Jacksonville, Florida is the largest city near me. As a "consolidated government," it's all of Duval county, which is only a few miles from here. But it's 35 to 40 minutes to downtown, which is true for pretty much anyplace from Nocatee. ("30 minutes from anyplace you'd actually really rather be.")

The city has a rich history, and it straddles the wide and lazy St Johns River. It has a lot of things going for it that should make it one of the premiere cities in Florida, even the nation.

But it's saddled with an insular, self-interested, selfish ruling class that keeps it perpetually mired in mediocrity.

The status quo was upset recently when an inspiring local figure, a true "daughter of Jacksonville," became mayor, Democrat Donna Deegan. She's burdened by a super-majority Republican city council; and it's pretty clear that a majority of its members believe their highest priority is to ensure she isn't too successful. They don't want folks to get the wrong idea about who runs this town.

Donna's a bright spot in an otherwise depressing story. The good news is, she's a brilliant communicator and can speak truth to power. More often than not, while the "good ol' boys" might slow her down, they'll be embarrassing themselves in the process. Not that they care. They're shameless in that regard. Or oblivious.

Could be both.

It's probably both.

Anyway, I read this today, and it's another example of the wonderful history of Jacksonville. To be sure, there's a lot of history here that isn't so wonderful, as is the case in all of the former Confederacy. But there are bright spots that deserve to be better known. If you like baseball, or Hank Aaron, this is one of them.

Now, I think I have to qualify this, because we live in this time when people are quick to find fault with anything, no matter how well-intentioned. (Many members of Jacksonville City Council are decidedly not well-intentioned; and, if anything, people are too slow to find fault with their faithless, feckless presence. I digress.) Yes, this story is about the white manager, Ben Geraghty, more so than it is about Hank Aaron. And maybe people think we shouldn't be elevating white people during Black History Month.

But I think there's something inspiring about Ben Geraghty's story. Something that shines more brightly in February. Shines more brightly in a state where more than a generation of one-party "conservative" rule, and an ambitious, autocratic governor have emboldened racists and bigots to feel as though their moment has returned.

So I was happy to read something good this morning, as the legislature is in session and there's always something bad to read about.