Redistricting after Fair Districts: Reps concerned about their jobs - Florida Times Union

Shockingly, it seems that our representatives are more concerned about having to run against another incumbent or running in a different district than making sure that the communities are properly represented in the redistricting process. In my opinion, our representatives need to get over their own selfish concerns and draw up districts that are contiguous, compact and contain similar neighborhood communities - regardless of whether such lines put an incumbent against an incumbent or draw themselves out of that district.

According to a recent paper by Jacksonville University's Steven Baker, gerrymandering has been a significant factor in the highly polarized and partisan government we have been suffering from recently. We need to take steps to rectify those mistakes and hold our representatives to the Fair Districts Amendments.

Read the full story at the Florida Times Union.

Finance Comittee scraps funding for Education Commissioner - Florida Times Union

The Finance Committee of Jacksonville's City Council voted to halt funding to the newly created Education Commissioner's office. Donald Horner receives only $1 a year for the job, but there was funding budgeted for his office and an executive assistant. Horner says this vote will not stop him from doing the job.

One possible reason for the cut: confusion over the Education Commissioner's role. The city has no real statutory power over education, which rests with the county School Board. Because of this, many on council see the position as unnecessary. Although, with the successful rescue of high school JROTC programs already under his belt, Horner may be able to make a case for the position.

Read the full story at the Florida Times Union. 

The developing role of the Mayor's Education Commissioner - Florida Times Union

This interesting piece in the Florida Times Union discusses the role of Donnie Horner in the role of Mayor Brown's Education Commissioner. Cool tidbit: his involvement in the restoration of JROTC programs in local schools using outside funding from private donors.

Read the full story at the Florida Times Union. 

Redistricting: Next steps - Florida Time Union

Now that the maps are in the hand of the Rules Committee, so begins the process of public hearings. They will be held at four FSCJ campuses across town (one more public hearing than required by law.) 

North Campus: 8/24 at 6:00pm. 4501 Capper Road, Room C126.

Kent Campus: 8/25 at 6:00pm. 3939 Roosevelt Blvd., Room F128.

South Campus: 8/29 at 6:00pm. 11901 Beach Blvd., Wilson Center for the Arts Lakeside Conference Room.

Deerwood Campus: 9/1 at 6:00pm. 9911 Old Baymeadows Road, Room B1204.

After public comments, and passing through the Rules Committee, the maps will then move forward to the full council.

Read the full story at the Florida Times Union. 

Reapportionment moves to the Rules Committee

City Council's Reapportionment Committee voted on Wednesday to move Reapportionment Plans A and D to the Council's Rules Committee, the next step in the city's reapportionment process. The move was made ahead of their Monday deadline, but not made without disapproval being voiced by some of those in the committee.

Council Member E. Denise Lee voiced her concerns, though somewhat reluctantly, that the Rules Committee does not have adequate minority representation. As a remedy, Council Member Warren Jones motioned that the committee petition the Council President to extend the life of the Reapportionment Committee to work with the Rules Committee as the process continues.

Duval Partners' future bleak after mass exodus - Florida Times Union

Group once slated to take control of the intervene schools has seen many of its leaders leave en masse. 

Read the full story at the Florida Times Union. 

Florida wants to collect its sales tax for online buys - Florida Times Union

Soon, Floridians may have to pay the state its 6% for purchases made online. I thought we didn't have a "revenue problem", but a "spending problem". Guess they were wrong.

Read the full story at the Florida Times Union. 

Transition Committee submits its report to Mayor Brown - Florida Times Union

Mayor’s transition committees offer their ideas for a new Jacksonville during a short ceremony at City Hall. 

The group, chaired by Don Shea, offered up 300 suggestions for improvements to the city, some of which Mayor Brown has already acted upon. 

The full report can be found on the city's website.

The full article can be found at the Florida Times Union.

City Council stalls pension vote for review - Florida Times Union

City Council hold of on voting through changes former Mayor John Peyton proposed to the Police-Fire Pension fund. Move was made to allow new council members and the administration time to review the changes.

Read the full story at the Florida Times Union.

Avondale store owners against 7-Eleven - WJXT

Avondale shops owners are reluctant to allow a 7-Eleven to open on their historic street. The proposed store would fill the now vacant corner across from the Brick where an old Shell gas station used to be.

Full story at WJXT.

(Oops. This was supposed to be posted a while ago. Sorry for the delay!)

'Mothballing' of crumbling houses could save Jacksonville homeowners - Florida Times Union

'Mothballing' of crumbling houses could save Jacksonville homeowners. Bill going before City Council to help keep run-down homes from being demolished, maintaining the "fabric" of the historic Springfield community. 

Read the full story at the Florida Times Union. 

Green building group seeks abandoned downtown space - Florida Times Union

Green building group seeks city lease deal in downtown storefront to turn into an LEED certified green construction resource center. Empty space under a city parking garage would be used and the group would be given free rent and utilities for five years. It will not be a complete freebie for the group though, as hey will have to furnish the space, install HVAC and other necessities.

This group wants to make green technology a staple of downtown development and sees this as a great opportunity to get their foot in the door. an ordinance will go before city council to approve the deal.

Read the full story at the Florida Times Union.  

JTA has no more funds for construction - Florida Times Union

JTA is near the end of its funding for construction projects. Councilman Bishop sees this as an opportunity to look at the way the city runs the road construction process, believing that JTA has not been very responsive to citizen concerns. Meanwhile, Councilman Jones wishes that City Council would hurry up and approve the extension of the gas tax so that JTA can continue the work. 

Full story at the Florida Times Union.