Jim Bailey: Why I Want to be Mayor of Jacksonville

[thelakelander]

Thanks to Jim Bailey as well.  I really enjoyed this interaction and would like to see it continue.  Going forward here is some advice that I think will help, regarding mass transit, economic development, downtown revitalization, logistics and other issues discussed last night. 

We need to remember that nothing is done in a vacuum or complete isolation.  All of these issues have something to do with each other.  For example, while we won't be able to immediately get downtown's residential population base up, we can find ways to better utilize the +100,000 residents living within a 3-mile radius of it as an anchor for revitalization.  While we can't afford to expand our highway network, we can develop rail based solutions that help the port logistically, generate revenue, economic development, jobs and improve our tax base.

When viewed alone, each of these topics can look challenging and budget busting.  So much to the point that we immediately view them in a defeated mindset instead of stepping up to the challenge to get things done.  This is what separates the Charlottes and the Atlantas of the world from the Jacksonvilles and Detroits. 

However if various entities can put their heads together, cluster their creativity and existing financial resources, we will find that we can affordably implement major improvements on this city that will achieve everything mentioned above....sooner, rather than later.

Whatever candidate that can take hold of this advice and run with it, will be well on their way to becoming Jacksonville's next mayor.

[Singejoufflue]

^^YES!

I'm sorry I wasn't able to attend; however, I am very encouraged by some of the things he mentioned.  We need a strong, "get it done"-type as mayor and he is working hard to brand himself as such.  Time will tell if that is indeed the case!

[CS Foltz]

Good question on ethics ... let me give you my take.

The first thing we need to do is to elect good people who are accountable - that's what voters and elections are for.  

The next thing we need to do is to have a Mayor and Council leadership who brook no improprieties.  Elected and appointed office are a trust, if you don't want to go the extra mile not only be correct but to APPEAR correct and trustworthy - one that's an example for others - you really don't need to play.  There are other ways to be involved.  

But the City needs an ethics code, and it needs to be commonsense in its format and progressive in its nature.  The City Council first should police their own, the General Counsel should actively advise, the Ethics Officer should oversee the entire arrangement, and the State Attorney should - and appears to be - aggressively interested in issues of public corruption.  

As to whether it also needs to be in the Charter, I'm not yet convinced that more "laws" will benefit when more "enforcement" hasn't been tried.  I'm open to the argument, but I'm not there right now.  Good people, good policies, good enforcement, good accountability.  I just don't know that adding words to the Charter helps that formula.  

I will buy that, which by the way, is more from any other candidate Mr Bailey! Was not able to participate but if there is a next time...........look forward to it! Much Thanks Mr Bailey!

[CS Foltz]

I am encouraged that we atleast have one person who gives a darn about our City! We have to work within our budgets and I have never been able to understand just why the City can not do the same!

[duvaldude08]

I am encouraged as well. He shows a true interest in the success of this city, especially downtown. Knowing that he had a part in the Bay Street Town Center project shows that he thinking in the right direction. I am aslo like the fact that he is not making any promises that he can not keep, but letting us know these issues will be on the table.

He also has the right mind set when it comes to development. It does not make sense that we let these developers come in and pimp us for money to build a pipe dream, that never comes to frutation. Smaller scale projects, such as the Laura street Trio, is what we need to jump start downtown. Havent heard much from the other candidates. but so far he has my vote!

[CS Foltz]

duvaldude08............I agree! I do believe he has the right idea and is at least considering options that benefit all of us not just the select few! Time will tell........still early in the race!

[duvaldude08]

duvaldude08............I agree! I do believe he has the right idea and is at least considering options that benefit all of us not just the select few! Time will tell........still early in the race!

I hope he pulls through. We need a serious change in this city and we can not screw up this time. Another plus with bailey is that he has experience running a sucessful business.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I think the expectation and hope that I'm reading needs to be tempered slightly.  The job of any candidate is to be voted into office.  The more people that agree with your positions will more likely vote you into office.  That's the nutshell version that everyone here understands (even me).   This is not to discredit anyone, but what is Bailey's "mainstream" view?  Because, while a great idea doing the Q & A, he can also tailor his answers to be received well here.

In all fairness, I think the other candidates should be contacted and allowed the same (probably has been done) open forum, but the real work will be in finding out who stays with the same stories through both open forums and print media.

While I'd love to believe that everything that he stated, it seemed a little too close to the general sentiment shared on this site.

[CS Foltz]

Non-RedNeck Westsider.....I agree! Talking is one thing and doing is something else entirely! We have only heard from Mr Bailey to this point.............there are something like 12 or 13 still out there that have not said a whole lot about much of anything and until I can compare apples to apples ............no one receives my vote! We still have lots of time before that day comes and hoping MetroJax can entice or convince the rest of them to do the same thing Mr Bailey has done.............answer direct questions!

[Coolyfett]

I wonder how he feels about the Navy? I know downtown is important, and the current children in Duval County Schools is important, but about the potential of bringing in more Naval families?  

[duvaldude08]

Non-RedNeck Westsider.....I agree! Talking is one thing and doing is something else entirely! We have only heard from Mr Bailey to this point.............there are something like 12 or 13 still out there that have not said a whole lot about much of anything and until I can compare apples to apples ............no one receives my vote! We still have lots of time before that day comes and hoping MetroJax can entice or convince the rest of them to do the same thing Mr Bailey has done.............answer direct questions!

Agreed Totally.. I have placed him on my list of potentials.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Non-RedNeck Westsider.....I agree! Talking is one thing and doing is something else entirely! We have only heard from Mr Bailey to this point.............there are something like 12 or 13 still out there that have not said a whole lot about much of anything and until I can compare apples to apples ............no one receives my vote! We still have lots of time before that day comes and hoping MetroJax can entice or convince the rest of them to do the same thing Mr Bailey has done.............answer direct questions!

This is the fundamental problem, though.  It's all talk until they get elected and are immediately overwhelmed by every little fire that has to 'stamped out immediately' that they either forget or never get around to doing any of what they talked about.  And it's after the election when they get lambasted for going directly against their original campaign platform.  

I understand what he stated, "The first thing we need to do is to elect good people who are accountable - that's what voters and elections are for."  But how can we hold them accountable for promises that were made to get elected in the first place?  I know, vote them out!  But it's four years later.  

I guess my rant is like most people:  I want to believe them, then everytime my candidate gets elected, I have a feeling very akin to 'buyer's remorse.'  I think the system's broken, but have no clue how to start fixing it.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Non-RedNeck Westsider.....I agree! Talking is one thing and doing is something else entirely! We have only heard from Mr Bailey to this point.............there are something like 12 or 13 still out there that have not said a whole lot about much of anything and until I can compare apples to apples ............no one receives my vote! We still have lots of time before that day comes and hoping MetroJax can entice or convince the rest of them to do the same thing Mr Bailey has done.............answer direct questions!

And this brings up another point:  How directly did he answer the questions?

As I mentioned, it felt like his answers were what we wanted to hear, as would any candidate running for office.

You don't get apple pickers to vote for you if they know that you're replacing apple trees with orange trees after the election.  Nevermind that oranges are tastier and healthier and better to look at.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I'm not trying to stir the pot, just putting to words my agnostic view of politics in general.  As I said, I would love to believe everything he said at face value.  Nothing would surprise me more than an elected official actually doing what they said they would do.  And I understand that they can't get to every pet project that they promise on the campaign trail, but at least get the big one's rolling.  What are his big ones?  Employment, DT Businesses, Rail, technology.... hell, he didn't say, but he did have an opinion on each subject.  One's that have been opined several thousand time before here.

Nevermind.

I guess I am just stirring the pot.

[CS Foltz]

Non-RedNeck Westsider.............your not stirring the pot anymore than it allready has been! We gotta start somewhere and Mr Bailey was just the first up! Knowing stephen and the general concensus here, there will be more candidates posting here...................right stephen?