Several community organizations were recognized for their contributions to the city in a quarterly ceremony in the Atrium of City Hall on Jan. 28. Mayor Lenny Curry presented proclamations to honor their work and to raise awareness for issues of importance in Jacksonville communities.

Mayor Lenny Curry welcomed more than 20 City employees to his office at City Hall on Jan. 28 to honor them for their years of dedicated service to the people of Jacksonville. Employees who had reached 25, 30 and 35 years of service were given service pins in appreciation of their hard work on behalf of Jacksonville citizens.

With the relaunch of Jax Journey, Mayor Lenny Curry has identified four new members – Scott Wiley, W.C. Gentry, April Green and Terrence Harvey; and reappointed two members – Tracy Tousey and Ricardo Bedoya, to serve on its board. Jax Journey, founded in 2008 by then-mayor John Peyton, supports programs and efforts that improve youth services and safer communities.

“One of my key priorities is public safety, which Jax Journey strengthens,” said Mayor Curry. “These individuals are dedicated members of our community who share my commitment to safety and will serve our city well.”

Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the Jacksonville area gained 16,600 new private sector jobs over the year in December. The Jacksonville area’s unemployment rate declined by 0.8 percentage point over the year to 4.5 percent in December. Florida has added more than 1 million private sector jobs since 2010.

In his address at the City of Jacksonville's 29th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, Mayor Lenny Curry quoted a famous speech made by the celebrated civil rights leader in 1967 and asked those gathered where we as a city go from here.

Watch the mayor's full remarks

Jacksonville Now Largest City in the Nation with Distinction 
 
Officials from Insurance Service Office (ISO) joined City of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) leadership today to announce that the City of Jacksonville has earned the highest ISO rating it awards. The Class 1 distinction, held by only 140 out of 48,000 fire departments throughout the country, makes Jacksonville the largest city in the nation with the top classification, and one of only 19 fire and rescue departments in the state.
 
“This is a big win for our city,” said Mayor Lenny Curry. “It clearly demonstrates the level of quality, excellence and commitment JFRD has to the public safety of our citizens.”

In observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the following city government offices and facilities will be closed Monday, Jan. 18.

In observance of New Year’s Day, the following city government offices and facilities will be closed Friday, Jan. 1.

In observance of the winter holidays, many city government offices and facilities will be closed Thursday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 25.

New Series to Address Public Safety

Since taking office, improving public safety and investing in Jacksonville’s youth have remained top priorities for Mayor Lenny Curry. Throughout his administration, he has demonstrated his commitment to working closely with law enforcement officials and community leaders to improve safety for the citizens of Jacksonville.

The Jacksonville Public Library is suspending service at the Murray Hill Branch Library until further notice. The library, located at 918 Edgewood Ave. S., has sustained interior flooding and other damage due to a main water line break that leaked through the foundation into the building.

Board Vacancies Completed with Howard’s Appointment

Mayor Lenny Curry recently announced the appointment of G. Alan Howard to the JEA Board.

Weekend Attracts Tourists to Jacksonville Hotels and Businesses
 
When it comes to the annual football game the city of Jacksonville has hosted for 82 consecutive years, there’s more than just yards gained and points scored on the gridiron. The citizens of Jacksonville benefit greatly from the economic wins of Florida-Georgia weekend. This year’s game, hosted Oct. 31, generated an economic impact of $35 million – a more than $2 million increase from 2014.

The City of Jacksonville has announced that Dr. Sampson Davis, M.D., a highly skilled emergency medicine physician, New York Times best-selling author, and frequent medical expert on TODAY and CNN, will serve as keynote speaker at the 29th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast, presented by Florida Blue. The breakfast, held to celebrate the life, legacy and service of Dr. King, will be held Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, at the Prime Osborn III Convention Center.