Local

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 21, 2016

The second of two big public notice meetings of Jacksonville City Council members Thursday involved a familiar subject: the subpoenas of Police and Fire Pension Fund material, requested last year as part of the “forensic audit” of the pension fund that some on Council regard as gospel, and that others outside of Council regard as blasphemy. […]

Scott PowersJanuary 21, 2016

U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster showed he is continuing thrift ways that annually have him ranked as one of the least spending members of Congress by announcing Thursday that he is returning $384,256.64 of his 2015 office budget as unspent. Webster, a Republican from Winter Garden representing Congressional District 10, said this year’s savings brings the three-term congressman’s five-year […]

Melissa RossJanuary 21, 2016

Despite statewide pleas to veto it, Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed into law Thursday a water policy bill decried by the state’s environmentalists but loved by agriculture interests. St. Johns Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman joined the chorus of critics blasting the move as one of short-term expediency at the expense of the long-term goal of protecting […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 21, 2016

On Thursday, Jacksonville City Council members Lori Boyer and Aaron Bowman convened to discuss a piece of cure legislation, intended to resolve Council’s budget night decision to move $330,799 from stormwater to safety officer salaries. Before that meeting, I talked with Fire Chief Kurtis Wilson about the need for safety officers, something that has gotten obscured in the procedural drama […]

Mitch PerryJanuary 21, 2016

Bemoaning that a major Hollywood production set in Ybor City was recently filmed in Brunswick, Georgia, instead, the Tampa City Council is urging the Legislature to approve a film incentives proposal. For the fourth straight Legislative Session in Tallahassee, a measure that would provide tax incentives to lure film and television productions to Florida is being debated. Funding […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 21, 2016

Two interesting Jacksonville City Council public notice meetings are slated for Thursday, and both of them have to do with public safety-related legal concerns. At 1 p.m, Councilwoman Anna Brosche meets with Council VP Lori Boyer regarding 2015-783, the so-called Cure Legislation to resolve a controversial budget night allocation of $330,799 from the stormwater budget to salaries for […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 21, 2016

“Me. Me. Pick me.” “No, pick me. Please.” “Me. Not him. I’m the real one.” Oh, dear Mary, Joseph and the wee donkey. We’ve got a splendid island kerfuffle over who gets to be the official “Key West Ambassador to Cuba.” The schoolboy romp is playing itself out on Facebook, across the front pages of […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 21, 2016

The race to succeed Matt Gaetz in HD 4 saw its first straw poll Wednesday on Okaloosa Island. And Destin Mayor Mel Ponder ran away with it. In a five person race, Ponder took almost 50 percent of the 78 votes cast. Ponder’s 35 votes almost doubled that of Jonathan Tallman, one of three political neophytes in the […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 21, 2016

A fun little #jaxpol fight, reported on by First Coast News: Keith Haring’s Ghost Vs the Man Who Would Be Council Vice President. At issue: the Urban Arts Program, a seeming reaction to local painter Chip Southworth, who under the guise of “Keith Haring’s Ghost,” painted Haring-esque images on the drab exteriors of traffic control boxes. […]

Drew WilsonJanuary 20, 2016

Ed Smith has gathered enough petition signatures to qualify for the House District 41 race, the Bartow Republican announced Wednesday. “The campaign has got momentum,” Smith said. “I thank everyone who signed a card for me and I have enjoyed meeting new friends along the way.” The former Winter Haven police officer is the first […]

Local

Jax Council renews call for transparency from Police and Fire Pension Fund

Daniel Webster continues thrift ways; still uncertain where he’ll run this year

St. Johns Riverkeeper blasts Rick Scott, Legislature over water policy bill

Jax Safety Officer salary cure legislation moves closer to reality

Tampa City Council wants Legislature to OK film incentives proposal

Interesting public notice meetings in Jax Thursday

Linda Grist Cunningham: Key West politicos battle over “Ambassador to Cuba”

Mel Ponder dominates first HD 4 straw poll

John Crescimbeni versus Keith Haring’s ghost

Ed Smith submits enough signatures to qualify for HD 41 race