Though debate in
City Council committees is weeks away, Councilwoman Faye
Rustin held a congressional-style hearing last week on proton
beam cancer treatment.
Rustin, a breast cancer survivor, hosted the meeting with
oncologists from as far away as Harvard University and as near as
Orange Park to debate the merits of the planned Florida Proton
Therapy Institute, to be housed adjacent to Shands Jacksonville in
Springfield.
Though the city isn't putting in any direct dollars, the council
will be asked to approve more than $80 million in separate bond
offerings for the project. The city could be on the hook for up to
$15 million if the project fails.
The state is kicking in $11 million, combined with the $15
million in bonds, to construct the $26 million center, which the
city would own if the institute abandoned the project.
Kirk Wendland, executive director of the Jacksonville
Economic Development Corp., called that the worst-case scenario.
Proton therapy is used for the specialized treatment of cancer,
mostly pediatric, lung and prostate cancers. There now are two such
facilities in the country, though as many as six are expected in the
next seven years. The non-profit center, which would be run by the
University of Florida College of Medicine, is being touted as an
economic development tool to increase Jacksonville's medical
exposure.
Rustin, who questioned the effectiveness of the treatment, said
most of her questions were answered during the session, though
she'll probably head to Boston to visit a center before offering her
support.
Legislation approving the bonds has been stalled for a month and
Wendland is hoping for a vote during the next month.
LAWSUIT: Public relations consultant Paul McCormick
said last week that he and the Utility Contractors Association of
North Florida have parted ways.
McCormick had represented the association in its lawsuit against
City Hall's minority business program, which the association wants
ended. McCormick said the need for his work had passed, and
association President Ryan Schmitt wouldn't take press calls.
Because the lawsuit became a political hot potato, McCormick had
gone on an indefinite leave from Gate Petroleum executive John
Peyton's mayoral bid. Leaving the lawsuit now frees McCormick to
rejoin the Peyton team.
SUPER CRUISE SHIPS: A critical point of Jacksonville's
Super Bowl effort -- employing cruise ships as hotels -- has
generated solid interest from the cruise line industry, the
consultant helping put together the ships for 2005 said.
Because of a shortage of hotel space, Super Bowl organizers need
to use cruise ships for about 8,000 rooms, docking them along the
riverfront. They are asking cruise liners to submit proposals about
how to accomplish that along the St. Johns River. The National
Football League has made the cruise ships the top priority locally.
Five companies have responded, some offering from eight to 10
ships, said Joyce Landry, president and chief executive of
Landry & Kling, the Miami consultant helping manage the ship
plan. The companies weren't identified, but ships ranging in size
from 350 to 1,500 rooms were proposed.
Organizers want to use the ships for entertainment venues,
allowing people to move to and from different vessels. That point
will be negotiated with cruise liners, Landry said.
By autumn, the cruise lines should be under contract for the
game.
MOVING ON: There goes the judge.
Jacksonville Transportation Authority member Russell
Healey will resign his seat effective April 30.
Healey joined the seven-member board a year ago and is leaving
because Gov. Jeb Bush recently appointed him a Duval County
judge. The Code of Judicial Conduct prohibits him from continuing to
serve on the JTA.
In a resignation letter to Mayor John Delaney, Healey said
the JTA members are committed to the JTA's role "as an independent
authority providing for Jacksonville's transportation needs. In that
regard, it is imperative that someone with the same commitment fill
my position."
Delaney hasn't announced who will replace Healey. Delaney's
appointee would be subject to City Council confirmation.
Staff writers David Bauerlein, David DeCamp and Matt Galnor
compiled this report.
