Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is in the final days of accepting applications for the 2012 Leadership Lake City class. The Leadership Lake City program is designed to be a powerful learning tool that provides civic minded participants with information relating to the issues, opportunities and challenges facing Lake City and Columbia County. The goal of the Leadership Lake City program is to develop informed leaders who are prepared and committed to serve our local community and do their best to make Lake City a better place to live and work. Participants will get introduced to government leaders in the city, county and state level, as well as learn firsthand about commercial industry here in Columbia County. If you would like more information on how you can participate in the program, please visit our website at www.lakecitychamber.com. On our site you will find an application and schedule for the class. Space is limited to the first 25 registered students. The deadline for applicants is July 27, 2012.

As the signs around town indicate, we are in the midst of the 2012 election season. The Lake City – Columbia County Chamber, Florida Gateway College, and The Lake City Reporter, are proud to present, Candidate Forum 2012. This program will allow voters the opportunity to see and hear from the candidates running for public office. It also provides voters with a chance to get a better idea of where the candidates stand on today’s critical issues. The program will be broken into three installments and will be aired live on Florida Gateway College channel on July 30^th, July 31^st and August 2^nd. You can find the Florida Gateway College Channel on cable channel 8. Candidates from the following races will appear live; County Commission District 1, District 3, District 5, State Attorney, Circuit Judge – Group 2 and Group 5, Sheriff, City Council District 12 and 13, School Board District 2 and 5 and Superintendent of Schools. Thanks to our Forum sponsors: Tommy Demas, Attorney at Law, Drawdy Insurance Services, and Haven Hospice, shows will be replayed until Election Day on August 14^th, 2012.  Don’t forget to Vote!

In closing, I wanted to take a few moments to thank everyone who made this year’s 4^th of July Celebration possible. Due to the flooding around Lake DeSoto, we had to move the event on July 2^nd to the Columbia County Fairgrounds. This was a lot of extra work for the City of Lake City and Columbia County, especially considering they were all working overtime trying to restore roads, homes and help flood victims. The City of Lake City Public Works Department deserves special recognition for all they did to ensure our citizens were able to enjoy the event. It was a special night. Not just because it was the 4^th of July but because it allowed our community to have a few hours to put the flooding out of our minds, relax, enjoy good fellowship, music and most importantly have fun. I am grateful to everyone who helped make the event happen. I would especially like to thank the sponsors as well as the citizens who came out and made all the hard work worthwhile. 

We are always looking to grow membership. If you would like more information on the benefits of membership to the Lake City – Columbia County of Commerce please give us a call at 752-3690 or visit us at 162 S Marion Ave.