by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
City Council president Lad Daniels has a little more than a week left of his presidential term. As Council president during such high profile issues as the new Duval County Courthouse budget disputes, parking garage debates and living wage negotiations, it is only briefly that he is able to exhale and look back over the past year without being pulled into another conflict.
“It’s really been something,” said Daniels of the year, his eyes occasionally coursing over the plaques and trophies that decorate the office he’ll soon vacate, making way for President-elect Elaine Brown. “It hasn’t been easy, I can tell you that. But it has been pretty interesting for just about the entire time.”
But it isn’t the conflicts that made it worth while, said Daniels. It’s not the legislation or public appearances either.
“No, it’s much more than that,” he said. “I’ll tell you what my favorite project really was this year: It would have to be the Faces of Jacksonville Village.”
The two-week project, part of a year-long, citywide diversity campaign, was jointly put together by Daniels and his wife, Carol.
“It’s actually based on an international program that my wife and I have been involved in for many years called the Children’s International Summer Villages,” said Daniels. “What they do is focus on bringing together youth from 12 different nations and exploring and celebrating their diversities.”
The Daniels have been involved with CISV for 27 years.
“It’s one of the most rewarding experiences of my entire life,” he said.
Held at Lakeshore Middle School in June, the program brought together area youth from across Jacksonville. They were culled from such organizations as the Boys and Girls Club, the Bridge of Northeast Florida, and the Korean, Islamic, Chinese and Hispanic communities.
Forty rising sixth graders participated in the program, each representing one of 10 delegations.
“It’s just amazing to watch these children come together and learn from each other,” he said. “And because of the nature of the project, they eventually learn to interact and trust each other. I’ve seen it happen a so many times and it never gets old.
“It’s like I tell the children’s parents when it’s over, ‘You’re not getting the same kid back, they’ve risen another step.’ ”
Daniels motions back to the crowded shelves in his office.
“I should probably be getting back to work,” he said. “I also need to figure out what I’m going to do with most of this stuff. It’s not going to fit in my new office and Elaine seems pretty determined to move in here.”