The Jacksonville City Council voted to replace two members of the city’s Planning Commission, Tuesday.
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry asked them to resign, but they refused.
The Council voted 14-3 in favor of replacing Joey McKinnon with Abel Harding, and 13-5 in favor of replacing Planning Commission Chair Lisa King with Donald Adkinson.
Curry asked the them to resign in the middle of their terms, saying he needs people better aligned with his vision for the city. Curry asked several other people on city boards and commissions to resign as well.
Councilman Aaron Bowman supports the mayor’s appointments.
“We elected the mayor to lead this city, to make the decisions to lead the city, and we need to get out of his way and let him do it,” Bowman said. “Would I have done this? I don’t know. But I trust the mayor.”
The replacements weren't without controversy. King was elected chair by her fellow members just days after being asked to resign. And at the last Council meeting, more than three dozen people showed up to protest the replacements.
Councilman John Crescimbeni voted against replacing the commissioners. He says it’s principle.
“I think it’s a poor signal to send to people that are volunteering their time,” Crescimbeni said. “And in the absence of some sort of malfeasance or a hand getting caught in the cookie jar, I’m just not a fan of big proponent of this style of wholesale changes.”
The new appointments become effective upon Mayor Curry’s signature.
