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A.G. GancarskiAugust 21, 2015

After fireworks erupted Friday morning when spirited discussions took place over the capital improvement budgets for the Jacksonville Electric Authority and Jacksonville Transportation Authority, city council members expected the afternoon session would go more smoothly, if only by default. Councilwoman Lori Boyer mentioned that the JTA local option gas tax discussion was especially contentious. Meanwhile, reports […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 17, 2015

“August is a tough month if you’re on Finance, because you’re keeping up with your regular council work and the Finance Committee meetings,” Greg Anderson said Monday, providing a preamble to the regular Finance Committee meeting. There will be a special committee on public service grants, Anderson said, and in about two weeks there will […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 14, 2015

Finance Committee Chair Bill Gulliford removed his prop bottle of Advil from his desk before the Friday session. Perhaps that was too optimistic a move. The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee budget hearings on Friday morning started off with interesting exchanges between Sam Mousa and John Crescimbeni about Fire and Rescue structural issues, before going into a discussion of […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 13, 2015

Two budget reviews from the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee to go on Thursday. The firs, and the most important: the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. 2:39 p.m.: John Crescimbeni mentions that more than 15 COPS Grant employees not being part of the General Fund as not being “transparent” in terms of budgeting. Bill Gulliford predicts that after three years, […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 13, 2015

The Thursday afternoon Jacksonville City Council Budget Review began, as the council auditor presentation continued with a lively discussion of public service grants. The morning session is here. 1:20: Councilman Tommy Hazouri is annoyed by a lack of clarity on these from Rashanda Jackson, chairwoman of the Public Service Grant Council. John Crescimbeni goes on to outline a […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 13, 2015

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee Budget Hearing Day One commenced with the administration overview, then a bracing 165-minute romp through capital improvement projects with Council Auditor Kirk Sherman. As the old song goes, “Let’s get this party started right; let’s get this party started quickly.” Overall, it was a very smooth session, with minor […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 11, 2015

As the new Jacksonville City Council settles in and bills wend their way through committees, Jacksonville City Council meetings haven’t truly heated up as they will during September’s budget deliberations. However, Jacksonville’s City Council is always a hotbed of entertainment and public interest, and Tuesday evening’s Council conclave was no exception. The Hemming Park funding […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 7, 2015

“The past is not dead. In fact, it’s not even past.” — William Faulkner The “Celebrating 50 Years: Voting Rights Act 1965-2015” event, held Thursday afternoon at the Jacksonville Public Library, proved interesting for reasons other than those intended. It was notable to see who made the long walk across Hemming Plaza toward City Hall. […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 30, 2015

Jacksonville’s First Election, held last Tuesday, settled the majority of the Council district races: Aaron Bowman, Matt Schellenberg, Garrett Dennis, John Crescimbeni, Doyle Carter, Reggie Brown and Jim Love all won outright, joining Bill Gulliford, Lori Boyer, and Danny Becton, who ran unopposed. There are still five Council races headed toward a May 19 runoff, however, and with that in mind, here is a quick […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 18, 2015

Florida Family Action is emailing Jacksonville voters, offering its support to “City Council candidates [who] oppose granting special rights based on ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’ and support Natural Marriage and Religious Freedom.” The message also opposes candidates who support what the group calls “gay rights” legislation. The group’s “voter guide” lists the city council candidates […]

Tag: Aaron Bowman

Jax Finance committee approves JTA and JAA budgets

Council, Curry administration joust in Jax Finance Committee

Fireworks at Friday morning Jax Council budget hearings

Jax City Council Budget Review: Sheriff’s Office

Jacksonville Council budget review: Public Service Grants

Jax Council budget review morning session addresses UF Health, other issues

Jax City Council approves Hemming Park deal 18-1

Corrine Brown, William Faulkner, and the VRA

Jacksonville City Council runoff elections are full of drama and intrigue

Florida Family Action mailer offers “voter alert” on “gay rights” push