Daily Record Financial News &
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017
Vol. 104, No. 038 • oNe SectioN
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New anti-discrimination bill filed Religious groups, small businesses would be exempt
By Max Marbut Staff Writer If all goes according to plan, Feb. 14 will be marked in Jacksonville as something more than just Valentine’s Day. That’s when City Council could vote on the latest version of legislation that would expand the city’s anti-discrimination laws to include protection for the LGBTQ community. Council members Aaron Bowman, Tommy Hazouri and Jim Love co-sponsored a human rights ordinance filed Wednesday that distills from 40 pages to not quite five pages previous legislation that was defeated or withdrawn since 2012.
Bowman, who called the meeting to gather support among his colleagues for the bill, said he’s been asked by many people what’s different about this proposal compared to the others. Attorney Jimmy Midyette, a member of the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality who helped draft the ordinance, explained how it evolved from 2012 to its current form. He said it’s the culmination of best practices adopted by other cities and input from previous council action and the public. The bill provides protection based on “sexual orientation and gender identity” as they apply to discrimination, he said. Sexual orientation is defined as “an individual’s actual or perceived orientation as
heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual.” Gender identity means the “genderrelated identity, appearance or expression of a person.” In addition, gender identity must be demonstrated by “consistent and uniform assertion” and “sincerely held” and shall not be asserted for any improper, illegal or criminal purpose. Businesses would be allowed under the proposed ordinance to provide single-sex restrooms, locker rooms, showers, dormitory lodging and similar facilities that are by nature distinctly private. Companies with fewer than 15 employees would be exempt from the ordinance. HRO CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Whiteway Deli hoping to add dinner, drinks
Photos by Fran Ruchalski
Scenes from first Art Walk of 2017
Jacksonville was spelled out in six-foot letters outside the Jacksonville Public Library Downtown during Art Walk on Wednesday night. See more photos on Page 3.
City Council members Aaron Bowman, upper left, Tommy Hazouri, above, and Jim Love are co-sponsors of a new anti-discrimination proposal filed Wednesday.
New owner Scott McAlister wants to add dinner service, along with the sale and service of alcohol, to Whiteway Delicatessen in Riverside, according to a lawyer working with him. McAlister, already an owner in three King Street bars and lounges, has applied to the city for a zoning exception to sell liquor, beer and wine and a waiver to reduce the required minimum distance between the 1239 King St. location and a church and school from 500 to 400 feet. Rogers Towers lawyer Wyman Duggan, the agent for the zoning applications, said the 5,200-square-foot restaurant space has 140 seats. Whiteway is open for breakfast and lunch. It’s not clear how the menu would change for dinner or whether the name would be altered. McAlister could not be reached through calls or by message on his Facebook page or those of his
other establishments. Duggan said the requests are scheduled Jan. 19 at the Planning Commission. McAlister bought the property in September through 1239 King Street LLC. The 8,200-square-foot building comprises three businesses — Whiteway Deli, Sweet Theory Baking Co. and Uniforms Unique. Two zoning signs are posted at Whiteway Deli. A previous set of zoning exception and waiver requests described the project as up to three establishments, but Duggan said Tuesday after a meeting with city planners, that just the Whiteway Deli space would be involved. MATHIS CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
New program will teach ins and outs of campaigns
By Kevin Hogencamp Contributing Writer
Kurt Taylor sits on the side of Laura Street and draws a picture with a Sharpie.
Public
Morgan Ciottoni performs with a lighted hula hoop during the monthly festival.
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Upon graduating from the Leadership Jacksonville program in 1993, Alberta Hipps was determined to take her community service role to the next level. Hipps tested the political waters in 1995 and prevailed. She served on the City Council for eight years. “Community service is often done through nonprofit service, but for many it’s done through elected office,” said Jill Langford Dame, CEO of the community leadership organization. But that can be a daunting proposition, especially for first-
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timers. To fill that void, Hipps and communications professional John Daigle are heading a new Leadership Jacksonville training program for residents who desire to participate in the political process. The weekly, five-session political campaign training seminars begin April 7. Hipps is a longtime government relations and business development professional; Daigle is a 2000 Leadership Jacksonville graduate with more than 30 years of experience in journalism, campaign management and marketing. CAMPAIGN CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
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