Committee approves two appointments to Jacksonville advisory boards

A committee approved two appointments to city advisory bodies: Latonya Summers was nominated to the Jacksonville Journey Forward Board and Thomas Love was nominated to the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission.

Latonya Summers introduced herself at the podium as an associate professor and department chair in clinical mental health at Jacksonville University. "I train the next generation of mental health professionals," she said, and described research and a free counseling program for uninsured men housed at the Emmett Reed Center. The committee opened a ballot and recorded the nomination vote as 5-0 in committee; the chair told Summers that all appointees will be recognized at the March 11 full council meeting, where the formal vote will finalize appointments.

Thomas Love, a Jacksonville real-estate broker who said he has practiced in the city since 2005 and specializes in historic districts, introduced himself and spoke about his commitment to preservation; the committee recorded his nomination as 7-0. The chair again noted that appointees are invited but not required to attend the March 11 full council meeting when nominations are formalized.

Both nominees provided brief background remarks at the committee. The committee—s recorded votes were: Summers (committee ballot) 5-0; Love (committee ballot) 7-0. The nominations proceed to full council for final confirmation per the city's normal appointment process.