Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 21, 2016

In the last Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee meeting before the full council passes the budget Sept. 27, a packed agenda was considered. Among the more compelling bills: a controversial measure to appropriate $5,000 to each of the fourteen district council members for “special events” in public parks; a bill tightening up regulations on burglar […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 15, 2016

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The Jacksonville City Council will take yet another in an endless series of looks at the contract for the Friends of Hemming Park on Thursday afternoon. Though the long-suffering group, which manages the 1.54 acre park called “the Front Door to City Hall” by many politicians, is earmarked to receive $250,000 for six months of operation […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 8, 2016

It’s budget season in Jacksonville, and the city council’s finance committee spent a sliver of Thursday morning addressing seven budget bills, four of them action items, ahead of the Sept. 27 “budget night.” Discussed in the agenda meeting ahead of the full meeting, Chair Anna Brosche noted that, as of now, the budget balances; with that in […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 6, 2016

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council’s Neighborhoods, Community Investment, and Services committee had a light agenda. Just one bill came up — a proposed transfer of $422,441 from the “Pinnacle-Fidelity Global Project” to public investment policy funds for economically distressed areas. The committee voted in favor of that, 3 to 1, with Chairman Scott Wilson the no vote. […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 1, 2016

One of the most compelling races in Northeast Florida this summer was the race for the House District 16 GOP nomination between Jason Fischer and Dick Kravitz. Fischer vs. Kravitz: a battle of closed fists and brass knuckles; charges and countercharges; character assassination, and social media excoriation. In other words, it was good politics and great theater. And […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 1, 2016

Something had to give. And it did. Jacksonville City Councilman Matt Schellenberg, citing the pressures of running a business outside of the council with serving on three standing committees, cut his workload last month by resigning from one of those committees. The casualty: his position on a new standing committee, Neighborhoods, Community Investment, and Services. The Mandarin […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 23, 2016

On Tuesday, the Friends of Hemming Park group got more capital for its operations when the Jacksonville City Council appropriated $132,618. Of that total, $74,618 went into a council contingency account, related to the Southwest Airlines allocated earlier this year, with the expectation a stage would be built. Meanwhile, $58,000 was allocated for August and September, to close […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 23, 2016

On Tuesday, the Jacksonville City Council denied an appeal of a Planning Commission decision denying the Sons of Confederate Veterans request to erect a flag on a 75-foot pole in a predominately African-American neighborhood off Moncrief Road. Council denied the appeal 17-to-1. The sole council member in favor of the appeal, as he was in […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 23, 2016

Some big endorsements have fallen in for Dick Kravitz in House District 16 and for Clay Yarborough in HD 12. Kravitz was endorsed by former Jacksonville City Councilman Jack Webb and the man who beat him in a spirited battle in 2011, Matt Schellenberg. Both men bemoaned the tactics used against Kravitz. “Dick Kravitz is a proven leader who has demonstrated […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 15, 2016

As early voting kicks off in Duval County, a passel of current and former Jacksonville city councilmen endorsed Clay Yarborough in House District 12. The endorsers: Michael Corrigan, Al Ferraro, Bill Gulliford, Kevin Hyde, Matt Schellenberg, and Richard Clark. Corrigan, Gulliford, and Clark are all former council presidents. However, Clark is the most significant endorsement in this case. Clark was, […]

Tag: Matt Schellenberg
Image via Senate office.

Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee addresses packed agenda

Jacksonville City Council panel to review Hemming Park contract Thursday

Jax Council Finance committee addresses budget items

Jax Council NCIS panel ‘won’t miss a beat’ after Matt Schellenberg departure, says chairman

Jason Fischer discusses his HD 16 GOP primary win

Matt Schellenberg leaves Jax Council NCIS committee

Friends with benefits: Hemming Park group gets more cash

Jax City Council says no to Confederate Flag on 75-foot pole

Dick Kravitz, Clay Yarborough score new endorsements in state house races

Former and current Jax councilmen close ranks, back Clay Yarborough in HD 12