American
Profile:
Precious
Memories


"American
 Idol"
 hopefuls
 at WA
 Page 3A


Jeff Gordon
 ready to

drive for five

 SPage 1B


 S3-DIGIT 326 000000
S UNIVEST OF FLORIDA
 SERIAL SECTION FL HI ST0RY
 i PO BOX 1170 07
 AGAiNESVILLE FL 326'1-7007


Serving Suwannee County since 1884


Weekend Edition July 21, 2006


121st YEAR, NO. 79


50 CENTS


American Idol


Local singer competes in


nationwide talent search


A DAY TO REMEMBER ALWAYS: It was a day to remember for the rest of her life when local singer Shelly Mon-
roe was selected to compete in the Fox 49 American Idol competition in Tallahassee for a chance to be on the
2006-07 American Idol show this fall. Shelly, pictured center behind the sign, had lots of support from her
friends and family for her part in the competition. Photo: Susan K. Lamb


 Susan K. Lamb
 Democrat Managing Editor
 When growing up, youngsters of-
ten dream of becoming a big star
and some day standing on a huge
stage before an adoring audience be-
ing heralded as a star. That dream
almost came true for a local woman
who was recently selected as one of
only 30 people from among hun-
.dreds to audition for the Fox 49
American Idol competition in Talla-
hassee. A selected number of win-
ners from across America will com-
pete this fall and next spring to win
the American Idol title.
 Although she didn't make it to the
regional competition, Shell Mon-
roe, a vivacious blonde who never
meets a stranger and made many


 new friends among
 the other contes-
 S tants, said she's not
 devastated at all, but
 Rather has been en-
 riched by the experi-
 ence. "God must
 have something else
QUOTE: planned for me!"
 ,GId Monroe said of her
 d experience. t"It was
must have really neat to be part
something, of this contest; I had
something
 a lot of fun!" she
else added. "I'm so
planned thankful for those
 S who came to support
for me!" me, and I appreciate
Shelly their constant en-
S OnrOe, couragement!"
Live Oak SEE LOCAL, PAGE 3Anroe
Live Oak' SEE LOCAL, PAGE 3A


Smith's upbeat campaign for governor visits Live Oak


 "Straight Talk.

 Susan K. Lamb
 Democrat Managing Editor
 It's not often thatrural counties in
Florida nor Suwannee Couintians eet
the opportunity tohleali rom a'candi-


ROD SMITH ENJOYS QUALITY TIME W
GRANDDAUGHTER: Democratic candid
for governor State Sen. Rod Smith grin
only a grandfather can as he watches h
only grandchild, Grace Glover, show of
supporters this week in Live Oak. Smitl
and his family and campaign people we
in town to bring his campaign directly
North Florida and more than 275 people
attended the event at the Old Train Dep


..Real change"
date for governor in person but this
week, Democrat Rod Smith brought
his "Straight
Talk... Real'
change" campaign
for governor
straight o local
 voters to ask
 for their vote.
 The mome
 than 275
 people pre-
 sent at the
 Old Train
 Depot made
 it clear they
 4 liked what
 they heard '
 from Smith
 Sand let him
 know i I'M N THE ROD
ITH throughtheir supporter of Rod
late cheers and oe o Rod
 on the Rod Squa
is as applause, fol- hilehecontem
 while he contempt
s f lowed a by all the cheering,
 for pats n e for Smith's camp
h back and July 18inLive
ere handshakes
to later in the
e evening.
ot. Smith, a state senator from


Alachua'County who has many ties to
Suwannee County through his years as
a prosecutor and rancher ard of late as
a senator, was greeted by old and new


 *. -:.
SSQUAD: This young
Smith wore his "I'm-
d" sticker proudly
plated the meaning of
applause and support'
aign for governor
ak.


friend- alike at the
rally Tuesday night.
July 18. Anr-i ing in
his bright red, white
and blue motor
home emblazoned
with "Rod Smith
Democrat For Gov-
ernor," Smith was
greeted warmly by
those gathered for a.
chicken pilau din-
ner to help support
his campaign.
 Introduced by
State Rep. Dwight
Stansel, a Suwan-
nee County resident
and friend of
Smith's. Stanel
said Smith has "vi-
sion," -is the best
man to lead the
state," is "a great
speaker, a great or-
ator and debater."


Photos: Susan K. Lamb dhe best de-
 and -"the best de-
 bater in the Senate." Stansel said he
 believes the time is right for Smith to


The red, white and blue campaign motor home brought Smith and his people
to Suwannee County and across Florida to campaign for governor..


be elected governor and thLia he can be
the next governor. Stansel said Smith is
the only person in the governor's race,
Democratic or Republican, who can.
win North Florida votes.
 Surrounded by his family, Smith said
he's been endorsed by clerks and sher-


iffs and other elected officials in the
rural counties. As evidence, Third Cir-
cuit State Attorney Jeny Blair, Third
Circuit Public Defender Dennis
Roberts, Suwannee County Sheriff

 SEE SMITH"S, PAGE 9A


LOOKING FOR A JOB?


Job fairs may be the answer


Vanessa Fultz
Democrat Reporter


 Employment Connections Business Services Rep-
resentative Glenn Polite said so far about 60 percent

 SEE JOB, PAGE 3A


 Job seekers came looking for a job and
many of them were not disappointed.
 Employment Connections held a job fair
that drew about 250 job seekers to the Suwan-
nee County Fairgrounds recently. Twenty-
three employers from the area participated in
the event.
 Job fairs are held every six months in the
various counties served by Employment Con-
nections.
 At the fairjobseekers met employers and
completed applications for possible employ-
ment.


Sales tax holiday
Staft

 Floridians and out-of-
state shoppers alike are
encouraged to take ad-
vantage of the state's
sales tax holiday \\ which
takes effect tomorrow,
July 22. and runs until
midnight July 30. The
sales tax holiday is on


begins tomorrow
books, clothing,
footwear, and certain
school supplies and is
expected to save taxpay-
ers more than $39 mil-
lion
 Under the sales-tax
 holiday law, no state or
 local sales tax will be

 SEE SALES, PAGE 3A


JOB OPPORTUNITIES: Corrections Corporation of America Human Resources Director
Lisa Williams, middle, discusses job opportunities with a potential employee at a job fair
Employment Connections held recently. Photo: Submitted


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TODAY'S
WEATHER


Suwannee County should see a few isolated thunderstorms de-
veloping during the afternoon under partly cloudy skies. High to-


day around 94F. For up
www.suwanneedemocr


INDEX
Classifieds 1-5C
Church 6-7B
Sports 1-58
Suwannee Living .........................4-5A
Viewpoint 6A
TV Guide 8-9B
Legal Notices 5-6C


D 1 P ELWI '-*UW.


to the minute weather information go, to I.l.i
rat.com FEATURED ON PAGE 5B

AREA DEATHS COOKIE
Sheddrick M. Roundtree, Live Oak For Kids
Georgina Doreen Turner, 77, Live Oak I oix, 12 & Under I
George P. Gannon, 82, Live Oak
Ouida F. Bell, 73, Live Oak No Purchase Necessary
 Must Present Coupon
 OBITUARIES ON PAGE 7A I Limit 1 Per Person
 Good 7/21/06 Only
 LI. ,.I-


www.suwanneedemocrat.com


 will be
 in the ,
building
- Page 3A "
 i 'S


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