by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
The turnout at a recent fundraiser for State Rep. Stan Jordan may be a testament to his popularity.
As Jordan, 70, was busy unwrapping “Stan Jordan” T-shirts and leaflets, people were filing into the Beach Diner on Atlantic Boulevard and everyone was there to support Jordan in his bid to return to the Duval County School Board.
“We didn’t use one piece of paper to advertise this,” said Jordan, who is running for the School Board’s Dist. 1 seat. “We just called some friends and told them to bring someone if they wanted to.”
With 16 years on the School Board and eight years in the State House of Representatives, the Jacksonville native has had time to develop plenty of friendships. The party was about getting people excited about his bid to return to the School Board.
His stocky frame scurried around near the front door preparing for his friends’ arrival. When guests arrived Jordan either shook their hand or gave them a hug. Like most politicians, he has enthusiasm for everything he does, even his handshakes. He doesn’t just reach out for a hand, he strides into the handshake. Jordan’s wife, Shirley, is hoping this will be the last time he will be shaking hands as a candidate.
“If he wins, it will be nice because he will be back home,” said Shirley, wearing a white Stan Jordan T-shirt with red lettering. “After eight years in Tallahassee, it will be good to get him back home.”
Another person glad to see him back home was Don Roberts, 82, of Jacksonville. Roberts was one of the many men who joined the military during World War II and wasn’t able to graduate from high school because he was serving his country. Roberts was a Navy frogman and was one of the men responsible for getting the mines out of the water prior to U.S. soldiers invading Normandy.
Legislators developed a program to award honorary high school diplomas to soldiers who served in World War II and Roberts received his from Jordan at Terry Parker High in 2001.
The ceremony was almost perfect.
“He told me he forgot to salute me when he got his diploma,” said Jordan, a retired Army Colonel. “It has been burdening him for all these years, so I told him we’d get together.”
Roberts was one of about 200 people who attended Jordan’s campaign kickoff. The turnout was surprising considering the stormy weather and installation of the officers of the Jacksonville City Council was taking place on the same night.
“It’s nice to be loved,” said Jordan, with a soft, easy smile.
The crowd also loved the buffet table at the well-known Atlantic Beach breakfast and lunch spot that is owned by Jordan and longtime friend and business partner Barry Adeeb.
Jordan shared the love with Roberts, introducing him to the crowd and exchanging salutes with a fellow soldier.
“It was one of the missing links in my life,” said Roberts. “I should have waited to graduate and then enlisted. Once I got out I raised a family and didn’t have time to go back.”
Another person who is glad Jordan isn’t going back to Tallahassee is his friend Judy Burnett.
“He’s been a good man in Tallahassee, a real workaholic,” said Burnett, wife of Adjutant General Douglas Burnett. “We need a person like him on the School Board.”
While Jordan is wrapping things up in Tallahassee, he’s also concentrating on the race and the school system. He’s convinced public education can be saved.
“Right now I am focused on being the best School Board member I can be,” said Jordan. “We need to teach people that going to public school is not a right, but a privilege, and if you are going to be disruptive the appropriate action needs to be taken. If we have safe schools and a positive learning environment, we can get and retain quality teachers.”
These statements wouldn’t have surprised neighbor Gerry Gibson.
“He knows what he is talking about because he always does his research,” said Gibson. “He isn’t afraid to speak up.”
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