Hang Onto Your Wallets, Jacksonville

Jacksonville, hold onto your wallets. Mayor Peyton was on Week in Review (PBS Channel 7 WJCT) last night. (The show repeats Sunday at 11:30 a.m., if you missed it.) One of the topics was the new courthouse.

Mayor Peyton stated that his Commission for the new courthouse is planning to build a complete courthouse. In other words, they have abandoned the idea of doing the criminal half now and waiting to do the civil courts until later. Additionally, he expects that they will build "up, not out" to save costs, which it would. He said they are planning from the "inside out," meaning function will override decoration.

Although the courthouse will not be an architectural wonder as with the previous design, Mayor Peyton admitted whatever we build will cost more than what "half" a courthouse would cost. He stated that the goal is to have the building finished by 2010.

Now, one of the promises made to voters to get the original bond issue approved was that the old courthouse's property would go back onto the tax rolls when it is sold to private developers. (Of course, we were promised the same thing with the old City Hall when the new City Hall was remodelled. We are still waiting for that to happen.)

On last night's show, Mayor Peyton hinted that other possibilities are under consideration. The current courthouse's property might be turned into a park or be the site for a "new convention center," conveniently located "next to the Hyatt."

So, we poor Jacksonville taxpayers in the next four years will get the bloated bill for a new courthouse, probably lose the revenue opportunities from the current courthouse's property, and likely be put further into hock for a convention center.

Why, oh why, couldn't the Democrats in this time given us someone besides Aunt Jemima to run against Peyton? We have four more years before both parties have another chance to find financially responsible and experienced candidates for mayor. Like I said, hang onto your wallets.

Melamine in Petfood: Thanks, China

Here's the text of a letter I sent to the President, both my Senators, and my Representative:

Congress needs to investigate how melamine and/or rat poison could contaminate so many brands of pet food without detection. It seems obvious that there is not enough inspection requirements or the FDA failed in their responsibilities. The result is much heartbreak for many families, especially young children.

It is my understanding the toxic materials were in wheat gluten imported from China. China and many other countries do not have the same agricultural safety regulations regarding fertilizers and other chemicals applied to food products. U.S. farmers must follow much more stringent rules. Current trade policies hurt our farmers financially by allowing cheaper agricultural products into our food supplies from growers who do not have to follow those rules. This is not only unfair to our farmers, but it is a hazard to American consumers, including our beloved pets. Food exporters should be required to follow our rules for food safety or be barred from shipping their products to the U.S.

Personally, I do not knowingly allow foreign-grown foods on my table. The problem is food processors do not have to label most foods with the countries of origin of the products in the food. Legislation should require this. As a concerned consumer and cat owner, I want to know the sources of the food I bring into my home.

Global Warming Quiz

Take this Global Warming Quiz: http://www.geocraft.com:80/WVFossils/GlobWarmTest/start.html

See how you do. I missed two out of ten, which in school would have been a "B." That's what I usually earned in science. It was never my best subject. This test, though, is fun. After you answer each question, there is an interesting explanation of the topic. Even on the questions I answered correctly, I learned things I didn't know. Have fun & good luck.

Letter-to-the-Editor Published 2-28-07

I just learned that my letter-to-the-editor to the Florida Times-Union was published on February 28th. The subject was the "slow bleed" proposals of House and Senate Democrats and the jeopardy they would cause our troops in Iraq. Here's the link to the letter: http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/022807/opl_8240671.shtml

Jacksonville & Duval County (Florida) Elections: March 20th

Once again, I am getting calls about how I am voting in the city elections. Well, it happens occasionally: I vote for a Democrat. This is one of those times. I have voted for Dale Carson, Jr. for Duval County Sheriff. There are a number of reasons I made this decision. Number one, of course, is the city's murder rate. Although I agree we cannot arrest our way out of the problem, I believe Sheriff Rutherford's approach as been too defensive and reactive, not pro-active. The tipping point for me was when he left a meeting of angry victim's families and neighbors last weekend to go to a campaign fund-raising appearance. That told me that Rutherford does not have his priorities straight or he cannot take the heat of legitimately upset constituents. Dale Carson, Jr., has the requisite background to be sheriff. Often, a department outsider is the best way to get the kind of reform and fresh ideas that our Sheriff's Department needs.

If almost anyone else besides Suzanne Jenkins had run against Jerry Holland for Supervisor of Elections, I would have voted for another Democrat. Jerry Holland's performance in his first term has been a total disappointment. Many times, I've wished my friend Andy Johnson would have won last go-around or was running again. However, Suzanne Jenkins will never get my vote. She has been my councilwoman for the last two years. She has been as unresponsive as any council person I've ever encountered, and she regularly votes completely contrary to what her constituents desire. Jenkins could be the poster child for why term limits are a great idea. So, reluctantly, I voted to give Jerry Holland a second term as Supervisor of Elections.

For Mayor, I voted for John Peyton. "Aunt Jemima" Jackie Brown would be a joke as mayor, a very bad joke. For Councilman-at-large from Group 2, Jay Jabour won my vote. Remember, that all Duval County voters vote in the Council-at-Large races. Group 2 is the only one that has a competitive race. For Council District 4, I voted for George Banks who has served previously on City Council when I found him to be a good listener to his constituents.

Early voting is going on right now until March 18th. Election day is Tuesday, March 20th from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Absentee ballots are available and must be turned into the Supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20th. Whether you agree with my selections or not, please take time to vote for your city's future.