Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMay 31, 2016

So who won the Jacksonville City Council leadership elections last week? The prima facie answer: President-designate Lori Boyer and Vice President-designate John Crescimbeni. Beyond those two obvious winners, some people’s stock went up, and some people’s went down. The pitch Crescimbeni made to Danny Becton, one of his supporters in his 10-to-9 victory, was illustrative. To paraphrase: […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 24, 2016

12419170_530911230421286_7375527292676355205_o-1024x1024.jpg

After a fractious public notice meeting between Jacksonville City Council members and Friends of Hemming Park earlier on Tuesday, council Vice President Lori Boyer proposed that an appropriation approved by the Finance Committee for $250,000 for the construction of a new stage be changed to an appropriation granting Friends of Hemming Park $100,000 to cover operating […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 24, 2016

In the Jacksonville City Council leadership elections, the main event was anticlimactic. Everyone knew current Vice President Lori Boyer would be voted in as president-designate, offering meaningful continuity after the presidency of Greg Anderson. However, the VP-designate race between Doyle Carter and John Crescimbeni offered considerably more drama, with both men deadlocked at eight pledges each ahead of the special […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 23, 2016

The Jacksonville City Council Vehicles for Hire special committee met on Monday, progressing on vehicle inspections and stalling out on background checks. Any optimism the committee might be headed toward disbanding anytime soon was quickly squelched, as advocates for the taxicab and transportation network company sectors, and council members, settled in to rehearse well-worn arguments […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 20, 2016

At the end of his meeting with Jacksonville City Council vice-presidential candidate Doyle Carter, Councilman Danny Becton told Carter he had to think it over. And Becton backed John Crescimbeni, Carter’s opponent. “It has been a pleasure serving with you as colleagues on Finance where I have had the opportunity to learn and grow and you have been instrumental […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 20, 2016

On Friday, the Jacksonville City Council’s Special Economic Development Incentives Committee finalized a draft version of the city’s public investment policy, which has been discussed at previous meetings, finishing two years of dedicated work spanning two mayoral administrations. Included: countywide programs; state programs, such as qualified targeted industries; programs for economically distressed areas; programs for […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 19, 2016

When FloridaPolitics.com asked Jacksonville City Councilman Aaron Bowman why he introduced a bill to bring slots to Jacksonville via the politically connected bestbet, Bowman’s answer was pragmatic. “It’s about jobs” and the city’s “financial well being,” Bowman said, noting that jobs are created on both the operations side and the maintenance side for the machines. The city will get […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 17, 2016

In welcome news for media tasked with covering the Jacksonville City Council’s Vehicles for Hire committee, it appears that special panel may be nearing its end. Rules Committee chair Matt Schellenberg, who also chairs Vehicles for Hire, noted in the Rules agenda meeting Tuesday afternoon that Vehicles for Hire hadn’t been making the progress he’d hoped […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 16, 2016

An ordinance appropriating $250,000 from Jacksonville City Council contingency funds to construct a stage at downtown’s Hemming Park was approved Monday by a 6-to-1 vote of the Finance Committee after over an hour of discussion. There were some sticking points beforehand. Multiple members of the committee expressed serious qualms about this particular deal, and about the […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 12, 2016

614px-Recycling_symbol.svg_-3500x5000.png

The Jacksonville City Council’s special committee on solid waste addressed on Thursday recycling in business, commercial, office, and multi-family dwelling units of 10 or more. Discussion revolved around the boom-or-bust nature of the recycling industry, as well as problems created by commodity prices and people’s approach to single-stream recycling. Councilman John Crescimbeni noted, mentioning several Florida municipalities, that […]

Tag: John Crescimbeni

Who emerged as the winners & losers from Jacksonville’s City Council leadership elections?

After extended inquisition, Jax Council approves more Hemming Park funding

Jax City Council elects Lori Boyer president, John Crescimbeni vice-president

Jax Vehicles for Hire committee agrees to yearly rideshare vehicle inspections

Danny Becton backs John Crescimbeni for Jax Council VP

Jax economic development incentives committee firms up public investment policy

Jacksonville pols grapple with slots referendum legislation

Jax vehicles for hire committee nears its end

Jax Council Finance OKs $250,000 for Hemming Park stage

Jax Council solid waste committee mulls recycling issues