Alvin Brown
Candidate for mayor of Jacksonville
Party affiliation: Democratic
Age: 52
Family: Wife: Santhea Brown; two sons
Education: Jacksonville University, MBA; Jacksonville University, BS
Political experience: Mayor of the City of Jacksonville
What do you see as the top three issues in this race?
We've had tremendous success boosting Jacksonville's economy and creating jobs. My Administration has worked with Republicans, Democrats, and Independents to put Jacksonville first and has worked hard to revitalize downtown, refinance the budget, increase our reserves, lower unemployment, and add 36,000 new jobs to Jacksonville's economy. I'm incredibly proud Jacksonville was named the number one U.S. city to start a new business. Working alongside Governor Scott, the City Council, the Florida Legislature, and our federal leaders, we've created the right economic environment to grow jobs, build businesses, and make our city more competitive. We need to keep this momentum up and ensure Jacksonville stays number one.
Our pension costs have become unsustainable so Jacksonville must reform the employee retirement system. This is about working together, creating effective solutions, and putting Jacksonville first â€" which is why our Administration has led in a bipartisan manner on retirement reform. I appointed a 17-member Retirement Reform Task Force, which included the last two JAX Chamber presidents and other community leaders. Most of the recommendations from the task force are in the pension reform agreement with the Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund (PFPF) currently being considered by the City Council. The agreement involves shared sacrifice by current and future city employees, contains critical reforms to benefits and governance, and establishes the framework for the city and PFPF to address the Fund's unfunded liability.
Restoring health to the pension system will not only promote the effective, efficient operation of all city services but also help us focus on Jacksonville's quality of life. I'm proud that today we are on the verge of achieving pension reform. As the Times-Union wrote recently, the current agreement is a reasonable plan and the time to act on this pension solution is now.
Before I was elected, I said a vibrant and modernized downtown would be a priority in my Administration. I'm proud to have kept my word and led the way on revitalizing Downtown Jacksonville during my four years in office. My Administration has worked with Republicans, Democrats, and Independents on making today's downtown a reality. Downtown Jacksonville is now going through an economic and cultural renaissance. I helped create the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA), which has played a vital and positive role in helping to jump-start downtown revitalization. In fact, I was proud to just recently sign the DIA's redevelopment plan into law, and I look forward to working with DIA leaders, the business community, downtown merchants and residents, the arts and cultural community, and others to help downtown realize its full potential. Thanks to my Administration's leadership and the DIA's work, Downtown Jacksonville now has clear momentum.
In fact, the Miami Herald recently said, "Downtown Jax has changed dramatically over the past three years" and "the city core has gone from drab to dynamite." And the Florida Times-Union said it best when they said, "Downtown is roaring to life."
Now I want to continue investing in Downtown so that it remains a center of business, culture, and special events that brings people together and creates a defining hub for our city. Revitalizing the Jacksonville Landing, developing the Shipyards, and hopefully bringing life back to the Laura Street Trio are priorities for my Administration in taking Downtown Jacksonville to the next level.
Campaign website, other links: MayorAlvinBrown.com | Facebook | @AlvinForMayor |
Candidate page and campaign financial reports on DuvalElections.com
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