Jacksonville Mayoral election 2015

[Cheshire Cat]

I find it troubling that you associate the word corrupt with Curry. Even after your wife met him. That just proves my point.

BTW, Bishop has had 8 years to accomplish things (including one as Council President). His accomplishments have been few and far between... unless you count finally killing the Mobility Plan despite telling the very advocates who were trying to save it that he was 'on your side'

What's really ironic, is that by killing the Mobility Plan by pushing this ridiculous credit system, he was trying to curry favor with two large developers whom he thought would financially support his candidacy. Yet he is the 'hero' and Curry 'corrupt'.

Bishop was one member of a council of 14 district members plus 5 at large members of which he was a single voice.  He was not the Mayor and did not have the latitude of action a sitting mayor has. So claiming he should have done more with a single vote allotted to him on any issue is a bit of a nonstarter.  Mike you are an exceptionally nice guy and doer and you see others through that friendly lens.  I have never thought Lenny Curry short on charisma and in the past have stated several times he is a nice guy.  But when it comes to politics at the level of the office of Mayor, nice can sometimes get left at the door and that charisma that worked to get votes and make friends at one stage of a campaign will find it's focus on the big players once the race is run. This is not about how charismatic a person is.  Brown is plenty charismatic but he could not lead and photo ops don't make a city all that it could be. That lesson should have been learned by now.  Curry's campaign and the tone of it clearly show that he will leave civility at the door when it comes to politics and power. Facts are also left at the door to the point that some of his campaign connects Brown's problem leadership to Obama.  That's just silly emotional politics at play aimed at his base which is far right and ultra conservative. That is a fact that should be taken in tandem with the nice guy persona, especially considering the high level of funding from special interests in support of a man with no experience in City Governing or real understanding of what this city needs to move forward, beyond what those in his campaign and on his donors list say are important issues.  Lenny should not be our mayor.  He is far to partisan and tied at the hip to the State GOP not to mention the fact that he ran on "no platform" until the day before early voting.  Not a good sign of his depth or understanding.

[fieldafm]

Bishop was one member of a council of 14 district members plus 5 at large members of which he was a single voice.

The whole 'single voice' argument does nothing for me. Bishop has been in office under two different administrations now. Lori Boyer has somehow defied these supposedly insurmountable 'single voice' odds and has gotten things accomplished. Effective people find a way to effect results.

[strider]

The truth is this.  I have watched the best of them, meaning those on city council, sell out for some perceived gain.  I believe you will find the term political capital used a lot.  Everyone, Lori Boyer, Robin Lumb and even Bill Bishop included, has made those deals.  I have seen it personally and have been told about it by those doing it as well.  It has become a fact of life for them.

Jacksonville has had decades too much of it.  From Corrine Brown to Alvin Brown - I would think most would think it was time to stop it.  Not sure we can though.

Curry, yes, a bit of an unknown.  And that bothers me a bit.  Why the big bucks?  Why the heavy handed ways?  I said I felt the campaign was not as ethical as it could be and so of course that casts a shadow over the man.

I find it troubling that you associate the word corrupt with Curry. Even after your wife met him. That just proves my point.

I am more firmly believing Curry is the second choice - change,  smart and corrupt (if that is the case) is far better than not smart and corrupt (which I believe we have now), however you may wish to define corrupt.

First, Sheclown is entitled to have and act on her own opinion, just like I am.  Just like you are. Not sure what point you are trying to make here.  Suggest you look deeper into it.

Perhaps it would be wiser to come up with an argument that proves me wrong.

Meanwhile, I will stand by my opinion that most (if not all) Jacksonville politicians do things that fit the word "corrupt".  We at least deserve them to be smart about it while they are doing it.

[Cheshire Cat]

Bishop was one member of a council of 14 district members plus 5 at large members of which he was a single voice.

The whole 'single voice' argument does nothing for me. Bishop has been in office under two different administrations now. Lori Boyer has somehow defied these supposedly insurmountable 'single voice' odds and has gotten things accomplished. Effective people find a way to effect results.

Fair enough Mike. I guess it depends on what one considers a worthwhile accomplishment while in office. Looking at accomplishment in that light, what has Curry accomplished in his years as GOP chairman for the City of Jacksonville?  What is his record of holding public office as an elected official here or elsewhere?

[Jax native]

I'm unsure if Curry has enough experience, knowledge and objectivity for any elected office in Florida.  The guy's a politician who is running w/  loads of money from special interests and the republican party.  I think we all have realized that a person w/ has great personality and someone ' you would have a beer with" is not exactly what you need for a political office.  Quite the opposite.  Many charming politicians over the years who have failed at what they were elected to do.     

[tufsu1]

Curry has no experience running anything in government...and that is a huge red flag for me!

[mtraininjax]

I'm not for Curry or against him, but he's all the republican faithful can follow. No core republican can follow Bishop, he's all for raising taxes, period. In the end, the picture Curry is trying to paint of Brown, and not doing a good job of it, is that Brown is mediocre as mayor. Not good, not great, but just lukewarm. In the end, my bet is that people will choose lukewarm over the unknown. Unlike 2011, when people chose "Change", this year, they are probably going to choose.....more of the same. Ironic.

[vicupstate]

I'm not for Curry or against him, but he's all the republican faithful can follow. No core republican can follow Bishop, he's all for raising taxes, period. In the end, the picture Curry is trying to paint of Brown, and not doing a good job of it, is that Brown is mediocre as mayor. Not good, not great, but just lukewarm. In the end, my bet is that people will choose lukewarm over the unknown. Unlike 2011, when people chose "Change", this year, they are probably going to choose.....more of the same. Ironic.

I've got news for you. It doesn't matter who gets elected, there will be a tax increase of some kind in the next four years. Period.

There was a tax increase under Brown, even though he did not support it. John Peyton got elected by saying his opponent (Carlucci) had raised taxes and then in his first term raised taxes more than once in the same way his opponent did. He then proceeded to implement a trio of new fees as well.

Why did those things occur?  Because despite the empty 'read my lips' rhetoric, at the end of the day, bills have to be paid, and budgets have to be balanced.  At least Bishop has the fortitude to be honest about the situation. 

Jax is one of the least taxed cities in one of the least taxed states in the country. Despite whatever benefit that might have, it is wallowing in a recession that the rest of the country by and large has moved beyond. It is facing huge debt problems despite a growing population in one of the fastest growing states. The urban renaissance that is engulfing the major urban centers of the country has largely bypassed JAX.   Maybe it is time to change the strategy from 'cheap land, cheap labor, cheap taxes' to something that will allow JAX to better compete in a global economy.     

[sheclown]

I support Bill Bishop.   I have watched him for 8 years on the council and while I don't always agree with his decisions -- mobility fee, dragging his feet on the Claude Nolan landmarking, I do know this about him. 

He is thoughtful.  He ponders.  He considers.

(I particularly enjoy watching his response to absurd comments.  He looks to his left and his right "did anyone else hear what I just heard?")

This quality of careful consideration makes the possibility of Bishop for Mayor worth fighting for.  I see him as a mayor who will trust himself to make the important decisions of the city (albeit bending to political pressure when necessarily -- they all will).  He will choose wisely to fill the seats around him with intelligent and knowledgeable staff.  He will speak his mind and fight for what he believes in.

He will play the political game just like anyone else, but he isn't carrying the political debt the others are.

[sheclown]

I'm unsure if Curry has enough experience, knowledge and objectivity for any elected office in Florida.  The guy's a politician who is running w/  loads of money from special interests and the republican party.  I think we all have realized that a person w/ has great personality and someone ' you would have a beer with" is not exactly what you need for a political office.  Quite the opposite.  Many charming politicians over the years who have failed at what they were elected to do.     

Curry definitely is the guy you want to have a beer with, the guy you want living next door to you.  He is very charming and yes, these are qualities that ARE important if you are running for mayor.  What do you think he's going to be doing in that fancy office?  Getting people to get on board with the city's plan.

And while I support Bishop, I'm not going to throw myself off the Main Street Bridge if Curry is elected.

Brown gathered the urban core voters to him by making promises to help the core.  At the end of the day, we ended up with a talking trash can and bad legislation that puts the neighborhoods at risk of annihilation.  140 houses out for bid.  Under his watch federal funds were mishandled, money that could have made significant strides toward helping the urban core.

We really never know what we are in for.

[Jimmy]

Hey everyone.  The first televised Mayoral debate is tonight.  It's not being held in front of an audience.  But there are debate watch parties all over town.

The Northeast Florida LGBT Leadership PAC would like to invite you to ours at Bold City Brewery this evening.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1548629788759757/

[Tacachale]

^Thanks Jimmy. Does anyone know if any place in San Marco is showing the debate?

[Cheshire Cat]

^Not in San Marco but the Sun Ray in Five points will have it on their large screen for free.

[sheclown]

Who is watching and from where?

[sheclown]

Brown disagrees with discrimination but won't go on record for HRO

Curry talks about the kindness of the people of Jax -- will work to solve the problem -- skirts the issue

Bishop says loudly YES