Peter Schorsch
There was a time when State Attorney Angela Corey and Public Defender Matt Shirk were assumed to be symbiotically linked; Shirk serving as the Washington Generals to Corey’s Harlem Globetrotters.
We’ve dispensed with that narrative, at least.
Since launching his re-election campaign, Shirk’s office has been combative with Corey’s, planting stories in the media to make him seem like a fighting PD, and putting the old narrative about Shirk showering with employees on the back burner.
The appearance of conflict and separation between the two offices is a good thing for those who don’t see defense and prosecution as tag team partners in a simulacrum of a legal battle. However, as we get within four months from the primary, there is a reasonable chance (and no, we won’t handicap it) that Shirk and Corey are in political trouble.
Shirk is losing the money race to retired Judge Charles Cofer by an almost 4 to 1 margin when it comes to cash on hand.
Shirk blames his cash crunch on “the liberal trial bar and Angela Corey,” a combination which seems about as natural as a ham and peanut butter sandwich.
Meanwhile, it is by no means certain that Corey is going to be the front-runner for very long in her own re-election race, especially if a certain candidate gets in — Melissa Nelson, a former employee of the State Attorney’s Office. Nelson was hired, once upon a time, by Harry Shorstein, the man she unseated in 2008.
Is Corey worried? Sounded like it, when FloridaPolitics.com spoke with her last week.
Corey repeatedly voiced her intention to win the race. It was a positive message, focusing on her record rather than indulging critiques from the left and the right that emphasize “headlines and anecdotes” rather than statistical improvements brought forth by the SAO on Corey’s watch. She also referred to the potential for a negative campaign from opponents on more than one occasion in our discussion.
Asked if she thought the media was too harsh on her, Corey’s answer was interesting.
“For every high-profile trial,” she said, “there are 10 to 100 almost identical cases where we’ve done an excellent job.”
Later in that same conversation, Corey said she’d be “very disappointed if any new candidates started a negative campaign,” with push polls, negative mailers and other ads.
However, if one believes Wes White, the only opponent that so far is guaranteed for Corey, a negative campaign is imminent. The “Jacksonville Downtown Elite,” he said, is already trying to push him out of the race so that Nelson has a clear shot, via running a “shock and awe” campaign against Corey.
Nelson’s team would have oppo dump material for days, and would exploit it, along with the help of Shorstein and members of the Jacksonville moneyed class.
The bottom line is this: Corey and Shirk, antagonists by trade, will sink or swim together on the ballot. Cofer and Nelson could very plausibly make cases in opposition that inform each other, contending that business as usual isn’t good enough.
And if Cofer’s donor base is any indication, a large swath of the Jacksonville donor class would be receptive to that narrative. They want to see the State Attorney and the Public Defender out of the headlines.
And it’s hard to blame them for that. Corey and Shirk have to find a way to make the case to the voters that they can change. Otherwise, the voters will make the change for them.
Tweet of the week:
Read enough Gancarski & you will end up in a dictionary- I’m assigning my kids to that work so they are ready for SAT on Roids @AGGancarski
— Lenny Curry (@lennycurry) April 26, 2016
“John Rutherford’s CD 4 campaign unveils high-powered finance team” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics – GOP heavy hitters Ed Burr, Jay Demetree, Kent Stermon, and John Falconettiwill lead the Rutherford money effort, drawing on decades of credibility and experience. Burr, the chairman of the Jacksonville Civic Council, is President of GreenPointe Holdings. Demetree, who like Burr was an early and important supporter of Mayor Lenny Curry‘s campaign, is a trustee of Pentagon Properties. Stermon, the chief operating officer of Total Military Management, is likewise a heavy hitter whose name was briefly floated for a run for this seat himself by some observers. Falconetti, a former Duval GOP Chair and member of the national platform committee, is yet another provider of establishment credibility.
“Redistricting plaintiffs seek sanctions against Corrine Brown” via Florida Politics– The winners of the congressional redistricting fight are seeking to make Brown pay for challenging them. The League of Women Voters of Florida, Common Cause and others last week filed a motion for sanctions against the north Florida congresswoman … The redistricting plaintiffs now want Brown to pay their legal fees to fight the case in federal court, their motion said. She has appealed the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. ‘A long history of prior litigation and utter lack of essential proof leave no room to make those claims,’ they said. Brown and others who challenged the decision ‘have no reasonable chance of success and their claims are frivolous.’
Want to know about my political future? Join me on Facebook for a live stream #jaxpol #FLpol #live pic.twitter.com/24rKjUsIjh
— Lake Ray III (@lakeray3) May 3, 2016
Happening tonight – Rep. Cyndi Stevenson holds fundraising reception: Expect friends and supporters of Stevenson to abound at her fundraising reception in Ponte Vedra Beach at the Nocatee Welcome Center. Event runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Happening tomorrow – The Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee holds its Senate Leadership Appreciation reception and dinner benefiting Senate Majority 2016. Guests include state Sens. Rob Bradley, Travis Hutson, Joe Negron and Wilton Simpson. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. at the Flagler College Solarium, 74 King St. in St. Augustine. RSVP with Shirley Bowles at 904-288-7777or [email protected].
Happening Saturday – Fleming Island Sen. Rob Bradley and Orange Park Rep. Travis Cummings will take part in a community food-distribution event starting 9 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Orange Park, 1140 Kingsley Ave. in Orange Park.
“Paul Renner leads NE FL legislators in AFP metric” – The AFP Economic Freedom Scorecard for the 2016 session is out, and scoring best in their metrics in Northeast Florida: Rep. Renner, who with a 100 percent score is a Champion of Economic Freedom, and the only one from Northeast Florida. The Northeast Florida Republicans all scored A’s, with all at 95.8 percent or over except Lake Ray at 92.9 percent. House Democrats underwhelmed by the AFP metric: Reggie Fullwood and Mia Jones were at 53.3 and 55 percent respectively. The Senate side showed a narrower range. The area’s only Senate Democrat, Audrey Gibson, came in at 66.7 percent. Among Republicans, the range was from Aaron Bean at 88.3 percent to Travis Hutson at 95.2 percent.
“Bill Gulliford endorses Tom Taylor for HD 11” — Gulliford, a former City Council president and former mayor of Atlantic Beach, said the district is “unique … within it lies 7 mayors and 7 councils. I believe Tom’s experience on the Jacksonville Beach City Council sets him apart in this race. It’s going to take an individual who understands how municipal government works in order to be an effective representative for our community.”
“HD 11 hopeful Cord Byrd gets Nassau County Professional Firefighters endorsement” – Matt Waggoner, President of Nassau County Professional Firefighters, said: “We know Cord Byrd will honorably serve the citizens of District 11 and the men and women employed in the Fire and Emergency Medical Services, who have made the protection of life and property their life’s work.” A Jacksonville Beaches native, Byrd is an attorney in private practice and a former history and civics teacher in Miami before attending law school. Byrd is also a member of the Republican National Lawyers Association, where he worked to preserve the integrity of the voting process in every presidential and gubernatorial election since 1998, including efforts in Nevada to defeat Senator Harry Reid in 2010.
Save the date – Jacksonville Beach Mayor Charlie Latham will be hosting a fundraising reception Friday, May 6, at the Watermark Condominium Unit #1001, 50 Third Ave. in Jacksonville Beach. Event is hosted by Janet and Scott McCaleb and begins at 5 p.m. RSVP at 904-707-9600 or [email protected].
Scenes from the campaign trail:
Great to be with the @JaxYRs last night! #under40gop #beanteam pic.twitter.com/4HZXBJ9Y1N
— Aaron Bean (@AaronPBean) May 3, 2016
“Jax Council Finance Committee OKs pension tax referendum” via Florida Politics — In a drama-free move, the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee approved a bill authorizing a referendum on extension of the half-cent sales tax … Bill 2016-300 passed unanimously as an emergency measure.
Get smart fast — “Mayor’s tactics on pension bill shed light into his approach to August voter referendum” via Tia Mitchell of the Florida Times-Union – Curry made his pitch in a long string of meetings that had him scurrying from one wing of the state Capitol to another. Curry had heard yes more than no while pitching his pension-reform proposal to 26 legislators and Rick Scott. It was the first of a half-dozen visits Curry made to Tallahassee to advocate on behalf of his top political priority. We know now that the new mayor overcame what were thought to be long odds to get a new tax approved by a Legislature dominated by fiscal conservatives. On March 25, Scott signed House Bill 1297 into law. Now Curry is starting to lay the groundwork for an August voter referendum; and the strategies he used successfully in Tallahassee provide some clues as to how in the coming months he will sell the tax again — this time to voters in Jacksonville. Curry … arrived in the mayor’s office well versed in state politics. His approach to advocating for a pension bill was traditional — a team of lobbyists from three firms divided up the list of 160 legislators and tried to reach them one-by-one — and modern with its strategists, data and talks of “messaging.” Not until later this month will it be made public exactly how much the city’s lobbyists were paid, but their funding comes from $150,000 in the city’s budget. The team consisted of The Fiorentino Group, the most prominent Jacksonville-based firm in state government, and two of the largest firms working in the state Capitol — Southern Strategy Group and Ballard Partners.
“Army Corps, environmentalists disagree on likely impact of river deepening” via Sebastian Kitchen of the Florida Times-Union – An almost $700 million, yearslong project to deepen the river is expected to include special hammers and explosives to break up rock and clear the way. If the federal government is wrong in Jacksonville, as advocates contend it was in Miami, there is no turning back, said St. Johns Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman. She said her organization plans to use “every avenue available,” including legal challenges, to protect the river and its tributaries. “It’s an extremely risky project environmentally speaking and economically speaking,” she said. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which would oversee the project, contends the effects will be minimal and that the plan includes sufficient mitigation to offset any damage. “We conducted multiple scientific studies and extensive modeling efforts that indicate there will be very minimal impacts to the environment as a result of this [Jacksonville] project. We are confident the risk of unforeseen environmental impact is very low,” a corps spokeswoman said.
“Feds need the Nike solution for Eureka Garden – Just do it!” via John Burr – You have to give Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry credit, he’s burned countless more calories the last six months than previous mayors ever bothered to fix up the rat hole that is Eureka Garden, a public housing disaster on the city’s Westside.
Last week, Curry went to Washington D.C. to brief Housing Secretary Julian Castro, and came away saying that Castro had made assurances that the Feds will aggressively push the owner, the Global Ministries Foundation, to repair Eureka Garden, which reports have described as rife with mold, clogged pipes, raw sewage, broken appliances and unsafe stairs.
Mayor was quoted as saying that if the repairs are not made, government officials will “just keep pushing. This issue is not going away. It’s not going to leave the news cycle.”
There’s a circular illogic here that’s not working to the benefit of the residents of Eureka Garden.
Usually the media is used to put pressure on the government, but here, the government is going to use the media to keep the pressure up on, who? Itself?
Or the owner, Global Ministries? Clearly, they don’t give a flip about the media, all they have to worry about is getting on the wrong side of the people who pay them — that’s the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Castro’s people. HUD pays the owners millions of dollars a year in rent subsidies.
Can HUD cut off Global Ministries from federal housing subsidies? Can HUD force the ministries to sell the property? If so, why not just do it?
Here’s a clue: HUD officials have been loath to use what was called “the nuclear option” in a 2008 expose of Eureka Garden in The Florida Times-Union – canceling a housing contract with a property owner. HUD officials fear what would happen to the residents, and where they could be moved, according to the article published eight years ago.
The people living at Eureka Garden don’t seem concerned about moving, their concerns are more along the lines of having to stay where they are.
“Housing bond default couldn’t happen in Jacksonville” via Florida Politics – In the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee meeting … Councilwoman Lori Boyer wanted to know if dilapidated properties at places like Washington Heights and Eureka Garden could affect Jacksonville’s municipal housing bonds, if the state took notice and punished those bond issuers. That’s what the state of Tennessee did in Memphis. Short answer: No, because Global Ministries Foundation never would have passed the level of scrutiny applied to projects by the JHFA … While Boyer’s immediate concerns were relieved, she still sees major issues ahead for Jacksonville and its process related to such properties, and is determined to make sure the city doesn’t face this mess again … Another issue in play: the nonprofit status of Global Ministries Foundation, one which strikes Boyer as ironic given the comment of her colleague, Councilman Reggie Brown, that GMF needed to be able to make money … [setups like GMF’s] create burdens for the city, including tax dollars that are needed for what Boyer called ‘enhanced services,’ which the city pays for while absorbing costs because the owners are exempt from millage rates.
Happening Friday – The Florida Housing Finance Corp. board of directors meets at 8:30 a.m., Hyatt Regency Jacksonville, 225 East Coastline Dr. in Jacksonville.
“Jacksonville sets new tourism record in 2015” via Robert Alonso of WOKV News 104.5 – Visit Jacksonville officials said that 10.5 million tourist visited the area in 2015. That’s a record for the city, according to Visit Jacksonville President Paul Astleford. Around 6.5 million of those tourists were overnight visitors, with the rest either people visiting for the day or for special events. The data from independent group Oxford Economics also shows a 12 percent growth in tourists over the past two years and $2.2 billion in tourism-related business sales. Around 22,000 Jacksonville residents work jobs that are related to tourism, per Visit Jacksonville. That’s roughly 1 in every 9 residents.
“Will the lack of HRO expansion hurt Jacksonville’s convention industry?” via Florida Politics – Jacksonville is a Top 50 destination for meetings, with 800 conventions the last three years hosting 500,000 room nights. Yet that momentum is not perpetually guaranteed. Paul Astleford, the head of Visit Jacksonville, noted in conversation with FloridaPolitics.com that a lack of Human Rights Ordinance (HRO) protections for the LGBT community, including those relating to public accommodations, could stall convention business momentum … A new convention center, on the wish list for the current administration and its supporters even before the mayor was inaugurated July, would only call attention to the issue … There has been pressure on governments with non-inclusive policies, Astleford said, noting that Houston’s Super Bowl was in question after its Houston Equal Rights Ordinance was repealed by referendum … As well, since North Carolina passed HB 2, there have been boycotts by recording artists and discussion of relocating the NBA All Star Game from Charlotte, where a non-discrimination ordinance was passed before being repealed by the state government … Mayor Lenny Curry, during his prepared remarks at the presser, noted that when people visit Jacksonville, he ‘always want[s] them to walk away with a sense of warmth and charity.’ However, HRO expansion is not a prerequisite to that, according to Curry.
“’A perfect city:’ Why Allegiant Air took a bet on Jacksonville” via Jensen Werley of the Jacksonville Business Journal – The airline had added several Jacksonville flights in the last year, with no plans to stop. Allegiant Air will admit that launching flights to and from Jacksonville was a bit of an experiment for the Las Vegas airline. When Jacksonville got connections to Pittsburgh a year ago, it was the first time the ultra-low cost airline connected two medium-sized cities, rather than its bread-and-butter formula of connecting small cities to vacation destinations.
“Public universities like UNF stand to win with incoming Senate president Joe Negron” via Tia Mitchell of the Florida Times-Union – Negron visited all 12 of the state’s public universities last month in a four-day tour, including an April 19 stop in Jacksonville. After his whirlwind tour, Negron issued a statement outlining some of the key takeaways and goals: Increasing financial aid and academic advising to help students finish in four years. Providing universities resources to recruit and retain faculty and improve their facilities. Encouraging and expanding signature programs at each school. Negron said he isn’t ready yet to say exactly what kind of policies he will propose to help the universities, but among the ideas bubbling are allowing Bright Futures scholarships to be used for summer courses, restructuring tuition costs to incentivize students to take more classes per semester, and reactivating and expanding a program that matches private donations to universities with state dollars. All that sounds good, and I’m sure every state university applauded his analysis. But how he rolls out the new policies is where divisions could arise. As the saying goes, it’s not possible to make everyone happy all of the time. Coming up with ways to improve the State University System while also honoring the unique missions of 12 schools is easier said than done.
Happening Thursday – The Small Business Development Center at UNF sponsors the 24th Annual Small Business Week Celebration honoring small business leaders, champions and top lenders. The U.S. Small Business Administration will present Small Business Week awards at a luncheon beginning 11:30 a.m. at the UNF Herbert University Center, 12000 Alumni Dr. in Jacksonville. Keynote speaker is David Brown, Chairman, CEO and President of Web.com. Tickets are $35 per person or $350 for table of eight. More information is at 904-620-2476, [email protected] or at UNF.edu.
Happening tomorrow – Jax Chamber holds its Professional Women’s Council luncheon beginning 11:30 a.m. at Maggiano’s Little Italy, 10367 Midtown Parkway in Jacksonville. To learn more about the Professional Women’s Council and register for this luncheon, visit www.pwcjax.org.
Happening Thursday – Jacksonville Business Journal honors educators with its innovators in education in Northeast Florida Award beginning 11:30 a.m. at the Swisher gymnasium at Jacksonville University, 2800 University Blvd. N. in Jacksonville. Register at bizjournals.com.
Save the date – Jax Chamber holds its downtown council breakfast Friday. Event begins 7:30 a.m. at University Club of Jacksonville, 1301 Riverplace Blvd. in Jacksonville. Cost is $17 for downtown councilmembers, $22 for nonmembers; walk-ups are welcome.
“Judge: Nursery may be able to pursue medical pot license under new law” via Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster of Florida Politics – Judge R. Bruce McKibben said Loop’s Nursery and Greenhouses cannot challenge the licenses given to Chestnut Hill Tree Farm and San Felasco Nurseries. However, McKibben said the Jacksonville nursery can pursue approval of its own application under a new state law. Thus far, San Felasco is the only nursery to win its challenge. In February, McKibben ruled the Department of Health wrongly disqualified San Felasco. The Gainesville-based nursery received the highest score in the region, and was issued a license in April. In his order Monday, McKibben said that a “clear reading of the new law is that both Chesnut and San Felasco have now been approved as dispensing organizations” in the Northeast region. McKibben goes on to say that both organizations’ licenses have been “approved without further review … Loop’s now finds itself in the position of being unable to challenge the approvals of Chestnut and San Felasco as dispensing organizations in the Northeast region,” wrote McKibben.
“JTA signs MOU to help with Nassau County transit” via Jensen Werley of the Jacksonville Business Journal — The Jacksonville Transportation Authority and Nassau County Board of County Commissioners signed a memo of understanding to develop a transit strategy for Nassau County. The two groups have approved a resolution for Nassau County and JTA to create a working committee to explore transit service options … JTA and Nassau County are looking into a planning partnership that would provide technical assistance and improve regional connectivity. With the working committee, JTA said there is no direct expense, although JTA staff will contribute time to be part of the planning process.
“Road to ruin” via Mary McGuire of Folio Weekly – Rayonier has a vision for a new kind of company town with big industry and 46,000 new residents in Nassau County – still, it joined a citizens group heralding financial doom for the county. Since September, Citizens for a Better Nassau County has been making a case for a looming fiscal crisis … “If left unaddressed, this crisis will impact every county resident and property owner and will inhibit the county’s ability to pursue economic development opportunities that are vital to restoring the economic sustainability of our community.” The timing of this doom-and-gloom message is curious because the Nassau County Economic Development Board (NCEDB) is making a significant push for development (with $150,000 in annual support from taxpayers) and is having success. The NCEDB, whose Executive Director Laura DiBella … has pitched the county commission for about $12 million in tax incentives to attract a manufacturing operation with a $170 million capital investment and 220 jobs at an average salary of $43,000 … Despite the attractive incentives being offered, and Rayonier’s ambitious commitment to growth in Nassau County … It enlisted business leaders, including those from Rayonier, Rayonier Advanced Materials and the NCEDB chair, who runs a company that prepares land for development and is working on the new roadway into the Wildlight District, to join the group as Coalition Members. Shopping-center developer and Jacksonville Landing owner Sleiman Enterprises, which owns several buildings and continues adding more to the Villages of Amelia shopping complex in Yulee, one of the Nassau County’s largest retail developments, is also on the list … DiBella said she is not taking sides.
“Outside money a big factor in St. Johns County commission race” via Jake Martin of St.Augustine.com – St. Johns County races are heating up as campaign coffers continue to expand and candidates drop in and out. Up for grabs are three seats on the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners … Contributions to candidates for county offices are capped at $1,000, except for those coming from political parties or affiliated party committees. Commissioner Jimmy Johns of District 1 … is currently running unopposed but has nonetheless raised $69,800 and spent $4,480 … Jacksonville- and Ponte Vedra Beach-based developers, attorneys, real estate firms and consultants are among his most generous donor groups. Of the 101 donors … 71 provided addresses outside St. Johns County, the majority of which were in Jacksonville. Commissioner Rachael Bennett Feb. 29 withdrew from the race for her District 5 seat … Bennett’s campaign received $31,120 in monetary contributions and spent $7,179.14. Among her most generous donor groups were civil engineers and silviculture and investment firms, many of which provided Jacksonville addresses, as well as five St. Augustine-based real estate businesses providing an address at 77 Almeria St. Running for her seat are Dottie Acosta, a former top official at the St. Johns County Property Appraiser’s Office; Henry Dean, former head of the St. Johns River Water Management District; and Jake Riley, a data analyst. Most of Acosta’s $5,950.61 raised has come out of her own pocket. The Republican candidate has spent $5,383.21 so far. Dean … has raised $31,350 and spent $3,025. Much of his support has come from St. Johns- and Jacksonville-based real estate and investment firms. Of the 53 donors listed in his financial reports, at least 30 provided addresses outside St. Johns County. Riley has raised $5,054, all coming out of his own pocket. He has spent $33.84.
“St. Johns County School District opens investigation into First Coast Technical College” via Jared Keever of the Florida Times-Union – [An] April 25 letter, addressed to FCTC President Sandra Rayburn-Fortner, says the scope of the investigation includes, but is not limited to, “practices relating to TABE (Tests Of Adult Basic Education) testing, instructor qualifications, expenditure of grant funds and state reporting for funding purposes, and human resource management.” FCTC is a charter school, operating under an agreement with St. Johns County Schools. According to the letter, the district initiated the investigation after the Florida Department of Education received a complaint and in turn referred it back to the district as the agency with jurisdiction … the FDOE received the initial complaint June 24 … From an employee who had received a layoff notification earlier that month … That employee alleged that FCTC “violated acceptable test administration practices in relation to administering the TABE by advising students to intentionally score low on the TABE in order to be eligible for a local WIA (workforce investment act) scholarship which is only available to adults with low educational functioning levels,” one email said.
Appointed – Andrew Morgan to the Seventh Circuit Judicial Nomination Commission.
“Despite troubles, One Spark leaders delighted with downtown Jacksonville festival, turnout” via Drew Dixon of the Florida Times-Union – One Spark organizers considered pulling the plug on the festival before they announced earlier this year they would dramatically scale back on the event. They even considered moving the fourth annual event from spring to fall. They now are glad they didn’t because the response to the festival April 6 and 7 exceeded their biggest expectations and they resolved to put an even greater effort into making the festival a Jacksonville tradition. “Two things were on the table: One was canceling it and the other, that was a bigger thing on the table, was delaying it until fall,” said Peter Rummell, One Spark board chairman. Following the January announcement about the scaled back festival – which drew about 700,000 visitors in the first three years combined – and the nearly total overhaul of the festival’s management, One Spark needed to return to its traditional April schedule. “I don’t remember exactly how it happened, but we just decided that, no, we need to go forward and reduce the scope of it,” Rummell said.
Happening today – Dozens of North Florida nonprofits hope a crowdfunding push on their behalf pays off. #GiveLocalJax is promoted as a 24-hour online crowdfunding challenge, and organizations working on a wide array of issues and causes are taking part. The nonprofit community in the 904 is always vital, with scarce public dollars available in a time when crippling public pension debt is overriding many other concerns. Pick a nonprofit and donate at givelocaljax.com.
Happening tomorrow – United Way of Northeast Florida is hosting “United We Rock!,” a community concert celebration featuring the Old Patróns, a band of local business leaders, followed by local-favorite The Band Be Easy. Event begins 5 p.m. at Henning Park in downtown Jacksonville.
“Flagler graduates 342 in spring commencement ceremony” via Jake Martin of the St. Augustine Record – Among those graduating was Donn Garby, who had served as the college’s Student Government Association president and student representative on Flagler College Town and Gown Task Force. He also founded the school’s Military Veterans Club and was co-winner of this year’s President’s Award for Leadership. Garby, 21, of Naples, said he came to Flagler because of the “family feel” of the campus and sense of community in St. Augustine. He plans to attend Old Dominion University in Virginia to pursue advanced degrees in higher education and education leadership with the ultimate goal of working in student affairs. Fellow graduate Jared Atherton, 22, of Illinois, will be moving on from Flagler to a position as project manager for Rulon International, based in St. Augustine. Atherton was the winner of this year’s President’s Award for Service. His favorite part of his Flagler experience? “Everything about it,” he said. “Coming down from a cold state into a warm state, first of all, and the whole community, in general, is just amazing.” Flagler’s Public Administration program graduated 23 seniors in a second ceremony in Lewis Auditorium. The program includes courses for public sector officials such as management, program evaluation, public budgeting, human resources, administrative ethics, public policy and grant writing.
“Lenny Curry to graduates: No do-overs; only one chance to ‘get through this thing called life’” via The Wave magazine – Curry told Jacksonville University graduates … in delivering his first commencement keynote address: “I appeal to you… if you can only recall a single thing from my talk, please remember this: You only get to do ‘this thing called life’ once. There are no do-overs,” the mayor told the graduates. “If the journey you’re beginning today is not your own … If you’re heading in a direction that you don’t want to go, that does not evoke passion, my advice is to — and parents may hate me for this — choose your road. Walk your path. Flip it all upside down. Follow your passion and your dreams … Don’t live anyone else’s version of your life.”
“Jerry Moran and La Cena relocating from downtown to Murray Hill?” via MetroJacksonville.com – The hot word on the streets amongst the real estate types … Apparently Moran purchased a fairly large building in Murray Hill not far from the new site of French Pantry and his pasta place will be getting out of downtown, relocating in the rising hipster and small business district.
“Jaguars draft class of 2016” via John Burr – Jacksonville Jaguar fans are reeling from all the good news coming out of the 2016 NFL college draft, absolutely blotto over the team’s talent haul. We are not accustomed to being hailed as a top performer in the draft, with Sports Illustrated giving the team an A+.
Having suffered through many lousy draft years (R. Jay Soward, Blaine Gabbert and Justin Blackmon stand out among the first-round flame-outs), this April’s haul leaves fans stunned at the good fortune that by all appearances seems to have been bestowed upon our porous defense by the football gods.
The reason that Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Focus and others are gushing over our team is that we landed Jalen Ramsey, a heat-seeking missile defensive back from Florida State, and Miles Jack, a linebacker from UCLA who is so freaking fast he can cover any receiver.
Sports Illustrated rated these two guys the second and third best players in the entire draft.
How they both ended up Jaguars is a story well-told across the land, suffice it to say that Jack fell out of the first-round over worries about his injured right knee. Yes, there are things that will ruin a draft day more than a surprise video of a player sucking down bong hits, and a torn meniscus is on that list.
A last-minute second-round trade by the Jags front office got them in position to snare Jack. That’s the type of aggressive move that Jaguars fans haven’t seen from their draft gurus in the past – funny how a not-so-veiled threat by team owner Shad Khan to win now or be fired stiffened his executive team with the courage to roll the dice.
As any NFL fan knows, the football gods are a fickle lot, it’s impossible to say today how good this draft will be for the Jaguars. Fingers crossed, for now the sports pundits have bestowed their blessings, and there’s much purring among the Jaguar faithful. For now.
The shoes @jalenramsey wore to his intro presser with the @Jaguars…
? #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/lIwZgCM0XQ
— NFL (@NFL) April 29, 2016
