• Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry was here over the weekend for a round of thank-yous and quiet planning for another run in 2008. The Massachusetts senator was hosted by supporter Rodney Margol, who had about 20 for dinner.
• Just because you manage one of downtown’s finest restaurants doesn’t mean you wouldn’t mind a free meal. Bravo! chief Dwight Barton is entered in a contest to win lunch at Hovan in Five Points. Good luck!
• Council member Warren Alvarez drew a few chuckles from his fellow Finance Committee members Monday when he made a personal plea for a proposed bill that would give half-price admission for seniors to the Jacksonville Beach Pier. “Some of us seniors are on fixed incomes,” said the 69-year-old Alvarez, who capped a successful career as a dairy farmer by partnering with Jacksonville International Tradeport to develop hundreds of acres of his family’s farmland near the airport. “Of course, some of our incomes are fixed higher than others.”
• Did the City’s Real Estate Chief Bob Williams have his tongue in cheek when he thanked the Council auditors for their extensive review of the deal he negotiated for the City to buy the Edwards Ball Building? We’re not sure, but everybody on the Finance Committee was laughing as Williams talked about his “debt of gratitude” to the auditors.
• It was a mostly happy occasion when Mayor John Peyton joined new Library Director Barbara Gubbin to unveil the 5-ton owl statue that will adorn the front of the Main Branch Library on Laura Street. But Peyton did remark on the construction delays that have pushed back the building’s opening to September. “What an asset to downtown it will be when it’s finished. And I’m told it will be finished some day. Like other Better Jacksonville Plan projects, it has had challenges,” said Peyton.
• The airport has a parking lot to use if you’re waiting for a plane and it’s one of few in the nation. It’s called a “cell” lot because arriving passengers can call their waiting friend, and many airports are carrying it a step further by selling naming rights to a cell phone company. To get to our lot, take a left off the main road like you’re going to the admin building, then take a quick right.
• If you can’t wait to vote in the Special Election on March 25, too bad. Early voting doesn’t start for another week. Remember: two City Council seats and the Supervisor of Elections job are on the ballot.
• Today‘s the deadline if you want to go on the Chamber’s trip to Washington in May.
• The Rotary Club of Jacksonville celebrated St. Patrick’s Day a few days early at its luncheon Monday. Though they
didn’t have corned beef and cabbage for lunch, the Rotarians sang a few Irish songs like “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” and Sean
Mulholland of Mulholland Investigation and Security Consulting read an Irish prayer for the benediction.
• Circuit Court Judge and literacy advocate Karen K. Cole will be honored as Jacksonville University’s Community Woman of the Year on Wednesday. She’ll also be the keynote speaker at the annual Women’s History Month luncheon.
• Speaking of St. Patrick’s Day, the Landing courtyard fountain has been temporarily dyed green for holiday festivities.
• This year’s River Run featured something that was missing from last year: campaign signs. All of the candidates had signs along the 9.3 mile route, and Council candidate Ronnie Fussell was camped out at Alltel Stadium about a quarter mile from the finish.
• Speaking of the River Run, plenty of finishers left
unhappy as organizers came up about 500 medals short. And, according to one race volunteer in the Runner’s Expo, hundreds of runners registered for the race but never showed up. Call First Place Sports if you didn’t get a medal for finishing.
• The City of Neptune Beach is done paving the roads easy of Third Street, which has made residents happy. However, the roads are now a little higher than before and after a good rain, lots of water is left standing between the curbs and the road, especially on First Street.
• Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese and his top assistant, Senior Associate Commissioner Nick Carparelli, will be in town next week. Gator Bowl Association President Rick Catlett is taking them to the practice rounds at The Players Championship on Tuesday and Wednesday. They’ll also be talking about
renewing the contract which calls for the Big East to provide one of the Toyota Gator Bowl teams.
• The Feds have divvied up the money to fund aviation
infrastructure grants and Jacksonville didn’t fare so well. Of the $89.2 million allocated by U. S. Transportation Secretary Norman MIneta, Craig Airport got $150,000 to build a taxiway and
Herlong got another $150,000 to update its master plan study. Word is the Airport Authority is none too pleased, especially
considering they are getting ready to start the expansion and
relocation of Concourses A and C.
• The Riverside Ave. YMCA’s late night stand is over. They tried staying open until midnight but apparently didn’t get enough business, so they’re back to an 11 p.m. closing.
• Pro golfer Fred Funk came up with a good auction prize to benefit a Ponte Vedra youth program. He offered a chance to
caddie for him in the Wednesday practice round prior to The
Players Championship including a limo ride to his house, breakfast with his family and a ride to the course, plus tickets for the first round the next day. The winning bid: $3,500.
• Our legislative delegation’s annual brochure is out and they’re at City Hall if you need one. Lots of good phone numbers you might need, too, though the cover photo is a bit old — “Humana” is still the name atop the building next to Independent Square.
• The City’s Department of Neighborhoods and Property Safety Division finally has relocated. They are now at 1801 Art Museum Dr., Building 3500, Suite 200.
• Nice touch. The City Council is putting together Easter
baskets from 25 children at the I.M. Sulzbacher Center for
the Homeless. The baskets are loaded with essentials such as toothpaste and brushes, crayons, coloring books and, of course, a few sweets. They’ll distribute them through Jax Cares.
• Carol Owens in City Hall’s Legislative Services office always said her daughter was a good soccer player and she’s
proving prophetic. The Paxon junior was recently selected to participate in the state Olympic Development Program. Doesn’t guarantee anything, but it does mean she’s among the best in
the state.