A.G. Gancarski
The penultimate Jacksonville City Council meeting of the year, on “getaway day” before Thanksgiving break unofficially begins, had, in theory, a light agenda with expected heavy public comment on the HRO and related issues.
In practice, though the agenda was light and the public comment was robust, the HRO commentary was surprisingly muted.
The agenda meeting had one interesting moment: Reggie Brown, who was excoriated in certain corners of the media for proposed legislation regarding requiring written consent of similar businesses regarding food trucks within 50 feet of their establishments, moved to withdraw his legislation to work out the language.
Just before public comment, he withdrew it without opposition.
The big legislative items: two QTI economic development deals, one expanding operations for Fidelity Global Brokerage Group (300 jobs; $360,000 city investment) and “Project Revere” (250 jobs; $250,000 city share).
These were approved without objection, and indeed, with applause from many in the audience after passage.
As well, the Jaguars amphitheater deal was subbed and re-referred to committees.
Then, the magic and mystery of public comment.
A gentleman started off, talking about “dirty cops” and a “goon squad” using public equipment to commit crimes.
“If you could get these guys to deal with reality,” he said, “maybe they’d pay attention to their pension fund.”
From there, he talked about global banking issues.
Local activist Chevara Orrin, who was slated to talk about “racism and homophobia and the city’s inaction” on such matters, was out of the room when her name was called.
Kris Zolondek and Haleigh Hutchison, two young Democrats, would not be out of the room.
Zolondek spoke first.
She recognized the mayor, Lenny Curry, for participating in the Operation Reform “Ban the Box” forum and addressing issues of restorative justice therein, before discussing the “community conversations” on the HRO and Syrian refugees as the red light came on.
Hutchison addressed, meanwhile, “domestic terrorists” in Jacksonville and “bomb threats” targeting the LGBT community, but said the city reaction is “not enough,” asking Council en masse to denounce the Klan flyers and the bomb threat reported last week.
Then, Reverend Kenneth Adkins, working the HRO hustle.
Adkins has taken an idiosyncratic position on the HRO, and his latest initiative, asked “on behalf of the pastors he met with today,” a proposal of a Houston-style referendum to “let the citizens decide” and “once and for all settle the issue.”
Mark Musselwhite also spoke, against the amphitheater bill, predicting the downfall of football locally and nationally due to health risks.
John Winkler of the Concerned Taxpayers of Duval County also talked about the recent ethics flap related to Council members getting “largesse” from the Jaguars, including suite passes and “Tiffany champagne flutes,” which should, in theory, compel them to oppose the amphitheater bill.
“To all those who wish to celebrate… let me suggest that you keep the Tiffany on display… and use Dollar Tree stemware instead. It won’t break and it makes a great gift,” Winkler said.
After public comment, the Renew Arlington CRA, which moved through committees without objection, was approved without objection.
