So Ive been resisting the bait Folio has been dangling in front of me all day - but after reading what Dan Dawson posted, I couldnt withstand much more. My biggest problem with Folio opinion pieces is that they keep up this whole schtick of the angry, frustrated liberal, striving to to keep Jacksonville in mediocrity and maintaining the us vs them narrative that is frankly stupid and outdated. (Youre showing your age over there!) Anyway, please read Dans comments below. I couldnt have said it better myself... This article Folio was written to get a rise, but what the hell. I’ll bite. This weekend Shad Khan unveiled the awe-inspiring scoreboards that now adorn Everbank Field. Together Jacksonville cheered, swelling with pride over the spectacle as sign of better things to come. It was a good weekend for the city, but like any good thing, someone had to complain. The articles writers start off employing traditional tropes used time and again by the NIMBY crowd: Us vs. them, rich vs. poor, business interests vs. the people. Naturally, they they take a low blow at the Jags, telling us how bad the team has performed as of late. This “we suck, so let’s just keep sucking” mentality is a favorite among the complainer class that up until recently loved to spout off on how Shad was going to take the team to LA. I think it is clear he isnt moving our beloved Jags. The problem with this article is that it dreams small and advocates for nothing beyond feigned outrage over the scoreboard expenditure. Yes, Shad Khan is rich. Sure, he could have paid for the renovations out of his own pocket, but that would be like a renter renovate a kitchen for their landlord. The City should invest in its own infrastructure, even if it is for a stadium. He promised to cover 1/3rd of the cost then left the issue to the Mayor and City Council to decide. They agreed, and for what seems the first time in recent memory a major project was completed in less than a year. I believe this was the right decision because the city needed a boost. Sure it isn’t 3,308 covered bus shelters or extended library hours, both worthy causes, but people need a bit of magic in their lives. Growing up my family didnt have much, but my parents still took my brothers and I to Disney World. It was a struggle for them. They could have put that money in our college funds, or saved it for an unexpected medical bill, but they wanted to see the smiles on our faces. It was an investment in memories, fun and the hope that we could believe in a better future. Every city has downers, and Folio is obliged to share various view points, but that doesn’t mean we have to agree. I am proud to be a 5th Generation Jaxson, and I am proud of my City. Go Jags and #DTWD. ...btw, when did writers for alternative mags start advocating for 13,000 surveillance cameras ಠ_ಠ ?
Posted on: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 16:52:51 +0000
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