Rory Diamond

Florida CFO Stops In Jax Pushing Legislation To Carve Liability Protection For Businesses

By • Dec 10, 2020
patronis speaking at a podium inside of a restaurant, alongside other local lawmakers, large windows letting in a lot of light from the side of the building.
Sky Lebron / WJCT News

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis has been travelling the state as part of his “Rally at the Restaurant” tour, calling on the creation of a bill in the 2021 legislative session to extend liability protections for small businesses from what he calls “frivolous litigation.”

Several Jax Council Members Criticize Proposed Social Justice Pilot Program Spending

By • Nov 30, 2020
Outside of City Hall, large building with steps leading to the entrance, a couple of palm trees out in the front
Sky Lebron / WJCT News

The first bill to come out of the Jacksonville City Council’s Social Justice and Community Investment Committee was heard by a committee Monday morning.

Council President Tommy Hazouri Comes Under Fire After Contentious Lot J Meeting

By • Nov 20, 2020
City Council President Tommy Hazouri
Bob Self / Florida Times-Union file photo

After a tense meeting Thursday night, Jacksonville City Council President Tommy Hazouri is coming under fire from some of his fellow councilmembers.

Jax City Council Members, Police Union Donate To Reward For Solving Teen’s Murder

By • Oct 29, 2020
a small memorial of flowers and a unicorn in a patch of grass along a sidewalk
Sky Lebron / WJCT News

Following months of no progress, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and local leaders are pleading with the public to provide tips about the shooting of a 17-year-old girl in March.  

City Council Committee Refuses To Discuss JSO Citizens’ Review Board

By • Oct 21, 2020
Garrett Dennis speakign with a mic in his hand, with other council members and Florida politicans behind him, right in front of the entrance of City Hall.
Sky Lebron / WJCT News

Jacksonville City Councilman Garrett Dennis is lashing out at fellow council members Wednesday after the Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety committee this week declined to discuss his proposal to create a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Citizens’ Review Board to review closed cases.

Councilmen Propose Slowing Down Process Of Renaming Jacksonville Parks, Buildings

By • Aug 17, 2020
Pillar where the Hemming Park monument used to stand, including a fountain and path. Buildings and trees in the background.
Sky Lebron / WJCT News

Less than a week after the Jacksonville City Council voted to rename Hemming Park to James Weldon Johnson Park, Councilman Rory Diamond is filing a bill to institute a two-year moratorium on the future renaming of public parks, buildings, recreational facilities and public streets. 

Jacksonville City Council Unanimously Approves $75M For St. Johns River Dredging

By • Jul 28, 2020
Aerial shot of cargo ship approaching JAXPORT
JAXPORT

The Jacksonville City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved $75 million in funding for the ongoing St. Johns River dredging project.

City Councilman Danny Becton Running For Council Presidency

By • May 20, 2020
Becton speaking in front of a glass podium in a hotel, a bunch of decorations in the background
Sky Lebron / WJCT News

Jacksonville City Councilman Danny Becton is running for the Council presidency. 

Councilman Rory Diamond tweeted a letter from Becton declaring his candidacy. He will run against current councilman and former Jacksonville mayor Tommy Hazouri. 

Clay, Duval, St. Johns, Nassau Lawmakers Plan Legislation To Buy More U.S.-Made Products

By • May 6, 2020
United States Flag waving in the wind amidst a cloudy sky
Darron Cummings / Associated Press

Jacksonville Councilman Rory Diamond is introducing legislation alongside commissioners from three other Northeast Florida counties that would have local governments buy United States products over those imported from overseas, even if they are more expensive.

Special JEA Committee Tries To Require Testimony After Sale Negotiator Refuses

By • May 5, 2020
Stephanie Burch speaking into the camera, in a blank room
Via City of Jacksonville Zoom Press Conference

The City Council’s Special Investigatory Committee into JEA on Tuesday voted to issue a letter to both Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and Chief Administrative Officer Brian Hughes urging them to require Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Stephanie Burch to provide sworn testimony on the attempted sale of JEA. 

City Council Okays Half-Cent Sales Tax Referendum For Duval School Improvements

By • Apr 14, 2020
Outside of the Duval County School District Building, block building with large lettering saying the name of the building
Cyd Hoskinson / WJCT News

Voters in Jacksonville will be able to decide whether to allow a half-cent sales tax to improve the infrastructure and safety of Duval County schools this November.

Councilman Diamond Wants JEA Board To Hold Off Paying Millions To Outside Firms

By • Mar 2, 2020
Rory Diamond at the Special Investigatory Committee
COJ Meeting Livestreams

Jacksonville City Councilman Rory Diamond is asking the JEA board to hold off paying some outside firms that are billing the city-owned utility $13 million for work on its failed attempt to privatize. 

Committee Seeks Documents, Communications Related To Failed JEA Privatization

By • Feb 10, 2020
JEA headquarters exterior
Bill Bortzfield / WJCT News

In its first meeting, the Jacksonville City Council’s Special Investigatory Committee on JEA asked for all documents related to the now-halted sales process of the city-owned utility and all communications to or from Mayor Lenny Curry and others.

To Prevent Suicide, Northeast Florida Fire Watch Will Connect Veterans To Each Other

By • Nov 8, 2019
City of Jacksonville via Facebook

The City of Jacksonville is joining with four other Northeast Florida counties to try to safeguard military veterans against suicide.

Federal statistics show at least 20 veterans are killing themselves every day, which is what drove the creation of a program called Fire Watch.