• The deadline to register to vote in the Aug. 26 Primary Election or change party affiliation is Monday at 6 p.m. Voter registration applications may be dropped off at the Supervisor of Elections Office at 105 E. Monroe St. or 5200-2 Norwood Ave. Applications may also be mailed to 105 E. Monroe St. 32202 and must be postmarked no later than July 28. For more information call 630-8026 or 219-0792.
• This month marks the 20th anniversary of Florida’s “Lemon Law” arbitration program. In the past two decades more than 14,000 motor vehicle owners have received more than $376 million in refunds or replacement vehicles. Florida’s Lemon Law gives manufacturers a reasonable number of attempts to repair substantial defects in a motor vehicle. If manufacturers fail to do so they are required to buy back the defective vehicle. The program is unique in that consumers are not required to retain an attorney in order to participate in the process and consumers who lose an arbitration case are not required to pay the manufacturer’s attorney fees, as may be the case in unsuccessful litigation outside the program.
• Regions Bank Area Director Marty Lanahan and Steinmart’s Bobby Stein are the chairs of the Community Campaign and Tocqueville Society, respectively. Both groups benefit the United Way and both Lanahan and Stein are pushing current members to increase their participation this year through pledging financial support, increasing their commitment to the Community Fund and recruiting new members.
• City Council President Ronnie Fussell has made a couple of more appointments. Council member Warren Jones has been appointed the Council’s designee to the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission while Council member Stephen Joost has been appointed to serve as the Council liaison to JEA. Both appointments are pursuant to the Jacksonville Charter.
• The mayor’s office is seeking Council approval in the amount of $550,000 to purchase 500 tasers for corrections officers and bailiffs at the county jail and courthouse. The money will come out of the Special Law Enforcement Trust Fund.
• Property Appraiser Jim Overton has sent his budget to Florida Department of Revenue for approval. Budget Supervisor Cathy Collins informed Overton recently that his budget was amended and needs final approval. Overton’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2008-09 is $9.6 million and 128 full-time positions.
• Those who use the library’s microfiche archives may find things a little easier to sort through. The library is looking to secure $2,500 for the purchase of a microfiche cabinet.
• Looks like LandMar is getting in on the Florida-Georgia game through the use of the Shipyards project. According to the latest quarterly report, there’s an agreement to allow the Gator Club to use a portion of the Shipyards property for parking during the game.
• If you were hoping to shop for high-end street fashion at Foolish Boutique this week, you better make an appointment. The shop at 131 East Bay St. is closed for the week and will be open by appointment only. Call 477-5281 for more information.