EATONVILLE, Fla. — A new mayor and two new council members are now leading America’s first town incorporated by African American residents.
What You Need To Know
Mayor Ruthi Critton is a fifth-generation Eatonville resident, related to the town’s founder, Joseph Clark
She says she will work to bring in more homeowners and businesses to strengthen the tax base
Critton is optimistic town leaders will work well with Dr. Phillips Charities to develop the large Hungerford Property near the city’s gateway
Eatonville’s newly elected leaders face some tough challenges to boost homeownership, open more businesses and navigate development of the historic Hungerford Property.
Sworn in this week, Mayor Ruthi Critton is a fifth-generation resident and a relative of Joseph Clark, who led the effort to incorporate the town in 1887.
“It’s very humbling. It’s super exciting,” she said.
Critton is a new mayor, but not a newcomer to the Eatonville government. She previously served on the community redevelopment board for three-and-a-half years.
The new mayor says her top five priorities are neighborhood stabilization, economic and employment empowerment, quality of life, education and historic preservation.
Critton will also try to solve some of Eatonville’s most persistent challenges, like the need to boost the number of homeowners.
The U.S. Census Bureau says about 60 percent of Eatonville residents are renters.
Critton believes first-time buyer educational courses and down payment assistance programs can be part of the solution.
“HELP CDC has been here for years. They offer all kinds of programs, educational resources, funding opportunities that would incentivize homeownership,” she said.
Critton shared how she plans to bring more businesses into Eatonville to boost its commercial property tax base. Critton plans to strengthen the previously established Mayor’s Business Academy.
“They target different fields and they incentivize and encourage and educate those individuals on how to start their own businesses, get their licensing and their certificates,” she said.
The Orange County School Board recently sold the historic Hungerford Property to Dr. Phillips Charities to develop the 117-acre property right next to Eatonville’s gateway.
Some residents worry Eatonville could lose its historic identity as developers put up many buildings on the large tract of land.
“I want to give some credit to Dr. Phillips. I think their reputation speaks for itself. I think that the effort they’ve shown somewhat so far speaks for itself,” she said.
Critton points out that Dr. Phillips Charities has reached out to involve residents in planning for the future.
“Being in those community meetings, in coming to the community to get that input to find out what it is that we would like to see. That collaboration is something that me personally, I have not seen with other developers that have been talking about that Hungerford Property. I think that that’s a great start. Collaboration,” she said.
Critton says she is committed to building relationships to get results during the next four years.
Angela Thomas is new on the town council, serving District 2, and Ladwyana Ware-Jordan is also newly elected, serving District 3.
Councilwoman Thomas sent Spectrum News 13 a statement saying:
“Over the next four years, I am committed to strengthening Eatonville’s economic growth by attracting sustainable businesses, supporting local entrepreneurs, and investing in infrastructure that improves quality of life. I will also prioritize transparency, public safety, and community engagement to ensure every resident has a voice and a real stake in our town’s future.”