Treatment program jeopardized as Jacksonville faces budget crunch similar to other cities

Photo of downtown Jacksonville by The US ReportAs the U.S. economy continues to struggle, the nation’s largest city in land area, according to local lore, is facing tough economic decisions.

Mayor Alvin Brown, a Democrat, and the Jacksonville City Council mostly made up of Republicans are challenged to finalize a budget without alienating supporters.

One popular long term program, a substance abuse program, appears headed for the chopping block.

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Debbie bids Jax adieu with parts of Florida flooded and some roads closed

As a rule Jacksonville usually gets off lighter than many other areas in Florida when it comes to storms, and Tropical Storm Debby was no exception. We had a lot of rain in Northeast Florida, but as far as I know, no one died. Some roads are still closed; that has more to do with drainage capability than anything.

Water is still standing all around, and it’s a sure bet the mosquitos are going to have a ball vacationing around here. All I can say is thank God for chemicals.

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Romney up close—not what you might expect

Gov. Mitt Romney did meet-and-greets in Jacksonville on May 17.(Photo: The US Report)President Barack Obama is on TV so much he affects me the same way my nightstand does. It’s there but I rarely pay it much attention.

On the other hand, other than one-on-one interviews with press, presumptive GOP nominee Gov. Mitt Romney is on TV when media decide to feature snippets from his campaign appearances. I’ve never seen Obama in person.

Today I got to lay eyes on Romney when he visited Jacksonville (Fla.) and frankly, I was a bit surprised.

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Col. West comes to Jacksonville

U.S. Congressman Col. Allen West will visit Jacksonville on Friday for a rally, a meet and greet and a fundraiser. (Photo: Republican Party of Duval County)A GOP rally for U.S. congressman Col. Allen West will be held on Friday, May 11, at the Jacksonville Landing at 12 noon. The event is free and open to the public.

West is running for reelection in the 18^th congressional district of Florida.

The rally is sponsored by the Republican Party of Duval County and WBOB AM 600 radio.

Groups attending include First Coast Tea Party, Act For America, Vietnam Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, FairTax, and Americans for Prosperity.

Special guests include Sharon Day, co-chair of the Republican National Committee, and U.S. Congressman Ander Crenshaw (4^th congressional district, Florida).

One half hour of pre-rally music begins at 11:30 a.m.  Rebecca Day will perform original songs and conclude with a historic patriotic song. Day performs in entertainment venues and for corporate events, rallies and conferences.

All are welcome to attend.

At 2 p.m. West will do a Meet and Greet at the Allied Veterans Center (40 Acme Street) in Jacksonville.

At 5:30 p.m. supporters will attend a private fundraiser reception for West at the Florida Yacht Club  (5210 Yacht Club Rd) in Ortega. Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll and other special guests will be at the reception.

 (Filed by Kay B. Day/May 8, 2012)

How a car crash turned out to be a blessing for Tara

Tara A. Newton (right), shown here with her sister Tiffany Bishop, was in a car crash that turned out to be a blessing. (Photo: Robby Bunk, RMB Photography)
The day of October 8 didn’t portend anything out of the ordinary for Jacksonville native Tara A. Newton.  She woke up, got dressed and headed out to take her cat to the vet. Chrissy, plagued with diabetes and other health issues, had been with Tara for 18 years. After the vet, Tara got in the car, traveling north on AIA to meet her dad for breakfast.  Two blocks from her destination, she reached down to grab something from her purse.

The next thing she knew, she had been pushed 50 feet into the southbound lane of AIA.

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RPOF-CNN debate scheduled for Jacksonville

On the heels of an announcement about Florida moving the state's presidential primary to January, the Republican Party of Florida issued the following announcement:

Today the Republican Party of Florida and CNN have entered into an agreement to co-host a nationally-televised debate on a date between January 22 and January 31. The move ensures Florida voters, and the nation, will hear directly from the Republican presidential contenders just before Florida’s January 31st primary. The debate will be held in a venue in Jacksonville.

 
“The Republican Party of Florida is excited to be working with CNN for a debate linked to the state’s primary date,” said RPOF Chairman Lenny Curry. “The opportunity to host it in my home city, Jacksonville, helps shine the national spotlight on another region of Florida that our eventual nominee must win.”

Florida Governor Rick Scott said of the announcement, “After national debates in Tampa and Orlando, this latest partnership with CNN for a debate in Jacksonville in January demonstrates the crucial role Florida will play, not only in the Republican Presidential Primary, but in the general election next November.”

Jacksonville mayor’s race takes on national significance ahead of 2012

Jacksonville is a big city—one of the largest in land area in the U.S. It’s also a key city in Florida elections. In 2008 voters chose Sen. John McCain (R) over then Sen. Barack Obama (D) for president by less than a 2 percent margin. Some analysts believe Jacksonville will be a key city in the 2012 General Election, and that concept is leading to speculation about the impact of Jacksonville’s elections in May when voters will select a new mayor.

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