• Doug Layton, an original project manager with the Better Jacksonville Plan, is now with Earth Tech Consulting, Inc. as a director/section manager for the company’s Jacksonville office. While with the City, Layton oversaw the $700 million roadway, utility and stormwater improvement programs within BJP.
• A recent check of the state’s election Web site revealed some interesting candidate information. In Florida, 23 people have filed to run for president. Notables missing from the list include Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John Edwards. Also, local U.S. Reps. Ander Crenshaw and Cliff Stearns have yet to draw an opponent. Finally, Florida State football fans will remember the name Peter Boulware. He’s not playing in the NFL anymore, but he’s running for the State Rep. Dist. 9 seat.
• Speaking of football players, a resolution honoring Jaguars running back Fred Taylor for reaching the 10,000-yard rushing mark was on the agenda of last night’s City Council meeting. Also on the agenda is a resolution recognizing JSO spokesman Ken Jefferson, who was recently named the State Public Information Officer of the Year by the Florida Law Enforcement PIO Association.
• One more from Council. Member Stephen Joost has asked that any action regarding his legislation on traffic safety be postponed until at least the Dec. 11 Council meeting. Joost is out of town, could not make last night’s meeting and would like to be present when the issue comes up for a vote.
• The Fraternal Order of Police’s annual Christmas party is set for Dec. 21. It’s from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the FOP headquarters on Beach Boulevard.
• Council member Art Graham is up for appointment to the Northeast Florida Regional Council.
• The St. Johns River City Band has announced its executive board for 2008. They include: President Betsy Reichert, Vice President Kevin Monahan, Treasurer Jack McElroy and Secretary Eliot Safer. Other new board members are Paula Thorton, Vida Vongsay, Jim Mace and Brenda Kelly. Retiring from the board due to term limits are Fred Hartmann, Dede Bruton, Diantha York-Ripley, Bob Stone and Carol Fryer.
• “Throwing Stars,” a film produced in Jacksonville last summer with TigerLily Media, recently took home top honors at the Orlando Film Festival by being named Best Feature Film at the Nov. 9 screening. Producers received a prize package that included a $10,000 camera setup from Panavision. The film previously won the Audience Award at the annual CineVegas film festival in Las Vegas. Described as “‘Very Bad Things’ meets ‘Swingers,’” “Throwing Stars” tells the story of a young doctor who kills a drug dealer and solicits his friends to help him get rid of the body. The film is scheduled for limited theatrical release in March 2008.
“In every election in American history both parties have their clichés. The party that has the clichés that ring true wins.”
– Newt Gingrich, U.S. Republican politician.