• If you were wondering why streets around One Independent Square were closed by police this morning, it was because a suspicious package was found at the southwest corner of the building across the street from the Landing. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office bomb squad was called and the package was detonated at the scene.
• John Delaney and Sam Mousa are back in business together. A firm headed by Mousa, who was Delaney’s right hand man in Jacksonville’s mayor’s office, has been awarded a contract to design a pair of parking lots for University of North Florida, now led by Delaney. Spokesperson Mike Tolbert said Delaney “probably doesn’t even know” that Mousa’s firm, JBC/GAI, won the contract, but said this is likely the first venture to bring the pair together since leaving City Hall.
• Miriam’s Fine Jewelry in San Marco Square is moving but customers won’t have to venture far to find the new location. The jeweler is moving just three doors down into the former home of the Custom Rug Gallery.
• The two Rotary Clubs which meet in the Downtown area are about to have their annual leadership changes. Ophthalmologist Jerry Knauer takes over the Rotary Club of Jacksonville’s Monday meetings at the Omni and architect Jim Stege will preside at the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville’s Tuesday meetings at the Wyndham.
• The two-year-old Synovus Bank decided they wanted another of their own on the board so they tapped Executive VP Jerry Dean. You’ll remember him from the old Florida Bank, which since has morphed into Wachovia.
• The Scott-McRae Group of car dealers notes that St. Vincent’s isn’t the only Riverside-based business celebrating 90 years this year. They are, too.
• The City Council president gets to pick the artwork that hangs in the Council offices and Council President-elect Michael Corrigan has opted to accept suggestions from his peers. He’s asking district members to select 3-5 locations within their district they would like featured and at-large members have been asked to pick 3-5 citywide locations for consideration.