Leaders Change CDA Terminating Procedures

Leaders Change CDA Terminating Procedures

On December 14th, 2016 the City Commission voted to support an amendment to the Interlocal Agreement between the City, County and the Sheriff regarding the process whereby the Consolidated Dispatch Agency’s (CDA) Director’s employment may be terminated. Previously, it took the support of all three CDA Board members to hire a Director and one to […]

City Ignores Planning Commission & Neighborhood Residents, Supports Ridge Road Development

City Ignores Planning Commission & Neighborhood Residents, Supports Ridge Road Development

On December 14, 2016 the City Commission voted  3-2  to move forward with a 32 acre development off of Ridge Road despite concerns by residents and a recommendation for denial by the City’s Planning Commission. City Commissioners Nancy Miller, Scott Maddox and Gill Ziffer supported the development and Mayor Andrew Gillum and City Commissioner Curtis […]

City Votes for Medical Marijuana Moratorium

City Votes for Medical Marijuana Moratorium

On Wednesday, December 14th, the City Commission voted 5-0 to move forward with a moratorium on the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries. The decision was based on a chain of events that began in 2014. In 2014, Governor Rick Scott signed the Charlotte’s Web bill into law, legalizing medical marijuana for use in Florida. The […]

FSU President Thrasher Addresses Controversial Issues

FSU President Thrasher Addresses Controversial Issues

TALLAHASSEE — As Florida State University (FSU) President John Thrasher delivered his annual State of the University address Wednesday, Dec. 7, he spoke about the standard topics one would expect — national rankings, fundraising, faculty – but mixed into his comments were more controversial issues affecting university campuses across the country. Following comments about the […]

Jimbo Jackson: Principal, Commissioner

Jimbo Jackson: Principal, Commissioner

TALLAHASSEE — Jimbo Jackson watches the little five-year-old kindergartners scamper through the doors of Ft. Braden School each day and ponders how he can make this a better place for them, not just as the school principal, but also as the newly elected District 2 county commissioner. “While that’s a huge responsibility, it’s an awesome, […]

Analysis: Judge Gievers’ Decision Reveals Weakness of City Charter, Raises Credibility Questions

Analysis: Judge Gievers’ Decision Reveals Weakness of City Charter, Raises Credibility Questions

Now that the legal challenge to the residency of City Commissioner Scott Maddox is over, an analysis of the twenty-eight page final order by Judge Gievers is useful in understanding how the decision was reached and what future implications the decision will have on how residency is addressed by the City of Tallahassee. There were […]

Deshaun Watson Cites FSU Great Warrick Dunn in Acceptance Speech

Deshaun Watson Cites FSU Great Warrick Dunn in Acceptance Speech

On Friday night, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson was in Baltimore to accept the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award – the first Clemson quarterback to take home the award. During his acceptance speech he talked about the impact that FSU great, Warrick Dunn, had on his life and his future ambitions. Warrick Dunn Charities, in partnership […]

City Moves Forward with Federal COPS Grant

City Moves Forward with Federal COPS Grant

Over a year ago we reported that Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch announced that more than $107 million in grant funding would be released through the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office). The Attorney General announced funding awards to nearly 200 law enforcement agencies across the nation, aimed at creating, […]

Maddox Opponents Weigh-In on Residency Decision

Maddox Opponents Weigh-In on Residency Decision

Two former opponents of City Commissioner Scott Maddox voiced their opinion on the recent decision by Judge Karen Gievers that declared Mr. Maddox is a city resident. Political newcomers Bruce Strouble and Luther Lee remained in the race for City Commission after Mr. Maddox decided to forego a run for Superintendent of Leon County Schools […]

Stewart’s Blog: City of Tallahassee has Bungled Residency Issue for Years, Ignores Easy Solution

Stewart’s Blog: City of Tallahassee has Bungled Residency Issue for Years, Ignores Easy Solution

The clear intent of the City of Tallahassee Charter is that City Commissioners should be residents when seeking office and when serving. What is not clear are the rules set forth to enforce this Charter requirement. However, evidence indicates the City of Tallahassee has been aware of the ambiguous enforcement rules for more than a […]