A.G. Gancarski
Controversial Jacksonville commission nominee Mike Anania had his day in the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee Wednesday.
And that, it turns out, is the end of the road for his nomination.
Anania, originally nominated for the city’s TRUE Commission in January, saw his nomination stalled out in recent months, with the Rules Committee having voted to approve his bid three times already — but reconsidering every time.
The crux of the issue: a DEFCON 5 personality clash with Rules Committee Chairman Garrett Dennis, who managed to forestall a fourth and presumably final vote on Anania in the committee by running out the clock on Tuesday.
They worked out their disagreement, apparently.
In a much more muted tone than he’d used Tuesday, Dennis introduced Anania — who then said, while he was “honored and humbled” by the nomination, noted that his nomination has “become a contentious issue.”
“I’m going to pull my nomination,” Anania said.
Dennis indicated support for this move.
Councilman Bill Gulliford expressed distress that Anania wouldn’t move forward, extending hope that he would have a “future opportunity to serve.”
Councilman Sam Newby, calling Anania a “great guy,” offered similar blandishments.
But all voted for the withdrawal motion.
