Jacksonville's leaders outdone again!

[thebrokenforum]

What's Peyton been up to lately?

Failing. Crying. Sulking.

[downtownparks]

Sadly, Dan Davis is the heir apparent. Having a suburban developer as Jacksonvilles next mayor would be another very bad step.

DAN DAVIS? Well, we've just given the other side some powerful ammunition.

"Dan Davis, another developer...
...another 4 years of self serving
do nothing administration in Jacksonville...
....No Skyway Improvements, no Commuter Rail,
No Streetcars...NOTHING...
...VOTE FOR SWEEPING CHANGE...
Lets kick the good old boys out!"

Well, it does have a ring to it!

But of course, Dan could wake up and speak with us and perhaps get on the program.

OCKLAWAHA

With all due respect to Dan --- who is favored by all the gods: Handsome, substantial, popular,well positioned, and surprisingly intelligent--- he is hardly the 'heir apparent'. He lacks key backing, is mostly known on the Westside, and is preceeded by contenders with more experience and backing.

There are far more credible people who will be running for Mayor.

Not saying that Davis won't, and that he won't be a pretty good candidate, but theres no need to work up a lather over it.

Who knows, maybe the present Council President, Ronnie Fussell might bring his incredible competence and experience to the race.

But there are a few people out there for sure who will be running that can provide the leadership necessary.

And a list of names isnt difficult to compose.
Carlucci (we would have all been better off if he had won the first time, unfortunately)
Delaney
Fussel
Elaine Brown
Suzanne Jenkins (although she won't run)
Audrey Moran
Ceree Hardin
David Auchter

Any of these potential contenders would be awesome.

How many of them have expressed interest in running?

[Bike Jax]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It is time for the urban core to take control of what happens in this city. We have left the decisions to suburban dwelling politicos long enough.

There is only one person I know of that has the vision of what Jacksonville could be along with the connections needed to elected. He knows the players and he knows the game. He has already shown his commitment to a better Downtown, Springfield and Riverside Jacksonville with various successful ventures.

Our next leader should be Tony Allegretti. That man knows how to get shit done. That man sees how great this city should be and know what steps it will take to get it moving that direction.

Oh, and lets not forget that he's just so damn lovable.

[downtownparks]

I 100% agree. I have been telling Tony for a year he needs to run.

[JeffreyS]

*#@%!!! again.

Their unrealistic expectations of the Olympic Games will do more for their city than our attitude of we just aren't a big enough city.

[Steve]

I heard the Jerry Holland rumor as well.  Oh boy.  I've also heard the Mike Hogan rumors

Delaney is not going to be running.  Of those listed, I think the core stands best with Moran at this point (but it's early and I could be wrong).  I know very little about Hardin.

Also, don't discount the Weinstein factor, however I see that as a very slim possibility, given his state legislature race

[Lunican]

Weinstein had his chance and he blew it.

I believe Adam Holingsworth (Peyton's new Chief of Staff) said that the mayors office is not interested in pursuing rail in Jacksonville. I'm still wondering what they ARE pursuing though.

[tufsu1]

The big idea, is for the mayor to read books to pre-schoolers, under the trees, next to the ruins of the Friendship Fountain, and next door to a fish camp where the Brewing Company now sits... BIG IDEA, HUGE!

OCKLAWAHA

I like big projects and think they can really help a City's image....but it doesn't matter much what gets built in Jax (more condos, Hard Rock Cafe, Landing re-do, streetcars, etc.) if the crime problem can't be dealt with....much of that starts with prevention which includes literacy programs.

Now, if there are some infrastructure/development projects that can also serve as a catalyst to solving some of the social ills, then I'm all for it.

[Lunican]

As the mayor of the city, Peyton himself should not be reading to kids. He should get volunteers to do it. It's like having the CEO of a company emptying trash cans. It needs to be done, but that is not what they are there to do.

[tufsu1]

As the mayor of the city, Peyton himself should not be reading to kids. He should get volunteers to do it. It's like having the CEO of a company emptying trash cans. It needs to be done, but that is not what they are there to do.

its called setting an example

[Ocklawaha]

TUFSU there are.

First consider the benefits of centralized development, leaving the police with far fewer miles to patrol for one.

Then imagine how many fewer people will end up in jail for suspended drivers liscenses or driving without insurance or breaking into cars or stealing them if our city had a reliable rail based mass transit system.

Also consider the benefits of a centralized entertainment and cultural district in conjunction with youth boredom crime.

And last but not least, in a density driven central development, imagine how much more crime would be preventable just because of the number of eyes on the streets.

TUFSU and STEPHEN: a great new piece posted on my blog "MASS TRANSIT MIX - A HUGE LESSON FOR JACKSONVILLE" really hits all around this subject. Give it a read or "steal that post" and post it (Sorry, Abbie was looking over my shoulder). http://jacksonvilletransit.blogspot.com/

OCKLAWAHA

[Doctor_K]

As the mayor of the city, Peyton himself should not be reading to kids. He should get volunteers to do it. It's like having the CEO of a company emptying trash cans. It needs to be done, but that is not what they are there to do.

its called making an example

I'll respectfully disagree.  Parents and family should be making the example, first and foremost.  After that?  Highly-paid, highly-visible celebrities should set the example.  With due respect to the position of mayor, its not exactly a glamorous, high-profile place to be. 

We've got dozens, and perhaps hundreds, of professional athletes in this town who *are* in those glamorous, high-visibility roles, however:  Players from the Jaguars, Barracudas, Suns, etc, should get in on the act.  Imagine the child who sees his favorite (local!) athlete reading to kids just like him!  How excited could that make that kid?  Talk about motivation to read and meet your hero!

I find myself agreeing with Lunican:  The Mayor is hired to run the city.  If we want him to set an example, let him set an example civically.  Leadership from a Mayor should be embodied in actions such as: get the damn courthouse built, get rail-based transit moving forward (pun intended), and any other of the numerous great suggestions from Stephen, lakelander, Ock, and all the posters on such related threads. 

He's only got so much tangible authority, of course - no Mayor is an out-and-out despot - but I think plenty of people are ready for him to assert more leadership.  Reading to kids is more photo-op than example, IMO.

[cline]

Parents and family should be making the example, first and foremost.

It is apparent this has not been working.

Players from the Jaguars, Barracudas, Suns, etc, should get in on the act.

They do, all the time.  Jags players are always making appearances at schools. 

Leadership from a Mayor should be embodied in actions such as: get the damn courthouse built, get rail-based transit moving forward (pun intended), and any other of the numerous great suggestions from Stephen, lakelander, Ock, and all the posters on such related threads.

I agree with you.  These are all important issues.  But it is also important that the children of Jacksonville know how to read and obtain an education.  If the Mayor's example helps to achieve this, then it isn't a waste.  I'm not saying that the Mayor couldn't do more (I think he should he should be doing much, much more) but sometimes even the menial things can make a difference. 

[thelakelander]

I agree with you.  These are all important issues.  But it is also important that the children of Jacksonville know how to read and obtain an education.  If the Mayor's example helps to achieve this, then it isn't a waste.  I'm not saying that the Mayor couldn't do more (I think he should he should be doing much, much more) but sometimes even the menial things can make a difference. 

He's been reading for a few years now.  Has our early public education system improved since this program started up?

[thelakelander]

The big idea, is for the mayor to read books to pre-schoolers, under the trees, next to the ruins of the Friendship Fountain, and next door to a fish camp where the Brewing Company now sits... BIG IDEA, HUGE!

OCKLAWAHA

I like big projects and think they can really help a City's image....but it doesn't matter much what gets built in Jax (more condos, Hard Rock Cafe, Landing re-do, streetcars, etc.) if the crime problem can't be dealt with....much of that starts with prevention which includes literacy programs.

Now, if there are some infrastructure/development projects that can also serve as a catalyst to solving some of the social ills, then I'm all for it.

tufsu1, we should sit down and discuss this one of these days.  This is one of the reasons I'm so passionate about seeing rail return down the S-Line.  Better infrastructure and maintenance of public property can reduce crime.  In fact, I'd be willing to debate, attacking the situation in this manner can be more effective than the Jacksonville Journey plan of hiring more cops, which only serves as a reaction to the problem, rather than curing the atmosphere that breeds it.