Daily Record Financial News &
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Vol. 102, No. 158 • Two Sections
A busy finale for City Council
Mayor-elect makes 3 other appointments By David Chapman Staff Writer
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The Cat calling it quits From Staff
Curtis Dvorak has referred to himself as a “professional idiot.” It’s been part of the job as his alter-ego Jaxson de Ville. It’s what has made his zany antics, high-diving acts, comedy bits and fan appearances memorable. He’s the only mascot Jacksonville Jaguars fans have known the past 19 years, but there will be someone else donning the cat suit this season. Dvorak is hanging up his paws. He’ll be moving on to pursue other ventures. “It’s impossible to put into words what the last 19 years with our team has meant to me professionally and, without a doubt, personally,” Dvorak said in a news release. He went on to thank original team owners Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver, for giving him both a chance and second chances. “He obviously is by far the best mascot in all of major league sports,” Wayne Weaver said Tuesday. See more photos from Dvorak’s career, Page A-6.
Photo from Curtis Dvorak’s Facebook page
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Photo by Rick Wilson/Jacksonville Jaguars
By David Chapman Staff Writer
Council
www.jaxdailyrecord.com
Curry selects Weinstein as CFO
Group dealt with marijuana, hens and water taxi
It was a lengthy evening that included marijuana, chickens and prayer. Doyle Carter jokingly referred to it as a country tune. There was more to it, though — it was a bittersweet song for most of City Council members who had spent eight years on the job. A finale filled with heartfelt notes. “All of you have really served with distinction,” said Denise Lee, the often-vocal District 8 representative. “It’s been real. It’s been sweet. And I wish you all Godspeed.” Her two-term colleague Stephen Joost praised the group’s efforts as having left the city better than when it arrived — years marred by a deep recession and declining revenue. And Warren Jones, the term-limited elder statesmen wrapping up his 28th year, said this particular group was not filled with politicians — they truly were public servants. John Crescimbeni had another observation: For a final meeting, it wasn’t exactly boring. The group repealed a moratorium on growing low-potency pot it approved two weeks ago. It began the proceedings for another. It passed a marketing agreement for water taxis, a service whose survival in recent years led to controversy. A pilot program for backyard hens went full-scale, a passionate subject that started under this group. Offshore seismic testing was defeated by a tie vote, bringing a quick reminder of another tie vote months before on pension reform.
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A week from taking office, Mayor-elect Lenny Curry announced Wednesday who will help him dig into city finances that many have labeled as being in disarray. Mike Weinstein, the chief financial officer for former Mayors Ed Austin and John Delaney, will come back to City Hall as Curry’s Finance Department director. Most recently, Weinstein has served as CEO for Volunteers in Medicine. His background includes also serving in the Florida House from 2008-12 and 19 years with the State Attorney’s Office. Weinstein said Wednesday he’s coming back because Curry reached out to him for help. Weinstein has been serving on incoming Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa’s budget task force, which is reviewing finances department by department. “I think it’s gone Weinstein very well,” Weinstein said of the early analysis. “It’s bigger than it used to be.” He said it was too early to provide definitive analysis of city finances and would leave any description to Curry. The role is another change for Weinstein in the past couple of years. He filed to run for a City Council seat before changing to make a run in the 2016 election for Public Defender. But as finance director, he’ll drop that pursuit. “This will take up all my time,” he said. “There needs to be no other distractions.” He’ll make $175,000. Weinstein wasn’t the only appointment Curry made Wednesday. Others with a variety of governmental experience will Weinstein continued on Page A-4
The Wicked Barley Brewing Co. expects to open early next year.
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Rendering from Wicked Barley Brewing Co.
Baymeadows brewery almost on tap Wicked Barley Brewing Co. wants to tap into its proposed Baymeadows brewery. “We are finally getting close to making Wicked Barley a physical reality after two years of planning and hard work,” said Tobin Turney, a partner in the brewery. Turney said the total investment will be $2.5 million. The city is reviewing a permit for WG Pitts Co. to build the project at 4100 Baymeadows Road. The application shows a job cost of $1.65 million for the 7,260-square-foot building on
2.33 acres. Two-thirds of the space is dedicated to the brewery and the rest used for front-of-thehouse operations, the tap room and dining. It also will feature a beer garden and a covered deck overlooking Goodby’s Creek. It should seat about 130 people.
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The property, at southeast Baymeadows Road and Goodby’s Creek, is a half-mile east of San Jose Boulevard. Plans include a dock that would be accessible by boat. Turney said his group has an approved permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the St. Johns River Water Management District. Partners are Turney, Philip Maple and Brett Baker. Maple’s father, Bob Maple, will come out of retirement to join the team in Mathis continued on Page A-2
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