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

[Steve_Lovett]

I responded to the survey.  I didn't read any TU articles, but assumed that the administrator of the survey would have contacted me directly about the event today.

when you took the survey there should have been info. on the website about the community meetings....the next one is in two weeks (Sat Feb 2 @ 9-11am) at Prime Osborn...mark your calendars!

Many/most of the attendees were familiar. People active in civic & downtown issues. It was mostly an older demographic, less kids/youth, fewer young 20-somethings & young families, and not as diverse as I'd expected/hoped.

IF there were 600-800 attendees, that means that less than 1/100th of 1% of Jacksonville's population was represented. I was at the Town Center area to run an errand after the work session. When you look at all of those people I suspect that if they were asked, a vast majority of the population isn't aware of JAX2025 or is apathetic towards many of these types of community issues & initiatives.

[tufsu1]

Yes....because sadly gun shows are more interesting

[Charles Hunter]

I filled out the survey, and was notified by Facebook, where I "friended" the Jax2025 site.  I was going to go today, but woke up with some sort of crud, and did not want to be around people.

[dougskiles]

Reality is that not everyone is interested in visioning, and frankly, that is a good thing.  Most people would rather be out living their lives.

When I worked on a much smaller version of this in San Marco, we struggled to get what I thought was representative turnout of the neighborhood.  I realized that it wasn't because they don't care, they just have other things to do that are more important to them.

Yesterday morning, I was at a 5k race with my 15-year old son honoring the memory of Dale Regan.  It was a gorgeous and spirit-filled day on the banks of the river.  We were doing the things that I put on the survey that I wanted more of.  Community activity.  Outdoor exercise.  Access to the river.

[thelakelander]

I realized that it wasn't because they don't care, they just have other things to do that are more important to them.

^Great point.

[Bridges]

I wasn't at the event, but I did take the survey and encouraged others to too.  Sorry, but consider me pessimistic.  If this site has convinced me of anything, it's that we are the action not these studies, that I'm sure will be "drilled" into, ignored, and then parsed to death. 

I'm sure that the transportation comments will be "drilled into" and I'm sure the results will leave us wanting.

[tufsu1]

Action comes from people showing up at meetings....not just from posting on a blog

[Bridges]

Action comes from people showing up at meetings....not just from posting on a blog

I show up to meetings.  I'm at a the events, and council meetings.  Like Doug said, sometimes you have other things.  Like being out of town, as I was. 

And action doesn't always come from being at the meeting.  It comes from a group of people willing to do what they know works.  How many studies and meetings has Jacksonville had that are then ignored or twisted.  I'm sure all those meetings and grand shows were well attended. 

At this point I'll wait to hear the change "they" tell me will be the next step.  While waiting, I'll continue working to make sure I can effect the small changes I have the ability to change, and I know help the community. 

[tufsu1]

why not do both?  the next meeting is in 2 weeks and it will only be 2 hours long.

[Captain Zissou]

Action comes from people showing up at meetings....not just from posting on a blog

From what I've heard, it sounds like Saturday was just a live forum thread.  People kicked around some ideas and made suggestions, but nothing actionable was created.  I had to miss Saturday's meeting and I will have to miss the next one (family commitment and community service, fyi), but I support the cause and once an executable plan or program has been developed, I will be 110% behind it.  We're not bad people for missing the meeting, and you're not a good one for going.  You can't guilt people into helping you.  We all want to help, and we all will when we're able, but life can get busy sometimes.

[cline]

How about less visioning, talking, and planning and more implementation

[tufsu1]

Action comes from people showing up at meetings....not just from posting on a blog

From what I've heard, it sounds like Saturday was just a live forum thread.  People kicked around some ideas and made suggestions, but nothing actionable was created.  I had to miss Saturday's meeting and I will have to miss the next one (family commitment and community service, fyi), but I support the cause and once an executable plan or program has been developed, I will be 110% behind it.  We're not bad people for missing the meeting, and you're not a good one for going.  You can't guilt people into helping you.  We all want to help, and we all will when we're able, but life can get busy sometimes.

sorry....not trying to guilt anyone...or say anyone is better than anyone else....just want folks to understand how this whole thing was put together....keep in mind that one of the co-founbders of Metro Jacksonville, Ennis Davis, is on the steering committee....which shows the power MJ has and how much JCCI respects it.

as for the process itself, the first meeting was merely an introduction....remember that much of our citizenry has never been part of a visioning process, so baby steps are needed.

the second meeting will be developing recommendations...and meetings 3 & 4 are about setting implementation steps.

Please come support as you can!

[JeffreyS]

Well said Tufsu I will try to attend the next one.

[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. 

The 1/19/13 JCCI 2025 kick off rally had me singing Send in the Clowns. Maybe because the circus is in town and the Trunks and Food truck event at the arena had the same stimulating effect along with the clowns.

I arrived just prior to the 9am kick off and there were a lot of the same familiar faces. Ben Warner was greeting everyone upon arrival. (Like the tie) Saw councilman Bishop, Love, new school board member Jason Fischer, Ennis with his lovely wife. Mike Miller JTA, Skip Cramer former ED w/ JCCI, Brad Thoburn, Terry Lorrince, Councilwoman Boyer, and councilman Brown and most of these people were by the coffee and pastry table before we even got started. And a lot more familiar faces too.

There is no doubt that there was plenty of room as you walk past the empty tables. The red table cloths going forward just had me thinking that red dots will be good. Our table was nice that it was made up of new faces and I recognized only one from a previous JCCI study that we had done together.

At our table is a couple debating if they want to move Downtown. A fellow from Boston. And others that had interesting backgrounds and experiences. There were a lot of questions and suggestions that were being discussed and thrown up to be put on the list.

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. I'm writing this after the city council voted to withdraw the legislation on Metro Park. This thought just popped into my head was Don or Scott there for this event?

I liked our table. Nobody ever raised there hand for the mike to share with the group although some had some good suggestions. One guy said that a company instead of coming to Jacksonville relocated to St. Johns County because of the schools. And now it seems that we will be waiving residency requirements for our own JSO 2013-55. Speaking of new legislation how about 2013-51 so will the new DOWNTOWN artificial reefs that would make DOWNTOWN a DESTINATION And not a pass through now be moved to the beach. What a joke. We are so LOST.

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.

[downtownjag]

I responded to the survey.  I didn't read any TU articles, but assumed that the administrator of the survey would have contacted me directly about the event today.

when you took the survey there should have been info. on the website about the community meetings....the next one is in two weeks (Sat Feb 2 @ 9-11am) at Prime Osborn...mark your calendars!

Thanks, I'll be there!