Main Street Maury
COLUMBIA WEATHER

Hubbell named city judge in Columbia





Hubbell

Hubbell

The city judge vacancy in Columbia has been filled. Tom Dubois, who served as the city’s judge since 1998, resigned last year.

“We did employ a process that was very open and transparent,” Columbia mayor Chaz Molder said.

Two applicants, current Spring Hill city attorney Patrick Carter and interim city judge Jake Hubbell, applied for the permanent position.

“For me, this has been particularly difficult to come to a decision,” Molder said. “Both of these individuals are qualified and capable, and either one would serve in a very good capacity.

“I’m in the legal profession, and part of my daily basis, and i know their professional ethics and I know their professional abilities. Both of them maintain and possess that to the very highest degree.”

Hubbell, who was named interim judge in August 2021, was awarded the permanent position.

“I do believe that Jake Hubbell has performed well during this interim phase when he’s had the opportunity prior to the official resignation of Judge Dubois and after that fact,” Molder said.

 

 

His approval was unanimous, and he will begin his first two-year term immediately.

Beer permits now available for Riverwalk Park events

An ordinance to allow the sale and consumption of beer in a Columbia city park was approved last week. The council voted 6-1 in favor of the ordinance, with DaVena Hardison casting the lone dissenting vote.

This ordinance would currently only allow Riverwalk Park to allow beer sales, but city leadership said this could help move events out of the downtown area, and allow for fewer street closures, which has cost the city upwards of $50,000 in the past.

This would initially only be allowed in Riverwalk Park due to its close proximity to the downtown area, and the option for the city to use Riverwalk Park for more mass gatherings, which could result in diverting mass gatherings away from the square.

The setup of the park allows more control and observation for city departments responsible for the safety and coordination of emergency services during events, the city said.

For those events, a permit for the gathering and a beer permit must still be applied for and approved by the board, but events such as Oktoberfest would be able to utilize a large portion of open space in the downtown area without the need for road closures.

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