Comments on: And Then There Were Four – Century Interviews Town Administrator Candidates http://www.northescambia.com/2025/08/3and-then-there-were-four-century-interviews-town-administrator-candidates Local News for Molino, Bratt, McDavid, Century, Walnut Hill, Cantonment Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:06:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jeff Peacock http://www.northescambia.com/2025/08/3and-then-there-were-four-century-interviews-town-administrator-candidates/comment-page-1#comment-573323 Jeff Peacock Sat, 16 Aug 2025 23:02:38 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=594030#comment-573323 My name is Jeff Peacock and I was one of the semi-finalists in the selection process for town administrator. I wanted to share my experience in this process and my belief that it was fundamentally flawed. After the field was narrowed to 10 people, the town council decided to have interviews with the 10 semi-finalists and also conduct background checks on each. Although I was one of these semi-finalists, I was never contacted by the mayor or any of the members of the town council for an interview. Further, I received a third-party request for permission to conduct a background check (which takes a week) the same day that the finalist cut was made (which I did not make). Obviously, I'm disappointed that I was not selected for this position; however, I'm more upset by the lack of fairness in the process. As a semifinalist, I don't understand why the town council did not give me the same opportunity to present my qualifications as the other semi-finalist candidates apparently had. Further, why did they require me to submit my very personal information for a background check, only for that check to not have the time to be completed? And were the finalist candidates selected before their background checks were complete? Century is my hometown and it is my sincere desire that the town's leadership is able to find the best person to serve in this role. Six figures is a big commitment to make based on a 15-minute interview and inconsistent vetting. Hopefully, a positive result will come from this questionable selection process. My name is Jeff Peacock and I was one of the semi-finalists in the selection process for town administrator. I wanted to share my experience in this process and my belief that it was fundamentally flawed.

After the field was narrowed to 10 people, the town council decided to have interviews with the 10 semi-finalists and also conduct background checks on each. Although I was one of these semi-finalists, I was never contacted by the mayor or any of the members of the town council for an interview. Further, I received a third-party request for permission to conduct a background check (which takes a week) the same day that the finalist cut was made (which I did not make).

Obviously, I’m disappointed that I was not selected for this position; however, I’m more upset by the lack of fairness in the process. As a semifinalist, I don’t understand why the town council did not give me the same opportunity to present my qualifications as the other semi-finalist candidates apparently had. Further, why did they require me to submit my very personal information for a background check, only for that check to not have the time to be completed? And were the finalist candidates selected before their background checks were complete?

Century is my hometown and it is my sincere desire that the town’s leadership is able to find the best person to serve in this role. Six figures is a big commitment to make based on a 15-minute interview and inconsistent vetting. Hopefully, a positive result will come from this questionable selection process.

]]> By: JD http://www.northescambia.com/2025/08/3and-then-there-were-four-century-interviews-town-administrator-candidates/comment-page-1#comment-573298 JD Sat, 16 Aug 2025 12:18:20 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=594030#comment-573298 @Gman. You are absolutely correct. I listened to all the interviews while at the meeting. Him and Anderson were definitely ahead of the other two candidates. Both of these candidates are straight forward without all the double talk most elected officials give. I'd definitely be alright with either choice. @Gman. You are absolutely correct. I listened to all the interviews while at the meeting. Him and Anderson were definitely ahead of the other two candidates. Both of these candidates are straight forward without all the double talk most elected officials give. I’d definitely be alright with either choice.

]]> By: Gman http://www.northescambia.com/2025/08/3and-then-there-were-four-century-interviews-town-administrator-candidates/comment-page-1#comment-573295 Gman Sat, 16 Aug 2025 11:50:05 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=594030#comment-573295 Davis Murzin is a local Escambia County product and is familiar with the current local issues within Century. Murzin is a proven winner and would be an asset to the citizens of Century. Davis Murzin is a local Escambia County product and is familiar with the current local issues within Century. Murzin is a proven winner and would be an asset to the citizens of Century.

]]> By: Barbara Roberts http://www.northescambia.com/2025/08/3and-then-there-were-four-century-interviews-town-administrator-candidates/comment-page-1#comment-573274 Barbara Roberts Fri, 15 Aug 2025 18:21:13 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=594030#comment-573274 Don't miss a good opportunity to have a great Town manager who is very knowledgeable and will work way more hours than your residents could imagine.he would be moving close to your town and always be available. Don’t miss a good opportunity to have a great Town manager who is very knowledgeable and will work way more hours than your residents could imagine.he would be moving close to your town and always be available.

]]> By: JD http://www.northescambia.com/2025/08/3and-then-there-were-four-century-interviews-town-administrator-candidates/comment-page-1#comment-573270 JD Fri, 15 Aug 2025 17:22:36 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=594030#comment-573270 I was the only one in the audience last night. I did speak about being local so we will see what happens. That cavalli candidate resides in Tampa. The other candidates were within a county or two. Anderson and murzin were the two strongest out of the selected ones that interviewed. I was the only one in the audience last night. I did speak about being local so we will see what happens. That cavalli candidate resides in Tampa. The other candidates were within a county or two. Anderson and murzin were the two strongest out of the selected ones that interviewed.

]]> By: IMHO http://www.northescambia.com/2025/08/3and-then-there-were-four-century-interviews-town-administrator-candidates/comment-page-1#comment-573263 IMHO Fri, 15 Aug 2025 14:37:47 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=594030#comment-573263 I would hope a Town Administrator would live IN the town and be present at Town Hall daily. If they aren’t willing to live here they shouldn’t be hired. I would hope a Town Administrator would live IN the town and be present at Town Hall daily. If they aren’t willing to live here they shouldn’t be hired.

]]> By: Jim Stanton http://www.northescambia.com/2025/08/3and-then-there-were-four-century-interviews-town-administrator-candidates/comment-page-1#comment-573257 Jim Stanton Fri, 15 Aug 2025 13:36:48 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=594030#comment-573257 Being able to come into the office five days a week should be the most important requirement. If a person can't come to the office, the town doesn't need them. Ask yourself mayor and town council members, how well can you really run a town hundreds of miles away that you have never put a foot in, and really don't know anything about the town. Example: So John calls you from the town you have never actually been to and tells you we really need at traffic light at a particular intersection. Thirty minutes later Joe calls and tells you, ole John has been trying to get a light at that intersection for twenty years, we don't really need one there. What are you going to do since the town is hundreds of miles away, call everyone in that town and ask them. So, if they can't come to Century everyday, Century doesn't need them no matter how good they do in their town. Give them the boot. Being able to come into the office five days a week should be the most important requirement. If a person can’t come to the office, the town doesn’t need them. Ask yourself mayor and town council members, how well can you really run a town hundreds of miles away that you have never put a foot in, and really don’t know anything about the town. Example: So John calls you from the town you have never actually been to and tells you we really need at traffic light at a particular intersection. Thirty minutes later Joe calls and tells you, ole John has been trying to get a light at that intersection for twenty years, we don’t really need one there. What are you going to do since the town is hundreds of miles away, call everyone in that town and ask them. So, if they can’t come to Century everyday, Century doesn’t need them no matter how good they do in their town. Give them the boot.

]]> By: rd http://www.northescambia.com/2025/08/3and-then-there-were-four-century-interviews-town-administrator-candidates/comment-page-1#comment-573247 rd Fri, 15 Aug 2025 11:19:13 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=594030#comment-573247 Will this person be required to live close enough to Century to report to an office within the City limits 5 days a week? We know how they get hired (Mayor recommendation, Council approval). Is it the same process to get fired if it doesn't work out? Will this person be required to live close enough to Century to report to an office within the City limits 5 days a week?

We know how they get hired (Mayor recommendation, Council approval). Is it the same process to get fired if it doesn’t work out?

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