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County Commission seeks student essays
Information Provided By Kayla Brock, Administrative Assistant II
Levy County Board of County Commissioners
Published April 24, 2025 at 7 a.m.
     BRONSON – The Levy County Board of County Commissioners recently announced it is seeking student essays from Levy County students in third through twelfth grade under a writing prompt of “Why do people honor symbols like the American flag?”

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     Essays are to be 100 words of fewer. Selected essays will be read at the Levy County Flag Day Ceremony scheduled for Friday, June 13. The ceremony begins at 9 a.m. at the Levy County Government Center, 310 School St., in Bronson.
     Writers are asked to consider the emotions and personal connections that people have with the American flag.
     “Why do individuals honor this symbol, not just because of tradition or custom, but also because of what it represents to them personally?”
     The American flag is more than a national emblem. It is a symbol rich in meaning, history and emotional connection. Rituals are performed by individuals as symbolic gestures to honor the flag, such as saluting it, saying The Pledge of Allegiance, or displaying it on holidays. The true significance lies beyond these outward acts.
     The absolute final deadline for essay submission is 5 p.m. on June 10, although they may be sent at any time before then.
     Essays should be sent via email to brock-kayla@levycounty.org.

Resident endorses using
natural resources to benefit Levy County

Elizabeth Chazulle speaks to the Levy County Commission on Tuesday morning about using sand from sand mines for local purposes, as well as making the most out of developers who want to use any of the county’s natural resources.

By Jeff M. Hardison © April 23, 2025 at 8:15 p.m.
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Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     BRONSON – One woman spoke about Levy County using its natural resources for the most benefit within her three minutes of public comments during the regular twice-monthly meeting of the Levy County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday morning (April 22).
     Before the start of the first of two public comment parts of the Levy County Commission meeting, Levy County Commission Chair Desiree Mills let possible speaker know the rules.
     They are to say their name and address. They are to speak only to the County Commission, and not make direct comments to the audience, county staff members or other speakers. 
     Each speaker is limited to three minutes. They can only speak once during the public comments periods on the agenda. There will be no yelling from the audience. 
     If a person wants to speak about an item on the agenda, they are advised to wait until that topic is broached before speaking. Speak into the microphone so that people in the audience can hear what is said, and so that the deputy clerk recording the minutes can hear what is said.
     Elizabeth Chazulle said her address is listed in Archer (Alachua County), but it is actually in Levy County. Addresses in Levy County, Gilchrist County and Dixie County may occasionally indicate a person resides or works in a county other than where that person lives or conducts business.
     Chazulle said she formerly worked in the City of Gainesville in the Department of Sustainable Development. 
     Chair Mills stopped the speaker then to ask her a question.
     Mills asked if Chazulle was going to speak about a potential sand mine being considered in the Archer area of unincorporated Levy County.
     Chazulle replied that she will be speaking about all of Levy County’s resources – not just the sand mines.
     “But it is related (to the sand mine),” Chazulle said.
     Chazulle continued by saying that during her tenure in Gainesville she worked with the chief climate officer.
    They conducted sustainability tours through other larger Florida cities, she said. 
     One topic that was repeated, Chazulle continued, was the use of local resources for sustainable development. 
     For counties like Levy County, she said, people are going to be looking at the county to use the natural resources here to build other cities.
     Chazulle said that while she may work in other counties, she lives in Levy County. 
     “I don’t want to see Levy County become the place where everybody goes,” she said, “to strip natural resources.”
     While she noted she is “pro-development,” Chazulle said she would like development done in a manner where Levy County can leverage its resources – to the betterment of the people who live in the county.
     She suggested that Levy County adopt a method through a conditional use permit, where developers will provide benefits to the community as a result of using natural resources such as sand.
     She began listing several solutions to help the county benefit from developers seeking special exceptions from zoning regulations.
     While she did not complete her list of suggestions in her allotted three-minute chance for public comments, Chair Mills made certain that County Manager Mary-Ellen Harper had the speaker’s contact information to further provide the county government with suggestions to improve the quality of life for residents where it may be possible in regard to mining here.
 

Gilchrist County moves
toward transfer station expansion

(from left) Administrative Assistant Caitlin Bourassa, Gilchrist County Administrator Bobby Crosby and Gilchrist County Attorney David Miller ‘Duke’ Lang Jr. are seen during discussion about the potential purchase of 48 acres for expansion of the solid waste transfer station.

Story and Photos 
By Jeff M. Hardison © April 22, 2025 at 4 p.m.
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     TRENTON – After some discussion Monday night (April 21) the Gilchrist County Commission, on a motion by Commission Vice Chairman Bill Martin, seconded by Commissioner Kenrick Thomas voted 5-0 to move forward with considering the purchase of 48 acres for expansion of the solid waste transfer site in the Bell area.
     Joining in the 5-0 positive vote of the Martin-Thomas motion to have Gilchrist County Administrator Bobby Crosby, Gilchrist County Attorney David Miller “Duke” Lang Jr. and County Clerk Todd Newton work together to find a commercial property appraiser to determine the value of the land were Chairman Tommy Langford and commissioners Darrell Smith and Sharon Langford.


John Locklear of Locklear and Associates tells the Gilchrist County Commission that he has paused his work related to engineering at the current solid waste transfer station until this possible purchase is final. He and County Administrator Bobby Crosby said the choice to delay previous plans came about as soon as the possible land purchase became known. Crosby said he did not know the how the County Commission would move, whether to ignore the purchase or moved toward it, however if the county did seek to buy the land, then the current project should be delayed until after that point. Locklear said that if the land is bought, then there is a potential for better traffic flow at the garbage drop-off site.


This arial view of the land for sale shows small pine trees as well as some larger trees.


This view of the property in question shows its proximity to the existing solid waste transfer site, which is adjacent on one whole side of the four-sided piece of property.

     Sharon Langford wants to hear from neighboring property owners. And she was reassured that the county’s actions are far from closing a deal on a land sale.
     The land just recently went on the market for potential buyers.
     At a suggested sale price of $399,000 by the seller, County Administrator Crosby said this is fair considering the current appraised taxable value of the land. That price for the 48.06 acres, he said, translates to $8,302 per acre. Roughly 34 of the 48 acres have planted pines, Crosby said.
     Those pines that do not need to be disturbed as the county starts using the added land will produce revenue when harvested and potentially as they grow to create money from pine straw harvesting.
     This is not to create a landfill. It will just allow for an expansion of the current solid waste transfer operations. It also may be used to expand the animal services department in that area. And other departments may benefit from the county adding this land to its inventory.
     A timber company based in Nevada owns the land. It adjoins the land currently owned and used by Gilchrist County for its solid waste transfer station and animal control services, Crosby said.
     As a gauge to see how the need for transporting solid waste (garbage) out of Gilchrist County is increasing, Crosby said Gilchrist County Solid Waste Manager Bobby Rush showed him how one day in 2017 there were 49 people who crossed the scales at the drop-off site, and on the same day in 2025, there were 310 people who crossed the same scales.
     Crosby said he is happy with the cost-per-resident for solid waste disposal services in Gilchrist County. He said the average annual per-person cost in Levy County is $239. In Dixie County, Crosby said that cost is $231. Meanwhile, in Gilchrist County, that cost is $68 per person, Crosby added.
     Crosby said there will be a zoning change needed if the county buys it, so that it can be zoned for public use. This is not spot zoning, he said, because the adjoining property the county owns now is zoned for public use.
     If some other person or group buys the land, then the county may not see it as being available in the future. Or if that owner would then be willing to sell, then he or she would put it at a higher price.
     Commissioners are moving forward, but the contract to buy the land, if it reaches a contractual stage, would have caveats to protect the county.
     The land will be checked to ensure as much as possible that it does not have sinkholes or other issues to prevent the county from using it as a solid waste transfer site.
     During the meeting, it was repeatedly mentioned that this is not land destined to become a landfill. The county will continue its practice of exporting garbage out of the county.
Other Action
     ● The County Commission agreed to cancel the June 16 meeting. If it is needed, there will be a meeting on June 23 starting at 2 p.m. rather than the typical 4 p.m. meeting start.
     ● The County Commission agreed to cancel the regular July 21 meeting and to hold it instead on July 24, starting at 4 p.m.
 

Student honored

Tate Johns stands with his Certificate of Achievement - the Outstanding Student Award - as he provides a photo op with Chiefland Mayor Chris Jones who presented the honor on Monday night (April 14) in the Chiefland City Commission Meeting Room of the Hardy R. Dean Municipal Building (aka Chiefland City Hall).

Story and Photo
By Jeff M. Hardison © April 15, 2025 at 8:30 a.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     CHIEFLAND – One of the three students to be honored Monday night (April 14) in the Hardy R. Dean Sr. Municipal Building (aka Chiefland City Hall) attended the Chiefland City Commission meeting to accept the certificate of achievement and a $20 gift card to Walmart, which was donated by the Rotary Club of Chiefland.
     Tate Johns, a kindergarten student at Chiefland Elementary School, was nominated by his teacher Lyndsay Barber.
     Chiefland Mayor Chris Jones read what CES Kindergarten Teacher Barber wrote about Johns, who received the Outstanding Student Award. This monthly award is presented for academic excellence, leadership, citizenship and attendance.
     “Tate has the biggest heart and smile,” Barber noted. “He cares deeply for his friends and about anything he is doing. Tate is willing to help in any situation; it doesn't matter if it's an unhappy peer or a cheerful friend!
     “He always has a smile on his face and a go get ‘em spirit. I am so lucky to have Tate in my class period I love him bunches!” she concluded.
     The other students who earned the monthly Outstanding Student Award in Chiefland are Kasen Coulter, a sixth grader, and Brice Thomas a twelfth grader, both of Chiefland Middle High School. While Coulter and Thomas were not in attendance, their awards and $20 gift certificates will be sent to them.
     Colloquially, this award is known as the Student of the Month Award. It has been presented to students in at least three of Levy County’s eight municipalities for several years – Williston, Chiefland and Bronson respectively.
     The five other municipalities in Levy County are Cedar Key, Fanning Springs, Otter Creek, Inglis and Yankeetown.
     The City of Fanning Springs is in two school districts – Levy County and Gilchrist County.

Cedar Key Lions
induct new board and officers

The incoming Cedar Key Lions Club Board members seen here are (from left) 2nd Vice President Jeff Paulsen, Director Donna Bushnell, 1st Vice President Bob Piscura, Secretary Greg Martin, visiting Lions Club Past District Governor Bobby Wright, President Bob Belair, Immediate Past President Steve Rosenthal, Director Susan Rosenthal andTreasurer Faye Sanders. Not pictured - Director Sherry Sicking.

Story and Photo By Lion Rory Brennan
Published April 10, 2025 at 3:45 p.m.
     CEDAR KEY – The Cedar Key Lions Club inducted its new officers and members of the Cedar Key Lions Club Board of Directors for 2025-2026 in a ceremony marked by tradition, community spirit, and appreciation.     The Cedar Key Lions Club formally inducted its newly elected officers and board of directors during a celebratory three-course dinner held on April 8 at the historic Island Hotel & Restaurant. 
     The induction ceremony was officiated by Past District Governor (PDG) Bobby Wright, who was warmly welcomed by outgoing President Steve Rosenthal.
     President Rosenthal expressed heartfelt gratitude to PDG Wright, both for conducting the ceremony and for his outstanding leadership during his term as District Governor—particularly
in providing critical Florida Lions support to Cedar Key in the wake of two devastating hurricanes.
     PDG Wright officially welcomed the incoming board members, taking time to recognize each individual and review the responsibilities of their respective roles.
     The 2025–2026 officers and board of directors, whose term will officially begin on July 1, are noted below:
     President Robert Belair
     1st Vice President: Bob Piscura
     2nd Vice President: Jeff Paulsen
     Secretary: Greg Martin
     Treasurer: Faye Sanders
     Director and Membership Chair: Sherry Sicking
     Immediate Past President: Steve Rosenthal
     Director: Susan Rosenthal
     In a moving conclusion to the evening, PDG Wright presented the prestigious Lions International President’s Certificate of Appreciation to Lions Steve Rosenthal, Susan Rosenthal, Bob Piscura, Robert Belair, Greg Martin, Donna Bushnell, and Faye Sanders. 
     The award from the Lions International President honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and
service to the mission of Lions International during the current Lions year.
     The Cedar Key Lions Club extends its congratulations to the incoming board and thanks the outgoing members for their dedicated service to the community.

First Published Feb. 1, 2011 at 8 a.m.
     On Feb. 1, 2011, HardisonInk.com came into existence on the Internet. On All Saints Day - Nov. 1, 2011, The Christian Press section on The Life Page of HardisonInk.com started, which was about nine months after the start of the daily news website. The name "The Christian Press" was derived from an encounter a decade earlier in 2001 in St. Petersburg, when and where a man mentioned to a journalist that this particular journalist must work for "The Christian Press." Although the presumption by the man about that journalist was incorrect and misplaced, the name sounded good. And the journalist said that if he could work for The Christian Press, then that certainly would be the publication to serve.
     Since Nov. 1, 2011, The Christian Press section of this page has run daily devotionals from several individuals who contributed over the past years. There were two days in 2018 when the daily devotional did not run due to a journalist requiring emergency orthopedic surgery on broken bones in his left arm and wrist. That surgically added metal, though, makes that part of that arm even more able to withstand forces. Many daily devotionals are pulled from Strength for Service to God and Country (Whitmore & Stone © 1942; Renewed 1969 by Norman E. Nygaard; Second revised edition © 2002 Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, Providence House Publishers). The journalist who is the sole proprietor and owner of HardisonInk.com (Jeff M. Hardison) notes his appreciation for the use of those devotionals from that now-defunct publishing company, and for the many other contributors who have helped people over the past decade-plus now. Strength for Service to God and Country's daily devotionals include many from a time when the United States of America was a partner in a World War, both WWI and WWII. This journalist welcomes contributions of daily devotionals. Daily devotional authors are asked to please send only their original works to hardisonink@gmail.com. Americans are reminded that all religions, having no religion and or being a person who endorses anti-religion are all protected as part of the freedoms from government intervention, as are other benefits from being an American.
 

Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 6:45 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time
 

DIVINE GUIDANCE

Read Proverb 3

     Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
-- Psalm 16:11 (KJV)

     A real faith in the guiding power of Almighty God can make a vast difference in any person’s life. Particularly is this true of soldiers. Problems will arise for them that do not come in private life.
     Some of these problems will be small, everyday difficulties which will be solved with a little patience and ordinary common sense. Others will be tremendous problems, much too hard for them to cope with alone. When they meet the inevitable fork in the road of decision, it will not always be easy to make a choice. If their choice is to be a wise one, and a courageous one, they will need the help of the Eternal. But how shall they obtain it?
     First of all, they will need to lay the matter squarely before God. When they state the problem, and lay it out before God and themselves, they are able to see the alternatives more clearly.
     Second, they will have to trust in God to make the decision and to reveal the Divine Mind. After speaking to God, they will have to wait for God to speak to them. There may be earthquake, wind, and fire, before the still small voice of the Eternal speaks to their hearts.
     Daily we face situations demanding decisions. If we accept God’s guidance we shall acquire the habit of making right decisions, and more and more His choices will be stamped upon our characters to become our personal decisions.
     O GOD, the Protector of all that trust in Thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; increase and multiply upon us Thy mercy; that, Thou being our Ruler and Guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Rev. Charles J. Gunnell
Christ Episcopal Church
Waterloo, Iowa
Strength for Service to God and Country
(Whitmore & Stone © 1942; Renewed 1969 by Norman E. Nygaard; Second revised edition © 2002 Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, Providence House Publishers)
 

Outdoor Truths Ministry
By Gary Miller © April 21, 2024 at 8 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time