State Rep. Debbie Boyd and Sen. Charlie Dean lent an ear to the concerns of locals at a meeting held Wednesday at City Hall in Live Oak.

About 15 of the nearly 50 people in attendance took advantage of the chance to address the state legislative delegates on issues close to heart.

Sherryl Huseonica, raised the topics of property taxes and fees, along with drilling off the coast of Florida.

"Property taxes supposedly came down, but appraisal values went up, so the citizens are still paying more taxes each year," she said. "And why is it that China can drive off our shores, near Key West, but we as Floridians cannot?"

"A large majority of (property tax increases) falls under the Save Our Homes assessment," Boyd responded. "If the fees don't meet the set margin, then yes property taxes go up. I agree that we need to reform the property tax situation."

Dean addressed the latter question.

"We were so naive to believe that the Chinese are more ahead than we are," he said. "They're not checking for nuclear alternatives, they're drilling for oil."

Dean said initially he was against offshore drilling.

"I used to be a no. Now, I'm a maybe-yes."

Local Franz Metz approached the podium and asked, "What's the state of Florida going to do about the federal government stepping on our state rights?"

He argued, "the federal government does not have the right to tax our health care, or continue passing a cap on trade, determining what we should do with our carbon energy. That's what the 10th Amendment is all about. We're not as stupid as politicians think we are. We know what's going on. We are asking you, our legislators to take a stand."

He statements received applause from the crowd.

Dean responded: "If there's a string attached, we don't want it," referring to the use of federal money in local districts.

After the meeting Metz said, "We can't rely on the federal government to fund everything. It should be us putting our own money to work for us. We need fossil fuels now. Green energy is far off. We need to drill now."

Randy Hatch, former commissioner for District 5, spoke on behalf of the Women's Equity League.

"Women are worried about their status in law. Their issue is that they are going to bring back the Equal Rights Amendment," Hatch said. "Initially I was against it, because I was worried about woman in the military. Today woman are heads of households, single parents, community leaders and business owners. It's only right under the law that they get equal treatment. I ask that when this amendment comes back to the table that you vote in favor of it."

Danny Hales, director of the Suwannee River Regional Library, raised the topic of library funding at the meeting Wednesday.

He said, "Last year we almost lost all state funding for public libraries. We almost had to close our Branford branch and reduce our hours in Live Oak. We still endured some cuts, but luckily we're still open. I ask that you remain vigilant. Keep the 22 million dollars there," he said. "We just want a bone. We don't want meat on the bone. We just want a bone."

Bo Hancock, another local, addressed the local water supply.

"If we could saw the lower part of Florida off we'd all be better," he said. "The water levels are diminishing. We've got to stop the private sector from taking it to New York or wherever they're taking it.

Boyd agreed with the latter statement.

"We're both against putting a pipeline and sending water south," she said.

A few others to speak included Barry Baker, clerk of court, and school board chairman Jerry Taylor.

Baker said that nearly 8 percent clerk money goes to the Department of Revenue.

"This year was a tough year for all of us," he said. "Right now we receive quarterly disbursements, and we're paying our employees on a weekly basis."

Meanwhile, Taylor presented a list of school board requests to the legislators.

A few of the board's request included: continuation of scarcity supplement funding; full and equal funded for consortium programs; and a support of the .25 super majority millage for next session.

"There's a movement among us in the Senate to be able to adjust teaching needs to allow you (the district) to determine what your needs are, rather than the federal government," Dean said.

"That movement was also in the House," Boyd added.

The meeting closed in just under two hours, with most local constituents walking away pleased that their voices had been heard.