The City of Jacksonville and City Council hosted a Tire and Sign Buy-Back event at the EverBank Field parking lot on April 5 as part of efforts to curb neighborhood and urban blight. More than 23,000 tires and 6,000 illegal signs were collected, resulting in a payout of $41,255. At the first-time event, approximately 3,000 Duval County residents turned out to trade in up to 10 tires for $2 per tire, and up to 40 illegal snipe signs for 50 cents per sign.

The event was a collaboration between the City of Jacksonville and the City Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on Jacksonville’s Neighborhood Blight, which is chaired by Council Member E. Denise Lee, and includes Council Member John Crescimbeni, Council Member Bill Bishop, Council Member Jim Love and Council Member Dr. Johnny Gaffney. The Neighborhood Blight Committee was formed by City Council President Bill Gulliford to examine the status of blight in neighborhoods throughout the city.

One Spark Runs From April 9-13

Mayor Alvin Brown joined One Spark Executive Director Joe Sampson, City Council President Bill Gulliford, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Assistant Chief Leonard Propper and Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s CEO Nat Ford to outline road closures and parking options for this year’s five-day One Spark event.

During the event’s duration, from Wednesday, April 9 through Sunday, April 13, free parking will be available in Lot E at EverBank Field. Free shuttles will take visitors to and from One Spark. There is also a free parking option at the Prime Osborn Houston Lot. JTA is offering free Skyway rides to and from that location.

Mayor Launches New Transparency Effort to Provide Even More Access for Citizens

Earlier in this Sunshine Week, the First Amendment Foundation rated the City of Jacksonville’s website as the most transparent city website in Florida. Building on that success, Mayor Alvin Brown today announced the launch of a new transparency web page to make it easier for people to connect with their government.

“Open government is good government,” said Mayor Brown. “It’s essential that our city government is transparent and citizens have convenient access to information. We appreciate the positive recognition from the First Amendment Foundation. Our new transparency web page is the next step forward in our continuing efforts at openness and accountability.”

New Website Offers the Public a Tool to Learn about City’s Progress on Key Priorities

Mayor Alvin Brown today announced the launch of a new City of Jacksonville web page with “performance scorecards” aimed at enhancing efficiency and accountability in city operations. JaxScore 1.0, developed by the city’s Information Technology Division, offers the public a new tool to find out how well various city departments, divisions and offices are performing on key priorities.

“JaxScore is about making our city government more efficient, effective and responsive to community needs,” said Mayor Brown. “It’s about being focused on clear goals and measurable results. It’s also about being transparent and accountable, so citizens can see how their city is performing. Some people call it data-driven government. I just call it smart government.”

Join Mayor Alvin Brown and the City of Jacksonville to commemorate the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a breakfast honoring his life and dream for social change on Friday, Jan. 17. CNN reporter and anchor Soledad O'Brien will be this year's keynote speaker. In addition, six local students will be recognized as Tomorrow's Leaders for their volunteerism, leadership and civic responsibility.

Learn more about the 27th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast

The doors open at 7:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 8 a.m. at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Individual tickets are $40, tables are $400. Complimentary parking will be available for attendees in surrounding lots. Purchase tickets and learn more at JaxHappenings.com

Ring in the New Year in Downtown Jacksonville with fireworks at midnight as the skies come alive to welcome 2014. The show will take place over the St. Johns River with a river barge located behind The Jacksonville Landing to light up the night sky and celebrate the New Year!

Learn more at JaxHappenings.com