• According to those in attendance, novelist Carl Hiaasen gave a politically restrained performance during a Sunday night speech at University of North Florida. Hiaasen, a former Miami Herald columnist, has been a frequent critic of Florida developers and singled St. Joe out in his columns on a couple of occasions. But he didn’t mention St. Joe, a UNF contributor, on Sunday.
• Sometimes its good to have a reverend in the office. The Rev. Pete Jackson, the mayor’s chief community officer, was on hand with a hug to console Susan Pelter, the mayor’s speech writer and a former congressional staffer to Tillie Fowler. “Hugs are an important part of my job,” said Jackson.
• Mayor’s office policy director Kevin Holzendorf understandably was wary of the press when he came to City Hall from the private sector. He grew up watching his parents, former state Sen. Betty and former City Council member King, receive some rough treatment during the civil rights struggle. But he said the modern press in Jacksonville might be changing his mind. “The people I’ve met might be changing my opinion of the media,” he said. “When my parents were coming up, it was a different story.”
• The Riverside Avondale Preservation’s 2004 honors included a Lifetime Preservation Achievement Award to Jerry Spinks for his work renovating the Jacksonville Historical
Society’s Merrill House across from the Arena.
More, page 4.
• Here’s some good news for the City’s Public Libraries. The Argyle Branch will open at the end of the month.
• New face at the City’s General Counsel’s Office: Phyllis Wiley. She’ll work in the Tort Litigation Department.
• The convention bureau welcomes its new boss, John Reyes, with a reception at the Museum of Science and History this evening.
• The Chamber’s Kathy Bolesworth has returned from knee surgery just in time to take your reservation for the annual lobbying trip to Washington. It’s May 17-19 and she (and her new knee) are at 366-6675.