Written by: Leslie Priddy, DVI Intern
Over the past weeks, we’ve posted on Mayoral Candidates on Reviving Downtown and City Council Candidates Reviving Downtown, courtesy of The Florida Times-Union‘s “Meet the Candidates” Q&As. This week we’re bringing you City Council At-Large Groups candidates. All citizens can vote for At-Large members regardless of where they reside. Check out how the At-Large City Council Groups are broken out in the map below, and keep scrolling to learn about each candidate and his/her Downtown priorities.
To take a better look at the map click here.
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Council Group 1 Candidates
ANNA LOPEZ BROSCHE
Bio excerpt: Anna is a Jacksonville native. She has been with Ennis, Pullman & Associates CPA’S for 11+ years. Anna has had an instrumental role in building the firm’s culture that is the foundation of 9 local, state, and national awards: the Jacksonville Business Journal’s Best Places to Work, Florida Trend’s Best Companies to Work For, and Accounting Today magazine’s Best Accounting Firms to Work For. She received her education from the University of North Florida with a bachelor’s and master’s degree for accounting.
What is your top priority for reviving downtown?
We are moving in the right direction regarding Downtown. As our economy continues to expand and property values increase, more funding may become available to help with incentives to invest in Downtown projects and initiatives. Despite crime statistics and reports that show Downtown is one of the safest places in Jacksonville, general perceptions differ. My top priority would be investing in infrastructure and activities to create a Downtown that is a safe and welcoming place with reasons to visit. Additional considerations include: a new convention center, developing a plan for the Jacksonville Landing, about which the entire city can be proud, and exploring opportunities to work with developers and encourage more residential options.
Read the full Q&A here.
5150 Belfort Road South, Building 600
Email: teamanna@voteannabrosche.com
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Website: voteannabrosche.com
904-442-2501
Facebook: vote anna brosche
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DAVID TAYLOR
Bio excerpt: I’m the past president of the River City Republican Club, a member of the Republican Executive Committee, Westside Baptist Church, Westside Republican Club, Hyde Parle. Masonic Lodge, West Jacksonville Civic Association, Northeast Florida Builders Associations Westside Business Leaders, Westside Rotary Club, the National Rifle Association and Safari Club International.
What is your top priority for reviving downtown?
I would revitalize our north bank by trying to bring big businesses to Jacksonville, through tax incentives, which would lead to jobs and increased tax revenues.
Read the full Q&A here.
Email: davidtaylor@1stcounsel.com
233 E. Bay Street, Suite 1020 Jacksonville, FL 32202
904-356-8684
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TERRY REED
Bio Excerpt: Born and raised in Jacksonville. Served in the United State Military as well as served as officer in the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for over 25 years. Has over 25 different technical and professional training such as Advanced Investigative Interview, FEMA Basic Incident Command System. Top five commitments for Jacksonville
1. Crime reduction
2. Education
3. Job creation
4. Quality of life
5. Entertainment
What is your top priority for reviving downtown?
My main focus is creating an entertainment zone and a family water park.
Read the full Q&A here.
11630 Tanager Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32225
Email: terryreedcampaign@gmail.com
Website: www.terryreedreadytolead.com
904-729-9492
Facebook: Terry Reed
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KIMBERLY DANIELS
Bio Excerpt: Education: Florida State University, Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and a Master’s Degree in Christian Education and a Doctorate in Christian Psychology. She is the founder of Operation Boomerang whereby transitional assistance is provided to convicted felons.
What is your top priority for reviving downtown?
Not answered.
(904) 630-1393
KimDaniels@coj.net.
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At Large Council Group 2 Candidates
DAVE BARRON
Bio excerpt: A small business owner in Jacksonville, for the past 25 years. David has successfully cultivated and grown several small and medium sized businesses.
What is your top priority for downtown?
We need to continue focused efforts downtown. It starts with having people work downtown. Surveys have shown most people want to work as close as they can to where they live and play. Downtown must be safe and clean and must offer entertainment amenities. It is also important that we maintain public space for everyone to enjoy downtown. Too often, priorities for downtown enhancement change from Mayoral administration to Mayoral administration. Making sure we have a long term plan to improve downtown that does not change at the whim of new elected officials would be a bonus.
Read the full Q&A here.
479 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32226
Email: david@votedavidbarron.com
Website: www.votedavidbarron.com
904-718-1011
Facebook: David Barron For Jacksonville City Council At Large, Group 2
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THERESA GRAHAM
Bio excerpt: Theresa Graham is currently Business owner, Realtor member of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors. She is also a Board member of the Legislation Committee. Theresa Graham holds a Doctorate in Psychology.
What is your top priority for reviving downtown?
Abandoned Buildings. Reviving Riverfront areas.
Read the full Q&A here.
1389 Harrington Park, Jacksonville, FL 32225
Email: tgraham2008@comcast.net
Website: http://www.theresagraham.net/
904-568-7230
Facebook: Theresa Graham For City Council
JOHN CRESCIMBENI
Bio excerpt: First elected to the City Council in 1991, John served two complete four year terms as a District Councilman representing the Arlington area. After leaving office in 1999, he remained active in civic issues. He co-founded Citizens for Tree Preservation and led the petition drive to place the overwhelmingly successful Tree Preservation Amendment on the November 2000 ballot. John returned to the City Council in a special election in 2008 and was elected again for a full four year term in 2011.
What is your top priority for downtown?
A vibrant downtown requires an established residential community. While Jacksonville’s downtown is on the cusp of achieving such vibrancy, I believe the city could accelerate the timeline to greatness by abandoning the traditional practice of enticing residential developers and instead entice prospective downtown residents. Economic development tools (such as utility and partial ad valorem tax abatement for prospective residents) will create residential demand to which the developers in the market can then respond to by providing residential supply.
Read the full Q&A here.
P.O. Box 8962
Email: john@johnforcitycouncil.com
Website: johnforcitycouncil.com
904-710-7100
Facebook: johnforcitycouncil
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Council Group 3 Candidates
TOMMY HAZOURI
Bio excerpt: Tommy Hazouri served for 12 years as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1974-1986, as Mayor of the City of Jacksonville from 1987-1991, and as a Duval County School Board member from 2004-2012.
What is your top priority for reviving downtown?
First, I must stress the importance of making sure all of Jacksonville’s neighborhoods are safe and livable.
As is the case for all great cities, we need a vibrant downtown. This is the neighborhood that we all share and with proper direction, we can make it the source of our city’s pride.
With mixed use development, we can attract high-paying jobs as well as residential housing and condominiums. Our St. Johns River is a national treasure and the development of waterfront locations such as the Jacksonville Landing and the Shipyards must be high priority.
Read the full Q&A here.
12175 Dividing Oaks Trail West, Jacksonville, FL 32223
Email: hazouri2015@gmail.com
Website: tommyforjax.com
904-655-3525
Facebook: Tommy Hazouri for City Council
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MINCY POLLOCK
Bio excerpt: Mincy is a small business owner, former youth minister and a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. of the University of North Florida, Sigma Upsilon Chapter. Mincy also completed studies through the School of Ministerial Education and Training. He currently holds a 215 Life, Health, & Variable Annuities license along with a 220 General Lines Insurance License, both issued by the Florida Department of Financial Services.
What is your top priority for reviving downtown?
The priority for downtown Jacksonville should be to attract new businesses, entertainment, and organizations to occupy vacant properties. Continue to offer incentives such as the Downtown Jacksonville Retail Enhancement grants to ensure businesses are secured for a period of time and assisting in improving the city’s economic development vision. Downtown must become the place we Work, Eat, Live and Play outside special events.
Read the full Q&A here.
521 N. Liberty Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Email: info@electmincypollock.com
Website: www.electmincypollock.com
904-674-4491
Facebook: Elect Mincy “Praya” Pollock
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GEOFF “JEFF” YOUNGBLOOD
Bio excerpt: Geoff Youngblood is the owner of Tools For A Time, Inc., and Turf PAC , two successful Jacksonville companies that provide the sale and leasing of industrial power equipment supporting the Landscape Management Industry and Emergency Preparedness Operations in 22-states. Over the past two decades, these companies have been instrumental in creating thousands of jobs and new businesses throughout Jacksonville and the entire Southeast.
What is your top priority for reviving downtown?
As one of my priorities, I will support the Downtown Investment Authority as an oversight organization. However, I would like to see downtown development unfold organically in response to market forces, i.e., what the “market” is looking for and will respond to in terms of downtown, as opposed to some kind of master plan that dictates every aspect of redevelopment.
Read the full Q&A here.
11291 Old St. Augustine Road,Jacksonville, FL 32257
Email: geoff@geoffyoungblood4jaxcitycouncil.com
Website: www.voteyoungblood.com
877-753-4010
Facebook: Geoff Youngblood for City Council At-Large Group 3
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Council Group 4 Candidates
GREG ANDERSON
Bio excerpt: Currently EverBank’s Community Development Director. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Georgia with a concentration in Finance and a Masters of Arts with a focus on Leadership from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA.
What is your top priority for reviving downtown?
A vibrant downtown is a critical element in Jacksonville’s future success. My top priority is the successful redevelopment of commercial and residential buildings within the downtown core. With our recent successes at redevelopment and activation it is an exciting time for downtown Jacksonville.
Read the full Q&A here.
4495-304 Roosevelt Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32210
Email: votegreganderson@gmail.com
Website: www.votegreganderson.com
Facebook: Elect Greg Anderson
904-253-9077
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JUANITA POWELL-WILLIAMS
Bio excerpt: She received her law degree from Jacksonville’s First Coast Law School and has a solo law office, THE POWELL-WILLIAMS LAW FIRM, P.A. in Jacksonville. She is a graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, participated in the University of North Florida Teacher Certification Program and Jacksonville University’s first MBA program courses.
What is your top priority for reviving downtown?
To Promote the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority’s Plan.
Read the full Q&A here.
P.O. Box 5074, Jacksonville, FL 32247
Email: juanitapwforcitycouncil@gmail.com
Website: www.democracy.com/Juanita-PowellWilliams
904-718-4354
Facebook: Elect Juanita Powell-Williams
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Council Group 5 Candidates
MICHELLE TAPPOUNI
Bio excerpt: Michelle is a respected advocate for small businesses and neighborhoods. Over the past 30 years she has worked with civic and trade organizations to support Florida’s entrepreneurs and citizens. She is an active participant with the Citizens Planning Advisory Committee (CPAC) and proactively works toward solutions to our neighborhoods’ most pressing issues.
What is your top priority for reviving downtown?
Continued support of the DIA including incentives for small businesses and upcoming projects including The Trio and Cowford Chophouse. Coordination with the Friends of Hemming Park to establish a sense of place in our downtown. I am looking forward to reviewing plans for The Shipyards, Healthy Town on the South Bank and The Landing as they are presented.
Read the full Q&A here.
P.O. Box 37421, Jacksonville, FL 32236
Email: michelle@votetappouni.com
Website: www.votetappouni.com
904-504-4027
Facebook: Vote Tappouni
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JU’COBY PITTMAN
Bio excerpt: She holds dual degrees in business administration from Florida State College in Jacksonville (Associate in Arts degree) and Jones College (Bachelor of Science degree). Additionally, she was honored with a Doctorate Of Humane Letters by Jones College and serves as one of the institution’s most accomplished alumna. Ju’Coby has two children and is a member of Bethel Baptist Institutional Church.
What is your top priority for reviving downtown?
Revitalizing downtown is essential in attracting and retaining its current residents and businesses. We must do a better job of attracting new businesses and supporting existing ones in order to compete with other cities. It’s imperative that we have a top notch public education system, efficient mass transit, sound infrastructure and a high quality of life. Removing the hand-cuffs and providing the resources for the Downtown Investment Board to create and develop the vision for rebranding will be an asset for long term sustainability for downtown. Incentives are an integral part of the economic development process. Our residents and visitors deserve the best.
Read the full Q&A here.
P.O. Box 2028, Jacksonville, FL 32203
Email: votepittman2015@gmail.com
Website: votepittman2015.com
904-444-0736
Facebook: votepittman2015
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SAM NEWBY
Bio excerpt: Sam has lived in Jacksonville all of his life and has been actively involved with the community for over 30 years. He has been a highly recognized employee with PepsiCo for over 29 years, served as president of the Joseph E Lee Republican Club, chairman of the Johnson Family YMCA, chairman of the Republican Party of Duval County as well as the co-founder and chairman of the Florida Assembly of Black Republicans.
What is your top priority for reviving downtown?
Downtown Jacksonville is the hub of our city and has a lot of potential. As City Councilman, I plan to support revitalization efforts for improvements to downtown’s public infrastructure. It is vitally important that we encourage new business, housing and more event space to generate revenue and to create a more cultured experience throughout the city that will not only draw locals to the area and tourists.
Read the full Q&A here.
1504 Doncaster Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32208
Email: samuelnewby09@yahoo.com
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/vote4samnewby/
904-424-0963
Facebook: Sam Newby for City Council 2015
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2015 Calendar of Election Dates
- First: March 24, 2015
- Early Voting Begins: March 9, 2015
- Early Voting Ends: March 22, 2015
- General: May 19, 2015
Additional information
- All mayoral, City Council and sheriff candidates, along with party affiliations, monetary contributions and more can be found here.
- Upcoming candidate forums and debates can be found here.
- Check your voter status here.
- Polling locations can be found here.
***Downtown Vision does not endorse candidates.***