The reaction to City Council voting against Elizabeth Andersen’s nomination to the Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees wasn’t the most exciting moment of this week’s council meeting, but it sure was the most satisfying.
Act IV: City Council chambers May 27
About 45 minutes into the meeting, members were given the chance to speak before voting on the Rules Committee’s recommendation to deny Mayor Donna Deegan’s appointment of Andersen to the library board.
This time Andersen’s council member cheering squad dwindled to two. The grey-haired (not to be confused with the balding Carlucci – Joe) Matt Carlucci, a Republican, and baby-faced Jimmy Peluso, a Democrat.
Baby-faced Peluso complained and blamed feelings. “We found ourselves in a place that I really didn’t think we were capable of getting into, where we are getting so emotional and angry about somebody trying to serve on one of our volunteer boards,” he said. Peluso continued, “This is such an uncontroversial thing that we have turned into a circus.”
Ahhh yes, but the show must go on.
Carlucci did his best, for the second time, to sell Andersen’s amazingness. He claimed Andersen is not only the most perfectest public servant ever, she is so perfect, she doesn’t even have a “criminal record.”
Don’t tell Carlucci, but technically, she does.
According to the Florida Times-Union, Andersen revealed she sold beer to an underage AFT agent while working as a server in college, in 2006. Prosecution was deferred and what happens in college stays in college.
No other council members wanted to publicly voice opposition or support for the mayor’s appointee, so the council voted.
A quick 13-5 result upheld the Rules Committee recommendation denying Andersen’s appointment.
“Shame” was shouted by several of Team Andersen’s activists in the crowd. They were quickly silenced and council moved on.
Andersen blamed the loss on “political pressure” and all the dummies living in Jacksonville.
“I think what’s difficult is that I think the majority of the community may not understand the political structure,” Andersen said to Jax Today.
She continued claiming council members have to “fall in line with expectations of their party.”
“It’s about doing what they’re told and not serving the interest of the community,” Andersen said.
Serving the interest of the community is exactly what council members did by voting no.
While this nomination has taken a political turn, Andersen didn’t lose the vote because of right-wing attacks. She lost because she isn’t a public servant, she’s an activist. A radical activist. The truth is, Andersen is easily unlikeable when presented as a public figure. I know, that was way harsh, but a political reality.
No one is trying to denigrate Andersen’s character or hurt her feelings. People are simply asking for reflection, accountability and humility from public servants.
Andersen was even given multiple chances to redeem herself publicly and blew it. Big time.
People are smart enough to see through the political theater and disingenuous condescension echoed from Jacksonville’s leadership class and those who keep trying to become part of it.
It is time for Jacksonville’s bad penny to take a bow and fade to black.
Fin
