City Council rejects anti-hate crimes bill
By Michele Leivas The Jacksonville City Council rejected a bill that would have increased fines and penalties for city ordinance violations if they were deemed to be related to hate crimes. Bill #0334 was defeated on a 12-7 vote at the Aug. 13 city council meeting, with councilmembers Michael Boylan, Matt Carlucci, Tyrona Clark-Murray, Ju-Coby […]
Carlucci legislation spurs closer look at zoning overlays
The city’s planning and development department is taking a closer look at how zoning overlays are created following a public meeting held by At Large Group 4 City Councilmember Matt Carlucci last month. Held July 18 at City Hall, the meeting was spurred by legislation Carlucci introduced in May following the approval of the controversial […]
A constitutional issue? Proposed anti-hate crime bill sparks debate
As Jacksonville prepares to celebrate Independence Day, community discussion continues on proposed changes to the city’s ordinance codes that some say could potentially have constitutional implications by limiting free speech. At a June 11 public meeting, representatives of 904ward, the League of Women Voters Jacksonville and Jax Queer Coalition expressed their support for Ordinance 2024-334, […]
Darkness and Light: A beacon of hate unites a community and reveals the darkness of politics
A beam of light momentarily turned downtown into a beacon of darkness, as antisemitic actors projected a cross and swastika across the face of the CSX building on Jan. 14. But the actors’ intended goal of hate appeared to have had the opposite effect, as the city of Jacksonville immediately rallied behind its Jewish brothers […]
Gaffney withdraws downtown self-storage bill
Last month City Councilman Reggie Gaffney withdrew a bill to bring more self-storage facilities into the downtown overlay district to applause during the July 19 meeting of the council’s Land Use and Zoning (LUZ) Committee and the full city council followed suit seven days later. The acclaim came because the measure was opposed by many […]
