Bill to end automatic pay raises for city council members hits hurdle
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ A bill that would get rid of built-in pay raises for Jacksonville City Council members hit a hurdle in committee Tuesday with an amendment that Councilman Rory Diamond called an attempt to โgutโ the legislation. Diamond, who introduced the bill earlier this year, wants to require council members to pass standalone legislation to increase their salaries each year. โBut we can still pass the original bill, stop automatic pay increases and have a public vote. Finance Committee voted to PROTECT automatic pay raises for Jax Council. Thank you, Council Members Cumber and Salem for voting for TRANSPARENCY and an up or down public vote on a raise.
Political infighting: Councilmembers call for head of Duval Democrats to resign
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Duval County went blue in the most recent elections for president and governor but local Democrats are seeing red as infighting in the party had led to calls for the resignation of the chairman of the Duval County Democratic Party. Dennis, along with five other Democratic members of city council, called for Henry to resign during a Friday news conference. AdCouncilman Garrett Dennis calls for the resignation of Duval Democratic Party Chairman Daniel Henry. As chair of the Duval County Democratic Party, I am united with all Democrats in demanding non-gerrymandered seats on the City Council, and together we will make this happen. Duval County Democratic Chairman Daniel HenryDiamond also did not want to talk on camera but issued a statement.
Dustin Diamond undergoing chemotherapy treatments for cancer
Diamond is undergoing chemotherapy treatments after being diagnosed with cancer, according to his representative. Diamond, best known for playing Screech on the hit 90s sitcom, was hospitalized earlier this month in Florida. Last week, his team disclosed he did have cancer. (AP Photo/Dana Ferguson, File)Original โSaved by the Bellโ star Dustin Diamond has begun undergoing chemotherapy treatments after being diagnosed with cancer, according to his representative. Diamond, best known for playing Screech on the hit โ90s sitcom, was hospitalized earlier this month in Florida.
COVID-19 business protections clear first hurdle
Bill sponsor Lawrence McClure, R-Dover, said โfewer than 10โ lawsuits have been filed against business owners related to COVID-19. The other proposed amendments were offered by Rep. Ben Diamond, a St. Petersburg Democrat who is an attorney. โI think that idea, candidly, jeopardizes the bill,โ Diamond said. The committee shot down the two amendments by Diamond, including one that would have deleted the provision from the bill. Diamond called the withdrawn amendment โa first attempt at this issueโ of providing greater protections to employees.
Diamond engagement ring dropped in Salvation Army red kettle in Jacksonville
Sorting through change that had been dropped into a Salvation Army Red Kettle in Jacksonville on December 1st, a volunteer found a dollar bill folded with something taped to it. โOh look, itโs a diamond ring,โ he said as he unfolded the dollar bill. We are hoping this diamond ring donation will inspire others to give,โ Biggers said. To volunteer on behalf of The Salvation Armyโs Red Kettle Campaign, click here. To donate to the Red Kettle Campaign and help The Salvation Army continue meeting needs in your community, please visit SalvationArmyNEFL.org.
How much will former JEA CEO Zahn get in contract settlement? No answer yet
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ As of Monday, Jacksonville City attorneys and the JEA Board of Directors had not yet reached an agreement on what former CEO Aaron Zahn will walk away with as a settlement from his contract with the city-owned utility. City Council President Scott Wilson is looking to impanel a special City Council committee to investigate exactly what happened and what went wrong with JEA while it explored a possible sale. City Councilmember Rory Diamond, a former federal prosecutor, said he would be interested in heading up that special committee. As for the committee, Diamond said they need to know for sure what happened. But, he said, if the City Council were to investigate it would be out in the public.