Gomez new Century mayor

The Century Town Council voted 3 to 1 to accept Council President Luis Gomez's bid for interim mayor, swore him into office, set the date for a special election for council seat and mayor and voted on a new council president and vice president at its Monday, Aug. 28 special meeting.

Council members Dynette Lewis, Alicia Johnson and Sandra McMurray Jackson voted yes. Councilwoman Shelisa McCall voted no.

Town Clerk Leslie Howington read memos and referrals to the town's existing charter to move forward in the meeting. Boutwell's term expired January of 2025.

Howington said she spoke to Town Attorney Matt Dannheisser on the telephone earlier that day. He confirmed that Gomez is a council member acting as mayor until he became interim mayor and resigned his seat as a council member and as council president. Howington noted that Dannheisser was adamant that the council needed to appoint an interim mayor immediately. She said the point of the meeting was to appoint an interim mayor. This transition was the agenda for the meeting.

Howington read the qualifications to serve as mayor in the town: must reside in the town limits at least 6 months prior to qualifying; and be a registered voter in the town of Century. She referred to the town charter on when the oath of office takes place, which says nothing about it. It did state that on the filling of the vacancy, the office of mayor shall become vacant upon his resignation, the council then appoints an interim mayor and the interim mayor has all mayoral duties listed in the charter.

Gomez expressed concern that the time was so short. Howington reminded Gomez that he can run for either mayor or council when his interim mayor run is over.

Howington referred to Kevin merchant, who also heard Dannheisser on the phone. He emphasized that an interim mayor did not have to be a current council member, but could be a former council member.

"I wish we had some sort of legal representation here," said Gomez.

Howington said they reached out to other attorneys, but that no other attorney could advice in their situation, except Dannheisser.

Council members asked about advertising for someone to serve as interim mayor. There was discussion that time is of the essence in this situation. Councilwoman Johnson asked if someone was interested in being interim and Gomez spoke up that he was.

"If yall want me to take that seat, I'll take that seat," said Gomez. "I'm confident enough that the town will benefit from me being in that seat and then I'll go from there."

Council woman Johnson made a motion to accept Gomez as interim mayor. Council woman Jackson seconded it. The motion carried 3 votes to one.

Gomez abstained from voting because the position of mayor pays more than that of a council member, which qualifies as financial gain.

Howington provided excerpts from the town's existing charter as a guide.

The Century Town Council will appoint a council member by a majority vote at the Tuesday, Sept. 19 meeting.

According to the charter there is a narrow window of opportunity which Howington presented at the meeting. The council shall schedule a special election to be held not sooner than 60 days nor more than 90 days following the occurrence of the vacancy.

The town is seeking citizens who may be interested in serving on the council. To qualify, a person must live in the Century town limits and be a registered voter in the town of Century.

The town will advertise for two to three weeks for an interim council member. Anyone who qualifies may visit or call Century town hall to put in their name. At the Tuesday, Sept. 19 meeting, the council will nominate and appoint a council member to serve in the seat until the election.

Council member Jackson made a motion to advertise, nominate and appoint an interim council member, which was seconded by Councilwoman McCall. The motion carried unanimously.

The council then discussed the positions of council president and vice president. Current Vice President Lewis said she would serve as president. Councilwoman Johnson made a motion that Lewis be council president, which was seconded by Councilwoman Jackson. The motion carried unanimously.

Councilwoman McCall said she would fill the vice president position. Councilwoman Johnson made a motion which was seconded by Councilwoman Jackson. The motion carried unanimously.

Special election

The council voted and approved a special election for mayor and council seat member will be held Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023.

The following is updated information from Howington as of press time Wednesday:

Qualifying is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 26, 27 at the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections office in Pensacola, with one day scheduled in Century from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to be announced. Ballots will be mailed two weeks before the election, for mail-in ballots. If there are 3 or more candidates for one office, the run-off election primary will be Tuesday, Oct. 17, and a special election on Wednesday, Nov. 1.

The ordinance setting these election dates will have its first reading at the Century Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 5 and the second reading at the next meeting on Tuesday Sept. 19. The poll workers who will work the Century election will have training in Century. For more information, call the supervisor of elections office at 850-595-3900.