• Political consultant Susie Wiles will serve as co-chair of Mitt Romney’s Romney for President’s Florida Advisory Council. Wiles, a Ponte Vedra resident and the manager of Gov. Rick Scott’s campaign, said in a statement on Romney’s campaign website that she has “had an opportunity to observe each of the candidates and it is clear to me that one candidate stands out from the rest: Mitt Romney.” Wiles resigned from the presidential campaign of Jon Huntsman in July.
• Mayor Alvin Brown invites the public to the “Mayor’s Holiday Open House” 3-7 p.m. Friday at City Hall. “We invite you to meet and greet members of your City government,” says the invite.
• Jacksonville Port Authority CEO Paul Anderson has been named to the Port Subcommittee of the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council, which provides guidance to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation on policies that affect efficient and environmentally friendly waterborne freight and passenger movements.
• Dignity U Wear Board Chair Parker McCreary, actor Mark Wahlberg, Dignity U Wear board member Sallyn Pajcic and Executive Director Bob Bryan met recently in New York. Wahlberg is the new spokesman for the Jacksonville-based nonprofit, which operates nationally to provide new clothing at no cost to recipients in need. It works with the apparel industry to provide the clothing and works through a network of social service agencies to deliver the clothing based on specified needs.
• Mayor Alvin Brown signed a proclamation declaring Wednesday “ULI Day” in Jacksonville in honor of the Urban Land Institute’s 75th anniversary. He was joined by (from left) ULI Chairman Peter Rummell, Carolyn Clark from ULI North Florida and District Council Chair Bruce Johnson. Established Dec. 14, 1936, in Chicago, ULI was created to research, analyze and encourage responsible patterns for long-term urban growth. It has almost 30,000 members worldwide.
• The City issued a permit for Auld & White Constructors LLC to renovate Key Buick at 4660 Southside Blvd. at a project cost of $518,900.
• In the restaurant arena, Pollo Tropical proposes a restaurant at River City Marketplace, according to a St. Johns River Water Management application; the City OK’d a permit for Prism Design & Construction Inc. to handle tenant build-out for Century 21 Seafood at 198 Century 21 Drive, Building 200, Suite 1.
• Dollar General is planning a site in Yulee along U.S. 17 near Florida A1A.The St. Johns River Water Management District is reviewing a permit application. The developer is MVG Development of Denver and Amelia Island-based Gillette & Associates Inc. is the engineering, permitting and construction management firm.
• The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra announced a reorganization that includes a patron development strategy and hired Toni Paz as chief patron officer effective Jan. 16.