by Bailey White
Staff Writer
Both candidates for the District 9 City Council seat say they are devoted to improving their district. While Reggie Fullwood brings the experience of an incumbent to the race, Valveta Turner believes her gung ho attitude qualifies her to best do the job.
Reggie Fullwood
Incumbent Reggie Fullwood is running for a second term in Dist. 9 because of unfinished business.
“I ran the first time because I was born and raised in Dist. 9 and I had a strong vision for the district,” said Fullwood. “We’ve accomplished a lot and there is certainly a lot more that needs to be done.”
Fullwood, a graduate of the University of North Florida, was the youngest elected City Council member in Jacksonville history when he won the Dist. 9 seat in May 1999 at age 24. His goal for the upcoming term is to continue to work on his initial mission, which included parks and recreation, infrastructure improvement and economic development.
“Crime is still an issue,” he said. “We’re working with police officers on community policing strategies.”
Fullwood said his dedication to improving parks and recreation has resulted in over $5 million worth of improvements over the past four years.
“Now that parks are going really well, the focus will be shifting a lot more to finding dollars for infrastructure,” he said. “I’ll be working to refine the district and on the overall process of trying to improve neighborhoods.”
He added that he’s working with the City’s Planning Department to develop neighborhood action plans.
“Some of the challenges for the next four years will be improving the district through housing rehabilitation, small business development and improving the neighborhoods through a holistic approach; the neighborhood action plans are like blueprints.”
To encourage economic development in the district, Fullwood said he has been working with businesses to encourage expansion and hiring within the community.
“I want to continue that kind of work on all fronts,” he said, adding that Jacksonville needs to remain a progressive city.
“We have a great opportunity for continued growth and economic prosperity. We have to continue to support existing companies while attracting new ones. And I think it’s important to focus on downtown. Urban revitalization in my district and through the city is the key to Jacksonville’s development.”
Fullwood said he has enjoyed his term and will be glad to serve a second term.
“The past four years have been extremely special,” he said, “and I’m looking forward to serving another four years.”
Valveta Turner
Democratic candidate Valveta Turner is challenging Fullwood for the Dist. 9 seat.
In her efforts to qualify by petition, Turner visited residents in the district, asking them to talk about their concerns, something she will continue to do if elected.
“I want to be accessible and visible; I’m serious about representing them,” said Turner, 56. “The residents need to know what’s going on, they need to be talked to.
Turner currently works full-time at Florida Community College of Jacksonville’s downtown campus library and teaches part-time at the school. She plans to quit teaching if elected.
Turner is also the founder and president of the non-profit organization, Optimum Health and Well Being, Inc., a soon-to-open wellness center that will provide education, nutrition counseling and access to fitness equipment free of charge to low income individuals suffering from AIDS, obesity, stress or other health problems. It was her work with the non-profit business that inspired her to run for Council.
“After trying to get the business started, I realized that I could and should do more,” said Turner. “I felt so lit up by the experience that I realized I really want to further help people by running for City Council.
“I really want to represent the people. I know the problems that I want to fix, but it’s about what they want and what they need.”
Improved infrastructure — because drainage and flooding is a problem in her district — is one of her top priorities.
Her vision for Jacksonville includes more work to improve the quality of life for “the residents who were born here, have raised children here, and will stay here. Bringing in new business is important, but I don’t always think there is enough concern for the people who’ve lived here all their lives and have a legacy here.”
Turner is a Jacksonville native who is serving her third term as a commissioner with the City’s Charter Revision Commission, and she participated in the recent JCCI study on race relations. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Florida and her Ph.d in educational administration and leadership from Florida State University.