The Eatonville town council is poised to take a decisive vote tonight on whether to curtail Mayor Angie Gardner's powers in the wake of her controversial negotiation to sell the historic Hungerford School property. The vote comes after a unilateral decision by Mayor Gardner to transfer the property to Doctor Phillips Charities, a move that sparked intense debate within the council for being made without their consent. The specifics of the deal have not been released, sparking further concerns over transparency and proper governance. According to a report by WFTV, measures to limit the mayor's authority will be deliberated at 7:30 PM tonight.
Amidst the ongoing tensions, the council has tabled a resolution to clarify the mayor's executive powers, signifying their intention, as reported by ClickOrlando, that for any actions requiring their approval, Gardner's future engagements shall reflect the collective voice of the council. The Hungerford property, a cornerstone in the education of Black students and a community legacy, stands at the heart of this controversy. The divide between the council and the mayor was seen starkly when Gardner moved forward with the transfer agreement despite the council voting 4-1 against it, advocating for a right to determine the future of the town's land themselves.
"To not move forward is never an option," Mayor Gardner insisted, as per a statement, cited by ClickOrlando. Eatonville's council members, however, have shown a clear disconnect with the mayor's actions. "I'm not happy with this process, not at all, and I don't support this process," Vice Mayor Theodore Washington expressed his displeasure, mirroring councilman Tarus Mack's discontent, who said, "I'm not happy at this time, I'm not happy at all."
Even as Mayor Gardner championed the redevelopment's promise of a green space, pavilion, an early learning center, and a healthcare facility, the council found themselves grasping at the plans, considering steps to issue a cease-and-desist order to curtail her from making unilateral decisions on their behalf. They argue that the memorandum of understanding regarding the Hungerford property did not align with their views nor the community’s, and assert that Gardner failed in her duty "to inform the Town council members about the MOU or other underlaying issues that may be unknown to the Town Council members," as outlined in the council's resolution, ClickOrlando reported.
