Adam Hollingsworth’s Suspenders Are Sagging

Adam Hollingsworth, the Mayor’s Chief of Propaganda and Editor-in-Chief of the Jacksonville edition of Pravda, is working hard to earn the $152,880 in base salary he is earning at his current position. (This does not include future earning potential at Peyton-friendly subsidiaries.) Despite his efforts at the Republican Women’s Club of Duval Federated, Mr. Hollingsworth was unable to answer the basic question Ms. Bosworth—a club member—put forward:

Wanda Bosworth, who lives in Mandarin, said she still didn’t understand why the contract wasn’t being opened up for bids.

“I wasn’t sold today, sir. I’m sorry,” she told Hollingsworth.

Neither are we, Ms. Bosworth. Neither are we.

Filed under: Uncategorized, Adam Hollingsworth, John Peyton, Paul McCormick, Republic, Tiny Man Who Dresses in Suspenders, Trail Ridge Landfill, Wanda Bosworth, Waste Management

House Republican: Sansom’s Actions “Not Legal”

Not all House Republicans are on board with Speaker Sansom’s bid to “temporarily” step aside in his role as Speaker. Rep. J. C. Planas (R-Miami) is saying that Sansom’s actions are not legal.

Filed under: Uncategorized, J C Planas, Ray Sansom, Speaker of the Florida House

America the Beautiful

The beauty of American politics is on full display in Washington, DC today as the world’s most powerful country undergoes yet another peaceful transition of power. Lifetime rivals sit side-by-side on stage as America swears in our 44th President. Millions crowd the national mall. Regardless of what one’s political views may be, the sight is truly amazing to behold.

God Bless America.

Filed under: Uncategorized, Barack Obama, George W. Bush

Job market dims for Jacksonville

Just two short months after Mayor Peyton’s optimistic prognosis about Jacksonville’s job market (read Jaxpolitics’ posts here, here, and here), the US Conference of Mayors released a report on expected job declines in the nation.  Jacksonville ranks near the top (in 22nd place nationally – but behind Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa/St. Pete, and Orlando for projected job losses statewide) and is projected to lose more than 22,000 jobs by the end of 2009.  The unemployment rate is expected to rise from 6.7% to 8.3% by the end of the year.

I think the Mayor can take off his “rosy” glasses now.

Filed under: Jacksonville, Mayor of Jacksonville, Uncategorized, Mayor John Peyton, US Conference of Mayors

LOL! Russia visits Jax to learn about “transparency”

A priceless headline, with a bit of irony to it. Yes, according to the Daily Record, a delegation from Russia is visiting Jacksonville to learn how to operate a transparent government.

Perhaps we can share with a country under the control of a dictator how a “transparent” government allows the executive of our little airport to pull in a higher salary than his peers in Tampa, Miami, Orlando or Atlanta. Perhaps we can explain how to reward unilateral contracts to your closest friends. Perhaps we could explain how a Vice Chairman (and former Chairman) of the Port Authority can personally benefit from Port business he voted on. We can cap it all off by simply pointing to today’s headline in The Florida Times-Union—how to spend over $60 million on a courthouse with absolutely nothing to show for it.

How about a leader that complains about media questions, referring to the Jacksonville media as “the worst?”

Yup, even Putin’s Russia could probably pick up a few tips from Jacksonville, don’t you think?

Filed under: Uncategorized, Jacksonville Airport Authority, Jacksonville Port Authority, John Clark, Putin, Russia, Scott Teagle, Tony Nelson, Vladimir Putin

Folio Weekly on Mayport

Folio Weekly has posted their editorial on JaxPort’s proposal to move the cruise terminal to Mayport.  (For what it’s worth, we wish Folio would post more of their material online—it’s much easier than trying to re-type it and properly credit it on our own.)  

 

We don’t often look to public relations flacks for  straight answers. But occasionally, despite their training and obligations, they let fly with a nugget of truth.

Such is the case with a December 2004 statement by then-JaxPort Authority spokesperson Robert Peek. When asked by The Florida Times-Union about the viability of a cruise ship terminal at Mayport, he responded, “Our analysis shows there is no room at Mayport.” Peek added, “We would need 40 acres of property along the river. There is not 40 acres of undeveloped land at Mayport. We would have to buy homes and businesses.”

Filed under: Uncategorized, Cruise Terminal, Jacksonville Port Authority, JPA, Mayport, Mayport Cruise Terminal, Mayport Village

Miss Otis Regrets

Folio Weekly has printed their annual “Regrets and Resolutions” issue and we have to admit some are rather amusing. For example:

1. Daniel “Walshie” Walsh, candidate for state representative, regrets appearing shirtless and slam-dunking a basketball on his campaign website.
2. Adam Hollingsworth regrets allowing his soft spot for lady politicians in need to get the better of him during Tropical Storm Fay. Mme. Corrine Brown and Mme. Denise Lee regret the public finding out.

Their resolutions are assumed, of course, but equally as amusing…

Filed under: Uncategorized, Adam Hollingsworth, Corrine Brown, Daniel Walsh, Denise Lee, Folio Weekly, Joe Boles, John Clark, St. Augustine

4-Legged Crook

Okay, so this has nothing to do with politics. Or Jacksonville. But, we all need a laugh every now and then.

Filed under: Uncategorized

Pension Administrator fights back

John Keane, Executive Director and Administrator for the Police and Fire Pension Fund (PFPF) recently sent a lengthy letter to City Council President Ronnie Fussell and all council members. The letter addresses all the recent criticisms of the pension by both city officials and the media. It also goes into great detail regarding the history of the PFPF, as well as many of the actions by the City that have not been given close scrutiny before. The December 23rd letter can be found on the Police and Fire Pension Fund’s News and Press Releases webpage.  Due to the length of the letter – 36 pages – we’ve posted the conclusions section below, which summarizes the key points and makes recommendations for the future.

Filed under: Jacksonville, Jacksonville City Council, Mayor of Jacksonville, Uncategorized, City of Jacksonville, John Keane, Police and Fire Pension Fund, Ronnie Fussell

Our 100th Post

In just over one month, we mark our 100th post.  We are nearing 3,000 views and have begun to build a regular daily readership.  Thank you for bookmarking JaxPolitics.  

And, it goes without saying this December Saturday night that, if Jax Politics had been responsible for the balloting, Tim Tebow would have won his 2nd Heisman Trophy.  But, as he so eloquently stated a week ago, we’d rather have a National Championship Trophy than another Heisman any day.

Filed under: Uncategorized, Heisman Trophy, Jacksonville Politics, JaxPolitics, Tim Tebow