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Gavel passes in Williston City Council
after three take oath of office

Levy County Court Judge Luis Bustamante speaks from the lectern before administering the oath of office on May 13. Williston Mayor Charles Goodman is seen sitting at the dais.

Story, Photos and Video By Jeff M. Hardison © May 14, 2025 at 7 p.m.
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     WILLISTON – Williston City Council members Michael Cox, Darfeness Hinds and Meredith Martin took the oath of office Tuesday night (May 13) as Levy County Court Judge Luis Bustamante administered it to the three leaders.
     After the oath, it was time to decide who would be president and vice president of City Council for the next year. City Council Member Meredith Martin asked if an incumbent could stay in office.

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In this video, Michael Cox, Darfeness Hinds and Meredith Martin take the oath office administered by Levy County Court Judge Luis Bustamante as Williston Police Chief Mike Rolls holds a Bible brought to the ceremony by Williston City Councilwoman Debra Jones. Click on PHOTO to see and hear the video.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison © May 14, 2025 at 7 p.m.
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Michael Cox, Darfeness Hinds and Meredith Martin take the oath office administered by Levy County Court Judge Luis Bustamante as Williston Police Chief Mike Rolls holds a Bible brought to the ceremony by Williston City Councilwoman Debra Jones.


Incoming Williston City Council President Darfeness Hinds accepts the gavel as outgoing Williston City Council President Michael Cox passes it to her. Cox was elected as vice president of City Council.


Posing for a group photo after the ceremony are (from left) City Council Vice President Michael Cox, City Councilwoman Meredith Martin, Levy County Court Judge Luis Bustamante and Williston City Council President Darfeness Hinds.

     Mayor Charles Goodman said the only limit is that after three successive terms, the president cannot be reappointed.
     The mayor called for nominations for president. Hinds nominated herself. No other person was nominated. There was a 4-0 vote in favor of Hinds being the president of City Council.
     With that, President Hinds called for nominations for vice president. Cox, who was the most recent president, nominated himself. No other nominations were made.
     By a 4-0 vote again, with City Councilwoman Debra Jones voting for Cox to be vice president as she had voted for Hinds to be president, Cox was appointed as vice president.
     City Council Member Alexa Haniff-Riccio was absent from the investiture ceremony. The next regular Williston City Council meeting is set for May 20, starting at 6 p.m. in Williston City Hall.

Students Honored

Jacob Cannon, a seventh-grade student at Chiefland Middle High School, was honored Monday night (May 12) as Chiefland City Commissioner Norman Weaver presented him with the Outstanding Student Certificate. The seventh-grade teachers noted ‘Jacob is the kind of student (who) teachers appreciate so much. He works hard and tries until he gets it right. Jacob is respectful and hard-working.’


Seen here, City Commissioner Norman Weaver and Jacob Cannon provide a photo opportunity. Other ‘Students of the Month’ who were not present to accept recognition were Haileigh Whetstone, a fourth-grade student at Chiefland Elementary School, and Jenna Fletcher, a CMHS graduating senior.
Photo By Jeff M. Hardison © May 13, 2025 at 1 p.m.
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Community celebrates
Bill Brown’s 96th birthday
with The Children’s Table fundraiser

Bill Brown is surrounded by his friends from American Legion Post 383, which is based in Old Town. 

Story and Photos By Stacey Kile of The Children’s Table
Published May 8, 2025 at 6 a.m.
     BRONSON -- The Bronson community came together in a remarkable show of love, support and celebration on Saturday (May 3) for local legend Bill Brown, on the occasion of his 96th birthday.     Held at the Bronson Elementary School Cafeteria, the event included friends, neighbors and supporters of The Children’s Table, the rural food bank that Brown founded and has championed for decades.
     The celebration opened with a moving honor ceremony performed by the American Legion Post 383 Honor Guard, setting a respectful and patriotic tone for the festivities. A highlight of the day was the special appearance by the American Legion Post 383 Veteran Riders Club of Old Town and the American Legion Post 383 members, who presented Brown with a commemorative pin in recognition of his military service.
     The American Legion generously presented a check in support of The Children’s Table, underscoring their continued commitment to community service.


The American Legion Post 383 Honor Guard visits with Bill Brown during the celebration and fundraiser.


Heavy B’s Barbecue provides food for everyone at the event.

      The Bronson Community Choir sang and it is comprised of many longtime volunteers of The Children’s Table. The cheerful tunes kept spirits high throughout the afternoon.
     Heavy B’s Barbecue provided delicious food for everyone.
     Guests enjoyed a lively silent auction featuring an array of items donated by generous local businesses, reflecting the community's strong support of Brown’s mission. One of the most exciting moments came during the cake auction, where homemade confections donated by friends and neighbors drew enthusiastic bids. A pineapple upside-down cake stole the spotlight, fetching an impressive $200. Auctioneer Jim Switt kept the bidding fun and fast-paced with his signature energy and skill.
     Brown was deeply moved by the outpouring of love, respect and appreciation from the community.
     “It was a wonderful day,” he said, “and I’m so thankful to everyone who came out and supported the work we do at The Children’s Table.”
     The event would not have been possible without the incredible team of volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to plan, prepare, and host such a meaningful celebration.
     With the overwhelming success of this year’s event, The Children’s Table is already looking forward to doing it all again next year. Until then, the mission continues—to feed families in need and strengthen our community, one act of kindness at a time.

BHS senior named as semifinalist
in national scholars program 
Information Provided
Published May 6, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.
     TRENTON – Fisher T. Langford, a senior at Bell High School, has been named as one of 621 semifinalists in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
     These students were selected from more than 6,000 candidates who are set to graduate from high school in 2025.
     The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President Lyndon B. Johnson, a Democrat, to recognize and honor some of the nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors.
     In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts.
     In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.
     Langford is a semifinalist for U.S Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education.
     For the career and technical education component, students are initially selected based on their accomplishments in career and technical education fields.
     Candidates provide essays, self-assessments, secondary school reports and transcripts. 
     Having reached this point to be honored as a semifinalist, Langford’s submission will be reviewed by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars.
     U.S. Presidential Scholars are honored for their accomplishments during the online National Recognition Program scheduled to be in June.
     To commemorate their achievement, the winning scholars are awarded the Presidential Scholars Medallion.
     Since 1964, this unique federal program has honored more than 8,000 U.S. Presidential Scholars who have demonstrated 
Scholarship, leadership, artistic excellence and selfless service to others. This program is under the U.S. Education Department.
     President Donald Trump signed an executive order March 20 calling for the dismantling the U.S. Education Department.
     The executive order specifically stated that Secretary of Education Linda McMahon — who was confirmed by the United States Senate — will work to close the department while “ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs and benefits on which Americans rely.”
     Trump has derided the U.S. Education Department as wasteful and “polluted by liberal ideology.”
     Completing dismantling the U.S. Education Department is impossible without an act of Congress, which created the department in 1979.
     Republicans said they will introduce legislation to dismantle the U.S. Education Department, while Democrats quickly lined up to oppose the idea.
     The odds of dismantling the U.S. Education Department before June shows this year’s U.S. Presidential Scholars likely will have medallions awarded.

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?”
     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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     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.
 

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.
 

Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 7 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time

THE DO-SOMETHING

Read Luke 22:17-30

       And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
-- Luke 22:19 (KJV)

     Long before those in our day set out to reshape the face of the world to a “new order,” Jesus was urging His own ideas of such things – “the New Testament” and “the New Covenant,” His new order. On the eve of His martyrdom, He sups with His followers. In His hands, He takes from the table, bread and wine, and He who is about to die salutes the New Order.
     In His time, He had used flowers, trees, birds, seed, bridges, rocks, houses, journeys, water, light and salt to illustrate His truth. Now, He will illustrate once more. This man of parables and pictures will use bread and wine -- now the fundamental food. He will make them illustrate His body and blood – that is to say, Himself.
     Himself! What do we do with ourselves? What should we do? He broke the bread and “gave unto them.” He said, “This do.” Do what? Why give yourselves. There are plenty to do the other things. That’s the trouble; that has been the trouble since the beginning.
     Jesus always saw that. But now it’s to be the new order. The whole spirit of everything He ever strove and stood for was always undercut from the old order.
     “Remember Me,” but not by dreaming, teaching, praising; not only by these; no, they are never enough, never. You must earn the greater things. This do. Give yourselves for truth and for each other. 
     O HEAVENLY LIFE, I lay my small life in the bosom of Thy vastness. I pray that my love for Thee may increase, that my communion with Thee may increase, that my diligence and service may increase, and that all my faithfulness to Christ may increase; until of this increase may rise that new order in the world for which people of faith must endure. Amen.
The Rev. O.W.S. McCall
New First Congregational Church
Chicago, Illinois
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 © May 12, 2025 at 6:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time