Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 16, 2018

A shakeup in the office of Mayor Lenny Curry ends a particularly eventful week in Jacksonville politics. Sports and Entertainment head Dave Herrell resigned, capping an almost four-year run after being appointed in 2014 by former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown. The role, per Brown, was “a key position to build Jacksonville’s momentum as a premier destination for major […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 7, 2017

Jacksonville will kick off Black History Month on February 1 with an event honoring African-American golfers at the Ritz Theater in Lavilla. Sports and Entertainment head Dave Herrell noted in an internal email that his department is “working with the World Golf Hall of Fame, SMG and JAXSPORTS on a collaborative Black History Month event at the […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 5, 2016

Sports and entertainment legislation took center stage Monday morning in a Jacksonville City Council committee, with three significant bills considered. The first was the biggest talker. A bill increasing city-imposed ticket surcharges for the Veterans Memorial Arena, the Baseball Grounds of Jax, and the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts, while adding surcharges for events […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 18, 2016

After a month defined by preparation for and recovery from Hurricane Matthew, Jacksonville could use some good news, positive economic activity, and a whole lotta fun. City leaders say it’s coming later in October and early in November, via both sporting events (the 2016 Georgia vs. Florida game and the Navy vs. Notre Dame game) […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 1, 2016

Friday morning saw Jacksonville’s Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa, and CFO Mike Weinstein review the budgets for venues. Some highlights from the review of SMG budgets: The baseball stadium saw contractual services revenues down $319,000. Estimates were inflated, given revenue from the Armada underperformed projections at the time of budget submission last summer. Despite discussions of a new […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 21, 2016

On Tuesday, the office of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry reviewed the budget of Sports and Entertainment and the Office of Economic Development, ahead of formal submission of the budget to City Council in July. Facilitating the review: Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa. The highlights from Sports and Entertainment: Active discussion of the Florida/Georgia Hall of Fame […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 16, 2016

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry is more identified with his love of commercial rap than jazz, so one might have wondered what his first jazz festival would have held. The Jacksonville Jazz Festival, held on an annual basis since 1981, has featured a wide range of artists, ranging from Dizzy Gillespie in its first year, to a […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 9, 2016

Jacksonville hosts the National Curling Championships starting Feb. 6. These will be an educational opportunity for locals, many of whom contend that Curling implies the fine art of home perms. Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry is expected to be involved. “We would like for Mayor Curry, per the request of the National Curling Association, to do what’s […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 29, 2015

The first budget review with Sports and Entertainment, and SMG was brutal. History in these reviews shows that Sam Mousa is nicer the second time around. Some fun math in these deals, for sure. 3:31: Overheard. “Hopefully the more they get through of these things, the better we look.” 3:32: Overheard. “I just want to get through […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 16, 2015

The final budget review of the day was sort of brutal. 4:33: Sports and Entertainment was bundled into Economic Development; was spun out in 2014. Four positions in the department total. 4:34: Salaries have gone up $74,000. Dave Herrell was hired at a rate that was the lowest in the salary range. About $125,000 number went […]

Tag: Dave Herrell

Jacksonville Sports and Entertainment head Dave Herrell resigns

African-American golfers to be celebrated at Jacksonville black history event

Jacksonville City Council prepares to increase ticket surcharges

Jacksonville leaders talk ‘$75-$80M’ economic impact of college football, military events

Stadium, other venue budgets get once over from Jax mayor’s office

Jax mayor’s office reviews sports and entertainment budget

Jacksonville Jazz Festival unveils 2016 lineup

Lenny Curry will have to learn rules of Curling soon

Jax transition budget review: Sports and Entertainment, and SMG

Jax Transition Budget Review: Sports and Entertainment, and Special Events