Live Blog: Revised Mobility Fee Moratorium

[Cheshire Cat]

One interesting thing that came out in the meeting tonight was that there was not just one meeting, but multiple meetings - at least according to what was said by the others involved.

Tonight was shameful for Jacksonville.  All the old and incorrect talking points were there -  it's for the jobs and the developments and the developers are now talking how great the bike lanes are going to be.  Doesn't that scare you?

And Clark basically asking that any fees collected to date be refunded.  Or how about Boyer talking about the major projects in her district going forward even with the fee?  Doesn't that make anyone wonder why they were there to talk about a moratorium to promote development?

And this great compromise  - it got us an additional 3 more months of waivers at 75%.  It is a toss up which bill will be picked to be heard first and the one heard first is liable to be the one passed.  No public comments in that agenda meeting is there?

And will it stop there?  It was mentioned that the mobilty fee was unfair in how it is calculated.  Is 21 months enough time for them to figure out how to gut the Mobilty Plan?

Strider, this is the tenacity with which politicians protect special interests.  It happens consistently in Jacksonville and has for ages.  The longer and more convoluted the discussions become as well as continued shortly noticed meetings are often a way to keep an issue cooking until the heat behind the opposition cools down.  Business as usual in City Hall and yes it is frightening and sad at the same time.  The whole situation is becoming farcical in the face of the true and valid concerns of citizens.  Remember all of this at election time.

[thelakelander]

And will it stop there?  It was mentioned that the mobilty fee was unfair in how it is calculated.  Is 21 months enough time for them to figure out how to gut the Mobilty Plan?

There's an election before then. Perhaps the counter is finding a way to successfully get better representation elected to serve the average taxpayer in city hall?

[Cheshire Cat]

And will it stop there?  It was mentioned that the mobilty fee was unfair in how it is calculated.  Is 21 months enough time for them to figure out how to gut the Mobilty Plan?

There's an election before then. Perhaps the counter is finding away to successfully get better representation elected to serve the average taxpayer in city hall?

That is the counter Ennis and next time around voters need to take a deeper look into the backgrounds and connections of any and all folks running for office.  It's not enough to say that so and so is nice, friendly or caring.  A record of service and experience needs to be the basis of consideration of candidates as well as voting history and connections for those running for re-election.

[strider]

And who is that going to be?  Who here in Jacksonville can live on the part time salary a city council member gets?  Many of the vocal, very smart and well informed potential candidates have a big weakness.  Their livelihoods, not just theirs but more importantly, their family's, are dependent upon the very political powers we need to stop in their tracks.  How do we do that if the potential candidates are all vulnerable to attack on that front?

Politics is very nasty in Jacksonville, as many here have found out through the years.  Who will be willing to risk everything to maybe get elected and maybe make progress?

[Cheshire Cat]

Many of the vocal, very smart and well informed potential candidates have a big weakness.  Their livelihoods, not just theirs but more importantly, their family's, are dependent upon the very political powers we need to stop in their tracks.  How do we do that if the potential candidates are all vulnerable to attack on that front?

Politics is very nasty in Jacksonville, as many here have found out through the years.  Who will be willing to risk everything to maybe get elected and maybe make progress?

You ask some very important questions here Strider and your statements about local politics are unfortunately all too true.  There is no easy answer.  I think it goes beyond candidates jobs or families jobs which is indeed relevant to some, and has much more to do with the ability to raise enough funding to run a viable campaign.  Grassroots is the fallback position in this situation and while romantic to think about, is very rarely a game winner.  In tandem with that is the old standard of it's not what you know but who you know.  If you are a "player" either political or through influence you will get the funding much more easily than the guy or gal on the street who is ready to sacrifice for positive and honest political change by holding office.  Name recognition is also important and I am going to honestly point out that ones race is also paramount when it comes to some seats on council.  Can the public clean house next election cycle?  That is hard to say, but what the public and voters can do is turn up the heat on sitting legislators and office holders, watch their every move and hold them to a higher standard.  Public pressure will make a difference and sometimes stir up a hornets nest of emotions on the part of office holders as we saw displayed during last nights council meeting.  The average person can an will make a difference if and only if folks come together outside of politics and demand honest and competent representation for the average citizen.  The special interests are not the ones with a problem getting representation via elected officials because they fund campaigns and provide other goodies.  The people are the ones who are suffering and their vote is their power.  I wish more folks understood that truth.

[jcjohnpaint]

Especially given the lack of kickbacks they would not get that our council now gets. 

[vicupstate]

And who is that going to be?  Who here in Jacksonville can live on the part time salary a city council member gets?  Many of the vocal, very smart and well informed potential candidates have a big weakness.  Their livelihoods, not just theirs but more importantly, their family's, are dependent upon the very political powers we need to stop in their tracks.  How do we do that if the potential candidates are all vulnerable to attack on that front?

Politics is very nasty in Jacksonville, as many here have found out through the years.  Who will be willing to risk everything to maybe get elected and maybe make progress?

For the level they are at, Jax City Council members are very well paid.  40K+ for part time work is more than most in Jax make for full time work. 

The bigger problem is that campaigns are expensive, and you have to ask your friends for the money.  Of course, you can just take the developer contributions, which is the root of the problem.  If you really expect to affect the caliber of the council membership, you will have to be a source of financial contributions and not just vote for them and lick stamps.

[JeffreyS]

And who is that going to be?  Who here in Jacksonville can live on the part time salary a city council member gets?  Many of the vocal, very smart and well informed potential candidates have a big weakness.  Their livelihoods, not just theirs but more importantly, their family's, are dependent upon the very political powers we need to stop in their tracks.  How do we do that if the potential candidates are all vulnerable to attack on that front?

Politics is very nasty in Jacksonville, as many here have found out through the years.  Who will be willing to risk everything to maybe get elected and maybe make progress?

Some very insightful points. It won't be one election cycle I am afraid.  I for one thought we were a bit closer than honest reflection makes me admit.  I now wonder when the Council passed the Mobility Fee was it just a ruse perhaps it's structure makes it easier to circumvent than prior impact fees. Mayor Brown has pushed some good focus to the urban core but he should have used the bully pulpit against this idea of tax payer funded stimulus new cheap sprawl development that costs more to have than it ever gives back.

[JeffreyS]

btw Strider you know who I think is the sell out of our trust Councilwoman Lori Boyer.

[Cheshire Cat]

btw Strider you know who I think is the sell out of our trust Councilwoman Lori Boyer.

That would be?

[sheclown]

So, the average citizen needs do more to help fund campaigns so the developers get a "run for their money" so to speak?  How much does it cost to run a city council campaign?

[JeffreyS]

btw Strider you know who I think is the sell out of our trust Councilwoman Lori Boyer.

That would be?

I should have written it.

btw Strider you know who I think is the sell out of our trust? Councilwoman Lori Boyer! 

However I am feeling like that may be harsh now.

[Cheshire Cat]

So, the average citizen needs do more to help fund campaigns so the developers get a "run for their money" so to speak?  How much does it cost to run a city council campaign?

It depends whether or not the seat is a single district or at large.  I will do some research into the last round of campaigns.   I know some of the at large seats last go round exceeded 100k at the high end.  For a regular seat with good citizen backing to do the leg work anywhere from around 15k to 75k at the high end.  This is just a broad estimate.  Some seats have been won for much less but generally not by unknowns.  Looking at the dollar amounts is important but also the community connections the person has.  For instance someone connected to a strong church can count on a lot of boots on the ground.  That sort of thing.

I also know of some specific candidates that are already being groomed for 2015.  Next election cycle will be impacted by the upsets the FOP went through.  Their influence will be iffy.  Will candidates want their backing or not this time around?  Hard to say how that will turn out?  On the other hand I can tell you that the JFRD are doing some serious work when it comes to collecting funds and grooming candidates for the next election.  They are not happy campers and they will be a major influence on council seats next election.  They are as Shad Khan says "All In". 

[Cheshire Cat]

btw Strider you know who I think is the sell out of our trust Councilwoman Lori Boyer.

That would be?

I should have written it.

btw Strider you know who I think is the sell out of our trust? Councilwoman Lori Boyer! 

However I am feeling like that may be harsh now.

Harsh or realistic?  This is the thing about local politics.  Politics changes people and that change can manifest from one day to another depending upon what is at stake. 

[thelakelander]

If it were not for Councilwoman Boyer, we probably would have ended up with a full blown 3-year moratorium.