https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2023/04/05/city-denies-permit-says-donna-foundations-mothers-day-5k-too-close-to-election/ (https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2023/04/05/city-denies-permit-says-donna-foundations-mothers-day-5k-too-close-to-election/)
QuoteJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The annual Donna Foundation Mother's Day 5K, which was set to take place again on May 13, is being asked by the city of Jacksonville to find a different date for its race this year.
City officials said that with Donna Deegan, the founder and namesake of the Donna Foundation charity, currently running for mayor of Jacksonville, it would not be appropriate for the foundation's 5K race to take place while early voting is underway and the May election is just days away on May 16.
The Donna Foundation has been encouraged to reschedule the race outside of the voting period.
"It would be unfortunate for the timing to lead citizens to question COJ involvement in the election process," Brian Hughes, Jacksonville's Chief Administrative Officer, said. "For that reason, I wonder if the organization would consider a date change to the Saturday after Mother's Day rather than the Saturday prior. It would still be the week of Mother's Day but would then come after the conclusion of the election, ensuring no confusion of COJ involvement related to the election."
For now, the permit for the 5K has not been issued.
"The email is clear. It is not a denial and it is not an approval. It is an effort to protect the organization and COJ from the appearance of improper election influence," Hughes said. "Since it was an invitation to consider a reasonable alternative and to follow up in discussion, the organization choosing to ignore the invitation and instead give an incorrect account to media is a disappointment."
We spoke with Deegan on Wednesday morning, who said she is going to consult with the Foundation's board before commenting.
The Black Knight Donna Mother's Day 5K was held on the Saturday before Mother's Day last year when it debuted as the first Mother's Day race in Riverside in the Foundation's 19-year history.
The foundation has hosted races around Mother's Day for years, often connected to The Players Championship when it was held in May.
^ Will Daniel Davis agree to cancel all Chamber events, communications and announcements prior to the election? Since the Chamber is funded, in part, by the City, I think that is even more egregious than a 5K race.
To add, I don't think the City has a legal leg to stand on to deny the permit for this reason. Totally arbitrary. And, we know who Brian Hughes and Curry are supporting. No prejudice here. Where were they when JSO officers wore their uniforms and badges in commercials for their favored candidate in the sheriff's race?
I'll say - the Davis group is at risk of making this more of a news item than if they just let the race go on quietly.
I'll be honest....I hadn't heard about the race until his news came out.
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on April 05, 2023, 11:27:59 AM
And, we know who Brian Hughes and Curry are supporting. No prejudice here.
I think we're jumping to conclusions, here.
Lenny and Brian wouldn't pull permits for politically motivated reasons.
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2018/07/02/city-wants-landing-owners-to-start-obtaining.html
Quote from: Steve on April 05, 2023, 01:23:36 PM
I'll say - the Davis group is at risk of making this more of a news item than if they just let the race go on quietly.
Kinda feels like Daniel Davis would be further ahead in the race had he simply hidden in a cave for election season.
Three months ago, even if he was viewed as the "chosen one" by the Jax establishment, I think most casual observers on both sides of the political spectrum viewed him as a largely polished, level-headed figure.
Between threatening to sue the news stations, bombing in the one debate he participated in, the ugly campaign ads, threatening 5ks, and the weird undermining of Curry, it's just such an unpolished look.
In January, if you didn't know who you were voting for and were fine seeing Jacksonville continue on the same path it's on, David seemed like the easy pick for most people. Not so sure anymore.
Will be interesting to see how Jacksonville's dozens of voters react to the story.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on April 05, 2023, 02:30:41 PM
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on April 05, 2023, 11:27:59 AM
And, we know who Brian Hughes and Curry are supporting. No prejudice here.
I think we're jumping to conclusions, here.
Lenny and Brian wouldn't pull permits for politically motivated reasons.
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2018/07/02/city-wants-landing-owners-to-start-obtaining.html
LOL. Love the sarcasm. It is amazing that they aren't even subtle in there subterfuge efforts. Shows how empowered they believe they are.
Typical of GOP'ers everywhere nowadays. Just read an article that the GOP has a supermajority in the Wisconsin senate enabling one senator to already threaten impeachment of the just elected "liberal" supreme court judge that hasn't even taken office yet. Outrageous and totally motivated by politics. The willingness to override the will of the voters for only this reason is on par with the actions of a authoritarian government. The trend of the GOP in the US is worrisome for this reason.
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on April 06, 2023, 12:40:54 AM
Quote from: Ken_FSU on April 05, 2023, 02:30:41 PM
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on April 05, 2023, 11:27:59 AM
And, we know who Brian Hughes and Curry are supporting. No prejudice here.
I think we're jumping to conclusions, here.
Lenny and Brian wouldn't pull permits for politically motivated reasons.
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2018/07/02/city-wants-landing-owners-to-start-obtaining.html
LOL. Love the sarcasm. It is amazing that they aren't even subtle in there subterfuge efforts. Shows how empowered they believe they are.
Typical of GOP'ers everywhere nowadays. Just read an article that the GOP has a supermajority in the Wisconsin senate enabling one senator to already threaten impeachment of the just elected "liberal" supreme court judge that hasn't even taken office yet. Outrageous and totally motivated by politics. The willingness to override the will of the voters for only this reason is on par with the actions of a authoritarian government. The trend of the GOP in the US is worrisome for this reason.
Yes. Only the GOP tries to use power to its advantage nowadays. Democrats would never....
Quote from: WarDamJagFan on April 06, 2023, 05:26:22 AM
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on April 06, 2023, 12:40:54 AM
Quote from: Ken_FSU on April 05, 2023, 02:30:41 PM
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on April 05, 2023, 11:27:59 AM
And, we know who Brian Hughes and Curry are supporting. No prejudice here.
I think we're jumping to conclusions, here.
Lenny and Brian wouldn't pull permits for politically motivated reasons.
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2018/07/02/city-wants-landing-owners-to-start-obtaining.html
LOL. Love the sarcasm. It is amazing that they aren't even subtle in there subterfuge efforts. Shows how empowered they believe they are.
Typical of GOP'ers everywhere nowadays. Just read an article that the GOP has a supermajority in the Wisconsin senate enabling one senator to already threaten impeachment of the just elected "liberal" supreme court judge that hasn't even taken office yet. Outrageous and totally motivated by politics. The willingness to override the will of the voters for only this reason is on par with the actions of a authoritarian government. The trend of the GOP in the US is worrisome for this reason.
Yes. Only the GOP tries to use power to its advantage nowadays. Democrats would never....
Abuse of power is always unacceptable, regardless of who does it. But, the scale, scope and "institutionalization" of power abuses by the GOP in present day America is unprecedented and dangerous above and beyond. It also differs in that this isn't a rogue individual or localized cell here and there, but an entire political party acting similarly and in lockstep across all levels of government and nationwide. It is the disturbing trend of ever increasing attacks on our fundamental elements of democracy that also rival past abuses.
You have Wisconsin threatening to remove a just elected supreme court justice, Tennessee legislators removing 3 Democrats from their legislature for a minor protest action (not unlike GOP'er's shouting at the President during the State of the Union) and DeSantis removing officials and penalizing companies who dare to cross him. DeSantis has also created a State version of the National Guard and an elections police force so he can intimidate even more people. The GOP is undermining election processes with conspiracy theories attacking elections and election officials and making voting harder. The GOP increasingly denigrates opposition with over-the-top inflammatory language. The GOP is going aggressively after LGBTQ people, drag shows, sex education, books, science, medicine, free speech, public schools, school boards, local rule, unions, birth control and abortion rights, etc. only to appeal to a limited base. And, the GOP is encouraging vigilante justice with open carry, permit-less carry and stand your ground laws while limiting background checks and allowing assault weapons. The GOP stands by a past president that promoted an insurrection and thinks he is above the law and a Congressman that grossly misrepresented himself and has been sought by Brazil for crimes committed there, all to merely hold on to power. The GOP continues to condone dangerous right-wing extremist groups that advocate for domestic terrorism while attacking left-wing ones that are far less threatening (to be clear, all extreme groups should be managed if threatening violence). These actions are a smattering sample from a pattern of blatant abuse and nothing more while our democratic principals are threatened and gradually eroded.
If Democrats did this, I would take the same stand. And, FYI, I am for rank choice voting, against gerrymandering, for campaign finance reform, etc. regardless of how it affects either party. We need to work to find more ways to come together, not be pushed further apart.
Will this event date be changed or will the foundation give them the middle finger? As an independent, all the fuss over this event date simply puts Deegan's name out there more. I've never heard of this 5k until now. Davis and Deegan can thank Hughes for the free press.
Quote from: thelakelander on April 06, 2023, 01:47:50 PM
Will this event date be changed or will the foundation give them the middle finger? As an independent, all the fuss over this event date simply puts Deegan's name out there more. I've never heard of this 5k until now. Davis and Deegan can thank Hughes for the free press.
Since they need a permit to conduct the event, not changing the date = canceling it.
Quote from: Charles Hunter on April 06, 2023, 02:51:58 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on April 06, 2023, 01:47:50 PM
Will this event date be changed or will the foundation give them the middle finger? As an independent, all the fuss over this event date simply puts Deegan's name out there more. I've never heard of this 5k until now. Davis and Deegan can thank Hughes for the free press.
Since they need a permit to conduct the event, not changing the date = canceling it.
^ Not so sure about that. I think, the way Hughes phrased it, it is more of a "suggestion" than an actual decision. I am not sure the City could legally deny the permit. I heard they plan to run the race as scheduled. It would seem hard to change the date based on runners, volunteers, others blocking the date off on their calendars months in advance and the expense of promoting it and maybe even ordering T-shirts with the date on it. Moving it may be akin to cancelling it. I wouldn't agree to that if I were organizing such a race. And, it's for a charity, not for Deegan, so who gets hurt the most by cancelling it?
Hughes' quote:
Quote
"The email is clear. It is not a denial and it is not an approval. It is an effort to protect the organization and COJ from the appearance of improper election influence," Hughes said. "Since it was an invitation to consider a reasonable alternative and to follow up in discussion, the organization choosing to ignore the invitation and instead give an incorrect account to media is a disappointment."
According to Melissa Ross, COJ has green lit the race.
Unreal. Had they just did it from the start I would have had no idea there was a Donna 5K unless I happened to drive by it on race day.
Sound and fury, signifying nothing.
All that "drama" because COJ told them they were considering the request for a permit, and it wasn't just automatically granted. Le sigh. Next time, perhaps wait until something happens to play victim.
They don't call it silly season for nothing.
COJ / Brian H stuck neck out. Statement.
As a COJ property owner/ tax payer.... I would rather Brian not be on my payroll.
Little Lenny and his cronies came out looking like some real losers here
Quote from: fsu813 on April 07, 2023, 06:05:35 PM
Sound and fury, signifying nothing.
All that "drama" because COJ told them they were considering the request for a permit, and it wasn't just automatically granted. Le sigh. Next time, perhaps wait until something happens to play victim.
They don't call it silly season for nothing.
It was quite clear politics were at play here - and good on the people who brought the issue to light. I'm sure that's why it got approved.
Quote from: WarDamJagFan on April 06, 2023, 05:26:22 AM
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on April 06, 2023, 12:40:54 AM
Quote from: Ken_FSU on April 05, 2023, 02:30:41 PM
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on April 05, 2023, 11:27:59 AM
And, we know who Brian Hughes and Curry are supporting. No prejudice here.
I think we're jumping to conclusions, here.
Lenny and Brian wouldn't pull permits for politically motivated reasons.
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2018/07/02/city-wants-landing-owners-to-start-obtaining.html
LOL. Love the sarcasm. It is amazing that they aren't even subtle in there subterfuge efforts. Shows how empowered they believe they are.
Typical of GOP'ers everywhere nowadays. Just read an article that the GOP has a supermajority in the Wisconsin senate enabling one senator to already threaten impeachment of the just elected "liberal" supreme court judge that hasn't even taken office yet. Outrageous and totally motivated by politics. The willingness to override the will of the voters for only this reason is on par with the actions of a authoritarian government. The trend of the GOP in the US is worrisome for this reason.
Yes. Only the GOP tries to use power to its advantage nowadays. Democrats would never....
One reason that politics keeps getting worse and worse and more and more tribal is because of the media and others 'bothsides do it' rhetoric. The inmates have taken over the GOp asylum and the same cannot be said of Democrats. No Republican anywhere is in danger of being replaced or impeached for bogus reasons.
Quote from: tufsu1 on April 11, 2023, 09:35:58 AM
Quote from: fsu813 on April 07, 2023, 06:05:35 PM
Sound and fury, signifying nothing.
All that "drama" because COJ told them they were considering the request for a permit, and it wasn't just automatically granted. Le sigh. Next time, perhaps wait until something happens to play victim.
They don't call it silly season for nothing.
It was quite clear politics were at play here - and good on the people who brought the issue to light. I'm sure that's why it got approved.
Yes, I'm sure the few extra day review period was political in nature - in fact, Hughes cited it. But there was no denial. The approval was simply delayed for a few days. The opportunity for martyrdom due to denial was wholly embraced. Molehills into mountains into.... nothing.
Quote from: fsu813 on April 12, 2023, 01:42:01 PM
Quote from: tufsu1 on April 11, 2023, 09:35:58 AM
Quote from: fsu813 on April 07, 2023, 06:05:35 PM
Sound and fury, signifying nothing.
All that "drama" because COJ told them they were considering the request for a permit, and it wasn't just automatically granted. Le sigh. Next time, perhaps wait until something happens to play victim.
They don't call it silly season for nothing.
It was quite clear politics were at play here - and good on the people who brought the issue to light. I'm sure that's why it got approved.
Yes, I'm sure the few extra day review period was political in nature - in fact, Hughes cited it. But there was no denial. The approval was simply delayed for a few days. The opportunity for martyrdom due to denial was the wholly embraced. Molehills into mountains into.... nothing.
It was a total unforced error on the part of Davis's machine. If they hadn't tried to play political games, they wouldn't have gotten burned.