Comment

Comment by DURWIN WALTER DAVIS on October 15, 2011 at 9:08am

UPDATE:  THE LATEST ABUSE OF DUVAL COUNTY TAXPAYER ABUSES

Read what the Tyson sub has to say about moving here from Chicago -- "Tony Cericola, vice president and general manager of Bruss ... told the JEDC that Bruss’ other potential sites were in small towns where the cost of living is less expensive but distribution costs are greater. Cericola said the decision is a done deal, pending city council approval and the due diligence." So I ask you -- why do we pay a $1.2 M subsidy on their $7.2 M moving costs when the competition is SMALL TOWNS who have NO MONEY for "incentives" and we are the ONLY economically logical place for Tyson to go?  WHY??  They are going into the empowerment zone, too, so they get state and federal credits and breaks as well, so it is going to happen even without hitting us up -- so WHY do it?  And this is the kind of thing the Mayor wants to have done from a slush fund without Council oversight. WHY? http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2011/10/13/bruss-co-mo... You know, a million here, a million there -- pretty soon you are talking real money.

Comment by amanda choate on October 13, 2011 at 4:44pm

Amen Joanna,

If JP Morgan wants to foreclose on Floridians, they can pay their own way. No state help to throw people out of their homes. And if they are goingto hire people, it should be people who can keep their homes by getting a good paying job, that should be incentive enough, the avoidance of foreclosure.

Comment by Joanna B McDermott on October 13, 2011 at 1:36pm

BOHICA - two more companies are asking for millions of tax incentives to move to Jacksonville, where does it end?

Comment by CJ on October 13, 2011 at 11:36am

Not to take you off track but please be aware they are trying to change city elections too. What ever ones thoughts are this is a city issue and should not be left to council alone and one of the biggest reasons they should be following through with their promises of Town Hall meetings. These are not happening and it was mentioned at this last Tuesday's Council Meeting

ORDINANCE 2011-654

AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE TERMS AND ELECTIONS OF CITY OF JACKSONVILLE COUNTY OFFICIALS AND SETTING A PUBLIC REFERENDUM; AMENDING THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, CHAPTER 92-341, LAWS OF FLORIDA, AS AMENDED; CHANGING THE DATE OF ASSUMING THE OFFICES OF THE MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND THE SHERIFF, SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS, PROPERTY APPRAISER, AND TAX COLLECTOR TO JANUARY 1ST FOLLOWING FALL EVEN-YEAR GUBERATORIAL ELECTIONS COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2019, AND EVERY 4 YEARS THEREAFTER; PROVIDING FOR TRANSITION; REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND REQUIRING THE ENACTMENT OF NEW IMPLEMENTATION ORDINANCES; REVISING THE LENGTHS OF THE TERMS OF OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, MAYOR, SHERIFF, SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS, PROPERTY APPRAISER, AND TAX COLLECTOR ASSUMING OFFICE ON JULY 1, 2015, TO TERMS OF JULY 1, 2015 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2018; PROVIDING FOR NO CHANGE IN TERM LIMITS; PROVIDING FOR REFERENDUM APPROVAL OF THIS ORDINANCE; PROVIDING FOR A FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT TO BE DEVELOPED AND PLACED ON THE BALLOT; DIRECTING THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS TO PLACE THE REFERENDUM QUESTION ON THE 2012 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION BALLOT ON NOVEMBER 6, 2012; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE D

Comment by tamara stephenson on October 13, 2011 at 11:13am

both of those deals stink of welfare to the banks.  Does Chase really need incentive money to move anywhere?  give me a break.  this stuff is ridiculous.  the Everbank deal is even more ludicrous.  instead of focusing on who the media loves, shouldn't we be focusing on both of these sweetheart deals that cost lots of money and don't bring in that many jobs?  I could see it if either one of the companies actually built something, but for 450 jobs, couldn't we spend that $4 million on bringing technology or industry to this city?

Comment by JL Gawlik on October 13, 2011 at 10:42am

We clearly have a big problem in Jacksonville with politicians getting away with what amounts to picking winners and losers, crony capitalism with great support and backing from the press/media. Change is going to have to come from the ground up, local elections are just as important, if not more important than the federal and state elections. 

The people in Jacksonville, should of been more involved than they were this past spring. The GOP headquarters blamed the local people for lack of volunteering. I know i did my part in my neighborhood and it showed in the high vote count. People can not do everything, it is going to take a group effort of very concerned citizens. We must keep a eye on what is going on at city hall. 

The above money takes away from the city period. Thanks for posting this Billie.

Comment by CJ on October 13, 2011 at 7:46am

Thats not all look at this for 30 jobs- approved!

011-0528

ORD Auth Economic Dev Agreemt bet City, JEDC & KCI Enterprises, Inc to Support Establishmt of an Aircraft Maint, Repair & Overhaul Facility; Recommend Apv by Fla Dept of Economic Opportunity as a QTI Business with a Brownfield Bonus; Evidence Local Financial Support of $33,000 under QTI Tax Refund Prog with State Match of $132,000 (Including Brownfield Sector Bonus of $2,500 per Job) for Total of $165,000 for 30 Jobs; Provide Oversight by JEDC; Timeline for Execution of Agreemt by KCI. (Rowland) (Req of JEDC) Public Hearing Pursuant to Chapt 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 8/23/11