Note: All the voters of Duval can vote in At large district races. So technically all district voters are participating in this At-Large District seat election. :)
I wasn't going to say too much about this race except to point out that the bio's of all the candidates for this race are already listed on this forum but I will repost them here. This race will be pretty straight forward. You will have Mincy drag a few votes away from Hazouri but not enough to make any real impact which is a good thing. Mincy, whether he knows it or not has one of the most rotten apples in black politics associated with his campaign. I actually cringed when I found out who had been signed on and that cast a great shadow over what his agenda might be. imo
This post pulled from a FB post, not on my page or associated with me.
QuoteDenise Hunt: I have known Mincy Pollack since he was a child and I was disappointed when I heard he had hired Overseerer Ken Adkins to head his campaign..A man who is a known oppressor of black progress and Gays..so I have a difficult time supporting Mincy Pollock, because of this association, and I believe associations of where you spend your money with tell a lot of about a person's true self hood and future intentions.
The March election will result in a run off between Hazouri and Youngblood. I will post their bio's here for your review again with the personal note that to my view politics and religion do not mix. I respect everyone's right to their personal theology and belief systems but simply do not think those beliefs should be imposed via politics. My vote in this election will be going to Tommy Hazouri.
Candidate Statement Hazouri:
Candidate's Statement
Contact information:
www.tommyforjax.com
Hazouri2015@gmail.com
904-657-8121
Tommy Hazouri served for 12 years as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1974-1986, as Mayor of the City of Jacksonville from 1987-1991, and as a Duval County School Board member from 2004-2012. While in the Florida Legislature, Mr. Hazouri was Chairman of the Duval Legislative Delegation, House Committee on Education, K-12, and House Committee on Retirement, Personnel, and Collective Bargaining. He also was a member of the House Committee on Appropriations', Subcommittee on Education Funding; and, Subcommittee on Personnel. He was appointed by Governor Lawton Chiles to the Florida Ethics Commission, and Chaired the Sheriff's Mental Health and Crisis Episodes Task Force. As Mayor, Mr. Hazouri led the effort to eliminate toll booths from Jacksonville's roads and bridges. He also implemented an anti-odor ordinance to relieve the city of its foul odor. Mr. Hazouri served as the Chairman of the Duval County School Board in 2008.
Tommy Hazouri earned a Bachelor's degree in History and Government from Jacksonville University, where he was elected Student Body President by his peers. He is the retired President of Hazouri & Associates, a private consulting firm. Mr. Hazouri is an honorary member of the San Jose Rotary Club. He and his wife, Carol, former public school elementary teacher of 43 years, live in Mandarin. They are members of Mandarin Presbyterian Church. Their son, Tommy, Jr., is an elementary school teacher and coach.
Candidate Statement Youngblood
Geoff Youngblood, Candidate for Jacksonville City Council At-Large Group 3 (Citywide)
Geoff Youngblood is the owner of Tools For A Time, Inc., and TurfPAC, two successful Jacksonville companies that provide the sale and leasing of industrial power equipment supporting the Landscape Management Industry and Emergency Preparedness Operations in 22-states. Over the past two decades, these companies have been instrumental in creating thousands of jobs and new businesses throughout Jacksonville and the entire Southeast.
Geoff knows that small businesses are the engine driving our economy, and he wants to break the shackles of government bureaucracy that stifle economic growth.
Geoff and his wife Debbie have been married for 20 years, and they are blessed to be raising two young children. He is a 1992 graduate of Mandarin High School, and earned his bachelor's degree attending FSCJ and Conservative Theological University. He is a member of First Coast Baptist Church where he serves as deacon and teacher.
Geoff has been very involved in Jacksonville government, having served as a member of Jacksonville's Charter Revision Commission. He has also served on the Public Service Grants Council, which oversees the financial needs of more than 70 local non-profit organizations. "This afforded me in-depth, hands-on experience in understanding local government and where we need improvement," said Youngblood, adding that both positions were appointments and were unpaid voluntary commitments.
Geoff also served on the national Kawasaki Manufacturing Dealer's Council, and the Red's Gait Homeowner's Association.
Geoff has been recognized for his dedication to making Jacksonville a better place to live. The national organization, ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard) awarded Geoff its, "Patriotic Employer Award," the, "Above and Beyond Award," and its highest award, the, "Seven Seals," for assisting veterans returning to civilian life to become gainfully employed. He has also received a Meritorious Award from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for his years of public service and unwavering support of law enforcement and first responders.
Geoff is a long-time supporter of many local organizations, giving both his time and resources. They include the Florida Army National Guard, The Justice Coalition, several local Athletic Associations, the Boy Scouts of America, Salvation Army, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, FOP, JSO and JFRD Honor Guards, Second Amendment Right Forums, and several Church and faith-based organizations.
We would appreciate your vote on March 24th, 2015. To learn more about Geoff or to support his campaign, please visit our website at:
http://www.geoffyoungblood4jaxcitycouncil.com/
Candidate Statmen for Pollack
www.ElectMincyPollock.com
Mincy Pollock's love for Jacksonville stems back to class field trips, historic stories from his grandmother, weekend discovery excursions with parents, and lessons from caring teachers. They all provided vibrant images and memories that became embedded in his heart. Mincy and his wife, Sonte', have been married for 12 years. They have four children: Genesis, Matthew, Kaylen and Kache'. When he's not working, Mincy enjoys spending time with his family, serving at The Church of Jacksonville, and working out at the gym. He has a unique passion for wellness. Mincy uses his expertise as a wellness coach, and group instructor, to help people live healthier and longer lives. He often says, "Healthy residents equate to a happy city."
Mincy received his education from the private school of St. Pius Catholic and the public high school of Jean Ribault. He obtained his degree from the local state college, and was a student at the National Labor College endorsed by the AFL-CIO, where he studied Political Economy and Labor. He became a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. of the University of North Florida, Sigma Upsilon Chapter. Mincy also completed studies through the School of Ministerial Education and Training. He currently holds an 215 Life, Health, & Variable Annuities license along with a 220 General Lines Insurance License, both issued by the Florida Department of Financial Services. Mincy believes in the value of education. He wants to work with leaders and the community to enhance our school system, making it attractive to our citizens and those considering Jacksonville as their future home.
Mincy is no stranger to hard work. He has been a member of the International Longshoremen's Association (Local 1408) for over 12 years. During that time, he has seen how important the port is to Jacksonville, and how vital it is for progress to take place. In the Jacksonville area alone 24,340 people are employed in port-dependent positions--direct, indirect and induced jobs relying on the port. As a result, Mincy wants to work to ensure that basic physical and organizational facilities needed for our city and for enterprise are maintained, improved and developed to foster more jobs and economic growth in Jacksonville.
Many know Mincy Pollock as "Praya," from his days as an on-air radio personality. Years ago, he was hired as the only employee of Gospel 1400 "The Light" WZAZ-AM Radio. The satellite station was unprofitable and the listenership was low. Under his leadership, it became a community-oriented voice of the city, resulting in the station's rise to #13 in the general market ranking, and becoming profitable enough to later be purchased by Clear Channel Broadcasting. Mincy's partnership with faith-based organizations, non-profits and small businesses are innovative. It's this creativity and freshness that's key to unlocking resources that will improve opportunities for all of Jacksonville's citizens. Mincy is currently the General Manager/Partner of First Coast Multi-Lines Agency, a company that educates and assist individuals and companies across the state with their insurance needs while helping counties decrease tax growths that occur as a result of treating the uninsured.
Mincy has worked with various outreach urban initiatives such as The Bridge of NE Florida, Young Life, Communities-N-Schools/Team-Up, YMCA, The Juvenile Justice Department, and The J-100. He was recently appointed a Board Member for the Jacksonville Job Corp., and is a member of M.A.V.A.W. (Men against violence against Women), an auxiliary of Hubbard House. He understands the merit of capital investment in our youth, young adults and their significant role and correlation to safer communities and Jacksonville's future.
Mincy's years of public service is his motivation to work closely with the sheriff's office to ensure necessary operating funds are allocated for the department to combat crime sufficiently. The strength of Jacksonville lies in neighborhood revitalization and development. Mincy saw its importance as a partner with Wealth Watchers, an official H.H.F. (hardest hit fund) provider and affiliate of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The project played an instrumental role in providing resources to people who faced foreclosure and/or needed assistance in obtaining affordable housing. Mincy's experience as a former licensee through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations, and past member of the N.E Florida Association of Realtors, is the basis for his confidence in the continued revitalization of downtown and its surrounding areas as well as the eradicating of blight from forgotten districts.
Mincy has a holistic approach of leaving no person behind. By addressing the issues and providing the solutions, we are helping ALL to attain the essentials of a quality life.