Local News

Newly minted Levy County Property Appraiser Oz Barker says he fired a veteran employee on his first day in office because he did not have confidence or trust in her, but two leaders in the Tri-County NAACP said he told them God directed him to do it.

And they think the reason is a little less divine - that Barker traded a promise to fire her in return for votes to help him win the office in the November election.

Barker denies he fired Mary Golding to help him win the race, will not discuss why but he did seek legal counsel from an attorney specializing in labor issues.

Only one seat on the Williston City Council will be contested when the election is held in early March.

City Council President Debra Jones is being challenged by former council member Jerry Robinson, who left the council last year in an unsuccessful bid for the County Commission.

Council members Marc Nussel and Steve Holcomb drew no opposition and will automatically be re-elected.

School Superintendent Bob Hastings’ plan to ask all school employees to take three days off without pay has been dismissed, he told the board Tuesday morning.

Because of the state retirement system, teachers must have a contract of 196 workdays.

The plan would have reduced it to 193 days, jeopardizing employees’ retirement eligibility.

“It was deemed that it would not be appropriate and we couldn’t take that route,” Hastings said.

At their first meeting of the year, members of the Community Redevelopment Association met new city manager Marcus Collins, who sat in on their deliberations, asking an occasional question and in general learning what that body does.

Chair Dr. Ken Schwiebert read a letter he proposed sending to Bob Uhlar, who donated a great deal of his time installing new lighting in the pavilion in time for the Light Up Williston. Schwiebert said that the lighting “added significantly to the ambience of the celebration.”