by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Gibson new Duval Delegation chair
One State Representative succeeded another Monday when Audrey Gibson was unanimously chosen to chair the Duval Delegation for the 2009-10 year, taking over for State Rep. Jennifer Carroll. Moments later, recently-elected State Sen. John Thrasher was unanimously elected vice-chair.
Gibson, who works for the law firm of Terrell Hogan, is a graduate of Florida State and represents Dist. 15. In the State Legislature, Gibson is a member of the following committees or councils: Colleges & Universities; Juvenile Justice; Military & Veterans Affairs; State Administration Appropriations and State Administration Council.
Carroll said she enjoyed her year as chair of the delegation and before stepping aside for Gibson, led a presentation in honor of the late State Sen. Jim King, who passed away this summer. King’s wife Linda was presented a resolution signed by the Delegation that marked King’s 23 years in the Legislature.
“He will never be replaced,” said Carroll, adding King left an “indelible mark” as a legislator. “When they made him, they broke the mold.”
Carroll also thanked the rest of the Delegation for their support and help over the past year.
“You trusted in me to do the job,” she said. “I don’t believe there is a better delegation in the state than the one in Northeast Florida. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as chair.”
Once elected, Gibson ran the annual meeting that includes updates from the local independent agencies as well as comments and requests from many organizations that rely on State money to exist. Monday’s agenda included 56 named speakers and Gibson asked each one to be cognizant of the three-minute rule. She also warned them not to come asking for money.
“Before we get started, a little reminder: we have no money,” said Gibson, who suggested those present ask for the same support as last year.
Former Mayor and current University of North Florida President John Delaney urged the Delegation to remember that higher education is an economic driver that helps drive people to the state. Delaney said for years the top three economic drivers were tourism, agriculture and growth.
“There used to be more people moving here than dying or leaving,” he said. “That stopped about three years ago. We need to rebuild our economy. I think that’s where we are as a state. We have to create a reason for people to move to Florida. I think the future of the nation’s economy is in higher education.”
Former Mayor and current Duval County School Board Chair Tommy Hazouri also addressed the Delegation. Hazouri said the school system would again this year ask the Delegation to push raising the dropout age from 16 to 18. He also asked the Delegation to urge the Legislature not to pass any mandates without proper funding.
“We don’t want any new mandates, but if you do, we want the money to go with them,” he said.
Duval County School Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals said in the near future he will bring the Delegation a list of either unfunded or underfunded mandates. He said those mandates will cost about $130 million and include programs in physical education, the system’s career academies, textbooks, transportation and others. Pratt-Dannals also said the Legislature will have to help with exceptional education.
“Some of the requirements are not covered by federal funds,” he said. “The best we can hope for this year is maintaining our current funding.”
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