How big is the ‘bucket’ and who will fill it?
In their crusade against septic tanks, Jacksonville politicians are setting up taxpayers for a major hit. But is it necessary? City officials claim septic tanks are a public health problem, even though the state of Florida says they are effective, and the city allows people to use them. Septic systems provide a safe and effective […]
Praise for protest is the wrong response
Students attending government schools in Jacksonville have learned that if you want something all you have to do is demand it loudly, like toddlers who lie on the floor screaming and kicking their feet. In the span of one incredible week: Students protested something they didn’t understand, demonstrating in six local schools. They had a […]
Big “Scoop”…City plans big gifts for people they have ignored for years
City Council President Tommy Hazouri, a Democrat, has filed a bill to spend $100 million to improve the property of homeowners lacking a connection to the sewer system and the mayor is kicking in a few bucks, too. Ominously, Hazouri calls it “a drop in the bucket” compared to what is needed. His bill would […]
City Council workshop, jousting with windmills
Despite the fact that there are no visible signs of “hate groups” causing any problem in Jacksonville, members of the City Council are launching a crusade against them. What they propose to do is a mystery. Hate groups are a particular concern with liberals, although it is a bit tricky for them. The premier hate […]
Council is finding more ways to spend money
The City Council’s special committee of social justice warriors apparently is going to “invest” money in another round of job training programs. The Northside Coalition asked the committee to assign them to run the new program, and promised transparency. We looked on the organization’s Web site and couldn’t even find any information concerning their revenue […]
Compassion should be tempered with caution
While it may be proper for the local government to help local citizens who have been made destitute by the federal government, politicians should be careful not to overdo their generosity. Jacksonville does not need to be the bum mecca of America. Leave that to San Francisco. Local residents have become disturbed over the camps […]
JEA Scandal makes national news
Daniel Tait, a Research and Communication Manager for the Energy and Policy Institute, a watchdog group in the energy industry posted an in depth article about the JEA Scandal. My first thought was, “This is embarrassing.” My second thought was, “The truth is finally being revealed.” The title of Mr. Tait’s article says it all: […]
Everyone wants free stuff, but there is nothing free
From a story on News4Jax: “…a promise made 60 years ago during consolidation to connect neighborhoods on the Northside and Westside to city sewer lines so they wouldn’t have to rely on septic tanks.” Eye on Jacksonville would like to know: Who made that promise? Who did they make it to? We could find nothing […]
Automatic pay raises? One councilman says, ‘Nope’
One of the perks of being a politician is that you can increase your paycheck whenever you want, if you can get enough of your buddies to go along with you. But for some, even that is not enough. Congress put its pay on automatic pilot years ago. (“There is no distinctly native American criminal […]
Council is considering legislation that may be just a waste of paper
After attending many sessions of the Jacksonville City Council and Florida Legislature, I came to the conclusion that most legislation is totally unnecessary. Exceptions are enacting a budget and repealing useless legislation previously enacted. An example that is current might be a bill in the council that would limit public gatherings. At best, it is […]