Jacksonville Jaguars mascot Jaxson de Ville and members of The Roar helped spread some holiday cheer recently during a Jags365: Holiday at the ‘Bank event.
“Fanatical Fan” members of the program had the opportunity to come on the field and take photos.
The Jags365 program is designed as extra perks for season ticket holders who can elect to be a part of the corporate, family and fanatical fan packages that feature special events throughout the year.
Inspector General's Office creates website
The city’s Office of Inspector General unveiled a Web page to inform residents about the office’s work and promote efficiency and integrity in local government.
It includes information about the office and online forms to allow residents, city contractors and city employees to report suspected waste, fraud and abuse in government operations. The forms can be submitted online, by email, fax or mail, and can be submitted anonymously. The website is coj.net/OIG.
“Having a truly independent Inspector General Office is essential to creating a government that citizens can trust,” said Carla Miller, director of the city’s Office of Ethics, Compliance and Oversight.
Legislation creating the office was passed by City Council and signed by Mayor Alvin Brown in October. It will provide independent oversight of government operations by elected and appointed officials, employees, contractors, subcontractors and other people doing business with the city.
“The Office of Inspector General has an essential role in protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring the accountability of city government,” said Brown in the release.
Chartrand delivers commencement address at JU
Florida Board of Education Chair Gary Chartrand (at podium) had a message of optimism for nearly 400 Jacksonville University graduates on Saturday. His advice: stay away from naysayers at all costs.
“If you want to become better at what you do, reach your full potential and achieve success, avoid negative people … a pessimist is a person who feels bad when he feels good, for fear that he is going to feel worse when he feels better,” Chartrand told the group, according to a news release recapping the event.
The event was one of the largest fall commencements in JU history.
JASMYN hires Angela Strain as director of development
The Jacksonville Area Sexual Minority Youth Network hired Angela Strain as the organization’s first director of development.
She has more than 10 years of professional experience in nonprofit resource development and fundraising, and most recently was the grants and foundations manager at Wounded Warrior Project. Before that she worked in organizational advancement with Community Health Centers Alliance in St. Petersburg.
She is a recent graduate of the Community Coaches with the Nonprofit Center of Jacksonville is a certified board source governor trainer.
“As we move into our next 20 years, Angela will play a key role in growing the financial foundation of our agency so that we can continue to meet needs of our LGBTQ youth and the community,” said Cindy Watson, JASMYN executive director, in a news release.
The hire comes in part from a grant received in October from the LGBT Community Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. It also covers an intensive strategic planning process.
Clay Builders Council, food pantry again partner for holidays
The Clay Builders Council of the Northeast Florida Builders Association on Saturday again will partner with the Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs to provide food baskets to more than 100 families in Clay County.
It’s the 25th year the two have joined for the holidays, with the 100 baskets having all the items necessary for a traditional Christmas dinner. It began more than two decades ago when the council built shelves and a reception area for the organization. It expanded to include food baskets the next year and the tradition has since continued.
The Clay County Humane Society also will give out pet food, while volunteers from Boy Scout Troop 424 will help load baskets into cars. Santa Claus will make an appearance and supervise.
The families were with input from local churches. They’ll receive the baskets between 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday.
EWC named a top 5 ‘Champions of Character’ institution
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics named Edward Waters College one of five schools to receive the 2013-14 “Champions of Character” Five-Star Institution Award. EWC tied for fourth among 168 institutions, according to a news release.
The award is granted through the organization’s Character Advisory Committee and each school is graded on a scorecard. Schools earn points based on exceptional student-athlete GPA and obtaining no objections during competition throughout the year.
EWC scored a 92 of 100 points, tying with Louisiana State University-Shreveport, and is one of 12 schools that scored higher than a 90.
JTA receives strong credit ratings
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has assigned the Jacksonville Transportation Authority a long-term rating of “AA” with a stable outlook to the local option gas-tax revenue bonds.
About $100 million in bonds are anticipated to be issued by the authority early next year for roadway projects as part of council extending that tax earlier his year.
The authority also received an initial public rating of “AA-“ with a stable outlook from Fitch Ratings.
“The ratings signify a level of certainty in the future of our transportation operations and allow us to move forward with much needed improvement projects,” said authority board Chair Donna Harper in a news release.