2010-856- Transient Vendors in Jacksonville

[dougskiles]

Having now been enlightened by Robert's incredible sausage dogs (thanks for the trip - Mr. Noone!) I hope that this bill is withdrawn.  I haven't seen much or anything from the TU editorial writers on this one.  I wonder why?

So what would happen to the Southside Unitied Methodist Church pumpkin lot and the Hendricks Avenue Patrols christmas tree lot if the Gate on Hendricks decides to sell pumpkins and christmas trees?

Also, it seems to me that if the city wants to 'level the playing field' would it not be more appropriate to do so with the tax rate than to eliminate the competition altogether?

[Noone]

Agreed.  No body goes 'out to dinner' only to hit up the closest hot dog cart.

That is a great point.

A&W?  Wow, I haven't seen one of those in 20 years.
[/quote]

[Noone]

Just got back from the Polar plunge at Jacksonville Beach and had the opportunity to share it with councilman Joost and his family. Just happened to see him.  He was there with his wife and children.
 
It was the first time that I participated in this activity and its been on my bucket list of things to do in this city.

We very briefly talked about 2010-856 that will be in a special committee in 4 days at city hall. We just shared an activity in the ocean. All I said was that if we can exempt Downtown we should also exempt the Waterways. Everyone had smiles on their faces. To bring in a new year and share an experience that even if I don't do it again will forever bring back that memory that I participated in the Polar Plunge at Jacksonville Beach.

Happy New Year to everyone.

[Noone]

In 26 hours a special committee meeting on a jobs killer for Jacksonville.

What is the position of the Chamber?

Has this issue been brought to the attention of Skip Cramer and Elaine Brown? As they are in the middle of a JCCI study RECESSION, RECOVERY, and BEYOND.

Will Downtown still be exempt?

Will the Waterways of the St. Johns River our American Heritage River be exempt especially if we are seeking a statewide recognition of a paddling trail?

What is the position of the Mayoral candidates and city council candidates?

Is this legislation an emergency?

Will our new slogan be

Lets get to Work   - Just not in Jacksonville   

[Noone]

In less than 4 hours at city hall a special committee on a 1 mile transient vendor ban that will stifle economic opportunity from a permanent business that is providing the same service.

Will anyone attach an amendment that will exempt the St. Johns River our American Heritage River?

[Noone]

The committee meeting was cancelled.

[ChriswUfGator]

Amazing how that always seems to happen once they realize people aren't fond of an item on the agenda.

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

Amazing how that always seems to happen once they realize people aren't fond of an item on the agenda.

that does at least mean they aren't goïng to go through with this nonsense, right?

[Noone]

Not at all. What a disaster yesterday. At 10:50 I'm entering city hall and happened to see and said hello to Mayor Peyton as he was exiting city hall. Once inside there was a group around the locked entrance to the council chambers and a note on the door saying that the meeting was cancelled.

I mentioned to the group so that this trip wouldn't be a total waste of my time I headed to the elevator and had the opportunity to ride the elevator up to the 4th floor with Kelly Boree the director of the Parks Dept. We both exited on the 4th floor and I went to the city council offices to the right and she exited and headed to the Mayors office to the left.

I walked in and was heading to see any councilmember that would listen. I was stopped at the entrance and was told that no one was there. I left and met councilman Crescimbeni in the lobby. Met councilman Brown outside. Spoke with Scott and he said Don was at the Barber shop. He said he got the notice at 10:30 OK.

Huge Issue.
Will every 501-c be exempt.
What is the boundry of Downtown?
What is the position of the Chamber?
Is this now part of the process in the JCCI study Recession, Recovery and Beyond?
Are the Waterways of the St. Johns River our American Heritage River exempt from this transient vendor ban in light of the recent announcement of a potential Paddling Blueway of the entire 310 miles of the St. Johns River?

[ricker]

boil this down for me.
how do I, one man, help?

[dougskiles]

Its easy - email and call your district councilman and express your opinion.  If you have done some research on the issue and have a reasonable argument in opposition (or support), most will listen.  I have found from experience that the more research you do on the issue and the more educated you appear, the more likely that they will listen.  Do your homework.  I've learned the hard way what happens when you aren't as well versed on an issue as you could be.

[Noone]

boil this down for me.
how do I, one man, help?

Ricker, Go to a city council meeting. You have posted about doing something on the westside under the Roosevelt bridge. Sounds great. So would you be a permanent structure or a transient vendor? Either way everyone should be allowed to participate.

Who is your councilman? You may live in different part of the city but want to participate under the bridge. Call 630-1377 that is the number for city council. Start there. We are 90 days out and the legislation is still out there so ask the Mayoral candidates and city council candidates.

There is a waterways Commission meeting Wend the 12th at 9am. Go to the meeting. Open to the Public.

The next meeting of FIND Florida Inland Navigation District is Friday the 14th at the Marriot in St. Johns County at 8:30. Open to the Public.

If the transient vendor ban is extended to the Waterways of our St. Johns River our American Heritage River then you certainly won't want to

VISIT JACKSONVILLE!

[Noone]

boil this down for me.
how do I, one man, help?

Ricker, How did the phone call go? Who did you try and contact? Are you a permanent business or a transient vendor as it relates to the future potential blueway trail on the westside?

Well the Jan. 12, 2011 Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting was very short. Just two items on the agenda. At the meeting was Neil Armingeon the St. Johns Riverkeeper, Dave Siebold with the city, Joe Wilhelm with the Daily Record, Ron Littlepage with the Times Union and there was another one or two but that was about it.

On the agenda was Mark Middlebrook the Executive Director of the St. Johns River Alliance. Mark was the key person during the Delaney administration that oversaw the Preservation Park land acquisitions during the early years of the St. Johns River Alliance which was a 5 year federal program and Anne Keller with the EPA was our designated River Navigator. After Anne we had Mindy Mathews. As of now we haven't had anyone in that position.

The River Summit of which I participated was in my opinion a huge success. It is so exciting to hear what is happening outside of Duval county. Out of the Summit was a caucus that was lead by Senator Thrasher to come up with ideas for future funding. One suggestion that everyone wants to embrace is an additional tax on bottled water. What can the Jacksonville Waterways due to help? Sponsor a resolution that we want this to happen. If the legislation moves forward. What was the River Accord?

Questions from Waterway Commission members were few. One question from Lane Burnett commission member was. What is the position of the St. Johns River Alliance on the Georgia Pacific discharge pipe? Basically he said we are not taking a position we are more interested in focusing on bringing  people together and leave that one to the Riverkeeper. OK

During Public comment I highlighted the future jobs killer 2010-856 transient vendor ban as it would relate to a kayak vendor and potentially not being able to participate. Another lob pitch for my city councilman Don Redman who was there but didn't ask one question. Noone else did either about the future Paddling Trail of the St. Johns River our American Heritage River. Be concerned. Keep score.

So that brings us to this morning and the meeting in St. Johns county of the Florida Inland Navigation District and the commissioners appointed by the Governor and representing the East Coast of the state of Florida.

What an awesome and inspiring group of professionals. There will be a follow up and their are concerns and the District will be looking into it.

The bottom line is that if Downtown is exempt from 2010-856 then the Waterways of the St. Johns River our American Heritage River needs to be included too.

Be concerned. There are 67 counties in Florida. Duval county needs to get it right.

[Noone]

Today at Rules 2010-856 will now have that special committee meeting with Rules/RCD/LUZ on this bill tomorrow in council chambers at 3pm. Super short notice.


So in 20 hours the people of Jacksonville will know if an amendment will be attached to exempt the Waterways of the St. Johns River our American Heritage River.  

[Noone]

In 10 hours the people of Jacksonville will know if they will or will not have economic opportunity and access to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River.

Keep score and be concerned.