by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
One down, two to go.
Mayor John Delaney appointed Penny Thompson to the Downtown Development Authority board Friday, leaving that entity — along with the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission — just one member shy of being full.
Thompson is vice president of public affairs for Shands Jacksonville. She has held that position since June 1996, but has been with Shands since January 1987.
Until Thompson’s appointment, the DDA board had been operating with just five of seven members. Citing the desire to attend to other interests, Ron Weaver resigned from the board in early October. Last fall, Dick Brown left to assume his duties as mayor of Neptune Beach.
A University of Florida graduate, Thompson brings a wealth of civic service experience to the Board. In the past, she’s been on the Mayor’s Task Force on Animal Control & Care, the Jacksonville Women’s Network and the Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee, just to name a few.
Delaney’s chief of staff Audrey Moran said Thompson was chosen because of her previous experience and her performance record at Shands.
“She has been doing a lot of things in the area around Shands that have helped downtown in that area,” said Moran. “She expressed an interest in serving on the DDA and she has been a community leader for years. We respect her abilities to analyze projects and she will help continue the growth of downtown Jacksonville.”
While Thompson may sit in on next Wednesday’s meeting, she may not vote on any issues brought before the board until she is confirmed by City Council. That process includes passing through a couple of Council committees and then the vote of the full Council.
“It will probably take about six weeks,” said Moran, declining to name the second person appointed to the board.
Thompson was out of her office Friday and could not be reached for comment.
Jim Citrano, the chairman of the DDA, said it will be good to get a full board at a meeting, something that hasn’t happened in well over a year. However, Citrano said the lack of a seven-member board hasn’t hampered the board’s ability to meet or review projects.
“It hasn’t been an issue in the sense that we haven’t had a quorum,” said Citrano. “The board members are very good about making meetings.”
Citrano said he is especially proud of the members of the DDA board and their willingness to adjust their personal and professional schedules to accommodate DDA meetings. He pointed to board member Gerry Nichols, who has recently dealt with some medical issues, as a prime example of that dedication.
“Gerry was getting medical treatment out of state and he still made the meetings,” said Citrano. “That dedication is a trademark of the DDA board. Knowing Penny Thompson, it will probably be the same. She’s a very public and very spirited person.
“I think those choices are good choices. I’m pleased.”