Metro Jacksonville

QuoteThere is no other option but to do this ourselves, regardless of who wins the mayoral election.  Metrojacksonville needs to become an actual physical organization that champions historic preservation, environmental stewardship, urban development, and mass transit.  This could take the shape of a consulting firm, a 501C-3, a development group..... anything.  We need to organize and expand our influence.  I am 110% committed to this idea.  If you as well, contact me and we'll make it happen.

This is an excerpt from something I posted in the Mayor thread.  It immediately received very positive feedback, so I wanted to create a separate thread where we could discuss this idea and allow the election thread to stay on topic.

This is an idea that I have had for some time and I have mentioned it on here a few times to varying degrees.  Metrojacksonville.com is a collection of some of the most intelligent and capable people in this city, in my opinion.  The threads on this website contain enough research and wisdom to turn this city around for the better, for free.  We need to take our collective knowledge and energy and focus it into a group that goes out into the city and influences policy, raises funds, creates change, and improves our city.  The public sentiment is starting to tip in our favor, but yesterday's election makes further progress extremely difficult.

Stephen, Bob, Dan, Steve, and Ennis have paved the way for this group to happen by creating the sterling reputation that metrojax has among city leaders.  They are already doing most of the things that I would want our group to do, so we may be able to piggy back off of what they have done to achieve greater success.  Without their help and input, this group will not succeed.  People like Field, Doug Skiles, Noone, PeeJay, and Lucas have all been out supporting the four pillars I mentioned in the previous quote.  Their help will be needed for us to succeed.  Everyone who has offered to join in this endeavor will be crucial in making this happen.

This thread is a place to take all of our ideas and narrow them down into a practical, actionable, sustainable, and feasible organization with a unified vision for changing our city for the better.  I listed my 4 areas of focus (historic preservation, environmental stewardship, urban development, and mass transit), but those are by no means set in stone.  Any and all input is appreciated.  It's time to take our ideas off of the screen and out into the public.  

I would like to have a live meeting about this within 2 weeks, so lets start getting our agenda set.  Make it happen.

Great post CZ... just a suggestion.  Perhaps add mass transit and subtract "progressive government".  By supporting the ideas of historic preservation, environmental stewardship, urban development, and mass transit you will be supporting "progressive government".

Thanks BT, DONE.  The idea of progressive government as a needed change has just been on my mind lately....not sure why.... ;)

There are so many possibilities and areas of focus that need attention, but for the group to be successful we need to narrow them down. 

I like it.

Would love to help out any way I can. I joined this site just today, just to reply to this thread. I have been reading you guys' material and views for a few years now. I feel that like-minded citizens should band together for a good cause and there is no time better than now to do it. Count me in!

This is a great idea. You may need to vet the plan as to any official affiliation with the site owners as of  a for profit venture.  I know profit may not have been the motivation to start the site but should be considered.

I'm not the most frequent poster on the boards, but I'd love to help in any way needed.

Quote from: JeffreyS on March 23, 2011, 12:35:11 PM
This is a great idea. You may need to vet the plan as to any official affiliation with the site owners as of  a for profit venture.  I know profit may not have been the motivation to start the site but should be considered.

I was thinking about that. The site started this whole movement, so I would like to give credit where credit is due, but if we do go the Non Profit route, we'll have to achieve some sort of separation.  A number of people have PMed me today expressing their support.  A few very different ideas have been explored.  The ideas range from just a volunteer coordinating platform all the way to an NGO style group or consulting firm.  

The volunteer coordinating platform could be a web based app that takes various already existing advocacy groups and coordinates efforts.  For example, Riverkeeper, Surfrider, Enjoy the Water Foundation and others could collaborate more easily and pool their resources for a common goal.

Many options have been explored, and many of them can be implemented simultaneously.  I think the natural progression of this established web community is to take our cause to the street in whatever way we're able.

what needs to happen to move this forward?

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
-Margaret Mead (1901 - 1978)

Quote from: Captain Zissou on March 23, 2011, 12:43:14 PM
I think the natural progression of this established web community is to take our cause to the street in whatever way we're able.

I would say the logical progression of this group would be starting in support of the things that are already on the street such as cleaning Hogan's creek, taking tours of parts of town, going to meetings of historical societies and neighborhood groups, etc. For example Hogan's creek. Support the cleanups by organizing dates and coordinating them with the people and other groups or organizations, expanding so that the other creeks are addressed (and involve more people). That way when someone walking by asks who we are, I can say "____ ____, check out our mission/goals at www.___.org" instead of "just a group of concerned citizens that got together on Metro Jacksonville."

Just for simplicity of startup, I think those non-controversial things like cleaning up and supporting neighborhoods are a good place to start while forming the mission, etc of the group.

Also, my thoughts would lean towards a 501c3. It just seems to me that the profit nature of some other options might at some point conflict with what we really want at this point (especially with such a diverse mandate). But I really have no idea how something like Downtown Vision works or is run, so others might have a better recommendation.

I'd also add sheclown to the list. I don't know much about her, but she seems incredibly engaged in and knowledgeable about historic preservation. I'm sure there's plenty others (is Ock one of the guys you mentioned, because he has some real good ideas on this?), but I don't know the peeps here that well.

I would love to be involved. I am going to prioritize time and money to support the Brown campaign and hope many here do the same.

My focus list would be.

1.  Smart Development
2.  Historic Preservation
3.  Connectivity/ Transit
4.  Environmental Watchdog

+1 Jeffrey S

Although I have never been, a good place to start would be at the weekly editorial meetings MJ has. This way the people behind the site could voice their concern/approval, whichever it may be.

The branding of this site is definitely growing stronger and any organizational group would benefit from aligning with it in some form or fashion.

count me in.  I am a professor if Fine Art at UNF.  I  just moved to the area a year ago and love this city.  I really think that art in the community is something that needs addressed and supported.  Here is my email:
jcjohnpaint@gmail.com

Quote from: jcjohnpaint on March 23, 2011, 02:52:54 PM
count me in.  I am a professor if Fine Art at UNF.  I  just moved to the area a year ago and love this city.  I really think that art in the community is something that needs addressed and supported.  Here is my email:
jcjohnpaint@gmail.com

Hi John! It's good to see you here! I am one of your former students, Josh Simpson! We both share the same goal in supporting amazing art in Jacksonville!

For starting a physical presence of the MetroJacksonville, it could be a seperate identity OR institution under the umbrella of MetroJacksonville. I am a multimedia designer, and I can definitely help out in web development, design, video production, etc.

-Josh

Love the enthusiasm from everyone.

Believe it or not something like this has been in the works, or at least in the beginning stages of discussion for a few months (not through MetroJacksonville). Things were put on the back burner due to the election, but now we are going to rev it back up and get things rolling.

I'm going to have lunch with Captain Zissou to see how we can combine forces or utilize the energy of MetroJacksonville posters.

The group I am working with has some bright progressive minds in the fields of planning, consulting, and politics. We are capable of leveraging funding and have the backgrounds and capacity to really make things happen.

It is definitely time to kick Jacksonville in the ass.

All of the support and enthusiasm is great!!

I love the weekly Tuesday evening meetings, and I try to attend as often as possible, but since we will need to meet for a very singular purpose, I'd like to meet sometime later in the week.  We need to figure out what direction to take this group and how to best utilize the community of people that have rallied behind the cause.  Once we develop a structure and an implementable strategy and vision, we can go about arranging the particulars to make this a reality. 

I'd like to say tentatively that we will meet next Thursday evening somewhere in the riverside area.  I'll see if I can get a private room somewhere. 

Quote from: Captain Zissou on March 23, 2011, 03:45:46 PM
I'd like to say tentatively that we will meet next Thursday evening somewhere in the riverside area.  I'll see if I can get a private room somewhere. 

How about Walkers? That's pretty much always a private room (zing!). O'Bro's might let us take over their upstairs if the meeting doesn't conflict too much with dinner traffic. Where ever we meet, I say we support a local business at the same time.

I was thinking about Obros Peejay.  I'll ask both them and Walkers if we could use a room next Thursday. 

Metro Jacksonville does already have a board and corporate structure, but I think it would be great if you guys formed a new group to push causes. This site serves as a medium to document our history and educate people about issues often overlooked in Jax. We also use the articles as a reference during in person meetings and as a tool to get the community engaged.

There have been several groups that have used this site to get started, which is great.

Also, it might be helpful to be clear about what is being advocated as soon as possible because a general interest advocacy group brings out people with totally different objectives.

Thanks Stephen and Lunican.  You guys are the reason the online group exists.  Any input you have on taking this to the next level would be wonderful.

I love this website.  It got me acclimated to Jacksonville after moving here from NJ.  MetroJacksonville is the reason why I appreciate this city as much as I do. 

Additionally, I agree that this forum has a good collection of intelligent, motivated, and pro-active people in this city.

That being said, I would like to get involved in any group that MJ starts with the purpose of bringing some of the great ideas on MJ to fruition.  I am an attorney in town, and I would be glad to volunteer some of my time to help make some of these ideas happen.  I would also try to network on behalf of the group (I already speak highly of the discussions on this forum).

My email address is aaapolito@bmdpl.com.  Please keep me informed. 

I'd like to join in, although I'm not sure what I can offer other than two hands and a feeble mind.

This site has inspired me to question (even topple) many of my preconceived notions, and I feel I have greatly benefited from participation in discussions. (In spite of the fact that my experience in planning, transit, and fund raising is non-existent.)

I want a better city. (Ya... I know. I'm a Ponte Vedra Republican, but with good fortune I may be a Springfielder soon.)

If I can offer support in any way, count me in as rank and file.

I recently became a Springfielder, and it is a great community. In the last 3 weeks three of the empty lots, and one house,  within a block of our house have sold, so things are moving here!  ;D

Quote from: CityLife on March 23, 2011, 03:31:50 PM

It is definitely time to kick Jacksonville in the ass.

+1

If anyone would like to discuss making this proposal a reality, I'd like to meet tomorrow evening at O'brothers in the upstairs room.

Quote from: Captain Zissou on March 30, 2011, 04:58:53 PM
If anyone would like to discuss making this proposal a reality, I'd like to meet tomorrow evening at O'brothers in the upstairs room.

See y'all next week or later. 

My nuptials are Friday evening and tomorrow will be impossible for me.

Can't wait to see what happens next!

Congats.

Great idea folks.  I am going out of town tomorrow so won't be able to attend the meeting.  I am anxious to hear about it and will be glad to help out in whatever way I can.

One idea that you may want to kick around is a having an 'umbrella' organization that sponsors specific efforts.  I can see that it would be very easy to get caught in the trap of doing too many different things and then losing the ability to focus specifically on any of them.  Once a measure of success is achieved, the organization gains more credibility and can begin to tackle more issues.

It would be a great thing to have a group that can counter some of the craziness that comes from the "Concerned Taxpayers of Duval County" and "First Coast Tea Party" groups.  But - I wouldn't want to be a part of it if the group becomes affiliated with any of the political parties.

I have been reading this site for a few years and just registered to say that this is a great idea and I think that this has a lot of potential.  Unfortunately I am out of town and will not be able to attend said meeting, however I hope that someone who does attend might take some time to inform those of us who could not with a post or email of some sort.  As I come up to my 10 year anniversary of moving to Jax I would like to contribute in some way to the expansion of the arts, culture and business in this oft underappreciated city.  Best

It's a great idea to organize for a common good, outlining maybe 5 things the group should launch on. I think the meeting is WAY PAST DUE, but that this really can't be THAT meeting. Several times lately we've seen the Hogans Creek cleanup done with a weeks notice, and many that would come can't...  If we're serious and take a business like approach, that won't do, we need a plan to set a date at least 30-60 days in advance. Meanwhile we could do a poll of all of the issues we could tackle, then vote on the top 5. Why not take suggestions on items and perhaps methods you'd like to see in that poll until we can have a more mass general meeting?

OCKLAWAHA

Quote from: dougskiles on March 30, 2011, 05:27:49 PM
But - I wouldn't want to be a part of it if the group becomes affiliated with any of the political parties.

I'd second this. I think we can safely say no one wants to be affiliated with any of the parties (except for the parties that we're going to throw!  :P). I'd also hope that we refrained from even endorsing single candidates, even if they supported everything we did (probably impossible) or came straight from our ranks. I don't believe politics in any way is a powerful agent of change. Powerful agent of corruption, maybe.

I'll be there tonight. I imagine something fairly informal and not incredibly lengthy. We can get the ball rolling on organizing purpose and methods as well as the type of plan that Ock mentioned.

A few of us met last night and touched on a number of things that we need to do in the near future.  There are a few different ideas that can be implemented that will all benefit the website, the organization and the city.  Some ideas are more near term, while others will take quite a bit of work, planning and financing.  In the next month or so we should have a large meeting to discuss everything and lay out everyone's involvement. 

Sorry for being vague, but there are a few people I'd like to talk to before I put anything definite on the forum.  Thanks to all those that were there last night.

I have expressed an interest in supporting this effort, but this meeting occurred without me knowing there was one.

Basically there has been a failure in putting an awareness out there about this meeting and perhaps any future meetings. I am willing to volunteer to design a logo, a website, and connect the social networks / functions to the original source, so everyone can be on the same page.

-Josh

Quote from: wsansewjs on April 01, 2011, 11:27:20 AM
I have expressed an interest in supporting this effort, but this meeting occurred without me knowing there was one.

Basically there has been a failure in putting an awareness out there about this meeting and perhaps any future meetings. I am willing to volunteer to design a logo, a website, and connect the social networks / functions to the original source, so everyone can be on the same page.

-Josh

Sounds good to me Josh. 

I hope we hear from Doug as well, I think he has some good ideas.

My top 5 items - all attainable

STREETCAR - But I'd label it as fixed route transit, that way the group can get behind ANY efforts JTA comes up with, and if they don't... STREETCAR.

PIER - Already promised, just like the dock at the Fuller Warren, the preservation of the old Acosta center span in a local park...etc.  The Navy and Nautical Museum groups should be behind this and guess what? YEAH, THE SEABEE'S have a base at NAS JAX. (Navy's construction and engineer division)

JACKSONVILLE STARS - A post years ago started this idea... life size bronze sculptures of famous and infamous locals... don't have to be born in Jax. but called Jax home at some point, or were local characters.

NEGRO LEAGUE MUSEUM - We actually already have this, it's locked up, under the stands at the ball park in Durkeeville. While this IS the historic park, if we did a large scale museum at the baseball grounds it might be a game changer. BTW The Negro leagues started in JACKSONVILLE.

SOUTHERN ROCK AND BLUES HALL OF FAME - 0n a rainy night in Georgia this would be Jim Dandy diversion! People in Florida just can't be still when Lynyrd Skynyrd's pickin' down in Jacksonville. This is an entire music genre that rightly belongs to us.

OCKLAWAHA

Thanks for the update.  I know that there are probably a lot of people who want to get involved and I think you guys are on the right track about getting a more solid foundation before posting on the forum.  On a side note, I love the focus on celebrating Jacksonville "Stars" as you put it.  Something this city should really embrace.  Best

Quote from: Ocklawaha on April 01, 2011, 11:53:23 AM

Quote from: wsansewjs on April 01, 2011, 11:27:20 AM
I have expressed an interest in supporting this effort, but this meeting occurred without me knowing there was one.

Basically there has been a failure in putting an awareness out there about this meeting and perhaps any future meetings. I am willing to volunteer to design a logo, a website, and connect the social networks / functions to the original source, so everyone can be on the same page.

-Josh

Sounds good to me Josh.  

I hope we hear from Doug as well, I think he has some good ideas.

My top 5 items - all attainable

STREETCAR - But I'd label it as fixed route transit, that way the group can get behind ANY efforts JTA comes up with, and if they don't... STREETCAR.

PIER - Already promised, just like the dock at the Fuller Warren, the preservation of the old Acosta center span in a local park...etc.  The Navy and Nautical Museum groups should be behind this and guess what? YEAH, THE SEABEE'S have a base at NAS JAX. (Navy's construction and engineer division)

JACKSONVILLE STARS - A post years ago started this idea... life size bronze sculptures of famous and infamous locals... don't have to be born in Jax. but called Jax home at some point, or were local characters.

NEGRO LEAGUE MUSEUM - We actually already have this, it's locked up, under the stands at the ball park in Durkeeville. While this IS the historic park, if we did a large scale museum at the baseball grounds it might be a game changer. BTW The Negro leagues started in JACKSONVILLE.

SOUTHERN ROCK AND BLUES HALL OF FAME - 0n a rainy night in Georgia this would be Jim Dandy diversion! People in Florida just can't be still when Lynyrd Skynyrd's pickin' down in Jacksonville. This is an entire music genre that rightly belongs to us.

OCKLAWAHA

Thanks Ock. Those Dutch immigrants made contributions even in Jacksonville  ;)

Quote
The first Dutch settlers arrived in 1613 and founded a number of villages and a town called New Amsterdam on the East Coast, which would become the future world metropolis of New York. According to the 2006 United States Census, more than 5 million Americans claim total or partial Dutch heritage. Today the majority of the Dutch Americans live in California, New York, Michigan, Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Idaho, Iowa, Ohio and Pennsylvania

This is a list of notable Dutch-Americans, including both original immigrants who obtained American citizenship and their American descendants:



Donnie Van Zant (1952 - ) founder and singer of .38 Special
Johnny Van Zant (1959 - ) lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd since 1987
Ronnie Van Zant (1948â€"1977) lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1970â€"1977

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Dutch_Americans

And here are a few other Dutch-Americans you may not know about either:

Van Halen - Wikipedia, Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Eddie Van Halen and Alex Van Halen, are the sons of Jan Van Halen, who arranged for them to have music lessons. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Halen

Did I get ya Faye?  ;D

There's one more artist and one famous band hidden in that sentence, which BTW, you might have been the only one to catch!

Congrats!

OCKLAWAHA

I know all of them :) .  I wasn't born yesterday , you know ;)

Quote from: Yossarianlives on April 02, 2011, 07:17:24 AM
I know that there are probably a lot of people who want to get involved and I think you guys are on the right track about getting a more solid foundation before posting on the forum.

Exactly...which is why everyone needs to be patient....some really good things are in the works

A few things are in the works out side of Transform Jax that will help to grow Metrojacksonville's influence in the community and help to involve more members of the forum.  I'm really excited.