Today is Sep 12 and it has been well over a full work week since I sent the Sep 1, 2006 email to the Mayor and City Council Members... Where are the replies? Not in my Inbox...
Mayor Peyton at least have the backbone to stand up and either Confirm what Susie said or do the right thing and disavow her comments and go on the record with one of the Major Media outlets and issue a statement, "Friendship Fountain will NOT be torn down, will not be altered but will be Refurbished." Give us concerned Friends of the Fountain your guarantee "Not on your watch" Mr. Mayor.
Great story at MetroJacksonville.com regarding the Fountain as well as a very neatly laid out time line of events including story links to document the line... Well Mr. Mayor maybe you will have a comment on this story?
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/200/68/
Latest posts around town I have found...
http://www.metjax.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2859&highlight=fountain
http://www.metjax.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2864&highlight=fountain
http://www.metjax.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2789&highlight=fountain
One additional note. I am an avid fan of our Jaguars and I noted that FOX kicked OFF their NFL Regular Season Coverage from Jacksonville (yeah i know it was because of T.O. playing here and not the Jags) however the backdrop of their Commentary Desk sure could have used the Fountain as it was used for the entire Super Bowl week coverage.
$400,000 about 1 and a half years ago and the Fountain would be working with all three rings today... I guess if you really don't want it the best way is to neglect it long enough so that it can't be fixed? Is that the Real plan Mr. Mayor ???
-Bob
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Friendship Fountain Shop
Today we have just added an option to Purchase T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Mugs, a Wall Clock and other items through Friends of Friendship Fountain Shop through CafePress.
These items are sold at CafePress's base prices with no markup whatsoever as this is not an attempt to make money but to provide Visitors an option to purchase and wear or use "Save OUR Fountain" gear.
Currently there are only a few images available however over the next week or so we hope to add "Save OUR Fountain!" images and gear.
If you don't see anything you like but have your own image of Friendship Fountain that you like then just click on "Make your own stuff" from This Link!
Remember I am making nothing from any sales, compare our prices with "Make your own" and you will see.
-Bob
These items are sold at CafePress's base prices with no markup whatsoever as this is not an attempt to make money but to provide Visitors an option to purchase and wear or use "Save OUR Fountain" gear.
Currently there are only a few images available however over the next week or so we hope to add "Save OUR Fountain!" images and gear.
If you don't see anything you like but have your own image of Friendship Fountain that you like then just click on "Make your own stuff" from This Link!
Remember I am making nothing from any sales, compare our prices with "Make your own" and you will see.
-Bob
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Times Union Updates Friendship Fountain Story
To be or not to be: What will become of landmark Friendship Fountain?
It could be restored or be replaced, and that's what a consultant is working on.
By DAN SCANLAN, The Times-Union
Read the story here http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/090206/met_4780133.shtml
The construction service, engineering and consulting firm that was hired for this is HNTB. HNTB, which apparently designed local landmarks such as the Acosta, Fuller Warren and Dames Point bridges has offices here in Jacksonville.
Hntb
7077 Bonneval Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32216-6010
(904) 296-0207
-Bob
It could be restored or be replaced, and that's what a consultant is working on.
By DAN SCANLAN, The Times-Union
Read the story here http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/090206/met_4780133.shtml
The construction service, engineering and consulting firm that was hired for this is HNTB. HNTB, which apparently designed local landmarks such as the Acosta, Fuller Warren and Dames Point bridges has offices here in Jacksonville.
Hntb
7077 Bonneval Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32216-6010
(904) 296-0207
-Bob
Friday, September 01, 2006
Email to the Mayor and City Council Members!
From: Bob Johnson
To: JPeyton@coj.net
Date: Sep 1, 2006 10:57 AM
Subject: Are the days now Numbered for Friendship Fountain?
Susie Wiles was quoted yesterday on a TV 4 news Article as follows:
"It can't be done at any kind of a reasonable cost," said Mayor's Office spokeswoman Susie Wiles."
http://www.news4jax.com/news/9771462/detail.html
This just 4 Months after Mayor Peyton stated "Friendship Fountain will be refurbished, not demolished." in an email to myself and other citizens.
My recollection of the History is that about 1.5 years ago it was discovered that the pumps operating the Center and inner rings had failed and either required replacement or repair. At the time a figure of $400,000 was bandied about.
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/081005/neR_19443892.shtml
Then after almost a year of apparent inaction in April 2006 a story surfaced about a possible demolition and replacement of friendship Park which would include am "Interactive water feature", the price then discussed was 3 million dollars. Public input was also promised.
http://www.news4jax.com/video/8613638/detail.html
Now 4 months later the Mayor's spokeswoman informs us that the Fountain is too broke to be fixed. I really wonder where the engineering studies are that support this after all the other renovations that have taken place in the last 8 or so years.
Has the City actually received a report from a qualified organization that has stated that repairing the Fountain is impossible? If so where can the Public view this report?
Has the City ever solicited Public Input after stating they would on a number of occasions? If so where were these public Meetings Posted?
What is the real reason the City wants to move Kids Park to the current site of Friendship Fountain? What are the plans for the land that Kids park currently occupies?
If anyone can provide answers to the above questions and inconsistencies in money being mentioned and timing I certainly would appreciate your input.
Thank you,
Bob Johnson
904-786-1712
1153 Denaud Street
Jacksonville, Fl, 32205
--
JaxFountain.com
Dedicated to showcasing and preserving Friendship Fountain
http://JaxFountain.com
http://FriendshipFountain.com
http://FriendshipFountain.net
--
JaxWeather.net
Jacksonville, Fl (Lakeshore, 32205) Local Weather
http://JaxWeather.net
--
To: JPeyton@coj.net
Date: Sep 1, 2006 10:57 AM
Subject: Are the days now Numbered for Friendship Fountain?
Susie Wiles was quoted yesterday on a TV 4 news Article as follows:
"It can't be done at any kind of a reasonable cost," said Mayor's Office spokeswoman Susie Wiles."
http://www.news4jax.com/news/9771462/detail.html
This just 4 Months after Mayor Peyton stated "Friendship Fountain will be refurbished, not demolished." in an email to myself and other citizens.
My recollection of the History is that about 1.5 years ago it was discovered that the pumps operating the Center and inner rings had failed and either required replacement or repair. At the time a figure of $400,000 was bandied about.
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/081005/neR_19443892.shtml
Then after almost a year of apparent inaction in April 2006 a story surfaced about a possible demolition and replacement of friendship Park which would include am "Interactive water feature", the price then discussed was 3 million dollars. Public input was also promised.
http://www.news4jax.com/video/8613638/detail.html
Now 4 months later the Mayor's spokeswoman informs us that the Fountain is too broke to be fixed. I really wonder where the engineering studies are that support this after all the other renovations that have taken place in the last 8 or so years.
Has the City actually received a report from a qualified organization that has stated that repairing the Fountain is impossible? If so where can the Public view this report?
Has the City ever solicited Public Input after stating they would on a number of occasions? If so where were these public Meetings Posted?
What is the real reason the City wants to move Kids Park to the current site of Friendship Fountain? What are the plans for the land that Kids park currently occupies?
If anyone can provide answers to the above questions and inconsistencies in money being mentioned and timing I certainly would appreciate your input.
Thank you,
Bob Johnson
904-786-1712
1153 Denaud Street
Jacksonville, Fl, 32205
--
JaxFountain.com
Dedicated to showcasing and preserving Friendship Fountain
http://JaxFountain.com
http://FriendshipFountain.com
http://FriendshipFountain.net
--
JaxWeather.net
Jacksonville, Fl (Lakeshore, 32205) Local Weather
http://JaxWeather.net
--
Frienship Fountain's days numbered?
Due to recent events as uncovered by a TV 4 News report it appears that Friendship Fountain is in more danger then ever of being demolished and replaced.
http://www.news4jax.com/news/9771462/detail.html
As a result this page will be the Front page of the JaxFountain/FriendshipFountain web site to allow more frequent updates and comments to be posted by visitors. All comments are moderated for spam content only.
I will post more about the recent developments in the next day but for now let me just post this Quote from the above TV 4 News report...
"The city said it's too late to fix the Friendship Fountain, which was the highest fountain in the southeast when it was built in 1965. They also said it would cost too much to restore it to its former glory.
"It can't be done at any kind of a reasonable cost," said Mayor's Office spokeswoman Susie Wiles."
To visit the last front page of JaxFountain/Friendship Fountain please Click Here!
-Bob
http://www.news4jax.com/news/9771462/detail.html
As a result this page will be the Front page of the JaxFountain/FriendshipFountain web site to allow more frequent updates and comments to be posted by visitors. All comments are moderated for spam content only.
I will post more about the recent developments in the next day but for now let me just post this Quote from the above TV 4 News report...
"The city said it's too late to fix the Friendship Fountain, which was the highest fountain in the southeast when it was built in 1965. They also said it would cost too much to restore it to its former glory.
"It can't be done at any kind of a reasonable cost," said Mayor's Office spokeswoman Susie Wiles."
To visit the last front page of JaxFountain/Friendship Fountain please Click Here!
-Bob
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