• Turner Construction has tendered to the City a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) proposal for the County Courthouse project. Bids have been received on most major trade packages and Turner has calculated the GMP at $224.2 million. The $350 million budget approved by the City Council includes renovations of the old federal courthouse to house the State Attorney, renovation of space at the Ed Ball Building for the Public Defender and all prior courthouse related expenditures. The next step is to present the proposal to the City’s Competitive Sealed Proposal Evaluation Committee at its meeting Thursday.
• Attorney Raymond Reid of Pajcic & Pajcic has filed suit against the City on behalf of JoAnn Corrigan, whose husband Howard Corrigan was killed last November when he was involved in a crash with a vehicle driven by a member of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
• On a good note concerning JFRD, Capt. Trevor Nelson recently became the first graduate of Florida Community College at Jacksonville to get a bachelor’s of applied science in fire-science management.
• Thanks to a recent contribution of $100,000 from Mayor John Peyton (through the City), the Community Safety Net Fund within The Community Foundation has reached the $1.6 million mark.
• Local Goodyear store manager Jim Besemer has informed that City that as of yesterday his store will start charging the City $11 to replace valve stems and a $2 tire disposal fee. Last year, Besemer, who had the contract to supply and service tires for police cars, didn’t charge the City for such services, resulting in a savings of nearly $10,000. However, Besemer’s contract wasn’t renewed (for reasons he hasn’t been told, according to a letter he sent City financial administrator Erik Preacher) for 2009.
• City Council member Glorious Johnson is sponsoring legislation that would declare this week Jacksonville Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
• Speaking of Council, it may be worth it to arrive on time. Before getting to the agenda, Council will hear from Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Executive Director Ron Barton who will give an update on the Shipyards/LandMar development (LandMar is in default on the property) and Jacksonville Aviation Authority Director of External Affairs Michael Stewart, who will talk about the proposed spaceport at Cecil Field.
• The Florida Assembly of Black Republican Clubs has elected Sam Newby as chairman of the statewide organization. Currently Newby is also the 2nd vice chairman of the Duval County Republican Party and president of the Joseph E. Lee Republican Club.
• Originally created on Wall Street after the financial bust, “Pink Slip Parties” bring recruiters and those who have become unemployed together for a networking event. Designed to help the jobless in a relaxed atmosphere, those who are looking for work wear a pink bracelet and recruiters wear a green bracelet. The Twisted Martini will host Jacksonville’s first Pink Slip Party this week. Job seekers are encouraged to bring their resume to The Twisted Martini at the Landing Thursday from 5-8 p.m. For more information call Carlos Gil at 536-5764.
• The Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission recently approved a motion to have the Atlantic Coast Line Locomotive at the Osborn Center declared a Jacksonville landmark. The locomotive was built in 1919 and given to the City by CSX in 1986.
• This year marks a big anniversary for the Jacksonville Offshore Sport Fishing Club. The organization will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
• General Counsel Rick Mullaney will soon be back in front of Council seeking more money to help battle Seminole County and the St. Johns River Water Management District. Several months ago, Council approved a little over $500,000 for the Miami-based law firm of Greenberg Traurig to help the City. Now Mullaney is seeking another $85,000.