by Bailey White
Staff Writer
Democratic candidate Karen Richardson is challenging incumbent Gwen Yates, also a Democrat, for the District 8 City Council seat. Both say they are committed to the district’s revitalization and economic improvement.
Karen Richardson
A lifelong resident of Dist. 8, Karen Richardson decided to run for City Council because of what she describes as a stagnant Council term for the district.
“There wasn’t much progress in the last Council term,” said Richardson. “No new projects were initiated and it concerns me that we don’t have movement. I’m passionate about progress and change occurring.”
Housing, economic development and infrastructure are just a few of the issues Richardson wants to address.
“One of the things I will look at is the infrastructure,” she said. “We need road improvements, better sewer and drainage; better lighting also needs to be looked at.”
Richardson, 42, is a graduate of the University of Florida and owns Karen Richardson Communications, an advertising and public relations firm. In her 19 years in the field, she has worked on national and local political campaigns, including the campaign of former Dist. 8 Council member Denise Lee.
Richardson said she plans to focus on showing the district to companies looking to relocate to Jacksonville.
“Dist. 8 is definitely lacking economic growth and development,” said Richardson. “We need jobs and we need businesses coming in here. We have a lot to offer as a district.”
Another top concern is contamination sites in the district, which she says have yet to be addressed.
“Nothing has been done to ensure the safety of the residents yet and I will make it a priority,” she said.
Her citywide efforts include plans to bring Council members and School Board members together for the sake of education, to continue downtown revitalization efforts and to increase tourist attractions and cultural interest in Jacksonville.
“I would like the city to grow to include more recreational facilities,” she said. “It would be nice to have more cultural activities, another museum, maybe, to capture Jacksonville as a whole and not just as a home to a football team. I’d like to see people want to stay longer in Jacksonville.”
If she falls short this election, Richardson said she will definitely consider running a second time. And she will remain active in civic organizations such as the Durkeeville Historical Society, the Myrtle Avenue Neighborhood Improvement Association (MANIA) and the Sheriff’s Advisory Council.
Gwen Yates
Incumbent Gwen Yates is running for a second term because she wants to continue to work on issues that improve the quality of life within her district and the city.
“I worked for the City for 26 years before retiring to run for City Council. I’m able to work full-time on projects for my district and I want to keep going on the work I’ve started,” said Yates, who first took office in July 1999. “I’ve found that when you’re trying to do so much and trying to be responsive to your constituents, it’s easier to be successful when you’re working for them full-time.”
She’ll continue to work on recreation and parks for her district, having started construction on Royal Terrace Park. She also wants more funding for recreation centers and the expansion of community centers.
“I plan to work on bringing amenities to this side of town, to make it a place to live, work, play, raise a family and retire,” she said. “I want to revitalize the commercial corridor of the district.”
In an effort to stimulate economic development, Yates will encourage businesses to open or expand into her district, but she’ll also help existing businesses stay established and grow.
“Our city’s business community and community leaders also need to partner with the School Board to take care of our schools because that rolls over to getting good jobs and having a quality work force available,” she said.
She also sees the present as a good time to look at a master plan for the community, with money being spent on infrastructure improvement in the area.
“With infrastructure improvements, it’s a good time to look at affordable housing and infill housing, too,” she said.
Yates, who spent 10 years as the chief of the City’s Adult Services Division and currently serves as state president for the Florida Council on Aging, said issues involving senior citizens are important to her. Having founded and served as the first director of what is now the Youth Crisis Center, she said children’s issues are also among her top concerns.
Yates, a graduate of Edward Waters College, said being a Jacksonville native has made her Council term exciting.
“I’ve had the privilege of seeing Jacksonville grow,” she said. “We’ve been a sleeping giant for a long time now, and we’re just about to break forth. I want to continue to be there and to help make a difference.”