What passed Tuesday marked phase one of the reform plan. In the second phase, the mayor will work closely with department heads to examine the new structure of government for maximum savings and efficiency measures.

Decision Comes Less than a Week After Brown Meets with Transportation Secretary

Less than a week after he met with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to advocate for the project, Mayor Alvin Brown tonight applauded the federal government’s decision to provide a $10 million grant to JAXPORT.

The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant will supply $10 million to help build an intermodal container transfer facility. This enables freight-loading directly between rail and ships, a development that will help curb truck traffic on Heckscher Drive while increasing efficiency at Jacksonville’s waterfront

Florida Animal Control Association also recognized ACPS volunteer as top in state

The Florida Animal Control Association, the professional association of animal care and control personnel in Florida, named the City of Jacksonville’s Animal Care & Protective Services division as the Outstanding Animal Control Agency of the Year for Florida. ACPS was recognized out of more than 130 agencies as a statewide leader in animal programs and services.

Mayor Calls On Citizens to Give One Hour a Week to Mentor Jacksonville Students

Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown announced today the launch of the Mayor’s Mentors, a public-private partnership to train and place 500 new school-based mentors with Duval County Public School students by April 1 at no cost to taxpayers. The Mayor’s goal is to recruit, train and match mentors with Duval County Public School students to increase on-time, next grade promotion and graduation rates. For more information on becoming a Mayor’s Mentor, the public may call United Way’s 2-1-1 or visit www.coj.net/mayorsmentors.

“As mayor, I take seriously my duty to support the Jaguars,” said Brown in his letter. “The City of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Jaguars have long been partners in making this a great NFL city. I look forward to continuing that partnership with you as the new team owner.”

The City of Jacksonville’s Adult Services Division, in partnership with Mission Harvest America, Inc., is sending care packages to troops in Afghanistan during the holidays.

Seniors from 19 senior centers have collected toiletries, snacks, phone calling cards, batteries, pens, stationery, crossword puzzles, books, sports and entertainment games, greeting cards and other miscellaneous items in appreciation of our military overseas. Collectively, more than 300 care packages will be distributed to soldiers by Christmas.

Mayor Alvin Brown unveiled his reform plan for City Council’s review on Tuesday. The reform plan is an effort to streamline operations to deliver city services in the most efficient, effective manner possible.

The reform plan promotes economic development and quality of life by concentrating on cost-reductions and public-private partnerships that will boost value for taxpayers.

Recognized as a Top Affiliate and for Cigarette Litter Prevention Program

For the second consecutive year, the City of Jacksonville and the Keep Jacksonville Beautiful Commission have been recognized nationally by Keep America Beautiful in two award categories. This year, KJB earned a distinguished service citation in the Affiliate Award category and second place for its Cigarette Litter Prevention Program. This recognition builds on KJB’s first-place wins in the same categories in 2010. KAB will present the awards to KJB at the 58th Annual National Conference at the end of November. The conference will be in New Orleans and affiliates nationwide will attend.

 It was a great day for football in Jacksonville as the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs squared off in the 89th annual Florida vs. Georgia Football Classic.

The event packed EverBank field with 82,000 fans as a total of 200,000 fans flocked to the downtown area.

Jacksonville has been neutral ground for this premier college football rivalry since 1933.

Click here for some game day images of Mayor Alvin Brown.

 Welcome back fans!

The Florida vs. Georgia Football Classic is Saturday, Oct. 29. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m.

A sold-out EverBank Field will host 82,000 fans and the event, in total, draws more than 200,000 fans to the downtown area.

Jacksonville has been neutral ground for this premier college football rivalry since 1933. The event has grown over the years and carries an estimated economic impact of $80 million.

Encouraging Future Job Growth Is Key Focus in Delegation Trip

A delegation of Jacksonville business leaders, including Mayor Alvin Brown and JAXUSA Partnership President Jerry Mallot, will join Gov. Rick Scott in Sao Paulo, Brazil for a five-day economic development mission to promote Northeast Florida and help attract new business.

The mission, organized by Enterprise Florida, provides an opportunity to interact and build relationships with international companies and industry leaders who may consider expanding or relocating to the region.

Mayor Alvin Brown is celebrating his first 100 days in office as Jacksonville’s chief executive – 100 days that saw the administration take significant steps forward on many of the mayor’s goals.

“When I took office, I said that I would achieve a balanced budget without new taxes or fees, streamline government so that it is more effective and efficient, promote economic development, and work to help our public schools,” said Mayor Brown. “In just over three months, we have made progress in each of those areas. Much work remains to be done, but I’m pleased that we are closer to moving Jacksonville to the next level.”

Florida’s high-tech companies provide 292,000 jobs paying good wages out of a total payroll of $19.9 billion.

Mayor Alvin Brown hosted a panel discussion during the 10th Annual Florida Black Expo to explore how the expansion of broadband Internet can help put people to work.