JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry adamantly denied his efforts to clean up the troubled housing complex Eureka Gardens are politically motivated and called those suggestions 'disgusting.'
His comments were made in an email to Folio Weekly writer Billie Bussard, who wrote the mayor asking him to respond to suggestions that his interest has to do with 'election year political gamesmanship.'
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"Some people have suggested Curry's interest is part of a larger effort to undermine voter confidence, especially among African-American voters, in Democratic Party leadership to help them economically or otherwise," Bussard wrote to Curry.
Curry replied to Bussard's email, saying he finds this suggestion 'disgusting' and is a false accusation.
"These types of politically motivated attacks hurt our city and are offered by cowards who cynically hide behind anonymous commentary," Curry wrote. "So here’s what we should do; you should go back to those making these suggestions and ask them to reveal themselves on the record. Then, you and this source should join me some afternoon and visit the families at Eureka Gardens. I have been in their homes, amidst the terrible conditions that come from a greedy property owner’s neglect. I have brought local, state and federal resources to this problem. I am doing so because I swore an oath to every family in this city."
Bussard told Curry the people making the suggestions also said tenant complaints about Eureka were voiced during the 20 years (1991-2011) three Republicans occupied the mayor's office, yet none took the same interest as Curry.
"I am happy to be held accountable for the work of my administration, today and for the years to come," Curry responded. "Those who served before me can explain their failures and successes, including the previous Mayor who personally signed off on the slum lord’s acquisition of Eureka Gardens."
Curry ended his email to Bussard by saying as the mayor of Jacksonville, he is the CEO of this city. He said Eureka Gardens residents reached out to him directly and he responded immediately.
"I saw families in my city living in squalor while slumlords use taxpayer dollars to get rich, and it outraged me," Curry wrote. "I have and will continue to use the authority I have as mayor to make sure the people of Jacksonville have safe living conditions."