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Century Mayor Gomez Resigns For Medical Reasons; Town Appoints Interim Mayor
January 8, 2025
Citing health reasons, Century Mayor Luis Gomez. Jr. on Tuesday night submitted his resignation effective Friday, and the town council appointed an interim mayor to serve until a special election can be held.
“It is with a heavy heart that I submit my resignation as mayor of the Town of Century effective January 10, 2025,” Gomez said, reading from a letter to the town council. “This decision comes after much reflection and is based on a personal medical reasons that I now require all my full attention. Serving the Town of Century has been an honor and a privilege.”
“When the former mayor abruptly resigned in 2023, I stepped into the role of interim mayor by a 4-1 vote to provide leadership and stability. With the support and approval of the council, I took immediate action to address critical issues and set a foundation for Century’s future,” he said before citing specific accomplishments including insurance savings of nearly $200,000, hiring a professional management consulting firm, and outsourcing management of the wastewater treatment plant.
“These accomplishments reflect a shared commitment to the progress and fiscal responsibility, and I am proud that we were able to achieve it together in such a short time,” Gomez said. “I remain committed to supporting a smooth transition and full confidence that the foundation we built to sustain and propel the town forward. Thank you for your trust, collaboration and the opportunity to serve this incredible community.”
Gomez received a standing ovation for his service from the council (pictured inset above).
Johnson Appointed Interim Mayor
Following the mayor’s resignation announcement, seat four council member Alicia Johnson told the council that she would be willing to serve as interim mayor.
“I feel like I am well qualified for the position, and I’m able to do the hard work,” Johnson said. “I have the availability, and I have the management experience. ”
Council member Shelisa McCall also expressed interest in the position, but effectively withdrew herself from consideration as Johnson was named interim mayor on a unanimous vote.
What’ next?
The council will now seek residents through January 17 that are interested in the seat being vacated by Johnson as she moves into the interim mayor position. They will likely name an interim council member at their next regular meeting on January 21.
The council will also set a date for a special election, along with qualifying dates, for the mayor’s job and the vacant council seat. Under the town charter, the election must be completed within 90 days of the seats becoming vacant, which would be in early April. The town will explore if the election could be held on April 1, which is a special election date already on the books for the Congressional Seat vacated by Matt Gaetz.
Gomez and Johnson’s history
Gomez was appointed interim mayor in August 2023 after the resignation of then-mayor Ben Boutwell. He was later elected to the position with no opposition in 2023 in a special election to finish Boutwell’s term and again with no opposition in 2024 for another four-year term that just started on January 1, 2025.
He was first elected to the town council in 2017.
Johnson was appointed as an interim town council member in January 2023 after no one ran for an open seat. She later ran and was elected to the council with 67% of the vote to 32% for challenger Eddie Hammond in March 2023. Johnson was Century’s water and wastewater superintendent until she resigned in March 2019 after several years with the town.
Pictured top: Century Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. reads his letter of resignation Tuesday night. Pictured below: Incoming interim Century mayor Alicia Johnson is congratulated by outgoing mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. Pictured bottom: Gomez (left) with interim town manager Howard Brown (center) and former mayor Henry Hawkins. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
9 Responses to “Century Mayor Gomez Resigns For Medical Reasons; Town Appoints Interim Mayor”
Good riddance Mr. Gomez. You said it yourself, you were over your head.
For those who want to SERVE in public office! See if you qualify to do so. Educate yourself on the office in which you will serve. Don’t do it for any other reason but to serve the people who will depend on you.
If you find yourself over your head in your responsibilities, take a walk and let someone else do the job.
Matt Gaetz needs a job…
If lowering your stress level will help your medical situation, you just took a big step in the right direction.
Ms. Johnson just did the opposite.
With respect….. fairwell Louie.
Good news for Century! As a councilman he complained & criticized but when he was in the driver’s seat , NOTHING TOOK PLACE. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!! He could have at least focused on saving our historic Community Center. Just excuse, after excuse. Good riddance! The town of Century needs to be incorporated back in with Escambia Co. FL charter so maybe some progress can be made.
Prayers for Mayor Gomez and Congratulations to Ms. Alicia Johnson, as I know Ms. Johnson personally, the town of Century can rest assured she does and will always strive to do what’s best for the town.
Yikes. I pray for Century. It’s been going downhill for years. I feel for the residents. Howard Brown is not a Mgr of anything except his own affairs. He’s a talker not a doer. I don’t know Ms. Johnson but I do wish her well.
Now we need the rest of town council to step down get all new people in there point blank sorry for ur medical condition but thank god u are stepping down because u have not done anything for the town
Prayers go out to Mr. Gomez. I commend you for your service to the town. Congratulations to Miss Johnson for stepping up to fill the vacancy. Hopefully things can continue to move forward in Century. It’s not an easy task but thank God there are people willing to step up and try to make a difference, rather than sit back complain all the time.
Best news out of Century in some time.