Published: April 23, 2008 10:52 am            

J.R. Reid III: Still talking, for private audiences only

CAPE CORAL, FLA. — He’s been a Sunshine Stater for five years now, but that doesn’t stop old friends from seeking out his take on the latest tumult in the Empire State.

As the details of former Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s career-wrecking indiscretion emerged last month, J.R. Reid III says with a laugh, “my phone didn’t stop ringing.”

Reid had barely caught up with his loyal callers and e-mailers when the surprise retirement announcement by U.S. Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds, R-Clarence, had his switchboard lit up all over again.

“I offer advice here and there. Whether anyone takes it, I don’t know,” he says with good humor.

Of all the hats Reid wore in the Lockport community — talk radio host, Republican power broker, alderman, sheriff’s deputy, rock ‘n roll deejay — it’s difficult to say today which he’s most remembered for.

He recalls all of it, well, but admits beyond the people he still calls “friend,” there’s not a lot to miss.

Buried in the task of renovating his Florida home, he speaks of a new life lived at a more leisurely pace.

At 63, Reid is only semi-retired, but his part-time job — court bailiff with the Lee County Sheriff’s Department — comes second to whatever plans he and his wife Nancy have made.

“I work when I want to work. If I want to take three weeks off and go on a cruise, I do it,” Reid said. “It keeps me busy, keeps me out of the sun.”

While he stays involved in law enforcement, Reid seems to have sworn off other old habits. The man who once groomed local GOP candidates for office, held an office himself and was acting chairman of the Niagara County Republican committee for a time stays out of the political game in his adopted hometown near Fort Meyers.

“I made my wife a promise when we moved,” he said. “I watch from afar.”

Reid did try his hand in media again, briefly. Having hosted “Let’s Talk” on WLVL for nearly five years, he gave talk another try with the No. 1-rated radio station in his area but turned down its full-time job offer.

“It was too corporate. I didn’t enjoy it,” he said.

At their Florida home, the Reids have what J.R. calls an open-door policy. Anyone who’s a friend is welcome to visit, he said. Regular houseguests include veteran WKBW-TV broadcaster Tom Jolls and KB radio personality Jim Fagan; the three usually end up reminiscing about their good old days in broadcasting — and, according to Reid, bemoaning its profit-driven state now.

Reid has pulled back from heavy civic involvement too. In Lockport, he was a member of the Salvation Army’s board of directors and a life member of the Sunrise Optimist Club. When he left, Optimist Leonard Tilney gave him leads on Coral-area clubs but they didn’t pan out.

"I walked into one meeting and I was the kid,” Reid said. “I was gracious; I stayed (to the end), but I haven’t been back in five years. Kids do all the grunt work, you know.”

Instead, J.R. and Nancy, who worked for Dr. George Muscato for 25 years, are into traveling wherever their red, 2002 Ford Thunderbird can take them — especially with the top down.

“We are enjoying retirement,” Reid said. “We miss everybody up (north), and we’ll always remember our past ... but we’re glad we made the move. We love it.”



• Who: J.R. Reid III

• Where he is now: Cape Coral, Fla.

• Reconnect with him at: www.jrreid.net; or e-mail JRReidIII@aol.com

        

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