Joey Marchy of Urbanjacksonville.info writes about MJ for EUmagazine!

[stephendare]

http://www.eujacksonville.com/story2.php?storyid=1084

by joey marchy
published: September 9, 2009

     Metro Jacksonville (www.metrojacksonville.com) began as an internet forum for discussing downtown and urban development issues. Today, four central members have created one of the largest independent media organizations in the city. Its influence sways over local pundits, architects, planners, city council members and even the Mayor's staff.

      Steve Congro and Stephen Dare sit at the end of the table in Springfield's Hola restaurant discussing something, but I'm not really paying attention. I can't hear too well as the other four people at the table plus the table behind me are talking at once. I'm aiming my chip for the salsa when Dan Herbin walks in. Ennis Davis is setting next to me. I'm surrounded by Jacksonville's best source for urban and downtown development news and discussion.

      Once a week Metro Jacksonville holds a public meeting where readers, forum users and politicians can interact and discuss the issues of the day. Things have settled down, volume-wise, by the time I start my second beer. I move to the end of the table with Dan Herbin, the "technical guy". He built the Metro Jacksonville website and photographs many of the photo essays you see on the site.

      Dan tells me everyone writes blog posts and contributes to the forum. When I ask Steve Congro how often he posts, he eludes the question a bit. He tells me he posts here and there, mostly in the forum. My observations tell me Stephen Dare is the most active in the forum. A local lightning rod, Stephen has a knack for knowing something about almost anything and anyone in Jacksonville. His trademark forum responses are long and packed with interesting nuggets. Stephen and Ennis Davis are absolute masters at creating an engaging experience in the forums.

      Ennis is a local planner and, in my estimation, one of the smartest our city has to offer. Ennis tours the country gathering intelligence on other cities he can use in his "Elements of Urbanism" features. In these pieces he compares and contrasts Jacksonville to other cities like Baltimore, Lexington and Nashville. By the end of my third beer (I was the only one drinking tonight) the Metro Jacksonville table was so loud I reminded everyone they were sitting right across from each other. Dan tells me this happens every week.

.......

[Sportmotor]

When and where are the meetings?

[Sportmotor]

Every tuesday night at Hola's restaurant in Springfield.

We meet with everyone from the public and the forums and discuss the issues of the week (plus nosh, gossip and drink)

starts at about 630, and its been a great time for about 3 years now.

Its worth it just to see me, jaxbydefault and tufsu calculating our blood pressure throughout the conversation.

Daw I work till 9pm
suppose I'll have to stick with my plan of hitting you with paper balls if I spot anyone at Three Layers

[Sportmotor]

whats the addy to the place?

[Sportmotor]

OH that really tacky lookin mexican restraunt?

[reednavy]

Who are the guys pictured?

[Sportmotor]

Ah ok, I'll see if I cant swing by one tuesday.

[Burn to Shine]

Every tuesday night at Hola's restaurant in Springfield.

We meet with everyone from the public and the forums and discuss the issues of the week (plus nosh, gossip and drink)

starts at about 630, and its been a great time for about 3 years now.

Its worth it just to see me, jaxbydefault and tufsu calculating our blood pressure throughout the conversation.

I love that name - jaxbydefault.  I totally feel that way sometimes. 

[ProjectMaximus]

Dan Herbin on the Left and Ennis Davis on the right.

Steve was busy being a Rotarian or gainfully employed or something like that, and I was taking my Mother to her doctor that day.

the picture would be complete if I were to the Left of Dan, and Steve were to the right of Ennis.

Why in that order, stephen? I'm afraid your reference went over my head.

[BridgeTroll]

The food is great... the beer is cold... and the conversations always informative and interesting.

Great article Joey!

[buckethead]

I need to get in and meet you guys. I must admit that I hold the active members here in a high esteem, and I wouldn't want to have my illusions shattered.

When I first came here I saw it as simply another Political forum which happened to be civil. As I explored I realized it was so much more informative and enjoyable than I imagined. Again, I'd like to say what a wonderful site this is thanks to those who care to know whats up and share it with the rest of us.

[sheclown]

it is a great site