Rick Mullaney: A History of the Consolidation Movement

[stjr]

I was listening to the mayor of Dallas the other day on the radio.  He brought up an intriguing thought that he claims makes Dallas a great city: NONPARTISAN elections including MAYOR.   What if we went with nonpartisan, open primaries, for all local offices?

We might get better candidates, a more unified populace, and cheaper elections to boot!

Too bad that this idea wasn't brought up before the Charter Commission!  Why should we have to pay for the primaries of the political parties?  Let them hold and pay for their own and then run in an open, public election.

Hopefully, the Charter Commission can still look at this issue if it is not already on their agenda.  Maybe Rick could get them to focus on it. 

[north miami]

I'm late to jump in on the thread but I think one problem with out consolidated government is that as a result of consolidation, certain areas of our town receive little to no attention from local government and completely lack any sense of community.  Areas like the Northside lack any sort of uniting force that I think would be present if there were a local government representing only those areas. 

I would encourage the city to experiment with setting up a few quasi-governments in certain areas of town to provide both an increased focus on the issues and strengths of those communities and also to further strengthen the feeling of community in those areas.  Basically, a system similar to what we already have with the three municipalities at the Beach.

Anyone else have thoughts on such a system?

Yes.
I feel these discussions on "Consolidation" are lacking in any effective true understanding, positive description or historical narrative.

Rick Mullaney's summary highlights: There is nothing like it before or since.(No-not even Metro Dade....which is no 'pro' Duval positioning)Physical land area.Efficiency and savings.Low Tax rate.Strong Mayor form. Awe and admiration, inquiry by some other counties and municipalities.Empowered pulling off capturing an NFL Franchise.Awe and admiration,inquiry by some other counties and municipalities.Who would gladly,finally join in mirror effort if only not for the unfair,unreasonable,entrenched forces blocking this brilliant,never ever before or since Consolidation of such a vast land mass.Oh,and did we forget the many inquiries Rick's offices fields??(A waste of City staff and $$$?)

Consolidation failed to stem the "edge City" effect that blossomed throughout the country since the 60's.Clay and St.Johns experienced singular growth and draw,driven by a militant,entrenched anti Duval theme.And the sheer size of the booster Duval "City" certainly steered many away from Duval.Duval County has not contributed in any meaningful manner in River inititiatives-indeed a long list of impaired Duval waterways slated for restoration has lagged....nothing special springing from the Consolodated power house."Savings" in efficiency in diminishing return as the forces...and costs of "growth" and expanded JEA take hold.Oh,and did we say Low Tax rate?? Many have recently swerved from the low tax mantra,because we so obviously have to.

To establish needed "quasi governments" throughout Duval would fly in the face of Consolidation Technique.One is hard pressed to imagine identifiable towns of Murray Hill,Argyle,Arlington,Northwest Jacksonville.Balwin and the Beaches quite naturally worked hard to retain some identity and independence.We can't afford to do any more.Sadly,many land areas and counties throughout the nation hold multiple municipalities....and are thriving or at least on equal ground.

What were the events,persons involved in garnering the Consolidation bright idea??In fact, the origination is much more ancient than the common narratives reveal:

Senate session of 1923.Senator J.Turner Butler.Representatives F.O.Miller,A.Y. Milam.Jopint resolution passes by House and Senate subject to county electors vote approval at the polls.The plan was said to have been suggested by Telfair Stockton and Patrick Odom,having for it's purpose the combination of duties and functions of certain services within the county,to describe the system of taxation,bonded indebtedness and to curtail expenses by the combination of county and city offices....."giving power to the Legislature to establish,change,and abolish a local government extending territorially throughout Duval County".In the election the plan failed. Source:History of Duval County by Pleasant Daniel Gold The Record Company St.Augustine Fla. 1929

By the 60's "corruption" became a focal point.I will grant that the selection of William Durden as the newly consolidated government's first General Counsel was brilliant and/or lucky.And Rick,your zeal and loyalty would be a credit to any government that employed you.

Rick Mullaney sums it up best: It's all about leadership

N.Miami                                                                                         

[north miami]

I'm late to jump in on the thread but I think one problem with out consolidated government is that as a result of consolidation, certain areas of our town receive little to no attention from local government and completely lack any sense of community.  Areas like the Northside lack any sort of uniting force that I think would be present if there were a local government representing only those areas. 

I would encourage the city to experiment with setting up a few quasi-governments in certain areas of town to provide both an increased focus on the issues and strengths of those communities and also to further strengthen the feeling of community in those areas.  Basically, a system similar to what we already have with the three municipalities at the Beach.

Anyone else have thoughts on such a system?

Yes.
I feel these discussions on "Consolidation" are lacking in any effective true understanding, positive description or historical narrative.

Rick Mullaney's summary highlights: There is nothing like it before or since.(No-not even Metro Dade....which is no 'pro' Duval positioning)Physical land area.Efficiency and savings.Low Tax rate.Strong Mayor form. Awe and admiration, inquiry by some other counties and municipalities.Empowered pulling off capturing an NFL Franchise.Awe and admiration,inquiry by some other counties and municipalities.Who would gladly,finally join in mirror effort if only not for the unfair,unreasonable,entrenched forces blocking this brilliant,never ever before or since Consolidation of such a vast land mass.Oh,and did we forget the many inquiries Rick's offices fields??(A waste of City staff and $$$?)

Consolidation failed to stem the "edge City" effect that blossomed throughout the country since the 60's.Clay and St.Johns experienced singular growth and draw,driven by a militant,entrenched anti Duval theme.And the sheer size of the booster Duval "City" certainly steered many away from Duval.Duval County has not contributed in any meaningful manner in River inititiatives-indeed a long list of impaired Duval waterways slated for restoration has lagged....nothing special springing from the Consolodated power house."Savings" in efficiency in diminishing return as the forces...and costs of "growth" and expanded JEA take hold.Oh,and did we say Low Tax rate?? Many have recently swerved from the low tax mantra,because we so obviously have to.

To establish needed "quasi governments" throughout Duval would fly in the face of Consolidation Technique.One is hard pressed to imagine identifiable towns of Murray Hill,Argyle,Arlington,Northwest Jacksonville.Balwin and the Beaches quite naturally worked hard to retain some identity and independence.We can't afford to do any more.Sadly,many land areas and counties throughout the nation hold multiple municipalities....and are thriving or at least on equal ground.

What were the events,persons involved in garnering the Consolidation bright idea??In fact, the origination is much more ancient than the common narratives reveal:

Senate session of 1923.Senator J.Turner Butler.Representatives F.O.Miller,A.Y. Milam.Jopint resolution passes by House and Senate subject to county electors vote approval at the polls.The plan was said to have been suggested by Telfair Stockton and Patrick Odom,having for it's purpose the combination of duties and functions of certain services within the county,to describe the system of taxation,bonded indebtedness and to curtail expenses by the combination of county and city offices....."giving power to the Legislature to establish,change,and abolish a local government extending territorially throughout Duval County".In the election the plan failed. Source:History of Duval County by Pleasant Daniel Gold The Record Company St.Augustine Fla. 1929

By the 60's "corruption" became a focal point.I will grant that the selection of William Durden as the newly consolidated government's first General Counsel was brilliant and/or lucky.And Rick,your zeal and loyalty would be a credit to any government that employed you.

Rick Mullaney sums it up best: It's all about leadership

N.Miami                                                                                         

As reported in yesterday's/12-3-09 FTU:
Stephen Stratford, 1923-2009  Passed away Monday.Worked to assure the independence of the three Beach cities and Baldwin at the time of Consolidation in 1968..........
Per my post above/The Record Company 1929; attempts towards a consloidated county wide land area began at least as far back as Mr.Stratford's birth..........

[diverdan363]

It appears that florida leads the nation in public corrption but now Jacksonville has reveal the fact that it is in Jacksonville and is growing stronger every day. Jaxport is no exception has it festers with public deception  as well corruption.



Better efforts to prevent and penalize corruption are necessary in order to stop fraud, waste, and abuse of our State resources,” the jurors write. “Given the serious fiscal limitations at all levels of government, anti-corruption efforts must stop the theft and mismanagement of vital public funds. This mismanagement and theft penalizes taxpayers by driving up the cost of all government services. Therefore, we call for an immediate repeal of what can only be referred to as Florida’s Corruption Tax.” although the grand jury issued recommendation no indictments were issued after finding corruption on the rise. In fact Florida leads the nation in one report and now Jacksonville has begun to reveal  A majority of the City Council under indictment more corruption. While the FBI said it could not speak to specifics, special agent in charge James Casey said, "I think it's fair to say that there are public corruption cases going on in all the FBI divisions across the country, and Jacksonville is one of them. So, there are likely investigations here."  question remains how far will the FBI go till top officials pull the plug.



     



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