Activist, businessman, patriot, inventor and volunteer Paul Forte has been called many things, but one moniker often repeated by others is champion of the city’s Northside. Forte has been actively involved in going up against city officials for nearly four decades trying to make his neighborhood, and all of Jacksonville, what he considers a better place to live.

Now, well into his eighties, Forte carries on the fight for issues pertaining to roads, traffic, cleanup, incentives for local businesses, and what has been referred to as invasive development in his community as well as other areas of the city.

Forte’s first quest began when he worked tirelessly with other advocates to get the 911 call service working. City officials were requiring readable addresses at all residences and businesses, but Fire/Rescue too often could still not locate the people they were trying to help.

For example, across Jacksonville, especially in areas that were isolated and remotely populated, like the Northside, there were several streets with the same name. Additionally, many of these streets had different numberings and all were out of sequence.

To get attention to this issue Forte attended meetings to make presentations all over town to educate the public, business owners and city officials. Then when Forte went to see Mayor John Peyton about the 911 problem, he brought in a crowd, and they finally won the fight.

Was Forte surprised by what it took to get emergency services working?  Somewhat, he says, adding, but if you can get people concerned and vocal about a problem, you can get things done.

“Do what it takes even if you have to go door-to door,” he said. “In the case of 911, the bottom line is that more lives are now being saved.”

While Forte understands the need for change, he feels people should have a voice in how much and when that change occurs.

“The thing that first drew me to the Northside was the large tracts of land with horses and beautiful farms,” Forte said. “It was quiet and peaceful then, but over-development has brought about many changes, some that aren’t good for the area.”

Recently, Forte has been one of the most vocal individuals in the fight against an controversial development project that calls for adding more than 240 homes in Broward Point, a community where 70 homes are presently located. This, according to Forte and others, will create safety hazards, major traffic congestion, flooding and sewer issues caused by clear cutting of all trees and vegetation. This he said has destroyed the beauty of the island.

The latter is one of the most fiercely contested Northside battles involving residents, city officials, and developers, and Forte has been front and center. This champion, according to District 2 City Councilman Mike Gay, is also a man of action.

“Paul not only just talks about what needs to be done, he is a man of action who faithfully attends CPAC meetings, Northside Business Leaders meetings, and any other community meeting that concerns our citizens.”

Forte owns Turbo Action, a company he opened with his late wife, Hallie, in 1970 and is a founding member of the Northside Business Leaders. As an inventor, he owns several patents that have had a major impact on the high-performance and drag racing industries.

Those who have known and worked with him for many years highly regard his entrepreneurial spirit.

“He has been the “go to guy” for a wide range of issues and problems,” said Beth Heath, founder and president of the We Can Be Heroes Foundation. “Paul has guided countless small business owners and homeowners solve a variety of problems, and he even created a website for a struggling new business owner.”

Heath said if you get to know Forte, then you understand why he takes on so many battles.

“Paul loves this country, the Northside Business Group, his fellow veterans, his dogs, stray animals, and politics,” Heath said. “He has many glowing attributes with his loving, frank and polite personality but the most endearing is his kindness to every person and every creature he meets.”

“Paul is a truly remarkable man,” said Joe McClure founder of the Coalition to Build a Better Jacksonville. “He has also worked diligently over the decades with several Mayors, City Council members and City officials to help make North Jacksonville a better place to live and work.”

In a previous interview with Eye on Jacksonville, Forte said he has been referred to as someone who drives the city crazy.

His reply to that comment is simple.

“I say, if they (city officials and City Council members) can’t fix it, they need to get out,” Forte said. “I just want to see the city be fair. We need to get where we can vote on what our taxes pay for, but as for now we on the Northside can’t get roads fixed, traffic has become a real problem, especially Main Street, and the infrastructure is overloaded. Worst of all, not a lot of attention is given to our complaints.”