Jacksonville Dem and GOP Evangelical politico's Blur the political lines.

[Cheshire Cat]

To understand Jacksonville Politics and why it is so bizarre and hard to navigate, you need to know some basics.  One of the first things to help you understand our politics is knowing there exists an undeniable but often unrecognized crossover of conservative evangelicals in the Republican party mostly white and their shared beliefs with conservative evangelicals in the Democrat Party who are most often black.  The lines are all blurred and the result is a Jacksonville political landscape that is hard for many folks inside and outside of Jacksonville politics to get their heads around. It's a world of unspoken parameters that are understood by top politicians on both sides of the political isle.  This understanding has resulted in the birth of an unholy alliance between those seeking power and control in the mostly white GOP and some in the Democrat party who tout a great numbers of black members/voters.  The result is a plethora of politicians and power players whose agenda's are often greater wealth/control of our city and it's finances, while infusing it all with their zealous religiosity over the needs, beliefs or consent of the majority.  For the few who have recognized the shared desire in these individuals of both parties, the possibilities of manipulation of our city government via religion and silent partisan agreements are endless.  The unspoken reality for "several" white power players is to let the black community have certain districts under their political control. Often the blacks in leadership are hand picked, groomed and ordained to leadership.  Once elected they like their white counterparts, who play for themselves first, can skim off what cream there is in various districts for special interests and whatever is left over or untouchable, will be used for the people and needs of the districts. If some districts suffer or don't catch up, so be it in the eye's of those in power and those who suffer the most are almost always the minority districts.  Those watching ignore what goes wrong in those districts because after all, they are being run by their own.  On the side of the black power players many of them adhere to the sentiment  that they will accept the control they have in a system and community that is still struggling as long as their pockets are lined first, they get the glory and if some good stuff happens for the communities that is a plus.  Such is one of the unfortunate dynamics in our city that makes it very hard for the honest, hard working elected officials to do the best they can once elected. They must balance the need to go along to get along or to stand firm and stand alone. (Note: I use the terms "some, few and many" as it is always a few deciding the future of the many and some who just go along.  I am speaking of the few not the many.  The sad reality is the few have held too much power for far too long in Jacksonville)

I have much more to say about all of this and will give concrete examples of the cross over in politics and power very soon.  I also want to stress that the manipulations of the major parties and their main players are unknown and/or ignored by many rank and file Dem's and Republicans because each has an agenda that needs protecting and advancement. 




In the meantime please read the following exceptionally enlightening article from the Folio entitled "THE BATTLE FOR CONTROL OF JACKSONVILLE CITY GOVERNMENT IS BEING FOUGHT BETWEEN TWO KINDS OF CONSERVATIVES".






Click this link for the full article:  folioweekly.com/THE-CHURCH-AND-THE-CHAMBER,12095

[spuwho]

The "evangelical blender" in local politics will always look weird.  If these people are running for public office because they want to impose a moral structure are essentially running for the wrong reasons. Last time I checked the definition of "public service" didn't include this.

There are different ethics that can be brought into the public space for debate, review and understanding, but ultimately the elected have to serve the public needs, not reinforcing or attempting to extend a personal dogma. This is what is great about America. We have this huge public forum where all of these backgrounds come together and attempt to seek the common good. (Flaws and all) You don't need to be a devout evangelical to support good roads, competent police and fire.

It really comes down to why do we elect people in the first place?  Their ability to lead? Their moral structure? Do we want candidates to have a rigid belief system that we want extended into governance, or do we want a candidate who is pliable and is willing to adjust to the needs of the electorate?  Perhaps a little bit of both.

I don't see Jacksonville politics anymore bizarre than any other place where I have lived. The cast of characters may be different, their backgrounds may be different, but the sometimes strange decisions are what they have in common and not always based on public good or logic.

But through it all we still hold the most important thing, a vote.

[sheclown]

Interesting read.  Thank you Diane.

Throw in the federal entitlement dollars, CDBG, NSP and you really have an interesting dynamic.  The poor, minority neighborhoods in Jacksonville, are, ironically, its cash cow.  And a cow (I might add) that is being starved. 

No biggie, we'll just shoot it so we don't need to look at it anymore.

[Cheshire Cat]

The "evangelical blender" in local politics will always look weird.  If these people are running for public office because they want to impose a moral structure are essentially running for the wrong reasons. Last time I checked the definition of "public service" didn't include this.

There are different ethics that can be brought into the public space for debate, review and understanding, but ultimately the elected have to serve the public needs, not reinforcing or attempting to extend a personal dogma. This is what is great about America. We have this huge public forum where all of these backgrounds come together and attempt to seek the common good. (Flaws and all) You don't need to be a devout evangelical to support good roads, competent police and fire.

It really comes down to why do we elect people in the first place?  Their ability to lead? Their moral structure? Do we want candidates to have a rigid belief system that we want extended into governance, or do we want a candidate who is pliable and is willing to adjust to the needs of the electorate?  Perhaps a little bit of both.

I don't see Jacksonville politics anymore bizarre than any other place where I have lived. The cast of characters may be different, their backgrounds may be different, but the sometimes strange decisions are what they have in common and not always based on public good or logic.

But through it all we still hold the most important thing, a vote.

Exactly, exactly, exacty!!!!!!  Well said.

[Cheshire Cat]

Interesting read.  Thank you Diane.

Throw in the federal entitlement dollars, CDBG, NSP and you really have an interesting dynamic.  The poor, minority neighborhoods in Jacksonville, are, ironically, its cash cow.  And a cow (I might add) that is being starved. 

No biggie, we'll just shoot it so we don't need to look at it anymore.

I'm going to get to that as well Gloria.  There is a story that has long needed telling in Jacksonville.  I am fixing to tell it, the good, the bad and the ugly.  I hope folks stick with me on this because the telling will take some time but listening may answer the questions of many when it comes to why our city flounders at so many levels.

[sheclown]

Interesting read.  Thank you Diane.

Throw in the federal entitlement dollars, CDBG, NSP and you really have an interesting dynamic.  The poor, minority neighborhoods in Jacksonville, are, ironically, its cash cow.  And a cow (I might add) that is being starved. 

No biggie, we'll just shoot it so we don't need to look at it anymore.

I'm going to get to that as well Gloria.  There is a story that has long needed telling in Jacksonville.  I am fixing to tell it, the good, the bad and the ugly.  I hope folks stick with me on this because the telling will take some time but listening may answer the questions of many when it comes to why our city flounders at so many levels.

sticking like glue, babe.

[Cheshire Cat]

Why are the political lines of Jacksonville blurred by evangelical religion in a way that puts evangelical whites and blacks in the same ultra conservative mindset?  The answer to that can be found in our local history.  We are a southern city through and through that still suffers from a racist hangover that impairs our political process in a city that has a very large black community.  That racist hangover is found in the roots of our collective southern history and that history is intertwined with firmly held Christian beliefs. Those beliefs were historically embraced by most of the southern whites and then later enthusiastically embraced by many blacks to the point of being an undeniably powerful force and influence in all black communities. Jacksonville a prime example of this reality. These beliefs of course are based upon the Christian bible which interestingly enough is the very thing that was used by white Christians to support the use of slavery. Slavery was endorsed and approved in the bible, originally in the old testament where there are innumerable references to slaves and masters. Those beliefs to be reinforced by the alleged words of Jesus in the new testament which indicate that a slave should be obedient and when needed punished.  During the days of slavery, it was long said by Christian preachers that blacks had no soul and as such should not be treated like whites and further should not be allowed in church.  Then some enterprising evangelicals decided that it may be a benefit to use the bible as a control mechanism of their slaves.  They quoted all the writings about obedient slaves and those who are not obedient burning eternally in hell. Of course this was a general teaching aimed at whites as well in a different manner.  After a time, some blacks were allowed to attend white christian churches but were made to stand in the backs of churches or in railed off loft areas.  Many blacks soon discovered that adopting the beliefs of the white Christians somehow made them more acceptable to many whites as well as providing them some hope of rescue from their difficult lives through a promised savior.  By the time slavery was ended it was generally believed that blacks had souls and many blacks discovered that there was power in preaching.  That by adopting the same stance of "superior" knowledge and connection to GOD, they could direct and control many in their community the same way preaching and white churches had given whites some degree of superiority. 

The outcropping of all of this of course was and is that the southern evangelical churches have a powerful influence on their believers that washes right over into their political views whether they be black or white.  Those views are often found at the base of right wing conservatism but are also held by black liberals who like some white conservatives have been indoctrinated to believe that gays are sinners, women have no right to their own reproduction, people who are not Christian are damned and those who don't believe are the spawn of Satan, etc. 

Interestingly our founding fathers were very aware of the profound and negative impact that religion can have when it comes to government function and rules of law. They took great pains to endorse personal "freedom of religion" yet keep our government "free from religion" and religious influences in order to govern all fairly and justly.  The battle to keep our government free from religion is still raging and it is still raging here in the south.  Those who have learned the great control afforded via Christian beliefs would love to exercise that control throughout our government and they are white, black with representation in all races and they are using their political parties and influence to make that happen if they can.  That control is also greatly desired in Jacksonville which has made for some very unusual political allies in our city.  I completely and fully support and respect ones personal right to religious beliefs but do not support those beliefs becoming a measure of government function at any level.

Where there is influence today we can see odd couplings of personalities and  the creation of allies like these: 

  Don Redman and Kimberly Daniels who both voted down the HRO and believe Gays are sinners and Muslims are not to be trusted, with Don Redman demanding that Dr. Ahmed a Muslim publicly pray to his "GOD" and Daniels entertaining the public with her comments on sexual perversions like folks having sex with the dead.


and these:

  Peter Rummell and Kimberly Daniels.  Kimberly often attends prayer meetings at the Rummell home and was the recipient of $4,000 in campaign donations in support of her current candidacy. 


with public rebuffs like this:

Ron Littlepage

A few years ago, Peter Rummell sent me an email that chided me for a column I had written that he believed contained unduly harsh criticism of then City Council candidate Kimberly Daniels.

Rummell would do well to heed his own counsel.

While Rummell was correct in much of his assessment of Mayor Alvin Brown's job performance, the choice of words he used during an interview with the Times-Union last week wasn't helpful.

With the mayoral election now less than a year away, I was hopeful the campaign would be about ideas for Jacksonville's future.

Rummell didn't start it in that direction when he said that Brown "does not know how to manage," that "he has no courage," that he "wimped out" in dealing with the City Council and that "it's embarrassing how he has handled himself.  http://www.jax-cdn.com/opinion/ron-littlepage/2014-04-29/story/ron-littlepage-can-we-please-have-mayoral-race-more"

or alliances like this:

  Pat Lockett-Felder, who built a monument to "herself" using tax dollars and Daniel Davis Jax Chamber and NEFBA rep who is also cousin of Ronnie Fussell Clerk of the Court, the one who said  gays could not  marry in the courthouse. Lockett/ Felder is running for a seat in district 8 and Daniel donating $500.00 to her campaign. 

and not unexpected connections like these:

  Current councilman Clay Yarborough,

council candidate Mike Anania,

Pastor Mark Brunson,

candidate for council Geoff Youngblood


The above pics and comments are not meant as an indictment of anyone but rather as a reflection of some of the unexpected alliances that come from conservative religion and the usual impact on politics in Jacksonville. These are simply recent examples of a dynamic in this city that is decades old.  Pages could be filled and books written on the many unusual alliances in our local government.  Certainly religious beliefs are not the only driving factor in private/political alliances, money and power are also key.


Note:  I know some of these comments might beg a discussion on religion but that is not my aim on this thread.  It is also not my desire to degrade anyone's personal views on religion which is a personal freedom and choice that I fully respect and honor.  All have the personal right to their belief or lack there of but I do not believe religion has a place in the functioning of our local government and decision making, nor did our founding fathers.  Our country should never become a theocracy.  I am simply trying to paint a picture of our political landscape, it's ins and outs and why local politics are the way they are in this city.

[Jax native]

I agree with almost all of your post.  Actually, I don't disagree on anything you wrote.  There is also a layer of 'good ole boys" white politicians, lobbyists, big money people supporting black candidates simply because they can manipulate someone when the politician is elected.  Especially financially.  I have witnessed white big money giving cash to city council members under the disguise of "giving to my church" or 'having a rally in my district".  The lobbyist gives $200. and more cash, just to keep them at bay for a week or so, needing their vote in upcoming issues.  This could also be happening in white city council members, but i have only witnessed first hands 2 black city council members receiving money for votes. 

[Cheshire Cat]

I agree with almost all of your post.  Actually, I don't disagree on anything you wrote.  There is also a layer of 'good ole boys" white politicians, lobbyists, big money people supporting black candidates simply because they can manipulate someone when the politician is elected.  Especially financially.  I have witnessed white big money giving cash to city council members under the disguise of "giving to my church" or 'having a rally in my district".  The lobbyist gives $200. and more cash, just to keep them at bay for a week or so, needing their vote in upcoming issues.  This could also be happening in white city council members, but i have only witnessed first hands 2 black city council members receiving money for votes. 

You are tuned right in and must be reading my mind. Thanks for sharing the church finance exchange as well. People need to know what is happening.  The next thread will be about the local GOB system of both Whites and Blacks.  Stay tuned.

[sheclown]

Pat Lockett-Felder, who built a monument to "herself" using tax dollars

More detail on this?

[Cheshire Cat]

Pat took over $9,000.00 in parks funds and had a "monument to herself" created and installed in a district park she also created.  Pat at the time was council person for one of the cities struggling districts yet she chose to glorify herself as opposed to use the money to help the district.

[Cheshire Cat]

  Jeb Bush

John Peyton

Earlier I touched upon the fact that there remains an ongoing effort by conservative politico's to harness the power of religion and put it to use in governance.   Here in Florida in 2004 then Governor Jeb Bush promoted and signed into law legislation to create "Faith Based Initiatives" in both state and city offices.  Following his action Jacksonville's mayor at the time, John Peyton also created an "Office of Faith & Community Based Initiatives" funding it with 1.1 million dollars.  This office when created was manned by a Chief Community Officer, Rev. Pete Jackson of Springfield "Church of Christ" and Reverend Michael Payne Sr. as Executive Director.  Payne's job was to work behind the scenes to attempt to improve relations between the city and minorities. 

Bush's faith based initiative was immediately challenged as an attempt to fund tax dollars into religious organizations. Then the faith based initiative was amended to include the tag "community" presumably to indicate that it was not only about religious organizations. Interestingly enough the government contact for the faith based initiatives was run through a HUD portal, HUD.gov, which of course is the office of Housing and Urban Development where our current mayor, Alvin Brown found his first job in government.

Those who live and work in the minority districts of Jacksonville well know that there is a very serious competition in those communities between churches, pastors and ministries especially when it comes to securing grant money for local programs.  There is also a well known understanding on the part of leadership in those areas that fed money via HUD as funneled through city government flowed pretty regularly and was readily tapped if you knew the hows and whys of the process.  So lets just say there were many agenda's at play when the "Faith Based Office" opened.  In spite of the attempt to paint the office as a community effort, the office sponsored quarterly "Prayer Breakfasts".  It wasn't long before things went wrong and there was abuse of the office by some in it's employ as well as loud claims of an unfair selection process and just like that Executive Director Rev. Michael Payne Sr. was suddenly out the door and on his way to live in West Palm Beach. He did not get any extension of pay or benefits, he was just gone!  The Peyton administration did it's best to cover up the actual reason for his departure and Payne claimed he had left because of conflicts of personalities and management styles.  Ahem....  Rev Jackson was then put in as the interim director but in 2005 he was made both the Executive Director and Community Officer and awarded a $147,000.00 salary.  Then this funny thing happened.  It was announced by Jackson that the office would have to temporarily "suspend the grant program".   Oops.  No one wanted to explain this abrupt change publicly but the reality is that scandal was brewing with regard to what seemed to be unethical and perhaps illegal agreements being brokered by persons in the office and to whom money was being paid.  There were also lots of folks angry about what they claimed was an insider tract some in the community had to the program and it's funds. Then Rev Jackson announced that he was going to leave to do more work with his congregation and he was out of there.   Peyton then put a woman by the name of Roslyn Phillips in as Interim Director who was also intimately involved with the HUD programs.  Fortunately, or unfortunately for some there was a budget cycle looming and cut backs were to be made.  The mayors office along with other departments were asked to share the pain of those cutbacks and made a public statement declaring that he had done just that.  During this time however, I was contacted by some insiders at city hall who told me that the mayor had not actually cut his staff but simply moved some under the umbrella of the Faith Based office. I got the paperwork and records to back up the tip and took it to several on council.   Then while working with a member of council to dissect that years budget, this issue came up and was shared again.  Finally during the wee hours of a very long budget meeting that lasted until 3:00 AM, a motion was made to cut the funding for the Faith Based office and thus this agency that funneled tax dollars to religious organizations and was at the heart of scandal quietly closed.  Another fine example of why religion and governance should never mix and frankly of how some conservatives tried to get around the fact that federal and other government money was indeed being funneled to religious organizations. There is also an "unspoken" truth here which is that an office such as this, with funding for minority programs, was also another nifty mechanism for control in minority districts.  Promises of money lead to folks going along to get along and then cut each others throats.

[sheclown]

   Pat took over $5,000.00 in district funds and had a "monument to herself" created and installed in a district park.  Pat at the time was council person for one of the cities struggling districts yet she chose to glorify herself as opposed to use the money to help the district.

In 2005?  Was there ever an investigation into this?  What park?

[Cheshire Cat]

Pat took over $9,000.00 in district funds and had a "monument to herself" created and installed in a district park.  Pat at the time was council person for one of the cities struggling districts yet she chose to glorify herself as opposed to use the money to help the district.

In 2005?  Was there ever an investigation into this?  What park?

Why thank you for asking Gloria because it caused me to look at some old info and reminded me of the rest of the story.  The monument actually cost 9,000.00 not $5,000.00.  It was put in a park created by Pat Lockett-Felder called "Legendary Park" which of course features herself on the monument as the most legendary of all.  lol  The backside has the names of several local pastors and other folks Felder also deemed legends.  Now the park itself is located at Randolf and 1st street.  She managed to get hold of $160,346.00 of funding in the Parks and Recreation budget and then made her case for the corner park in her district to the council.  No one knew at the time it was approved that the park included a $9,000 monument with her face on it.  It was slipped into the contract in an unobtrusive manner.  When the thing was erected and people found out about it the Concerned Tax Payers group made a sizable fuss over it and it made quite a lot of news. Since she had a placard of some sort in the park plans she had herself covered and when asked about it, she simply said the people of her district wanted the park.  No one knew about her monument till after the fact. This is just one case of too many to count where district reps put themselves first over the people while pretending it's all about the district and it's needs. In this case it is actually a monument to herself and people she considered worthy.  No consensus beyond her imagination supported this list of legendary individuals but she is a clever one in that you can bet the folks on the monument list and their families will vote for her again given the chance which they now have not to mention the support garnered by the pastors and their membership.

[sheclown]

Is it still there ?