MIDWAY, Fla. (WTXL) - Some Midway residents are speaking out with concerns about their mayor.
They believe Mayor Wanda Range might be illegally living in an R.V. within the city. WTXL started looking into this because of viewer tips from Midway residents. This isn't the first time citizens have voiced concerns about the way Midway is being run.
Midway residents have filed complaints with the city accusing Mayor Wanda Range of residing in a R.V. on Palmer Road, complete with a mailbox and electricity.
"From my understanding, that's where she lives and the city car is parked there on a regular basis," said neighbor Eric Williams.
According to the Gadsden County code of ordinances, recreational vehicles are not allowed to serve as a residence unless they're parked in an R.V. park. Even then, the length of stay cannot exceed six months.
However, Mayor Range's sister tells WTXL the mayor does not live in an R.V. She says Range lives with her in the mobile home next to the R.V. She did not want to appear on camera, but says the R.V. is used to house friends and family when they're in town visiting.
However, Range's sister did confirm there's electricity running to the R.V.
The Electrical Permit Application for their address was filed with the City of Midway, signed by Mayor Wanda Range on January 6, 2017. Right underneath her signature, it says, "Please note: Electric for RV (residential) use is not permitted."
WTXL tried to confirm the mayor's official address at city hall. City Manager Leslie Steele said she could not provide us with that information.
On the Gadsden County Supervisor of Elections' website, Range's address is listed as 86 Shuler Road. We went to the home to see if she was there, but the current renters said she did not.
WTXL reached out to the woman who owns the home, Janice Stanley, to get documentation of when Range lived there. It turns out Range was evicted in May of 2016 for not paying rent.
The most recent information from the Florida Voter List states, as of August 2017, Range's registered address is 111 Shuler Road. But Range's sister insists, they live together on Palmer Road.
Another issue: Williams says their mobile home is sitting on his family's property.
"Her property is across the street and her trailer is on my mom's property," said Williams, "There [are] some legal issues we're going through to try to get them off of our property."
WTXL tried contacting Wanda Range for this story, but, despite the fact she's a public official, neither her phone number nor her email is listed on the City of Midway's website.
However, she did issue a statement to WTXL saying:
"Two years ago I ran for office to represent the citizens of District 3 on the Midway City Council and since that time I have continued to be a resident of the District I was elected to serve.
In regards to the Recreation Vehicle in question that sits on Palmer Road both myself and Mayor Pro Tem Sam Stevens are both heirs of the property and like other members of our family are welcomed to use it at any time.
It is my hope that our citizens join city leadership in moving this city forward and have a prosperous and safe holiday season."
