Jacksonville’s Sheriff may have been Ron DeSantis’ preference.

But in a sign of the Governor’s waning political capital, T.K. Waters isn’t backing the Lt. Governor or the First Lady to replace DeSantis, instead endorsing Naples Republican Byron Donalds.

Waters is just one of 15 sheriffs from around Florida backing the Congressman and Donald Trump pick.

The endorsement is a strong indication that Jacksonville’s political establishment isn’t waiting for Jay Collins or Casey DeSantis to decide, betting instead on new blood that’s aligned with the White House.

It could also offer a glimpse into how endorsements will shift when others, such as prospective CFO candidate Kevin Steele, enter the race.

Word on the street is Republicans aligned with former Mayor Lenny Curry weren’t thrilled when appointed CFO Blaise Ingoglia said the city spent too much money during Curry’s second term, during his recent declaration that the city budget is at least $200 million (or 10%) too fat.

This may not affect lobbyist donations.

However, the scuttlebutt suggests a potential Trump-DeSantis proxy war may unfold in purple Duval.

Unfriendly skies

The Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) seeks to ground a proposed local bill for state legislators to carry in 2026.

But all indications are that it’s ready for takeoff.

JAA specifically objects to the language that would change its name to the Jacksonville Aviation and Aerospace Authority, “assign authority and responsibility that already exists with JAA for the economic development of Cecil Airport,” and require “at least one of the Mayoral appointees and one of the Governor appointees of the JAA Board ‘be from the aerospace or related industry.’”

City Council Vice President Nick Howland, who is carrying the bill, has no plans to withdraw it.

The at-large Republican says, “City Council and the Duval Delegation both recognize Cecil Field’s enormous potential as a job growth engine for NE Florida. JAA owns Cecil and our J-Bill simply updates the City Charter to enumerate JAA’s responsibility for Aerospace industry economic development there.”

Howland believes that Otto Aviation’s launch at Cecil, coupled with the independent agency’s strong cash position, means JAA should be more aggressive in pursuing projects at the former Naval base.

“Our motivation here is simple: create jobs for Jacksonville families. We have yet to figure out what JAA’s motivation is,” he adds.

Per the City Council bill summary, the proposed “changes reflect JAA’s unique position and responsibility to look beyond just the aviation needs of the region,” given its “pursuit of a Federal Aviation Administration reentry license for Cecil Spaceport at Cecil Airport, along with potential development of a ‘space vehicle facility.’”

Name changes may be an emerging micro-trend among aviation entities in Northeast Florida.

Earlier this year, legislation (HB 4009) changing the former Northeast Florida Regional Airport branding to St. Augustine Airport became law with the blessing of the St. Johns County Airport Authority, which pushed for the change during a meeting of the county’s legislative delegation in January.

Assuming this bill proceeds, it’s clear JAA won’t be so enthusiastic.

Comeback kid?

Former state Rep. Jason Fischer is reportedly considering another campaign.

Word on the street is Fischer, a former Duval County School Board member, may run against fellow Republican Adam Brandon to fill the Jacksonville City Council seat held by term-limited Michael Boylan.

The could-be candidate isn’t commenting, but someone connected to the Brandon campaign remarked on the “interesting” rumor and wondered if Fischer would continue working as U.S. Rep. Randy Fine’s Chief of Staff. If so, the frequent flyer miles could add up quickly.

If Fischer is running, it’s his first campaign since an unsuccessful run for Duval County Property Appraiser in 2023.

He abandoned runs for Congress and the state Senate before that, raising questions about how much donors will invest should he run against Brandon, who has a strong resume of his own.

Although Brandon is relatively new to the candidate scene, he’s well-known and respected in legal and political circles statewide. Notably, Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed him to the Judicial Nominating Commissions for both the 1st and 5th District Courts of Appeal.

He’s actively involved in a variety of local organizations, including serving as a Rotarian and a Board member of the American Red Cross-Northeast Florida Chapter.

He is also a past President of the Jacksonville Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society and a past General Counsel of the Duval County Republican Executive Committee, as well as an alum of Leadership Florida, the James Madison Institute Leaders Fellowship, and the Jacksonville Regional Political Leadership Institute.

House Speaker Pro Tempore Wyman Duggan, former Mayor Lenny Curry, City Council President Kevin Carrico, and Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters are among Brandon’s backers.

Skywalker memories

U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean put the Orange Park Mall in historical context at last week’s 50th anniversary celebration.

“Bean reminisced on his fun times at the mall, including the days of courting his wife and his first visit in 1977 to see ‘Star Wars’ at the movie theater,” Clay Today reports.

“Some places sell products, some places sell memories,” he said. “For 50 years, Orange Park Mall has done both.”

For those who remember 50 years ago, there was a time when Orange Park and Regency in Arlington were destination shopping spots, as Downtown Jacksonville waned, and long before Amazon and online shopping existed.

Will the mall make a comeback and thrive for another 50 years?

Let’s hope so.

Housing harrumph

Mayor Donna Deegan didn’t get the affordable housing money she wanted in last week’s ratified Jacksonville budget.

Here’s what didn’t make the cut, per WJXT.

Local Capital Stack Fund — $1.1 million

COJ Downpayment Assistance (80%-120% AMI Program) — $2 million

Attainable Housing JEA Utility Tap-In Fund — $750,000

Transitional Housing Pilot Program — $1 million

JHA Homelessness Prevention Voucher Program — $750,000

Emergency Rental Assistance and Eviction Diversion — $500,000

Matt Carlucci managed to fund the stack partially.

“At one point, I had $9 million that got whittled down to $3 million in the Finance Committee; they took that $3 million out and they cut it,” Carlucci said. “I made one last attempt at our marathon meeting the other night during the budget, and I was able to get in $900,000 and look — $900,000, 25-50 new affordable homes. That’s better than nothing.”

Train in vain

Joe Hinrichs is out as the head of CSX.

And Stephen Angel is in, according to a Monday filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Will this be the beginning of greater organizational changes?

That’s the open question after the blockbuster announcement.

CSX made the move Sunday, a day after Hinrich “separated from his employment as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company” and “resigned from the Board effective upon his separation” with “a separation agreement providing for his separation benefits provided for under his employment agreement.”

The move comes as pressure has mounted on CSX to merge, an era of rail consolidation, with Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern planning a merger that has yet to receive federal approval.

“Mr. Angel, 70, is an accomplished executive with over 45 years of experience leading large, public companies and generating strong shareholder returns. He has a long and proven track record of leading high-performing teams, fostering a collaborative culture, and driving operational excellence and growth, while maintaining disciplined capital allocation and attractive returns on capital,” the SEC filing asserts.

He has been the CEO and Chair of Linde, where he “oversaw the successful integration of Linde AG and Praxair, Inc., which created the world’s largest industrial gases and engineering company.”

Before that, as head of Praxair, he helped “guide Praxair through significant transformation while identifying and pursuing strategic growth initiatives.”

Marking the tail end of Hinrichs’ term were activist investors pushing for a merger with another company, which the now-former CEO said was unnecessary.

Angel comes on with a base salary of $1.5 million with possible bonuses, including $10 million of stock that will vest in three years at today’s common stock price, which is roughly $35 a share at this writing.

“Beginning in 2026, Mr. Angel will be eligible to receive an annual long-term incentive award (an ‘LTIP Award’) under the Company’s long-term incentive plans on a substantially similar basis as other similarly situated executives of the Company, with the initial grant to be made in 2026 having a grant date target value of $13,500,000. The Company will also provide Mr. Angel with corporate housing in Jacksonville, Florida, will reimburse Mr. Angel for up to $100,000 in non-refundable expenses incurred by him for personal trips canceled in 2025, and will provide up to $200,000 per year for his personal use of the corporate aircraft,” a press release adds.

Terminal matters

Last week, Relay Terminals hosted Sen. Clay Yarborough at its Fernandina Beach facility, where company leaders and Ocean Highway and Port Authority Commissioners toured the terminal and discussed ongoing operations, future priorities and long-term growth plans.

The company emphasized its focus on safety, operational excellence and customer satisfaction, offering customized solutions for both bulk and project cargo. With state-of-the-art infrastructure and a skilled workforce, Relay Terminals plays a vital role in facilitating trade and ensuring the reliable movement of freight.

Relay Terminals operates key marine facilities — including Nassau Marine Terminal in Fernandina Beach — that support strategic trade across the region. Ridgewood Infrastructure, a major U.S. infrastructure investor, and Savage, a global transportation and logistics firm, jointly own the company.

Tweet, tweet:

UNF to USF express

The president of the University of North Florida is preparing to return to the school where he served as a dean before taking the job on the First Coast.

Moez Limayem sent an email to the UNF community announcing that he’s under consideration for president of the University of South Florida. It was only three years ago that Limayem was appointed President of UNF.

He got the job at the campus on the Southside of Jacksonville after an extended stint at the USF campus in Tampa. He was the Lynn Pippenger Dean of the Muma College of Business at USF for 10 years before assuming the top position at UNF in 2022.

USF published a press release on Tuesday, nearly simultaneously with Limayem’s announcement to the UNF community in his email.

“It is an honor for me to be considered for this role as the ninth president of USF, where I spent 10 years,” Limayem said Tuesday in his message to UNF. “While this presidential selection news is significant, I continue to cherish every moment at UNF. Working alongside our exceptional faculty and staff, and witnessing our students’ growth, is incredibly fulfilling.”

USF officials stated that their Presidential Selection Committee recommended Limayem’s return to the Gulf Coast campus. Notably, he is the only one they recommended to the school’s Board of Trustees. The decision will require ultimate approval from the Florida Board of Governors.

USF launched a search for a new president after Rhea Law announced in February that she would be retiring from the post. She agreed to stay until the college finds a replacement.

Vexed vacancies

A new study of American real estate markets reveals that Jacksonville has some of the highest vacancy rates among residential properties nationwide.

Florida has the top six residential real estate areas with the highest vacancies. Jacksonville came in at 8.6%. That’s the sixth-highest rate of housing vacancies in the United States.

Lance Surety Bonds examined both housing and commercial real estate vacancy rates nationwide and found that Florida is leading the trend of empty residential properties. The half dozen Florida markets with the most vacancies in the U.S. constitute nearly every major metropolitan area in the state, according to the study.

Cape Coral and Fort Myers, with a 38.7% vacant rate of homes in their market, are among the top cities in the nation for empty properties. That’s followed by another area in Southwest Florida, with North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota coming in second with 23.7% vacancies. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater finished third in the country with a 13.3% rate of empty properties, followed by Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford at 9.5%.

Lance Surety Bonds analysts compiled their list using data from the U.S. Census Bureau and CommercialEdge, a real estate firm. The study compared the 75 largest population areas of the country.

The only high-population area of Florida that didn’t make the top 10 cities with high residential vacancies was the Panhandle area.

Putnam property preserved

Approximately 1,000 acres of environmentally sensitive land in Putnam County are now protected by the state of Florida, following a purchase orchestrated by the North Florida Land Trust (NFLT).

The land conservation organization teamed up with the Putnam Land Conservancy, The Conservation Fund and the state of Florida to preserve 1,086 acres of property on the First Coast. The land was formerly owned by Rayonier Inc., an extensive forestry and lumber company.

“This acquisition is an example of how entities working together can really make a difference, and now more than 1,000 acres of land in Florida will remain natural forever,” said Allison DeFoor, President and CEO of NFLT.

“The Conservation Fund stepped in when needed and quickly secured the land for preservation because they also realized it was now or never. This land will never be rooftops and will remain natural habitats where wildlife and plant species can thrive.”

The acquisition cost about $3.25 million and is being funded in a joint purchase between the NFLT, the Putnam Land Conservancy and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). DEP is drawing money from the Florida Forever program.

The state has closed on the Putnam County property. It’s now part of the growing Ocala to Osceola (O2O) wildlife corridor, which has been expanding its reach through multiple land acquisitions similar to the latest one in North Florida.

Ethical excitement

The ethically minded are being encouraged to apply to be part of the Jacksonville Ethics Commission.

The city is advertising for applications to the Board that oversees ethical policy for Jacksonville City Hall and its employees. The Commission is preparing for a future vacancy on the panel.

The Ethics Commission handles complaints filed with the city’s Office of Ethics, Compliance and Oversight and considers potential violations of the Jacksonville Ethics Code.

The Board is accepting applications to fill the pending open position on the Board until Oct. 10 at noon. Those interested can download an application form online at the city’s website and submit their applications via email to [email protected]. Prospective candidates will be interviewed before the Nominating Committee on Oct. 7, beginning at 4 p.m.

The Ethics Committee was established in 1992 by the City Council to investigate potential ethical conflicts involving city personnel and to ensure transparency in the city’s open government.

Hastings hangout

Residents of western St. Johns County will soon have a library of their own as construction is underway for a new facility in Hastings.

The Hastings Community Center and Library are well underway in their construction and are expected to open in February. It’s part of St. Johns County’s improvement of public infrastructure and public services effort.

The center will offer expanded library services, along with other amenities, meeting rooms, event spaces, and outdoor gathering areas. The county intends the facility to become a destination point.

“The Hastings Community Center and Library will be a place where families can come to learn, grow, and connect,” said Debra Rhodes Gibson, St. Johns County Public Library System Director. “Whether it’s for a program, a class, or just to check out a book, this space will be a true reflection of the spirit and diversity of our community.”

St. Johns County officials say the facility at 401 N. Main St. in Hastings will be a hub for community events, learning, creativity and a meeting place for neighbors seeking cultural opportunities.

“In a few months, this community will see the facility they chose, and we are more excited to bring this resource to such a great community,” said Brad Guagliardo, St. Johns County Public Works project manager.

Mural musings

One of the key display areas of Jacksonville’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) will be getting a makeover that will be a work of art in itself.

MOCA officials say they’ll be installing their “Project Atrium” in the central area of the museum. It will feature “muralists in action” and display works by local artists Shaun Thurston and Dustin Harewood. The displays will make the museum’s atrium gallery into a work of art itself. It’s also designed to celebrate mural art in Jacksonville.

The display will be available to the public now through Feb. 15 at MOCA. In the first four weeks, visitors to the museum will have the opportunity to witness the artists installing and working on the artwork daily, from Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no charge to view the display.

Jaguars fork-in-the-road

After beating the 49ers in San Francisco on Monday, the Jaguars prepare for one of the most anticipated home games in years when they face the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football.

Not only is the game generating buzz on the First Coast, but the outcome of the game could dictate the direction of the Jaguars’ season.

Here’s why:

The Jaguars are off to a 3-1 start for the eighth time in franchise history. Amazingly, they have made the playoffs in only four of the previous seven seasons. One of the seasons when they started 3-1 and failed to make the playoffs was 2018, when they beat the New England Patriots in the second week of the season after losing to Tom Brady and Co. in the AFC championship game the previous year.

That game is the last most anticipated early regular-season matchup (the Saturday night meeting with the Tennessee Titans to determine the 2022 AFC South champion had the built-in drama of direct playoff implications).

If the Jaguars can beat Patrick Mahomes, et al, the Jaguars would be 4-1, matching the second-best start to a season in franchise history. More immediately, they would remain in first place in the division without a game in an opponent’s stadium until November. With a home game against the Seattle Seahawks and the London game against the Los Angeles Rams before the bye week, the Jaguars will play in comfortable surroundings until Week 9 of the NFL season. By then, they could be competing for playoff positioning, not just contending in the division.

But can the Jaguars, a team still adjusting to a new coaching staff and a bushel of new players, contend with a team that has played in the last six conference championship games?

In short, yes.

When the Jaguars have been at their best this season — and it has been for stretches, not for an entire game — they have relied on the running game, defense, and special teams, without putting too much of the game on the shoulders of quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Running back Travis Etienne has recaptured the big-play potential he showed in his first pro season. Etienne ranks third in the NFL in rushing entering the weekend.

The Jaguars’ defense leads the NFL with 13 takeaways, including a league-high nine interceptions.

And more importantly, Kansas City has not been as dominant this season as in past years. The Chiefs began the season with losses to the Chargers and Eagles before defeating the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens, improving their record to 2-2. Last week’s win over Baltimore was the most impressive performance of the season, and Mahomes has thrown seven touchdowns and just one interception this season. He also leads the team in rushing yards.

It will take the Jaguars’ best game so far to beat the Chiefs. But it can be done.

If the Jaguars pull it off, the season’s storyline becomes very interesting.