Mellow Mushroom: Working with the Avondale community

[Captain Zissou]

I'll admit that I don't know a lot about Hollingsworth, so i did some research.  The most substantive article I found was in the Tampa Bay Times.  The main things it mentions about his time in Jacksonville politics are as follows:

Hollingsworth was one of the "Jacksonville 11" â€" city officials who accepted freebies including tickets to Jaguars football games. But the state Commission on Ethics ruled that no penalties should be imposed because city gift laws were confusing.

In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Fay in 2008, while serving as Peyton's chief of staff, Hollingsworth got calls from his former boss, U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown and state Rep. Denise Lee worried about flooding in their homes. Hollingsworth obliged them by dispatching city staff to their homes with sandbags, which Peyton called a mistake.

When neighbors complained they didn't get the same help, Hollingsworth took the blame for not following city emergency protocols and personally paid for the cost of assisting Lee.

On the whole, the piece seems positive, but it really glosses over what I would deem some big missteps.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/gubernatorial/adam-hollingsworth-gov-rick-scotts-new-right-hand-man/1244174

[JFman00]

I thought this post was satire

[Debbie Thompson]

Really?  They are tearing down an historic builidng to gain only 4 (four!!!) parking spots, and that's OK?

[fsquid]

Is this an Onion piece?

[thelakelander]

Really?  They are tearing down an historic building to gain only 4 (four!!!) parking spots, and that's OK?

I don't believe the gas station is considered historic. However, I agree that the adaptive reuse plan was an exciting one. Does this new plan mean all the discussion about better parking management for the Shoppes is over now?

[Bridges]

Can't wait for We Love Avondale to still not be happy and push forward.  I can see it now, The term "restaurant" is a little bit of an overkill.  How about we just call it a "Rest-or-not".  And instead of a building and dining, we can just have a bench.  And instead of serving food, 2 friends could bring their lunch and eat it on the bench....so long as they walk and don't talk too loud.

[maggiemactx]

What a loss for the Riverside/Avondale area.  We love our outdoor patio and music here in Fleming Island.  Sounds like you all have been MORE than accommodating.  Such a shame they have to be so picky.

[Adam W]

Can't wait for We Love Avondale to still not be happy and push forward.  I can see it now, The term "restaurant" is a little bit of an overkill.  How about we just call it a "Rest-or-not".  And instead of a building and dining, we can just have a bench.  And instead of serving food, 2 friends could bring their lunch and eat it on the bench....so long as they walk and don't talk too loud.

Just build a Rally's. Two drive-throughs and no need for much parking. Plus you get a couple of picnic tables.

...and Rap Cat!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSktDO-v038&feature=related

[Captain Zissou]

Everybody settle down, isn't it obvious that all Avondale needed to solve its problems was an additional 4 parking spaces?  These four parking spaces are going to save Avondale from the brink of destruction.  You'll be amazed at what a strip mall parking lot can do to restore the historic character of the shops.

I'm going to get my mellow mushroom pizza to go and take it to the tables outside the Brick. 

[MissMinda]

...so, if we all go to MM at 9:30, park in the parking lot and turn our car radios on to the same station at the same time and roll our windows down...

is that still just parking?

[KEGreene1]

I find it ironic that you have rules for one set of establishments and a completely other set of rules for another.  I though discrimination was illegal?  What does We Love Avondale, LLC have against Pizza?  Is it because of it's Italian orgins? 

[fsquid]

I always liked this place when I lived in Charlotte

[Josh]

I find it ironic that you have rules for one set of establishments and a completely other set of rules for another.  I though discrimination was illegal?  What does We Love Avondale, LLC have against Pizza?  Is it because of it's Italian orgins?

Fear of competition.

[ben says]

I'm going to get my mellow mushroom pizza to go and take it to the tables outside the Brick.

Now we're talking!

[martybjaguars]

All of you are awesome...it has been a while since I laughed this hard. My side actually hurts. Thank you.