• Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland has let the mayor’s office know he will likely be over budget this year by nearly $120,000. Holland says this is from paying overtime during early voting, which was extended by Gov. Charlie Crist. According to a memo from the Florida Association of Supervisors of Elections, the State isn’t obligated to reimburse the City.
• Speaking of the City, Chief of Military Affairs Dan McCarthy has submitted his formal letter of resignation, which is effective Jan. 2. He’s moving on to become chief assistant state attorney under State Attorney-elect Angela Corey.
• Former State Rep. Aaron Bean has gotten a new job. He’s the new relationship development officer at Shands Jacksonville.
• The Sierra Club is officially on record as opposed to the proposed cruise terminal the Jacksonville Port Authority wants to build in Mayport. The organization is concerned about the environmental impact the terminal would have on the area.
• David Swan has retired as the curator of the Jacksonville Maritime Museum. He has been replaced by Paul Ghiotto, who retired from the National Park Service.
• The Navy has released the Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed home-porting of additional surface ships at Naval Station Mayport. The report has been distributed to most area government agencies, but the public can get a look by going to five area branch libraries: Beaches, Pablo Creek, Regency Square, Main Library and the public library in Fernandina Beach.
• Wednesday was the last day for The Rose Agency on Laura Street. Owner Tim Rose is moving his high-end clothes shop to Atlanta and expects to open there Dec. 15.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield lobbyist Mike Hightower, wife Sue and Tom and Betty Petway were in Washington, D.C. Thursday night at the White House at the invite of President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush for the annual holiday reception.
• The Duval Art Teachers Association is hosting the “Fabulous Florida Flamingo Fete” Saturday from 4-8 p.m. at the Genesis Cafe at 8725 S. Old Kings Rd. Duval County Public Schools teachers and local artists have donated more than 50 of the paintings, photographs and other works that will auctioned to benefit the Leslie Beddard Scholarship Fund. Since 2002 the fund has provided nearly $15,000 in scholarships to local teachers. Tickets are $20 per person (two for $30) and will be available at the door.
• The Victorian Carolers will perform a cappella Saturday at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Main Library in conjunction with the 2nd Annual Downtown Historic Church Tour. Admission to the Main Library is free, the church tour (from 1-5 p.m.) is $5 per person including trolley transportation between the venues.
• An appellate court decision on Tuesday (Dec. 2) shot down a 2006 law that would allow charter schools to sidestep the state’s 67 county school boards. The three judges came to the unanimous decision and through Judge Edward Barfield stated the law (called the Schools of Excellence Commission) was a “total and fatal conflict” with the Florida Constitution, which gives power over public schools to the local boards and not the state. The ruling came after an appeal on behalf of the Duval County School District. It is uncertain whether an appeal of the ruling will be made.
• State Rep. Mike Weinstein has opened his Dist. 19 office. It’s located at 155 Blanding Blvd. Suite 10 in Orange Park and the number is 213-3005.
• Three programs facilitated by the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce will have a new address after the first of the year. Effective Jan. 5, the Small Business Center, the Jacksonville Women’s Business Center and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center will be located on the first floor of the Chamber’s headquarters building Downtown. The move will begin Dec. 18; for details call 924-1100.
• Former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee will be at Borders on Southside Boulevard Saturday at 9 p.m. The former governor of Arkansas will sign copies of his book, “From Hope to Higher Ground: 12 STOPS to Restoring America’s Greatness.”