• General Counsel Rick Mullaney has weighed in on moving the date of local elections and his legal opinion is that such a move is legal. He was asked recently by Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland to look into the matter. Mullaney released his advisory opinion Tuesday. Holland was concerned that, if a November referendum passed, Ordinance 2009-893-E would take away the electorate’s ability to elect district representatives on City Council. Mullaney said it was lawful and constitutional, and the City has the power to change its local election schedule. Council Vice President Jack Webb is a sponsor of the ordinance created to, primarily, give incoming Council members enough time to research and discuss the budget. “Whatever we do, there is going to be an adjustment of terms,” said Webb. “The only way you can really fix the system is to extend the term. I think it’s going to happen one way or the other and we just need to get it done.”
• Speaking of Mullaney, he put the rumors to rest and filed to run for mayor Thursday.
• Feeling a draft? The NFL Draft days might have changed, but the Jaguars are still hosting a party. The team will celebrate its 16th annual draft party April 22, the first round of the draft, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Sea Walk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach. Admission is free and fans can expect to see players, members of The Roar and performances by the D-Line. Past venues have included the Bud Zone in the Stadium and the Landing.
• The landscaping at Jacksonville International Airport doesn’t just add beauty to the travel center, it also satisfies some hungry animals at the Jacksonville Zoo. The Jacksonville Aviation Authority partnered with the Jacksonville Zoo to provide tree clippings and shrubbery, called browse, to the Zoo to help feed mammals such as the giraffes, elephants, okapi and great apes. Recently, the Zoo was on the hunt for local browse that was easily accessible for daily cutting.
• Southside Business Men’s Club President Greg Tucker recently resigned, it was announced during the organization’s meeting on Wednesday. The club’s board is determining how to replace him.
• Nick James has become managing partner of Kenny Leigh and Associates on Fleming Island, which will now be known as Leigh, James and Associates. Additionally, Chris Lobianco has joined the firm as an associate.
• The Florida Bar is accepting nominations for its “Tradition of Excellence” award. Each year, the General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section’s “Tradition of Excellence” award honors one lawyer for exceptional contributions to general, solo and/or small firm practice. Past winners include Justice Raymond Ehrlich. Nominees are required to have practiced law in Florida for at least 10 years. Send nominations to Ricky Libbert at [email protected]. Deadline for nominations is April 15.
• Gov. Charlie Crist confirmed two appointments to the St. Johns River Water Management District. Leonard Wood, 63, Fernandina Beach, consulting forester and president of Jowett & Wood Inc., was reappointed. John Miklos, 39, of Orlando, environmental consultant and president of Bio-Tech Consulting, will succeed Susan Hughes. Both terms are from March 31- March 1, 2014.
• Gov. Crist also made four recent appointments to the Florida Commission on Human Relations, including one from Jacksonville. After Senate confirmation, Darcell Streeter will serve a term that began April 1 and will conclude Sept. 30, 2013.
• The Northbank Riverwalk is being spruced up in anticipation of boating season. Workers are repairing the floating docks and painting the railing at the Landing and seven fire extinguishers have been replaced.
• More than 90 government and business leaders met recently as part of a Cornerstone Regional Economic Development Forum to communicate ideas among the seven counties of Northeast Florida. Topics included intermodal and regional transportation and the need for continued job growth in the area, with attendees compiling their own list of topics for further discussions.