by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
You see them everywhere downtown — on the corner, just inside a building, maybe walking down the street. They are the familiar faces of downtown, the people you recognize but don’t know. Here’s a look at the people behind some of those faces:
Herbert Thompson
Adam’s Mark Hotel ambassador.
Herbert Thompson can be spotted in his bright red uniform, opening doors and greeting people with a wide smile. He has been an ambassador at the Adam’s Mark Hotel since the riverfront hotel opened last year. He hasn’t missed a day of work yet.
“I cut the ribbon for the grand opening,” said Thompson.
His job includes a vast knowledge of the hotel and surrounding area so he can give directions and information to visitors. He also greets guests, opens doors and carries luggage inside.
“It’s a job I like and thoroughly enjoy because I enjoy working with people. It’s a wonderful place to network,” he said.
Thompson is proud of his Jacksonville roots, too.
“This is one of the greatest places in the world to live,” he said. “I’ve traveled to a lot of places, but this is the most outstanding city to reside in. There are a lot of cities that are good to visit, but Jacksonville will always be home.”
Thompson worked in railroad industry for 15 years. He also worked in the real estate appraisal office at the Duval County Courthouse with his cousin before joining the Adam’s Mark.
“Here I get to meet people,” he explained of why he left his City job. “I probably see 500 to 700 people day and they all have individual personalities. They’re like leaves on trees; not one of them is exactly alike.”
Bill Pearson
Florida Theatre building security guard.
Perhaps one of the more visible faces to Northbank pedestrians is that of Bill Pearson, a security guard at the Florida Theatre building.
In the midst of his “second career,” Pearson has been working downtown for 13 years. He worked for the automobile industry for 37 years before retiring. Since 1989, Pearson has been safeguarding lives and public property.
“I’ve worked just about every post the City has,” said Pearson. “I wanted to do something different.”
Former beats include the mayor’s office, the Landing, the Duval County Courthouse, the Haydon Burns Library and the Water Street Garage.
“You see a lot more people down here,” he said. “I see probably 100 a day.”
Originally from Madison, Fla., Pearson moved to Jacksonville in 1951 and has seen downtown evolve through the years.
“I think the changes have been for the better,” he said. [Downtown revitalization] will be good for the city and create more jobs.”
Being an elderly gentleman in the security business has not been an obstacle. Troublemakers are sparse, he says.
“You run into a few that want to get ugly at times,” he said. “I’ve only had one or two occasions since I’ve been working for the City when I had to call the police. Nothing was life threatening. We, as security, are the eyes of the city but we have no arrest power. I prefer if they have a problem with the rules of the building to take it up with City Hall.”
Pearson has no intention of retiring anytime soon.
“I’ll leave when the good Lord takes me home,” he said. “I’ve got good health and I enjoy what I do.”
Amanda Ellison
Customer service representative.
Amanda Ellison is a customer service representative in the St. James Building, where she staffs the information desk.
“We take calls from citizens regarding City-related issues,” said Ellison. “I hear inquiries and complaints, give directions. Down here there are not as many calls as the call center. We probably get 60-70 calls a day.”
A majority of the calls deal with animal control or garbage problems. She says diplomacy is the key to her job.
“If you have the right attitude it keeps them from becoming too rude,” she said. “I like dealing with citizens, seeing faces and being able to help people resolve their problems.”
Ellison is a Jacksonville native. She took the post at City Hall over a year ago for job stability, upper mobility and benefits.
Downtown revitalization efforts have Ellison optimistic about the City’s core.
“I think it’s going to be really nice,” she said. “It will give tourists more to do and give residents a chance to learn more about downtown. I think downtown has a lot of opportunities and a fun atmosphere.”
Brian Baldwin
Hot dog vendor.
Unless it’s raining, Brian Baldwin is at the corner of Julia and Monroe streets every weekday, selling hot dogs.
“I wouldn’t have been interested in hot dogs if it wasn’t for this spot,” said Baldwin. “I bought it from the gentleman who was here before. He said he wanted to get out of the business, so I tried it for 30 days and liked it.”
Baldwin’s has 30 years in sales, including shoes, chemicals, cars and food products. As with any business, the number of customers ebbs and flows.
“It varies from 50-200 a day,” said Baldwin. “I’ve had them lined up 20 deep before, especially when construction is heavy.”
The stand is across the street from the new U.S. Courthouse and construction will begin soon on the new Duval County Courthouse. With all the activity, Baldwin isn’t worried about rivals moving into his territory.
“The spots downtown are protected,” he said. “Once you’re established, you build up a clientele. It’s nice seeing the same people everyday. I like being outside and visiting with people. I don’t want to take them home but I like to meet people.”
Born in Ohio and reared in Illinois, Baldwin brought a big city perspective with him when he moved here in 1984.
“Compared to Chicago or St. Louis, downtown Jacksonville stinks,” he said. “As far as how it’s going, there’s potential. We’ve got a long way to go, though, We’re moving in the right direction but some people always make things more difficult.”
For visitors to the courthouse who are unaware that electronic devices are not allowed in the building, Baldwin’s stand has become a holding spot for people’s belongings. But leave the bad attitude behind.
“No ‘please’ means no change and no watching cell phones,” he said.
Baldwin’s courtesy also extends to the homeless. If they are hospitable, he’ll give them food. If they’re not, he sends them on their way.
“I will stay downtown until I retire,” he said. “Until they put me in my own bun, put foil around me and wrap me down.”
Kathy Leis
Manager, Downtown Photo.
Kathy Leis, manager of Downtown Photo’s lab in Independent Square, has been working there for over 16 years. When Leis took the position, the business was called Gaston Photo. She survived the transfer to Quality Photo and now, Downtown Photo.
“I didn’t come down here by choice,” she said. “The job was available when I was looking. I had never done this type of work before. If I had to choose, I would live near to my home in Marietta,” she said.
Leis worked at Scottie’s Drug Store in Five Points for 10 years before taking her current job.
“In an average day, Leis has 25-30 people come in the shop with the bulk of her patrons being commercial accounts.
“It’s busier towards the beginning of the week because people take pictures over the weekend,” she said. “I see a lot of attorneys, real estate appraisers. More of our customers come from the building but we do get those from outside the building, too.”
Leis has been married to Roy for 28 years and they have two teenage daughters.
Carolyn Woods
Clerical services supervisor.
Carolyn Woods is the clerical services supervisor at the Haydon Burns Library. After 12 years in the library system, Woods now manages the circulation desk. She started as a page, shelving books, and bounced around to various branches until a promotion three years ago brought her downtown.
“I love meeting and greeting people,” said Woods. “I’ve always been involved with people. Everything I do revolves around customer service. Downtown has the hustle and bustle, there’s always exciting things going on. I meet a wider array of people, too. Everyone who comes into the main library for any reason comes by circulation, so I’d say we see 400-500 people a day. The homeless are some of our nicest people. They come in to read a book or play on the computer.”
Before she came to work at the library, Woods spent 17 years at a boarding home for the elderly and mentally ill. During that time, she went from housekeeper to supervisor and negotiated a seat on the board of directors.
With the construction underway on the new downtown library, the staff is already preparing for the transition.
“I’m looking forward to the [Better Jacksonville Plan] changes, especially the new library,” said Woods. “It will be nicer. There will be more books, more terminals and a larger area for children.”
A Jacksonville native, Woods graduated from Stanton Senior High in 1961. She has been married to George Woods Jr. for 39 years and they have two children.
“He has worked at the King Edwards cigar factory for 40 years,” she said.
Her next career move is retirement.
“I’m not ready yet but I would like to open an after school latch-key center for children so they’ll have a place to go,” she said. “I would take them in from anywhere so they could be safe.”