PEYTON "Yearns" for Return of City's Super Bowl Type Spirit

[heights unknown]

An article appeared in the Times Union this morning regarding Mayor Peyton's concern that the City of Jacksonville did not capitalize enough on the possible fruits and rewards that having the Super Bowl hosted by the City could have garnered.  The Mayor addressed the fact that crime and other problems since the Super Bowl left have possibly tarnished the City's image in which the possibility exists that people may start to leave the City and newcomers may think twice before relocating to Jax.  In addition, the City's spirit seems to have also suffered since the Super Bowl left in which it appears the government, leaders, and the citizens of Jax may not have the same spirit, or the same "pull together" spirit and/or attitude that existed just prior and during the time the City hosted the Super Bowl.

In my opinion Mayor Peyton's concerns are extremely valid.  But it all begins with him in leading the City down the right road; and yes, that includes tackling, battling and successfully defeating the intense crime issue that now engulfs the City.  Promotion and Marketing of our City is another issue which seems to have faded of late; regardless of the crime issue, I feel the City should forge ahead in intensely promoting and marketing our beautiful City around the nation and the world. 

Sometimes you have to think big and act big in order to become big.  Just because we have a population of over 800,000, which in my opinion is not altogether true and is in fact a result of consolidation, it doesn't mean we are that big.  What I am saying is, if we are going to convey to the world that we are a City of close to a million people, we'd better be just that and have the amenities, resources, attractions, and what have you to back it up; this is why City Leaders, and most importantly the Mayor, must not be scared or reluctant to support increased development and progress when the opportunity exists or is afforded.

I am not speaking of, "build it and they will come," but come on ya'll, we (Jax) is a City of close to a million people.  We need to start acting like it, accept it, and move forward with it with an aggressive and confident air that we are a major City and not a backwoods small town big city.  It all starts with the spirit, air, and leadership of those in charge at City Government, led of course by the Mayor.  If Jacksonville is not going to progress and and continues to regress to what it was before consolidation (regardless of the fact we are consolidated), then we need to get rid of our consolidation status which would pull off all the make-up and masks, and would in fact reveal who we really are:  "A small southern City with a population of slightly more than 100,000 people with a small town attitude." 

Here's the article:

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/072608/met_309841146.shtml

Heights Unknown

[heights unknown]

omg.

It hasnt occurred to the charming young man, that that spirit and enthusiasm were the RESULT of great leadership and vision.

He has to become the change he wants to see.

I agree Stephen; being the Mayor is more than holding morning meetings and conducting ceremonies...he has to become "the vision" that he sees in the mirror regarding what he feels Jacksonville could be or needs to be.  It all starts with Him.

Heights Unknown

[thelakelander]

omg.

It hasnt occurred to the charming young man, that that spirit and enthusiasm were the RESULT of great leadership and vision.

He has to become the change he wants to see.

Bingo.  It all starts on the 4th floor of city hall and only using tunnel vision to deal with the crime issue won't bring any more "spirit" back.

[thebrokenforum]

He has to become the change he wants to see.

Agreed. But does he know that? I don't think he does.

in which the possibility exists that people may start to leave the City and newcomers may think twice before relocating to Jax.

That's already happening.

It all starts with the spirit, air, and leadership of those in charge at City Government,

I understand what you're saying and I agree with you but it just feels like their is an air of hopelessness in the city perpetuated by the same thing day after day. You can only get bombarded by the headlines for so long before it starts to kill morale. The super bowl gave people something to look forward to. It also gave this city a huge chip on its shoulder and something to prove. That was a big part of that "spirit" he's talking about.


While I understand that Peyton and his administration may be at least trying to come up with answers they do not exactly exude confidence. Quite the opposite. And they are completely out of touch with reality.

The super bowl is long over. It's insulting that they're trying to cling to it. They need to start thinking outside the box. Press conferences solve absolutely nothing.

I asked this question before but no one responded: what happened to the guardian angels? Not enough cops on the streets? Fine. Bring in citizen groups that will help patrol the rougher areas. Are the Mad Dads really mad? Fine. Change your tactics and start acting more like the guardian angels. Peyton wants the city to come together and take the streets back? Great but give them a direction to go in instead of just expecting magic to happen.

Why can't Rutherford implement a volunteer police program? Recruit people in some of these so-calledtroubled neighborhoods to join.

[Driven1]

hey, T-U...you can quote me on this...


"i'm yearning for some real leadership from our leaders."
-Driven1

[uptowngirl]

C'mon guys... it isn;t Peyton, it is all the Superbowls fault...it left.....If it hadn't left and instead have stayed here forever the city would be wonderful! But alas, it left and the city went down the tubes. I too hate the Superbowl, it has ruined the city and doesn't care that it's departure has increased crime rates and depressed the citizens.

[Coolyfett]

Sometimes you have to think big and act big in order to become big. 

Well my friend, this is Jacksonville's problem, the lack of BIG IDEAS. Why is the lead turtle concerned now? 3.5 years? This statement should have been made in 2006 if you ask me. But know what does Jacksonville do...They shut down Club Paris, shut down Deep Blue, raid TSI & Real Ting Cafe, don't run its electric train on Sundays, don't encourage diverse festivals or events...the list goes on. Jax is now the same place it was in 2001. Backwards.

[heights unknown]

Sometimes you have to think big and act big in order to become big. 

Well my friend, this is Jacksonville's problem, the lack of BIG IDEAS. Why is the lead turtle concerned now? 3.5 years? This statement should have been made in 2006 if you ask me. But know what does Jacksonville do...They shut down Club Paris, shut down Deep Blue, raid TSI & Real Ting Cafe, don't run its electric train on Sundays, don't encourage diverse festivals or events...the list goes on. Jax is now the same place it was in 2001. Backwards.

Sounds like a small town backwoods mentality to me.  I think they (Peyton and Company) don't want to move forward.  Regarding the Superbowl, it is not the superbowl's fault that Jax is regressing; the Superbowl was a "super" opportunity for Jax to capitalize on and had we embraced it correctly, would have yielded even more fruit and rewards than we ever could have imagined.  So don't blame the superbowl. 

The City Leaders and in particular the Mayor have their glasses and underwear on backwards, and swear that they are not the problem (not!).  It all starts at the top Mr. Mayor (Mayor Peyton) and if you can't see this, or if you don't have a clue as to what the city needs, wants, or even what the citizens needs and wants are, you should go back and pump gas at Gates Petroleum. 

Jacksonville has so much potential.  Being here in Sarasota-Bradenton, I travel to Tampa and St. Petersburg quite often; both those cities are pushing down on the gas pedal and looking at Jacksonville in the rear view mirror.  Even cities like Orlando and Fort Lauderdale are heavily packed downtown with people and buildings, and though our economy sucks, they still have a vision for more "stuff" downtown and throughout their city.

Wake up Mr. Peyton before its too late.  Jacksonville is screaming for success, prosperity, eloquence, and to be a top tier city; but you continue to tell her to shut up or you'll strangle her even more than you already have.

Heights Unknown

[brainstormer]

The poor man really is clueless, isn't he?  Where is the vision for the city he wishes would build itself?  Capitalize on the beauty of Jacksonville and all of the good things and great people here.  Having an attractive, fun and lively city with people who embrace it's strengths will do much more for the city than declaring war on criminals.  I asked this question on another post...can someone tell me where Peyton lives?

[thebrokenforum]

can someone tell me where Peyton lives?

The Cleveland Arms...

[brainstormer]

That's both funny and sad.

[thebrokenforum]

Is he emotionally shut down?

I think you can see that on his face as well as in his body language.

[heights unknown]

In thinking about this over the weekend, I wonder whats going on with him.

Is he paralyzed because of the budget cutbacks?

Is he emotionally shut down?

He had serious misgivings about running for a second term shortly before reopening his campaign.

I wonder if he has lost heart.

I think he "bit off more than he could chew;"  If he couldn't stand the heat, and I'm sure he knew there would be heat, then he never should have gotten in the kitchen in the first place.  Can't wait until his term is over and someone with guts is elected (hopefully).

Heights Unknown