Comments on: State Senator Suggests De-Chartering Century, Letting Escambia County Take Over The Town

By: CJ Lewis

CJ Lewis — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 12:49:08 +0000

The correct term as described in Section 165.051, Florida Statutes, is “dissolution.” Does anyone know the last time the Florida Legislature unilaterally dissolved a municipality? Someone in Tallahassee must know. Section 165.061 describes the dissolution standards. Century meets them. One of the claims made is that if Century was dissolved then Escambia County would invest in the town. Nothing now prohibits Escambia County from spending county money “in” Century. Down in Pensacola, Escambia County gave about $1.8 million of public money to support the for-profit, private membership Roger Scott Tennis Center. The land is owned by the city but leased to a for-profit corporation that serves alcoholic beverages and holds wild parties almost directly across the street from an elementary school. Perhaps it might have been better if Escambia County spend that money in Century to build recreation facilities? Ask Barry what he has done for Century lately. Lots of “talk” about dissolving Century but no one interested enough to take action. Any three Town Council members can vote to put the question to voters right away. Don’t need to wait until November 2024. Century can hold a special election to decide the issue. To maximize voter participation, municipal elections can be held using the vote-by-mail method if no one is being elected. If the Town Council thinks that everything is so great in Century, then they should be glad to let the dissolution vote take place. If everyone is happy, Century will vote to keep the status quo. Another idea would be to fix the town’s very dysfunction charter. Drive over to Jay and see how they do things. Jay has the best operating government in its county, Gulf Breeze a close second. The key? Both have Leadership Mayors who lead the council. Pensacola, Milton and Century do “not” have Leadership Mayors. If you look at successful municipalities to include large ones like Orlando and Charleston (SC), they all have Leadership Mayors. Century once called South Flomaton can also change its name again to get a fresh start. Century is a nice place with friendly people. It has great potential but no one seems willing to lead.

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 20:52:49 +0000

REGARDING:
“I moved here two years ago thinking this town had potential because of all the drive through traffic. Yet we have even a Burger King shut down”

I just wish to point out that Burger King was already shut down 2 years ago. I was there the afternoon that they shut it down. Many places have shut down over the years all over the country. Some have been taken over by others for other purposes. Some have been ignored and torn down. Everybody is free to make an offer.

AND
“Free Mason lodges while they claim to be churches of the Christian God but are more concerned with Masonic Lodge membership”

I have no idea who’s making what claims. I don’t see where what Masons do is any of my business unless I wish to join them nor that they have to do whatever I think they should do. But it’s always interesting to see somebody who has advice about what everybody ELSE should do.

Thank you for your service in trying to straighten out the rest of us.

David for better people

By: Carola

Carola — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 19:13:09 +0000

So, do they get new decorations for Christmas or not?

By: Mike Ashmore

Mike Ashmore — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 16:08:10 +0000

If you have to raise taxes 290%, 100% even, to meet minimum budget requirements, Mr Mayor, it’s not OK. You can’t keep coming to the taxpayers to bailout government’s poor spending decisions. It’s one reason that our country’s national debt is nearly $34 trillion. Irresponsible spending by government at any level is no excuse to increase taxes.

By: TB

TB — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 15:53:15 +0000

I would like to see Century cleaned up and repaired, maybe put an extension of a State College there, bring in some large businesses to offer employment opportunities, Healthcare facilities etc. I would like to see Century prosper.
But the only way is to have decisions made with local involvement and input but not by local entrenched politicians.

By: Beach Boy

Beach Boy — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 13:35:52 +0000

@ NOT AGAIN….I’ve been a lifelong resident of Escambia County for over 60 years.
YOU need to run for a political office that will right the wrong that has been going on for so long. I like your approach on issues that need to be addressed not only in Century but entire Escambia County. I’ll be glad to help you anyway I can. Thank you for your input.

By: IMHO

IMHO — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 01:31:50 +0000

@notagain You hit the nail on the head! Well said

By: Christian, Quartermaster, Paratrooper Sargent Rose Edward J former USA Army

Christian, Quartermaster, Paratrooper Sargent Rose Edward J former USA Army — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 01:05:59 +0000

I moved here two years ago thinking this town had potential because of all the drive through traffic. Yet we have even a Burger King shut down, no secured reliable internet service connections which a educated person would spend money on, meantaly I’ll homeless and drug and alcohol abusers roaming the streets, 7 different churches claiming to be food banks but not one shelter to get the homeless off the streets, nor do they gather, all of them claiming to be Christian yet they are segregated, divided and some secretly claim to actually be Free Mason lodges while they claim to be churches of the Christian God but are more concerned with Masonic Lodge membership not obeying God’s word. They can’t grow as a town because they are prejudice.

By: BIG JOHN

BIG JOHN — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 00:22:22 +0000

IF CENTURY DE-CHARTERING, WILL THAT BE THE LAST CHAPTER OF THE SOAP OPERA AS CENTURY TURNS.? OR WILL THERE BE A NEW SHOW, STAY TUNE IN AND WATCH YOU DON’T WON’T TO MISS ANYTHING

By: Not again

Not again — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 23:52:33 +0000

Essentially, numerous state legislators and governors have kept Century going for decades with grants and subsidies that far overvalue the contribution of Century back to the local and state communities as a whole. Senator Broxson and Representative Salzman may say de-chartering is up to Century, but as long as they keep caving in by writing state checks, they are part of the problem of what essentially is a municipality on welfare.

As a lifelong resident of Florida and resident of Escambia County for forty years, I’m tired of seeing millions of dollars spent on infrastructure that benefits only a few dozen people, if that, in Century. The subsidy for the Freedom Road bridge is a classic example.

When legislators (including those at the table) constantly “win” special appropriations for Century, they only exacerbate wasteful spending they promise to cut in their campaigns.

To me, the delegation is greatly responsible for keeping Century’s government alive with state taxpayer subsidies with no accountability as to how these funds contribute back to benefitting all Floridians. Many commenters on this website have called for the de-chartering of Century for years. Senator Broxson did not come up with this idea on his own.