Folio 2.0: Vol. 34, Iss. 3 August 4, 2020.pdf

THE CHECK IN

Volume 34 Issue 3 August 4, 2020

G N I K L A T TALL

Y UNT L O C Y Y CLA F DARR ING NN RIF SHE S IS RU HOP IEL NS DAN MPAIG UBLIC A CA F HIS P UNIT. O N OUT MATIO NG. I R INFO S WORK IT’

PLUS: COOKING WITH CALLI MARIE, SCHOOL OPENINGS, AND MORE!

CHECK IN THE

BY FOLIO WEEKLY

Welcome to The Check In by Folio Weekly, The Check In is Folio’s digital magazine, which will publish during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Print issues will still hit racks every month, but take this as us just saying ‘what’s up’. For over 33 years, Folio printed weekly. We all know that’s not possible right now. But we are committed to producing fresh content, constantly. Our communities deserve it.

Remember that the first issue of Folio 2.0 is still available on racks until August 18. Enjoy!

Stay a while, Folio 2.0

IN THIS ISSUE COOKING WITH CALLI MARIE

BY CALLI MARIE WEBB

THE COVER STORY: TALKING TALL

BY SUSAN ARMSTRONG

NO DECLINE, THEN STAY ONLINE

BY LINDESY NOLAN

THE CITY DESTROYABLE

BY JOHN ALOSZKA

NFC PICKS

BY QUINN GRAY

THE MAIL: EMPTY SUIT Former Republican Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney recently wrote in Folio he is trying to understand those who do not think like him. He said he did not vote for Trump in 2016.

Does he want a cookie? He does not state who he voted for or who he will vote for in November. He stated he was the first Republican mayor since Reconstruction. His predecessor was Republican Ed Austin. [Folio note: Ed Austin switched parties from Democrat to Republican mid-term as Mayor.] He makes mindless criticism of Biden and accurate thoughts about Trump’s botched press conferences.

My question is what does Delaney stand for? Will he support Biden? Is he truly trying to understand others point of view? My advice to Delaney is to stay off Twitter. And if you do tweet, simply state what you stand for. Stop tweeting and start using your perceived platform to support the only candidate who has a plan to get this country back on track. If you were wise enough not to vote for Trump in 2016 you now certainly have a clear choice. Where do you stand?

PETE LOFIS

MEMORIAL PARK WOULD LIKE A WORD Memorial Park Association (MPA) would like to set the record straight, if you would kindly allow us to do so, regarding the letter (Vol. 34 Issue 2) in The Mail from Casey Craig, “Wonderwall: What’s Up With Memorial Park?”

As described in a press release dated July 1, 2020 MPA announced that on June 25, COJ awarded the balustrade project to Intron Technologies, Inc., a Jacksonville company which has done historical restoration projects for the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and the Lightner Museum, both in St. Augustine.

FEMA did not offer to make a plan to repair the balustrade.

Following Hurricane Irma in September 2017, Jacksonville was approved to submit project requests to FEMA due to the disaster.

In order to be reimbursed through the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund, the plans to replace the balustrade had to be advertised nationally and then reviewed by local, state and federal engineers, as well as environmental and historical experts, prior to proceeding with the construction. There is nothing simple about the process of recreating to original specifications the 600 feet of reinforced molded concrete along Memorial Park’s bulkhead, which also required extensive repair prior to replacing the balustrade. The work is expected to begin in the fall.

To be clear, neither the City nor MPA solicited funds from the public to repair the balustrade. Any signage on the temporary barrier refers to general support of MPA. All donations to MPA, established in 1986, go directly to its mission of preserving, enhancing and promoting the park as the premier historic park in the City of Jacksonville.

Immediately following the 2017 hurricane, the Association organized clean-up days, tree trimming, the cleaning of Spiritualized Life and the Eagle sculptures to rid them of the brackish water left in the pores of the bronze. Money given by supporters of Memorial Park help fund the MPA’s annual budget, which primarily funds routine park maintenance and free events, such as Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day concerts, and last year’s luminaria festival, in the park.

If you wish to support Memorial Park, please visit the website memparkjax.org to find out how you can volunteer or make donations.

MEMORIAL PARK ASSOCIATION

AVAILABLE IN PRINT: The July issue, featuring articles by Nikesha Elise Williams, Shelton Hull, and more is available in Folio racks now.

PHOTO BY MARC FOSTER

COOKING WITH CALLI MARIE OLIVE OIL CAKE WITH SUMMER FRUIT

I first made a variation of this cake for the annual Planned Parenthood Bake Sale in NYC with my good friend Sasha Pilligian, a pastry chef in LA. This cake is not only super easy to make but also crowd pleasing as it doesn’t make a huge mess and you serve it in the same pan you bake it in. It’s the perfect cake to leave on someone’s porch as a treat or bring to a socially distanced summer cookout. The olive oil adds a richness that blends so well with fruit. I used peaches and lemon basil but you can top the cake with whatever is in season or lying around the kitchen. Just have fun with it!

CALLI MARIE WEBB

INGREDIENTS: CAKE: 3 eggs 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup dark brown sugar 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 ½ cup olive oil 1 ½ cup whole milk 1 lemon, zest and juice

BUTTERCREAM: ½ cup butter (1 stick), room temperature 4 oz cream cheese (½ 8oz package), room temperature 3 cups powdered sugar 1 t salt TOPPING: 2 cups fresh fruit

DIRECTIONS: CAKE: In a large bowl, whisk together everything but the flour until fully combined.

Add flour and mix well. Some little lumps will remain but that’s ok!

Pour into a 11 x 7 pan that is well sprayed or buttered and floured.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 - 40 minutes or until the cake is brown and springs back to the touch in the middle. It should not be jiggly!

Allow the cake cool in the pan before frosting.

BUTTERCREAM: In a mixer or large mixing bowl combine room temperature butter, cream cheese, and salt.

Slowly add powdered sugar and mix until combined. Buttercream should be light and fluffy.

Spread onto the completely cooled sheet cake. Whip the spatula around to cream some texture for the fruit to sit on.

TOPPING: Top your olive oil cake with fresh summer fruits and arrange them however you want. Have fun with this part!

Cut sheet by creating a 3 x 4 grid to get 12 even slices.

Serve!

G N I K L A T TALL

SUSAN CLARK ARMSTRONG

Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels has starred in so many local videos that some folks call them “The Sheriff’s Reality Show.”

Daniels’ is running for re-election, so his intended audience for the voluminous videos is typically Clay County residents and the 6 and 11 0’clock news. But on Tuesday, June 30th he stepped up his game. In a videoed press-release to the entire nation, the sheriff appeared to be channeling Walking Tall tough-talking cowboy, Tennessee lawman Buford Pusser.

In his 3-minute video, Daniels, much shorter than Pusser, stood in a parking lot on a hot Florida day with his round body trussed up tight in a long-sleeved green uniform shirt, heavy with badges, bars, stripes, patches and emblems from his neck to his wrists. The sheriff wore his trademark tax-payer-purchased white cowboy hat and is flanked by 18 male deputies in short sleeves.

At a time when some law enforcement officers have been condemned

for excessive force, Daniels vowed some excessive force of his own. As the perfectly choreographed music swelled, he promised the nation that should Clay County have an onslaught of protesters, rioters and god-less troublemakers, he would deputize guntoting county residents to wage war against the desperadoes…if his deputies got outmanned or outgunned.

“If you come to Clay County and you think for one second, we’ll bend our backs for you,” strongly asserted Daniels, “you’re sadly mistaken.”

Daniels was hailed a hero by numerous national news sources. Small and large affiliates gave him resounding atta-boys. On Twitter, Ann Coulter called him “Sainted Sheriff Daniels.” He was interviewed and saluted by Fox News’ Lou Dobbs. The sheriff had the interview, along with accolades from other news sources, immediately posted on campaign and social media sites.

Perplexed, commenters on numerous county social media sites began virally scratching their head at the sheriff’s display.

Clay County’s beautiful sleepy little community has cat-napped without any incidence of discord or racial disharmony that afflicted other communities. Residents were quick to point out that their county had elected a black sheriff. Yet, it appeared to some residents that the sheriff had issued a challenge to insurgents throughout the nation to come on down to Clay County for a shoot-out and a butt-whooping.

“This wannabe cowboy is overreacting to a problem that does not exist,” said Clay County resident Martin Borum. “Now he may have just created a bigger problem.”

Less than 24-hours after Daniels national debut, North Florida news media released some disturbing news about the sheriff, which made his video performance appear an attempt to head-off-at-the-pass the trouble he knew was brewing.

The news was that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) had concluded their 13-month investigation into alleged illegal actions by the sheriff which happened on May 6, 2019. The FDLE said they were turning over their investigation to Florida’s Fourth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Melissa Nelson.

Nelson immediately bounced it back to Governor Ron DeSantis’s Office for reassignment. Nelson said her office had reviewed the FDLE’s investigation and Clay County assistant state attorneys may become witnesses in the case against Sheriff’s Darryl Daniels.

Daniels’ legal troubles traced back to a 2018 investigation by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JS0).

The JSO was investigating crimes possibly committed by one of their young corrections officers, Cierra Lewis Smith. During the investigation, they accidentally discovered that Smith had been working directly under chief jailer, Darryl Daniels…apparently, in more ways than one. The investigation evidenced that Smith and Daniels, who was 27-years Smith’s senior, were involved in a long-term affair. By the time they got around to interviewing Daniels in the Smith investigation, he had been elected as Clay County’s top cop and just said “naw” to a request for an interview. Smith lost her job.

According to Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) investigative notes, Cierra Smith said Daniels told her news sources had obtained the JSO investigation and the affair was going to be released. He told

Smith he was going to tell his wife about the affair and told his girlfriend he would “stand by her.”

The sheriff did tell his wife. However, he left out a few details others might consider important. He was still involved in a six-year affair with Smith and she was pregnant.

Daniels set up a meeting with his pregnant girlfriend. When he saw his lover approaching their “usual” place, he phoned his deputies and said he was “in fear for his life” from a stalker. Deputies arrested Smith.

Officers took Smith’s statement, which described the relationship in detail. A flail began. After six hours, someone in Daniels’ command staff finally tossed the arrest to the State Attorney’s Office, who ordered Smith’s immediate release. The SA’s office turned the investigation over to the FDLE. Daniels’ wife filed for divorce.

Nevertheless, the sheriff called a “Town Hall Meeting” and said his wife had forgiven him, they were once again together and the rest was nobody business. (The divorce remains open in the Duval County Clerk’s office.) His girlfriend had a son, but would not name the father. Court records show the father had the records sealed so his name would not appear on the child’s birth certificate.

After the media hoopla about the sheriff’s affair and the arrest of his girlfriend died down, the sheriff’s video productions company was born. Within his Public Information Unit (PIU), the sheriff created a

veritable marking department, complete with high-tech equipment. The goods to be marketed was Darryl Daniels.

The sheriff hired a new workforce, including Laura Shassberger, former Bureau Chief of Northeast Alabama at WHNT News 19. One of Shassberger’s skills was as a videographer. Daniels “rebranded” the sheriff’s office into his own image with new logos on new vehicles and uniforms, while he sound-proofed a new office…all at a tremendous expense to the taxpayers.

Daniels new Public Information Officers earned their salaries. In the sheriff’s videos, dudes with doobies were often transformed into major drugs busts on North Florida’s evening news. When the cameras were cold, the tokers went home with little or no charges.

In January 2020, six months into his new video series, Sheriff Daniels announced he would seek re-election. He began his campaign with little money in his coffers.

Most of the donations were from people within the CCSO. Command Staff officers said they were told they and their wives should make $1500 donations each.

Disgusted, some officers retired and some said they sucked it up and wrote checks, according to officers who spoke on the basis of anonymity with Folio.

In fact, Clay’s sheriff didn’t really need the campaign funds; the taxpayers were already financing Daniels’ own private campaign in the office of his PIU. His videos, neighborhood walks and public appearances ramped up even more,

“If I was under criminal investigation by FDLE, I’d want to change the subject too”

MICHELLE COOK, SHERIFF DANIELS’ OPPONENT.

RIGHT: Sherrif Daniels, in a Facebook video taken outside the Orange Park Mall, discusses the killing George Floyd. The video was posted on the Clay County Sheriff Page.

culminating in his June 30 Cowboy Cop video to the nation.

After the FDLE and SA’s announcement on July 2, things weren’t going so well for the sheriff in his neck of the woods. While still being lauded nationally, most of his six campaign opponents were quick to point out in the news media the numerous flaws in his plans. Legally, they said, he could not deputize citizens. Opponents said other law enforcement agencies, along with the national guard would be the first and second line of defense for any issues that happened in Clay County and labeled his proposal a call for “vigilantism.”

“If I was under criminal investigation by FDLE, I’d want to change the subject too,” said opponent Michelle Cook.

The same day, Ben Frazier, Northeast Florida civil rights activist based in Jacksonville and president of Jacksonville’s Northside Coalition, demanded an apology from the sheriff.

“His comments are incendiary and fan the flames of potential conflict, and unrest, in our area,” said Frazier.

On Friday, July 3, Ken Jefferson, a respected black retired JSO officer and the News4Jax Crime Officer, said he believed the video was an example of a free political ad.

“I think that’s a bluff more than anything,” Jefferson said. “It sounds good on the surface. You can’t have chaos among citizens. Citizens already have the right to defend themselves.”

In his video, Daniels said “God was absent from…Black Lives Matter.” By Friday afternoon, Black Lives Matters (BLM) was no longer absent from Clay County. Local prophesies came true. A white man-bunned protester showed up on the busier streets in Clay County waving a BLM banner.

Over the weekend, Daniels released a “just kidding” statement in a much less public venue to locals saying he actually couldn’t deputize citizens.

“That would be a violation or dereliction of my duties as the sheriff,” he said. “That would also be a violation of state statute.”

Still out on county streets on Tuesday, July 7th, the flag waver was identified as BLM-Clay County leader Kevin Conner. The waver is a soft-spoken polite young father in his early 40’s. He prefaces questions and answers with “sir,” “ma’am,” and “please.”

Conner holds a degree from the Appalachian State University in North Carolina, and built a successful online marketing and sales company in the US and Canada. He sold the US branch last year.

The protester told Folio that his group came together to protest in Clay County because of the sheriff’s video. “He was essentially saying the First Amendment is not welcome in Clay,” Conner declared, “He has clearly shown himself to be a serious threat to the very thing he swore to uphold, the Constitution.”

Conner created the Black Lives MatterClay County Facebook the same day. “I think Clay County is ready for BLM,” he pronounced.

By Wednesday the numbers on the BLM-FB had grown with people joining from Clay County, Jacksonville and numerous states across the nation. Conner posted that he had been in Clay County and had been treated with kindness and respect from Clay County officers.

But the peace would not last.

Thursday afternoon, Kevin Conner, along with two protesters and a woman who videoed the event, were at an entrance to a local Wal-Mart in Fleming Island. A video was taken of Conner asking a white officer where the three could wave BLM flags. The officer is cordial and helpful and shows Conner where the trio could safely and legally stand. The video shows the three standing in the exact place the first officer

had directed, when three CCSO vehicles pull up. A large black officer exits a truck.

The Officer is Emmett Matthews.

It was odd that Matthews was there, remarked several Clay County Deputies, because the retired JSO officer works for the sheriff as a Community Affairs Officer.

Matthews doesn’t typically work the streets but always accompanies the sheriff in public appearances and is often seen at lunch with the sheriff and campaigning for and with him. Deputies refer to the big man as the sheriff’s “bodyguard.”

Matthews did not appear happy. “You know you owe me lunch, don’t you?” he calls loudly as he exits his truck. “I got called from MY lunch, ‘cause he in the road.”

“We haven’t done anything wrong, right?” Conner asks as Matthews approaches.

“If the first thing you say, if you say you haven’t done anything, you probably have.” calls the officer. “There are a certain set of rules, you are either going listen or else I’m going to dismiss you.”

“Yes sir.

Sir, I’m listening.

I’m listening.” assures Conner in his typical polite manner.

“If you want to talk to me like a man, we good.” warns the officer.

“Yes Sir. Yes Sir.” answers Conner.

Motorists wave and honk, Kevin Conner waves back. The video shows Matthews is clearly agitated at the loss of attention as more conversation ensues.

Matthews tells Conner he can stand across the sidewalk on another grassy area, but Conner said the other officer told him it was private property.

The women step back as Matthews steps closer. After more conversation, surprisingly, Officer Matthews orders Connor to put his flags on the ground, pads his pockets and orders him to give his phone to another protester. One of the women begins to cry as it become clear the officer is arresting Conner.

“Yes sir, yes sir.” Conner complies.

“Why are you arresting me?”

Matthews does not reply.

“Why are you arresting me? What crime have I committed? I need you, please sir, to name the crime I’ve committed.” begs Conner.

Matthews orders him to put his hands behind his back.

“I will co-operate and put my hands behind my back.” promises Kevin Conner.

“You’re gonna do that anyway.” assures Matthews. “I’m gonna ask you one more time, then it’s resisting.”

Kevin Conner backs up and puts his hands behind his back and looks around as Matthews strapped a pair of soft-cuffs on his wrists.

“Do we know what crime has been committed…anybody, anybody?” Conner beseeches as he looks around.

According to the video, Conner was arrested at about 12:34 p.m. He said he was handcuffed and placed in the back of

a CCSO vehicle driven by Deputy V. Terry.

Conner said the car was hot as the airconditioner was on a very low setting. He asked for water, but none was provided.

The protester said Matthews stood laughing and talking to the two other officers and to people who stopped. Then, Matthews was out of view for a while, possibly seeking the lunch he missed.

Finally, after several hours in the back of the Terry’s hot county SUV, Conner said Terry got into the car and cranked up the air-conditioner as Matthews lead the two deputies to the parking lot in an office building off Hwy. 17. Conner said the officers talked for about 30 minutes, while he sat handcuffed in the car, then the three headed for the CCSO, where he was finally booked and placed in a cell.

Officer Emmett Matthews arrested Kevin Ray Conner for resisting arrest, but his arrest report does not resemble the exchange in the video. Matthews noted the time of the arrest as 1:30, an hour after the time the video recorded it. The video showed he complied with every command and request from the officer and never approached the roadside. Yet, Matthews wrote in the short arrest report the “offender” refused to obey the officer’s commands. “The offender was asked multiple times to stay out of the roadway and to discontinue to obstruct the view of the turning motorist. Again, the offender refused and continue to walk where he was told not to walk.”

LEFT: Kevin Conner

photographed holding a Black Lives Matter Flag.

Clearly, Sheriff Darryl Daniels invited social unrest into Clay County, Florida with his coast-to-coast video.

The video began to appear on news media and social media sites throughout the area. A go-fund-me page was started to get Conner out of jail.

It appeared Sheriff Daniels may have overplayed his hand. Just after sunrise on Friday morning, renown barrister Civil Rights Attorney John Phillips rode across the Buckman Bridge to promptly spring Conner.

Phillips was stymied at the arrest: “He wasn’t arrested for walking out into a street or an illegal protest. He was arrested for resisting an officer without violence.”

Phillips explained. “In the video, you can hear the officer say clear as day, ‘If you don’t comply, I am going to arrest you.’ He immediately puts his hands behind his back.”

By Friday afternoon, a full-fledged BLM “Silent March” had been organized in protest of Conner’s arrest and slatted for Saturday morning at 10 a.m. on the corner of a busy intersection in Clay County. On Facebook, Conner provided a video with detailed instructions to ensure the protest remained peaceful.

The sheriff appeared to be marshalling his forces for the march. Photos of Daniels’ SWAT vehicles, marked cars, unmarked cars and transports lined up ready for action were posted on local social media and on the BLM Facebook. Commenters on the BLM Facebook hoped and planned for peace, however after the arrest and the police brigade waiting, they doubted peace would reign.

Gawkers, perplexed and surprised by the strange activity in their small community, watched from a distance. A small group of “Blue Lives Matter” stood across the street.

About 100 marchers came to Clay County

from local burbs, Jacksonville and points beyond. Strangely absent was a police presence. One marked car and several unmarked vehicles were scattered throughout several parking lots around the location.

The protesters were greeted by cheers and jeers from motorists, as some registered their feelings according to their choice of finger. The protesters marched mostly silent carrying signs of protest, many of which were aimed at the sheriff, along their threemile trek. An airplane pulled a large banner unobscured in the blue skies over Clay.

“Make #CCSO Clean Again-Dump Daniels!”

Despite the local blow-back from his video and the arrest of Kevin Ray Conner, Daniels seems intent to fulfill his plans to become the sheriff for one more term, then mosey on up to a congressional seat in Washington. Some or all of that may happened.

His boot-scoot into the nation-wide spotlight was a brilliant piece of public relations by his PIU. It gave him a 10-point bump in the polls. He is now 11-points ahead of Michelle Cook, his closest competitor. Although approximately 67% of the county is against Daniels, with seven candidates in the race, it may be hard for Cook to reach the sheriff’s percentages.

Nevertheless, none of the six candidates have expressed any desire to withdraw from the race. The sheriff can win the election on August 18 with only one vote.

Still, there are several burrs in the sheriff’s saddle bag of plans. Law enforcement officers from CCSO and the JSO say the sheriff calculatingly broke the law when he conspired to have his girlfriend arrested, then facilitated the arrest. Officers

say if a deputy under the sheriff’s command acted as the sheriff did, he would already be fired and arrested. Additionally, Kevin Conner said he is working with John Phillips on a civil suit against the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, as well as Daniels and Matthews personally.

Legal experts believe with COVID-19 there is little chance a State Attorney will convene a grand-jury trial for the sheriff’s misdeeds before the August 18th election.

Nonetheless, if he is elected yet found guilty of a crime, he could be arrested and/or removed.

This would trigger another election, which will be a huge financial burden for a small county in the midst of pandemic.

Although some commenters on the BLM-Facebook have called for less-thanpeaceful protests in Clay County, Kevin Conner labors for peaceful resolutions.

“I believe any significant social change requires the movement to be both sustained and peaceful.” He insists.

Clearly, Sheriff Darryl Daniels invited social unrest into Clay County, Florida with his coast-to-coast video. BLM videos have been produced and distributed across the US, with the sheriff’s provocative remarks as a lead-in as he plays a prominent role throughout.

Marches are taking place in the county and more are coming. No one can predict what will happen in the once tranquil hamlet in North Florida. But one this is certain.

Despite his tall-talking promise, Sheriff Darryl Daniels will not be deputizing the gun-owners of Clay County, Florida.

COVID-19 COVERAGE

NO DECLINE? THEN STAY ONLINE. THE DUVAL SCHOOLS PANDEMIC SOLUTIONS TEAM IS PROOF THAT A BUNCH OF STRANGERS ON THE INTERNET CAN GET SH*T DONE. What started as a small Facebook group comprised of parents worried about the implications of reopening schools during the coronavirus pandemic has become a collective voice of opposition. With more than 3,100 members, the Duval Schools Pandemic Solutions Team has been able to consistently share information and updates, plan rallies, and call for action.

The idea for the group began after the release of the Duval County Public Schools’ preliminary back-to-school plan on June 23. In response, Marla Bryant, a parent of an incoming DCPS, reached out to parents who have served on different DCPS task forces over the years and asked them for their thoughts regarding the plan.

“After texting back-and-forth about [the plan], we decided to do a Zoom call that Saturday morning. At that point, we decided to form the Duval Schools Pandemic Solutions Team, launching our Facebook page that Monday, June 29,” Bryant said. “From the start, we knew that we needed to band together and get like-minded people to also voice their opinions about returning to school.”

Through this approach, the group quickly grew in numbers and has harnessed attention from local and national media outlets, as well as sparked conversation with Duval County Public Schools’ leaders directly. Now one of nine founding group members, Bryant says she recognizes that there is likely no single solution to the return-to-school issue that will make everyone happy.

“I think the DCPS superintendent and school board are trying to do the best they can to make everyone happy, but in reality, there’s no way to do that,” Bryant said. “They want to deliver school in every form imaginable, so that people who have to turn to the brick-and-mortar buildings for a variety of reasons, such as home situations, can.”

However, Bryant said the group’s worry is

that the children who do need to return to the physical school location will lose out in the end as they will become the most susceptible to the virus. In addition, the Duval Schools Pandemic Solutions Team has partnered with another Facebook group formed by district teachers, Duval for a Safe Return to Campus, to help ensure their safe return to school as well.

Since holding their third joint rally last month, the latest called “A Day of Action Against Inaction,” Bryant says the group feels strongly that it has helped ignite change.

For example, the Duval Schools Pandemic Solutions Team advocated that Duval HomeRoom be extended to all K-12 students, and also urged district leaders to allow magnet school students to be able to keep their spots should they choose a remote option. Both requests were approved by DCPS. The group also had pushed for a later start date for school because of the now-cancelled Republican National Convention in Jacksonville; the district delayed the first day of school from August 10 until August 20.

On Monday, the plan to reopen Duval County schools on Aug. 20 was approved by the Florida Department of Education.

“We’re really excited about some of the things that we’ve achieved, but there’s still more things that we want the district to do to make returning to school safe for everyone,” Bryant said. “We want 100% online instruction the first nine weeks, since our numbers [were] so incredibly high [in late July] and will continue to be over the next few weeks.”

Both groups are still calling for there to be two full weeks without any positive cases in Duval County prior to students and staff returning to school buildings and that masks be added to the DCPS Student Code of Conduct as part of the dress code violation for noncompliance.

LINDSEY NOLEN MAIL@FOLIOWEEKLY.COM

THE CITY DESTROYABLE FROM THE OLD COURTHOUSE TO CLUB KARTOUCHE, THE CITY IS SET ON DEMOLISHING SIGNIFICANT BUILDINGS FOR IMAGINARY DEVELOPMENTS.

In an ill-advised move to position Jacksonville as the bland new city of the south, the Curry administration adopted the slogan It’s Easier Here. I don’t need to tell you why that’s a horrible slogan—you are reading Folio, which means you are a functioning human.

Some cities adopt slogans that unify, like Columbus Ohio’s cheeky Columbus campaign. Or uplifting slogans, like Orlando’s The City Beautiful. These send a succinct overarching message to visitors, businesses, and citizens. It’s Easier Here is just a lie.

May I suggest for Jacksonville: The City Destroyable. After all, it seems that City Council is determined to allow historic buildings to be demolished left and right, even as historians and preservationists sound alarms about their significance.

The latest building to meet its fate, Kartouche as it is colloquially called, was demolished into a pile of bricks. Soon to be an empty field, the lot may someday turn into a gas station. Kartouche, like its few neighboring buildings in LaVilla, was home to performances by Black entertainers across decades. From Ludacris and Pharrell to Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, LaVilla’s storied past is being razed in favor of a corporate future. Moreover, Jacksonville’s Black history is being destroyed by White leaders.

While Ludacris and Pharrell may not be historic enought to warrant landmarking Kartouche, it’s hard to imagine needing to raze a building for a gas station, especially when there are empty lots throughout downtown, ready to be utilized. The history of Lavilla is now relegated almost entirely to plaques and the Ritz museum.

Tourists and Jaxons alike often lament the lack of culture in Jacksonville. Those remarks aren’t always fair, but The City Destroyable is trying it’s hardest to make them true. When Curry promised on election night that we wouldn’t recognize downtown in four years, he was right. Being unrecognizable is the point.

But don’t worry, I’ve heard there might be electric charging stations.

JOHN ALOSZKA @JOHNALOSZA

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NFC PICKS QUINN GRAY

NFC NORTH Minnesota Vikings: 2019 record: 10-6 Projected 2020 record: 11-5 Notable additions: WR Justin Jefferson [R] Notable departures: WR Stefon Diggs Stefon Diggs had been fed up with the Vikings organization for years and was finally able to get the trade he was waiting for. The Vikings were able to turn around and replace him with Jefferson, who could prove to be as good or better than Diggs. They didn’t make many moves in free agency besides that, and their team is almost the same as last season. They will be able to win the division with the Packers not doing as well.

Green Bay Packers: 2019 record: 13-3 Projected 2020 record: 10-6 Notable additions: QB Jordan Love [R], LB Christian Kirksey, OT Rick Wagner Notable departures: TE Jimmy Graham The Packers were the biggest story of the draft with their controversial pick of Jordan Love as the heir to Aaron Rodgers. While this is understandable as a move for the future, the team had the ability to take a receiver and get Rodgers a weapon. After all, they were only one game away from the

Super Bowl and could have won if Rodgers had more pass-catchers to work with. Other than that, the Packers had a relatively quiet offseason. With the receiver issue still looming in Green Bay, it could be difficult to do as well as last year.

Chicago Bears: 2019 record: 8-8 Projected 2020 record: 6-10 Notable additions: QB Nick Foles, TE Jimmy Graham, TE Cole Kmet [R], DE Robert Quinn Notable departures: CB Prince Amukamara, TE Trey Burton, WR Taylor Gabriel The Bears have had a very eventful offseason with the offense in mind, however, not much progress was made. The offense led by Mitch Trubisky was abysmal last year, and Trubisky is looking to be a huge mistake after being taken before superstars Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. The additions of rookie Cole Kmet and washed out Jimmy Graham are questionable, as the Bears do not use their tight ends much and have 10 of them on their roster. Nick Foles should give Trubisky some competition and he is familiar with HC Matt Nagy’s offense.

The signing of Robert Quinn is a pointless luxury that the Bears did not have any reason to make. Enjoy your top-10 pick, Bears. Don’t trade it away.

Detroit Lions: 2019 record: 3-12-1 Projected 2020 record: 5-11 Notable additions: S Duron Harmon, LB Jamie Collins, CB Desmond Trufant, OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai, CB Jeffery Okudah [R] Notable departures: CB Darius Slay, OT Rick Wagner, DT Damon Harrison Despite rumors that Matthew Stafford was on the trading block, the veteran QB remains a Lion. Star cornerback Darius Slay was finally able to get his trade and was shipped to the Eagles. The Lions lost Rick Wagner and replaced him by throwing money at former Eagles OT H. Vaitai, a questionable move seeing as Vaitai was rarely a starter in Philly. The additions of former Patriots Harmon and Collins could help seal up a leaky Lions defense. Trufant and Okudah will help to repair the secondary after the loss of Slay. The defense should be better this year, but the offense is up in the air.

NFC WEST San Francisco 49ers: 2019 record: 13-3 Projected 2020 record: 12-4 Notable additions: DT Javon Kinlaw [R], OT Trent Williams

Notable departures: DT DeForest Buckner, OT Joe Staley, WR Marquise Goodwin The 49ers made many calculated moves this offseason, seeming to know exactly what would happen around every corner.

DeForest Buckner was ready to receive a big payday and was traded to the Colts for pick 13, which was traded down to pick 14 and used on Kinlaw, a move that refilled Buckner’s spot for a fraction of the price.

Veteran Joe Staley announced his retirement and 2 days later, the 49ers were able to trade for former Redskins stud Trent Williams for only a 3rd and 5th round pick. They were also able to get another weapon for Jimmy G in WR Brandon Aiyuk. Expect a deep postseason run for the reigning NFC champs.

Seattle Seahawks: 2019 record: 11-5 Projected 2020 record: 11-5 Notable additions: TE Greg Olsen, CB Quinton Dunbar, LB Jordyn Brooks [R] Notable departures: OT Germain Ifedi Seattle had a relatively quiet offseason, with only a few signings. Olsen can help to strengthen the tight end position that was weak last year with the loss of Will Dissly to injury. If Dunbar is able to keep his off-field issues in check, he could be a great addition to the secondary. Jordyn Brooks was a very questionable pick and seems to be a reach, but good play could show that he was worth the first-round title. Russell Wilson still has some good years left in him, and another postseason appearance will help to build his already long Hall of Fame resume.

Arizona Cardinals: 2019 record: 5-10-1 Projected 2020 record: 10-6 Notable additions: WR DeAndre Hopkins, LB/S Isaiah Simmons [R], ILB De’Vondre Campbell Notable departures: RB David Johnson Congratulations, Cardinals. You have pulled off one of the biggest heists in NFL history. Dumping washed-out star David Johnson and a second-round pick to the Texans for the best receiver in the league and a swap of 4th round picks was an

amazing trade that stunned NFL fans worldwide. The trade has changed the Cardinals into an up and coming juggernaut.

In addition, the defense has been bolstered by the additions of Swiss-army knife defender Simmons and a good inside linebacker in Campbell. The dominance of the Cardinals has begun. Let’s just hope they don’t suffer from the Browns overhype.

Los Angeles Rams: 2019 record: 9-7 Projected 2020 record: 5-11 Notable additions: RB Cam Akers [R] Notable departures: RB Todd Gurley, ILB Cory Littleton, LB Dante Fowler, LB Clay Matthews, S Eric Weddle, K Greg Zuerlein Remember when the Rams were in the Super Bowl? It feels like ages ago, even though it has only been 2 years. The team has made terrible decisions and is now capstrapped to the brim and has lost many key players. Gurley’s release resulted in 20 million dollars of dead money, the second most in NFL history. Littleton was a great player, but the Rams had no money to pay him, so he is gone too. Zuerlein, a very accurate kicker, signed with the Cowboys. In addition to all these losses, the Rams play in the toughest division in football. They haven’t had a first-round pick in years and won’t have one next year either. The Jaguars thank you for your failures, Rams. Have a fun season.

NFC EAST Philadelphia Eagles: 2019 record: 9-7 Projected 2020 record: 11-5 Notable additions: CB Darius Slay, DT Javon Hargrave, WR Jalen Reagor [R], QB Jalen Hurts [R] Notable departures: S Malcolm Jenkins, LB Nigel Bradham, WR Nelson Agholor The Eagles pulled off a 9-7 record despite losing so many players to injury. They made receiver the main goal of the draft and free agency, and were able to draft a good receiver in the 1st round and traded for Marquise Goodwin. The biggest thing they did was acquire lockdown corner Darius

Slay from the Lions for only a 3rd and 5th round pick. The Hurts pick is seen as a joke by many, but I am one of the few people that sees this as a great opportunity. I expect Carson Wentz to do what he does best and get injured this season. Who will step in? A quarterback who could have been a starter had he been drafted by another team. I think Hurts is the future in Philly, and he will likely see a few starts this year when Wentz goes down again.

Dallas Cowboys: 2019 record: 8-8 Projected 2020 record: 10-6 Notable additions: DT Gerald McCoy, WR CeeDee Lamb [R], K Greg Zuerlein Notable departures: DT Maliek Collins, WR Randall Cobb, TE Jason Witten When CeeDee Lamb fell all the way down to pick 17, the Cowboys turned in the card to draft the star wide receiver. Adding him gives the Cowboys the best receiver trio in the league, with Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and Lamb. But what’s going to happen when they have a mediocre quarterback, Dak Prescott, passing to them?

Some people argue that Dak is good, but his trouble with reading defenses makes his play sloppy. Zuerlein is an upgrade over Brett Maher and Kai Forbath at kicker.

Gerald McCoy is getting old, but he could fit in nicely where Collins was. I can’t see the Cowboys making it past the wild card round.

New York Giants: 2019 record: 4-12 Projected 2020 record: 5-11 Notable additions: OT Andrew Thomas [R], CB James Bradberry, ILB Blake Martinez Notable departures: WR Cody Latimer The Giants surprised many with their pick of Andrew Thomas in the first round. Some people expected them to take Isaiah Simmons and others thought they would pick Tristan Wirfs. I, however, think Thomas was a good pick. His film shows that he rarely makes mistakes and that should mean that he won’t get many penalties. Bradberry and Martinez are solid players that should help the lackluster defense from last year find its stride. Saquon Barkley was able to

reach 1000 yards last year even while injured, and I think he can return to his OPOY form from 2 years ago. One big worry is that this will be the first year where Daniel Jones plays a full 16 game year, meaning it could be hard to predict his play. New HC Joe Judge was also a former special teams coordinator, and I don’t know if he will end up being a very good coach.

Washington: 2019 record: 3-13 Projected 2020 record: 4-12 Notable additions: DE Chase Young [R], CB Kendall Fuller Notable departures: OT Trent Williams, CB Quinton Dunbar, CB Josh Norman After a long and hard-fought battle, future Hall of Famer Trent Williams was able to escape the evil wrath of Dan Snyder and leave the Redskins for the 49ers after the organization misdiagnosed a cancerous growth on his head. Yikes. The Redskins were able to draft the best player coming out of college, Chase Young, who should be able to strengthen their already strong defensive line. They are sticking with Dwayne Haskins at quarterback, but if he does not perform well again in 2020, he will most likely have to sit on the bench for a while. Dunbar was a good corner, but the team did not want to pay him his asking price and was traded to the Seahawks. Then he got arrested. Fuller is returning to Washington after a few years with the Chiefs, and he should be pretty good. This will be another tough year for the ‘Skins, who are digging out of a very deep hole.

NFC SOUTH New Orleans Saints: 2019 record: 13-3 Projected 2020 record: 12-4 Notable additions: WR Emmanuel Sanders, S Malcolm Jenkins, C/G Cezar Ruiz [R], QB Jameis Winston Notable departures: G Larry Warford, S Vonn Bell The Saints can’t catch a break! No matter what year it is, there always seems to be another powerful team in the NFC South, and this year, they will have to deal with the Brady-led Buccaneers. Drew Brees is

returning on a year-to-year basis, and even pondered retirement over the offseason.

Due to the veteran QB’s age, the Saints have entered win-now mode, and seem to be preparing for what could be Brees’ last run to the playoffs. They have arguably the best receiver in the league, Michael Thomas, and added another star in Sanders. They also brought back Malcolm Jenkins, whom they let walk in free agency 6 years ago, a move that Sean Payton regretted for years.

Winston can become Teddy Bridgewater 2.0, who the Saints changed from a backup into a starter in Carolina. The Saints are a good team to root for this year, as Brees is a very likeable person and deserves another Super Bowl ring.

Notable departures: RB Devonta Freeman, LB Vic Beasley, CB Desmond Trufant The Falcons got off to an awful start last season and were able to shape up and finish second in their division. The team moved on from formerly-good running back Freeman and replaced him with formerly-good running back Gurley. Not much of an

improvement for the run game. They also replaced Trufant with Terrell, who is seen as a bit of a reach, as the corner was projected to be a 2nd round pick, but Atlanta took him with the 16th pick in the draft. Matt Ryan is also getting up in years and could begin to show signs of age this year. The team also no longer has Mohamed Sanu, who was traded to the Patriots in the regular season last Tampa Bay Buccaneers: year. Julio Jones is still around, and is 2019 record: 7-9 one of the best receivers in the league Projected 2020 record: 11-5 when healthy. Overall, the Falcons just Notable additions: QB Tom Brady, OT aren’t that good anymore and will have Tristan Wirfs [R], TE Rob Gronkowski another season without any playoffs.

Notable departures: QB Jameis Winston It’s a pirate’s life for Tom Brady, who left chilly New England to join the crew of the Buccaneers in sunny Tampa Bay. While people say that Brady is not as good anymore, consider the offensive line and receivers he played with last season in NE. Then compare them to the supporting cast in Tampa. Brady will have two 1000-yard receivers to pass to, as well as his old friend Gronk and 4th year TE O.J. Howard. The team also has a strong defense, containing 2019 sack leader Shaq Barrett, 2019 draft steal Jamel Dean, and veterans Jason PierrePaul and Ndamukong Suh, to name a few.

The team has finally taken a step toward the playoffs, and look to be a strong Super Bowl contender. Some could argue that the Bucs could suffer from “Browns overhype”, but considering that they have a proven head coach, veteran quarterback, and receivers who have been with the team for a while, it is likely that they will perform at the level that fans expect them to.

Atlanta Falcons: 2019 record: 7-9 Projected 2020 record: 6-10 Notable additions: RB Todd Gurley, LB Dante Fowler, CB A.J. Terrell [R], TE Hayden Hurst

Carolina Panthers: 2019 record: 5-11 Projected 2020 record: 5-11 Notable additions: QB Teddy Bridgewater, DT Derrick Brown [R], WR Robby Anderson Notable departures: QB Cam Newton, ILB Luke Kuechly, CB James Bradberry, TE Greg Olsen The Panthers had an interesting approach to the draft and selected defensive players with all of their picks. This was meant to seal up the holes in the depleted defense that lost veteran Kuechly to early retirement and players such as Bradberry, Dontari Poe, Gerald McCoy, and Mario Addison. The additions of all these young players should make the defense fun to watch, as it will be a very fresh unit, containing many players that have yet to see a snap in the NFL. New QB Bridgewater will finally be a starting QB again after having his career saved by Sean Payton and the Saints. The team is still in a rebuild phase and even with the best running back in the league, they still will have a high pick in the draft.

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