The names won’t be on any public ballot and there likely won’t be any public campaigning, but a race is underway within City Council.
It’s one that ultimately could determine the group’s leadership for the next couple of years in a time when turnover will be prevalent.
Council members Greg Anderson and Reggie Brown are bidding to become council vice president for the 2014-15 year. Typically, the vice president is elected as president the year after, which also would be the first year of at least nine new members coming aboard.
The current vice president is Clay Yarborough, who is expected to succeed council President Bill Gulliford.
Anderson and Brown each have scheduled meetings with several of their colleagues to talk about their candidacies and secure the 10 votes needed to become vice president. One of them already has some early backing.
Anderson has signed letters of support from six of his colleagues: Bill Bishop, Richard Clark, Ray Holt Warren Jones, Stephen Joost and Jim Love. With his own vote, that would make seven.
He also has several verbal agreements from others, including one Monday from council member Johnny Gaffney,who said Anderson has shown “fairness and compassion” in his council dealings.
“I just want you to do what you’ve been doing,” Gaffney told him during a noon meeting in which he said Anderson has shown “fairness and compassion” in his council dealings.
Anderson would not say which other council members gave him their verbal support.
Anderson is Finance Committee chair this year and said with a new crop of members scheduled to come into office soon, he thinks it’s important that leadership understands the budget process.
If elected by his peers, he said he wants to “bridge the gap from good to great.” That includes supporting the Downtown Investment Authority’s effort on urban core revitalization, backing the work of the city and JAXUSA Partnership in creating jobs, and focusing on better connecting people through transportation.
Anderson also said he thinks the council can better communicate the work it has done to the community to “make sure everybody knows we care.” One possibility to broaden the council scope would be to create a “Your Council Cares” charity event to raise money for local organizations.
Brown did not return several calls Monday and Tuesday seeking comment about his plans.
A 12:50 p.m. meeting Monday between him and council member John Crescimbeni to discuss Brown’s candidacy was canceled.
Brown has served on council since 2008 and currently is vice chair of the Transportation, Energy and Utility Committee. In addition, he sits on both the Finance and Public Health and Safety committees.
He spearheaded the “live here, work here” bill requiring city employees to live in Duval County and more recently has proposed a controversial draft ordinance to regulate food trucks.
Anderson and Brown continue will continue to meet with other council members in the coming days. Brown has meetings today with Council President Bill Gulliford and Don Redman, while Anderson has a Wednesday meeting with Lori Boyer and one March 11 with Matt Schellenberg.
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