City Council President Scott Wilson has formed a committee to investigate JEA. This committee will have subpoena power and will work independently of the Federal investigation into JEA.
The difference between the two investigations is this:
The Federal government moves slow and will be looking for criminal intent. Believe it or not, cronyism and favoritism isn’t always considered “criminal.” (We think it should be but that’s another story!) Why? In the eyes of the people – cronyism and favoritism sucks the public trust right out of us!
The City investigation will move quickly and will focus on cronyism, special treatment of some, and betrayal of the public trust. If criminal acts are uncovered, they will be referred to the Federal investigators.
Scott Wilson formed the committee on the basis that there are still many questions and he wants to investigate every aspect, turn over every rock, look behind every curtain and bring all that we do not know, and what we deserve to know, into daylight for everyone to see.
I am pleased Scott Wilson has formed this special committee. I knew Scott well when he was working for a former city council member who represented my district. Scott was always a gentleman and respectful of anyone who needed the councilman’s help. Scott’s heart is right and he will do whatever is best for the citizens of Jacksonville. Forming this committee is the best thing he can do to restore the public trust.
Those he appointed to it — Rory Diamond, Brenda Priestley Jackson and Randy DeFoor — are also savvy attorneys and have shown they are on the Council to serve the public – not themselves. Their records and their voices have been strong on behalf of what is good for the whole of the community. We applaud them for accepting this position and wish them well as they pull back the curtain and expose the dirty deeds of power-hungry, greedy individuals.
These are trying times in Jacksonville and yet it is great to see how many have stood up together to speak truth into this mess. We have found this issue has brought together all walks of life to eradicate unfairness in our government entities. We are proud of how Democrats, Republicans, blacks, whites, male and female have rallied together to expose this mess. Maybe all things do work together for good!! Because together we can rebuild every department and agency of the City of Jacksonville and ensure this behavior never happens again.
Eye on Jacksonville was formed to keep an eye on our city government because — if you don’t — like children — they tend to get out of line and turn bad. With so many Eyes on them now — maybe they will straighten up and do what is best for all of us and not just for a few.
Thank you Scott Wilson and the members of this special committee!! We wish you well and our Eyes are on your efforts!
