Good news, bad news for arts and arts education funding
For students and teachers of art, music and physical education teaching positions in Duval County Public Schools, the best back-to-school gift was news of a change in funding. The new superintendent, Dr. Diana Greene, advocated for a strategy which would balance the budget with a commitment to arts, music and physical education. The funding will […]
City budget debates begin
Late last month Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry presented to City Council his fourth budget since taking office in 2015. The budget proposed for fiscal year 2018-2019, which begins Oct. 1, is just over $1.2 billion, an increase over last fiscal year of almost $33 million, according to Curry. Curry is proposing to increase funds for […]
Dispute takes a different course for San Jose homeowners
After repeatedly asking developers Feras Mouded and James O’Nan to fix the faulty drainage system at San Jose Estates, which has caused soggy grass and standing water in their backyard for the past 18 months, Lynne and David Robison have decided to take matters into their own hands. In a 24-page document entitled, “San Jose […]
Two issues could halt Millers Creek dredging project
After discussing two issues that could potentially shut down its dredging project before it gets started, the Millers Creek Special Tax District Board of Directors unanimously voted to set its yearly assessment at $3,000 per parcel during it meeting at Havana Jax Café in St. Nicholas July 23. During the meeting, no residents spoke against […]
Travel abroad creates lasting friendships
For artist Susan Astleford, a week-long immersion program in France was the perfect way to kick off summer. “As an artist, I consider France to be my favorite country to visit – and to combine art with a French immersion class was perfection for me!” said Astleford, of Epping Forest. Marilyn Mastin, of Riverside, had […]
Sexual orientation cited as reason for discrimination
The largest survey of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) adults ever conducted in Northeast Florida finds that three-quarters of LGBTI respondents have experienced “everyday discrimination,” such as being disrespected, threatened or harassed in the past 12 months. Respondents who reported everyday discrimination were most likely to indicate that these experiences were due to […]
Residents raise alarm over sediment spill in Millers Creek
As far as several Millers Creek residents are concerned, the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) is at it again. In the early afternoon July 24, Louis Joseph, a creek-side resident raised the alarm to his fellow neighbors after spotting a brownish-yellow sediment flowing into the creek from a drainpipe from property owned by his neighbor Kate […]
Historic Preservation Commission approves CenterState Bank demolition
A familiar sight in the heart of the Park and King retail corridor could be razed for a mixed-use development as the Jacksonville Historic Planning Commission approved a request for demolition at its July 25 meeting. But that action won’t occur for at least 18 to 24 months, according to Bryan Hunter, CenterState Bank director […]
