A.G. Gancarski
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan reached across party lines to nominate a Republican who ran against her in 2023 to head the Neighborhoods Department. But after days of rumors, Deegan is withdrawing that nomination at the nominee’s request.
Democrat Deegan selected former Republican City Councilman Al Ferraro for the role, as one of a series of theoretically unifying picks for staff jobs that seemingly could build a bridge with the supermajority GOP legislative branch.
After deferring City Council consideration of the nomination last month so he could talk to his former colleagues, however, the withdrawal moved forward just before Labor Day.
“Al has always stood up for people and neighborhoods even when it has hurt him politically. Today is no different,” said Deegan. “I’m grateful for his willingness to serve Jacksonville, and I look forward to identifying a role where he can continue doing so.”
The Mayor didn’t release a statement or offer a response to questions on the subject until the end of the day. However, City Council subcommittee agendas revealed Ferraro was not moving forward.
Ferraro would have required a waiver to serve in that director role, as he only has a high school diploma and municipal code stipulates baseline requirements of “a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university and at least five years of experience in an administrative or executive position.”
While waivers have been granted from the City Council for people taking other roles, that was often because they were being promoted from within to head departments they knew well. In this case, Ferraro was an outside hire with no executive experience beyond running a landscaping service for decades.
He would have needed majority support for not just the nomination but the waiver itself.
Ferraro was lightly regarded during his eight years on Council. He only chaired one minor committee (Transportation, Energy, and Utilities). Ferraro also was never backed for Council leadership, another sign he wasn’t respected even on the supermajority GOP legislative branch.
Another concern expressed is that Ferraro was recently embroiled in a conflict with the department he seeks to lead over campaign signs. Ferraro disputed fines he incurred for signs wrongly placed, blaming the Lenny Curry “machine” for his problem and saying it was political payback for running against preferred candidate Daniel Davis.
“That’s not the way that politics and elections are supposed to be working in our country. We’re not a banana republic,” Ferraro told Action News Jax.
The “banana republic” line particularly roils sources on Council.
“He didn’t really make friends when he was on Council,” said another source who described Ferraro as “always crying and throwing the other Council members under the bus.”
He could be selected for a position that doesn’t require Council confirmation. Some have said he will handle Blight Initiatives for the city.
7 comments
Al had alot of support
September 1, 2023 at 2:40 pm
Those who opposed Al Ferraro’s nomination, will not fare well in their next political aspirations. Remember, Al got almost 17% of the vote, and anyone running for Mayor, will need that vote.
Margaret
September 1, 2023 at 4:26 pm
What is being overlooked is that Mayor Donna Deegan made an attempt to reconcile Republican representation with her Democratic Administration. She should be commended for her efforts. That there seems to be no Republican qualified for this position is troubling. One suspects there may be plenty of Democrats who are qualified for the job.
Dr. Juan P. Gray
September 2, 2023 at 1:26 am
Poor decision making is never a good characteristic for a Mayor. Al Farroro was clearly not qualified for the Director of Neighborhood’s position. The GOP is prominently represented in the Mayor’s administration with the CAO & her deputy. They both have deep GOP connections. Our City deserves the best qualified citizens to lead and direct our departments to ensure efficiency and effectiveness regardless of political party affiliations. Al Ferraro was simply a poor management decision.
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Deegan is dividing the Republican party
September 2, 2023 at 8:33 am
Someone I respect told me that Deegan is appointing Republicans to positions in order to divide the Republican Party, looks like she was right.
Matt Carlucci
September 2, 2023 at 5:37 pm
This is sad and unfortunate. There is a “leadership clique” on the city Council and they all stick together and that is what is causing Al not to be appointed. Those in the “leadership clique “ don’t think independently. So Al just doesn’t have the votes. This I will tell you because I know it to be true, and have seen it over and over, cliques on the council fall apart under the weight of their own egos. Some of the members of this clique are sure to run for higher office. They better hope that Al Ferraro doesn’t run against them because the people are behind him and Al will beat them like a drum.
MH/Duuuval
September 4, 2023 at 11:03 am
Al cast some important votes that didn’t align with the first-term Curry Council — who in retrospect may be characterized — in the main — as useful idiots or lackeys,
The post-Curry GOP phalanx continues the tradition but without Curry at the helm.
Pack E. Derm
September 4, 2023 at 8:20 am
As a Republican who voted for Deegan I was saddened and surprised to see her burn some political capital on a guy like Al.
She could have done much better with a smarter, more amiable person.
This one is not about clicks but ability and Al just does not have much.
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