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.