logo

Stew Lilker’s

Columbia County Observer

Real news from Florida for working families since 2007

Lake Shore Hosp Authority

Gov's LSHA Bd:  8 min Meeting, Nothing on Agenda, No to Questions, Berry Turns His Back

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Last night's Lake Shore Hospital Authority Board meeting was highlighted by no business and Manager Berry turning his back on the two members of the public that showed up for the Authority's monthly meeting. Discounting the public comments, the Board breezed through the agenda in 5 minutes and 30 seconds. The Authority's financial advisor-auditor-accountant (one person), according to last month's minutes, was to present the Authority audit. Finance man Powell showed up, the audit didn't and neither did an explanation.

The Governor's Board
It doesn't want to go on the record

At the November meeting, Representative Elizabeth Porter's Chief of Staff, Koby Adams, a long time Authority Board member, took the helm as Authority Chairman. At that time he announced that questions would not be answered. However, questions could be asked after the meeting or via email.


Chairman Koby Adams announces the Jan. 9 workshop.

After Mr. Adams announced that a workshop would be held in January, he invited citizen Barbara Lemley to the lectern to address the Board.

"There was $995 dollars sent to the Lake City Reporter for an ad. Why does the Board feel it's necessary to spend that amount of money when a half a page or a quarter of a page would have worked? Where in the budget is this amount reflected?"

Mr. Adams responded, "I think it's under advertising."

Richard Powell, the 30 year plus finance man for the Authority was sitting with the Board, as was Authority Manager Berry, who had turned his back on Ms. Lemley as she was approaching the lectern.

Neither said a word.

The Authority budget does not include a budget line for advertising and has not for the previous seven years.

Attorney Fred Koberlein
He is not answering questions either


Barbara Lemley          (file)

Ms. Lemley followed up with a question about a charge on Authority Attorney Fred Koberlein's November billing. Mr. Koberlein's fee was part of the consent agenda to be approved later in the meeting.

Beginning in March 2016, in eight of the last nine months, Mr. Koberlein had billed the Authority for work involving Cintas Corporation.

Ms. Lemley addressed the Board, "In Mr. Koberlein's legal bill was an item for Cintas legal counsel. I'd like to know what this is for."

Mr. Adams said, "Send your question to me in an email. I'll see if I can get it answered for you."

Ms. Lemley mentioned that Mr. Koberlein was sitting right there.

Mr. Koberlein responded, "That's legal counsel for Cintas, which is a corporation."

Ms. Lemley followed up, "In regards to what event? Is the Authority being sued?

There was a pregnant pause.


Attorney Fred Koberlein

Mr. Koberlein got back on track.

"I can see you after the meeting," he said.

Mr. Adams didn't miss a beat, "That would be fine. Next question or next comment."

Ms. Lemley followed up, "Why can't it be addressed here?"

Mr. Adams responded, "Because I said it couldn't."

Next Up Your Reporter
What is the Policy?

Your reporter is also a resident of the Special Taxing District known as the Lake Shore Hospital Authority. Round trip driving time to attend Authority meetings is approximately 1.5 hours.

Mr. Adams invited your reporter to the lectern.

Observer: "Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I just have two questions. Regarding Cintas, I don't believe that's an acceptable answer. 'See me after the meeting.' The question was asked publicly."

Mr. Adams responded, "Mr. Lemley. During this time -- it's for comments. If you have comments, you're welcome to make comments. I'm ruling you out of order."

Observer:  "My name is not Mr. Lemley."

Mr. Adams: "I'm sorry.... but both your names start with 'L.'"

Observer: "Is it now the policy that you cannot address and expect a public answer from people that are being paid with public money? Is that the policy of the Lake Shore Hospital Authority?"

Chairman Adams ratchets back the no question edict, but maintains questions won't be answered publicly.

Mr. Adams explains the unwritten policy, "The policy is that if you want to make a comment about our agenda, you're welcome to make a comment, even if it's in the form of a question, but we are not going to answer it... If you want to send an email, you're welcome to. But we're not going to drag this out, me explainin' it to you."

Observer: "I'm just trying to grasp the situation."

Mr. Adams quipped, "Obviously, it's a little difficult."

Observer: "It is."

Mr. Berry maintained his posture with his back turned and his face covered up. Mr. Berry seemed to bow-up.

Your reporter commented, "Mr. Berry turns his back on me and other people. He's very rude."

Mr. Adams interrupted, "Mr. Lilker."

Your reporter followed up, "That's not derogatory. That's a statement of fact."

Your reporter continued with his question.


From Mr. Koberlein's Nov. billing: $798. Bundled billing over 3 days; a conference with the feds Mr. Koberlein couldn't remember? This type of billing is frowned upon.

Observer: "I did see some remarks in Mr. Koberlein's billing, regarding -- I believe it was Health and Human Services -- or emails from the federal government. I was just hoping that you could explain what that's about?"

Mr. Adams answered, "If you can go back and do a little more homework and send me an email, I'll see if I can get it answered for you."

Observer:  I don't need to do any more homework, because it's in the bill."

Mr. Adams replied, "Send me an email request."

The Observer answered, "I'm requesting it right now. I don't need to send you an email."

Mr. Adams shot back, "Yeah, you do."

Your reporter asked, "Is that the new rule by this Board, to get an answer..."

Mr. Adams interjected, "No."

Your reporter, "... to the question you have to send an email?"

Mr. Adams replied, "I'll get it answered for you."

Observer, "Thank you very much."

Pop Quiz Questions

Mr. Koberlein told the Board he was not prepared for "pop quiz" questions and mentioned that he was available to answer questions in his office by phone and that he had never received a phone call.

Mr. Koberlein concluded his remarks, "Tonight's the Board's opportunity to do business."

There was no unfinished business; no new business; no staff report; no Hospital update.

Board Member Ron Foreman made a brief remark about the Board unveiling "what we've been doin'" on the hospital assessment. This item will be covered at the January workshop.

Chairman Adams gaveled the meeting to a close: elapsed time 08:09; discounting comments, 05:30.

Epilogue

A long time ago, folks stopped coming to Lake Shore Hospital Authority meetings. From time to time others showed an interest. It is not hard to understand why folks don't come to Governor Scott's Lake Shore Hospital Authority meetings.

 

Comments  (to add a comment go here) 

This work by the Columbia County Observer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

Meeting Calendar
No need to be confused - Find links to agendas and where your participation is welcome.
 
 

Make a comment • click here •
All comments are displayed at the end of the article and are moderated.

More LSHA stories are here.


LSHA 8 (clockwise from top):
Koby Adams - political operative and Liz Porter's Chief of staff
Brandon Biel - latest Scott appointee and a young republican on the move
Dr. Waseem Khan - a board member who
lives out of the county
Janet Creel - real estate broker
Ron Foreman - father of the County Atny
Tim Murphy - a nice guy, talented welder, clueless about government. Now w/The 5
Board Chairwoman Lory Chancy - her main job appears to be not to answer questions and to protect Columbia County's legendary political operative, Jackson P. "Jack" Berry (in the middle).