TU: Mayor Alvin Brown wants to change Jacksonville Economic Development Commission this month

Although I am pleased to see a focus on this group (that has mismanaged millions of dollars) and perhaps even a much needed closer scrutiny of them, I am somewhat taken back that the Mayor wants control over one more group. This is a continuing theme for this mayor, and he seems to want absolute control over everything which is worrisome to me. I don't want the city council to end up like our elected representatives have in congress under the current president where he considers them to be ornamental instead of an integral part of the process. The city council is our voice in city government and represents the people in various districts across the city, and although the mayor represents the whole city, he is in office solely because he won 3 districts and got about 90% of the people in those districts out to vote and therefore may not actually speak to the needs or wishes of the rest of the districts. He has made several attempts (and some of them successful) to take over pretty much everything and had even asked to put in groups that would decide what was "wanted" in each district headed by his own people (fortunately that was one thing that did not get approved since we already have a city council person who performs this function). I don't think the mayor should control everything in the city and continue to believe the people, through their city council representative, should maintain their voice and their right to decide. Your opinion?

After the Legislature opened the door for changes to the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, Mayor Alvin Brown said he wants to have a plan before the City Council by the end of March.

Changing the JEDC into a downtown-focused group and subsuming broader economic development activity into his office has been an aim of Brown's since his election.

Because the economic development organization was created by the state, the Legislature had to give permission for modifications, which it did last week. The council then has to approve them.

Many of the sub-functions of the existing organization — such as film and television and sports marketing — will be kept, but they'll report directly to the mayor rather than having an advisory board involved.

The former JEDC will focus its attention on downtown, a major theme of Brown's during election.

"Sixteen months from now there'll be more people downtown, there'll be businesses expanding downtown," he said Friday. "Downtown will be a good investment."

Although the administration has talked about the changes for months, it has held off on taking steps until the legislation was passed.

Brown said he had names in mind for possible board members but hasn't contacted anyone yet. Also, he has not reached out to anyone to staff the organization.

The new group hasn't been christened yet, but Brown said he's thinking of something along the lines of the Downtown Community Investment Agency.

Brown's supporters have long championed downtown, with the Jacksonville Civic Council serving as a particularly vocal supporter.

TU: Mayor Alvin Brown wants to change Jacksonville Economic Development Commission this month

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