by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Like many people who weren’t born in Jacksonville but have made their home here, the U.S. Navy brought Don Redman to town.
It was 1962 when Redman arrived at Cecil Field Naval Air Station. When the Wynnewood, Okla. native was discharged from the service he decided Jacksonville was where he wanted to live, work and raise a family.
Redman was sworn in to the Dist. 4 seat on the City Council in 2007. The district includes a large area in Southside and most of Downtown. He said he’s proud to represent the urban core because he remembers when Downtown was the center of shopping and entertainment.
“When I came to Jacksonville, everybody went Downtown,” he recalled. “We went Downtown to go to a movie or to shop at May-Cohens and Furchgott’s and Ivey’s. I’d love to see that again.”
Redman said he’s looking forward to the completion of the Laura Street project as a way to encourage more commerce Downtown.
“It’s going to be a mess for a while but when it’s finished I think it will help the businesses we have and attract more business,” he added.
Other projects he supports are the enhancements to Metropolitan Park, which he said is “underutilized at this point.” Redman would also like to see more family-friendly attractions Downtown and said, “I think we need to set a goal to develop an aquarium on the riverfront like they have in other cities. We need to find more ways to enjoy our river.”
Redman makes his living as owner-operator of Don’s Sportsman Barber Shop on Belfort Road and has been an active member of First Baptist Church for more than 30 years. He’s also involved in Little League as a coach and in swimming, biking and running events as a competitor. Redman has been a member of the Mayor’s Council on Fitness & Well-Being since he was appointed by former Mayor John Delaney and keeps a bicycle at City Hall which he often rides through Downtown. He has also entered and finished every River Run.
He also supports a variety of charitable causes including providing bicycle racks for the MS 150 and helping organize a Youth Triathlon to benefit the Baptist Home for Children. Redman has also volunteered to climb into the dunking tank Thursday at the Home & Patio Show at the Osborn Center to raise money for charity. Redman said he’ll be there from 2-4 p.m. if any of his constituents would like to meet him and make a donation.
Redman said the biggest adjustment he’s had to make as a Council member is the amount of time spent sitting in meetings. He explained, “I’m a barber so I’m used to standing up all day.”
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