CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS UNDER ATTACK FOR 2012-296 VOTE, THEY NEED OUR HELP NOW.

[Leanne King]

My next communication was going to be one where I would ask that we all send thank you notes or make calls thanking the city council members for their "no" vote on 296. We should do that and I encourage you all to take the time to let them know that we appreciate their listening to the voice of the people.

     Right now, Councilmen Gaffney and Brown need to feel our support for they are under attack. Please take action and let them know that they are not alone in this struggle. We can show them that we are there all the time not just when we "have an issue".

     The following  information was provided to me from an attorney working with a group of individuals in oppositon to 2012-296. I am withholding his name.

     "Please, we need your assistance. I am requesting a few minutes of your time to read this important request (for which some background should be helpful).

     Since the overwhelming defeat of Ordinance 2012-296 (17-2), after the Substitute was also defeated, on Wednesday of this week, Councilman Johnny Gaffney (who along with others courageously voted NO on the Substitute and Original Ordinance) has come under undue and blatant personal attacks by supporters of 296 and the media unlike no other Council member.

     One of the first tactics of the supporters that has taken place is an outright public assault on Councilman Gaffney. After a news reporter followed Dr. Gaffney down the Council’s private hallway (leaving Council chambers) pressuring him to answer questions about his vote (while Dr. Gaffney was trying to leave to travel to another commitment for which he was scheduled to attend), Dr. Gaffney has been made a prime subject of an article in today’s Times Union and is being publicly pressured by supporters of the Ordinance to “change his vote”. http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-08-16/story/jacksonville-su...

     Another Council member, Reginald Brown, who also voted NO was mentioned in the paper today, as well.

     Along with the other eight Council members who voted NO on the Substitute ANTI-FIRST AMENDMENT ORDINANCE, Councilmen Johnny Gaffney and Reginald Brown were willing to stand on the right side of this issue. These two men should be made aware that a majority of Jacksonville citizens appreciate their leadership in this vote.

     WE NEED TO IMMEDIATELY LET DR. GAFFNEY KNOW THAT HIS VOTE OF “NO” ON 296 IS APPRECIATED AND THAT HE HAS OVERWHELMING PUBLIC SUPPORT FROM THOSE WHO OPPOSED 296. ALSO, WE NEED TO LET COUNCILMAN BROWN KNOW THE SAME. (Yes, all of those members who voted to defeat the measure should be thanked, and I know many of you have already done so; however, it is imperative that Dr. Gaffney and Reginald Brown hear from us immediately.)

     Please immediately let Dr. Gaffney know that you appreciate him taking a stand and voting the way he chose to vote. Please send him a “Thank You” now! Again, it is critical that Dr. Gaffney and Councilman Brown both know that their courage and taking a stand are appreciated.

     While I know it is late in the day, after hours, and the close of the week, will you PLEASE TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO CONTACT THEM AND SAY “THANK YOU”. Don’t put it off.

     An immediate Email will be great. In addition, a telephone call (even just leaving a short message) will be of added benefit. And, in addition, if many of you will write just a short note and drop it in the mail to each of them, that will be awesome (yes, “paper mail” still grabs the attention of the recipient; and , if the note is mailed today or tomorrow, it should arrive at City Hall on Monday, August 20, and I personally belief it will make a great impact).

     PLEASE, TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO LET THEM HEAR FROM YOU! If you think that you don’t have time and that “someone else will do it”, you are right, because the supporters of 296 have already been (and are continuing) doing so. And, please ask all like-minded people that you know to do the same.

1. Email each Councilman right now.
2. Call each Councilman (yes, even after hours or on the weekend, leave a message on voicemail if no one answers).
3. Write a short note and send by “snail mail”
4. Ask as many like-minded people that you know to do the same.

     LET’S HAVE THOUSANDS OF EMAILS, CALLS AND NOTES GOING TO DR. GAFFNEY AND COUNCILMAN BROWN BETWEEN NOW AND MONDAY!

Mailing Address for both Councilmen is : 117 West Duval St., Suite 425, Jacksonville, Florida 32202.

Dr. Johnny Gaffney, District 7
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Reginald L. Brown, District 10
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

 

Thank you FCTP Patriots!!!

Leanne

[Amy M.]

This was a huge process that took a sacrifice of time, prayers, communication, and more for many of us (and it will surface again).  I have tremendous respect for and am grateful to Gaffney and Brown (and Kimberly Daniels who is a democrat), who went against the pressure of their party in order to do the right thing.  I am extremely disappointed in our Republicans who blatantly went against their constitutents and the public interest.  Where does the conservative christian representation rest?  Clearly, morality and courage are not a one party issue and it is time to hold our elected officials to a standard before they are elected next time. One can only claim ignorance, financial pressure or  political weak backbone for a vote against the will of the people for a bill that would effect less than 2% of the population, even less who are actually discriminated against, very very few...

[Frances Williams]

Left two voicemails, and two e-mails to thank them.  Thank you for keeping us informed.  I am

not good about going to meetings, and work alot of hours, but when you send out pointed projects like this, it may take me a couple of days, but I can do it, and am happy to do it.  If everyone does something......     am reading about Agenda 21 now.  This is scary and I believe we have some of it here in Jax. 

[amanda choate]

Dawn be careful where you go to get your news. The source of news today harkens back to the days of yellow journalism and muckracking. If you find a news source you disagree with about half the time, chances are you have found a great source. If you find one that you always disagree or agree with, chances are they are as bogus a bag of three dollar bills.

[Dawn Holder]

That is IT for me!  I usually pick up two Sunday papers.  I won't be doing that anymore.  It is this kind of attitude resulted in the canceling of my account many years ago.  I have long referred to it as the Time ONION because it plain stinks!  No more money from me!

[Leanne King]

Jean, I am so very sorry that you made the trip to the office. I had sent out a cancel and just sent you an email. As always, thanks so much for being such a wonderful Patriot and I will see you Tuesday. God Bless you sweet lady. L

[Robert Henderson]

Last night I sent the following in an email to Gaffney and Brown. This ordinance not needed and will only cause trouble!

I appreciate your vote against 296. I am certain you made the correct decision! As we have seen with Chick-fil-A and now with the attack on the Family Research Council, those with opinions that differ from Gays will be harassed, to say the least!

The rights of others will be restrained and their businesses will be subjected to frivolous law suits! In Federalist 10, Madison warned against ‘factions’ and that is what this ordinance creates!

Please don’t give in to personal harassment, and if you need further input, I encourage you to contact me! Remember Ben Franklin: “The heart of the fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of the wise man is in his heart. “

May God Bless, Bob

[Carole McManus]

Thanks for all the info on this.  This is a "we the people" moment to respond as patriots and recognize

stewards of our community.  Good information with great action efforts to pursue! 

[Sandy McCorvey]

Just called them both and left messages thanking them for their courageous stand!  Thanks for the info, Leanne.  I hope they hear from thousands of us by phone, email and mail.

[James DeWulf]

Though I do not live in Jacksonville, I support all the FCTP does for your community and our once great nation.  Your actions cause other communities to try and emulate you and your hard work.  THANK YOU FCTP, you are making a big difference and rallying hope far and wide for ALL of our futures!

[sabrina Wheeler]

I will email and leave a message for them today. Thanks for the guidance and attention to this simple act we can do to make a difference. It takes courage and moral fortitude for these men to vote as they did in the face of opposition. The opposers are BULLIES, what they so often preach against publicly. There is ZERO tolerance in schools for this type behavior, yet it's practiced daily by the left.

And one more thing - Leanne: If your letter goes in the mailbox before the cutoff time, these councilmen will receive it the next day and it only costs .45 per letter. I wouldn't call that snail mail. Just my humble opinion...