Alice Newman is Mayor John Peyton’s receptionist. She has been employed at City Hall for seven years.
WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR START WITH THE CITY?
“I was a receptionist at Victim Services for one year.”
WHAT DO YOU GET CALLS ABOUT?
“You would be surprised what people call about—dogs, alligators, code enforcement, clogged toilets, chickens in their yard, roosters crowing too much. Some of them are really out there. I think they call just to hear someone’s voice.”
WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE CALL?
“During (Mayor John) Delaney’s administration, an activist called about a turtle crossing the highway in Mandarin. He wanted the mayor to come out and remove it. Yesterday, we had a senior citizen at the Cathedral Towers think her roommate was ‘crazy.’ She wanted our office to investigate.”
WHAT DO THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE CALL ABOUT?
“A lot of calls are for staff members or people looking for information. This time of year, we get quite a few from non-profits.”
WHAT ARE MOST CALLERS LIKE?
“We deal with all types—the haves and the have-nots. Whenever an individual can’t get something accomplished with a division, they call us. People think the mayor knows everything and controls everything. So, they call here when they don’t know where else to call.”
WHAT IS YOUR AVERAGE CALL VOLUME?
“60 to 65. When the courthouse was an issue, we got about 150 a day but it has cut down since we got voice mail.”
WHAT IS MOST CHALLENGING FOR YOU?
“Turning a bad situation into a positive one. Individuals in a crisis are upset. I try to change the channel and calm them down. They want to vent and have someone to listen to them. You can’t satisfy everybody.”
HOW DO YOU KEEP A COOL HEAD?
“You have to like what you do. Coming to work and being able to give something to individuals, even if it’s just a kind word, is rewarding. I care a lot about people.”
WHAT DO YOU DO BESIDES ANSWER THE PHONE?
“I work with the mayor’s secretary to handle his regrets. I’m the bad-news person. I also help set up audiovisuals for PowerPoint presentations in the mayor’s conference room.”
WHAT IS IT LIKE WORKING FOR PEYTON?
“Delaney was friendly but Peyton has this young, bubbly excitement about him. He’s a nice person to work for. He seems warm and caring.”
WHERE DID YOU WORK BEFORE THE CITY?
“For eight years, I worked at Barnett Computer & Company as the senior word processor. When they relocated, I went to Florida Community College and worked two or three years for a senior director at FCCJ. Right out of high school, I worked at St. Vincent’s doing cultures and specimens.”
WHERE DID YOU ATTEND SCHOOL?
Newman, a Jacksonville native, graduated from Wolfson High in 1967.
“I was athlete of the year. I played volleyball, softball, basketball and ran track.”
ARE YOU STILL ACTIVE?
“Yes. I still play softball. I am the coach of the Jacksonville Diamond Girls, a Class A team that plays at Drew Park. I’m learning to play golf, too, but it’s difficult.”
WHAT OTHER INTERESTS DOES SHE HAVE?
In addition to bowling twice a week, Newman enjoys tuning into “CSI” or the spiritual talks of Joyce Meyer. To unwind, she likes to visit a nearby park on the river and meditate.
WHAT SIDE OF TOWN IS HOME?
Newman lives in Arlington with her husband of nine years, Larry. She has four children from a previous marriage: Brandy, a recent nursing graduate, college-bound Victoria, 16-year-old Joshua and her pre-teenage son, Casey.
WHAT’S HER PET PEEVE?
Irate drivers.
—by Monica Tsai