Large scale development and Riverside/Avondale

[JHAT76]

That is my point.  Just because you read about it and you make/change your opinion about it, doesn't mean you have done anything about it.  You have 900 views on this thread today, but how many of them will pick up the phone or write an email or show up at a meeting to voice their opinion (I've written numerous emails; as all the meetings seem to be scheduled while I'm working elsewhere).  This isn't something you go to the polls and vote on anonymously, this is an issue that if you feel one way or the other (and judging by 900+ views quite a few of you have an opinion) you need to voice that opinion with your City Councilman or go to one of the two upcoming meetings that are scheduled.

The actual numbers of people reading the comments are pretty wildly understated as most people view the forum through 'recent comments' which doesnt click as a hit on the forum----since the comments are all just listed on the feed. http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php?action=recent

As I thought, there are several thousand views from facebook alone.  http://www.facebook.com/MetroJacksonville

Stephen,  Glad you posted this info.  I had been wondering what the readership here might be.  I have another question I am hoping you can answer.  Like many forums Metro Jacksonville has some talented and outspoken posters who comment quite regularly on content and most of them seem to be male.  What is your guess as to the number of female members as opposed to male? 

For instance, when I made this post, these were the forum members online.  Wacca Pilatka, JeffreyS, thelakelander, strider, Ralph W, Pottsburg, ChriswUfGator, MissMinda, TheCat, bobsim, duvaldude08, If_I_Loved_you, Pinky, alta, funwithteeth, cityimrov, Jax_Spartan, acme54321, Tacachale, JasonBrantley, Rynjny, ben says, stephendare, Fallen Buckeye, Brian Siebenschuh, Keith-N-Jax, Ocklawaha, reednavy, duvalbill, comncense, CityLife, chipwich, Intuition Ale Works, Jimmy, mtraininjax, JHAT76, Overstreet, Adam W, Mathew1056
Most Online Today: 436. Most Online Ever: 1277 (February 21, 2012, 06:13:35 PM)

Thanks,

Diane Melendez

YES!! made that list of being online.  For the record I go through the recent comments door 99% of the time.  I check the site daily and at times when at work I might look at it 12 - 25 times per day.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

In the meantime eat at Al's, pizza italian, carmines, peles, 5 star, moon river, chicago pizza. How will we do without?

You're missing Pizza Hut, The Loop and Hungry Howies.  Oh yeah, you also seem to be missing the point.   

If mellow mushroom did not build there something else would. That is what WLA thinks at least and they hope it would be smaller. Wait a year and they could move into Brooklyn.

I understand where you're coming from, but I still think you're missing the point.  It's not about pizza.  It's about a few business owners in the proximity getting together to decide what should go there, because they feel their livelyhoods are threatened. 

I believe that they would oppose any place that wanted to open in that space.  Why wasn't there a problem with 'town?  No, because she was sort of a family connection.  What if a 'Fusion Italian Bistro / Raw Bar with a full liquor license that already had 3 very successful stores elsewherewere' were to try and open up?  I think we'd see the same sort of petulant, child-like feet stomping.

[Pinky]

With only a few minor tweaks, the Historic Commission just unanimously approved the Mellow site plan.

Suck it WLA.

[MissMinda]

I don't post very often, but I've picked a few favorite folders and have worked my way through reading all the threads in them. As I finish them, I pick more to read. I truly enjoy the site.

[Cheshire Cat]

Thanks much Stephen.  I think the last line of your response gave me what I was looking for.     The site has remained true to it's core purpose and most of the stories and forum postings reflect that.  The articles you guys post are well done and appreciated by your readers I am sure.  Would I be correct if I guessed you core readership is young professional men?  I tell you the reason I am asking and maybe what I am thinking is outside of the scope of how you guys view the site and the forum.  I believe you all should think about adding at least a fourth person to your core contributors. I would suggest a woman (not suggesting myself) who is well versed in the many topics facing our city, perhaps politics and other issues.  I think that would extend your forums reach and grow the discussion.  Your thoughts?




Diane Melendez

[Cheshire Cat]

Thanks Stephen.  I was actually surprised to see how close the numbers for men and women are and would never had guessed the slight bump on the side of the women.  I do remember in the beginning days of Metjax there were plenty of thirty something young men.  lol

I can say in all honesty that I well know the cost in physical time and emotional equity one must give to run a forum and be an active participant in their city and country.  Hours researching, hours spent at city hall, hours at the library and endless time fact checking.  I have paid it personally for many years as you, Ock and Ennis know. Many of those days were walked together.

I have hesitated to open up certain subjects here because I did not want to take discussion away from the topics you guys have always been most verbal about, i.e. development, downtown, transportation, restaurants and the like.  But if you guys are open to some other topics than I have some I will be sharing soon.





Diane Melendez

[Intuition Ale Works]

FYI...Merchants in the Shoppes of Avondale are being intimidated into remaining silent about the proposed Mellow Mushroom.

They are being threatened with boycotts if they come out in support of the project.

Small town politics at it's best or worse...

[Captain Zissou]

Who is threatening them? Is WLA saying that their dozen or so supporters won't visit the shoppes anymore?? These guys really need to move to deerwood. If RAP is the one making threats, that is ridiculous and grossly overreaching their authority.

[thelakelander]

Wow, who is threatening merchants with boycotts for supporting the idea of a pizza restaurant opening on a long time blighted commercial site?  Whoever would do something like that obviously needs to be exposed.

[strider]

This was standard operating procedure in Springfield for many years and is always a favored tactic of groups opposing something for all the wrong reasons.  RAP and WLA will deny any of this at the top of their lungs, but the truth will be that they are threatening boycotts, to use MCCD against them and whatever else they believe will shut out the truth.  If you don't like it happening, go to the meetings and say so.  Standing up to bullies usually works, though it can be painful. What is the truth worth to you?

[cline]

Heard at the last minute yesterday about a neighborhood "meeting" at Avondale UMC at 6pm.  I assumed it was about MM but hadn't heard any details so don't know for sure.  Wondering if anybody on MJ had any details.

[mtraininjax]

If RAP is the one making threats, that is ridiculous and grossly overreaching their authority.

CZ, really? RAP is bigger than the shoppes, it comprises over 10,000 households. Get a grip on reality!

[thelakelander]

Does the neighborhood have 10,000 residents?

[PeeJayEss]

If RAP is the one making threats, that is ridiculous and grossly overreaching their authority.

CZ, really? RAP is bigger than the shoppes, it comprises over 10,000 households. Get a grip on reality!

Soooo...being comprised of over 10,000 households means that it is well within its authority to threaten people? I don't understand what you're saying.

And RAP is comprised of members of RAP. They don't have dominion over all the houses within the historic district.

[Captain Zissou]

If RAP is the one making threats, that is ridiculous and grossly overreaching their authority.

CZ, really? RAP is bigger than the shoppes, it comprises over 10,000 households. Get a grip on reality!

The federal government can't even threaten business owners for speaking out in support of a fellow business owner, so why would RAP be able to?  Seriously buddy, you haven't said one intelligent thing in the past few months.