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Jacksonville needs a Mayor who will clean up “fifedoms”
On October 15, 2020, Eye reached out to Lori Boyer, CEO of the Downtown Investment Authority. We were wondering how the Lot J deal with the Jags bypassed the DIA. We had other questions too and to Ms. Boyer’s credit, she answered all of them. Here are our questions and her answers to each: 1.…
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Another step toward oblivion for a local liberal newspaper
About the only thing still worth reading in the Florida Times-Union is the obituary page. Oddly enough, its own obit may soon be written. The daily newspaper continues to shrink, with its parent company lopping off another four heads – probably chosen because of their relatively high salaries. One of those dropped was its most…
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Work on the Jacksonville Landing site resumes, but in a troubling direction
City officials finally are making progress on replacing the Jacksonville Landing but the initial moves don’t look promising. The Downtown Investment Authority apparently intends to leave the expanse of grass known as Lenny’s Lawn mostly intact. It is asking developers for ideas on what to do with three-fourths of the waterfront property at the northern…
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City Council member tweets are out of character for a community leader seeking truth
Eye noticed a tweet discussion between city council woman, Brenda Priestley Jackson and a Jacksonville native/military veteran, Emily Nunez. The tweet discussion was unnerving because Eye has watched Councilwoman Jackson during her time on the special committee for JEA where she has done great work and handled her role with professionalism and a desire to…
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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…
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Nassau County Taxpayers buying conservation land at a premium
Is the city of Fernandina Beach seriously offering (With NFLT) $675k to buy property that the owner purchased for $475k just a year ago (July 2019)? This is a 42% premium. I’m being told that there was an appraisal and all is good. Property values are up. The previous owner got a good deal. This…
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Coalition of haters cost Trump votes in Jacksonville
Donald Trump lost the Jacksonville vote to Joe Biden, in a stunning reversal of fortune. Although he won the state of Florida, and did far better than pollsters predicted, Trump may have lost the election. At this point it is still in doubt but the odds are against a second term for Trump, whether it…
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Eye on Jacksonville follower calls out local newspaper on propaganda tactics
To the Florida Times Union: The existence of “fake news” isn’t fake — and you are propagators of it. Worse, you are doing so at a time when our country is in the midst of a Constitutional crisis, one that may well result in violence … which you (at least indirectly) are helping to foment.…
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Lot J: Losing money is not a winning proposal
After a devastating review of the Lot J proposal found that the city actually would lose money on its “investment” in the project, the City Council should halt further progress until it is revised. Council Auditor Kim Taylor did a meticulous examination of the proposal and declared the city would get back 44 cent for…