WEDNESDAY May 12, 2021
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Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
SMALL BUSINESS
Gas tax gains support, but with less for the Skyway
Daily Record Turning fruit into ‘masterpieces’ Daily Record Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
JACKSONVILLE
The Jacksonville Civic Council backs an increase as lawmakers debate the bill.
BY MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
JACKSONVILLE
Special to the Daily Record
Zamirah Towns quit her job as a mortgage processing manager to launch Honeyz Plates at 47 W. Adams St. Towns named the company after her grandmother’s nickname, Honey.
Zamirah Towns is opening Honeyz Plates in the former First Stop Urgent Care space at Laura and Adams streets Downtown.
BY KATIE GARWOOD STAFF WRITER
Zamirah Towns plans to bring her fruit platters, juices and sandwiches to Downtown Jacksonville this month as she prepares to open Honeyz Plates at 47 W. Adams St. The grab-and-go location will offer customers customized fruit platters; cold tuna, chicken or egg sandwiches; and fresh juices, she said. The platters often are used for events or par-
ties, she said. Some of the more popular offerings include platters served in pineapple or watermelon bowls, a watermelon cake, the orange treat, melon swivel, tiki party and a chocolate-dipped fruit platter. She also offers platters for smaller groups and couples. “All platters are custom for your event so you will not see it anywhere else unless someone asks SEE HONEYZ PLATES, PAGE 2
Plans to spend millions of a proposed county gas tax increase to modernize the Jacksonville Skyway is meeting resistance from civic and government leaders. Using the tax increase to fund nearly $1 billion in transportation projects gained the endorsement of the Jacksonville Civic Council on May 10, with a caveat—spend less on the Skyway. The group recommends that money could be spent on other immediate infrastructure needs. With debate on the plan going to City Council on May 12, Council member Matt Carlucci wants to divert some Skyway dollars to the Emerald Trail network, a plan backed by Mayor Lenny Curry. In an open letter May 10 to Curry, City Council President Tommy Hazouri and Council members, the private group of nearly 80 Northeast Florida CEOs and business leaders said it supports the city’s and Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s list of road and transportation improvement projects. However, the Civic Council recommends cutting the nearly $379 million budget for JTA’s proposed Skyway modernization, the Ultimate Urban Circulator, to $190 million. Curry and the JTA want City Council to approve Ordinance 2021-0223, a 10-year extension of the Duval County gas tax to 2046 and increase it from 6 cents to 12 cents per gallon. JTA and the city propose advancing a combined $930.2 million in roadway, drainage and transportation improvements SEE GAS TAX, PAGE 2
Jacksonville tax preparer convicted of fraud A federal jury found Paul Berkins Moise guilty April 30 of 14 counts of filing false returns on behalf of unknowing clients and three counts of filing false tax returns on behalf of himself. Moise faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison for each count. The government also will seek restitution for the tax losses arising out of the fraud, according to a news release from the Department of Justice. His sentencing hearing is scheduled Aug. 9. Moise owned and operated Asset Management Group Inc. at 435 Clark Road in Jacksonville.
VOLUME 108, NO. 125 • ONE SECTION