So I get up this morning and read in th T.U. that the Navy has come to town to hear our proposal for bringing a new nuclear carrier to town. Then I drive into work and hear on the radio that our Mayor is in D.C. to greet the Pope at the White house. Someone tell me he has it worked out to attend both. Someone say something to explain this to me. I love the Pope and hope he has a wonderful visit. I do not think he will notice if Mayor Peyton does not attend. I want to hear that I am wrong or I want Peyton gone.
Meeting the Pope must be more important than bettering the economy he represents.
Well...., maybe he realizes we really could use more catholics over here in Jax :P
Quote from: stephendare on April 16, 2008, 10:10:28 AM
how effective does anyone on this forum think that our sunny, laid back golden boy would possibly be with career Navy men making decisions about where to locate one of the deadliest forces in the history of our species?
It's not that (because I agree with your statement). By showing up, he is showing his support. One of the reasons that Jacksonville won the right to host the Super Bowl over Oakland was because Delaney threw his endorsement in, and the Oakland Mayor did not. That fact alone kept Oakland's bid from getting off the ground, because they didn't have a bad plan.
Puh-lease. The Navy is "taking testimony." It is not critical for the Mayor to be there. His support is on the record. And he has important business in NYC this afternoon (hat tip, today's Jax Daily Record).
I can assure you that Mayport's fate is not riding on the Mayor's attendance at one meeting. Ultimately whether a carrier is moved to Mayport will be the result of a multi-tiered tug-of-war between Virginia, Florida, Navy, DoD and federal budgeteers, the dynamics of which will near impossible to understand without diving deep into the lobbying muck.
My prediction: Mayport will get more ships, resulting in more personnel and an economic boost - but not a carrier. I'm not sure if the Navy will be able to justify spending $300/400/500 million on all the infrastructure needed to support a carrier.
Is Peyton using a vacation day and his own money to say hi to his friend the Pope?
I think the carrier will come, because right now there is only one east coast carrier base.
With that said, I saw the thing in New York. While I don't agree with the Concept of Charter Schools, if that's his thing so be it.
If he is working on schools I am cool with it if he is just glad handing I would rather it be with the Navy today.
Quote from: Pavers on April 16, 2008, 11:55:39 AM
I'm not sure if the Navy will be able to justify spending $300/400/500 million on all the infrastructure needed to support a carrier.
Thats quite false, most infrastructure is already in place, just a few things need to be done, namely deepening the channel into the Mayport Turning Basin. Even though I work for the Navy, I am enlisted, I don't know everything, but it is highly likely we'll land the H.W. Bush when it is done. If not that one, then we could land the Gerald Ford, w new class of carrier, unlike the H.W. Bush. A carrier is at least a 75% chance in Mayport's future I can guarantee that on everything I know.