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Property tax and transparency issues have motivated a Jacksonville business owner to challenge Mayor Andy Ezard, providing the incumbent with his first challenge since his inaugural mayoral run in 2009.
Nicole Riley, owner of Soap Co. Coffee Shop and Freya & Co. Salon in Jacksonville, will oppose Ezard in Tuesday s municipal elections. Ezard, a lifelong resident of the city, has served as mayor since 2009 and has run unopposed in each of the last two mayoral races in 2013 and 2017. He received 86% of the vote 784 votes in the Feb. 23 primary, while Riley took 12% 112 votes.
Ezard wants people to know that his experience which includes four years serving as the city clerk prior to being elected as mayor is being used to work hard for the people, even in unpredictable times like right now, with COVID-19 affecting all facets of life throughout the city.
Unfortunately, one of those similarities is growing gun violence â some of which authorities say is connected.
âYoung people are on a death march,â the Rev. Courtney Carson said about the current climate of both cities. âHow are we going to be actively involved in bettering the lives of those young people together.â
Carson made statement Friday during a panel discussion, Decatur and Springfield City 2 City Town Hall Meeting, he hosted with Lisa Badger, a business agent for Teamster Local 916 and a Springfield Park District Board trustee.
âWe said âletâs pull together everybody we know,â Badger said. âThis isnât a Decatur problem. This isnât a Springfield problem. Weâre neighbors. Letâs look it as one community and bring everybody together to have a conversation.â