Latest news with #JacksonvilleCityCouncil
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jacksonville celebrates Juneteenth at City Hall observance
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — The Onslow Civic Affairs Committee hosted its 4th annual Juneteenth observance at City Hall. The annual event educate members of the community about the holiday's history, which mark the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. 'There is still a lot that the country needs to do in terms of help to rebuilding the African-American community, from health care to socioeconomic development, to affordable housing, to education, to law,' Jacksonville City Council Member Dr. Angelia Washington said. 'So even though our presence is seen throughout the world, our absence still exists.' Other Juneteenth observances will take place throughout the county closer to the holiday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘A nightmare': Critics blast Jacksonville's new limits on aid for undocumented immigrants
Local activists are urging supporters to boycott businesses owned by Jacksonville City Council members who voted in favor of a new immigration ordinance passed Tuesday night. The bill, which restricts the use of taxpayer dollars for services to undocumented immigrants, passed 11 to 7 after hours of heated debate and multiple amendments. While supporters say it's about fiscal responsibility, critics say it unfairly targets vulnerable communities. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< 'We passed Jacksonville's first ever prohibition of spending taxpayer money on illegal immigrants for services,' said Councilman Rory Diamond, who sponsored the bill. 'My colleagues wanted some exceptions… emergency services, military members, and others to prevent unintentional consequences.' Among the changes made before passage: carveouts for pregnant women, children, military families, and victims of sex and labor trafficking. Still, the measure drew emotional responses from community advocates. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Cuban-American community leader Clara Sowers said the bill could have a negative effect on immigrants in crisis. 'It's a nightmare,' said Sowers. 'Do you call JSO when you get beat up? Do you get in the ambulance if you're hurt? This bill stokes fear.' Now, the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance is calling for a boycott of any business tied to council members who voted yes. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] The bill also requires the mayor's office to report on the number of undocumented immigrants receiving city-funded housing, as well as disclose data on DEI programs and federal grants. Mayor Donna Deegan has not yet signed the measure. 'She's in a tough situation,' said Sowers. 'No matter what she does, she'll be criticized.' Councilman Diamond had a message for the mayor: 'Have some guts, have some courage… sign it or veto it. Don't just play games with it.' Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
City Council passes bill prohibiting taxpayer funding for services to undocumented immigrants
The Jacksonville City Council approved an ordinance at Tuesday night's meeting to restrict publicly-funded assistance to undocumented immigrants, but not without several changes and heated debate. The bill, which passed 11 to 7, would require Mayor Donna Deegan's office to provide a report to the City Council Finance Committee regarding all federal grants, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, and the number of undocumented immigrants in public housing. The vote was immediately met with a strong reaction from the crowd, with several yelling 'shame!' Read the original, unamended ordinance below: The bill was introduced by Councilman Rory Diamond (R-District 13), who also co-sponsored a recent controversial law increasing local immigration enforcement. 'Are we a nation of laws or are we a nation of anarchy? Are we Jacksonville or are we Los Angeles? Are we Florida or are we California?' said Diamond Tuesday night. Multiple councilmembers expressed frustration about the bill's existence at the local level, insisting it should be addressed federally. 'We're dabbling places we do not belong,' said Councilman Rahman Johnson. Diamond, however, argued it is a problem that must now be handled at the local level due to inadequate border handling by the Biden Administration. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Four amendments were made before the bill's passage, creating exceptions for certain services to undocumented immigrants. An amendment introduced by Councilmember Matt Carlucci passed, making an exception for services for victims of domestic violence. Exceptions were also added for victims of human trafficking, children's services, and services from UF Health. Another amendment from Councilwoman Tyrona Clark-Murray made an exception for services to pregnant women. 'This is an attempt to make a horrible bill less horrible,' said Clark-Murray. The meeting concluded immediately after the final vote around 9:40 P.M., nearly six hours after it began. The bill now goes to Mayor Donna Deegan's desk, where she will have to decide whether or not to give it her signature. The mayor's office released the following statement following the bill's passage: 'Mayor Deegan has concerns about the bill. She will be reviewing it and weighing all her options.' [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Business Journals
10-06-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Otto Aviation incentives approved at Jacksonville City Council
The Jacksonville City Council approved a Revenue Enhancement Value grant for up to $20 million to support the Texas-based company's planned manufacturing and production facility at Cecil Airport.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jacksonville City Council approves sale of Profile Cotton Mill for demolition
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (WIAT) — The Jacksonville City Council voted this week to approve the sale of the Profile Cotton Mill. Benjamin Nunnally, who is the spokesperson for the city, confirmed that the part of the building owned by the city will now be sold to K&D Adventures, LLC and Kevin Steward for demolition and removal. According to the Alabama Historical Commission marker, the Profile Cotton Mill dates back to 1905. In 2006, the Profile Mill Complex and Profile Mill Village were added to the National Register of Historic Places, according to the historical marker database. On Friday afternoon, CBS 42 News had the opportunity to visit the building owned by the city that some people had hoped to save. Old equipment still lines the walls of the newer portion of the mill that was added later. In the older part of the building, shards of cotton are still visible hanging from what remains of the tumbler. David Schneider with Schneider Historic Preservation, LLC, who worked to get the property's historical designation, wishes the city had allowed for more time to find a buyer who would be interested in developing the property instead of demolishing it. 'The economy was really bad in 2020, and the interest rate's been horrible since, and the developers haven't been doing anything,' Schneider said. 'But that's turned around,' he added. 'Since the beginning of the year I've had more projects than I know what to do with. It was just a matter of time before we get somebody that would be interested in the building.' Nunnally explained why the city council decided to sell the building. 'Right now, we have somebody who is interested in purchasing the property who has been working on purchasing the property for the last eight years,' he said. Nunnally said, while the city would have preferred to keep it, they haven't had any offers and eventually might have to pay for the demolition themselves. Congressman says Space Command weeks away from moving to Alabama 'The people who asked for us to hold off and look for more solutions have not brought us anything to work with,' he explained. 'It seems like there's really no reason not to go ahead and move forward.' Nunnally said that once the agreement is signed, the buyer will demolish the building and salvage parts of it. Schneider, who said he was hired by the city to get the mill its historical designation, said it's important for people to understand where they come from. 'It's a tangible reminder of our past, and when you lose it, it's gone,' Schneider said. 'And again, as long as it's still standing there's hope, but once it's gone it's gone.' Nunnally said he expects the agreement to be signed on Monday. The land the building sits on is owned by the city, and they would still be able to develop it. Nunnally said they would then add some type of historical marker to the site. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
