Resident: San Marco September 2024

COMMUNITY NEWS

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IN THIS ISSUE

San Marco Preservation Society to hire first executive director

Election results, master facility plan updates, attendance campaign and marketing efforts.

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City Council rejects anti-hate crimes bill

At-Large Group 1 Councilmember Terrence Freeman discusses the importance and power of resolutions at the Aug. 13 city council meeting.

By Michele Leivas The Jacksonville City Council rejected a bill that would have increased fines and penalties for city ordinance violations if they were deemed to be related to hate crimes. Bill #0334 was defeated on a 12-7 vote at the Aug. 13 city council meeting, with councilmembers Michael Boylan, Matt Carlucci, Tyrona Clark-Murray, Ju-Coby Pittman, Reggie Gaffney, Jr., Rahman Johnson and Jimmy Peluso voting in favor. Since its introduction in the spring, the bill had sparked conversations regarding what constitutes a hate crime – and who

would make that determination – as well as concerns regarding potential limits on constitutionally protected free speech. Among the bill’s amendments were those designed to clarify that the increased fines and penalties would pertain to infractions that promoted “animosity, hostility or malice” to the point of endangering a person or their property. At the Aug. 13 meeting, citizens on both sides of the issue spoke passionately about the proposed bill. Resident Hudson Horne commented that the bill didn’t need amendments but to be dropped altogether. “We actually do have ordinances on our books already that READ MORE ON PAGE 4

Laura Street Trio: City files foreclosure lawsuit against developer Atkins refuses to work with DIA

Naval Hospital Color Guard

By Michele Leivas

US POSTAGE PAID STUART, FL PERMIT NO.300