• Susan Sullivan of the Indianapolis Aviation Authority (IAA) said John Clark, executive director of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, is one of the names being considered for the IAA executive director position.
• Bill Killingsworth is the City’s interim planning director, succeeding Brad Thoburn who left last week for a job with the Florida Department of Transportation.
• Mayor John Peyton is out this week on a ski trip with the family. Procedurally, City Council President Ronnie Fussell is acting mayor this week.
• Effective June 1, the City will eliminate 24 of the 134 authorized positions within the Building Inspection Division of the Planning Department. Ten of the positions being eliminated are currently filled; 14 are vacant. That will leave the Division with 110 filled positions and no vacancies. The reduction is a result of a downturn in permit issuance over the past year. According to data provided by the City, permits are down approximately 20 percent compared to 2008 levels and that means workloads and revenues are much less than anticipated for the current budget.
• The 2009-10 season will be the 60th for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. In addition to that milestone, the season also marks Music Director Fabio Mechetti’s 10th year holding the baton and the 10th anniversary of the Bryan Concert Organ. A full slate of musical programs is also waiting in the wings, including a performance by violinist Itzhak Perlman with the orchestra Jan. 9, 2010 in Jacoby Symphony Hall.
• Chamblin’s Uptown Cafe inside the bookstore on North Laura Street is now open seven days a week and until 9 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday. Breakfast is served all day from 7:30 a.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.
• In December, U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez nominated 40 high school and college students for appointment to U.S. military academies. Last week, one of the nominees, Kurt Musser from Orange Park and Fleming Island High School, was accepted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
• The Jacksonville Waterways Commission meets Thursday at 9 a.m. in City Council Chambers.
• Speaking of the Waterways Commission, two longtime members will be recognized by City Council for their years of service. Council member Bill Bishop, the current Waterways chair, is sponsoring legislation to honor Jim Bailey (17 years) and John Lowe (9 years).
• Metropolitan Park Marina may be getting new water and electric power pedestals thanks to $1.2 million from the Florida Fish Wildlife Commission. The City’s Planning & Development Department will oversee the project.
• The Wildlife Commission is also kicking in $100,000 for a new artificial reef offshore. The City’s artificial reef program was on hiatus for a few years, but was revitalized last year.
• Council member Art Graham is holding a fundraiser for his State Senate bid and he has secured the support of former Mayors Jake Godbold, Ed Austin and John Delaney. The event is May 20 at The Haskell Building. Graham is looking to succeed State Sen. Jim King, who cannot run again due to term limits.
• Speaking of Council, they will honor the Jacksonville University football team before tonight’s meeting for winning their first Pioneer League football title last fall.
• Council member Michael Corrigan, who’s chair of the Special Committee on City Pension Reform, has set the dates for the committee meetings. They are March 17, April 7 and 21 and May 5 and 19 in the Council Chambers at 3 p.m. The committee’s report is due by June 1.