SAN ANTONIO – A local museum found itself stuck in the middle of a mudslinging contest between two candidates running for a seat on San Antonio's City Council.
The Witte Museum is at the center of allegations being made against District 3 incumbent Rebecca Viagran by one of her challengers, Roy Aguillon.
According to a campaign flier; being distributed by Aguillon, Viagran blocked $9 million from the street maintenance fund for District 3 and reallocated those funds to the "privately" owned Witte.
Witte president and CEO Marise McDermott told KSAT 12 News, Aguillon's allegations are inaccurate and way off base.
"The Witte Museum is a city-owned facility, we are on city property right here in Brackenridge Park," McDermott said. "The buildings behind me that are being renovated right now are city facilities. They've been a city facility since 1926."
The museum is undergoing a $100 million facelift with capital improvement funds from the city that according to McDermott were matched nearly 5-to-1 by funds from private donors.
She said none of the money came from the city's street maintenance funds.
"The funds that were allocated, unanimously by the way, it was unanimous by City Council, were for capital improvements on this almost 90-year-old building," McDermott said.
Viagran responded to Aguillon's allegations by calling him unprepared to serve the district.
"First, unfortunately, that proves that the person doing it doesn't understand the way the city budget works and two, how they are purposely misleading the residents of District 3 and the voters," Viagran said.
Aguillon, who once served as an aide for Viagran, defended his position and his ability to hold office.
"The one thing that I will not lay down to, is to say I am not qualified for this position. This is a place where I know I could thrive. My neighbors believe in me, my community members believe in me, and so with them behind me, I feel really positive."
Aguillon said he stands behind the statements on his flier and hopes voters will give him a chance to serve their district.