QuoteMayor Donna Deegan's latest round of appointments will put former mayoral campaign rival Audrey Gibson in charge of the city's grants and contract compliance division and also usher in an almost entirely new slate for the city's Planning Commission that makes decisions on how development occurs across Jacksonville.
Deegan's appointment of six new planning commissioners on top of two earlier appointments to the commission triggered an objection by current Chairman Alex Moldovan that Deegan is turning over the commission's membership "without a clear plan for transition."
"The Planning Commission plays a crucial role in shaping development, zoning and land use policies that significantly impact our city and its residents," Moldovan wrote in a letter he sent Monday to City Council members.
QuoteThe new group of Planning Commission appointees is comprised of Ali Marar, Julius Harden, Antoinette "Tina" Meskel, Amy Yimin Fu, Lamonte Carter and Mone Holder. In August, Deegan appointed Jack Meeks and Charles Garrison, who each ran for City Council earlier this year. Garrison is up for confirmation by the full City Council at its Tuesday meeting. He will replace Jordan Elsbury, who was a top aide for former mayor Lenny Curry, on the commission.
Those eight appointees plus Blanchard will give the Planning Commission a full nine-member roster. Among those who would be replaced is Morgan Roberts who just joined the Planning Commission a few months ago. Curry appointed Roberts to the Planning Commission after she lost a race to Joe Carlucci in March for the District 5 seat on City Council and City Council unanimously confirmed her in May.
https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2023/09/12/former-state-senator-audrey-gibson-wins-mayor-deegan-appointment/70827202007/