Audrey Moran is the tax lady who is both a fiscal and social liberal. She has talked about raising property taxes, sales tax, gas tax, downtown tax, creating bureaucracies, czars, summits, study groups and the list goes on and on. It appears to me that she is the most pro tax of all 6 candidates. Tom Wills asked during the Mayoral debate, "Will you raise taxes and if so, which ones?". Audrey dodged, danced and deflected and refused to give a straight answer and when Rick Mullaney quoted the numerous occasions she had said she was willing to raise taxes, she attacks him for being "negative". Typical liberal strategy...deflect, confuse, refuse to answer and when someone states your position, call them negative. The voters deserve to know the truth. We are supporting Rick Mullaney for Mayor. Rick will not raise taxes, will grow jobs and is beholden to no unions.
Have a good ol fashioned looksee at what Mullaney has managed to pull off.
You'll be hard pressed to convince me he is the right guy for the city.
Ah well... I'm in St john's County.
You'll be the one to live with the results of the election.
Quote from: Debra Reid Vining on March 19, 2011, 07:47:27 AMWe are supporting Rick Mullaney for Mayor. Rick will not raise taxes, will grow jobs and is beholden to no unions.
Thats some interesting spin, Debra. But you'll find that most people around these parts (this forum) are supporting Audrey. We see through Rick's negative attacks on her character and her record. And I see through yours.
Rick is running for Mayor with Peyton family money and on the Peyton platform. Mayor Peyton has raised taxes and imposed a number of new fees on us. He and Mullaney have overseen these troubles with the unions. If you want an idea of who might raise your taxes, look at who raised them in the past.
And that's before the issue of $30k of our tax money that leaves the general fund each and every year and lands squarely in Rick's bank account. As a taxpayer, ouch.
Oh, and welcome to the forum. Nice of you to join us this morning.
Audrey Moran is both a fiscal and social liberal. She is the most pro tax of all 6 candidates. She is indeed "The Tax Lady". Rick Mullaney will grow jobs, not raise taxes and is beholden to no unions. Rick Mullaney for Mayor!!!
So what will she do that scares you mtrain? I'm still of the belief that downtown can be easily revitalized by easing up on existing governmental regulations. For some crazy reason, here in Jacksonville, we tend to equate revitalization with spending millions on one trick gimmicks. By the same token, what are Hogan's ideas that impress you?
Quote from: Jimmy on March 19, 2011, 08:33:08 AM
Quote from: Debra Reid Vining on March 19, 2011, 07:47:27 AMWe are supporting Rick Mullaney for Mayor. Rick will not raise taxes, will grow jobs and is beholden to no unions.
Thats some interesting spin, Debra. But you'll find that most people around these parts (this forum) are supporting Audrey. We see through Rick's negative attacks on her character and her record. And I see through yours.
Rick is running for Mayor with Peyton family money and on the Peyton platform. Mayor Peyton has raised taxes and imposed a number of new fees on us. He and Mullaney have overseen these troubles with the unions. If you want an idea of who might raise your taxes, look at who raised them in the past.
And that's before the issue of $30k of our tax money that leaves the general fund each and every year and lands squarely in Rick's bank account. As a taxpayer, ouch.
Oh, and welcome to the forum. Nice of you to join us this morning.
Rick Mullaney's gross mismanagement of the office of the general counsel is part of the reason Jacksonville is facing budget problems. Any candidate who promises not to raise taxes is, in my opinion, just plain dumb. A candidate who works the system to maximize his own pension benefit and then claims he's going to address those of other city employees is not to be trusted. Vote for Rick Mullaney? I don't think so.
Audrey Moran is an honorable person who will do the right thing for this city. She is honest and reasonable enough to say that she will not rule out a tax increase if it is necessary - and yes, if we want to fix education and downtown we may need to raise some money. Any candidate who flatly refuses to consider that possibility is either foolish or a liar. Vote for Audrey. She is the only mayoral candidate who will move this city forward.
Quote from: Debra Reid Vining on March 19, 2011, 08:46:15 AM
Audrey Moran is both a fiscal and social liberal. She is the most pro tax of all 6 candidates. She is indeed "The Tax Lady". Rick Mullaney will grow jobs, not raise taxes and is beholden to no unions. Rick Mullaney for Mayor!!!
John Peyton ran on a promise to never raise taxes because he was going to run the city 'like a business'.
How well did that work out?
He raised property taxes at LEAST three times, increased virtually EVERY fee that the city levies AND added three NEW broad-based fees to residents. And Rick Mullaney was serving in his administartion the whole time.
Quote from: Debra Reid Vining on March 19, 2011, 07:47:27 AM
Rick will not raise taxes, will grow jobs and is beholden to no unions.
Debra, are you a one issue voter? I don't care who you vote for, but I hope you don't simply vote for populist slogans. What you should be looking for is someone who can create the most long term "value" for our community. That would entail making and managing investments that yield the most benefits. Are you telling me that if you pay an increased tax, say for parks, public safety, transportation, or education, and it creates something of value for you and your family that exceeds what you could create on your own for that same money, you wouldn't support paying that "tax increase"?
And, did it occur to you that investments made by taxes create much of the "value" in your home and quality of life? Do you really believe you obtain no value from governmental services? How low a tax burden would it take to satisfy you that taxes are "low enough" given that you live in one of the lowest taxed cities and states in the country and that federal taxes are near modern historical lows?
Have you also considered that many of the recent "tax increases" you worry over are really just a reshuffling of the tax burden due to ill conceived tax cuts made or mandated by simple minded and/or pass-the-buck politicos and/or due to the fact that falling property values and sales taxes drops governmental income far faster than it can cut demand and costs for even the minimal services most of us expect?
I agree we can all debate which investments are best to make and how to best execute such investments. But, to just blanket say or self impose a straight-jacketed position that we will absolutely not fund new investments regardless of circumstances or opportunities demonstrates to me a simple mindedness that shows a lack of creative, imaginative, and visionary thinking and the absence of leadership. Taken to an extreme, if our ancestors thought like this, we would still be living in caves.
By the way, if we don't start investing in education more, you can't forget all those jobs (at least the "good" ones) being promised by any candidate or elected official.
Wow, interesting to see all these Democrats for "the Tax Lady". Well, I'm a true conservative who could not care less that Audrey is liberal except when she presents herself as a Republican. Let's get honest. She is a RINO who will raise taxes and create more bureaucracies. Some of you seem to think Rick has already been Mayor....He hasn't been but he will be and he will get our financial house in order and grow jobs like this city has never seen. Rick Mullaney for Mayor!
Although I'm a true "fiscal" conservative and I haven't come across any candidate who has said they will flat out raise taxes, I'm not opposed to the concept in general. I believe, you get what you pay for and every issue should be evaluated in detail to determine the ROI before making a decision either way. With that said, I'm all about getting the city's financial house in order. However, reality is that you can't grow jobs or encourage the private sector to invest in you if you refuse to invest and properly maintain yourself.
Quote from: thelakelander on March 19, 2011, 10:09:19 AM
I'm still of the belief that downtown can be easily revitalized by easing up on existing governmental regulations. For some crazy reason, here in Jacksonville, we tend to equate revitalization with spending millions on one trick gimmicks.
And the irony is that purportedly conservative administrations are doing nothing about those oppressive regulations - and if anything, seem to this outsider to encourage them.
Quote from: Debra Reid Vining on March 19, 2011, 12:59:30 PM
Wow, interesting to see all these Democrats for "the Tax Lady". Well, I'm a true conservative who could not care less that Audrey is liberal except when she presents herself as a Republican.
LOL. There was a time when the Republican party was a "big tent" and included a full spectrum of opinions including some "liberals". Now, the Republican party is nearly devoid of moderates or even those just to the right of center. It looks to be heading toward a party of far right to extreme right.
I believe it is high time for a new, centrist oriented, party in this country. That's were the largest block of voters are. The lack of a centrist party is possibly why so many voters feel disenfranchised today.
So how much money will I save if Mullaney is elected? Do we have any numbers or are we just surmising?
Quote from: stephendare on March 19, 2011, 01:38:13 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on March 19, 2011, 01:17:09 PM
Although I'm a true "fiscal" conservative and I haven't come across any candidate who has said they will flat out raise taxes, I'm not opposed to the concept in general. I believe, you get what you pay for and every issue should be evaluated in detail to determine the ROI before making a decision either way. With that said, I'm all about getting the city's financial house in order. However, reality is that you can't grow jobs or encourage the private sector to invest in you if you refuse to invest and properly maintain yourself.
I would like to agree totally with this. Somewhere along the way, the word fiscally conservative keeps getting mistaken for mean spirited or self destructively cheap.
For example, the most fiscally conservative people I have ever met realize that high quality and responsible maintenance is always less expensive in the long run. A 120 dollar Polo or Brooks Brothers only seems pricey until you realize that double stitching and high thread count shirts last for 10 years or more. A cheaply made shirt costs 25 bucks but you have to replace it every year. In the long run it is twice as expensive, and still looks cheap.
And Conservative people also know that money isnt a monster best served by starvation. No profit is ever made by refusing to invest. Without spending the money to do it right, Henry Ford would never have rolled the first assemble line.
Keeping in mind the constant relationship between quality and long term expenses is the heart and soul of fiscal conservatism as it is an ethos that recognizes the duty of stewardship.
I dislike these halfwits who claim to be 'fiscally conservative' but pay no mind to any other cost other than up front purchase costs and are only concerned with who can do what the cheapest, regardless of quality or effectiveness.
None of our interests are served by this mentality, and they always end up being more expensive in the long run.
+1000
Quote from: Debra Reid Vining on March 19, 2011, 08:46:15 AM
Audrey Moran is both a fiscal and social liberal. She is the most pro tax of all 6 candidates. She is indeed "The Tax Lady". Rick Mullaney will grow jobs, not raise taxes and is beholden to no unions. Rick Mullaney for Mayor!!!
* Buzzer .............. Sorry , wrong answer ! ;)
I personally would not have a problem with raised taxes , If it resulted in seeing our City move out of the stalemate it has been in for over a decade.
Audrey Moran for Mayor ! :)
Moran never mentioned she was going to raise taxes...she just is not choosing to lie like the other candidates. All the other candidates are doing is saying what ignorant people want to hear...led my Hogan. Look: I am an educated person and I know when someone is feeding me crap. Unfortunately for them I have done my homework and have found Audrey to be the brightest and most truthful candidate to lead this city. I would prefer a candidate that does not intend to take us back to the stone age with glowing pride.
Agree JC
What would be very interesting to me would be a poll of people who have taken the time to spend at least 15 minutes in an open-minded dialogue with each candidate. And then find out who they are supporting. For the first time in an election, I started out completely neutral between the front running candidates (Hogan, Moran and Mullaney). I was fortunate to have time with Mike and Audrey. I had a meeting scheduled with Rick but he cancelled it at the last minute. I tried several times for another meeting but never got a response from his campaign. I have had conversations with him in the past, but none since he started running for mayor. I sincerely wish I had, because then I would qualify for the poll I am suggesting. So, I had to make my decision based on past experiences and what I heard from his supporters and on the campaign trail.
I didn't have any bias coming in. If anything, from a business standpoint, it would have made the most sense for me to support either Hogan or Mullaney because two of my biggest clients are big supporters of theirs.
The end result for me is that I am 100% behind Audrey. The reason is that she took the time to listen to us (my wife and me) and our concerns about education and transportation. We aren't big-money insiders in Jacksonville, so she had no real political benefit from taking an hour out of her schedule to meet with us. She did this because she cares to know what the people want. She is not beholden to powerful groups who will direct her administration. I believe she will involve more people in the direction of our city than any mayor has in history. She will truly be the people's mayor.
To any who have not already made a decision about who they are going to vote for, I encourage you to make your decision based on what your own gut tells you about the person. Please don't base the decision on any fear-based propaganda that is coming from any of the campaigns. Let the candidates actions and words speak for themselves.
Twenty three years ago, I met Dick Mullaney, Rick's father. He helped hundreds of people in this community as well as my husband and myself. When Dick became ill with ALS, we started seeing Rick more often as he helped his father help others. Dick was one of the finest men we had ever met. Rick is a fine man also. He loves this city and has a vision that is attainable. Rick's experiences in the private, public and nonprofit sectors make him uniquely qualified to lead Jacksonville in these tough economic times. Both Rick and Audrey have great goals for this city but very different ways of achieving them. Rick doesn't believe it's a revenue problem but a spending problem and will not raise taxes. Audrey has stated she is willing to raise taxes and seems to favor larger government. Rick has a specific plan to grow jobs focusing on the port and a medical school downtown, just to name a few. Growing up in a naval family helped Rick develop a devotion to our military and all our military families. Long before Rick Mullaney ran for mayor, I wanted a mayor who would cut wasteful spending and use the taxpayers' money wisely without demanding more. I prayed for a mayor who cared about prayer in schools and improving our children's education. I hoped for a mayor who understood how to grow jobs and understood small business owners' unique challenges. So when I say Rick Mullaney will not raise taxes, will grow jobs, will address the unions fairly but realistically, will respect all our beautiful and natural resources, and operate with a strong work ethic and moral character, it is not political rhetoric but, who he is. Please consider voting for Rick Mullaney for Mayor.
All the candidates are good, well meaning and sincere people. As Tom Wills said, "Why would one want to be mayor?" All had good general reasons. For Rick Mullaney, he runs the liability of the past 8 years of the Peyton administration. Jax voters want a change, as most voters commonly do. His explanation of his pension as put a literal bullseye on his back.
I think all of Jacksonville should note how "conservative" John Peyton lived up to his promise in running the city "as a business." Accordingly, he didnt hesitate to raise taxes to his "customers" the citizens of this city. And his "business" came up $60 millon short this year. And his "customers" will pay the price, be it out of their pockets or a loss in their standard of living. The posters here at Metrojax weigh these issues every day. They know the truth.
The conservatives have taken the city in a bad direction i plan on voting to change.
Quote from: hillary supporter on March 19, 2011, 06:03:14 PM
I think all of Jacksonville should note how "conservative" John Peyton lived up to his promise in running the city "as a business." Accordingly, he didnt hesitate to raise taxes to his "customers" the citizens of this city. And his "business" came up $60 millon short this year. And his "customers" will pay the price, be it out of their pockets or a loss in their standard of living. The posters here at Metrojax weigh these issues every day. They know the truth.
The conservatives have taken the city in a bad direction i plan on voting to change.
In fairness to John Peyton, the City mostly came up short with a perfect storm of the global economic meltdown, the history of incremental tax rate REDUCTIONS each year by prior mayors, and the mandated property tax reductions forced upon the City by Tallahassee (so much for local governance). Add the etched in stone pension obligations and that 50% of the budget is for the ever popular public safety sector. This would leave Peyton (or any other mayor) with very few significant cards to play in balancing the City budget other than adjusting the millage rate (and which a militant city council was forced to swallow as well despite much blustering they would never succumb to such action).
It is exactly why I think it is dangerous to paint one's self in a corner saying "Absolutely no tax increases." It may get you elected once but you are you may very well be eating crow and be booted out of office for broken promises come the next election. Just ask H. W. Bush when he made such promises.
It's just plain silly and irresponsible to act like you can predict the future and start taking major options off the table. Anyone who does so is just endangering their credibility and forcing bad decision making. I think that's why Hogan and Mullaney lost so much respect with those who know better or refuse to just blindly believe in fairy tales.
Too true stjr! Allways need options to select from!
This is Rick mullaney's problem. He is playing politics. He has decided to go down the path of no new taxes and making social issues like abortion an issue. He is a very brilliant man. No debate there. However, if he does not make the run off, in his heart of hearts he knows, in my opinion, that Audrey has taken the most courageous path. In other words, she does not want to raise taxes. However, you never know what the future holds and as mayor you are the mother of the family and must keep a level of services available to the entire city(family). Because of his strong stand against taxes does he endorse hogan?? I don't think so. Does he support Moran? He should but he has made it difficult because of his rhetoric. If he wins, (which I do not believe he will) he will have no money to do the things necessary to move Jacksonville ahead. Let's get real here. Last year the jacksosnville city council could not plug a 20 million hole in the budget. They got so desperate they tried cutting the veterans day parade out. Did not go over well in our military town. This year the hole could be 40 to 60 million. Yet Rick says he will "cut our taxes". I believe time will show that mayor Peyton has left our city in better financial condition than mike hogan and Rick mullaney say he has. Rick is in a self imposed dilemma. It is easy to boldly
proclaim you will cut taxes. Believe me when I say this, it's a whole other thing to do it. Mayor Peytons best years
have been the ones he has made the most unpopular decisions. I commend him for growing into the job! We
just do not as a city need to go down a narrow minded no new taxes promise again. Audrey as mayor may never
raise the first tax. I believe she is committed to living within our means. You just never know. It takes courage
and maturity to stake out the position she has. That is exactly why I believe she will be our next mayor!! People
want honesty. Signed, matt Carlucci sr
Personally I wouldn't be totally destroyed if Rick Mullaney won. He is by far not my favorite candidate, but I think he is better than some. I am not trying to single out any party and rain on their parade, but I do not feel that a candidate should run on a promise that would be almost impossible to keep at this point and in this financial climate (as well as for Rick Scott). All I am saying is I appreciate honesty. I am not saying the other candidates are bad people because I am sure they are really good people. I am just weighing out my facts and making a decision that Moran is the best candidate by far!
Quote from: stephendare on March 19, 2011, 05:34:20 PM
Quote from: Debra Reid Vining on March 19, 2011, 04:31:41 PM
Twenty three years ago, I met Dick Mullaney, Rick's father. He helped hundreds of people in this community as well as my husband and myself. When Dick became ill with ALS, we started seeing Rick more often as he helped his father help others. Dick was one of the finest men we had ever met. Rick is a fine man also. He loves this city and has a vision that is attainable. Rick's experiences in the private, public and nonprofit sectors make him uniquely qualified to lead Jacksonville in these tough economic times. Both Rick and Audrey have great goals for this city but very different ways of achieving them. Rick doesn't believe it's a revenue problem but a spending problem and will not raise taxes. Audrey has stated she is willing to raise taxes and seems to favor larger government. Rick has a specific plan to grow jobs focusing on the port and a medical school downtown, just to name a few. Growing up in a naval family helped Rick develop a devotion to our military and all our military families. Long before Rick Mullaney ran for mayor, I wanted a mayor who would cut wasteful spending and use the taxpayers' money wisely without demanding more. I prayed for a mayor who cared about prayer in schools and improving our children's education. I hoped for a mayor who understood how to grow jobs and understood small business owners' unique challenges. So when I say Rick Mullaney will not raise taxes, will grow jobs, will address the unions fairly but realistically, will respect all our beautiful and natural resources, and operate with strong work and ethic and moral character, it is not political rhetoric but who he is. Please consider voting for Rick Mullaney for Mayor.
Thanks, Debra.
The Mullaney family are smart and hardworking people from all observations.
I rather like his idea of putting a Medical University in the urban core.
Where do you most see wasteful spending?
No fair asking such questions.
Rick is awesome! Audrey is a commie.
No need to investigate any further. ;)
buckethead your killing me big guy!
Debra...I too care about prayer in schools....especially public schools..I am 100% opposed...its called separation of church and state
Debra, I care about prayer in schools..I am all for it...and I am voting for Audrey!
Does the mayor have any control over whether prayer happens in schools or not?
no!
As always, I'm mystified when issues like prayer in schools or abortion come up in a local government election, and this is certainly not limited to Jacksonville. When I was in high school I campaigned for a county executive candidate (this was in the "sophisticated" DC suburbs) who happened to have 8 children. I vividly remember a voter who browbeat me and insisted it would not be possible to vote for that candidate unless he were pro-choice--which said voter was convinced he was not, on account of the 8 children.
Quote from: buckethead on March 19, 2011, 06:50:38 PM
Quote from: stephendare on March 19, 2011, 05:34:20 PM
Quote from: Debra Reid Vining on March 19, 2011, 04:31:41 PM
Twenty three years ago, I met Dick Mullaney, Rick's father. He helped hundreds of people in this community as well as my husband and myself. When Dick became ill with ALS, we started seeing Rick more often as he helped his father help others. Dick was one of the finest men we had ever met. Rick is a fine man also. He loves this city and has a vision that is attainable. Rick's experiences in the private, public and nonprofit sectors make him uniquely qualified to lead Jacksonville in these tough economic times. Both Rick and Audrey have great goals for this city but very different ways of achieving them. Rick doesn't believe it's a revenue problem but a spending problem and will not raise taxes. Audrey has stated she is willing to raise taxes and seems to favor larger government. Rick has a specific plan to grow jobs focusing on the port and a medical school downtown, just to name a few. Growing up in a naval family helped Rick develop a devotion to our military and all our military families. Long before Rick Mullaney ran for mayor, I wanted a mayor who would cut wasteful spending and use the taxpayers' money wisely without demanding more. I prayed for a mayor who cared about prayer in schools and improving our children's education. I hoped for a mayor who understood how to grow jobs and understood small business owners' unique challenges. So when I say Rick Mullaney will not raise taxes, will grow jobs, will address the unions fairly but realistically, will respect all our beautiful and natural resources, and operate with strong work and ethic and moral character, it is not political rhetoric but who he is. Please consider voting for Rick Mullaney for Mayor.
Thanks, Debra.
The Mullaney family are smart and hardworking people from all observations.
I rather like his idea of putting a Medical University in the urban core.
Where do you most see wasteful spending?
No fair asking such questions.
Rick is awesome! Audrey is a commie.
No need to investigate any further. ;)
Buckethead,
I certainly hope you were just trolling.
-Josh
Ya... You'll get little substance from me, on far too many issues. :)
Mostly the occasional sarcastic jab.
My wife says sarcasm is a sin. Ah well. Only the good die young.
For a more well reasoned and insightful contribution, check out Wacca Palatka's offerings to the subject.
He say's much, with just a couple paragraphs.
Just because of how personal it seems to get on the subject of the persons in the race, I choose to say little on the topic. I could not run the office of Mayor, that I will admit. But the more I see one of the people running, sling mud , and discredit their opponents, the more I reason that person is probably not best suited for the position. I may agree or disagree with a post ,but I am not willing to knowingly offend anyone here .
My gut feeling , and it is simply that, is Audrey Moran, and I hope if she does win , I am not later disappointed by my choice.. That said , I think the same could hold true for any of the people seeking the position.