Mayor Says Water Is Safe; Century to Hire Firm For $33K And Attorney For $350/Hour To Answer FDEP

February 7, 2024

“The water is safe…We’ve been testing it.”

That is how Century Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. reassured citizens at a town council meeting Tuesday night. Questions about the town’s water supply were raised after NorthEscambia.com reported on Sunday that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) issued a warning letter on January 30, identifying 35 potential violations in the water system of Florida statutes and codes .

READ: State Inspection Of Century Water System Finds 35 Possible Violations, Including Low Chlorine And Falsification Of Records

The town council voted Tuesday night to allow the mayor to hire U.S. Water Services Corp. in New Port Richey for up to $33,630 to address FDEP water warning letters from 2023 and a wastewater treatment plant consent order.  The company will not address the most recent January 30 warning letter’s 35 items; the town’s request for proposals was issued prior to that date.

Instead, the town will hire an attorney recommended by the town attorney Matt Dannheisser to respond to the latest allegations. The second attorney will charge $350 per hour.

Comments

17 Responses to “Mayor Says Water Is Safe; Century to Hire Firm For $33K And Attorney For $350/Hour To Answer FDEP”

  1. Vegan on February 8th, 2024 7:24 pm

    It’s 100 percent vegan and organic guaranteed.

  2. Cash on February 8th, 2024 7:17 pm

    I thought I was a man till I saw the people in century drink the yellow water

  3. Steve on February 8th, 2024 7:33 am

    It’s only drinking water ; what’s the big deal. I agree with burkett . Who needs rules and regulations ?

  4. Jus me on February 7th, 2024 10:24 pm

    Why is the county commissioner not stepping up and participating in giving guidance in correcting this circus? Guess he/she is to busy collecting peanuts for the show. When will enough be enough and the COUNTY take over. Enough of filling positions with incompetent people. Gomez had all the answers but now wants to out source or hire so called professionals who know no more than the last clown in the position. Stop the madness.. Now that Desantis is back in Florida, WHERE ARE YOU DESANTIS?

  5. IMHO on February 7th, 2024 10:22 pm

    Why don’t they get Mr Burkett to handle it? He seems to know all there is to know about the water system and FDEP. I bet he’d be cheaper

  6. Just wondering on February 7th, 2024 5:53 pm

    @Reader

    I am thinking the same thing too.

  7. Outsider on February 7th, 2024 4:41 pm

    @Chris read my last sentence.

  8. Chris on February 7th, 2024 3:45 pm

    @outsider. Who in their right mind would move to Century?

  9. Concerned on February 7th, 2024 1:03 pm

    4.5 million in defunct funds, but steady spending. The town of Century is a joke.

  10. Concerned Citizen on February 7th, 2024 12:10 pm

    I am the co-owner of Dewey, Cheatum and Howe and we are ready to provide our legal services at half the price quoted by the second attorney. We do not believe the water is safe based on the photographic evidence and log data. Please contact us at 867-5309. Standing by ready to answer!

  11. Mike Honcho on February 7th, 2024 11:42 am

    Nothing but a clown show. The mayor is the biggest clown of them all. Have a conversation with him you will see what I mean. Never talked with the council but it would be a safe bet that they are the same.

  12. retired on February 7th, 2024 11:08 am

    I got some ocean front property in Century I’ll sell you

  13. Outsider on February 7th, 2024 10:09 am

    Everyone is so quick to throw the mayor and council under the bus. During the council meetings the chairs are empty. You would think there would be more candidates for the job. If you’re not part of the solution you’re part of the problem. Town council meetings are open. If you don’t live in the city limits and want to help move. If you don’t want to help stop wasting your time bashing people who have made an effort.

  14. Chris on February 7th, 2024 9:13 am

    Just throw more money at the problem. Seems to have worked great so far.

  15. SW on February 7th, 2024 8:29 am

    @Reader

    Sure, they’ve been testing it…they’ve got the pre-printed test sheets to prove it.

  16. Oversight on February 7th, 2024 6:37 am

    I hear the mayor demonstrated the water was safe to consume by drinking a clear glass full of it at the meeting. That’s after opening a purchased bottle of water and pouring into the glass. Lol!

  17. Reader on February 7th, 2024 2:07 am

    The water is safe and we test all the time, high mayor? You are going to hire a company for $33,000 to respond to warnings that you DID NOT test the water. Falsifying records? Hire an attorney to get you out of the mess.

    Can’t handle the job as mayor? Hire a town manager for thousands to do your job?

    Deficits of millions in two funds?

    What the hell is going on and why is allowed to continue?

    (BTW…hear the Food Giant is selling bottled water like crazy! People don’t want to drink this Kool Aid no more!)

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News