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.

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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!

Partisan the Sea photos from Jeanne Ciasullo (plus Shantytown after party)
Partisan the Sea photos from AIGA Jacksonville

If you have more photos leave a link in the comments. Thanks to everyone who came and make sure to come back for Artwalk. Tell your friends!

Tonight is the big opening and we have everything ready to go. Here are a few hints to make your Partisan the Sea experience the best it can be:

• Show starts at 7:00 and ends at 11:00
• Bring cash to buy posters and Duval Obama t-shirts. Prices range from $5 to $100, you will defintely find some good deals. We will be accepting credit cards, but cash will really grease the wheels.
• We will show tonight’s Presidential Debate on two TVs and projected on the wall.
• Have your IDs ready if you want alcohol. We will be checking IDs and issuing wristbands
• Please tip. All tips go to covering the costs of putting on the show and buying more beer.

Here is the schedule for tonight. If you have any additional questions, leave a comment and I’ll answer them as soon as I can.

7:00-9:00 The Royal Treatment DJs
9:00-9:30 Picayunes (FIRST SHOW – members of Airport Factory and America Del Sur)
10:00-11:00 Willie Evans Jr.
11:00-2:00 After Party at Shantytown: DJ Biggie Tea and Joe E. Fresh are GHETTOBLASTER. Free Keg.

I’ve had a few people ask if there is a cover or if they have to RSVP. The show is free and open to the public. Just like America.

Last night Byron King from Globatron came down to the Churchwell Building for a preview of tomorrow’s Partisan the Sea Political Poster show. In addition we successfully tested a system to stream (via the Internet) and project (on the wall) Friday’s Presidential debate.

If the debate goes down, we’ll do our best to show it to you. However, a successful test and actually getting the debate to stream on Friday are two different things, but we’re hopeful.

We also hung most of the art last night and put up our (much) larger window posters, seen below.

Biggie is:

looking forward to playing records really loud tonight. got some built up anxt that only some wickety wack can cure

Joe E is:

looking forward to playing MP3s really loud tonight. got some built up anxt that only some digity digital can cure

Oh and Partisan the Sea is this Friday the 26th and next Wednesday October 1st. We are getting huge 3×5 foot posters printed tonight for the windows at the Churchwell Lofts. They are shown above and below.

Lighting, Loft Tours and Bathrooms
Our decision to use the West side of the building instead of the entire space is turning out to be a genius move. I went back to the Churchwell Lofts building Saturday night to see how the lighting was and the West side of the building is good as is. The East side on the other hand would have required significant lighting. People will be able to use the bathrooms in the lofts so we are good on the bathrooms.

There will be loft tours of the Churchwell Lofts so this will be a good chance to get a sneak peek of these pretty awesome units. The loft tours will feature even more artwork from local artists Emmy Cerveny, Susan Britt and Kathy Stark

Here is the schedule over the next couple of days

• Monday 22nd – Cleaning and painting if anyone wants to help. Bring a roller and a paint tray if you come. I also need to move some tables so whenever there are more than 3 people there we can move the tables.
• Tuesday 23rd – During the day they will be mopping and setting up fans.
• Wednesday 24th – Hanging posters and setting up
• Thursday 25th – Hanging posters and setting up until everything is done. The show will be entirely set up and ready to go on Thursday night, with the exception of any late posters. This includes any AIGA get out the vote posters, etc.

More updates and photos tomorrow.

We are two weeks out from the biggest art show/party this election season, Partisan the Sea. So gear up and tell your friends! We’ve added a new band to the Friday night (September 26th) lineup. Picayunes will be playing their first Jacksonville show so make sure and come out to see the premier of this new band.

Details for the Shantytown after parties for both nights have been finalized. Once the show is over, head to Springfield for more DJs and bands. The Friday after party at Shantytown will feature DJ Biggie Tea and Joe E. Fresh as GHETTOBLASTER! Free Keg. The Artwalk after party will feature bands Helios Eye, Paper Scissors Rocket and more tba plus $2 Ying Ling pints.

Shantytown is located in Springfield
22 West 6th Street (6th and Main)
Phone: 798-8222

View Larger Map

Now for the actual show, there was so much interest in the show we opened it up to public submissions. We’re keeping the artist list updated so check that to see who’s in the show so far. Our most recent blog post El Jefe is gonna rock us all night gives a little teaser of what you can expect to see at the show.

We’ll have posters for sale, political giveaways and a raffle. Are you into antique furniture? There will be great deals on antique furniture reclaimed from the depths of the Churchwell building. Most stuff is 100+ years in age. Could be some good deals. Bring your wallet! You probably want to clear your event calendar for this one. Srsly.

Due to the number of inquires, we are opening the Partisan the Sea political poster show for submissions. Depending the number of spaces we have left and the date we receive the posters we will determine what makes it into the show.

WE ARE PUSHING THE DEADLINE TO SEPTEMBER 23RD to give you more time to produce it and us plenty of time to hang them.

The theme of this show is anything goes, anything political. Candidates, Issues, world peace, freedom of speech, global warning… poverty etc.

Read We Are Opening the Show for Submissions on the Partisan blog for all the juicy details.