Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiNovember 17, 2015

On Tuesday evening, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry convened a panel to discuss the possible expansion of the Human Rights Ordinance, and the larger issue of LGBT rights. With what Curry called beforehand a “balanced panel … organized by senior staff” with members ranging from a representative of JASMYN (Cindy Watson) to the Liberty Counsel (Roger Gannam, […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 29, 2015

The extended drama over Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and his decision to remake the city’s Planning Commission to accord with his “vision” is over, and former Chair Lisa King is the most high-profile casualty. In a written statement on Wednesday, King looked back at her tenure, her battle, and looked forward as well. Describing the 13 to 5 […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 28, 2015

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In an extended written statement, former Jacksonville Planning Commissioner Joey McKinnon addressed the vote that saw him removed in favor of his next door neighbor, Abel Harding. Over the past several months, I have been very proud to volunteer for the City on the Planning Commission and hope the short time that I got to serve made a […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 27, 2015

Jacksonville’s City Council meeting on Tuesday night was light in terms of agenda items; expectations going in were for some fireworks on the Planning Commission removal of Lisa King and Joey McKinnon, and, perhaps, council scrutiny of the embattled Inspector General Thomas Cline. As expected, King and McKinnon were removed in favor of Lenny Curry […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 26, 2015

Jacksonville’s City Council meets on Tuesday, and it could be a meeting dominated as much by interpersonal conflict as by legislation. One topic worthy of note: the presentation of Inspector General Thomas Cline. He gave a shaky performance last week in front of the Inspector General Selection and Retention Committee in presenting his six-month review. […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 20, 2015

Jacksonville City Council chambers was largely empty Tuesday afternoon, except for those proposed for appointments to Jacksonville boards and commissions, a smattering of reporters, political junkies, and a TV camera. The latter parties were there to document the moves that Mayor Lenny Curry contends are necessary to execute his vision, moves that opponents – most prominently Councilman […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 19, 2015

One of the interesting things about the current permutation of the Jacksonville City Council’s Neighborhood Improvement and Enhancement Committee is how many complaints there are about it from the regulars. Not enough items on the agenda. They don’t do anything anymore. If you scratched the surface, you might hear similar complaints from those on City […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 19, 2015

One of the interesting developments of Lenny Curry as mayor is how easily the mainstream media has been sold. Part of the reason: He’s done a great job reaching out to media on its own terms. From the sports people at First Coast News, who prepared a feature on his coaching his son’s youth football […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 16, 2015

In terms of using public comment at Jacksonville City Council meetings, Tuesday night was a stirring example of the voice of the people (at least, a subset thereof) being marshaled in pursuit of a clear group of policy objectives. Dozens of speakers during Public Comment urged the retention of member Joey McKinnon and chair Lisa […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 14, 2015

There has been just a scintilla of controversy about the board moves made by Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, which have included requesting resignations from every member of the JEA Board and appointing replacements for Planning Commission Chair Lisa King and member Joey McKinnon… a gambit which occasioned a fairly epic public comment outcry in Tuesday’s City […]

Tag: Lisa King

First Jax HRO “community conversation”: the epitome of the democratic process?

Lisa King reflects on her Planning Commission tenure

Joey McKinnon: fighting Jax Planning Commission removal was matter of “principle”

Jax City Council OKs Planning Commission moves, scrutinizes inspector general

Inspector general, Planning Commission to take center stage at Jax council meeting

Tensions flare as Jax Rules Committee spikes Democratic planning commissioners

Jax NICE Committee, against all odds, passes a bill

Florida Times-Union lauds Lenny Curry’s first 100 days

For the Jax Planning Commission, did Tuesday night matter?

John Peyton on Lenny Curry board moves: “elections are about change”