Candidate: Mark Beamenderfer W/D

I am a Beaches resident and a registered Republican, but a Libertarian at heart. I have called Jacksonville my home since 1994. I served my country proudly for four years in the U.S. Navy with HS-7 at NAS Jax. I graduated from UNF in 2001 with a BBA in banking & finance and I\'m a current student at Florida Coastal School of Law. I am married and a proud father of two young daughters. I\'m hard-working, have conservative values, believe in limited and accountable government and fiscal responsibility. I am seeking to change the way things are run in Jacksonville and to give the Beaches and Southside voters a voice of reason downtown that has long been lacking. The citizens of Jacksonville are struggling with declining home values and high unemployment. Voters were quite vocal in their opposition to a second straight tax increase, yet the current city council voted in favor of it anyway. We need to eliminate unnecessary city government positions, stop wasteful spending, and roll back taxes to levels more in line with current property values. Many city employees are taking advantage of the system by retiring, collecting their pensions, and then going back to work for the city, often in the exact same positions. This \"double-dipping\" has to stop. Our government \"leaders\" have squandered away millions through unnecessary studies and surveys, no-bid contracts, bloated pet projects such as the Shipyards and the courthouse, and forgoing Jaguar profits, yet they remain accountable to no one and continue to demand more and more from the taxpayers. Enough is enough. Business as usual in Jacksonville is no longer acceptable. It\'s time to break up the \"good \'ole boy\" system where elected officials give jobs to their buddies and answer not to their constituents, but to the special interests and lobbyists that put them into office. As a political newcomer, I am running on my own merits and without any endorsements from the city power brokers. I will remain true to my values and never lose sight of the fact that I represent the hard working, tax paying citizens of Jacksonville and the Beaches. As a small business and property owner and graduate of UNF\'s Coggin School of Business, I am more than capable of handling the complicated, day-to-day issues that confront a city councilman. As a student of the law, I understand and am familiar with the legislative process. My conservative values, strong will, business know-how, and educational background will help me restore common sense to the Jacksonville City council. It\'s time for some fresh faces in the Jacksonville political scene. Lets do away with the career politicians and their corruption that have plagued this city for far too long. They\'ve had their chance to deliver on their promises but have failed to do so. I look forward to serving you and hope to have your support in March.