A.G. Gancarski
After an hour and a half of discussion, the Jacksonville Planning Commission bucked the wishes of the Curry administration members in the audience, and elected Lisa King as Chairwoman Elect.
On Thursday at noon, the Jacksonville Planning Commission nominating committee met, preceding the regular 1:00 p.m. meeting. The principal drama looming over the event: the attempts by the Republican Mayor to remove Democrats Lisa King and Joey McKinnon from the committee, especially given the expectation that King would advance to leadership.
With Jordan Elsbury, responsible for breaking the bad news of removals, along with Chief of Staff Kerri Stewart in the front row, there was an interesting dynamic in play in the otherwise mostly empty Council Chambers.
Commissioner Daniel Blanchard voiced his position that it’s the “mayor’s prerogative” to make changes, opining that the candidates advanced by the administration “look like a talented group.”
Nate Day, another commissioner, opined that it might not be appropriate to advance choices who were subject to removal by administration legislation.
An extended discussion of deferring the decision followed, as commissioners weighed the relative merits of stability and the potential issues created by throwing new members into leadership roles.
Commissioner Tony Robbins contended that this is not a “political” commission.
Soon enough, Lisa King was asked to speak.
“I respectfully decline the opportunity to share,” King said, saying that it was the nominating committee’s decision.
“No matter what happens” with regard to the Council decision, King pledged her respect and friendship.
Robbins then said he was “aghast” and that while “the writing is on the wall,” it is necessary to “abide by the rules.”
“The contributions of Commissioner King,” he added, have been exemplary.
The leadership slate was decided soon enough. Chris Hagan was nominated for Chair.
Lisa King? Not on the slate. However, the big question was whether the full Planning Commission will feel differently.
The meeting began shortly after 1 p.m. Robbins was not finished, saying the commission was “not a rubber stamp” and “independent” of elected officials, which represents progress from previous commissions.
Robbins then advocated for Commissioner King as an addition to the leadership slate, nominating her for Chair, regardless of the political intrigue.
“I just had a hard time driving over here today,” Robbins said, knowing that “years of service” by King would be disregarded.
“I’ve never found her to be anti-business,” Robbins said, adding that he was “honored” to be a colleague of hers.
“I have great concerns with our autonomy being in question right now,” he added.
Commissioner Marvin Hill, 86 years old, concurred with his position. Jerry Friley agreed with the previous two speakers, saying “we kind of owe it to [King],” based on time served and the “exemplary job” she’s done as commissioner.
Meanwhile, Joey McKinnon, proposed to be removed, said that it would be a “mistake” to move forward based on what could happen in Council.
Day and Blanchard pushed back. The latter said “this is becoming a distraction.”
King, meanwhile, accepted the nomination for chair.
“The ongoing consideration of whether I’ll be removed from this body,” King said, “will not be a distraction.”
“I am a person of principle, and I think it’s important that I take this step now,” she added, pointing out the “steep learning curve” associated with the job.
“I have no choice but to move forward on this path,” King added.
Hagan fired back, saying that he supported the mayor’s prerogative to make changes, and that her situation “shines an unfortunate light” on the commission.
“We’re trying to create stability,” Hagan said, adding that if “she’s not removed, there would be an opportunity for her to serve as chairman,” but not now.
Pushing King as Chair would, Hagan said, “create friction” between the commission and elected officials, then suggested the slate be moved forward by the Nominating Committee.
Friley pushed back, wanting King’s name on the ballot.
Robbins wanted to know specifics about why King was being removed, as Jordan Elsbury sat yards away.
“What happens if the pending legislation fails?”
Robbins contended that “pending legislation” was intended to ensure “this body sticks its tail between its legs every time,” and that the Commission should stand by its member.
“The autonomy of this body,” he said, requires “communication on the vision” of the administration on this matter.
Then, Kerri Stewart stepped up to the mike.
Curry’s Chief of Staff asserted the mayor’s right to appoint members that “support his vision” and that “the mayor feels like he’d like someone else” in King’s role.
“We do not wish to get into a public debate” regarding the reasons why, pointing out King’s replacement in the audience.
King was then added to the ballot to oppose Hagan.
Hagan got three hands. King got the rest, and is now the new appointed chair, in what was an audacious triumph for those in Jacksonville who believe that Curry is politicizing his role and these independent commissions.
It of course remains to be seen what will happen in Council on this issue. However, this is the sharpest rebuke the Curry administration has gotten yet.
Advocates for King who were on hand felt a sense of triumph.
“Removing Lisa and other qualified board members sets a bad tone for the next four years,” said Councilman Tommy Hazouri.
“The role of the mayor is to unify the city and Mayor Curry is missing an opportunity to unite us by playing party politics. This unprecedented removal of board members mid-term will have a chilling effect on those who are volunteering their time and energy to progress Jacksonville,” Hazouri added.
