is someone who I don't know quite as much about, but I still can't help but have a good feeling about him.  Although he has never held public office, he has a solid reputation in the downtown business community as an individual who is not only highly competent but also honest and ethical in both his personal and professional lives.  I, obviously, don't know Jim Bailey but people who do know Jim Bailey hold him in very high esteem as being that unique businessman with solid values and great integrity.  A policy wonk he ain't, but after spending the bulk of his career publishing The Daily Record it is hard to believe that a Bailey administration would suddenly loose interest in promoting the cause of creating an economically and culturally vibrant downtown.  It also doesn't hurt his chances that the Fireman Union is expected to throw their support behind him.  My biggest concern with Bailey is that he might have trouble navigating the murky, shark-infested political waters of City Hall if elected.  And while I don't believe he is anything like John Peyton, I still think Jacksonville could benefit from a break from businessmen trying to run our city like a corporation.  Despite these concerns, I sense Bailey has the potential to be a successful mayor so I wouldn't be disappointed if he won nor would I be disappointed if one of his gorgeous daughters wanted to call me sometime.  Just to talk.  No pressure.

Jacksonville has a wonderful opportunity with this election.   As a city, we have really wasted the past decade while other cities like Nashville and Charlotte that were once considered our equals on the national stage have pulled way ahead of us by developing and committing to a coherent strategy for becoming the great American cities of the 21st century.  These cities have been making huge strides while we have been simply widening our highways.  They might have a head start but Jacksonville isn't out of the game yet and by choosing the right leaders now we can start to make the bold investments in our future that will be needed if we don't want to be left behind.

[hillary supporter]

Both candidates identify with business as the answer of all our problems, particularly the vital ones you have pointed out. Bailey pointed out that city government should get out of the way, or pull back, and let local business have more freedom. Accordingly, his election will provide an incentive for local business to bring progress to Jacksonville.
Its the same old song from the Jacksonville Republican Party.
The  development of mass transit is NOT part of the republican plan for progress as it isnt immediately "good" for local business. Both past republican administrations have failed to move forward with Jacksonville mass transit. A third such mayor is destined to continue that. Dont expect them to overtly come out and say such.
But, in their minds , when it comes to mass transit and the 21st century, they wont hesitate to widen the highways. their predecessors didnt!
Wayne Weaver and Tom Petway are two of Jacksonvilles most successfull businessmen. They have no concern of mass transit. None.
With all due respect to both Mikey and fieldafm, I cant for the life of me understand how one can associate progressive mass transit development in Jacksonville with anyone of the Jacksonville republican party.

[simms3]

First of all I wouldn't claim to know that either of these two fine candidates (definitely my favorites) would ignore mass transit and immediately move to widen more highways.  You should let them speak for themselves on those issues.  Highways in America in every city that is growing as rapidly as ours need facility improvements via widening and/or new interchanges; it's hard to get around that.  Also, highway improvements are hardly up to the mayor; it's more of a state DOT decision.

Second of all on the municipal level, desire for mass transit trumps party lines in very many occasions.  There is hardly a metro over 750,000 people in America right now not vying fiercely for federal funding to develop some sort of alternative transit system.  The competition is really stiff, the funding low, and we are right in the thick of it (this is one area where expensive studies are necessary for the process).

[hillary supporter]

simms3, progressive development of mass transit is a cheerleader issue. No candidate in his right mind would say theyre "against mass transit". Especially ones courting support from this forum. I'm basing my opinion on experience, as what was done by the most recent administrations. Also,  the mayor of Jacksonville voices the direction of all development in Jacksonville. If he goes to Florida DOT and states his direction on highway direction, such is the strongest voice of the people of Jacksonville.
With the $50 billion trans bill in front of congress today, strongly used as a stimulus for economic recovery, the democrats, Obama,  have (or should i say had) proposed plenty of money for this objective. The stiff competition is more along lines of Jacksonvilles desire for development of rapid mass transit. Which has been detailed here by MetroJacksonville. As practically non existent.
And, has i stated in my post, is practically non existent from the recent republican city administrations.
Jim Bailey and Audry Moran appear to be the best liked and supported candidates on this forum. Probably strong contenders for 2011 mayor. Eithers selection, along with any of Duvals republican candidates, insures a dead issue for expansion of mass transit in our city. Which is the view of the majority of Jacksonville voters. Many who post on this forum itself.

[CS Foltz]

I want to know just what any of the mayoral candidates think about this issue! Anyone of them can step up to the line and the clock is ticking!

[fieldafm]

Eithers selection, along with any of Duvals republican candidates, insures a dead issue for expansion of mass transit in our city.

With all due respect... you are quite simply wrong.

[tufsu1]

Jim Bailey and Audry Moran appear to be the best liked and supported candidates on this forum. Probably strong contenders for 2011 mayor. Eithers selection, along with any of Duvals republican candidates, insures a dead issue for expansion of mass transit in our city. Which is the view of the majority of Jacksonville voters. Many who post on this forum itself.

so basically you're saying Democrats are the only ones who can support transit...while I disagree with this assertion, what would you say if I told you Audrey Moran was a registered Democrat at one time?

[kells904]

Hillary Supporter:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks to me like you're only going off your observations of the past and the opinions you formed from them.  If you're right or wrong, I can't find any fault with that, plus I think it can only help to have skepticism in this process.  Local Republicans are going to have to shake the "business as usual" stereotype, and every candidate's gonna have to put in some work.

Even though I like Mr. Weaver, I don't care about high-profile endorsements.

Viable mass transit is a necessity in EVERY major city in the world.  Half-assed efforts (BRT) yield half-assed results, and the MJ staff have identified 1,001 half-assed efforts by the City.  I personally don't oppose paying taxes; it's just that I expect my government to waste it.  History has shown that.  Jacksonville's got so much work to do...we absolutely MUST get it right this time.

So hopefully these Red candidates will prove you wrong, hillary.  If they do, we all win.

[hillary supporter]

Eithers selection, along with any of Duvals republican candidates, insures a dead issue for expansion of mass transit in our city.

With all due respect... you are quite simply wrong.

Prove it!

Hillary Supporter:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks to me like you're only going off your observations of the past and the opinions you formed from them.  If you're right or wrong, I can't find any fault with that, plus I think it can only help to have skepticism in this process.  Local Republicans are going to have to shake the "business as usual" stereotype, and every candidate's gonna have to put in some work.

Even though I like Mr. Weaver, I don't care about high-profile endorsements.

Viable mass transit is a necessity in EVERY major city in the world.  Half-assed efforts (BRT) yield half-assed results, and the MJ staff have identified 1,001 half-assed efforts by the City.  I personally don't oppose paying taxes; it's just that I expect my government to waste it.  History has shown that.  Jacksonville's got so much work to do...we absolutely MUST get it right this time.

So hopefully these Red candidates will prove you wrong, hillary.  If they do, we all win.

Youve just said the same thing i said, except you expect,no hope, they will change. The past two havent, ive no reason to believe the third will ( hence my opinion is based on this experience), So im voting democrat now.

Jim Bailey and Audry Moran appear to be the best liked and supported candidates on this forum. Probably strong contenders for 2011 mayor. Eithers selection, along with any of Duvals republican candidates, insures a dead issue for expansion of mass transit in our city. Which is the view of the majority of Jacksonville voters. Many who post on this forum itself.

so basically you're saying Democrats are the only ones who can support transit...while I disagree with this assertion, what would you say if I told you Audrey Moran was a registered Democrat at one time?

.  Id say shes a republican NOW!

[fieldafm]

First off, for us to have a constructive conversation, you are going to have to agree that there are pretty intelligent people around that want our community to succeed that have both 'Democrat' and 'Republican' stamped on a voter registration card.  Otherwise, there won't be much common ground b/w us.

Three out of the four Republican candidates have welcomed conversations regarding fixed mass transit in this city.  Maybe instead of answering for them, you should ask them personally about their opinions/thoughts on the matter.  I'd honestly like to know Alvin Brown's thoughts on the matter.

Not everyone that is a Republican mayoral candidate is a carbon copy of Mayor Peyton(Alvin Brown gave support for Mayor's Peyton budget and millage increase, does that mean that he now is a Peyton clone?).  It should also be noted that the previous Republican mayor passed a massive sales tax hike and public spending project called 'The Better Jacksonville Plan' and now sits atop the state's rail committee.  

BTW, Im in favor of actively working on bringing a modern transit system to our city... but do you really think the majority of Jacksonville has the stomach and is actively pining for the kind of capital spending and public subsidies that it will take to both build such a system and then incentivize private business to infill the type of TOD that is hoped to be attracted with fixed mass transit?  I certainly do, but for a city that has the spending figures they've been spoonfed about the Skyway fixated in their head, its going to be a slow and incremental process IMHO.  

[hillary supporter]

First off, for us to have an constructive conversation, you are going to have to agree that there are pretty intelligent people around that want our community to succeed that have both 'Democrat' and 'Republican' stamped on a voter registration card.  Otherwise, there won't be much common ground b/w us.

Agreed. My question is the word "succeed". Its a general term, one i believe is discourged in these times by fixed mass transit. Especially with the paradox of Jacksonvilles fixed system.

[/quote]Three out of the four Republican candidates have welcomed conversations regarding fixed mass transit in this city.  Maybe instead of answering for them, you should ask them personally about their opinions/thoughts on the matter.  I'd honestly like to know Alvin Brown's thoughts on the matter.[/quote]
Ive heard such and, again, its a bit of lip service to me. I only have the experience of past mayoral administrations. The republican ones hindered development, while the democrats move forward, in acted
Skyway.

[/quote]Not everyone that is a Republican mayoral candidate is a carbon copy of Mayor Peyton(Alvin Brown gave support for Mayor's Peyton budget and millage increase, does that mean that he now is a Peyton clone?).  It should also be noted that the previous Republican mayor passed a massive sales tax hike and public spending project called 'The Better Jacksonville Plan' and now sits atop the state's rail committee.[/quote] Jax demos and republicans do work together on many issues. But im addressing the Mayors administration, whom dictates policy,direction, in our case of fixed mass transit. I have no doubt, the best most openminded direction would be democratic. Mass transit in Jacksonville is heavily a social issue. Democrats have proven to me they are the most concerned of such, particularly in Jacksonville.

[/quote]BTW, Im in favor of actively working on bringing a modern transit system to our city... but do you really think the majority of Jacksonville has the stomach and is actively pining for the kind of capital spending and public subsidies that it will take to both build such a system and then incentivize private business to infill the type of TOD that is hoped to be attracted with fixed mass transit?[/quote]
I dont, im actually  sure a huge majority are against fixed mass transit in Jax (as i infered earlier) I just dont see any republican taking a stand against such a strong anti movement           
[/quote]I certainly do, but for a city that has the spending figures they've been spoonfed about the Skyway fixated in their head, its going to be a slow and incremental process IMHO. 
[/quote]
Agreed, im just looking for a step forward, the republicans havent done so, and historically the democrats in Jacksonville have done all the work (in our distant past).

[kells904]

Youve just said the same thing i said, except you expect,no hope, they will change. The past two havent, ive no reason to believe the third will ( hence my opinion is based on this experience), So im voting democrat now.

Yeah, I guess you could say that.  But it doesn't make sense to me for you to simply vote Democrat automatically.  If the candidates you like is based on their ideas and accomplishments (and whatever else) and that leads you to Democrats, then that's cool. But none of us should have "democrat" or "republican" on our registration cards.  Both sides are pretty f---ed up.

Again...a "we'll see" situation...

[fieldafm]

Ive heard such and, again, its a bit of lip service to me. I only have the experience of past mayoral administrations. The republican ones hindered development, while the democrats move forward, in acted
Skyway.

Godbold brought the Skyway here for sure... but I will counter by saying that on a per capita basis, Delaney and Godbold had roughly the same amount of capital spending on quality of life issues during their respective terms... and Delaney's capital spending projects came more from Duval county's pockets, contrasting that with all of the federal money Godbold used.  That's quite a feat IMO.

Also, Godbold has been on record saying that if he would do it all over again, he would have never pushed to build the Skyway.

As an aside, I have a very soft spot in my heart for Jake Godbold.

The republican ones hindered development

Development of what?  River City Rennaisance and ESPECIALLY BJP were some awfully large programs.
80% of Jacksonville said that Jacksonville was going in the right direction when Delaney left office, btw.

[thelakelander]

To be fair to Delaney, the BJP had $100 million set aside for mass transit.  We could have developed a very nice starter system with that type of money, without federal help.  Unfortunately, JTA decided BRT was the best way to go, did very little with the cash, the economy tanked, courthouse prices shot up and that money disappeared.

[thelakelander]

Regarding these candidates views to mass transit, Mullaney is receptive to the concept but believes the city needs to get its financial house in order first.  If that can be done, he believes we can fund mass transit and a lot of other projects without raising taxes.  He's met with us a few times at Three Layers to learn more about the concept and its role on economic development.  We met with Audrey Moran at Chicago Pizza a few months back and she seems receptive to the concept as well.  However, the other week at City Kidz, it seemed like she believed taxes would have to be raised to fund such a major capital project.  Glorious Johnson is also a big fan of mass transit although I have not heard from her lately.  We've also pitched the concept to Bailey's people a few months back but I'm not sure of how they took it.

I would advise all candidates to follow the planning department's 2030 Mobility Plan process currently underway.  If successful, there will be additional money available for many of these projects that won't require the city to immediately raise taxes.  If I were a candidate, I'd wrap that whole plan into my campaign.