Wanting to promote business and jobs
Gomez passes duties to Johnson
"I love this town, this is my home," is how Century Interim Mayor Alicia Johnson described her recent appointment as interim mayor following last week's council meeting where Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. announced he was resigning due to health reasons. Johnson vacated council seat 4 to become interim mayor.
"Everybody here has lifted me up, especially when I was sick, they did the fundraiser, they really lifted me up, so it's my turn to pay back for that," said Johnson. "It's exciting. It's a great little town with big potential. We are right here as the gateway to Florida, from up north, and we need to capitalize on that."
Johnson said she feels it's time to lay the foundation for Century to grow and that foundation is the town's infrastructure.
"We are addressing a lot of that at present and intend to continue to look for funding to address all of our issues," said Johnson. "That's the goal. When we have a grounded, established infrastructure, then it's time to start looking for the industries so people have jobs, places to work. Then when people work here, they want to live here and want to spend money here."
Johnson noted the three top priorities are the infrastructure, job creation and industry and unifying the community.
"I want to bring everyone together to work together, as the folks of Century do so well," said Johnson. "Let's work better to improve the town, clean our streets, have pride in our community, so that we can attract people from outside Century."
Johnson is very familiar with both Century's and Jay's water systems. She and her husband had a water treatment contracting company that worked with both municipalities, testing water samples and maintaining both systems. Serving as Century's water superintendent full time, she worked simultaneously with the town of Jay water system for several years and eventually became Jay's water superintendent full-time.
Johnson had chronic back problems that would eventually require surgery. She endured illness for almost a year after two back surgeries, one corrective in nature. Although Johnson could not physically work directly with any water systems due to their septic nature, she knew she wanted to be on the council when her health returned.
As a member of the Century Town Council, she took an active role in addressing the water system infrastructure, sitting in on meetings with engineers and town personnel to stay informed about what measures were being taken to correct the long-standing problems the town faced. Her thorough knowledge of water and waste treatment and her superintendent experience gave what former Mayor Gomez referred to 'an advantage' on the council, especially when making decisions about spending money to replace or repair machinery crucial to the town's water quality.
"I was appointed to interim council seat and then I ran for the seat and won," said Johnson. "There are two years left in my term so since I vacated that seat to become interim mayor, someone will be appointed interim council member for seat 4. Then we will have a special election on April to fill the mayor's seat and council seat 4. I intend to run for mayor and invite anyone else who is qualified and will work hard for the town. Same for council seat 4. Let's get some good folks in here."
Anyone interested in running for Century's council seat 4 or mayor has to have lived in the Century town limits for six months prior to applying to qualify. The application deadline is by noon Friday, Jan. 17. Applications may be submitted by email at [email protected], mailed to Century Town Hall, 7995 N. Century Boulevard, Century, Fla., 32535 or hand-delivered to the town clerk's office. The Century Town Council will consider applications at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21. For any additional information, contact Mallory Walker at 850-256-3208.
Johnson said she definitely plans to run for mayor in the tentative April election.
"I think wonderful things can happen here," said Johnson. "If someone else will do a better than I, I welcome them. That would be the best kind of race to be in, where the town wins no matter which candidate is successful. I wouldn't mind it a bit. As long as I know the town is in good hands if I lose, I'm okay with that."
