logo

Stew Lilker’s

Columbia County Observer

Real news for working families.  An online news service

County News

Rocky Ford, Ambassador for S. Columbia County, Hosts Fish Fry for Florida & County Candidates 

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Last week, South Columbia County's Commissioner and goodwill ambassador, Rocky Ford, and his cousin Pete Richardson, held a fish fry lunch for Florida Legislative and County Candidates and the County's elected officials.

According to Commissioner Ford, the idea for the event was hatched the week before at the official grand opening of the renovated Rum Island Park, which is on the Santa Fe River at the South end of the County.

Representative Chuck Brannon and Senate candidate Jennifer Bradley
Florida senate candidate Jennifer Bradley (in the drivers seat) and incumbent-candidate Representative Chuck Brannon were the stars of the show.

Commissioner Ford explained that those in attendance "were saying how much they liked the South End of the County and how beautiful it is."

Commissioner Ford said, "I was talking to my cousin and he said why don't we do a little fish fry and invite some of the people from the South End and let them meet everybody."

Commissioner Rocky Ford speaks with Dan "Nurse" Hartley
Commissioner Rocky Ford  (blue shirt) was a gracious host. He is conversing with Representative Brannon staff member Dan "Nurse" Hartley.

The event was held at what is known as the Hayloft, which is just North of Fort White on Hwy. 27.

The Hayloft is owned by Pete Richardson, Commissioner Ford's first cousin.

"He volunteered his place to have the cookout," Commissioner Ford said.

Your reporter asked, "Who invited the people? That was you, I guess?"

Commissioner Ford said, "We all did. Pete invited a bunch of them. I invited some of them. We just put the word out."

Everybody was all smiles as they mingled with each other. The attendees were a list of the who's who in the County.

Sheriff Mark Hunter, Commissioner Bucky Nash, and Kevin Kirby share a joke.
Sheriff Mark Hunter (left), Commissioner Bucky Nash, and Kevin Kirby share a joke before lunch.

The main guests were Jennifer Bradley, who is running for the Florida Senate to replace her highly regarded husband, Rob Bradley, and incumbent Representative Chuck Brannon. They were all smiles as they spoke with Columbia County's elected representatives and others.

District 3 County Commission incumbent Bucky Nash and his rival Robby Hollingsworth came to enjoy the political fellowship and fried mullet.

When your reporter asked which one of them was going to win the general election, Mr. Hollingsworth didn't miss a beat, "I am," he volunteered.

North Florida legend Dale Williams (left) shares conversation with (left to right) Ronnie Frazier, Bucky Nash, Bill Koon, and Robby Hollingsworth.
North Florida legend Dale Williams (left) shares conversation with (left to right) Ronnie Frazier, Bucky Nash, Bill Koon, and Robby Hollingsworth.

Commissioner Nash just smiled.

The incumbent Mayor of Fort White Ronnie Frazier, who is in a tough race for his seat this year, had a conversation with Ms. Bradley about the water needs in Fort White, which were derailed by the Coronavirus.

Fort White Town Councilman Bill Koon was also in attendance, representing Fort White. It seems the other members of the Town Council were not invited.

The law and its defenders enjoyed the mullet: State Attorney elect John Durett, Sheriff Mark Hunter, and Public Defender Blair Payne, as well as School Board member and Deputy State Attorney Dana Brady-Giddens.

Property Appraiser Jeff Hampton (left) and hotel mogul Nick Patel converse as Sheriff Hunter enjoys his mullet and French fries.
Property Appraiser Jeff Hampton (left) and hotel mogul Nick Patel converse as Sheriff Hunter enjoys his mullet and French fries.

The County's well liked Property Appraiser Jeff Hampton enjoyed the mullet, along with Lake City hotel mogul Nick Patel and former County Manager and North Florida legend, Dale Williams.

Columbia County Assistant County Manager and Director of Public Works, Kevin Kirby, came down in a county truck to enjoy the mullet and mingle.

Before your reporter left, Commissioner Ford said, "This is a good thing for the County. It puts them [Ms. Bradley and Mr. Brannon] on a personal level with the people in this community.

Comments  (to add a comment go here) 

This work by the Columbia County Observer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

 
 
 

Make a comment • click here •
All comments are displayed at the end of the article and are moderated.