BY MELISSA PYLE AND MARK J. CRAWFORD
Lawtey’s final council meeting of 2025 was filled with topics about the past, present and future of the city, including road repairs and the potential for the city’s recreation department.
At least three citizens discussed business that has yet to be addressed. Residents have consistently asked for follow-up information regarding the progress of certain items.
Resident John Mercier asked the council if they’d completed a review of the city charter or its policies and procedures. Councilwoman Amy Blom also expressed frustration with the lack of movement.
In November, Mercier asked about progress on the charter review, and city attorney Dan Sikes said health matters meant he didn’t have time now. Instead of the attorney collaborating with a council member, however, Mercier wanted to see a committee that included members of the public. Sikes said too much input would complicate the process.
“You got to be careful about that,” he said. “You have to appoint somebody that doesn’t have a specific agenda, but at the same time, is representative of the city. Who constitutes that? I don’t know. I don’t know enough citizens. I would leave that to the judgment of the mayor. If the mayor thinks he needs to do more, he can do more. There’s nothing that sets forth the numbers. It’s the discretion of the mayor. If you guys want me to do it, and with one or two citizens, that’s fine. But the larger you make it, the harder it is to get this consensus.”
Mercier pointed to the city of Starke, however, which took applications from interested citizens.
Returning to the December discussion, Vyunda Strong, recommended the council provide a “State of Lawtey” report at the January meeting in which each item of concern is addressed along with what each council member has contributed to that outcome.
Present projects presented included the Florida Department of Transportation SCOP grant-funded Grove Street project. Grove is an evacuation route but currently holds water in heavy rains. The grant will provide much needed repairs and culverts. The bids were presented by Blom and members voted to approve the bid from Anderson Columbia for $404,453.07.
Community involvement
Councilwoman Debra Norman, head of the Lawtey recreation department, shared her concerns for the lack of community engagement in events such as the Health and Wellness Hub. She said unless the community comes out, she isn’t sure the monthly event will continue.
The recreation department has also been hosting movie nights, bingo, and a fall festival that included a chili cook-off. One resident spoke up and said the reason there’s a lack of participation is because the marketing is “atrocious.”
The department acknowledged the need to improve and took suggestions such as announcements at the school and better social media presence. Upcoming events will include the annual Lawtey Christmas Parade, and movie night on Dec. 20. Norman said there are flyers in the local stores and on the Facebook page.
Citizens complained they had never seen them, saying people only know about something if they come into the city office to pay a water bill. Norman said the department is always looking for volunteers, but a resident said she volunteered to help, provided her information, but received no follow up.
Norman said if anyone wants to know anything they can come to the office.
The recreation department does have a vision for fun future events that get Lawtey citizens more involved and connected to one another. Events planned for next year, many of which include outdoor movie nights, prompted recreation board member Isaac Williams to request the council purchase a large inflatable movie screen that can be used for these events because currently they are using borrowed equipment. Council said they’d look for a suitable projection screen.
