Columbia County Observer

Lake City Police Advisory Review Board: The Workshop – It Wasn’t Pretty

Posted May 13, 2021  08:45 am | go to Part I

Chevella Young addresses the City Council.            Columbia County Observer photo and graphic

Lake City IT: 3 Men Couldn’t Do What LC’s Former IT Director ‘Could,' Proving It Takes a Woman

Posted May 11, 2021  2:30 pm

LAKE CITY, COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL –  The departure of Lake City’s IT Department Director Mandy Rand left a big hole in the ability of Lake City’s IT to post its Zoom meetings without lag time. Under the former direction of Ms. Rand, the Zoom meetings made it to the net generally within minutes.

Columbia County Residents About to Get Slammed: Building Permit Fees Headed Skyward – But First The County 5 Must Follow the Law

Posted May 6, 2021  08:25 am

UMBIA COUNTY, FL – The infamous Columbia County 5 has on its docket tonight Building & Zoning fee increases. Some rates are up in the thousands and well over 100%. Troy Crews, the former building official of Lake City and the now director of the Columbia County Building Department, is proposing the increases.

With the Departure of Lake City IT Director Mandy Rand, Prof. Florida/N. FL Women Not Surprised at Her Treatment

Posted May 4, 2021  07:30 am | Part II

LAKE CITY, COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL –  The recent departure of Mandy Rand, Lake City’s IT Director, not only speaks volumes about the disarray in the top management of Lake City, but the second class treatment of many women in North Florida.

Lake City IT Director Quits - Tells City Manager: “Another attack would destroy my career, jeopardize the City and my family.”

Posted April 26, 2021  10:59 am | Part I

LAKE CITY, COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL –  With City worker morale at an all-time low, a budget crisis looming, and IT security at a premium, Lake City's IT Director Mandy Rand quit. She told the City Manager, “Before I came to Lake City, the City received nationwide attention when it was attacked by ransomware… another attack, while I was IT Director, would destroy my IT career and jeopardize the City and my family.”

Olustee the Monument, April 15: A Dance by Columbia County To Deny Its Real Plan, To Wash Its Hands of the Monument

Posted April 19, 2021  04:00 am

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Thursday, April 15, the Columbia County 5 met. On its agenda was an item called "Olustee Park." There was not a scintilla of pre-meeting backup information outlining the evening’s discussion. As of Wednesday evening, April 14, the County Manager claimed there was no material to go with the agenda item "Olustee Park." The public was left in the dark.

Lake City Police Chief Argatha Gilmore Makes It Clear, She Answers to Nobody in Lake City

Posted April 15, 2021  03:30 pm

LAKE CITY, COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – After over 11 years on the job, Lake City Police Chief Argatha-Rigby Gilmore cannot say that Lake City is safer than when she began. While the LCPD has gotten various accreditations on her watch, many of Lake City’s residents are afraid to call the police.

Lake City Medical Center: $1.6 Mil Investment In Robotic Surgery

Posted April 12, 2021  10:00 am

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Following the recent unveiling of construction to expand Lake City Medical Center, the hospital announced that it had added another $1.6 million in technology in the form of a da Vinci Xi Surgical Robot by Intuitive Surgical. 

Olustee, the Monument That Keeps on Giving, Now in the Hands of the Columbia County 5

Posted April 5, 2021  07:30 am

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Thursday's April 1 meeting of the Columbia County 5 put the issue of Lake City's downtown Olustee Park and its namesake monument square in the County Commission's lap. They and thirteen folks from in and out of town shared their views on who should keep the Park and control the fate of the Olustee monument.

Asst. Lake City Manager Daniel Sweat Resigns. His Resignation Letter Will Live as His Legacy About His Views of Lake City and His Co-Workers

Posted March 24, 2021  06:30 pm | Op-Ed

Mr. Helfenberger [Joe Helfenberger, Lake City, City Manager], It is with great regret that I must tenure my resignation. Coming to work for the City of Lake City, my hometown for the past fifty years, was a great honor for me. I was hopeful that I could do well in this position and was looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead. I was not aware of pitfalls that are associated with working for the City of Lake City. 

LSHA Tonight:  Jacksonville’s ACE Medical to Make a Presentation to Your Neighbors, the Governor’s Hospital Authority Board

Posted March 24, 2021  09:00 am

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Since October 2020, Columbia County taxpayers have been paying almost $100,000 a month to keep the publically owned vacant “Shands at Lake Shore” hospital habitable. Ace Medical will make a presentation to the Governor’s Board at 5:15 pm this evening.

Lake City’s Assistant City Manager Under Investigation: Will he dodge the bullet again?

Posted March 22, 2021  02:00 am

LAKE CITY, FL – There is an insurrection mounting in Lake City against City Manager Joe Helfenberger’s latest pick for Assistant City Manager, Daniel Sweat.  Mr. Sweat began his employment with Lake City on November 2, 2020. Complaints against Mr. Sweat have been serious, and until recently, have been brushed aside by City Manager Helfenberger.

Olustee Park & Monument:  County Attorney Foreman Says, “‘Give (Lake) City a deed,’ and make them say no.”

Posted March 18, 2021  11:55 pm

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Thursday’s March 18, 2021, meeting of the County 5 was just about wound out when at 2 hours and 29 minutes Commissioner Ron Williams and County Attorney Joel Foreman both brought up the ownership of Olustee Park.

Lake City Legal Opinion: Olustee Park – Home of Confederate Monument – Owned By Columbia County

Posted March 18, 2021  11:01 am

LAKE CITY, COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – On Monday night, March 15, 2021, during a 12th-hour walk-on by City Manager Joel Helfenberger, he announced that a legal opinion solicited by the City stated that Columbia County owns Olustee Park. The Park is home to a Confederate Monument.