Century Charter Review Committee Reverses Course; Decides Mayor, Not Town Manager Should Have Power

December 3, 2021

The Century Charter Review Committee is reversing course on a proposal to delegate most authority for running the municipality to a hired town manager.

Earlier this year, the committee decided it would be best for Century to make the elected mayor a weak position, perhaps mostly a figurehead. In October, they voted to make the mayor a council member.

But now, the committee has completely reversed directions, deciding that the mayor should be at the head of Century’s government rather than a town manager.

A draft charter also calls for term limits — no more than two terms for the mayor or council members.

The Century Charter Review Committee will continue their work in January. If they complete a rewrite, the changes would go to the town council to decide if the recommendation will go on the ballot for a citizen vote.

The committee is tasked with updating the charter — the document that legally establishes the town, outlines its powers and spells out how it should operate. The committee has meet periodically for over two years.

Pictured: Century Charter Review Committee member Brenda Spencer reviews her notes during a meeting Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.


Comments

13 Responses to “Century Charter Review Committee Reverses Course; Decides Mayor, Not Town Manager Should Have Power”

  1. Slpnthefce on December 5th, 2021 8:09 pm

    They will change ALL the rules to keep

  2. Tommy G on December 4th, 2021 5:02 am

    HAHAHA Hawkins runs for town manager and the city immediately changes the charter….LOVE IT.

  3. Citizen on December 4th, 2021 12:58 am

    Good choice, keep checks and balance as is, just hire good staff. Don’t need term limits. It good for them to look over it and ponder.

  4. Traumaqueen on December 3rd, 2021 10:37 am

    HMMMM Why the change of mind? Could it be that Hawkins is putting his name in the hat again. Something smells fishy in Century,Fl.

  5. James on December 3rd, 2021 10:17 am

    Scared the crap out of the committee when they learned Hawkins was trying to regain power by applying for the manager position. Lol

  6. Bob on December 3rd, 2021 9:58 am

    fisherman – AGREE!!!
    judy – VERY FUNNY!!! – AGREE!!!
    tg – You can say that again!!!
    JustMe – Systemic Corruption.
    Rasheed Jackson – When was the last time TOC had someone doing a good job?

    TOC = Three Stooges!!!

    TOC is the best source of entertainment in NW Florida!!!

  7. fisherman on December 3rd, 2021 8:55 am

    Sounds like some back door politics going on. They need to start selling popcorn and peanuts for all town meetings so people can watch this circus continue.

  8. judy on December 3rd, 2021 8:25 am

    Merciful Heaven! Century is soooo corrupt! They change the rules as often as a hooker changes her underwear, and they do it arbitrarily!! Fire the entire council, the mayor and town manager and start from scratch! Why do the residents put up with this…or do they even know…or care???

  9. tg on December 3rd, 2021 8:20 am

    Century is adrift with no rudder or paddel.

  10. JustMe on December 3rd, 2021 7:54 am

    So which council member is pulling the strings on these puppets.

  11. Rasheed Jackson on December 3rd, 2021 7:33 am

    Could someone tell me what is wrong with the system that is in place now? From what I have seen the issues usually are personnel, and not just in Century but in every form and level of government.
    Not sure how I feel about term limits in a small-town government. If you have a person that does a good job, why limit them? I understand the argument of a person staying in office too long and getting corrupt but term limits would only create lame ducks. Their last term they are in office they have no incentive to please the electorate. If a person becomes complacent in their role and stops doing what they were elected to do they can be voted out.
    Until every person running for office sees it as an opportunity to serve the community and not themselves, there will be bad elected officials. The way to deal with bad officials is to vote them out.
    Yes, term limits give you some since of protection for the bad seeds but it can also limits the good that can be done by a good person.

  12. Hmmmmm on December 3rd, 2021 7:10 am

    Sounds like a way to give former mayor all power, if he gets re-elected.

  13. sam on December 3rd, 2021 6:47 am

    this is troubling, it sounds reasonable! we’re not used to this.