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Century Asks Rep. Matt Gaetz To Support Federal Funding For Water, Wastewater Improvements At State Prison
January 20, 2024
The Town of Century has turned to the federal government seeking funds to make needed water well and wastewater improvements to town infrastructure serving the state’s Century Correctional Institution.
Florida’s last budget approved by the state Legislature included $628,500 to replace the Town of Century’s Well No. 3, which exclusively serves Century Correctional Institution, half of the $1.297 million that was requested. After multiple problems, the well suffered a catastrophic failure and no longer provided water to the prison for staff and inmates. A shaft shattered into a dozen or more pieces and fell to the bottom of the well.
Late, service was restored through a permanent interconnect from Central Water Works to the Century water system that was completed in late May 2020 to provide a dependable water supply to the prison. The interconnect was installed after the town’s water well that was the sole water supply for the prison suffered a irrepairable failure. That forced the town to use two-inch fire hoses from a Central Water Works fire hydrant on the south side of Tedder Road to the prison on the north side of the road until a permanent solution was in place and the well was repaired.
A temporary pump provided some water, but it must be supplemented by water from the two wells that supply the town’s citizens or from the Central Water Works interconnect. “Operation of these additional supplies is manually controlled and subject to interruptions,” according to Rep. Michelle Salzman’s funding request.
This week, Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. sent an email to two staffers in the office of U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz seeking “$1,408,500 to replace several deep injection wells, which are crucial for our wastewater management and environmental sustainability” and seeking support for an application for fiscal year 2024 federal Community Project Funding.
“This project is a wise investment of taxpayer funds, aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability and public health, “Gomez wrote.
The mayor also requested a 30-minute meeting or a facility tour with Gaetz to discuss the funding and “the urgent need for water and wastewater improvements at Century Prison.”
Last October, Gomez addressed members of the Escambia County Legislative Delegation – Sen. Doug Broxson, State Rep. Alex Andrade and State Rep. Michelle Salzman, but he did not ask for any additional state funding.
Comments
13 Responses to “Century Asks Rep. Matt Gaetz To Support Federal Funding For Water, Wastewater Improvements At State Prison”
Why would he ask the Federal Gov for money for a State Prison and not even ask the State?
It sounds like Salzman & Broxson have lost have faith in him and Century and he knows that.
Well, Rep Gaetz can get the money from raising federal taxes and/or increasing the federal debt through bonds. He helped remove the previous house speaker over this very issue.
It’s a Florida problem. Florida should find a solution for their needs. Neither Century nor the federal government should front these costs.
ECUA had to take over waste water in Century because lack of upkeep. When the prison was built water & wastewater was rebuilt and gave back over to Century. If Century cannot keep in repair someone other than Century needs to be in charge
I’m running against Mr Gaetz next cycle. If for a minute you believe he will do anything for anyone other than himself or the people of Destin & Navarre, ya got to be kidding yourself
Century Correctional Institute is a state facility. The state of Florida doesn’t want to provide basic necessities for proper operation of their facility. The failure of the water service is on the state since their design standards (should) apply, and they are responsible for ensuring those standards are achieved.
You ‘experts’ chiming in with solutions that cannot be implemented crack me up.
If you want to lock people up, you have to provide minimum standards for the facility. Regardless of your personal desire to inflict punishment that doesn’t fit the crime.
@Oversight
Good idea.
Or…
Let DOC have their own well drilled and contract employees to run it?
Like JJ, I was wondering why the state didn’t repair the well if it is just for the prison or was providing water part of the deal to get the prison built in Century?
Ah yes, the town of Century and Matt Gaetz. Two entities known for doing their jobs right. Those wells should get replaced around 2050.
Well, it worked on the Fla. Legislature, why not try it on Congress. Somebody needs to find out what happened to the fortune that Fla. gave them for the same improvements. The TOC is the best example you could find for money down the well. Mr Broxon needs to follow up on his suggestion, and introduce legislation to revoke this town’s charter.
Gomez back to work again or is this the NEW GUY pushing for this….
WHEN IS THE STATE GOING TO STEP IN AND DO A FULL AUDIT ON THIS TOWN AND THE PEOPLE RUNNING (RUINING ) IT!!!!!
Dissolve the town charter and give the gas franchise to PNG and the water to ECUA. Fixed it. And as a bonus, the free riders on those systems will have to pay.
The words “Century” and ” wise investment of taxpayer funds” in one story. Great laugh to start the morning.
Keep pouring money down that bottomless Century pit. NOT!
Shut the town down, revoke the charter, sell off assets.
It is a failed entity.