Daily Record Financial News &
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Vol. 102, No. 222 • Two Sections
35¢ www.jaxdailyrecord.com
A few sparks, but budget passes Dispute over money for firefighters vs. infrastructure most heated By David Chapman Staff Writer There was an air of ease heading into City Council’s budget finale Monday. The process of balancing the city’s spending plan had been relatively smoother compared to several years past. Humor often entered dialogue. The conclusion wasn’t expected to be too difficult. Before the final 19-0 vote, though, it wasn’t exactly simple. Disagreements cropped up, the
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biggest of the night over $337,000 or so. It’s a small part of the city’s more than $1 billion plan, but a philosophical difference essentially boiled down to spending on infrastructure needs or money for public safety. The issue: Council member Tommy Hazouri wanted funding placed back into the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue budget to restore salaries of safety officers. The Finance Committee had cut those, with several in the group citing a lack of promised savings that came with promo-
Just say‘no’ to panhandlers
tions this year. Council member John Crescimbeni thought it was a political ploy by former Mayor Alvin Brown to garner support during a close election. A compromise between the committee and fire leadership kept nine such officers in place, but didn’t leave them in promoted positions. Hazouri pushed — he wanted to demonstrate their importance and show support for public safety. The problem was the money came from a drainage improvement account, an area where
Two Doors Down to close in November
“Targeting the panhandlers doesn’t work. We have to work on reducing the supply of donors.” Cindy Funkhouser CEO of the Sulzbacher Center
DVI wants to find way to reduce begging Downtown
Public
Notices that panhandling is against the law are posted in several locations Downtown.
legal notices begin on page
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Photo by Max Marbut
By Max Marbut Staff Writer Brother, can you spare a dime? That question –– or one much like it –– is commonly asked by people who say they are hungry or need money for some other reason. The question is heard daily throughout the world, but panhandling is a subject that will be studied by Downtown Vision Inc., the urban core advocacy organization that oversees the 90-square-block improvement district. Based on preliminary discussions with executives from social service agencies and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, DVI CEO Jake Gordon said he’d like to see a strategy developed that could reduce the likelihood of panhandling by bringing together service providers, police and DVI. “The goal is to make sure the Downtown partners are coordinated,” he said. What keeps people away from the neighborhood will fall into one of two categories, said Gordon. “When people say they can’t find a place to park Downtown, that’s a perception issue, because there are plenty of parking places. When people say it’s not safe, that’s a perception issue because it’s one of the safest parts of Jacksonville,” he said. “But when people say they don’t like to come Downtown because they might be panhandled, that’s reality,” Gordon said. Panhandling also is clearly against the law. It’s a misdemeanor and considered a nuisance crime. Under City municipal code, “It shall be unlawful for any person within the Central Core Enhancement Area to solicit or beg on any sidewalk, highway, street, roadway, right-of-way, parking lot, park or picnic grounds or other public or semi-public area, or in any building lobby, entranceway, plaza or common area without the Panhandling continued on Page A-2
the city is putting $500,000 over the $6 million minimum recommended and has a backlog of $24 million in needs, said council member Lori Boyer. Those needs are felt in every district, she said, and pulling from that source “is really unfortunate and a bad decision.” It was Hazouri’s decision to try and pull from the account, with him saying it was the best source at the time. Boyer shot back that Hazouri might want to take the money Council continued on Page A-4
Restaurateur Norm Abraham has decided to close the popular Two Doors Down restaurant Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving. That means the blue-collar workers, dark-suited lawyers and judges, uniformed police officers, mothers with babies in strollers and myriad other customers who patronize the Brooklyn diner will need to find another source of comfort food and comfortable conversation. “I always feel like I’m visiting with friends when I come here,” said Richard Gropper, major gifts officer with the American Red Cross Northeast Florida Chapter. Gropper visits three or four times a week, sometimes for breakfast and lunch the same day. He was introduced to Two Doors Down by former University of North Florida colleague Alan Verlander. “I had to Google it,” said Gropper after Verlander suggested they meet there. A customer for about three years now, Grop- Abraham per said “you’re never a stranger when you’re here.” At least not for long. Sitting near the front door during lunch Monday at the 436 Park St. location, Gropper met developer Michael Balanky and his wife, Gayle. Balanky, in turn, shook hands around the restaurant as he found a booth against the wall. The Balankys sat near Florida Public Service Commission Chairman Art Graham, who was meeting with Cleveland Ferguson III, a vice president for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. Graham said his first visit to Two Doors Down was with Kerri Stewart, now chief of staff for Mayor Lenny Curry, and he’s
26,747
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consecutive weekdays