|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Tom "Johnny" Forkin was born and raised in the AC area. To get him out of their hair and enjoy the beach, his folks got him his first surfboard at age 6. By high school he was heading to the East Coast Surfing Championships and the NSSA Nationals in California. Forkin made the National Team in 1982 and again in 1983 and competed for the US in Hawaii, Australia, Brazil and France. With a chance to move to California and work for Stewart Surfboards, he passed up the opportunity to return home and finish college at Villanova University where he also attended law school. He has lived a Forest Gump life or at least a prime example of someone with Adult ADHD. During that interim period Forkin served as Naval Intel. Officer and deployed reservist during both the 1991 Desert Storm and again in 2002 Iraq War, owned a restaurant in Stone Harbor (Mimi's), worked for Presidential Candidate Robert Kerry (1991) and later the Clinton Campaign and Congressman Bob Brady in Philadelphia, ownership in an Action Sports Magazine. Blah Blah Blah.
Following Law School graduation he served a judicial clerkship in Pennsylvania and was an adjunct teacher at Villanova University. In 1997, an old friend from the Beach Patrol, now Mayor Bob Levy, asked Forkin to become a City Attorney for Atlantic City. Forkin won his cases, saved the city millions and quickly rose through the legal and political ranks. Forkin developed the plan to make AC a partisan vicinage and was one of the lead attorneys for making that plan a reality. Forkin later was Chairman of the City Democratic Party in 2001.
After over a decade of practicing law and arguing with Judges and opposing counsel, Forkin has returned to teaching, and serves as "Chairman of the Boards" for the Atlantic City Surfing Club and during the summer months can be found running his Surfing Camps here in the City.
To spend an evening with Tom Forkin at the Back Bay Ale House or at the Tropicana Quarter, Le Grand Fromage or where ever the flow takes him is to wake up with a stomachache the next day from laughing so much. He is a true character and whether it's big surf in Hawaii or marketing one of his AC projects, he is full speed and no BS. Despite the educational pedigree he has never lost his surfer / rebel attitude. Love him or hate him, you know were he is coming from.
How long have you lived in Atlantic City?
I moved back to AC with my family in 1998 after I accepted a position in the City Attorney’s Office. At the top of the Riviera on Raleigh Avenue. Before that I lived in town until 1989 with old friend and roommates Bobby Levy Jr. and Joann Stopper also on Raleigh Avenue. FUN times.
Are you married or single?
Single, happily.
Do you have any children?
One son (that I know of) Tommy Jr. age eight. My best buddy.
What do like most about Atlantic City?
The surf and beaches. These are the two principal elements that brought people here over the years and the two principal elements that distinguish our gaming market from our competitors. There is No other venue on the planet with great surf and billion dollar casinos. Some casinos get the beach marketing concept - others don’t, but should.
Describe your perfect day in Atlantic City:
An early morning run on the beach, breakfast at the Gilchrist, surfing with my son and some friends at States Ave, some cocktails on a friends boat at the Marina or at the Hilton Beach Bar and if I’m luck some shots of Jaeger at the Fromage late night with a Borgata "Babe" Schwing....
What originally brought you to AC?
The beach. I had a bunch of friends on the Beach Patrol when we were kids; Bob Levy, Jr. Steve, Rich and JB Sless. Coming back to AC was a natural.
Where do you see the city in 10 years?
As a leading world-class casino / surfing destination resort.
What is your part in getting there?
When I ran for State Assembly a few years back (2000) I advocated to amend legislation to appropriate a fixed flat percentage (10%) of the CRDA annual budget of 800 million to put into Atlantic City’s Public Safety, schools and infrastructure. It’s natural; it’s the city’s money and it should be kept in the city to offset residential property taxes. It’s only common sense. But some of those politicos at the State level like taking money out of AC for their own interests. Our residents and children endure the transient crime rate, traffic and congestion - there should be some consideration for that. This was the reason for our moving AC from a non-partisan to a partisan vicinage. Both parties were fleecing the city and the casinos without accountability. Now with partisanship we have some degree of accountability. I believe Assemblyman Whelan gets this and may pursue the concept.
Why did you leave politics in AC?
Politics in AC and in Atlantic County is a lot like Rugby; you can’t play without getting muddy and bloody. I always wanted to see my finance plan for getting those CRDA funds for our public safety, schools and infrastructure. Unfortunately some fat cat politicos didn’t see it that way. Before I resigned I saw things moving in the right direction and now I truly belief the city is in great hands and on the right track. I’m happy to be where I am.
Why did you leave the practice of Law?
Ha ha (laughs) it was one of those situations were I quit/ you’re fired. If New Jersey is one of the most politically corrupt (popular polls say) states in the country, what does that say about the judges that are appointed by those same politicians? The system is fundamentally flawed and sooo many of the judges are predisposed to their own opinion instead of being a neutral, objective judge (although we do have some good ones about three). I’d fight like hell for my client’s and won the vast majority of my trials. However, instead of a judge or a prosecutor viewing this as an intellectual exercise they’d get pissed off, and are mainly concerned in "moving their dockets". They got tired of my act and frankly I got tired of theirs. The rest is history. I’m much happier were I’m at.
So how do you like the return to teaching?
Teaching is GREAT. It’s all about the kids, which is how I always viewed my law practice or politics...It’s about the kids and improving their quality of life through education.
Tell us about your favorite AC memory.
Sitting at the Taj with Mark Brown at our Snowboard event the eve of the Heritage Pro and watching our snowboarders perform to a packed boardwalk. That night we sold out the Casbah and rocked to a full house.
You’ve got two hours to kill on the boardwalk, what do you do?
Grab my board and paddle out for a surf.
Where do you like to hang out in AC?
The Casino clubs are great, and I go but I’d rather "hang" at an underground club like the Fromage or have a sunset toast at the Back Bay Ale House or both.
What three words describe Atlantic City best?
"Life’s a Beach"
What would you most like to change about Atlantic City?
I would love to see a major ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) event here in the City, as well as an NSL Franchise. We are working on both projects now, which will probably happen in 2007 with ESPN and Fuel TV coverage.
Where's the best surf in AC?
So many good spots in AC. The best would have to be South Carolina Avenue. We have some of the best surf in the country and few people know it, but they will.
Has the surfing scene changed in Atlantic City over the last couple of years?
In 2003 we (our Company Dv8 Media Group) brought the Heritage WQS Surfing Championship to AC with the BEST surfers on the Planet. Last year my business colleague, Mike Fry, and I put together the AC Pro Am Series highlighting AC’s surf and beaches, bringing surfing's best to AC again, and AGAIN this year. Our next event is scheduled for July 22nd. In the interim we have our surfing school bringing a touch of Waikiki Beach to Atlantic City for the Casino Guests and visitors. There are also some young world-class surfers living on Absecon Island like Zach Humphries (16) and Ben Graeff (17).
We have brought national and international media attention to the beaches here and this year will only be better.
What events do you have planned for the summer?
Our surfing school is now in session on the beautiful beaches of Atlantic City. The location will vary depending on conditions and weather. Safety is our priority, FUN is our guarantee. We (Atlantic City Surfing Club) are also involved with our Pro Ams in July and September. This August 5th we have Robert "Wingnut" Weaver (Endless Summer II fame) and the Surf Tech Tour coming to AC for a surfing demonstration as well as some other FUN events which we will host.
Is teaching surf camp similar to being a lawyer in any way? NO, NO, NO absolutely not. In the ocean everyone is treated the same. (No discrimination). Teaching surfing is fun and relaxing, no agg (aggravation) factor. I have taught many of my old colleagues to surf and they love it. They surf to decompress after a long day in court or the office. It is sooo much fun and a great physical workout as well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
more
