Q: Can you bring us up to date on the Mandarin Road sidewalk extension [as of interview date of April 16]?
A: We do have some updates here. As you may or may not know, in 2001 the Jacksonville City Council passed an ordinance that declared parts of Mandarin Road, County Dock Road, and Loretto Road as scenic and historic corridors. Live oaks of a certain size are protected and any work to be done requires the involvement of the city arborist and the city councilmember for approval. With that said, the long-awaited Community Meeting about the sidewalk will be held on May 14 at 6 p.m. at the Mandarin Community Club on Mandarin Road. We will have JTA there to present their proposed path and a representative from the Public Works Department as well as the city arborist, Jonathan Colburn, will be there with their recommendations.
I know this is a subject of great interest and concern for some, and I would ask people to take a look at the sidewalk from Flynn Road to Walter Jones Park (particularly the stretch from just before County Dock Road to the park) to see what the canopy looks like and how the trees have thrived for decades following the installation of sidewalks there. From Red Cypress Road all the way down to Big Cypress is a good example of how the canopy was preserved as part of the last extension five years ago, what with the weaving of the sidewalk throughout. From my perspective, safety is first and foremost, and also we will make every effort to protect the tree canopy as we did previously.
Q: What can you tell us about upcoming safety initiatives at Mandarin schools?
A: At the suggestion of School Board Member Melody Bolduc and under her leadership, I’m visiting area schools to observe arrivals and dismissals. We are trying to assure the safety of students and next week will have a meeting with school principals and representatives from the City of Jacksonville to address the safety concerns.
Q: Do you have any park updates?
A: Playground equipment has been installed at Tommy Hazouri Park and should be open for use by the end of April. Alberts Field construction is likewise anticipated to be completed in a timely fashion. As for the recognition of the Losco family at the soon-to-be-renamed Richard H. “Dick” Kravitz Regional Park, we are meeting with the family to go over details, but I anticipate either the pavilion or soccer field to be renamed “Losco Pavilion” or “Losco Field” in their honor. Additionally, we will have a historical marker about the Losco family located at the entrance to the trails. The plan is to have this signage installed to unveil at the same time as the renaming ceremony for the park.
Q: Can you shed insight on your proposed bill to change how City Council leadership is chosen?
A: The bill will be filed today [April 16]. I propose limiting council leadership to the five At Large members on a rotating basis starting in 2030. I stand by my comments. The intent from my perspective is to bring attention to this not only being a good process, giving greater purpose to the At Large elections, but perhaps we could also be more diligent with following Sunshine Laws in the future.
Q: What is the best way for our readers to contact you?
A: Community members can email me at MBoylan@coj.net or call (904) 255-5206.
