Found this online - Council

[susan1]

I found this on Facebook and since he is the representative on Council for District 6, which includes Mandarin, I thought I would share. Although Webb has done some things that I appreciated, I cannot get past this obvious line of representing companies that have business before the City and get our tax dollars. I am glad that he stepped down from the Committee, but realistically, that is just to save face. If Republic Services gets the contract or any with Jacksonville, it will be because they have their own on Council.

I am interested in hearing what my neighbors think. Sorry I am new to all of this...here is the link to the Facebook group...I encourage everyone to become a Fan.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jax-Council-Must-Go/161248573172?ref=ts

[Ocklawaha]

I'm on board Susan, and Welcome, from the ancient smart ass transportation guy. Interesting suff, please post some bits and pieces here.

If you check my website or blog at the bottom of this page, you'll know why I'm with you!

OCKLAWAHA

[Scotty]

hmmm...as a Republican, I am not happy about what Jack has done here. It is a little suspicious, but maybe by excusing himself from the committee he is owning up to it. I do admit though, it would look even more suspicious now if Republic Services ever got a contract from the City.

[Charles Hunter]

Could explain why, during the debate on JTA advertising shelters, Webb angrily cut off Crescembeni's questioning of the JTA lawyer about an apparent conflict of interest with his firm representing one of the ad companies that will likely bid on the contract.  Guess it was hitting a little close to ethical home for Webb.

[tufsu1]

as long as we continue to pay our City Council reps as part-time employees, they will continue to hold other jobs...and conflicts of interest are bound to happen....especially if they work for businesses that have many clients.

The solutions are to make City Council a full-time job and/or recuse oneself when there is a definite conflict of interest.

[stjr]

The builders, developers, and others on the City Council should also be added to the list of those recusing themselves from many Council decisions.

Want to see an even more obvious extreme conflict of interests?  Investigate the makeup of the Planning Commission.  Because its totally unpaid and meets twice a month during the day, with little or no "prestige", they have a hard time filling positions by appointments.  This makes them heavily dependent on self-nominees/volunteers.

So who steps up?  Mainly people who consider it good for business and their career, especially by siding with developers, builders, movers and shakers.  I won't impeach everything the Planning Commission does, but there is the appearance of a heavy built-in bias and conflict of interest when it is heavily staffed by planners, architects, budding land-use attorneys looking for business, and other development dependent individuals.

The Planning Commission's lack of scrutiny is compounded when many remaining positions are filled by inexperienced and unqualified individuals who, lacking full time occupations, are looking for something to do during their spare time that adds a little excitement to their otherwise dull days.  These "commissioners" tend to follow like sheep those who seem to know more than they do because they are afraid to show signs of ignorance.

And, less you think I came to this conclusion by myself, be assured it's been confirmed over time by City officials close to the action.

Committee Name:     Planning Commission
     Legislative Authority:    Chpt 30, Part 2, Ord Code
     Total Members:    11
     Committee Duties:    Review proposed land changes, text changes to comp plan, requests for exceptions, variances & waivers to the Zoning Code, final orders of Cell Tower Review Committee, appeals from written orders of Building Officials. Review & make recommendations to the Council on proposed changes to the Zoning Code, the Code of Subdivision Regulations & other land development recommendations. Review & make recommendations on plans & programs developed by the Planning Department. Serve as local planning agency per 163.3174 F.S. and prepare the comprehensive plan. Review & assign planning priorities.
          
     Meeting Date:    2 times per month - Thurs before LUZ Committee (Meeting times and locations are subject to change.)

http://ccmayorboards.coj.net/boarddetail.asp?board=125&type=M

[chilin]

Hello. I am new to this and I have to say that this is the first thing that has come up for conversation when I clicked on my area (Mandarin). I agree that all developers and elected people have conflicts. We cannot correct or find all of it out, but in the case that people have discussed here, with Jack Webb and his work with Republic Services, it is in the open now. I think developers or companies like Republic should be held to account as well and should lose their bid when they are caught along with the Council member or planning commission member as having affiliations like this. The only reason that Webb is stepping down is because someone found out about it.

Do you really think he would have stepped down if noone said anything? Republic Services should have asked him to step aside and not be involved.
Just my two cents.

Chi

[susan1]

Here is a good letter to the editor in the paper on this...what are your thoughts?

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/editorials/2009-10-25/story/city_ethics_webbs_bad_call#comment-121660

[stephendare]

this one?

"Webb is a bright guy. But how he failed to anticipate the ethical fire alarms - not to mention the damage it could do to his credibility and his council colleagues as a group - is mind-boggling."

You think? I guess that Webb isn't as bright as the TU reporter thinks, is he? How could he have been stupid enough to believe that representing Republic in ANY capacity wouldn't be considered as a conflict of interest?

Obviously Webb is either utterly clueless, or he really doesn't care what his constituents think.

In either case the result should be that Webb should obviously recuse himself from voting on anything involving landfill issues, or he should resign his council seat and go to work for Republic full-time. I truly think everyone in Jacksonville would be much better off if Webb resigned.

[susan1]

Exactly. I have to agree with those sentiments! Ha!

[stjr]

Here is a good letter to the editor in the paper on this...what are your thoughts?

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/editorials/2009-10-25/story/city_ethics_webbs_bad_call#comment-121660

FYI, it's actually a Times Union editorial in today's paper, not a letter to the editor.

There is fertile ground for the T-U, Folio, and MJ to research the many connections of the members of our authority boards, agencies, commissions, elected positions, etc.  I realize that such connections by active citizens in our community are inevitable, but they should be transparent so the public can be vigilant for any inherent biases.

I am willing to give credit that most of these people are upstanding citizens with the best of intentions, but, for those that aren't or who have lapses of good judgment, a lot of sunshine would go a long way to disinfecting our political environment of all those "special interest flu" germs!

[Scotty]

There was a new article in the TU, not sure if you saw it. Webb is going down in flames, it seems. http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-10-27/story/jacksonville_city_council_leader_to_stop_working_for_landfill_company