Comment

Comment by J.R. on June 11, 2011 at 12:47pm

Patricia, you're right about Brown's comment. Only property owners pay property taxes, so a foreign international corporation will get a tax write-off for payment of taxes on that property. And, since a foreign conglomerate will be collecting the rent on that property, seems to me, that takes money out of Duval County's economy, as well.

Strange that the dealmakers in this scheme have no qualms about financially disadvantaging the economy of businesses and rental properties in Jacksonville's suburbs, but I guess its a little harder to pretend that they are environmental hazzards that qualify for Brownfields and Empowerment and Enterprise zones status.

If they really want to help the County, why don't they ask Everbank to move to an area that actually IS a Brownfield? There's very little difference in the percentage rates of employees and vacant rental properties between the suburbs where Everbank is now located and that of downtown. Certainly not enough to warrant another 9% increase in property taxes to subsidize Everbank, the El-Ad/Delek conglomerates, and the Jaguar Corp.

Comment by J.R. on June 11, 2011 at 12:29pm

JL, I believe there are connections to be found, especially with regard to financial connections and petroleum/refining/gas stations connections. Most concerning is the fact that they are hiding and failing to disclose background information about El Ad and its owner, Delek Group. Plus, they have provided little information about Everbank, itself... other than broad generalizations.

I found one searchpage that, when I tried to link to legal actions and liens against these organizations, it flipped me to a page where you have to pay to get a background check and credit report. So, it appears there may have been lawsuits and liens filed against them. Which made me realize we know nothing about their business reputations in all the various areas they do business.
But, it's only fair that we should have all that information, since they're trying to force us to subdize their businesses when we don't even know if they are reputable or not.

Comment by Patricia M. McBride on June 11, 2011 at 12:28pm

Brown said:   think that’s what you want, the public-private partnership that will allow the city to grow, and increase our tax revenue.

This move will not increase our tax revenue.  All the move will do is move the taxable income from where they are now to downtown, and if they are renting the property where they are and will be renting property downtown, how does that increase tax revenue????  Everbank does not pay property taxes on a rental..........at least not the last time I looked at this issue people didn't.

Comment by Patricia M. McBride on June 11, 2011 at 12:24pm

The comments were posted 17 hours ago and start with: 

 

Some Municipal Code about JEDC and Enterprise Zone. Im pretty sure the newspaper publication wasnt done. There is much in the Code this is just a little bit.

 

I tried to find the area in the rules that said the information had to be published, and I couldn't find anything, but I do know most places require publishing or public notice.   The girl tried to say but it was on their website when I questioned the notice on this, but I don't think that is adequate.  I think it must be published such that most people would see it and not have to go in search of it on a web site (many people still don't have computers). 

Sec. 500.104. - Exercise of powers by Jacksonville Economic Develop

Comment by Patricia M. McBride on June 11, 2011 at 12:18pm

Brown said:  Remember, in 1986, Downtown generated 17 percent of our tax revenue. Today it’s only 3 percent. I try to remind people of that.

 

What Mr. Brown might remember is that there were a ton of businesses downtown all paying taxes that the city didn't like because it didn't coincide with their vision of downtown, so they did got rid of them and plowed the buildings down.  Apparently, empty lots owned by the city doesn't generate much in the way of taxes?

Comment by Patricia M. McBride on June 11, 2011 at 12:15pm

There are 2 other articles on the Everbank deal and Brown's take on it is in the second article (you will not be pleased with.  The other thing that is very Obama is his comment that we need to move into the 21st century which is their way of saying .......changing things to their vision of the 21st century!).

Everbank:  http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=533782

Brown:  http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=533767

Quote from the article: 

Using public incentives to relocate 1,000 jobs Downtown from the suburbs is drawing opposition. What’s your view on that?
First of all, EverBank is a good community corporate partner. Having their headquarters here in the city speaks volumes. Wanting to expand and grow and be Downtown is great. They’re going to create 200 new additional jobs. I think that’s what you want, the public-private partnership that will allow the city to grow, and increase our tax revenue. Remember, in 1986, Downtown generated 17 percent of our tax revenue. Today it’s only 3 percent. I try to remind people of that.

We have a lot of small businesses Downtown. How do you help small businesses? Having 1,500, 2,000 more people working Downtown, patronizing the restaurants, I think it’s important.

Comment by J.R. on June 11, 2011 at 12:13pm

Well, Patricia, you are now officially out of the closet. What's best of all is that the T-U surprised us and actually took you seriously and reported something responsibly for a change. And, well they should. It's about time!!

Smile... You may be on candid camera... or have the paparazzi following you around.

Comment by J.R. on June 11, 2011 at 12:06pm

Patricia, can you be more specific about the "publishing info" you're referring to and which links I provided that are not working? What, specifically were you searching for?

A lot of the links I found were from a Yahoo search, but that shouldn't make an appreciable difference. Some were from a bing search, some were from the Duval County public records searches, FLDept. of State searches, and a Dept. of Health and Environmental Control search. Even more links were found from the search results links, especially the financial ones which linked to Forbes, Bloomberg, and others. Also from searches re Everbank and all their connections.

I'm still researching, and will extend the search to other states and countries I've found links to. This is only the tip of the iceberg. Unfortunately, it takes a long time when you're searching public records or foreign information.

Comment by JL Gawlik on June 11, 2011 at 12:03pm

Meant add it was mentioned both in the Rants & Raves and the editorial comments also today. Lots of interesting comments on article with Patricia's name.

Comment by Patricia M. McBride on June 11, 2011 at 12:02pm

JR, YUKKKKK.  This is very embarrassing as I tend to like to sit in the corner and nip at people's heals via Emails, comments on blogs, and comments at meetings (I don't want to get my name in the paper and was quite taken back when hubby said "you made the news" the other morning.........was almost afraid to look).  You are too funny though!  

 

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