by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
“A lot of things are going on in this city that are positive. We’re well-positioned for the economy and to improve our quality of life.”
That’s how City Council President Ronnie Fussell began his remarks at Monday’s luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville.
He then pointed out how much America has changed in the last 100 years - from 8,000 to more than 62 million automobiles, from 144 miles of paved roads to 5.7 million miles and the minimum wage increasing from 20 cents an hour in 1908 to more than $7 an hour today.
“And look at how much Jacksonville has progressed since we consolidated the City and County governments 40 years ago,” added Fussell. “I think consolidation is the best form of government in the country.”
He gave the Rotarians a glimpse into some of what’s on the City’s agenda for 2009 including the new County Courthouse.
“I know the Courthouse is an issue that’s on everyone’s mind. It will get built. The mayor is committed to it and I am committed to it,” said Fussell, who added that based in his background in construction and development, “I applaud the mayor for his effort to have a firm price for the project before construction begins.”
He also addressed recent reports of after-school programs and centers for students who are suspended from school closing. After pointing out the Duval County School Board is currently the only bidder for providing out of school suspension centers, Fussell added, “We have 27,000 kids out of school and on the streets annually. If we could change just 10 percent of those kids it would have a tremendous positive impact. We are going to need help from the community. We need the nonprofits to step up and the churches to step up to help us provide after-school programs and summer camps.”
He also cautioned that the initiatives of the Jacksonville Journey will take a while to make a marked improvement in the communities it will serve.
“We’re creating new programs as we are supporting existing programs that are working,” said Fussell. “We won’t see results from the Jacksonville Journey for a couple of years but we must get started now.”
The Council president also said all options are on the table as far as sustaining the Jacksonville Journey is concerned, including a special taxing authority.
“We are looking at that option and others,” said Fussell. “Right now in the times we’re in we couldn’t raise taxes in this budget year, but we have to take a look at the options.
“Our goal for 2009 is to survive and come out on the other side. We have some tough issues but we’ll make it.”
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