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1. In recent years, the mayor and City Council have used a mix of revenue

increases and cuts in expenses to balance the city budget. Do you agree? If not,what would you do differently? While a mix of revenue increases and cuts in expenses

have been implemented to balance the city budget, I believe the mix has beendisproportionately in favor of revenue increases. Raising revenues through tax and feeincreases always seems to be the easy approach. I instead advocate for a comprehensivereview of all expenses (granted, a more difficult approach) in an attempt to identify andeliminate wasteful spending from city government. Despite some who may suggest thecontrary, there is still waste in local government and I dont have to look far to find it.For example, during my prior service on the City Council, two members shared a singleaide. Now each member has a single Executive Council Assistant (ECA) and most startat the top of the salary range. I have chosen to not hire an ECA, and that decisionrepresents an annual savings to taxpayers of more than $70,000. A return to thesharing policy could yield more than $600,000 in savings, and is just one of several

areas (in the City Council office alone) where substantial savings could be achieved.Similarly, there are many other opportunities to reduce wasteful spending throughout citygovernment. In closing, because I believe the mix (of revenue increases and cuts inexpenses) has in fact been so disproportional, I voted against both of the mayorsproposed tax hikes. Until a painstaking review of all expenditures is conducted, I cannotin good conscience support a tax increase in the face of the wasteful spending I witnesson a regular basis.

2. Do you support the Jacksonville Journey? Explain your answer. I haveguardedly supported the Jacksonville Journey but recognize that the programs thereinmay need continued closer scrutiny to determine whether they are actually making a

successful impact or not. This review process becomes increasingly more important asfederal dollars, that once helped launch and sustain Jacksonville Journey are nowbeginning to disappear, in turn requiring local replacement funding (from an alreadystrained budget). The annual report issued last year by the Jacksonville JourneyOversight Committee (at the completion of the programs second full year of operation)noted several areas of improvement. Those included: secondary school suspensions(which dropped dramatically), the success of the after school Team-Up program(resulting in a remarkable rate of participants being promoted to the next grade level),and progress in the rehabilitation or boarding up of more than 300 nuisance sites intargeted neighborhoods throughout Jacksonville. However, the report also acknowledgedthe need to refine the measurement process. While crime rates across the board have

decreased in Jacksonville, it is difficult to determine how much of the reduction isdirectly attributable to Jacksonville Journey. Many (including the Sheriff) cite the hiringof additional police officers and a new State Attorney as contributing factors as well.

3. What endorsements have you received? I have received the endorsement of theFirst Coast Manufacturers Association, the Fraternal Order of Police and the NortheastFlorida Builders Association. I was also interviewed by the Associated Builders andContractors and I am awaiting their decision.

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4. How much civic activity do you perform outside work? I perform a considerableamount of civic activity outside of work. In 2000, I was the cofounder of Citizens forTree Preservation, Inc., the group that led the petition drive (citizens initiative) for the

overwhelmingly successful Tree Preservation Amendment that appeared on theNovember 2000 ballot. In 2003, I helped organize the citizens initiative to place a litteramendment on the ballot. After working closely with the City Council, they adopted alitter ordinance in 2004 - saving us the need for a citizens initiative. In 2005, I beganworking with various civic leaders, community groups and the JacksonvilleTransportation Authority in an attempt to find ways to erect and maintain bus shelterswithout having to amend the sign code to allow for commercial advertising on the same.Prior to returning to the City Council in 2008, I appeared before the City Council on avariety of zoning issues, which included my opposition to the proposed land use changeto accommodate Wal-Mart on Atlantic Boulevard at Bartram Road (which also includedan appearance before the Times-Union editorial board) and the Craig Field runway

expansion. I also currently serve on the board of directors and devote considerable timeto a variety of civic and non profit organizations, including Arlingtons Tree Hill NatureCenter, the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library, and the Jacksonville HumaneSociety.

5. How do you intend to comply with Floridas public records and government in

the sunshine laws? If you saw an elected official breaking the sunshine law, what

would you do? I have and will continue to comply fully with the Sunshine Law, just as Ialways have during my service in office. In the event I see an elected official breakingthe Sunshine Law, I will remind them of the requirements by which we are bound. In thepast, I have reported Sunshine violations to the State Attorney. I am a strong and vocal

advocate for adhering to the Sunshine Law, ethics and transparency. Although nottechnically a Sunshine requirement, as Chairman of the City Councils Land Use andZoning Committee, I created a new LUZ speakers card which requires registeredlobbyists to disclose whether they are registered on the matter they are speaking to thecommittee about, and places anyone completing the card under oath when testifyingbefore the committee.

6. What can you do to help support the clean-up of the St. Johns River? As acitizen, I can conserve water, dispose of my yard waste properly and use low nitrogenfertilizers. As a City Council member, I can continue to work to make sure failing septictanks are repaired or replaced, river polluters are caught and prosecuted, wetlands are

protected, growth and demands from growth are managed properly, and that upstreamusers pursue similar policies. As Chairman of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission,I participated in last years Health of the St Johns River Community Dialogue, whichhelped lead to Senator John Thrashers creation of a St. Johns River Caucus (comprisedof 52 members of the Legislature). I also participated as a panelist in the River Summitheld here in Jacksonville last September.

7. How can you become engaged in the citys high murder, infant mortality and

suicide rates? Although murder and suicide can result from a variety of factors,economic reasons contribute heavily. It is important that we continue to strive for a top-

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tier educational system to provide our students with the proper education and trainingwith which to enter the workplace. But the school system cant provide that unilaterally.It is essential that parents take more of an active role in their childrens education. Its a

collaborative effort. Once our children are prepared to enter the workplace, we have aneconomic climate that will offer them employment opportunities. The City Councilshould be vigilant about creating and preserving such an environment. With propereducation and healthy economic climate, citizens can have an excellent opportunity tolead a productive life. With specific regard to infant mortality, prenatal care andeducation should continue to remain a focus of the Department of Health, a partnershipagency between the city and state.

8. Has consolidation been a good or bad deal for Jacksonville? Please explain your

answer. Consolidation has been good for Jacksonville. Prior to consolidation,considerable corruption existed at both the county and city levels. Consolidation has

greatly reduced that corruption and it has also achieved efficiencies and economies ofscale by eliminating the duplication of services. However, various independentauthorities and government agencies have slowly sought independence from some of thecentral services provided by the city. Any decisions to allow those authorities andgovernment agencies to provide duplicate services should be subject to periodic auditto ensure that the cost for those services are not more than what those costs would be ifthe city still provided them.

9. What is the role of a Council member? As mini-mayor? Or as legislator? Clearly,the role of a City Council member is one of a legislator, not as a mini-mayor. I liken theCity Council to a board of directors: a group of individuals charged with adopting goals

and objectives, approving budgets and establishing policy all to be executed by theexecutive director (in the citys case, the mayor).