City Council is considering a proposal to rename a neighborhood Jacksonville Public Library in remembrance of the late attorney Bill Brinton.
Ordinance 2018-681 would rename the library at 918 Edgewood Ave. S. the “Bill Brinton Murray Hill Branch Library.” The legislation was introduced Oct. 9 by council members John Crescimbeni and Jim Love and co-sponsored by Tommy Hazouri and Joyce Morgan.
Brinton was a shareholder at the Rogers Towers firm when he died June 19, 2017, while undergoing treatment for advanced lung cancer.
A native of Kansas City, Missouri, he moved with his family to Jacksonville when his father was appointed director of the Jacksonville Public Library.
After graduating from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, Brinton began his practice in Jacksonville and over the years earned the reputation as an expert on the subject of city charter amendments via petition and referendum.
He led the successful effort to limit the number of billboards in Duval County, to impose two-term limits for council members and to preserve or replace trees affected during real estate development.
Brinton was recognized with awards for service to the community and to his profession.
He received the International Municipal Lawyers Association’s Amicus Service Award, the Milestone Award for Citizen Advocacy from Jacksonville Community Council Inc., the Mimi and Lee Adams Environmental Award, Keep Jacksonville Beautiful’s Jake Godbold Award and Scenic America’s Distinguished Advocacy Award for Scenic Beauty and Law and the Cynthia Pratt McLaughlin Medal for Environmental Protection from the Garden Club of America, among others.
Two months before his death, Brinton was honored at the 30th anniversary of Scenic Jacksonville, the local volunteer affiliate of Scenic America that promotes preservation and beautification.
“Without Bill Brinton’s passion, commitment and hard work, America the beautiful would be a little less so,” said Scenic America President Ronald Fleming during the ceremony.
To commemorate Brinton’s legacy, Scenic Jacksonville established an endowment that is dedicated to protect and enhance scenic beauty.
The bill will be reviewed by the council Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety and Finance committees before it is presented for a vote by the full council.