Weavers & Petways Throw Massive Audrey Moran Reception

[Metro Jacksonville]

Weavers & Petways Throw Massive Audrey Moran Reception



Audrey Moran, considered one of the early frontrunners in the race to become the next mayor of Jacksonville, visibly flexed her campaign muscles May 27th at a reception sponsored by Wayne and Delores Weaver and Tom and Betty Petway.

Set in the massive East Club Room of the Municipal Stadium, a crowd of hundreds--- including some of Jacksonville's most beloved luminaries,--- clapped and cheered and coalesced into an early juggernaut.

Most observers believe that it is too early in the campaign to make any assumptions, and some would claim that the election is so far distant that no campaign can properly be considered as having truly begun.  

But whatever the conventional wisdom, the campaign for mayor is On.  

Join MetroJacksonville as we report on the Audrey Moran Reception.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-may-weavers-petways-throw-massive-audrey-moran-reception

[Wacca Pilatka]

These articles are unfailingly entertaining to read, and I'm sure thankful there are several quality candidates from which to choose.

[fieldafm]

Now I'm even more pissed that I couldn't make it.  Not a great way to start off my Friday, lol

Like a bit of a rockstar, Matt Carlucci, flanked by his ambitious handsome sons, walked in.  He was embraced by the genuine affection and enthusiasm that greets him pretty much wherever he goes.  He came over and chatted with us, and I couldn't help but imagine what this city would have been like if he had won the mayor's seat instead of John Peyton.

Couldn't agree more!!!

[hillary supporter]

I spoke with Matt Carlucci a few times last night (Its hard not to love him) and he agreed very ruefully that this is the worst overall government that the city has ever had in his memory.  From Council on up.  It will be good to see things set to rights again.

I'm sure Audrey Moran is a great person, and i cant explain how great the Weavers are, but i stand by the above quote, how does one imagine any of the (republican) candidates doing anything different than Mayor Peyton? Specifically towards a metropolitan Jacksonville? No matter what the lip service.
Glorious Johnson for mayor.

[stjr]

I don't have any irons in this fire at the moment but I can tell you Ms. Moran has another "secret" weapon:  The women of influence in this community.  I haven't met many that haven't shown support or strong interest in her campaign.

By the way, I spotted some other heavy hitters in your photos that you didn't (and I won't) call out.

[fieldafm]

I spoke with Matt Carlucci a few times last night (Its hard not to love him) and he agreed very ruefully that this is the worst overall government that the city has ever had in his memory.  From Council on up.  It will be good to see things set to rights again.

I'm sure Audrey Moran is a great person, and i cant explain how great the Weavers are, but i stand by the above quote, how does one imagine any of the (republican) candidates doing anything different than Mayor Peyton? Specifically towards a metropolitan Jacksonville? No matter what the lip service.
Glorious Johnson for mayor.

I think you have to put aside party lines and actually get to know the candidates on their individual merits instead of painting someone with a very broad brush like Republican or Democrat(Glorious was a Republican up until a few months ago, correct?).  There are some outstanding people that have thrown their hats into the ring so far.  There is going to be another mayoral forum at the 5 points theatre coming up(dont recall the date).  You should come and hear them speak!  I don't know very much about Glorious Johnson, that's why we have the election process.  I'm interested to learn more.  I'm eager for this one to really get rolling, and it appears ready to move past first gear now.

[jbroadglide]

Kind of off topic but you made a point about Wayne and Delores Weaver being very easy going and approachable and easy to talk to.  I bump into them from time to time shopping for groceries, yes them and not some staff person, in the Publix on Riverside Ave. I believe their condo is just down the road.  Mr Weaver always smiles and says hello and shakes your hand. And if you mention how you are looking forward to a great Jaguars season, that smile just gets bigger and wider. Audrey has some real winners in her corner and its going to be quite the interesting race.

[hillary supporter]

With all due respect, one must be pragmatic about whom one supports for our mayor.  The main issue for me is the development of a metropolitan Jacksonville, hence my participation in this forum.  All the candidates are going to court and say just what one wants to hear, even Metro Jacksonville (if not especially MJ).  The Jacksonville republican party as always lead in the disintegration of downtown, and , just as important, the spread of our suburban sprawl. In the name of "good  business".
Glorious has been a supporter of MJ much longer than any of the other candidates.  Her move to the democratic party as been a couple of years now.  Like many republican supporters (most of which are registered dems), she felt uneasy about the radical edge of the party and felt the demos (today) could best accommodate even her conservative views, like her rejection of Prof. Ahmed.
fieldafm is right that we should be interested in the mayoral forum coming. But, in my opinion here in jax, talk is cheap and glorious is the only one who has "walked the walk" forward for a true metropolitan Jacksonville.

[konstantconsumer]

Great photos, guys!  The event was so much fun.  I had a great time.

[Coolyfett]

The Weaver co sign is interesting....Like the Boseli & Herb Peyton co sign....still the Jim Bailey guys is saying the right things imo.

[Dog Walker]

I don't have any irons in this fire at the moment but I can tell you Ms. Moran has another "secret" weapon:  The women of influence in this community.  I haven't met many that haven't shown support or strong interest in her campaign.

.

I have a long time friend who I have jokingly described as being in the middle of the "old girl" network in Jacksonville.  She has worked in Democratic politics for a long time and worked in a Senatorial office in Washington for a number of years.  She is backing Ms. Moran whom she knows personally.  When I asked her why she was working for a Republican candidate she replied, "Party doesn't matter at this level, the person does."

You are right about a very quiet, powerful group of women who are backing her candidacy.

[mikemiller]

Stephen:
You really did a great job at the reception. You couldn't help but be impressed with the caliber of people who attended. Extemely impressive!

[CS Foltz]

I am keeping an open mind on this one since it is very very early in anyones campaign! Ms Moran does deserve consideration, but I have reservations! Infact I have reservations regarding all of the declared candidates as of today so with time left I say...........let the candidates weed themselves out! Sooner or later one will insert foot in mouth or shoot themselves so let the game begin!

[CS Foltz]

stephen............this is the first time in the past 8 yrs plus that we have had a plethora of competent possible candidates and I look forward to just what comes out of the campaigns!

[brainstormer]

Audrey, Audrey, I'm ready for you to start talking!!!  Blow the others out of the race!  Give people a reason to be proud of our city.  Give us your vision for the Shipyards parcel and your ideas to transform our entertainment district.  With a redesigned Shipyards, Metro Park, Stadium district, you can create jobs and add a much needed boost to our tax rolls all at the same time.  And where's talk of that streetcar line I hear you supposedly support?

The citizens of Jacksonville desperately need a real leader who can inspire us.  Just because the anti-tax, downtown-hating whiners are obnoxiously loud, doesn't mean they need to be listened to.  Step up and start sharing your ideas.  There are a lot of young professionals in this city who are yearning for a real leader!  You rarely hear about us in the newspapers or on TV, but we do exist and we spend our hard earned money not just on the southside, but also downtown.  We also will find the time to vote if we really feel passionate about something.  We support good causes and are sick of how corrupt our city government currently is.  The wealthy will only get you so far in the race.  If you really want to win, you are going to have to charm us.  We thrive on ideas, education, common sense and technology.  And while many of us may be more democratic and liberal than you might like, we support independent thinkers and would definitely vote for a moderate, non-hating Republican.

If you truly are the great person I've been told you are, then you will cast aside the typical Republican platform of hating gays and cutting taxes and just do what is right and best for this city.  Spend the money wisely, invest with a plan that encourages smart, sustainable growth, support diversity and mass transportation, etc.  This city desperately needs a real leader to put us back on the map.  I think you might be the one, but you need to assume the role.

Oh, and one more thing.  We are so sick of negative campaigning!!!!!!  We don't even pay attention any more.  I guarantee if you take the high road and refrain from it, you will gain even more votes.  While the rest of Florida rots away in a cesspool of hate, greed and corruption, you could make Jacksonville a beacon of light with positivity and ideas.  We need you!