by Staff
Mayor John Delaney is still considering a replacement to fill the vacant spot on the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission.
According to Sharon Ashton, spokesperson for the mayor’s office, Delaney is reviewing potential candidates, but has not yet made a final decision. She declined to name any of the potential candidates, but added a decision is expected “soon.”
“It’s a constantly changing field where the mayor picks new candidates and new candidates are suggested to him,” said Ashton. “He expects to make a decision soon.”
Delaney appointed Tom Petway, a minority owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars and the president and CEO of Zurich Insurance, and Winston Wilkinson, the local president of First Union, to the JEDC in early May to fill the spots vacated by Y.E. “Chipper” Hall and Kathy Barco, who both resigned from the commission.
However, Wilkinson withdrew his name when it was learned that he resides in Ponte Vedra Beach and was unable to serve because he did not live in Duval County.
Petway has since received City Council approval and is currently sitting on the commission.
At that time, Audrey Moran, the mayor’s chief of staff, said the mayor hoped to tap someone from the manufacturing industry to fill the spot.
Ashton gave no indication of when a decision might be made.
Whomever fills the vacancy will likely outlast Delaney. Because the terms of service are set by City ordinance, whomever Delaney appoints will receive a term that goes well beyond June 30, 2003, Delaney’s last day in office.
Currently, the JEDC is chaired by Rev. Fred Newbill. Other members include Downtown Development Authority chair Jim Citrano, Lewis Siplin, Susan Hartley, Ceree Harden and Petway.
The JEDC was created by Delaney for the purpose of providing economic incentives for projects all over Jacksonville, but specifically in the downtown area north and west of the St. Johns River. Since its inception, the JEDC has created and approved several projects, including the Adam’s Mark Hotel, Berkman Plaza and the $860 million Shipyards project.
The JEDC celebrated its fifth year of existence earlier this week.