Phil Ammann
Former President Bill Clinton is heading back to Jacksonville yet again Friday, one of several stops on a weekend swing bus tour throughout Florida.
Clinton is slated to spend at least part of the afternoon at the Jacksonville Public Library downtown, where he will offer a speech on behalf of his wife, who appears headed to victory against a so-called Republican who ran what was probably the most incompetent campaign of the modern era.
The former president has been to Jacksonville twice this year already. One visit involved swings through a church in Northwest Jacksonville and a speech to union members. Another visit was to christen the Hillary Clinton HQ on the Southside.
Bill Clinton, one of the best political speakers of his generation, didn’t exactly deliver great performances during either of his previous visits to Jacksonville. At times, Clinton rambled, bringing to mind — more so than anything else — his turgid 1988 Democratic Convention speech.
It didn’t matter.
At this point, Bill Clinton’s function is more symbolic than practical. To older Democrats, he is reminiscent of how things used to be. And the “Bernie or Bust” types — those wanting to remind Clinton of some of the Democratic Leadership Council styled “triangulation” of the 1990s and the 2008 campaign?
Clinton may mind, but they don’t matter.
The stakes, as they were, are too high in this election.
Bill Clinton is still a name, one that means something. And that is enough — in and of itself — for coverage by the Jacksonville media.
And that is also enough for most of those packing a conference room at the main library, located diagonally from Jacksonville’s City Hall, where Trump-backing Mayor Lenny Curry rules the roost.
Clinton won’t have to do or say anything particularly interesting, quotable or even relevant. Much like Peyton Manning toward the end of his run, he can get by on muscle memory, the political equivalent of “pocket awareness,” and an audience that adores him just for being Bill Clinton.
As the end of the 2016 campaign approaches, expect Clinton to serve up one last serving of comfort food, and expect him to receive a rapturous reception for having done so.
“Buddy Dyer, Phillip Levine, Bob Buckhorn, others on Mayors for Hillary bus tour” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics –Hillary for America announced … those and 19 other mayors and former mayors — some from out-of-state cities like Detroit, Philadelphia and Dallas — are participating in the tour with at least four stops to promote Clinton’s economic plan and urge people to vote early. The activity actually began Wednesday night with a kick-off debate watch party in Miami, and will roll Friday to Orlando and Gainesville, and Saturday to Tallahassee, with other stops yet to be scheduled or announced. In addition to Levine — widely discussed as a 2018 gubernatorial candidate — Dyer, Buckhorn and [Rick] Kriseman, the Florida mayors include Wayne Messam of Miramar, Oliver Gilbert of Miami Gardens, Lauren Poe of Gainesville; Andrew Gillum of Tallahassee, Thomas Masters of Riviera Beach, and former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown.
“Jacksonville is enthused about Donald Trump, says local GOP chair” via Florida Politics – Duval County — the most conservative metro in the state, with a GOP mayor in Jacksonville and all three beaches cities — was not represented in the list, which included smaller counties like Alachua, where party attendees are encouraged, rather exotically, to “bring your own chair and a snake to share.” Between that and hearing that there wasn’t a quorum at this week’s meeting of the Duval County Republican Executive Committee, we wondered if there was an enthusiasm gap for the Republican nominee. Not so, said Duval County GOP chair Cindy Graves in an email … There is, in fact, a debate watch party Wednesday night at the Players’ Grille on Hendricks Avenue on Jacksonville’s Southside. Regarding the debate party omission from the state campaign email, Graves wrote: “Must be an oversight on our part as we are a party of volunteers doing the reporting?” … “In any case,” Graves adds, “our exciting and enthusiastic Trump debate night tomorrow has been scheduled for at least three weeks. “As far as our meeting [Monday] night is concerned,” Graves wrote, “there was a greatly engaged group in attendance but a parliamentary silly squabble/misunderstanding about the number for quorum with no real vote pending, just so many reports and such great news to impart.”
“The Outsiders: will widespread political dissatisfaction help local underdog candidates score a November upset?” via Matthew Shaw of Folio Weekly – Politics as we know it has been turned upside down. Dissatisfaction with establishment political candidates is widespread. The nation looked on (some with delight, some abject horror) as, during the presidential primary season, one “authentic” candidate caused his political party to come unmoored, while another “authentic” candidate may have mortally wounded his. And though voters turned out for the 2016 presidential primaries in historic numbers, perhaps the best evidence of the current state of national malaise may have been that, in the wake of one of the most unpredictable presidential primary seasons in the nation’s history, Americans were left with a choice between two very unpopular major party candidates for whom only 9 percent of the voting public cast ballots.
With even perennially faultless election predictor Nate Silver scratching his head, no one knows what to expect when America (and swing-state Floridians) head to the polls in November. Locally, similar dissatisfaction loomed large in the minds of the some 6,500 Northeast Florida voters who, leading up to the August primaries, switched parties, mostly to oust establishment Republican incumbent candidates for Public Defender and State Attorney. “I don’t think people realize how important local elections are to the issues that really matter to them,” says the Democratic candidate for Duval County Clerk of Courts, Paula Bartlett. Bartlett’s opponent, Ronnie Fussell, won his primary despite drawing the ire of civil rights activists (and satirical news show hosts) when he put an end to courthouse marriage ceremonies in the Duval County Courthouse. Fussell’s motivations were widely seen as his way of subverting Obergefell v. Hodges, the U.S. Supreme Court decision that made same-sex marriage legal nationwide, though Fussell himself has repeatedly denied that’s the case.
“Democrat Dave Bruderly banked $15K for CD 4 homestretch” via Florida Politics –Bruderly carried $15,016 into the campaign’s homestretch; essentially half of the $31,742 Republican John Rutherford had on hand in his October report. Bruderly brought in $26,784 in contributions between the pre-primary report and the end of September, and spent $13,367 during the same period. Among notable donors: Jacksonville trial lawyer Wayne Hogan, a serial campaign contributor who invested $1,000 into the Bruderly effort. Meanwhile, expenditures in the Bruderly campaign are not as strictly itemized as one might hope. The heftiest expenditure: $8,777, which went to Bruderly himself for “purchases and expenses.”
“Corrine Brown’s planned defense” via Lynnsey Gardner of News 4 Jax – Orlando attorney James Smith [said] he has a strategy to defend Brown from federal corruption charges and is confident the evidence will keep her out of prison and clear her name … One of the most notable is to potentially ask the court to “sever the defendants.” That means Smith may ask that Brown and her co-defendant — Chief of Staff Ronnie Simmons — be tried separately … Smith’s notice also states he may potentially file a motion to allow for character witnesses to testify on Brown’s behalf. These witnesses would speak to Brown’s reputation versus direct testimony to the case. Finally, Smith’s filing alerts the court that he may ask to have Brown’s charges be dismissed altogether. There was no legal basis filed with this notice, so it’s not clear what legal grounds Brown’s defense team will argue to have her case thrown out. Smith, who is Brown’s fourth attorney in this case, also admits this case is weighing heavily on him. He estimates he spends 12 hours a day preparing to fight the federal government and keep his client out of jail.
Happening today – Candidates in the 6th Congressional District and House District 13 are scheduled to appear at a luncheon meeting of the First Coast Tiger Bay Club. Republican incumbent Ron DeSantis and Democrat Bill McCullough are running in CD 6, while Republican Mark Griffin and Democrat Tracie Davis are running in HD 13. Event begins 11:30 a.m. at the University Club, 1301 Riverplace Blvd. in Jacksonville.
***Southern Strategy Group is Florida’s powerhouse lobbying firm with a dedicated Jacksonville office, as well as locations in Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Tallahassee. Our nearly 25 lobbyists work daily to get our clients and their issues in front of key local and state elected officials. Whether in City Hall, the State Capitol or somewhere in between, we’ll work with you to create and execute a strategy that moves your agenda from the starting point through the finish line. Every industry. Every interest. Powerful advocacy begins here. Call us today at 904-425-8765 or visit www.sostrategy.com to learn more.***
“Bill Nelson surveys damage, visits with those impacted” via Emelia Hitchner of the St. Augustine Record – Nelson’s visit came two days after FEMA declared Individual Assistance for affected parts of Florida, including St. Johns County, but the crippled neighborhoods of St. Augustine still have a way to go before aid comes through. Nelson shook hands with homeowner Peter Garris IV and his 87-year-old grandmother, Gladys Garris, in front of their destroyed house on De Haven Street. “Where are you staying right now?” Nelson asked. Garris threw his hand toward a Nissan truck parked curbside. “I’m living out of my truck,” he replied. “That’s my house right now.” Garris and his family asked several questions about how to apply for FEMA’s assistance, especially without the use of computers or phones. Nelson turned to FEMA representatives standing nearby for answers. “Can you register them right now?” Nelson asked. The FEMA representative responded he didn’t have the tools available to do so at the time. “You might be able to do it at the library,” another person in the group offered. Nelson asked several questions many displaced residents may have wondered about themselves the past two weeks. He wanted to know how much longer it would take for homeowners to receive checks in the mail and where they should sleep and eat in the meantime. He said his demand for response has remained consistent since sending a letter to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate urging disaster assistance for individuals throughout the state.
“Emergency relief not coming for 21 days” via Anne Schindler of WTLV – It fact, the wait has just begun. FEMA spokesperson Deanna Frazier explained the process: “When they register it’s about a 15-minute process. Then about 3 to 5 days after that, they can expect a phone call to make an appointment with them to come out here and look at the damage. And in about 7 to 10 days that individual come out looks at damage, and about 7-10 after that, they get their check in the mail. So it can all happen within about 21 days.” Nicole Lucas confessed she was disappointed. “I expected it to be a little bit quicker,” she said. “We thought Monday or Tuesday they would be here and have an office for us to go and talk to them. And now you’re hearing they haven’t found a place, and now you have to wait again.” The 21-day turnaround period doesn’t kick in until someone registers with FEMA, which you can do at DisasterAssistance.gov or calling 800-621-3362. In the meantime, state officials are urging anyone who needs help to call 211 to connect to local nonprofit groups that can provide temporary assistance in some cases.
“Feeding Flagler: Farm Share delivers food to over 400 Flagler families” via Jeff Dawsey of the Palm Coast Observer – Farm Share – a distribution food bank – became the latest program to assist Flagler County by providing fresh food and beverages to nearly 400 families Monday, Oct. 17, at the Flagler Airport. With assistance from Flagler Volunteer Services and community leaders such as state Senator Travis Hutson, state Representative Paul Renner and Commissioner Nate McLaughlin, locals drove alongside the volunteers’ assembly line and collected enough food for at least three days – without leaving their cars. “If you lose your power, you will lose your food,” Renner said. “People have lost $200-300 worth of money in their fridge or freezer, and they may not have the money to replenish all of that. This is a way to refill the pantry and help them in a difficult transition, so people can get back over the hump. People are still trying to get their lives back to normal.”
The food distribution began around 9 a.m. and concluded a little before noon. Renner and Hutson talked with almost every car, and McLaughlin assisted with the food and served as a taxi driver, hauling a couple of walkers from the distant parking lot through the assembly.
“Rick Scott wants A1A open in 45 days” via Bruce Ritchie of POLITICO Florida – Scott is directing state transportation officials to reopen Florida Highway A1A in Flagler County within 45 days of signing a contract to reconstruct the damaged road. A 1.3-mile stretch of the famed scenic highway was destroyed as Hurricane Matthew swept along the Atlantic coast. The contract is expected to be completed over the weekend and construction will begin next week. The contractor will have no longer than 45 days to restore north-south traffic flow to the impacted area of A1A.
“JEA CEO: We did great, but we could have done better” via Jenny Rodriguez of First Coast News – Paul McElroy said during the “1 in 100 years storm” their JEA performed great, but could have performed better. JEA board members relayed the concerns they received from the community during Friday’s meeting, the first meeting since the Oct. 8 storms. Of top concern was JEA’s estimation that a substantial amount of customers would have complete restoration by “midnight Monday” referring to Oct. 10. An estimated 43,000 in Jacksonville remained without power Oct. 11. “Our response could have been better and our systems could have been better,” said McElroy. Board secretary Delores Kesler said she received reports of people traveling back into town after evacuating only to find their power would be out for another week. “The over promising and under delivering, we know in business we can’t do that,” said Kesler. “In the future, you should analyze that piece.”
“Lenny Curry defends missing debit card investigation” via Florida Politics – Curry says the story “gets one part right and that is that the [Alvin] Brown administration did not properly account for these cards, the attached story and other stories do not represent material facts.” From there, Curry offered a recap. Curry noted that once his team learned an “employee debit card program existed,” an “inventory of the cards” was requested. That inventory was conducted by two senior staffers. From there, a treasury employee found an envelope in a safe with $27,000 in “unaccounted for/missing debit cards.” Curry noted that, after requesting an investigation by the inspector general, it took “six MONTHS from the date we asked for the investigation to when the IG secured and examined the contents of the safe. Due to lack of controls by the previous administration, any number of unknown people had access to that safe. “We would not have asked the IG to engage if we believed those cards were in that safe. The safe should have been secured and audited at the time the investigation was announced,” Curry noted.
Tweet, tweet:
“New rules for old problems at Hemming Park” via Florida Politics – City Council members John Crescimbeni and Scott Wilson convened to discuss issues related to code and ordinance enforcement in Hemming Park. A recurrent issue over years is problems with park regulars drinking and engaging in other illicit activities in the park that is called, often without irony, the “front door to city hall.” Private security can do certain things, such as short-term detainment; however, said a representative from the security company patrolling Hemming, the sheriff’s office has to actually do things like distribute citations. State statute, meanwhile, precludes the JSO giving out citations for misdemeanors, such as “curb drinking,” that they didn’t see. Crescimbeni wondered if there was a way to “get around” that based on witness testimony. Jason Teal of the Office of General Counsel noted that statute specifically delineates a “pretty short list” of enforceable offenses based on hearsay testimony. “The state has in essence pre-empted” enforcement beyond a limited scope … Wilson noted that a brown paper bag could constitute probable cause.
“Putting the brakes on medical marijuana businesses” via Ashley Harding of News 4 Jax – Orange Park … is putting the brakes on any medical marijuana businesses looking to set up shop. They’ll have to wait a year. Sam Garrison, an Orange Park Town Attorney, says town leaders will use that time to come up with rules on how those businesses are run. He also wants it to be known this moratorium isn’t about stopping people from having access to medical marijuana … people in Orange Park agree now is the time to get that process started ahead of the Amendment 2 vote. But plans to bring medical marijuana dispensaries to Orange Park will be on hold for a while. Voting in favor of a one-year ban on these businesses, town leaders now have more time to come up with rules on how and where these businesses operate. Garrison says this is about safeguarding the community. For example, taking into consideration how close this type of business could be to a church or a school.
“Duval School Board members quarrel over IB program, testing” via Denise Smith Amos of the Florida Times-Union – Duval School Board members clashed while discussing why some of Duval’s brightest students, those taking International Baccalaureate classes, took and passed fewer tests related to those classes last year. The exchange at one point became so heated two board members yelled at each other and the meeting was recessed for about 20 minutes while board members discussed with board leaders proper meeting decorum. Some of the rancor seemed to be about whether some board members hold different, perhaps lower, expectations for disadvantaged students than others. International Baccalaureate is a system of courses and exams which can result in college credits and is based on global standards … Statistics show fewer students taking and passing the exams this year versus prior years, with the worst performance in the non-magnet high schools. Some board members asked whether it’s worthwhile continuing IB at non-magnet high schools, such as Ed White, Terry Parker and Wolfson, if performance doesn’t improve. “You can work harder and you can work smarter,” said Board member Scott Shine. “Some of that difference [in performance] is because they’re not in a dedicated magnet” like Paxon or Stanton. Board member Cheryl Grymes said there are students whose parents want them in IB but the students don’t want to be there and do the work. Board member Paula Wright said “an elephant in the room” was some board members’ assumption that parents and students in certain parts of Duval aren’t concerned about academic performance.
“DIA’s riverfront push is ‘one of the biggest, strongest statements’ authority can make” via David Chapman of the Jacksonville Financial News & Daily Record – The St. Johns River appears headed for a makeover. The Downtown Investment Authority is gearing up to hire a consultant to develop a riverfront design and investment strategy within its Downtown borders. It’s a multifaceted step that will include a plan for underused and underdeveloped riverfront properties, identifying opportunities for attractions and public places, and improving wayfinding signage between the river and other Downtown areas. “The one thing that we need to spend much more time on, that we didn’t do in my first three years, is riverfront activation, attraction, public space and design guidelines,” said authority CEO Aundra Wallace. Authority Chair Jim Bailey … called the riverfront push “one of the biggest, strongest statements” the organization could make for the city. The board in its Community Redevelopment Area meeting before the regular meeting approved a scope of services for the consultancy request for proposal that Wallace said will be ready for procurement by December and receive bids by January. Wallace said his hope is to have the consultant in place by March … funding would come from within the authority’s administrative budget as well as the Southbank Tax Increment Financing fund. “There’s a lot of momentum happening along the riverfront,” said Wallace. There is, but not just Downtown.
“Social messages transmitted on CSX office building this week; company not talking” via Giuseppe Sabella of the Florida Times-Union – CSX, the railroad headquartered in downtown Jacksonville, had at least four messages projected onto its building at 500 Water Street early Tuesday morning. The messages faced the Acosta Bridge and said, “Black Lives Matter,” “1 in 5 Women Sexually Assaulted,” “This Is Rape Culture: Less Than 50 percent of Rapes Reported” and “This Is Rape Culture: Survivors Bullied Shamed Not Believed.” On Wednesday morning, a spotlight shined on the building and made it hard to project more messages, said Mark Krancer, a mail and distribution employee for the Times-Union. He saw the spotlight at approximately 6:45 a.m., and he later said the wall is usually dark at that time. “I haven’t seen that, and I come in at 7 o’clock,” he said.
“NAACP President Isaiah Rumlin reappointed to JTA board” via Florida Politics – Rumlin was originally appointed to the board by former Mayor Alvin Brown in 2012; before that, Rumlin had been a board member from 1987 to 1991. “We are very pleased that Mayor Curry reappointed Isaiah Rumlin to the board of directors,” said JTA CEO Nat Ford. “The JTA is grateful for his commitment and contributions to the Authority and look forward to his continued leadership.” … “We are appreciative of Isaiah’s leadership role in the community and dedication to the Authority,” said current JTA Chairman Scott McCaleb. “He currently serves as Vice- Chairman of the Board. Isaiah also chaired the Skyway Subcommittee and Skyway Advisory Group, which lead to an initiative to create a Skyway Modernization Plan.”
“UF Health Jacksonville receives national award” via WTLV – UF Health Jacksonville has been honored by national health care leader Vizient, Inc., with the company’s inaugural Innovation Excellence Award. “Our organization is always striving to improve the way we manage health care, which in turn helps our patients achieve better outcomes,” says Russ Armistead, CEO of UF Health Jacksonville. “This award shows that we continue to move in the right direction, and I am proud of our faculty and staff who provide outstanding health care every day. I’d also like to thank Vizient for recognizing our achievement.” UF Health Jacksonville faculty and staff received the award in person during the summit in Dallas. Dr. Kelly Gray-Eurom, Chief Quality Officer for the organization, says hard work by all of UF Health’s employees has led to much better outcomes.
“Infant deaths decline in Northeast Florida, but racial disparities persist” via Beth Reese Cravey of the Florida Times-Union – The 132 deaths were preceded by 143 in 2014 and 141 in 2013, according to the Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition’s annual Fetal and Infant Mortality Review. From 2014 to 2015 the so-called infant mortality rate for Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties dropped from eight deaths for every 1,000 live births to 7.1, according to the report released Thursday. The infant mortality rate dropped 37 percent in Jacksonville’s urban core, an area where the rate has been historically high, and the region’s fetal death rate dropped from 8.3 deaths per 1000 live births to 7.1 deaths. But there were still stubbornly high numbers in some areas. Finding out why some areas are doing well and others are not is the reason for the review, said Tracy Claveau, the coalition’s Fetal & Infant Mortality Review project coordinator. “The infant mortality rate is often used as an indicator to measure the health and well-being of a population,” she said. The intent of the annual review process — not just gathering numbers but getting to the root of them — is “to determine specific medical, social, financial and other issues that may have impacted the poor birth outcome. It’s not about finding fault, it’s about figuring out where the system failed,” she said.
“For one day, bok choy joins corn dogs and chicken nuggets in this elementary school cafeteria” via Matt Soergel of the Florida Times-Union – If you’re trying to introduce exotic, healthy fruits and vegetables to some corn-dog-loving elementary school students, better start them off with the easy stuff. That’s what a team of University of North Florida researchers have done in the cafeteria of Holiday Hill Elementary, offering heirloom tomatoes the first week, kiwi fruit the second. The reaction was mostly favorable, though many students said they’d never tried such food before. Week three though? This was, um, crunch time. On the menu: bok choy, a large-leafed Chinese cabbage. Eaten raw. Some younger students were game to try it, but quickly rushed over to a garbage can to spit it out, rather theatrically. “I didn’t like that much,” said a first-grader named Maeghan. “I do like pickles.” … “Gross,” pronounced her classmate Michael. “The food I like is pizza. Cheese pizza. And mushroom.” … “Nasty and gross,” a girl named Zariah chimed in. That opinion wasn’t unanimous though. Another first-grader, Shaun, spoke up to say he had asked for more. Seconds? He shook his head. ”Actually, thirds.” It’s all part of a project on food neophobia — the fear of new food … Helping them are a dozen students from the nutrition and dietetics program, most of whom gathered in the faculty lounge at Holiday Hill before lunch, chopping up mounds of the Chinese cabbage.
“Clay School Board agrees to settle federal lawsuit alleging abuse to autistic student” via Teresa Stepzinski of the Florida Times-Union – The Clay County School Board agreed to settle a federal lawsuit by a mother who alleged that her autistic son suffered physical and emotional abuse while a student at Fleming Island Elementary School during the 2011-12 school year. The board unanimously approved paying $50,000 to the mother and son. Board members approved the settlement without comment. The mother and son — identified only by their initials in court documents — sued the board, school district and Barbara DeLong, who previously taught special education students but quit after being accused of abuse. The boy was 5 years old in 2012, was not verbal and was enrolled in DeLong’s class at the elementary school. The mother and son alleged he was physically abused and had food withheld from him while in DeLong’s class. The alleged abuse resulted in emotional harm that required extensive therapeutic treatment, according to documents including the lawsuit filed last year in the U.S. Middle District of Florida at Jacksonville. The attorney representing the mother and son made a pre-suit demand of $500,000 from the School Board and school district and $300,000 from DeLong, school district documents summarizing the settlement showed. The settlement calls for the district to pay $50,000 and the teacher’s insurance provider to pay $30,000, according to the documents.
“2017 JAXPORT Logistics and Intermodal Conference” via the Jacksonville Port Authority – Registration is open for the 2017 JAXPORT Logistics and Intermodal Conference that will take place March 20-22, 2017 at the World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort in Florida. This biennial conference attracts logistics and transportation professionals from around the world, offering a unique opportunity to network with leaders in the fields of logistics, shipping and port management. Speakers will be drawn from around the country to discuss issues common to all logistics and intermodal decision makers and will represent many of the world’s major shippers and service providers. For more information, visit JAXPORTConference.com.
“Massive turbine parts to generate Puerto Rico power move through JAXPORT” via the Jacksonville Port Authority – Stevedores with SSA Cooper at JAXPORT’s Blount Island Marine Terminal recently moved two heavy-lift turbine rotors bound for a San Juan, Puerto Rico power plant. The rotors will be used to generate electricity for the people of Puerto Rico. The rotors, weighing 97,000 and 125,000 lbs. and measuring 17 and 19 feet in length, were transported individually to Jacksonville via 11-axle and 13-axle tractor trailers from the Virginia manufacturing facility where they were built. Highly trained master riggers lifted the rotors one at a time and loaded them onto a Ro/Ro platform for shipment. The rotors are being shipped to Puerto Rico aboard Trailer Bridge, Inc.’s Jax-San Juan Bridge barge. ATS International coordinated the domestic delivery and ocean transport, and will also provide ground transportation in San Juan. The recently rebuilt heavy lift cargo berth at JAXPORT’s Blount Island Marine Terminal ranks as one of the nation’s highest weight-bearing capacity docks, offering up to 1,800 pounds per square foot of load capacity. Jacksonville’s skilled workforce offers a variety of labor options, including highly trained master riggers specializing in heavy lift and project cargo.
“Beer drinkers down Bible thumpers in Jacksonville microbrewery debate” via AG Gancarski of Florida Politics – Jacksonville City Council’s Land Use and Zoning committee voted in favor of allowing a microbrewery to open in Springfield at 1636 N. Main St. The vote was 4-1 in favor this time, with Doyle Carter the sole opponent. Some cities, such as Orlando, relax zoning rules to attract these businesses, which often gentrify areas like the pallid collection of disused and misused storefronts on that stretch of Main Street. In Jacksonville, there has been resistance though, with area preachers and those who love them equating the emergence of a microbrewery with social malaise running the gamut from alcoholism to prostitution. One potential wrinkle with this bill: the proposed brewery is too close to five churches and one school. It is 505 feet from the school and within 1,500 feet of the churches. Of course, within walking distance of the proposed location, there are dozens of churches. Though the city’s planning commission and planning department approved the measure, and LUZ approved the measure by a 5-2 vote in September, it was re-referred to the committee after a fractious public hearing at the council earlier in October, in which the district councilman, Reggie Gaffney, suggested the craft brewers contribute to neighborhood churches. Integral to the re-referral: the applicant missed three churches in the so-called “liquor survey” within the 1,500-foot radius of the church.
Happening tomorrow: “Bold City Brewery’s 8-Year Anniversary Bash” – Bold City Brewery celebrates its eight-year anniversary starting at 1 p.m. with live music, raffles, food and $2 pints. Music will be provided by the Bold City Bandits, Firework Tent Revival, The Snacks Blues Band and Bay Street Band. The fun continues until 11 p.m. and tickets are not required to attend. Bold City is at 2670 Rosselle St #7 in Jacksonville.
“First look inside Jacksonville’s new Topgolf” via Alexa Epitropoulos of the Jacksonville Business Journal – The Topgolf facility, located near the St. Johns Town Center at 10531 Brightman Blvd., hosted the preview ahead of its Oct. 28 grand opening. The local facility is the Dallas-based company’s second location in Florida after Tampa, which it closely resembles. Although Topgolf caters to golf fans, company officials made it clear that it was targeting a much broader audience. Its director of operations, Joshua Zenner, echoed that sentiment when it came to Topgolf’s event business. He said the facility could accommodate both small and large events, ranging from a 12- to 1,000-person function, and that he expects to be booking a lot of corporate events and holiday parties. “It offers a social side to the business meeting, and it’s appealing even if it’s not a golf crowd,” Zenner said. Topgolf has hired over 500 employees, including an executive chef, a sous chef and 75 kitchen employees. There’s a particular emphasis on the food at Topgolf, and some selections that were previewed included Topgolf’s take on Mexican sushi, a chimichurri grilled shrimp kabob, prime rib and a salad with candied pecans and goat cheese. Topgolf will be open for 363 days a year, closing only on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“Conservation Speaker Series: Gorillas” via Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens – Nov. 9, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., in the Samburu Room visitors can learn about how the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International is saving wild gorillas in the rain forests of Africa and rehabilitating gorillas for release back into their native habitat. Ticket includes dinner, 1 drink, presentation and a gorilla experience at the Zoo. Presentation will also include information and plans on the Zoo’s newest exhibit – African Forest. For additional information, email [email protected].
“Upcoming sporting events mean big bucks for Jax economy” via Crystal Chen of News 4 Jax – The JaxSports Council and the city of Jacksonville are preparing for a busy back-to-back three weeks, with major sporting events expected to bring in upward of an estimated $70 million economic impact to Jacksonville. On Oct. 29, Jacksonville will play host to one of the most coveted neutral site games in college football, the Georgia versus Florida game. The game is estimated to generate more than $30 million annual economic impact for the local economy. City officials are expecting more than 82,000 people during the game in two weekends. Tickets are still available for the Georgia versus Florida game. On Nov. 5, EverBank Field will host a second neutral site college football game in the matchup between Navy versus Notre Dame. That game is estimated to generate around $30 million for the city. Military momentum will continue Nov. 5 and 6 with the 2016 Jacksonville Sea and Sky Air Show. The following week, Jacksonville will usher in a series of events to honor military men and women during the annual Week of Valor, capping off on Veterans Day with a Veterans Day parade. “As a football fan and son of a Navy veteran, I am looking forward to the next few weeks in Jacksonville,” Mayor Curry said. “These events are important to our military-friendly city and strengthen our reputation as a prime destination for sports and entertainment.”
“Jaguars-Raiders: Two huddles of promising talent” via Gary Shelton – In this huddle, you have one of most promising young quarterbacks in the NFL. In that one, same thing.
In this huddle, you have the acknowledged leader of a football team. In that one, same thing.
In fact, you can look at the Jags’ Blake Bortles as the East Coast version of the Raiders’ Derrick Carr. Neither one has won enough games, but both are the reason their teams might in the future. So far, Carr has a quarterback rating of 81.1. Bortles is 80.0. Any questions?
“They’re both tremendous competitors,” said Jacksonville offensive coordinator Greg Olson. “Really I think both of those guys are tremendous competitors and they certainly, you look at them and they’re their own two individuals but they’re young quarterbacks that were thrown in the league and had to play early as rookies. They both have gone through changes in coordinators, but they’re just tremendous competitors and they both prepare very well. They’re both very intelligent players.”
Both have had to have some resiliency. The Raiders lost 10 games in a row in Carr’s rookie season. Both teams were 3-13 that year.
“I think just the mental and physical toughness that we talk about that you have to go through at that position,” Olson said. “At the quarterback position, there’s certainly a tremendous amount of responsibility that goes on for you in terms of being a quarterback of a team and to handle the locker room. Lot of the responsibility that goes on in terms of leadership for a quarterback to be able to stand up in front of the team or in front of the media and be able to handle the scrutiny of something like that. I think it just shows a tremendous amount of mental toughness and mental fortitude on those guy’s parts to go through something like that.”
The Jags are 2-3, but Bortles is coming off one of his best performances in the last quarter against Chicago. Carr had a tough day against Kansas City last week.
Despite that, Jags’ coach Gus Bradley is impressed with Carr.
“He is impressive,” Bradley said. “We had him at the Senior Bowl. His demeanor, his competitiveness. He is very, very accurate. He has the ability to extend plays. We watched him today extending plays, making big plays down field. You talk about a guy that is playing with a lot of poise and confidence right now. He is playing at a real high level.”
The teams play at 1 p.m. in Jacksonville Sunday.
