It is hard to believe it has already been a month since I was reminding our readers of the importance of voting for the next leaders of Jacksonville.
I thought the primary was important, but I wasn’t as laser-focused on the fact that now, one of two people will take on the most important position in our great city for at least four years.
As you may know, we saw voter apathy in the primary, which defies logic. There are too many people who have fallen on hard times for those same people to be complacent. The very low voter turnout should not be a symptom of people being satisfied with the status quo. This is the time to care. This is the time for the people of Jacksonville to take a vested interest in what happens next.
No matter who is elected, there will be someone completely new at the head of the table, as the chairman of the board. For better or for worse, they will have more influence than any other single person in Jacksonville the next four years. Mike Hogan and Alvin Brown, as well as a host of people representing you on the City Council, are accepting the responsibility as our CEO and Board of Directors of “our” business, the City of Jacksonville.
They are going to make decisions that affect everyone, at every level. That includes:
• The manufacturer who needs an industrial tract of land at a competitive price with infrastructure to support it.
• The teacher whose school is in a district that’s shrinking because of foreclosures.
• The physician’s group that is in the market to expand but won’t take the step because the state of health care is uncertain.
• The entry level clothing retailer who might lose a job because the owner can hardly pay the rent because the community’s disposable income has dried up.
• The real estate attorney’s caseload that has hit an all-time low because there are no deals being made.
We are operating in an environment where great business people have to lay off longtime, dedicated workers. And then go home and sleep at night. Business owners are relieved to just be breaking even. These days, being revenue neutral is an envious position.
A bad economy seems to spawn creativity and folks, we have seen creativity. It’s the old adage: necessity is the mother of invention. I walked around Art Walk this month and was amazed at the creativity: painted matchboxes, hand-woven necklaces with glass pendants, empty liquor bottles stuffed with holiday lights. We may see another flurry of inventions like the Pet Rock or the Slinky, byproducts that become million-dollar sellers. Why, because there is a void. A void in revenue and people instinctively create when they see a void.
On a grander scale, Ben Carter and his St Johns Town Center is an example of creativity that spawns growth. If you went there, you would think it is the epicenter of Jacksonville. The activity is amazing, but what’s important is that Mr. Carter invented that “pet rock.”
These tough times force us to think outside the box, because it’s the only way to sustain your business. It doesn’t have to be a quirky invention or works of art. It can be in your business. Innovating a system that makes you and your customers better. Continuing to strive to be the best salesperson, the best contractor, the best decorator, the best electrician, roofer, plumber, painter (you get my point) will affect every aspect of your life, your career, family and friends.
One of these fine men running for mayor will be in the position to take the assets of this city and parlay them into job growth, homebuying and creating an environment that competes with any city in America. But they cannot do it alone.
We know we have challenges, so let’s wake up and start paying attention. With change comes opportunity. It is just human nature. Like a new head coach replacing a retiring coach using the same players and getting better results. This is an opportunity, Jacksonville. Let’s embrace it and make it happen.