Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiAugust 14, 2015

Finance Committee Chair Bill Gulliford removed his prop bottle of Advil from his desk before the Friday session. Perhaps that was too optimistic a move. The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee budget hearings on Friday morning started off with interesting exchanges between Sam Mousa and John Crescimbeni about Fire and Rescue structural issues, before going into a discussion of […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 13, 2015

The Thursday afternoon Jacksonville City Council Budget Review began, as the council auditor presentation continued with a lively discussion of public service grants. The morning session is here. 1:20: Councilman Tommy Hazouri is annoyed by a lack of clarity on these from Rashanda Jackson, chairwoman of the Public Service Grant Council. John Crescimbeni goes on to outline a […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 13, 2015

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee Budget Hearing Day One commenced with the administration overview, then a bracing 165-minute romp through capital improvement projects with Council Auditor Kirk Sherman. As the old song goes, “Let’s get this party started right; let’s get this party started quickly.” Overall, it was a very smooth session, with minor […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 12, 2015

What a difference two weeks makes for the St. Johns River Ferry Commission. Their last meeting, late in July, was fractious. Chairman John Crescimbeni was, at various points, extremely critical of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. Regarding JTA, the cantankerous Crescimbeni said at one point, “I feel like we’re completely out of the loop. We keep trying […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 11, 2015

As the new Jacksonville City Council settles in and bills wend their way through committees, Jacksonville City Council meetings haven’t truly heated up as they will during September’s budget deliberations. However, Jacksonville’s City Council is always a hotbed of entertainment and public interest, and Tuesday evening’s Council conclave was no exception. The Hemming Park funding […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 3, 2015

In Monday afternoon’s NICE Committee meeting in the Jacksonville City Council, one thing became clear. Backing into driveways, and the corollary issue of whether or not tags must be shown, remains an issue. The discussion was lengthy. Council members discussed details ranging from whether it can be enforced to whether or not there code enforcement […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 28, 2015

On Monday afternoon, a meeting of the St. Johns River Ferry Committee proved to be surprisingly contentious. Councilman John Crescimbeni was, at various points, extremely critical of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. Regarding JTA, Crescimbeni said at one point, “I feel like we’re completely out of the loop. We keep trying to look at JTA as a […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 28, 2015

The Monday afternoon meeting of the St. Johns River Ferry Committee was a packed house. The conference room swelled with people, including multiple representatives from the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (which was, at last check, expected but not guaranteed to fully take over responsibility for the Ferry effective Oct. 1). Turns out that’s not happening this […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 23, 2015

The Wednesday afternoon meeting of the Jacksonville City Council Capital Improvement Plan Special Committee was not a spectator sport. The CIP committee does a lot of the heavy lifting, respective to giving the larger council guidance on capital improvement projects, debt service, internal controls, cash transfers, and so much more. There are no discussions in […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 22, 2015

Optimism is the watchword at the St. James Building these days. You hear it from people on the outside, such as Jax Chamber Chairman Daniel Davis, who sent Curry a note this week that said it all: “Really glad that you are my mayor.” Spoiler alert: Don’t look for any drama when the Chamber gets […]

Tag: John Crescimbeni

Fireworks at Friday morning Jax Council budget hearings

Jacksonville Council budget review: Public Service Grants

Jax Council budget review morning session addresses UF Health, other issues

JTA and COJ back on track for ferry transfer

Jax City Council approves Hemming Park deal 18-1

In Jacksonville, backing into driveways remains controversial

JTA “surprised and disappointed” with tone of Monday ferry meeting

JTA takeover of St. Johns River Ferry to be delayed 6 months

Jax Capital Improvement committee a preview of COJ budget tussle

Garrett Dennis takes over Jax Council Blight Committee, changes name to NICE Committee