• The Jacksonville Aviation Authority has approved paying off $5.9 million in bank loans and $3.6 million in revenue bonds. The proceeds from two Bank of America loans totaling $8 million were used to finance the construction of the JAA Administration Building in 2002. Paying off the $5.9 million balance will result in interest payment savings of $2.7 million. The Airport Revenue Bonds Series 2000B were used to build the loop access road at Jacksonville International Airport and acquire and install airport roadway signage.
• The General Services Administration will begin scouting the Northeast Florida area for office space this month and continue through the end of fall in preparation for the 2010 census. According to George Grandy Jr., regional director for the Census Bureau — which will conduct the 2010 census — there will be hundreds of such offices across the country employing about 800,000 people. The first offices will open next fall while other will open a year later.
• Saxophonist Aaron Bing, a Jacksonville native, is a guest on the “Late Show with David Letterman” Friday and he won’t be on just to play and chat with Letterman. Bing will attempt to break the world’s record for holding the longest sustained note on a soprano saxophone. The current record is 45:47 and is held by jazz saxophonist Kenny G. The shows airs at 11:30 p.m. on Ch. 47.
• TPC Sawgrass is hosting the 6th annual Moonlight Martinis to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on Nov. 9. This year’s Chairpersons are Greg and JoAnne Georgallis and Will and Susan Pitts. This year’s Honorary Chairpersons are Roger Postlethwaite and Maxine McBride.
• The certified public accounting firm of McGladrey & Pullen has promoted Martha Foster to director in the firm’s Florida Audit Practice. In this role, Foster will serve as the client service coordinator on several audits for the firm.
• According to Mayor John Peyton’s Chief of Staff Steve Diebenow, it looks like only Peyton and Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Executive Director Ron Barton will represent the mayor’s office on the China leg of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber’s of Commerce’s Leadership trip. The China trip is set for March 7-16.
“The man of character, sensitive to the meaning of what he is doing, will know how to discover the ethical paths in the maze of possible behavior.”
– Earl Warren, former Chief Justice,
U.S. Supreme Court