Now that Mayor Alvin Brown is into the third year of his term, it's difficult to go many places in Jacksonville and find someone who doesn't have an opinion about him and his job performance.
More and more, people are asking: "What do you think?" "What is he doing?" and "Who does he listen to?"
After Brown won the election in 2011, Jacksonville was proud of putting the first African-American in the mayor's office.
Brown had a lot of good wishes throughout the community, and a widely held hope that he would be successful.
Jacksonville has a strong appetite for leadership.
There's optimism in the atmosphere that Jacksonville is poised to become a first-tier city.
But, all of the optimism in the world won't make that happen unless we have real leadership from the mayor.
I think of Jacksonville's consolidated government like a race car. It's built to win when it has a good driver behind the wheel.
But, just like any race car, if the mayor is not focused, the car is likely to hit the wall.
Many people have opinions about what the mayor should be focused on to move Jacksonville forward when he wakes up every morning.
So, I've made my own list.
1. Human rights, including race relations
The mayor should stand tall and make a sincere effort to pass legislation and imbed human rights into Jacksonville's DNA. We need to demonstrate to ourselves and the world that we are about fairness and equal treatment for everyone.
It's time for him to take a position and let it be known, unlike how he evaded both of those points when the Council considered (and later rejected) the human rights ordinance a year ago.
2. Economic development
Jacksonville has developed a reputation as a good place to do business.
The mayor has a lot of strong partners in town working to bring investments and jobs here. It's time to be creative and lead with commitment.
3. Pension reform
We all know the horror stories of the financial hole we are in right now. We're headed off a cliff if we don't fix this problem with real reform.
The mayor didn't create the mess, but he needs to listen to the smart people he has appointed to the task force to get this albatross from around our neck.
4. Downtown development
The mayor has gotten some good headlines when it comes to Downtown development. And, there is momentum from developers.
As a member, I believe Brown needs to let the people appointed to the Downtown Investment Authority perform as a strong, independent group and give the Council confidence the authority can make things happen in Downtown.
5. Jax Port expansion
For some reason, our port operations have historically been undervalued and under appreciated.
The port is the economic heartbeat of Jacksonville.
It supports over 60,000 maritime industry jobs. Goods from over 100 countries are imported and exported through the port.
Panama Canal expansion is scheduled to be completed next year. We must deepen the harbor to serve supersized ships, especially from China, which will be using the Panama Canal and want to dock at Atlantic ports.
New JaxPort CEO Brian Taylor wants to grow the container and auto business at the port. The Mayor should be a more aggressive partner to Taylor to sell this city to the world.
6. Quality of life
If we want our children and grandchildren to stay here to work and raise their families, creating a strong economy with good jobs is foundational.
But, it's also important to have a Jacksonville where we protect our vast natural resources like the St. Johns River, value our environment, appreciate the arts, invest in safe and maintained parks, and build strong neighborhoods.
The Mayor cannot turn his back on these important issues because he doesn't support them with funding. He must show the way because this is our future.
Embrace the nonprofits and help them be successful. Be out in front of the issues and assist them in their efforts. It's not about giving them funds, it's about helping them raise funds.
When it comes to homelessness, we have some of the best organizations in the country. Acknowledge that these organizations working together can solve the problem. Charge them with the task, then hold them accountable.
7. Transportation
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is facing a $30 million a year hit if Mayor Brown has his way and the 6-cent gasoline tax is not extended in 2016.
That will be an unacceptable major blow to road construction and bus service.
Brown already removed funding for road maintenance in his 2013-14 budget proposal.
Instead of trying to obstruct the gas tax extension, the Mayor should embrace it and sell the extension to the City Council and the community. Let's get on with planning and building for our future. Otherwise, we threaten economic development and job creation.
Is it possible that the city spends more money on defending lawsuits from damages caused by potholes than it costs to repair them?
8. Education
In our form of government, it is clearly established that an elected school board and its appointed superintendent have the primary responsibility for education in Duval County.
But, education belongs to us all, especially the Mayor.
Good schools are the cornerstone to economic development.
The appointment of Donnie Horner as his education commissioner was a good move. Share the successes.
There have been problems in the Mayor's platform, including his Learn2Earn program, which had to be dramatically scaled back because he couldn't get state funding or raise enough in private donations.
The Mayor shouldn't interfere with those responsible for education, but he should be an out-front partner to build a strong school system.
9. Sports and entertainment
This could possibly fall under quality of life, and it also has a strong economic impact.
Sports and entertainment bring smiles to our faces, recognition to the city and a lot of dollars to town.
Jacksonville has great sports and entertainment facilities. The Mayor should never blink when it comes to battling with other cities to bring the very best here to compete and perform.
The bottom line?
The Mayor has started his campaign for another term to lead our city. He has raised over $250,000 and touts a 70 percent approval rating.
Several names are being floated around and he is expected to have a serious challenger.
With our assets, it is clear we have the best car in the race and we have a driver, but our driver needs to listen to his pit crew.
He can't win the race without the team, but the team is ready to take him to the winner's circle.
(904) 356-2466