Jax

A.G. GancarskiJuly 25, 2017

The Jacksonville City Council voted Tuesday evening to approve Resolution 2017-457, which was intended to commemorate Consolidation. But the vote was not unanimous. A movement for full Council sponsorship of the resolution was spiked by Councilman Reggie Brown, who spoke at length about infrastructural failings and broken promises. Brown noted that JEA, for example, isn’t committed […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 25, 2017

Jacksonville City Council President Anna Brosche released charges last week for three special committees that will convene over the next year. Brosche previewed these committees during her inauguration speech last month. The Special Committee on Parks will deal with a continued decline of Jacksonville’s park system. “The Trust for Public Land recently ranked Jacksonville’s park system […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 25, 2017

The big #jaxpol scoop of the day dropped early this morning. An early-week trip by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa caught the eye of the Florida Times-Union Tuesday … as it was on Jags’ owner Shad Khan’s corporate jet. Described as “a two-day trip to St. Louis and Baltimore to take […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 25, 2017

On Monday, State Rep. Jason Fischer proposed a state financial audit of the Duval County School Board on which he served until last year. Fischer’s take: the district is more concerned about potentially suing over the controversial “Schools of Hope” bill he advocated than it is with getting its “financial house in order,” after recent revelations of […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 25, 2017

Back in the early 1990s, the people of Jacksonville voted via referendum to limit city officials to two consecutive terms. Now, almost three decades later, a Jacksonville City Councilman wants another referendum — to amend that two-term limit, making it three terms for every elected office but that of the Mayor. In addition to giving […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 24, 2017

Jacksonville City Council President Anna Brosche met with her immediate predecessor, Councilwoman Lori Boyer, on Monday. The topic: tourism, and Jacksonville’s vehicle for driving tourist traffic: the Tourism Development Council. The Boyer Presidency saw a revision in the funding model for the TDC, yet tourism marketing is still very much a work in progress for Jacksonville, a city […]

Phil AmmannJuly 22, 2017

For those in Jacksonville City Hall, these are halcyon days (somewhat). The mayor proposed the most ambitious budget in nearly a decade, addressing long-deferred needs. But, as is always the case in a Florida summer, storm clouds are on the horizon — with quiet assaults on the mayor’s vision. We cover two of them here: […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 21, 2017

“Another mess” in Jacksonville summer camp funding has made its way to the attention of Mayor Lenny Curry and Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa. This time: a complaint that advance funding wasn’t released to a provider (Us and Our Children) … and that immediate help is needed. Yolanda Tucker emailed Mayor Curry this week, outlining the organization’s […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 21, 2017

Earlier this summer, we reported on a whistleblower lawsuit brought against the non-profit company of Jacksonville City Councilman Reggie Gaffney. Former employee Darlene Peoples claimed the company, Community Rehabilitation Center, had “unlawfully terminated” her… after she was allegedly exposed to risk from HIV-positive clients without proper training and licensure. Peoples asserted that she couldn’t find any recourse via human […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 20, 2017

On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson introduced a new bill: the “Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act,” which would “establish a small business start-up tax credit for veterans creating businesses in underserved communities,” per a press release from his office. Lawson’s North Florida district sprawls from Jacksonville to Tallahassee, including a lot of rural areas and small towns […]

Jax
One of several proposed designs for Florida's new Margaritaville license plates. Image via the office of Rep. Linda Chaney.

Jax City Council sees fissures on celebrating Consolidation

Charges released for Jacksonville City Council special committees

Lenny Curry, Sam Mousa discuss trip with Shad Khan

Duval School Board member welcomes state financial audit

Are two terms enough for Jacksonville’s public officials?

Jax tourism marketing: A struggle for City Council presidents

Jacksonville Bold for 7.22.17 — Shadow play

Sam Mousa: ‘Another mess’ regarding Jax summer camp funding

Jax Councilman’s company: Whistleblower lawsuit lacks merit

Al Lawson files ‘Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act’