Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 21, 2015

Though the Lenny Curry administration contends that its decisions to remove people from boards, most notably Planning Commission Chairwoman Lisa King, are not politically driven, critics continue to question the administration . One such criticism came in a Friday email from Judy Sheklin, president of the Jacksonville area National Organization for Women. “I am writing to […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 4, 2015

A wave of board appointments is coming from the Lenny Curry administration, in its continuing effort to determine the post-election composition of various boards. At least one of these appointees offered Curry tangible support during the campaign, a condition that likely will irk those who have charged that these appointments are overtly politicized. Marc Padgett, President […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 4, 2015

In football, offensive coordinators often like to script their first 15 plays. That allows them to see what the defense will allow them to do, and what the defense won’t. Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, who coaches his son’s youth football team, is acutely aware of that principle, as he shows the Bold New City of the […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 2, 2015

In Jacksonville, Ron Littlepage is generally held up as the dean of local opinion columnists. When he writes something, people pay attention. That was the case with his Tuesday column, in which he wrote: Mayor Lenny Curry has famously declared: “One City, One Jacksonville.” Now two months into his administration, a disturbing trend has developed as […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 22, 2015

Expect an appointment heavy agenda at Tuesday’s Jacksonville City Council meeting, as the Lenny Curry administration introduces nine appointments via the following bills. 2015-602: Jacksonville Port Authority – Appointment of John Rood 2015-603: Jacksonville Aviation Authority – Appointment of Jay Demetree 2015-604: Jacksonville Aviation Authority – Appointment of Russell Thomas 2015-605: Art in Public Places – Appointment […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 19, 2015

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Another day, another departure of an Alvin Brown political appointee. Wednesday’s edition: Melody Bishop, the wife of one-time mayoral candidate Bill Bishop, from the Downtown Investment Authority board. In a letter to Jordan Elsbury, the Director of Appointments and Special Projects for the Lenny Curry administration, Bishop, “with heavy heart,” offers her resignation “effective immediately.” She wanted the opportunity to meet […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 24, 2015

The Downtown Investment Authority met with Lenny Curry‘s “budget SWAT team” helmed by Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa last week, and it didn’t go so well. Aundra Wallace is back for a second round as the first budget review of Wednesday. 12:50 p.m.: The mood is considerably lighter than the previous DIA session. Mousa made a point of shaking […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 17, 2015

New Lenny Curry Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa continues with yet another budget review, of the Jacksonville Downtown Investment Authority with Aundra Wallace. To read about Mousa’s appointment, click here. This was a lively session. 2:37 p.m.: A discussion of $14,000 revenue collected. Wallace doesn’t know where that money comes from. Rent from somewhere? Who knows. 2:39 p.m.: Salary […]

Tag: Melody Bishop
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

Jax NOW president blasts Lenny Curry for board removals

Key Lenny Curry supporter poised for DIA board appointment

With budget all but finished, what’s Lenny Curry’s next step?

Ron Littlepage parses semantics of “One City, One Jacksonville”

Slew of Lenny Curry appointments at Jax Council meeting

Melody Bishop leaves Downtown Investment Authority, pledges “support” to Curry

Jax transition budget meeting: Downtown Investment Authority (take 2)

Jax transition budget meetings: Downtown Investment Authority