by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Take one look at the list of candidates running for the City Council Dist. 5 seat and you’ll notice one thing: it’s long. The seven candidates — most of whom are running their first campaign — say they are committed to serving Jacksonville in a public capacity and that, ultimately, they want to make it a better place to live.
Steve Bloomfield
Democratic candidate Steve Bloomfield, who also ran for Dist. 5 in 1999, wants his potential constituents to recognize him for three things.
“I want them to know that I have experience, the trust of the community and that I also have the leadership capabilities to devise a plan and to execute it,” said Bloomfield. “Those aren’t just words. I’m deeply committed to public service and I’m not using the City Council as a stepping stone to further my political career.”
Bloomfield, a psychologist who co-owns Bloomfield Psychological Services with his wife, is confident his past experiences and community service will serve him well if elected.
He has been appointed to the Sheriff’s Advisory Council, the Voter Apathy Task Force, the Joint Planning Commission and the Duval County Health Education Task Force.
“I believe that it’s important to show that I’ve not only participated in community organizations,” said Bloomfield, “but that I’ve also demonstrated leadership in them.”
Bloomfield also chairs the Duval County Magnet School Advisory Council.
If elected, he is prepared to address several key issues, including health care, public safety, growth and traffic and education.
“When I talk about education, I know that it is not the role of the City Council to control curriculum,” said Bloomfield. “I do think, however, that they can be there to work as an advocate for education and to also get involved with joint planing.”
Bloomfield adds his experience as a psychologist will serve him well if elected.
“I believe that I can represent in a unique way,” he said. “As a psychologist, I’m used to hearing things from both sides.”
Jerry Cohn
Jerry Cohn may be running for office, but he insists that he’s not your average politician. This is his first campaign.
“I decided to get into this race because I don’t like the idea of having idle time,” said Cohn, who has been in Jacksonville for over 50 years. “I want to make a difference in my community.”
Prior to his current campaign, Cohn served as a deputy director for the City. He teaches math at Northwest Middle School, where he also serves chair of the math department.
“I feel as though I’m very qualified for the job and I’m committed to public service,” said Cohn, a Democrat. “I’m a good listener and I want to be available and accessible to the people.”
Cohn plans to serve full-time on the Council, and if elected, plans to address three key issues.
“For one, I’m very interested in public health and safety,” said Cohn. “I also want to look at education in our schools and our economic development.”
In the past, Cohn has served in the military, where he earned the Bronze Star and four Meritorious Service Medals.
“Whether or not people know it,” he said. “The military is the biggest business in Jacksonville. No other candidate can walk onto the base by showing their credentials and get down to business like I can. We have a lot to work with there and it’s important that we keep it in Jacksonville.”
If he doesn’t win this time, expect to see Cohn’s name on the ballot in the future.
“I’d love to run again,” he said. “I may be the oldest dog out there, but I love serving the general public. Trust that I can make the right things happen.”
Jack Daniels
Jack Daniels, a Republican, has lived in Jacksonville for nearly 50 years, but he only recently decided to make his first run for public office.
“I enjoy service and I have had a wonderful time getting to know and working with the people,” said Daniels. “That is what my entire campaign is based on. I haven’t accepted any money from large organizations because I want to represent the constituents.”
Daniels was formerly in the business of developing supplemental health insurance plans for City workers. Even after he retired, Daniels said he would periodically receive calls from those workers who wanted his help to start a union. Today, he serves as president of the Professional Associations of City Employees.
“It is a non-paying position, which just goes to show that I truly do enjoy working with people,” said Daniels. “I go out everyday and meet more people so that I can get to know them and also let them know that I am looking forward to working for them. I don’t know what the outcome of this election will be, but I believe that they appreciate that.”
Daniels said his genuine willingness to meet with the public is one of the main attributes that sets him apart from the other candidates.
“I know that the other candidates aren’t out there everyday knocking on doors like I am,” said Daniels. “There is no way that you can unless you are very committed to it.”
Dan Davis
Republican candidate Dan Davis is also new to the political process, but it’s a move he’s been planning for almost a decade.
“I’ve been wanting to run for office for a while,” said Davis, a native of Jacksonville, “but I knew that it would take some time to build experience.”
Davis originally thought about running in 1999, but decided to wait until there wasn’t an incumbent. Currently, he is the managing director of Accord One Group, a subsidiary of InTuition.
“This is a culmination of a lot of hard work and the fact that the time is right for me,” he said. “It just so happens that six other people felt the same way.”
Davis’ platform revolves around one central issue.
“I have developed an agenda for the quality of life in Jacksonville,” he said. “I believe that Jacksonville is a wonderful place to raise a family and I don’t want people to leave.”
Davis also wants to improve school performance, control traffic and keep Jacksonville moving forward.
“I’m looking forward to capitalizing on the Super Bowl and all of the opportunities that will come with it,” said Davis.
In 2001, Davis received a three-year appointment from Mayor John Delaney to serve on the City’s Taxation, Revenue and Utilization of Expenditures board. The group, which reports to the City Council’s Finance Committee, reviews the fiscal health of the City’s operating budget.
“I am definitely familiar with how the City Council operates,” said Davis, who is also a member of Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. “And I would use dollars wisely.”
Deno Hicks
Though he has always had a desire to serve the community, when Deno Hicks learned that Matt Carlucci wouldn’t be running for a second term, he saw his chance to get into the race. He started campaigning in April.
“It’s my first and there is nothing like it,” said Hicks, a Republican. “You don’t walk into an election knowing all of the issues, so I have learned so much. You also, definitely, get a much better idea about who’s involved in our government and what it takes to get things done. I feel that I possess a lot of the values that a Council member needs. I spoke to Matt Carlucci about it and he said that I would make a fine candidate.”
At 28, he is the youngest candidate in the race.
Hicks, who is the business development manager for MACTEC Engineering and Consulting, Inc., is also actively involved with the Jacksonville City Charter Revision Commission, JCCI, the Better Business Bureau and the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals. He also volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, the Ronald McDonald House and the Otis F. Smith Foundation.
“I believe that it’s important for the voters to know that I am a hard worker and that I have a commitment to give,” said Hicks. “Even if I don’t win this election I’m sure that I will run again. Once you get a calling for public service, I don’t think that ever goes away.”
Karl “Jay” Jabour
Karl Jabour only had to observe a few political campaigns before deciding that it was time to launch his own.
“No one knows what it’s like to run for office until you do it,” said Jabour. “I’m having a great time, though. That surprises people because it is such hard work, but I love getting out and meeting as many voters as I can. Republicans like people, too.”
If elected, Jabour plans to focus on improving public safety and making sure that Jacksonville’s economy thrives.
“We need to keep our economy moving and create more and better jobs,” said Jabour. “It’s important to attract businesses to the area.”
Jabour, who owns and operates Karl’s Clothiers, has lived in Jacksonville for nearly 20 years. He has served on the the Southwest Citizens Planning Advisory Board and also chaired the Southeast Municipal Code Enforcement Board and the Sheriff’s Advisory Council.
Jabour has also been active with the Southside Business Men’s Club, JCCI and the San Marco Preservation Society.
“It may sound corny,” said Jabour, “but I just want to give back to the community. Public service is an honorable thing. I want the people to know that I am an accessible, hardworking and honest.”
If elected, he would encourage his constituents to come talk to him either at City Hall or at his store.
“I am a huge proponent of downtown. I want to open a store there one day,” said Jabour. “But I feel like I should make it as convenient as possible for the constituents to see me whenever they need to.”
Art Shad
Financial planner and Republican candidate Art Shad said, although running a campaign can be very difficult at times, it’s a challenge he’s ready for.
“It was going to happen sooner or later,” said Shad, who originally thought of running in 1999. “I decided to work with Matt Carlucci on his last campaign rather than entering the race myself. Now, is a really good time for me because my children are at ages where they can better understand what I am doing and I why I’m running.”
Shad, a Jacksonville native who previously served in the military, has remained active is several organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, JCCI, the Point La Vista Civic Associate and the School Board.
He is endorsed by the Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police, the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors and Kris Barnes, chair of the School Board.
“Unlike most candidates in this race, I am a product of the public school system,” said Shad. “I also have a continued vested interest in it because my children are there now. I know that there is no easy answer when speaking in terms of education, but I am well aware that it needs to be addressed.”
In addition to his civic service, Shad said his financial knowledge and ability to “crunch numbers” would be valuable if elected.
“I truly appreciate this city,” he said. “I want to serve the public so that I can help mold it and make it a become an even better place to raise a family. If I don’t win this time, I will absolutely run again.”