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A.G. GancarskiDecember 21, 2016

The front entrance to Jacksonville’s City Hall is substantially renovated, and is open ahead of the anticipated January 2017 date of completion. The schedule was “purposely accelerated to have the project complete before the holidays,” even as “minor grouting and cleanup work remain.” That’s the good news. The bad news is that the project, budgeted […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 21, 2016

According to the Jacksonville City Council auditor’s report, FY 2016 was a good year for the city of Jacksonville’s budget, highlighted by a $29 million favorable variance in a $1.1 billion budget. Revenues were $15 million above budgetary expectations, and expenditures were $14 million under projections. However, underneath the rosy picture, the report spotlighted issues with pension […]

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 […]

Staff ReportsDecember 19, 2016

It’s fair to say Lenny Curry had one heck of the year. He did everything from addressing the public pension funding shortfall to bracing his community for a 100-year storm. And now the 46-year-old Jacksonville mayor can add one more thing to his list of 2016 accomplishments: INFLUENCE Magazine’s 2016 Politician of the Year. The biggest […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 16, 2016

Jacksonville’s Eastside faces challenges on par with any area in Jacksonville. One census tract has 51.2 percent of its residents below the poverty line, an 18 percent unemployment rate, and a $23,158 median household income. Another nearby tract is even worse. 65.3 percent of residents fall below the poverty line, and 60.3 percent are unemployed. […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 15, 2016

On Thursday, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam spoke in Jacksonville, capping off an event at the North Florida TPO. After a discussion by local leaders on advancing technology in the sector, including electric buses and autonomous vehicles, Putnam spoke of the unique challenges Northeast Florida will face via rapid growth. Putnam said that local transportation advances “personified disruption,” […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 14, 2016

On Wednesday, Congressman-elect John Rutherford addressed Jacksonville’s Southside Business Men’s Club at their weekly meeting. Well before the program began, Rutherford was talking to club members like old friends. And people at tables were swapping Rutherford stories. Not a surprise, given the former Jacksonville Sheriff’s deep roots in the community, and fourteen years in the club. One […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 14, 2016

Rep. Kim Daniels, a Jacksonville Democrat representing House District 14, announced her legislative staff Wednesday. Juanita Dixon will serve as Daniels’ legislative aide and Roshanda Jackson, a former chair of the Mayor’s Commission on Women, will serve as the District Secretary for the first-term state representative. Those constituents seeking to meet her staff have an opportunity Friday morning. […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 13, 2016

Introducing one of three winners of JAXUSA awards at a Tuesday luncheon, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry was in civic booster mode. Curry took stock of a “really busy year … a really good year,” in which “the Chamber, civic and business leaders and the city council … demonstrated to the public what is possible.” Curry referred […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 12, 2016

Even as Jacksonville waits for yet another legislative session to offer clarity in ridesharing legislation from Tallahassee, transportation networking giant Lyft has a message. Lyft claims to save Jacksonville time, and claims to boost the local economy. Lyft claims to drive $5 million of new spending to the local economy, with 73 percent of respondents […]

Tag: Jacksonville

Jacksonville City Hall renovations done, but $80K over budget

FY 16 a boon for Jacksonville’s budget, but questions loom

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

Lenny Curry is INFLUENCE Magazine’s Florida Politician of the Year for 2016

LISC unveils ambitious redevelopment plan for Jacksonville’s Eastside

In Jacksonville, Adam Putnam talks energy independence, technology, and transportation

In homecoming speech, John Rutherford addresses Jacksonville business club

Kim Daniels names staff, sets Friday meet and greet

Jacksonville’s place in ‘changing global economy’ discussed at JAXUSA luncheon

Lyft claims to save time, boost economy in Jacksonville