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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2013 | YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1874 | $1.00 Lake City Reporter
LAKECITYREPORTER.COM Homecoming 6-year-old genius SUNDAY EDITION Queen crowned finds tests ‘easy in Fort White. 5A peasy as pie.’ 6A ‘MIXED MESSAGES’
to handle city fire department dispatch Combined Communications Center and Public Safety Building, the same location County: Lake City officials services Oct. 1 despite “mixed messages” respond automatically to city fire emer- from which the city currently dispatches say one thing about unified from city officials. gencies with county resources. LCPD officers. However, City Manager Wendell On June 28, County Manager Dale The county’s understanding was that dispatch, staffers, another. Johnson says that the city’s intentions Williams sent a letter to Johnson saying the city would handle its own fire dis- By STEVEN RICHMOND were made clear through documentation the county plans to terminate the interlo- patch services beginning Oct. 1. However, [email protected] and correspondence throughout the year. cal agreement effective Oct. 1 in response county officials are unclear if that will in As of today, the county and city are to the requests of Johnson and LCFD Fire fact happen. County Safety Manager David Kraus told participants in an interlocal agreement Chief Frank Armijo. “They never officially told us one way county commissioners that the Combined whereby the county will dispatch Lake The city then set in motion plans to Communications Center will still be able City fire protection services through their dispatch city fire services from their own DISPATCH continued on 3A A smokin’ good time Jobless rate on decline Unemployment in county falls to 6.6%; state rate drops too.
By TONY BRITT [email protected]
Unemployment in Columbia County fell for the first time in three months in August, showing a four-tenths decrease in the local jobless rate. According to information released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Columbia County’s unemployment rate for August was 6.6 percent. In July the figure was 7.0 percent. Florida’s unemployment rate in August fell a tenth to 7.0 percent, while the nation’s jobless rate was Photos by AMANDA WILLIAMSON/Lake City Reporter 7.3 percent. Kristah Couey and Ethan O’Hearn dig into ribs cooked by Wellborn-based Fenced-In BBQ during a break from the work day Saturday. The two Local officials said the decrease helped owner Lawrence Rentz dish out his barbecued fare at the Smokin’ Pig BBQ Fest. The two-day event ran Friday and Saturday at the in local jobless numbers is based Columbia County Fairgrounds. on people returning to work at school and other seasonal factors. “Our seasonally adjusted 5th annual Smokin’ Pig draws hungry crowd employment (due to the school employment, tourism, and agricul- ture) has leveled out as all of our Good eatin’, good schools were back in session dur- times for folks at ing the month of August and the tourist season saw its close (for the the fairgrounds. most part) on Labor Day, bringing our current unemployment rate By AMANDA WILLIAMSON down to 6.6 percent this month [email protected] from 7.0 percent in July of 2013,” said Denise Wynne, Florida Crown efore she could Workforce Board Lead Employer bite into a slab of Services Representative. ribs at the Smokin’ Wynne said there is an excellent Pig BBQ Fest, chance the local unemployment Sarah Ripple had rate will continue to decrease as Bto wait for her husband — the new job opportunities become barbecue connoisseur — to available in Columbia County. arrive at the Columbia County “With several new employers Fairgrounds. opening their doors in Columbia The Smokin’ Pig lasted County during the month of Friday and Saturday, featuring September, including Michael’s a wide array of competition and CiCi’s Pizza, we do expect to barbecue teams from across see a decrease in our local unem- the Southeast. The event was ployment numbers,” she said. “We a World Qualifier and a Jack certainly hope that trend contin- Daniel’s championship qualifier. ues, and as we are heading into Guest tasted samples of ribs, the holiday shopping season when chicken and pork from local merchants traditionally hire their favorites like the Budmeisters Firefighter Austin Thomas checks the temperature inside the grill for the Black Helmet BBQ competition seasonal staff, we at Florida Crown cook team and Fenced-In BBQ. team, while teammate Greg Sund holds open the lid. The four men of Black Helmet BBQ represent the Lake Workforce Board expect to see this “Anything barbecue, my hus- trend continue into December.” band will tear it up,” Ripple said, City Fire Department. In August there were 30,967 speaking of her husband David. looked at every barbecue menu it. The husband takes his barbe- While waiting for David “Last year when we came, we and the prices. We even smelled cue very seriously.” PIG continued on 6A UNEMPLOYMENT continued on 7A
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2a LAKE CITY REPORTER SUNDAY REPORT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2013 Page Editor: Robert Bridges, 754-0428
Friday: Friday: Friday: Friday: Wednesday: Wednesday: 1-7-25-44 2-10-12-25-29 Afternoon: 3-6-5 Afternoon: 3-0-2-2 14-15-23-36-49-50 N/A (13) Evening: 0-3-0 Evening: 1-5-9-6 (x4) PB XX AROUND FLORIDA Embry-Riddle offers master’s degree in drones DAYTONA BEACH Helping owners — Secured inside a room you need a U.S. passport to rent their vessels enter is a modern arcade of war machines. MIAMI — Getting out on It looks like a gamer’s the open sea, wind in your paradise: A comfortable tan hair, enjoying the ride with leather captain’s chair sits your family and friends. behind four computer mon- Then there’s the boat itors, an airplane joystick payments, storage fees, with a red “fire” button, a fuel, maintenance and keyboard and throttle con- repair — these costs can trol. The games here have quickly sink the dream of great implications. Across boat ownership. the world, a $20 million Ahoy, mates — a new Gray Eagle drone armed breed of boat-sharing ser- with four Hellfire missiles, vices is entering the hot ready to make a sortie into South Florida boating mar- hostile territory is taking ket. commands from a worksta- San Francisco-based tion like this one. A gradu- Boatbound.co set up its ate from this room on the East Coast headquar- campus of Embry-Riddle ters on the Rickenbacker Aeronautical University in Causeway in Key Biscayne Daytona Beach could be and launched nationally in in that other room in as June. About the same time, little as six months with a Cruzin.com finished a pilot master’s degree in piloting ROBERT BRIDGES/Lake City Reporter program in Dania Beach drones, his hand on the and went live with its site, joystick, making $150,000 Truck fire and there are a handful of a year. other national competitors Welcome to the new basic This semi tractor-trailer caught fire on East Duval Street just west of Main Boulevard Thursday. No one was hurt. “We smelled eyeing the Sunshine State. training, where the skills to [smoke] in the building,” said Joyce Williams, who works at N&W Cleaners nearby. “That’s when I went in and called 911.” Williams Locally based startups fight the War of Tomorrow said the truck driver attempted to control the blaze with a small fire extinguisher and when that didn’t work, tried using bottled water. Fun2boat.com, Boatyard. are taught in private class- Lake City Fire Department first responders were on scene quickly and put the fire out. The cause of the fire wasn’t clear. com and Boatsetter.com rooms today. Embry-Riddle are getting ready to launch this fall became the first in their own variations on the the country to offer post planes to mini helicopters the health department were going to the school to the Exotic Pet Amnesty concept. graduate education in this less than 2 feet across — to to sanitize Manatee Bay pick their children up. Day on Saturday in Coral These companies make field. play a role in the civilian Elementary. Springs. Pet owners can it possible for boat own- “We’re trying to prepare world. Students at the school drop off their exotic rep- ers to rent out their boats our students so they’re in Weston have reported Amnesty day tiles, amphibians, birds, when they aren’t using ready to operate at the symptoms including vomit- for exotic pets fish, mammals and inver- them — for many peo- highest levels,” said Dan School sanitized ing, diarrhea and fever. tebrates at the event free ple that’s a considerable Macchiarella, department as dozens fall ill The principal sent a let- CORAL SPRINGS — of charge. Domestic pets chunk of time. There are chair of aeronautical sci- ter to parents urging them Instead of releasing exotic — such as cats and dogs 12.2 million boats regis- ences at Embry-Riddle. WESTON — Cleaning to keep any sick kids home pets into the wild, owners — are not accepted. tered in the United States, But as with so many crews are at work at a South and encourage their chil- can surrender their nonna- Penalties for not hav- yet the average boat gets things that begin with a Florida elementary school dren to wash their hands tive animals at an event in ing the proper license to used just 26 days a year, military purpose, these where dozens of students frequently. Broward County. have the exotic animal will according to boating unmanned vehicles are have fallen ill. Parents told the station The Florida Fish and also be waived. It is illegal industry statistics. coming in all shapes and WFOR-TV reports clean- between 200 and 300 kids Wildlife Conservation to release any animal not sizes — from full-sized up crews are working with had gotten sick and some Commission is holding native to Florida. n Associated Press
Celebrity Birthdays PEOPLE IN THE NEWS n Actress Laura Vandervoort n Operatic tenor Andrea (‘Ted’) is 28. Bocelli is 54. n Actress Catherine n Singer Debby Boone ('You Oxenberg (‘Dynasty’) is 51. Light up my Life') is 56. Esquire Network seeks niche for men n St. Louis Cardinals switch- n Rocker David Coverdale of hitter Vince Coleman is 51. Deep Purple is 61. n Scott Baio (‘Happy Days,’ n Actor Paul Lemat LOS ANGELES — It’s standing ‘Joanie Loves Chachi’) is 52. (‘American Graffiti’) is 67. room only inside The Gorbals. The n Rocker Joan Jett of the n Baseball manager Tommy hip downtown Los Angeles eatery is Blackhearts is 54. Lasorda is 85 filled to the brim with loud lookie- loos who’ve gathered to sip free-flow- ing beer and wine while watching a Daily Scripture pair of professional chefs sizzle their way through a new televised cook- ing competition called “Knife Fight,” Master, which is the great command- the first series debuting on the new ment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Esquire Network. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God The boisterous room is momentari- ly interrupted by Drew Barrymore. with all thy heart, and with all thy Yes, that Drew Barrymore, the Drew soul, and with all thy mind. This is Barrymore from the films “E.T.” the first and great commandment. and “Never Been Kissed.” She’s one of the show’s executive producers — Matthew 22:36-38 and is serving as a guest judge for tonight’s battle. Without any provo- cation, Barrymore suddenly hoists herself atop a table and screams at AMANDA WILLIAMSON/Lake City Reporter the top of her lungs. Lake City Reporter How“ to reacH us Nutcracker auditions “I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO Main number . . . . .(386) 752-1293 BusINess JUDGE A (EXPLETIVE) COOKING Local ballerinas audition at Florida Gateway College’s Levy Performing Arts Center Fax number ...... 752-9400 Controller Sue Brannon . . .754-0419 SHOW!” on Saturday for the December performance of The Nutcracker by Dance Alive Circulation ...... 755-5445 ([email protected]) The crowd roars. The chefs keep Online . . . www lakecityreporter. com. National Ballet of Gainesville. The performance required 30-40 local dancers. From cIrcuLatIoN The Lake City Reporter, an affiliate of working on their improvised dishes. Lake City Reporter Yep, this is not one of those by-the- right to left: Eliana Duarte, Abigail Schuler and Natalie Duarte. Back row: (from Community Newspapers Inc., is pub- Home delivery of the” right) Kaylin Tate, Erinn White and Sarah Simpson. lished Tuesday through Friday and should be completed by 6:30 a.m. books cook-offs like “Chopped” or Sunday at 180 E. Duval St., Lake City, Tuesday through Friday, and by 7:30 “Top Chef,” and it certainly doesn’t Fla. 32055. Periodical postage paid at a.m. on Sunday. Lake City, Fla. Member Audit Bureau of 386-755-5445 feel like the sort of series that would Donatella also puts a lot of effort Please call to report any Circulation and The Associated Press. problems with your delivery service. launch a channel inspired by — and ‘Urban luxury’ for next in the materials. She continues the named after — the slicker-than-slick All material herein is property of the Lake In Columbia County, customers should summer from Versace techno research started by her late City Reporter. Reproduction in whole or call before 10:30 a.m. to report a ser- Hearst men’s magazine. That’s the brother Gianni who was the first in part is forbidden without the permis- vice error for same day re-delivery. After sion of the publisher. U.S. Postal Service point, programming director Matt MILAN — Donatella Versace 10:30 a.m., next day re-delivery or ser- Italian designer to use chain metal, No. 310-880. Hanna notes in a nearby ballroom mixes street wear with sophisticated vice related credits will be issued. now one of the label’s trademarks. POSTMASTER: Send address changes styles for her new summer col- In all other counties where home delivery serving as a makeshift control room. to Lake City Reporter, P.O. Box 1709, is available, next day re-delivery or ser- “There’s an integrity that you’re lection, dubbing the flashy result Lake City, Fla. 32056. vice related credits will be issued. gonna see with this show that will “urban luxury.” Bono joins world leaders Publisher Todd Wilson . . . .754-0418 Circulation ...... 755-5445 hopefully reflect what we want the Tough harness tops are paired ([email protected]) with demure flared skirts, denim at Global Citizen Fest ([email protected]) network to be,” Hanna said over the News Home delivery rates clamor from the restaurant next door. jackets are worn over a delicate NEW YORK — U2 frontman Bono Editor Robert Bridges . . . .754-0428 (Tuesday -Friday and Sunday) “Whether I’m talking about a great floral sheath, and a chiffon dress and a long list of world leaders will ([email protected]) 12 Weeks...... $26.32 is held together by fetching metal 24 Weeks...... $48.79 comedian, restaurant or TV show, attend next week’s Global Citizen it all comes down to honesty, and hooks. aDVertIsING ...... 752-1293 52 Weeks...... $83.46 Festival to help fight poverty. ([email protected]) Rates include 7% sales tax. there’s something really honest here. “When you talk about luxury Mail rates everybody thinks of evening gowns, United Nations Secretary General We’re hoping to defy expectations.” Ban Ki-moon, leaders from several 12 Weeks...... $41.40 The network kicks off Monday with but it’s also about basic items like a cLassIFIeD 24 Weeks...... $82.80 pair of jeans, a shirt or a T-shirt,” the countries and congressional mem- To place a classified ad, call 755-5440 52 Weeks...... $179.40 a two-hour 80th anniversary retro- bers will join Stevie Wonder, Kings spective about the network’s name- designer said ahead of Friday night’s show in the courtyard of the Versace of Leon, Alicia Keys and John Mayer sake narrated by “Mad Men” star John at the free concert Sept. 28 in New Slattery. “Knife Fight,” which is hosted palazzo in downtown Milan. CORRECTION On hand to take in the new look York’s Central Park. The concert by The Gorbals owner and second sea- coincides with the U.N. General son “Top Chef” champ Ilan Hall, and a was teenage idol Selena Gomez, a The Lake City Reporter corrects errors of fact in news U.S. pop singer and actress best Assembly. Fans earn free tickets for docu-series about Scottish beer aficio- volunteering to help end poverty. items. If you have a concern, question or suggestion, nados James Watt and Martin Dickie known for her role in the TV series please call the executive editor. Corrections and clarifica- titled “Brew Dogs” debut Tuesday. “Wizards of Waverly Place.” n Associated Press tions will run in this space. And thanks for reading. 3A
Page Editor: Robert Bridges, 754-0428 LAKE CITY REPORTER LOCAL SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2013 3A Teen gives to others for his birthday By AMANDA WILLIAMSON friends to either contribute [email protected] time or money to the cause. At Valentine’s Day, they dis- For Skyler Colley’s four- tributed candy to two local teenth birthday, he didn’t ask nursing homes. He wants to for video games, electronics raise enough gifts to be able to or any other normal present donate to both for his birthday for a boy his age. this year. Instead, he asked for slip- Though school has kept pers, robes and shirts to Skyler busy, he tries to visit the donate to the local nursing nursing home when he can. homes. He wanted his friends He said many of the residents to bring toy trucks, baby dolls, at Avalon do not have anyone princess tiaras and action fig- visit them. He recently met a ures to give to the children at man at the nursing home who Shands Lake Shore Regional has eight children, but none Medical Center. of them come. These are the Last year, Skyler raised men and woman Skyler wants enough presents through his to help. Many of the people own birthday party to give Skyler visits struggle to get to 90 people at the Avalon basic items, such as shirts and Healthcare and Rehab Nursing socks. Home and the children’s divi- “I’m just proud of him,” said sion at the medical center. Chris Colley, Skyler’s dad. “As soon as I got outside, I “He’s a good kid. What my told my parents I wanted to do conscious doesn’t cover, he it again next year,” Skyler said. helps me out.” “I want to get more people Recently, he lost his grand- to say, ‘Hey, I want to do this ma Mary Arnold and grandpa too.’” Al Arnold. The 14-year-old AMANDA WILLIAMSON/Lake City Reporter Already Skyler has recruit- said he took it hard when they Skyler Colley shows his friend Marcus Blalock a shirt he plans to donate to a local nursing home during his birthday ed his church, Parkview party Saturday at the Lake City Country Club. For two years, Skyler has used his birthday as a way to raise presents Baptist, and several of his GIFTS continued on 7A for people at local nursing homes and children at Shands Lake Shore Regional Medical Center.
DISPATCH: County officials say city sends ‘mixed messages’ about its plans Continued From Page 1A or another,” Kraus said. to Columbia County Fire left Kraus in bureaucratic location and details pertain- nication center was not body has one,” Kraus said. “That’s why we made it Rescue Chief David Boozer limbo. ing to any emergency call. achieved.” “We worked with Alachua clear to the board we’re in which he accused county “We don’t know what “We believed they want- Brazil explained that to assist us in designing going to be prepared either fire stations of, “[Picking they’re going to do come ed [the backup PSAP] so 9-1-1 staff was capable of this.” way. The last correspon- and choosing] the single Oct. 1,” Kraus said. “I have they could get ANI/ALI,” operating the backup PSAP Kraus and Brazil both dance we had is that [Sept. alarm calls that they feel no idea.” Kraus said. “When the call station through the use of claim that problems hold- 4] letter from the mayor to that they want to respond According to Witt’s letter comes up on a screen, it microwave transmissions, ing back the implementa- [county commission chair- to.” to county commissioners, gives you all the data on meaning they wouldn’t nec- tion of a truly combined man] Steven Bailey saying “Prior to all of this, the the city felt there should the call. Right now their essarily have to staff the dispatch center were politi- they want to leave things city and the county had an be “no imminent changes” police department does not backup PSAP at all. cal, not technical. the way they are.” automatic aid agreement,” due to several projects in receive that information.” “We explained to them “The county has the abil- On Sept. 4, Mayor Director of the Combined the works, including the Currently, only county that because the way the ity and resources to pro- Stephen Witt sent a letter Communication Center county’s ISO-inspired officials have access to the system is set up,” Brazil vide combined communica- on behalf of the city coun- Tom Brazil said during an upgrades and the replace- system because they oper- said, “Unless we physically tion. Period,” Kraus said. cil detailing what course interview Friday. ment of the city’s Florida ate the primary PSAP, as lost this building, we can “We’re always open if the of action they plan to take “The county covered Highway Patrol tower on mandated by the Florida bring all the information and city would like to come to Oct.1. certain city addresses on US Highway 90. Legislature. run all the equipment at the the table and negotiate.” “It is the council’s posi- the west side of I-75. Now, “We’re in the middle of The city referred to that backup using microwaves Boozer also commented tion that there should be on Oct. 1, it will be city a transition process for the legislation in a letter to Dale and never have to leave that the 9-1-1 staff has a no imminent changes to fire. The city also covered Lake City Fire Department Williams, saying that “State this building. We can lose communications meeting city/county public safety parts of Five Points for the to handle their own dis- of Florida 9-1-1 guidelines the console in this room to every Tuesday. However, dispatch or fire protection county. That automatic aid patch with an Oct. 1 goal,” mandate the county 9-1-1 run our CAD, ANI/ALI, 9-1- according to him, city offi- service relationships at the is ending Oct. 1.” Johnson said Friday in an coordinator [the county] 1s—everything can be run cials “never show up.” present time,” Witt said in attempt to clarify the situ- ensure all stakeholders are from here running on the Regardless of what direc- his letter. “This viewpoint ‘MIXED MESSAGES’ ation. involved in the develop- equipment at the backup. tion county and city offi- is not only logical, but cer- Kraus and Brazil ment of countywide 9-1-1 We don’t physically have to cials take and despite ter- tainly the most reliable path Beyond that, little is said the Combined plans. In this instance, that be out there and physically mination of the automatic to the ‘short term’ safety clear, says Kraus. Communications Center does not appear to have put bodies in seats unless aid agreement, Boozer said interests of both Columbia “This is where we get the will be prepared for either occurred.” we physically lost this build- public safety will continue County and Lake City resi- mixed messages,” Kraus outcome. The city originally want- ing.” to be his primary concern. dents.” said. “Their words say one “We want to make it real ed the backup PSAP to be Kraus said Columbia “I emphasize to my guys Included with the let- thing, but what their staff clear so everyone under- located in their Public Safety County’s setup is not that if there’s a need, we’ll ter was a six-page posi- and people are telling us is stands,” Kraus said. “We, Building, where LCPD is unusual. respond,” Boozer said. tion statement explaining something different.” the county, will never do dispatched from currently. “This is the type of back- “County and city lines don’t the city’s existing areas of An email sent Tuesday anything to endanger the However, because it was up 99 percent of Florida has. matter. We’re tired of games. contention with the county from Lake City’s IT and lives of any citizen within “cheaper, faster and easier,” Alachua, Marion, every- It’s time for business.” in terms of combined dis- Communications Director Columbia County, which according to Kraus, the patch efforts. Zack Moss contained a is why we came up with backup PSAP was installed response to sheriff’s deputy a contingency plan. If for in the Columbia County CITY GRIEVANCES Billy Hall, who asked when some reason they’re not Detention Facility where city fire would be switching ready, you can’t just ignore a communications tower Common motifs in the to their own CAD [com- the call. If we can’t roll it capable of effectively com- position statement included puter assisted dispatch] to the city, we’ll continue municating between the concerns over fair repre- system. to simultaneously dispatch CCC and the backup PSAP sentation of all public safe- “This is in preparation city and county [fire ser- was already in place. ty participants in combined for October 1st,” Moss said. vices].” Johnson said that before dispatch efforts, business “We should be ready by the the backup PSAP was management practices, end of the week next week ANI/ALI, PSAP moved to CCFD, “the coun- financial details and the to run this and move over. ty manager communicated center’s goals and objec- We will be in contact when According to the min- in an [Oct. 2010] email tives. we are ready to do this.” utes of an Aug. 8 meeting to me ... that ‘when the Such sentiment dates Kraus also said Chief between city/county public city/county have resolved back to a March 19 let- Armijo stopped by earlier safety and 911 staff, the city their differences, all still ter Johnson sent to Kraus last week to give the dis- offered to not make any maintain the backup PSAP explaining that, “It does not patch center a new “ring changes to fire dispatch on ‘should/will’ be placed at appear favorable for the city down” phone number so two conditions: the city’s Public Safety to plan for continued partic- the county could bounce “1) The backup PSAP Building.’” ipation with the Columbia calls to the city’s dispatch [Public Safety Answering He also decried the back- County CCC [combined center. Point] needs to be moved up PSAP for being a “cold” communications center].” “[Armijo and Moss] said to the City Public Safety operating site, meaning In that letter Johnson they’re ready,” Kraus said. Building; there was no one staffing stated, “Stakeholder col- “They came over last week 2) ANI/ALI [Automated it on a regular basis. laboration, the governance and gave us a new number Number Identifier/ In response to Johnson’s model and SOPs [standard to roll over calls to.” Automated Location concerns, Williams wrote “WE ARE WOMEN, WE ARE MOTHERS, WE UNDERSTAND” operating procedures] were But Mayor Witt’s call Identifier] is provided to on June 4, “I found your among our principal con- for “no imminent changes the City.” letter to be insightful; how- cerns — concerns which to the City/County pub- ANI/ALI is a computer ever, I do not agree with simply fell on deaf ears.” lic safety dispatch or fire system that allows public many of your comments. LCFD Fire Chief Frank protection service relation- safety personnel in the field Regardless, I regret that Armijo sent another letter ships at the present time” to see the caller identity, a true combined commu-
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Sunday, September 22, 2013 www.lakecityreporter.com 4A OUR OPINION CSC erred in refusing USDA food early a year ago Christian Service Center, a local faith-based charity, cut ties with the United States Department of Agriculture over what it saw as a matter of religious Nprinciple. Based on information revealed in two recent stories in this newspaper, however, it is clear this conflict could have been easily resolved without compromise of Christian beliefs. Religious principles were not at stake here. This was a conflict borne of poor commu- nication, as well as custom and habit. Two issues drove the conflict. First, CSC says they were told that in order to keep receiving government food, they would have to remove from their premises any reference to their faith. USDA flatly denies this. Whatever CSC may or may not have been told, Memories live on thanks to there is no requirement that faith-based charities remove references to Jesus, God or the power of prayer from their premises. And no other faith-based my dusted-off LP collection agency in the area reports having been so instructed. This is a conflict that stemmed from poor commu- nication, not differences in political or religious views. y daughter, a high- wanted to get me off “If You Leave Were CSC forced to choose between government school senior, just Me Now.”) handouts and profession of their faith, we would cer- told me to turn After breaking up with my col- tainly join their voices in strong protest. down the music lege boyfriend from Kentucky -- yes, Second, there was conflict between USDA and CSC because she is there’s a pattern -- I played “New Mstudying. Orleans Ladies” by the little-known over the order in which events occur once a client enters the premises seeking help. Really. Louisiana’s LeRoux, a group he had While USDA rules are, in the words of a spokes- The music is from the 1984 introduced me to, so many times woman, “fairly vague,” our research revealed that, in Go-Go’s album, “Talk Show.” The Betsy Hart that the girls on my dorm floor liter- order to qualify for federal help, faith-based agencies track? “Head Over Heels.” betsysblog.com ally staged an intervention to make must offer aid before asking clients to engage in reli- You see, I just dug into my vinyl- me stop. Yep, I still have the album, gious activities such as prayer. LP collection for the first time in Born.” I was 13 when this came hard to find even at the time. That’s not how CSC does it. about two decades. From the mid- out, and I remember playing the Fleetwood Mac, The Police, If praying first were a matter of conscience for CSC, ’90s on, as LPs became so “unhip,” soundtrack countless, countless The Doobie Brothers, Earth Wind we would not question it. It is not the place of any the collection -- built mostly in my times and having to convince my & Fire, James Taylor, Gordon newspaper to offer comment on anyone’s principles of teens -- was stored away in my father that half-naked people on Lightfoot (featured with a lit ciga- faith. home in Virginia. It made the trek the cover (Barbra Streisand and rette, no less, on the cover of his to the Chicago suburbs in 2004, Kris Kristofferson) were not reflec- album “Sundown”), Jefferson However, that just isn’t the case here. where it just sat gathering dust. tive of moral decay. Of course, that Starship, Elton John, Eric Clapton, When asked if they would be willing to provide aid, Somehow I never bothered to con- case was harder to make with Rod Bruce Springsteen, Boz Scaggs, then offer religious counseling afterward – which nect the collection with a turntable I Stewart and “Tonight’s the Night Styx, Genesis. Even England Dan & is also the example Jesus set in the New Testament had in the attic. (Gonna Be Alright),” which came John Ford Coley. The list goes on – CSC Executive Director Kay Daly seemed to sug- Well, upon my move to a new out about the same time. That one and on. gest the current routine was a matter of custom and home with a new husband, I my dad just shut off when he heard The ‘70s and ‘80s live. habit – not faith. thought: Now what? What do I do it. And they will live, in my new liv- After clients are processed and given aid, “there’s with almost 150 LPs that came to Then there are the albums ing room, connected at last with never been a time to be quiet to pray with them,” she me through the record-of-the-month “Help!” and “A Hard Day’s Night.” that turntable. There I can give said. club, or special gifts, or were care- When I was in junior high and my them a spin, and my kids can tell We find that a remarkable admission. Surely CSC fully bought with baby-sitting and parents were heading to England, I me to keep it down -- just like my could have altered its routine if it meant filling more birthday money? A prized collection asked them to bring me real Beatles parents used to. empty bellies. that traveled with me through junior albums from real England. They So thanks, Facebook friends, for The food that didn’t go to CSC wasn’t lost. high and high school, to college, did. Priceless. suggesting that my LP collection According to USDA, every bit of it went to other and beyond? Ahh, I remember REO be allowed to live again. And yes, agencies in Florida Gateway Food Bank’s four-county I finally posed the question on Speedwagon and “You Can Tune a darling daughter. Each album plays coverage area. In addition, CSC says local churches Facebook, looking for input from Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish.” far more than just one track. In and others have multiplied their efforts to make up friends of my generation there. Before Google, I needed the jacket fact, I’ll tell you something I didn’t the deficit at that agency. That same daughter, by the way, for the words to “Time For Me To know when I was your age: They All well and good. Still, the need here remains far seeing the question on Facebook, Fly” so I could write them out, in also play memories, and pictures, greater than available resources. asked: “So, Mom. How does it longhand, in a breakup letter to my and histories. You and your friends The CSC board of directors should have ended this work? Does every one of those high-school boyfriend. There’s also may be proud of your iTunes collec- costly impasse long ago, and been willing to change things have just one song or what?” the “Chicago X” album with the hit tions -- and, in a sense, those iTunes the agency’s timeworn routine, if need be, so that Really. song, “If You Leave Me Now.” In libraries are more “valuable.” But more of our neighbors could eat. I looked for suggestions of what the wake of that breakup, I literally I’m convinced that downloading to do with my collection because called WKQX radio in Chicago so something with a few keystrokes it is priceless to me, yet seemingly many times to request the song that can’t match what I, and so many useless, all at once. But as I really the call screener eventually would people of my generation, built with Lake City Reporter sifted through it for the first time in just ask, “Is this Betsy?” our prized album collections: The many years, handling those albums Um, yeah. stories of a lifetime. one by one, I realized something I still have “You Had to Be Serving Columbia County Since 1874 new that makes the collection even There,” a collection by Jimmy more special to me: Every album Buffett, which I won while in high The Lake City Reporter is published with pride tells a story. school by being the right-numbered ■ Betsy Hart hosts the “It Takes a for residents of Columbia and surrounding coun‑ There’s the soundtrack to the caller to my good friends at WKQX. Parent” radio show on WYLL-AM 1160 ties by Community Newspapers Inc. remake of the movie “A Star is (In retrospect, maybe they just in Chicago. We believe strong newspapers build strong communities —‑“Newspapers get things done!” Our primary goal is to publish distinguished and profitable community‑oriented newspapers. This mission will be accomplished through the France bans child beauty pageants teamwork of professionals dedicated to truth, integrity and hard work. anned by fears that their Boo Boo” and “Toddlers & Tiaras.” sex-obsessed society is Video clips of pageant perfor- producing “hypersexual” mances by 6-year-old JonBenet Todd Wilson, Publisher young girls, the French Ramsey went viral worldwide imme- Robert Bridges, Editor Senate has voted to ban diately after her 1996 murder in Fadults from entering a child under Boulder, Colo. Controller Sue Brannon, age 16 into a beauty pageant. But crossing the line on child sex- The measure, approved in Paris uality has long been a controversy Dink NeSmith, President Chairman Wednesday on a 197-146 vote, would Dale McFeatters for both countries. Tom Wood, set criminal penalties of two years in [email protected] French film director Louis Malle prison and 30,000 euros -- roughly produced the American-underwrit- $40,500 -- in fines in an effort to pro- ten 1978 film “Pretty Baby,” which tect girls from becoming sexualized Vogue magazine photo display that detailed the life of a New Orleans LETTERS POLICY too early. The measure next goes to showed 10-year-old model Thylane child prostitute played by 12-year- the National Assembly for further old actress Brooke Shields, who Letters to the Editor should be typed or neatly writ‑ Léna-Rose Blondeau striking a debate. sultry pose while lying in bed and appeared nude in the film. ten and double spaced. Letters should not exceed 400 The bill was written by conser- dressed in slinky adult clothing. The most common reaction words and will be edited for length and libel. Letters vative French lawmaker Chantal Lawmakers also complained that this week by Americans who’ve must be signed and include the writer’s name, address Jouanno, who said the “hyper- some French girls were reporting posted comments on Twitter and and telephone number for verification. Writers can sexualization that touches chil- to public school wearing high heels, on blogs about the proposed ban have two letters per month published. Letters and dren between 6 and 12 years old” padded bras and makeup. on child beauty pageants has strikes at the foundation of French Although many of the loudest been to tell French lawmakers: guest columns are the opinion of the writers and not equal rights laws. The ban was an critics of the Vogue photo shoot “Merci.” necessarily that of the Lake City Reporter. amendment to broader legislation came from our side of the Atlantic, BY MAIL: Letters, P.O. Box 1709, Lake City, FL intended to increase gender equal- the French Senate’s vote was widely 32056; or drop off at 180 E. Duval St. downtown. ity. seen there as anti-American. BY FAX: (386) 752‑9400. Jouanno was commissioned by Child beauty pageants have been the French health ministry in 2011 the stuff of a major U.S. movie – BY EMAIL: [email protected] to report on hypersexualization of “Little Miss Sunshine” – and reality ■ Dale McFeatters is editorial writer children following outrage at a Paris TV shows like “Here Comes Honey for Scripps Howard News Service. 5A
Page Editor: Robert Bridges, 754-0428 LAKE CITY REPORTER LOCAL SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2013 5a
Photos by JASON MATTHEW WALKER/Lake City Reporter
Homecoming at Fort White High ABOVE LEFT: Fort White High School senior Rebecca Bailey (left), 18, receives her crown from 2012-13 Fort White Homecoming Queen Taylor Haddox after being named 2013-14 Fort White Homecoming Queen at halftime during Friday night’s football game against Chiles. ‘I’m honored, very honored,’ Bailey said. ‘I’m sur- prised they picked me. I’m already the student body president.’ ABOVE: Homecoming Queen Rebecca Bailey and King Braden King pose for a photograph. LEFT: Rebecca Bailey (from left) poses for a photograph with Homecoming Queen nominees Amanda Kasaed, Khadijah Ingram, Kaemeli Gutierrez and Ka’Shanique Cook.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR LIKE A Sept. 23 Restaurant, beginning at priority. Please contact riDe rocKSTAr exactly 6:00 pm, with the Tandy Carter at 386-719- SVTA board meeting renowned guest speaker 9706. Alcoholic beverag- The Board of Directors KrisAnne Hall, author of es are a separate, individ- of the Suwannee Valley the book, “Reclaiming ual cost. Transit Authority meets Our Constitution,” and the Monday, Sept. 23 at 6 DVDseries, “The Roots Women’s Bible study p.m. at the Suwannee of Liberty: The Historic A women’s Bible study Valley Transit Authority Foundations of the Bill of class will be held each HQ Building, 1097 Voyles Rights.” Ms. Hall tours the Monday at 9:30 a.m. at St., SW, Live Oak. The country giving lectures on the Class Extension of meeting is open to the the American Constitution. Our Redeemer Lutheran public. The public is invited to Church, 436 SW McFarlane attend this very informa- Ave. All denominations are Lake City SAR meeting tive presentation. The cost welcome. For more infor- The Sons of the American is $18, which includes a mation, call Esther at (386) Revolution, Lake City buffet meal. Seating is 752-9909. Chapter will be meeting at limited, with SAR and the Guang-Dong Chinese DAR members having OBITUARIES
Jessie Lee Feagle and Margaret McCarthy. morning on S.R. 121 near La- In 1946 he joined the Mer- crosse. He was born in Jackson- Jessie Lee Feagle 29 of Lake city chant Marines until the end ville, but lived most of his life in ŢŢŢ ŢŢŢŢŢŢ ŢŢŢŢ@Ţ Ţ passed away September 15, 2013 of World War II in 1947. Gainesville. He graduated from at Bradford Terrace Nursing In 1951 he Santa Fe High School and was home following a lengthy illness. joined the a student at Santa Fe Junior Col- Jessie was a lifelong resi- Army and lege in the welding program. He dent of Lake City. In his spare spent 2 years FOR MORE INFO & REsERvatIONs call: in Korea attended the Advent Christian time he loved drawing, racing Church of Lulu. He was pre- The Players COaCh and hanging out with friends. until 1953. He is pre- ceded in death by his maternal aT 800.990.2577 $1,000 Jessie never met a stranger grandmother, Jan Thrower. $ and was of the Baptist faith. deceased by free play Jessie was preceded in death by his parents, He is survived by his parents, 35 his mother Mary Lou Feagle. 2 brothers, Eu- Geoffrey and Cindy Thrower daily He is survived by his twin sis- gene and Thom- Gillen of Gainesville; his sister, ROUND TRIP ter Mekayla Morrison Ford as, 3 sisters, Kristen Smith and her husband dRawing! (Robert) Sherry Harrington Teresa, Marga- John; nephew Isaac Smith of TRANSPORTATION (David), Lorraine Feagle, ret and Nancy. Gainesville; his paternal grand- Brandi Miller (Jimmy), Kaitlin He was a wonderful hus- parents, Roland and Betty Gillen band, Father, Grandfather of Lulu; his maternal grandfa- ...... Morrison and Catelin Moore. & Great Grandfather. He Brothers Howie and Har- so loved his grandchildren. ther, Al Thrower of Keystone vey Feagle, Dustin Morrison He is survived by his wife of 57 Heights. (Jessica), Michael Morrison, years Kathleen (Lynch) McCar- Funeral services will be held Fri- Service from vALDoSTA / LAKe ciTY / GAiNeSviLLe P.J., Justin and BoBo Moore. thy. They had 4 children, John day, Sept. 27, 2013 at 11 a.m. in He is also survived by his (Jack) McCarthy (Kim) of Fort. the Advent Christian Church of Tuesdays & saTuRdays custodial parents Robert and White, Michael McCarthy (Bar- Lulu with Rev. Butch Nelson Tina Morrison and Paul and bara) of Oakridge, NJ, Diane Mc- officiating. Burial will follow at Carol Moore who he also Carthy Lee, thirteen grandchil- another date. T.J. MAXX lAke CiTy MAll MCdonAld’s considered Mom and Dad. dren and four great grandchildren. Visitation will be held at the Ar- Nephews: Wendell, Ethan and John’s daughter Kathleen cher Funeral Home in Lake But- VAldosTA, GA lAke CiTy GAinesVille Blake, Nieces: Kayleigh, Bryn- Bishop passed away seven ler Thursday evening from 6 to 1200 N. Saint 2469 W. 6003 W. Newberry Rd. sleigh and Taylor. Numerous days after in Tallahassee, FL. Aunts, Uncles and other rela- 8 p.m. Augustine Rd., #A US Hwy. 90 Services will be held on Satur- Archer Funeral Home, 386-496- tives and friends also survive. day, September 28th at 11:00 am 2008, is in charge of arrange- A memorial service celebrat- at the Epiphany Catholic Church 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM ing Jessie’s life will be Sun- with Father Michael Pender- ments. day, September 22, 2013 at graff officiating. Interment will Please sign the guestbook at ar- 2 pm at the hopeful Bap- follow on Monday, September cherfuneralhome.com tist Church, East Campus. 30th at 12:30 pm at the Jack- *"5/035)03*&/530"%t30$,t4&.*/0-&)"3%30$,5".1"$0. sonville Veterans Memorial. John W. McCarthy, Sr. See Player’s Club for complete details. Must be at least 21 years old and a Seminole Player’s Club member to participate. Valid ID required. Management Scott Anderson Gillen reserves all rights. Offers are non-negotiable, non-transferable and must be redeemed in person at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. Offer John W. (Jack) McCarthy, Sr is for the slot and gaming machine of your choice, not valid for live Poker or Table Games. No cash value. Persons who have been trespassed or banned by Obituaries are paid advertise- the Seminole Tribe of Florida or those who have opted into the self-exclusion program are not eligible. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, passed away suddenly on Au- please call 1.888.ADMIT.IT. © 2013 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. All rights reserved. gust 5th in Tallahassee, FL. Scott Anderson Gillen, 27, of ments. For details, call the Lake GAMBLE Born January 4, 1930 in Gainesville died suddenly from City Reporter’s classified depart- W I T H C A R E Jersey City, NJ to Eugene a motorcycle accident Friday ment at 752-1293. 6A
6a LAKE CITY REPORTER LOCAL SUNday, SEPTEMBER 22, 2013 Page Editor: Robert Bridges, 754-0428 For young genius, tests are ‘easy peasy as pie’
By STEVEN RICHMOND [email protected]
A walk inside six-year-old Katelyn Goff’s bedroom reveals the typical trappings of a first- grade girl: Disney princess mem- orabilia, stuffed animals, legos, a tiara and other pink personal affects. But little Katie Goff is a card- carrying member of Mensa, a high-IQ society that requires its members pass an intelligence test as part of the membership process. “We knew she was very bright for a while,” her mother Jamie Simpson said. “She’s always been read to and just picked it up on her own. She didn’t need to sound it out or anything, she just did it.” Katelyn was given the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test and Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales when she was a five-year- old kindergarten student at Summers Elementary. Descriptors such as “very superior,” “gifted,” and “excep- tional” were used by the school’s psychologist Lance O. Hastings to describe her cognitive abili- ties. “Katelyn presents the profile of a very friendly and mature child for her age,” Hastings said in his psychological report, just inches below her 99th percentile rank- ings in Verbal Intelligence and Composite Intelligence scores. JASON MATTHEW WALKER/Lake City Reporter “Every parent likes to think Six-year-old Mensa member Katelyn Goff finds the value of “x” while completing algebra problems as parents Don Goff and Jamie Simpson look on. they’re child is special and “Every parent likes to think they’re child is special and bright,” Don Goff said. “But now we can say ‘Ha, told you so.’” bright,” Katelyn’s father Don Goff said. “But now we can say ‘ha, told you so.’ They said her When asked how challenging her mind. She’s a fan of Brussels tions. “I had a dream the day before verbal IQ was four points beyond her aptitude test was, she cheer- sprouts and broccoli covered in “I would’ve never believed I’d yesterday,” Katelyn said, “That I the chart.” fully replied, “Easy peasy as pie.” lemon juice. have a child doing algebra at six,” took FCAT in the first grade.” Katelyn’s mental aptitude is Her favorite book is Goodnight During her interview with the Goff said. “How did you do,” her mother evident in how she communi- Moon, a bedtime story she enjoys Reporter, Katelyn and her mom Katelyn’s parents say they’re asked. cates with others and the way so much that she memorized the ran through a series of small worried about boredom affecting “I scored 16 hundred thousand she responds to questions. She entire story aa a one-year-old, mental tests, such as naming the their daughter’s performance in points,” she replied. chooses her words thoughtfully, according to her mother. chemical symbols for various ele- school. They said they plan to Given her track record thus carefully pronouncing each syl- “It makes me want to go to ments (including Beryllium and meet with her curriculum coun- far, a score like that doesn’t seem lable as if she were building a sleep,” Katelyn said. Potassium) and performing sim- selor on Tuesday to give her unlikely. house of cards. Her palette is as mature as ple single-variable algebra equa- more challenging work.
PIG: Good eatin’ at the Columbia County Fairgrounds for 5th annual event Continued From Page 1A
Ripple to return to Lake ribs and then cleaned the any of the food by about 2 “It’s a great crowd,” BBQ competed in all four resident Martin Munoz, City from his out-of-town edges of the Styrofoam p.m., she planned to taste a Rentz said. “I can’t wait for categories. Saturday was his first time job, Sarah Ripple let her box with Q-Tips and nap- couple of nearby competing next year.” The group plans to at the Smokin’ Pig. He had son Charlie play on the kins. teams, especially a smaller Budmeisters and come back next year. just arrived at the festival bounce houses and earn “It has to be spotless, grill set-up from Alachua. Fenced-In BBQ had some “We’re excited to com- and was excited to try the prizes at miniature golf. uniform and look good,” “The smaller ones are local competition from the pete at such a high level,” food. Already Munoz was Charlie, 3, putted the golf Henry said. “It’s very probably better,” she said. Lake City Fire Department Austin Thomas said. standing in a long line balls into the hole several serious ... but we all have “I haven’t tried it yet, but it cook team, Black Helmet “We barbecue at the fire extending from one of the times, winning gum and a a good time. Most of the smells good.” BBQ. Four firefighters department all the time. barbecue booths. Slinky. competition teams are just Wellborn-based Fenced- joined together to cook The others always tell us “I’ve been saving myself “You can’t go wrong like a big family. Ninety In BBQ had a long line in at the Smokin’ Pig for the how good it is.” all day for these ribs,” he with bouncy houses and percent of us know each front of its booth, as staff first time. Black Helmet For Columbia County said. barbecue,” Sarah Ripple other.” handed out Boston butt said. Lake City residents and sandwiches and rib slabs. Lake City local visitors from out of town Owner Lawrence Rentz Thomas Henry leads milled about the spacious said the ribs were his the Budmeisters, who festival. Kids ducked into bestseller. Even though If you worked in the competed again this year the bounce houses, disap- he cooked about 320 in all four categories. At pearing from view until pounds of food Saturday, approximately 11:45 a.m. they plummeted down the he expected to run out by on Saturday, Henry was exit slide. Adults exam- 3 p.m. He started cook- prepping his ribs box for ined jewelry, bird houses, ing the food at 1 a.m., so Maintenance Dept. the judges. Though he was clothes, purses and more. it had time to sit for six expected to turn in at least Though local Sylvia hours. Rentz likes to cook 8 ribs, he plated 10 large Pepper hadn’t sampled it “low and slow,” he said. for the CPA graduation set for Monday By AMANDA WILLIAMSON The men and women speakers, case studies, a FL Department of [email protected] graduating will have com- mock trial and field trips. pleted classes in criminal For more information on The Lake City Police investigations, criminal law, the course or to enroll for Department will graduate firearm safety, community the next session in January students from its second relations, crime prevention, 2014, call the LCPD Transportation session of the Citizens internal affairs and more. Community Relations Unit Police Academy on Monday The academy includes at 386-719-5742. at the First Baptist Church of Lake City. The Citizens Police in Lake City, FL during Academy is a 12-week course held on Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The program is offered twice a year to citizens who Open 5 Days A Week the 1960’s-1980’s wish to participate and can Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm pass a background screen- ing. LCPD hopes to edu- • Primary Care cate citizens on the role of the police department by • Cardiology Please contact using the free, hands on, interactive program. • Acupuncture Moise Anglade, M.D. “I feel that it is important Michel G. Vandormael, M.D. to have citizen-police inter- • Stress Mgt. Rodney Scyphers, ARNP-C Sandy Cline action and cooperation,” said Chief Argatha Gilmore • Massage Therapy in the press release. “One way to achieve this is through an exchange of toll free at ideas and education. The Citizens Police Academy is 208 Suwannee Ave., NW • Branford, FL an excellent tool in achiev- ing this. Congratulations (386) 935-1607 graduates!” Accepting Medicare, Medicaid and most other insurances. 1-800-994-1279. 7A
Page Editor: Robert Bridges, 754-0428 LAKE CITY REPORTER LOCAL SUNdAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2013 7A Empty chairs at VA honor POWs, MIAs endured the hardships of captivity. Those By AMANDA WILLIAMSON sacrifices for freedom must never be for- [email protected] gotten.” ix empty chairs surrounded a She continued by thanking the U.S. table set with black plates, a lit Merchant Marines, the United States candle and a service hat from Navy, the United States Marines, the each branch of the military dur- United States Coast Guard, the United ing the POW/MIA Recognition States Air Force and the United States DayS Ceremony at the Lake City VA Army. Medical Center Friday. As she listed each branch of military, Held on a yearly basis, the ceremony members of the Florida Youth Challenge remembers the men and women held Academy carried the caps to the table, hostage as prisoners of war or those placing them next to each plate, facing who went missing in the line of duty. the audience. According to Nicky Adams, assistant “American warriors of yesterday and chief of Voluntary Services, many of today have never failed to answer their America’s veterans made the ultimate nation’s call,” Watkins said. “Through sacrifice, a fact that the rest of the nation their selfless sacrifice they have brought should not forget. a concept most associated with American “It takes a community to remember,” ideals: Freedom. A precious word. A she said. “We can’t do it by ourselves. word with so many meanings to so many Each American needs to do his or her people.” part.” After all the branches had been hon- ored, Watkins pressed play on a portable Rows of community leaders and mili- AMANDA WILLIAMSON/Lake City Reporter tary veterans filled the auditorium at the CD player. A rendition of “Taps” filled Makaila Lestenkof, of the Florida Youth Challenge Academy based at Camp Blanding, carries the room. VA Medical Center. The Marine Corps a service hat for the United States Coast Guard during a Table Ceremony Friday at the Lake League donned their signature red and The Florida youth Challenge Academy students, the Marine Corps League and City VA Medical Center. The ceremony honored current prisoners of war and military mem- gold caps, while on the opposite side of bers missing in action on POW/MIA Recognition Day. the room members of the VFW and the the veterans spread throughout the audi- ence rose to their feet and saluted the Military Order Purple Heart Chapter 772 “POWs are my heroes,” Hernandez his face with a stool. empty table. A World War II veteran in watched the ceremony from the sidelines. stated in his letter. “I have known many Other POWs Hernandez honored in his the front row stood from his wheelchair, As the Table Ceremony progressed, of them. I have flown with many of them. letter were Bill Lawrence, who learned a bit wobbly and aided by fellow audience AmVets Chaplain Jerri Watkins described Some in my airwing, some in my squad- to read French while captured, and Sen. members. He too saluted his missing in detail what each aspect of the ceremo- ron. When I knew them before they were John McCain. McCain was offered to comrades. ny meant. The dinner table laden with shot down and captured, I saw them as leave camp due to his family connections, Guest speaker Marvin Lane of Chaplain plates, silverware and service hats is sym- typical naval aviators: Confident, self-con- but chose to stay a prisoner until all his Service read a letter from by his father- bolic of the POW/MIA spirit. It is round fident and perhaps a little cocky.” fellow comrades were released. It took in-law Vice Admiral Diego E. Hernandez, to show Americans’ everlasting concern But after they were shot down, each five years. father of Lake City VA ambassador for the missing comrades. The Bible rep- man became a beacon of hope to the “Can you imagine the courage and Dolores Lane. Hernandez was the first resents the strength gained through faith other captives against the brutal actions integrity it took to refuse an offer to be Hispanic to be named Vice Commander, to sustain those lost from our country, of their captors. The senior officer of released from hell?” Hernandez asked in North American Aerospace Defense founded as one nation under God. North Vietnamese prison camp, Jim his letter. “I have learned that families too Command. He flew two combat tours in “There are more than 88,000 warriors Stockdale, established the rules the other are affected deeply by war and they merit Vietnam. His military decorations and who are still unaccounted for from con- POWs were to follow, Hernandez contin- our support and our thanks for what they medals include: Silver Star, Purple Heart, flicts past, and still their family waits,” ued. To avoid being paraded in front of too have endured. To those of you in the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying She said. “Our work is not done. More anti-US journalists, Stockdale slashed his audience who have born the brunt of our Cross and more. than 140,000 Americans since WWI have scalp and disfigured himself by beating wars, I salute you.” 2 face fraud charges after traffic stop UNEMPLOYMENT Continued From Page 1A
By AMANDA WILLIAMSON senger door of the Chevrolet, smell- had a suspended driver’s license, but people in Columbia County’s labor force, 28,915 of [email protected] ing the strong odor of marijuana. denied any knowledge of the illegal which had jobs. An estimated 2,052 people were unem- Green marijuana residue was scat- items. ployed. Florida Highway Patrol Troopers tered across the rear floorboard, Hall is currently being held at the In July there was 30,932 people in the Columbia allegedly discovered six driver’s the report continued. Both Hall and Columbia County Detention Facility County labor force and 28,778 had jobs. There were an licenses, five social security cards, Robinson were detained. A thorough on a $192,000 bond, while Robinson estimated 2,154 who were not employed, accounting for seven credit cards, six checkbooks search of the vehicle revealed two is being held at CCFD on a $201,000 the 7.0 percent unemployment rate. and one passport in a car rented by a bundles held together by a rubber bond. In August 2012, Columbia County’s unemployment Fort Lauderdale man. band stored behind the rear passen- rate was 8.3 percent. According to an FHP arrest ger side quarter panel. The bundles Wynne said seasonal employment in occupations report, Ahmad Xavier Hall, 23, of contained a passport, six checkbooks such as agriculture, tourism and particularly educa- Fort Lauderdale, and Clifton Oneal and a woman’s wallet. The wallet Yoho votes to tion drive the employment numbers between July and Robinson, 23, also held several wom- September each year. of Fort Lauderdale, en’s driver’s licenses, defund ACA “It is very common to see this fluctuation each year,” face charges of lar- social security cards she said of the unemployment numbers. ceny, fraud for illegal and credit cards, the From staff reports Wynne also noted there are employment opportuni- use of credit cards, report stated. ties in other local fields of employment. fraud for imperson- According to WASHINGTON, DC–U.S. Rep Ted “We have positions available in the medical field with ation, and a moving the FHP report, it Yoho, R-Gainesville, said he voted to various employers, aviation opportunities and county, traffic violation. Hall appeared as if some- defund the Affordable Care Act, or state and private employment have numerous postings,” Hall was also arrested on Robinson one had been prac- Obamacare, because the law “contin- she said. “Of course those who are seeking employment, charges of marijuana possession and ticing signatures on the back of the ues to be disastrous for America.” as well as employers seeking staff can contact Florida drug equipment possession. checks. Lemery also said he noticed The House of Representatives on Crown Workforce Board staff at 386-755-9026 for assis- Trooper J.C. Lemery stopped that someone had been writing checks Friday passed a stopgap bill hat funds tance, or visit www.employflorida.com for the latest job Hall and Robinson in a rented 2013 to the other victims for amounts at the government until Dec. 15 and per- postings, labor market information and much more.” gray Chevrolet Impala as it headed and above $1,000. The report states manently defunds Obamacare. The Monroe County had the state’s lowest unemployment north on Interstate 75. As the vehicle that it is typical for people who look legislation keeps sequester-level cuts rate at 4.0 percent. slowed, Lemery watched the driv- similar to the victim to attempt to in place. The bill passed 230-189. The highest unemployment rate in the state was er, Robinson, switch seats with Hall cash illegally written checks. “Every fear of the phrase ‘we have Hendry County with 15.4 percent. before finally stopping, the report Hall and Robinson admitted to to pass it to see what is in it’ has been read. Lemery opened the rear pas- switching seats because Robinson realized,” Yoho said after the vote. New Camo for Women GIFTS: have “just arrived” Teen gives his birthday presents away By Continued From Page 3A Mens & Childrens Camo passed away, but they inspired him to Cook, decided to contribute to the a good job. help other people’s grandparents. cause after Skyler asked him to help. “I want to get more kids involved,” “He doesn’t like to blow his own Garrett and his mom donated socks, Helen Colley, Skyler’s mom, said. “I horn, but it’s not about him, you cream and other necessities. He also want them to understand how impor- Tumblers know,” Chris Colley said. “It’s about attends the nursing home with Skyler tant this is.” the people he is helping.” on occasion. One of Skyler’s friends, Garrett Garrett believes his friend is doing New Blue Color WILSON’S OUTFITTERS 1291 SE Baya Dr, Lake City • (386) 755-7060 [email protected]