Metro Jacksonville

leave feedback -- including whether or not you live in the district

I have done research on all of the above listed candidates.  One among them I know well and have known for years so I will begin with him.  That is Donald Foy. 

(http://i.imgur.com/QAYy5IK.jpg)  (http://i.imgur.com/RWGAsH7.jpg)

QuoteDonald Foy is a well know individual throughout Jacksonville through personal involvement and media exposure.  All of it good.  Donald is the President of Mad Dads Jacksonville Chapter which is now and has been one of the most actively engaged group combating crime in Jacksonville.  Donald is always at the forefront of community issues, especially the fight against crime and I have walked with him through many a neighborhood while he called out over his megaphone telling people to step up and speak out against crime. I have sat with him at vigils and seen first hand his love and concern for the people of Jacksonville regardless of their race, religion or wealth.  His work recently led to the JSO awarding him a top citizen's award.  He is one of those rare individuals who has not put politics before people and has worked extremely well with recent mayors of all parties.  The respect he has earned from the JSO has also put him in the position of being "heard" when it comes to issues driving crime in our city.  I think many folks understand, especially those in the areas most impacted by crime that getting crime under control is "key" to the development of any community.  His long standing involvement in the community also has put him in the position of listening to and understanding the issues that worry the folks in our most at risk communities.  One would have to look far and wide to find someone of his respected stature.

I recently asked him about the issue of the demolition of homes in District 7 and elsewhere as we had never discussed that.  Here is what he wrote to me:  Donald Foy

Let's try this again. Hello Diane. Thank you for your input for my campaign for councilman in district 7. As you know I am for all the people in the district and will do my best to serve the entire district. I agree that Springfield is a very important part of Jacksonville's history.Once elected I will look into options for its preservation as presented by the people . As you know empty promises does not do anyone any good so let me get elected first and then we can explore the possibilities. I will not make empty promises to get votes. I will represent and be a voice for all the people in District 7.

I also have never discussed the HRO with him because I have found him to be supportive of all people.  However I did shoot off a message to him to ask him his opinion.  Will share his response when I get it.

Next up James Eddy.  I must confess that the first thing that impressed me about James was how early into the campaign process he reached out to voters here on Metrojacksonville and elsewhere.  Secondly is that he declared his candidacy as an openly gay white man in what has traditionally be a black run district at the council level.  Now that takes guts but more importantly it takes integrity.  Bravo Mr. Eddy.  You stepped up and ran for office at a time in our history that having an openly gay representative on council is not only needed but highly desirable.  I have found that even the most hate filled or misguided people can and do change their opinions of others based upon their religion, race or sexual orientation once they have gotten to known them as people.  In the end the GLBT folks are people like anyone else, people who deserve a voice and respect. 

Since announcing his run I have followed James and listened to his platform via video and am certain that he would represent the entire district with caring and his full effort and attention.  He thinks and speaks competently about his platform which is excellent and his ideas for not only the future of the district but of Jacksonville.  Personally I was a bit disappointed when he did not receive the endorsement of a local equality group.  While I understand their decision was based on what they felt were his chances of actually being elected to this district and the desire to have the HRO passed, I think an excellent opportunity was missed to work in his support because 4 and the possibly eight years of him on council in a district that is becoming more and more diverse could only be a very good thing. At the same time change the views of many uneducated people about gay individuals.  He would show excellent leadership and clearly has an integrity and fearlessness hard to match. 

He is in support of preservation and the HRO as well as tuned into the needs of the community in which he lives and has a good understanding of our local political process.  :)

(http://i.imgur.com/laVzam8.jpg)

Quote
2/20/2015
Candidate's Statement

Born: On November 23, 1970 in New Martinsville, West Virginia
Grew up: Raised in Reader West Virginia but I grew up on a small piece of farm land in Marietta , Ohio.
Parents: Shirley Furler and Russ Furler (step Father) and Jim Eddy (father).
Siblings: Rebecca Jones, Mitch Eddy and Debbie Gessel.
High School: Marietta Sr. High
College: The University of Akron AA in Restaurant Management and Culinary Art

Jobs: The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Restaurant Manager For the past 12 years April 2001-present.

Volunteerism:
President and Co-Founder Rainbow House LGBT Community Center Jan 2011 to Jan 2013

President and Elf of Holiday Helpers and organization that give Christmas and the Holidays to kids affected and infected with HIV/AIDS 2004-Present President 2009-2010 Vice President 2008

Board and member of River City Pride : board 2009 member 2009-2012

Active Member PFLAG 2013 been a member from 2010- Present

Active in JCCI Jax 2025

Faith: In my youth was a member of Hills United Methodist Church Marietta Ohio. My family is Church of Christ. Faith is a very important part of my life but not currently an active member of a church.

please visit my web site at www.eddy4dist7.com you can email me at eddy4dist7@gmail.com

Phone 1-904-729-5736
Address
222 Lawton Ave
Jacksonville, Fl 32208
Note: The candidate's photograph and statement

Next up Reggie Gaffney who is looking to replace the seat his brother vacated in his attempt at a run for another political seat.  I have already shared information about him on the candidates page.  Let's make this short and simple.  He defrauded Medicaid for 1.4 million and has been on the fringes of many a controversy.  You can see his info on the council candidate page if he provided any and also view the report on his fraud via the link below and Times Union article.  Gaffney has long been a friend of Corrine Brown yet this election cycle she is supporting one of the other candidates. 

(http://i.imgur.com/VOJCCuN.jpg)

Quotevid Bauerlein Thu, May 16, 2013 @ 6:04 pm | updated Fri, May 17, 2013 @ 5:08 am

By David Bauerlein Thu, May 16, 2013 @ 6:04 pm | updated Fri, May 17, 2013 @ 5:08 am
Photo by Jon M. Fletcher/The Times-Union-- 063008-- The Jacksonville Port Authority Board of Directors holds their first meeting since the resignation of Ron Baker. Pictured is Board Member Reginald Gaffney. (The Florida Times-Union, Jon M. Fletcher) The Florida Times-Union
The Florida Times-Union
Photo by Jon M. Fletcher/The Times-Union-- 063008-- The Jacksonville Port Authority Board of Directors holds their first meeting since the resignation of Ron Baker. Pictured is Board Member Reginald Gaffney. (The Florida Times-Union, Jon M. Fletcher)

A nonprofit run by former Jacksonville Port Authority board member Reggie Gaffney overbilled Medicaid by almost $1.4 million, according to an audit by the state Agency for Health Care Administration.

The state is seeking to recoup the money from Community Rehabilitation Center and also assess a $111,000 fine.

Community Rehabilitation Center disputes the state's audit and says it filed for an administrative hearing to make its case.

Gaffney, whose five-year tenure on the port board ended this month after the Florida Senate did not confirm his reappointment, helped found Community Rehabilitation Center in 1993 and serves as executive director.

The nonprofit helps low-income people by providing medical services for mental illness, substance abuse and HIV/AIDS.

Gaffney did not return a call for comment.

An email from his assistant said the organization disagrees with the audit.

Community Rehabilitation Center "requested a formal administrative hearing upon receipt of AHCA's audit advice and we are in the process of actively negotiating resolution of this matter," the email said.

The billing case stems from a routine audit by the Agency for Health Care Administration. Last July, a preliminary audit determined the Medicaid program overpaid Community Rehabilitation Center by almost $2.6 million from September 2008 through February 2011.

After further review, the state put the amount of overpayment at almost $1.4 million "for services that in whole or in part are not covered by Medicaid," according to a letter sent to the nonprofit in March.

The letter says Community Rehabilitation Center failed to adequately document its medical records, lacked a valid plan of care for some home health services, and did not render some medical services that were listed on claims for Medicaid payments.

Agency for Health Care Administration spokeswoman Shelisha Coleman declined comment, saying the agency does not discuss cases in active litigation.

In the 2011-12 fiscal year, the agency conducted 2,842 audits statewide and found overpayments in 1,987 cases, according to the agency's annual report. Those cases totaled $36 million in overpayments, or an average of roughly $18,000 in overbilling per case.

Community Rehabilitation Center has reached settlements with the state in the past over Medicaid audits that found overbilling. The organization agreed to pay about $29,000 in 2003 and paid $390 in 2010, according to state records.

Gaffney's service on the JaxPort board ended when the Senate wrapped up its session without voting to confirm his appointment by Gov. Rick Scott.

david.bauerlein@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4581[/quote


http://freebeacon.com/national-security/all-in-the-family-2/

Next up Niki Brunson.

Finding information on Ms. Brunson and her campaign turned up a personal FB page which has not been updated since November 2014 and links to a campaign website which is not there using all the links on her page and an independent search.  Upon checking I see the campaign website has been removed.  I found no criminal history for Ms. Brunson and that she did own a restaurant in Jacksonville at some point on the eastside.  There is also a you tube video of her regarding the campaign which has just 43 views.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6A0mnfV-Mg.  There is another video with her and Stanley "Doc" Scott with 15 views.  It would appear by the few video's available that she is an activist of sorts and quite energetic in her views.  Not much else to been found.  (http://i.imgur.com/TgM2vkh.jpg)

Wendell Sams is also in the race for District 7.  He has a FB page for his campaign no website.  (http://i.imgur.com/A35IY2E.jpg)  He has this information flyer picture on that page.  (http://i.imgur.com/uvE3d8F.jpg)  I found no criminal history about Mr. Sams and did find a single video that was hard to hear on you tube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpmwq23nwXU He apparently is unemployed but served as an associate pastor at a Baptist church in Mississippi.  He lists his education as a Masters Degree in Theology.  Not much else to be known.

There is a Pastor Siretta Williams also vying for this seat.  She has a fb page listed simply under her name Siretta Williams which seems to be where her campaign efforts are being shared.  There is no campaign website for her. I found no apparent criminal record for her under a simple search. 

(http://i.imgur.com/xPW2m1u.jpg)

I did find a piece of youtube video which may give you some insight into who she is and what she is about.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC2P_xDW4KQ

This is her campaign Statement:


Candidate's Statement

Dr. Sirretta L. Williams has lived most of her life and attended public schools in Jacksonville. She has experienced the trials of living in public housing and having to work two jobs to sustain her children through secondary education. Throughout her struggle, grace, mercy and perseverance enabled her to overcome the odds. She has spent her life's work in the heart-felt service to others, feeding the hungry and providing assistance to those in need. As your District 7 City Council representative her unwavering service will continue.
Dr. Sirretta L. Williams attended Jacksonville's Theological Seminary where she earned a Doctorate in Christian Psychology. She also served as a college professor and obtained a license and certification as a counselor. Serving as a mentor and substitute teacher with the Duval County School Board for 15 years and a mental health and drug assessment counselor for the Juvenile Detention Center, heightened her awareness of the need and importance for effectual education and guidance for our youth. Incidentally, a family tragedy led Dr. Williams to author a book and found Breaking the Silence Jacksonville, or BTSJ, a not-for-profit organization, dedicated to educating, increasing public awareness and providing support for sexually abused youth and their families. Subsequently, she was presented with a key to the city by the Mayor of Columbus Georgia for her efforts to raise money and awareness for not-for-profit organizations that provided similar support. Dr. Williams also served as National Chaplain of the NFL moms, providing support through her ministerial duties and uplifting literature, in line with her present pastoral duties as Senior Pastor of Lion of the Tribe of Judah. As overseer of the refurbished Joseph Lee Community Center in the heart of District 7 on Jacksonville's Northside, Dr. Williams, along with other volunteers, provide a haven for youth to congregate after school. Being mother to two wonderful children, Laveranues and Rashetta, as well as grandmother to seven precious grandchildren is as equally fulfilling as her many accomplishments.
Dr. Williams' primary goals for District 7 are to raise the bar on education, curtail the crime rate by initiating camera installments, increase economic development, initiate horticulture for our seniors, formulate business-to-business partnerships, repair and improve road conditions by widening streets for allowance of emergency vehicles, In turn these initiatives, once fulfilled, will increase job opportunities and encourage higher wages, raise property values and revitalize and strengthen the infrastructure of District 7 in its entirety.
A candidate that emulates you, the people of district 7, understands how important it is to make our neighborhoods safer for our families and schools better for our children; which in turn improves the quality of life for all of us in District 7. Dr. Williams desire to represent District 7 is not for personal prestige or to build her resume, but to build a safer, thriving, more economically sound environment for her family, her neighbors and yours... because WITH TEAM WORK WE CAN DO ANYTHING!

Marc A. McCullough Sr is also in this race for district 7

(http://i.imgur.com/c78kKHF.jpg)

and part of a nasty dispute with fellow candidate George A. Spencer. He posted this to his FB page yesterday.

QuoteCorruption is scared of me!! My life was just threatened after a member of Springfield witnessed another candidates campaign team along with his father removing my campaign signs. That member of the community called me and picked me up, when we arrived at the scene the father approached me and told me that he was gonna have something done to me/that I wouldn't live long! Wow, they say a hurt dog will holler!
The gentleman that call me also videotape the entire ordeal.......STAY TUNE!
let me say this for 24yrs I've been working in my community trying to help someone else, every year I feed our senior citizens for Thanksgiving and Christmas (about 300) and I ensure that every child in several apartment communities receive school supplies. I'm not just talking I'm working!
I will be a councilman for ALL young, old, gay, straight, black, and white!
I need your prayers, and votes on March 24, 2015!!

McCullough claims on video that Spencer tried to buy him off to get him out of the race.   

Marc McCullough has been involved in a number of community programs but also has a criminal background detailed in the article below with link attached.  He does have a FB page but it does not list a campaign website.

QuoteByline: BETH KORMANIK

    Marc McCullough Sr. does not have the ideal candidate's resume.

    Since 1988, he has pleaded guilty to grand theft for stealing a car, selling cocaine to an undercover detective and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He has pleaded no contest to resisting arrest, an alcoholic-beverage charge and domestic battery. Then he violated his probation.

    He spent time in prison and in 1992 was labeled a "habitual felony offender" by a judge.

    Now McCullough, 36, wants to be elected to the Jacksonville City Council.

    McCullough is not alone among council candidates who have had documented run-ins with the law. Despite their pasts - which range from felonies to fishing violations - they still feel qualified to run.

    "My past paints a picture of a bad person," McCullough said. But he believes it also makes him uniquely qualified for the job, especially in District 7, which he described as an area "plagued with violence."


For full article:

https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-158930946/political-hopefuls-may-have-a-record-some-candidates

Inspite of his past record the Equality Jax PAC/group has endorsed him based upon his stance in support of the HRO.

Then there is George A. Spencer who lists himself as an accountant and attorney.  I did some checking and found that he is a Florida Attorney but only for the past 5 years.  Mr. Spencer is the man who Corrine is backing for this district over and in spite of her long time friendship and associate Reggie Gaffney who is also on the ticket.  Spencer is facing some serious allegations in this race coming from another candidate Marc A. McCullough Sr, accusations he has posted to his fb page. 

(http://i.imgur.com/w1sGzqt.jpg)

He has a campaign website which is: http://www.georgespencercampaign.com/

This is his campaign statement:

QuoteCandidate's Statement

Contact Information:
websites: www.georgespencercampaign.com
www.facebook.com/District7VOICE
phone: (904) 859-2373

Family:
George was born in Jacksonville and raised on the Northwest side of town. He is the son of George W. Spencer, Sr. and Americus Spencer. He has three (3) brothers and two (2) sisters who all reside in Jacksonville. George has two (2) sons: Nicholas Jarvell Spencer age 25, and Che' Jordan Spencer age 14. George has a granddaughter: Makayla Spencer age (2).

Education:
George is the product of the Duval County Public School system. After High School, George attended Bethune-Cookman College where he earned an athletic scholarship. He graduated with academic honors with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. After undergraduate studies, George obtained a Master degree in Accounting Information Systems from Florida State University. George later completed his legal studies at Florida International University earning a Juris Doctorate degree.

Clubs/Organizations/Memberships:
George has been a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc since April of 1989. George has been a member of the International Longshoreman's Association local 1408 labor union for over 25 years. While growing up George was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church and he currently worships at Shiloh Baptist Church.

Licenses/Certifications:
George obtained a license to practice as a public accountant in the State of Florida in 1996. George was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2010. He is currently a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("AICPA") and the Florida Bar Association.

Boards/Commissions/Office:
George currently serves on the Jacksonville Urban League Board of Directors. He also serves as the Treasurer for the Jacksonville Urban League. George serves as a Commissioner on the Taxation Revenue Utilization of Expenditures ("TRUE") Commission.

Professional/Occupation:
George currently works as a Certified Public Accountant for Spencer & Company, P.A. and an attorney for the Law Office of George A. Spencer, P.L. He is also the Director in both companies. He also currently serves as a Consultant/Controller of Voorhees College, Denmark S.C. George served as an adjunct accounting professor at Bethune-Cookman College

Certainly individuals can do their own due diligence on all candidates and they should.  Based on my own research the two candidate in this race I would like to see in a run off would be Donald Foy and James Eddy. There are two pastors in this race.  I personally do not think religion and politics mixes well and in fact has been used far too long as a lever in this and other districts to gain votes.  The outcropping of religious beliefs can be seen made manifest in current council member and pastor Kim Daniels who has not been shy about her views and has let them influence her vote for the HRO.  Those considering the pastors should ask them if they support the HRO and are capable of keeping their religion out of their politics.  This is important to know but all the candidates with theology degrees in this race seem to be steadfast in their religious ideals which is great and I respect their right to their beliefs, I just don't think religion belongs in politics and neither did our founding fathers. Others may have a different opinion about that and of course that is their right. There is not much to know about some of the other candidates and the drama now unfolding between Marc McCullough and George A. Spencer will likely only get worse which is a distraction to everything important which are the needs of district 7. 

In district's 7,8,9 and 10 it does indeed relate to Corrine Brown Stephen. She has a heavy influence in all these areas.  I have provided a few facts that people can accept or reject at their choosing, I have provided the links that show her ethics violations and past business dealings.  It would take writing a book to share all the in's and out's of Corrines impact on these Jacksonville districts and quite frankly, that isn't a book I care to write anytime soon.  lol  But yes the control in these areas is directly related to Corrine and some local pastors as well as some of her business associates. 

Don't want to go off the topic of District 7 but an indicator of how Corrine orchestrates people to her politics can be seen in the fight she put up to stop the SOE from moving their elections office from Gateway center where her own headquarters are housed.  Note in the article how she rallied pastors to her cause which even ended with her friend who owns Gateway filing a lawsuit to stop the move that they lost.  That meant the Gateway owner lost a high paying tenant that was reliable in the SOE when the office was downsized and Corrine lost her easy access to that office when it came to organizing and shuttling voters to her headquarters, hand them her quick picks and send them off to vote.  There will still be an early voting site there however. http://www.news4jax.com/news/congresswoman-fights-against-vote-to-move-election-center/21460730

There's only a couple decent candidates in this dumpster fire.

You'd think the Downtown/Brooklyn/SPR powers that be would be have a clear candidate to support, but it's been relatively foggy to this point.

I suspect there may be more clarity soon.

I tell you what I am focused on Stephen just this once and not again and it isn't a focus on Corrine it is much bigger.  I am tired of the sad state of affairs our local politics is in.  I am tired of the fact that more good people do not run for office because of the political dynamics in this city through lack of interest, understanding the process or who they can vote for in what races so they can do their due diligence and research the candidates.  I have been at this for decades and as a result know some history others may not which includes who holds influence politically in this city. I have already spoken to several other situations regarding the impact of the Nifty Fifty/ Civil council and others with political influence outside of the mostly black districts. Now I am speaking to what is the political landscape in those mostly minority districts that goes beyond gerrymandering and falls right into the category of intimidation and corruption at many levels.  This results with the black community being sold out consistently from destruction of historic neighborhoods to individuals whose voices are not heard by the politically powerful. Corrine was in power while the largest black historic neighborhood in Jacksonville, LaVilla was flattened. Where was she then?  How did those she backed change that tide of destruction and loss of black history?  Again I reference the stats recently shared showing how far below the black communities are when it comes to improved employment, health, economics, less crime, better education, infant death mortality and more.  One of the main influences in all that goes down politically in the above named districts is the impact of Corrine Browns actions or lack of action and that is the unfortunate fact.  So yes, I am focused on her for that reason.  She has gotten rich as has her daughter and many of her associates via her style of political doings and that continues to harm the community.  When you have someone of compromised ethics whose kid gets a $50,000 automobile as a gift from a business friend and she takes other financial gifts as a member of the house and doesn't declare them, yes that is a problem, a sizable one.  This election cycle I am going to speak to the people and political dynamics that often go ignored and have done for years.  Until the people are informed about the level of manipulation and corruption in local politics our situation will never improve. Until they know they can vote their minds without consent of local pastors or Corrine's quick picks they remain pawns of politics.  If things don't  improve in the districts with the most crime and who are greatly suffering economically the entire city will be impacted and suffer for as a result.  It is unavoidable.  The people in those districts deserve more as does everyone in Jacksonville.  After the facts are shared and "focus" is put on the criminal behaviors or sheer nuttiness of some individual in office who folks still support and continue vote for who are doing the damage the city will suffer. People need the facts about those with political influence and then they have the chance to vote in the representation they deserve.  This time they have a little more information to go with.  By the way Stephen I did not use the word criminal in connection with Corrine, you did. I have simply shared facts and links to back those facts up.  Corrine to my view is compromised in her ethics as proven in public record and that is scandal enough for me.  This is my last effort at trying to get voters involved and educated to the process.  If it helps some this time around that is great.  In the end this is my overall last shot at making an effort to create a greater desire in folks to research their candidates and know what they are buying with their vote and vote wisely. Voting wisely means not putting folks in office who have criminal records, defraud medicaid or loose ethical values.  There are no easy returns on what you buy with your vote. All the things discussed on this board from development to education to tourism etc are influenced by who we put in office so we need to chose well.  So there you have it, that is why my focus has for a short time been on Corrine Brown and will move onto others influencing politics later or until people lose interest in discovering some things about local politics that they may have not knows.  Got it? I hope so and if not I will not address the whys and wherefores again.  I have too much information to share yet.  :)

Quote from: stephendare on February 23, 2015, 12:49:18 AM
Wouldn't it be more straightforward to simply publish any proof you have directly about Corrine this instead of trying to divvy it up during local election races against any candidates with whom she might be friendly?

Sounds like it would make great reading.

I always enjoy your writing and analysis, it makes the conversation better by providing other points of view.

It could be but the political threads like so many others on the forum seem to cross over and overlap in a number of categories.  So I address each as it comes up so that those who haven't read one thread can get the info on another.  Anyway, I think there is already some great reading of MJ threads on all topics including politics.  Now I bid you a good night, I need some sleep.  :)

These videos are from the Mr. Foster "Make It Happen" last spring.  Two of the candidates from this district helped us.  Marc McCullough and James Eddy.

http://www.youtube.com/v/k747WaACZ4I?rel=0


http://www.youtube.com/v/aDmrnaspEmo?rel=0]

Mr. Foster hasn't forgotten them and neither have I.

http://www.youtube.com/v/gviI1bo6SNo?rel=0"%20frameborder="0"

I met Wendell Simms about 6-7 times since last year.  He was taken around by different JYC members and other Dems to events before last fall's election.  He seemed very personable and professional, but still have no background on him.  I do know he hasn't lived here long.  I think if those Dems were really counting on him or had faith in his ability, we would have heard much more about him by now.