See the pupils-disappearing pit bull about to snap off the head of an innocent black squirrel in the picture above? That’s supposed to be an illustration of one type of ethics commission. One with bite, presumably, and crazy-eyes.

Elected officials fear this type of ethics commissioner like a little black squirrel about to get its head bit off, Jacksonville Ethics Officer Carla Miller explained in an email to the Charter Review Commission on Wednesday. They fear an ethics group that is vicious and attacks good people, that has no judgement, that is indiscriminate, and out of control. Hmmm.

The Charter Review Commission may recommend changes that would free the Ethics Commission from the administration and give it more independence and power. Miller used two images to illustrate the ideal commission, one of a Australian shepherd herding elected officials — errrr, sheep — and another of a yellow labrador retriever, well known as the friendliest, most easygoing dog on earth. Both represent ethics commissions that nip if someone is out of line, protect if under attack, and fight back. Pictures make it so much easier to understand.

— by Susan Eastman

A special guest attended local band Glorious Johnson’s first ever performance at The Sinclair in downtown Jacksonville on Saturday night. Who, you ask? Why, it’s Group 5 At-Large councilmember GLORIOUS JOHNSON! Rock-’n'-Roll namesake and an all-around good sport (remember when she appeared on our cover in a T-shirt that said “Equal Rights for Southern Whites”?), Johnson showed up to the gig at around 9 p.m. (with her friend Diane Melendez) and stayed until around midnight, clapping, dancing and sippin’ soda from a can.

The band is the brainchild of Chad Jasmine, who told Folio Weekly he chose the name because it’s “the greatest rock-’n'-roll name ever” — and Glorious managed to live up to her name. In fact, we actually tipped Johnson off about the gig when we informed her last week that a band had been named in her honor, but had no idea she’d show.

For more priceless pictures (compliments of Sheila Jasmine) read on …

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