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Staff ReportsDecember 14, 2018

Those close to the political operation of Mayor Lenny Curry are calling this a “momentum week.” And why not? Curry is essentially alone still in the mayoral field. Yes, there are filed opponents. No, you haven’t heard of them. And won’t, given their fundraising. Curry is on television with an ad buy. He’s talking smack. […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 12, 2018

Former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum will bring his statewide “thank you” tour to 1904 Music Club in Jacksonville Wednesday evening. Gillum, who narrowly lost the 2018 race for Governor last month, has been floated already as a 2020 Presidential candidate, with reports of conversations with Barack Obama and Beto O’Rourke already circulating, as well as a closed-door talk […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 11, 2018

All good things come to an end: and so it is for the 2018 calendar for the Jacksonville City Council, which met Tuesday for the final time this year. Just a few of the highlights, beyond the X-Mas sweaters depicted in the graphic…. _ Health care options for public safety: New changes to collective bargaining […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 10, 2018

More members than not of the Duval County Legislative Delegation went into Monday’s meeting wondering what Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry wants. While the Mayor’s Office has had some conversations, we talked to five delegation members who had yet to hear from staff ahead of the conclave. No matter: Curry’s team was confident going into the event. They […]

Staff ReportsDecember 6, 2018

Wrap it up The year, in terms of Jacksonville city government, is nearing an end. Next Tuesday sees the final City Council meeting of 2018. For those interested in getting autographs, a Holiday themed meet-and-greet will also be held Wednesday afternoon. Hors-d’oeuvres will be served at the latter event. Reminder: keep gifts under $100 in […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 6, 2018

The qualifying deadline for Jacksonville city elections in 2019 is Jan. 11. And as of now, Mayor Lenny Curry is the prohibitive favorite for re-election. Curry has drawn seven opponents as of Thursday morning. But the first-term Republican Mayor has somewhere over $3 million on hand. And his nearest opponent, independent candidate Connell Crooms, has just over […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 4, 2018

A bill approved Tuesday in the Jacksonville City Council Rules Committee would tighten ethics provisions for employees, officials, and board members. Ordinance 2018-822, filed by Council President Aaron Bowman at the request of the Jacksonville Ethics Commission, would mandate that officials and employees avoid leveraging their positions or resources for personal gain. The ordinance also sets up limits […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 4, 2018

Jacksonville City Council committees on Monday and Tuesday approved changes in collective bargaining for fire and police employees that could change health plans. Ordinances 2018-756 and 2018-757 would allow the unions to separate from the city health care plan in 2020. They were passed without opposition in both committees of reference (“Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 3, 2018

Duval’s December begins as most months have begun the last four years: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and his ever-expanding political machine standing strong, even as political enemies recover from their latest rout. Last Tuesday saw a doubleheader: back-to-back events illustrating the futility of, as the phrase once went, raging against the machine. An older phrase […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 29, 2018

In an effort to comply with SB 7026, the school safety bill passed after the Parkland massacre, Duval County decided to use “school safety assistants.” A group of plaintiffs including the League of Women Voters filed a legal challenge Thursday, arguing the plan is illegal and discriminatory. The LWV suit says the plan puts “thousands of […]

Tag: Jacksonville

Jacksonville Bold for 12.14.18 — Momentum week

Andrew Gillum to thank Jacksonville supporters Wednesday

Last call: Jacksonville City Council closes 2018

Making a list: Duval legislators hear Jacksonville’s funding needs

Jacksonville Bold for 12.6.18 — Wrap it up

Lenny Curry challengers: all talk and no action?

Jacksonville City Council panel moves to tighten ethics rules

Health care plan changes loom for Jacksonville fire, police

2019 elections a referendum on Jacksonville’s strong mayor government

Safety first: Lawsuit challenges Duval County school guard plan