Comments on: ‘I Am In Over My Head’ – New Century Interim Mayor Asks For Consultant To Help Run The Town

By: Observer

Observer — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:07:32 +0000

Why not find a mayor in a local successful town, that might provide advice when necessary–at a much lower cost. Or, what is the salary of the mayor? Perhaps deduct the fee from the salary of the interim mayor. Perhaps a more reasonable fee would be negotiated. OR, decide not to spend any of the grant money for 3 short months until someone competent is in place?
Also, the company in which Mr. Thompson is a SR VP (Shewa Amhara) not much info is available that I can find. I believe it is a non profit in which a possible relative is President. Had a career with Department of Employment Services in DC. It also appears he will be the town manager in Texarkana Arkansas in the near future…Century is not really big enough to require paying $25,000 to someone from Washington D.C.

By: Edward Best

Edward Best — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 21:08:43 +0000

Critics run for office when the opening occurs! It appears you guys are omniscient! Perhaps you are exactly what Century needs!

By: Caveman32565

Caveman32565 — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 23:36:27 +0000

He was over his head from day 1

By: northofI10

northofI10 — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 13:33:48 +0000

There are words you never want to hear for someone appointed to provide leadership. Although, the history seems to side with there were many over their heads when elected or appointed. All this and the citizens of Century suffer.

By: JC

JC — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 23:52:44 +0000

Gomez is incompetent and he knew that and still let them swear him in (hell, he volunteered for the job knowing he didn’t know what he was doing, and almost the whole board just jumped at the chance to make another huge mistake). The absolute last thing I would do is let him hand pick his ‘assistant’.

Century just keeps getting worse and worse.

By: CJ Lewis

CJ Lewis — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 23:09:51 +0000

From August 29th on NorthEscambia.com, “”Gomez told his fellow council members that he was interested in the appointment to interim mayor.” Gomez should be made to explain why he wanted the job for which he said he is not qualified. One way out of this mess would be for the council to appoint Gomez to be the interim councilmember back in his prior council seat. Then the council could appoint an interim mayor able to do the job. In addition to one of the prior mayors as possibilities, there must be multiple business owners in Century who also live in the town and would do the job. In March 2020, Thompson was appointed as one of two assistant county managers in Dona Ana County, New Mexico. (There is no Las Cruces County as described above. I’ve been there many times. Las Cruces is the county seat of Dona Ana County.) Nothing here or later describes how long Thompson lasted in New Mexico or why he left or was fired or asked to leave. He then showed up in DeFuniak Springs in June 2021 as the city manager on an 18-month contract paid $109,000 with $40,000 in benefits. By the time he left in December 2022, Thompson was being paid $126,000 + benefits. Some council members and citizens raised concerns. The council did not offer to extend Thompson’s 18-month contract. The council did offer to give Thompson a six-month extension described in one media account as a probationary term. Thompson asked for certain provisions to be put into the six-month contract to include a severance package. DeFuniak Springs balked. A local media outlet reported, “He and the commissioners [councilmembers] could not agree on terms for an extension.” Above we read that Thompson says he “declined to renew his 18-month contact in December.” In truth, Thompson would not accept the six-month extension offered with a $126,000 annual salary + benefits. The title of a local media report seems to tell the true story, “DeFuniak Springs City Manager will not extend contact.” On November 29, 2022, Thompson announced that he was leaving. On December 1st, DeFuniak Springs dual-hatted the director of public works as the interim city manager. In January 2023, DeFuniak Springs hired a new city manager himself still legally designated as “interim.” The media should factcheck everything said by Gomez and Thompson to include that he “was recommended by the Florida League of Cities.” It’s number is (800) 222-9684.

By: Holding out for hope

Holding out for hope — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 21:52:52 +0000

I’m not sure I understand how anyone can be in over their head in such a small, insignificant town like Century. What is so complicated about it? The water is not even deep enough to reach your ankles!

Water, sewer, gas, streets, a park or two, making sure revenue matches expenditures, employee supervision, and administrative functions/documentation (clerk).

There is no responsibility for building inspection, permitting, code enforcement, policing, fire, traffic management.

Okay, a grants coordinator is likely needed, but only as a consultant, not an employee.

If having a Century government is so important to the residents, then everyone put your heads together, talk to the Florida League of Cities, and get your act together.

By: Holding out for hope

Holding out for hope — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 21:26:54 +0000

The only hope Century has is to become a quaint, cozy college town.

Uh, oh well. Since that won’t happen, there is no hope.

By: tg

tg — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 19:39:49 +0000

If you are going to miss meetings you do need a back-up.

By: Kane

Kane — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 17:47:09 +0000

That towns been running without a functioning mayor for years now 3 months won’t hurt it anymore then it has already been hurt. Hiring an obviously expensive “consultant” will. Appointing an interim mayor was unnecessary they should just close the council until a new mayor is elected in 3 short months no one is going anywhere in Century any time soon.

Now the new mayor may need some consultants as that town’s problems have problems…….