Planning Commission member refuses Jacksonville Mayor Curry's request to resign

[brainstormer]

According to COJ.

According to the Jacksonville Ordinance Code, the Planning Commission reviews proposed land use changes, text changes to the Comprehensive Plan, requests for exceptions, variances and waivers to the Zoning Code (except those pertaining to properties located within the Downtown Overlay Zone as defined in Section 656.361.2), appeals from written orders granting or denying an administrative deviation, written interpretations of the Zoning Code, final orders of the Cell Tower Review Committee and other matters related to land use and area planning which are referred to the Department or to the Commission pursuant to law, along with other duties.

I agree with King. I don't think the comprehensive plan and zoning code are what keep Jacksonville from being business friendly. I actually think Jacksonville is very business friendly. A lot of companies get huge incentives to expand here and we have landed some great development lately, i.e. GE, Macquarie, etc. If anything we need to support small businesses. However, the best way to support small businesses is to focus on creating strong neighborhoods. Small businesses don't struggle in places like San Marco, Riverside, Avondale, etc.

If Curry thinks the only way to prosper is to create boards/commissions that will all just say yes to whatever he wants, then we are in serious trouble. I didn't vote for him, but I want to give him a chance to win my approval. So far, aside from a smooth budget process, I'm not convinced.

[Tacachale]

^It's worth pointing out that he's not filling the positions with yes men. Especially in this case.

[Bill Hoff]

If the board aligned to his vision becomes a rubber stamp for everything he wants at the expense of our historical neighborhoods and smart urban growth, then we are in big trouble.

I don't have an opinion on this issue, but did want to point out, to this concern, that at least 2 of the 3 new appointees do live our historic districts and "get" smart urban growth.

[tufsu1]

^It's worth pointing out that he's not filling the positions with yes men. Especially in this case.

I would submit that the Al Ferraro folks are just that

[strider]

FYI: How the by-laws for the Planning Commission reads:

3.5 Removal: A member may be removed by the Mayor during the member's term with
the approval of City Council.

I am a bit surprised that a few are concerned about how Ben Davis and Abel Harding view the various communities.  From what I've seen from Lisa King, the communities have far more to fear from Lisa King than either of these two. 

^It's worth pointing out that he's not filling the positions with yes men. Especially in this case.

From my (admittedly somewhat limited) experience thus far with the various players, both are far more open minded and more likely to make up their own minds without outside pressures than Lisa King.

[Tacachale]

^It's worth pointing out that he's not filling the positions with yes men. Especially in this case.

I would submit that the Al Ferraro folks are just that

I don't know anything about them, I was referring to Ben Davis, Abel Harding, and some others.

[Spitfire]

One thing that really bothers me about Lisa's requested resignation, along with many of the others who have been asked to resign, is that Mayor Curry seems to be squashing the needed diversity among these commissions. I haven't seen much discussion about that. I understand that they serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and that he can remove and replace whoever he wants at any given time, but it seems to go against his "One City, One Jacksonville" motto.

[ben america]

The appointee for the seat she occupies is the CEO of a towing company his father started located on Phillips highway.  Also, he is a close friend of CM Ferraro.

[Jumpinjack]

^ I am not surprised. Ferraro is puffed up and venting righteous indignation on council supporters of his former rival.

The Council definitely has a role to play in approving appointees and I hope they are willing force the issue of who gets to be the decider. Several other smart and well qualified appointees were kicked out with not a single murmur.

[TheCat]

Tonight at City Council:

Bills to replace King and McKinnon are slated for a public hearing tonight, with dozens of supporters planning to appear at the council meeting to voice their opposition.

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=546309

[tufsu1]

^ many people spoke out opposing the Mayor's legislation....and just 3 spoke in favor...all of which said something like "I like Lenny Curry.  I trust that he knows what he is doing and we should support him"

[strider]

Interestingly enough, a new petition against Lisa King holding out to keep her seat. Makes sense as she did not win her race for city council so though few may have spoken against her at the last city council meeting, it would seem not all that many actually support her. It will be interesting to see how it ends.

www.change.org/p/jacksonville-city-council-enough-is-enough-hold-lisa-king-responsible-rules-do-apply?recruiter=12429660&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_page&utm_term=des-lg-share_petition-no_msg&fb_ref=Default

[ben america]

Have you seen the numbers in that district? It was an improbable lift for a Dem to win in that district. She did better than AB in many precincts. She won the major endorsements and is well liked institutionally because of her hard work, grasp of the role of government and ability to connect with people and make deliberative decisions.

[thelakelander]

Update: Panel backs Mayor Lenny Curry's appointments

By David Chapman, Staff Writer

Last week, there was lengthy community pushback about the removal of Lisa King and Joey McKinnon from the Planning Commission.
On Tuesday, City Council members put up much less.

Members of the Rules Committee effectively decided to back Mayor Lenny Curry's latest decisions on boards and commissions appointments. They voted 4-1 in separate measures to move forward with the mayor's choice of replacements, Abel Harding and Donald Adkison.

Full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=546366

[vicupstate]

Interestingly enough, a new petition against Lisa King holding out to keep her seat. Makes sense as she did not win her race for city council so though few may have spoken against her at the last city council meeting, it would seem not all that many actually support her. It will be interesting to see how it ends.

www.change.org/p/jacksonville-city-council-enough-is-enough-hold-lisa-king-responsible-rules-do-apply?recruiter=12429660&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_page&utm_term=des-lg-share_petition-no_msg&fb_ref=Default

This so called petition sounds like 18 year College Republicans being douche bags.