• Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Executive Director Ron Barton has relocated his main office from the JEDC offices in the Police & Fire Pension Fund building to City Hall. He’s now primarily in the mayor’s office.
• Last year was a big year for The Community Foundation. According to its most recent report. charitable organizations received $23.8 million in grants through the Foundation in 2007. That’s up dramatically from $14.1 in 2006. Also, donors established 58 new funds in 2007 to bring the total number of funds the Foundation helps to 350.
• Speaking of The Community Foundation, it has appointed three new trustees: Roger Towers attorney Bill Brinton, retired Wachovia Bank of Florida CEO Bob Helms and ATS Services President Deborah Pass.
• The City is set to kick off its Downtown “Movies in the Park” series April 4 with the showing of “Madagascar” in Treaty Oak Park in San Marco. Three more free movies will follow: “Ghostbusters” on April 11, “Hook” on April 18 and “Goonies” on April 25. Free parking is available in the Suddath garage and folks can bring food, lawn chairs and blankets. Sorry, no beer or wine, though.
• Thanks to the Feb. 2 approval by the mayor and City Council of $3 million, Sheriff John Rutherford was able to reinstate Operation Safe Streets. According to Rutherford, the funds allowed him to deploy on average 72 officers or supervisors in some of the city’s highest crime areas.
• Insurance broker Harden & Associates has added Charlene Chattaway and Ashley Horn as account assistants. They will both work in the commercial insurance division.
• Urban Trust Bank announced Wednesday its entry into the Jacksonville market with two branches in two Beach Boulevard Wal-Marts. The bank was launched by Black Entertainment Founder Robert Johnson. The in-store branches are open from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. Two other branches in Florida also opened – one each in Orange Park and Orlando – bringing the total in the state to 11.
“ A man may be a pessimistic determinist before lunch and an optimistic believer in will’s freedom after it.”
– Aldous Huxley