Lex Hester

Their goal was to reform Jacksonville's corrupt, inefficient government, and Lex Hester was hired as the executive director in 1965, with J.J. Daniel as chairman.

In November, 1966, a grand jury indicted 11 Jacksonville Public Officials on 142 counts of bribery and larceny including: The city tax assessor took the Fifth Amendment, refused to testify, and resigned.

The LGSC produced a consolidation proposal titled, Blueprint for Improvement that was placed on a referendum in 1967, with Lex Hester coordinating the campaign for passage.

During that time, according to The Florida Times-Union, his guidance "provided for a better and more effective fire and rescue service, with unified command, control and coordination throughout the city and county.

During his time in Broward, Hester was instrumental is setting up the county's "first real bond issue" which provided over a quarter billion dollars for bridges, roads, parks and libraries.

Money was also committed to expand to jail facility to eliminate chronic overcrowding and helped secure the county's acquisition of a parcel of land considered environmentally sensitive.

[2] In addition, Hester contributed to a number of civil projects and improvements under mayors Austin and John Delaney, including the Jacksonville Children's Commission.

"[8] On August 13, 2002, the Jacksonville City Council approved an expenditure of "$50,000 as seed money for a[n endowed] scholarship" at the University of North Florida honoring Hester.