• There’s an interesting “refund” offer floating around and JEA spokesman Bruce Dugan says there’s no validity to it. Its originator, Dugan says, is a man named Tom Thomas, who claims because of “customer charges” every residence and business JEA serves is eligible for up to $1,321. Said Dugan: “There’s no money for a refund and we haven’t raised our rates in 13 years.”
• Interesting streak going. Blue Cross and Blue Shield lobbyist Mike Hightower is chairing Mayor-elect John Peyton’s inauguration. It’s his fourth in a row. Hightower also chaired Ed Austin’s in 1991 and John Delaney’s in 1995 and 1999.
• Summer’s here and it’s time for the City to help the beaches for lifeguard and beach clean up services. Preliminary figures indicate Jacksonville Beach will get $485,716; Neptune Beach, $155,157; and Atlantic Beach, $151,569. The rest of the seasonal cost is being covered by the individual towns.
• Don’t go looking for Better Jacksonville project manager Dave Schneider next week. The ball park and arena manager will be on a much-deserved vacation. Taking a cruise.
• What’s in the box? In the conference room of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission in the City Hall Annex there’s a large box with “JEDC treasure chest” in big letters. Padlock, too.
• The next JEDC meeting is set for June 18 at 9 a.m. on the 15th floor of the Annex. It’s also the last one for Chair Tom Petway and former chair Rev. Fred Newbill.
• The City’s Public Information Office has gotten creative in its “Don’t Trash Jacksonville” campaign. The City’s website — coj.net — has challenging games for children that teach them not to litter.
• The date of the next LaVilla sub district meeting has been changed to June 16 at 10 a.m. in the JTA board room. City Council members Elaine Brown and Reggie Fullwood will meet representatives from the Downtown Development Authority to go over the latest recommendations for the Osborn Center and surrounding area.
• The latest Florida TrendMagazine lists the top for-profit and non-profit hospitals in the state. How did Jacksonville fare? Memorial Hospital came in at No. 16 in for-profits (Miami’s Cedars Medical Center is tops) and Shands came in at No. 6 in non-profits (Miami’s Jackson Memorial is No. 1).
• If you haven’t heard, a Gainesville and UF student icon is no more. A few months ago the Purple Porpoise across from the stadium changed hands and names. It’s now Gator City and word is it just isn’t the same.
• Capt. John Furness will discuss, “Pakistan — The Next Hot Spot” at the June 20 First Coast Tiger Bay luncheon. Guests are welcome. Admission is $25 at the door and includes lunch.