by Glenn Tschimpke
Staff Writer
Matt Carlucci spilled one of Jacksonville’s worst kept political secrets Monday by announcing his candidacy for mayor.
Rumors had been floating for months that the City Council member had been considering a run to replace John Delaney in 2003 as Jacksonville’s mayor. Monday, before a crowd of several hundred and a full media contingent, Carlucci laid out his vision for Jacksonville’s future.
“Jacksonville deserves a mayor who is a proven leader . . . one who’s been elected by the citizens of Jacksonville and understands the responsibility that brings,” he said.
Carlucci is a three-time City Council member and served as Council president from 2001-02. The long-time State Farm Insurance agent promised to make education a top priority of his administration.
“The office of the mayor can, and should, lend its weight to the effort — weight that is used to strengthen and bolster the system, not steam roll it,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not seeking to be on the School Board and I don’t want to be the superintendent.”
Carlucci would form a new position called chief educational officer, which would coordinate the School Board’s efforts with the mayor’s office, private and non-profit entities to improve Duval County’s flagging public school system. Carlucci also promised to strengthen the relationship between the mayor’s office and the local legislative delegation to help leverage more education dollars from Tallahassee.
“While I believe it will be human capital that turns our education system around, there’s no ignoring the tremendous need for financial capital in our schools,” he said. “Developing a partnership that brings home our fair share of the education dollars from Tallahassee must be a priority.”
Carlucci tried to reach out to the entire community with promises of a better Jacksonville under his leadership. From stressing the importance of international trade relations to promising more parks to economic development, Carlucci spoke on a wide breadth of issues facing Jacksonville with a few specific promises included.
“I will ask companies that receive City incentive dollars to show their commitment to our community by partnering with a public school,” he said. “I will improve parks that currently exist and I will create parks where none exist. As your next mayor — I’m being positive there — I will ensure that economic development is provided throughout our city.”
Fellow Council member Alberta Hipps put to rest another rumor by withdrawing her name from the mayor’s race and pledging her support to Carlucci. Hipps, who was the first to enter the race is the first to withdraw.
“I began this challenge last year because of the love that I have for this city,” she said. “I have been committed to run a race all the way through because I felt this city needed a leader with vision and someone who could bring the entire community together to work together. Last year, when I decided to run, I looked around at the field of candidates and I didn’t see anyone that could do that. I decided to jump in the race with all my heart. Well, at this point, we’re going to have a candidate that can meet all the criteria. It is with great honor that I will be able to support Matt Carlucci as that candidate.”