Jake Godbold facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jake Godbold
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| Mayor of Jacksonville | |
| In office 1978 – July 1, 1987 |
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| Preceded by | Hans Tanzler |
| Succeeded by | Tommy Hazouri |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 14, 1933 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | January 23, 2020 (aged 86) Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
Jake Maurice Godbold (born March 14, 1933 – died January 23, 2020) was an American politician. He served as the mayor of Jacksonville, Florida. He was mayor from 1978 to 1987.
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Who Was Jake Godbold?
Jake Godbold was a well-known leader in Jacksonville, Florida. He helped shape the city during his time as mayor. He is remembered for starting many important projects. These projects helped to make Jacksonville a better place to live and visit.
Early Political Career
Jake Godbold began his career in local government. In 1967, he was elected to the city council in Jacksonville. The city council is a group of people who make laws for the city. He served on the council for many years.
From 1971 to 1978, he was the president of the city council. This meant he led the council meetings. He helped guide the city's decisions during this time.
Becoming Mayor of Jacksonville
In 1978, the mayor at the time, Hans Tanzler, decided to leave his job. He wanted to run for governor of Florida. Jake Godbold was chosen to take his place as mayor for the last six months of the term.
He then ran for mayor himself and won the election in 1979. He was so popular that he was re-elected in 1983. This meant he served as mayor for almost nine years in total.
Making Jacksonville Better
As mayor, Jake Godbold wanted to make downtown Jacksonville better. He started many "brick and mortar" projects. This means he built new things and fixed old ones. He wanted to bring new life to the city center.
He also worked hard to bring a professional football team to Jacksonville. This was a big dream for many people in the city. He also helped get money for public housing. This housing helps people who need an affordable place to live.
Bringing Big Events and Buildings
Mayor Godbold also started the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. This is a popular music event that still happens today. He also helped build the Jacksonville Landing. This was a popular marketplace and entertainment spot by the river.
Another big project was the Southbank Riverwalk. This is a path along the St. Johns River. It's a great place for people to walk and enjoy the view. He used a smart way to get money for these projects. This allowed the city to build many new things during his time as mayor.
After Being Mayor
After his time as mayor ended in 1987, Jake Godbold ran for mayor again in 1995. However, he did not win that election. John Delaney became the new mayor.
Even after leaving politics, Jake Godbold stayed involved in his community. He worked with local charities. One of these was Hubbard House. This organization helps people in need.
Legacy
Jake Godbold passed away on January 23, 2020. He is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville. He is remembered as a mayor who worked hard to improve his city. Many of the projects he started are still important parts of Jacksonville today.
