Chestnut collapses during County Commission meeting

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

The first order of business during today’s regular County Commission meeting was a retirement ceremony for Chris Bird, Director of the Alachua County Environmental Department after a 34-year career. Bird was winding up his speech, saying the County Commission has always been strong for the environment, when Commissioner Charles “Chuck” Chestnut collapsed, and the meeting was recessed while they waited for emergency services to arrive.

Chestnut briefly lost consciousness, then regained consciousness and was able to walk out of the chambers. He was taken to a hospital. No further information is currently available about his condition.