While the Council wrestles with his budget, Brown fundraises with Cosby in NYC

[Tacachale]

Mayor Brown spends night with Bill Cosby at pricey Big Apple fundraiser while City Council wrestles with budget

By David Bauerlein and Nate Monroe

As the Jacksonville City Council worked late into Tuesday night finalizing next year's $1 billion budget, actor and comedian Bill Cosby was hosting a political fundraiser for Mayor Alvin Brown at the venerable mid-Manhattan Harvard Club of New York.

For donations ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, guests were invited to join Brown as well as Cosby, former New York Mayor David Dinkins and others at the prominent downtown social club, according to an invitation obtained by the Times-Union.

The weeks-long debate over Brown's budget has highlighted the schism between the mayor and council over major city issues. Brown recently accused council members of playing politics with the budget.

Council members wasted little time seizing on the mayor's Gotham outing.

In the middle of Tuesday's marathon budget hearing, several council members quickly began passing out copies of the invitation to TV media.

"Unbelievable," said President Clay Yarborough in a text message during the meeting. "What a slap to the people of Jacksonville."

"I think it sends the wrong message," said Councilman Bill Gulliford during a short recess. "I frankly kind of thought he might show up on the floor tonight and maybe just discuss his budget. I think if I was the mayor, that's what I would have done."

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2014-09-23/story/mayor-brown-spends-night-bill-cosby-pricey-big-apple-fundraiser-while

From jacksonville.com

You can't make this stuff up.

[Wacca Pilatka]

Cosby previously snubbed the idea of putting his support behind Norman Studios, despite his great awareness of its historic significance.

[civil42806]

Not sure why anyone expects any different. He like  most politicians, they are taking care of themselves

[spuwho]

The mayors extended distance from anything budgetary for COJ is hurting him. I have never seen a mayor so disconnected from the budget process, especially during a tight fiscal year.