Live Oak — The 3rd annual June Bug Festival was a great success. It is satisfying to see how it has grown in just three years. I was in the downtown area three times during the day. Each time, there were a goodly number of folks taking advantage of the activities. The parade was a little disappointing but the fireworks were great. They culminated what was a very successful and fruitful festival. Thanks to Mr. John Hughes, Huffman and Gilmore, for allowing us to shoot the fireworks from his parking lot. A big THANK YOU goes out to Barney Everett, Hardy Tillman, Jeanne d’Eaue’de and others for all their hard work. You all “done good”.

Congratulations to the graduating seniors in the Suwannee County School system. These young people will move on and begin a new era in their lives. They will continue their education, join the military, move into the job market or whatever. Any of these options will be tough. I wish them the best of luck in whatever road they travel into the future.

I wanted to talk, okay write, Heritage Park. Many have their opinions about whether the City should accept the property. I did want to hopefully clear up some misconceptions about this issue. First, the City of Live Oak is not purchasing this property. The City will not have any money in the purchase of the property. The property is being purchased by the Florida Community Trust and given to the city. FCT purchases property in the state of Florida to assure properties will be preserved for future use by the public. We need those 75 acres for the future. There is a twenty (20) percent match to be made by the recipient of the property, the city of Live Oak. Mr. Daniel Crapps will pay this twenty (20) percent match from his proceeds of the sale of the property. He will pay all closing costs and also construct a sidewalk, at his own expense, from White Avenue to the property. Mr. Crapp’s contribution to this project is $243,925 which will come from the purchase price of the property. I have always found Mr.Crapps to be a giver over the years. His contributions to this community and the entire area have been tremendous. The list of things he has supported over these many years would be extensive. Thank you Mr. Daniel Crapps for caring.

The Crapps property is not the only property involved in the FCT Project. FCT will also purchase the old CSX railroad track roadbed from Helvenston Street to Ichetucknee Road. For those of you that are relatively newcomers, this roadbed ran between Railroad Avenue and the pecan grove. This property is crucial in being able to pave Ichetucknee Road in the future. It will also provide property for a walking trail around this portion of the perimeter of the site. Mr. Crapps will also pay the twenty (20) percent match and closing costs for this particular property.

The house seems to be a major point of contention. The house was an important element in acquiring the property. Acquisition of the property from FCT was a competitive process. Many other groups were eligible to receive these funds. Acquiring the house maximized the number of points we were awarded in the competitive process. The house made the difference in whether we received the grant or not. The Friends of the Park have guaranteed the maintenance of the grounds for the next year and beyond. The house will “sit” with nothing being done to it until grants or other funding becomes available in the future.

If the same negative mentality had prevailed years ago, there would not be a First Federal Sportsplex today. There was no money, no land, just a vision. Thank goodness there were visionaries back then also. They were willing to step out and make things happen. Will our community progress or stagnate? Many propose the destiny of our community is based on the sale of liquor. It is my opinion that the strength of our community’s future is in the hands of our children. The Scriptures tell us, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) I commend the three Councilmen that approved the acquisition of the property. These men will be remembered as visionaries and heroes by parents and kids that will benefit from and enjoy the property forever.

I hope all you Dads had a wonderful Father’s Day. In our society today, twenty-seven (27) percent of households don’t have a father living in the home. The task of raising children has fallen on single moms and grandparents. I see kids, for all practical matters, that have been thrown away. Many are ignored and pretty much on their own with very little parental support or supervision. Thank goodness we have many Dads and Mothers that make their family and children the center of their world. They immerse themselves in the lives of their children whether in school or other activities. These parents have pretty much assured the success of their children in the future. Keep up the good work.   

Remember, your unused and unwanted medication can be deposited in the MED RETURN BOX at the Suwannee County Jail. Let’s keep those medications out of the hands of children and others that should not have access to them. These drugs should not be flushed. They end up in our drinking water supply.

Did you know that chances are someone you know will be involved in a vehicle crash this year? Did you know that you are twice as likely to be severely injured or killed when unbuckled? Did you know that a child unrestrained in a 30 MPH crash is like a child dropped from a third-story window? Well, now you know. Wear those seat belts and insist that those riding with you wear theirs also. Your life could depend on it.     

Thanks to all that contributed to the relief effort for Hackleburg, Alabama. Thousands of dollars were donated and a truckload of much needed necessities were collected and transported to Alabama last week. We are truly a CARING COMMUNITY.

The city Of Live Oak will host the quarterly meeting of the Suwannee River League of Cities. The meeting will be held at the Florida Sheriff’s Boys Ranch on July 14. We expect over one hundred elected officials, staff members and others from 27 area communities and eight counties to attend. I am asking that businesses or individuals contribute one door prize. It can be a gift card, merchandise from you business or even a cash donation. We will pick donations up or they can be dropped off at City Hall. Your help is needed. Thanks!