Jax

A.G. GancarskiAugust 31, 2015

The last Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee of August had more deferrals than Washington insiders had Vietnam War deferments. Still, the value is in the journey, not the destination. Here are the highlights. • “Everybody comfortable? I think you can hang meat in here.” – Councilman Bill Gulliford. • A non-exclusive Grant of Easement (2015-313) to […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 31, 2015

The best things in life are free, goes the cliché, except when you are a certain Florida man and those things are free copies of The Florida Times-Union. A gentleman, William Kuykendall, sent Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry an email spotlighting his concerns. “In the last two months, The Florida Times Union has been throwing sample papers in my […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 31, 2015

Earlier this year, Zakee Fur’qan was trumpeted by the Alvin Brown campaign as one of the “job creators and business leaders” who backed the mayor’s reelection. Since then, it has been all downhill for Fur’qan, who under his previous name was convicted of second-degree murder and felony-level robbery. His endorsement was repudiated by the Brown campaign in the strongest […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 28, 2015

Jacksonville’s flawed Public Service Grants process got yet another review from the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee on Friday afternoon. Councilman John Crescimbeni again spotlighted the lack of funding, and how many of the organizations toward the bottom of the funding matrix suffer because of a lack of funding. The total request for all organizations: $3.78 […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 28, 2015

Confirming persistent speculation, Jason Gabriel has been picked to continue as the city of Jacksonville’s general counsel, after a public search by a high-profile search committee led by former mayor John Delaney. Gabriel has been with the Office of General Counsel for more than five years, and has acted as general counsel since July 1, 2014. Mayor […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 28, 2015

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It seemed the Tommy Hazouri proposal to rebuild the Jacksonville Library system by restoring hours in challenged neighborhoods would meet with approval from the finance committee on Friday. Then, Councilman Matt Schellenberg spoke up, wondering why there is no “preference to one or two of the libraries” in his Mandarin district, which have been “excluded” from this proposal. […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 28, 2015

From all accounts, former Clinton Administration member Nancy Soderberg is “ready for Hillary.” Word is that she’s going to be putting in work on the campaign. She’ll have more time to do just that in the coming months, as the Lenny Curry administration let the former Deputy National Security Advisor know this week that her services no […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 28, 2015

The Inspector General budget got a look from the Finance Committee of the Jacksonville City Council on Friday. Less interesting than the budget was the performance of the IG on the stand. Councilman John Crescimbeni and the new Inspector General had several exchanges that left the longtime councilman less than impressed. There were times when the […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 28, 2015

A red-hot Friday session of the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee budget review included an conversation about Jacksonville Transit Authority revenue that got to the heart of the fractious relationship between City Council and Jacksonville’s independent authorities. Councilwoman Lori Boyer held forth with an extended address about the local option gas tax as part of a […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 27, 2015

While some journalists were in Jacksonville City Council chambers marinating in stormwater and solid waste discussions, there was other action on the #jaxpol scene, as Nate Monroe reports in the Florida Times-Union. Former mayor John Delaney and former mayoral candidate (and JAX Chamber Chair Elect) Audrey Moran were among a few dozen civic leaders who have advocated for […]

Jax

Sewage, sales tax hot topics in Jax Finance Committee on Monday

Florida man wants to file criminal charges against Jacksonville paper

Zakee Fur’qan facing felony vote fraud charges

Finance adds $608K to Jax PSG funding for 6 agencies

Jason Gabriel reappointed COJ general counsel

Tommy Hazouri Jax library rebuild proposal survives Finance budget review

Nancy Soderberg, ready for Hillary, bounced from JAXPORT board

Jax Inspector General underwhelms in budget hearing

JTA, Jax Council Finance Committee spar over funding, Skyway

As the HRO turns: Thoughts on the T-U piece on the River Club meeting