Delores Weaver now backs Brown for Jacksonville mayor

[FayeforCure]

 I don't think Alvin Brown was the best candidate in this race, but I think he's the best candidate in the runoff.  In personal conversation with him, I believe he IS literate in the importance of wisely reinvesting in downtown's renewal, and has greater respect for the diversity of this city.  

If Mike Hogan would address any serious, difficult issue, debate or intellectual discussion in his quest for Mayor it would increase his credibility as a candidate from my perspective (as one of a few hundred thousand voters).  Even better if he was willing to engage outside of his comfort zone.  I perceive him to be closely held, tightly managed, and staying within highly insular environments during his run.  This perspective is a very limited one from which to lead the city.

Just like Rick Scott's tightly managed, insular environment. Making himself just about only available to the Tea Partier kind.

[FayeforCure]

The mere fact that his intentions are vague at best, has me very hesitant to embrace the idea of him being Mayor.   Setting aside altogether the "bombing the abortion clinic" remark , which is a terrible thing to say, I don't care who you are .. He just does not seem to be a public speaker and only offers bits and pieces of his intentions.

And for a women like Diane with her DWIN affilliation to just set aside such a shocking remark is astonishing.

I wonder what DWIN thinks of her lack of support for finally getting some progress in Jacksonville, rather than having "same old, same old" going on forever.

[Diane Melendez]

Faye, I don't know where you got the idea I was or am affiliated with DWIN.  I have never been a member and currently am not one.  Years ago I did recieve the first Jackie Brown womans award they gave out.  I did not solicit or ask for it but it was given to me and I am proud to have received it.  

For those who don't know DWIN is a Democrat womans organization here in Jacksonville.  Lovely ladies all whom I respect but to whom I am not associated.  For the record.  

[JeffreyS]

Hogan may well win but this is drivel about you have to have local experience (be a local insider) or have the local connections (be a GOB).  Spare me the nonsense that Jacksonville can't move forward unless we choose from the group of same old same old. I am not saying that foolishness won't carry the day but let's not start proclaiming we should lie down and enjoy it because "that is the way it is".

[Diane Melendez]

Good on you Jeffrey.  Standing up for ones beliefs and views is a good thing.  Without the give and take of perspectives we would be left with a flat system of politics and no hope. Differing views are a needed part of the process. With regard to local experience, I stand on that statement.  We are all in the process of deciding who is the best candidate to fill the open office of Mayor.  In essence, we are interviewing job applicants.  Right now the prospective employer are the taxpayers and their city is in distress.  It's a matter of chosing the person with the greates amount of experience for the job.  This is not nonsense but rather a sound practice used by all prospective employers to review job applicants.  Right now local experience is more important than ever considering the challenges facing Jacksonville.  There is no time for someone to grow into the job. This is not to be confused with a GOB mindset or accepting any one power group over another.  Brown has already reached out to a number of GOB players, especially those in the Civic Council.  How much support they will give him if any, remains to be seen.  The truth of the matter is that the political fabric of Jacksonville is interwoven in such a way that no one who makes it to the top levels of power, including Alvin Brown, gets there without the support of a significant amount of local power.  

[Jimmy]

The GOB will hold some sway, especially with money.  But I think the internet helps level that playing field a bit, too.  One of these cycles something different is going to happen.

Is this that cycle?  Maybe...

[Steve_Lovett]

 The truth of the matter is that the political fabric of Jacksonville is interwoven in such a way that no one who makes it to the top levels of power, including Alvin Brown, gets there without the support of a significant amount of local power.  

I think your statement above is correct - and I think you have identified the reason that Jacksonville continues to struggle to find its way.

[Diane Melendez]

Double Meh Stephen, LOL.  While the internet has greatly expanded the ability to discuss and research candidates, I have found that people of like views flock together and tell each other what they want to hear, rather than really vette the candidates in a serious way. Folks twitter, tweet and FB among themselves often lending participants to believe there is strength to a situation when it is a great deal of wishful thinking.  The technololgy has now reached the point that printed material and television was once faced with.   In the beginning, because it was in the newspaper or on T.V., people assumed it's accuracy.  The same has happened on the internet.  Just because stuff is online, does not give it any basis in fact.  The accuracy is as suspect as any other medium of discourse, especially when it comes to hot topic discussions like politics.  Jacksonville may see the day when the various players in the diverse groups of local power brokers have lost their impact.  We are not there yet.  IMO.

[Jimmy]

Diane, is that why you're clinging on to them now?  The power brokers, I mean.  There was a time when you wouldn't get within 20 feet of someone like Mike Hogan.  Now you practically delight in the prospect of his election.  You're much closer to Delores Weaver politically than you are to Mike Hogan.  And here you are.  What are you doing to stop the power brokers from picking someone as conservative and GOB as Mike Hogan to lead our city?  Nothing.  You're propping up the GOB and helping them along their way.  That's what I don't get.  

Politics is so personal to me and your support for Hogan is like something out of bizarro world.  It still doesn't add up. 

[Jimmy]

I'm not blessed with your field of vision.  I'm just rocked on my heels watching this situation unfold.

[Timkin]

Boy does that EVER make two of us

[Diane Melendez]

I am not clinging to anyone Jimmy.  I think what is confusing people is the idea that to support a candidate means you must give up a part of yourself or your belief system.  I have not and will not do that.  What my years in politics have taught me is that someone must be willing to reach out and bridge the gaps between the poltical groups.  There is a legacy, literally years of hard work to keep safe.  For instance, remember all the alarm of the possibility of no ethics office in Jacksonville?  I reached out and shared a point of view with a candidate who was willing to listen and adjust his views given another perspective.  This is just one of many topics that I have discussed with Mike and he has been open to views other than his own.  That is what I feel we all must work toward.  People may not get me all the time because they have decided how they think I feel or judge a situation.  I always, always look at all the evidence and then choose a course of action.  There is nothing positive to gain by pointing at one group and saying they are the bad guys and have it all wrong.  The reality is there are selfish and geneous people on all sides of the political spectrum.  Jacksonville needs us all on the same page right now, or at least as many of us as possible.  I don't share the view that people with different ideas cannot and should not work toward a common goal.  I honestly and truly don't think Alvin Brown is the person Jacksonville needs at this juncture.  Nothing more, nothing less.

The trick is not to take what happens in politics personally.  It is it's own animal, a by product of age old power structures that no one has ever figured out a way to control.  That will not change in any of our lifetimes.  Us humans have a long way to go in that regard.

[Timkin]

Does Mike have any interest in Historic Preservation, Diane?

[Diane Melendez]

I have not asked him that specific question Timkin.  I do know he and his family are very engaged in local history, but have no specific answer about where he stands on preservation.  My take on the issue, as someone who gets the importance of preserving historic structures, is that working toward a balanced and workable budget will make the idea of historic preservation one that everyone can embrace.  That is my hope.  Our history is who we are and is of paramount importance.

[Jimmy]

Folks at RAP have told me that as Councilman, Mike Hogan voted against the ordinance allowing RAP (and I guess SPAR) to do their thing.  The spin (forgive me, Diane) is that if everyone has low taxes and we cut enough government spending, then we can eventually worry about X.

Where X = anything you happen to care about.

So, I don't think we'll ever get to X in this scenario.