• You can take the “interim” label off Joe Stelma in his role as Court Administrator for the Fourth Judicial Circuit. Thursday, Stelma was appointed by Chief Judge Don Moran to permanently fill the position vacated earlier this year when Britt Beasley resigned.
• Some big names are not happy with the Public Health & Safety Committee’s recent decision to vote against $75,000 for a fifth counselor for The Jacksonville Commitment — an initiative that involves a partnership between area colleges and universities to provide scholarships to college-eligible kids who can’t afford to go. Former Sheriff Nat Glover — who is now a special advisor to University of North Florida President John Delaney as well as an ambassador for higher education at the school — sent Council President Ronnie Fussell a four-page letter expressing the need for the funding. A separate letter of similar content was signed by Delaney, Jacksonville University President Kerry Romesburg, Florida Community College at Jacksonville President Steven Wallace and Edward Waters College President Claudette Williams.
• The Gator Bowl Association will hold its September meeting Thursday at 5 p.m. in the East Touchdown Lower Club section at the stadium.
• Matt Kerwick was named as Jacksonville University’s first men’s lacrosse coach Wednesday. Kendrick will run the the first Div. 1 men’s team in Florida when play officially begins in 2010. When the programs were introduced earlier this year, JU Athletic Director Alan Verlander called both the men’s and women’s programs an enrollment driver.
• A more durable rose is now on sale at Winn-Dixie. The Jacksonville-based grocer has teamed up with Miami-based Passion Growers to offer roses that last longer than any of their competitors. The flowers are kept at constant cold temperatures to ensure their longer life. The flowers will be shipped to each store’s floral department twice a week and they come in about 100 different varieties.
• Local U.S. Rep. candidate Jay McGovern attended the Democratic National Convention in Denver this week. Staying in a friend’s condo for the week, the candidate also spoke to the Florida Delegation. “Jay’s winning people over right and left,” said Jim Minion, campaign manager for McGovern, who is running against U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw. “We’re getting support from the party so that when we get home, we can really start campaigning.”