• The City’s military liaison, Dan McCarthy, told Mayor Peyton Tuesday that Rear Adm. Jim Stavridis is leaving his command of the Mayport-based U.S.S. Enterprise Strike Group to serve as senior military assistant to the secretary of defense. The new job puts Stavridis on the path toward possible leadership of the Navy, said McCarthy, and will give the mayor a powerful friend in Washington, D.C.
• A writer from US Airways’ Attache Magazine has been talking to the mayor’s communications staff about a possible profile on Jacksonville.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield lobbyist and Republican fundraiser Mike Hightower will host the president’s election campaign chair at a reception Thursday. Former Montana governor Marc Racicot will meet and greet some local party heavyweights before moving over to the Radisson for a silent auction and dinner.
• Before having his picture taken with Kerri Treptow, the City Council’s new intern, Council member Jerry Holland pretended to be nervous. “I don’t know,” he said, “interns and politicians don’t usually create a very good mix.”
• The City may agree to permanently close three railroad crossings in San Marco. According to recently filed documents, the crossings located on Naldo, Flagler and Landon avenues are in older neighborhoods and mostly serve residential traffic.
• New voting technology will be available at the Supervisor of Elections Office by late August. Making use of newly certified touch screens, elections spokesperson Erin Moody said the machines have audio capabilities, allowing the visually impaired to vote without assistance. “I’d like to add that this system is different than what has been used in California, Maryland and Ohio,” said Moody. “We are completely satisfied with it and we have no concerns.”
• Mayor John Peyton, City Council member Reggie Fullwood and CSX chair and CEO Michael Ward will participate in the CSX/City Year Service Day Friday and Saturday. City Year is a national service organization which recruits young people to dedicate a year in full-time service in major American cities, helping with various renovation and community projects.
• The St. Johns River City Big Band and the Ritz Voices will present a free concert Sunday at the SeaWalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach beginning at 7 p.m.
• It’s Working Women’s Night Out Thursday at the Landing. Big Al & the Kaholics are providing live entertainment from 5-10 p.m.