Historic cruiser-stuffing event
carries local Christmas tradition forward

Seen here during part of this day of stuffing a cruiser with toys are (from left) Levy County Sheriff’s Office Lt Max Long, Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum, Chiefland Fire Rescue Capt. Daniel Williams, CFR Firefighter Jason Venegas, United States Marine Corp Reservist Kenny Schubel, Dixie County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Amy Evans, USMC Reservist (and former Tri-County Area Toys For Tots Coordinator) Brian Chrisp, Madison Chrisp, Rebekah of Walmart and 2023 Assistant Tri-County Area Toys For Tots Coordinator Beverly Goodman are seen behind a couple of the boxes of toys collected on Dec. 2 at the Chiefland Walmart.
Photo Provided By Levy County Sheriff’s Office Lt Max Long

Story and (some) Photos
By Jeff M. Hardison © Dec. 3, 2023 at 2:45 p.m.
with Other Photos Thanks To 
Tri-County Area Toys For Tots Co-Coordinator Beverly Goodman
and Levy County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Max Long
     CHIEFLAND – It was history in the making Saturday (Dec. 2) as representatives from three Florida counties’ sheriffs, one sheriff himself and others worked toward the goal of bringing some Christmas joy to 900 children.
     It’s all about love. It’s all about history, too.
     Without going too far with the Way-Back Machine of the cartoon series -- “Peabody's Improbable History” with “Mr. Peabody,” a genius and bow tie-wearing beagle as the star with his adopted pet boy Sherman, and by using a couple of bits of literature, here is what shook loose again at Walmart in Chiefland on Dec. 2.
     First there is the stroll back to the 1800s.
     Ebenezer Scrooge is the protagonist in A Christmas Carol, written by Charles Dickens in 1843.
     After a visit from four ghosts, including the ghost of his former boss a greedy, penny-pinching accountant named Nigel Fezziwig, and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future, Scrooge realizes and understands that altruism is a better choice rather than greed. To give is better than to hoard.
     Then, there is a leap forward in time to the 1950s.
     How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a Christmas children's book written by Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel.  It was written in rhymed verse with illustrations by the author.
     The book was first shared with readers on Oct. 12, 1957, by the publishing company Random House and almost simultaneously by the magazine publisher Redbook on Nov. 24, 1957, with renewal in 1985, and with an animated musical version later in time. The Grinch was adversely affected emotionally by the Whos of Whosville, and he strives to stop their Christmas joy until he realizes the folly of that venture and he repents, having his heart grow.


Jeff M. Hardison, a member of the Tri-County Area press corps, puts in one of the four gifts that he and his wife Sharon donated to help stuff the cruiser. This is the journalist who has covered Toys For Tots more in this part of Florida more than any other member of The Fourth Estate.
Photo By Beverly Goodman


Even before they had lifted the tentlike structure of the day to be in a service mode, 2023 Tri-County Toys For Tots Assistant Coordinator Beverly Goodman (left), who also serves as the manager for the Tri-County Community Resource Center, and volunteer Donna Turner agree to a photo op when asked for that favor.
Photo By Jeff M. Hardison


The first two law enforcement officers on the scene of this event that morning are Levy County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Max Long (left) and Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office Deputy John White. This may be Lt. Long’s final Stuff The Cruiser With Toys event, having served at eight of these now. Lieutenant Long is eyeing retirement from the LCSO this year because he is becoming that old and he has put in that many decades of service.
Photo By Jeff M. Hardison


Chiefland Fire Rescue Capt. Daniel Williams helps with one leg of the four-legged open tentlike structure used as part of the whole mission for the reception of toys operation that day.
Photo By Jeff M. Hardison


Chiefland Fire Rescue Capt. Daniel Williams (left) and CFR Firefighter Jason Venegas are seen on the chairs they brought to the Stuff The Cruiser event. The firefighters helped their law enforcement buddies to stuff the cruiser with toys.
Photo Provided By Levy County Sheriff’s Office Lt Max Long

     While English and American literature captures emotionally moving glimpses of humanity, boots on the ground in the Tri-County Area continue striving to bring glimmers of joy to children and families in the near future with the distribution of toys at Christmas for children in the second decade of the 21st Century.
    The “Stuff The Cruiser” event on Saturday is helping the Tri-County Toys for Tots event, which is a couple of weeks in the planned future.
     Toys for Tots began in 1947 as the brainchild of Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks. Actually, it was his wife, Diane, who was the real inspiration, according to information from the Toys for Tots group.
     In Levy County, it grew from the early 21st Century to encompass first Gilchrist County and then Dixie County, with some hiccups from losing leaders and volunteers, and swooping as best as possible through a global pandemic to just keep going like the Energizer bunny that is a brand of batteries used in some toys, as is Duracell and other brands.
     Meanwhile, back at the ranch, or the superstore of Walmart in Chiefland on Saturday, it was all hands on deck for this one aspect of the 2023 Tri-County Toys For Tots event. Cardboard boxes marked for donations have been all over the place, too, and business interests, nonprofit groups and individuals have donated time, cash, unwrapped new toys and more.
     First on the scene of the mission for the day – stuffing a Levy County Sheriff’s Office cruiser (and really loading a trailer and other rolling objects with toys for transport, sorting, etc.), was 2023 Tri-County Toys For Tots Assistant Coordinator Beverly Goodman, who also serves as the manager for the Tri-County Community Resource Center.
     Just like last year, Dennis Wait is the 2023 Tri-County Toys For Tots Coordinator. Historically, among other helicopters, Wait has been connected with ShandsCair. Now he is an aviation safety inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration. He was unable to attend the Dec. 2 event at Walmart.
     Joining Assistant Coordinator Goodman immediately was one of an army of trustworthy volunteers – Donna Turner. Rolling in next with a squad version of a fire truck from the Chiefland Fire Rescue Department, were CFR Capt. Daniel Williams and CFR Firefighter Jason Venegas.
     The first member of law enforcement personnel who would be on the scene that day was Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office Deputy John White, representing the GCSO and Sheriff Bobby Schultz.
     Pulling up the rear of initial parade was none other than Levy County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Max Long. This beloved supervisor of the LCSO School Resource Officer Program as other community-oriented operations, was driving the very cruiser with blue lights that was to be stuffed with toys for children (aka tots, kids, tikes, etc.).
     LCSO Lt. Long not only represented the agency and Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum, but Sheriff McCallum and his wife Kandy McCallum were at the event as well. 
     Another member of the law enforcement community on the scene to represent that morning was Dixie County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Amy Evans, representing the DCSO and Sheriff Darby Butler.
     Before the operation was completed, there were scores and scores of other individual volunteers and donors helping to bring the mission to fruition.


Little bicycles with training wheels and boxes and boxes of toys are prepared for being put on a trailer for transport. It is thanks to the assistant of a significant contingent in Alachua County, including Bass Pro, other commercial interests, nonprofit groups and particular individuals that the Tri-County Area Toys For Tots program continues today.
Photo Provided By Levy County Sheriff’s Office Lt Max Long
 

Williston issues boil water notice
Information Provided
By City of Williston
Published Dec. 1, 2023 at 5 p.m.
     WILLISTON -- Due to a water main breakage from a traffic crash that broke off a fire hydrant, a loss of water pressure has required the city to issue a boil water notice as of Nov. 30.
     Effective until further notice, all city water used for drinking and cooking will need to be boiled prior to human consumption.
     This area affected is the entire city limits, EXCLUDING the Williston Municipal Airport, and Industrial park area. There are at least three ruptures in the main water line, located under Southwest First Avenue. City employees are working to repair the damage and restore water as soon as possible.

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Tri-County Area candidates list grows
24 candidates filed so far

By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 30, 2023 at 2:30 p.m.
     TRI-COUNTY AREA – The list of candidates seeking to be elected in 2024 continues to grow for office-seekers in the Tri-County Area of Levy County, Gilchrist County and Dixie County.

     While it is too early to actually qualify, the people are filing their names on the lists as intending to qualify and seek election.
     According to records from Levy County Supervisor of Elections Tammy Jones, Gilchrist County Supervisor of Elections Connie Sanchez and Dixie County Supervisor of Elections Starlet Cannon, the following people have filed initial paperwork to run in the noted races below.

LEVY COUNTY
Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
     ● Brian Gore (REP)
     ● Matt Brooks (REP)
Property Appraiser
     ● Jason Whistler (REP)
Supervisor of Elections
     ● Tammy Jones (REP)
Tax Collector
     ● Michele Langford (REP)
County Commissioner, District 1
     ● Charlie Kennedy (REP)
     ● John Meeks (REP)
County Commissioner, District 3
     ● Desiree Mills (REP)
County Commissioner, District 5
     ● Zach Bullock (REP)

GILCHRIST COUNTY
Sheriff
     ● Robert "Bobby" D. Schultz III (REP)
Clerk of Circuit Court
     ● Todd Newton (REP)
Property Appraiser
     ● Damon C. Leggett (REP)
Tax Collector
     ● Michael McElroy (REP)
Supervisor of Elections
     ● Lisa Darus (REP)
     ● Scott Allen Osteen (REP)
     ● Olivia Roberts (REP)
Superintendent of Schools
     ● Ronda Adkins (REP)
     ● Gina Geiger (REP)
County Commissioner, District 3
     ● William "Bill" H. Cannon (REP)
     ● Ronald Darrell Smith (REP)
School Board, District 2
     ● Susan P. Owens (NP)
School Board, District 4
     ● Deana Ann Griffith (NP)
     ● Tammy Rush Moore (NP)
County Judge
     ● Sheree H. Lancaster (NP)

DIXIE COUNTY
     Dixie County Supervisor of Elections Starlet Cannon said no local candidates have filed yet in Dixie County for the primary and general elections of 2024.
     Cannon said she is not seeking reelection next year, which means there will be a new Dixie County Supervisor of Elections, just as there will be a new Gilchrist County Supervisor of Elections.
   

Photographers Honored

H- Sherry Sicking (left), who took the picture on the cover of the calendar, is thanked by Cedar Key Woman’s Club President Pat Stephens (right) as Calendar Committee Chair Vicki Crumpley watches on Tuesday evening (Nov. 28). The president shook all of the photographers’ hands while she wore glove, which provided some warmth to the recipients on that relatively cold evening. To see more photos and to read about this event, go to the LEISURE PAGE. 
Photo By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 29, 2023 at 8:45 p.m.
All Rights Reserved

FHP arrests woman for fleeing and DUI
Wild driving draws motorists’ attention

Mugshot By LCSO
By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 27, 2023 at 9:15 p.m.
     LEVY COUNTY – A 54-year-old Dunedin (Pinellas County) woman was arrested for a felony level of fleeing and attempting to elude a law enforcement officer as well as for driving while under the influence of alcoholic beverages or other drugs on Saturday (Nov. 25), according to information from the Florida Highway Patrol and the Levy County Sheriff’s Office’s Detention Center (also known as the Levy County Jail).
     Florida Highway Patrol Trooper J. McConnell successfully stopped Julie Ann Whales, 54, of Dunedin, after a harrowing chase that ended when the trooper successfully performed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) on the white SUV she was driving, according to records.
     (The following account of the chase before, through and after the Chiefland city limits are the cause of a number of motorists contacting the daily news website on Saturday. They were all thanked for the news tip.)
     On Saturday Nov. 25, at about 11:30 a.m., Trooper McConnell was in his marked patrol unit on the U.S. Highway 19 median facing southbound. He saw a white SUV traveling northbound on U.S. 19 in the outside lane at a high rate of speed, according to records.
     Trooper McConnell estimated the speed to be 85 m.p.h. in a 65 m.p.h. zone. He activated his radar speed measuring device, which displayed a reading of 86 m.p.h. with a high pitched Doppler tone. He got behind the white SUV, which displayed a Texas license tag and conducted a traffic stop. The vehicle pulled over onto the eastern shoulder of U.S. 19 and Levy County Road 347, according to records.
     He approached the vehicle on the passenger side and spoke with Whales. Before he could speak with her, however, he had to knock on the passenger window to get her attention. The woman appeared to be distraught and was physically shaking, he noted in his report.
     She opened the window only several inches to speak with him. Whales told Trooper McConnell at that point that an attorney was chasing her and was trying to kill her, according to records.
     The trooper asked Whales for her driver’s license and for her to open the window more, so that he could retrieve the license safely and also to hear what she was saying, according to records.
     The driver refused to roll the window down and she asked to see the trooper's identification because she did not believe he was a police officer, according to records.
     He showed her his badge and his nameplate, and he told her that he was Trooper McConnell with the Florida Highway Patrol, according to records.
     She began to speak very low, and he could not hear what she was saying. She was not making eye contact with the trooper, and she was sweating. He then saw her as she reached down to put the car into drive, while she was saying that the trooper is not a police officer, according to records.
     He told her not to drive off and that he needed to see her driver's license.
     She put the car into drive and drove away in a reckless manner. He returned to his FHP marked patrol car and began to pursue after the SUV due to his belief that she could be under the influence of drugs, or she could be having a serious mental health issue, according to records. This belief resulted from her demeanor and actions.
     He caught up to the SUV. The trooper alerted dispatch that he had a vehicle flee from a traffic stop, and that he was pursuing her at speeds in excess of 115 m.p.h. northbound on U.S. 19, according to records.
      There was medium to light traffic. She then entered into the city limits of Chiefland at a speed in excess of 90 m.p.h. and kept going that fast in a 45 m.p.h. and then a 35 m.p.h. zone, according to records.
     Whales entered into the opposite lane of travel, going northbound facing southbound traffic, as she drove to get around vehicles in front of her in the northbound lanes of U.S. 19.
     In the city limits of Chiefland, the trooper noted, she failed to stop for a red light and proceeded through the intersection of U.S. 19 and U.S. Alt. 27. She then jumped her vehicle onto the concrete median and drove around traffic through a steady red light at the intersection of U.S. 19 and U.S. Highway 129.
     Whales proceeded through Chiefland at a high rate of speed. Once through the city, she sped up to approximately 100 m.p.h. in a posted 65 mile-per-hour zone. The trooper positioned his vehicle next to hers when she slowed down for a brief moment, and that's when he performed PIT on her vehicle. She lost control of her vehicle and came to final arrest on the eastern shoulder of U.S. 19 facing west, according to records.
     The trooper and other law enforcement officers who had arrived on the scene then performed a felony stop on Whales and she stepped out of her vehicle and was placed under arrest.
     She was taken to the Lee County Jail after she was checked on scene by EMS and was cleared. Once at the jail at approximately 12:36 p.m. on Nov. 25, Trooper McConnell read Whales her Miranda rights. She chose not to speak. She stated that she did not want to talk without an attorney present, according to records. 
     Once inside the jail, the trooper asked her if she would be willing to perform the standard field sobriety exercises for him to determine if she was under the influence of any narcotics, according to records.
     She said she would not answer until her attorney was present. The trooper advised her that she did not have the right for an attorney to be present in order for her to comply with his investigation of her potentially being under the influence. He asked her again if she would perform the exercises to which she would not answer, according to records.
     After refusing to give blood and urine samples, and after reading her the implied consent verbiage, the trooper determined that she had been driving under the influence and was refusing to comply with mandatory orders to retain her driving privileges in Florida.
     She was put into the custody of the Levy County Sheriff’s Office detention staff. At first appearance, her bond was set at $10,000 for the felony fleeing charge and $10,000 for the DUI, according to records.
     As of Monday night (Nov. 27) Whales had not posted bond and remained in the Levy County Jail.

Love Triumphs Again 

Cedar Key Woman’s Club President Pat Stephens stands behind one of a number of tables full of Christmas items for sale, which were donated by a member of the Cedar Key Woman’s Club. Notice the Snoopy items. To see the whole story, and more photos reflecting how the 'Cedar Key Woman’s Club Fall Market Warms Hearts And Souls' on Saturday (Nov. 25), go to the LIFE PAGE.
Photo By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 25, 2023 at 11 a.m.
All Rights Reserved

Family honored for
positive community impact
Nov. 20-26 is Mighty Ike Week
Basketball tournament set for Nov. 25

(from left) Lenora Folston, Virginia Floyd and Danny C. Floyd Sr. are seen at the podium Tuesday (Nov. 21) as Levy County Commission Chairman Matt Brooks reads the proclamation that declares Nov. 20-26 as Team Mighty Ike Week in Levy County.

Story and Photos
By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 22, 2023 at 11 a.m.
     BRONSON – County Commission Chairman Matt Brooks opened the regular meeting of the Levy County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday morning (Nov. 21) by honoring the work of the Floyd family.
     The proclamation honoring the family was adopted by a motion from County Commissioner John Meeks, seconded by Commissioner Rock Meeks and met with a 5-0 vote by those two men, Chairman Brooks, Vice Chair Desiree Mills and Commissioner Tim Hodge.
     Chairman Brooks during the presentations of the morning intimated during his speeches noted that one of that family helped guide him in his life.
     Danny C. Floyd Sr., a coach who has been deeply involved with the Williston community and with Williston High School over the past several decades, also accepted recognition for a statewide title bestowed upon him back in 1991, as did Virginia C. Floyd, the coach’s wife.
     As Chairman Brooks opened the program, he told listeners that this family “suffered a tragic loss and turned it into a mission for good.”
     Brooks invited the Floyd family to the front of the County Commission Meeting Auditorium in the Levy County Government Complex as he read the proclamation on Tuesday (Nov. 21).
     Coach Floyd, Virginia Floyd and Lenora M. (Floyd) Folston came forward. Lenora is a sister of the late Ike Floyd, as well as being an assistant state attorney in the Eighth Judicial Circuit. Ike’s other siblings include sisters Angel Floyd and Ericka Floyd, and brothers Danny Carl “D.C.” Floyd Jr., and Antwan Floyd.
      Former athlete Isaac Jewade “Ike” Floyd, 20, and Dorian Je'Quan Taylor, 18, both died on Dec. 17, 2011, in a tragic automobile crash in the Williston area of Levy County.
     As he began his presentation, Brooks noted the statistics of young people dying in vehicle accidents in Florida. He spoke about the angst felt by parents for their children as parents all hope their children will return home safely from their journeys on the roadways.
     Parents remind children to buckle their seatbelts, mind their speed and to focus on driving while avoiding distractions when operating a motor vehicle, he said.
     Twelve years ago, the Isaac family suffered a tragic loss when their son Isaac did not return home, he said.
     The family shared their love and memories of Isaac with the community, Brooks said. 
     They created the Team Mighty Ike Charitable Foundation, Brooks said, and it brings awareness to safe driving as well as to raise funds for families affected by the loss of a loved one due to automobile accidents.
     In the proclamation adopted by a 5-0 vote on Nov. 21, the County Commission declared Nov. 20 through 26 as “Team Mighty Ike Week” in Levy County.
     Among the key points in the proclamation are that:
     ● Team Mighty Ike will host its 11th Annual Basketball Tournament on Nov. 25.
     ● This foundation was created to carry on the memories of Isaac “Ike” Floyd.
     ● Many family and community members gather annually to raise scholarship funds and money to help families affected when loved ones are lost in automobile accidents.
     ● Team Mighty Ike promotes safe driving, and it asks the youth in the community to “stay strapped and heed the speed.”
     ● Scholarships from this foundation go to youth “to let the dream live on” as it recognizes the pursuit of Ike’s own dreams were cut short.
     ● An average of 300 youths lose their lives annually in Florida due to vehicular crashes.
     ● Levy County appreciates the Floyd family and its dedication to the youth of this community, and the county believes specific recognition should be bestowed upon them.
     The proclamation further notes the County Commission seeks to have all people remember to impress upon children the importance of performing safe driving behavior, and likewise to act properly as a passenger.
     After the proclamation was adopted, Lenora Folston spoke about her late brother.
     She said Ike was a terrific athlete as well as being a wonderful person overall. She said the family lost the physical presence of Ike when he passed away in that crash in 2011. 
     Folston said her family was inundated with phone calls, letters, visits, and photographs and gifts were sent from people in the community. 
     With help, back then, from Williston High School Varsity Basketball Coach Steve Faulkner and the WHS Varsity Football Coach Jamie Baker, the Floyd family created the Team Mighty Ike Foundation, Folston said.
     “We made it a mission to share with the community that even though Ike did not have on a seatbelt and that he had been traveling more than the speed limit,” Folston said, “that we would encourage other youth to stay strapped and heed the speed.”
     Ike’s passing was tragic as the family lost a son, a brother and a friend, she said. 
     “But each year,” Folston continued, “our hearts are filled with pieces of him as we pour into the community that he loved, and we love…”
     So far, Team Mighty Ike (TMI) has awarded almost $40,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors from Williston High School, she said. Also, TMI has given $3,500-plus to families who lost loved ones in crashes and who had no insurance, she said.
     The love and support of the community, volunteers and sponsors make the TMI mission successful, Folston said, adding that support from Williston High School and the Levy County School Board are needed to TMI to continue succeeding. 
     The most profound lesson in the hearts of the Floyd family, she added, is that “We will let the dream live one.”

Danny C. Floyd Sr. and Virginia C. Floyd honored

Pausing for a photo opportunity to honor Danny C. Floyd Sr. and Virginia who are holding their certificates of recognition, seen her are (from left) County Commissioners Tim Hodges, Commission Vice Chair Desiree Mills, Commissioner John Meeks, Virginia C. Floyd, Commission Chairman Matt Brooks, Danny C. Floyd Sr.  and Commissioner Rock Meeks. 

     Brooks and the other four members of the County Commission that Tuesday morning also presented Coach Floyd and Virigina Floyd with certificates of recognition for their lifetime of outstanding service, tireless effort and constant support for the youth of the community. Also, a certificate of recognition went to Coach Floyd for his achievement of earning the 1991 Florida State Employee of the Year Award, and for his continued positive representation of Levy County.
     Brooks said Coach Floyd’s ability to bring motivational examples from life to actions in sports so that members of those teams were fortunate to have gained those insights.
     “As leaders by example,” Brooks said, “Danny and Virginia have raised a Levy County family that carries on the legacy of faith and public service that go together.”
     In 1988, Danny and Virginia Floyd created the Teens On The Move Program. Youth were attracted to the former Williston Middle School Gymnasium to participate in basketball for two and a half hours every Wednesday, Brooks said.
     As a former All-American high school basketball player, Danny Floyd knew that winning was attractive and could bring about positive change in the community, he added.
     But the program was much more than just about basketball and winning games, Brooks said. 
     “Danny Floyd set aside time to share scripture with the kids,” Chairman Brooks said, “and to be a mentor to them as well.”
     Among the life lessons given, Brooks said, was that by putting in the hard work now, a person would see the fruits from their labors later. Another important lesson was to always do the right thing, Brooks added.
     Coach Floyd, too, by the way, is or has served as a Christian minister.
     Brooks said that Virginia and Danny Floyd’s children continue passing important lessons on to children in the community.
     “Many teens involved in this program have gone on to become attorneys, preachers, business owners, teachers, coaches, and to have successful careers,” Brooks said, “and one even became a Levy County commissioner.”
     This couple gave of their time, talent and treasures to build a foundation of practices that will go on for generations to come, Brooks said. They are living proof that by taking a passion for the good of others forward is a formula for success and community improvement, Brooks said.
     Brooks then addressed an important fact about Coach Brooks.’
     In 1991, he was selected as the statewide Florida School-Related Employee of the Year.
     On May 14, 1991, Coach Floyd was selected by the Florida Board of Education – statewide out of 42 nominees – to become the School-Related Employee of the Year, Brooks said.
     Among the people in attendance at the presentation of the award were Gov. Lawton M. Chiles Jr. (April 3, 1930-Dec. 12, 1998), members of the Florida Cabinet and Florida Commissioner of Education Betty Castor.
     Former Levy County Superintendent of Schools Will Irby nominated Coach Floyd for this honor, Brooks said.
     Irby was unable to attend the program on Nov. 21, but he sent a letter which Brooks read into the record.
     Irby noted that Floyd’s Teens On The Move Program served to move many teens in a positive and meaningful direction, Irby noted, as he mentioned that he first learned of the proposed program when Irby was running for election as superintendent of schools decades ago.
     Almost 40 years after Irby first met Floyd, he noted, he is thankful to be able to note his heartfelt gratitude and other feelings about this “true messenger of faith and good guidance.” 

The Children's Table serves
hot Thanksgiving meals to 500-plus

Bill Brown, a World War II veteran who is 94-years-old, is seen with the Bronson Community Choir at the event on Saturday (Nov. 18).

Information and Photos Provided By Stacey Kile
Published Nov. 20, 2023 at 6 p.m.
     BRONSON – More than 500 people enjoyed hot meals for Thanksgiving this past Saturday (Nov. 18).
     Bill Brown, the 94-year-old founder of The Children's Table, a non-profit organization based in Bronson, and his volunteers served a hot traditional Thanksgiving meal at The Children's Table's annex location in Archer.
     Cars and other vehicles started lining up early on Saturday as Brown was there to greet the guests. Participants could come inside the building and sit down with friends and family members, or they could collect as many meals as they needed for their families and take them home.


Verna Brown, Bill's wife and another moving force at The Children's Table, serves hot meals.


Members of the Heavy B's Bar-B-Que team helps serve the food.

     Brown reminds everyone to be kind to neighbors and to care for one another during difficult times.
     The Children's Table is a non-profit organization that provides food and support to families in need in Levy County, and beyond. 
     The organization was founded in 1997 by Brown, who remains as the organization's president and CEO.
     The Children's Table provides a variety of services, including food distributions every Monday in Bronson and deliveries to various locations throughout North Central Florida each Friday.  The organization provides food at no cost to families in need.  Donations are requested at events but are not required to receive food. 
     The Thanksgiving meal was made possible by the generosity of the community, food preparation by Heavy B's Bar-B-Que, and hard work from volunteers from throughout the community. The Children's Table received donations from local businesses, churches and individuals.
     “We are so thankful for the support of our community,” Brown said. “This meal would not have been possible without the help of our volunteers and donors.”
     The Children's Table is always looking for volunteers and donations. To learn more about the organization, please visit http://www.childrenstable.org/. For people experiencing food insecurity, please call The Children’s Table at 352-486-6525.

Dixie County manager resigns
Paul Gainey and Martha McCaskill
accept temporary appointments

Posing for a final parting picture as Dixie County Manager Duane Cannon serves at his last County Commission meeting on Nov. 16, where everyone paused for a moment after the meeting was adjourned Thursday night (Nov. 16), are (from left) County Clerk Barbie Higginbotham, County Commissioner Daniel Wood III, County Commissioner Mark Hatch, Commission Chairman Jamie Storey, Commission Vice Chairman Jody Stephenson, Commissioner David Osteen, County Manager Cannon and County Attorney Chana Watson.

Story and Photos
By Jeff M. Hardison © Nov. 17, 2023 at 2:15 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected by Federal Law - Do Not Copy
     CROSS CITY -- Dixie County Manager Duane Cannon attended his final Dixie County Board of County Commissioners’ meeting as county manager on Thursday night (Nov. 16) because he has resigned from that position.
     Cannon has accepted a job as project manager with MarineMax, a nationwide boat dealer. The company has an office in Cross City, meaning Cannon is still going to be in the community he has served and loves.
     At that very meeting, the County Commission voted to appoint Assistant Dixie County Manager Paul Gainey for six months as acting county manager for ix months, and to appoint Dixie County Administrative Assistant (and grant coordinator, and ADA coordinator) Martha McCaskill, of the Dixie County Manager’s Office, as acting assistant county manager for six months.


Assistant Dixie County Manager Paul Gainey and Administrative Assistant (and grant coordinator and ADA coordinator) Martha McCaskill are seen moments after the end of the meeting, In the background is Dixie County Librarian Cindy Bellot.

     Both Gainey and McCaskill begin with their new official titles effective Dec. 9; however, Cannon is leaving the office in a few weeks to use his vacation time before accepting his new duties with the retail outlet for boats.
     Dixie County Clerk Barbie Higginbotham and County Commission Chairman Jamie Storey both shed a few tears as they spoke about Cannon accepting his new job. County Commissioner Mark Hatch, the seniormost Dixie County Commission member, said he does not cry about such things, and that he only reluctantly accepted the resignation – choosing to not even read the letter.
     Chairman Storey did not look toward Cannon as he spoke about the county manager’s planned departure because he felt it would make him choke up even more, and he said he could not look at County Clerk Higginbotham because that would have the same impact as he tried to maintain his composure at the dais.
     Chairman Storey said he thought Cannon would be a long-term county manager.
     Commissioner Hatch said he has great respect for Cannon. Hatch noted that he served as a county commissioner with great county managers now. Those previous county managers are the late Arthur Bellot, Mike Cassidy, Tim Alexander and now Cannon. Hatch said he feels Cannon fits well in that list of highly-esteemed gentlemen who served in that role previously.
     Commission Vice Chairman Jody Stephenson, and Commissioners David Osteen and Daniel Wood III also complimented Cannon for his service to the residents and visitors of Dixie County during his tenure in that post.
Logistics of Transition
     As Gainey, McCaskill and the County Commission members spoke about what will be happening, Commission Vice Chairman Stephenson mentioned that six month is a relatively long time for appointment of an acting county manager and assistant county manager.
     Stephenson questioned if the County Commission should start advertising now, to not miss a potential candidate for the county manager position, who would be hired somewhere other than in Dixie County by a government entity seeking a similarly skilled person.
     After more discussion, Gainey and McCaskill said they will know by mid-January if they believe this appointment can remain, or if the County Commission should request proposals for people seeking to fill the county manager post.
     In the meantime, when the two promoted county employees take their new jobs, they will be compensated as laid out in the procedure manual for employees.

OTHER ACTIONS

Jaime Hinote of Haven Hospice speaks about November being the month to recognize hospice and palliative care. The County Commission accepted a proclamation in that regard by a 5-0 vote.

     In other actions by the County Commission, it:
     ● Accepted by a 4-1 vote the reappointment of Jaime Storey as Chairman. Commissioner Mark Hatch voted against it after saying that he felt Vice Chairman Jody Stephenson should serve in the coming year.
     ● Accepted by a 5-0 vote the Vice Chairman Jody Stephenson would serve in the coming year, again, as vice chair. Commissioner Mark Hatch said he would not vote against this, since Commissioner Stephenson seemed to be okay with the choice.
     ● Approved two special exceptions to permit recreational vehicles, one each in an Agriculture zoning district and in an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) zoning district, and the subsequent resolutions -- given that there were no expressed objections to the approvals.
     ● Approved a variance from building and zoning, and land development regulations, to reduce setback to allow for the construction of a new home -- given that there were no expressed objections to the approval.
     ● Chose to have county staff perform the air-conditioner revisions at the public library in Cross City while a roofing company performs repairs to stop the roof from leaking as it has for some months now.
     ● Heard about another successful year at the Dixie County Public Library in Cross City from Librarian Cindy Bellot. She expressed her thanks to the County Commission and to the county manager for supporting the library.
     ● Learned that Dixie County will receive $175,000-plus as its part of a suit settlement from pharmaceutical companies sued due to their part in opioid addiction in the United States. This is the first of payments over 20 years, and it will be the biggest part. County Attorney Chana Watson noted there is yet another similar lawsuit that is not settled yet, where Dixie County is a party and potential beneficiary from that action.

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167^th Performance

Dennis Moran of Cedar Key and Michigan sings his version of the HardisonInk.com jingle while playing the song on a 12-string Yamaha guitar at the Cedar Key Woman's Club Fall Market on Nov. 25. If you see Jeff M. Hardison and you want to sing the jingle, just let him know, or send an email to hardisonink@gmail.com. Jeff M. Hardison asks people to sing the jingle, and some of them agree to sing it. (Thanks people!) CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO SEE AND HEAR THE VIDEO ON YouTube.c0m.
The very first person to sing the jingle was Danesh “Danny” Patel of Danny’s Food Mart {now the Chiefland Citgo Food Mart} in Chiefland in March of 2013. HardisonInk.com started as a daily news website on Feb. 1, 2011.
Published Nov. 25, 2023 at 7 p.m.
© Video by Jeff M. Hardison, All Rights Reserved