by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
“It just feels like a good time.”
That’s how Susie Wiles put it when asked why she’s stepping down from the Peyton administration with three years left in Mayor John Peyton’s second term.
For the past five years, Wiles has served as Peyton’s communications chief. However, her political career spans two-and-half decades. Wiles has worked in some capacity for everyone from mayors Peyton and John Delaney to the leader of the free world during the 1980s — President Ronald Reagan. In between she’s helped Jack Kemp, Dan Quayle, President George H. Bush and former U.S. Rep. Tilly Fowler.
“Every single one of them has had a great moment,” said Wiles, who recently resigned and is in the process of packing up her office.
Monday, Wiles will be back at City Hall, perhaps for the last time, to sit in as Peyton delivers his budget address to City Council. After that, she’ll be hard to find.
“My brother from Pennsylvania and my dad will be here. I will likely be reading the paper before I head to the beach with my nieces and nephews,” she said.
The rest of the summer the semi-retired Wiles will spend her time traveling. Washington, D.C. — where her husband Lanny works as a lobbyist four days a week and he two daughters work for the McCain campaign in some capacity — Maine and West Virginia are on the agenda. The real downtime comes later. In September, Wiles plans to sit on the beach with a book in one hand and cooler of something beside her.
“I really am going to see what strikes my fancy,” she said. “The good news is Jacksonville is full of wonderful opportunities.”
Wiles said she’s open to working for non-profits in a paid capacity or even as a volunteer. By then, Wiles said she’ll be up for part-time or full-time employment
“My next iteration will involve protecting the river. I want to do my part,” she said. “I will miss the day-to-day sparring with Jim Piggot (of Ch. 4) and David Hunt (of the Florida Times-Union). My only regret is that I did less of that over the years.”
Since joining Peyton during his campaign Wiles has played a major role in serving as the primary communications conduit. She says the City Public Information Office is one of the best she’s ever worked with, but it’s been either Wiles or Peyton in front of the cameras or quoted in print.
During her tenure under Peyton, Wiles has helped the mayor push budgets, deflect criticism and develop and propagate initiatives. She said the Jacksonville Journey, Peyton’s book club and the St. Johns River Accord were the top three projects she saw from start to finish.
“In January I told the mayor that in all likelihood, this was the year I was going to go ahead and go and it would likely be after the Journey,” she said. “I resigned the next day (after the final Journey meeting).
“I didn’t expect to become a crime expert. I didn’t expect to become well-versed in young children’s education and I didn’t expect to become an expert on the river through the River Accord.”
Wiles says she won’t be back in City Hall. She believes the demands of the job create a life-expectancy that’s far shorter than many other jobs, the public and private sector included.
“I really don’t think so. I can’t imagine I will,” said Wiles. “I did two tours of duty, which is one more than anyone should have. They have a half-life and I have exceeded my time.”
One person isn’t so sure Wiles is done — Peyton. While he doesn’t expect she’ll have an office on Duval Street again, Peyton believes Wiles will still play a role in his administration over the next 35-plus months. He said the city has benefited from her knowledge and experience.
“I am hoping not to lose her entirely. She’s going to take the summer off and maybe come back in an advisory role,” said Peyton. “She’s still a member of this team. I don’t consider her leaving. I consider her improving her lifestyle.”
Two of those immediate improvements will come in the form of Wiles’ commute and the dependency of others on her. Wiles said she gets about 300 forms of communication every day via her BlackBerry.
“I’d like to get that down to about 25,” said Wiles, as a daughter was text messaging about the status of the Jaguars Thursday morning.
The Ponte Vedra resident won’t miss the drive to and from work, either.
“I will not miss JTB coming or going,” said Wiles.
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