JACKSONVILLE, FL – April 2, 2016 – The Keep Jacksonville Beautiful Commission (KJB) hosted an educational fundraiser event on Friday, April 1 to honor local attorney Bill Brinton for his advocacy for the city’s sign ordinance. Brinton was presented with the Jake Godbold Award. The event also recognized site captains, sponsors, volunteers, partners and organizations for their efforts to clean up and beautify Jacksonville during KJB events throughout 2015.
Brinton was recognized for land use litigation involving billboards. He is the seventh recipient of the award since its inception in 2010. Previous honorees include Mayors Godbold and Peyton, Greenscape Executive Director Anna Dooley, Florida Times-Union Columnist Ron Littlepage, Council Member Jim Love, and Riverkeeper Executive Director Jimmy Orth. Brinton had previously committed to giving a speech in Birmingham, Alabama so his grandson accepted the award on his behalf. On receiving the award, Brinton said, “During my lifetime, I have been favored with the opportunity to work with thousands of people who love Jacksonville and who have passion for this city.” A video of Brinton’s entire acceptance speech can be found HERE.
The Keep Jacksonville Beautiful Commission is comprised of representatives from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors appointed by the mayor of Jacksonville. An affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, KJB was created in 1983 to support community beautification, enhance community pride and improve the quality of life in Jacksonville through provision of outreach, educational activities and programming. Among its major activities are the annual St. Johns River Celebration Cleanup, the International Coastal Cleanup, America Recycles Day and the Right Whale Festival Cleanup. KJB programs include Adopt-A-Road. During 2015, 7,695 volunteers donated 17,560 volunteer hours and picked up 242,700 pounds of trash; saving taxpayers $405,109.
The free event featured a silent auction, live music and refreshments. Sponsors included Henry Schein, Florida Department of Transportation, Republic Services and Citi. Refreshments were provided through donations from KJB commissioners. All proceeds from the silent auction support the activities and programs sponsored by Keep Jacksonville Beautiful.