Columbia County Observer

Lake City’s City Manager Search, Cheese & Crackers II: Thomas Thomas meets a handful of citizens

Posted January 19, 2022  08:20 am

Lake City's City Manager Search: More Questions In Another Lake City Mess – Glen Adams Part-III

Posted January 17, 2022  06:30 am

LAKE CITY, FL – A little over one week ago, City Manager candidate Glen Adams entered into legendary territory when he appeared in Lake City with his handler, headhunter Renee Narloch of Narloch & Associates. Lake City’s City Council was not prepared to play hardball...

Lake City, City Manager Candidate Glen Adams: His Philosophy ‘Teamwork & Wins’ – His motto, "Do it right the first time"  (Part-II)

Posted January 12, 2022  07:00 pm

LAKE CITY, FL – This past Saturday morning, January 8, the City Council met in a special session to interview City Manager candidate Glen Adams, the newly discovered X-City Manager of Santa Fe, Texas. The Saturday morning meeting continued the Friday evening meet & greet, where Mr. Adams met with a handful of community members. 

Lake City's City Manager Search Continues With Cheese & Crackers – Where’s the Community?  (Part I)

Posted January 8, 2022  08:25 am

LAKE CITY, FL – Last night in City Hall, City Manager Candidate Glen Adams met with the public to introduce himself and answer questions. Lake City, with a population of 12,000, could only summon 10 members from the public to meet this candidate.

LC’s City Manager Search Goes Sideways: Candidate Interviews Split – Public Kept in the Dark – Two Councilmen Not Happy - One MIA

Posted January 5, 2022  11:04 am

LAKE CITY, FL – Last week, the City knew a wrench had been thrown into its plans to hire a city manager. The City knew both finalists would not be attending the planned meet and greet and interview session planned for January 7 and 8. The Mayor didn’t say a word at Monday’s Council meeting. The City Clerk didn’t alert the public until Tuesday afternoon, a day after the Council meeting.

Lake City 2021: The Number One Story in Columbia County Was Lake City

Posted December 31, 2021 07:15 pm.

LAKE CITY, FL – As 2021 fades into the sunset, the number one story in Columbia County was its County Seat – Lake City. While most folks may have never heard of Columbia County, everyone recognizes Lake City as one of the most recoginzed geographical locations in the state.  

City Council Picks Two City Manager Finalists: Councilman Hill Has a Favorite, Sampson Calls a Dead Heat, Witt & Jefferson Agree on Top Two

Posted December 24, 2021 04:59 pm

LAKE CITY, FL – For four hours Wednesday morning, the City Council members alternately read questions to four city manager candidates who appeared on a big screen in City Hall. After the interviews, the Council had two candidates almost in a dead heat. 

Lake City’s City Manager Search Turns Into A Surprise After Everyone Goes Home

Posted December 21, 2021 11:40 pm

LAKE CITY, FL – The devolvement of the City Council continued Monday night. During its regular meeting, when criticized for not coming up with questions for its headhunter-picked City Manager candidates, the Council sat as if struck by lightning.

Interim City Manager Mike Williams Submits Resignation, Paul Dyal to Run City as City Manager Search Progresses

Posted December 18, 2021 08:47 am

LAKE CITY, FL – Interim City Manager Mike Williams finally said what most folks in the know already knew – he is leaving Lake City. On his way out, he has recommended City Utility Director Paul Dyal to run the City while the City Council searches for a full-time City Manager.

Headhunter Takes Center Stage In City Manager Search. Councilman Hill: Only Council Member to Share His Requirements for City Manager

Posted December 17, 2021 10:05 am  | Part II

LAKE CITY, FL – Wednesday evening, Florida headhunter Renee Narlock appeared like an apparition on the big screen in City Hall to guide the City Council in its search for a permanent City Manager. When she asked for questions about the candidates, the Council had none.

City Manager Search: Tonight the Public Get Its First Look at the Candidates and the Headhunter

Posted December 15, 2021 09:45 am

LAKE CITY, FL – Drama continues in Lake City tonight, this time with the continuing saga of finding a City Manager. Five months ago, in July of this year, the City Council began looking for a new City Manager to replace the outgoing Joe Helfenberger. Tonight the four members of the City Council will be looking at thirty-six candidates.

LSHA: With an Illegally Constituted Board, Part-Time Exec Dir Dale Williams Wants to Begin Searching for a Hospital Tennant All Over Again

Posted December 13, 2021  11:52 am

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – The Lake Shore Hospital Authority meets tonight with an illegally constituted board. Since last October, it has seen its client base (now 75) and its funds diminish. After over a year of failure, and having blown through $1.6 mil, the Authority’s Part-Time Executive Director wants to start all over again. 

Columbia County 5: Hollingsworth the New Chair. First Meeting Time Changed to 9:30 am. Public Notice & Comment – "What's That?"

Posted December 7, 2021  08:05 am

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Last Thursday’s meeting of the Columbia County 5 brought no surprise and a big surprise. With the meeting four minutes old, Commissioner Robby Hollingsworth (no surprise) was voted Chairman. Then, without any warning and any public input, The 5 changed its first monthly meeting time to 9:30 am.

Befaithful Coker Further Delayed in Taking Her Seat on City Council. City Atty Fails to Respond in Time to Judge’s “Order to Show Cause”

Posted December 1, 2021 10:30 pm

LAKE CITY, FL – The saga of Befaithful Coker to be seated on Lake City's City Council was further delayed on Monday. City Attorney Fred Koberlein, Jr., failed to reply in the twenty days allotted to a court order explaining why Ms. Coker should not be seated.