Jim Bailey: Why I Want to be Mayor of Jacksonville
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Jim Bailey. The tireless public servant and downtown businessman. The list of his affiliations would take an entire article, as would a recounting of the anonymous philanthropy and quiet contributions that have characterized his life and career.
He is one of several great Republican candidates for Mayor of Jacksonville.
Why is he running?
Join Metro Jacksonville as Jim lays it out for our readers.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-sep-jim-bailey-why-i-want-to-be-mayor-of-jacksonville
I am open to anyone.....since I have not formed a black and white opinion of any of the 12 or 14 candidates! I wonder just what his position is regarding LRT and Ethics? What are the possibilities of his having an open discussion here on MetroJax?
CS....by LRT do you mean like-rail-transit :D
why would they mayor be writing checks to himself?
He might be up to the challenge, but in my opinion he still hasn't given a good, well rounded and practically complete reason why he'd want to become Mayor or why he should be elected. His daughters is only ONE good reason why he should be elected. There are numerous other reasons he failed to mention. His daughters are important, relative to the future and the future of Jacksonville's Children which he ties in with his daughters because they are young, and they and his daughter's peers are a huge part of Jacksonville's future if they decide to stay. Just because he wants to be Mayor because of his daughters, that is, he wants to make Jacksonville better so his daughters and their peers will stay and remain as citizens of Jacksonville, does not spell out ALL of the reasons why he should be Mayor, and what he will do when he becomes Mayor to make Jacksonville a City to be envied, with a super quality of life and second to none within Florida and these United States. What will you do Mr. Bailey for Jacksonville, out side of your daughters, to make it a top tier City? And this includes making Jacksonville a super place to live not only for your daughters and their peers, but also for its citizens now and in the future, and those who don't live in Jacksonville now who will later become Jacksonvillians.
"HU"
I would ask for his solutions to issues facing our current mayor...
Police/ Fireman contracts
Shipyards
Health and use of the river
Revitalization of Downtown
Mass transit
Quote from: hightowerlover on September 28, 2010, 10:29:32 AM
why would they mayor be writing checks to himself?
I get what you're saying, and it's fairly clever, but that's not what Jim meant. He meant that a Mayor should not just be taking money (signing the back of the check), but also giving money (signing the front). He's not talking about writing checks to himself.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on September 28, 2010, 11:28:33 AM
Quote from: hightowerlover on September 28, 2010, 10:29:32 AM
why would they mayor be writing checks to himself?
I get what you're saying, and it's fairly clever, but that's not what Jim meant. He meant that a Mayor should not just be taking money (signing the back of the check), but also giving money (signing the front). He's not talking about writing checks to himself.
I was wondering about that myself...and now that I understand fully, I agree with Jim; should be spending for the good of the city as well as taking in money from whomever or whatever sources (also for the good of the city); but still, Mr. Bailey needs to give more reasons why he wants to be Mayor.
"HU"
What will you do to create incentives for the growth of small business in Jacksonville? Small businesses are the number one job creators. We need an environment to create the next great Jacksonville company. Our next Charter, Barnett Bank, Winn Dixie, CSX, Fidelity is going to blossom from a new small business. What are your plans to create an environment that would allow this to happen more easily?
What are your plans to secure federal funding for navigational and deepwater issues for the Port?
Say something like a dedicated federal funding specialist/liason solely devoted to this issue...
Would you be in favor of creating special economic zones to encourage a clustering of medical research firms to relocate and/or start in Jacksonville? Research shows that for every one job created by a medical research firm, about 5 jobs are created from businesses used by the facility and its employees.
Are you in favor of seperating the 680' pier from the Shipyards site, and using exisisting external funding mechanisms to create a public pier park? Are you in favor of extending the Riverwalk across the entire length of the Northbank and connect Metro Park with the core of downtown?
Are you going to commit to better maintenance/repair of our existing park system? Several parks are in poor repair, and others need desperate revitilazation(I.E. The Hogan Creek park system). In the same token, are you in favor of redirecting the park system's efforts to focus on more eco-tourism opportunities?
Would you keep Bill Killingsworth in place?
What would you do to bolster the historic preservation fund?
What are your thoughts on fixed mass transit in this city?
How would you continue to foster Downtown Jacksonville's future?
How would you fix the secondary public education system in Jacksonville which is continuing to get low marks when stacked against its peer cities? I think this is a key issue when trying to attract more high-wage jobs to this city as our current school system does not produce adequate numbers of college graduates as a percentage of our overall population.
How would you transform our city into a world-class SMART city that runs on network-based on telecomm-based systems to allow for better management of city services, encourage more economic opportunity, and an overall better quality of life?
fieldafm.......nice criteria............lets see if he responds...........talk is cheap, but not much talk from any of the candidates to this point!
Thank you so very much for your interest in my campaign! I am having a great time meeting so many new people and learning more about the underlying problems that face our City. As we progress, my plan for Jacksonville will become more defined. I will address every issue you have mentioned and more. I look forward to being a part of this forum sometime in the near future. Again, thank you for your interest and your patience.
I would like to schedule a session in the next few months. We will be holding some town hall type forums very soon. I think those will address many of the issue concerns. Stephen - I will get with you offline to schedule something. Thanks again!
Quote from: jimbailey on September 28, 2010, 04:28:03 PM
I would like to schedule a session in the next few months. We will be holding some town hall type forums very soon. I think those will address many of the issue concerns. Stephen - I will get with you offline to schedule something. Thanks again!
Offline or Online.....matters not to me! Look forward to the Q & A whenever it can take place! stephen, just my little old opinion, but have any other candidates said that they would participate......Rick did half heartedly but no other candidates have said Yes! Hoping we can round robin all of them, or at least those who really give a darn about what happens and how?
Why don't we have a Mayoral debate on the Metro Jax Forum? Probably would be hard to coordinate, but I'm sure someone (powers that be in MetroJax) can make it happen.
"HU"
After taking some time to review our schedule, I figured out the best time to answer your questions. Please join me from 5:30pm to 7:30pm on Monday, October 25 right here on this forum. I look forward to your participation! Thanks!
Mayoral Candidate Jim Bailey live Q&A October 25 on MJ
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Jim Bailey, Candidate for Mayor, and the owner of the Daily Record newspaper will be joining MetroJacksonville on Monday, October 25th, for a live question and answer session online. This is a special service for our readers, who are welcome to submit their questions to Jim beforehand, or join us during the live session.
Jim will be answering questions and talking to our readers on Monday evening between the hours of 5:30-7:30, a good two hours of time just chatting with voters and MetroJacksonville.
Please join us. To check out Jim's original essay, click here: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-sep-jim-bailey-why-i-want-to-be-mayor-of-jacksonville
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-oct-mayoral-candidate-jim-bailey-live-qa-october-25-on-mj
stephen.............I am curious as to what Mr Bailey's stance is regarding "Ethics"? If he does have a stance does he feel that ethical issue's should be looked into by the OGC or should ethics be a separate agency? How does he feel either option should be funded........public money or all of the City agency's, including the independents, funding said office from their operating budgets? Should Ethics be reinserted into the City Charter, so there is no questions about what or how things should be managed? If he has other idea's regarding ethics.......just what are they?
Jim, do you see us starting on a streetcar project with a self funded starter line in the $30-50 Million range, connecting downtown with the surrounding historic neighborhoods?
Would you approve moving JTA'S BRT routes to feeder status for commuter rail preserving the federal funding where ever possible rather then competing with ourselves with duplicate brt-rail services.
On a similar note, what is your opinion of JTA's downtown BRT southbank plan to duplicate the Skyway route in it's entirety and still miss the Baptist-Aetna-Wolfson complex.
JTA has proposed a transportation center plan that has come under fire as a real-estate consuming "ranch", would you encourage a more compact center with expanded rail capacity with an immediate start-up in order to capitalize on Amtrak's expansion plan.
OCKLAWAHA
Good evening, everyone! I'm Jim Bailey and I'm delighted to be with you.
We're spending a couple of minutes learning the posting format here ...
give us just a second!
Good evening.
Stephen has summorized my questions previously
QuoteFrom Fieldafm:
What will you do to create incentives for the growth of small business in Jacksonville? Small businesses are the number one job creators. We need an environment to create the next great Jacksonville company. Our next Charter, Barnett Bank, Winn Dixie, CSX, Fidelity is going to blossom from a new small business. What are your plans to create an environment that would allow this to happen more easily?
What are your plans to secure federal funding for navigational and deepwater issues for the Port?
Say something like a dedicated federal funding specialist/liason solely devoted to this issue...
Would you be in favor of creating special economic zones to encourage a clustering of medical research firms to relocate and/or start in Jacksonville? Research shows that for every one job created by a medical research firm, about 5 jobs are created from businesses used by the facility and its employees.
Are you in favor of seperating the 680' pier from the Shipyards site, and using exisisting external funding mechanisms to create a public pier park? Are you in favor of extending the Riverwalk across the entire length of the Northbank and connect Metro Park with the core of downtown?
Are you going to commit to better maintenance/repair of our existing park system? Several parks are in poor repair, and others need desperate revitilazation(I.E. The Hogan Creek park system). In the same token, are you in favor of redirecting the park system's efforts to focus on more eco-tourism opportunities?
Would you keep Bill Killingsworth in place?
What would you do to bolster the historic preservation fund?
What are your thoughts on fixed mass transit in this city?
How would you continue to foster Downtown Jacksonville's future?
How would you fix the secondary public education system in Jacksonville which is continuing to get low marks when stacked against its peer cities? I think this is a key issue when trying to attract more high-wage jobs to this city as our current school system does not produce adequate numbers of college graduates as a percentage of our overall population.
How would you transform our city into a world-class SMART city that runs on network-based on telecomm-based systems to allow for better management of city services, encourage more economic opportunity, and an overall better quality of life?
Interested to hear your thoughts...
Golly - lots of questions embedded in that list. Let me start with small business, because that's a subject that's near and dear to my heart.
Hey Jim, a big Rebel hello! Looking forward to this.
OCKLAWAHA
Business drives jobs! It's as simple as thought. And what we need right now is more and better jobs. We have far too many people out of work, but we also have far too many people who aren't getting in enough hours each week to make a living. People who aren't making commissions and aren't making sales. Our effective unemployment rate is much higher than the stated 10%.
The first thing we need to do for small business is, frankly, to get out its way. Our businesmen and businesswomen need to do what they do best: employ people and get product out the door.
Business is faster today, investors are more nimble and quicker. Investors are more nimble and quicker. If we are to compete for jobs and investment we have to match the tempo of the market.
We have to drive down the cost of city government, we have to drive down the unreasonable demands that government places on us. Whether it’s the time it takes to make a decision, the arbitrariness of regulation, or just plain old general bureaucracy, we need a government that intrudes less on all of its citizens, including the businesses that invest here and employ our people.
The first fire engine we send to small business isn't some "assistance" plan that requires them to fill out more paperwork. The first responder needs to be less unreasonable governmental demands.
Good question on ethics ... let me give you my take.
The first thing we need to do is to elect good people who are accountable - that's what voters and elections are for.
The next thing we need to do is to have a Mayor and Council leadership who brook no improprieties. Elected and appointed office are a trust, if you don't want to go the extra mile not only be correct but to APPEAR correct and trustworthy - one that's an example for others - you really don't need to play. There are other ways to be involved.
But the City needs an ethics code, and it needs to be commonsense in its format and progressive in its nature. The City Council first should police their own, the General Counsel should actively advise, the Ethics Officer should oversee the entire arrangement, and the State Attorney should - and appears to be - aggressively interested in issues of public corruption.
As to whether it also needs to be in the Charter, I'm not yet convinced that more "laws" will benefit when more "enforcement" hasn't been tried. I'm open to the argument, but I'm not there right now. Good people, good policies, good enforcement, good accountability. I just don't know that adding words to the Charter helps that formula.
On the whole surface rail/streetcar issue, here's a beginning thought ...
On rail transit
There's a lot of railroad track in Duval County.
The City doesn't own much if any of it.
The people who do own the track - the railroads - have a right to that property. We need a long-range look at a partnership with the railroads to figure out how we can do business together. They've got a right to make a profit out of their property, but we've got a right to work with them on providing new transportation services that build them a new revenue generator.
The truth is that Europe does a great job with passenger rail and not so much on freight rail. We in America do the opposite. Railroad tell me that passenger and freight traffic do not elegantly mix on the same rail. Maybe that's true.
But I bet that the railroads would be just as excited as the Mayor would/will be when we figure out a what to MAKE IT HAPPEN.
>> What is the number one policy change that needs to occur to reverse the business exodus from Downtown? <<
It's not "downtown" that's experiencing the exodus. Downtown is the cultural and economic mirror of our neighborhoods. Jacksonville is a city of neighborhoods and the exodus is occurring in every strip mall, shopping center, and commercial office building.
Jim, the streetcar issue is really apart from commuter or freight rail in general, as they rarely operate over the same routes. Federal laws restrict that mix, and though it CAN be done, it is rare. So the streetcar question, especially as to the historic districts stands. Streetcar and Skyway, like our buses need to be addressed by our leadership.
You are correct on the EU V US rail differences, and yet our city suffers from NOT having decent access for freight rail to the port. The railroads are after one thing, PROFIT, and capacity expansion is the best way to obtain it. The worst way for the major carriers NS, CSX, FEC, is to go out and ferret individual freight cars from industrial side tracks and spurs. Thus the city purchase of the Terminal area, not only serves the railroads by handing this to a neutral shortline, it opens the door for us to join in the new freight corridors PORT TO MID-AMERICA, as well as our own JAX-BUSH-AIRPORT ROAD-YULEE-FERNANDINA commuter possibilities.
OCKLAWAHA
Jim,
Welcome.
We have wasted decades messing up downtown. One of the hallmarks of my campaign is the simple idea that Jacksonville will do better when we "slow down the screwing up."
It's not about home-runs, it's about singles and doubles.
First of all we need the right people in the room. For far too long we have depended on super-consultants, brokers, and out-of-town developers who were long on "big ideas" and short on money - money they wanted from us - the taxpayers. It's a bad formula for us to depend on "their ideas" and fund it with "our money." It should be the other way around. .
We have the talent and expertise in Jacksonville to make a great downtown. We may not have all the capital, but we can certainly find capital investment from without - that kind of capital formation and attraction is what you hire a Mayor for.
We got the great downtown potential, we've got the smart operators who can put together a coherent and workable plan, and we need a Mayor who can sell it - who can MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Yes, businesses are leaving these strip centers, malls, and centers that you're speaking of, but usually because that business has went under. Downtown has both, but you have large corporations and businesses leaving downtown to go to different areas. I'd like to know specifically how you keep that exodus from continuing.
Ocklawaha - I think you're largely right in concept. I love streetcars - they create energy and they move people. More importantly, from a city planning standpoint, they are a clear but movable structure to a downtown presence and character.
My only point for now is that we have to work with them to get it done. The railroad owns the property and they have a legal and fiduciary to their shareholders to make a profit. I'm not going to get their cooperation by begrudging them the profit they have been hired to make.
Quote from: jimbailey on October 25, 2010, 06:09:24 PM
It's not about home-runs, it's about singles and doubles.
First of all we need the right people in the room. For far too long we have depended on super-consultants, brokers, and out-of-town developers who were long on "big ideas" and short on money - money they wanted from us - the taxpayers. It's a bad formula for us to depend on "their ideas" and fund it with "our money." It should be the other way around. .
We have the talent and expertise in Jacksonville to make a great downtown.
I couldn't agree more with the above...
Welcome Jim. What are the five most important issues you tend to address if elected?
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-may-understanding-transit-in-jacksonville
Jim, seems like we are mixing streetcars and commuter rail, two distinct modes.
OCKLAWAHA
>> I'd like to know specifically how you keep that exodus from continuing <<
My point is that large and small businesses - who are downtown or in our town centers and neighborhoods - are feeling the same pressures.
The first thing we have to do is get government out of their way - reduce the burdensome and duplicative regulation and lower their governmental cost of doing business. I've been in downtown for 35 years and I would LOVE a little neglect from city government. Too many entrepreneurs and businessfolk are just tired of pushing the rope uphill.
It makes some people crazy, because they want some new "program" - which sounds to a lot of busineses like just more paperwork to fill out.
But government does have an active role. It's the biggest landowner downtown, it controls streets, sidewalks, alleyways, building permits, and all of urban infrastructure. It is the "landlord" of the city's downtown - even of those of who own their own buildings - in any city the government is the urban landlord.
I know that if we are successful in the singles and doubles - in bringing more cafes and restaurants and service retail and downtown pedestrian traffic to downtown, if we create more buzz, if we make downtown a more attractive place to be, we can make it the kind of place that large corporations want to inhabit and small businesses want to be.
Quote from: jimbailey on October 25, 2010, 06:02:07 PM
>> What is the number one policy change that needs to occur to reverse the business exodus from Downtown? <<
It's not "downtown" that's experiencing the exodus. Downtown is the cultural and economic mirror of our neighborhoods. Jacksonville is a city of neighborhoods and the exodus is occurring in every strip mall, shopping center, and commercial office building.
Jim,
The strip malls, shopping centers on a whole don't have parking meters. What would you like to see take place on this issue? What are the business owners Downtown saying to you on this?
Streetcars run on public ROW and stimulate the type market rate development that downtown and the urban core has struggled to attract. The only entity to negotiate with in the case of streetcars is COJ.
Noone - great point! Here's what I think:
People in Jacksonville understand that downtown is a nieghborhood. 13 million people a year go there - so it's not like a revolutionary concept.
Parking meters are just the most visible part of the issue, though, People will come downtown (a) when there's something to come for and (b) when coming isn't a hassle. Let's go to (b) for a moment.
To reduce the hassle factor we have to integrate and systematize downtown parking. (What? What's he talking about now?)
When your spouse or kid goes downtown, they want to park (a) where they can see where they're going, (b) where it's safe, well-lighted and convenient, and (c) where they know what the deal is. In some places today it's a flat $10 dollars for a whole day. In other places, it's free for the first two minutes (it seems) and then a dollar an hour and then five dollars. It's bewildering to someone who is in the car, on strange territory, in a hurry, and listening to the car behind them honking at them.
Does that happen in San Marco, Avondale, St. John's Town Center? No. I think it's incredible that we have so many citizens who put up with an anti-visitor downtown. They've reluctantly overcoming their perceptions of an urban system that simply DOES NOT WELCOME THEM.
We have to turn this approach on its head. Parking lots, garages, metered spaces, all need to be clear, welcoming, and low-hassle. That's takes leadership to MAKE IT HAPPEN.
>> Streetcars run on public ROW and stimulate the type market rate development that downtown and the urban core has struggled to attract. The only entity to negotiate with in the case of streetcars is COJ. <<
Lakelander - got it. What's your point?
Mr. Bailey, thanks for being here. I think the point Lakelander and Ock are trying to make is that negotiation with the railroads should not be necessary for streetcar development?
Quote from: jimbailey on October 25, 2010, 06:34:07 PM
>> Streetcars run on public ROW and stimulate the type market rate development that downtown and the urban core has struggled to attract. The only entity to negotiate with in the case of streetcars is COJ. <<
Lakelander - got it. What's your point?
I responding to the conversation between you and Ocklawaha about streetcars. You mentioned that the city would have to work with freight rail lines on this particular topic. In the case of streetcars, the city does not because proposed streetcar lines in the COJ 2030 Mobility Plan and TPO's 2035 LRTP run in the middle of city owned streets, such as Water and Newnan Streets. Since this is the case, COJ and JTA have the ultimate power of whether deciding to move forward on this particular mobility related economic development issue. However, you are right that if we desire to move forward with "commuter rail," we would have to work with the property owners of those lines. Luckily, talk is underway.
Wacca Pilatka - thanks very much for your clarification and welcome.
I understand the distinction between streetcars and light rail, and that the city doesn't have to negotiate with itself for streetcar right-of-way.
I have consistently said that I like what streetcars bring to a downtown. But streetcars aren't a silver bullet any more than light rail, sidewalk cafes, or more streetlights. The systems have to work together.
We need to get about the business of mass transit - no doubt about it. And streetcars - as I've already said - give a quick, well-defined, but movable structure to downtown. By the way, they were in my original Bay Street Town Center plan, where Ivy, Marks, TSI, Dive Bar are located now.
The planning has to work together, light rail, streetcars, and all of the other systems. Entrepreneurs and pioneers.
cant disagree with that.
>> What are your plans to secure federal funding for navigational and deepwater issues for the Port?
Say something like a dedicated federal funding specialist/liason solely devoted to this issue... <<
Fieldafm -
The port is a huge economic driver for Jacksonville â€" it always has been important and will be incredibly more so in the near future.
But it’s also strategically vital economically and militarily to our country. Make no mistake â€" we have to find the money to dredge the port and the State and Federal governments should be willing and eager partners â€" and if they’re not right now we need to do an aggressive and relentless job in explaining it to them until they are.
Our superhighways, rail connections, and South Atlantic location should trump any pitches from our competitors.
This needs to be an extremely high priority for the next administration. Sure will be for mine.
>> Our city is broke. How would you fix it? Be specific. <<
We have got to drive down the cost of city government. Government at every level has failed to meet the productivity increases of private enterprise. I have made a career of tough decisions with regard to right-sizing workforces, salaries, and business processes.
I’m not running for this office because I think the status quo is working; I want to be the mayor who drives a culture of efficiency and productivity. Better processes, fewer people, more output … I do it in my business and you do it in yours. Government can do it too.
It’s not enough, though, to move around the boxes on the organization chart. Real reorganization will require doing the right job the right way with the right people, resources, and safeguards.
Not only do we have to drive down the cost of city government, we have to drive down the unreasonable demands that government places on us. Whether it’s the time it takes to make a decision, the arbitrariness of regulation, or just plain old general bureaucracy, we need a government that intrudes less on all of its citizens, including the businesses that invest here and employ our people.
Too often “compromise†has meant more regulation, “assistance†has meant more paperwork, and “regulation†has just meant “no.â€
Well, it's 6.55 and the debate's about to start, isn't it? Any other questions I can answer for you? (I'm loving this, by the way.)
Mr. Bailey,
What are your thoughts on the concept of converting the Prime Osborn back into a transit hub and constructing a convention center in a location more central to the heart of downtown--perhaps the old courthouse site? Do you have any other ideas on the future of the old courthouse site once the new courthouse is complete?
Thanks again for your time.
I left work early to give this time my undivided attention.
Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. The other question I would really like to hear your thoughts on is:
QuoteWould you be in favor of creating special economic zones to encourage a clustering of medical research firms to relocate and/or start in Jacksonville? Research shows that for every one job created by a medical research firm, about 5 jobs are created from businesses used by the facility and its employees
This is something San Diego did quite well, however very strong
leadership is needed to produce results like they have enjoyed.
But streetcars aren't a silver bullet any more than light rail, sidewalk cafes, or more streetlights. The systems have to work together.
Acutally as cities do not generally construct sidewalk cafes, and streetlights are an accessory to streets, I don't understand your point.
Are you saying the national $14 to $1 return on investment for streetcar and Light Rail (of which streetcar is a family member) is equal to a new downtown bistro? Bottom line, in EVERY city that has built streetcars, a land rush in the hundreds of millions of dollars has taken place. The accepted reason is that "blue-chip" corporate America is not likely to build a new 40 story tower on a street with a new light, or cafe, or even brt bus, BUT if a city commits to building the physical plant for a streetcar line, it's commitment is written in stone (literally). Mr or Ms business person can open a new sidewalk cafe, but only a city with determination will move forward with streetcars. ONLY in streetcars can a city move forward in mass transit AND infill development and job expansion in one easily obtainable step.
It IS a technical subject, and we certainly don't expect everyone to be up to speed, but in light of the facts, we need a leader willing to push the solution.
OCKLAWAHA
Ah, the Convention Center ... in the late seventies/early eighties it was a good Convention Center. That model is no longer competitive in today's market - it's now a Community Center. It's a darned fine Community Center, by the way, but it's not the economic driver that we need.
What I personally would have loved would have been to see Florida Coastal School of Law go in there, or something like that. We obviously have a strong candidate in the old City Hall/Courthouse property for a Convention Center (we would have to work with Hyatt on that.)
But for Prime Osborn, a transportation hub is an exciting prospect if we can work out the necessary leverages.
For instance, can we get Amtrak downtown?
Can we get the JTA to maximize the use of the property?
Can large downtown stakeholders (employers, FSCJ, the District and Federal Courts, etc.) help us leverage its development?
If we can do those things, then the questions that the Mayor has to ask are
"Why wouldn't we?"
"Have you got something better ... now?"
I like the picture, but we've got to make sure that the numbers work if we're going to MAKE IT HAPPEN.
I REALLY look forward to the conversation though.
Ocklawaha - I'm still with you, whether you agree with me or not.
FIELDafm -
>> Would you be in favor of creating special economic zones to encourage a clustering of medical research firms to relocate and/or start in Jacksonville? Research shows that for every one job created by a medical research firm, about 5 jobs are created from businesses used by the facility and its employees <<
Of course I would!!! That's the kind of force-multiplier that we need to embrace and amplify. We have a astounding bio-medical complex here already - at the stage RIGHT NOW of being a target for medical tourism.
We need to go farther than medical tourism ... we need to cluster those medical-related industries and build great jobs for a our people and their kids. No kidding - this is a big fat slow pitch and we need to hit this one hard!
>> How would you transform our city into a world-class SMART city that runs on network-based on telecomm-based systems to allow for better management of city services, encourage more economic opportunity, and an overall better quality of life? <<
Technology is not only "the future" as every lame lunch speaker you have ever heard has said, technology is "the path" to the future.
I want you to imagine two "Finance Departments."
One is that of a Jacksonville company, say web.com or MPS Group (now Adecco.)
The other is the City of Jacksonville's Finance Department.
Which do you think is more effective, more efficient, better at controlling costs and projecting expenses?
I think that city government - any city government - is twenty years behind its passage into the 21st century.
Look at the city website - try to complete an application to have a sign for your business. Can't do it.
If we are to become a great city - we can't be a great city of the 1930's like Paris or the 1960's like London, we've got to be a great city of the 21st century. We have to master technology and have that be both our way of work and our emblem of success.
That's what a Mayor can do. A Mayor can drive public processes to mirror current and emerging realities. And employ people who both believe in the city and understand the technology underpinnings.
We can do this. With your help we can MAKE IT HAPPEN.
Time is about to expire and I just would like to know your position on the Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier that was part of Shipyards/Landmar. There are so many other threads on this issue that you can see pictures and even a MJ Poll.
If you want to address other members questions and get back to this one that is OK. I want to thank you again for making yourself available to respond to the questions and ultimate actions that will take our city to the next level.
One last thing ...
I started out saying that we need jobs in this town. Unless you simply don't interact with other people, you understand that that's what's on everybody's mind.
What face us - you and me - going forward is the task of aligning EVERYTHING to the goal of bringing good jobs to Jacksonville, jobs that will feed, clothe, and educate our families, jobs that will bring us quality of life.
To get those jobs will require leadership, teamwork, and hardwork. But it's not just those things, it's also alignment.
Go to the city's website tonight. In the search box, type "start a business" and see what the city is offering you.
There are, if I remember correctly, three links (external, of course) to other entities that will help you devise a strategic plan.
There are also seven or eight links to authorities who want to tax your new enterprise. That's the current state of how we the CITY are helping you to develop jobs and our local prosperity.
Perhaps our City's response to this computer search could be more robust.
I believe it could be and that it can be if work we hard, together, to MAKE IT HAPPEN.
And I don't think we should settle for anything less.
Please visit my website: www.jimforjax.com to sign up to volunteer, contribute, etc
Also, if you text message and would like to receive the occasional update...text the word "jim" to 72239.
Thanks for participating!
What frustrates me with the convention center issue, among other issues in Jacksonville, is a seeming perpetual history of doing expensive studies to state the obvious. Why was it necessary for the city to pay hundreds of thousands (if I recall correctly) to do a study to conclude that the Prime Osborn is poorly located and undersized for becoming an economic driver--something I as a resident of Virginia (but passionate supporter of Jacksonville) could have concluded for free. Why was it necessary to spend a bundle on a ill-conceived, passive park on Main St. that is surrounded by parking lots and does nothing to attract pedestrians or downtown visitors due to its lack of adjacent complementary facilities. And is only two blocks removed from the public square of the city. The people of this site did a logical presentation about why the pocket park was a terrible idea, presented it to the mayor, and saw the park sprout anyway. Horrible, horrible waste. At least 90% of the time the city pays for a white paper or a consultant, this site has done all the work for free. It's paying fortunes to realize common sense. It doesn't only waste money, it wastes time and sets the city further back from actually accomplishing solutions.
In your references to leadership and efficiency and your understanding of downtown I see hope that this culture will change. Would you be able to generally describe some specific ways that you can cut out the red tape and waste and encourage action on long-outstanding issues like the convention center and transit development?
Thank you again for your time; I believe in this city despite my frequent frustration with the sometimes mind-boggling slowness and waste that seems to be inherent to make things happen. I am hopeful that you can change this culture dramatically.
One other comment, again as an outsider. I find Jacksonville to be a delightful place to visit. Obviously its attractions do not have the theme park glamour of Orlando, but I very much enjoy its museums, eco-tourism, outdoor recreation opportunities, just touring the historic neighborhoods, etc.
I find the city lacking at times in promoting what it has to offer. For instance, I have specifically contacted the CVB about specific amenities it is NOT promoting at all, such as the Karpeles Museum, with little response.
More disturbingly, I find a large portion of the city seems to have embraced a self-deprecating point of view. Forever I am reading or hearing "we have no history, there's nothing to do here, we're just Macon with a pro football team," et al. And I know that none of that is even close to accurate. I also encounter far too many Jaxsons who react with shock when I express my enjoyment of visiting Jacksonville.
I'd be curious to know your thoughts on what as mayor can be done to change that negative mindset that seems all too prevalent, though thankfully far from universal.
Interesting read from the beginning. Great points.
I like Mr. Bailey's use of words in these two segments and I agree:
Quote from: jimbailey on October 25, 2010, 06:09:24 PM
We have wasted decades messing up downtown. One of the hallmarks of my campaign is the simple idea that Jacksonville will do better when we "slow down the screwing up."
It's not about home-runs, it's about singles and doubles.
First of all we need the right people in the room. For far too long we have depended on super-consultants, brokers, and out-of-town developers who were long on "big ideas" and short on money - money they wanted from us - the taxpayers. It's a bad formula for us to depend on "their ideas" and fund it with "our money." It should be the other way around. .
We have the talent and expertise in Jacksonville to make a great downtown. We may not have all the capital, but we can certainly find capital investment from without - that kind of capital formation and attraction is what you hire a Mayor for.
We got the great downtown potential, we've got the smart operators who can put together a coherent and workable plan, and we need a Mayor who can sell it - who can MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Quote from: jimbailey on October 25, 2010, 06:32:08 PM
Noone - great point! Here's what I think:
People in Jacksonville understand that downtown is a nieghborhood. 13 million people a year go there - so it's not like a revolutionary concept.
Parking meters are just the most visible part of the issue, though, People will come downtown (a) when there's something to come for and (b) when coming isn't a hassle. Let's go to (b) for a moment.
To reduce the hassle factor we have to integrate and systematize downtown parking. (What? What's he talking about now?)
When your spouse or kid goes downtown, they want to park (a) where they can see where they're going, (b) where it's safe, well-lighted and convenient, and (c) where they know what the deal is. In some places today it's a flat $10 dollars for a whole day. In other places, it's free for the first two minutes (it seems) and then a dollar an hour and then five dollars. It's bewildering to someone who is in the car, on strange territory, in a hurry, and listening to the car behind them honking at them.
Does that happen in San Marco, Avondale, St. John's Town Center? No. I think it's incredible that we have so many citizens who put up with an anti-visitor downtown. They've reluctantly overcoming their perceptions of an urban system that simply DOES NOT WELCOME THEM.
We have to turn this approach on its head. Parking lots, garages, metered spaces, all need to be clear, welcoming, and low-hassle. That's takes leadership to MAKE IT HAPPEN.
Thanks to Jim Bailey as well. I really enjoyed this interaction and would like to see it continue. Going forward here is some advice that I think will help, regarding mass transit, economic development, downtown revitalization, logistics and other issues discussed last night.
We need to remember that nothing is done in a vacuum or complete isolation. All of these issues have something to do with each other. For example, while we won't be able to immediately get downtown's residential population base up, we can find ways to better utilize the +100,000 residents living within a 3-mile radius of it as an anchor for revitalization. While we can't afford to expand our highway network, we can develop rail based solutions that help the port logistically, generate revenue, economic development, jobs and improve our tax base.
When viewed alone, each of these topics can look challenging and budget busting. So much to the point that we immediately view them in a defeated mindset instead of stepping up to the challenge to get things done. This is what separates the Charlottes and the Atlantas of the world from the Jacksonvilles and Detroits.
However if various entities can put their heads together, cluster their creativity and existing financial resources, we will find that we can affordably implement major improvements on this city that will achieve everything mentioned above....sooner, rather than later.
Whatever candidate that can take hold of this advice and run with it, will be well on their way to becoming Jacksonville's next mayor.
^^YES!
I'm sorry I wasn't able to attend; however, I am very encouraged by some of the things he mentioned. We need a strong, "get it done"-type as mayor and he is working hard to brand himself as such. Time will tell if that is indeed the case!
Quote from: jimbailey on October 25, 2010, 05:51:54 PM
Good question on ethics ... let me give you my take.
The first thing we need to do is to elect good people who are accountable - that's what voters and elections are for.
The next thing we need to do is to have a Mayor and Council leadership who brook no improprieties. Elected and appointed office are a trust, if you don't want to go the extra mile not only be correct but to APPEAR correct and trustworthy - one that's an example for others - you really don't need to play. There are other ways to be involved.
But the City needs an ethics code, and it needs to be commonsense in its format and progressive in its nature. The City Council first should police their own, the General Counsel should actively advise, the Ethics Officer should oversee the entire arrangement, and the State Attorney should - and appears to be - aggressively interested in issues of public corruption.
As to whether it also needs to be in the Charter, I'm not yet convinced that more "laws" will benefit when more "enforcement" hasn't been tried. I'm open to the argument, but I'm not there right now. Good people, good policies, good enforcement, good accountability. I just don't know that adding words to the Charter helps that formula.
I will buy that, which by the way, is more from any other candidate Mr Bailey! Was not able to participate but if there is a next time...........look forward to it! Much Thanks Mr Bailey!
I am encouraged that we atleast have one person who gives a darn about our City! We have to work within our budgets and I have never been able to understand just why the City can not do the same!
I am encouraged as well. He shows a true interest in the success of this city, especially downtown. Knowing that he had a part in the Bay Street Town Center project shows that he thinking in the right direction. I am aslo like the fact that he is not making any promises that he can not keep, but letting us know these issues will be on the table.
He also has the right mind set when it comes to development. It does not make sense that we let these developers come in and pimp us for money to build a pipe dream, that never comes to frutation. Smaller scale projects, such as the Laura street Trio, is what we need to jump start downtown. Havent heard much from the other candidates. but so far he has my vote!
duvaldude08............I agree! I do believe he has the right idea and is at least considering options that benefit all of us not just the select few! Time will tell........still early in the race!
Quote from: CS Foltz on October 26, 2010, 02:37:39 PM
duvaldude08............I agree! I do believe he has the right idea and is at least considering options that benefit all of us not just the select few! Time will tell........still early in the race!
I hope he pulls through. We need a serious change in this city and we can not screw up this time. Another plus with bailey is that he has experience running a sucessful business.
I think the expectation and hope that I'm reading needs to be tempered slightly. The job of any candidate is to be voted into office. The more people that agree with your positions will more likely vote you into office. That's the nutshell version that everyone here understands (even me). This is not to discredit anyone, but what is Bailey's "mainstream" view? Because, while a great idea doing the Q & A, he can also tailor his answers to be received well here.
In all fairness, I think the other candidates should be contacted and allowed the same (probably has been done) open forum, but the real work will be in finding out who stays with the same stories through both open forums and print media.
While I'd love to believe that everything that he stated, it seemed a little too close to the general sentiment shared on this site.
Non-RedNeck Westsider.....I agree! Talking is one thing and doing is something else entirely! We have only heard from Mr Bailey to this point.............there are something like 12 or 13 still out there that have not said a whole lot about much of anything and until I can compare apples to apples ............no one receives my vote! We still have lots of time before that day comes and hoping MetroJax can entice or convince the rest of them to do the same thing Mr Bailey has done.............answer direct questions!
I wonder how he feels about the Navy? I know downtown is important, and the current children in Duval County Schools is important, but about the potential of bringing in more Naval families?
Quote from: CS Foltz on October 26, 2010, 03:17:44 PM
Non-RedNeck Westsider.....I agree! Talking is one thing and doing is something else entirely! We have only heard from Mr Bailey to this point.............there are something like 12 or 13 still out there that have not said a whole lot about much of anything and until I can compare apples to apples ............no one receives my vote! We still have lots of time before that day comes and hoping MetroJax can entice or convince the rest of them to do the same thing Mr Bailey has done.............answer direct questions!
Agreed Totally.. I have placed him on my list of potentials.
Quote from: CS Foltz on October 26, 2010, 03:17:44 PM
Non-RedNeck Westsider.....I agree! Talking is one thing and doing is something else entirely! We have only heard from Mr Bailey to this point.............there are something like 12 or 13 still out there that have not said a whole lot about much of anything and until I can compare apples to apples ............no one receives my vote! We still have lots of time before that day comes and hoping MetroJax can entice or convince the rest of them to do the same thing Mr Bailey has done.............answer direct questions!
This is the fundamental problem, though. It's all talk until they get elected and are immediately overwhelmed by every little fire that has to 'stamped out immediately' that they either forget or never get around to doing any of what they talked about. And it's after the election when they get lambasted for going directly against their original campaign platform.
I understand what he stated, "The first thing we need to do is to elect good people who are accountable - that's what voters and elections are for." But how can we hold them accountable for promises that were made to get elected in the first place? I know, vote them out! But it's four years later.
I guess my rant is like most people: I want to believe them, then everytime my candidate gets elected, I have a feeling very akin to 'buyer's remorse.' I think the system's broken, but have no clue how to start fixing it.
Quote from: CS Foltz on October 26, 2010, 03:17:44 PM
Non-RedNeck Westsider.....I agree! Talking is one thing and doing is something else entirely! We have only heard from Mr Bailey to this point.............there are something like 12 or 13 still out there that have not said a whole lot about much of anything and until I can compare apples to apples ............no one receives my vote! We still have lots of time before that day comes and hoping MetroJax can entice or convince the rest of them to do the same thing Mr Bailey has done.............answer direct questions!
And this brings up another point: How directly did he answer the questions?
As I mentioned, it felt like his answers were what we wanted to hear, as would any candidate running for office.
You don't get apple pickers to vote for you if they know that you're replacing apple trees with orange trees after the election. Nevermind that oranges are tastier and healthier and better to look at.
I'm not trying to stir the pot, just putting to words my agnostic view of politics in general. As I said, I would love to believe everything he said at face value. Nothing would surprise me more than an elected official actually doing what they said they would do. And I understand that they can't get to every pet project that they promise on the campaign trail, but at least get the big one's rolling. What are his big ones? Employment, DT Businesses, Rail, technology.... hell, he didn't say, but he did have an opinion on each subject. One's that have been opined several thousand time before here.
Nevermind.
I guess I am just stirring the pot.
Non-RedNeck Westsider.............your not stirring the pot anymore than it allready has been! We gotta start somewhere and Mr Bailey was just the first up! Knowing stephen and the general concensus here, there will be more candidates posting here...................right stephen?
Great!!!! Any idea on who will be next?
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on October 26, 2010, 03:46:39 PM
I'm not trying to stir the pot, just putting to words my agnostic view of politics in general. As I said, I would love to believe everything he said at face value. Nothing would surprise me more than an elected official actually doing what they said they would do. And I understand that they can't get to every pet project that they promise on the campaign trail, but at least get the big one's rolling. What are his big ones? Employment, DT Businesses, Rail, technology.... hell, he didn't say, but he did have an opinion on each subject. One's that have been opined several thousand time before here.
Nevermind.
I guess I am just stirring the pot.
I think he just spoke in general because it is not good to make promises that you cant keep. The best approach to the situation is to let everyone know what issues you plan on approaching, and work from there. When you come in the gate with all these promises, then dont follow through you get thrown under the bus. It is not good to make promises and dont deliver. He's playing it smart and safe. Let's be realistic, regardless of who gets elected, no one will get EVERYTHING done that they plan to.
It sure was a pleasure to have some real dialogue with those who participated the other night. I plan to do the same thing again in about a month. I will also try to get on from time to time to answer some of the questions we didn't get to.
And just so everyone knows, before Stephen was kind enough to post our essay, I was already talking with him about doing a Q & A session. I embrace this type of media and appreciate the level of activism that you, the members have.
Thanks again for your input and comments. Talk (or type) to you soon!
www.jimforjax.com
text "jim" to 72239
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Mr Bailey....not sure quite why you answered about "Ethics" the way that you did, but got the impression that you do not consider adding language regarding ethics? The reason I point this out is simple, City Charter in 1987 had specific language regarding Ethics prior to that and it was deliberately removed by parties unknown in 87 . Council,at that time, had to have voted yea or nay in order to remove that specifically! City Code 602 was supposedly strong enough to take its place and judging by what I have seen to today, that is not so! The current push, regarding Ethics Language, is to reinsert what was removed and update it to current day standards! It is not new, it is not outside of what any transparent elected official would be offended by, it is what was there to begin with and the Ethics Officer COJ has pushed for! You did not answer just how a separate agency could be funded for operation and I do disagree with involving the OCG in ethical issue's. That may be as case of letting the fox into the hen house.............example - an employee of the OCG is possibly involved in a possible issue? OCG is the legal arm for the City and Ethics are not in their mandate.........they represent the City, legal wise not ethically! Both agency's should be completely separate in my opinion!
Jim Bailey for Govna!