Jay Fant

[bill]

I'd be interested to hear more opinions on these two. I've done some prelim research and I'm leaning to Renner also. But I'm not seeing a while lot of differences other than one appears to be very wealthy and connected. Interested to hear any personal experiences with the men. I also recall reading that Fant was far ahead in some preliminary poll although I can't find where I read that or where the info was gather.

Check this out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez0ZRMoebsI  from 2009, in the dark of the financial crisis... 
And make up your mind. 

The Fant's have ideals and values, lent to local businesses and DID NOT move to foreclose early on their customers - many of which they had done business with and were friends with for years - which would have driven down values of everyone's property faster, hurting their balance sheet in the meantime, and they tried to forestall the collapse of their bank.  But yes they failed.

Failed via remaining true to their ideals and good people.  The only people that were hurt by this idealism were the family.  Their equity was wiped out.  Depositors remained whole the entire time.  And please, there were many of others in seasoned leadership positions in First Guaranty who wanted to grow the bank once Hickory stepped down.  This was not Jay's big idea, if anything he was overly trusting of the staff. 

So the whole "bank failed because of Jay" spiel really lacks a foundation...  success has a thousand fathers, failure stands an orphan...

i would prefer someone in office who walks their talk, everyday, not just come election promise time...

Wow, he loosened his sleeves and  he is ready to work!

[ronchamblin]

I viewed the video.  Jay has been a customer of mine for many years.  Nice people.  Jay and Hickory.  When I wanted a commercial loan in about 2006, Vystar and BOA refused to lend to me, as my documentation was weak.  First Guaranty did the loan so I could buy and renovate the building downtown.  It was a gamble for them, although I was confident in my business strategy. 

As a trade-off, I transferred my main accounts and my credit card processing from BOA to First Guaranty.  I was disappointed when the bank was taken over by Centerstate Bank.  I lost nothing as a consequence of the failure, as my deposits were minimal.

Soon after, I spoke to Hickory.  Nice man.  Even though I was weak financially, I have been able to pay every payment to them, and am able to do so now to Centerstate.

I suspect that the loan officers, perhaps encouraged or permitted by Jay, were caught up in the hoopla of the false economy.  Oblivious to the realities of the economy, they lent money carelessly to individuals not grounded in solid businesses.  An intolerable number failed to repay loans, and pushed the bank to failure.

Of course Jay lives in the opposite spectrum of the economy than I, and in an opposite political ideology.  I tend to approve of reserved engagement of what is called socialism ... a term related in some ways to the idea of communism, both of which over the years being negatively propagandized and belittled by those in positions of power and wealth, so as to maintain their wealth and power. 

Therefore Jay (whom I admire in many ways), apparently isolated from the realities of the lower and middle classes in our country ... and being I suspect, excessively a friend of the conservative, the devoutly religious, and the wealthy, will not see my vote, as I am concerned about the unfortunates living in the opposite extremes of our economy.

The video allowed me to determine that Jay is a classic politician, oblivious to the realities facing our nation, and to the realities facing 90 percent of our population ... or at least he was oblivious at the time of the video.  Perhaps, he has become, or will become as time passes, a man genuine in having concern for the average worker, for the unfortunate, for the 90 percent.

   

[jaxinatl]

He didnt say Jay Fant was a bigot he said Raymond Johnson is a bigot..which he is. Go check out Raymond Johnson's facebook page. He is obsessed with homosexual men. Most likely one himself and uses his hate and venom towards them to cover up his own sexual issues...the fact that Jay has someone like this man working so closely with him makes me question his integrity and reasoning skills.

[Snaketoz]

I have read many posts by Sentient and find them to be mostly ethnocentric, anti-Jacksonville, or just plain argumentative.  I am anti-Fant, but I don't like either candidate.  To run for state office saying you "will fight to repeal Obamacare", is ridiculous.  One must choose from the better of two buffoons.

[GatorNation]

I have read many posts by Sentient and find them to be mostly ethnocentric, anti-Jacksonville, or just plain argumentative.  I am anti-Fant, but I don't like either candidate.  To run for state office saying you "will fight to repeal Obamacare", is ridiculous.  One must choose from the better of two buffoons.

What do you dislike about Renner? Good to hear both sides.

I don't know Jay Fant, but I've known Paul Renner for many years. Although it may be tempting to characterize anyone running for office as a "buffoon," those who know Paul well would tell you that he is a good man.  He is one of a handful of people from Jax that graduated from Davidson College (one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country), he has a law degree from UF, and he put his life on the line for our country in actual combat service during Desert Storm.  He later took a sabbatical from a successful law practice to serve our country again as an Intelligence Officer in Afghanistan.  That's not a "buffoon" . . . that's a well-educated, intelligent man who now wants to serve his country in a different role.

[tufsu1]

Thankfully I can't vote in this race...I say this because neither candidate is ideal.  Renner is by far the better option, but in my discussion with him the other night, he didn't even seem to understand that many in areas like Riveriside-Avondale are pretty progressive.  Both candidates are trying to out-conservative each other, which I find wholly unattractive.  And then there's the whole "pro-family" thing, whatever that means.

[mtraininjax]

Jay Fant isn't capable of running a hot dog cart much less representing us in the state legislature.

+1

Really all you need to know in this race.

[funguy]

The first time I saw a Jay Fant sign I was shocked and surprised at his nerve to run for any office after running a very fine bank into the ground.

[Snaketoz]

I have read many posts by Sentient and find them to be mostly ethnocentric, anti-Jacksonville, or just plain argumentative.  I am anti-Fant, but I don't like either candidate.  To run for state office saying you "will fight to repeal Obamacare", is ridiculous.  One must choose from the better of two buffoons.

What do you dislike about Renner? Good to hear both sides.

I don't know Jay Fant, but I've known Paul Renner for many years. Although it may be tempting to characterize anyone running for office as a "buffoon," those who know Paul well would tell you that he is a good man.  He is one of a handful of people from Jax that graduated from Davidson College (one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country), he has a law degree from UF, and he put his life on the line for our country in actual combat service during Desert Storm.  He later took a sabbatical from a successful law practice to serve our country again as an Intelligence Officer in Afghanistan.  That's not a "buffoon" . . . that's a well-educated, intelligent man who now wants to serve his country in a different role.

Gator, I've said that I prefer Renner, and I'm sure that he is intelligent and well educated.  My only problem with him is his own words.  Does his own words sound intelligent to anyone?  "If elected I will fight Obamacare".  Really, a man is running for state office talking about repealing Obamacare?  Is this a display of being well educated and intelligent?  Reminds me of the old saying "I thought the candidate was a fool until he spoke and removed all doubt."

[tufsu1]

Does his own words sound intelligent to anyone? 

hmmm

[AuditoreEnterprise]

I certainly hope the better of the 2 wins the election. This city needs deserves to have the best the field has to offer in positions of power. As for disagreements I get where the opposing posters who are possibly a bit newer are coming from. After all I have been in that position and I can tell people one thing. I made a pretty good acquaintance here and he once told me that the field of people on this board are very extensive and I can tell you that he was absolutely right. So please do be cautious when trying to put people in their proverbial places, as the masses of people here are pretty more involved in different areas than one may think. That is of course unless you already know someone personally, but the majority of people do not use their real names here so it can be hard to research a person before making a comment. So keep it civil people

On to the race. I do not know both parties running nor have I seen any of the corresponding endorsed messages or propaganda. I would be interested in hearing a public debate or statement explaining what exactly led to the demise of that bank. I mean it could have been just another bank merger as we have seen them hundreds of times over the past 20 years, or it could have been something far worse. However, as another poster said before when people think their money is at stake they are going to put the iron gauntlets on and go out swinging. So I think Mr. Fant should definitely make an attempt to offer the people who may be skeptical of his ability a forum where he can shut down those that may think lower of his abilities. This would be a good thing for the people because they can accurately tell if you are genuine or full of it. If you do nothing then of course they will think you are full of it. 

[Flash60]

Perhaps, this will help.

Failed Bank Information
Information for First Guaranty Bank and Trust Company of Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL   

https://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/fgbtcj.html

[Intuition Ale Works]

There is also this about Jay Fant

"In HD 15, Jay Fant falsely claiming endorsement of NRA & Florida Right to Life"

By Peter Schorsch on August 11, 2014


Move over HD 74, the GOP primary for HD 15 is quickly becoming the most contentious legislative race in the state.

In a press release, HD 15 hopeful is accusing opponent Jay Fant of misleading voters by falsely claiming endorsements he does not have.  In a video released by the Florida Times-Union, Fant falsely stated that he has received endorsements from the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the National Right to Life.  The video interview was posted on Friday on the Times-Union website as part of  an editorial page blog.

In the video, at approximately :09 – :10, Fant states that he has been "endorsed by the NRA and the Florida Right to Life" in the race for House District 15. This statement is categorically false and is in violation of state campaign laws says Renner's camp.

The Florida Times-Union has since edited the online video cutting out Fant's false comments, but the original clip can be viewed here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy7qRvqFna4


Fant, like Paul Renner, received an 'A' rating from these organizations, but did NOT receive their official endorsement.

"Neither the NRA or Unified Sportsman of Florida has endorsed anyone in the race for House District 15," said Marion Hammer, past president of the NRA and executive director of the Unified Sportsmen of Florida.

"Unfortunately, you cannot un-ring the bell in today's world of online media, and there is no telling how many people Mr. Fant has actually made these false claims to throughout the district," said Sarah Bascom, spokesperson for Renner's campaign."

[funguy]

Not only did he run a fine bank into the ground now I see in todays paper he is a bold faced liar.
Who in the world could vote for such a man?

[Sentient]

Not only did he run a fine bank into the ground now I see in todays paper he is a bold faced liar.
Who in the world could vote for such a man?

Sounds like Renner is getting increasingly desperate...  First he goes back on a clean campaign pledge, then his minions go out and steal signs and now he is parsing old videos... 

Predict Fant will win.