• For those wondering who’s paying for the Jags new practice fields where Wolfson Park used to be, the answer is — you. According to Council Auditor Bob Johnson, the City is picking up the tab.
• Speaking of Johnson, don’t forget he’s retiring soon and there’s a big bash planned for him June 27 from 2-4 p.m. at City Hall.
• Local attorney Martin Sack, Jr. just returned from New York City, where he attended the Pulitzer Prize ceremony. His son, Kevin Sack, a reporter for The Los Angeles Times, received the prize for an investigative piece he wrote about a faulty military aircraft.
• Mayor John Delaney couldn’t attend Thursday’s big Military Appreciation Luncheon so the City’s official welcome duties went to Mayor-elect John Peyton. And the 700 or so in attendence produced the biggest cheer when the keynote speaker, a tough-looking Marine general, said, ‘We have a way to deal with terrorists: we find ‘em, fix ‘em and kill ‘em.” More, page 4.
• Duval County Supervisor of Elections John Stafford has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections. The group is responsible for lobbying on behalf of the elections process in all counties.
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Mike Hightower may have an interesting side job this fall. He’s being courted by the University of Florida to teach a master’s course in — quite appropriately — lobbying. He’ll find out for sure after Mayor-elect John Peyton’s inauguration bash, which he’s chairing.
• Some firm arena dedication/Coliseum implosion facts: June 26, dedication at 10 a.m., implosion at 10:45, 200 people will be allowed on the fourth floor of the new arena and you’ll need a special “Going Out with a Bang” pass. Oh yes, the City has ordered 250 hard hats and safety glasses for the event.
• Clarification of a Wednesday City Note. The old plaque from the Coliseum is in storage at Alltel Stadium, not the new one.
• Little perk for Mayor John Delaney by being named the new prez at UNF: he’ll become an ex-officio member of the board of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. He’ll get the nomination at the board’s June 25 meeting.
• Several downtown properties slated for demolition have received stays of execution from the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission. Properties at 1117 Walnut St., 1140 Ionia St., 22 W. 7th St., 355 W. 7th St. and 1222 Liberty St. were recommended for demolition by the Condemned Structures Review Team. The JHPC will review the properties over the next 90 days and decide their fate at the commission’s Aug. 27 hearing.
• Rock & Roll Pizza on Forsyth Street has a new Friday night schedule. From 5-8 p.m. BiggieTea will DJ world beat music and movies in digital video will be simultaneously projected on the wall. He is also hosting a networking group called Gold Exchange. Swap your business card for a real gold surprise.
• The next big election isn’t until November 2004, but U.S. Rep. John Mica is already running TV ads. They’ve been on for a few weeks and his spokesperson is Art Linkletter.