• The City Taxation, Revenue and Utilization of Expenditures (TRUE) Commission is behind Sheriff John Rutherford’s request for more police officers, at least partly. Rutherford has requested more than 400 new positions at a cost of $21 million. John Palombi, chair of the TRUE Commission’s Performance Committee, stated in a recent report “There is little doubt that JSO requires more trained personnel to properly protect the City. Since it will be difficult to hire and train the numbers of personnel needed in a short time, it would seem most beneficial to the City to move promptly on authorizing at least half of the Sheriff’s request.” The report, which reviews the JSO’s recent Matrix Audit, was sent to the City Council Ad Hoc Committee on Budget Efficiency.
• Lucky’s Classic Cuts barber shop in The Carling is planning a host of activities for the upcoming First Wednesday Art Walk May 7. George Wolfe, who owns the shop on West Adams Street, said he wants to fill Hemming Plaza with classic cars and motorcycles, artists and people performing tattoos and “head carvings,” which are intricate designs cut into hair.
• After a brief hiatus in Atlanta, former Downtown Vision director of operations Walter Thomas, is back in Jacksonville. Thomas is the new director of business development for Parking 411, Inc. The company provides equipment, maintenance services and other support to parking lots and garages including operating the automated payment system at the lot adjacent to the Landing.
• Jaguars part-owner Tom Petway and former Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Chair Ceree Harden will be recognized as “Distinguished Business Leaders” at this year’s University of North Florida’s Coggin College of Business awards luncheon. It’s May 21 at the Hyatt and the business college will also honor Dr. Jeffrey Steagall with the “Distinguished Professor” award.
• If you plan to be Downtown Saturday morning, be prepared to be detoured for the March of Dimes “March for Babies.” The route begins at Metropolitan Park then goes down Adams and Bay streets before heading over the Main Street bridge. Once on the Southbank, the expected 4,500 walkers will make their way on Mary Street to cross the Acosta Bridge then retrace their steps back to Metropolitan Park. March of Dimes spokesperson Stephanie Lippincott said the event will begin at 9 a.m. and may affect traffic along the route until as late as noon.
• Georgia-Pacific has notified the City it intends to permanently close its shared service center on A.C. Skinner Parkway. Controller Sonja Higginbotham indicated that 20 employees will be laid off by June 27.
• JTA will host the inaugural ride of its new Riverside Trolley May 5. The first trolley will leave the Landing at 10 a.m.
“Politics ought to be the part-time profession of every citizen who would protect the rights and privileges of free people and who would preserve what is good and fruitful in our national heritage.”
– Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. general, president