Melissa Ross
Whether it’s the always-interesting 2016 election, Jacksonville’s pension fund issues, or the sudden congressional seat vacancy in the city, interest in politics is high on the First Coast at the moment.
In fact, it’s driving a huge RSVP response to the monthly Beaches Democratic Club meeting tonight in Neptune Beach, with a featured speech by Jacksonville City Councilman and former mayor Tommy Hazouri.
Hazouri may be the draw, “or maybe the word got out about my famous honey-baked chicken wings that I made for our Chicken Wings Dinner – left wings only, of course,” jokes Billee Bussard, club president.
With dozens expected for what in the past has been more of a sleepy affair, Bussard says pointed questions for Hazouri are already being submitted in advance, such as “Does your affiliation as a Democrat affect what you can accomplish on the Council?” (should be an interesting answer) to “Will you run for Congress, or get behind another Democrat for Corrine Brown‘s seat?” (hmm).
Also expect Hazouri to be pressed to support a state ban on fracking in Florida, as activists push Duval County to join other municipalities around the state to pass a resolution for a fracking ban.
And there’s this one from Bussard herself: “Tell us how you stand on Mayor Lenny Curry’s pension proposal and the August referendum.”
Hazouri, as this website has reported, denies claims he withdrew his support for an updated human rights ordinance in Jacksonville in exchange for supporting Curry’s pension tax referendum push.
