Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJune 26, 2015

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I remember the first time I interviewed former Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney. It was 2008, and I wanted to know why it was that the Duval County power structure fell in behind the Presidential bid of Mitt Romney. The University of North Florida President gave me something that is all too rare in politics: a forthright answer […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 26, 2015

Updated 2:10 p.m. with comment from Lenny Curry team: On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court made gay marriage legal nationwide. Of course, it’s been legal in Florida for the last six months. In response to it being made legal, Duval County Clerk of Courts Ronnie Fussell made the decision to stop courthouse weddings. The decision, we […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 26, 2015

Two weeks ago, I wrote a piece arguing that these Lenny Curry Transition Team budget reviews should not be open to the media. Once they were made open, however, I endeavored to cover all of them that I could. They were supposed to run for three days; in fact, they ran for seven. Despite that, […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 25, 2015

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The final budget review for Lenny Curry‘s transition team involves Information Technology. Usha Mohan is the primary representative of IT. 3:18: A discussion of vacancies. 16 total, with a lot of attrition, and they don’t “pay enough to attract people.” Vacant positions were “not funded at the right levels.” 3:20: Vacancies have ranged, in recent years, from […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 25, 2015

Jason Gabriel has been with the city of Jacksonville’s General Counsel office since 2010. And, at least in the first few months of the Lenny Curry administration, Gabriel, the current General Counsel, will continue. Mayor-elect Curry said Thursday that he has appointed the current Jacksonville general counsel to stay on up to 90 days as […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 25, 2015

Thursday afternoon brings the final two budget reviews for Sam Mousa, Mike Weinstein, and the “budget SWAT team.” First up, Parks and Recreation. The big news out of this is that the Equestrian Center, a consistent money loser, is in the line of fire. 1:04: Revenue basically flat, down by a bit more than $1,000. Summer camps are […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 25, 2015

With less than a week to go until the inauguration of Jacksonville Mayor-elect Lenny Curry, a question some have is what to expect in his inauguration speech. Two things are for certain: His remarks will be directed toward a unified vision for Jacksonville, and will not be overly long, according to Curry spokesman Brian Hughes. “Mayor-elect Curry […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 25, 2015

The most telling moment during Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown‘s “employee appreciation event,” which served as a de facto farewell address was during the print gaggle afterward, when David Bauerlein asked the outgoing mayor about how he was coping with the loss. “I was surprised,” Brown said about the night of the election. “I thought I had it.” […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 24, 2015

The second transition team budget review of Wednesday: the Regulatory Division. This was hard to watch at times. 1:57: Starts off with discussion of General Fund activity, and departmental rollup, then goes into revenues. 1:58: Sam Mousa wonders why fewer permit applications are expected year over year. The fee has been reduced, yet there are […]

Melissa RossJune 24, 2015

With resolutely positive messaging, outgoing Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown is reflecting on his four years in office by noting the accomplishments that he says make him most proud: pension reform, downtown development, and the growth of the city as a sports and entertainment destination. On the pension deal: “I’m very happy for the hardworking taxpayers […]

Tag: Lenny Curry
Paula Stark is hosting Buenaventura Lakes' 'first-ever' event to honor veterans.

John Delaney discusses Lenny Curry, Alvin Brown, the mayoral transition, and the HRO

Will Duval County bring back courthouse weddings now?

Final thoughts on Lenny Curry transition team budget reviews

Jax transition budget meeting: Information Technology

Lenny Curry picks Jason Gabriel as acting General Counsel

Jax transition budget meeting: Parks, Recreation and Community Services

Look for “optimistic vision” from Lenny Curry inauguration speech

Alvin Brown’s farewell address: a last campaign speech

Sam Mousa, Mike Weinstein give COJ Regulatory Division a budget lesson

Alvin Brown says, “I kept my promises”