It’s been more than three decades since the city of Jacksonville created a Neighborhood Bill of Rights; recognition that communities deserved forewarning of — and a say in — development projects headed their way. But critics say that promise hasn’t always lived up to expectations, largely because the 1995 ordinance that established it was never incorporated into the city’s ordinance code and thus remains more of a policy statement than an enforceable law. There’s a campaign afoot to change that, in part because of recent projects that blindsided residents, from a special taxing district in Hogpen Creek to a new medical examiner’s office in the Brentwood neighborhood. We discuss the history of efforts to empower local communities and preview an upcoming Town Hall for a Neighborhood Bill of Rights on Monday, March 23.

Guests:  

• Richard Danford, president and CEO of the Jacksonville Urban League  
• Bobbie O’Connor, member of the Interrupt Redlining Coalition
• Robin Lumb, former Jacksonville City Council member
• Lydia Bell, Metro Gardens Neighborhood Association president

13 hours of horror

Organizers of the inaugural Jacksonville Horror Film Festival say something thrilling is in store at the two-day festival. Ranging from experimental movies to animated shorts to old fashioned slasher films, the lineup explores a range of genres and concludes with an awards ceremony, all toward organizers' goal of making Jacksonville “a horror hub." We get a preview of what’s on the slab, whether costumes are encouraged and other details of the cinematic bloodletting with the event's founders.

Guests:  

• Daniel “DJ” Remark, co-founder and creative director, Jacksonville Horror Film Festival and founder of Bloodscribe Creations
• Samantha Spaniak, co-founder and executive director, Jacksonville Horror Film Festival

What to do this weekend

Each week, WJCT’s own Amy Garrett scours performance spaces, festival calendars, art venues and concert halls for the best in First Coast culture for Jacksonville Today's weekly “What To Do” section. This week, she stops by for the first time to share her can’t-miss picks with First Coast Connect listeners ahead of what promises to be a busy weekend.

Guest: Amy Garrett, donor relations manager at WJCT Public Media and Jacksonville Today columnist