By J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Five positions were eliminated from the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Tuesday afternoon as part of an ongoing streamlining process. Interim JEDC director Jeanne Miller said those cuts were the first step towards Mayor John Peyton’s goal of redefining the focus of the agency while whittling its staff down to 30 positions.
When Peyton took office July 1, 2003, one of his first objectives was to look at the JEDC and implement ways in which the publicly scrutinized agency could function more efficiently.
As part of Tuesday’s cuts, one JEDC senior project manager position previously held by Felice Franklin was eliminated, as were project management positions held by William Sweet, Valerie Williams and Bob Olsen. The commission’s public information chief Jean Moyer was also let go during one of several private meetings with Miller held earlier this week.
“This has been a very difficult time and it should be clear that these positions were eliminated after a very careful analysis of functions. It has nothing do to with the abilities of these individuals,” said Miller. “Unfortunately the positions they held are not part of the restructured JEDC and its refocused strategy.”
Aside from Sweet, who through reversion rights has been able to take a position with the City’s Planning Department, Miller said those individuals who were let go as part of the most recent downsizing process will be able to take advantage of career counseling and other job placement resources.
Additionally, JEDC staffers with more than five years of City service will be eligible for unemployment benefits as part of a recently enacted ordinance.
“These are good people and we do wish them well,” said Miller. “We want to help them as much as we can.”
And though the newly reduced JEDC offers a more streamlined operation, Miller said more changes may be on the way.
Former executive director Kirk Wendland resigned last year amid controversy surrounding the high profile Shipyards residential development debacle that had been created and monitered under his watch.
Miller, who was appointed the JEDC’s deputy director earlier this year, has been filling in ever since. She said after a new director is hired even more positions could be cut or moved to other departments.
“But at this time I can’t say what, if any, changes will be made,” she said. “That decision is the responsibility of the new director.”
According to the Mayor’s Office, three candidates are being considered for the executive director job. Miller is said to be among the hopefuls.
“Again, until a new director is hired, I can’t say anymore,” said Miller.
The JEDC was formed by former Mayor John Delaney in 1997 to serve as an economic engine for downtown and the Southbank. The JEDC has partially incentivized the Hyatt Regency (formerly the Adam’s Mark), 11 E., The Carling, River City Marketplace, San Marco Place and dozens of smaller projects all over downtown and the Northside.