The Landing was handed over to the City of Jacksonville this week. The businesses still left on the premises were also handed 30 day eviction notices and told to get out.
And now the rush to tear down the iconic building is underway. There is no time to talk, no time to plan, no time to engage and no time to wait. The orange roof building must go and go now!
And all the people of the city ask, “What’s your hurry, Mayor Curry?”
Why will you not let the people participate and be heard? Why not engage with others who have ideas? You just might find a golden gem to save The Landing and find a better purpose for her from the people you serve.
Speaking of serving: Let us remember how The Landing and its owners have served this city:
They hosted football game participants for major parties and fun times, held non-profit organizational events, put on free concerts for those who can’t afford Dailey’s high ticket prices, personally paid for firework shows on July 4th, New Year’s Eve and Summer Special Events, hosted Jacksonville’s Christmas Tree Lighting ceremonies, and even provided space for Presidential rallies. AND MOST OF THOSE ACTIVITIES WERE FOR FREE. WE THANK THEM FOR ALL THEY DID FOR OUR CITY!!
And Mayor Curry, the people want to know “Where will those activities be held now?” “What’s your plan, man?”
Reminds me of the story “The Emperor’s New Clothes.”
Two weavers promised an emperor a new suit of clothes that they said were invisible to those who are unfit for their positions, stupid or incompetent. But the kicker is they didn’t make any clothes at all. Instead they made everyone believe the clothes were invisible to them. The Emperor parades around naked and all are quiet and afraid to say anything. Until suddenly a child cries out, “But he isn’t wearing anything at all!”
Mayor Curry, having “no plan” is your “no clothes” moment. You might think the people are stupid, unfit to give advice or incompetent and we firmly disagree. We believe there is a way to save this iconic structure or have a formal plan in place before tearing it down.
Plain and Simple, in child like innocence: It’s ridiculous to tear down an iconic building without a plan.
She craved anything leadership related and enjoyed being around the world of entrepreneurial CEOs. She watched as they made decisions; pondered how they would make payroll when cash flow was tight; and appreciated how they created career opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people. Because of her experiences, she has emerged as a key resource for the media and others who want to understand important insights about executives, management teams and board dynamics.
In 2008, Billie became discouraged as she watched some of her clients struggle with the political economic impacts on their businesses. The same CEOs who mortgaged their home and charged up their credit cards to make ends meet to build a business and keep others working, now watched as their government bailed out the big banks who had mismanaged their resources. She cringed as most of her clients laid off employees for the first time and she vowed she would help them… somehow…someway.
That somehow…someway showed up in the Tea Party Movement in America. She formed one of the largest tea party group’s in America (more than 9,000 members strong) and helped bring attention to America’s debt problem, out of control spending, over taxation and regulation strangulation on companies.
With her background in working with leaders and her influence in the political and leadership world, Billie has continued her dream to help CEOs navigate these troubling waters that permeate the world of capitalism in America.
She has been an active participant in the media as a guest on CNN, Fox News, Fox Business, Bott Family Network Radio and co-hosts a political/financial radio show in the Northeast Florida market entitled, Smart Money.
She was the first speaker at the House of Representatives Tea Party Caucus inaugural event and was invited by Heritage Foundation to speak at their prestigious annual Heritage Resource Bank, and on their National Security Panel live broadcasts.
She spoke at the Congressional Republican House Retreat in Pennsylvania in 2012. She was also the co-host and co-producer of the CNN Tea Party Express Debate in the 2012 Presidential Election.
She is a firm believer that America needs more entrepreneurs and more opportunities for people to use their God-given talents and passions to better themselves, their communities and America.
Her favorite quote has become her mission to help CEOs succeed:
“Vision without execution is hallucination.” – Thomas Edison
