JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Just over a week after his appointment as a interim Jacksonville City Council member, efforts to remove Terrence Freeman from the office continue to grow.
A lawsuit challenging Gov. Rick Scott's appointment of Freeman to represent District 10 is pending since he was not a resident of the district at the time. Freeman said he has since rented a place to live in the district and relinquished the homestead exemption on the Mandarin home he owns.
Freeman's attorney filed a motion Thursday to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming the circuit court doesn't have jurisdiction in the case.
The controversy has grown in the past week, not receding now that Freeman has taken the seat. There's now an organized effort to call the governor and city leaders to complain. The Florida Times-Union -- a newspaper that traditionally has supported Scott -- blasted his selection of Freeman in its Wednesday edition. The Times-Union called for Scott to "Fix it and throw in the towel on this one."
It's also the talk of the community.
"It’s degrading it. It’s lowering it down and it’s not making the people that live over here being upstanding," said District 10 resident Deloris Melton.
Freeman answered News4Jax's questions about the controversy for the first time Wednesday.
"I do understand it, but we are here now. This is where we are at. I’m here to work hard and to do my best to make sure I’m getting things done for my community," Freeman said. "And we have a 10-month window. March, we have an election."
For some that’s not good enough. Community activist Angie Nixon is urging residents of the district to call Scott and city leaders about the issue and is urging Freeman to resign.
"Democracy works best when everyone has who lives in it actually has a voice," Nixon said. "Right now, the residents of District 10 have their voice taken away from them."
Scott named Freeman to replace suspended City Councilman Reggie Brown, one of two council members indicted on federal fraud charges. On Friday, former Duval County School Board member Brenda Priestly-Jackson filed a lawsuit claiming Scott appointed Freeman before Freeman officially resided in District 10, the Northwest Jacksonville district that he was picked to represent.
The city's General Counsel's Office has filed a motion asking to intervene in a lawsuit challenging Gov. Rick Scott's appointment of Terrance Freemen as an interim Jacksonville city councilman. Deputy general council for the city, Jason Teal, filed a motion Tuesday, noting that the city should be involved since the case involves questions regarding the city charter.
COURT DOCUMENTS:
Brenda Priestly-Jackson v. Rick Scott and Terrance Freeman |
COJ general counsel's motion to intervene
During a campaign trip to Jacksonville on Monday, Scott defended his choice.
"Let’s remember why I had to do it in the first place. We had individuals that were indicted, so we replaced them. I followed all of the rules, we took our time and found good people, and Terrance (Freeman) is going to do a good job," Scott said. "This was totally in compliance with the law."
The next day, Mayor Lenny Curry weighed in for the first time about Freeman's appointment and the subsequent controversy. Curry said he didn't recommend Freeman or talk to the governor in advance of the naming of Freeman to District 10 and Ju'Coby Pittman to replace Katrina Brown in District 8.
"That decision is not under my authority. That decision was made at the state level," Curry said. "People know that about me. I’m going to make sure that every person and every neighborhood continues to be represented by me and by this office."
Freeman said he does have some support in the district.
"In the very beginning of this, it was actually the encouragement of residents from the district that I should consider it, that I was even willing to throw my name in the hat, " Freeman said. "The lawsuit I can’t speak to, but when I can speak to is my heart of service."
Freeman has called a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Legends Center on Soutel Drive. Community members told News4Jax they haven't made up their minds on whether or not to attend.