The last category in the races taking place in 2015 are the "At Large" Council seats. There are five of them in Jacksonville. All voters may cast a vote in all five of these races. You don't have to live in that district to vote, but the candidate must live there in order to appear on the ballot. The five districts behind these seats are a collection of several districts linked together which encompass the 14 individual district seats. It would appear these seats are meant as a sort of additional level of council representation. Presumably, if you get no action from your district rep on an issue, you can step up and take the issue to the "At Large" rep in whose district you live. These members of council share an equal vote with all other members of council and vote on all legislation as well.
The candidates in the At Large council races are:
At large District 1
Anna Lopez Brosche (R)
Kimberly Daniels (D)
Terry Reed (D)
David A. Taylor (R)
At large District 2
Dave Barron (R)
John Crescimbeni (D)
Theresa Graham (R)
At large District 3
Tommy Hazouri (D)
Mincy Pollock (D)
Geoff "Jeff" Youngblood (R)
At large Group 4
Greg Anderson (R) Incumbent
Juanita Powell Williams (D)
At large Group 5
Sam Newby (R)
Ju'Coby Pittman (D)
Michelle Tappouni (R)
Bios for Group 1
SOE bio for Anna Lopez Brosche:
I can't think of any work more important than building a bright future for my hometown. As a Jacksonville native, I want what we all want – for my children to grow up in a vibrant and diverse community with a quality education and opportunities for great jobs. I grew up here, and I hope they'll choose to stay and raise their own families here.
I come from a Navy family, and I'm proud of my Filipino heritage. I am married to David Brosche, a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves who has spent 17 years serving our country. He returned from deployment to Djibouti Africa in August 2014. Along with our two children, we reside on Jacksonville's Westside. The military connections run deep in Jacksonville and have great meaning for this community, with many veterans and retirees also choosing to reside here.
Anna's first job was as a student office assistant at UNF, followed by her first part-time accounting job at the Cathedral Foundation, and then started work as a CPA with Ernst & Young LLP in Jacksonville. Anna has been with Ennis, Pellum & Associates CPAs for 12 years and she is now Managing Shareholder. Through her leadership, the firm has been named one of the Best Places to Work 12 times at local, state, and national levels.
Anna's community service includes leadership of the Jacksonville Women's Business Center, which she chaired from 2009 – 2011, she also serves on the board of UNF Foundation, and is the current chair of the United Way of Northeast Florida Board of Directors.
Anna's leadership and vision have been recognized by many organizations. She was named a Prime F. Osborn, III Distinguished Alumnus in 2013, one of the Top 50 Small Business Influencers by Advantage Small Business Magazine in 2011 and the Corporate Leader of the Year at the Women in Business Awards in 2010. She is part of Leadership Jacksonville's Class of 2009 and received the University of North Florida's Coggin College of Business Outstanding Alumna Award in 2010. She was a Women's Center of Jacksonville Spirit of Rosie Award winner in 2009 and the Jacksonville Business Journal named her one of "40 Under 40" in 2006 and a Woman of Influence in 2007.
In addition to her servant leadership, Anna is actively engaged in mentoring in the Jacksonville community. Through associations with or programs of the Jacksonville Women's Business Center, the Small Business Administration, UNF, KYN, and Impact JAX, she has mentored dozens of young adults and business owners in the areas of leadership, business, and financial education.
Education and Certifications:
• Bachelor (Accounting) – University of North Florida
• Master of Accountancy – University of North Florida
• Certified Public Accountant – Florida and Georgia
• Jacksonville Regional Political Leadership Institute Class of 2010
• Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2009
Awards and Designations:
• 2014 Ultimate Financial Officer – The Jacksonville Business Journal
• 2013 Top Mover and Shaker in Jacksonville – The Jacksonville Business Journal
• 2013 Prime F. Osborn III Distinguished Business Alumnus – UNF Coggin College of Business Distinguished Business Leader Awards
• 2011 "40 Under 40″ – CPA Practice Advisor
• 2011 Top 50 Business Influencer – Advantage Magazine
• 2010 Corporate Leader of the Year Award – Northeast Florida Women In Business
• 2010 World of Difference 100 Award – The International Alliance for Women
• 2009 Spirit of Rosie Award – Women's Center of Jacksonville, Women's Digest, Women's Center of FCCJ and the Mayor's Commission on The Status of Women
• 2009 Outstanding Alumna Achievement Award – University of North Florida Coggin College of Business
• 2007 Northeast Florida Women of Influence Award
• 2007 Fab Grad Award – University of North Florida
• 2006 Northeast Florida "40 Under 40" Award
Memberships:
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Jacksonville Women's Network
• Jacksonville Women's Executive Network
• Women's Giving Alliance
Serving Our Community:
• United Way of Northeast Florida – Chair, Board of Directors
• JaxChamber Foundation – Past Board Member
• JaxChamber – Past Board Member
• University of North Florida Foundation – Board Member
• University of North Florida Coggin College of Business Alumni Chapter – Past President
• Jacksonville Women's Business Center – Past Advisory Board Chair and Program Mentor
• Beaver Street Enterprise Center – Mentor and Volunteer
• Jacksonville Women's Network – Membership Committee
• University of North Florida Coggin College Career Management Center – Mentor
• KYN Business Accelerator – Mentor
• Women's Giving Alliance – Past Treasurer
• Ritz Chamber Music Society – Board Member
More information about Anna can be found at her campaign website:
http://VoteAnnaBrosche.com
SOE bio for Kimberly Daniels
None provided
SOE bio for Terry Reed
Hello my friends:
I am Terry Reed Ready To Lead!
Why you should choose TERRY REED
I am hard working
I am serious minded
I am creative
About TERRY REED
I have been married to my beautiful wife for over 25 years and we have a wonderful son together.
I have been a member of my church for over 25 years.
I retired from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO) as a police officer/detective after 25 years.
I am a military veteran.
I have owned successful small businesses and have supervisory experience.
My mother (deceased) and father were married for over 47 years.
I enjoy soccer, football, and basketball. I also enjoy attending THE PLAYERS Championship (Commonly known as the TPC Sawgrass).
I have volunteered my time well over a decade tutoring children and I am also a certified youth football coach. I have gone to different public schools and read to children.
I earned my doctorate degree from Walden University (Doctor of Education).
I was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida
My mother and father have owned small businesses.
My father worked 2 and 3 jobs to support his family of 8.
My father worked as a bartender at the University Club for 20 years, and also a barber, waiter, and real-estate agent.
I can recall as a child, my father jokingly said, "I am not a bartender, I am a mixoligist." That was the pride my father had in his job.
My mother was a maid and certified nursing assistant (CNA).
I can recall as a young child, when my mother studied very hard and successfully passed her CNA test with nearly a perfect score. I knew then the importance of preparedness and hard work.
My 3 older siblings made it extremely tough for me as a child, which actually help prepare me for difficult challenges I face today.
My 2 younger siblings provided me with experience to help mold and shape others.
I have faced difficult challenges my entire life and it comes easy for me to handle and solve particular issues.
Through the teachings of my loving mother and father, my special relationship with my siblings, and my best friends, that all have prepared me to take on the difficult challenges ahead.
My friends, I will fight for you and this is my concentration for Jacksonville:
1. Crime reduction
2. Education (Solicit major colleges/universities to set up programs/satellite campuses here)
3. Job creation (Work with various groups in Jacksonville to reach out to businesses outside of Jacksonville that are interested in bringing jobs here and making Jacksonville their home)
4. Quality Of Life (Unique Theme Park, Unique Military Museum, and Aquarium)
5. Entertainment Zone (Establish and promote Music and Food Zones in Jacksonville. This will show our visitors what type of family and general nightlife that Jacksonville has to offer)
My friends, I have proudly served you for my entire adult life and now it will be my pleasure and distinct honor to continue to serve you as your city council member at -large.
Therefore, I need you to vote for me (Terry Reed) on March 24, 2015.
I leave you with this my friends:
What is a leader?
• A leader knows where he or she is going
• Knows how to get there
• Knows how to inspire or influence followers
• Once there, the followers go beyond the leader
SOE bio for David A. Taylor
None provided.
Group 2 SOE bios
John Crescimbeni
John Crescimbeni is a well known fiscal conservative who has earned a reputation for being "tight with a dollar." He demonstrates his commitment to public service by always doing his homework and he has never missed a regular City Council meeting in what is now more than 14 years of combined service. He continuouly takes the lead on challenging issues facing our city, has a reputation for always "telling it like it is" and is the only Council member who hasn't hired an Executive Council Assistant, which equates to an annual savings to taxpayers of more than $75,000.
On the City Council, John asks the tough questions and has the courage to say no to unnecessary spending. He has been a strong voice for average citizens and steadfastly supports neighborhood rights. He recognizes the importance of good schools and crime prevention for a better economy and quality of life.
First elected to the City Council in 1991, John served two complete four year terms as a District Councilman representing the Arlington area. After leaving office in 1999, he remained active in civic issues. He co-founded Citizens for Tree Preservation and led the petition drive to place the overwhelmingly successful Tree Preservation Amendment on the November 2000 ballot and has worked tirelessly on other initiatives to reduce litter and visual pollution.
John returned to the City Council in a special election in 2008 and was elected again for a full four year term in 2011. He presently serves as a member of the Finance Committee, the Recreation, Community Development, Public Health and Safety Committee, the Special Ad Hoc Committee on Jacksonville's Neighborhood Blight and the Special Committee on Capital Improvement Projects. He is also Chairman of the Value Adjustment Board, Chairman of the St. Johns River Ferry Commission and is a member of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission. John is the recipient of the City Council's prestigious Charles D. Webb Award for outstanding commitment to public service (2014) and the Mary Singleton Award for outstanding committee chair (2013).
As the former local owner and franchisee of Hickory Farms (a company he began working for while in high school), John was a successful small businessman who knows how to cut expenses, balance a budget and operate efficiently. He also understands how too much regulation and taxation hurts small business.
A resident of Jacksonville since 1965, John is a graduate of Bolles High School, Florida Junior College (now Florida State College) and Jacksonville University - where he triple-majored in marketing, economics and management.
He serves on the board of directors for a variety of charitable and civic organizations, including the Jacksonville Humane Society, the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library and Arlington's Tree Hill Nature Center. John is married with three children, two grandchildren and is a member of Christ's Church in Mandarin.
Contact Information:
EMail: jrcjaxfl@aol.com
Phone: (904) 710-7100
Bio for Dave Barron
As a proud Jacksonville native, David Barron is committed to our community just as he is his own family. Married, with a son and two granddaughters, David and his wife are active members of CrossRoad Church and enjoy all the cultural, historical, educational and business opportunities of the First Coast. As a small business owner in Jacksonville for the past 25 years, David has successfully cultivated and grown several small and medium sized businesses. With a staff of over 50 people in Jacksonville, and over 100 more in the southeast, David Barron knows firsthand that investing in small business is the key to long term success for our city, state, and country.
As an instructor for BF Goodrich's Corporate Management School, David Barron managed and developed training programs for over 150 national sales managers. This experience taught him many valuable lessons on managing with fairness, leading with integrity, and the importance of small businesses in our local communities.
David knows from experience, that in order for new businesses to grow and prosper, our city must eliminate the current obstacles and hurdles faced by entrepreneurs. He believes local government should be focused on developing small business and creating opportunity for growth. If elected to serve as City Councilman, David Barron will make it his mission to change the current culture of roadblocks and hindrance, to one of empowerment and encouragement.
Bio for Theresa Graham
Theresa Graham, PhD.
City Council Candidate At Large Group 2 2015
Tgraham2008@comcast.net www.Theresagraham.net
Theresa's love of the ocean the ocean brought her to Jacksonville 23 years ago, from the Midwest making Jacksonville her home. She started her Florida career as a Territory Sales Manager, employed for 8 years. Theresa was employed with New Life Christian Fellowship where she served as Nursery Coordinator overseeing 140 volunteers serving children's ministry. Theresa Graham is currently Business owner, Realtor member of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors. She is also a Board member of the Legislation Committee. Theresa Graham holds a Doctorate in Psychology. She has a BA in Applied Theology from Logos University Jacksonville. She received her Associate of Arts Degree at Florida Community College at Jacksonville. Last Fall she received her PLS Certification from the American Society of Transportation and Logistics. Currently she is attending Florida State University (FSU) working on a Major of Criminology.
Theresa also holds a Florida Director's Credential and a C.D.A in Childcare for operating a Pre School. She desires to continue schooling by in Education (EdD) with emphasis on Curriculum and Instruction. She was a PTA Board Member chairing the Community/Programs Seat. Theresa has been involved with the "National Center for Learning Disabilities" a voice for children. Also she represented "The National Anthem Project" restoring America's voice and supporting music in schools.
Theresa is a member of the Duval Republican Executive Committee serving as Precinct Committee Woman (REC). Theresa would like to see more women elected to serve in politics in Jacksonville. She was appointed by Mayor John Peyton to the Commission on the Status of Women, currently, chair of the Celebration Committee. Currently, she serves as President of North Florida Right to Life. Theresa also serves on the Executive Board of East Coast Ballet Foundation. Arts are so very important to community, especially with the recent school budget cuts.
An active member of New Life Christian Fellowship for 20 years she has volunteered in several ministries including women's, children's, taught Sunday school, prayer, nursing home ministries. . She had served as Coordinator for "Conception to the Cradle" women's ministry over 7 years. This team served pregnant women and their babies. Theresa has volunteered in many organizations throughout Jacksonville including, Connections downtown for Women and children, and a passion for running for women with breast cancer with the "Run Donna Breast Cancer Marathon".
There are many issues important to our city but Theresa feels the most important ones are Public safety, Education, the Economy and Job creation, Preservation and promotion of our natural environment, and Stabilizing the Police and Fire Pension Fund. Theresa is honored to serve her community. As a parent she believes in investing in our city to make it a better place to live than we found it for the next generation.
Graham's leisure activities include Running, Golf, Reading, Boating and Offshore sport fishing with her family.
Theresa Graham will be honored to be elected to the Jacksonville City Council and looking forward to the journey serving the Citizens of Jacksonville. VOTE- March 24, 2015
"Theresa Graham, your Voice for Jacksonville's Future."
Bios for Group 4
Greg Anderson (incumbent)
Greg was elected to City Council in 2011 to represent Jacksonville as an At Large Member (Group 4). Since then he worked to bring new jobs to Jacksonville, improve our financial stability, and to invest in our community. As Chair of Finance he led the committee through one of the most challenging budgets ever facing our community.
He currently serves as Chair of the Finance Committee and is a member of the Transportation, Energy, and Utilities Committee. Greg was also appointed to the Mayor's Pension Task Force.
He has over 27 years of experience in the financial service industry and is currently EverBank's Community Development Director. In this role he is a senior banking officer for the Jacksonville market, responsible for business development activities and community involvement.
Greg holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Georgia with a concentration in Finance and a Masters of Arts in Liberal Studies with a focus on Leadership Studies from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA. Greg and his wife of 25 years, Beville, have two sons, Mac (FSU) and Quillan (NC State).
Community service has always been important to Greg. He has served as President of the Riverside Fine Arts Association, Committee member for YoungLife Jacksonville, Director of the daniel Foundation, Trustee for Jacksonville's Chamber of Commerce, Trustee for St. Mark's Episcopal Day School, and Senior Warden for St. Mark's Episcopal Church. He is an Ex-Officio member of the Library Board of Trustees.
Greg and Beville are members of St. Mark's Episcopal Church.
Bio for Juanita Powell Williams
JUANITA POWELLWILLIAMS, ESQUIRE
CANDIDATE FOR CITY COUNCIL AT-LARGE, GROUP 4
A glimpse at Juanita's varied work career notes that she has work experience in both public and private arenas. Juanita's career has included working as a Chemist, Environmental Supervisor, Environmental Emergency Responder, Teacher/ Resource Teacher Trainer, Program Developer, Student Career Resource coordinator, Literacy Coach, Human Relations Associate Director, Volunteer Recruiter and Attorney and Counselor at Law.
Juanita is the sole practitioner at THE POWELL-WILLIAMS LAW FIRM, P.A. in Jacksonville. Her legal practice areas have included, inter alia, Wills, Guardianship and Probate Law, Family and Dependency-Elder Law, Employment Law, Criminal and Civil Law, Juvenile Defense and Personal Injury Law and Medical Prosecution. She is also a Veterans Benefits Certified Attorney.
Juanita is a member of the Florida Bar Association, the National Bar Association, and a past president of the DW Perkins Bar Association.
Juanita has extensive experience in interpreting and enforcing State and Federal rules, Regulations and Statutes. She has used that knowledge in interdepartmental and interagency interactions. She believes her prior position as Associate Director of the former National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ) fostered her human relations skills and knowledge as well.
Juanita's volunteer and community service includes: Founding and Charter Chair of the Tallahassee Chapter of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc.; Florida Senate appointed Board Member of the Florida Black Business Investment Board (FBBIB); Florida Attorneys Saving Homes Program Volunteer; D.W. Perkins Bar Association,(past president); Florida Election Protection local legal coordinator, Jacksonville; NE Florida Regional Planning Counsel Member; Jacksonville Bar Association; SE Regional Legal Advisor, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.; Jacksonville Branch-NAACP Legal Redress Chair; NAACP-State Legal Redress and Resolutions Committee; Advisory Board Member-Bethune Cookman University-Miller Center; Recipient of the J.K. Coble, Jr. Award for Distinguished Public Service; Board Member and former Vice Chair of the Three River Legal Services; Mayoral appointed Board Member of the Jacksonville Housing Authority; Jacksonville Women Lawyers; Christian Legal Society; Leadership Development Institute; Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce; Big Sister Program-Rochester; Learn to Read Program Volunteer, Jacksonville; Foster Care Citizen Review Panel; HRS Parent/Child Visitation Volunteer Monitor; Boys Scouts of America / Gateway Girl Scouts volunteer; GED Volunteer Instructor.
Juanita is a member of the Mt. Zion AME Church, Southside and has two adult sons, Davin and Gregory E.B.,II.
Bios for Group 5
Bio for Sam Newby
None provided
Bio for Ju'Coby Pittman
Ju'Coby Pittman-Jacksonville City Council At-Large Group 5
Ju'Coby Pittman was declared an official candidate for City Council on Monday, June 30, 2014 at 12 noon for City Council At-Large Group 5.
Pittman is a native Jacksonville-resident who graduated from Englewood High School and then pursued the Edward Waters College C.L.I.M.B. Program. She holds dual degrees in business administration from Florida State College in Jacksonville (Associate in Arts degree) and Jones College (Bachelor of Science degree). Additionally, she was honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters by Jones College and serves as one of the institution's most accomplished alumna
With more than three decades (30 years) of community engagement, Pittman has dedicated 22 years of her professional life to serve as President and CEO of the Clara White Mission Inc. In this capacity, she transitioned the non-profit organization from a $225,000 operational budget to $3.1 million with 32 full and part-time employees. Her primary focus is feeding and meeting the needs of Jacksonville's homeless veterans and low income residents. Under her leadership, advocacy and program initiatives, her hands on approach have develop programs that builds upon the assets of Jacksonville. Those programs include workforce and economic development: vocational training and job creation in culinary arts, janitorial and construction, the implementation of transitional and permanent housing, a Drop-In Day Center for the homeless, White Harvest Farms and a job training restaurant at St. John's Episcopal Church (Clara's at the Cathedral).
An extension program will open in 2014 as "Beaver Street Villas and Veterans Outreach Center." White Harvest Farm is the newest program addition and exists as a thriving community farm, growing fresh produce in partnership with Sysco Foods Inc.
Pittman looks forward to developing her campaign platform goals to include the following: (1)Economic development and revitalization; (2) Implementing a larger vision to help build on the community and its assets; (3) Having the opportunity to exercise her voice and vision when addressing the critical and urgent issues that matter most to the residents of Jacksonville.
Community engagement has kept Pittman at the forefront of Jacksonville's progression as she has served on the transition team(s) of Jacksonville's three prior mayor's: John Delaney, John Peyton, and current Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown. In addition to serving as an active member on numerous board of directors including Jacksonville Children's Commission, Cummer Museum, and YMCA. She is a member of Leadership Jacksonville, Leadership Florida, Westside Business Leaders Association, Jacksonville's Women's Network, and the Downtown Rotary Club to name a few. She worships at Bethel Baptist Institutional Church and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Among a few of her esteemed honors include the Jacksonville Business Journal "Women of Influence," Jessie Ball duPont Leadership Award, Mayor Status of Women, Florida Times Union - "Up and Coming Award" & "Eve Award Finalist", Gateway Girl Scout Council "Woman of Distinction," and the FBI Community Leadership Award.
She is the proud parent of former Miss Jacksonville and successful recording-artist/composer Alju Jackson and Winston Peele. The highest honor she seeks comes directly from the VOTERS of Jacksonville in 2015: City Councilwoman At-Large Group 5.
Her philosophy is: "Go out of your comfort zone to make a difference".
Bio for Michelle Tappouni
Michelle is a dedicated community leader. She knows the issues facing our city and what it takes to work with government, on the state and local level, to grow small businesses, strengthen our communities, and improve our neighborhoods.
Michelle is a respected advocate for small businesses and neighborhoods. Over the past 30 years she has worked with civic and trade organizations to support Florida's entrepreneurs and citizens. She is an active participant with the Citizens Planning Advisory Committee (CPAC) and proactively works towards solutions to our neighborhoods' most pressing issues. Michelle's willingness to roll up her sleeves and get the tough work done has led to safer neighborhoods and the growth of local businesses.
Michelle worked with Breaking Ground Contracting Company, a Jacksonville based general contracting firm since 1997. In her role as project manager, she received several project awards including awards for the Camp Blanding Joint Training Center RTSM Facility and the Bethune Point Park Skate Board Facility. She has also received national recognition for outstanding safety and training programs she developed and implemented for several companies. She currently works with Ability Housing of Northeast Florida, a local non-profit whose mission is to provide quality, affordable, community inclusive housing for individuals and families at risk of homelessness and adults with a disability. She brings years of experience in construction and project management to developing properties in Northeast Florida, helping to ensure that all of Jacksonville's residents have access to affordable and safe housing.
Michelle is a native Floridian, growing up in Jacksonville and Tampa. The oldest of six siblings, she comes from a large family of small business owners and has strong roots in northeast Florida. Michelle attended the University of Tampa and has continued her education throughout the years in business administration and construction. She lived in Riverside until 2007 when she purchased her 1909 home in Jacksonville's historic Springfield neighborhood.
Michelle continues to work for her community through her professional and personal life as shown below:
Boards and Committees
• City of Jacksonville's Environmental Protection Board, Vice Chair
• JAX2025 Bicycle/Pedestrian,Task Force Chair
• Architecture, Construction and Engineering (ACE) Mentor Program, Board Member
• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Florida State Board
• Springfield Area Merchants Business Association, Board Member
• Associated Builders and Contractors First Coast Chapter Government Affairs Committee, Chair
• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Women's Council, Past President
• Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council, 2nd Vice Chair
• Jacksonville Youthworks-Board Member
Professional Membership and Community Service
• Political Leadership Institute –Inaugural Class
• Jacksonville Community Council (JCCI)
• Urban Land Institute (ULI)
• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)
• St. Johns Riverkeeper
• U.S.GreenBuilding Council (USGBC)
• Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce
• American Institute of Architects (AIA)
• Blueprint for Prosperity Partner
• HabiJax 2008 Women Build Committee
• Child Guidance Center
• JacksonvilleYouthworks
• Angel Works
Contact us at....
Email: Info@votetappouni.com
Mailing Address:
Michelle Tappouni Campaign
P.O. Box 37421
Jacksonville, FL 32236
This is the most recent meeting of At-Large council candidates at the First Coast Tiger Bay Club. Missing from the forum was incumbent Kimberly Daniels District 1 who conveniently did not have to answer the question presented to all which was would the support the HRO?
(http://i.imgur.com/lYZcCfk.jpg)
Quote
The First Coast Tiger Bay Club held a candidate forum Friday for the at-large seats on Jacksonville City Council hopefuls . Though not every candidate showed at the club's monthly meeting, each of the five at-large races was represented, and the candidates acquitted themselves well for the mature crowd of the influential in the venerable University Club.
In spite of an inviting seafood buffet, local politics was the main course, and listeners got a clearer sense of the candidate's strengths and weaknesses.
All told, nine candidates were involved in the forum. From Group 1, were two contenders who have not gotten much press: the lightly funded but genuinely visionary former Jacksonville Sheriff's Office detective, Terry Reed, along with a candidate who came within 120 votes of winning the position four years ago: local Republican lawyer David Taylor.
One candidate represented Group 2, the combative, straight-talking incumbent Democrat John Crescimbeni, who reliable sources say has managed to irk public-workers unions, the Jax Chamber, and U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown. The incumbent faces an uphill battle to re-election against David Barron, who did not show. Barron was encouraged to run, Crescembeni said, by former Councilman Richard Clark, Barron's business partner. Barron has raised more than twice as much money this cycle as the incumbent, which explains why such forums provide valuable exposure for the Democrat fighting for his political life.
Group 3 saw former Jacksonville Mayor Tommy Hazouri show up, along with another Democrat in the race: Mincy Pollock. The tension between Hazouri and Pollock provided the dramatic highlight of the event.
The remaining two groups had considerably less drama. Group 4 representation included incumbent Republican Greg Anderson and his challenger, the lightly funded Juanita Powell-Williams. Group 5's sole candidate, meanwhile, was Michelle Tappouni, a Republican likely to make the runoff election.
For the complete story click this link: http://floridapolitics.com/archives/8131
Diane, just wanted to thank you for all the research and write ups you have done for at-large and district based candidates. It is very helpful as we find ourselves approaching voting day.
Thank you for saying so Irv. :)
Quote from: IrvAdams on March 22, 2015, 09:59:54 AM
Diane, just wanted to thank you for all the research and write ups you have done for at-large and district based candidates. It is very helpful as we find ourselves approaching voting day.
Yes, indeed. Thank you Diane!!!!!
Thank you Gloria! :)