Peter Schorsch
It appears that Corrine Brown may have reached her political end.
The long-awaited final defeat in the redistricting trial came down Monday night.
Her camp was slow to comment, saying she was “disappointed.”
Less disappointed: Duval Democrats, such as former state Senator Tony Hill, current state Senator Audrey Gibson, state Representative Mia Jones, and Mr. Next Level himself, former Mayor Alvin Brown, who are weighing their options to jump in a race against Al Lawson.
Lawson has an advantage: he is the Tallahassee candidate. All indications are that the aforementioned four are not going to coalesce behind one candidate.
They all see it, say informed sources, as a once in a lifetime shot. And if two or more Duval candidates jump in, it will be Lawson’s seat to win.
And Jacksonville’s to lose.
Meanwhile, the CD 4 GOP field to replace Ander Crenshaw is taking shape.
Property A ppraiser Jerry Holland is out, despite saying that Governor Rick Scott encouraged him to run.
Termed-out state Rep. Lake Ray is forming an exploratory committee, which is no surprise given that last week he all but said he was into the race. Ray, the head of the First Coast Manufacturers Association and of the Duval GOP, would be a strong candidate for sure.
But the frontrunner as of now: former Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford, who should be credited with an assist in getting Mayor Lenny Curry elected last year with his systemic deconstruction of the Alvin Brown mythology.
Rutherford will have all the help he needs from the Curry political machine, both on the money side (Peter Rummell, Michael Munz, Ed Burr, and a cast of dozens of deep pocketed donors) and on the political operation side.
And Rutherford likewise will help Curry, as he will be an effective exponent for Curry’s big ask this summer: the passage of the pension tax referendum, on the same August ballot as the CD 4 race.
Curry and Rutherford make a very effective team, and it is indisputable that Curry would appreciate the staunch advocacy of Rutherford for his priorities in D.C. for the rest of his mayoralty.
Curry will do what he can to make that happen. And so will his team. Worth watching: how will Republicans in the CD 4 race counteract the Mayor’s imprimatur? And how will they go negative on Rutherford without incurring the wrath of Curry?
The end result of all of this congressional race drama, it should be said, is awful for Jacksonville.
Four decades of seniority, between Brown and Crenshaw, could be gone. We could have two rookies in Congress. And we could have one of our seats controlled by a representative from Tallahassee.
Fun for reporters. Awful on those who count on bipartisan stroke in the nation’s capital.
“Former Jax Sheriff John Rutherford is instant frontrunner in CD 4 race” via AG Gancarski of Florida Politics – Rutherford has backing of the major players in the donor class that propelled Curry to the mayoralty of Jacksonville in 2015, a race in which the Sheriff was a key surrogate and asset in undermining Alvin Brown’s positives and name ID. He is widely considered the odds-on establishment favorite, though quite a few other candidates are mulling a run. Rutherford had indicated his strong interest in running Wednesday. Expect Rutherford to co-message with Curry’s pension tax referendum, creating a news cycle synergy other campaigns will struggle to match.
“Lake Ray to form exploratory committee for CD 4 run” via AG Gancarski of Florida Politics – “After much consideration and discussion with friends and family,” Ray wrote on Facebook … “I have decided to open an exploratory committee to look into running for Congressman Ander Crenshaw’s soon-to-be vacant seat … As you know, the halls of Congress are no place to learn on the job and we need an experienced legislator with a proven track record to represent Northeast Florida … This is not an easy decision.” Ray, a state representative for eight years and a former two-term member of Jacksonville’s City Council, is chairman of the Duval County GOP and head of the powerful First Coast Manufacturers Association.
“Republican Deborah Pueschel, a perennial candidate, files in CD 4” via AG Gancarski of Florida Politics – The first Republican to file to run to replace Crenshaw is not high-profile: former write-in candidate Pueschel is again in the CD 4 GOP Primary. She has run for this seat many times before. Before her political career, Pueschel was an air traffic controller. That gig ended acrimoniously, with Pueschel filing unsuccessful suits against the Federal Aviation Administration and then-Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, alleging a hostile workplace, sexual harassment and retaliation for filing complaints.
“SA Commissioner Bill McClure files to run for U.S. House seat” via Stuart Korfhage of the St. Augustine Record – McClure is preparing to take the next step in his political career by running for the open District 4 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. … McClure said he has ties in every county. He and his wife own homes in both Duval and St. Johns counties. “I’m a Northeast Florida person who has been representing Northeast Florida for a long time,” he said. “It’s important to be a good representative of the area. I need to be an advocate for the area.”
>>>Two names that haven’t been mentioned much as potential candidates for this seat are state Rep. Jay Fant and Hans Tanzler III. Hans is the son of former Mayor Hans Tanzler. He is a former prosecutor at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, businessman, tax attorney and last, served as the executive director of the St. Johns River Water Management District. Pretty diverse and strong business background. Both potentially could jump start their campaign with personal resources.
“Pension fix only issue on Mayor Lenny Curry’s agenda; everything else takes back seat” via Nate Monroe of the Florida Times-Union – Want a chance at money for a homeless day center? Pass the pension tax. City grants for downtown development? More money for public safety? Pass the pension tax. Want the mayor’s backing in a political campaign? Support the pension tax. Duval County voters should get used to hearing this refrain from Curry, who is staking much of his political capital — and his first term — on an Aug. 30 referendum asking voters to approve a half-cent sales tax to pay down the city’s enormous pension debt. Everything else? It’ll have to wait.
Jax Council Veep-stakes – “Tommy Hazouri backs Doyle Carter for Jax Council VP” via AG Gancarski of Florida Politics – In a move that will surprise the casual observer, Jacksonville City Councilman Hazouri pledged to support Carter for VP … Hazouri, a Democrat, had been mulling the choice between Carter, a Republican andJohn Crescimbeni, a fellow at large Democrat.
Neighborhoods shake-up – “Derek Igou out as acting head of Jax Neighborhoods Department” via AG Gancarski of Florida Politics – One of the primary policy initiatives of theCurry administration in Jacksonville has been the reinstitution of the Neighborhoods Department. As of April 15, however, the search is on for a new permanent head, as Acting Director Igou has tendered his three sentence resignation letter. Igou wrote Curry that while he wanted to thank Curry for the opportunity to serve as Acting Director, effective April 15 he would no longer serve in that capacity … The full story on the Igou resignation, with one-day notice, no doubt is an interesting one. In March, he told the Jax Daily Record that “I just want to be part of it. I think we can do some good things.”
“Jacksonville sees slight Job growth in March” via Cyd Hoskinson of WJCT – According to the state Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida’s jobless rate continues to hover around the national rate of 5 percent. Meanwhile, the department’s executive director, Cissy Proctor, said Jacksonville’s unemployment rate dropped 1/10 percent to 4.4 percent from the previous month. “The major industries that are seeing success and demand for employees are the tourism industry and logistics and health and education services,” she said.
Im-PORT-ant: “If we dredge it, will they come? And is it worth the risk?” via Claire Goforth of Folio Weekly – The Corps estimates that deepening 13 miles of the St. Johns River shipping channel from 40 to 47 feet will cost $750 million — $350 million of which is to be paid by the federal government. The city or the state is on the hook for the rest. Nancy Rubin, senior communications director for JaxPort, said Florida is offering “significant funding” for the project in next year’s budget, but could not provide specifics. Rubin also said that the project is on the Department of Transportation’s five-year plan. So the city’s portion for the deepening could be as much as several hundred million dollars — or it could be nothing. In the face of this uncertainty, the project proceeds.” … In part to settle, once and for all, the question of whether deepening was going to reap substantial economic benefits, in December 2014 Jacksonville hired its own economist to analyze the project: Xicon Economics, which cheerily agreed that if the port was dredged, the money would come.
In addition to loving all things infrastructure investment, through some basic Googling last year Folio Weekly Magazine broke the story that Xicon’s owner, Dr. Dr. Herbert J. Barber Jr. (that double-title is not a typo) penned the book Fall of a Nation: A Biblical Perspective of a Modern Problem, in which he espoused ideas so abhorrent that then-Mayor Alvin Brown responded to an email containing some of the most colorful portions with a hasty recrimination of its contents. The city was still on the hook for the $60K it had agreed to pay Xicon, however. But at least it got what it paid for: Xicon concluded that the project was economically and financially feasible, would cost $813 million and create between $3.9 and $7.8 billion of benefits to the local economy by 2030.”
Talk talker – “Curry was right to be bluntly honest about the city’s financial challenges” via the Florida Times-Union editorial board – “This pension crisis is real,” Curry said, “but you haven’t seen what it means directly for you because services have slowly been eroded to the point where you can’t see it, and then you wake one day and realize that programs like the Jacksonville Journey and investments in at-risk youth and in re-entry programs are suddenly gone. You talk about programs for the homeless; ladies and gentlemen, the money doesn’t exist.” “I am absolutely committed to all of Jacksonville,” he said. “I love this city. When I ran for mayor, I got to travel to parts of this city that I had never experienced. And because of that experience, I continue to do that. I continue to go to neighborhoods and knock on doors and see what people are experiencing, what their lives are like. Northwest Jacksonville is the most vulnerable. I believe that we have a role there.” “I’m laying it all on the line,” he said. “We will solve this pension issue in August, we will close the plans that caused this, which is reform, and we can move forward as a city that is prosperous, that flourishes, that makes sure we invest in Northwest economic development, that we are investing in the most vulnerable, the homeless.”
“Expect a scrum when/if the city has some money to spend” via John Burr – Oh my, what an aggressive behind-the-scenes game of musical chairs we can expect over the next five months, as all the various organizations who want the city to spend tax revenues on their causes position themselves for the post-pension approval referendum in August.
Not that there’s going to be a cornucopia of funds to dole out, which is par for the course in Jacksonville even in the best of times. Unless it’s the Jacksonville Jaguars or an expanding business doing the asking (more on this later).
In case you missed it, Mayor Lenny Curry last week underlined his opposition to new city spending for ANYTHING at a meeting of church leaders, who were asking for $300,000 or so to reopen on a part-time basis the city’s day center for the homeless. Not one cent, Curry made clear, will the city allocate in addition unless and until the voters approve the pension fix for police and firefighters in the August referendum.
So emphatic is the message that one is starting to hear the D-word among the movers-and-shakers in Jacksonville, as in comparing the River City’s municipal finances to woeful Detroit – a comparison that until recently was blown off as beyond silly.
Here’s some advice for those seeking city funding for their projects: Learn from Shad Khan and the new businesses – Bring some money to the game.
Say what you will about the Jaguars, it’s a very attractive deal for the city when Mr. Khan proposes $90 million in stadium improvements, and brings half the money to the table to help pay for them.
You want to reopen the homeless care center? Fine, go out and fundraise $100K or $150K and present that deal to the city. You want a pot of money for Downtown redevelopment? Start a foundation and raise some money from the business community.
From the city’s perspective, it’s much easier to match than start from scratch.
“Jacksonville economic development machine rolls on” via John Burr – Project Omega, Project Lance, Project Star … OK, the code names are kinda dorky, but the results are real. JAX USA Partnership, the economic development arm of JAX Chamber, has been delivering new jobs to the region at a rate not seen in at least a decade. And according to Jax Chamber chair Audrey Moran, the fun is just getting started.
Here’s the tally, since Mayor Curry entered City Hall in July: Eight economic development projects, some expansions by existing employers (Deutsche Bank, Anheuser Busch), others relocations to Jacksonville, for 1,733 jobs. Jobs related to the Khan/Jaguars/London initiative working in connection with JAX Chamber: three new companies, 308 local jobs.
Several factors are at work: a strengthening economy makes companies more willing to expand; Jacksonville’s growing business connections with London via Jaguars owner Shad Khan; the quality of the local workforce, particularly in the financial services sector; and last but not least, a finely tuned partnership between Curry, the state’s Enterprise Florida economic development arm, and Jax USA.
“We’re on a great run here and it’s just the beginning,” Moran said in a statement. “This is the result of incredible teamwork from the city, the state and JAX USA Partnership. Companies are learning about what we have here in Jacksonville. We have the combination of a skilled workforce and high quality of life that’s drawing international attention and investment.”
Money changes everything – “Supremes to Jax PFPF: Pay Curtis Lee” via David Chapman of the Jacksonville Financial News & Daily Record – A fight that started with a dispute over $606 in fees. Lee went to the fund to review public records, but was charged for the fund’s effort in addition to an hourly fee for someone to sit with him while he reviewed documents. Lee said the fees were exorbitant and wrong, so he filed suit. When a judge in 2014 awarded him $75,600, the fund didn’t pay it — instead it continued to fight. The Supreme Court ruling essentially affirmed the earlier judgment while ruling that a person doesn’t have to prove a public agency acted unreasonably or in bad faith to be awarded legal fees. Lee said the $75,600 earlier award, plus 4.5 percent interest accrued, comes to about $83,000. He sent a letter to the fund director and board members hours after the ruling became public, asking for that amount by the group’s May 20 meeting.
“I was quite happy,” he said after reading through the ruling, although he believes the court also should have approved more for fees during the many appeals. The court denied that claim, which could have meant another $40,000 to $43,000, estimated Robert Dees, who has represented Lee in the matter since 2010. Combined with the estimated $400,000 the fund spent defending itself, Lee said the ordeal cost taxpayers about $483,000.
Tear down this tent – “Removing Metropolitan Park tent to cost $200,000” via David Chapman of the Financial News & Daily Record – There are several options on the table to correct infrastructure problems at Metropolitan Park. Curry’s team is picking the cheapest as it intends to simply remove the damaged tent covering the stage area of the riverfront park. A February review by the city Public Works Department analyzed four options based on past inspections and determined that for $200,000, removing the tent was the best option. Doing so would remove a potential safety hazard and make additional space at the venue for future activities and events, according to a department memo. Other options reviewed were repairing the structure, referred to as the Florida Pavilion, for an estimated $1.9 million; replacing it for $8 million; or demolishing it for $250,000.”
“Three new neighborhoods in Nocatee’s Twenty Mile community announced” via the Jacksonville Business Journal – The PARC Group, Nocatee’s master developer, has unveiled plans and home builders for three new neighborhoods in the Twenty Mile community — The Hammock, The Vista and The Ranch.
ICYMI – “Rep. Reggie Fullwood pleads not guilty to wire fraud, tax charges” via Lynnsey Gardner of News 4 Jax – Fullwood … pleaded not guilty in federal court … to 10 counts of wire fraud and four counts of failure to file federal income tax returns. U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley III announced Friday morning Fullwood’s indictment on 10 counts of wire fraud and four counts of failure to file federal income tax returns. According to the indictment, while Fullwood was seeking election to the Florida House of Representatives, and during subsequent re-election campaigns, he made numerous electronic funds transfers from his campaign bank account and a company owned by Fullwood, Rhino Harbor LLC. Prosecutors said Fullwood used that money, about $65,000 in financial contributions, for personal expenditures, including at restaurants, grocery stores, retail stores, jewelry stores, florists, gas stations and liquor stores. The indictment also alleges that in order to conceal his fraudulent embezzlement of campaign funds, Fullwood submitted false and fraudulent campaign expenditure reports to the state of Florida, which included inflated and/or nonexistent campaign expenses. It was further part of the scheme and artifice to defraud that Fullwood would use funds he had unlawfully obtained from the Reggie Fullwood Campaign account by using an ATM card issued on the Rhino Harbor bank account to pay personal expenses or withdraw cash at various locations, including restaurants, grocery stores, retail stores, jewelry stores, florists, gas stations, ATMs for cash withdrawals, and liquor stores, the indictment said.
“The political comeback of Kim Daniels” via AG Gancarski of Florida Politics – “House District 14 is the next level for me,” Daniels said … To those who question her ability to win, she says they aren’t seeing the full picture. “I’m the only African-American to ever win an at-large seat,” Daniels notes, (albeit incorrectly, as a number of African-Americans have accomplished that feat), and “in Districts 7 through 10, I got 95 percent of the vote … I don’t think it’s time to stop.”
What Julie Delegal is reading:
“JEA, solar advocates at odds over proposal” via Sebastian Kitchen of the Florida Times-Union – The Jacksonville Electric Authority is at odds with solar advocates about the utility’s proposal to slash net-metering credits for rooftop-solar customers by 32 percent … JEA says owners should be paying more for grid maintenance for their backup-power needs. Solar advocates say rooftop solar is a net contribution to local energy, not a drain, and homeowners with rooftop solar help JEA keep its emissions down.
“JEA should not reduce incentives for rooftop solar energy” via Todd Sack for the Florida Times-Union – Dr. Todd Sack, physician and past chair of Jacksonville’s Environmental Protection Board tells Jacksonville’s community-owned utility “don’t backslide now” on solar energy. Sack opposes JEA’s proposal to reduce incentives for homeowners to produce solar energy.
“JEA board needs to slow down on new solar policy” via David and Melody Schacter for the Florida Times-Union – “In one breath, JEA alleges that solar customers are imposing costs on its system while in the next conceding that solar customers do not impose measurable costs on the system.”
“Pro-solar consumers beware: Vote no on Amendment 1” via Julie Delegal of Context Florida – Voters may not know that “Consumers for Smart Solar” is a bankrolled front for Big Energy, which wants to control solar energy in Florida, and is looking to suppress competition from rooftop solar … four of the state’s largest utilities — Duke Energy, Gulf Power, Florida Power & Light, and Tampa Electric (TECO) — have sunk $12 million into lawmakers’ campaign coffers since 2010 … donations to ‘Consumers for Smart Solar’ have added nearly $2 million more to the utility companies’ cause. FCIR contends that the money used to fight competition in the energy industry ultimately comes from people who pay their electric bills.”
“Jim Kallinger and Dick Batchelor: Vote ‘Yes On 1 For The Sun’” via Context Florida – “Amendment 1 was put on the ballot with more than a million signatures gathered in just five months, and it enjoys the support of 73 percent of Florida voters, with strong support from every demographic, geographic and political subgroup of voters. The reason for this strong support is clear. Amendment 1 ensures that Floridians will always have the right to own their own solar equipment and generate their own electricity. It also makes sure that solar has to play by the same consumer protection rules as other energy sources. And, because it puts these rights and protections into Florida’s Constitution, neither policymakers nor special interest groups will be able to weaken them in the future.”
“Under new chair, Jax Women’s Commission more grassroots, less ‘corporate’” via Jessica Palombo of WJCT – Tangi Williams says she’s helping her volunteer commission get back to its core mission. But when she took over the 19-member commission a couple of months ago, she says there was a tough transition phase. “Initially it was quite difficult,” she says, because she was stirring up the way things used to be done. She’s served on the commission since 2014 and says, before, “We did a lot of corporate things,” often partnering with companies with female leaders to celebrate their success and talk about challenges facing others. “We spoke about what was happening in this city, but we did not include the voices of those who were being affected,” she says. To change that, she and other commissioners began going on listening tours through places like the Eureka Garden subsidized housing complex.
“JTA to extend service for free dental clinic” – Last week we told you about a free dental clinic set for downtown Jacksonville this weekend. With attendance expected to be robust, due to the large numbers of under- and uninsured people in the region, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority is offering extended hours this Friday and Saturday on the downtown Skyway (which is already free). JTA is a sponsor of the Florida Dental Association Foundation’s 2016 FLA-MOM
“Nominating period opens for Excellence in Business Awards” – The First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting nominations for its Inaugural Excellence in Business Awards, with a deadline of April 29. In North Florida, the Hispanic community is certainly much smaller and less influential than in points South, but it’s growing. Learn more and nominate a business here.
“E-waste recycling drive this weekend” via Melissa Ross of Florida Politics – Electronics, we want your old electronics! A citywide e-waste recycling drive is happening this weekend in Jacksonville (right after Earth Day), with free data destruction, and all items to be refurbished, resold or recycled by the firm Urban Mining PBC. Accepted: computers, laptops, printers, scanners, cell phones, LCD monitors, DVD players … you get the idea. Just bring your old electronics and chances are they’ll take ’em. The city’s new Grasp Academy for children with dyslexia (spearheaded by Rachel Vitti, wife of Duval Superintendent Nikolai Vitti) is co-sponsoring. It all goes down Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. at 3101 Justina Road in Jacksonville.
“Tiger cub back at Jacksonville zoo after broken leg” via The Associated Press – A Sumatran tiger cub with a broken leg is on the mend and will be back on exhibit at the Jacksonville Zoo … the female cub Kinleigh Rose was diagnosed with the busted leg in February, and taken out of public habitat to recuperate. The five-month old cub is the first tiger to be born at the Jacksonville Zoo in 35 years, and was a popular attraction after her unveiling in February. The zoo said the cub healed quickly, but was kept off exhibit to ensure the healing was sufficient.
“Former Jaguar Ernest Wilford transitions from NFL career to patrol officer” via Joe Daraskevich of the Florida Times-Union – Wilford’s adrenaline kicks in when he hears his call sign broadcast over the police radio. The sign means he has to be ready for anything because there’s no such thing as a “routine” callout. He said the rush he gets is similar to the feeling he had when he played in the National Football League although the crowds and TV cameras are gone. So are the teammates and coaches who grew close to him in the locker room and on the field. Wilford said he has a different kind of team now. His fellow officers have his back. He has theirs. The risks are more severe and the excitement is constant, something that’s hard to replace for any former NFL player. “I tell people I have more fun doing this than I did playing football,” Wilford said of his new career as a police officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
