The Jacksonville Transportation Authority announced this week it provided 90,177 trips on the Skyway during the One Spark festival — more than double last year’s number.
In addition, the authority provided an estimated 1,221 trips by shuttle.
“Events like One Spark support transportation in our communities and enhance the vitality of Jacksonville,” said authority CEO Nathaniel Ford Sr.
Transportation organization seeks public input on plan
The North Florida Transportation Planning Organization wants to gather input on transportation projects needed in the five-county metropolitan area and is conducting a series of public meetings through April 28.
Every five years, the organization revises the area’s transportation plan that has a 20- to 25-year horizon and address roads, transit, freight, bike and pedestrian needs to the region. This year’s plan will be finished by September and encompass 2040.
All meetings are 5-7 p.m. The next is Thursday at the Thrasher-Horne Center in Orange Park, 283 College Drive. It is followed by another Tuesday at the Baker County Commission Chamber, 55 N. Third St. in Macclenny.
Nassau County will host one April 23 at the Nassau County Commission Chamber, 96135 Nassau Place, in Yulee. And Duval County will have its meeting April 24 at Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Deerwood campus, 9911 Old Baymeadows Road. There also is one in Putnam County on April 28.
For more information, visit pathforward2040.com.
JTA driver wins state competition, advances to national
Jacksonville Transportation Authority bus driver Ramon Farfan continued his winning ways this month, capturing the top bus operator award at the 2014 State of Florida Triple Crown Roadeo Competition.
He will compete in the International Bus
Roadeo Championship from May 2-6 in Kansas City.
Farfan beat out drivers from 15 other public transit agencies across the state on a competition course designed to test every phase of bus operations. He also placed first in the pre-trip inspection competition.
“Driving a bus is not a joke, you have to take it seriously and pay attention to what you are doing at all time, every time,” Farfan said.
The authority’s maintenance team, The Fighting Machinists, placed fourth in a timed competition to identify and diagnose defects mechanics can experience while servicing buses.
One Spark 'Golden Ticket' winner named
Hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding was handed out Sunday with the conclusion of One Spark, but at least one more prize was named this week.
Void Media and advertising agency Adjective & Co. announced that Gastrofest was the recipient of its $100,000 Golden Ticket — good for media, branding and marketing services offered by the companies. Jacksonville-based Gastrofest is dedicated to celebrating and exposing growth and diversity of the local culinary scene.
Leadership teams from the two presenting companies reviewed creators’ projects during the five-day crowdfunding festival and made the selection most likely to make a positive impact on the North Florida community.
As part of the prize, Gastrofest will receive branding and marketing services and six months of advertising and promotion through Void Media.
UNF professors receive research award
Two University of North Florida scientists received Cottrell College Science Awards from the Research Corp. for Science Advancement.
The organization is a leading advocate for the sciences and major funder of scientific inno–vation and research in U.S. colleges and universities.
Christos Lampropoulos, assistant professor of chemistry, and Daniel Santavicca, assistant professor of physics, each received $35,000 from the corporation, plus $10,000 in matching funds from UNF to pursue their research.
Lampropoulos and his students are investigating new materials that may prove valuable in the development of “spintronic” devices and possibly lead to new materials for reliable quantum computers.
Santavicca and his students are studying the electrical behavior of superconducting nanonwires for applications in quantum electronics.
JEA receives national recognition
JEA is one of 184 of the nation’s 2,000-plus public power utilities to earn the Reliable Public Power Provider designation from the American Public Power Association. The distinction goes to utilities that provide consumers with the highest degree of reliable and safe electric service.
Proficiency in reliability, safety, workforce development and system improvement are the criteria and based on business practices.
Designees were presented awards April 7 at the annual Engineering and Operations Technical Conference in Oklahoma City.
City pension plan shines
The board of the city’s Employees Retirement System accomplished a 22 percent return on investment for 2013, exceeding by 5 percent the city’s benchmark return.
It also puts the fund in the top 5 percentile of all U.S. public pension funds last year, according to the fund’s investment consultant. Money Management Intelligence named it the “Small U.S. Public Pension Fund of the Year” for 2013.
Gator Bowl announces 2014 leadership team
Gator Bowl Sports announced that Vince McCormack, president and co-owner of Perdue Office Interiors, will take over as 2014 chairman of the organization. He will preside over all Gator Bowl entities with a focus on the TaxSlayer Bowl game.
Chair-elect will be Heather Duncan, regional director of external affairs for AT&T Florida, while Leerie Jenkins, RS&H board chairman, will be secretary and Scott Keith, BB&T regional president, will be treasurer.
Organizations partnering for 'blitz build'
Twenty-five new homes, 25 renovations. That’s the goal of Habitat for Humanity Jacksonville Inc., the Northeast Florida Builders Association and its charitable arm, Builders Care, for six days in June.
The organizations are planning the largest “blitz build” this year in the U.S. from June 9-14 in the New Town neighborhood.
HabiJax will work with the builders association on the construction and Builders Care for the renovations, all with the help of hundreds of volunteers.
A kickoff is scheduled June 9 in New Town. For more information, including how to volunteer and make donations, visit habijax.org/hbb2014.
PFLAG accepting nominations for scholarships
PFLAG of Jacksonville — Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays — is holding its annual scholarship competition for out lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender students in the area.
Scholarships are for up to $2,000 and can be earned by new high school graduates or older individuals returning to or continuing their education. Applications can be downloaded from pflagjax.org/scholarship.html and must be completed by June 1.
Winners will receive their awards at a June 9 banquet at the University of North Florida. The local chapter promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, their families and friends through support, education and advocacy.