Did anyone catch the comparison chart on the TU website for the candidates? I'm far from being into politics and find it hard to trust anything people say while running to get elected. I was just wondering what you guys thought about the issues they have laid out on the site.
http://news.jacksonville.com/specials/mayorsrace/compare.php#tab-4
It's not a good sign that Alvin Brown couldn't even get the questionaire turned in by the due date when all the other candidates could.
I don't understand Warren Lee's answer. We need to get the Landing "running on par?"
Mike Hogan's answer seems wishy washy and a little suspicious. Almost sounds like he thinks investing in downtown is a taxpayer waste.
Rick Mullaney's answer is something discussed all the time on this website.
Audrey gave the most unique answer, another answer that has been discussed on this website...using downtown to increase the tax base. This is how Atlanta and other progressive northeastern cities view neighborhoods and troubled areas (opportunities to increase the tax base). I also think Audrey could have easily said the same thing as Rick.
Downtown development will take partnership building. No candidate has the skill sets to do this like Audrey. They are all good people. We have to select the person best suited for the job. Audrey has experiences that are broader than the other candidates. But more than that she has more passion and more stature. She is a natural leader. I know all the candidates well. She has the finest skill sets for this moment in time for all our city.
Here is my take in short:
Alvin Brown - N/A
Warren Lee - Doesn't appear that he's put much thought into dealing with downtown's issues.
Mike Hogan - Downtown isn't a higher priority than the Westside or any other area of town.
Rick Mullaney - I like the urban medical district concept. Downtown revitalization is a priority that he'll deal with later in his term (after restructuring the city's finances)
Audrey Moran - Provided the most detailed answer, showing her campaign has put a lot of work into evaluating both short and long term issues facing downtown.
Based on what's been presented, if you're a one issue voter and that issue is downtown, you're voting for Moran or Mullaney. Judging from Hogan's time on council and his campaign topics, downtown will be less of a priority to him than it was to Peyton. I still have no real idea of who Alvin Brown is and Warren Lee's answer indicates that he has no clue of how to turn DT around.
I do know that Alvin Brown formerly worked for Bill Clinton. He's told me that now on two seperate occasions. And besides the fact that he has a firm handshake and works at JU, that's about all I know about him.
Thank God Jacksonville doesn't need vision or leadership...
QuoteDowntown development will take partnership building.
Mr Carlucci is about as spot on as it gets. Maybe we should listen to him now? Not enough of us listened to him when he ran for mayor... and we're a lesser city b/c of it today.
Quote from: fieldafm on January 25, 2011, 02:14:25 PM
Mr Carlucci is about as spot on as it gets. Maybe we should listen to him now? Not enough of us listened to him when he ran for mayor... and we're a lesser city b/c of it today.
Quoted for truth.