There’s an old saying in politics: where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
And right now, a whole lot of smoke seems to be swirling around City Council President Kevin Carrico and the growing drama involving JEA.
First came the controversy surrounding the possibility of Carrico helping his boss secure a seat on the JEA Board. When that issue began heating up publicly, suddenly the focus shifted — and City Council leadership started turning the spotlight onto JEA itself with investigations and public scrutiny.
Now another issue has emerged involving the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, where Carrico works, and once again… JEA is somehow in the middle of the story.
Residents are beginning to ask a simple question:
Why does it always seem like the same names, the same insiders, and the same political circles keep showing up around taxpayer-funded deals, appointments, nonprofits, lobbying influence, and city-connected favors?
According to recent reporting, state attorneys are now examining issues tied to JEA land deals, insider communications, lobbying connections, and nonprofit arrangements tied to politically connected players. The stories are piling up faster than City Hall can explain them away.
Recent reports include:
Action News Jax: Kevin Carrico connection emerges in second State Attorney subpoena involving JEA
Jacksonville Daily Record: Power and Politics
Action News Jax: JEA emails reveal secret deal, lobbyist ties, insider influence by former leaders
This entire mess is exactly why many residents are tired of government picking winners and losers through taxpayer-funded partnerships, insider relationships, and politically connected nonprofits.
Nonprofits should absolutely thrive — but through community support, private donations, volunteerism, and transparency — not because they have friends in powerful political positions.
And frankly, this is hurting public trust.
It hurts the credibility of the Jacksonville City Council.
It hurts confidence in JEA governance.
And yes — it hurts the Republican Party at a time when voters are already frustrated with political gamesmanship, insider dealing, and “good ol’ boy” politics.
Jacksonville residents are exhausted. They want roads fixed, neighborhoods protected, utilities managed properly, and ethics that don’t require subpoenas to uncover.
Instead, they keep getting smoke.
And people are starting to wonder just how big the fire really is.
One response to “Kevin, Kevin, Kevin — What the Heck Is Going On?”
Hi: My name is Al Saffer. I am a JEA retiree who spent 60 loyal years serving the customers of JEA. I started employment in 1052 when utilities were controlled under the City Auditors Office before consolidation, I, too. wonder just how big the fire really is at JEA. Would appreciate a private discussion.