• Local environmental groups have contacted the mayor’s office with concerns about the article 5 changes to State court funding. With the City having to pay a $200 filing fee every time it files a code violation with the court, environmental advocates are concerned the City won’t vigorously enforce sign laws, tree protection laws, pollution laws and animal abuse laws. City governmental liaison Brad Thoburn said the Legislature was working to improve the legislation.
• A recent story in Business Week, reporting on President George W. Bush’s revamped compassionate conservative agenda, led off with a mention of Jacksonville’s Fresh Ministries program and administrative head the Rev. Robert Lee. The story depicts the group’s inner-city job training as an example of Bush’s favored faith-based initiatives at work. Fresh Ministries is using a million–dollar federal grant to provide training and counseling.
• A recent CB Richard Ellis report revealed a stagnant commercial market downtown. However, there are a couple of positive signs for downtown landlords. First, while demand has been flat, the report said supply won’t grow any time soon. There’s no new construction or renovation forecasted for 2004. Second, the report listed a recent trend of restaurants opening with nighttime hours. Venues like Moon River Pizza – coming soon to the W.A. Knight Building – and the Mudville Grille – heading for the Schultz Building – indicate confidence in downtown’s resurgence, according to the report.
• Atrium owner James Batteh will be out of action for a couple weeks. He’s had surgery and is recuperating.
• The FCCJ Artist Series continues this week when “Cats” comes to town. Next season’s lineup should be announced soon and the big Broadway play, “The Producers,” is on the schedule along with 4-5 other plays. Three operas will also be part of the series.
• Political correctness update: a local civic club’s bulletin tells its members there won’t be a meeting today because of the “Spring Holiday.”
• If you need Super Bowl Host Committee staffer Jessica Strauss this week, too bad. Honeymoon.