Jacksonville Mayoral election 2015

[tufsu1]

To me an accounting background is not enough.  Running a city is far different from either of the area's of experience he has.

Vote for who you feel is best. I respect that.

But its absurd to suggest that a CPA with extensive experience with auditing, financial analysis, process improvement and developing financial operational procedures for companies with larger budgets than COJ isn't the exact definition of someone that is qualified to handle municipal budget issues.

except that running a company and running a local government are hardly similar.

[Tacachale]

"We're all working together, Republicans and Democrats. "

Mayor Brown discussing Jacksonville North Carolina, cause that sure ain't FL.

actually it has been pretty clear for the past 4 years that Mayor Brown is not that partisan.  Many of his policies and positions have been in complete opposition to general Democratic Party positions.

Also, Mayor Brown has crossover support from Republican elected officials....I'm still waiting for a Democratic official to endorse Curry.

Here you go:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,24278.0.html

Curry has been backed by Johnny Gaffney, who also seemed to confirm that Brown pressured him into flipping his vote and defeating the Human Rights Ordinance in 2012.

[bill]

Red,

Curry however was much worse on the subject and pretended that he didn't know the gay people were discriminated against despite being involved with several statewide groups whose mission is to discriminate against LGBT people

Will you censure this or are you talking out of your ass again?

[fieldafm]

To me an accounting background is not enough.  Running a city is far different from either of the area's of experience he has.

Vote for who you feel is best. I respect that.

But its absurd to suggest that a CPA with extensive experience with auditing, financial analysis, process improvement and developing financial operational procedures for companies with larger budgets than COJ isn't the exact definition of someone that is qualified to handle municipal budget issues.

except that running a company and running a local government are hardly similar.

Another absurd statement. Again, vote for who you want to... but good managers are good managers. If you don't like someone's stance on an issue, then so be it. But to suggest that someone's skillset is not relevant because of your political leanings is exactly the kind of partisan BS that tuns off so many well qualified people to run for office.

[tufsu1]

^ I am hardly being partisan here.  I voted for more Republicans by far in the primary than Democrats.  As for stances on issues, I'm still waiting to hear some from Curry.  Saying he doesn't believe there is discrimination in Jax. isn't much of a stance (and yes I'm very aware that saying I don't believe in discrimination in any form isn't much better).

That said, facts are facts.  Just because Rick Scott may have known how to run a hospital company (debatable) did not in any way make him ready for running the state of Florida.  he continues to have a hard time dealing with the Legislature, media, etc.  and does not seem top understand what the word compromise even means.

The same could very well be said about Brown...and I am afraid based on some of the tough tactics used so far on folks who don't fall in line, Curry could be worse.

[vicupstate]

^ I am hardly being partisan here.  I voted for more Republicans by far in the primary than Democrats.  As for stances on issues, I'm still waiting to hear some from Curry.  Saying he doesn't believe there is discrimination in Jax. isn't much of a stance (and yes I'm very aware that saying I don't believe in discrimination in any form isn't much better).

That said, facts are facts.  Just because Rick Scott may have known how to run a hospital company (debatable) did not in any way make him ready for running the state of Florida.  he continues to have a hard time dealing with the Legislature, media, etc.  and does not seem top understand what the word compromise even means.

The same could very well be said about Brown...and I am afraid based on some of the tough tactics used so far on folks who don't fall in line, Curry could be worse.

^ I am hardly being partisan here.  I voted for more Republicans by far in the primary than Democrats.  As for stances on issues, I'm still waiting to hear some from Curry.  Saying he doesn't believe there is discrimination in Jax. isn't much of a stance (and yes I'm very aware that saying I don't believe in discrimination in any form isn't much better).

That said, facts are facts.  Just because Rick Scott may have known how to run a hospital company (debatable) did not in any way make him ready for running the state of Florida.  he continues to have a hard time dealing with the Legislature, media, etc.  and does not seem top understand what the word compromise even means.

The same could very well be said about Brown...and I am afraid based on some of the tough tactics used so far on folks who don't fall in line, Curry could be worse.

All good points.  Running a business and running something public and political like a major city are VERY,VERY different.  See John Peyton. Peyton acted like the City Council didn't even exist in his first term. He was use to having his way and running a government will never be that way. CEO types are not use to sharing power or building support for his initiatives outside of a few yes men in there boardrooms.   Running a political party is based on creating disagreement, not building bridges and seeking compromise.

Some business types do quite well in politics and just as many do not.

Which brings me to a series of questions regarding Curry's business experience.  How large is his company?   Did he grow it from scratch or some other scenario? How many employees does it have and what are it's annual revenues?  The COJ is a billion dollar a year operation, and this is his only relevant experience for the job, so the answers are very important.           

[Tacachale]

^No matter how you slice it, Curry's experience is going to come out looking better than Brown's. Not only did he have even less experience than Curry, he's effectively proven over the last four years that he's not up to the job.

[Jax native]

^No matter how you slice it, Curry's experience is going to come out looking better than Brown's. Not only did he have even less experience than Curry, he's effectively proven over the last four years that he's not up to the job.

No matter how you slice it, Lenny Curry is a Republican politician which will take priority  before any other 'business'.  Lenny Curry is a young white male, who has been groomed by the Republican party to take Jacksonville, FL.  Candidates don't receive endorsement from Rick Perry for being a good accountant.  Gov. Scott's endorsement would be for Micky Mouse if Mickey was the only Republican in the race.  Lenny Curry will only be part from the Republican stance if elected for 4 years.  Mayor Alvin Brown will work w/ others and I do admire the strong leadership he has taken On a FEW things. 

Any Gaffney endorsement lacks credibility. Period.  I haven't read the article, but if Gaffney endorse Curry because he said 'he was pressured by Brown to change his vote on HRO" shows a person with a spine made out of paper.   A spine made out of money he expects from others when they do their dirty work.  Again, I have personal experiences w/ both Gaffney's (actual 3) so I'm stating from experiences on how Gaffney rolls. 

[Tacachale]

^Ok, but none of that changes the way the two candidates' respective experience shapes up. Curry has 20 years experience in accounting and management from running a business, apparently successfully. Brown had several years unsuccessfully running a college football game and charity, and now four years unsuccessfully running a city.

[Cheshire Cat]

^No matter how you slice it, Curry's experience is going to come out looking better than Brown's. Not only did he have even less experience than Curry, he's effectively proven over the last four years that he's not up to the job.

No matter how you slice it, Lenny Curry is a Republican politician which will take priority  before any other 'business'.  Lenny Curry is a young white male, who has been groomed by the Republican party to take Jacksonville, FL.  Candidates don't receive endorsement from Rick Perry for being a good accountant.  Gov. Scott's endorsement would be for Micky Mouse if Mickey was the only Republican in the race.  Lenny Curry will not part from the Republican stance if elected for 4 years.  Mayor Alvin Brown will work w/ others and I do admire the strong leadership he has taken On a FEW things. 

Any Gaffney endorsement lacks credibility. Period.  I haven't read the article, but if Gaffney endorse Curry because he said 'he was pressured by Brown to change his vote on HRO" shows a person with a spine made out of paper.   A spine made out of money he expects from others when they do their dirty work.  Again, I have personal experiences w/ both Gaffney's (actual 3) so I'm stating from experiences on how Gaffney rolls. 

I agree with much of this but can't think of a thing of importance that Brown has actually led on.   He is weak in leadership.  In my decision I had to balance that against the far right GOP associations of Curry in politics and money and found those to be deal breakers along with who he surrounded himself with during the campaign.  Curry is a repeat of Peyton in many ways.

[Jax native]

... so the buck stops with him on this issue.

If the buck stopped with him on the issue, then there would be no need for the council to approve it in the first place. 

I've said it before; I'll say it again - stop focusing on the single issues and try to look at the entire debacle comprehensively.  It's not going to end until someone with the backbone to stand up and say enough is enough and force each department to do better with what they already have.   Brown isn't that guy and I have ZERO inclination that Curry is either. 

Sometimes getting out of the way of things is the best option.

But LEADERSHIP?   I hear you, but leadership in the wrong direction is what?

If there was anyone way to star this comment w/ the gif, I'll give you 1,000 stars.  Loved it. 

[Cheshire Cat]

^No matter how you slice it, Curry's experience is going to come out looking better than Brown's. Not only did he have even less experience than Curry, he's effectively proven over the last four years that he's not up to the job.

No matter how you slice it, Lenny Curry is a Republican politician which will take priority  before any other 'business'.  Lenny Curry is a young white male, who has been groomed by the Republican party to take Jacksonville, FL.  Candidates don't receive endorsement from Rick Perry for being a good accountant.  Gov. Scott's endorsement would be for Micky Mouse if Mickey was the only Republican in the race.  Lenny Curry will not part from the Republican stance if elected for 4 years.  Mayor Alvin Brown will work w/ others and I do admire the strong leadership he has taken On a FEW things. 

Any Gaffney endorsement lacks credibility. Period.  I haven't read the article, but if Gaffney endorse Curry because he said 'he was pressured by Brown to change his vote on HRO" shows a person with a spine made out of paper.   A spine made out of money he expects from others when they do their dirty work.  Again, I have personal experiences w/ both Gaffney's (actual 3) so I'm stating from experiences on how Gaffney rolls. 

I agree with much of this but can't think of a thing of importance that Brown has actually led on.   He is weak in leadership.  In my decision I had to balance that against the far right GOP associations of Curry in politics and money and found those to be deal breakers along with who he surrounded himself with during the campaign.  Curry is a repeat of Peyton in many ways.

I can think of a couple that the Mayor has led on.

1. Sports Development and emphasizing that it be downtown.

2. Downtown itself. There has been a hell of a lot more direct action downtown that leads to actual people coming there than the past 15 years.

3. Finally asserting the tool of foreclosing on historic buildings that are being demolished through neglect as in the case of the Bostwick Building.

4. Making literally the first effort from the city hall side of things to understand and improve public education by appointing a person to do that.

5.  Having the largest outreach to the hispanic community, the african american chamber of commerce and the Asian community in the history of Jville.  The mayor has built each of these communities into the process of government, and for the first time in a long time the decision making process involving community organizations looks a lot more like the city than any other administration of the past 30 years.  I know a lot of the white people on these forums know little or nothing about how many residents these organizations represent, but its substantial.

In prior years, the 'diversity' effort has mostly been a bunch of white people occasionally meeting with a few fundamentalist preachers with big african american (voting) congregations to talk about 'poverty' and crime, but nothing else of much importance to the daily lives of businesses and negotiating your way through the various institutional layers of the city.

Brown has quietly and effectively included a much larger group of citizens in this community, and not just along black and white lines.  I was actually surprised how much communication goes on with the Asian and Latino communities.

But since we appear to be mostly considering the opinions of white republicans, Im not surprised that this hasn't been seen as 'leadership'.

We could have a long drawn out discussion about the things you mentioned.    For me leadership is about stepping up and taking a stand on difficult issues that impact the everyday lives of average citizens across the county in all of Duval.  I am not saying your points are without merit but we differ on the degree of their importance and that is okay. 

[Cheshire Cat]

From our partners at channel four:

http://www.news4jax.com/news/expert-shift-in-early-voting-trend-could-signal-surprise/32946876

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -
With just over a week until Jacksonville elects its next sheriff and mayor, voters have one week left to vote early, and it looks like a voting trend has changed.

Only the party a voter belongs to is released, not who they voted for, because those votes are not announced until the polls close Election Day. But it appears more Democrats are heading out to vote than Republicans.

News4Jax political analyst Jennifer Carroll said the shift means Republicans need to worry.

"What we may see as a surprise, particularly from the Republican side, is that Lenny Curry may not come out of this," Carroll said. "Because so far the Republican base assumes that Lenny Curry has it in the bag, that he should be the victor."

Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland said the push is on. He is still calling for a 40 to 41 percent voter turnout by Tuesday. There were no record numbers of early voters this weekend, but that's likely to change this week

A real nail biter.  Neither side should be too sure of a victory.

[Cheshire Cat]

exactly.  and to be honest, this is a pretty typical kind of statement from Jennifer Carroll. Its part of the Get Out the Vote operation.

Let people know that the candidate you most want to win is in danger of losing to make sure they go vote.  Isn't there usually a democratic advantage in early voting but a republican advantage in absentee voting?

Nail on head Stephen. 

[edjax]

^^yes, on the early voting comment.  Following is a story from Jac.com on the early voter and mail in votes from the first round:


Democrats had an impressive weekend in early voting: they will head into Tuesday's election with about a 5 percent turnout advantage over Republicans.

The quick partisan breakdown of early and mail-in ballots: Democrats cast 40,979 votes, Republicans cast 36,432, and voters belonging to "other" parties cast 9,805.