Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 14, 2017

While the Human Rights Ordinance expansion is the biggest item being considered Tuesday by the Jacksonville City Council, it’s not the only one. Below, a preview of what to watch in Council Chambers. *** Margin Call: On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council has a decision to make: will the city protect LGBT rights as other major […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 20, 2016

Compared to other members of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry‘s administration, Policy Director Robin Lumb has a behind the scenes role. He’s rarely at meetings of the city council – an irony, of sorts, given his term spent among that body. However, Lumb has been working on the policy side, on issues that largely are under the radar […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 16, 2016

12419170_530911230421286_7375527292676355205_o-1024x1024.jpg

On Wednesday afternoon, Jacksonville City Council members convened to discuss a recurrent topic: enforcing regulations in Hemming Park. The so-called “front door to city hall” has encountered challenges of late, with the most recent narrative twist being the mayor’s office saying last week that it was time that the “Friends of Hemming Park” experiment end. […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 11, 2016

On Friday and Saturday, Jacksonville residents who take umbrage with the outcome of the presidential election will have chances to express that displeasure in public parks. Friday at 5:30 p.m., Riverside Park will be the staging point for a “CommUNITY Vigil.” This event will offer “solidarity against oppression and Trump.” Vigil attendees will have the […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 19, 2016

Can new rules and stricter enforcement help to regulate the unruly denizens of one of Jacksonville’s showcase parks? Jacksonville City Council members John Crescimbeni and Scott Wilson convened Wednesday to discuss issues related to code and ordinance enforcement in Hemming Park. A recurrent issue over years is problems with park regulars drinking and engaging in other illicit […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 15, 2016

On Thursday afternoon, a Jacksonville City Council subcommittee discussed “measurements of success” for Hemming Park. The object of Thursday’s meeting, said Chair Greg Anderson, was refining those measurements and discerning the “hook” that drives traffic to parks. Previously, the committee agreed on some big-picture goals: safety, cleanliness, and business friendliness of the park. Refining those desired goals, and […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 15, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council will take yet another in an endless series of looks at the contract for the Friends of Hemming Park on Thursday afternoon. Though the long-suffering group, which manages the 1.54 acre park called “the Front Door to City Hall” by many politicians, is earmarked to receive $250,000 for six months of operation […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 17, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee approved on Wednesday $58,000 of new money for the operation of Friends of Hemming Park. The vote was 4-1. That translates to two months of a monthly operating budget of $29,000, and would be a one-time dispersal. The bill requires the following conditions: a requirement of FOHP to establish a […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 18, 2016

After a budget presentation that saw draconian cuts imposed on the Friends of Hemming Park, with $250,000 of new money allocated in Lenny Curry‘s new budget, the Jacksonville City Council took some whacks at the pinata. A new council auditor’s report on FOHP detailed lots of incidental spending, including on coffee and meals that members of […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 22, 2016

The parade of departmental budget reviews in Jacksonville’s Mayor’s Office continued Wednesday with a consideration of budgets for the Parks and Recreation Department. As ever, these reviews are conducted by Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa and CFO Mike Weinstein. Among the highlights from Parks: a dive into the Hemming Park allocation, a discussion of water taxis, the […]

Tag: Hemming Park

HRO expansion is not the only story in Jacksonville City Council Tuesday

Behind the scenes, Robin Lumb guides Jacksonville’s public policy

Uncertainty over Hemming Park’s future pervades discussion of park rules

Protests against Donald Trump to begin in Jacksonville

New rules for old problems at Hemming Park

Jax City Council panel mulls how to make Hemming Park more attractive

Jacksonville City Council panel to review Hemming Park contract Thursday

Jacksonville City Council finance committee OKs $58,000 for Hemming Park operations

‘Frivolous’ Hemming Park spending raises Jax Council concerns

Jax Mayor’s Office reviews Parks budget