Jax

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 4, 2016

One of the more surprisingly compelling political stories in Jacksonville in the second half of 2015: the chaos at the local utility, JEA. You saw the mayor, Lenny Curry, sending emails to top staff members asking “what the hell is going on” with the board of directors. You saw board members blasting media for covering its […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 4, 2016

In Jacksonville Thursday morning, Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Mayor Lenny Curry took questions from the media after a job-creation event at Kaman Industries. Questions were asked regarding the Governor’s commitment to STEM Programs, Curry’s position on HRO expansion, and whether Curry or Scott were ready to endorse for president. Most observers assume that Scott may back Donald […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 4, 2016

After Friday’s announcement by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry that further legislation expanding the Human Rights Ordinance wouldn’t be “prudent,” a surprising thing to media observers was the seeming cover provided Curry by activists on the other side. Part of that cover was Curry actually taking a material step forward in offering employment protections to city employees […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2016

In the 2015 May election, Tommy Hazouri was the leading citywide vote getter. The former mayor was buoyed by an interesting coalition: voters who remembered his tenure as mayor with fondness, along with young people energized by his proactive stance on Human Rights Ordinance expansion. His appeal crossed party lines; his messaging hit the same […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2016

Ahead of the Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, anti-HRO activists from Florida Family Policy Council planned a press conference ahead of the event. One problem, however: facilities problems. With rain forecast for Jacksonville for Thursday afternoon, a press conference in Hemming Park was out of the question. The question, from there was a presser […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 3, 2016

In a meeting Wednesday, Councilman John Crescimbeni criticized the Committee of the Whole process on HRO expansion, which runs through March 3. “Whether [I was] for it or against it, I likely wouldn’t drag it out until [March] 3rd,” Crescimbeni said when asked about the HRO by Tommy Hazouri. His opposition to the protracted process pertaining to […]

Melissa RossFebruary 3, 2016

The city of Jacksonville is no longer taking part in the Rockefeller Foundation’s “100 Resilient Cities” Initiative. The program awards cities around the world $1 million grants to address issues such as sea level rise and extreme weather. Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown applied for the grant and received it, but under the Lenny Curry […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2016

They say that First Baptist Church runs Jacksonville. And a good litmus test: the Jacksonville Human Rights Ordinance debate. They oppose expansion. They issued a call to pastors for a Thursday lunch before the Committee of the Whole meets at Jacksonville’s City Hall, to discuss the “direct threat to their church” posed by HRO expansion. […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2016

The Jax City Council ban on the use of cellphones during meeting is under siege, with a threat from Bill Gulliford that boiled down to pass my bill fixing it or face a rules challenge. The Bill Gulliford bill included a measure prohibiting “electronic communications” from or to Council members related to legislation on the agenda […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 2, 2016

The funding crisis for UF Health, Jacksonville’s only Level 1 trauma hospital and safety net hospital, continues. And Jacksonville is looking to Tallahassee to resolve it. After a meeting to discuss Consolidation Task Force recommendations where much of it focused on UF Health and other public health issues, Chief of Staff Kerri Stewart noted that talks between […]

Jax
Image via Governor's Rumble

After bad press and board flux, JEA on path to stability again

Rick Scott, Lenny Curry stay on message during Jacksonville event

Cold war developing between anti-HRO Jax clergymen and Lenny Curry

Tommy Hazouri contemplates leadership, legacy, and the HRO

Anti-HRO presser hits scheduling snag

John Crescimbeni throws cold water on HRO process: “damage to reputation of city”

Jacksonville drops out of “100 Resilient Cities” initiative

Ahead of First Baptist anti-HRO lunch, Mac Brunson speaks on Jax bill

Cellphone ban vexes Bill Gulliford, yet Rules defers his bill

Funding talks between UF Health, city of Jax on hiatus