by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Within just a matter of a few days, the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission gained one member but lost another.
Y. E. “Chipper” Hall turned in his letter of resignation to Mayor John Delaney effective Dec. 31. Hall’s resignation didn’t catch the mayor’s office by surprise —his second of two terms was set to expire June 30 — but the exact timing wasn’t anticipated.
“We knew he was ready rotate off,” said Audrey Moran, Delaney’s chief of staff. “His term ends in the spring. It is with regret that we accept his resignation.”
Although he won’t take Hall’s place, Ceree Harden has accepted an invitation to join the JEDC and only needs City Council approval to officially become a member of Jacksonville’s economic development engine. Harden is replacing Carol Thompson, who resigned several weeks ago. Harden heads the Riverside insurance company that bears his name and is a past chairman of the Chamber.
Hall’s resignation also means that Kathy Barco is the lone remaining original member of the commission. The JEDC was created by Delaney in 1996, but didn’t receive legislative approval until 1997. The original seven commissioners — Barco, Hall, Moran (she was chairman of the Downtown Development Authority at the time), Tom Petway, Andrew Cheney, Dan Connell and Willard Payne — all started their first terms on June 30, 1997. All, except for Barco, have now moved on.
(Delaney was also an original member, acting as co-chair with Petway, but not for long. The General Counsel passed down a decision that said the City’s elected CEO could not also serve as a commissioner.)
Hall, who was unavailable for comment Thursday, said in a letter to Delaney that other commitments made it impossible for him to serve out his term. Hall’s company, the Rex Corporation, is a paper board and packaging company that makes and supplies Winn-Dixie with all the store’s cardboard boxes.
The search to find a replacement for Hall will begin shortly after the holidays. Moran said several people will decide who to put on a short list of candidates.
“We will consult with Rev. [Fred] Newbill, the chairman and Kirk [Wendland, JEDC executive director] about the candidates for Chipper’s replacement,” said Moran, adding that Hall’s presence will be missed. “Chipper has been a very effective voice on the JEDC. He has brought not only the manufacturing and business perspective, but also an awful lot of common sense. He’s a very matter-of-fact kind of guy and he brought a valuable perspective to that commission. He has served for several years and we respect his decision.”
Although the JEDC has come under fire recently by some who call its financial incentives corporate welfare, it was Hall who was usually the first to question the true financial needs of a company seeking City-sponsored incentives. While he may have ultimately approved many projects, Hall usually was the first commissioner to seek more information.
Moran said there will be no attempt to replace Hall with someone like him, either personally or professionally.
“I think the commission has people that are all willing to ask the tough questions,” said Moran. “There is not a profile we are seeking to fill that spot.”
According to Moran, filling the position relatively soon will be a priority for Delaney once the new year arrives.
“The mayor will sit down with the chairman and Kirk and come up with a slate of names,” said Moran. “The JEDC is certainly one of his most important commissions.”
The JEDC is currently made up of Newbill, Lewis Siplin, Barco, Harden (pending City Council approval), current DDA chairman Jim Citrano and Susan Hartley.