Consider the source, GATE and the PEYTON family. In FY 2008, the company ranked #338 on the Forbes list of America's Largest Private Companies. These were the same people that brought us 'Little Johnny Peyton,' a mayor that not only didn't want to hear another point of view, he actively worked to shut it down. His appearance at a charrette about the Children's Space in Metropolitan Park was poison. What should have been a well attended community planning session to redesign the space started with 'A word from the Mayor...'
Yeah, I couldn't believe the stunt Lil' Johnny pulled at the charette for Kids Campus. After the room was split into 8-10 work groups the mayor stood up in front and told us, (close paraphrase) "thanks for coming to the charette...this is how the city gets input from the community on how to best plan for our future. We all know the stadium area gets completely jammed when the Jaguars or UF are playing and we desperately need "flex space". We'd love to see a clear area where families can have picnics, fly kites, and chase butterflies. So in your design's remember we need the space..." Then like a bunch of lemmings the groups dutifully fell into line and one by one swept the boards clean.
When the plans were all turned in it was pretty obvious the Children had been tossed under the bus.
On the subject of the Skyway, JTA, Commuter Rail, etc. Peyton stonewalled MJ's attempt at dialog, he simply didn't want to hear it. So any wonder they have taken this stance over the citizens of the City? In Jacksonville there are only two rules regarding Gate or the Peyton families projects;
Rule One - 'Peyton Wins'
Rule Two - 'If you have questions, see rule one'
Get ready for it Brooklyn, the great and powerful hath spoken.
