WOKV Interviews Metro Jacksonville's Stephen Dare

[Metro Jacksonville]

WOKV Interviews Metro Jacksonville's Stephen Dare



Metro Jacksonville has had the opportunity to speak with WOKV (106.5FM & 690AM) about the major issues facing the city of Jacksonville on multiple occasions. In this interview, Tiffany Griffith on First Coast Forum asks Stephen Dare to provide input about "growth management and development." As to be expected, Stephen gives a thoughtful and entertaining discourse on a number of topics including white flight, suburban sprawl and urban decay.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-feb-wokv-interviews-metro-jacksonvilles-stephen-dare

[Noone]

I'm giving props to Mayor Brown for his kayaking initiative.

Who's next for an Ever bank to bank to bank to bank to bank to bank padlle Downtown?

We are Downtown! We Khan Make It Happen.

[jcjohnpaint]

Thanks Stephen.  Enjoyed every minute. 

[Captain Zissou]

Hilarious.  While it was maybe a little intense for the everyday listener, the reality of how we destroyed downtown is  almost too absurd to believe.  I can imagine the host was cringing at a couple points, but you really need to be blunt about the issues that caused our city's current situation.

"The least sexy thing since a traffic accident...."

"That's just crazy talk, but it's understandable crazy talk because..."

" People that own muckity muck business, and they're all swillin' bourbon down at the university club."

"It's all empty, it's a hell of a park, and that's where the homeless sleep."

AWESOME

[jcjohnpaint]

I loved the Bourbon Swillers talk.  Hey I'll tell you what... any leaders who can't figure out what they are doing after 50 years of failure have to be drunk on something.  I think it is time to sober these guys up or get them the hell out of the way!  Great observations/ true observations all the way. 

[IamAmerican]

This is awesome. Well done, Stephen Dare. I laughed. I cried. I cringed. 

[Tacachale]

Good work, Stephen. "Racoon City". Nice.

[Captain Zissou]

I sent it to my girlfriend.  10 minutes in she said "did he just say defecating??? GROSS!"  after she listened to the whole thing  her reaction was:

"I really liked it and I learn a lot- lets clean that island (exchange Island; we have been talking about doing a cleanup with first coast outfitters) in a kayak! I'm motivated! I wanna make jax the best"

Looks like we have a new convert to the cause.

[fsujax]

Very good Stephen. It seems so simple, yet for some reason our leaders can't or will not make it happen.

[thelakelander]

I sent it to my girlfriend.  10 minutes in she said "did he just say defecating??? GROSS!"  after she listened to the whole thing  her reaction was:

"I really liked it and I learn a lot- lets clean that island (exchange Island; we have been talking about doing a cleanup with first coast outfitters) in a kayak! I'm motivated! I wanna make jax the best"

Looks like we have a new convert to the cause.

Nice!

[John P]

I enjoyed the interview until near the end. Is it appropriate to say that theres nothing to do downtown over and over again when there are many things people enoy there every day? I understand why you would trump it up a little to make a point but by repeatedly stating over and over that theres nothing to visit there but a few things you are reinforcing peoples INCORRECT strereotypes about downtown aren't you? Regular readers of metrojacksonville may know you are hamming it up but the average listener of wokv probably just had their assumptions confirmed by a downtown "expert."

[jcjohnpaint]

..and to learn.  Learning is key.  I learned a lot I did not know.  I mean whatever side if our core fails then all of us fail. 

[IamAmerican]

So, what will it take to have the city get out of the way and let natural development happen. What's the first step we can rally around? Is it parking? Is it permitting? Let's find that first step and demand that our city government take the necessary "inaction".

Everyone on this site just talks about the terrible management but let's take some action. I'll be the first to say I don't know what to do but I'm willing to follow and support those that do...

[Timkin]

Good show, Stephen!

[ronchamblin]

Loved the show Stephen.  You are quite effective on your feet.  Your work learning the history and problems of Jax and other cities has allowed you to understand things I’ve certainly missed.  And it was at times humorous.  Have you ever thought about putting your analysis of the decline and fall of the Jax core, or the killing of the Jax core, into a small book, perhaps 100 to 150 pages in length?  Whereas the information and analysis of the death of the city core is somewhat available on the Internet, many of the people who need to know, will not see it.

The great advantage of writing a book on the subject is that the very process of writing will force you to improve by a factor of four or five the quality of what you’ve already accumulated inside your head.  You might discover that some of your beliefs and assumptions were a bit off, and you might discover some new insights and understandings.  The result would be a fine presentation of much needed knowledge about our downtown, and the best methods to revitalize.

And as you might know, a valid and clear presentation of a problem will, by the pressure of clarity, truth and logic, allow valid solutions to emerge almost without effort.  The book would be the vehicle to encourage profound thinking, allowing you to focus, allowing you to convey to many who would benefit, and who in turn would then be more inclined to assist in revitalization.