A3 COLUMBIA COUNTY GRADUATES 2020FORT WHITE HIGH SCHOOL | COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL | BELMONT ACADEMY 2020 Graduates Special Section Inside A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF SATURDAY/SUNDAY, JUNE 13/14, 2020 | YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1874 | $2 WEEKEND EDITION Lake City Reporter LAKECITYREPORTER.COM >> Governor: TASTE SUNDAY + PLUS BUDDIES The Pay for ‘Simmer wrong players Down’ is OK 6B forum a spell Sean of the South Opinion/4A SEE 10A SEE 6B A monu- ment to Battle lines drawn for Monday Confederate By CARL MCKINNEY soldiers Civil War [email protected] stands in front of the The battle brewing nationwide over Confederate monuments in public places has courthouse reached Lake City. in downtown City officials on Monday may consider a Lake City. A marker request to relocate the Confederate monu- local resident ment near the county courthouse downtown seeks to have to either the Oak Lawn Cemetery, where it relocated Confederate soldiers from the Battle of Olustee to either the are buried, or the Olustee battlefield itself. cemetery Local resident Sylvester Warren is the man where the sparks petitioning the city to move the monument. soldiers are The goal, Warren said, is to put it in a place buried or the that will be acceptable to those on both sides of the debate over Confederate icons. battlefield where they MARKER continued on 3A died. conflict STAFF Sheriff, Cut LSHA others are tax rate to alone on zero, says ballot Fields set for races chairman as qualifying ends. Beil says board can get by By CARL MCKINNEY on reserves alone next year. [email protected] Columbia County Sheriff By CARL MCKINNEY Mark Hunter and several [email protected] other candidates for local The Lake Shore Hospital office are running unop- Authority, a government body posed, providing them a created by state law and tasked clear path to electoral vic- with providing medical care to tories. the community’s indigent, would The deadline for can- lower its property didates to qualify for the tax rate to zero ballot came COURTESY PHOTOS for the coming and went fiscal year under at noon a plan proposed Friday, Music maker Donald Johns dies at 64 by one official. setting up a Brandon Beil, number of Pioneering member of the chairman of the races with Travelers with cousin Skip. Beil LSHA board of only one trustees, wants Hunter contender. By CARL MCKINNEY the hospital authority to levy no Hunter [email protected] property taxes and instead oper- was first elected sheriff in ate on reserves for the next bud- From Seattle to Tokyo, free- 2008. He began his first get cycle, a move he says would four-year term in January lance musician Matt Johns has help struggling families impacted 2009, and has defended performed at some of the best by covid-19. the office every election concert halls in the world, all “My thing is with the amount since. equipped with high-end sound of reserves in the bank, I think it “I cannot thank you, systems set up by master-class would be beneficial for us,” Beil the citizens of Columbia technicians. said. “I think it’ll be temporary County, enough for your None of them sounded as relief — everyone’s been hit pret- continued support of me as good as what his father could ty hard with the coronavirus and your sheriff,” Hunter said. do. Donald Johns was a talented job losses, and unemployment in “I would also like to thank musician, but his true gift to the TOP: Donald Johns, second from right, meets comedian Jerry Columbia County is higher than it the men and women of the world, family members say, was Clower during a 1977 performance in Lake City. Donald was at was before.” sheriff’s office for their his ability to make anyone sound the time part of his cousin’s band, Skip Johns and the Travelers. The hospital authority usually dedication and hard work amazing. Donald, who passed Skip Johns is pictured at center. ABOVE: Donald Johns, far left, sets its tax rate at .962 mills — that make our sheriff’s away this week at his home plays the upright bass at the Florida Folk Festival in 1979. which translates to roughly 96 office one of the best in the on Ashley Street, was a genius cents for every $1,000 of a prop- state. Working with you, when it came to the technical heard his name may have heard cousin, the well-known banjo erty’s value. our community, we will side of live music. his work. For decades, Donald player Skip Johns. Under that rate, the owner of continue to earn your trust “He was just a giant around was the heart and soul of the It’s a disservice to call Donald a property worth $100,000 would and support.” here,” Matt said. “Everyone in stages at the Olustee Battle a sound engineer, Skip said. pay $96.20 in taxes to the taxing town knows him, that’s for sure.” Festival in Lake City and the BALLOT continued on 2A Even those who have never Florida Folk Festival, said his JOHNS continued on 2A LSHA continued on 3A Vol. 145, No. 327 CALL US: TODAY’S WEATHER Obituaries . 2A (386) 752-1293 Opinion . 4A SUBSCRIBE TO Classifieds . 7A THE REPORTER: 84 68 Voice: 755-5445 Sports . 10A Fax: 752-9400 Showers likely, 2A 2A SATURDAY/SUNdaY, JUNE 13/14, 2020 LOCAL LAKE CITY REPORTER Sheriff, others alone on ballot QUICK HITS Scripture of the Day who chose not to seek We’re going to do great Parrish, who is under the BALLOT reelection. things together. We’re banner of the Libertarian “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the Continued From 1A “I consider it an honor going to grow together. Party of Florida. firmament sheweth his handywork.” and privilege to serve And I’m so thankful for For County Commission — Psalm 19:1 (KJV) Last year, the Florida Columbia County as the the 30-plus years that Mr. District 1, long-time incum- Supreme Court found that upcoming supervisor of Cason has served the citi- bent Ron Williams is facing sheriffs and other consti- elections,” Brown said. “I zens of Columbia County, off against challenger Kyle Thought for Today tutional officers must be will continue to build on and I’m appreciative of his Green. the success and improve- support for me.” The County Happiness is having a scratch for every itch. elected in the November general rather than a pri- ments that the supervisors Lake City Mayor Commission District 3 — Ogden Nash, 1902-1971, U.S. poet (‘Candy is dan- mary election. before me have put in Stephen Witt is another race is a four-way compe- dy but liquor is quicker.’) Superintendent Lex place.” candidate who has no com- tition between incumbent Carswell is also running In the race for property petitor. Witt. first took the Bucky Nash and challeng- unopposed for another appraiser, Jeff Hampton is office following a special ers Robby Hollingsworth, Winning Lottery Numbers on track for a second four- election in 2005. Charles Keith and Jeffery term. Pick 3: (Thursday p.m.) 0-6-0 Carswell did have an year term. He will be on the August Tyre. opponent at one time — “I wanted to thank the primary ballot, setting the The County Commission Pick 4: (Thursday p.m.) 0-9-3-2 Toby Register, who later citizens for allowing me stage for what will be his District 5 race will see Fantasy 5: (Thursday) 2-6-9-14-15 withdrew from the race. to go in unopposed, and if fifth term. Witt could not incumbent Tim Murphy “Thank you to the citi- anybody needs to use our be reached for comment. square off against con- zens of Columbia County office or resources — we’re On the Columbia County tenders Brandon Beil and See an error? The Lake City Reporter corrects errors of fact in news for allowing me to serve there for them,” Hampton School Board, the member a write-in candidate, Todd you, our students, teach- said. “I just want to thank for District 2, Dana Brady- Franklin, an activist with a items. If you have a concern, question, or suggestion, ers and staff,” Carswell the citizens for trusting me Giddens, is also running rising profile who donned please call the editor. Corrections and clarifications will said. “This is truly a great with the office and trusting unopposed for another a Spider-Man costume run in this space. Thanks for reading. place to live and raise our me to do the job.” four-year term. during rallies against police children. I look forward to It’s not just incumbents “It’s been a pleasure to violence this month. the next four years as we who are in position to win. serve District 2 for two The incumbent for the Submissions Jay Swisher is the heir terms, and I look forward School Board District 4 The Lake City Reporter accepts photographs and caption continue to create a world- information to run at the discretion of the editor. If you would class education in rural apparent to long-time Clerk to serving them again in seat, Keith Hudson, is of Court P. DeWitt Cason, the future,” Brady-Giddens running against challenger like to see your organization in the newspaper, send the picture North Florida.” and information to [email protected]. In another solo-candi- who is retiring at the end said. Michael Jenkins. date race, Tomi Brown of his term. In one of the multi-can- On the City Council, is poised to take over as Swisher, who is current- didate races, a number outgoing Councilwoman the Columbia County ly the director of Florida of challengers are vying Melinda Moses, who is Lake City Reporter Supervisor of Elections.