Comments on: Century Chamber Can’t Afford 4th Fireworks, But The Show Will Go On

By: 429SCJ

429SCJ — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:34:12 +0000

Charge a dollar for parking and or a dollar admission to the park?

There is no need to let pride stand in the way, everybody knows Century is low on funds so let’s be practical and everybody kick in a dollar.

By: cygie

cygie — Wed, 23 May 2012 01:49:25 +0000

Seeing as how others have made the analogy of website versus fireworks, I will leave that alone. However, I imagine other towns and businesses looking to relocate read this story and then begin to understand why it is so difficult to attract new business. Poor management, and then the responses that indicate that the chamber of commerce is “ghosted” and not really there. It explains a lot.

By: Local guy

Local guy — Tue, 22 May 2012 18:05:17 +0000

I agree with Molino-anon. If I remember the stories right, they didn’t even put this $11,000 project out for bids! They did not give anyone local a chance before they hired this one company. I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with Ideaworks, but it’s obvious from the website that they don’t know Century like a local. Century, per their branding, is suppose to be a technology city, but they did not give any local technology people a chance! Instead, they paid their attorney to make sure their NO BID contract was legal. Something’s wrong with paying a lawyer (who is not local) to make sure it’s legal to hire a Pensacola company without giving a local company a chance to bid on a project that is suppose to show Century is a great place for local business? If it stinks…

By: Molino-Anon

Molino-Anon — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:17:50 +0000

I agree with one of the other comments, why didn’t Century counsel take some advice and spent less than 10% of what they paid for a website on a local person who knows how to build a website? At least it would have actually helped someone from the area.

I gave figures (that never made it past moderation) that I could have built the site for less than $1,000 and it would have looked just as good, and used actual photos from the local area. Could have used the remaining $10,000 to start a community outreach program to start doing cosmetic work down the main road through town. That would be to much to ask when the website portrays a Mayberry town regardless.

Use that $2,500 on fireworks and blow up some meth-labs and crack houses around town. That would be a good start.

By: jeeperman

jeeperman — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:05:12 +0000

A traditional Chamber of Commerce is not a government entity or agency.
They are a private club of local business owners that network among themselves to benefit their businesses.
One method is to attract people (customers) to the area.
Evidently the Chamber has already spent the dues paid by members on other things.

By: JM

JM — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:54:20 +0000

Well OF COURSE!

Can’t afford to clean that town up for the sake of your children, but there
is ALWAYS THOUSANDS FOR A PARTY. My family will celebrate the
4th with out spending a nickle. Some people have forgotten the reason
for the 4th of july and it doesn’t have anything to do with a $10,000.00 party.
All the stores will stock up on the beer I suppose there is always money
for that too.

It certainly is no wonder why this country is BROKE!

By: Money Man

Money Man — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:23:31 +0000

Where does Century get $11,000 for a web sites and $2,500 for a fireworks show? Is my water and gas that overpriced?

By: Bob A Lou

Bob A Lou — Tue, 22 May 2012 12:53:37 +0000

I won’t go to fireworks in century on July 3. Get real. it’s called the 4th of July for a reason. And I don’t want to get mugged or see a drug deal.

By: Interesting

Interesting — Tue, 22 May 2012 12:52:52 +0000

Instead of spending $11,000 on a website that is full of “half-truths” and pictures of tractors, maybe Century should have invested in their chamber of commerce. If business people in town don’t know what they do, they must be doing anything. When’s the last time they held an outreach? A seminar with a business expert? A lunch n’ learn? An after hours social hour? I could have saved you the $11,000 — you should have hired a local developer that actuall knew something about century to make the websites and spent money on your invisible chamber

By: Biz Owner

Biz Owner — Tue, 22 May 2012 12:16:34 +0000

I own a small business in Century too, employing five people. I did not know the Chamber of Commerce still existed either. What do they do for the businesses in Century? The Atmore Chamber all the time has classes, guest speakers on business topics, business after hours and all that. The Century Chamber does nothing — so I thought they were dead. No one has asked me to join the chamber either in the three years I’ve been in business. Guess it’s one of those private club for the uppity uppity members of the community.