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Who Is In Charge In Century Now That The Mayor Has Resigned? What’s Next?
August 23, 2023
Who is in charge in Century now that the mayor has resigned? And what comes next?
Those questions were on the mind of many residents Tuesday after mayor Ben Boutwell submitted his resignation effective immediately.
According to the town charter, the council president becomes the “acting mayor” during the “absence of disability of the mayor”. The council president is Luis Gomez, Jr. — who is now presumably acting mayor. The charter does not specify that he would no longer be a council member during his service as acting mayor.
In the event the mayor resigns, the town charter says the council shall appoint an interim mayor to serve until a successor is chosen. There is no time deadline mentioned.
“The interim mayor shall have the full powers and duties of mayor as provided by this charter or other law,” the charter states.
Because more than six months remain the current term of the mayor, the council “shall” call a special election to fill the office for the unexpired portion of the term through 2024. That election must be completed within 90 days from Boutwell’s resignation on Tuesday.
The office of mayor in Century was already set to appear on the 2024 ballot, with the winner taking office in early January 2025.
Pictured top: Council president Luis Gomez, Jr., now presumably acting mayor in Century, during a budget workshop Tuesday evening, August 22. Pictured below: Now resigned mayor Ben Boutwell during an August 15 meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
22 Responses to “Who Is In Charge In Century Now That The Mayor Has Resigned? What’s Next?”
Ben Boutwell was a good Mayor. To many try to run Century. They just should let the Mayor do his job. Century is going down.
Warlords of the 21st Century.
What happens now? Same stuff that’s been happening. Century is a joke and Century will continue to be a joke. At least it’s entertaining. Feel bad for Mr. Boutwell though. He really did a great job getting the attention Century needs. Sadly all the money he got for the town will be squandered and then they will be standing there with their hands out again.
Thank you Mr. Boutwell for trying to help the Town of Century. It is a shame that the board members are so sorry and do not care to bring the town up to par and do better. It is almost like the Town loves being poor and the laughing stock of the whole State of Florida. They would rather have free concerts than to spend the money to pave the roads or clean the town up! I hope the county can take over soon so the three ring circus will stop! So embarrassing!!!
Agree with Thomas Paine. He’s definitely not there because of ability. People almost re-elected Hawkins after he made a freak show out of the town. They don’t care. I say let them have what they want! Hope you see how EASY that job is Mayor Gomez.
SOLUTION:
GIVE Century to Escambia county Alabama.
Will raise Florida IQ and value by 6-8 points
Isn’t Gomez the one who told NE he didn’t care if notice of meeting was posted? He has been warned, if he violates the sunshine law, he will not be mayor for long.
That must be his lucky shirt. He has all my support. RUN!
Century, the pride of Escambia County.
Put it on the ballot to unincorporated the town. Complete dumpster fire and will only get worse now that the only common sense has now left the building.
There has long been a movement by some in Century to take control and do things only their way. They stand in the way of progress and disagree with anything that is not their idea. No one will ever be able to lead that town as long as they are there. It’s only a matter of time until the State or County steps in. BTW could we please get our own Zip Code in Bratt, Davisville, Walnut Hill area so people know that’s not us?
Century is really in trouble, but when you do the same thing over and over expecting different results…. We need new blood in this town, people who actually care about the Town, not self-serving individuals that just want their way. I have lived here 3 years, love this town but am so disappointed how self-serving people are and the real disappointment is that they do not really care about Century they just want control. I am sorry that Mr. Boutwell resigned, but it does not surprise me at all. One person can only do so much when they have so much resistance.
Its been a Rudderless Ship for years.
Pray for Century and refrain from futile personal attacks!
Great, now only the idiots remain. Time for Century to be dissolved.
Well, Ben, you tried.
Inquire with the supervisor of elections about a petition to call for a referendum to unincorporate the town. There probably aren’t more than 750 registered voters, so under 100 signatures may be all that is necessary to get the issue on the 2024 ballot.
As I’ve said before, if unincorporation passed, it’s over. The county takes over. If the measure fails, the town is given a new mandate by the voters.
They finally ran off the last voice of reason in the insane asylum that is Century politics. This is what certain elements wanted any way. Now they can run the town like the banana republic that they envisioned. Gomez is the political equivalent to some third world thug despot and should be turned out to pasture by his constituents but his voters will back him no matter what he does because ability has nothing to do as to why he’s there. I’d be surprised if this is posted because no one else will call it like it is.
Thank you Mr. Boutwell for your service and thank you to N.E. for keeping us informed on this continuing saga of as Century turns. The citizens of Century have suffered embarrassment, poor service, loss of new growth, and misuse of their hard earned tax dollars for way to long. No one can expect any new business or individual to want to invest in or move to Century. The same old question of how long will the state or county officials continue to let this go on? As tax payers we deserve better and our elected officials have a duty to protect the people from this type of incompetence. Can you even start to imagine what was going on before N.E. came along?
How do we get this change to take place?
Just another day at the circus. Century never fails to entertain. It’s like they really think we have someone who’s competent and honest so we better get rid of him. Let’s get a mayor that steals and lies and makes the town look like fools. Reach out to the previous mayor. He did a great job of that. If I lived in Century I’d be hightailing it out of there. Reckon they have plans for all that grant money? Maybe that’s why they need Mr Boutwell gone.
We are in trouble now ,the ring leader is in charge now .I wonder just how long the county is going to let go on ,because now they have 12 million dollars to make disappear.
As Gomer would say, “Well surprise, surprise, surprise!” Good grief