Metro: City and County Commission - The Independent Florida Alligator

Metro

Meet the City Commission candidates

By Grethel Aguila | Feb. 28, 2020

Lauren Poe speaks to a crowd of reporters and about 100 supporters Tuesday at the Public and General restaurant. Poe beat three opponents to win his second term as mayor of Gainesville.

Metro

Gainesville Mayor discusses vision of success at State of City address

By Barbara Mills | Feb. 27, 2020

Mayor Lauren Poe addressed racial equity gaps, public safety and homelessness

An attendee at the forum listens to City Commission candidates speak.

Metro

Five City Commission candidates talk local issues

By Grethel Aguila | Feb. 25, 2020

The forum was hosted by the Alachua County Labor Coalition

Mayor Lauren Poe, Gainesville city commissioners and city staff listen to the public’s comments Jan. 18, 2019, during the Gainesville City Commission meeting at City Hall. The meeting was over four hours long, and the panel of legislators passed legislation that banned the use of plastic bags in Gainesville.

Metro

City Commission candidates attend forum, three endorsed

By Grethel Aguila | Feb. 14, 2020

Gainesville Citizens for Active Transport announced its endorsements for the election

Harry Jones, a 61-year-old formerly incarcerated Alachua County resident, registers to vote Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, at the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections office. Jones, who has been out of prison for 13 years, had his right to vote restored after Amendment 4 passed in the 2018 midterm election. Tuesday was the first day Amendment 4 was put into effect. About 50 people registered to vote in Alachua County, said TJ Pyche, the elections office spokesperson.

Metro

County Commission discusses voting rights

By Grethel Aguila | Feb. 4, 2020

The commission addressed concerns about restoring voting rights

Metro

Alachua County selects first poet laureate

By Anna Wilder | Jan. 31, 2020

The term lasts for two years

Edward Bielarski Jr., the general manager of GRU, speaks at a city commission meeting Thursday about a possible partnership between GRU and Florida Power & Light.

Metro

GRU general manager pauses agreement with FPL

By Grethel Aguila | Jan. 27, 2020

The manager emailed city commissioners announcing the pause

Metro

City Commission tables GRU plan

By Grethel Aguila | Jan. 17, 2020

The commission unanimously voted to postpone the decision

Metro

County commission may install cameras on I-75 to prevent speeding

By Stephany Matat | Jan. 17, 2020

This option may be an alternative to spending $800,000 on traffic enforcement units

Gainesville Regional Utilities general manager Edward Bielarski Jr discusses increasing electric rates with the Gainesville City Commission on Wednesday during a meeting. Gas rates will increase by 0.57 percent, wastewater by 0.42 percent and water by 0.44 percent.

Metro

City Commission to discuss future of GRU

By Grethel Aguila | Jan. 15, 2020

A potential 30-year contract between GRU and FPL will be discussed

Metro

Civil rights pioneer, former city mayor Ed Jennings Sr. dies at 82

By Grethel Aguila | Jan. 12, 2020

Flags will fly at half-mast to honor Jennings

Metro

UF students create #SaveStrawsMidtown to protest straw policy

By Priya Dames | Nov. 24, 2019

While the Gainesville City Commission waits until Jan. 1 to start a plastic straw ban, six UF students decided to take matters into their own hands with a petition. They want a plastic straw policy in Midtown.

Mika Lee, 6, holds participates in the climate protest Sept. 20 at City Hall.

Metro

City Commission discusses climate emergency, passes resolution supporting Green New Deal

By Lina Ruiz | Nov. 24, 2019

Gainesville city commissioners unanimously passed two motions Thursday relating to climate change.

Ibram X. Kendi answers an audience question during a question and answer session moderated by author and history professor Jack Davis while Kendi’s daughter sits in his lap at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Thursday night. About 1,230 people attended the event.

Metro

Hardcore Antiracist, softcore vegan: Ibram X. Kendi speaks at UF

By Ana Escalante | Nov. 21, 2019

Ibram X. Kendi spoke about dismantling oppressive systems, the role of the church in racism and teaching African American history in Alachua County Public Schools — all while holding his 3-year-old baby in his arms.

Flo Turcotte holds a candle for the vigil during the Transgender Day of Remembrance at Depot Park Wednesday night.

Metro

Standing in solidarity: Community holds vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance

By Alex DeLuca | Nov. 21, 2019

"La Joha" González Leal, 26, Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Metro

Gainesville to be audited, former city auditor citing financial mismanagement

By Lina Ruiz | Nov. 19, 2019

A state official is set to investigate the city of Gainesville’s financial operations five months after the city’s auditor was fired from his position.

Adrian Hayes-Santos shakes City Commissioner David Arreola’s hand Tuesday during Hayes-Santos and Lauren Poe’s watch party at the Public and General restaurant. Hayes-Santos beat Robert Mounts to become Gainesville city commissioner for District 4.

Metro

Two City Commissioners’ emails no longer available online

By Lina Ruiz | Nov. 12, 2019

Two city commissioners opted out of publishing their professional emails Thursday.

Metro

District 3 City Commissioner files for reelection

By Lina Ruiz | Nov. 4, 2019

City Commissioner David Arreola announced his reelection campaign with a video on social media Monday.

Jackie Korpela, known as Haley’s Vomit, a member of the Ocala Cannibals Roller Derby team, skates Saturday in the Gainesville Pride Parade that marched down University Avenue and ended at Bo Diddley Plaza.Correction: This caption has been updated to reflect the name of Korpela.

Metro

Showing their colors: Thousands attend Gainesville Pride Saturday

By Alex DeLuca | Oct. 27, 2019

A drag queen wearing a rainbow-feathered headpiece and matching wings walked down University Avenue on stilts, towering over spectators and tossing out candy.

Alachua County 4-H President Madison Hurm, 17, speaks at Tuesday’s County Commission meeting. The board proclaimed Oct. 6 through Oct. 12 as National 4-H Week in Alachua County.

Metro

National 4-H Week proclaimed in Alachua County

By Lina Ruiz | Oct. 8, 2019

Alachua County Commissioner Robert “Hutch” Hutchinson and his colleagues have found a way to celebrate an organization involved with livestock, community service and public speaking that he said saved his life.