Columbia County Observer

Columbia County Courts and Others Getting Back to Normal, ‘Sort Of’

Posted June 15, 2021  09:40 pm

City Manager Joe Helfenberger Terminates HR Director. Other Directors Ask Him to Reconsider: Public Records and IT Security the Issues

Posted June 14, 2021  09:55 am

LAKE CITY, COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL –  This past Thursday, June 10, on his third try, City Manager Joe Helfenberger Terminated Ami Fields, Lake City’s new HR Director. Mr. Helfenberger gave this reason, “I…have determined that you are not a good fit for our City.”

Columbia County: Civilian Review of the Sheriff’s Office Nixed – Sheriff Say’s He Does It Himself

Posted June 6, 2021  09:15 am

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – On February 4, 2021, businessman and community activist Sylvester Warren told the Columbia County 5, "There is a huge disconnect and distrust between the black community and law enforcement. I think everybody should be in favor of the citizens' review board." County Chairman Rocky Ford said, “I don’t oppose it.” On Thursday evening, June 3, things changed.

Lake City Medical Center Investing Additional $36 Mil In Improvements

Posted June 2, 2021  11:15 am

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – With over $10 million invested in the facility over the previous six months to upgrade surgical robotics, additional inpatient imaging technology, and expand the Medical Center's inpatient capacity, the hospital is announcing an additional $36 million for further growth.

Fourth Kayaktivism Event Scheduled for Saturday, May 29, on the Santa Fe River: Depleting the Springs and Plastic is the Issue

Posted May 28, 2021  06:35 am

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – The Kayaktivism event scheduled for Saturday, May 29, on the Santa Fe River is the fourth kayaktivist paddle that Our Santa Fe River has staged on the iconic Santa Fe River in front of the Ginnie Springs Outdoors Campground.

Lake City Police Advisory Review Board: Councilman Sampson Has a Plan

Posted May 15, 2021  01:15 am

LAKE CITY, COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL –  This evening, Lake City, City Councilman Todd Sampson revealed his ideas and a two-part plan for civilian oversight of the Lake City Police Department. Councilman Sampson said, “Transparency and accountability are the purposes of police oversight. The more trust and community spirit we can build, the better off we will all be."

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

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

LAKE CITY, COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL –  Saturday’s Lake City Police Advisory Review Board Workshop finally happened. While Police Chief Argatha Gilmore and the City Council sat and listened, they got an earful; most of it wasn't pretty.

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.