by. J. Brooks Terry and Bailey White
Staff Writers
Four Democratic candidates have entered the race for the soon-to-be-vacated City Council District 10 seat. Each say that they are ready to represent the area fairly and, hopefully, see it grow with the rest of Jacksonville. Incumbent King Holzendorf cannot run again because of term limits.
Juanita Franklin
Juanita Franklin is running for City Council because she’s tired of “watching her community be destroyed over the last 20 years.” This is her first campaign.
“We need to have the right person representing our our district,” said Franklin. “In the past, we’ve had people running for the wrong reasons. They’re in it for the notoriety when they should be in it because they want to represent the community and, more importantly, represent the people.”
Franklin, a native of Jacksonville and Dist. 10, had her first taste of public service when she organized a neighborhood clean-up initiative a few years ago.
“I was very proud of the work we did,” said Franklin. “But the next thing I knew, my representative was taking credit for it. I figured that if I got into City Council, I would have all of the resources that I would need to really make a difference and help people.”
Franklin has been active in Dist. 10 with projects such as repairs and tree trimming on Mattox and Red Pole avenues, Thanksgiving food and toy drives and a community clean-up in Harbor View. She currently teaches fifth grade.
Franklin has big plans for her district once she’s elected, although she knows there isn’t a quick fix for problems facing the district.
“This is the worst district in the city and everyone knows it,” said Franklin. “Now is the time when we can really do something to make it better. When I get into office, I want to meet with the district so that we can all come together and figure out what our priorities should be. Four years won’t be enough, but I’m confident that my performance in that office will get me elected again. I’m a hard worker and I’m not afraid of long hours. I may be new to politics, but I’m not new to helping people.”
Mia Jones
Mia Lanese Jones is hoping her experience with local government will persuade the voters to chose her as their Council representative.
Jones, 34, has worked for the City as the supervisor of affirmative action and also played a role in equal employment for the mayor’s office. Currently, she serves as the School Board’s director of minority business affairs
Not surprisingly, education is one of the first issues Jones wants to tackle if she’s elected.
“Unfortunately, we have a large number of challenged schools in our district,” said Jones. “We need to assist in any way we can. We need to partner with corporations to bring volunteers and additional funding and come up with different incentives that will allow students something to work towards.”
Jones, a graduate of Florida A&M University, also wants to improve the quality of life in her district by bringing in amenities that she believes the area lacks.
“As it is, we don’t have the malls, theaters and entertainment venues that other districts do,” she said. “That needs to be addressed so that our residents don’t have to go outside the community for that.”
Improving the infrastructure is also high on Jones’ list.
“We have a lot of water and sewer needs,” she said. “The area is in need of more sidewalks and much of it is poorly lit,” she said. “We’ve got to address the lighting in order to cut down on crime and to improve the way companies and organizations look at our district in terms of bringing in restaurants and retail stores.”
The Jacksonville native also wants to see each district in the city have an equitable quality of life.
“When we’re trying to bring companies in, we shouldn’t have to just take them to the Southside or to Mandarin,” she said. “I want to see every side thriving so a business could pick any district.”
Earl Sims
Although this is his second run for public office, Earl Sims said when the opportunity to run again came up, he didn’t have to think very long or hard about it. His first attempt was in 1999.
“I can remember when my district was one of the strongest in the county,” said Sims, a life-long resident of Duval County. “But over time, I’ve seen it slip dramatically in both service and representation. Many of my neighbors and constituents asked me to run again and I thought that it was a good idea. I feel as though I’m the best and most qualified candidate.”
Sims has over 30 years experience of working for the City. He was the division chief for public housing, the manager of Metro Park for 12 years and has also overseen the Northbank and Southbank riverwalks.
If elected, Sims has several major issues he wants to address.
“My district has needs that aren’t being addressed right now and the quality of life here is very important to me,” he said. “Not everyone shares in the growth and improvements that are happening throughout the county. Economic development has not been a high priority even though we possess the greatest transportation network in the county.”
In addition to economic development, Sims has concerns for public education and City employees.
“I’ve been in the position to see how various tasks from within the City are carried out. I have worked with the Council and with five mayors,” said Sims. “I’m familiar with our government and, if I’m elected, I can hit the ground running. I think my experience with the government speaks for itself. They don’t keep you around in an appointed position if you don’t perform. I want to represent fairly and I don’t want my district to be left behind.”
Reginald Brown
Reginald Brown is the fourth candidate for the Dist. 10 seat. He did not return several phone calls requesting an interview.