Managing Editor
Jacksonville City Council President Jack Webb officially takes the Council leadership position today and plans to start the morning with an 8 a.m. St. Johns River cruise.
It will be a working cruise with Mayor John Peyton and Florida State Sen. John Thrasher to “see firsthand” the issues plaguing the river.
The most noticeable issues are the algae blooms and fish kills, which also will be on his agenda July 15 at a meeting of community and government leaders and river advocates at City Hall.
He wants to “set a baseline” for the status of the river and the steps needed to restore its health.
At his installation ceremony last week, Webb said the health of the river, fiscal reform and review of the City’s Charter Revision Commission recommendations were among his top issues for his year at the helm of the 19-member Council.
After a lunch appointment today, he plans to return to his law office at Brennan, Manna & Diamond, where he practices primarily in the litigation and the labor and employment law departments.
Webb was elected in 2007 to represent District 6, which encompasses Mandarin, Beauclerc and surrounding areas.
He has moved into the Council President’s office on the fourth floor of City Hall, although there are still photos and artwork to be hung.
Webb met with the editorial staff of the Daily Record Wednesday afternoon and among his insights:
• Does Council have the will to pursue pension reform with city unions? “Council doesn’t have much of a choice.”
• How will the law firm handle the time he must spend on Council obligations? “It is going to be a challenge,” but the firm and Webb will make sure the caseload is adequately staffed.
• What is his response to the letter from the American Civil Liberties Union asking that Council stop sectarian prayer at Council meetings? He’s going to look at it and has some ideas.
Read the interview in Friday’s Daily Record.
356-2466