Mary Hudson Bourgeois

November 5, 2018

The following is a response to a candidate questionnaire sent to all four candidates for two seats on the Century Town Council. Responses have not been edited.

Candidate: Mary Hudson Bourgeois

  • Current occupation: Self Employed Hudson’s Cafe and Antique Shop
  • Previous occupations: Release Estate and Antique Shop
  • Civic, church and other community involvement? Century Methodist Church, Community Redevelopment Association, Century Chamber of Commerce, Century Lions Club, Alger Sullivan Historical Society
  • Education: 2 years of College
  • Previous offices held, previously sought: President of the Century Chamber of Commerce (current) Vice President of the Century Chamber of Commerce (2 years)
  • Why are you running for Century Town Council?
  • What makes you the most qualified candidate for a town council seat? Without good leadership nothing gets accomplished! My business experience over the past 40 years qualifies me as a leader in budgeting, planning, policy and procedures required to run a successful business. Hiring qualified professionals that can work together to accomplish goals, customer relationships.
  • What are the three most important issues facing the Century Town Council? We have to have communication between the Mayor and Council, Transparency, and all the facts to make good Finance decisions and a solid plan for budgeting.
  • Do you support Home Rule? Home Rule is the ability to establish its form of government through its charter and to then enact ordinances, codes plans and resolutions without prior state approval. To further be able to enforce them “at home” and to make necessary changes as the Town of Century grows is a great reflection of the trust that citizens have in their respective Town Council members. Yes, with the understanding of how the governing body works. The Council is the governing body… and our mayor has to be forth coming and presents ALL problems and request to the council prior to action and not after the facts. Abiding by the Charter and presenting a complete financial assessment to the Council and Town Accountant. We have to work as a team.
  • Do you support the provisions of the Sunshine Law? Should Century’s government become more transparent; and, if so, how?  Yes, I do support the Sunshine Laws. If The Mayor and or Council members do not understand them, my thinking is that a course be given to understand basic laws. I highly recommend that we hire a Town Administrator or a Town Manager that is qualified and has prior local government experience and reports directly to the council.
  • How can the Town of Century solve current town government financial issues? What do you see as the biggest issue?  By reducing the number of personnel in the office and requiring team work. Similar Towns/Cities run their office with 2 or 3 persons. WE have to getting a billing system in place. The meters are not being read correctly and billing is a problem. Stop all over time!!! We have to have a plan to resolve some of the town’s finances and communication between the Council. Biggest issue is funding the gas department.
  • Are there any ordinances/regulations in Century you would like to see added?  The Town’s Sign Ordinance needs to be updates to improve the U.S. Highway 29 corridor Consideration should be given to posting stop littering signs, a fine if trash cans are not taken off streets.
  • The Town’s Sign Ordinance needs to be updates to improve the U>S> Highway 29 corridorConsideration should be given to posting stop littering signs, a fine if trash cans are not takenoff streets.
  • Are there any additional ordinances/regulations in Century you would like to see eliminated?  I would need to see a list of ordinances/regulations to make suggestions.
  • How can Century better work with the county and state? Economic Growth for Century
  • Are there are services Century should consolidate with the county? (no answer)
  • How does Century attract additional businesses and/or jobs?  How does Century work to support/grow additional businesses?  By working with the Town’s economic partners to include Florida West, The University of West Florida’s Hauss Center the Century Chamber.
  • What should Century do about the vacant Alger-Sullivan property? How? First, needs to be cleaned up. Work with owner to get companies to bid cleaning the site. Research redevelopment options/proposals and solicit citizens input/comments on plans for redevelopment.
  • What should be done with the “Helicopter Technology” building in the Industrial Park?  The town should come up with a plan to up-grade the building, install what is needed to put on the market for Industry, to help with Century’s growth for jobs.
  • How does Century solve the gas department financial issues? SHOULD SELL and move forward!!! Install the meter at the gate station that measures the  amount of gas purchased and out go. How many commercial customers? How many residential customers do we have in Century? Encourage competitive bids for materials and supplies by advertising a solicitation for bids.
  • What changes, if any, should be made to the Town Charter? Amend the Charter and adopt a procurement policy. Mayor/Town Clerk and Council needs to understand how the charter reads and abide by the charter.
  • How does Century improve its public image? Start solving problems within Council, Mayor and Town Accountant in a business forum not a blaming session. Bringing everything to the table so good honest discussion can be made which will benefit our town’s growth.
  • Summarize your four year term of office plan for Century: My four year plan while I am serving the Town of Century as your councilwoman, I will offere new ideas for a plan to rebuild Century. Quality of life also means qualify of jobs. I will create a better relationship with our town government and our community. Help cut spending and balance the budget. Help beautify promote tourism in Century. We have to have economic growth to raise our population which can bring schools back. Working together we can Rebuild Century.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under General