Jax2025: People most dissatisfied with downtown, public schools and transit

[Ben Warner]

I'll be there as well.

[urbaknight]

I went to the last meeting, I regret not going to the others; But I plan on going to all the meetings from now on.

[Noone]

The 2/2/13 Jax 2025 Draft Vision Statement had me standing in the middle of the room with a facilitator and I'm saying to myself "eanie, meanie, minie, Mo, Which table do I want to go."

Everyone had a choice of 1 of 10 categories. Ultimately everyone participated in two of the 10 categories. Some of the choices were Arts and Entertainment, Transportation, Governance, Economy, Education, Neighborhoods/Downtown, Clean and Green the Environment is where I started.

We had a good represented table of people that put together a bold statement that should have everyone sitting up in their seats after you read it. Forget about getting busted with that 16 oz. fountain drink. The two words that stick out for me in our two sentence statement that I'm still thinking about is "Environmental Ethics".

I'm sorry but didn't we have a Code of Ethics in our city charter in 1968 and was removed 4 years later in 1972 and it was just recently because of the Charter Revision Commission recommendation that the Code Of Ethics that was removed now be brought back. Palms Fish Camp! There has to be something environmental with that one. I digress.

So on to table two and the next categories for me was Neighborhoods and Downtown. I know Scott Wilson was there for this one because he was at our table.

Less then 24 hours out for our 2025 Vision and you have to and will need to pick one statement that is important to you. What if there is more than one? What the heck is Environmental Ethics? Are you kidding! We can't get Ethics right. Visit Jacksonville- Our child molesters get pensions to with Board approval and community support.

Ethics- Carla Miller will the retaining of text messages be part of the new Ethics legislation? It needs to be. You have one of the biggest FBI investigations in the state that had a Lt. governor resign. And Access to our Great River the St. johns.  Does Environmental Ethics extend to the FBI and a RICO violation as it relates to Public Access and economic opportunity to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative? I'm very concerned.

So who is embracing their favorite statement?

[Noone]

Environmental Ethics?- Vince Seibold?

A new Authority
Embrace It
Or
It will Embrace Us

Just hours away. Anyone going? Ben looking forward to sharing a statement that will provide a positive Vision that will contribute in making Downtown a Destination and not a pass through. Hope your wearing the tie!

[thelakelander]

I'll be there.

[Noone]

How was it today, and how was the turn out?

The turnout was less than expected. A lot less based on the facility setup. Reported turnout was around 600, but the room was setup for between 2,000-3,000.

the room was set for 2100...and close to 800 attended

also, it is important to keep in mind that this is a phased process....there are 3 more meetings, and the next two will focus on action steps!

Ok - I was given the number 600 by someone who would know. It's conceivable that closer to 800 were there. I suspect we'll find out for sure when the sign-ins are documented. I was told today that the turnout was significantly less than hoped for/expected.

The discussion was good. Many of the big issues that are familiar to everyone were raised. Some of the discussion was spirited. I learned new things from people at my table. Hopefully many new introductions were made.

At the meeting there was a conspicuous effort to create a "feel good" environment. They had clowns greeting participants at the entry during the pre-function time before the event, and the first song played at the conclusion of the program while people were leaving was "Shiny Happy People". Each place at all tables had logo'ed gift bags with sponsor information, goodies such as plastic sunglasses, an overview of the process/upcoming events, and the like.

Upon reflection, after the event, I was left wanting more. I was hoping that more data/detailed results of the survey that more than 14,000 people completed would've been provided to everyone rather than landfill-bound gift bags and throw-away sunglasses. Hopefully there will be more substance and data in the future meetings.

Ultimately JAX2025 relies on two things: 1.) greater public participation in the process in crafting a true citizen-authored vision for the city; and 2.) the mayor and city leaders that are responsible for actually crafting policy and investment need to "co-own" this process with the citizens and agree that the outcomes of this initiative will guide the city's decisions and become the roadmap for the future.

I hope that more people attend/participate in future meetings. 

For me personally I'm looking and thinking of past studies. Didn't we just have "Recession, Recovery, and Beyond"?  Where are we with that? Another one "Our Money, Our City, Financing Jacksonville's Future" And we are in worse debt when we had the study. This thought just popped into my head was Don or Scott there for this event?



Were any of the Independent Authorities there? JAA, JPA, JEA. What I thought was interesting was that JTA employees were there and suggested a tax increase. That was an interesting table. Just like the first live blogging DIA meeting going forward and how packed that was.

Downtown Jacksonville
Is Open
for Business.

Steve, Like you, I hope there is more substance and action.

For the benefit of urbaknight on another thread.

[Noone]

JAX2025 Implementation Orientation 5 days out. Anyone going? 11:30-1pm
WJCT studios, 100 Festival Park Ave.

[tufsu1]

I hope to be there, but work demands will determine

[urbaknight]

Is there a bike rack near by for me to lock up my bike, or do I have to go all the way over to the stadium?

[Noone]

Anyone going?
I plan on attending the great meeting of the LOST 10 am 4Th floor city hall  6/26/13. The secret FIND list will be unveiled.
Environmental Ethics-Vince Seibold.
What are we going to be measuring again?
Looking forward to the Implimentation.

[GoldenEst82]

I have made it to all the meetings but #1, and if I can get a sitter, I'm hoping to make tomorrow's meeting.

I am interested, if anyone knows, will they finally give some direction as to what "lay people" can do to be a part of this process? Most of the people attending seem to be from one organization or another- and I am not sure what people like me should be doing-other than what we put on the "I will" cards.

[urbaknight]

I have made it to all the meetings but #1, and if I can get a sitter, I'm hoping to make tomorrow's meeting.

I am interested, if anyone knows, will they finally give some direction as to what "lay people" can do to be a part of this process? Most of the people attending seem to be from one organization or another- and I am not sure what people like me should be doing-other than what we put on the "I will" cards.

agreed, I hope that we get some direction this time. The last meeting at the turnover club in Everbank Field. LOL seemed like a preliminary press conference. We have ideas and here are the people in charge, that was it.

I think all we can really do is share our ideas with those who are well connected and also willing to listen. For example, I talked to a petition worker to save the libraries. I advised that the Friends of the Library should run someone in that organization for City Council. He thought it was a good idea and said that it was already on the agenda for their next meeting.

Now if we can get someone from BikeJax, the arts community, or anyone from the Northeast or West coast, are there any other progressive groups or individuals that are out there that can run for council? We still have two years I believe, that's enough time to flood the political landscape with like-minded people to overwhelm and drown out the GOB.

[tufsu1]

Jax 2025 won't be finished until....well 2025

This is a grass roots process that is baded on citizen engagement from start to finish...so, yes, at tomorrow's meeting will likely include how "you" can get involved in implementation

[GoldenEst82]

I finally got what I was asking for today!
Tables were set up and signs put out- we gave our information to the organizations we could offer something to. (or at least I did)

I kind of wished they had done it this way from the beginning. We would have been able to ask questions/ get answers from people who would have been guiding us through this process. I feel like we went over some of the same material at every meeting, and only now- is direction is being given to the "HOW". I wish the time spent re-writing sentences, had directed towards this kind of direction.

I realize that most people there are from the business side, so maybe there was something in the structure of this concept that I did not understand. (I have never worked in a corporate office, so some of that "culture" is unknown to me.)

I am NOW excited about this. People who need my time and talents have my contact info, and will point me in a direction with a directive.

Mr. Warner, I know you read this, please take no offense. I am very pleased, and thankful, that this avenue was brought before me. I do not want "perfect" to be the enemy of "good".   

[Ben Warner]

No offense taken ... I'm glad you liked the meeting today! I was overwhelmed with both the numbers of participants and the energy in the room -- it keeps me optimistic for the future of Jacksonville.