EATONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 A new mayor and two new council members are now leading America\u2019s first town incorporated by African American residents.<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
Mayor Ruthi Critton is a fifth-generation Eatonville resident, related to the town’s founder, Joseph Clark
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She says she will work to bring in more homeowners and businesses to strengthen the tax base
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Critton is optimistic town leaders will work well with Dr. Phillips Charities to develop the large Hungerford Property near the city’s gateway<\/p>\n
Eatonville\u2019s newly elected leaders face some tough challenges to boost homeownership, open more businesses and navigate development of the historic Hungerford Property.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very humbling. It\u2019s super exciting,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The new mayor says her top five priorities are neighborhood stabilization, economic and employment empowerment, quality of life, education and historic preservation.<\/p>\n
Critton will also try to solve some of Eatonville\u2019s most persistent challenges, like the need to boost the number of homeowners.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Census Bureau says about 60 percent of Eatonville residents are renters.<\/p>\n
Critton believes first-time buyer educational courses and down payment assistance programs can be part of the solution.<\/p>\n
\u201cHELP CDC has been here for years. They offer all kinds of programs, educational resources, funding opportunities that would incentivize homeownership,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s Business Academy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n