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.

FMI: www.votejacksonville.com