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A.G. GancarskiFebruary 5, 2016

Thursday’s Jacksonville City Council Committee of the Whole on the HRO expansion was “different than I’d intended,” Council President Greg Anderson said. Despite the procedural theater initiated by Council Vice President Lori Boyer, which included two failed attempts to have the Tommy Hazouri bill withdrawn, Anderson was positive about the outcome of the first of three […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 4, 2016

The first of three meetings of the Jacksonville City Council Committee of the Whole on two Human Rights Ordinance expansion bills had all the drama you could want. Those paying attention would have noted that the real drama, the procedural drama, was set up hours ahead of this meeting. Even before the three hour meeting […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 4, 2016

In Jacksonville Thursday morning, Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Mayor Lenny Curry took questions from the media after a job-creation event at Kaman Industries. Questions were asked regarding the Governor’s commitment to STEM Programs, Curry’s position on HRO expansion, and whether Curry or Scott were ready to endorse for president. Most observers assume that Scott may back Donald […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 4, 2016

After Friday’s announcement by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry that further legislation expanding the Human Rights Ordinance wouldn’t be “prudent,” a surprising thing to media observers was the seeming cover provided Curry by activists on the other side. Part of that cover was Curry actually taking a material step forward in offering employment protections to city employees […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2016

In the 2015 May election, Tommy Hazouri was the leading citywide vote getter. The former mayor was buoyed by an interesting coalition: voters who remembered his tenure as mayor with fondness, along with young people energized by his proactive stance on Human Rights Ordinance expansion. His appeal crossed party lines; his messaging hit the same […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2016

In a meeting Wednesday, Councilman John Crescimbeni criticized the Committee of the Whole process on HRO expansion, which runs through March 3. “Whether [I was] for it or against it, I likely wouldn’t drag it out until [March] 3rd,” Crescimbeni said when asked about the HRO by Tommy Hazouri. His opposition to the protracted process pertaining to […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 29, 2016

The most interesting part of the State of the Franchise event for the Jacksonville Jaguars, for this writer, came at the end. In a press gaggle, where the same sports reporters went through the same tired questions about London and relocation, this reporter was finally able to push forward and get a question in. There […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 28, 2016

Where does Lenny Curry fall on the expansion of Jacksonville’s Human Rights Ordinance to the LGBT community? The decision, which he pledged to make by the end of January, is imminent, said Kerri Stewart, Curry’s Chief of Staff, Thursday. Stewart added that he has been locked in “discernment,” as Council President Greg Anderson described it earlier this month. However, […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 28, 2016

On Thursday morning, Lori Boyer met with Aaron Bowman and current Council President Greg Anderson, soliciting and receiving their support for her Jacksonville City Council presidency bid. The Boyer ascension to the top spot is a foregone conclusion at this point. The utility of these meetings: finding out the priorities of other Council members. Bowman, locked in a […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 27, 2016

Councilman Aaron Bowman has leadership credentials that most in public life in Jacksonville don’t. Running the Mayport Naval Base for a couple of years gives you that command presence. Yet after the HRO public hearing in Jacksonville’s City Council Tuesday, Bowman showed leadership of a different type. A type from the heart. “You probably saw me with […]

Tag: Jacksonville Human Rights Ordinance
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Jax Council Prez Greg Anderson talks HRO process

Lori Boyer’s withdrawal motion highlights Jax HRO Committee of the Whole

Rick Scott, Lenny Curry stay on message during Jacksonville event

Cold war developing between anti-HRO Jax clergymen and Lenny Curry

Tommy Hazouri contemplates leadership, legacy, and the HRO

John Crescimbeni throws cold water on HRO process: “damage to reputation of city”

How Shad Khan is moving Jacksonville forward in spite of itself

“Discernment” continues for Lenny Curry on HRO … but for how long?

Lori Boyer lobbies Aaron Bowman, Greg Anderson for Jax Council prez support

“Tears in my eyes”: Jax Council members talk HRO debate