A.G. GancarskiThe big news coming out of Jacksonville’s 24th annual mayor’s environmental luncheon was that Mayor Lenny Curry wasn’t present.
The yearly event, designed to honor the area’s “finest and most creative environmental stewards,” saw representation from the mayor’s office, via Dr. Charles Moreland, who often serves as a proxy for such events.
Many attendees were dismayed by the mayor not being there, despite Moreland’s representation. One went on the record, though quite a few others would not, preferring to grouse under the cover of anonymity.
Anna Dooley, executive director of Greenscape of Jacksonville, described the mayor’s no-show as “disappointing.” Dooley said “everyone here looks forward to hearing from the mayor” at this event.
When the mayor’s non-attendance was announced, there were rueful smirks and chuckles toward the back of the house.
Some high-profile attendees offered comments.
Democrat David Bruderly, running for Congress in Congressional District 4, quipped that the mayor may have “higher priorities … probably something to do with borrowing and spending money.”
Councilman Reggie Brown, discussing the mayor’s non-attendance before the event, noted that a number of council members were present.
Council Vice President John Crescimbeni, after the event, offered perspective, saying that while “it is the mayor’s luncheon, things happen.”
Councilman Jim Love, meanwhile, noted that just yesterday he was triple-booked for lunch, which meant he had to send his assistant to one and miss one lunch altogether.
Love speculated “something came up or [Curry] promised someone important that he’d do something.”
Curry’s spokeswoman, Marsha Oliver, noted Curry is a “governance mayor,” and that events — such as a conference call and a meeting this morning — precluded his attendance.
Oliver noted that Curry attended last year, and that the “mayor gets hundreds of requests,” and sometimes has conflicts.
“He wanted to be there,” Oliver said, but had a “meeting he couldn’t change.”
Oliver wouldn’t divulge what that meeting was, but did note “staff and resources” at the event signaled the commitment of the mayor’s office.
