Resident: Riverside November 2020

RIVERSIDE . AVONDALE . ORTEGA . MURRAY HILL FIERCELY LOCAL NEWS ... FIERCELY LOYAL READERS

RESIDENTNEWS.NET | NOVEMBER 2020, VOL. 14, ISSUE 11

Happy Fall

Erin Rath joins long-time teacher Jeannette Bruce in manning the pumpkin patch at St. Paul’s Catholic School in Riverside

HOMETOWN HERO

Serving and protecting the community When we read the Downtown Dwellers nomination of JSO Assistant Chief Jimmy Judge, we knew immediately he would be the winner of our Hometown Hero contest. Clearly, Judge is “the embodiment of the police services we value.” READ MORE, PAGE 39

HISTORIC LIFE VOL. 6 NOW AVAILABLE! Historic Life - Community & Newcomers Guide, the highly sought-after guide to Jacksonville’s historic neighborhoods has arrived. We have copies available for anyone that wishes to have one for their guests, their new neighbors or anyone looking to collect a beautiful representation of their neighborhood. Look for one on a news stand near you, or write editor@residentnews.net today to reserve your copy.

Should taxpayers subsidize Lot J?

WATER WOES Residents raise concern, seek city assistance for flood water mitigation By Marcia Hodgson Resident Community News

Although Craig McColskey and his wife, Flo, live a few blocks away from the river, they often joke that they have “waterfront” property. The couple along with nine of their neighbors who live in homes lining the west side Palmer Avenue neighbors Steve of Palmer Avenue are encounJackson and Craig McColskey tering severe sunny day flooding from a drainage pipe or trench that runs through a city easement on the rear of their properties. The residents admit that they were flooded out of their homes during Hurricane Irma, which is something they could understand due to the severity of that storm. But what they can’t understand is why the flooding is continuing and getting worse this year, even on days when the skies are blue and there is not a cloud in sight. “I cringe when it rains. It’s as if we are now the retention pond behind Roosevelt Square,” said Flo McColskey, adding that all she is asking for is that the city accept responsibility and take their flooding problem seriously. All she and her neighbors want is for the City to clean out the drainage pipes and trench that runs through the city easement in the rear of their properties. Rebecca Deacon, McColskey’s neighbor who lives near the Roosevelt Mall/Ortega Park, which is currently under construction, is also upset about the situation. As a mom to young children who works from her house, Deacon complained that her backyard is so wet she cannot allow her children to play outdoors. “The ground stays pretty saturated, and then there is a storm drain at the corner of the back yard where water will come out of it, even when it’s not raining. It just fills up my backyard,” she said. “I have to put CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

Residents sound off on whether taxpayers should foot a large portion of the tab for Shad Khan’s big plans for an entertainment complex adjacent to the stadium.

NARROW CANAL CAUSES CONCERN

Members of Riverside Avondale Preservation and nearby neighboring residents were concerned that the bulkhead being installed on Willow Branch Canal was much narrower and not sufficient to handle the volumes of water for which it was intended. READ MORE, PAGE 8

Celebrating the legacy of Ninah Cummer

Connie Long, Carol Southern, Bobi McGinnis, Geri Groenert, Lavonne O'Shields and Joan Burchell Members of the Garden Club of Jacksonville held their first in-person event when they gathered for an outdoor picnic to celebrate Garden Club Founder Ninah Cummer’s 125th birthday Oct. 16. Cummer, of course, was unable to make the occasion, but she was clearly there in spirit. READ MORE, PAGE 27.

Grandparents’ Day restricted, but not dampened for little spirits at RPDS

Unable to attend due to COVID-19 restrictions, Anne Wilson McDonald’s family visited with her in spirit during Grandparents’ Day at Riverside Presbyterian Day School Oct. 19. READ MORE, PAGE 44