Well, I think I'll just give up hope

[Anti redneck]

Let's just face it, folks. Jacksonville will never change. There's too many bigots and rednecks in control of this town, that continuing to post on here about what could be and what should be is just pointless. I don't think this site should be taken down. I hope one day that the MJ-ers finally get through Jacksonville leaders. If I was in charge, I would run the bigots and rednecks out of town and do what I could to keep professionals around. Unfortunately, it's the other way around. The bigots and rednecks are doing what they can to run the professionals out of town. It's rather sad. And then they brag about how great Jacksonville is. Then, they get offended when they hear someone complain about how bad it is here and say that if you don't like it, then leave. It's sad. Me, I just don't have what it takes to make it come alive. If it hasn't yet, it's not going to. I got offered to work full-time in Charlotte and I think I'm going to take it. Unlike Jacksonville, Charlotte knows how to run things. Unlike Jacksonville, Charlotte is not full of racists and bigots. Unlike Jacksonville, Charlotte is fairly educated. Unlike Jacksonville, Charlotte is a nice place to live. Anywho, I'm going to try and slowly phase myself out. Until then.....

[dougskiles]

I don't think this site should be taken down.

What are you talking about?  I don't believe this site is going anywhere but up.

[Bill Hoff]

I don't think this site should be taken down.

What are you talking about?  I don't believe this site is going anywhere but up.

Systematic change is a process. It takes time, but it's happening.

[t sizzle]

Let's just face it, folks. Jacksonville will never change. There's too many bigots and rednecks in control of this town, that continuing to post on here about what could be and what should be is just pointless. I don't think this site should be taken down. I hope one day that the MJ-ers finally get through Jacksonville leaders. If I was in charge, I would run the bigots and rednecks out of town and do what I could to keep professionals around. Unfortunately, it's the other way around. The bigots and rednecks are doing what they can to run the professionals out of town. It's rather sad. And then they brag about how great Jacksonville is. Then, they get offended when they hear someone complain about how bad it is here and say that if you don't like it, then leave. It's sad. Me, I just don't have what it takes to make it come alive. If it hasn't yet, it's not going to. I got offered to work full-time in Charlotte and I think I'm going to take it. Unlike Jacksonville, Charlotte knows how to run things. Unlike Jacksonville, Charlotte is not full of racists and bigots. Unlike Jacksonville, Charlotte is fairly educated. Unlike Jacksonville, Charlotte is a nice place to live. Anywho, I'm going to try and slowly phase myself out. Until then.....

Too funny. I take it you've never been to Charlotte. I have the pleasure of visiting frequently and find it very similar to Jacksonville. Lots of crime. Horribly hot and humid summers. Lots of unemployment and big corporations fleeing the city (BOA layoffs etc). Pathetic public school system. Crappy football team. Oh yeah and they also just approved an amendment to limit domestic unions.

So... have fun in cultured, educated Charlotte!

[vicupstate]

Let's just face it, folks. Jacksonville will never change. There's too many bigots and rednecks in control of this town, that continuing to post on here about what could be and what should be is just pointless. I don't think this site should be taken down. I hope one day that the MJ-ers finally get through Jacksonville leaders. If I was in charge, I would run the bigots and rednecks out of town and do what I could to keep professionals around. Unfortunately, it's the other way around. The bigots and rednecks are doing what they can to run the professionals out of town. It's rather sad. And then they brag about how great Jacksonville is. Then, they get offended when they hear someone complain about how bad it is here and say that if you don't like it, then leave. It's sad. Me, I just don't have what it takes to make it come alive. If it hasn't yet, it's not going to. I got offered to work full-time in Charlotte and I think I'm going to take it. Unlike Jacksonville, Charlotte knows how to run things. Unlike Jacksonville, Charlotte is not full of racists and bigots. Unlike Jacksonville, Charlotte is fairly educated. Unlike Jacksonville, Charlotte is a nice place to live. Anywho, I'm going to try and slowly phase myself out. Until then.....

Too funny. I take it you've never been to Charlotte. I have the pleasure of visiting frequently and find it very similar to Jacksonville. Lots of crime. Horribly hot and humid summers. Lots of unemployment and big corporations fleeing the city (BOA layoffs etc). Pathetic public school system. Crappy football team. Oh yeah and they also just approved an amendment to limit domestic unions.

So... have fun in cultured, educated Charlotte!

To be fair, the amendment of which you speak did NOT pass in Charlotte or Mecklenburg County.  Nor did it pass in most of the major urban areas of NC.  It's passage came from the rural and surburban counties. 

And do you really think it wouldn't pass in FL, if put on the ballot? 

CLT is struggling economically, to be sure, but as long as BofA doesn't pull out, they should be fine long-term.  They have done an impressive job of diversifying their economy by recruiting major players (Siemens, Chiquita, Electroleux to name a few) that pay very well.   And that has been during the worst recession since the '30's. 

Their business community and it's leadership still provide impressive leadership to augment the city's leadership.

[vicupstate]

Conservatives are not going to 'die out'.  Jacksonville does suffer from a too conservative mindset.  You have to pay for a high quality of life, and too many leaders here don't understand the 'cost' of low taxes.   

Charlotte may be on the verge of going too far the other way, though.   

[fsquid]

Let's just face it, folks. Jacksonville will never change. There's too many bigots and rednecks in control of this town, that continuing to post on here about what could be and what should be is just pointless. I don't think this site should be taken down. I hope one day that the MJ-ers finally get through Jacksonville leaders. If I was in charge, I would run the bigots and rednecks out of town and do what I could to keep professionals around. Unfortunately, it's the other way around. The bigots and rednecks are doing what they can to run the professionals out of town. It's rather sad. And then they brag about how great Jacksonville is. Then, they get offended when they hear someone complain about how bad it is here and say that if you don't like it, then leave. It's sad. Me, I just don't have what it takes to make it come alive. If it hasn't yet, it's not going to. I got offered to work full-time in Charlotte and I think I'm going to take it. Unlike Jacksonville, Charlotte knows how to run things. Unlike Jacksonville, Charlotte is not full of racists and bigots. Unlike Jacksonville, Charlotte is fairly educated. Unlike Jacksonville, Charlotte is a nice place to live. Anywho, I'm going to try and slowly phase myself out. Until then.....

Too funny. I take it you've never been to Charlotte. I have the pleasure of visiting frequently and find it very similar to Jacksonville. Lots of crime. Horribly hot and humid summers. Lots of unemployment and big corporations fleeing the city (BOA layoffs etc). Pathetic public school system. Crappy football team. Oh yeah and they also just approved an amendment to limit domestic unions.

So... have fun in cultured, educated Charlotte!

I lived there and you don't have any idea what you are talking about.  If you think the Charlotte public schools are bad, I can't imagine the adjective you would use for the ones here.

What corporation has fled the Charlotte?  They were also smart that once the banks started having trouble, they made a play to diversify their economy and attact corporations from other industries. 

Anti-redneck, I'm not a huge fan of Charlotte, but if you need any help or info, I can point you in the right direction.

[Jason]

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.....

Because of this site, more and more of the Jax population is becoming more educated on the behind the scenes goings on in jacksonville.  We're more in tune with all that is happening therefore get a taste of the bad stuff that many othe citizens don't.  As Stephen said, there a TON of positive things happening in this city.  And because of the recent

No matter where you go, getting involved with the intracasies of the local politics and policies etc. will uncover the dirt that most don't see.

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.....

[Jimmy]

I'll never give up; Jacksonville is worth fighting for.  We've moved the needle in the right direction over the last 10 years. 

As someone who's been doing this for a long time here, before websites, during websites, and likely after websites, I can tell you that it's gotten much easier over time.  We're on the cusp of some amazing things for this City. 

[David]

Unfortunately I've had quite a few friends leave Jax because of the same outlook Anti-Redneck has currently.  A lot of them said it feels "stuck" here and that's hard to defend.

But there's always going to be people who just aren't feeling it here, there's nothing wrong with moving on and trying something else out. I've noticed certain people just like to move around a lot. As someone who's lived here my entire life, I envy that.

As for the redneck/biggot comments, that's definitely not my version of Jax. Where I work and live is pretty diverse. And as for the defensive natives who tell people who don’t like it to get out, that's just because we've been hearing it our whole lives. It does get old after awhile, so I encourage people who don’t like to take action. Whether it's getting involved or leaving for another town and hoping to find happiness... As opposed to my co-worker who constantly talks smack on Jacksonville yet lives in Orange Park and has been here for 12 years! 

[mtraininjax]

Sounds like the streets are paved with gold in Charlotte, don't let the door hit your you know what on the way out of Jax.

[fsquid]

as much as I paid in taxes there, you'd think they could at least fix the roads.

[JFman00]

My impression is that the roads here are generally quite good, relatively speaking, given FDOT's fix-it-first policy.

[Ocklawaha]

As of 2007, the City Data Forums in Charlotte were discussing their problems with neo-Nazi's and KKK members...

My advice is to go to the nearest source of opiates and get your 'happy' back on.

NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER SURRENDER!

OCKLAWAHA

[simms3]

This site has certainly changed things and may be the best thing going for Jax.  Each year it seems MetroJacksonville and its creators are able to reach and influence more people, so that's a positive thing.

Also what may be a blessing in disguise is that Jacksonville is no longer "booming" in population growth (though we need it in job growth).  When people were moving here en masse from more expensive places and inflating their net worth by trading high costs for low costs, they were simply enjoying their new lifestyle in Jax and weren't necessarily concerned with the goings on of the city (or the Jags).  Many retired early in Jax out at the beach.  Now they are all underwater and needing jobs and they are essentially stuck.  I bet you more people are starting to take an interest in Jacksonville now and what the city leaders are doing.  Many need decent jobs.  Many want their home value to quit plummeting.  Many want a better quality of life now that they KNOW they'll be living in the less expensive areas of the city for a while because they can't escape or afford a different/more expensive city.  I bet many are starting to find this board.

And Charlotte has very very visionary and proactive business leadership.  The directors at BOA are very personally tied to Charlotte in many ways.  The mayor is very close to the business community and vice versa and everyone is on the same page (hence why they are able to attract and host the DNC).  Atlanta is the same way and that's how those cities have gotten where they are today and why they are still pulling ahead.

Look at the cities where the elected/appointed officials are not on the same page as the business community (which in these cases has essentially left the "city" for the burbs).  Detroit.  Cleveland.  Memphis.  The business community ultimately determines what happens to a city.  In Jacksonville's case I think the city, MetroJacksonville, and the business community are on 3 slightly different pages, but I believe the right page is mostly MetroJacksonville's collective thought.  If MetroJacksonville can unite business community with city officials on its page, we'll be essentially where our successful peers are now and then can start moving forward.

I think it will happen just by nature of current progress since 2006.