by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
City Council aide Jenny Farraday is more than just a longtime City employee, she’s a veteran.
“I’ve been here for 18 years,” said Farraday, assistant to Council member Sharon Copeland. “Does that mean I’m old?”
A Jacksonville native, Farraday is a graduate of Raines High. Her first job with the City was a at the old Coliseum.
“That’s where it all started, in the ticket office,” she said. “I came in after a lot of turnover and I’ve been on a pretty long path since then.”
After leaving that job, Farraday put in stops at the City’s Planning Department, Legislative Services and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
“I’ve had a lot of jobs with the City and they were all fun in their own way,” she said. “But I kind of feel like they all prepared me for what I do now.
“As a Council assistant, I’m exposed to so much more at one time. But because I’m familiar with a lot of the City agencies and know where to direct people, I think I can better assist them.
“This job is a lot fun but also very interesting.”
But helping people isn’t Farraday’s favorite part of the job.
“The best part?” she said. “That would have to be my co-workers. I love working with the people here and I really love working for (Copeland.) She really is the best boss.
“We stay pretty busy, but I think we complement each other very well.”
Farraday also manages to stay busy in her personal life.
Newly engaged, Farraday and fiance Folks Huxford — he’s with the Planning Department, though he and Farraday didn’t meet there — just bought a new home.
“We’re getting married in October,” she said. “Between planning for that and getting the house together, we’ve had our hands pretty full. But things are great right now and I’m having a great time.”