At Century's council meeting Monday night, Councilwoman Ann Brooks made a motion to get Escambia County (Fla.) county attorney Matt Dannheiser involved in the clean up at Alger Sullivan sawmill sight, stating that the warm season will bring snakes, rodents and disease, making it dangerous for those who live in Century.
Century Mayor Henry Hawkins told Brooks that he is actively trying to get the county to deed the property to the town through the county administrator so it can be cleaned up.
The owners of the property, given time to clean it up following the EF-3 tornado in 2015, cannot be located and the LLC that was listed as owning it has been dissolved.
Hawkins said the county has six different liens on the 38-acre property and the bids for clean up start at $800,000 and go up.
Brooks said the council has been waiting to see change and that nothing is happening.
“Go ahead and make a motion,” said Hawkins. “It will cost us money and he will hit the same snares I do.”
After more discussion, Councilman Ben Boutwell made a motion to give the mayor until the second council meeting in March, the 19th, to have an answer before they move forward. Councilman Gary Riley seconded the motion and all members voted yes. The motion carried.
The next Century council meeting is Monday, March 5, at 7 p.m.at Century Town Hall.
