Bloviations

During tonight’s meeting (which begins at 7pm and is held at the City Council Chambers in City Hall), the Mayor and City Council will vote on the Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan.

According to the agenda the public comment period comes before the consideration of the plan. That means if you weren’t able to get to the public hearing in July, tonight will be your last chance to be heard on this issue.

If you support the plan, if you support making Jacksonville a nicer community come out tonight and be heard.

I’ve done a quick-and-dirty whip of the votes and I think that the Plan will be approved.

Here’s the math:

Councilman (and Mayor-Pro Tem) Michael Lazzara openly spoke of his support during the July 22nd meeting. He’s a definite “Yay”.

Councilwoman Alva Thomas and Councilman Jerome Willingham both responded to my email last week speaking highly of the Plan and agreeing with my assessment of the benefits of its adoption. They’re both “Yay”s.

Councilwoman Fannie Coleman is the City Council representative to the Recreation Department’s Trails and Greenways Commission. It’s highly doubtful that she would vote against a measure that would clearly benefit her Commission and her constituency (as the Ward 4 Councilmember, she represents the area of Jacksonville from Hargett St to Western Blvd). She’s a probable-to-definite “Yay”.

That makes four “Yays” without knowing how Councilman Randy Thomas, Council Woman Reva Sullivan or Mayor Sammy Phillips will vote.

That result alone would make me happy. A unanimous vote would make me ecstatic.

Come be heard tonight in support of the Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan at 7pm at the City Hall on New Bridge St.