I have found myself on opposite sides of issues with Councilman Matt Carlucci more than once. But on the ongoing investigation of JEA CEO Vickie Cavey, I find myself agreeing with him.

What we are witnessing increasingly looks less like responsible oversight and more like a political spectacle.

The stated purpose of the investigation was to uncover facts surrounding JEA. Fair enough. Public agencies should always be accountable. But somewhere along the way, the focus appears to have shifted from finding facts to finding a target.

Council President Kevin Carrico launched the investigation shortly after coming under scrutiny for attempting to secure a JEA board seat for his boss, a move he described in text messages as a “big favor.” Suddenly that controversy shifted and attention quickly turned toward Cavey and allegations about workplace culture. To many observers, that sequence of events raises legitimate questions.

What frustrates many taxpayers is the appearance of City Hall focusing on a speck in someone else’s eye while ignoring the plank in its own.

One of the criticisms leveled against Cavey is that not all employees like her leadership style. That’s hardly a revelation. Most CEOs, public or private, are not universally loved. Their job is not to win popularity contests. Their job is to make difficult decisions, hold people accountable, and produce results.

Being an effective leader and being a popular leader are often two very different things.

Meanwhile, multiple investigations have already been launched into various JEA issues, including reviews by state agencies, the Office of Inspector General, and independent reviews commissioned by JEA itself. Even Councilman Matt Carlucci questioned whether the special committee had outlived its usefulness, noting that other appropriate oversight mechanisms were already examining the relevant issues.

I don’t pretend to have all the answers. In fact, I probably don’t even know all the questions.

What I do know is that this investigation increasingly gives the appearance of a predetermined outcome searching for supporting evidence.

And there is another uncomfortable question that deserves to be asked.

Would this be happening if Vickie Cavey were a man?

No one can answer that definitively. But Jacksonville’s political history gives some people reason to wonder.

Over the years, we’ve seen strong female leaders face extraordinary resistance. Former Council President Anna Brosche became a target after challenging the political establishment and raising questions about powerful interests. Randy DeFoor faced her own political battles. LeAnna Cumber encountered relentless opposition during her mayoral campaign. Whether one agreed with their policies or not, there is a pattern that many voters have noticed: women who rise to positions of influence in Jacksonville often face criticism that seems to go beyond normal political disagreement.

Eventually, Jacksonville voters elected a woman as mayor. Residents may disagree on Mayor Donna Deegan’s policies, but her election reflected a growing desire to move beyond the old political playbook.

I am not interested in identity politics. I don’t care whether a leader is male or female or black or white. I care whether they are capable, honest, and effective.

The best person for the job should get the job.

But the best person should also get a fair chance to do that job.

At some point, Jacksonville’s leaders need to stop the endless political theater, stop the investigations that appear designed to generate headlines, and start focusing on the issues taxpayers actually care about.

Residents want lower utility bills, safer neighborhoods, better roads, and accountable government.

They are tired of the drama.

And they are tired of the shenanigans.

It’s time to end the charade and get back to work.