• City Council President Ronnie Fussell and Council members Michael Corrigan, Jack Webb and Bill Bishop are meeting Tuesday to discuss the Trail Ridge Landfill. The issue is before the Council’s Finance, Rules and Transportation, Energy & Utilities committees. The meeting is at 10 a.m. in Conference Room A in the Council’s suite on the 4th floor of City Hall.
• Former BellSouth executive Jim McCollum is the new chair of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority. This is his second stint leading the board of directors.
• According to Tony Orsini, senior director of cruise operations and business development for the Jacksonville Port Authority, the cruise ship Carnival Fascination sailed into port Thursday morning with 2,214 passengers returning from a cruise. “Another full ship is going out today,” he said at Thursday’s Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting.
• Kaman Corporation is so pleased with how business has taken off in the past five years at Cecil Commerce Center, the Bloomfield, Conn.-based company is looking to expand its operations. According to company Chairman, President and CEO Neal Keating, Kaman Aerospace Corporation would like to build an assembly plant for the new L3/Alenia Aeronautica/Boeing C27J Tactical Transport aircraft. Keating said his company has submitted proposals on the project which include a portfolio that details the “capabilities and experience of the Kaman Jacksonville workforce.”
• Speaking of Kaman, five years ago, the company planned to hire 150-300 people. Today, there are 400 employees with an annual payroll of more than $16 million.
• Clarification: In our Oct. 7 issue we reported Kenneth Pinnix resigned from the City’s Community Development Division. His resignation was due to reorganization of the division. He is still working for the City, as Brownfield Program manager with the City’s Environmental Resource Management Department, where he has worked since 2001. The Brownfield Program identifies, assesses and helps in the reclamation of properties that have been affected by the presence of hazardous substances.
• The local chapters of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) have issued their candidate choices for the Nov. 4 General Election. The groups have endorsed incumbent U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown and congressional candidate Jay McGovern. NORML also recognized Bob Harms, who was defeated in the primary election for the vacant At-large seat on the City Council. According to a statement released by NORML, “Should Mr. Harms choose to again be a candidate, he will enjoy our wholehearted support.”
• “The Business Diplomat of the Year Award” was recently awarded to not a person but a business. The Hyatt received the honor from the International Visitor Corps of Jacksonville, a non-profit volunteer organization that promotes multicultural awareness and understanding. The Hyatt beat out 380 other companies and showed exceptional goodwill, hospitality, and service during Tropical Storm Fay, according to the organizations Executive Director Sondie Frus.
• While others are cutting back Tropical Smoothie is doing its part to bolster the local economy. The company plans to quadruple its locations in the Jacksonville market adding over 30 stores over the next few years. That means about 450 new jobs as well.
• Speaking of openings, a new golf shop will open next month at Town Center. Golf Galaxy opens Nov. 7 with three days of specials and promotions.
• U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw is the guest speaker at an Oct. 22 community leader for forum hosted by the law firm of GrayRobinson. It’s at The River Club from 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m.