JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Just a day after his colleagues called him out on his committee appointments, incoming Council President Bill Bishop announced he is naming an African American to chair the public health and safety committee.  "I'm going to ask Councilwoman Kimberly Daniels to chair that," he said.

That committee recently merged with the recreation and community development committee.  Now, he said he's returning them to two separate committees.  Bishop said he has taken the feedback other council members have given him about his appointments.

"Spent a lot of time going over the comments that were made there, taking them as constructive suggestions.  In the spirit of cooperation in trying to move the council forward, there were some points made that were good ones," Bishop said.

Bishop said it's not about race, it's about who is best for the job.  He added, "She is a minister, and has a great deal of interest in issues that would come before public health and safety and so it also an opportunity for her as a new council member to move into a leadership position."

We wanted to get Councilwoman Daniels reaction.  We called her earlier today before she was appointed to this position.  She told us at that time, not to call her cell phone again.  We also have a call into her council office.

First Coast News