The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office held their annual Police Memorial Day Ceremony on the front steps of the Police Memorial Building on Bay Street. Mayor Alvin Brown joined Sheriff John Rutherford and many other city officials for the May 1 ceremony to honor the lives of Jacksonville's 60 fallen officers and their families.

See more photos from Police Memorial Day 

During the ceremony, Mayor Brown presented a proclamation declaring May 1, 2014 as "Jacksonville Police Memorial Day," and the week of May 11-17, 2014 as "National Police Appreciation Week." The ceremony also included remarks from Sheriff Rutherford, a Final Roll Call, a twenty-one gun salute, missing man formation flyover, and much more.

The City of Jacksonville and City Council hosted a Tire and Sign Buy-Back event at the EverBank Field parking lot on April 5 as part of efforts to curb neighborhood and urban blight. More than 23,000 tires and 6,000 illegal signs were collected, resulting in a payout of $41,255. At the first-time event, approximately 3,000 Duval County residents turned out to trade in up to 10 tires for $2 per tire, and up to 40 illegal snipe signs for 50 cents per sign.

The event was a collaboration between the City of Jacksonville and the City Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on Jacksonville’s Neighborhood Blight, which is chaired by Council Member E. Denise Lee, and includes Council Member John Crescimbeni, Council Member Bill Bishop, Council Member Jim Love and Council Member Dr. Johnny Gaffney. The Neighborhood Blight Committee was formed by City Council President Bill Gulliford to examine the status of blight in neighborhoods throughout the city.

One Spark Runs From April 9-13

Mayor Alvin Brown joined One Spark Executive Director Joe Sampson, City Council President Bill Gulliford, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Assistant Chief Leonard Propper and Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s CEO Nat Ford to outline road closures and parking options for this year’s five-day One Spark event.

During the event’s duration, from Wednesday, April 9 through Sunday, April 13, free parking will be available in Lot E at EverBank Field. Free shuttles will take visitors to and from One Spark. There is also a free parking option at the Prime Osborn Houston Lot. JTA is offering free Skyway rides to and from that location.

Mayor Launches New Transparency Effort to Provide Even More Access for Citizens

Earlier in this Sunshine Week, the First Amendment Foundation rated the City of Jacksonville’s website as the most transparent city website in Florida. Building on that success, Mayor Alvin Brown today announced the launch of a new transparency web page to make it easier for people to connect with their government.

“Open government is good government,” said Mayor Brown. “It’s essential that our city government is transparent and citizens have convenient access to information. We appreciate the positive recognition from the First Amendment Foundation. Our new transparency web page is the next step forward in our continuing efforts at openness and accountability.”

New Website Offers the Public a Tool to Learn about City’s Progress on Key Priorities

Mayor Alvin Brown today announced the launch of a new City of Jacksonville web page with “performance scorecards” aimed at enhancing efficiency and accountability in city operations. JaxScore 1.0, developed by the city’s Information Technology Division, offers the public a new tool to find out how well various city departments, divisions and offices are performing on key priorities.

“JaxScore is about making our city government more efficient, effective and responsive to community needs,” said Mayor Brown. “It’s about being focused on clear goals and measurable results. It’s also about being transparent and accountable, so citizens can see how their city is performing. Some people call it data-driven government. I just call it smart government.”

Jacksonville Summit One of 100 Nationwide to Examine Challenges and Solutions for Raising High School Graduation Rates and Preparing All Young People for Success

Mayor Alvin Brown announced today he will convene the Jacksonville GradNation Community Summit with America’s Promise Alliance, the nation’s largest partnership dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth.

The all-day summit will be held Friday, April 4 at the Jacksonville Public Library’s Main Branch. The agenda will focus on how to improve high school graduation rates and better prepare young people for college and the workforce.

Opportunities for Jobs, Leadership and Diversion Begin at MLK Jr. Breakfast

Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown today launched a youth initiative that will increase summer job opportunities, expand efforts to keep first-time, nonviolent juvenile offenders out of repeat trouble and develop youth leaders in the community.

“Improving opportunities for Jacksonville’s next generation is one of my top priorities,” said Mayor Brown. “Young people represent the hope of our community. Wise investments in our youth pay huge dividends for them and for Jacksonville.”

View the fact sheet on the Mayor's Youth Initiative

The mayor announced his youth initiative at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Breakfast at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, featuring journalist Soledad O’Brien.

Join Mayor Alvin Brown and the City of Jacksonville to commemorate the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a breakfast honoring his life and dream for social change on Friday, Jan. 17. CNN reporter and anchor Soledad O'Brien will be this year's keynote speaker. In addition, six local students will be recognized as Tomorrow's Leaders for their volunteerism, leadership and civic responsibility.

Learn more about the 27th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast

The doors open at 7:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 8 a.m. at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Individual tickets are $40, tables are $400. Complimentary parking will be available for attendees in surrounding lots. Purchase tickets and learn more at JaxHappenings.com

Ring in the New Year in Downtown Jacksonville with fireworks at midnight as the skies come alive to welcome 2014. The show will take place over the St. Johns River with a river barge located behind The Jacksonville Landing to light up the night sky and celebrate the New Year!

Learn more at JaxHappenings.com

Residents from throughout the First Coast descended upon Hemming Plaza and City Hall on Friday, Dec. 6,  for the annual Holiday at St. James celebration. The event featured live entertainment, a holiday photo booth, cookie decorating, tours of the Mayor and City Council Offices, and a holiday tree lighting in Hemming Plaza.

See photos from the Holiday at St. James

See photos from the City Council's Holiday Open House

Authorities, Mayor Brown Urge Jacksonville to Take Part in Thursday Game

With support from executives of Jacksonville’s independent authorities, Mayor Alvin Brown urged the city to rally in support of the Jaguars as the team takes the national stage Thursday night at EverBank Field.

The Jaguars will host the Houston Texans in a primetime NFL game, and the independent authorities and the City of Jacksonville urged the community to show its support of the home team. The NFL Network will broadcast the game and put Jacksonville on display again as a topflight site for major football games and other sporting events.

“The Jaguars undoubtedly will bring everything they have to win the game, and our city should step up, too,” Mayor Brown said. “As executives of government agencies, we want to show the national audience that our Downtown and our community embraces being a top destination for football and events. Our residents and businesses have a great opportunity to enjoy festivities at EverBank Field.”

City Moves Up to No. 3 in National Ranking

The City of Jacksonville ranked third nationally in e.Republic’s Center for Digital Government’s Digital Cities survey results. The city moved up from No. 10 ranking last year, highlighting the increasing strength of information technology in Jacksonville.

“Technology plays a crucial role in improving public service,” said Mayor Alvin Brown. “It’s critical that we continue to innovate, find new ways to connect, and deploy better quality services. I’m proud of the hard work from the city and all of our partners that show that Jacksonville is a major player on the national stage.”

Jacksonville shares the No. 3 spot with Riverside, Calif., after Boston, and Louisville, Ky.,and Philadelphia, which are tied for second. Jacksonville is the only Florida city ranked among the nation’s largest metropolitan areas.

New Center to Enhance Offerings, Provide One-Stop Home of Service for Veterans

The ribbon for the new City of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Jaguars Veterans Resource and Reintegration Center was cut today at City Hall by Mayor Alvin Brown, Jaguars owner Shad Khan, Deutsche Bank Managing Director Michael Fleming, and City Military Affairs, Veterans and Disabled Services Director Vic Guillory. The center is part of a five-year, $1 million partnership between the city and the Jaguars Foundation that will enhance and expand services for Jacksonville area military and veterans.

“I’m proud of this partnership, highlighting the city and Jaguars’ commitment to the dedicated men and women who serve, or have served, in the United States military,” said Mayor Alvin Brown. “By working together, we are able to enhance and expand the services available to our military and veterans, showing our community’s gratitude and support in strong and meaningful ways.” Read more