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Latest Opinion articles from Jacksonville, FL(Rubber) Stamp of approval for the mayor
In completing his trifecta, the Mayor today succeeded in co-opting all three print news sources. The triumph came today when the Times-Union editorial board who, up until today had been strangely silent on the issue of Peyton’s appointment of an unqualified candidate for Planning Director, broke...
Read MoreMetro Jacksonville's Stance on Brad Thoburn Appointment
The following is a letter sent by Metro Jacksonville to the Jacksonville City Council regarding the Brad Thoburn appointment. In two weeks, the Jacksonville City Council will hear a proposal to waive the official qualifications for the position of Planning Department Director, so that Brad Thoburn may...
Read MoreRecords Request Reveals no Extensive National Search
There was no national search for a Planning Director. In viewing the documents related to the search - and the applications/resumes received - it is very obvious that mainly only Florida was targeted. Additionally, Susie Wiles has cited the reason for not even interviewing another candidate as the...
Read MoreReal Planning Director Candidates
While the cronyism (yes, it's a strong word, but let's have a contest - can you think of a more accurate one?) of this administration continues, we thought we would help out whomever will be tasked with finding a Planning Director once the mayor's political annointee - Brad Thoburn –...
Read MorePeyton Lies for a Political Appointee?
This is a long report because there is a lot at stake. And as the mayor kicks into high-gear for damage control, we can only expect more smoke and mirrors. Today we'll start with just the facts.
Read MoreWhat if Jacksonville suddenly woke up?
Some say, Jacksonville is a diamond that wants to remain coal . What would it be like if Jacksonville were a city that didn’t hate itself...led by people who look down their noses at its achievements?Here are a few things that possibly would have happened in New York, Rome, London Paris, Seattle,...
Read MoreDowntown's Image: A message to city hall
There is a bit of discussion going around about the negative viewpoint that we are describing on these pages (MetJax Forums).Most of the people on these forums are tried and true urbanites. Homeless people, panhandlers and people talking to jesus with invisible handsets are no big deal to us.Insanely...
Read MoreDowntown a Little Scary this Halloween
Today is Halloween, a holiday full of scares and fright. People dressed in costumes of characters like Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhies and that weird looking guy from Scream mark the occasion. Some will be trick-or-treating with their kids, some will be watching their favorite horror movie on the couch,...
Read MoreJacksonville in the minds of others
Karen Mathis of the Times-Union recently wrote a balanced piece on how Jacksonville is perceived by outsiders. Mathis was recently in Missouri to speak at a tax conference (the after-party there must have been WILD!) and informally surveyed some of the attendees on their thoughts on Jacksonville. It...
Read MoreWine You, Dine You, Help Me
This past weekend, company executives from the Toyota distribution and processing company JM Family were in town to wine and dine City Council Members.
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