Delores Weaver now backs Brown for Jacksonville mayor

[Diane Melendez]

Stephen, you have not changed and I understood completely what you were getting at.  LOL  I support Mike Hogan for Mayor because of his view of our city finances and his understanding of city operations.   You will have to ask Glorious what she thinks and who she supports.  There has been no discussion of jobs or position between myself, Glorious and Hogan. There are some long time Glorious friends and supporters (Movers and Shakers) that would love to see her remain a part of Jacksonville politics and have expressed that sentiment among themselves.  Whether or not they will pursue their wishes is unknown to me.  I am aware of the rumor going around that Councilwoman Johnson has been offered a job as Council Liason under Hogan.  It has even gotten enough traction to be buzzing around City Hall.  It is untrue, it is a rumor and I believe it finds it's origin through the wishful thinking of an old timer who loves Glorious dearly who is well meaning but off the mark.

[JeffreyS]

Diane's whole argument seems to boil down to Mike's part of the GOB network that makes him the best choice.  

I wonder also what make's her think Alvin Brown has no common sense and is out of balance.

[Diane Melendez]

Steve, that's just it.  This city has not been fiscally responsible in the past. Politicians have said funding is used well in Jacksonville and that is patently untrue.  We should be much further along in Jacksonville than we are.  Our transparent budget is not really transparent.  I know that a serious review and breakdown of where and how our money has been spent will be an eye opener.  It may well be that taxes will have to be raised some day, but first this city has got to regain public trust.  Debugging out budget process, purchasing practicies, procurement and bid processes are long overdue.

[buckethead]

Recalling the stances taken on JOL, it seems the a bit of cynicism isn't unfounded.

One tends to look out for one's best interests.

I agree with Stephen that most of the more progressive/liberal posters here would welcome having both Diane and Glorious close to a Hogan administration. Full disclosure would ease the feeling of deceptiveness, but isn't always possible, I suppose.

In any case, Diane has stated she finds Hogan to be the better choice (remarkable in and of itself, judging by what I have read of her leanings elsewhere) and that is the sole basis for her supporting his candidacy.

Should we not take her word for it?

[Diane Melendez]

Jeffery,

I am not attempting to change the view of those who support Brown.  I respect their right to do so and long ago understood that each of us must use their own judgement to pick a candidate.  The reality in Jacksonville is there is a GOB system in every political circle which includes a couple of different circles in both the Democrat and Republican parties.  That should not be news to people who have been following our politics for any period of time.  Of course this is not exclusive to Jacksonville but happens at every level of Government.  That is just the reality of where society is.  Whether or not that changes remains to be seen.  I don't think we will see that change in the next decade, but as the old power brokers age and retire that may change.  

[Diane Melendez]

Jeffery,

I am not attempting to change the view of those who support Brown.  I respect their right to do so and long ago understood that each of us must use their own judgement to pick a candidate.  The reality in Jacksonville is there is a GOB system in every political circle which includes a couple of different circles in both the Democrat and Republican parties. In the
Dem camp there is even a Black GOB power structure.  That should not be news to people who have been following our politics for any period of time.  Of course this is not exclusive to Jacksonville but happens at every level of Government.  That is just the reality of where society is.  Whether or not that changes remains to be seen.  I don't think we will see that change in the next decade, but as the old power brokers age it could. I hope I am here to see it, but if not, I hope that my sons will see that day.
 

[JeffreyS]

So my first point was right but I still wonder why you insinuate that Alvin has no common sense and is out of Balance?

btw attempting to change people's view is what the market place of ideas is all about. So feel free.

[Diane Melendez]

Stephen, I honestly don't know the answer to that question.  I was not privy to Mr. Hogans thinking back then.  I do know that some of the discussion as of late has been way off base.  One stubborn meme is this thing about Hogan not wanting the Jaguars.  That is not true.  What he voted against was the way the piece of legislation was drafted no the team.  The legislation did not have the protections for taxpayers he thought it should.  However he has publically stated his support for the Jaguars on many occasions as well as lauded the Weavers for their generosity in the community..  He sees them as an asset to Jacksonville.  Another notions is that he does not embrace cultural activities.  Not true.  He knows and has told me personally how important the arts are to a thriving city.  Another non truth is that he does not support local history or preservation.  Not true at all.  His family is one of the first in Duval and history here is paramount to him.  Then there is this nonsense about not caring about the river or environment.  He has already reached out to the office of the riverkeeper and asked to meet with various individuals associated with the effort to heal the St. Johns.  

I get that it is easier to oppose a candidate that is painted in a negative fashion, but in many cases what is being promoted about Mr. Hogan is inaccurate.  For instance, I have seen no one come forward with one of the innumerable stories of Mike Hogans personal efforts to feed the hungry, get clothing to the needy.  Nor has there been mention of the many times he stood side by side with members of various charitable organizations to raise funding or him using his position in the community to get food, clothing and Christmas gifts for those in Jacksonville who needed it.  Those stories are not going out because he is not bragging about them.  

Yes he is the tax collector.  That is his job.  But he did not set the tax rate or decide the amounts to be collected.  That was a function of past city administrations and legislatures.  He did share with me during a conversation that it was the many notes and emails he recieved over the years included with tax payments that helped move him toward a run for office.  He was listening and still is.  

[Diane Melendez]

Jeffery, there was no insinuation regarding Brown or common sense.  What I said and am saying is that he does not have the needed understanding of local government functions and processes that is needed in the next Mayor considering the sizable problems facing the city.  It takes time to get one's head around how any business or government functions.  Jacksonville is not in the position to wait for Alvin Brown to get up to speed on budget or related issues. It is a great advantage for someone going into local public office to have a serious understanding of how local government here is run.  That along with being personally known to and by the people who are running the government is essential.  If this were a place in Jacksonville history that was sound and prosperous, like the Delaney years, perhaps there would be time for someone like Alvin.  We just don't have the time for him to get attuned to and educated to the way things happen locally at so desperate a time.  Peyton came in cold the way Alvin would and the result was a two year learning curve.  We simply don't have time for that now.

[Timkin]

Assuming that Hogan DOES win , Glorious, in my opinion would be an asset to his administration. 

But Stephen does make a huge point.. and that is Mike did get less than 40%.. 

Guess we will know soon

[Diane Melendez]

That's true Stephen and Alvin got less than 25% of the vote. Moran got less than 22% and Mullaney less than 16%.  If we are going to look at percentages, the hope for Brown supporters is that he gets a substantial amount of votes that went to Moran.  The majority of votes Mullaney got will go to Hogan.  Moran, inspite of being more liberal in her appeal is still a Republican of record.  Some people were comfortable voting Moran because regardless of anything else, she still had an R behind her name.  Will Brown get all her votes?  Very unlikely.  Lets say her votes go half for Hogan and half for Brown.  That puts Hogan at 60 plus percent of the vote.  It's simple math along with state and local voting habits. Then add to that the fact that Ken Jefferson or the race for sheriff is not on the next ticket will and you have Brown struggling to hold onto his own votes as well as get some of Audreys.

[Diane Melendez]

Stephen, when I try and edit or "modify" a post because of spelling after initially entering one, it comes up on the site as a new post in a blue box.  What am I doing wrong, other than forgetting to use the spell check to begin with?  LOL

[Diane Melendez]

Check the financial reports when they come out Friday.  That should be an indicator of what is to become of votes given to other candidates.  John Peyton was against Hogan first over the police and fire and now because of his ideas about city finances.  His daddy backed Mullaney, now Mullaney has put his support behind Hogan.  I think the Peyton influence has become very weak through Johns time in office, his dads advanced age and the state of global economics.

[Timkin]

Regardless of where this ends up, Diane I do hope you continue posting here. I know Glorious is busy but sure miss her..  Wish she would post as well.. Give her my best.  I love both of you ,dearly !

[Diane Melendez]

Thanks Timkin. Glorious remains very busy with her remaining council term and her mother, who has had a good couple of weeks recently.  Spoke with her earlier and her mom was out getting some sunshine.  Good days are very welcome to Glorious. To say things are difficult in that regard would be an understatement.

Stephen has been generous in inviting me to post and share my thoughts.  I just want to respect everyone's space here and at the same time only comment when I really feel strongly about a particular topic.  I did want to get some clarity out to people regarding my views and position in the current mayor race.  

Metrojacksonville does urban, tranportation and other planning issues at a level that I admire and support, but don't have alot to say about other than be engaged by the possibilities of the ideas discussed.  Social and political issues I have a little more to say about. LOL  I have also been doing my best to introduce the ideas on the Metrojacksonville main page to the Hogan camp and have found receptive ears.  Over the years I have learned that the business of online discussion can be a particularly difficult one because exchanges here are minus vocal intonation and physical gestures. As a result, statements are often misread or responded to with emotions that were unintended and not part of what I was trying to say to begin with.  Comes with the territory I tell myself.   The smiley thingys don't make it much better.  That is why I only post under my own name.  I then hope that people will actually hear what I am saying the way I mean it and know I stand behind my words.  Technology is the present and the future but for me it can never replace face to face discussion with online smiles.    LOL

I think you may be right about me hitting the quote button Stephen.  I will take more care when clicking on changes.