The Consensus Builder

I served 5 terms totaling approximately 19  years as a councilman previously.  I am a successful professional reaching the 2nd highest General Schedule grade in federal civil service.  I have provided transformational leadership on the job and in politics.  The best skills I provide are producing transformational ideals which are implemented via a skill at persuasive consensus building.

1.  I have a track record of initiating an award-winning affordable housing program.  I want to bring affordable housing to additional parts of the City.  I brought development in a complimentary way to luxury housing.

2.  I want to redevelop Downtown featuring al fresco dining, and waterfront development.  I initiated the successful development of our waterfront park, Riverwalk Crossing.  Riverwalk Crossing landscaping will extend to downtown with a water feature covering two blocks of Court Street.  Non-franchise restaurants will be emphasized.  Live entertainment will be featured.

3.  I want to fight for sustaining the election system in Jacksonville which allows federal workers to run without violating the Hatch Act. All the other election systems prevent federal government employees from participating, for example, the Board of Education and County Commissioners.

4. It is ridiculous that the sales tax distribution is on an ad valorem bases vis a vis a per capita bases. Towns get more money from the County based on property value by raising property tax rates. Jacksonville has creates most of the sales tax revenue and has the dominant population. The revenue should be distributed by population. I Jacksonville officials supported county commissioner candidates who supported per capita, it would change over night.

I have been the most successful City Councilman in Jacksonville at building the consensus to achieve unimaginable accomplishments like obtaining the only paid holiday in the USA honoring the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution’s abolition of slavery and committing to ending human trafficking.  I am known as The Consensus Builder (TCB).  I achieved projects like the new Public Safety Station, Jack Amyette renovation, New River restoration, Sturgeon City Conference Center, Riverwalk Crossing, televised council meetings, and Jacksonville Station (transportation hub).  I’m not just a visionary; I bring visionary ideals to reality.

As a Deputy Director, I advise Admirals on Employment concerns.  I have been a civil servant for over 17 years.  I am responsible for addressing the command climate.  I provide dispute resolution.  In the absence of resolution, I process complaints.  I am a certified mediator by the Department of Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute.  I am a certified Civil Treatment Instructor by ELI.  I bring these skills to consensus building.

I provided military service for three years active and seven years in the reserve.  As an Officer of Marines, I was a Judge Advocate.  Before military service, I received a Philosophy degree and  Juris Doctorate degree from Howard University.  I was impressed with the “Talented Tenth Theory” of W.E.B. Dubois.  Therefore, it was important to bring my education and derived skills back to my home, Jacksonville, NC, to improve my community.  Although I have been around the world, I bring all that I have learned to Jacksonville to improve my community. Never let anyone turn your success into a liability; that is like being over qualified. I don’t apologize of taking high-ranking jobs for our the U.S. Military outside the area; it allows my independence. I make the sacrifice to be present and available to my Jacksonville community because of my commitment and love for my city. I’m successful enough to own property in places I have traveled. Notwithstanding my travels, I am the only candidate to be declared a resident of Jacksonville by the N.C. State Attorney General. Jacksonville has always been my residence. Unlike my opponent, I never left Jacksonville because it did not have anything to offer. I stayed to fight for the change I wanted to see.

I am proud to receive the endorsement of the North Carolina AFL-CIO. Please watch the slides on the changes I have made below. Additional videos are available at Facebook

Jerome made a a huge constructive difference.