Thanks to YouTube user zija777 for shooting and posting the video.
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Disclaimer: This is not an endorsement of either candidate, just an objective look at their campaign websites.
Correction » Saturday October 3rd 2009
I’ve discovered, through the research of a commenter, that the Mike Hogan website below is NOT the website of the Mike Hogan running for Mayor of Jacksonville. So, in an attempt to correct this I have saved the original post here as a PDF and updated this post. Apologies to the Hogan campaign and his current or future online strategist. Once Hogan gets his website together I’ll revisit the analysis.
Yesterday Audrey Moran and Mike Hogan announced their intent to run for mayor of Jacksonville in 2011. What struck me about this announcement and subsequent research was the completely different experiences I had when I visited the candidate websites.
Audrey Moran » imwithaudrey.com
Audrey Moran appears to have a good base for her future online strategy. One thing I’m happy to see is the use of video on the homepage. Audio and video are key to producing engaging online experiences.
It’s also way to build a relationship and face recognition with people who visit the site. I would recommend enabling the video embed code so people can place it on their own websites. I would also upload the video to YouTube, Vimeo and Facebook. All places where people can copy the embed code and share the video.
There are clear calls to action, donate and media room so people have a sense of what they can do on the site. If the goal is to have people donate, I would say this design accomplishes the goal, it’s the first thing my eye moves to when I view the homepage.
The Moran campaign also plans to use Twitter and Facebook (not set up yet) to build an online community of voters. High on the Twitter list of to-do’s would be completing the profile with an icon and a description. I’d also like to see a campaign blog at some point.
I’ll take a look at the effectiveness of these things once they get up and running.
To Sum It Up
There’s a new, untapped generation of voters who are immune to messages in direct mail and campaign commercials, they expect to be engaged in a different way. Engaging those people will be key. Mike Hogan, Audrey Moran or anyone running for Mayor will need to fully embrace digital media to see success in 2011.
With Tallahassee proven itself too small to contain the political ambitions of Charlie Crist, the race for Florida’s next Chief Executive is wide open.
Alex Sink, the state’s CFO, looks as if she will sail to the Democratic nomination without opposition. Bill McCollum, the state’s Attorney General, has so far failed to draw a primary opponent, although State Senator Paula Dockery is said to be considering challenging him.
Regardless of which candidates are put forth, there are serious questions that should be raised of the candidates on both sides of the ticket. And, they are questions that are of vital importance to every Jacksonville resident.
Jeb Bush was arguably Florida’s most powerful governor in recent history. During his tenure, the role of of the Governor was expanded like never before. Prior to 2003, Florida’s Governor was merely one of seven equal votes on the state cabinet. The cabinet voted on all executive level decisions, which meant an alliance of four votes could override the Governor on any executive level decisions.
In 1998; however, Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment that shrunk the cabinet to three positions, greatly expanding the power of the governor. At the same time, voters approved an amendment that eliminated the Board of Regents, which governed the state’s higher education and shifted that responsibility to the new Florida Board of Governors, which are appointed by the Governor.
Former Gov. Jeb Bush answers a question during the opening day of the Foundation for Excellence in Education national summit, with U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Thursday. photo via Orlando Sentinel
Charlie Crist has continued to expand the role of the governor while in office, using his position to push through the deceptively named “Save Our Homes†Amendment. (Deceptive, in that it marginally cut property taxes while negatively impacting funding for Jacksonville and other local governments.)
With the memory of these two most recent chief executives in mind, here are five questions Duval County voters may want to ask as they begin to think of how they will vote next November.
1. Where does the candidate stand on the expanded role of state power at the expense of local governments?
The candidate’s position on this issue should begin to emerge rather quickly as they hit the campaign trail. Are the candidates pushing an agenda that includes cutting property taxes?
If so, they are most likely masking an effort to further weaken the ability of local governments to provide essential services to their citizens. They are also removing the option to cut taxes from local governments and consolidating it in Tallahassee.
2. Does the candidate support the Crist practice of using non-recurring revenues and trust fund raids to balance the state budget?
Sink was quick to announce her opposition to trust fund raids, but McCollum has remained ominously silent on the issue. The practice of depleting trust funds, particularly when the market is so low, is dangerous for Florida and something that will have dire consequences in the long term.
3. Where does the candidate stand on water issues?
This is one that will be quite difficult to pin any candidate running for statewide office down on, but it’s one that Duval County residents should be very concerned about. The recent decision by the St. Johns River Water Management District to allow Seminole County to remove up to 5.5 million gallons of water from the St. Johns River each day will not bode well for the long-term health of the river.
Central Florida has known for years that their growth is not sustainable, but will a gubernatorial candidate be willing to upset the vote-rich I-4 corridor to state the obvious?
4. Where does the candidate stand on the sales surtax that Gov. Crist vetoed?
This is an issue of particular importance to Duval County residents. Duval is at a disadvantage when compared to every other county in the state because of the inability of our elected commission—the city council—to levy a sales tax surcharge to fund indigent care.
Crist inexplicably vetoed a measure that passed the legislature unanimously that would have allowed Jacksonville to shift the burden for indigent care from the city’s operating budget to a half-cent sales surtax, freeing up much-needed funds for other services.
5. Where does the candidate stand on the Fair District Florida effort?
Fair Districts Florida is an effort to put two amendments on the ballot that would fundamentally alter the redistricting process in Florida. Redistricting in Florida has grown increasingly partisan in the last several decades.
Groups have been marginalized and districts throughout the state have been drawn in ways that make no geographic sense—it’s glaringly apparent that they exist for one of two reasons: To either protect an incumbent or minimize a specific segment of the population. It’s important to know where the next Governor of Florida would stand on this issue—after all, she (or he) would play a major role in drawing new districts after the 2010 census.
Of course, these are just five of the many issues facing the state, but they are a start. It will be interesting to hear both sides address them as the election nears.
From the Ed
Will Jacksonville become a Jiffy Feet town who shutters it’s cultural organizations? Abel Harding from JaxPoliticsOnline discusses the current debate over cultural funding in the city.
As Jacksonville’s budget debate has heated up over the past few weeks, city spending on arts and culture has, predictably, come under heavy criticism. Taxpayer funding of the Cultural Council—the non-profit organization that oversees the city’s grant program—has long been a target of those who believe that support of arts and culture is not an essential role of government. Critics point to long-struggling organizations like the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and question the wisdom of local government continuing to pick up the slack. The school of thought seems to support the mantra that if non-profit organizations are unable to survive in the free market, they should cease to exist.
In truth, Jacksonville’s arts and culture scene, while surprisingly vibrant, is not heavily funded by local government. Jacksonville actually allocates roughly $3 million of taxpayer dollars—less than 1/2 of 1% of the city’s budget—to fund arts & culture programs in the city. According to the Cultural Council, that $3 million equates to the city investing $3.50 per person in arts funding—less than the price of a Starbucks Latte. That minimal expenditure of taxpayer dollars is used to leverage matching funds from private organizations, a tactic that is essential to obtaining those private dollars. (Private charitable trusts and companies are unlikely to demonstrate a willingness to invest in arts & culture in a city that has no interest in investing any of its own taxpayer dollars.)
The Cultural Council uses that $3 million dollars in cultural services grants to support 26 organizations, including the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, the Florida Theatre, the Museum of Science and History and the Beaches Fine Art Series. Lest anyone assume the aforementioned organizations are merely high-priced venues for Jacksonville’s elite, the reality is that the Cummer served 2,400 Jacksonville kids with disabilities at Very Special Arts Day, the Florida Theatre subsidized the fees of more than 25 nonprofit events, MOSH has taken the lead in developing educational awareness of water resources and the Beaches Fine Art Series presented eight free concerts to more than 10,000 people last year. Those are just a sampling of the organizations that benefit from Jacksonville’s public service grants. In all, the organizations funded through the Cultural Service Grant program served 339,826 Duval County students last year.
Before Jacksonville considers slashing funding of arts and culture, we need to pause to consider where downtown would be without the arts. Despite decades of failed development attempts, the one thing that has continued to thrive in downtown Jacksonville is arts and culture. Whether it’s a Jacksonville Symphony Concert, a new exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art or an event at the storied Florida Theatre, the organizations that serve Jacksonville’s arts community have proven to be the lifeblood of downtown.
In all, the organizations that receive funding through the Cultural Services grants program, provided an economic impact of $69 million last year. Not all of the impact; however, can be measured in terms of dollars. Imagine a Fortune 500 company that would consider relocating to a city without a symphony? Or, a thriving ballet program? Or, a historical society? The business of the arts is truly the business of economic development. A flourishing arts community symbolizes a city committed to greatness.
A tough economic environment is no excuse to deliver a sucker punch to Jacksonville’s arts and culture community. Their funding should remain intact. They are a critical component of the Jacksonville I want to live in, the Jacksonville that will continue to attract economic investment and the Jacksonville I hope my child settles in someday.
This article first appeared on Abel’s blog JaxPoliticsOnline. Abel is a regular political contributor to this site.
Tomorrow is a huge day for the future of our city. No matter what side of the budget debate you fall on, you have to be a bit apprehensive. If City Council votes against the Mayor’s tax increase, will the outcome be as dire as the mayor forecasts? Will cuts to cultural institutions, the shuttering of the LaVilla Theater, the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission and more set our city back culturally for years to come?
Today the 16 member 19 member City Council will vote on the issue of raising property taxes to avoid cutting Public Safety, City Services and Social/Cultural/Events. It’s going to be a real nail biter too. Tia Mitchell reports the council is literally divided on the issue:
Nine of the 16 council members reached last week told the Times-Union they’re leaning toward supporting Mayor John Peyton’s proposal for now, setting the tax rate at 9.5 mills – a 12 percent increase.
Regardless of the outcome there are those in the city who will carry on the fight for cultural enhancement, despite (or in spite of) those who would trade culture in our city for lower or no taxes.
Let’s say after all is said and done, Council does not approve the tax increase, what next? Peyton can veto the bill or refuse to sign, but so far he hasn’t indicated what his plans are if the hike is rejected.
Some more links on the topic
City Council divided on property tax (Jacksonville.com)
Has the budget crisis spawned a ‘new’ Mayor Peyton? (Jacksonville.com)
Yarborough: cut arts and social service funding (Folio Blog)
Pension Tensions (Shelton Hull)
More links on the budget
Jonathan and Joey in the Urban Jacksonville Weekly Studio. Photo compliments of Renee Brust.
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Special Guest: The Mayor – Topic: Millage Increase
A lot happening so these are gonna be rough! Better just listen. – Jack
Mayor – for the increase
City Council – cut spending instead
Residents – siding with council
voting next week (July 28th)
Mayor is optimistic
3-part plan
“we are at a crossroads”
lowest millage rate in FL
Clark’s influence?
Peyton is up for the fight!
Mayor v. Council – is that healthy?
? – shouldn’t fund arts, culture, social etc.
arts and culture will lose
T- people are evenly split on the issue
arts/culture = less than 1/2 of 1% of budget
@hiddentrack: “if we’re guilty of anything, it’s under-investing.†well said, mr. mayor. #ujw
T – Ritz Theatre will not be able to come back if we don’t protect it
government destroyed LaVilla, Ritz is all that’s left
J – fire/police budget always comes up
Peyton – does not support cutting fire/police budget
“violence epidemic in Jax”
“moving from being cheap to being irresponsible”
Sheriff’s Dept largest budget at City Hall
Abel (@jaxpolitics)
Ask Mayor how much faith he has in Council (running for re-election) to support true pension reform? #ujw
Public remains cynical b/c there has been no reform to AMIO positions. They’ve almost doubled in last few years. Nearly $15m. But, yet, emphasis has been placed on social services/cultural cuts. Why not move AMIO’s to civil service and trim to build trust? #ujw
Was there an attempt to bring Council members in on the budget planning process?
Legislature allowed “out” for Duval in statutory tax cuts, why didn’t Mayor ask Council to override that cap last year?
Does the Mayor support combining elections w/ state? What are the downsides?
T – wants the World Cup (Mayor’s for it!)
T- QOL first thing a big business asks about when they come to town
The mayor just said “critical mass.” No that critical mass, but still…
T – Kiplinger named Jax #6 Tax-Friendliest City
fixitnow.cc – website
Last ?: Does Mayor think public wld be more likely to support increase if it was dedicated mil to fund capital improvements/maintenance?
Jags/stadium
Music from Jack Diablo
Tuesday, July 21
Warehouse Show (1850 Wambolt 8B)
Panzram (Ft. Meyers)
Ripper (Jax)
Tourist Trap (Jax)
Wednesday, July 22
Indie-folk at TSI
Kevin Lee Newberry (Jax)
Little High Little Low (Gainesville)
Zeke (Jax)
Friday, July 24
Hip Hop at TSI
Shunda K (from Yo Majesty)
Heavy Flow (Jax)
Tough Junkie (Jax)
Sunday, July 26
College Street House Show
The Daytonas
Matrix Infinity
Erzulie
Omebi
Wudun
Royal Chord (Australia)
Psychic Reality (San Francisco)
Monday, July 27
Shantytown
Psychic Reality
Royal Chord
Bright Orange
Tuesday, July 28
Metal/Hardcore/Prog/Other Stuff at Doozers
Republicorpse (Orlando)
Time To Die (Orlando)
Buff Clout (Jax)
National Dairy (Jax)
Chicken & Whiskey (Jax)
Recommendations
Jonathan – Sulzbacher petition
Joey – budget links
Tony – RAM, duh – Justin Roberts (Paul McCartney of kid music)
Renee – Mayor’s appearances
Mayor – fixitnow.cc GET SMART!
Recently City Council has taken the line of looking for ways to tighten it’s belt. The Mayor calls this a slogan for a bumper sticker, implying Council is only paying lip service to reducing government spending. While Ron Littlepage has an interesting take on this who knows how everything will shake out. One thing’s for sure, there will be lots of budget talk between now and late September when City Council votes on the issue.
What follows is a note I sent to city council and the local news media. It was inspired by Tony Allegretti’s message to council last week titled “Quality of Life at Stake”, hence my title. It’s not pro millage increase or anti-waste reduction, but it is pro-Jacksonville.
Dear Council members and local news media
After reading Tony Allegretti’s message I felt compelled to write and weigh in on this issue myself.
Our city is uniquely positioned to lead the Southeast region into the 20th century by embracing arts and culture. To get there we need retain our smart, artistic people and attract new, innovative thinkers to our city.
We can do this by increasing or maintaining (at a minimum) current levels of arts, culture and historic preservation funding. We should take a step back and look at the long view for our city. What do we want our city to be for ourselves and our children? Personally I would like a city that is seen as innovative, arts and culture forward and architecturally significant. A place where people want to move to, not move away from.
When I moved back to Jacksonville from Minneapolis in 2005 I was distraught to see our city had barely progressed culturally in my 3 year absence. In order to move the city forward I started the Urban Jacksonville blog to show people, through technology, not only what our city had to offer, but what it could be.
What did I focus on? The arts, culture and developing historic neighborhoods. I feel these three items are an important barometer to gauge the health and future of a city. All major metropolitan cities have a history of embracing and supporting the arts. Minneapolis is a vibrant city who focuses on their arts and culture. Because of this, they are a major talent draw in the Midwest region. Attracting the best artists, chefs, designers, architects and musicians from small (Madison, WI) and large (Chicago IL) cities in the Midwest.
Jacksonville would be wise to position itself as an arts and culture leader in the Southeast. Imagine attracting the most talented from Atlanta, Orlando and Tampa instead of losing our best and brightest to those cities on a weekly basis.
We have a chance not only with this budget decision, but in every decision we make to position ourselves as an innovative city. Vision and leadership require tough and sometimes unpopular decisions. Please consider the future of our City and not just the present when making your decisions over the coming weeks.
Thanks for your time,
Joey Marchy
Mayor Peyton on Urban Jacksonville Weekly
This Tuesday at 5:30 Mayor Peyton will be out guest on a special budget issue of Urban Jacksonville Weekly. We’ll discuss how potential cuts to balance the budget could affect the arts and historic preservation in the Urban Core. We’ll also be joined remotely by our political correspondent Abel Harding from JaxPoliticsOnline.com.
Please leave any questions you have for the Mayor regarding the how cuts might effect the arts and historic preservation in the Urban Core on this post, on Facebook or on Twitter with the #ujw hashtag.
