Hogans Creek Cleanup Saturday August 20th.

[Noone]

What another fantastic clean up of one of the dirtiest Waterways in the heart of our vibrant Downtown that is also a Destination for those who don't want to give up in trying to Make it Happen for everyone.

First on the scene this morning behind the what will soon be identified as the 2Nd most important Waterway access point behind the Promised 680 Downtown Public Pier was Keith Myers former mayoral candidate and it is always my distinct pleasure to share as a site captain with him every year when these clean ups take place.

I had brought 5 kayaks and wanted to unload them and have them set up when others arrived so I take the van too close to just get stuck in the sand. With tires spinning it was great when North Miami, Field, Lucasjj arrive. Forget the cleanup. Lets give the triple AAA tow and break a sweat and push Nooney's van out of this quagmire before we even get started.
Leadership 101-This is how you don't do it.

But the triple AAA effort with Field, NM, Lucasjj and Keith was like the everready battery that Keith showed us right in the beginning. These guys never lost the charge. Low tide was at 7 and so the tide is coming in and I so much wanted to get that shopping cart that the Capt, Field, PeeJayEss had seen and is just so close to the launch site. Field and I got in the kayaks and couldn't find it.  There is another one that is close to shore so I take the kayak and get the location. Field is already in the water so he grabs some blue bags and he's off.

Lucasjj and I head over and tackle the other one. Had a rope with a hook and we hooked the cart. tied it up to the bumper of the van down by the river and gave it a pull. Line snapped or so we thought. Instead it just straightened out the hook. We weren't lettin this big one get away. Now obviously dislodged from its sedimentary bond we were able to now get it over and up the bank. NM had now joined us and his comment that it was like dragging a hog out of the woods was pretty accurate. Another shopping cart out of the creek. And also very important for our end of cleanup drawing.

With the tide coming in everyone seemed to navigate to the kayaks and just start paddling with bags and collecting garbage. I know I went in and out a couple of times.

Keith every time I saw him just had bag after bag filled but he's standing on the bank and its already time to wrap it up. Huge effort put in by all. They each had sections and I'll let them share their perspectives. Let me just say for NM this was his first Hogans Creek cleanup and his enthusiasm spread like wildflower. The beautiful sandy launch area was and is continually being improved. He then took a kayak to the water and brought the enthusiasm with him.

We are wrapping up and are now getting ready for the drawing. I didn't realize that Field had left. But no problem. We are using official Jacksonville city council speaker cards. I fill out a card for Field. Questions only. Which is read into the record but other comments aren't. Being none he is still part of the permanent record and is in the drawing. There are 4 people for 3 prizes. The speaker cards are in the shopping cart. I cover my eyes and using the cleanup issued picker upper I reach in and clasp a card.

The first prize was an SOS Springfield t-shirt that was won by NM. NM was very gracious and it will be auctioned off again at a future event.

The second prize was a $10 gift certificate to Robert's Eatery and that was won by Field. We had you covered. Questions Only. Your part of the permanent record. Robert moves around a lot. You may never be able to find him. Its a good thing that the council withdrew 2010-856 the transient vendor ban. He now has a killer pork chop sandwich. Has expanded with the chicken wings. If he knows your coming he'll make sure he's got you covered. It can be a unique variation on fast food that everyone else if they are not doing it will be soon. Just let me know how you want to handle this culinary food option. Its all yours and if I can do anything to make this experience run smoothly that there won't be any miscomunication in where he is and what it is that you are ordering just let me know. I'm there for you.

The third prize was a $20 gift certificate to Carmine's won by Lucasjj. This young man is a true inspiration. He embodies Rising Tides. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and enjoy. NM and I were at Carmines the other day and I know I'll be back again.

Keith, Our prize was being together again and seeing each other and really working as a team year after year. Vivian, Your part of the team too.

I don't think we could have scripted a better drawing out of a  shopping cart on Hogans Creek.
   

[fieldafm]

I had to leave early to head over to Tallahassee for the game... but it was a great morning with cool temperatures.  I did stop over by the Nortbank Riverwalk YMCA to check out their haul... we didn't beat them this time, but came very close.  The fact that 5 dedicated guys can collect the same amount of trash along a much smaller site at Hogans Creek that 5 times as many volunteers can collect along the Northbank Riverwalk, really goes to show you the kind of issues the Hogans Beltway faces

[north miami]

I had to forfeit my Shopping Cart Public Speaker Card winnings......i exceeded Three Minutes!...............

[Noone]

Hogans Creek was mentioned in the Times Union in the cleanup article. Vivian Harrell-You rock! 

[Noone]

I had to forfeit my Shopping Cart Public Speaker Card winnings......i exceeded Three Minutes!...............

Thats funny........but true!

[Noone]

Want to help your community?  Tired of waiting for someone else to fix what's broken?  Then this is your type of event.

No money to donate, no skills required and no degree in urban planning is a pre-requisite.  This event is urban revitilization in it's purest form.

Waders or kayaks helpful, but not required.

Who's in to make it happen?

Field, you are the event organizer of Northeast Florida. Vivian Harrell has notified me that there will be a cleanup of Hogans Creek this Sunday at 9am. Low tide is at 8 so great conditions for cleaning the creek. Any groups or individuals are welcome to participate. The area will be from Washington St. to Catherine.

We Khan all Make it Happen.

[Know Growth]

I had to forfeit my Shopping Cart Public Speaker Card winnings......i exceeded Three Minutes!...............

Places like Hogans Creek demand more time.

Just say "Know"

What if a "Cleanup" was held-yet the participants refused to retrieve anything? Participants proudly thrusting empty trash bags skyward,and towards the news cameras, (many create makeshift garments out of the empty bags-holes for arms,collar,Trash Shirts worn in Knowing manner.....) more cameras than ever before,responding to whispers,hints of Monkey Wrench- Cleanup participants and River Advocates finally acknowledging the futility of past spot cleanups in the face of needed comprehensive Creek System restoration,trash management facility.

Futile or not,trash bags bulging or not,press events should include folks such as City of Jacksonville Public Works
David Hahn,P.E (cell 904-591-6875)  Let's start talking openly about the fix. And the $$$. It's in the tens of millions.Anything else is futile,and why would anyone knowingly embrace proven futile??
Just say "Know"

Cheers!
"North Miami"/"Know Growth"; Mike Webster

[Know Growth]

Its really too bad that you've discredited yourself as an 'environmentalist' by promoting the policies that promote sprawl, Mike.

It would be nice to believe any of your posts were authentic.

I guess I just simply must have gone Plaid since receiving the City of Jacksonville Mayor's Environmental Awards coveted honor:Mimi & Lee Adams Environmental Award  Individual Category  References to growth mangement,organization,willingness to be at healthy odds with certain officials.

You sure are quick on the trigger!!
Why not check in with Public Works,profile Hogans Creek realities? You know,News & Information.Plenty of MJ Hogans Creek threads,why not a 'fast forward'?

[Know Growth]

My library is full of bookmarked items such as:

'The aesthetic heritage of America is too important to be left in the hands of the usual architectural critics,urban planners,and environmental activists.The New American Landscape will neither be improved on by the customary tired old observations and cliches about urban design,mass transit,green belt preservation and other shibboleths...'
John Miller  "EGOTOPIA"

Now that's got a cadence!

Back to Hogans Creek- I will leave it to you for current update,restoration needs,prospects.You've got a phone number conveniently supplied for starters.

[PeeJayEss]

I had to forfeit my Shopping Cart Public Speaker Card winnings......i exceeded Three Minutes!...............

Places like Hogans Creek demand more time.

Just say "Know"

What if a "Cleanup" was held-yet the participants refused to retrieve anything? Participants proudly thrusting empty trash bags skyward,and towards the news cameras, (many create makeshift garments out of the empty bags-holes for arms,collar,Trash Shirts worn in Knowing manner.....) more cameras than ever before,responding to whispers,hints of Monkey Wrench- Cleanup participants and River Advocates finally acknowledging the futility of past spot cleanups in the face of needed comprehensive Creek System restoration,trash management facility.

Futile or not,trash bags bulging or not,press events should include folks such as City of Jacksonville Public Works
David Hahn,P.E (cell 904-591-6875)  Let's start talking openly about the fix. And the $$$. It's in the tens of millions.Anything else is futile,and why would anyone knowingly embrace proven futile??
Just say "Know"

Cheers!
"North Miami"/"Know Growth"; Mike Webster

I can't tell through your writing style, but are you claiming that cleaning up Hogan's Creek is very important, but actually going out and cleaning up Hogan's Creek is futile and we just shouldn't do it? If so, I fail to see the logic. Can a dedicated, hard-working, grassroots group not improve the situation of the creek?

[Noone]

I had to forfeit my Shopping Cart Public Speaker Card winnings......i exceeded Three Minutes!...............

Places like Hogans Creek demand more time.

Just say "Know"

What if a "Cleanup" was held-yet the participants refused to retrieve anything? Participants proudly thrusting empty trash bags skyward,and towards the news cameras, (many create makeshift garments out of the empty bags-holes for arms,collar,Trash Shirts worn in Knowing manner.....) more cameras than ever before,responding to whispers,hints of Monkey Wrench- Cleanup participants and River Advocates finally acknowledging the futility of past spot cleanups in the face of needed comprehensive Creek System restoration,trash management facility.

Futile or not,trash bags bulging or not,press events should include folks such as City of Jacksonville Public Works
David Hahn,P.E (cell 904-591-6875)  Let's start talking openly about the fix. And the $$$. It's in the tens of millions.Anything else is futile,and why would anyone knowingly embrace proven futile??
Just say "Know"

Cheers!
"North Miami"/"Know Growth"; Mike Webster

I can't tell through your writing style, but are you claiming that cleaning up Hogan's Creek is very important, but actually going out and cleaning up Hogan's Creek is futile and we just shouldn't do it? If so, I fail to see the logic. Can a dedicated, hard-working, grassroots group not improve the situation of the creek?

I get his writing style. Have you been to Sidney Gefen Park on the Northbank? Can't wait for the Sunday cleanup. Are you going to be able to make it? I'll always remember attending the grand opening of the Marine Science Research Institute at Jacksonville University and had the opportunity during a tour sharing it with At Large Group 2 Jacksonville City Council member John Crescimbeni and we both were shown these examples of trash run-off collectors. Has one been installed and tried anywhere? Just asking and curious. The parking lots of the Maxwell House Plant is an excellent example for using one so is Sidney Gefen Park.

PeeJayEss, not picking on you but after the cleanup I'm thinking of taking it to the official kayak launch at Metro Park Marina then taking it to Berkman Plaza-Plaza at Berkman and then fish under the brand new No Fishing signs that was not before Waterways. Do you have your fishing license? Remember how sporty of a paddle it was when the three amigos paddled from Hogans Creek to the pier? This paddle may be a lot harder and more challenging.  Anyway I'm thinking about doing it.

Springfield, where are you?

Sunday morning 6/24/12 at 9 and the cleanup is Washington to Catherine St.

Bottom line right now is 1 day out from a Vivian Harrell shout out and I'm All In.

 

[Noone]

Todays cleanup at Catherine street was awesome. Special shout out to the Arlington Jaycees. What a fun bunch that just worked there butts off and had a smile on there faces the whole time. Will post more on another thread.