From the Mayor

from theMAYOR A good outcome for Mr. Rivers

BY MAYOR KENT GUINN

It’s sad and a little more than disconcerting when one of our citizens does not feel safe in his own neighborhood. When I first met Edridge Rivers, that was the case for him.

It was at a downtown prayer vigil back in 2014 that Rivers could be seen holding a sign that read, “Pray for me; my neighborhood’s not safe.” I talked to him that day not knowing the tragedy that would take place six years later, a tragedy he no doubt feared could happen.

In December 2020, Rivers’ son was in an altercation outside a nearby high school basketball game and two of those involved in the fight followed him and a friend home. What happened next forever changed the lives of all involved and was a prominent news story. When Rivers stepped outside, he noticed his son’s friend being held at gunpoint by one of the persons involved in the fight. Fearing for the young man’s life, Rivers shouted for the gunman to drop his weapon, but when he turned that gun back on Rivers, Rivers fired. Tragically, the young man died and his friend, who was also in the line of fire, suffered debilitating injuries. Since the state attorney deemed Rivers acted lawfully under ‘Florida’s Stand Your Ground’ law in that he was protecting a child that was in imminent danger, no charges were brought in the case. What ensued was retribution aimed at Rivers, whose house was set afire and incurred serious damage that condemned the home. Clearly in danger in his own residence, Rivers moved to Gainesville and his son to Georgia where he joined the army and is now living in Texas. When he returned, Rivers moved in with his mother to take care of her, and now he would like to return to his home. For Rivers, it has been one thing after another – he was scammed out of thousands of dollars and materials by a contractor who promised to do the necessary repairs on his house then skipped town. Now, we’re left with a community to step in and help.

Donnie Stauss of Big D Roofing has stepped up, agreeing to fix the roof, and the folks at Lowes have agreed to provide all the roofing materials in order to help get Rivers closer to moving into his home. It’s all part of a community coming together to help a fellow citizen and more is needed to get Rivers back in his home.

Every month it seems we can chronicle the good things people in this community do for each other and here is another example. Mr. Rivers has undergone quite a journey the last several years, but it’s good to know that others are there for him.

We’re getting the word out to everyone who would like to get involved in helping this man who served as a city employee for 26 years. I’m asking anyone who wants to help to phone city hall at 352-401-3977 or email me at kguinn@ocalafl.org.