Local Hero Shannon Miller Sure, she’s a former Olympian, a multiple gold medal winner, and the most decorated gymnast in U.S. history, but the 34-year-old isn’t resting on her laurels. A mover and a shaker in her own right, Miller created her own healthy-living business (Shannon Miller Lifestyle), married one of the local GOP’s big guns (John Falconetti) and created a buzz around such social issues as childhood obesity (via the Shannon Miller Foundation). After giving birth to son John “Rocco” in 2009, Miller was stunned earlier this year by a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Following surgery and a grueling round of chemotherapy, Miller is back on the exercise and healthy-living promotions circuit. “This is such an amazing honor,” Miller says of being named Local Hero. “The support I received throughout my recent cancer diagnosis and personal journey back to good health was humbling.” — KP
Best Thing to Happen to Northeast Florida in 2011 The Election of Mayor Alvin Brown
Best Local Scandal Sheriff John Rutherford removing police scanners from newsrooms
Jacksonville was ready for a change after eight uninspired years of the Peyton Administration — Peyton himself could hardly contain his excitement at leaving office — and Alvin Brown certainly represented change. The city’s first Democratic mayor in 20 years, the first African-American mayor ever, Brown’s victory inspired even those who didn’t vote for him. It also offered a kind of affirmation that even in the midst of a fierce economic downturn, the city could look to its future, instead of turning to the relative comfort of the status quo, as embodied by Brown’s opponent. The road ahead could hardly be more daunting for a mayor, and his moves so far have been more conservative than game-changing. But Brown’s very presence on the 4th floor of City Hall says something to the city about its potential, and its capacity to change. — AS
Boneheaded, arrogant and repressive as hell, Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford’s decision to remove police scanners from newsrooms offered evidence of just how media-averse he has become in his years in office. Though police radio scanners have been a tool of reporters for decades, and are essential to letting folks in the community know about emergencies, crimes and disasters, the sheriff decided to pull them, initially citing cost as a reason. When newsrooms offered to buy the scanners, Rutherford changed his story, arguing that reporters interfered with crime scenes. When that, too, failed the truth test, he dredged up an obscure legal opinion (bit. ly/qRcmuS), saying that reclaiming the scanners was required by law. That argument failed to convince the city’s news directors, who are now left waiting to receive whatever “newsworthy” tidbits this press-contrary sheriff deigns to share. — AS
Worst Thing to Happen to Northeast Florida in 2011 The election of Gov. Rick Scott
Best Power Play Peter Rummell & GOP’s support of Alvin Brown
Ushered into office in a most unlikely election (one in which his own party initially campaigned against him) and a most unusual political cycle (in which other Tea Party candidates of Scott’s ilk won by huge margins), the ousted former head of Columbia/HCA (the fraud-plagued health care company fined $1.7 billion for ripping off taxpayers) wasted no time unveiling his slash-and-burn approach to governing the state. Whether it’s destroying public records, privatizing state parks, defunding public schools, dismantling the state growth management agency, vilifying welfare recipients or inviting an unprecedented five lawsuits in his first year for unconstitutional mandates, Scott has managed to horrify even onetime supporters. Scott’s approval ratings hit a nadir of 29 percent before his team began what has laughingly been called a “charm offensive.” Offensive, according to Folio Weekly readers, doesn’t begin to describe it. — AS 14 | folio weekly | OCTOBER 11-17, 2011
A stunner. The front page news last April that GOP stalwart and political rainmaker Peter Rummell was backing Alvin Brown’s mayoral bid caused jaws to drop at breakfast tables all over Northeast Florida. Not only was it a Republican supporting a Democrat, and a white conservative backing a black progressive, it was a split from the status quo that proved a gamechanger. Rummell’s unimpeachable conservative bonafides — the former head of St. Joe Co., member of the exclusive “NonGroup” — convinced other conservative Republicans that it was acceptable to not support Mike Hogan, but instead choose a less stodgy, more visionary future. In so doing, Rummell shaped not just the outcome of one election, but possibly future political dialogue in the city. Brown’s tenure thus far (a no-taxes pledge, a conservative budget) hasn’t differed markedly from what one might expect of a moderate Republican (if such a creature still exists). Is a nonpartisan election format possible in Jacksonville? Maybe. — AS
Best-Looking Local Politico Alvin Brown Whether it’s the chocolate-drop eyes, the vaguely chipmunk-like cheeks, or just his skill at rockin’ a power tie, there’s no question that Mayor Alvin Brown has raised the aesthetic bar for Jacksonville elected officials. Of course, his attractiveness goes beyond just the physical, managing to appeal to those across the political spectrum (see “Best Power Play”). But with at least a couple of grim budget years ahead, an uncertain future for the Jags and likely a political fight to get funding for his stated priority of deepening the JaxPort channel, Brown is unlikely to emerge on the other side looking refreshed or rejuvenated. For the sake of the city in his care, one hopes he’s a lot more than just a pretty face. — AS
Best Thing to Happen to Northeast Florida in 2011: The Election of Mayor Alvin Brown
Local Zero Mike Hogan To the extent that not winning a major city election makes one, by definition, a “loser,” then Hogan fits the bill. But while this magazine joined others in Jacksonville’s progressive community in believing that a Hogan mayorship would’ve been a mistake, it’s hard to argue that, in defeat, he was anything but a gentleman. Hogan conceded the race with equanimity, and has since declined any opportunity to weigh in or tear down his former opponent. In truth, his ranking as Local Zero appears to stem more from his conduct during the race, both in his refusal to attend candidate forums and his serial gaffes, like cracking jokes about bombing abortion clinics. If there is one thing the Hogan race taught Northeast Florida, it’s that arrogance and inaccessibility don’t win votes — in elections or in Folio Weekly’s Best of Jax readers poll. — AS