Corey Simon and Jason Shoaf open satellite offices in Live Oak

Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce, 212 North Ohio Avenue in Live Oak. -SVT Archived Photo

Senator Corey Simon, above, and Representative Jason Shoaf

By Tami Stevenson

Live Oak, Fla., – District 3 Florida Senator Corey Simon (R-Tallahassee) along with District 7 State Representative Jason Shoaf (R-Port St. Joe) are opening satellite offices in Live Oak and say they are both looking forward to getting to know the people better.

A grand opening for the offices was held last week. Suwannee County Chamber members and representatives didn’t have far to go to set up the ribbon cutting ceremony as both offices are located on the second floor of the historic building where the chamber is located at 212 North Ohio Avenue in Live Oak.

Built in 1908, the building has a rich history and is part of the Historical Commission. With its tall ceilings, beautiful woodwork and staircase, it was proudly preserved and restored much to its early 20th century grandeur through grants applied for by the City of Live Oak around 2010.

The building has served the city in a number of ways throughout its 115 year history – if walls could talk! It was once the city jail where they housed prisoners, a fire station where it also served as the home of the fire chief and his family, Live Oak City Hall, and was the city administration building where people would come to pay their utility bills. The east bay is where they used to house the horses when the fire department used horse drawn fire wagons. The large arched doorway where the horses would walk through still stands today.

The official office hours of Simon and Shoaf are yet to be determined. For more information contact Senator Simon by calling his Tallahassee office at 850-487-5003. Representative Shoaf may be reached at 850-295-5680.