Williston Rings in Christmas Cheer
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Covering Williston and Levy County Volume XXVIII, Issue 36 www.willistonpioneer.com Thursday, December 10, 2020 Two Sections, 22. Pages plus inserts 50 Cents This Day In HISTORY Holiday event brightens children's lives 111 years ago June 1, 1839 — The 25th Con- Community joins forces to deliver Christmas gress of the United States appro- priated the sum of $15,000 for the removal of obstructions at the to 150-200 underserved kids, families mouth of the Suwannee River MARK BERRYMAN D.C. Floyd, the Williston Police De- and for a survey of the river. Staff writer partment and Kirby Family Farms 114 years ago hosted Ike’s VIP Christmas Party Sunday, 1906 — The Bonita Club, a During a year when COVID-19 has Dec. 6, 2020, inviting 150-200 children to hunting and fishing club located dominated headlines, a group in Willis- celebrate the season at no cost to the on the outskirts of Yankeetown, ton has joined forces to spread holiday attendees. was formed by Edward Holder, a cheer to some who might not have a Attendance was by invitation only and prominent Ocala citizen. Holder Christmas otherwise. the families were handpicked by Floyd, owned extensive phosphate who along with his wife, Phyllis, came up with the idea. mines in Dunnellon and also was This youngster, attending Ike’s VIP Christmas Party on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, “We were discussing a way to give back a part owner of the Port Inglis to the community in a way that would loading docks at the mouth of the at Kirby Family Farms, enjoys a trip on the carousel. Withlacoochee River. The Club consisted of a tract of land near MARK BERRYMAN/Staff photo see PARTY/page A12 Port Inglis of about 180-acres of marsh and eight islands extend- ing toward the gulf. Holder in- vited a few friends to enjoy the camp with him and the group formed the Bonita Hunting and Fishing Club. 80 years ago Williston rings in August 1940 — Central Flor- ida Cooperative lines in Levy and Gilchrist Counties turned the lights on for the first time. —Levy County Historical Society, Inc. Christmas cheer PHOTOS BY SHAWN YORKS Community Williston celebrated its annual Christmas festivities — a Very Merry COVID Christmas — Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. On a crisp night, photos, stories with temperatures in the upper 50s, the Williston Wonderland and Light Up Williston events followed COVID -19 restrictions at accepted Heritage Park. The Christmas Village allowed for social distancing and limited crowds in the pavilion. The parade proceeded along The Williston Pioneer accepts Noble Avenue from Subway to Dollar General, with law enforcement, Williston Middle High School Band, Williston Elementary photos and stories from School Safety Patrol and other local businesses showing off their Christmas cheer. Mayor Jerry Robinson lit the town’s Christmas Tree. community groups and organizations. Send high resolution photos, photo captions or stories to [email protected]. Weekend Weather Friday Clear, cool. 10% rain chance. 73 H, 44 L. Saturday Partly cloudy, cool. 10% rain chance. 63 H, 40 L. Sunday Cloudy, cool. 10% rain chance. 63 H, 42 L. INDEX Puzzles ...........................B2 Comics ...........................B2 Opinion ...........................A5 Religion ..........................A8 Sports ...................... A10-11 Community .....................B1 Food ...............................B2 Events Calendar ...............B3 Resident asks commissioners Bronson delays filling to deal with ATVs on roadways empty council seat MARK BERRYMAN adopted an ordinance in 2006 pro- Staff writer hibiting ATVs on county roads. MARK BERRYMAN Brooks said ATVs were prohibited Staff writer During the first public comment on roads by both state and county period at the regular meeting of statutes. Council members unanimously decided not to hold a the Levy County Board of Commis- “You might want to call the sher- special election to fill the current vacancy on town coun- sioners on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, iff ’s office about that,” said Brooks. cil. Instead, council members will allow the seat to re- Renata Cannon asked commission- “I know that some people have main vacant for now and revisit the issue in February. ers about an ordinance concerning been stopped and some of those A suggestion was made to take applications to tempo- ATVs on county roads. were unaware of the ordinance, so rarily appoint a member to fill the seat, but Councilman “I was wondering if we have an I would encourage you to contact Jason Hunt cautioned against appointing a replacement ordinance prohibiting ATVs on the sheriff ’s office.” until the issue has been settled with former councilman county roads. I know the board has Cannon then asked commission- Berlon Weeks. looked at this in the past,” Cannon ers to place signage along county “What we have going on with Mr. Weeks, personally I said, adding that ATVs, especially roads stating ATVs were not don’t feel like that’s over with,” Hunt said. “Last time he large ones, are tearing the roads allowed. was here his attorney said they were willing to go to up. “I’d say that’s probably a good court.” Town Attorney Steven Warm, who attended the Commission Chairman Matt Brooks told Cannon that the county see COUNTY/page A12 see BRONSON/page A12 2A Beacon Citizen Pioneer Thursday, December 10, 2020 Obituaries Chief Theatre to open new play in January Robert Merten Gibbs, 88 Special to Citizen/Pioneer Jam. 8. 2021. shows at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday per- CHIEFLAND The original December was formances at 2 p.m. The Chief Theatre will present pushed back due to quarantining. For tickets, contact the theatre Mr. Robert Merten exposed water pipes its live production of “Robin Hood The show will run Jan. 8-10 and Box Office at 352-493-2787 to re- Gibbs, of Chiefland, under mobile homes and His Merry Men” beginning Jan 15-17 with Friday and Saturday serve seats. passed away on Nov. 28, avoid freezing. 2020. He was 88. He is survived by his Bob was born Feb. 11, wife Nancy and daughters 1932 in Ashland, New Patsy Carlton (Idaho) and Hampshire. He served in Kim Terrio (New Hamp- Nature Coast Business Development Council meets Dec. 10 the Army during the Ko- shire). He was preceded Special to Citizen/Pioneer virtually, we continue offering our as a meeting of the RESTORE Act rean conflict. in death by Joanna (first Zoom meeting access: Visit https:// subcommittee as well. He was a licensed elec- wife of 50 years), Doris The Nature Coast Business De- tinyurl.com/y5ztc64e. Any members of the public wish- trician and plumber. He (daughter) and Bobby velopment Council, Inc. is con- The meeting ID is 933 8235 7298; ing to bring related matters before was “a jack of all trades” (son). ducting its monthly Board of the password is 1985532. the board may do so by contacting and is credited with the The memorial service Directors meeting at 3 pm Thurs- One touch mobile dial in for the Executive Director via email at invention of the will be 11 a.m. Saturday, day, Dec. 10, 2020 at the Central audio is available. [email protected]. Saf-T-Heat. Dec. 12, at First Baptist Florida Electric Cooperative con- Since the board membership The NCBDC, formed in 1985, is Saf-T-Heat was an in- Church-Chiefland in ference room, 11491 NW 50th Ave., consists of two or more members of committed to fostering economic vention that helped Florida. Chiefland. the Levy County RESTORE Act prosperity and the highest quality For those wishing to attend subcommittee, this meeting serves of life in the communities it serves. Gregg Allan Havard, 68 MORRISTON Mr. Gregg Allan Havard by his mother, Virginia Greater Gainsville Chamber holds virtual award ceremony of Morriston, FL passed Wiseman; two brothers, MARK BERRYMAN Teachers’ Credit Union. FCU is consultancy. away recently at the age Elbert “Shorty” (Gail) Ha- Staff Writer now a leading credit union in Small Business of the Year: Stu- of 68. vard and Troy (Sabrah) North and Central Florida that dent Maid, locally owned cleaning Born in Lucedale, Mis- Havard; two sisters, Joyce With the COVID-19 numbers ris- serves 45 counties. service. sissippi, he came to the Chapman and Annie ing again, the Greater Gainesville Employer of the Year: Infotech, Large Business of the Year: Morriston area 25 years (Danny) Golden. Chamber of Commerce chose to which provides construction man- Scorpio, a construction firm. ago from Clewiston, A Graveside Service hold its annual awards ceremony agement software, statistical con- Leading Women’s Business Florida. was held at 2 p.m. Mon- virtually for 2020, allowing those sulting, and network services for Award: Celebrate Primary Care, a He worked for the day, Dec. 7, 2020 at the who wished to attend to do via a clients in the transportation con- direct primary care medical South Florida Water Man- Pleasant Hill Cemetery livestream on Vimeo. struction industry. practice. agement Department in on SR 26 near Morriston, Presenters and recipients were Human Life Sciences Company Small Nonprofit of the Year: The the Maintenance Depart- Florida with Rev. George on hand for the presentations but of the Year and Diversity & Inclu- Education Foundation a non-profit ment for several years. Maxwell officiating. the public was asked to attend sion Award: Ology Bioservices, the in Gainesville; works withAlachua His hobbies were his dog, Arrangements are remotely. only recipient of multiple awards County Public School system to in- country music, hunting under the care of the The following awards were for 2020. The company manufac- vest in local students and teachers. and fishing; but his top Knauff Funeral Home, presented: tures biopharmaceutical products Large Nonprofit of the Year: priority was his family.