Organizations Where HardisonInk.com Is A Member
CLICK HERE TO SEE MEMBERSHIP ADS

Gilchrist County residents
seek road improvements

The five-member Gilchrist County Commission is seen in action on Oct. 6 at a twice-monthly regular meeting. The members are (from left) Kendrick Thomas, Bill Martin, Tommy Langford, Darrell Smith and Sharon A. Langford.

Story, Photos and Video By Jeff M. Hardison © Oct. 7, 2025 at 4 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     TRENTON – Two gentlemen spoke during the public participation part of the Gilchrist County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Monday evening (Oct. 6).
     They both want the county to “chip and seal” a stretch of lime rock road that has, among other things, caused a United States Postal Service vehicle to become so stuck that a tow truck had to be called to take it out of a pothole.
     William Pace and Charles Shanks spoke about a road as well as some vegetation next to the road that scrapes vehicles when the drivers have to move close to the side to let an oncoming vehicle pass.

More Below This Ad

Click On Ad To Visit Website

William Pace goes to the lectern to speak about a road that he believes needs work.


In this video, William Pace opens the dialogue that results in the county somewhat committing to chip and seal a certain stretch of lime rock road. At about $100,000 a mile, and with the annual budget showing $500,000 for this type of road improvement, each of the five commission districts could see a mile of improvement. To see and hear the video, click on the PHOTO. The countdown clock that starts at 3:00 was never started, so Pace was able to speak as long as he wanted rather than being limited to three minutes.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison – All Rights Reserved

     Pace said he lives 8720 S.E. 80^th St., which is ff of State Road 26, east of Trenton.
     He said he has been living there for five years now, The 70-year-old man said he has repeatedly called County Commissioner Sharon A. Langford in regard to the road.
     “I still have a few more years to live,” Pace said, “that I might could enjoy (an improved road).”
     The Gilchrist County Road Department, Pace said, does a good job when the road is graded. He believes Southeast 80th Street has become a route people use. Between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. one day, Pace said he obtained signatures from 80 people who were using that road.
     Farmers hauling crops with heavy equipment use the road, he said. The solar farm that Duke Energy built there caused heavy equipment to use that road, he said.
     “Traffic is terrible out there,” Pace said.
     Commissioner Sharon Langford said she is going to recommend that road to be a chip-and-seal road in her district.
     Pace said the grader operator scrapes across the road, which fills holes with loose lime rock and when it rains, that lime rock is splashed out – leaving a pothole again.
     Shanks added to the input about the road.
     Shanks said he lives on Southeast 86^th Avenue, which is one of the two end roads off of 80^th.
     “We totally understand that this isn’t a rich county,” Shanks said. “this isn’t Alachua County, where you go out and spend $200,000 on shrubbery to put around your City Hall.”
     The people appreciate the work that is completed by the county, Shanks intimated.
     Shanks and his wife moved to Gilchrist County about 20 years ago, he said, and they have never regretted it. 
     Back when he moved into the area, the Road Department would mow next to the roads, Shanks said. A few years ago, he continued, “when there was that big fuel shortage,” the practice of mowing next to the roads stopped.
     That level of service never returned, he said.
     The Road Department, he continued, used to bring a machine that would trim the limbs and bushes next to the roads. 
     “Eightieth Street is narrow in some places,” Shanks added. “And if you meet another (oncoming) car, you need to pull over to the side to let it by. If you don’t stop, it (plant branches next to the road) scratches the side of your car up.”
     Commissioner Langford said she will see about having a work order submitted to trim the trees and bushes next to that road.
     Pace said a regular car will have the “Bee-Jeepers” beaten out of it by driving down that road. He also shared the story about the postal vehicle that became stuck in a pothole.
     Commissioners thanked the men for their input and seemed to promise to seek to resolve this relatively bad road condition there.

NASA delays media information
due to federal government shutdown

The Artemis I SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft is shown above in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida before rollout to launch pad 39B, in March of 2022.
Photo By NASA/Frank Michaux

By Jeff M. Hardison © Oct. 1, 2025 at 3 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     BREVARD COUNTY – Journalists in the United States and abroad have been notified of a delay from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the process leading to members of the press covering a previously planned event.
     Before a journalist can cover certain NASA activities in a more close-up manner than filming launches from 150 miles to the west of the launch pad, while the reporter and cameraman is standing in a planted pine forest, he needs to accept credentials, as have been provided before.
     As for covering an event at the Vehicle Assembly Building, that is not possible from the other side of the state – other than using what is sent by NASA as a press release.
     The event at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida that was going to be a showcase of the hardware for the Artemis II lunar mission, which will test capabilities needed for deep space exploration, was a media event.
     NASA and industry subject matter experts were to be available for interviews. Now, the credentials are not being sent – at least not for awhile, because of leaders in Washington, D.C., being unable to reach agreement on how to spend federal tax revenue.
     “We will be in touch with everyone on Artemis (II) Media Day date and whether or not you made the list once the government reopens,” NASA Media Operations Lead Danielle Sempsrott noted from her office at NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County on Oct. 1.
     On Sept. 10, certain members of the media were invited to apply to see NASA’s fully assembled Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft before its crewed test flight around the Moon next year.
     This “media day” was going to be in mid-October, according to NASA, which set deadlines for the invited members of the American and international media to apply for approval of credentials to attend.
     In a federal government shutdown, several services are affected. The 2018-2019 shutdown furloughed roughly 800,000 of the federal government's 2.2 million employees back then. The White House budget office did not say how many would be affected as of the Oct. 1, 2025, shutdown, yet.
     Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits will continue, according to reliable sources that look at federal budgets.
     The United States Postal Service is self-funded and is not impacted. Planned airline services will continue but there may be longer lines and slower service at airports due to only “essential” workers allowed to work.
     Even though the Whitehouse budget office is mum on the actual number of employees impacted, hundreds of thousands of people probably will see zero paychecks until after Congress acts. Then, there may be some backpay due a result of the mandatory furloughs. 
     The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Health and the Food and Drug Administration will lose all but their “essential” staff members. 
     Passport and visa processing will see a slowdown. 
     In past federal government shutdowns, national parks have closed or went unstaffed. 
     Even federal courts cut back, which means hearings get postponed and cases delayed.
     In the meantime, too, as noted, press coverage of the process before NASA’s planned launch to send astronauts around the Moon and back to Earth is not happening.

Coalition continues
full force into fall season

Levy County Prevention Coalition Chair Crystal Seley welcomes everyone to the afternoon luncheon meeting on Sept. 25. Other LCPC officers at the meeting included LCPC Secretary LCSO Undersheriff W.O. ‘Brett’ Beauchamp III and LCPC Treasurer Robert Wells, who is a founder of the LCPC and serves now as executive director of the Gilchrist (County) Prevention Coalition.

Story, Photos and Video By Jeff M. Hardison © Sept. 27, 2025 at 9 a.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     WILLISTON – The Levy County Prevention Coalition (LCPC) recently showed it continues to thrive this fall as it goes full force forward into and through its missions of hope and love for one another.
     Information shared at the LCPC General Body luncheon meeting on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 25) heralded a strong reflection of facts to show the relatively likely potential for this non-profit organization based in Williston to keep succeeding.
     The LCPC focuses on substance use and mental health prevention for youth, aiming to provide tools and opportunities for a healthy adulthood. The organization runs programs like ACHIEVE Enrichment, as well as to offer confidential prescription drug drop-off locations, and host youth groups such as Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT). The LCPC's work is supported by federal funding and includes partnerships with other organizations to build community wellbeing and awareness.
     A key partner in the LCPC’s success is the Levy County School Board, and while its elected membership has changed over the past decades, and the administrative leaders at schools in the counties has changed even more so, at least the LCPC has been understood as a force for the good cause of helping children enjoy increased odds of thriving by knowing the danger from drug abuse.
     The Levy County effort to prevent death and other ill effects from drug abuse is strong, in no small part as a result of the Levy County School Board and the Levy County Sheriff’s Office, as well as many others.


LCPC Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Lewis clearly, concisely and with gracious consideration provides everyone who is listening with crucial information.


A delicious self-serve lunch of four types of Pizza Hut brand of pizza, chicken wings, and a tossed salad - with dressing available – as well as cold sweet tea or bottled water are enjoyed by many attendees. Deedee Merando leads the effort resulting in this wonderful luncheon at the LCPC General Body meetings.


The Tobacco Free Partnership of Levy County is a coalition of community members actively working to reduce youth access and exposure to all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and other vaping devices. This program is managed by the LCPC nowadays Here, Joelle Higgins speaks about some past, current and future efforts pf this aspect of prevention and recovery from the harmful effects of the drug in tobacco.


Coalition Coordinator Sarah-Michelle Swartz speaks about some of the success in the LCPC Summer program.


Jessica Mollman of the Suwannee River Area Health Education Center shares information about programs to quit using tobacco.


Florida National Guard (United States Air Force) Senior Airman Jeff Miller speaks to the LCPC.


LCPC Treasurer Robert Wells speaks to the group. Wells, a founder of the LCPC, is also the director and a founder of the Gilchrist (County) Prevention Coalition, which is making progress in its programs, too.


LCSO Lt. Adam Hiers (standing) tells a story showing how one generation leads into another with earlier positive actions growing into positive future results. Seated is LCSO Undersheriff W.O. ‘Brett’ Beauchamp III, who accompanied Lt. Hiers. Hiers is the LCSO Community Relations Division supervisor. Undersheriff Beauchamp is the LCPC secretary. Click on the PHOTO to see and hear the video.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison – All Rights Reserved

     Although it only lasted an hour, the meeting was filled with information about the LCPC’s many programs and strategies, including the ACHIEVAE After School program that serves about 800 students a day across all nine Levy County Schools during the school year.
     The LCPC’s community-based programs and campaigns include the Natural High Campaign; Friday Night Done Right; Know The Law; No One’s House; the prescription drop-off campaign; and the responsible tobacco and alcohol vendor training program.
     Even though there were no representatives from the Levy County School Board, the Levy County Health Department and certain other groups that are partners with the LCPC at this particular meeting, representatives from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida National Guard and others helped make the meeting full of enlightening information across a broad spectrum of aspects of Levy County, as well as Florida, the United States of America, and the international community of humans.
     For instance, LCSO Lt. Adam Hiers shared a story about a young man who grew up to see his grandfather’s farm transformed over the years, and that that man’s work as a child had borne fruition in the future.
     This is tales serves as a metaphor that can be applied to the work by young people in the LCPC who are helping the next generation see how to avoid incarceration, loss of employment, reduced potentials for an enjoyable life, as well as injury, death and other significant pitfalls.
     By not abusing drugs, a person can enjoy a better quality of life than what happens after abusing drugs. As Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
     Speaking of cure, though, recovery from addiction – such as quitting the use of tobacco or fighting the problems from alcoholism is possible. And the same holds true for people hooked on opiates like heroin, fentanyl, morphine, certain pain killers, or addicted to cocaine, methamphetamine or other stimulants, or tranquilizers like the minor tranquilizers (anxiolytics) and major tranquilizers (antipsychotics)
     Another set of drugs of which to be aware is barbiturates – like Phenobarbital (Brand name: Luminal) - Used for seizure control and as a sedative; Pentobarbital (Brand name: Nembutal) - Used for sedation and seizure control, often in hospital settings; Amobarbital (Brand name: Amytal) - Used for sedation and to treat insomnia; Secobarbital (Brand name: Seconal) - Used for short-term treatment of insomnia and as a pre-anesthetic;
Butalbital (Brand names: Fioricet, Fiorinal) - Often combined with acetaminophen and caffeine for tension headaches; and
Brevital (Brand name: Methohexital) - Used for anesthesia and sedation during procedures.
     Prescription medicines can be effective for certain medical conditions; however, their use carries risks, including dependency and overdose. It is essential to use prescribed drugs under strict medical supervision. Also, death can result from an allergic reaction to a drug, even while under the care of a doctor. Hence, one should take care when using drugs, even if they are prescribed.
     Meanwhile, back at the meeting on Thursday, the people there who helped one another learn about aspects of preventing drug misuse included LCSO Lt. Adam Hiers, as noted earlier in this story.
     Lt. Hiers is the division leader of the LCSO Community Relations Division. This division’s responsibilities include promoting a mutually respectful working relationship between law enforcement and the residents and visitors of Levy County through a wide variety of services.
     Those services include Crime Prevention Services, Neighborhood Watch Programs, the Teen Driver Improvement Program and the Realities of Driving Program. 
     Within the Community Relations Division, is the School Resource Deputy unit that works in partnership with the Levy County School Board. This division is comprised of deputies who are individually assigned to one or more schools. Their duties are primarily within the Levy County School System.
     The Levy County Sheriff’s Office and the Community Relations Division have sponsored -- for more than 20 years now -- the yearly educational trip to Washington, D.C., by the Levy County School Safety Patrol, comprised of qualified fifth grade students.
     The meeting on Thursday afternoon opened with LCPC Chair Crystal Seley welcoming everyone and inviting the guests to lead the buffet-style line for lunch, which included a choice of four different styles of Pizza Hut pizzas, chicken wings, tossed salad, a cookie and drinks.
     Youth Services Coordinator Joelle Higgins presented the Levy County Tobacco Prevention program’s updates.
     Youth Development Coordinator Sarah-Michelle Swartz gave even more details about the summer camp program for Levy County children, including the field trips, the five weekly themes of the camp programs, and swimming adventures enjoyed by all – with lifejackets being a key element for every single swimmer. She also mentioned the Levy County Public Food Service staff who provided breakfast, lunch and snacks for the campers, as well as a special day of special fun.
      LCPC Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Lewis, who in 2010 began volunteering with the coalition, continues as the day-to-day leader of this worthy group.
      After a year of volunteering, the coalition was able to acquire a small amount of funding and subsequently hired its first-ever paid staff member -- Lewis.
     Since 2011, he has built the infrastructure of the LCPC, providing a strong foundation for acquiring and sustaining additional funding and services for Levy County’s youthful residents and visitors.
       Over the past 15 years or so, the Coalition has grown tremendously and now offers programming in all five Levy County school districts.
     This year’s enrollment of about 1,100 children in the LCPC summer camps spanned six different base sites and mirrors the countywide effort and ongoing success – even after the regular school year as well as after the regular school day.
     The LCPC After School program is off to a good start this year, Lewis said on Thursday.
     The Friday Night Done Right and Natural High campaigns, likewise, have seen a fine beginning this school year.
     So far in the high school football season, the LCPC has taken students to enjoy two away games in Jacksonville as the Williston Varsity Red Devils Football Team played there, he said.
     The 50 traveling students participating in the LCPC’s Friday Night Done Right trips stopped at Sonny’s BBQ, which is always fun, Lewis said. He encouraged the students to eat more and use their cell phones less as they were in the eatery.
     Sonny’s BBQ had been advised of before arrival of the planned visitors, who may have brought the noise level in Sonny’s a bit above the normal decibel range there.
     (Sonny's BBQ is a barbecue restaurant chain founded by Floyd “Sonny” Tillman in Gainesville in 1968. Bob Yarmuth purchased the company in 1991 and continues as the company's owner and chief executive officer today, according to records.)
     In one of the away games to Jacksonville this football season, the visitors’ side was completely full, Lewis said; so, the LCPC group had a chance to mingle with the hosting home team’s fans in their student section of that stadium.
     “It was interesting to see some of our kids interact with some of their kids,” Lewis said. “I think some of our elementary kids gave some of their high schoolers a run for their money when it comes to talking smack.”
     The LCPC has Friday Night Done Right students at all home games of the Williston Red Devils. There are also tickets being provided for free to Bronson Middle High School students for their home games. 
     For the homecoming game in Williston, Lewis said he plans to work with the Williston Middle High School Principal Dee Westfall to distribute a couple of hundred tickets to create the largest student crowd in Booster Stadium in recent history.
     To see the two separate stories, photos and videos from the Aug. 22 football game of Williston versus Chiefland at Williston click HERE for There’s more to high school football games than just the games; or HERE for Indians win Levy County Cup 36-35 in double overtime. 
     There was also discussion about Red Ribbon Week activities during the LCPC meeting on Thursday afternoon. Red Ribbon Week is celebrated annually from Oct. 23 through 31.
     Red Ribbon Week highlights the importance of living a drug-free life. It presents an opportunity for parents, educators, and communities to reinforce the drug-free messages they share with their children throughout the year. During Red Ribbon Week, youth and adults around the nation pledge to increase their knowledge by learning more about the destructive effects of drug abuse, including prescription drug misuse, and renew their commitment to live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
     The origin of the Red Ribbon Week campaign began in 1985 in response to the murder of United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena by drug traffickers in Mexico.
     After his death, Camarena’s friends and family in his hometown of Calexico, California, began wearing red ribbons to honor his sacrifice and show their commitment to a drug-free life.
     The movement gained national attention when then-First Lady Nancy Reagan received a proclamation from the “Camarena Clubs” in 1985.
     The National Family Partnership formalized it as a national campaign in 1988, and the LCPC has helped children celebrate the concept with age-appropriate activities.
     There were a number of other topics shared and discussed, and the meeting on Thursday at a room in Williston Elementary School (WES) provided another opportunity for community partners to confer with LCPC leaders and staff.

UF/IFAS Extension to rent equipment
to Gilchrist County residents
Winter Forage for Livestock Operations
program scheduled for Oct. 7
Information Provided by UF/IFAS Gilchrist County Extension
Published Sept. 25, 2025 at 9 a.m.
     TRENTON – The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gilchrist County Extension Office invites interested farmers to attend an upcoming class – to take advantage of an equipment rental program.
     UF/IFAS Extension is starting an agriculture equipment rental program!
     This is a first-of-its-kind program for UF/IFAS Extension. It is only available to Gilchrist County residents.
     The rental program is starting with two pieces of equipment, a five-foot no-till drill and a 200-gallons truck-mounted sprayer. The goal of the program is to make expensive and occasionally used equipment available to small farms in the county (for farmers who use approximately less than 200 acres).
     In the past, UF/IFAS has received requests for this kind of service because equipment like this is expensive and small farms find it hard to justify large purchases like this for only occasional use. 
     The Extension Office noted that it hopes to acquire more equipment for residents to rent as needed for their farm uses. 
     There is one requirement. To be eligible to rent the equipment, a person must attend one of the designated Extension programs where he or she will receive more information on the rental program and training on how to use and maintain the rental equipment.
     This will hopefully help increase the quality and longevity of the equipment for everyone, Extension staff noted. 
     The first opportunity to attend one of these programs is set for Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It costs $30 and lunch is provided.
     The program to be at UF/IFAS Gilchrist County Extension, 125 E. Wade St. (State Road 16) in Trenton, is scheduled to include information about a winter forage for livestock operations program. There, people can learn about the use and economics of winter forages and the operation and care of a no-till drill for planting. 
     People can register online by clicking HERE.
     The Extension Office hopes to see people at the presentation for this new rental program -- to make their small farm more profitable and easier to manage. 
     Send an email to pittmanh1@ufl.edu or call 352-463-3174 for more information.

Former Levy County SHIP director
questions efficiency of dept. consolidation
County manager changes SHIP personnel

Former Levy County SHIP Director Marlon Gayle speaks to the County Commission at the morning part of the Sept. 16 meeting.

Story and Photo By Jeff M. Hardison © Sept. 19, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     BRONSON – Former Levy County SHIP Director Marlon Gayle spoke for a few minutes Sept. 16 during the regular twice-monthly meeting of the Levy County Board of County Commissioners.     Gayle was the top county staff member responsible for the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) program.
     SHIP provides funds to local governments as an incentive to create partnerships that produce and preserve affordable homeownership. The targeted population must be considered very low to moderate income households as defined by United States Housing Urban Development.
     Levy County SHIP funds can provide down payment/closing costs and repairs to owner-occupied homes. The funds cannot be used for mobile homes or manufactured homes, as well as not used for owner financing or rental properties. Eligibility to participate in the SHIP program is based on the household size and the gross annual household income.
     A resident of Levy County whose home needs repairs, or a low-income Levy County resident who is trying to purchase their first home and who needs financial assistance, is asked to please contact Levy County SHIP.
     Gayle said that he has seen some information published that is not accurate in regard to him and his work in the SHIP program. His three-minute speech was mostly to offset disparaging comments about his reputation that he had seen. Near the end of his presentation, he mentioned the name of a chronic complainer and Gayle suggested that she use facts rather her opinions.
     Gayle apologized before he gave his speech during the first of two “Public Comments” part of the meeting.
     Gayle said some people have difficulty understanding him as a result of his accent, which could be called a Jamaican accent. The Jamaican accent is characterized by its unique pronunciation, rhythm, and the influence of Jamaican Patois, a creole language that blends English with West African languages.
     Gayle used at least 30 seconds of his three-minute time limit as he gave copies of his presentation to each of the five members of the Levy County Commission – Chair Desiree Mills, Vice Chair Tim Hodge and commissioners Johnny Hiers, Charlie Kennedy and Rock Meeks, as well as one copy to Clerk of the Court Matt Brooks and one copy to a Facebook journalist.
     “With the (Levy County) Housing Department being dissolved on August 28, 2025, I am unable to speak to the submission or status of this year's annual report. My oversight and responsibility is concluded with the department’s closure, and any subsequent submissions or administrative actions are outside my purview.”
     Gayle noted that the reason he was given for the dissolution of the department was “to reduce cost and improve efficiency and service to the community.”
      The matrix used to determine efficiency was not stated and no performance evaluation has been done even though it was required on July 1, 2025, he noted.
     Gayle has served as an integral member of the Levy County SHIP program since 2013. His initial role was as a housing planner and that was until March of 2025. He was promoted to become the Housing Manager then.
     The program has successfully administered all state funds during his tenure. The financial overview he provided included that $2,835,000 ($2.8 million) in state funds were received by Levy County for the SHIP program and $2,722,349 ($2.7 million) was expended to directly help Levy County residents during his tenure. 
     There were 98 households that received critical home repairs ($1,580,792) 64 first-time home buyers received downpayment assistance funds ($1,141,557).
     Gayle also spoke about the significant evolution of the department since he began in 2013. Expanded functions include Oversight of the Hurricane Housing Recovery Program; adding Affordable Housing Initiatives; and participation on housing-related boards such as the Central Florida Community Action Agency and the Continuum of Care Board for homelessness initiatives.
     “My tenure with the Levy County SHIP program from June 2013 to Aug. 28, 2025, was marked by successful administration of state funds, timely submission of required reports, and a commitment to transparency and accountability,” Gayle said.
     Levy County Manager Mary Ellen Harper in an interview on Friday (Sept. 19) said she was tasked with cutting the budget.
     By delegating the grant part of the work in the SHIP program to Levy County Grants Coordinator and Legislative Liaison Brooke Smith, and by giving the duties related to the building aspects of SHIP to the Levy County Building Department, Harper said she was able to close the Housing Department while keeping the SHIP program operational in Levy County.
     Another aspect where Harper intends to improve SHIP is by having employees in other departments to make the opportunities from SHIP more visible for possible first-time home buyers and for low-income homeowners who need significant repairs.
     Harper said she is considering, as well, offering the SHIP program duties to a third party in the future, where the grant would cover the expense of them overseeing it, while still reporting to the County Commission and maintaining the program in Levy County. Currently, the third-party option is just a possible method for future consideration.

Food truck and ice stop established

Listening to facts during a meeting on Monday (Sept. 15) about the proposal for a place where food trucks will be found and an ice machine will be available are (from left) Gilchrist County commissioners Kendrick Thomas, Bill Martin, Tommy Langford and Darrell Smith. Commissioner Sharon Langford was absent.

Story and Photo By Jeff M. Hardison © Sept. 17, 2025 at 8 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     TRENTON – By combining a Special Mapping Decision, a Special Use Permit and a Site Plan into one set of public hearings, the process to allow a unique service in Gilchrist County came to fruition Monday evening (Sept. 15).
     The four Gilchrist County Commission members present voted 4-0 to allow all of the requests, adding only that there must be break-away traffic delineators to reduce the odds of people parking next to State Road 47 or Gilchrist County Road 340 – rather than in the nine parking spaces available for people buying food from two food trucks, or buying ice from an automated ice-dispensing machine.
     North Florida Professional Services Senior Planner Justin Tabor, and William “Bill” Menadier, owner of Menadier Engineering, are two of the key professionals who created the application and site plan material for Paul Schmelz, owner and developer.
    The approved Special Mapping Decision, Special Use Permit and a Site Plan for the development of a food truck court with two food truck pads and a freestanding ice sales building are now bound to come into existence to the northeast of the intersection of SR 47 and CR 340.
     This development of one acre, more or less, is in an Agriculture-2 (A-2) with a Neighborhood Commercial overlay to allow the development on such a small piece of property in that part of the county.
     Access to the subject property will be provided by a connection to CR 340. The access point has been placed as far east as possible from the intersection with SR 47 to reduce the potential for traffic flow conflicts.
     Stormwater will be conveyed to one stormwater management facility located in the northeast corner of the site.
     Commissioner Martin mentioned his feeling that this intersection may become more dangerous as a result of the food trucks and ice machine being there; however, he thinks it is a good idea.
     Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz said he foresees a potential of the GCSO being called to the area due to people illegally parking on the sides of the roads, not only when the nine parking spaces fill up, but just because they do not want to pull off the road to visit the food trucks.
     Since the food trucks are not permanent and there are no tables and chairs to encourage people to eat there, there is no requirement for a hand-washing station or for a port-o-let.
     Food trucks are popping up all over the Tri-County Area in abandoned commercial property lots, on vacant lots next to major roads, in parking lots of businesses like the Verizon retail outlet in Chiefland. There appears to be no municipal or county codes to stop the traveling food vendors from competing in the market with established food vendors that have buildings where they pay property taxes, etc.
     In addition to the traffic delineators decided for addition during the meeting on Sept. 15, county staff recommended approval of the requested Special Mapping Decision, Special Use Permit, and Site Plan subject to the above qualifications and subject to the following conditions: 
     1. The applicant shall limit development on the site to that which is shown by the application submitted and as described in this Staff Report, and as shown on the Site Plan submitted with this application. 
     2. Sales within the Food Truck Court shall not occur earlier than 7 a.m. on any day of the week nor later than 9 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday nights or later than 10 p.m. on Friday or Saturday nights. (The automated ice machine is 24 hours every day and night.) 
     3. Approval of this Site Plan does not alleviate the applicant's obligation to obtain all applicable county, state, or federal permits as required, including but not limited to, obtaining all necessary permits from the Suwannee River Water Management District for stormwater management for the improvements on the premises. (And here, the County Commission is depending on the Florida Department of Health, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and other state agencies to assure safe food handling by the food trucks, etc.) 
     4. A sign permit issued by Gilchrist County shall be required for any proposed signage prior to installation at the premises. Any signs on the premises must be in accordance with Article 9 
of the Gilchrist County Land Development Regulations governing signs. 
     5. Any violation of the conditions of this approval shall cause revocation of the approval by the County Commission. The County Commissioners shall hold a public hearing on the proposed revocation with notice of public hearing provided by certified mail to the property owner. Evidence of violation may be presented by any person including a resident, the County Code Enforcement Officer, or other County Official. Once the approval has been revoked pursuant to this provision, the applicant/owner shall be prohibited from reapplying for approval for the site without good cause being shown.
     6. The Development Order hereby granted shall be valid for a period of 12 months, after which it shall be void and of no further effect unless meaningful improvements have begun on the project or the applicant has requested an extension to be heard by the Board prior to expiration of the Development Order.
     7. Any amendment or changes to the approved Special Use Permit or Site Plan shall require the filing of an Amended Special Use Permit application / Site Plan application for subsequent approval by the Board of County Commissioners, serving also as the Planning Commission. If no changes are made to the Special Use Permit / Site Plan by the Board at the Public Hearing, the applicant may request in writing that these plans be treated as the Final Site Plan.
     8. The requested use will have the necessary public infrastructure available to the site which will be provided by the applicant on-site, and the requirements of concurrency management have been met, and the proposed improvements to be made on the premises are compatible and harmonious with adjacent and nearby properties.
     9. All of the Composite Exhibits attached to this Staff Report are incorporated and made a part hereof as if more fully described in their entirety herein.