Republican Mike Hogan and Democratic candidate Alvin Brown answered questions from a panel of journalists Monday night on WOKV and our news partner WJXT Channel 4.  But neither candidate went on the offensive, instead using their time to reiterate stump positions heard frequently on the campaign trail.  Hogan identified himself as a fiscal conservative, while Brown praised former mayoral candidate Audrey Moran several times, and touted his record as a bipartisan Democrat.

WOKV's Roxy Tyler, who was a panelist, asked both candidates if they will reduce taxes and roll back the new fees imposed under Mayor John Peyton.  Brown seemed to be uninterested in the idea of reducing or eliminating taxes and fees, saying "those taxes that were implemented, I want to focus on the future." 

Mike Hogan, though, left the door open to some tax relief, although he said it would be difficult.  "We know that we can save $62 million in this budget year alone," said Hogan, referring to his budget-cutting plan posted on his website.  "Rolling back taxes could be very difficult, but I can assure you that we're going to make sure that we don't spend the money wastefully as we have in the past.  If there is room, if there are revenue in excess, obviously we want to use those revenues to create jobs.  But if I were to attack a particular tax or fee that was established recently, I can tell you that it would probably be the [JEA] franchise fee," said Hogan.

The Republican argued that the franchise fee is double taxation, and that JEA already contributes nearly 10 percent of the Jacksonville city budget.

Hogan also revised his position on downtown after repeatedly saying in past forums and debates that downtown is just one neighborhood of many, then identifying downtown Jacksonville as the area's most important neighborhood after the March election.  "I haven't changed my position, downtown is a key neighborhood just like all the neighborhoods in the city of Jacksonville," Hogan said.  But, Hogan said, the $2 billion taxpayers have invested in downtown is too much and he would put his energy into lighting, cleaning, and "focusing" on downtown.

Meanwhile Brown said he now supports a downtown development commission which would have independent authority and funding, similar to the Jacksonville Port Authority.

Mr. Brown said in the past that he wasn't sure if he supported the plan from the Jacksonville Civic Council, but changed his stance shortly before being endorsed by one of the high-profile names behind the plan; former St. Joe Co. executive Peter Rummell.  Rummell also pledged to raise $300,000 for Brown's campaign.