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Stew Lilker’s

Columbia County Observer

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County Commission News

Columbia County leaves residents in the dark
Appearance at Water Management kept secret

Even the innocuous gets swept under the carpet in Columbia County. One would think that even in the legendary Columbia County a presentation to the Water Management District would be public knowledge. This morning at 9 AM, County Manager Dale Williams is scheduled to make a presentation, on behalf of the County Commission to the Water Management District. The County wouldn't acknowledge this was going on until 04:10 pm yesterday afternoon.

On Saturday, March 5th, at 9:21 pm, the Observer received a tip from one of our readers (Madam X).  Madam X advised that there was an item on the Suwannee River Water Management District's agenda, which showed that the County Commission was scheduled to make a presentation at 9 AM today.

Two days previously, on March 3rd, the County Commission met for their regularly scheduled meeting. County Commission, Chairman Jody Dupree, slipped in a resolution, in which the cover letter by the County Manager Williams explained that this resolution dealt with reviewing "permitting conditions."

As usual this was only half true, as the resolution requested that the Water Management District also review its rules regarding "mitigation properties."

The County Manager's best friend is apparently once again involved in a deal to sell mitigation property to the County.

On Sunday, March 6, the Observer e-mailed the County requesting information regarding the County's scheduled March 8th presentation at the Water Management District.

On Monday, March 7th, at 11:07 am, Assistant County Manager, Lisa Roberts, e-mailed the following:

Stew: 
To my recollection and the meetings in which I have been present, the Board has not discussed the SRWMD presentation. Further to date, there is no power point presentation prepared or any other documents for the meeting on March 8, 2011. There is however, Resolution Number 2011R-10 which the Board adopted in regular session held March 3, 2011, which you were given a copy of on March 3rd, that will be forwarded to the District.

On Monday, March 7 at 11:56 am, the Observer wrote:

Lisa,
I see. I think I have it now.
On March 3 the County passed a resolution. That resolution was going to be forwarded to the SRMWD...
The SRWMD thinks you are making a presentation:

B. Columbia County Board of Commission Presentation (as seen on their agenda)

I always wondered why unemployment in Florida is somewhere in the stratosphere. I think I am beginning to get it.
You had better hurry up and forward the memo. Tomorrow is March 8th.
And just to make sure - I understand there aren't any documents, etc. - Columbia County is not scheduled to present anything at the water management district tomorrow? If they are not - no reply is necessary... Stew

At 4:10 pm, Assistant County Manager, Ms. Roberts wrote:

Stew:  Columbia County is addressing the District Board tomorrow; however there are no additional documents. Lisa

At 5:05 pm, the following e-mail was received from the County's Web master:

Your message is ready to be sent with the following file or link attachments:
PRESENTATION TO THE SUWANNEE RIVER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD.ppt

If you are reading this at around 9 AM on Tuesday morning, Columbia County will be addressing the Water Management District.

The Water Management District's agenda was prepared on March 1st.

The County Manager's brother, who is now on the District's board, will most likely have a front row seat.

The county's residents ... Oh well.

Once again, Columbia County's good old boys are doing what they do best.

It's business as usual in Columbia County 

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