RAP Hosts District 14 Candidate Forum
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1045573268_HwRtf-M.jpg)
Much of the focus in local politics right now is on the mayor's race, with Mike Hogan, Rick Mullaney and Audrey Moran (among others) trying to win the opportunity to follow John Peyton as mayor. However, also being contested on March 22nd are many city council races, and District 14 is one of the largest fields with six candidates running for the seat. On Thursday, February 3rd, the six candidates will participate in a public forum, hosted by Riverside Avondale Preservation at the Cummer Museum
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-feb-rap-hosts-district-14-candidate-forum
Given what is happening on the St. Johns River outside of Duval county I would like to know what is the position of each candidate to active recreational access to the St. Johns River and how they see it in Dist.14.
Also the St. Johns River Alliance is seeking a statewide designation for a 310 mile Blueway Paddling Trail and their is a pending piece of legislation 2010-856 that may be around when you take office. Its a transient vendor ban and they want to go from 300' to 1 mile. Question-Should an amendment be attached that would exempt the waterways of the St. Johns River our American Heritage River?
There are other questions. Pension reform, budget, transportation, but if a candidate responds back on my question I'd give him extra points.
Seems like all i see here are conservative right wingers...hmmm...is there anything else in this city?
First 100 attendees will receive a free day pass to the Cummer Museum. Auditorium doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Garden Guy - I disagree. I recommend you attend to hear their views. I know some of the candidates, and I can say for sure that they are not all conservative right wingers.
I am planning on attending this.
Quote from: Garden guy on February 02, 2011, 08:49:24 AM
Seems like all i see here are conservative right wingers...hmmm...is there anything else in this city?
maybe you should run for office!
I'll be there, and I will listen before I judge.
Quote from: tufsu1 on February 02, 2011, 10:25:14 AM
Quote from: Garden guy on February 02, 2011, 08:49:24 AM
Seems like all i see here are conservative right wingers...hmmm...is there anything else in this city?
maybe you should run for office!
Bumper Sticker: DON't BLAME ME OR I WILL RUN FOR OFFICE!
Could this district be more gerrymandered? What the hell does Riverside/Avondale have in common with the argyle forest sprawl? Hint...not a damn thing! Ridiculous! Having grown up in Jax, it makes me ill to have to spend time in the argyle area. Honestly, it is the poster child of bad growth management and might as well be Clay county because it certainly has nothing in common with the in-town Jax neighborhoods.
Quote from: tufsu1 on February 02, 2011, 10:25:14 AM
Quote from: Garden guy on February 02, 2011, 08:49:24 AM
Seems like all i see here are conservative right wingers...hmmm...is there anything else in this city?
maybe you should run for office!
I could'nt win...i'm not a jesus follower and my father is'nt a billionaire..this city seems to just follow who ever blows smoke up thier ars'.....I'd like to see a lower middle class educated someone who doe'snt care about making everyone around them rich...personally i also think that "no public employee should never make more the the median wage of the people whom they rule".....also i'd like to see that if a mayor give a contract to anyone he or she knows they'll do 2 years in jail...period...i think the contracts that have been handed out has made families in this city alot of wealth and it's just gross...what to do with monies and how to tax is fundamentally different in conservative cities as opposed to progressive cities...we pay less in taxes and fees that many and all i ever hear is you tax this and that and the other...i say get over it..pay your part and help everone else enjoy life the way you do....if we all paid our fair share there would be no money issues in this city...time after time i've heard "we are lowering taxes..and blah blah blah...well...this is where that activity has gotten us....there's no cash in the pockets because no was put in the pocket...it bought lunch and a dinner for good friends last night...sorry about that.
Quote from: floridaforester on February 02, 2011, 09:56:48 PM
Could this district be more gerrymandered? What the hell does Riverside/Avondale have in common with the argyle forest sprawl? Hint...not a damn thing! Ridiculous! Having grown up in Jax, it makes me ill to have to spend time in the argyle area. Honestly, it is the poster child of bad growth management and might as well be Clay county because it certainly has nothing in common with the in-town Jax neighborhoods.
Trust for Public Lands held 1900 undeveloped acres at what would become Oakleaf,former defunct General Development.
600 acres did convey to the Brannon/Chaffee mitigation park,the rest wrestled away from TPL by well connected locals,held as "The Farm" and then speculatively interjected in to decades long sprawl dreams.
A sordid tale-even Former General Development Exec. Mike Garrettson eventually cycled in to the Delaney administration;planning matters.
It is indeed bad energy,and likely literally costly to Riverside/Avondale.
Wouldn't it be interesting if the push for Consolidation (dating back to the 1920's.....) had not ocurred,and the "City" of "Jacksonville" evolved within tighter city limits?
I wish I could make it. Love sounds like the guy most aligned with developing the historic area. I'd like to hear the other candidates, because you never know.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on February 03, 2011, 11:24:38 AM
I wish I could make it. Love sounds like the guy most aligned with developing the historic area. I'd like to hear the other candidates, because you never know.
I too likely unable to attend-I have asked RAP to pose the issue of Fishweir Creek restoration.
Quote from: north miami on February 03, 2011, 10:54:17 AM
Wouldn't it be interesting if the push for Consolidation (dating back to the 1920's.....) had not ocurred,and the "City" of "Jacksonville" evolved within tighter city limits?
I think about this often and wonder the same thing. The problem I have with it is how it has affected us politically. The strong political influence from the outer areas has made it very difficult for the inner areas to have equal representation. The spoke pattern of the council districts makes this even worse.
Quote from: dougskiles on February 03, 2011, 03:51:23 PM
Quote from: north miami on February 03, 2011, 10:54:17 AM
Wouldn't it be interesting if the push for Consolidation (dating back to the 1920's.....) had not ocurred,and the "City" of "Jacksonville" evolved within tighter city limits?
I think about this often and wonder the same thing. The problem I have with it is how it has affected us politically. The strong political influence from the outer areas has made it very difficult for the inner areas to have equal representation. The spoke pattern of the council districts makes this even worse.
I believe consolidation has not been all that for our older neighborhoods. We have one district council person and need 10 votes. It is tough. And I think all of the money goes to new development because we all know it doesn't pay for itself. There is little if any investment in older neighborhoods. The Town Center initiative did target older neighborhoods and Riverside Avondale benefitted from four projects worth probably less than $2 million. Doug, San Marco always seems to get quite a bit of investment, i.e. the current $12 million (is that the right number) San Marco Blvd. project. Ditto Hendricks Ave. How do you guys do it?
In the meantime, $40 million overpasses (not even including the road expansion costs) are no problem for burbs. Nevertheless, I don't know if we can hold consolidation responsible for this. Places like Charlotte, Oklahoma City, Columbus, Louisville, Nashville and Indianapolis are consolidated or cover a large amount of territory and still have found a way to have vibrant cores. So the true issue must be deeper than city/county consolidation at face value.
Quote from: thelakelander on February 03, 2011, 04:34:26 PM
In the meantime, $40 million overpasses (not even including the road expansion costs) are no problem for burbs. Nevertheless, I don't know if we can hold consolidation responsible for this. Places like Charlotte, Oklahoma City, Columbus, Louisville, Nashville and Indianapolis are consolidated or cover a large amount of territory and still have found a way to have vibrant cores. So the true issue must be deeper than city/county consolidation at face value.
That the few who control the city are real estate developers and road builders? That the belief among those in power is that we must have new development to survive?
Quote from: Kay on February 03, 2011, 04:40:29 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on February 03, 2011, 04:34:26 PM
In the meantime, $40 million overpasses (not even including the road expansion costs) are no problem for burbs. Nevertheless, I don't know if we can hold consolidation responsible for this. Places like Charlotte, Oklahoma City, Columbus, Louisville, Nashville and Indianapolis are consolidated or cover a large amount of territory and still have found a way to have vibrant cores. So the true issue must be deeper than city/county consolidation at face value.
That the few who control the city are real estate developers and road builders? That the belief among those in power is that we must have new development to survive?
That's pretty much the mentality of the leaders of the state of Florida, not just Jax. It will only get worse with our new govenor. It is not sustainable and the sooner those in power realize this, the better.
I was talking to a large residential developer recently. I was trying to explain to him that development patterns are changing, and that generations behind us aren't as keen on living so far away as the older generations have been. They aren't as fascinated with long commutes and don't want to contribute to the environmental impact of that lifestyle. He looked at me incredulously and chuckled, "well wait until they start having kids". Then he told me they haven't sold anything in a long time.
So, what I'm wondering is - how long will it take for the market to correct this issue for us? Or will we continue to force a bad growth plan until the city collapses on itself?
QuoteWhat the hell does Riverside/Avondale have in common with the argyle forest sprawl?
Well for one thing, not a single TV station knows where the Westside of Jacksonville is located so everything in District 14 is considered "Westside".
I attended the RAP candidate forum.The candidate hailing from Argyle is,according to my own discernment,of a decidedly different outlook than those long oriented, engaged and living within the RAP area.
The Argyle candidate in fact at one time lived in the RAP area.
On the Fishweir Creek(s) restoration question every response was as shallow as a Fishweir sediment puddle.
Since obviously nobody knows much about Fishweir current events and such a task should not rest on a single citizen's shoulders I have asked the Florida Times Union to update their coverage.
I overheard one of the candidates at the RAP Forum was escorted by armed security.
Thank you RAP for this fine event.
/\ Wish I could have made it. How many people were there?
Well, I will certainly have to pass the compliments on to Kay and Carmen (not to mention Chrissy, who really is wonderful). For some reason, my son's soccer coach refused to respect the weather and insisted on having soccer practice tonight during the time I'd allocated to the forum. Glad to hear it was a good turnout.
Quote from: grimss on February 03, 2011, 09:29:22 PM
/\ Wish I could have made it. How many people were there?
Cummer had 175 chairs set up and I'm told most were occupied. I was sitting in the front of the room so didn't have a good look. I was pleased with the turnout.
Okay, so who were the good guys and who should we avoid voting for? I couldn't make it either. I wasn't going to stand in the rain and wait for a bus. However, I regret that choice big time.