But They Face An Uphill Battle From City Leaders
"The fight for freedom
starts here." That is the rallying cry of the VoteJacksonville.com
Coalition, as it begins a petition drive to move the US Navy Master
Jet Base to Cecil Field. The committee was formed to put the
question of returning Cecil Field to the Navy before voters.
"As America pauses to celebrate our nation's 230th birthday, we
have an opportunity to remember the heroes who came through Cecil
Field in the defense of our freedom," said coalition chairman John
Arnold.
Arnold and his fellow committee members are attempting to bring
back the Naval base, which was moved from Cecil Field to Oceania
NAS in Virginia Beach, VA. That base has since been recommended for
closure, however, by the Defense Base Closure and Realignment
Commission... and if that comes to fruition, the US Navy Master Jet
Base would be looking for a new home for the second time in less
than 10 years.
According to BRAC law, Jacksonville now has the opportunity to
bring the entire master jet base to Cecil Field. Citing a study by
University of West Florida's Haas Center for Business and Economic
Development, VoteJacksonville.com says moving the base back home to
Jacksonville would bring more than 31,000 high-quality jobs, with
an average salary of more than $50,000, to Jacksonville -- adding
as much as $2.6 billion annually to the city's economy.
The move has met with opposition, however, most notably from
city leaders. As Aero-News reported last
October, in the face of opposition from developers and
300 residents living near Cecil Field, Jacksonville Mayor John
Peyton told the Navy that Jacksonville was no longer
interested.
VoteJacksonville.com says the mayor doesn't speak for
everybody.
"In spite of fierce opposition from our Mayor and City Council,
we strongly believe the 4th of July is an appropriate time to reach
out to the people of our community and enlist them in the effort to
return Cecil Field to the Navy," said committee member Dave Van
Saun, who also served as a BRAC Senior Team Leader.
Another member, Ken
Underwood, caleled the city council's opposition to bringing the
base back "completely nonsensical."
The petition drive aims to gather almost 24,000 verified
signatures of registered voters by July 24, in order to put the
issue before voters during the September 5 primary election. If
approved by the voters, the charter amendment would become law --
and the city would provide free and clear title of Cecil Field to
the United States Navy.