As a reader service, the Daily Record plans to present daily information about candidates on the ballot in the spring election. The information is scheduled to be published in advance of early voting, which begins March 7 in Duval County. The Daily Record sent the same questions to council candidates and will publish their e-mailed responses. Candidates were given a word limit. Responses that exceeded it are edited for space.
| The candidates say... | What is the single most important issue facing your district? | What are the most pressing problems facing the City? | Would you support new taxes or fees to improve the port and/or Downtown? | Why should district constituents elect you? |
| Lori Boyer Republican | Protecting our neighborhoods and preserving the value of our homes. Crime, abandoned properties, inappropriate land use changes, excessive traffic, poorly maintained streets and drainage and polluted creeks diminish our quality of life and threaten to further reduce values. I have a track record of working on exactly these issues and pledge to work throughout the district to make our neighborhoods better and our property values secure. | Controlling the cost and size of our government and rebuilding our economy and job market. We must keep taxes low and streamline government regulations to encourage job growth; and establish budget priorities, address payroll and pension costs, eliminate waste, and require greater accountability. We cannot borrow against our future, nor handicap it by being shortsighted. Then, we must put our collective energy behind a cohesive vision for our future. | No. Both are important and will positively impact our economy and job market in the future. I would work to find private and public financing alternatives and support public/private partnerships and regulatory incentives. However, with current unemployment rates and salary cuts widespread, I would not support an ad valorem increase or generally applicable fees that would further burden so many who are struggling to make ends meet. | I have proven my commitment to Jacksonville by 20 years of volunteer service on countless community projects (Eve Award finalist). A district resident since 1987, I have never run for office, have no political career objectives, nor will my business gain from my service. My education, legal and business experience in contracts, finance, and real estate will be invaluable in addressing the budget, economic development and land use issues. |
| Jack Daniels Republican | Electing a councilman who hasn’t taken campaign money from businessmen and businessmen represented by lobbyists who do business with the City. They want the City to increase taxes and fees, so that the City will have sufficient money (our taxes) to pay them for their services. The businessmen/lobbyists only give money to candidates who they are convinced will respond to their needs over those of the residents of the district. | Mayor Peyton’s irresponsible policy of tax and spend for City government. To pay for his wasteful spending, he has increased our taxes and imposed fees on us. To solve this problem, I want to work with responsible councilmen to install in City government a fiscal conservative policy of operation. This policy of fiscal conservation would stop the wasteful spending of our taxes and make unnecessary tax increases and the imposition of fees. | No. | 1. I want to stop increases in taxes and fees; I want to stop wasteful City spending. 2. I have refused to accept any money from businessmen/lobbyists. So I won’t be obligated to respond to their needs over those of the residents of District 5. 3. I’m the only candidate for City Council District 5 who does not have a business and who is retired. I’m 61. I won’t use my position to increase my business. |
| Steve Hyers Republican | Jobs. The federal government has doubled our national debt in two years from $7 trillion to $14.3 trillion. This hasn’t happened since World War II. Locally we’ve unfortunately done some of the same. If you effectively double utility rates over two years (JEA), double the garbage tax and raise property taxes – in a recession – you’re violating basic economic principles and retarding the recovery of the economy. | Overspending in the public sector, that is demanding a reallocation/redistribution from the private sector that would otherwise create jobs if those dollars were left in the taxpayers hands, crime and adequate enforcement of the law at the judicial level in some cases, bringing in the right types of industries (more manufacturing). We’ve been a service and finance hub over the last couple of decades. It’s served us well during that time. Not in this recession. | No. | I’m a financial planner with many years experience, that is the only candidate that has built a successful business (you can see, feel and touch my business through an actual front door and approximately 1,000 clients). I’m the only candidate that has a business listed in the phone book. The characteristics needed to do this in the privtate sector are the same characteristics required in the public sector. |
| Robert “Fritz” VanVolkenburgh Republican | I believe that the weakened economy is currently the single most important issue. The lack of jobs and the scarcity of high-paying jobs is a large part of the problem. Business owners are struggling to stay afloat and they lack sufficient confidence in the market to begin hiring again. Many residents, particularly those on fixed incomes, are being stretched thin due to higher taxes, fees and energy rates. | The most pressing problems include the City’s budget (and pensions as a subset of this), a shrinking tax base due to a soft economy and weak real estate market and an education system that is subpar, as reflected in the low graduation rate. Other pressing problems include violent crime and theft, the health of the St. Johns River, the future of Downtown, and port development. | This is a tough time to be burdening residents with additional taxes. However, I am not opposed to letting the people vote on a half-cent sales tax for port development and infrastructure. Personally, I am not yet convinced that such a measure would create a return on investment. Additional hotel taxes might be directed to Downtown progress, but creative management of City properties would have a better effect. | I have experience working with multibillion-dollar budgets, specifically as a management consultant engaged in large merger and acquisition activities. I have Fortune 500 experience in operations, financial planning, regulatory, legal and pensions. As a former prosecutor, I understand how crime affects our neighborhoods. I was a teacher. Finally, I know my district well, as I have walked over 90 percent of it, and have met with over 3,800 residents. |