Columbia County Observer

Razor Wire Around Meridian’s Proposed Mental Health Facility At Lake Shore Hospital? How Did We Get There?

Noah Walker looking for "crazy" experiences.

June 23,2024, 2024  5:30 pm | 4 min read

Photo: Daniel Bernard via Unsplash | Columbia County Observer graphic

Columbia County Auditor Selection Committee: Trouble With the Sunshine Law – Was the Fix In Right Out of the Gate?

June 20, 2024  10:30 am | 4 min read

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – On April 26, 2024, Columbia County held its first Auditor Selection Committee meeting and then held three others. The Florida Sunshine Law is clear and specific – reasonable notice had to be given to advise the public of these meetings. This is Columbia County, home of the infamous County 5: reasonable notice was not given.

 

Florida Gateway College: Scholarships Going Unused – 2nd STEM Bldg. Not Completely Funded

June 19, 2024  8:15 am | 3 min read

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – During the Florida Gateway (FGC) College Budget Work Shop last Thursday (June 13), long time board member Suzanne Norris brought up the subject of scholarships at FGC.

 

 

 

CareerSource Florida Crown: Again, No Meeting Notice – 12th Hour Agenda – Executive Director Ignores Attorney's Advice To Follow the Law

June 12, 2024  8:10 am | 3 min read

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – CareerSource Florida Crown, a rogue special district under investigation by FloridaCommerce (the old Dept. of Commerce), once again cannot perform the simple task of noticing its public meetings.

Lake City’s Michelle Cannon, Deputy City Clerk, Earns the Certified Municipal Clerk Designation

June 6, 2024  7:45 am

LAKE CITY, FL – Monday night, soon after the kick-off of the bimonthly Council meeting, Deputy City Clerk Michelle Cannon was recognized for becoming a Certified Municipal Clerk, which is not an easy road to hoe.

 

 

 

 

City Manager’s First Recommendation Shot Down: P&Z Board Application Process – A Mess

June 4, 2024  10:00 pm | 5 min read

LAKE CITY, FL – City Manager Don Rosenthal's first Council meeting went smoothly – until it didn't. On the City's docket were appointments to the Planning and Zoning Board (P&Z), one of the most important positions in any municipal government.

 

Lake City: Tonight’s Council Meeting –  A New Beginning For LC & the End of the 'Dead Zone'?

June 3, 2024  11:50 am | 2 min read

LAKE CITY, FL – After years of turmoil, tonight, Lake City begins a new chapter with new City Manager Don Rosenthal. Mr. Rosenthal comes to Lake City with a real education from real schools, with an undergraduate degree from Loyola University and an MBA from Regis University.

Trump: Unanimious Verdict, Guilty On 34 Felony Counts In NY Hush Money Trial

May 31, 2024  8:45 am | 8 min read

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON – Jurors in New York state court on Thursday found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn star, ultimately to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.

If You Are Govenor DeSantis, How Do You Pick a Supreme Ct. Judge? Ans: By Blocking Out the Sun

Another DeSantis Sunshine Dispute

June 29, 2024  10:30 am | 3 min read

A case is pending at the 1st District Court of Appeal contesting the secrecy of DeSantis’ method of judicial selection. Stripped of all its constitutional and statutory considerations, the issue between the governor and a citizen identified only as “J. Doe” is whether DeSantis can assert executive privilege to withhold clearly public information just because he feels like it. 

LC City Manager Search: After Almost 3 Years, Lake City Has a City Manager With a Contract

As the Contract Took Its Final Form With Mr. Rosenthal, Councilman Ricky Jernigan Demanded Transparency

May 22, 2024  6:45 pm | 5 min read

LAKE CITY, FL – LC City Manager search is finally over. After just under three years of searching, the City Council hashed out the final details of its contract with Don Rosenthal, former Assistant County Administrator [manager] for Pasco County.

LC City Manager Search: New City Manager Contract Based on ICMA Model – Involuntary Servitude Included

May 20, 2024  8:15 am | 3 min read

LAKE CITY, FL – This evening, the City Council has on its docket the new City Manager contract. Not having learned from the recent and still under investigation Paul Dyal contract debacle, the Council is being asked to recognize an involuntary servitude clause again.

LSHA: 4 Years, $3 Mil Later, Down to 16 Clients, the Gov’s Illegal Board Is Handing Off the Latest Batch of Prospects to Manager Dale Williams

May 15, 2024  11:59 pm | 4 min read

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Monday evening's May 13 Lake Shore Hospital Authority Board meeting once again demonstrated the dysfunction of Governor DeSantis's appointed Board. Under the leadership of former longtime Columbia County Manager Dale Williams, the Board has, among other things, seen the number of Hospital Authority clients drop 91.4% (187 to 16) since Dale Williams took over managing the Authority.