Orange Park City councilmember unhappy with decision of city’s next mayor
An Orange Park City councilman who was expecting to become the city’s first Black mayor believes he didn’t get the title because of the color of his skin.
Vice-mayor Eddie Henley insists he is qualified to be mayor.
“These past four to six weeks have been stressful,” said Henley.
Henley has years of government experience.
“I’ve served faithfully for several years on boards before I was appointed on the council,” said Henley.
With that experience, Henley thought he was fit for the mayor’s position, but after Tuesday’s city council meeting, he maintains he was passed over.
“I was not considered to be a part of an age-old process,” said Henley.
Henley told Action News Jax he would’ve been the first Black mayor in Orange Park city history, but that goal was struck down.
“It has been a tradition that the town would consider the vice-mayor as mayor,” said Henley.
He stated that the 3-2 vote against him being appointed mayor was because of his skin color.
“I think there is a huge possibility because it was the color of my skin. Other factors were alleged was (that) I don’t qualify,” he said.
Council members Susana Thompson, Randy Anderson and John Hauber voted against Henley.
We reached out to each of those council members via email.
The only one who responded was current mayor Randy Anderson.
He says there is no policy in place saying once a mayor’s term is up, that the vice-mayor is next in line for that position.
“Over the past 15 years, there have been multiple people that were vice-mayor that was overlooked by the council,” said Anderson.
In response to the vote, Tony Steve stepped down from the city’s nuisance and abatement board, writing in his resignation letter, “The town of Orange Park has gone 143 years without a person of color in the seat as mayor.”
Steve also added, “The vote tonight by Ms.Thompson, Mr. Anderson and you said what something is from your viewpoint. That something is controlled and overt racism.”
We asked if Henley still wanted to be mayor for the city of Orange Park in the future, and he said “absolutely.”
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