• The City’s recent restatement of the number of homes sitting inside potential crash zones around Cecil Field isn’t just making headlines locally. Hampton Roads’ Virginian-Pilot reported that Florida officials had misinformed the Base Realignment and Closure Commission about residences around Cecil. The paper reported that the Navy has hired an independent contractor to audit the numbers.
• Speaking of Cecil Field, a recent University of North Florida poll showed Jacksonville voters support the reopening of a Navy master jet base on the West Side. The poll, which canvassed 665 registered Duval County likely voters, showed nearly 63 percent of them in favor of a reopened Cecil. But the number dropped to 51 percent when people were asked if they would support a base opening within 5 miles of their home.
• The new Main Library had better open by Nov. 12. The Association of Fundraising Professionals have a reception scheduled in the lower level conference center there three days later.
• More on the parking rate increases at City-owned lots and garages. Legislation has been filed that would make attorneys in the State Attorney’s Office as well as constitutional officers eligible for a special subsidized rate made available for City employees. You’ll recall many assistant State Attorneys groused after the cost to park in the Yates Parking Garage ballooned from $32 to more then $80.
• The Landing will take down its stage on Nov. 14 in order to put up its Christmas tree on Nov. 15. The tree is coming from Sugar Mountain in North Carolina.
• Two bills concerning the relocation of the U.S. Naval Master Jet Base to the Cecil Commerce Center are under consideration. One would show support for those opposed to the idea including Westside residents, Cecil Commerce investors and others in the surrounding communities. The other bill would encourage The Mayor’s Office to work the rural counties near the area in an attempt to find an alternative site for a base. Council members Suzanne Jenkins, Lynette Self and Daniel Davis are among the early supporters of those bills.
• Westside Regional Park could undergo a name change. Council Vice President Michael Corrigan has expressed interest in rechristening it in honor of former U.S. Rep Tillie Fowler.
• The University of North Florida has a new program and it wants the help of many of the city’s biggest names to help kick it off. Leadership UNF is designed to help the school’s staff better understand concepts including technology, governance, demographics and politics. A roundtable discussion has been scheduled for Nov. 8 where those enrolled in the programs will interact with a host of special guests. Council President Kevin Hyde is among those who have been invited to the event.