Columbia County Observer

Biden Made a Courageous Choice. Democrats Must Seize the Opportunity.

July 21, 2024  9:20 pm | 5 min read

Photo: Damon Winter via NYT  | Columbia County Observer graphic

LSHA At The 5: Straw Poll To Do Away With the Authority Will Be on the Nov Ballot. Commissioner Williams Looking for the Hundred-Year-Old Man

July 20, 2024  11:59 am | 5 min read

LSHA: $125k Hyped-Up Parking Lot Expense. Meridian-Financed With $57,151,934 of Taxpayer Money. Lake City City Manager Look Alike Contest

July 16 2024  5:05 pm | 3 min read

LSHA: Meridian’s Don Savoie Brought a Dog & Pony Show To the Lake Shore Hosp Auth. Quality  of Meridian Care – Outcomes – Nobody’s Talking

July 12 2024  5:45 pm | 5 min read

Photo: source unknown - fair use | Columbia County Observer graphic

LSHA: Gov's Board Blows Off County 5 & Discussion of Non-Binding Referendum to Dissolve the Authority

July 10 2024  10:25 am | 6 min read

Gov's. Lake Shore Hospital Authority Board listens to public comments on Monday evening. Screenshot | Columbia County Observer graphic

LSHA: Meridian CEO Don Savoie to Appear Tonight. After the Lies & Misinformation, Will the Gov's Board Bring Up Meridian Quality of Care?

July 8, 2024  11:55 am| 3 min read

Meridian CEO Don Savoie sat through the Jan. 8, 2023, LSHA meeting without saying a word. The only action he took at the meeting was checking his watch. | Columbia County Observer graphic

Columbia County Rum Island Park: More Than Just a River Front. A Gift From Mother Nature & the Federal Government – Too Much To Handle For the Columbia County 5

July 5, 2024  6:00 pm | 11 min read

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – On June 20, 2024, the Columbia County 5 (“The 5” or the “County Commission”) had on its docket “update on Rum Island.” The evening’s presentation was given by Assistant County Manager Kevin Kirby and was discussed by The 5.

North Central Florida Regional Planning Council: Executive Dir. Scott Koons Ignores Florida’s Sunshine Law

Scott Koons was advised he was violating the law

June 27, 2024  8:55 am | 4 min read

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Following Florida’s Open Meeting Laws and opinions of the Florida Attorney General are not the strong suit of Scott Koons, the Executive Director of the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council (NCFRPC).

 

 

 

 

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

June 23,2024, 2024  3 pm | 4 min read

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Lately, the Lake Shore Hospital Authority has been under scrutiny. Noah Walker, the newly anointed Lake City Mayor in waiting, has been dog-whistling behavioral health and mental illness. He has had some help from his friend and fellow Rotarian, Shawn Holmgren.

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.