by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Jacksonville residents who think changes need to be made in City government can participate in the process.
The latest version of the City’s Charter Revision Commission is scheduled to convene in May and candidates are lining up. Residents can apply online through the City Council page of the City’s Web site, www.coj.net. Once on the Council page, go to “Appointments by the Jacksonville City Council.” Applications can also be found at the Council office at City Hall.
The Commission will consist of between 11-15 members who are recommended by the Council president and appointed by the Council. The chair of the Commission is later recommended by the Council and appointed by the Council president. The membership of the Commission will include a member from each school district.
“The topic is very interesting to me,” said Christine Milton (District 2), a partner with the law firm of McGuire Woods. “I’m interested in city governance and how the city is managed. As a commercial lawyer and litigator, part of what I do is study and analysis.”
Another applicant decided to get involved after studying the City’s Ordinances dealing with issues facing his own neighborhood.
“The reason I decided to get involved is twofold; being a Colonial Manor resident I’ve attended quite a few Council meetings lately due to some zoning issues,” said Matthew Posgay, a partner with Coker, Schickel, Sorenson & Posgay. “The City needs to be more responsive to its citizens.
“I’m frustrated at the city government process, but rather than being a complainer I decided to try to get involved in a proactive and positive way.”
Others who have applied include Ryan Jones (District 7), Greg Edmonds (District 1), Thomas Boniecki (District 2), Geoff Youngblood (District 7), Wyman Duggan (District 3), Phillip Laibe (District 3), Jason Fischer (District 7) and Rebecca Hires (District 3). Florida Community College at Jacksonville General Counsel Jeanne Miller has also expressed interest in being a member of the Commission.
It used to meet on a regular basis each year, but the Council decided it would be more effective meeting every 10 years before the decennial census was taken, according to Ordinance 2004-584-E. The Commission is given eight months to review the City’s Charter and present any recommendations for amendments to the Charter to the Council.
“The City Council decided to follow the state model of Charter review and bring a new Commission every 10 years to study the issues,” said Jeff Clements, the Council’s chief of research. “This would be the best time for people to make suggestions if they have a problem with the way city government is run.”
There isn’t a deadline for applications, but the Council must vote on the Council president’s nominees and background checks must be performed on the applicants.
356-2466