Hazouri endured through a half-century in politics
“Hang in there, buddy.” That was the last communication I had with Tommy Hazouri. It was a text message I sent the day he was moved from the Mayo Clinic to hospice care with lung problems that took his life Sept. 11. About a day before he had gone to Mayo we had a long […]
Social justice warriors have completed their tasks in Jax
It looks like the “era of enlightenment” is over, and if you don’t feel totally enlightened you’re not alone. Last year, the City Council president, Tommy Hazouri, created the Social Justice and Community Investment Special Committee, saying it heralded a new era of enlightenment. It turned out to be more about “investment” (a euphemism employed […]
Looking for John Locke
In a rhetorical flight of fancy upon the passing of a new tax, City Council President Tommy Hazouri said Jacksonville had embarked upon a new “era of enlightenment.” He was referring not just to the doubling of a tax that will hit the poor hardest but also the work of a committee he appointed last […]
Few council members pass up free money
Members of City Council continue to enjoy automatic pay raises despite one member’s efforts to make them cast a public vote when they want more money. Council Member Rory Diamond lost, narrowly, in an attempt to force a vote recently but has vowed to continue his effort. The members apparently are tied to a state […]
Big “Scoop”…City plans big gifts for people they have ignored for years
City Council President Tommy Hazouri, a Democrat, has filed a bill to spend $100 million to improve the property of homeowners lacking a connection to the sewer system and the mayor is kicking in a few bucks, too. Ominously, Hazouri calls it “a drop in the bucket” compared to what is needed. His bill would […]
Mayor Curry censors President George Washington over Lot J comment
Lot J did not pass tonight. Mayor Curry tweeted after the vote… “A majority of the Council voted in support of Lot J. However, the rules on this vote required a super majority of 13 votes. The vote was 12 in favor and 7 against. The legislative body spoke and unfortunately Lot J will not […]
Taxpayers may be ‘business partners,’ whether they want to or not
It appears that Mayor Lenny “In a Hurry” Curry will get his deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and will not be bothered with having to make a case to support the proposal. It takes 13 votes to pass. Only four members of the 19-member City Council voted against the measure in a preliminary vote Thursday. […]
Pausing the Lot J proposal’s progress is in order
There is no particular reason to rush the proposed mega-development proposed by Jaguars owner Shad Khan through the City Council. Letting it rest over the holidays might give council members more time to reflect upon the details. It’s an important step. The $466 million proposal as it stands would call for the taxpayers to put […]
Ring around the Rosie playing out in Jacksonville politics… may they all fall down
The minute you saw the headline, you probably started singing this nursery rhyme. Most of us grew up with it and did you know — folklore states it was a song about the plague – the Black Death? The Black Death was said to have come from fleas off rats from ships bringing goods to […]
Politicians should show proof or stop slandering the people of Jacksonville
Are the citizens of Jacksonville who are being accused of racism ever going to get a fair hearing? At City Haul, the drumbeat continues, but the specifics never come. Eye on Jacksonville has asked Council Member Brenda Priestly-Jackson for a list of the promises made at consolidation that were not kept. She is one of […]