Columbia County, FL (posted May 23,
2009 • 07:30pm)
Minutes recorded by Deputy Clerk Sandy
Markham, Dec. 6, 2007
Deputy Clerk Sandy
Markham records the
Minutes
Commentary (below and in the minutes)
by the publisher
Things certainly have changed since 2007, and not for
the best.
Over the past few weeks, many of you have asked me
what has changed and what has gone wrong in Columbia
County -- others have had specific issues.
While researching the answers to a few inquires I
came across the December 6, 2007 Columbia County
Commission meeting minutes.
Amazingly, most of the issues seemed to be addressed
in this county document, whether it was the IDA
(Industrial Development Authority), the "Good Old Boys,"
accountability, your money or your ability to address
your elected officials and receive answers without being
treated as though you were a citizen of East Germany,
before the wall came down.
These minutes were produced before the County Manager
and the County Attorney moved to modify the minutes so
they were not so expansive and revealing.
It was an earlier time, when the residents didn’t
need ID cards to speak and could ask questions when they
came up, about the things that affected their lives,
their families and their pocket books. They might not
have received answers, but at least they could ask the
questions.
It is your county and your government. Lately, the
thought is that the public is here to serve the
"servants." Things are backwards. What happened to "It
is an honor to serve?"
Recently, after one meeting, a resident, after
hearing about what goes on in this county said he felt
dirty and that he thought he needed a shower.
To all my friends, if you do nothing, nothing will
change. If you want to clean up your county -- you can.
It won't be easy. But like Nike says, Just Do It.
Keep the faith, good luck and remember "Every journey
begins with one step." Stew Lilker -
publisher