• Mayor John Peyton has answered letters supporting his position in Landing redevelopment negotiations by saying the City will weigh all future incentives against the jobs and income they create. “Providing the additional assistance Mr. Sleman requests would not result in more jobs or other significant benefits to the taxpayers of Jacksonville,” the mayor writes, “but would simply increase his profits.”
• City Council president Lad Daniels said he doesn’t have any problem extending Fire Chief Rick Barrett’s June retirement date. He said it’s a special circumstance and he doesn’t think it will set a precedent. “We’re not opening Pandora’s Box here.” The Council will vote on whether to remove Barrett from a list of retirees.
• The president’s national campaign chair, Marc Racicot, will be the featured speaker at the Duval County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Celebration. Thirteen other counties will be invited to participate in the May 20 event at the Radisson. Cost is $75 per person with proceeds going toward President Bush’s re-election.
• Duval County announced its delegates for the Republican National Convention. They include: Council members Glorious Johnson and Faye Rustin and State Committee members Lawrence Jefferson and Cindy Burgin.
• Nominations are now being taken for the City’s Robert O. Johnson “Good Government” Award. Named for the Council’s former auditor, the award is given to government employees, including those working for the City and its independent authorities, who have demonstrated exemplary performance for at least 10 years. Deadline is May 21.
• License tag: FLSTNLS. You don’t know what it means until you read the words on the ring around the plate: FSU Seminoles.
When is comes to special events, look no further than Theresa O’Donnell Price. Read all about her in Downtown This Week, now available at various locations downtown.