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Help Wanted: Century Needs To Find Two Residents To Fill Council Seats
November 26, 2022
The Century Town Council needs to fill two town council seats in a process that will begin playing out in January.
Seat 3 on the Century Town Council is currently vacant and will remain vacant until the start of a new term in January, at which time the council seat will remain, well, vacant, albeit maybe just for a few minutes while before a temporary appointee is named that might be forced to vacate the seat in a few weeks after an election to fill the vacancy for the next four years.
Confused? At times, the town has been confused too as they work to sort it all out.
On September 27, Seat 3 councilman Leonard White resigned just hours before a budget meeting, citing time constraints due to his job as correctional officer at the Century Correctional Institution.
That obviously leaves Seat 3, one of five seats on the council, vacant. Because there are less than six months remaining in White’s term, the town’s charter indicates that a replacement can’t be appointed unless the council loses additional members and their quorum.
Seat 3 held by White, Seat 4 currently held by James Smith, Jr., and Seat 5 held by Sandra McMurray Jackson were up for election this year. Jackson was the only candidate to qualify for Seat 5, so she was reelected automatically. No one qualified for Seat 3 or 4.
Due to a strange provision in the town’s charter that says new council members are to be sworn in on the first Monday of January, the council will meet on Monday January 2, despite it being both a federal and state holiday.
At that time, the council will swear in Jackson and appoint temporary members for Seats 3 and 4. Then, a special election will be held within 60 to 90 days later for two members to finish the remainder of the four year terms.
At this week’s council meeting, current council members Jackson, Luis Gomez, Jr. and Dynette Lewis expressed concerns about making sure they have a quorum of three present at every meeting for the rest of the year in order to conduct town business.
Smith was not present at the meeting where Gomez stated that another council member might resign soon.
The town is searching for two people to appoint to the council in January; interested citizens can contact town hall or council members Gomez, Jackson or Lewis.
Pictured top: (L-R) Century council members Sandra McMurray-Jackson, Luis Gomez, Jr., and Dynette Lewis at a meeting recently. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
13 Responses to “Help Wanted: Century Needs To Find Two Residents To Fill Council Seats”
The council and the way the City does business is far from professional. I would love to see new people on the council. I am thinking of running but I have no ties to this area except for living in Century. I have very little acquaintances here. I wonder since it is an elected position if anyone outside the area, as far as growing up there, would be considered. I see the voting as a polarity issue. I love this little town and want to see change so bad, there is so much potential here. I work for a utility in Pensacola, and even the city utility department here is lacking. I am hoping we can get some new focus and new people on this council.
Just get another family member in there , they all ready take all the money . How does all that money disappear and no one knows where it went. Just do away with the circus all ready and convert to county. It makes no sense they can’t manage their money right but some how they keep getting grants and money from the President.
@ anonymous
The town is a circus period.
If you think it is normal the way it is operated…your comment proves everyone’s point. Your opinion..point noted.
Which is the majoritys opinion on here.
And my opinion included.
Your definition of whats normal concerning this town governance..is sickly sad.
The town is running on borrowed,granted..EBT funds from all Florida tax payers.
So it doesn’t matter if you live here in town or not.
All Florida taxpayers backs are tired of the sideshow waste and ignorance.
“What’s the residency requirements? How long must one have resided in the imperial city?”
Be a registered voter in the town and live in the town on election day (and arguably on the day of qualification), and continue to live in the town.
From the charter:
Sec. 3.02. – Qualifications.
Any elector of the town shall be eligible to hold the office of town councilmember.
Sec. 5.02. – Qualifications of Candidates and Electors.
(a) … All electors voting in any election held within the Town of Century, Florida must be qualified electors in the State of Florida, and must reside within the town limits on election day
What’s the residency requirements? How long must one have resided in the imperial city?
I am exquisite? No, just aware that Century is circling the drain.
@anonymus
Why wait? If you’re so passionate about your town(and good for you that you are) then run now when you are needed most!
I plan on running by next year, I do not think this city is a circus. I personally have lived here my entire life, you have to know the people to understand the people. The comments are showing that either you don’t live here in century or you do and your just exquisite because the people that do live here and are residents actually care this is where most of our elderly have grown up, yes it has turned to mess but WE STILL LIVE HERE. Thats my opinion !
I’m NOT supprised you can’t find anyone to join your CIRCUS.
When nobody wants to sit on the Town Council, it is time to shut it down!
Since you are having a vote anyway, include a non-binding referendum to surrender the city charter and return to county rule. Being a City has not been a benefit to the majority of the residents for decades, if it ever was.
From every story I have read on this website for the past 10+ years, I am amazed the State has not intervened and pulled the charter themselves.
Hey everyone. The circus is looking for new clowns!
Should be entertaining…….