So I was looking at the new state house district #13 http://bit.ly/zHz0wR and I was thinking that the perfect choice for this would be Tony Allegretti. I'm not sure if people have thought of him as a candidate, or if he has ever thought about running. His credentials do add up though. I thought I would put that question to the experts. What do you think?
He is definitely intellectual enough. He has originated some very good ideas and concepts that have born fruit and he has made other people's ideas work well. You won't have to twist this guy's arm to focus on quality of life issues for downtown. And since when is intellectual curiosity been a qualification to get elected? And how does Rep. Fullwood stack up in that regard? I believe he has moved into this district instead of running against Mia Jones.
He does live in the district. And he lived in the district area before it was drawn. He puts his rent check where hi mouth is. I agree that you or Mr. Ennis would qualify. Are either of you running for it?
I'm not running but thanks for the vote of confidence guys.
Some think he knows a little something: Historically, downtown and urban cores have served as the economic and cultural markers of a city’s vibrancy. Though downtown redevelopment of Jacksonville has been the subject of political debates, is a downtown core still relevant to a city’s growth? On the next First Coast Forum a panel of experts discuss whether downtown growth is key or whether the trends lie in the suburbs. Don’t miss First Coast Forum: The Downtown Dilemma, January 19 at 8pm on WJCT-TV and 89.9 WJCT-FM!
Panelists
Tony Allegretti, Consultant and Entrepreneur
Richard Clark, Jacksonville City Council
Ennis Davis, Urban Planner
Abel Harding, Columnist, Florida Times-Union
Terry Lorince, Executive Director, Downtown Vision
Don Shea, Executive Director, Jacksonville Civic Council
Jack Twatchman, Owner, Burro Bar[/quote]
[/quote]
The district includes Downtown, Springfield, San Marco, Arlington, and east to Southside Blvd. The district is not weighted in the Eastside-Moncrief area.
Tony would be a great rep for the constituents of his district. It is a really good idea, providing he would be willing to undertake a campaign.
Tony can definitely count on my support, even though I'm outside his district.
Tonys effort in the election of Mayor Brown will always stay with me as an outstanding act of selflessness.
It should be a good forum, especially with Abel and Ennis. Looks like Richard Clark will be the one who is there to nay say Downtown development. He will be running for Congress out of Jacksonville anyway. It looks to me like the young innovators outnumber the establishment 4-3 on this panel.
Anyway, this is all good food for thought. It will definitely be a good forum. I am heading to MOCA. Be back.
Don’t miss First Coast Forum: The Downtown Dilemma, January 19 at 8pm on WJCT-TV and 89.9 WJCT-FM!
January 19?
Quote from: jim minion on February 18, 2012, 11:36:43 AM
Some think he knows a little something: Historically, downtown and urban cores have served as the economic and cultural markers of a city’s vibrancy. Though downtown redevelopment of Jacksonville has been the subject of political debates, is a downtown core still relevant to a city’s growth? On the next First Coast Forum a panel of experts discuss whether downtown growth is key or whether the trends lie in the suburbs. Don’t miss First Coast Forum: The Downtown Dilemma, January 19 at 8pm on WJCT-TV and 89.9 WJCT-FM!
Panelists
Tony Allegretti, Consultant and Entrepreneur
Richard Clark, Jacksonville City Council
Ennis Davis, Urban Planner
Abel Harding, Columnist, Florida Times-Union
Terry Lorince, Executive Director, Downtown Vision
Don Shea, Executive Director, Jacksonville Civic Council
Jack Twatchman, Owner, Burro Bar
[/quote]
[/quote]
This should say Feb 23!
Allegretti would make a fine city councilperson but I doubt he would run. The messy internal workings of politics is not appealling to most people. The youtube conversation is a feeling by many people but at the same time metrojacksonville and online forums are invaluable because it creates a virtual space for synergy. It is a place for ideas that thats the value of it.
Right on Maximus. It should say Feb 23rd. I just copied that form another thread on this forum. The WJCT downtown forum is this Thursday night.
I think what is expressed in the audio below describes the tendency among locals to throw stones from a safe place at something that they are not involved in, or to accentuate the negative in hipster fashion. Been guilty myself. Identifying the pitfalls is important, but we have to look at what is working and praise it.
@John P: You are right about politics being a deterrent for good people to run for office. That is why we continue to get a lazy-susan of retread candidates and little progress is made. Playing it safe is not a guaranty of safety and nothing else gets accomplished either. All good food for thought. The WJCT forum should be worthwhile.
Tony would be a good representative or city council person. He is a very positive, knowledgeable voice in the fight to resurrect downtown. He also lacks a lot of the baggage of some of the other names mentioned.
Quote from: vicupstate on February 18, 2012, 12:30:16 PM
Don’t miss First Coast Forum: The Downtown Dilemma, January 19 at 8pm on WJCT-TV and 89.9 WJCT-FM!
January 19?
that's a mistake...the Forum will be on Thursday 2/23 @ 8pm...and yes, folks, Ennis will be great!
there will also be a pre-forum on Wednesday's First Coast Connect show...tune into 89.9 FM at 9am 2/22
Tony, get out there and run at Large, as Sean Hall did recently. See how you stack in the county. See who knows you outside of downtown. I think Tony is great and would contribute well to many issues we have in Jacksonville.
QuotePeople feel the same things about me,
Stephen, I think you would do well as an at-large candidate as well. I would vote for you, as I would Tony and did for Sean!
Quote from: Demosthenes on February 18, 2012, 08:17:37 PM
Tony would be a good representative or city council person. He is a very positive, knowledgeable voice in the fight to resurrect downtown. He also lacks a lot of the baggage of some of the other names mentioned.
Quite true. It can be hard to overcome demographics, but Tony is a stellar person to put forward for office. I hope he'll consider running. At the very least, a vigorous campaign would give him a chance to continue to elevate issues of concern for the urban core.
And a successful campaign focused on smart growth, creative re-use, and economic development (all of which are among Tony's most credible strengths) would be a serious asset to Jacksonville in the legislature.
Well, between Artwalk and RAM, he definitely has the bona fides to talk about re-use and economic development. He has the aura of success between his various business enterprises. And I'm sure more than just the aura.
Burrito Gallery and Uptown Market are projects I'd associate with smart growth. And if they could have gotten the Hayden Burns off the ground... well, there's obviously more work to be done. Which is why we need people like Tony is positions to make things happen.
Nothing wrong with getting him on the ballot. If at the least he elevates discussions of the urban core, then I can live with that.
All of those things you just listed constitute experience. I'm not trying to convince you of why I'd support his candidacy. Go your own way.
Tony cannot leave Simon, what will Simon be without Tony?
Tony Allegretti has been associated in one way or another with numerous projects that have been successful and pro-urban (Artwalk, RAM, Brown's campaign, his businesses). He 'gets-it' on the issues near and dear to MJ readers. Having someone who 'gets it' is a big improvement over the Don Redman's of the world.
City Council ain't rocket science, and at least he would be in it for the right reasons. City Council is where he would truly affect change though, not the legislature.
Tony has a lot of street cred in the urban core and I think would do pretty well in the world of politics.
I actually think he would be a better asset for Jacksonville in the legislature than city council. I don't know specifics, but I'm sure he has the ear of Mayor Brown and other power players in town. He can make things happen in Jax if he wants without being on City Council. But does Jax have anyone that can make things happen in DT/urban core in Tallahassee? I think Tony is the type of guy who could make some stuff happen or at least get the conversation started.
Stephen, I think you took his comments in the clip a bit too personally. When I listened it seemed like he was talking more about the comments section of news4jax, jacksonville.com, etc. than metrojacksonville. I know there is no one in Jacksonville who could EVER know more about downtown, urban planning, public transit, how to run a cafe, how to run a bar, how to run a night club, what to do about the homeless, 15th century english poetry... I really do not have enough time in the world to type out all the things you are an "expert" in ;D No need to get your panties in a bunch.
Quote from: CityLife on February 22, 2012, 05:23:05 PM
Tony has a lot of street cred in the urban core and I think would do pretty well in the world of politics.
I actually think he would be a better asset for Jacksonville in the legislature than city council. I don't know specifics, but I'm sure he has the ear of Mayor Brown and other power players in town. He can make things happen in Jax if he wants without being on City Council. But does Jax have anyone that can make things happen in DT/urban core in Tallahassee? I think Tony is the type of guy who could make some stuff happen or at least get the conversation started.
+1
You really know how to make a mountain out of a molehill.
WTF?! Why does this thread keep getting nuked?! Tony Allegretti is not exactly a controversial figure! He has a nice body of work in his activism downtown. Is this just one person grinding a personal ax to shut a thread down?
Fwiw, I just watched the clip posted earlier in this thread, and I dont see the controversy. He is absolutely right. abusive posters, trolls, and abusive admins ARE a problem on forums like this. I think this thread is actually a personification of that sentiment!! I do diverge with his view, in as much as, I think that the anonymity allows otherwise reluctant citizens to engage, and get involved to a limited degree, but the rest of his point is spot on.