Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiApril 3, 2017

Whatever Tom Petway wants, Tom Petway gets. On Monday, the Jacksonville City Council Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee approved an ordinance (2016-764) allowing JEA to meet at least every other month. This idea was hatched some weeks back in the catacombs of council committees. “At a Rules Special Meeting, JEA’s Chairman of the Board, Tom Petway, requested that […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 3, 2017

Friendship on the installment plan. Golf carts at the county line. A date with Joe Camel? You’d better be 21. A “bully” on a commission. A gag rule for the public. And incentives for the donor class. These are just a few of the concepts and bills the Jacksonville City Council mulls in committees this week. […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 29, 2017

The future of CRAs, or Community Redevelopment Agencies, is in flux on the state level, with CS/HB 13 and SB 1770 both proposing substantial alterations to the process. Meanwhile, on the local level, a robust debate has occurred related to whether or not the JIA CRA should be phased out. District 7 Councilman Reggie Gaffney, as reported in […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 23, 2017

A Thursday public notice meeting between Jacksonville City Council President Lori Boyer and VP John Crescimbeni attracted media attention because of the subject line: dredging. However, the subject was not the proposed channel deepening for JAXPORT purposes, but a so-called “zoo dredge.” The problem? Navigation issues from the water taxi and other recreational boats at the dock by […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 21, 2017

February ended with Jacksonville City Council VP John Crescimbeni storming out of the gate in the race for the council presidency. A group of councilmen — Gulliford, Crescimbeni, Greg Anderson, Jim Love, and Tommy Hazouri — signed on very quickly, giving Crescimbeni a real leg up. Rhetoric was pitched in the councilmen’s conclave: lots of talk about “council tradition” dictating […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 16, 2017

The city of Jacksonville’s municipal code has taken a gradualist approach to tobacco prohibition — and it’s not done yet, if a recently-filed bill is any indication. In 1973, the consolidated city passed an ordinance banning smoking in various places in the city. Then, a fortnight later, a second ordinance was passed clarifying that prohibition […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 14, 2017

On Tuesday, the race to be the next president of the Jacksonville City Council tightened up, with Anna Brosche getting her fifth commitment. Meanwhile, Aaron Bowman — the frontrunner in the race for vice-president — expanded his lead over Scott Wilson. ____ On the presidential side, Matt Schellenberg pledged to support his fellow Republican, joining Sam Newby, Al Ferraro, Aaron […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 13, 2017

As we previewed last week, Jacksonville City Councilman Tommy Hazouri is looking to implement the next phase of the city’s response to human trafficking. In 2016, the city began a response, with awareness signs posted in strip clubs and massage parlors. However, Hazouri believes more can be done — and on Monday, the veteran pol met […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 28, 2017

Tuesday saw the first public notice meetings by candidates for 2017-18 Jacksonville City Council leadership. And both of them were productive for the candidates. In the VP race, Scott Wilson came out of the 2:00 meeting with two pledges: current VP John Crescimbeni and Bill Gulliford. Wilson, running against Aaron Bowman, now has a 3-1 lead in pledges (counting […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 28, 2017

Business is picking up in the Jacksonville City Council leadership race, months ahead of the May vote from the 19 person body. Just as Scott Wilson and Aaron Bowman have already launched races for Vice President, there is a guarantee of a competitive race for President as well. Finance Chair Anna Brosche has announced her intentions to run […]

Tag: John Crescimbeni

Jacksonville City Council panel OKs JEA Board plan for fewer meetings

Friends with benefits: Committee week for Jacksonville City Council

Jacksonville councilors fight proposed JIA CRA sunset

Dredging issues remain complex in Jacksonville

Crunchtime for John Crescimbeni in Jax Council President race

Movement in Jacksonville begins to ban tobacco sales to those under 21

Anna Brosche, Aaron Bowman gain support in bids for Jacksonville council leadership

Jacksonville leaders move on human trafficking, an ‘industry without borders’

Scott Wilson, John Crescimbeni get support in Jacksonville City Council leadership races

Anna Brosche launches run for Jacksonville City Council President