Live Blog: Riverside/Avondale Parking Committee 9/16

[Cheshire Cat]

Chris, just curious.  Are the restaurant owners just members of RAP or on the board of RAP? 

[ChriswUfGator]

Chris, just curious.  Are the restaurant owners just members of RAP or on the board of RAP? 

I know one of them (biscottis) was a driving force behind the WeLoveAvondale group. Unless I'm missing something, that smacks of blatant hypocrisy. I hope I'm missing something, right?

[Tacachale]

One cannot have a rationale conversation. 

Why is supporting a J-Bill that promotes the 'intensification of use' of what could be maybe 4-5 dozens of commercial structures ok?  Doesn't that kind of go against the whole 'moratorium on bars and restaurants' philosophy- which is grounded in 'intensification' concerns?

That's an honest question.

Jabbing aside, this is the question  of the hour.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Chris, just curious.  Are the restaurant owners just members of RAP or on the board of RAP?

Chair:Jonathan Oliff
Vice Chair-Community Improvement: Kevin Kuzel
Vice Chair-Development: Cathleen Murphy
Vice Chair-Historic Preservation: Kay Ehas
Vice Chair-Membership: Malcolm Jones
Vice Chair-RAM Advisory: Sunny Gettinger
Secretary: Lisa Sheppard
Treasurer: Keith Holt
Mike Barker
Jeff Conley
Steve Congro
Allan Devault
Iris Eisenberg
Michelle Michael
Dylan Phillips
Joy Walker
Stephanie Welchans
Wayne Wood (Founder)
Marlo Zarka

No.  The neither restaurant owner is on the BoD.

[Cheshire Cat]

Chris, just curious.  Are the restaurant owners just members of RAP or on the board of RAP? 

I know one of them (biscottis) was a driving force behind the WeLoveAvondale group. Unless I'm missing something, that smacks of blatant hypocrisy. I hope I'm missing something, right?

I did not know that and as someone who really likes and frequents Biscotti's it upsets me as things were made so ugly for Mellow Mushroom. I like others do not see the difference between outside service at MM and what has been going on at the Brick for instance that has been serving both food and liquor outside since they opened.  There is plenty of prosperity to go around in Avondale and Jacksonville and I can't understand that what is good for one establishment is not acceptable in another.   It does appear that there is a difference in standards and how they are applied.  I too would like to hear the answer to your question.

[Intuition Ale Works]

Chris, just curious.  Are the restaurant owners just members of RAP or on the board of RAP?

Chair:Jonathan Oliff
Vice Chair-Community Improvement: Kevin Kuzel
Vice Chair-Development: Cathleen Murphy
Vice Chair-Historic Preservation: Kay Ehas
Vice Chair-Membership: Malcolm Jones
Vice Chair-RAM Advisory: Sunny Gettinger
Secretary: Lisa Sheppard
Treasurer: Keith Holt
Mike Barker
Jeff Conley
Steve Congro
Allan Devault
Iris Eisenberg
Michelle Michael
Dylan Phillips
Joy Walker
Stephanie Welchans
Wayne Wood (Founder)
Marlo Zarka

No.  The neither restaurant owner is on the BoD.

It should be of greater concern to everyone that 3 of the RAP board officers are City Employees.

Kay Ehas is the Chief Administrative Officer for the Duval County Property Appraiser, Kevin Kuzel is Councilman Jim Love's Executive  Assistant and Lisa Sheppard is a Senior Historic Planner with the City of Jacksonville.

[Cheshire Cat]

Chris, just curious.  Are the restaurant owners just members of RAP or on the board of RAP? 

I know one of them (biscottis) was a driving force behind the WeLoveAvondale group. Unless I'm missing something, that smacks of blatant hypocrisy. I hope I'm missing something, right?

Whats your definition of "driving force"? Not being argumentative. I do recall seeing Biscotti's owners names attached to the issue from time to time, but to me, they didn't seem like they were a driving force behind WLA. Plus, I think they are smart enough to know that Mellow was going to happen and thus didn't over do it, that I noticed. I don't want Cheshire Cat boycotting the biscuit for no reason

Oh I won't boycott Biscotti's.  I enjoy the restaurant too much and have for years.  I am just thinking about the reality that a vibrant Avondale center is far superior to one filled with empty storefronts.  I remember times when this was the case and the reality to me at least is that more restaurants is a good thing and into that I weigh the reality that many of the shops will be closed when evening patrons arrive. 

I feel that every potential business should be treated fairly and do feel that the owner of MM was given quite the run around and bent over backwards to meet the demands put to him.  I think the whole "We Love Avondale" thing wasn't needed and a bit much.  Of course there was the orange tree issue. 

[ChriswUfGator]

Chris, just curious.  Are the restaurant owners just members of RAP or on the board of RAP?

Chair:Jonathan Oliff
Vice Chair-Community Improvement: Kevin Kuzel
Vice Chair-Development: Cathleen Murphy
Vice Chair-Historic Preservation: Kay Ehas
Vice Chair-Membership: Malcolm Jones
Vice Chair-RAM Advisory: Sunny Gettinger
Secretary: Lisa Sheppard
Treasurer: Keith Holt
Mike Barker
Jeff Conley
Steve Congro
Allan Devault
Iris Eisenberg
Michelle Michael
Dylan Phillips
Joy Walker
Stephanie Welchans
Wayne Wood (Founder)
Marlo Zarka

No.  The neither restaurant owner is on the BoD.

Are you saying neither are members of RAP?

[ChriswUfGator]

Chris, just curious.  Are the restaurant owners just members of RAP or on the board of RAP? 

I know one of them (biscottis) was a driving force behind the WeLoveAvondale group. Unless I'm missing something, that smacks of blatant hypocrisy. I hope I'm missing something, right?

Whats your definition of "driving force"? Not being argumentative. I do recall seeing Biscotti's owners names attached to the issue from time to time, but to me, they didn't seem like they were a driving force behind WLA. Plus, I think they are smart enough to know that Mellow was going to happen and thus didn't over do it, that I noticed. I don't want Cheshire Cat boycotting the biscuit for no reason

Someone who repeatedly and strenuously spoke out in public on behalf of WLA.

I mean, what would you prefer I call that?

[tufsu1]

It should be of greater concern to everyone that 3 of the RAP board officers are City Employees.

Kay Ehas is the Chief Administrative Officer for the Duval County Property Appraiser, Kevin Kuzel is Councilman Jim Love's Executive  Assistant and Lisa Sheppard is a Senior Historic Planner with the City of Jacksonville.

why?  Perhaps they are public employees that care deeply about their community.

[Garden guy]

Any chance of post and college streets could return to one way to make things not so tight around there?...there are some real assholes out there.

[MEGATRON]

It should be of greater concern to everyone that 3 of the RAP board officers are City Employees.

Kay Ehas is the Chief Administrative Officer for the Duval County Property Appraiser, Kevin Kuzel is Councilman Jim Love's Executive  Assistant and Lisa Sheppard is a Senior Historic Planner with the City of Jacksonville.

why?  Perhaps they are public employees that care deeply about their community.

A RAP board member being an employee of the planning department is a serious onlict of interest IMO

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Chris, just curious.  Are the restaurant owners just members of RAP or on the board of RAP?

Chair:Jonathan Oliff
Vice Chair-Community Improvement: Kevin Kuzel
Vice Chair-Development: Cathleen Murphy
Vice Chair-Historic Preservation: Kay Ehas
Vice Chair-Membership: Malcolm Jones
Vice Chair-RAM Advisory: Sunny Gettinger
Secretary: Lisa Sheppard
Treasurer: Keith Holt
Mike Barker
Jeff Conley
Steve Congro
Allan Devault
Iris Eisenberg
Michelle Michael
Dylan Phillips
Joy Walker
Stephanie Welchans
Wayne Wood (Founder)
Marlo Zarka

No.  The neither restaurant owner is on the BoD.

Are you saying neither are members of RAP?

Just the Board.  Biscottis is a Small Business Partner, Casbah is not.

The requirements to be an actual RAP 'member', uh, pay the yearly fee.  So anyone can be a member, attend meetings and such, but to answer you question, probably, but there's no list to actually find out.

[Gators312]

One cannot have a rationale conversation. 

Why is supporting a J-Bill that promotes the 'intensification of use' of what could be maybe 4-5 dozens of commercial structures ok?  Doesn't that kind of go against the whole 'moratorium on bars and restaurants' philosophy- which is grounded in 'intensification' concerns?

That's an honest question.

Jabbing aside, this is the question  of the hour.

Still no answer on the question of the day?

[Dog Walker]

Allan DeVault, who is on the Board of RAP, is the managing partner of Blacksheep and Chair of the 5 Points Merchants Association.