Hawkins Sworn In As Century’s New Mayor; Boutwell Appointed To Seat

January 3, 2017

Century’s first new mayor in nine years was sworn into office Monday night, and a council member that resigned was temporarily appointed back to his seat hours later.

In November’s election, former council member Henry Hawkins defeated incumbent two-term mayor Freddie McCall. Hawkins took the oath of office before a small crowd of supporters Monday night during the Century council’s first meeting of the year.

Re-elected incumbent council member Ann Brooks was also sworn in Monday night for her third term.

The council also appointed Ben Boutwell to the council temporarily to fill the seat from which he resigned. Boutwell ran unsuccessfully for mayor last fall. That required him to resign effective January 1.

The council voted 3-1 to reappoint Boutwell back to his seat. Council member Gary Riley voted unsuccessfully to appoint outgoing mayor Freddie McCall to the council.

A special election will be held in February to permanently fill the seat to which Boutwell was reappointed and the seat temporarily held by Kevin Stead. Stead was appointed to fill a vacancy created by the death of Annie Savage.

Pictured top: Henry Hawkins (center) is sworn in as mayor of Century Monday night by Town Clerk Leslie Howington as Bishop Russell Fountain holds the Bible. Pictured bottom: Ann Brooks (center) is sworn into office for a third term. Pictured inset: Hawkins at the council table. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

One Response to “Hawkins Sworn In As Century’s New Mayor; Boutwell Appointed To Seat”

  1. Retired on January 3rd, 2017 2:39 am

    Congratulations and we hope for a smooth transition and professional leadership. We appreciate you all. Hope you all work together well and make us proud. Century is our home, it is our town. It is where we live or pass through. I pray for divine grace and unity for this small community and for renewed hope and a spirit of cooperation for all. The past is behind us, the future is not written but we have each day and the present moment. May we be blessed.