Jeff M. Hardison

(updated March 18, 2010)

After I left the Lake City Reporter, some people wrote letters of endorsement. Following are nine letters. I list the names and titles of 10 other people who wrote similar letters at the end of this series. People have written positive letters about my work in every region of Florida from the 1980s up to today.

– Jerry Spaeder, former managing editor, wrote:

To whom it may concern:

As the former managing editor of the Lake City Reporter, in Lake City, Fla., I had the distinct pleasure of working with Jeff Hardison on a daily basis. It was also gratifying that even in the deadline-fueled world that is the newspaper business, I also had the opportunity to get to know Jeff on a personal level.

Jeff came to the Reporter as a seasoned veteran who already possessed the reporting skills necessary to complete the tasks he was asked to conquer. Moreover, and much to his credit, Jeff’s inquisitiveness and natural curiosity in his work surroundings on numerous occasions helped him stumble upon, investigate and produce hard-hitting news stories for the reporter that would make and smile, and like his/her chops in the never-ending quest to scoop other media, and outline for readers the fruition of his reporting work.

What always impressed me was how Jeff took a lot of heat from powers that be in Lake City government, yet always remained focused on never putting a slant on a story; instead opting to write was fact-based and true, even if it meant uncovering and reporting on stories that some officials would have preferred never made it to print.

In addition, Jeff’s laid-back demeanor was always refreshing to be around. Regardless of how many stories were on his plate, he always had a bright and positive attitude about his own work, and was always a positive reinforcement that was willing to help out in any capacity in the newsroom.

I would strongly recommend Jeff to be hired in any newsroom

—
Michael Mitseff, former staff writer, wrote:

To whom it may concern:

My name is Michael Mitseff, and I was a staff writer employed by the Lake City Reporter from July 3, 2007, until I was permanently laid off on Jan. 6, 2009. I am writing this letter on behalf of Jeff Hardison – also a staff writer employed by the Lake City Reporter from June 2, 2008, through June 26, 2009.

I found Mr. Hardison to be an extremely personable and hard-working addition to the newspaper’s staff of writers. As often is the case, all staff writers eventually meet and write about the same people who are active within the community at large.

In the time that Mr. Hardison and I worked for the Lake City Reporter, the people he had interviewed and wrote about always had good things to say about his professionalism and his kind personality.

In addition, and in my presence, the editor, Mr. Tom Mayer, and the publisher, Mr. Todd Wilson, both expressed nothing but pleasure at the professionalism and dedication to hard work that Mr. Hardison brought to the newspaper. In fact, no one at the newspaper ever question Mr. Hardison’s professionalism or his work ethic.

It was my pleasure to work with Mr. Hardison

—
– Karen Parker, public information coordinator, North Central Region Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, wrote:

To whom it may concern:

I recently learned the Lake City Reporter newspaper no longer employed Jeff Hardison. To tell the truth, I was quite disturbed by that news.

I have worked with Jeff for several years while he was at the Chiefland Citizen and when he was writing for the Reporter. Jeff asked good questions and always allowed me to get FWC’s story out to the public.

For instance, the last time we worked together, I called him and explained that FWC needed help to find a person who had been involved in a fox bite incident. The fox tested positive for rabies and we needed to find the man who had come to the aid of the person being attacked by the fox. The Good Samaritan also needed to receive medical treatment.

Jeff took the information and the story was published the following morning. Because that story appeared, the man called and we were able to get him in touch with medical personnel.

I do not know the details behind Jeff leaving the Reporter; however, I am sorry that he is no longer there. I would not hesitate to work with him again. In fact, I sincerely hope that I do.

—
– Sonja D. Yarbrough, Lake City Community College’s director of public relations

To whom it may concern:

I have worked with Jeff on a number of articles for the Lake City Reporter over the past year. I found him to be professional, courteous, thorough and objective. He is, by my standards, an exceptional reporter with excellent writing skills and a “nose for the news.” Jeff has the unique ability to put a large or small group at ease immediately. He also is not intrusive when interviewing a group of people.

On more than one occasion, his interviews and stories for Lake City Community College made the front centerfold with headlines above the fold! He was especially good with articles about the educational community and particularly with school and college events. He also covered a number of other beats while on staff with the Reporter. Additionally, he would give me a courtesy call to confirm facts about various events, conferences, seminars, summer camps and feature articles.

He was conscientious about getting the details and facts correct.

When I read his articles, I admire his attention to the Associated Press Stylebook standards in his writing. I find that many newspapers are not using this basic guide to clear and concise writing.

I might add that he knew what was “news” and what was not. He was fair in his assessments. I especially appreciated that characteristic in him as he was straightforward about it. His follow up with leads was also appreciated by my office.

Jeff Hardison would be an excellent hire for any position in journalism, editing, or the writing professions.
—

– Columbia County Commissioner Dewey A. Weaver wrote:

To whom it may concern:

I have known Mr. Jeff Hardison over the past year and have found his work to be very professional. He is dedicated to excellence and accuracy in his reporting.

During my career with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, I served as the Public Information Director and worked with media representatives from England, Germany, Japan, Sweden and all parts of the United States, and have never found anyone more dedicated to his vocation.

In my role as County Commissioner, I serve on many committees that are reported on by Mr. Hardison. I found his work accurate and detailed.

—

– Lake City Mayor Stephen Witt wrote:

To whom it may concern:

This is in reference to Jeff Hardison, a former reporter for the Lake City Reporter, in Lake City, Florida. I have known Jeff since he became employed with the Lake City Reporter, as his assignment was the city of Lake City. He attended and covered council meetings and other issues regarding city government.

He was always friendly, cooperative and professional in his job. Jeff was willing to learn the issue he was reporting and fair, in his accounts of the city government for the city of Lake City.

As Mayor, I was in contact with him several times weekly, and he was always accessible in making arrangements to complete a story or in obtaining facts and opinions.

—

– Jim Poole, executive director of the Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, wrote:

To whom it may concern:

I have had the opportunity to work with Jeff Hardison in his role as a reporter for the Lake City Reporter. I am pleased with the response and story content that Jeff provided in his columns for the newspaper.

During this time, I provided Jeff with updates on the local economy and the impact it would have on Lake City and Columbia County. His questions were professional, stimulated interest and led to interesting stories on our local economy.

I also appreciate the impact of the stories that Jeff wrote on the loss of some of our contributing community members (when they died). Each time, his ability to personalize the story and show the impact the individual made on the community was remarkable. The greatest feedback that could be received was when one of the family members of the deceased called to express their gratitude for the kind words expressed in Jeff’s column. To me, that made the story real and personal.

Jeff spent a short time in our community but he brought a fair and accurate reporting ability with him.

—

– Ms. Mary Jane Weaver, chairman of the committee for Founding Families of Columbia County, wrote:

To whom it may concern:

I am writing this letter as a reference for Mr. Jeff Hardison.

I met Mr. Hardison this past year and became well acquainted with him through our joint attendance at planning meetings for the Sesquicentennial Celebration of Lake City, Florida. As chairman of the committee for Founding Families of Columbia County and a member of the Events Committee for the Sesquicentennial project, there were numerous times when I needed to get information to the public, and I depended on Mr. Hardison for his assistance and expertise in this matter. He worked very closely with me, and I was always pleased by the way he presented the information in the newspaper by writing interesting and accurate articles.

Through my association with Mr. Hardison, I found him to be cooperative and competent, and he consistently demonstrated a commitment to factual and reliable reporting.

—

– Pat McAlhany, Lake City-Columbia County Historical Museum director and on the board of directors for the Fort White Gun Club, wrote:

To whom it may concern:

I have known and had professional interaction with Mr. Jeff Hardison for the past year while he held the position of staff writer with the Lake City Reporter newspaper in Lake City, Florida. I am the Director of the Lake City-Columbia County Historical Museum and on the Board of Directors for the Fort White Gun Club in Fort White.

In the course of Jeff’s coverage of Museum issues, he has documented precise chronologies that did not lend themselves to journalistic errors, and required absolutely accurate reporting, and he has gone the extra mile to create wonderful, colorful narratives to entertain the reading audience. He has shown himself to be capable of impeccable reporting as well as creative writing, depending on the subject matter and purpose of the article. Jeff has been a pleasure to deal with in each and every encounter. His easy manner of dealing with people coupled with his interviewing skills are in addition to his professional skills as a writer/reporter.

One of the most impressive experiences that I can relate regarding Jeff’s prowess as a reporter has to do with his coverage of the Fort White Gun Club’s Cowboy Cavalry’s Annual Shootout on the Santa Fe in October 2008. Despite being unfamiliar with the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) and “Cowboy” style shooting in general, Jeff came to the range during this event, matriculated through a crowd of 125-plus shooters, endured gunfire noise, black powder smoke, lengthy scripted scenarios and just the general chaos of an event this large – to produce one of the best articles ever written about this shooting event or sport! Not only was the article very interesting to read, it was accurate! What a great combination!

I trust Jeff Hardison to get the facts correct. That is so important and, as recent experiences with reporters has shown me……some cannot even spell names correctly, despite having asked for the correct spelling AND taking the time to write it down in my presence! Another, while present in a room to record the comments of identified individuals consistently credited remarks to the wrong person. I dislike being quoted incorrectly and with Jeff, there was just never a worry when it came to accuracy.

—
Other people who noted my excellence as a journalist and that I would be an asset to any company were:
* Third Judicial Circuit Public Defender Dennis Roberts
* Lake City Community Relations Director Audre’ Washington
* Columbia County Senior Services Executive Director Deborah Freeman
* Lake City Deputy City Clerk Michele Greene
* Columbia County Clerk of Circuit Court P. DeWitt Cason
* Dr. Marvin Hall
* Columbia County Public Library Director Deborah J. Paulson
* Florida Department of Transportation, District Two, Public Information Director Gina Busscher
* Lake City Municipal Airport Manager David T. Sawyer
* Delores Brannen, marketing director, Lake City Medical Center