Columbia County Observer

From County Manager Dale Williams
A request that "touches the heart"

Columbia County, FL (Posted April 12, 2010  12:30 pm)

From time to time the office of the Board of County Commissioners receives requests for assistance that are outside our abilities and scope, but nonetheless touch our hearts to the extent we want to help. I did not speak to this family directly. My telecommunications expert Kimi Roberts did and she told me the need was genuine...

County Commission treats its own like dogs
Ellisville Utility Boondoggle Continues

Columbia County, FL (posted March 27, 2010 - 01:55 pm)

It was a sad day in Columbia County Thursday night... Com Williams' treatment of Com Scarlet Frisina was particularly disturbing, as he pointed his finger in her face, wouldn't allow her to talk and treated her more like one of his hunting dogs than a representative of the people.

Finally - Columbia County has dueling rate studies. Planning - what's that?

Columbia County, FL (posted March 25, 2010 4:45 pm)

The infamous and legendary Columbia County has waited for the 12th hour to make available its dueling rate studies. Waiting for the 12th hour has been their MO for years. All the rate study documents are now available here... 

Mandatory hookup on county docket tonight Ellisville Utility Boondoggle Continues

Columbia County, FL (posted March 25, 2010 8:05 am)

The Ellisville utility boondoggle continues as Jack Berry protégé, Dist. III Com Jody DuPree (right) has partnered with Com Ronald Williams (left) in closing out public comment and keeping the County Utility Rate Study under wraps for over a week.

EMS Request for Proposals
Columbia County doesn't get it - again

Columbia County, FL (posted March 24, 2010 11:55 pm)

At the March 4, 2010 County Commission meeting, County Chairman, Ronald Williams, who has for years complained at every opportunity about the County's mistreatment by the City regarding the City's non contribution to EMS, joined with the top county management in collectively failing to prepare a complete agenda for the County Commission meeting, leaving off a very important item.

Florida Crown - Columbia County
Time for a little mercy from the big wheels in Tallahassee

Columbia County, FL (posted March 19, 2010 11:50 pm)

At last night's Columbia County Commission meeting it was apparent once again that Columbia County is being left behind in the dust trails of yesteryear, as even the most simple forms of governance leave long time county commissioner and current Board Chairman, Ronald Williams, confused and unable to effectively govern, demonstrating once again that good government has no place in Columbia County.

Columbia County Florida - Celebrating Black History Month by driving the children to drugs

Columbia County, FL (posted February 11, 2010, at 03:30am)

The Board's only African American member, Ronald Williams, a man who has for years watched rampant drug dealing in the hood and a declining school system, told the Board, "The Chair also agree with staff recommendation... Unless somebody got a golden goose to lay a golden egg and give that gold to the County, I don’t see any silver lining in the clouds so far, so we have to do what we got to do. The library is the least thing that we have to worry about right now."

Technologically challenged county weighs
IT request for public funds for home use.

Mr. Manning spends much of his time at meetings playing solitaire and ...

Columbia County, FL (posted February 04, 2010, at 02:30pm)

I cannot think of a reason to justify this expenditure. At a time when the county has rolled-back the wages on their employees like Walmart having a sale, cut funding to publicly sponsored youth sports programs, cut back on library programs and moaned about budgetary woes, I find this request utterly distasteful and a potential complete waste of taxpayer money.

County utility boondoggle moving into high gear DuPree bans city participation

Columbia County, FL (posted January 26, 2010)

by Stew Lilker

Like a bull in a china shop, Jack Berry protégé, County Utility Sub Committee Chairman, Jody DuPree is following in the footsteps of his mentor, former LSHA boss Berry. Instead of spending millions without a plan in order to take care of the "good ole boys" in the land scams around the Hospital Authority, the Columbia County Utility boondoggle is going to cost the working families of Columbia County tens of millions in one of

Columbia County Commission digs in, puts children at risk - approves unsafe library

Columbia County, FL (posted January 19, 2010)

Anyone could walk into the new Fort White library with a gun, a fight could break out, a car could careen through the front door, a child could be abducted and no one would be able to see it. Columbia County's "good ole boys" approved this plan digging in, never admitting a mistake.

Ellisville Utility Project boondoggle
The saga continues

Columbia County, FL (posted December 17, 2009)

By Stew Lilker

The saga of the Columbia County – Ellisville Utility Project continued at the December 10th Utility Sub-Committee meeting, in what continues to be the greatest "good ole boy" boondoggle and waste of public funds in the history of Columbia County.

Columbia County Internet Policy
"Asinine - Crazy - Insane"

Empty computer work stations at the Columbia County main library. The library director's policy is designed to keep computers unused at all library branches.

Columbia County, FL (posted November 5, 2009)

By Stew Lilker

On July 1, 2002, the Board of County Commissioners gave the library director the authority to establish time limits for the use of the internet computers at the County Libraries. This is a common practice in most libraries and common sense usually prevails. The ineffectual leadership of library director, Debbie Paulson, is once again affecting those most unable to defend themselves.

The Ellisville Utility Project
Money down the drain
(The county meeting)

The Columbia County Commission, still homeless, had their county utility meeting in the Jack Berry LSHA's newly renovated old jail.

Columbia County, FL (posted Sept 17, 2009)

By Stew Lilker

Columbia County has been in the utility business since 2006. The County Commission and the County Manager did everything but proclaim from the mountain tops that they did not want to be in the utility business. Three years later after the squandering of millions of dollars the Ellisville Utility Project is still in disarray.

 

The Great Columbia County
Fire Rate Rip Off

This double wide on 10 acres pays the same fire assessment as Commissioner Bailey's father pays to have a home on 147 acres.

Columbia County, FL (posted Sept 14, 2009)

By Stew Lilker

Beginning in 2005 any person in Columbia County with a more than five acre homestead has been ripped off by the County Commission. The County has dragged its feet on reviewing the fire rates for vacant land, while at the same time giving huge savings to the largest landowners in the county.

For years, the Observer has observed the unfairness of

Commissioner DuPree puts Sheriff on the spot

Columbia County, FL (posted August 5, 2009)

By Stew Lilker

Demonstrating an arrogance and lack of respect for public property and the law, Mr. DuPree parked on the grass again at the county's second budget workshop on July 30th. This time, Commissioner DuPree parked right next to Sheriff Hunter's personal white pickup truck, a vehicle well known to everyone.

Fuzzy math • fuzzy numbers • a fuzzy presentation (Budget workshop no. 2)

Columbia County, FL (posted August 5, 2009)

By Stew Lilker

Columbia County’s Budget Workshop number two, presented on July 30, 2009, looked like the same tired process that has gone on in Columbia County for years. In the past few years, at the urging of your reporter, the County has supplied a little more information. It is highly inadequate in determining the funding and spending requirements of the County. 

County Commission gives the order to roll back workers salaries (Budget workshop no. 1)

Columbia County, FL (posted July 29, 2009)

By Stew Lilker

The July 22nd budget work shop began with County Manager Dale Williams explaining that there is typically only one budget workshop in Columbia County. This year he thought there might be as many as three workshops. 

Commissioner DuPree
too lazy to park in parking lot

Columbia County, FL (posted July 24, 2009)

By Stew Lilker

Columbia County Commissioner Jody DuPree again demonstrated his arrogance and lack of regard for sound public policy by parking his truck on the lawn of the School Board Administration building, instead of in the parking lot during the July 22nd budget work shop.

Columbia County Land Deal
$227,100 • Business As Usual

Columbia County, FL (posted June 4, 2009)

By Stew Lilker

Unless County Manager Dale Williams discussed the specifics of this land deal with each county commissioner, rotating them one at a time in violation of the spirit of the Sunshine laws of Florida, there is no way the Columbia County Commission could know what is going on.

Of course, there is once again no way for the public to know what is going on.  (Go to story)

County Commission ignores rule of law
The Florida Crown Affair continues

Chairman Bailey reads from a
prepared script.

Columbia County, FL (posted May 26, 2009)

By Stew Lilker

The Florida Crown Affair took another twist in Columbia County at the May 21, 2009 County Commission meeting. Operating on the fringes or outside the law is nothing new for Columbia County and they did not disappoint at the May 21st commission meeting, proving once again that operating in the shadows and surprising the public is what they do best.

A Columbia County Trip Down Memory Lane

Columbia County, FL (posted May 23, 2009 • 07:30pm)

Minutes recorded by Deputy Clerk Sandy Markham, Dec. 6, 2007

Commentary (below and in the minutes) by the publisher

Things certainly have changed since 2007, and not for the best.

It was an earlier time, when the residents didn’t need ID cards to speak and could ask questions, about the things that affected their lives, their families and their pocket books. They might not have received answers, but at least they could ask the questions.

Florida Crown's harassment continues
The Columbia County Commission Position
(Part II)

Columbia County, FL (posted April 16, 2009)

By Stew Lilker

County Manager (“CM”) Dale Williams explained some of the Columbia County Commission issues with the FCWB:

Does my board have some issues? Absolutely. Are they adamant in their issues? Absolutely. They’ve got some things that even I don’t know. We are not so bad that we will not take your money. When you talk about the money that you do have some latitude in distribution, they believe they have a legal right to help determine how that money is distributed. They believe that the budgets are supposed to be approved in a certain legal fashion and currently they are not.

Someone asked the County Manager, “In what way are they not being legally approved?”

Columbia County Clerk P. DeWitt Cason
Stands up for the rule of law

Columbia County, FL (posted April 15, 2009)

By Stew Lilker

The Columbia County Commission, long known for among other things, rudeness and flying by the seat of its pants was dealt a blow by long time constitutional officer, Clerk of the Courts, the Honorable P. DeWitt Cason, when he refused to sign two ordinances which were not available for public inspection for the time required by the Florida Statutes.

Impact fees going the way of the dodo bird.
Only Board Member Maxwell speaks up for the  district.

Columbia County, FL (posted March 5, 2009)

by Stew Lilker

On Tuesday night, March 3, 2009, with the  blood still flowing in the streets and the school district on its knees, the good old boys of the Columbia County Commission, buoyed by four of the five members of the School Board, decided to eliminate school impact fees. Only School Board member Charles Maxwell spoke up for the district, its students and the working families of Columbia County, opposing the impact fee moratorium. The official moratorium vote is tonight.

Quick action by local families averts disaster at Bluebird Landing

Columbia County, FL (posted March 2, 2009)

by Stew Lilker

Late on Monday morning, February 16th, quick and decisive action by South Columbia County residents averted disaster, as a brush fire, whipped by twenty mile an hour winds, threatened homesteads, livestock, and a large area of south Columbia County only a mile and a half from the Santa Fe River in Bluebird Landing.

18% Employee Pay Raise Put On Hold

Columbia County, FL (posted Feb. 5, 2009)

by Stew Lilker

 The 18% pay raise of Columbia County’s new recreation director, Mario Coppock, appears to be on hold so that the County Commission can go over the details, according to a statement to the Observer late Wednesday by County Manager, Dale Williams.
 
County Manager Williams said that he is going to ask the Board to put over their deliberations until the 19th of February, explaining that, “The Board has asked me for more information and I don’t believe I would be able to have it all available by the meeting tomorrow evening.”

Board tells Fort White resident
Too Bad • You have to pay

Columbia County Florida (posted Dec. 4, 2008)
By Stew Lilker

It was nothing new for a Columbia County resident to complain about being over assessed for garbage pickup. Billy Ray Franks told the Board, “I haven’t used the solid waste for three years. I recycle my own. I live alone. I don’t have much. I’ve tried for three years for them to take this solid waste off of my taxes, but I haven’t been able to.”

Commissioner Ronald Williams challenges the Observer to “go behind the barn.”

Columbia County Florida (posted Dec. 4, 2008)
By Stew Lilker

Commissioner Williams yelled out from across the room:  “Say what? That’s a lie Lilker. I have never said I put my own trash in a dumpster. And don’t you repeat that or say it anymore, or we’ll go behind the barn.”

Was Commissioner Williams telling the truth when he challenged your reporter to "go behind the barn?"

County Commission Pleads the Fifth • Law Firm Gets 10% Raise

It’s business as usual in Columbia County.

Columbia County Florida (posted Dec. 4, 2008)
By Stew Lilker

Columbia County's working families continued to take it on the chin as the County Commission once again demonstrated that when it comes to giving money to their high priced friends, it has never seen a fee increase it doesn't like.

County Commission Looks the Other Way
Columbia County’s Working Families Continue To Take It On The Chin

 • Part II
Columbia County Florida (posted Nov. 26, 2008)
By Stew Lilker

At the November 20, 2008 County Commission meeting, the Columbia County Board  of County Commissioners, along with County Manager Dale Williams, once again proved the old adage that all politics is local, demonstrating that our  irresponsible representatives in Washington just will not be out done by the the  Good Old Boys of Columbia County.

At the conclusion of the meeting long time Columbia County resident and former Marine, Mr. LJ Johnson, told the Board, “In reference to the letter Mr. Lilker read, I think it is a shame that anyone in our community should be referred to as an idiot, and I myself find that offensive and something should be done about that.

The Board and Chairman Weaver ignored Mr. Johnson’s remarks. Chairman Weaver’s answer spoke for itself, “Anything else Mr. Johnson?

County Commission Puts Private Gain Ahead of Public Trust.
Columbia County’s Working Families Take It On the Chin -- Again.

Part I (Part II coming Wednesday, Nov. 26))

Columbia County Florida (posted Nov. 24, 2008)
By Stew Lilker

On November 20, 2008, in another brazen assault on the public trust, the  Columbia County Board of Commissioners (BCC) and the County Manager, Dale  Williams, looked the other way as contract engineer John Colson insulted the  working families of Columbia County by refusing to detail his billing hours and  then adding insult to injury, referred to a Columbia County resident, or  residents, who questioned his billing practices as the "audience idiot."

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New Public Works Director To Be Chosen Tonight • The Interviews Columbia County Florida (posted June 5, 2008) By Stew Lilker Columbia County's search for a public works director to be responsible for the maintenance of 700 miles of dirt roads and 1100 miles of paved roads are nearing a conclusion after the interviews of six final candidates. County Manager Dale Williams said that he was looking to put the final decision in front of the County Commission at this week’s County Commission meeting, but no later than June 19th, “Unless something goes terribly wrong.”

One Candidate Stood Above the Rest One Question Gave It All Away Columbia County Florida (posted June 5, 2008) By Stew Lilker At the conclusion of the interviews for Columbia County’s new Public Works Director, County Manager, Dale Williams, said that it was obvious that there was one standout from each day. Even more obvious was the reason they stood out.  After carefully observing the interview process as well as the resumes and applications of the applicants, it was clear that there was one applicant from day one and indeed both days, that stood miles above the rest for his experience, professionalism, management skills and knowledge – Marcel “Bo” Beauchemin, a professional in every way.

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Ethically Challenged Board Votes No On Disclosure
IDA executive director says: “I depend on the people’s trust.”

Columbia County Florida, (posted) November 27, 2007

At its November 15, 2007 board meeting, the Columbia County Board of Commissioners once again demonstrated that it is an ethically challenged board. It refused to vote for the continued financial disclosure of the members of the Industrial Development Authority despite no objection from them.

At the previous BCC meeting, County Manager Dale Williams explained that the County had received “notice from the state” that IDA Board was no longer required to file financial disclosure. The County Manager conveniently failed to mention that the agency sending the letter was the Ethics Commission. He also failed to mention that the deadline for requiring financial disclosure of the IDA Board was before December 31, 2007.

County Commission Drags Lord Through Coals

Columbia County Florida, November 14, 2007

by Stew Lilker

In another outrageous display of disrespect, discourtesy and just plain rudeness, Columbia County’s Board of County Commissioners outdid itself at its November 1st. board meeting, dragging Janet Lord of the Salvation Army through the coals. The Board’s grilling of Ms. Lord was among the all time lows from a Board that seems to take pleasure in disrespecting the public and skirting the law.

Ms. Lord’s presentation began innocently enough as she asked the Board to approve a Pre Trial Release