• Lenny Curry, chair of the Duval County Republican Party, has been endorsed by more than 50 business and Republican leaders in his bid to become vice chair of the Republican Party of Florida. Among the endorsers were U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, Mayor John Peyton, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver, State Rep. Daniel Davis, University of North Florida President John Delaney and former Ambassador John Rood. Former Duval Republican chairs John Falconetti, Mike Hightower and Toni Crawford also are among the 25 names on a letter of support to the state party endorsing Curry.
• The Jacksonville City Council accepted the resignation of Peter Sleiman from the Police and Fire Pension Fund board of trustees after 25 years of service. Sleiman stated in his letter that after his marriage in December he decided to reside with his wife in St. Johns County and is no longer a resident of Duval County, making him ineligible to serve on the board.
• Also from City Council, council member Dick Brown was appointed to the Jacksonville Housing Authority by council President Jack Webb.
• The OneJax Humanitarian Awards Dinner is 6-9 p.m. May 26 at the Hyatt. Honorees will include co-owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars Delores Barr Weaver, Duval County School Board member Martha Barrett, Edward Waters College Interim President Nat Glover and attorney Mark Green, a partner at Dale, Bald, Showalter, Mercier & Green.
• Jacksonville International Airport reports it was ranked one of the top four airports in which art adds to the overall experience of travelers. The other three airports on the London Observer’s list were Seoul Airport in South Korea, London’s Heathrow Airport and Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. JIA received the recognition largely because of the public art that lines the walls of the airport in the Haskell Art Gallery and the new Observation Gallery currently exhibiting displays commemorating the 70-year history of Naval Air Station Jacksonville. In March, a prominent art piece will be installed over the recently opened walkway between the ticketing area and center courtyard.
• The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation Wine Tasting Gala will be from 6-9 p.m. March 18 at the Modis Building Downtown. Tickets are $100. All funds raised will support the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation to assist local families who have a child battling cancer. Visit www.tcjayfund.org for more information.
• Another mayoral candidate forum is scheduled 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Feb. 17 at The River Club. It’s one of the GrayRobinson Community Leader Forum series.
• 2011 resolution: Derek Igou
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, City of Jacksonville
“I resolve to slow down and take the time to fully appreciate every day, and to let the people in my life know how much they mean to me every chance that I have.”