By Susan K. Lamb Riverbend News
The Live Oak City Council convened Tuesday, Jan. 12, at City Hall for its regular monthly meeting with a small agenda that was quickly completed.
The council approved a resolution adopting the local mitigation strategy and ratified the mayor's extension of the State of Emergency arising from the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
The council also authorized support of the Housing Authority of the City of Live Oak's request to designate the Housing Authority's Executive Director position as a senior management service class with the Florida Retirement System. This decision has no impact on the city.
New City Manager George Curtis announced that a city employee in the public works department, Keith Cherry, a well-known Suwannee County athlete in his school years and a community hard worker wherever and whenever he could do good for youth, had passed away unexpectedly. He sent heartfelt condolences to Keith's family.
Two proclamations were presented. The first proclamation honored National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and the Live Oak Police Department. The proclamation pointed out the City of Live Oak is the proud home of dedicated police officers who put their lives on the line daily to keep our community safe and these officers stand as leaders and teachers, educating the community about the importance of public safety and are appreciated for these efforts by their fellow citizens. The proclamation declared Jan. 9 as National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in Live Oak. The proclamation was accepted by Live Oak Police Sgt. Douglas Hohman, Sgt. Nick Gutshall and Officer Dustin Wagner.
A second presentation was made to the Live Oak Post Office which opened its new facility on Monday, Nov. 16 after nearly 25 years of effort on the part of the city, former mayors A.P. Nott and Garth R. "Sonny" Nobles Jr., Suwannee County Commission and other elected county and city officials to replace the old post office on 400 S Ohio Ave. which was built in 1915.
The Mayor's Recognition Award was presented by Mayor Davis to Live Oak Postmaster Bailey Beaty and the USPS in great appreciation for the new post office now located in Live Oak Commons on US-129 North.
The modern new facility now allows disabled citizens as well as those with no physical restraints the ability to go to the post office and have a satisfactory experience.