“The Big Bad Bully” Mayor Ward Receives Letter From Alachua County Democratic Black Caucus President
Last Monday President of the Alachua County Democratic Black Caucus, Armando Grundy Gomes, sent a letter addressed to Mayor Harvey Ward.
Re: Bullying, Intimidation, Harassment, and Threats toward Black Women from a so- called “Progressive” Mayor
Hello Mayor Ward,
I am writing to address the events that transpired during the evening session of the Gainesville City Commission meeting on June 6, 2024. As you recall, the City Commission was discussing a proclamation about the pervasive issue of gun violence that severely impacts our city, particularly the Black community within Gainesville. During this discussion you demonstrated your frustration, anger, and contempt toward one of your colleagues. Your elevated tone and the slamming of your hand on the dais in response to Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker’s questions were unprofessional and unacceptable. In fact, that is the right of any Commissioner to ask questions of staff. The other problem with your contemptuous and paternalistic manner in which you spoke to Commissioner Duncan-Walker as though she were five years old and your child.
Your recent actions toward Commissioner Duncan-Walker on June 6, 2024, align with a disturbing pattern of behavior dating back to your tenure as a City Commissioner (2017-2023). Your conduct towards Black women is particularly alarming, and I would like to highlight a couple of instances:
• Teneshia Marshall (former City of Gainesville Equity and Inclusion Officer) – you criticized, attacked, and maligned her character, even suggesting “If she (Marshall) wants to leave, then she can get the fuck out today!” after she complained of a toxic work environment (source WCJB TV 20). By the way your comment about Teneshia was heard by several employees on the 4th Floor of City Hall. All of this happened because she started an investigation and hired an independent law firm to investigate former City Manger Lee Feldman (source WCJB TV 20). Ironically the City Charter does NOT allow for one city commissioner or mayor to terminate a Charter Officer. But it does speak to the reputation of how you treat women, specifically Black Women.
• Gail Johnson (former Gainesville City Commissioner, At-Large B) – is a Black woman who was also a City Commissioner – At Large, and also one of your colleagues from (2017-2022). There are many similarities in how you treat your current colleague Desmon Duncan-Walker, and how you treated Ms. Johnson. You seemed to always have this frustration and contempt for Gail and even her ideas about addressing food disparities. It also well known that you worked with former City Manager Lee Feldman to undermine Gail Johnson, at every turn such pushing for and supporting Feldman to bring a grocery store to East Gainesville from an outside developer who was from Jacksonville, Florida. The issue was a compound problem from inception, having a developer unilaterally chosen by the manager and never went through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process, which is against city policy. You supported the former city manager’s decision and even attempted to force a vote to approve this developer after it was brought to the forefront that the city’s RFP process was not followed and that the manager bypassed the City Commission. Again, this once again demonstrates that this is a zero-sum game and that you want to win at all cost, especially with people you have demonstrated a hatred towards. Your desire was to hijack this idea from Gail and kill idea and advocacy all because it was not your idea or Feldman’s. Again, another Black woman who was being an advocate for her community and you seem to have a real issue with that.
Those are a couple of examples of Black women who have felt your wrath; which brings us to your current target in Mrs. Duncan-Walker. These examples illustrate a troubling trend of hostility and aggression towards Black women, culminating in your recent behavior towards Commissioner Duncan-Walker. Your aggressive conduct is unacceptable and indicative of a broader issue within the Commission. Commissioner Duncan-Walker, and all members of the Commission, deserve to work in an environment free from threats and hostility. As an organization, the Alachua County Democratic Black Caucus is committed to defending and protecting not only Ducan-Walker but the overall Black community and others from further aggression; and that commitment is unwavering and ironclad.
It is also disheartening to see your recent attempts to co-opt the issue of gun violence for personal gain. The community has noticed your attempts to undermine Commissioner Duncan-Walker, whom you have openly shown animosity and hatred towards. Your actions suggest that your involvement in the gun violence discussion is more about personal legitimacy than genuine leadership.
The City of Gainesville (FL.) as you’re very well aware is Council-Manager form
government, which means the City Manager is the chief administrator and handles the day-to-day affairs of running the city and its employees. The City of Gainesville does not have a Strong-Mayor form of government which means that although you’re elected; your role as Mayor is primarily ceremonial; you hold no more voting power than your colleagues. This apparent frustration of not being Strong-Mayor or your lack of administrative powers should not be projected onto Commissioner Duncan-Walker, especially not in such a destructive manner as you have for the past 18 months.
I urge you to reflect on your conduct and consider seeking counseling or therapy for what appears to be deep seated anger issues, particularly towards Black women, specifically Commissioner Ducan-Walker. Our community deserves better leadership characterized by respect, professionalism, and genuine concern for all residents. Currently, that is not you, Harvey, or some of the black gatekeepers you control and direct, such as Cynthia Moore- Chestnut, Cynthia Curry (City Manager), and the so-called local NAACP branch leader (Evelyn Foxx).
Mr. Mayor, it is clear that your actions and words as a leader are not in alignment. Asking for an apology and a change is not unrealistic, as your previous apologies and demonstrations of empathy have been insincere.
Gun violence is a systemic and pervasive issue in our city. However, the recurring lack of decorum and professionalism exhibited by you and your colleagues on the Commission is equally troubling. This behavior has been brought to your attention, highlighting a concerning double standard at City Hall—a different set of rules for citizens compared to elected and appointed officials. The crux of the matter is the hypocrisy in your role as Mayor. While you strictly enforce rules of conduct on residents, you and your colleagues often act with impunity, disregarding these standards.
Your anger is clouding your judgment. Many of us in District One and throughout the city see through the facade of Harvey Ward's so-called progressive, paternalistic, and patronizing leadership. We need a leader who genuinely respects and uplifts all community members, and it's
clear that you do not embody these qualities.
Regards,
Armando Grundy-Gomes
Alachua County Democratic Black Caucus, Acting President
Cc (delivered electronically): Desmon Duncan-Walker; Havery Ward; Main Street Daily News; Alachua Chronicle; Florida Politics; WCJB; TYT; Nikki Fried; Rashad Richey; NAACP (Nationals); The City of Gainesville; Alachua County Board of County Commissioners; Joint Legislative Audit Committee; Governor Ron DeSantis; News 4 Jax; Gail Johnson; Teneshia Marshall; Mike Murtha; Florida State Representative Chuck Clemons; Florida State Senator Keith Perry
