WEDNESDAY January 29, 2020
Public legal notices begin on page 3
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Daily Record JEA SHAKE-UP Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
THE MATHIS REPORT
JACKSONVILLE
Utility board fires former CEO Aaron Zahn for cause, later resigns.
Daily Record Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR
JACKSONVILLE
Lucky’s lease in Neptune Beach goes to Publix
It appears the space will become the first GreenWise Market in Duval County.
Mayor Lenny Curry announced Jan. 28 that all six members of the JEA board of directors will leave their positions effective the end of February. “I’ve talked to Fred Newbill, Camille Lee-Johnson, Dane Grey and Henry Brown and each informed me it is their desire to end their service with the JEA Board of Directors. I have asked all board members, including April Green who resigned earlier today, to continue to serve until the end of February, and all agreed. Kelly Flanagan will also continue her service until her term expires on February 28th,” said Curry’s statement.
Lucky’s Market is closing in Neptune Beach, opening the door for Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets Inc. to bring its GreenWise Market concept to Duval County. Publix confirmed Jan. 27 it intends to buy the Lucky’s Market lease in Neptune Beach along with four more in Florida. Publix has not confirmed that it will convert the Neptune Beach Lucky’s Market into a GreenWise Market, but that appears to be the strategy. GreenWise is Publix’s specialty, natural and organic store brand and has been opening free-standing stores. Lucky’s Market is a natural and organic supermarket chain, a fit for the conversion. Niwot, Colorado-based Lucky’s Market filed for Chapter 11 reorganization Jan. 27 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware. As a result, Lucky’s Market is closing 32 of its 39 stores and selling the leases or property of 11 of those being shut down to Aldi Inc. or Publix.
SEE BOARD, PAGE 2
SEE MATHIS, PAGE 2
Photo by Max Marbut
The JEA board of directors voted unanimously Jan. 28 to fire former JEA Managing Director and CEO Aaron Zahn with cause. Mayor Lenny Curry later announced the six boad members will be leaving their positions by the end of February.
City Office of General Counsel says it found negligence, evidence that Zahn allegedly altered a presentation slide. BY MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
The JEA board of directors voted unanimously Jan. 28 to fire former JEA Managing Director and CEO Aaron Zahn with cause. The vote revokes Zahn’s ability to collect $842,925 in severance pay. The city Office of General Counsel told the board that, during the course of its six-week investigation, it found, among other negligence, evidence that Zahn allegedly altered a presentation slide created by third-party consultant Willis Towers Watson on the prevalence of long-term performance incentives programs offered by public sector utilities. Zahn presented that information to
the board before it voted on a Long-term Performance Unit Plan. The City Council Auditor’s Office found the plan could have cost JEA more than Zahn $600 million if the utility was sold. City attorneys also allege Zahn portrayed JEA’s expected future financial performance as “overly pessimistic.” TheGeneral Counsel’s office said Zahn’s actions, in its opinion, rise to the level of gross negligence. Zahn can dispute the board’s decision in arbitration. Zahn’s attorney, John Mullen of Phelps Dunbar LLP, released the following statement after the vote: “Mr. Zahn is disappointed in the outcome of today’s JEA Board meeting. In the last month, Mr. Zahn has made every effort to cooperate and find an amicable SEE ZAHN, PAGE 2
Mayor Curry: All JEA board members to leave positions by the end of February. BY MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
Service for Jake Godbold Feb. 20 Family and friends of former Mayor Jake Godbold scheduled a public memorial service and celebration of his life at 10 a.m. Feb. 20 at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center at 1000 Water St. Godbold died Jan. 23 at the age of 86. Voters elected Godbold, a Jacksonville native, to City Council in 1967. He served until 1979 when former Mayor Hans Tanzler resigned to run for governor. As Council president, Godbold was appointed as mayor for six months. He was elected mayor in 1979 and reelected in 1983.
VOLUME 107, NO. 51 • ONE SECTION