Fannie Gibbs was a friend of WWALS since its beginning. Others will recall her life. Here we recall her water advocacy.
First, Fannie in a boat. This was at Juneteenth at Reed Bingham State Park, June 19, 2021.
Continue readingThis metal prop guard should work better than the old plastic ones, fits better, is a better design (no need to drill holes), and didn’t cost much more.
![[Metal prop guard for 25 hp outboard on WWALS jon boat, Now for rain....]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-07-15--metal-prop-guard-25-hp-outboard/many.jpg)
Metal prop guard for 25 hp outboard on WWALS jon boat, Now for rain….
Thanks to Phil Hubbard for funding this purchase.
The 25 hp Yamaha outboard motor was purchased with a generous grant from Wild Green Future, along with its original plastic prop guard.
That prop guard broke on its first outing, Outboard birding, Banks Lake 2025-12-04.
As did its replacement, Pictures: Chainsaw Cleanup, Withlacoochee River 2026-06-07.
We have high hopes for this metal one lasting longer. And if it bends, we can bend it back. Continue reading
Many thanks to Mark Wisenbaker for donating an 18-foot Mohawk fiberglass canoe to WWALS.
![[Donation and canoe: thanks, Mark Wisenbaker]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-09-23--wisenbaker-canoe/many.jpg)
Donation and canoe: thanks, Mark Wisenbaker
Mark and his grandson Parker Jones helped load and secure the canoe, and then posed with it and the WWALS and Suwannee Riverkeeper banners.
I gave Mark a Suwannee Riverkeeper hat, which you can see he’s wearing, a Suwannee River Bass t-shirt, and a thank-you letter written by WWALS E.D. Gretchen Quarterman.
We’re going to have to build a bigger boat rack.
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/
Columbia County Attorney Joel Foreman sent a copy of this ordinance (see PDF) within minutes of being asked, along with this explanation:
Attached is the version of the Ordinance that was signed. The amendment was made at adoption to 78-3(B), adding that the Board would approve any supplemental rules by resolution.
Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson posted the below explanation on facebook (reposted here with permission): Continue reading
Update 2020-07-03: As amended and passed, Columbia County, FL, Parks Ordinance, No. 2020-08, 2020-06-18.
Tomorrow, Thursday, June 18, new rules for Rum Island Park will be voted on by the Columbia County BOCC. This park with its public boat ramp is a popular access to the Santa Fe River and its springs.
At the previous meeting in which they scheduled this meeting, Columbia County Commissioners were heard complaining about kayak and canoe outfitters being some sort of problem.
The greatly expanded definitions in the ordinance add permits, with a limit of a total of four permits for “regular commercial uses of parks or recreational facilities”. It’s not clear what “uses” means. Does that include dropping off customers at a public boat ramp? Parking outfitter vehicles? Other?
Presumably issuing permits for fees will affect later budgets. Note that the agenda sheet only says “This item has no effect on the current budget.”
You can comment if you attend, or you can send email beforehand; see below.
WWALS has no official position, although we will send a letter asking the BOCC to be sure such permits don’t interfere with Sec. 78-6(C):
“(C) Boats, including human-powered craft and boats of common horsepower motors, shall be allowed.”
So far as I know, Our Santa Fe River (OSFR) also has no official position.
When: 5:30 PM, Thursday, June 18, 2020
Where: Columbia County School Board Administrative Complex Auditorium, 372 West Duval Street, Lake City, Florida 32055
What: Special called meeting of the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners
Purpose: To adopt a Rum Island Park Ordinance within a broad Columbia County Park Ordinance that includes all of the recreational holdings of the county.
To comment:
Attend in person. Or send email to:
To: Board Secretary Penny Stanley <penny_stanley@columbiacountyfla.com>
Cc: County Attorney Joel Foreman <jforeman@columbiacountyfla.com>
Subject: Columbia County BOCC Park Ordinance
Thanks to Continue reading
![[Fannie Marie Jackson Gibbs, August 6, 1953-July 19, 2026, Juneteenth, Reed Bingham SP, When Great Trees Fall]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2026-07-19--fannie-gibbs/fbmany.jpg)
![[Cover Sheet]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2020-06-18--rum-island-park-ordinance/Rum-Island-Park-Ordinance-0001.jpg)