By J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Notable Jacksonville names arrived in Tallahassee this week, primed to learn about more about Capital city politics and, more importantly, how to put them to good local use.
Jacksonville Day, a time when City Hall, Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce officials and the business community come together in Tallahassee to promote local issues, took place over much of Wednesday and Thursday. Organizers said this year’s event was among the best ever executed.
“I’ve obviously been to a lot of these and this one ranks among the highest,” said Mike Hightower of Blue Cross, the Duval County Republican Party chair. “I look around the room and I see the most powerful group we’ve ever assembled. It’s amazing and it’s support like this that can only mean good things for Jacksonville.”
This year’s event proved timely as local legislators and lobbyists were able to speak to and meet with Tallahassee policy makers about what concerns them most.
“I’m excited about learning more about growth management, particularly now as Jacksonville is at a turning point with respect to potential developments in the area,” said City Council member Sharon Copeland, who also chairs a special committee dedicated to reviewing the City’s Fair Share process. “While I’m here I want to be able to learn as much as I can so that we can make things happen for us at home.”
The two days included briefing sessions and visits to legislators officers, and ended Thursday with a barbeque dinner on the Capitol plaza.