• Attorney Hank Coxe received The Florida Bar President’s Award of Merit during the Bar’s annual meeting in Orlando last week. The outgoing president, Tod Aronovitz of Miami, makes the selection and the Bedell firm lawyer was lauded for his “dedication to The Florida Bar, the lawyers of Florida, and to the citizens of the state.”
• Big gift: Sleiman Enterprises has given $400,000 to FreshMinistries to support its economic development programs in Jacksonville’s blighted urban areas.
• The Peyton transition team’s Planning and Development Subcommittee interviewed the department’s incumbent director, Jeannie Fewell, and her deputies John Crofts and Michael Herzberg on Monday. Fewell highlighted her leadership of the $12 million Town Center Program.
• The transition team’s Fire and Rescue Subcommittee released its list of applicants for the fire chief’s job. Gary Andreasen, John Bunn, Eugene Callahan, James Edwards, Richard Farren, Joseph King, Dale Margadonna, Alonzo McQueen, Douglas Pilinko, George Rhoden, Mark Treglio, Roger Walker, Wayne Watts, Marcel White and Gerald Worcester all have asked to be considered to replace incumbent Ray Alfred. Subcommittee chairwoman Lynn Pappas said only the eight most qualified applicants would be interviewed.
• Predictably, City Hall’s fourth floor was in chaos Monday with people literally coming and going, plus all the Council office moves. The place should settle down by late today and yes, the color photos of the 19 Council members were changed around late Monday so they were accurate when the doors opened this morning with President Lad Daniels and veep Elaine Brown on the top row.
• The state’s Democrats gathered in Miami over the weekend with at least 10 potential candidates for Sen. Bob Graham’ seat, if he gets a Presidential (or veep) nomination, or if he quits. No North Floridians in the mix, though there are rumors that ex-NationsBank head (and wife of gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride) Alex Sink is interested. She lived here briefly.
• St. Johns Investment Management Company is undertaking major renovations to their space on the 25th floor of the Riverplace Tower. Having just renewed their lease, they are redesigning the space, installing new carpet and applying a fresh coat of paint. You’ll meet the company’s CFO on page 3.
• No Downtown Council meeting this Friday due to the holiday. They’ll return July 18 with Mayor John Peyton.
• Security is a little tighter at the Florida Theatre. In addition to the current requirement to show a picture ID, all those that enter with bags and boxes will now have their items inspected.