MINUTES OF THE ARGYLE AREA CIVIC COUNCIL
Held on Monday, Oct. 18, 2010 at 7:30 P.M.
Denny's Restaurant, 8409 Blanding Boulevard
Jacksonville, Florida 32244
PRESENT: Bill Lewis, president; Tom Dumas, vice-president; Allen Durant, treasurer; Jim Kelly, recording secretary; John Draper, Loretta Draper; Ken Shirey: Thomas R. Martin: Greg Hollea Rachal; Tony Bates; Mike Hogan; Judy Hogan, Marie Splane; Sherrie Porter;
1. The meeting was Called to Order at 7:40 p.m.
2. Approval of Sept. minutes.
Minutes approved Allen Durant/John Draper
3. Acknowledge/introduction of visitors
Mike Hogan. Duval County Tax Collector
Sherrie Porter, District Aide to U.S. Rep Cliff Stearns
G. Hollea Rachal, Candidate for City Council District 14
4. Introduction of Jacksonville Tax Collector, Mike Hogan by John Draper
B. Hogan’s general comments
Candidate for Mayor of Jacksonville Florida:
Deep roots in the community;
Lewis Zachary Hogan, other ancestors here since Spanish War;
Land owners in Paxon area;
C. Economy is a big concern
High delinquency in tax collection as a result, $58 Mil Now;
Locally increasing taxes, fees and spending reserves could send the city into bankruptcy;
Two bad ideas hurt Jax: Better Jacksonville Plan aimed money at infrastructure instead of growing JaxPort into competitive position;
Touched on his ideas to curtail spending, no need for local ethics committee or human rights committee duplicity created with state and Fed already in place.
Wants to operate city like a business;
Tether Government growth with economic recovery;
Help small business with fewer regulations;
D. General questions and comments to candidate:
Unnecessary borrowing; Dredging JaxPort for 2014 deeper Panama Canal; Connections with Tallahassee should help port get noticed; Cut unessential spending for duplicate fed programs for children, others.
Citizens should have more input on actual need for new social programs;
Revise future public safety agreements between city and unions.
E. Sherrie Porter remarks:
Watch out for new program to tax one-percent on every bank transaction;
Watch Lame Duck Congress closely with 420 bills that might get attention;
Early voting is starting.
F. Greg Rachal Comments
Rachal Introduces himself as a humble-beginnings candidate who can relate to the common citizen.
Will show empathy and choose the right and proper path to help citizens.
Government should not want to grow or make a profit.
5. Business Development
New Panera Bread and La Napolera now open.
6. Community proposals/guest speakers: none
7. Grant Writing Committee: nothing to report
8. Landscaping
Brief comments on need to find money to fix entrance sign.
9. Treasurer’s Report
Allen Durant reported that the treasury balance is now $244.74 in savings and $45. In Checking
10. Old Business: None
11. New Business
Bill Lewis reminded the group that nominations for 2011 Argyle Area Civic Assn. are due next month.
The meeting concluded at 8:24 p.m. (Draper/Martin)
respectfully submitted,
Jim Kelly, Recording Secretary