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Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
JEA board fires interim CEO Dykes
Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
“There is a certain degree of taint that’s on her, whether warranted or unwarranted,” JEA board Chair John Baker II says.
BY MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
JEA’s newly installed board of directors voted unanimously April 21 to fire interim Managing Director and CEO Melissa Dykes without cause and could bring back former CEO Paul McElroy in her place as the utility faces federal and City
Council investigations. The board’s decision places Dykes on paid administrative leave for 30 days until her Dykes e m p l oy m e n t termination takes effect.
JEA board Chair John Baker II said he’s been contacted by McElroy who said he is willing to be named interim CEO until a permanent chief executive is hired. Dykes was JEA’s chief operating officer during the utility’s failed possible privatization. JEA was served a federal grand jury subpoena April 21 that
demands documents, communications and records from top utility officials, including Dykes by name, and Mayor Lenny Curry administration officials related to the invitation to negotiate and the hiring of former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn. Dykes was hired as JEA’s CFO
Daily Record ZenCog Bicycle Co. goes curbside and sales blossom Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
SEE JEA, PAGE 2
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: YOUR INSIGHT
JACKSONVILLE
Owner Garfield Cooper says it’s difficult to keep cruiser bikes in stock and all new and used sales are trending higher. BY MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
ZenCog Bicycle Co. owner Garfield Cooper said his customers like to be hands-on when they come into his Riverside showroom. Because of COVID-19, customers can no longer come into the store at 883 Stockton St. for browsing. In response, ZenCog has taken its sales space curbside. “I’ve been getting out in the morning and setting up a tent that’s like my social area — my 6-feet minimum distance from people,” Cooper said. It hasn’t kept customers away. Cooper said it’s been a strong two months, with sales volume up 15% over this time last year. “Somebody said, ‘Why do you think that the bicycle is essential now?’ I responded, ‘It’s always been essential, it’s just an awakening of the essentialness,’” Copper said. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s COVID-19 “safer-at-home” April 1 executive order deemed
Photo by Scott Sailer
ZenCog Bicycle Co. owner Garfield Cooper set up a showroom outside his store at 883 Stockton St. Customers are not allowed inside his store because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
bicycling an essential activity. Bike riding also is permitted on Duval County beaches after Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Beaches communities mayors ordered a limited reopening April 17. Cooper said it’s difficult to keep cruiser bikes in stock. ZenCog received a shipment of mountain
bikes, hybrids and single-speed urban bikes April 22, and many are reserved. New bike sales and used bike repairs both are trending higher, Cooper said. Accessories like locks, bells, water bottles and helmets are displayed in baskets and
KEEPING CLOSE – FROM A DISTANCE Since March 13, city event venues, stores, restaurants, malls, entertainment centers, churches and businesses shut down and laid off workers or sent them home to telecommute to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Daily Record will report how local small business owners are dealing with the imposed social isolation.
SEE COOPER, PAGE 2
Summit begins site work on Southbank apartments Summit Contracting Group announced April 27 it started site work and utilities for the Southbank Urban Residences, an eight-story, 185-unit apartment community along the St. Johns River. Summit said it would be completed in early 2022. The city issued a foundation permit Jan. 24 at a job cost of $1.7 million and site-clearing permit April 4 at a cost of $1.5 million. The developer is Ventures Development Group LLC, and the architect is Niles Bolton Associates. Geismar, Louisiana-based Ventures Development Group paid $3.75 million March 13 for the 2.89 acres at 959 Prudential Drive.
VOLUME 107, NO. 116 • ONE SECTION