A.G. Gancarski
[Updated at 7:16 p.m]
In Tuesday’s meeting of the Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee, Councilman Tommy Hazouri voted against Russ Thomas being appointed to the Jacksonville Aviation Authority.
This came as a surprise to Thomas, who received a very genial voicemail from Hazouri, pledging what seemed to be unconditional support before the vote.
“Hey Russ, it’s Tommy Hazouri. Look, we don’t have to talk, I’m fine. I read your biography, I know people who know you, and I appreciate your call, and you’ve got my support,” Hazouri said, closing with “thanks, my man; be careful.”
It turned out that Thomas’ biggest danger wasn’t physical, but in the form of a change of heart from the former Mayor, who has been outspoken about Mayor Lenny Curry‘s remodeling of the city’s board and commissions.
Hazouri’s issue? Thomas being appointed to replace a Brown appointee midterm.
“As a former mayor,” Hazouri said he objects to the removal of people who he described as doing a good job.
“It’s become more and more blatant what’s going on,” Hazouri said, voicing skepticism about the mayor removing people from independent authorities.
“We’re distancing ourselves further and further from the whole origin of consolidation … I don’t like it; I think it’s a bad precedent … I can’t support people being replaced for the sake of being replaced … unless I’m shown they’re not doing a good job.”
After the meeting, Hazouri said that “it’s politics. And it’s pretty transparent.”
“We’re continuing to emasculate the whole idea of what consolidated government is about,” Hazouri added.
Thomas sent Hazouri an email Tuesday evening.
“I was disappointed to learn that you voted today against my appointment by the Mayor to fill the vacant position on the Aviation Authority. From the message you left me on the attached voicemail, I was confident that you fully supported my candidacy. While I respect your right to change your position, having committed your support I would have appreciated a courtesy call to let me know your position changed,” Thomas wrote.
Shortly thereafter, Hazouri replied that he “made the decision during committee today to vote my conscious based on my belief that taking people off boards mid-term is wrong. I am going to stick to that principle throughout this process and am sorry you are caught in the crossfire.”
The Hazouri email was forwarded by Jordan Elsbury, who is in charge of board appointments, to Curry’s Chief of Staff Kerri Stewart without comment.
