https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2025/governor-ron-desantis-appoints-two-jacksonville-transportation-authority
QuoteToday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Max Glober and Donald "Donnie" Horner III to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.
Max Glober
Glober is the Vice President of Marketing at First Coast Energy, LLP. Active in his community, he previously served as a member of the Jacksonville Historical Preservation Commission. Glober earned his bachelor's degree in government from the College of William and Mary and his master's degree in business administration and juris doctor from the University of South Carolina.
Donald "Donnie" Horner III
Horner is the Vice President of Investor Relations for Intrepid Capital Management. A veteran of the United States Navy, he is a Trustee for the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association and a fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Horner earned his bachelor's degree in political science from the United States Naval Academy and his master's degree in business administration from Jacksonville University.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
I'm relieved that the state is finally bringing fresh faces to the JTA board, it's long been past time for that, especially with the local abdication of oversight over executive leadership and major programs like the U2C.
However, I am a little concerned about the possibility of a conflict of interest with these selections. First Coast Energy is the company behind the "Daily's" brand of gas stations, and as its VP of Marketing, Glober's livelihood is reliant on everyone owning a car they fuel at his company's gas stations. What interest would he have in buses or trains running well? Every transit rider is someone who likely isn't stopping at Daily's for gas or food or other services.
Horner upon first glance seems less likely to have this problem, but as a VP of an investment firm there is a tangible question over the ability to avoid conflict given how many things a firm can invest in. Transportation is a big sector!
Action News had a story that besides the 2 appointments, Gov. DeSantis also removed his third appointment, but has yet to name a replacement. Looking at the ActionNews.com website now, I cannot find that story. They pointed out that this third (of his 3) appointment and one of the other were strong supporters of CEO Nat Ford. Of the two appointments, the term of one of those replaced ended some months ago, but the other (the Ford supporter) could have been reappointed to another term.
Quote from: marcuscnelson on February 18, 2025, 03:58:33 PM
I'm relieved that the state is finally bringing fresh faces to the JTA board, it's long been past time for that, especially with the local abdication of oversight over executive leadership and major programs like the U2C.
However, I am a little concerned about the possibility of a conflict of interest with these selections. First Coast Energy is the company behind the "Daily's" brand of gas stations, and as its VP of Marketing, Glober's livelihood is reliant on everyone owning a car they fuel at his company's gas stations. What interest would he have in buses or trains running well? Every transit rider is someone who likely isn't stopping at Daily's for gas or food or other services.
Horner upon first glance seems less likely to have this problem, but as a VP of an investment firm there is a tangible question over the ability to avoid conflict given how many things a firm can invest in. Transportation is a big sector!
Nothing new here, before he became Mayor, Gate Petroleum's John Peyton served on the JTA Board, ascending to the Chair.
But... that's not good either, right? The (then) VP of Gate Petroleum being in charge of the transit agency seems like a bad idea for the same reason this does.
Quote from: marcuscnelson on February 18, 2025, 07:18:00 PM
But... that's not good either, right? The (then) VP of Gate Petroleum being in charge of the transit agency seems like a bad idea for the same reason this does.
Correct. Just pointing out there is nothing under the sun.
This is the problem with JTA.....I've never understood the combination Transit Agency-highway contractor.
Makes no sense. The former JTA head talked about it like it was an advantage....how?
Dump the highway building and focus on transit. Then you'd really see a board shakeup.
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority began life in the 1950s as the Jacksonville Expressway Authority (JXA, so as not to confuse with the later electric authority, my designation). It was responsible for building much of the core of the original Jacksonville Expressway System - before the Interstate System came along. The Fuller Warren, Mathews, and Trout River Bridges were built as toll bridges. The JXA built the Arlington Expressway from Liberty Street, over the Mathews Bridge to Southside Boulevard, which was also rebuilt as a semi-expressway to just south of Beach Blvd. They also built the 20th Street Expressway from New Kings Road in NW Jax to the Haines Street Expressway (now the MLK Parkway), to the Mathews Bridge. What became I-95 was built from the Clark Road ramp (serving then Imeson Airport), across the Trout River and Fuller Warren Bridges to the PHilips Hwy exit near Atlantic Boulevard. In the late 1960s the Expressway Authority added the Hart Bridge, and the approach expressways on both sides of the river. The bridge, and some of the local ramps were tolled. JXA also built some local roads connecting to the expressway system. For example, in Arlington, they built parts of some of the roads connected to the Arlington Expressway (University, Cesery, Arlington, I think); and similarly in other parts of town. J. Turner Butler Blvd. was their last toll project, with mainline and ramp tolls. The Dames Point Bridge was supposed to be a toll bridge, but the BJP passed during construction, so the toll plaza was not built (between the bridge and Heckscher)
In the late 60's/early 70's the privately run bus company was following the path of all privately-owned bus transit companies - losing money. The Expressway Authority was renamed the Jacksonville Transportation Authority to reflect the wider responsibility, and the Jacksonville Coach Company assets were purchased by JTA. The Coach Company was then hired to operate the bus system. With lots of federal money, the bus fleet was upgraded and expanded, along with two gas shortages in the 1970s, ridership grew. Downtown was booming, and Downtown People Mover came about as a USDOT Demonstration Project (with some Congressional arm-twisting) - now our beloved Skyway.
Because of JTA's statutory authority to build roads and related facilities (bike paths, etc.), they were tasked with building the roadway projects in the original Better Jax Plan, and in the subsequent extension.
All that history gives background as to why it is the Transportation Authority and not the TRANSIT Authority. Does it make sense for them to continue to have highway responsibilities? No.
Quote from: Steve on February 18, 2025, 08:24:13 PM
This is the problem with JTA.....I've never understood the combination Transit Agency-highway contractor.
Makes no sense. The former JTA head talked about it like it was an advantage....how?
Dump the highway building and focus on transit. Then you'd really see a board shakeup.
In theory, the benefit is that they would be able to build or improve roads in a way that accommodates cars within reason while also including multimodal benefits like bus lanes, transit signal priority, and protected bike lanes or trails, instead of having to beg FDOT or the city to do those. This should be exactly the point of MobilityWorks 1 and 2. The problem is that they don't actually do this anyway and largely build roads exactly like FDOT would have, which defeats the point while also arguably harming the transit side of their operation. And to that end, people like John Peyton and Max Glober have a financial interest in keeping it that way because again, every person riding a JTA bus or train is a person not paying Gate or Daily's to fill up their car.
To add, road projects are more high profile and sexier than mass transit and appeal to people more likely to vote or be politically engaged, at least in Jax. Then, my theory, on top, is that JTA benefits from pumping as much money through it as possible to secure JTA honcho's jobs, and at high pay, due to being a "bigger" business based on dollars.
The only reason U2C, a supposed mass transit project (not really much of one in reality) is being pushed by JTA is for the $400 million and more to come that JTA will pass through its hands. Project merits are not all that relevant in such a case.
I wonder if projects like the U2C will survive the Musk Massacre.
Quote from: Charles Hunter on February 19, 2025, 10:26:48 AM
I wonder if projects like the U2C will survive the Musk Massacre.
Well... if they are truly cutting wasteful spending then it should be chopped tomorrow
Except unlike the original Skyway, the vast majority of the U2C funding is coming from local sources. There isn't enough federal funding involved to kill the project via federal funding cuts.
Quote from: BridgeTroll on February 19, 2025, 10:43:01 AM
Quote from: Charles Hunter on February 19, 2025, 10:26:48 AM
I wonder if projects like the U2C will survive the Musk Massacre.
Well... if they are truly cutting wasteful spending then it should be chopped tomorrow
That would be the one good thing to come from this mess, which obviously means it won't =D
Quote from: jaxoNOLE on February 19, 2025, 11:16:47 AM
Except unlike the original Skyway, the vast majority of the U2C funding is coming from local sources. There isn't enough federal funding involved to kill the project via federal funding cuts.
Good point. Maybe the new DeSantis-appointed board members have some sense.
https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/desantis-jta-board-appointments-were-essentially-firing-current-chair-sources-say/BD7RMUAU6VENTCRVZRMYKWCHKU/
A third appointment plus the FDOT District Secretary showing up to board meetings and voting would effectively give the state control over JTA, unless they require more than a majority vote. Whether they actually want to do something differently with that capability, I don't know.
Quote from: marcuscnelson on February 19, 2025, 01:51:58 PM
A third appointment plus the FDOT District Secretary showing up to board meetings and voting would effectively give the state control over JTA, unless they require more than a majority vote. Whether they actually want to do something differently with that capability, I don't know.
The State having 3+1 votes has been the case for as long as the JTA has existed. Unless things have changed recently, split votes are very rare, so one 'appointer' having a majority hasn't been an issue.
My point is that things could be about to change.
Quote from: marcuscnelson on February 20, 2025, 11:33:15 AM
My point is that things could be about to change.
It could happen. I wonder if they have any instructions, or had to have 'the right position' on certain issues (U2C, CEO, etc.)?
Our first opportunity to see what might be happening with the new board is the now-uncanceled February board meeting Thursday 2/27 at 2pm.
QuoteThe Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) announces that the Board of Directors will meet on Thursday, February 27, 2025 in the Board Room on the third floor of the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center located at 100 LaVilla Center Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32204 as follows:
2:00 pm Board Meeting
A virtual link will be posted to the JTA website with instructions by 5:00 pm on February 24, 2025.
As of yesterday, this was showing up as canceled. Not sure when the original cancelation was posted.
QuoteCANCELLATION NOTICE
JACKSONVILLE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD MEETING
ON SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 27, 2024
IS CANCELLED
So ... things are changing already ??
I'd be surprised if the U2C doesn't get in the crosshairs of the new Trump Administration. The new transportation secretary just announced, they are reviewing California's high speed rail debacle.
https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-transportation-secretary-duffy-announces-review-california-high-speed-rail-project
QuoteWASHINGTON – Today, at the direction of Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) initiated a review of the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA). This review will help determine whether roughly $4 billion in taxpayer money should remain committed to the proposed project to build high-speed rail in the California Central Valley between Merced and Bakersfield.
The entire San Francisco to Los Angeles project was initially supposed to be completed by 2020 and cost $33 billion. Today, the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment alone would cost more than the original total. The latest estimate for San Francisco to Los Angeles is $106 billion — more than three times the original cost estimate.
"For too long, taxpayers have subsidized the massively over-budget and delayed California High-Speed Rail project," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. "President Trump is right that this project is in dire need of an investigation. That is why I am directing my staff to review and determine whether the CHSRA has followed through on the commitments it made to receive billions of dollars in federal funding. If not, I will have to consider whether that money could be given to deserving infrastructure projects elsewhere in the United States."
The U2C isn't as high profile of a project, but have to think it will get on the radar at some point.
Looks like the Trump admin may not even have to get involved. As stated earlier in the thread, it appears that DeSantis is intentionally shaking up the board. Remember that Buckland is the one with some of these ridiculous sound bites at the FSCJ autonomous shuttle launch last year:
"we see a lot of renderings here in Jacksonville. I know I get a little bit tired of seeing them and when we have something that actually comes to fruition, we've had two recently, we had the fountain come to life and now look at this. Look at we are doing here at FSCJ. It's real. Here it is."
"yes it's bold and it's one that is filled with unique challenges, but there is also so much potential as we seek to make Jacksonville a hub for the autonomous vehicle industry.
And that's important for you members of the media to remember, we're going to be famous for this one day and you'll be thanking us."
"If you take only one thing away from this, I hope it would be an understanding that this initiative is about so much more than autonomous vehicles. It's about job creation. It's about nurturing a better connected community. And most importantly, it's about creating a tool that enables residents here in Jacksonville we serve to achieve their own success both now and for decades to come."
Also, here is an article from Action News Jax about the new appointments and removal of Buckland as chair.
https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/desantis-jta-board-appointments-were-essentially-firing-current-chair-sources-say/BD7RMUAU6VENTCRVZRMYKWCHKU/
QuoteFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis didn't just appoint two new people -- multiple sources tell Action News Jax's Emily Turner he essentially fired the current chair.
Buckland wasn't termed out, she'd resubmitted her application for another term and was right in the middle of her leadership role as board chair when the governor made the move. He will be replacing all his appointees, putting fresh eyes on what's happening at JTA.
^Meanwhile, they can't even run a fucking bus on time.
QuoteJacksonville man desperate for help with JTA buses, says delays cost him his job
"It's been a horrific situation," Bynum said. "Buses are not showing up. If they do show up it's extremely late. The app is not current. There are times when you use the app. you'll be looking for your bus but it's not appearing."
After dealing with delayed buses and an improperly working app, Bynum tells us he eventually lost his job and missed job interviews, due to being late from buses not showing. "They eventually got tired of me being late and claiming the buses were the reason."
https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/jacksonville-man-desperate-for-help-with-jta-buses-says-delays-cost-him-his-job/77-25ffe29d-76b1-46e8-840f-cba7dd6c3677
Ken, if only someone had brought this to JTA's attention before. Oh wait, Action News wrote an entire article on the same topic with even more examples last February.
https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/investigates/investigates-whistleblower-passengers-say-jta-buses-regularly-run-late-sometimes-dont-show-up/3OX4SJPW55HGZGZL7AI4BDBTAU/
Quote"I'm not logging on until noon," she said, "but this is the strategic planning I need to do to get to work in a timely manner."
That's because she has to take the bus. She takes the 50B, if it's running, from Baymeadows and Southside to her job. She works at a call center downtown. Depending on the day, it takes her two buses and a Skyway ride to get there.
"If it shows up I know it'll be a good day and I'll get to work on time," she said.
It's a journey that takes her two hours and twenty minutes to make on the day we followed her. If she drove herself, it would be an easy 20-minute trip.
"It's taxing physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially," she said, and that's why she's saving up for a car.
Since Action News Jax began its investigation into JTA, our inbox has been filled with emails and calls from riders, all saying the same thing: hours standing on the side of the road, waiting for their ride -- busses running late or, sometimes, never coming at all.
Don't worry, somehow the U2C will resolve all of this!
Now the mayor is making moves. What's going on over there at JTA?
Legislation filed by mayor appears to oust sitting JTA board member, replace her with former Neptune Beach mayor
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2025/02/28/legislation-filed-by-mayor-appears-to-oust-sitting-jta-board-member-replace-her-with-former-neptune-beach-mayor/
Apparently it's coming out that JTA may have been misrepresenting ridership numbers to the feds too? Which could be quite bad, as their funding is tied to ridership.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on February 28, 2025, 09:24:01 PM
Apparently it's coming out that JTA may have been misrepresenting ridership numbers to the feds too? Which could be quite bad, as their funding is tied to ridership.
Will this be something for DOGE* to use to say, "See? $10 of Fraud!! Slash the budget by a million!!"
* someone on FB said DOGE is pronounced "doggy"
At the meeting on Thursday, Hayward asked a couple of pointed questions about discrepancies in the ridership numbers and whether it was a good idea to be approving funds for JAXUSA, since Aundra Wallace is on both boards. Ford talked about the ridership numbers and said he would look into it. The solicitor jumped in that an opinion was given to the board on the potential conflict of interest in advance.
Hopefully this is not related.
Deegan has been a big supporter publicly of U2C and Nat Ford. My major disappointment among her many good deeds.
Either she is still enamored with JTA's leadership and is trying to protect them or she has finally realized JTA may be the next JEA-type scandal and its time to back away.
Will be interesting to see how this plays out. I would think Elaine Brown would be more independent than not on the board but we will see. Not typical of Deegan to appoint "yes" people I would think based on her record.
Replacing a board member who is the first member to ask any critical questions in years just before getting replaced by a long-time local politician? On paper, that doesn't sound good at all - in fact seems like a blocking play w/ Desantis' recent appointments.
Hopefully I am proved wrong & this is a good change... but, the program will effectively have been cut 15-20% since it was introduced by inflation alone w/ the delays that already exist. Could be even more if it's further delayed. For a $400M program, that's ~$80M in purchasing power we won't have because of the delays w/ the U2C. (You all know what that means!)
How we have gotten this far is beyond me.
Quote from: Jax_Developer on March 01, 2025, 01:34:51 PM
Replacing a board member who is the first member to ask any critical questions in years just before getting replaced by a long-time local politician? On paper, that doesn't sound good at all - in fact seems like a blocking play w/ Desantis' recent appointments.
So Hayward is now removed from the JTA website, replaced with Brown. There are only 2 officers on the board with the chair and the treasurer position vacant.
The last meeting didn't start with a quorum, so only the Pledge of Allegiance and staff awards could be conducted until someone joined late to establish the quorum. The DeSantis appointees apparently were not present for the February or March meetings, and, shockingly, neither was the District 2 secretary.
Last meeting, the questions Hayward asked in the February meeting were addressed. A second legal opinion was sought on whether there was a conflict of interest with Wallace voting for JAXUSA budget items, which supported the original opinion. There was a word salad answer that ridership numbers the board gets could be +/- 2,000 and whether or not they are or should be amended.
Hayward posed a question why executives don't have a hard cap on tuition reimbursement like what is imposed on non-executive employees. Additionally, since the employees receive the reimbursement, it counts as earned income, whereas executive tuition is paid directly to the school with no tax liability.
QuoteJTA board approves plan to reserve 100 Holon vehicles, including 14 at $409,000 each
The self-driving cars for the Ultimate Urban Circulator will be built at a factory the German automaker plans in North Jacksonville.
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority plans to reserve 100 electric self-driving vehicles from Germany-based manufacturer Holon for its Ultimate Urban Circulator, including an initial batch of 14 that will be purchased at $409,000 each.
The JTA board voted 5-0 on April 15 to approve a resolution to reserve the vehicles, which will be produced at Holon's Jacksonville assembly facility.
The manufacturer announced in September 2024 that it planned to build the $100 million facility on about 40 acres off Heckscher Drive and Zoo Parkway, with plans to open in 2026.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/apr/15/jta-board-approves-plan-to-buy-14-holon-vehicles-for-490000-each-reserve-86-more/
Still can't decide which Simpsons episode this is, The Monorail or The Homer?
Quote from: thelakelander on April 15, 2025, 07:32:10 PM
QuoteJTA board approves plan to reserve 100 Holon vehicles, including 14 at $409,000 each
The self-driving cars for the Ultimate Urban Circulator will be built at a factory the German automaker plans in North Jacksonville.
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority plans to reserve 100 electric self-driving vehicles from Germany-based manufacturer Holon for its Ultimate Urban Circulator, including an initial batch of 14 that will be purchased at $409,000 each.
The JTA board voted 5-0 on April 15 to approve a resolution to reserve the vehicles, which will be produced at Holon's Jacksonville assembly facility.
The manufacturer announced in September 2024 that it planned to build the $100 million facility on about 40 acres off Heckscher Drive and Zoo Parkway, with plans to open in 2026.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/apr/15/jta-board-approves-plan-to-buy-14-holon-vehicles-for-490000-each-reserve-86-more/
Curious, vote is 5-0. JTA shows 6 "local" board members. FDOT District Secretary rarely shows up. Which local board member was not present to vote? I looked for board minutes on JTA's website and couldn't find any.
With 2 new board members, I was hoping for more questions that might result in more than just a rubber stamp vote as usual. Guess may not be happening.
Committing to the 100 vehicles reminds me of when JEA placed orders for 2 floating nuclear power plants from Offshore Power Systems (OPS) that was to build them here. Like U2C, there were lots of questions about the viability of the product. In the end, only JEA placed LOI's to buy them at prices that likely would have bankrupted JEA at the time and for an unproven product that few doubted would ever be feasible. Sound familiar? History repeats with JTA and U2C. And, likely, we will see a similar outcome. Just bananas that this City never learns any lessons from its past.
^We certainly didn't learn from our own history. Unfortunately, history will repeat itself.....after we burn several millions more.