Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 2, 2016

The city of Jacksonville requires pre-employment drug screenings for everyone but elected officials. How are those going? On the bright side, 98 percent of those tested passed, according to the most recent statistics. On the down side, those who fail: roughly 2 percent of those tested, according to Director of Employee Services Kelli O’Leary. “For the […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 4, 2016

In emails last week, Shawnti Lee, a personnel clerk for the Department of Employee and Labor Relations in Jacksonville, offered her resignation, using very specific criteria to make her case. Lee, who came aboard in February 2015, cited “varying differences in my realm of work ethics and professionalism that seem to still not be favorable with […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 4, 2015

Does the old saying “money-back guarantee” apply to campaign contributions? One Lenny Curry donor thinks so, and said as much in an dirt-dishing, ad hominem-riddled email to General Counsel Jason Gabriel, in which he had unkind words for many members of the City Hall staff. “Please inform the Mayor that I would like my $1000.00 campaign contribution refunded and […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 28, 2015

On Wednesday morning, the Jacksonville City Council Executive Personnel Committee, including Council members Bill Gulliford, Lori Boyer, John Crescimbeni and Chairman Greg Anderson met briefly to discuss increases in salaries for staff and council members. Arguably the four most powerful council members, they almost invariably drive debate and frame narratives. Councilman Matt Schellenberg introduced a bill […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 9, 2015

On Friday, the Lenny Curry administration announced the return of a familiar face to Jacksonville, that of widely respected William Killingsworth, who returns to his former position as director of the Planning and Development Department. He held the post during the John Peyton administration, from a job in Tallahassee with the Department of Economic Opportunity. […]

Tag: Kelli O’Leary

City of Jacksonville drug screens show failure rate of only 2 percent

City of Jacksonville personnel clerk resigns, cites “hostile culture” in department

Lenny Curry donor wants his money back

Jax City Council looks to boost staff pay, personal compensation

Hinting at future development vision, William Killingsworth comes back to Jax