Joint effort is needed to recall mayor

[thelakelander]

By Special to the Times-Union

Columnist Ron Littlepage's explanation of Florida Statutes for recalling Mayor John Peyton was informative.

Talking about recalling Peyton is one thing, but putting forth the communitywide effort is not an impossible task.

The question that citizens must ask themselves is whether Peyton is capable of leading us collectively out of the political, economic and racial situations.

Harry Shorstein called Jacksonville "A Tale of Two Cities." What actions did our mayor initiate to create these two cities? And, more importantly, what is he doing in his administration and policies to unite us?

Shorstein's theme was used by Charlie Patton, a staff writer for the Times-Union, in his article about the 21st Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast.

The findings were summarized by William Bond from the JCCI's 2007 edition of Jacksonville's Race Relations Progress Report.

Bond called the infant mortality rate among African-Americans "abysmal ... almost in the Third World category."

Peyton is a nice guy. We do not need a nice guy with questionable leadership traits as mayor.

Jacksonville needs a mayor with strong leadership skills, true dedication to diversity and a commitment to keep his verbal promises.

It will take a communitywide and citywide movement to accomplish recalling Peyton.

The thousands of people who built homes near Craig, investing sizable sums of money, and the 30 or so community organizations feeling victimized by Peyton's backsliding, would help secure the required 27,337 signatures.

Those thousands who supported Jackie Brown should be contacted. The Hispanics, Asians and other groups who were denied access into Peyton's inner circle can assist in this recall.

It is imperative that the Democratic Party provide leadership.

Let's start now, and we'll have the 27,337 required petitions by July 2008. The time is now for serious citizens to act and recall Peyton.

Juan P. Gray is board chairman of the Jacksonville chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/011908/opl_237913335.shtml

[DemocraticNole]

Even if a recall were held, I find it highly unlikely that he would be booted out of office. Not in a town with all this Republican support.

[Lunican]

Peyton received 78,327 votes. Hardly a "mandate" from a city with 559,522 registered voters.

[midnightblackrx]

when does his term end?

[gatorback]

No soon enough.  Who didn't see this mess coming.  I think the people that voted for him don't use the city services, kids are in private school, and don't mind paying $3.29 for gas for their SUV's while driving all over town looking to spend money on that $350,000 + home they feel so rich living in.

[tufsu1]

you all need to get over it....mayube onme of you should have opposed him....or I suppose there was a better candidate who was already in the race, right?

[vicupstate]

you all need to get over it....mayube onme of you should have opposed him....or I suppose there was a better candidate who was already in the race, right?

There were about four better candidates in 2003.

There would have been at least one better candidate in 2007 but he was bought off.  Reminds me of an episode of Dukes of Hazzard.