• The race for funds in the race for the State Attorney seat is nearly neck and neck, with Angela Corey (Rep.) raising $212,492 and Jay Plotkin (Rep.) raising $207,973. The candidates are vying for the seat being vacated by current State Attorney Harry Shorstein. In the last quarter of 2007, Corey received $66,781 in contributions, while Plotkin received $52,275. However, Plotkin amassed his contribution total without any reported contributions during the first reporting period of 2007, at which time Corey reported $99,177. The election of the State Attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit will be on the Oct. 26 primary ballot.
• The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission has added another set of celebrities to the well-publicized “Australia Day Challenge” Rugby League game scheduled for Jan. 26 at the University of North Florida. The pregame entertainment will now reportedly include a presentation from the Teutul family, stars of the Discovery Channel series “American Chopper,” to actor Russell Crowe, who helped organize the match between his South Sydney Rabbitohs from Australia and the Leeds Rhinos from the U.K. In addition, local TV sports personality Sam Kouvaris and a child from Dreams Come True will be on hand to help with the presentation. For more information, visit the host team Jacksonville Axemen’s Web site at www.jaxaxe.com or visit www.australiadaychallenge.com.
• The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce became yet another local organization to oppose the property tax reform referendum on the Jan. 29 presidential preference primary ballot. According to a release, the Chamber Board of Directors on Wednesday unanimously voted to oppose passage of Amendment 1, stating the group “supports legislative efforts to provide a fair and equitable property tax structure — but not when those actions disproportionately impact businesses, penalize fiscal responsibility and endanger the public safety, quality of life and economic viability of the region.” Early voting begins today. For locations and times, visit www.duvalelections.com.
“Appeal: In law, to put the dice into the box for another throw.”
– Ambrose Bierce, U.S. author.