Name: Joyce Morgan
Family: Married 26 years-Dr. Richard Danford Jr, two daughters Faith & Morgan, son Richard III
Occupation: District 1 City Councilmember, PR Consultant
Political/Government experience: 3.5 years City Councilmember
Years lived in Jacksonville: 31
Campaign website: www.vote4joyce.com
Why did you decide to run for office: I am the incumbent City Council Member for District 1 and I have dedicated my term to being accountable, transparent, and approachable. My community work and now my work as a public servant has been well documented. I work tirelessly with businesses, schools, and organizations to change lives and promote economic development for the constituents I serve. I have tried to be a representative who listens to all sides of an issue before rendering a vote. I believe that the monthly town hall meetings I have held since 2015 have created the kind of dialogue and mutual respect needed throughout District 1 and the City of Jacksonville.
What is the biggest problem facing Jacksonville as a city overall, and how specifically would seek to address that: While there are many big issues facing Jacksonville, crime and safety have dominated the headlines. I believe curbing the increase in violence and murder in our community is a multi-faceted problem that requires many levels of action rather than only one approach from our Sheriff's office, elected officials, and citizens. In fact, City Council President Aaron Bowman's Task Force on Safety and Crime Reduction have had two meetings to begin addressing this issue that has been linked to a breakdown in family structure to poverty to lack of jobs, access to capital, education, after-school activities, healthcare, and even affordable housing.
From government to businesses to residents, we all must invest our time as well as real funding in Youth Job Programs, mentor programs, an increase in skill-based education, and other activities that impact a child’s life.
What makes your constituents unique, and how would that influence your time in office: My constituents are unique because they are proactive and have incredible follow through. During my time in office, I have been able to tap into their community advocacy and help turn visions of a cleaner Arlington and Jacksonville into tangible action. My constituents have had a major influence of how I communicate with them every month through my town hall meetings. The next one is scheduled for Monday, February 25, 2019 at Seacoast Christian Academy at 8057 Arlington Expressway at 6 pm.
What would be your main budget priority for the upcoming fiscal year: I can see the value of concentrating on infrastructure improvements and redevelopment especially in some key prioritized areas. Budget funding must basically spread the wealth of redevelopment to all parts of Jacksonville. I am grateful for a CRA-Community Redevelopment Area in Arlington because we have a real opportunity for growth with dedicated TIF (Tax Increment Funding) dollars to attract businesses and development. But all communities in Jacksonville are not on equal footing when it comes to funding.
How do you define what you hope Jacksonville will be ten years from now? I hope Jacksonville will be a city that sees the value of its river and all that can be achieved through a strategic plan that includes cleaning up the river and providing greenspace along the river for ALL citizens to enjoy. I see a Jacksonville that will discover and appreciate the real value and strength of our diverse ethnicities and cultures. And my greatest hope is that we see will that we are only as strong as our weakest link, which means we must continue to elevate Northwest Jacksonville as we RIGHT the wrongs of 50 years.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: WOKV asked all candidates in a race to answer the same questions, and the answers here are their unedited responses. WOKV has not independently verified information in these answers, nor is WOKV endorsing any candidates.