Gainesville Sun finds support for some claims; others have no basis

In a campaign advertisement for re-election bid, City Commissioner Charles Goston listed his accomplishments on the front page of his publication, Black College Monthly.

The December ad lists 21 things Goston says he accomplished during his first three years in office. Goston, 68, is listed as the magazine's editor, owner, publisher and CEO. He said the publication has a circulation of 50,000.

The Gainesville Sun fact-checked the items as part of an ongoing effort to inform readers about the upcoming city election. Here are some of Goston's claims:

'Helped reduce our GRU bills'

Goston was the most vocal commissioner against the city’s $754 million purchase of the biomass plant, which GRU and other city officials have said will reduce electric bills up to 10 percent. Goston voted against the deal at nearly every turn and wanted the city to pursue a criminal investigation against the former biomass plant owners.

On Jan. 4, Goston supported an ordinance that changed GRU’s rate structure, though his campaign ad ran before the vote took place.

Goston told The Sun Monday that no one ever talked negatively about GRU rates before he ran for office and that the discussions ultimately motivated GRU officials to work harder to reduce rates. However, city commissioners before Goston have a long history of making GRU a taking point, specifically about its rates.

'Stopped Friday cutoffs'

Goston is referring to when GRU cut off residents' electric and water services on Fridays after late or non-payment. In some cases, it left people without power through the weekend. GRU has since changed that policy after several commissioners, including Goston, expressed concerns about it.

'Secured that all parks will receive total makeovers ...'

Goston's ad says he secured "total makeovers" for all parks in District 1, including new equipment and upgraded facilities. He is referencing funding brought in by Wild Spaces Public Places, an eight-year sales tax passed by Alachua County voters in 2016. The half-cent sales tax is expected to bring in more than $130 million until it sunsets and will go toward conserving land, upgrading parks and recreational facilities.

Goston adamantly opposed the initiative, both through his magazine's editorial content and during city meetings, despite more than $40 million going into Goston’s district. At the Oct. 20, 2016 city meeting, Goston lashed out at those pushing the initiative.

“You can package this pig however you want to, you can put lipstick on this pig,” he said. “It’s still going to be a pig, man.”

Since voters approved the referendum, Goston has voted multiple times to approve spending the funds. However, not all parks will receive "total makeovers."

'Created the District One Business Council" and "created the Black Chamber of Commerce'

The Gainesville area Chamber of Commerce created the District 1 Business Council. Goston co-chairs the board, which is aimed at bringing new businesses and jobs to his district.

The chamber has advertised in Goston’s magazine and paid him $3,500 to do so, a copy of a check shows. Although Goston suggests the accomplishment was done in his official capacity as commissioner, the commission does not appoint a member to the council.

Goston told The Sun Monday that the Black Chamber of Commerce doesn’t currently exist, but that the Gainesville area Chamber of Commerce needs to initiate it. Chamber spokeswoman Alyssa Brown said the chamber doesn’t have such a branch, but has a Gainesville Black Professionals group.

'Made sure that Heartwood was a reality ...'

Heartwood is a planned community of 34 homes along Southeast Eighth Avenue. It is the former site of Kennedy Homes, a low-income housing complex known for crime that had fallen into disrepair. The project has been in the works for 10 years, before Goston took office. However, Goston and other current and past commissioners voted several times to approve the project. The city broke ground in October 2017.

'Negotiated a 24 hour 7 day emergency medical facility to open in 2018 ...'

City officials say there are no plans to open a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week medical facility in District 1, at least not during 2018. Goston says otherwise and that he negotiated it.

Goston said Monday that UF Health Shands Hospital will fund the project and that City Manager Anthony Lyons needs to approve it. UF Health officials have told The Sun that while they are always evaluating needs and opportunity, they don't envision an emergeny facility in east Gainesville.

In 2016, Goston also said District 1 would see a CVS, Publix, Outback Steakhouse, Olive Garden, a movie theater and Golden Corral, but city officials say there are no plans for any of those projects in the works. Goston said he still expects Golden Corral to open, but needs more support from the City Commission and city manager for it to happen. The item has yet to be presented to the City Commission and Goston has not publicly asked for commissioners' support.

'Saved hundreds of jobs for city of Gainesville employees!'

Goston said he saved hundreds of jobs for city of Gainesville employees. Goston said Monday that he has been a confidant for city employees who are not being promoted and facing descrimination. He said he talks with 15 to 20 employees about such issues every week since being in office and provided job security for those employees.

Typically, commissioners do not intervene in everyday employee complaints or manage departments. Those responsibilities often fall under the city manager.

City spokesman Bob Woods said there have been no recent talks of laying off hundreds of city of employees. The last time layoffs were discussed was before Goston’s term.

'Made it possible for bathhrooms to be built at Smoky Bear Park ..."'(sic)

Smokey Bear Park dates back to the early 1960s, but did not have bathrooms. In 2015, the city completed a renovation project that included buying the land. The park, at 2300 NE 15th St., saw more improvements in 2017 while Goston was on the commission. He was vocal about the need for a restroom, and restrooms were added.

'Free summer swimming lessons for District One ...'

Goston's ad said he helped obtain free summer swimming lessons for three years and free tutoring within his district. Steve Phillips, the city’s director of parks, said the city doesn’t offer free summer lessons currently, but Goston has expressed interest in doing so.

The city offers private and group swim lessons for city residents at $49.25 and $74.50 for non-city residents.

'Brought Bluewater Maritime to Gainesville to create jobs ...'

Goston said he "brought Bluewater Maritime to Gainesville." It is a nonprofit organization based in Jacksonville that offers job training and job placement to young adults. The organization is looking to open a branch in District 1, but has not yet done so.

In November 2017, members of the organization asked the City Commission to assist with setting up a facility, but Mayor Lauren Poe said those decisions are generally decided during the annual budget process, which already ended. James Mayberry, a recruiter with Bluewater Maritime, said the organization is looking to hold classes at the GTEC in April, but those plans aren't yet finalized. The nonprofit also needs a minimum of eight recruits to start classes, but currently has four.

At the end of the ad, Goston says:

"Has any commissioner done anything like this before I did it? There are people that think being the commissioner for district one (1) is a joke and anyone can represent this district one. They can not having no experience means that, no experience, and, in this city, experience matters."