Eatonville mayoral, council seat up for grabs
Business investment center of campaigns
Incumbent Eatonville Mayor Eddie Cole said his town is on the right track and is creating jobs for residents, while his opponent Angie Goodson says America’s oldest black municipality lacks a clear vision of its future.
Voters in the town of about 2,200, known for its contentious and controversial elections, will decide between the two when they head to the polls Saturday. At stake is a four-year term as mayor, which also serves as the chief executive officer. Also on the ballot is a race for town council between incumbent Rodney Daniels and Marcus Davis.
Councilman Theo Washington was re-elected without opposition.
Cole, who has been on and off the council since 1990, was first elected as interim mayor in 2016 after former Mayor Anthony Grant was indicted on voter-fraud charges relating to his 2015 election. Grant was then suspended by Gov. Rick Scott and later was found guilty on two felonies and a misdemeanor.
Since taking the helm, Cole, 59, points toward a list of accomplishments, including the installation of energy-efficient LED lights in the city, as well as attracting new businesses, such as Zaxby’s and Sunshine Health.
Those new businesses — along with the long-sought development of the Hungerford property — could lead to the lowering of a tax rate that Cole says is among the state’s highest, though he hasn’t settled on a number yet.
“We’ve gotten so many things done,” Cole said. “With the new businesses that have come in, we’ll be able to lower [the tax rate] and it won’t take a bite out of what we’re doing.”
But Goodson, a first-time candidate and fifth grade teacher at Hungerford Elementary School, says the town could use a long-term plan to help prepare for its future.
“We need to rally around a strategic plan, and right now we don’t have a true vision,” said Goodson, 52. “What I want to bring to the table, is we can do larger development pieces.”
If re-elected, Cole said he would focus on bolstering the town’s infrastructure, including installing new water pipes and strengthening its sewage system.
Cole also said the town’s planning and zoning and code boards are now fully operational, and council meetings are shorter and streamed on Facebook Live.
“For anyone who knows Eatonville, that’s a major accomplishment,” he said.
Gardner said credit for successes should be pointed back to the town and not its mayor.
“I feel strongly that the office of mayor, that influence should be used to make things happen for the citizens of the town. I don’t see that
happening,” Goodson said. “Everything should point back toward the town.”
If elected, she said would look to implement social programs within a year, including luncheons and trips for seniors as well as arts and sciences programs for children.
She also thinks the town should prioritize improving Kennedy Boulevard, which is the town’s main street, in order to attract shops and eateries.
Early voting runs 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday this week at the Supervisor of Elections Office, 119 W. Kaley St.
Polls are open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday at Eatonville Town, 307 E. Kennedy Blvd.