Editor Vinn Candy Open letter to Jacksonville City Council.
Subject: Urgent Call to Action: Leadership Accountability and Community Welfare
Dear Jacksonville City Council Members,
My name is Vinn Candy, and as a concerned resident of Jacksonville, I am writing to address several critical issues under the current administration. Through my campaign, “Deegan Must Go Jax”, we are working to recall and remove Mayor Donna Deegan from office due to her negligence and failure to address the needs of our community.
Our campaign has the backing of Donald Trump 45/47, who has publicly called for the resignation of the “no name mayor.” We are mobilizing to gather the required signatures set forth by the Supervisor of Elections to begin the recall process. As of now, 622,651 registered voters reside in Duval County, meaning:
• Initial Petition: We need 31,133 signatures (5% of registered voters) to initiate the recall process.
• Secondary Petition: Upon validation of the initial petition, we will need 93,398 additional signatures (15% of registered voters) to proceed to the recall election.
This effort is rooted in restoring accountability and ensuring Jacksonville residents receive the leadership they deserve.
Key Issues:
1. Understaffed Sheriff’s Office and Public Safety
Jacksonville residents are facing significant risks due to inadequate staffing at the Sheriff’s Office. With response times extending up to four hours for non-emergencies, our community is left vulnerable. The $10 million spent on a homeowner program could have been used to hire 156 new officers to protect our city.
2. Lack of Public Input on Stadium Renovations
The $1.4 billion stadium renovation was approved without a public vote, disregarding the voices of Jacksonville residents. Such large-scale expenditures raise concerns about fiscal responsibility, especially as they may lead to increased property taxes at a time when families are already struggling.
3. Impact of Illegal Immigration on the Local Economy
Jacksonville’s construction industry has been overwhelmed by undocumented labor, making it nearly impossible for well-established, legitimate local businesses to compete. Donna Deegan has failed to address this issue, leaving residents and business owners to suffer the consequences.
4. Inadequate Preparation for New Homelessness Legislation
Despite a state law prohibiting individuals from sleeping in public spaces taking effect in October 2024, the city has failed to prepare by providing adequate shelter beds. This neglect has left vulnerable populations without support and businesses struggling to navigate the fallout of this lack of planning.
5. Inflammatory Comments and Misuse of Taxpayer Funds
During a recent trip to London, Mayor Deegan made inflammatory comments that misrepresented our city and embarrassed its residents. Furthermore, there are concerns about the misuse of taxpayer dollars, including a large hotel bill during her stay, which highlights the administration’s lack of fiscal accountability.
6. Neglected Infrastructure and Overgrown Alleys
Jacksonville’s roads are riddled with potholes, and overgrown alleys remain unaddressed despite repeated requests from local businesses for cleanup. This neglect of basic infrastructure maintenance impacts residents’ quality of life and creates hazards for businesses and drivers alike.
Call to Action:
Our campaign calls on the City Council to act swiftly to address these pressing issues by:
• Enhancing Public Safety: Reallocating funds to hire additional law enforcement officers and reduce response times.
• Ensuring Transparency in Fiscal Decisions: Allowing residents to vote on major expenditures like the stadium renovation.
• Supporting Local Businesses: Addressing the challenges posed by undocumented labor to protect legitimate local businesses.
• Addressing Homelessness Proactively: Creating a comprehensive plan to provide adequate shelter and resources to comply with state law.
• Improving Infrastructure Maintenance: Allocating resources to repair potholes, clean alleys, and respond to community and business needs.
• Investigating Misuse of Public Funds: Ensuring accountability for all taxpayer-funded expenditures and public statements.
Jacksonville deserves better. Our campaign is committed to ensuring Donna Deegan is held accountable for her failure to meet the needs of our community. With the support of Donald Trump 45/47 and Jacksonville’s residents, we will restore leadership that prioritizes safety, transparency, and the well-being of all.
For more information, please contact us at donnadeeganmustgojax@gmail.com.
Thank you for your attention to these matters. I am available to discuss these issues further and work collaboratively on solutions to benefit all Jacksonville residents.
Sincerely,
Vinn Candy
donnadeeganmustgojax@gmail.com
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