effort would help people find such professionals within our
area. We now have over 100 different people and companies
listed on the site.
The site has coupons, website information, health tips,
YouTube channels and other information on helping you
with your fitness needs. I feel it’s all about bringing the best
business professionals in the health and fitness field. If you
can bring these and other professionals together to the
public, it will only help toward that goal of having a healthier
and better tomorrow.
Tell me more about First Coast Antiques? Have antiques
always been a passion of yours?
First Coast Antiques started off as a hobby—just going out
with a friend to estate sales and auctions. I then noticed that
you could find many outstanding treasures—some antiques,
some not. I like quality things and finding the above average
treasures became a fun thing to do. I have found a number of
outstanding original oil paintings and fine antique furniture
over the past few years. The return is sometimes much better
than the stock market.
I also collect late 1800 to early 1900 items of Jacksonville. I
just found a writing desk that was said to belong to a captain
that used it within his quarters upon a paddle boat or river
boat that went up and down the St. John’s River. One word:
priceless.
You recently retired from your position at the office of
the State Attorney. Tell me about your position there and
what you are looking forward to now that you are retired.
I had the honor of working in the Jacksonville, Fourth
Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office for the past 22 years.
I worked within the special prosecution division and was the
founder and past president of the Northeast Florida Consumer
Council. I worked over the years with many consumer fraud
complaints and crimes. I was one of the first to be asked to
come aboard by then State Attorney Harry Shorstein, just
after he was appointed by the Governor. I also over the past
number of years, had the honor to also work for the present
State Attorney Angela Corey.
It was very rewarding over the years to be a part of helping
people within our community with consumer problems and
consumer fraud. I think two of the most surprising times
was when the Navy took the time and surprised me and
recognized me with an official Naval Commendation for
helping a Naval enlistee of the Helicopter Antisubmarine
Squadron (Light) 46 unit based out of Mayport. The other
was when the Florida Times-Union referred to me as being
the SAO’s version of TV-12 Ken Amaro—and then some. I was
honored by that statement.
I find being retired refreshing in one way, with having the
time to complete projects around your home—but when they
are completed, you find yourself wishing your friends could
come out and play. In other words, if you have a job that you
enjoy, it’s not all that bad. I am sure within a few months, I
might even just start looking towards finding another type of
rewarding job.
First Coast Register | June - July 2015 11