Congratulations

[Matt carlucci sr]

Today by some fortune of fate I crossed paths with my old friend Stephen Dare while riding my bike during an hour dedicated to exercise. I stopped to not only catch up, shake hands ect.. but also congratulate Stephen, his board and those working together with him on the  great success of metrojacksonville. I have kept up by reading the publication , its comments and wonderful historical accounts of Jacksonville. Have not written in  much lately . Busy with family and business. I Continue to be so impressed with how respected and successful this site has become and its tremendous reach to our community .My best to all,  Matt Carlucci

[blfair]

I can't help but chuckle at a post from Mr. Matt Carlucci Sr with the title of "Newbie" under his name.

[Captain Zissou]

I can't help but chuckle at a post from Mr. Matt Carlucci Sr with the title of "Newbie" under his name.

He had a profile at one point with a few posts to his name.  He might have even made it to "Jr Member" status.

[Matt carlucci sr]

I have to use sr now since most people ask me if I am Matt Jr,s dad! 

[Know Growth]

I first crossed paths with Matt's Dad during a highly promoted event; the designation of Florida's Iconic,most loved mammal.Yea!!!
Gosh,that was some time ago........

Florida Panther.

Public school students in attendance along with Sponsor Legislation Senator Carlucci. Me too,Florida Wildlife Federation Board member on behalf of FWF,recent South Florida transplant,FWF had recently successfully passed first 'modern'  public environmental land protection/purchase program;CARL;Conservation And Recreation Lands Act. (This original Act would morph to other expanded state programs,wildly successful,then sequestered by later legislators,then resurrected via Amendment One,thanks in large part to original CARL/FWF et al engagement  )

In one of the first of many decades long 'shocks',I found that Senator Carlucci was in fact at odds with the FWF and it's feisty head,John C. Jones.
Based in West Palm Beach Florida,armed with a high school education,former plummer by trade,Johnny and his wife Marianna,linked strongly to the South Florida Everglades and therefore, historical National Wildlife Federation/FWF involvement,would find themselves at the helm of bold Conservation initiatives including teaming up with the 'Father" of Everglades Restoration Arthur Marshall,Marjorie Stoneman Douglas et al/Jet Port Opposition/Big Cypress Preserve designation and a host of emerging state wide conservation initiative efforts.

Enter CARL and a recognized need for statewide representation. The first CARL projects were directed to South Florida....Now What?
Northeast Florida wanted CARL action!!!
Behind the scenes,we found certain opposition,not helped by Legislators.
Up until CARL,The Narrative from the develop community was:"Enviros,you want us to save this place,tell us what to do with our land??!!..Buy It!!
With CARL,we had our check book on the table.
Yikes!!!!

So I walk in to a room and meet Senator Carlucci,Panther huggin',and witness growth politics,and above all,Ego abound,even in the midst of Chill.

Willing land owners would eventually trump; Jennings State Forest,Guana WMA/State Park,Talbot would emerge.And Bayard,where Senator Joe Carlucci,as esteemed guest, hunted prior to state land purchase. (Now largely a public hunt area).

(Matt Jr.- had we been even more successful,your very own son would have even more places to hunt.Still workin' on that  )

"Tell It Like It is"- Sen Carlucci Campaign Motto

Eventually,redistricting would shift Senator Joe Carlucci's District away from east of the River to include......Clay County.
Now deemed an "Outsider",Senator Carlucci soon grasped the key to political afterlife....the embrace of an Clay erroneous but politically expedient  "Alternative" to Blanding Blvd.and key leg to the envisioned Beltway (First Coast);Brannon Chaffee.

I could go on and on.....

Later,enter Matt Jr.,CPAC and Freedom Commerce Centre Application Dance.

I always tried to embrace you Matt Jr.,almost pull in to your business driveway,handshake,chat.
I have avowed to no longer support 'Serial' politicians;no more Kennedy,Bush,Clinton et al.No worries,I imagine a personal visit more efficacious.Matt Jr., you are to be congratulated for your aversion to recent public office placement,thank you for your efforts with relatively low publicity/high community value pension/budget efforts.

I hate it that my home and vehicles are with State Farm but the deal my wife got back when certain State farm agents were so centrally involved with Brannon Chaffee land owners,events can not be beat to this day.

My own father made less formal imprint but did manage to garner Middleburg Community Center room designated in honor; "C.S. 'Bud' Webster Room.I wonder if the room designation,or even the room remains.
The last visits I made to Clay county were for "Standing" purposes,negotiaions on Beltway concept,Lake Asbury Sector Plan (One,out of two),FWF input,and signature realignment of the beltway.

There is a certain leg of the First Coast Beltway that deserves to be named in honor of Joe Carlucci. But no Black Creek boat ramps.We have arrived at where we have been heading.

Rather than congratulations,I am more prone to a burp in the Chapel. 

Onward!
Tell It Like It Was

[Matt carlucci sr]

Good morning Know growth. Reading your post this morning brought back lots of memories, many over 30 years ago. I am Matt sr as having a son Matt Jr can be confusing. Matt Jr and my and another son named after my dad, Joseph "Joe" II are both very fine young men enjoying great success in their own insurance business. I. Am 59 now, a young 59 I like to think. I remember all the issues you spoke of so I have to think we know each other. Perhaps if you would like, pull into my parking lot behind my office at 3707 Hendricks ave. and we can visit and compare notes. I have a coffee maker close by and would enjoy the visit, if you would. Most of the time you can just drop in.I have an appointments but most of the time trying to catch the curves balls being thrown my way by corporate America! Anyway, the invitation of a handshake and conversation of old and current times stands. My best, Matt sr