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A.G. GancarskiSeptember 28, 2016

The first annual ‘Champions for Child Safety’ luncheon from the Monique Burr Foundation saw a series of people honored for their past work in protecting children from abuse of all types. However, the main takeaway for many attendees after hearing keynote speaker Erin Merryn likely was a look at an approach to protecting children in the future. Merryn […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 28, 2016

Tuesday was budget night for the Jacksonville City Council. Arguably, the most interesting segment of the whole evening came at the very end, when Councilman Scott Wilson proposed a stunning floor amendment: de-appropriating $2.1 million from the Jacksonville Journey program — 50 percent of its funding — due to a lack of crime data provided for the 10 zip […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 28, 2016

Despite a late-hour amendment taking aim at Lenny Curry‘s signature social initiative, the rebooted Jacksonville Journey, the office of the Jacksonville mayor issued a press release Tuesday night — dropped just in time for the 11 p.m. newscasts — lauding the spirit of collaboration that brought Curry’s second budget from concept to completion. “The approval of the 2016-2017 […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 27, 2016

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council passed a $1.18 billion budget that will add more and better-equipped police officers to city streets. However, the big talkers were swimming lessons, travel budgets, and special events allocations … adding up to a picayune $115,000 out of the council contingency budget. And another big talker: a failed but audacious […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 27, 2016

On Thursday, Sept. 22, the Communication Workers of America filed a complaint with the Public Employees Relations Commission against the City of Jacksonville. The CWA alleges a “refusal to bargain in good faith.” The contract between the CWA and the city lapsed in 2015. Kevin Kimber, the CWA representative, alleges that after one 20-minute “meet and greet” […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 27, 2016

Florida’s first lady Ann Scott has a passion for the written word. And because of that, one of her modes of outreach in her official capacity is reading to schoolchildren. Over the last five years, Mrs. Scott has visited all 67 Florida counties to that end. She has been to Jacksonville many times, including on Tuesday, […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 27, 2016

Outside of the Drudge Report poll, most observers agree Monday night’s debate was an inauspicious performance for GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. In a conversation Tuesday, State Sen. Aaron Bean — a strong supporter of Trump, who even helped to open a campaign headquarters earlier this month for the candidate — talked about where the debate went wrong for […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 27, 2016

Opioid abuse has ravaged the country in recent years. In 2015, a staggering 19 million people are estimated to have misused prescription medicines. Most obtained them from friends or relatives. And many of those who misused the drugs were first-time users. In response to that epidemic, Walgreens kicked off its Safe Medication Disposal Program last April […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 27, 2016

On Tuesday night, the Jacksonville City Council should pass its budget. There should, at least in theory, be no real hiccups to the process. Going into the evening, there could be some floor amendments to the bill; but none look especially prohibitive or particularly interesting. Among them: moving $112,000 from the property appraiser’s fund balance to purchase aerial […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 26, 2016

A controversial bill (2016-489) moving $70,000 from council contingency for special events for each of the fourteen district council members got hung up in committees last week. Monday, bill sponsor Reggie Brown held a public notice meeting with council colleagues. And after that meeting, there may be a conceptual way forward. Brown, who represents Northwest Jacksonville, noted […]

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Push for ‘Erin’s Law’ begins in Jacksonville

Why Scott Wilson took on the Jacksonville Journey

Lenny Curry lauds ‘teamwork and cooperation’ in the budget process

Jacksonville City Council passes big budget after robust discussion of small details

Communications Workers of America to PERC: Jacksonville not bargaining ‘in good faith’

First Lady Ann Scott reads to kids in Jacksonville

Aaron Bean discusses Donald Trump debate debacle

With legislators on hand, Walgreens unveils Florida drug disposal kiosks

Why budget night should go well for the Jacksonville City Council

Jacksonville City Council members make progress on special events bill