In a move that has sparked quite the debate, Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan recently unveiled a rather unconventional feature at Jacksonville International Airport (JIA)—a hologram-like projection of herself housed in a seven-foot-tall box. Funded through the Building Inspection Fund, this installation has been met with fascination and skepticism, earning it our nickname, “Deegan In A Box.”

On the surface, the technology aims to promote Jacksonville as a beacon of high-tech innovation, promising to deliver a welcoming message to travelers in multiple languages. According to city officials, this initiative positions JIA as a trailblazer among airports nationwide. Mayor Deegan has asserted that it’s part of a larger vision to integrate similar technologies in city offices, enhancing public engagement one $75,000 box at a time.

Then, at a recent Council Finance Committee meeting, questions arose regarding the appropriateness of using the Building Inspection Funds for such a holographic homage. Council auditor Kim Taylor pointed out that the fund’s uses are tightly regulated and that their inquiries aren't getting timely replies from the mayor's office, raising eyebrows about whether the hologram box passes the legal sniff test. Are the Building Inspection Funds for building inspections or building expectations? "We FINALLY got an answer from Mayor Donna Deegan on the HoloDonna," said Councilman Rory Diamond. They are saying HoloDonna answers “building permit questions”…at the airport. I kid you not…permitting questions."

The initiative's reception underscores broader issues involving governance, transparency, and the rightful allocation of funds. While some consider the technology cutting-edge, the shadow of skepticism regarding its motivations and funding raises serious questions. Ultimately, will "Deegan In A Box" be considered by the community as cutting-edge technology that grows community value or simply another box-check of political theatrics?