• According to JEDC Military Affairs coordinator Daniel McCarthy, a defense appropriations bill before the U.S. House seeks to close the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Puerto Rico, scattering its $300 million annual payroll. McCarthy thinks our bases — Mayport and the Naval Air Station — could be in line to pick up some of the displaced operations.
• The Duval County Courthouse on Bay Street will likely be razed once construction on the new courthouse is completed in a few years, but its riverfront property has already piqued the interest of an Atlanta-based group, say courthouse insiders. The site has an assessed value of $28 million.
• Following a voluntary dismissal of charges brought against him by attorney Daniel Wilensky over some alleged campaign wrongdoings, Circuit Court Judge David Gooding is seeking to recoup attorney fees incurred over the past year. At 44.6 billable hours, Gooding spent $6,613. A hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 8.
• You know the world has changed when you find out that the Ponte Vedra Beach Republican Women’s Club is co-sponsoring the upcoming visit of ex-Russia boss Mikhail Gorbachev.
• The Jags are having their ticket pickup days at the stadium. If you’re Touchdown Club level buyer, you’ll get a goodie bag which has two caps, two coozies, two wooden footballs, which sit on stands, two big magnet schedules and two replicas of tickets to owners Wayne and Delores Weaver’s skybox.
• City Council member Glorious Johnson says she adapting to life on the Council and was on the run Wednesday, attending a transportation committee meeting and a luncheon with other government leaders. Only thing she’d change so far: her picture in the Council’s reception area.
• Back in town: Jim Goodwin, ex-Barnett banker who once owned 20 percent of the baseball team here. He was in Atlanta with the Moran companies and now is VP of development for the Atlantic Coast Federal chain of banks.
• The Chamber will have a bigger role in the new administration. Said Mayor John Peyton: “I look at the Chamber as being the marketing arm for our government. It should be the group that goes out to find opportunities.”
• Before a luncheon with government leaders Wednesday at a downtown club, the host asked for everyone to join with the Pledge of Allegiance. Problem: no flag. Solution: Rep. Don Davis’s necktie, which was decorated with at least 50 flags.