A.G. Gancarski
Jacksonville City Councilman Terrance Freeman is legally clear to serve on the Council, with a residency challenge against his Gubernatorial appointment thrown out.
Plaintiff Brenda Priestly-Jackson, a Democrat who was passed over for the appointment to the position by Gov. Rick Scott, questioned Freeman’s residency.
However, Judge Waddell Wallace agreed with lawyers for Freeman, the city of Jacksonville, and the state of Florida that there was no basis for the legal challenge. At the time he was sworn in on July 12, they contend, Freeman had established residency.
Wallace also noted that the appeal lacked a cause of action, and any opportunity for declaratory relief.
Jacksonville General Counsel Jason Gabriel said “The Court essentially ruled that the entire lawsuit was based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the plain language of Florida law and our local law. Thus, the Court correctly determined that the complaint utterly failed to state a cause of action and that any attempt to fix the erroneous complaint would be futile. Consequently, the Court dismissed the action with prejudice.”
Freeman was appointed to serve while Councilman Reggie Brown, a Democrat, was suspended pending the resolution of myriad fraud charges against him.
Brown has a trial in February, suggesting that Freeman will be in the position for at least the next few months.
The city of Jacksonville has elections next year.
Freeman has yet to file to run for the seat. A number of candidates are filed, but none have proven fundraising ability, suggesting that the establishment-friendly Freeman may have resources opponents lack.
