State Attorney Won’t Charge Century Council With Sunshine Law Violation – For Now

October 11, 2019

The State Attorney’s Office says they won’t pursue a self-admitted Sunshine Law violation by Century – for now.

Shortly after an improperly advertised Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting Monday night, City Manager Buz Eddy said, “We did not advertise that meeting properly.” He said a “timeout should have been called and the meeting should not be held. And that’s what we should have done.” Eddy said the town would advertise another CRA meeting and redo all discussion.

“Because they are making an effort to comply with the Sunshine Law, because they have hired Buz Eddy in management and to advise them on the Sunshine Law, and because they did realize that there was a violation and they are going back and redoing that meeting, we will continue to review and not take any action at this time,” Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said Thursday afternoon.

But he also issued a warning of sorts.

“If they continue with violations, we will revisit if we should move forward,” Marcille added.

The town council members sit as the CRA board, with all members taking part in Monday night’s improper meeting except an absent James Smith.

NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

17 Responses to “State Attorney Won’t Charge Century Council With Sunshine Law Violation – For Now”

  1. David Huie Green on October 13th, 2019 2:19 am

    REGARDING:
    “Why does the SAO refuse to do their job unless its a slam dunk against a little old citizen…”

    It just ain’t sportin’.

    David for not shooting fish in barrels
    and having pity on people

  2. Just me on October 12th, 2019 12:06 pm

    Time will tell……………

  3. Sedition on October 12th, 2019 9:26 am

    County, and possibly State, sanctioned corruption at it’s best.

    Classic example of “We’re the government and you’re not.”

  4. MR REALITY on October 11th, 2019 11:31 pm

    Why does the SAO refuse to do their job unless its a slam dunk against a little old citizen…

  5. William Reynolds on October 11th, 2019 9:57 am

    >> Or should we ask where’s Mr. Smith.

    Mr. Smith was not at the CRA meeting reported in this story. He was at the subsequent council meeting.

  6. Bewildered on October 11th, 2019 9:53 am

    There are fast and slow learners. You can’t force the second category to comprehend at a faster pace. They will eventually get there. No harm done.

  7. David on October 11th, 2019 9:31 am

    Im done with Century….ignorance is bliss
    Good luck to the rest of you guys

  8. Chris on October 11th, 2019 9:06 am

    $35.00 per hour and he can’t follow simple rules. He’s perfect for Century.

  9. Resident on October 11th, 2019 8:55 am

    May be I should that excuse next time I get pulled over.

  10. Dave on October 11th, 2019 8:10 am

    The Great Farce continues. This will continue as long as no one is held accountable.

  11. Wayne J on October 11th, 2019 8:09 am

    I believe the Council has learned a lesson. They some what caught their mistake and is working to correct. Mr. Eddie it is your job to Follow up – Follow up. If you have A clerk or clerks that are light in the seat on their jobs, its up to you. Whoever the town hires if they do as a permanent Manager he is going to have his job cut out for a while making sure his office does not make him look bad. Failures like this is a direct reflection on Mayor and/or Management. Council members (Ms. Brooks) or who ever is presiding over the meeting I believe you should before your enter the hall is that you confirm of the advertisement. Otherwise I would have a statement made to what public is present to leave as there will be no meeting. Then whoever fell down on the job should be reprimanded including the Manager. And as for the council get into my auto and depart no comments. This is real business people and not just a play house to embarrass the citizens of Century. As far as all the outsiders making comments, If its not your business just stay out of it. Some people have nothing better to do but just run their mouths. Just saying!

  12. Mr. Metoo on October 11th, 2019 6:59 am

    Where’s Waldo? Or should we ask where’s Mr. Smith. It seems that he is absent from meetings reported on by NorthEscambia. If he can make the meetings he shouldn’t have run for the council. He should have applied to run the gas department like the last fellow. Its just st my opinion.

  13. Anne on October 11th, 2019 6:51 am

    State Attorney’s Offices are backlogged due to huge case loads and takes what some may consider an un-due amount of time to bring a case to court.

    The Offices ONLY take on cases that they feel can be WON in a Court of Law.

    And they could be waiting for the Big ONE to happen in Century. Which it may well do.

  14. SW on October 11th, 2019 6:34 am

    I guess when ignorance doesn’t work, stupid takes over.
    There’s gotta be a reason the state doesn’t step in to stop this atrocity.

  15. IMHO on October 11th, 2019 4:52 am

    Well thank goodness they hired Buzz.

  16. James on October 11th, 2019 4:30 am

    They have hardly paid their fines from the previous violation prior to commiting this repeat violation. They obviously didn’t learn anything the first time. Don’t give a free pass; lay down the hammer hard enough to give this council the wake-up call they so rightly deserve.

  17. Judt saying on October 11th, 2019 3:25 am

    Why not? Isn’t politicians not being held accountable getting old. The double standard is maddening.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News