The Issues by Mayoral Candidate Mike Hogan

[copperfiend]

Gun control, abortions, and illegal immigration. Now, if I could just get his stance on Libya and budget issues in California, I'd be all set to make my decision.

His platform sounds more like someone trying to be Michelle Bachmann's running mate, not mayor or Jacksonville.

[thelakelander]

Creating an environment that is attractive to this population doesn't require money.  In fact, we'd save ourselves a ton of money by focusing on getting better utilization out of our existing assets, infrastructure and landscape.  However, it should be made very clear that if we can't provide the type of environment certain industries and the people they employ seek, those jobs won't materialize, regardless of what type of public policy we take.

This is true. It seems like putting money into a lot of big projects may be good for 2020, but in this present climate, there are things could be done and need to be done that work today.

We should know by now that putting money into big projects does nothing on its own.  After all, we've already spent billions during the last 30 years on big gimmick downtown redevelopment schemes, only to see downtown decline just as fast as it did in the 1970s/1980s.  The key to revitalization is clustering complementing uses within a compact setting.  That doesn't cost you anything.  It just means we'll have to use common sense for a change.

I think the concept of cutting back, eliminating or revising public policy is the most effective way to turn downtown and the urban core around.  Its also something that if leveraged right, can change our unsustainable growth patterns, which lead to our unsustainable budget situation.  Furthermore, this is something that is going to have to be done if the goal is to stimulate true job creation in our recession bit city.  As the race goes on, I'd like to see Hogan's campaign focus more on detailing issues like this, as opposed to a few that have no economic impact on the future of our city and that the next mayor will have no control over.

[pwhitford]

Quote: (I like to call these the live and let die binary precepts)

Now that I've stopped laughing, I would like to borrow these, and will use them from now on.  I will try my best to give credit where credit is certainly due.

[Charles Hunter]

Regarding downtown - didn't Hogan say "downtown is just another neighborhood"?  So it doesn't warrant any special attention.

I wish Noone, whom I greatly respect, would explain his support of Hogan. I think Hogan will sell of the Pier, along with the rest of the Shipyards.

[ChriswUfGator]

Reopening Cecil wouldn't be a bad thing. The commerce center is largely a flop, and it would bring a lot of jobs. Problem is the surrounding residents won't let it happen, NIMBY and noise worries. Which is silly, since NAS jax is right next to the 3 most expensive neighborhoods in the city (San Marco, Avondale, and Ortega), and nobody's property values have fallen to 0 yet. The outcry by residents is what killed the proposal of offering it back to DOD last time, I think the hysteria is asinine.

[thelakelander]

Regarding downtown - didn't Hogan say "downtown is just another neighborhood"?  So it doesn't warrant any special attention.

Pretty much and if that sentiment doesn't change, its going to economically bite us where the sun doesn't shine.  DT is an economic engine in the fact that you can pack a large amount of high activity uses into a very compact setting and not have to spend one additional dime on public infrastructure, safety and maintenance to support it.  You can't do that anywhere else in this sprawled out low density city.  That fact alone, should have us looking to utilize this asset in a manner that saves our broke city millions of dollars on an annual basis.  Nevertheless, revising policies that prohibit small business development and sustainable growth will benefit downtown, as well as the the rest of the city.  If I'm Alvin Brown, I'd beat Hogan over the head on this particular issue (job creation and economic development and how they relate to downtown).  If I'm Hogan, I'd strengthen my approach on this subject because a fiscal conservative redevelopment agenda actually plays right into a lot of the points his campaign touts.

[Jimmy]

Chris, not to go too far afield, but neither San Marco, Avondale, nor Ortega lie in the flight path of the jets landing and taking off at NAS Jax.  That's not the case with the neighborhoods surrounding Cecil field.  Many homes were built near Cecil after the announcement of the Navy decommissioning the base.  Voters in Jacksonville have already spoken out against returning Cecil to Navy hands.  It's civic energy I'd rather not see expended again.

[Noone]

Regarding downtown - didn't Hogan say "downtown is just another neighborhood"?  So it doesn't warrant any special attention.

I wish Noone, whom I greatly respect, would explain his support of Hogan. I think Hogan will sell of the Pier, along with the rest of the Shipyards.

CH, Right back at you. You too are a wealth of knowledge my friend. I hope Hogan doesn't sell the Pier. I hope Brown doesn't sell the pier. Right now with the passage of 2010-604 the Jacksonville city council can introduce legislation that could keep the pier separate. This can happen and it was told to me at a previous Hobnob held Downtown during the Governors race. And some of the councilman telling me this were Corrigan, Webb, Bishop, Redman, so lets do something especially Redman. Where are you? The window is closing. OPEN IT! PLEASE.

I'm doing phone calls and emails especially outside of Duval county. City council meeting in 5 days, Waterways in 6. Will Redman share with the commission about 2010-856 and a potential 1 mile ban of a transient vendor from a permanent structure. Offer a resolution. Do something. Next day St. Johns River Alliance and the 34 member board and the update of the seeking of a state designation for a 310 mile Blueway paddling trail. Will Duval county inform the other 11 counties of an update on 2010-856 and this potential detruction of economic opportunity that was shared at the December Board meeting in Putnam county. Should be part of the permanent record.

Has anyone heard from Gaffney on the pier and Hogans Creek? I'm in absolute shock that the residents of Springfield are giving this legislative representative the biggest pass on these two issues. Imagine 1 person going down to the city council meeting and during Public comment mentioning that they would like to see the pier and Hogans Creek opened immediately. By the way there is a Waterways meeting the next day at 9am in council chambers and if someone shows up that concern is on the record and the issue can move forward. How is Gaffney allowed this monumental pass?

My councilman is making one exscuse after another for not doing anything. The issue doesn't have to wait for Hogan or Brown.

As for access to the river. The state of Florida is watching.

Right now my preliminary homework and I know that some of you are cringing, is showing me that if you want more access and economic opportunity especially as it relates to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River that you will vote for Hogan.

I'll have more after next weeks meetings.

If anyone can make it to Waterways that would be HUGE.

Be concerned and keep score.

I've got concerns on other issues and I'll share those. but right now this should be front and center for everyone in the city of Jacksonville.

[jcjohnpaint]

I'm not sure this guy's read either, and he certainly doesn't feel as strongly about the 1st as he does the 2nd. But there is a reason it was put in the front.

Freedom of speech protects phrases like "From my cold dead hands".  I think Hogan is taking the Henry Ford approach to freedom of religion, "people can believe whatever they want, as long as they're baptist."

Neither issue has a place in local politics.  Why not focus on QOL or historic preservation or transit instead.....?

or people can believe whatever they want as long as they are the ones with the guns

[CityLife]

Has anyone heard from Gaffney on the pier and Hogans Creek? I'm in absolute shock that the residents of Springfield are giving this legislative representative the biggest pass on these two issues.

There is no bike or pedestrian access along Hogan's Creek from Springfield to the River. In that respect Springfield is as geographically disconnected from this issue as Riverside and San Marco.

Frankly, Springfield residents should and likely are a lot more interested and concerned about the Hogan's Creek Greenway plan which proposes to improve Confederate and Klutho Parks in Springfield. It would be great to have a greenway all the way from Confederate Park to the River someday, but until that happens Springfield residents will be a lot more focused on their own parks.

Also, what does the transient vendor ban have to do with any of this?

[Timkin]

And um..... THAT is your list Mike???  are you freaking KIDDING!!!!!

Um.... no thanks .. I ll vote for Alvin Brown

[bill]

As inane as most of that reads. The most important thing any Mayor is going to have to deal with is the pension funds. I have not heard anything from either candidate regarding that. Hard to not raise taxes if we allow EMTs retire at 50 years old.

[bill]

We need someone who will help Jax flourish- not make it unbearable.
Let's vote for the candidate who has actual proven record in helping the community, a candidate who has REAL credentials in all areas.

Who would that be?

[Timkin]

We need someone who will help Jax flourish- not make it unbearable.
Let's vote for the candidate who has actual proven record in helping the community, a candidate who has REAL credentials in all areas.

Who would that be?

You asked the question... Who would you suggest?

[Timkin]

This has to be the least inspiring bit of penny misery that Ive ever read in my whole life.

It sounds more like the platform of a county surveyor in Amish country than then mayor of America's 13th largest city.

Other than Mtrain, does anyone know anyone who is planning on voting for Parson Hogan?

Timkin is  NOT VOTING FOR HOGAN.. No effing way