• Open alcohol containers and booming fireworks may become a more prominent part of the downtown fabric if a bill to be introduced Tuesday gets enough City Council support. Council member Pat Lockett-Felder proposes relaxed laws in an L-shaped zone spanning several blocks near and just within the Sports Complex. In its current form, it will include the Gator Bowl game, the Jacksonville Jazz Festival and Arena events, but not the Jaguars.
• Yes, that was Judge Tyrie Boyer hauling a pickup truck load of old chairs down Bay Street Friday at lunchtime. They’ve been in storage for four years and they’re now gone. Yard sale over the weekend.
• Newly elected City Council member Richard Clark has hired an aide. Her name is Megan Friel and, aside from helping on Clark’s campaign, she previously worked for a congressman in Washington D.C.
• Jacksonville Economic Development Commission chair Ceree Harden is up for reappointment on the JEDC board. Legislation that would authorize a second term will be introduced at Tuesday’s Council meeting.
• The frontrunner for the Jacksonville U. head basketball coaching position is Valdosta State’s Jim Yarbrough, who has a winning record (97-42) at the school. He has past ties with new JU Athletic Director Alan Verlander.
• Anniversaries for a few City employees you might recognize. Council Auditor Kirk Sherman celebrated 25 years in March; Theresa O’Donnell of the Office of Special Events, 20 years; and Mayor’s Office receptionist Alice Newman, 10 years.
• Koja Sushi at the Landing now delivers, but only to the SunTrust building and Independent Square.
• The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The Authority was established by the state legislature in 1950 to complete an unfinished expressway in Duval County. Their first executive director was Wesley Sweat and its first board meeting, led by chairman Lucius Buck, was Aug. 12, 1955.
• Speaking of JTA, you can now purchase weekly and monthly bus and Skyway passes at the FCCJ station through a vending machine.
• That was City downtown consultant Tony Allegretti’s voice on public radio last Thursday night. He was helping with the station’s two-week pledge drive. Listen for him again Tuesday night around 9 p.m.
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