Ocala Gazette | July 9 - 15, 2021

National Doughnut Week

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 2

July 10-18

$2

JULY 9 - JULY 15, 2021

Council votes to keep Wilson

Sandra Wilson was under fire for the firing of the Ocala fire chief

By Carlos Medina carlos@ocalagazette.com

motion and said Wilson had their manager.

Despite numerous calls by the

City Manager Sandra Wilson survived a move to remove her during the July 6 Ocala City Council meeting in the wake

council does not have the power to take that step. Only the city manager has the power to hire Just before the vote, Paul

the motion, which was put forward by Council President Justin Grabelle.

Councilman Matt Wardell voted with Grabelle. Councilmen Jay Musleh, Brent Malever and Ire Bethea voted against the

city’s bow, signaling a lawsuit in reinstated.

“The legal system has an answer for those things when city managers, acting for government,

defame people and make accusations like those that were made here that were completely and totally unfounded,” Donnelly said. neither given a chance to hear the allegations against him, nor the opportunity to respond before his termination.

“That is a violation of law.

This is a profound mistake for the city of Ocala. We were hoping you would correct it and avoid this mistake from getting worse,” See Wilson, page A2

Sandra Wilson [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

City council approves plan for downtown

Phew!

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

Motorists drive in heavy rain from Tropical Storm Elsa on U.S. 27 near the intersection of Northwest 44th Avenue. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Elsa brings lots of rain, but little damage locally

M

arion County was spared

from Tropical Storm Elsa as is passed through the area on July 7.

The highest wind gusts recorded at the Ocala International Airport reached 25 mph at 8:51 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Overall, the rainfall in the area was just more than 2.5 inches in most areas and at or near 3 inches in the western side of the county, including Dunnellon. More than 7 inches of rain was recorded at a weather station near Gainesville, the weather service reported.

Several Gainesville roads were There were a few trees down and at least one tree that fell on a home, but no injuries were

reported locally. At least one tree fell across Northwest 100th Avenue Road requiring county crews to clear the debris.

There were reports of scattered power outages, but no widespread loss of power.

The county reported no structures damaged and about 100 homes lost power, according to Sgt. Paul Bloom, Marion County

A plan for the development of residential and retail space in downtown Ocala was approved by the Ocala City Council on July 6.

The council voted unanimously to approve the developer’s agreement with Brick City Residences and Shops, LLC. The project is planned for the 400 block of Southeast First Avenue.

The plans include 16 residential units covering an estimated 17,400 square feet. The units would occupy the upper portion of the would include nearly 9,000 square feet of retail spaces. The proposed construction site is currently two vacant lots.

Gary Thurston is listed as the principal of Brick City Residences and Shops, according to state corporation records. based Advanced Holdings Real

See Elsa, page A2

See Brick City, page A4

New lease on life for Marion Theatre City council approves five-year arrangement with Reilly Arts Center

By Susan Smiley-Height Ocala Gazette The Ocala City Council on July 6, approved a request for an amendment to the lease agreement for the Marion Theatre, giving the Reilly Arts Center LLC (RAC) a

The City of Ocala owns the theater. It was constructed

in 1941 and was donated to the city in 1986. There have been various management operations at the theater over the years. The last operators were Cesar and Carmen Soto who took over the theater in 2012 from Carmike Cinemas.

The Sotos asked the city to end their lease early last

gives the Reilly team an opportunity to continue investing in the Marion Theatre,” said Pamela Calero the Reilly Arts Center. “Our goal is to keep building and

pandemic. The RAC began operating the theater on a

reach new audiences and engage our downtown and community partners.”

Matt Wardell is the

September.

See Marion Theatre, page A3

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[Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Inside: Development ........................... A4 State News ............................... A8 Sports .....................................A11 Vet Home ................................. B1 Creative’s Corner ................... B2 Calendar .................................. B5

A2

JULY 9 - JULY 15, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

From Shootings, page A1 stay here, and he will stay here, and he will be back as

through June 24 email, which was also copied

on June 25 by Wilson at

should not remain

Assistant City Manager

Lewis were the two business leaders mentioned in

his termination were undermining the city council and the city manager to the detriment

his termination was poorly managed internal grant

eroding trust in the a counter-productive

$558,736 grant award managed by Ocala Fire a city spokeswoman, to establish that certain internal city procedures

Grabelle also questioned the substance behind the “Frankly, the main heard is that Shane was have been presented with

than 10 minutes up to almost three

records also showed Alexander had not used his city-issued cellular phone since at least April, and only one bill in the last 12 months showed phone activity, according to City policy requires employees to use their city-issued cell business because they are subject to public But Wardell said those issues were

Ackerman/OG]

sometimes years without

“You took an exemplary employee and threw as much stuff at the wall to see if it would stick, and frankly, it is all weak.”

attention or documented in

“You took an exemplary employee and threw as

is nothing in there that is a the investigation was still

Wilson did not comment In February 2020,

were “alarmed by your termination letter came out, Ken Ausley and Angie Lewis, two area businesspeople, sent an email to Wilson worried they were the two

his termination were the Alexander and his not using

comments, several residents “We have a city manager

installed into the District 2 seat in June, the council

she works to make this one

Grabelle was the only

supporters wore “I stand

But some who voted had issues with the way “What happened in the last week has broken my

including County Commissioner Kathy Bryant, who attended the Richard Grubbs, the union stands behind

Manager John Zobler Wilson and Assistant City were the other two

remained stationary while

ever suggest or insinuate

at the time, and the council

when addressing the reasons

-Justin Grabelle

termination letter, Whitehead did not detail how he actively campaigned to replace council members but did state two business leaders brought the matter

wanted Wilson, and Councilman Brent Malever

A detailed report about his vehicle listed 114 idle

When it came time to select one candidate, the Justin Grabelle and Matt Wardell backed Alexander,

From Elsa, page A1

streets and there was no damage to city Electric Utility lost power, but power was restored to all customers by Wednesday Dunnellon also reported tree limbs down and scatter power outages, but no serious Early Wednesday, however, some area residents were awoken by a tornado alert issued All alerts related to Elsa have since been Other areas were not so lucky, however, and person in Florida and spinning up a tornado at

Elsa continued to drop torrential rains over the Carolinas and was expected to make its way Authorities in Jacksonville said one person

In nearby Camden County, Georgia, a About 10 people were injured and taken to hospitals by ambulance, said base spokesman on the base appeared to have been damaged as

Weather Service said in a preliminary report

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Ackerman/OG]

think two wrongs make a Brent Malever said he

attending the meeting included County

A3

JULY 9 - JULY 15, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

“The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.”

- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in New York Times Co. v.

United States (1971) Publisher Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@magnoliamediaco.com Carlos Medina, Managing Editor carlos@ocalagazette.com Bruce Ackerman, Photography Editor bruce@ocalagazette.com Ainslie Lee, Associate Editor ainslie@ocalagazette.com Joel Bronson, Reporter joel@ocalagazette.com Sadie Fitzpatrick, Columnist sadie@ocalagazette.com Lisa McGinnes, Editor lisa@magnoliamediaco.com Susan Smiley-Height, Editor susan@magnoliamediaco.com

Graphic Designer Brooke Pace brooke@magnoliamediaco.com Digital Editor Emily Papa emily@magnoliamediaco.com Director of Sales and Marketing Andrew Hinkle andrew@magnoliamediaco.com Account Executives Evelyn Anderson evelyn@magnoliamediaco.com Sarah Belyeu sarah@magnoliamediaco.com Ralph Grandizio ralph@magnoliamediaco.com Lee Kerr lee@magnoliamediaco.com Distribution Inquiries info@ocalagazette.com

Marion County sees uptick in COVID-19 cases

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

and older reached 66%, while those 65 and older reached 72%.

“Our target is to have 80%

The county saw an uptick in

said Lander, referring to those 65 and older.

Remote vaccination sites will

during the week ending July 2, according to Mark Lander, Florida Department of Health administrator for Marion County.

Lander, who was giving his monthly report to Marion County Commissioners on July 6, said the uptick was likely due to the Memorial Day holiday.

The county reported a 5.3% positivity rate and 168 COVID-19 2. That was up from a 2.3% positivity rate and 110 cases reported during the week ending June 18, according to Florida Department of Health reports. weekly in June, foregoing the daily updates.

Marion County reported 164,492 total vaccinations for residents 12 years and older.

Roughly 50% of the county Vaccination rates for those 55

Our mission is to inform and on the events, issues and stories that shape Ocala with accuracy, fairness and passion.

We also strive to serve as a

Reilly’s CEO and artistic director, and maestro of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, which is is also a city councilman, recused himself from the vote to approve the contract. The council voted 4-0 to approve.

“If I could have handpicked the people to carry on the rich

to “Save the Marion Theatre,” which convinced the city to continue operating the facility as a movie theater.

“They not only have skin in the community. They have done of preserving, presenting and promoting live theater, music and the arts for small-to-medium communities. Marion County owes

heard and to chronicle our community’s history.

1515 NE 22nd Ave. Ocala, FL 34470 352.732.0073 PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT INVERNESS, FL SECOND CLASS PERMIT #114280

ocalagazette.com

The Ocala Gazette invites you to share your important news events with the community. Email your com. Please include your name and contact information on the • Letters to the editor: 200 words or less.

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• News tips: Include whatever information you consider relevant.

1801 SE 32nd Ave. Vaccination for Monday through Friday.

To schedule a vaccination appointment, call the Marion County COVID-19 appointment line at 352-644-2590.

July 9 Silver Springs Shores Presbyterian Church 674 Silver Road, Ocala Starting Point Church July 15 Hog Valley Civic Center 23125 NE 160th Ave. Road, Ft. McCoy First Baptist Church of Ft. McCoy 11350 E. Highway 316, Ft. McCoy

Marion County Fire Rescue and Ocala Fire Rescue continue to vaccinate those at long-term

July 16 Silver Springs Shores Presbyterian Church 674 Silver Road, Ocala Starting Point Church

residents.

Marion is in good hands for the them all great success.”

Under the RAC, theater summer series for children and special Classics and Cocktails events. Coming up on Aug. 6 is a live performance of Steeln’ Peaches – An Allman Brothers Revue.

According to the city council report outlining the lease amendment: • The city will continue to cover

• •

continue in the renewal period. rent, which is $1 per month. updated to show, for example, that the RAC purchased a new upstairs projector and made lighting and sound systems.

• If needed in the future, the city will pay up to $40,000 during downstairs projector and two movie screens.

• If the city constructs a pocket park in the theatre parking lot, the tenant shall have the exclusive right to use the park to sell concessions, including alcohol, and to retain all revenues.

The city council report noted Theatre is still a key component in the growth of downtown, especially the South Magnolia corridor.”

“Downtown Ocala continues to grow and the Reilly Arts Center a part of that growth,” Calero Wardell said Wednesday. upcoming movies and special events, go to www.reillyartscenter. com/themarion.

County continues to see growth

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

©2020 Ocala Gazette, LLC

Share your news

will provide vaccinations on Fridays.

With Marion County schools starting in August, Lander said a ‘Back to School’ mass vaccination initiative will start on July 28.

July 8 Hog Valley Civic Center 23125 NE 160th Ave. Road, Ft. McCoy First Baptist Church of Ft. McCoy 11350 E. Highway 316, Ft. McCoy

From Marion Theatre, page A1

and Pamela Wardell,” said Buddy

Follow us @ocalagazette

Fort McCoy on Thursdays. Silver

DOH COVID-19 Vaccination Sites:

The Ocala metro area continued to grow over the past year, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Kevin Sheilley, president and and Economic Partnership during a presentation to the Marion County Board of County Commissioners on July 6.

Sheilley provided an update on population growth, home development during the commission’s regular meeting.

Marion County’s population, estimated at 373,513 as of June 30, should reach 400,000 2040, according to Census Bureau projections.

The area is now the 146th largest metro area in the country, gaining two spots from 2020.

“The Miami Metro only added 500 more residents than the Ocala Metro,” Sheilley said during his presentation, without citing

construction permits for new housing. So far this year, there

permits issues per month for new single-family homes. That was an increase of 42% 2020 and a 130% increase from 2019, according to Sheilley. a leading strategic location for shipping and commerce. Access to I-75 allows trucking and shipping to reach 34 million residents, which is a 39% greater reach than the I-4 corridor, he said.

Dollar Tree’s

Sheilley also said the local median household income grew citing Environics Analytics data.

Even with the reported growth, Sheilley warned that the CEP cannot rest on its recent success. keep our foot on the gas,” he said.

For more information on CEP projects and initiatives, visit https://ocalacep.com.

center is entering its second phase which will give the facility a total footprint of 1.4 million square feet.

It is anticipated that more than 5 million square feet of industrial construction during in projects would add to Chewy, FedEx, AutoZone and Amazon in operating fulfilment centers in Ocala.

Kevin Sheilley [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

A4

JULY 9 - JULY 15, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

From Brick City, page A1 Estate LLC, according The retail and residential project is estimated to cost $3.5 million.

The city will include several incentives

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Proposed Development

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construction begins.

The timeline for the start of construction was not immediately clear.

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“This is a great project,” said Councilman Jay Musleh before the vote.

Aubrey Hale of the city’s Growth Management Department said the downtown area could support an additional 670 to 850 dwelling units.

The project is estimated to take roughly 18 months to

S MAGNOLIA AVE

including waiving building permits and impact fees, a projected $53,956 savings to the builder. In addition, because the project is located within the Downtown Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), water and sewer impact fees will automatically be

waived, according to a city council report.

The city will also cover the cost of constructing water, sanitary sewer, and electric utility access for the project.

Construction will include underground utility lines, decorative street lamps and planters along the public right of way, as well as the replacement or installation of sidewalk within the public right of way adjacent to the property.

The city’s incentives would total $355,653.

SE 5th ST

Plan for up to 320-unit complex sent to state

By Carlos Medina carlos@ocalagazette.com

and currently the property is accessed via an 8-foot wide road that connects to Southeast 24th Street.

Before any development can move forward, the developer would have to include a plan to provide the proper access to the site.

The plan is one of several development under consideration in the same area. The city has started coordinating with several property owners in the area, including Woodland Villages, RM Maricamp LLC, Gail Haselden, ARC, Lawrence Moody, Chris Spears, and Fluid Routing Solutions LLC to come with a comprehensive strategy

A plan to build up to 320 multifamily units near the 2400 block of Southeast Maricamp Road was sent to the state for its approval before the details of the project move forward.

On July 6, the Ocala City Council voted unanimously to send the plan to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity creating a zoning district allowing the development.

The 23.51 acres are owned by the Donna Machelle Albright Family Trust and have been historically used for agriculture purposed and has a single-family home on the land.

The property was annexed into the city in 2006 and a zoning district was never established.

The proposed development is located behind other property that fronts Maricamp

in this area, according to city documents.

Previously, the Ocala Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the requested amendment by a 5-0 vote.

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7-Eleven plan faces opposition R-1

convenience store would

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T 19

By Carlos Medina carlos@ocalagazette.com The application for a beer and wine permit for a proposed 7-Eleven convenience store almost stopped the Ocala City Council in its tracks.

During their July 6 council members at a loss for words as no one seemed

eager to move the request forward for consideration.

Despite the hesitancy, the council eventually voted unanimously to grant the alcohol permit to sell beer and wine.

The reason for the reluctance: The planned store proposed near the southeast corner of the intersection of Maricamp Road and Southeast 25th Avenue has faced vocal

resistance from residents of Woodland Villages, located near the southwest corner of the same intersection. options, Councilman Matt Wardell made the motion to take up the application.

Councilman Jay Muslesh seconded the motion.

Several residents of Woodland Villages urged the council to deny the application, arguing the

encourage the use of alcohol and tobacco and remain open 24-hours.

“In our view this is the wrong store, in the wrong place, at the wrong time,” said Eric Heyden, one of the residents attending the meeting.

But Fred Roberts an attorney representing the property owner, RM Maricamp LLC, said the alcohol permit was a preliminary step and the city would still have to approve the design and construction of the convenience store.

He also pointed out that the current zoning for the property is appropriate for a convenience store.

Several residents argued a proposed entrance and exit into the convenience store it dangerous for resident to enter their community.

Roberts said the preliminary design for the convenience store calls for the main entrance to be from both directions on Maricamp. studies show the store dramatically. “(Convenience stores) are not destinations, they are transit trips. They are people driving by anyway,” he said.

While several councilmen

openly empathized with Woodland Villages residents, they deferred to the propriety of the request.

“Realistically, how do you deny this when literally, across the street there are two locations that sell alcohol? How does that cognitive dissonance work?”

Wardell asked referring to a convenience store and restaurant located on the north side of Maricamp.

City Attorney Patrick Gilligan said the council could deny the permit if there was evidence that it was incompatible to the public health and welfare, but short of that a denial could open the city to a lawsuit by the property owners.

Tye Chighizola, director of growth management for the city, said the rapidly growing area of Maricamp will require the city to address the long-term decision on the 7-Eleven.

In 2015, the council denied a plan to build a neighborhood Walmart on part of the same property

by Woodland Villages residents. But those plans were for 14 acres, not the 3 acres proposed for the convenience store. Also, the Walmart would have been a 42,000-square-foot store.

Most modern convenience stores are about 5,000 square feet.

A5

JULY 9 - JULY 15, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Opinion Commentary

Local occupational license requirements hampering Florida’s economy

By Representative Joe Harding Guest Columnist Have you ever worried that your hair braider might not be certified by the government? What about your interior designer?

Have you stayed up nights worrying about the dire consequences that might result if Florida’s boxing timekeepers don’t boast impeccable official credentials?

If you’re like me and most other human beings, these questions have never occurred to you. That’s why last year, the legislature passed the Occupational Freedom and Opportunity Act. Among other things, the law recognized a range of out-of-state licenses and reduced or eliminated licensing requirements for more than 30 professions— hairdressers, interior designers, and boxing timekeepers among them.

The regulatory relief was a godsend for wouldbe entrepreneurs eager to apply their skills to provide a service, grow the economy, and, perhaps one day, hire workers. It

was arguably the most significant occupational licensing reform ever enacted in any state.

Nevertheless, it’s important to remember that the law, while historic, addressed a particularly glaring need. Nationally, licensing may cost the economy as much as two million jobs and $184 billion a year. Before the act was passed, Florida ranked fifth in the nation for the most burdensome licensing requirements. It shouldn’t be surprising then that plenty of room for improvement remains.

To keep the momentum going, I successfully passed HB 735, which aims to create a stable, predictable environment for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Specifically, it will prevent local governments from creating new licensing requirements and abolish existing ones on occupations that are already regulated by the state. Governor DeSantis recently signed HB 735 into law last week and we

couldn’t be more excited for the benefits it will bring to small business owners, like myself.

As a small business owner, I can attest that fair and predictable conditions are among the most important prerequisites for entrepreneurial success— the kind most conducive to broad-based prosperity.

Unfortunately, under the system we have today, such predictability is all too rare.

“Before the act was passed, Florida ranked fifth in the nation for the most burdensome licensing requirements.”

Most licensing already happens at the state level, but because localities are currently permitted to layer on additional requirements, business owners face a patchwork of confusing rules that vary from place to place. As a result, many hardworking Floridians are

ASSISTED LIVING

needlessly forced to funnel time and money complying with inconsistent rules— resources they otherwise could have devoted to productive economic activity.

The principle of local control is fundamental, but that principle rightly understood does not require blindly assenting to costly restrictions on the right to earn a living and provide services.

In fact, I can think of few things that more effectively discredit local Joe Harding [Submitted] government’s legitimate Florida has already and essential functions instituted has placed than attempting to reinvent our state in a position of the wheel by duplicating leadership on this issue, state regulatory efforts. which is also on the agenda The benefits of freeing in other states. Florida entrepreneurs from local should stay on the cutting licensing requirements edge of reform and strive to have considerable ripple establish itself as the state effects. By lowering the most friendly to workers costs—in both time and and entrepreneurs in money—associated with (formerly) heavily licensed opening a business, it will professions. likely introduce more Small business owners options for consumers in a like myself are lucky range of industries. As any to live in a state that student of basic economics has demonstrated its knows, more choices mean willingness to listen to our more competition and concerns. Florida is already lower prices for everyone. driving down the right The occupational economic road; HB 735 will licensing deregulation accelerate our progress.

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A6

JULY 9 - JULY 15, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

City Council revokes club’s alcohol permit

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com An Ocala business was stripped of its alcohol permit.

On July 6, the Ocala City Council voted unanimously to revoke the permit allowing Time Out Billiards, 618 South Pine Avenue, to serve alcohol on premises habitually overcrowded and is a hotspot for violence and various code violations.

Time Out owner Mohamed Abdelfattah told the council before the vote that he was willing to do whatever it took to keep the alcohol permit.

“I will close on Saturday nights if that’s what it takes (to avoid large crowds),” he said to the council.

“You just don’t get it,” Mayor Kent Guinn replied before the council voted unanimously to pull the

business’s liquor-serving privileges.

Time Out’s problems date back a couple of years and were documented in a seven-page memorandum authored by Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken and cosigned by Guinn.

The memorandum lists a slew of code violations and disturbances.

According to the memorandum, at 2 a.m. on Oct. 24, 2020, an Ocala in the parking lot of Time Out when he heard seven gunshots and saw several vehicles leaving the area air consistent with several gunshots.

No one would identify the shooter.

Between March 1, 2020, and March 27, 2021, Ocala Police have been called to the premises more than 30 times for a multitude

and noise disturbances, according to testimony from Capt. Michael Sommer.

As the problems persisted, Balken required Abdelfattah to employ quell the disturbances. decision for more police presence at Time Out’s larger events. or zero,” Balken said about Mohamed Abdelfattah pleads his case before the Ocala City Council on July 6. The council voted unanimously to revoke the alcohol permit for Time Out, a restaurant and billiard hall that Abdelfattah owns. [Ocala City Council video screen capture]

adequately supervise the raucous crowds. safety as part of his decision.

“Maybe he (Abdelfattah) needs to hire private security,” Balken said. also documented a number of occupancy violations at Time Out. Fire Captain Anthony Ortiz reported that during one routine inspection, he found a locked fence immediately outside the rear exit, reportedly used

as a designated smoking area. The locked fence made exit through the back of the building impossible, a code violation, according to Ortiz.

At midnight on Feb. 28 of this year, Ortiz was called to Time Out by OPD alleging the business was dangerously over capacity.

Upon arrival, Ortiz witnessed a full parking lot and a line at the door.

Ortiz spoke with a front

door security employee, who was unable to provide a door count and stated that patrons were sneaking into the building through the other door.

Both Ortiz and Sommer was well over capacity multiple times. They also found tables and chairs

Preparing for Elsa Residents were able to fill sand bags at the Martel Recycling Center in preparation for Tropical Storm Elsa July 6. Some residents said they waited more than an hour to get the 10 sand bags that were allowed per vehicle. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

Fabian DeJesus, 15.

Limary DeJesus and her son, Fabian, 15.

Joseph Madrid of Marion County.

A7

JULY 9 - JULY 15, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Opioid settlement approved by county commission

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com The Marion County Commission unanimously accepted the Purdue Pharma L.C. bankruptcy plan during their meeting on July 6.

The settlement is part of a nationwide lawsuit joined by a multitude of communities across the country seeking damages for opioid-related injuries and costs.

According to County Attorney Matthew Minter, joining the settlement makes sense.

“It would not be cost

Law Group out of West Palm Beach to represent the county in the lawsuit.

The main defendant,

would be used for treatment and to battle addiction.

The lawsuit alleges Purdue and other manufacturers engaged in a

bankruptcy in September

opioid painkiller use across the country. Originally used to treat short-term pain, or for pain due to terminal illnesses, manufacturers began to push opioids to those with chronic pain.

a defendant in thousands of In a memo from Romano Law to claimants, the proposed bankruptcy plan “represents a fair and equitable resolution of opioid-related claims against Purdue.”

Under the agreement, the state of Florida will

litigation against these defendants,” Minter said.

of the $5 billion in assets, according to the state Attorney General.

Marion County would

authorized the Romano

million per year. These funds

became freely prescribed and billions of doses poured into the country, fueling the rise of pill mills in Florida, according to the complaint.

In 2015, 31 people died Marion County. In 2016, In 2020, 139 people died of

Perez tabbed to lead public relations for county commission

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette. com

director, Perez was talent manager for the board’s human resources department.

Roberta Perez has been chosen as the new public relations and communications director for the Marion County Board of County Commissioners office.

Prior to becoming

Perez was selected as director.

Association of Talent

position since 2016.

According to a county release, two

as a board member of Partners in Education, Training and Support (P.E.T.S) for the Marion County

high praise by the board during her introduction on July 6.

“I want to bring a

were conducted with the most qualified candidates. The process ended on May 28, at which time

Center.

She is also a member of the Society of Human Resources Management and the

Marion County,” Perez said.

Perez takes the role formerly occupied by Kelli Fuqua Hart who resigned in March.

Roberta Perez [Submitted[

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A8

JULY 9 - JULY 15, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

State News NRA appeals ruling on gun sales to those under 21

By Jim Saunders News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE – The

Millions backing proposed affordable housing amendment

By Jim Saunders News Service of Florida

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JULY 9 - JULY 15, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

State revenues beat expectations in May

By Jim Turner News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE – Florida’s monthly revenues continue to top expectations, aided recently by an increase in tourism-industry tax collections, a new report from state economists shows. of Economic & Demographic Research this week reported May general-revenue collections came in at $3.6 billion, topping a forecast for the month by $573.8 million, or 18.9%.

“Most remarkable, almost 72% of the total gain for May came from sales tax

GR (general revenue),” the report said. “For context, May 2020 was the lowest sales tax collection month during the entire pandemic.”

The May 2021 business activity that mostly occurred in April, a period that economists receiving federal stimulus checks. Other factors for the increase included “redirected spending from the hard-hit service sector and some consumers’ ability to draw down atypically large savings that built up during the pandemic,” the report said.

The May numbers marked the 10th consecutive

month of exceeding revenue expectations as Florida recovers from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Economists periodically update revenue forecasts, measured against a forecast revised in early April. The revenue topped forecasts for April by $797.2 million, March by $299.6 million, February by $298.5 million, and January by $246.7 million.

Sales taxes make up the largest portion of state general revenue, which is used to fund programs such as schools, health care and prisons.

topped expectations in six sales-tax categories watched by economists, including tourism, which has been hit hard during the pandemic.

Taxes collected from tourism in May exceeded the forecast by 21%, according to the monthly report. For April, taxes from tourism topped the forecast amount by 12.1%.

The tourism industry saw three months of 2021, but the number of visitors was still down 14% from a year earlier, when the state started to grapple with the pandemic.

Second-quarter tourism numbers have not been

Florida is better positioned for a recovery because started last summer, ahead of many other large states.

Meanwhile, tax collections on consumer non-durable items were up 13.2%in May from the forecast, while collections on automobiles were up 40.6%.

Collections were also above forecast in most other types of taxes that go into general revenue, including corporate-income taxes, documentary-stamp taxes and beverage taxes, according to the report.

Among revenue sources failing to meet expectations were insurance taxes and tobacco taxes.

Sports betting plan hit with legal challenge

By Jim Saunders News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE – Pointing federal lawsuit challenging a newly approved plan for the Seminole Tribe to operate sports betting in Florida.

Owners of Magic City Casino in Miami-Dade County and Bonita Springs Poker Room in Southwest contending that a sportsbetting plan that lawmakers passed in May violates federal laws. Lawmakers backed the plan as part of a gambling “compact” negotiated this spring by Gov. Ron DeSantis and tribal leaders.

Under the deal, the Seminoles would serve as the hub for sports betting, which in the past has been illegal in Florida. Gamblers throughout the state could place bets online, with the bets run through computer servers on tribal property.

But the 67-page lawsuit contends, in part, that a law known as the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act does not authorize bets to be Also, the lawsuit argues that the structure of the plan is an attempt to get around a 2018 state constitutional amendment that requires voter approval of gambling expansions.

circumvent this clear prohibition in the state Constitution, the 2021 compact and implementing law provide that a person sitting on her poolside lounge chair or his couch at home placing a sports bet through the tribe is ‘deemed’ not to be placing a bet that is otherwise illegal in the state,” the lawsuit said. “The 2021 compact unlawfully deems the bet to be placed on the tribe’s reservation, where the servers will be located. However, this is nothing more than a legal that sports betting is still taking place outside the tribe’s reservations in a state where sports betting remains illegal.”

Sports betting was the compact that DeSantis and tribal leaders announced in April. The compact, which lawmakers overwhelmingly approved during a special legislative session, includes the tribe paying $2.5 billion years in exchange for having control over online sports betting. The tribe also will roulette at its casinos.

The sports-betting part of the deal still requires approval from the U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees

place bets at pari-mutuel facilities. by attorneys from the Buchanan Ingersoll & pari-mutuels would be put at a disadvantage if the plan goes forward, It said “parimutuels that are unable to, or choose not to, enter into a marketing agreement with the tribe are completely shut out of any opportunity to

tribal gaming. Lawmakers acknowledged in May that they expected legal challenges.

“Obviously, having this kind of agreement, you’re navigating kind of the icebergs of legal hurdles,” House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, told reporters in May. Sprowls, an attorney, said it was an “open question” whether a legal challenge would be successful.

“You know, reasonable people disagree. Some people have looked at it and said, ‘Hey, I don’t think it’s gonna make it.’ I’ve looked at it. I think it will. The reality is that’s going to be resolved by a court,” he added.

Jim Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming, also acknowledged in an interview last month with The News Service of Florida that he expected legal

challenges. But he pointed state.

“Our problem is that if you look at the illegal sports betting in online gaming sites, there is billions of dollars that’s occurring on an annual basis already from the citizens of the state of Florida,” Allen said in the interview. “So part of our message to the leadership of the state was it’s happening anyway. It’s not regulated.

Many, many times these sites are just a magnet for or may not include money laundering and many other illegal activities. So why not clearly the citizens have told us they want it.”

Under the plan, the tribe would contract with parimutuel facilities to help market sports betting. The lawsuit said that would

“Accordingly, the parimutuels will not only lose their business models are based, which will ultimately slot machines, card rooms, and pari-mutuel wagering, as well as the ancillary entertainment and dining of their facilities --- but they are also being denied the opportunity to compete on reported Monday by the Miami Herald.

The Magic City and Bonita Springs facilities are headed by the Havenick family, longtime players in the state’s pari-mutuel industry. The lawsuit, which seeks an injunction, also contends the sportsbetting plan violates federal laws known as the Wire Act of 1961 and the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act.

Feds question relief funds for teacher bonuses Associated Press TALLAHASSEE— Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ highly touted plan to give teachers and principals $1,000 bonuses using federal COVID-19 relief funds could be in informed that extra pay intended use of the money.

The U.S. Department

of Education sent Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran a letter on Wednesday saying that while there is a path to provide premium pay for educators, the way Florida approved the bonuses guidelines.

Ian Rosenblum, a deputy assistant secretary at the federal agency, said enhanced pay needs to be “reasonable and necessary.”

He added that funds are to be used to address learning loss during the pandemic through programs that respond to students’ academic, social and emotional needs.

DeSantis made the bonuses one of his highest budget priorities and toured schools to tout them while posing with teachers holding an enormous mock check.

DeSantis has also boasted about his decision to require

in-person instruction at public schools at the beginning of the 20202021 school year and has schools down were making a mistake that will have The Florida Department of Education is reviewing the letter, said spokesperson Jason Mahon.

“It is surprising that the U.S. Department of Education would suggest

that a $1,000 disaster relief payment is not ‘reasonable or necessary’ given the dedication teachers in Florida have shown to keep schools open, allow inperson learning and recover lost learning the entire school year,” Mahon said in an email.

Rosenblum ended his letter by saying he’ll work with the state to make sure relief money is spent as intended.

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JULY 9 - JULY 15, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Area firefighters return after condo collapse mission

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com Local firefighters received orders to deploy to the Surfside Condominium collapse in South Florida on June 27.

The unit, known as Florida Task Force 8, included specialized Urban Search and Rescue members from Ocala Fire Rescue, Marion County Fire Rescue, and Gainesville Fire Rescue.

The catastrophe drew all of the state’s task force groups to assist in recovery and rescue.

During their deployment, Task Force 8 members worked from noon until midnight using specialized equipment, including cranes, hydraulic tools, and cameras to search for, locate, and retrieve victims.

Task Force 8 members returned home on July 4.

A section of the building collapsed on June 24.

As of July 8, there were 54 people killed, with 86 people unaccounted for.

On July 7, Emergency workers gave up on any hope of finding survivors in the collapsed Florida condo building, telling sobbing

Florida. [Submitted]

search and rescue mission at the Surfside Condominium collapse in South Florida. [Submitted]

families that there was “no chance of life” in the rubble as crews shifted their efforts to recovering more remains.

Miami-Dade Assistant Fire Chief Raide Jadallah told families at a private briefing that crews would stop using rescue dogs and listening devices but would

News in Brief Supervisor of election employees earn designation Seven team members at the Marion County Supervisor of Elections summer conference. designation.

additional education on topics such as voter registration, media relations, and election workers. level of professionalism. The program is currently coordinated in collaboration with Florida State University and consists of 30 core courses and 120 hours of classroom content.

The employees who earned this designation in June are Starley Ard,

continue to search for their loved ones.

“Our sole responsibility at this point is to bring closure,” he said as relatives cried in the background.

The cause of the collapse is under investigation. A 2018 engineering report found that the building’s

resting on a concrete slab that had “major structural damage” and needed extensive repairs. The report also found “abundant cracking” of concrete columns, beams and walls in the parking garage.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Ocala celebrates National Parks and Recreation month community because of recreation and parks. A variety of activities are planned for residents of all ages and abilities, including the Wildlife Rescue Mystery Hunt, Lunch with the Archaeologist.

Throughout the month of July, citizens are encouraged to participate in the Wildlife Rescue Mystery Hunt game. The free game of deduction will be in select solving the mystery of the wildlife rescue. Three randomly selected people will receive a prize package for correctly submitted answers. For information on how

celebrate their hard work and dedication in making Ocala a great place to live, play and prosper.” that support parks and recreation to share their parks and recreation stories, as well as why their local park and recreation professionals are important to them,

Healthcare job fair scheduled Medical professionals interested in a job are invited to attend the 2021 Healthcare Job Fair on July 21 from 2-5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn & Suites Conference Center, 3600 SW 38th Ave., in Ocala.

The free event, sponsored by CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion,

“Healthcare is one of those industries in our region that continues to be in very high demand,” said Melissa Saco, CareerSource CLM business development manager. “To help meet that need, this job fair features an abundance of immediate opportunities from entry level to registered and licensed nurses.”

To date, the following businesses are scheduled to take part: Advent Life Care, HCA Healthcare North Florida Division, Heart of Florida Health Center, Key Training Center, Ocala Health and Rehabilitation, Candidates are asked to register prior to the event at bit.ly/ Healthcare2021. For more information, as well as updates on participating businesses and the registration link, check the calendar at careersourceclm.com.

Those interested in attending should bring printed copies of their resume, dress professionally, and be prepared for on-the-spot job masks will be required of all attendees.

Candidates interested in updating their resume, preparing a 30-second “elevator speech”’ or sharpening interview skills are encouraged to visit one of CareerSource CLM’s career centers for fee-free assistance. The centers are located at 2703 NE 14th St., Ocala; For information, call 800-434-5627. anesthesiology resident physicians. The Class of 2021 launched in July 2018.

[Dave Miller]

First class of anesthesiology residents graduate from Ocala Health Ocala Health’s graduate medical education program has now grown to 147 residents across eight specialties including anesthesiology, family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, general surgery, orthopedic surgery, surgical critical care, and transitional year.

The anesthesiology graduates including Drs. W Marc Blanchard, Heather Christopherson, Evan Davidson, Bruce Dixon, Neisaliz Marrero Figueroa, Katarina Kapisoda, and Adambeke Nwozuzu.

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JULY 9 - JULY 15, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Sports Pack Power

Golf tournament raises money for West Port football

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com Former NFL players from Marion County came out to support West Port High School Football during a golf tournament recently.

Former players included former Minnesota Vikings Dante Culpepper and former New Orleans Saint Steve Rhem, who is also the Wolf Pack’s current head coach.

The tournament was organized by the Pack Football Club, the booster club arm of the West Port High football program, and was held at Candler Hills Golf Course on June 26.

Ginger Cruze, principal at West Port, shared her appreciation for everyone who helped make the event a success.

“(Booster Club Member) Amanda Tice and the booster club did an excellent job of putting together the tournament,” Cruze said. “Our coaches and players were also involved making this a great event.

I appreciate our Booster Club’s support of our student-athletes.”

Steve Rhem, head football coach for the Wolf Pack, expressed his gratitude to supporters, who raised money to help the team purchase critical equipment such as new football helmets and COVID-19 safe training equipment.

“The support of our youth safety is critical to having a successful and healthy team,” Rhem said. “Thank you, Marion County, for being the leader and generous

supporter that you are.”

Rhem played his high school football at Vanguard High School. He also played professionally for the New Orleans Saints as a wide receiver in 1994-95.

Culpepper is also a Vanguard High School

alum. He went on to play quarterback for the UCF by the NFL’s Minnesota professional career with 149 touchdown passes and 24,153 passing yards.

The tournament raised

$7,000 towards the purchase of the team’s new equipment.

Rhem is entering his second season as the Wolf Pack’s head coach. The team West Port opens the 2021 football season against Jesuit on Aug. 27.

Players and coaches pose for a photo during the Pack Football Club Golf Tournament to raise money to buy equipment for the West Port High School football team. Former NFL star Dante Culpepper, second from right, participated in the event. [Submitted]

Florida college athletes free to earn money off NIL With wire services The NCAA Board of Directors approved one of the biggest changes in the history of college athletics recently, clearing the way for nearly a half-million athletes to start earning money based on their fame and celebrity without fear of endangering their eligibility or putting their school in jeopardy of violating amateurism rules that have stood for decades.

In Florida, a law allowing

year by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“This is an important day for college athletes since they all are now able to take advantage of name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said. suspends NCAA restrictions on payments to athletes for things such as sponsorship deals, online endorsements and personal appearances. it applies to all three divisions or some 460,000 athletes.

Florida State University

quarterback McKenzie Milton wasted little time appearing at a Miller’s Ale House restaurant in Tallahassee on July 1 to sign a company he co-founded with University of Miami quarterback D’Eriq King.

“This is bigger than any individual. It’s a day for all athletes to be able to capitalize on something they should have been able to a long time ago,” Milton said. with Florida’s new law in mind. Its objective is to allow businesses to book meet-and-greet events, photo shoots and athletic camps with college athletes, with the company handling compliance issues for the athletes.

The company’s website lists Milton and King as having $2,000-an-hour appearance fees.

“Our biggest focus is on safety and compliance,” Pardillo said Florida. “And that includes everything from NCAA compliance as well as team rules, everything that wraps into

the Florida state law.”

The NCAA will also allow athletes to enter into agreements with agents, though all athletes are expected to keep their school informed of any and all NIL arrangements. The NCAA said schools are responsible “for determining whether those activities are consistent with state law.”

Anticipating the change, many schools already have plans in place, with some weaving NIL education into for-credit coursework.

Athletes must report NIL arrangements to their schools and there are limits on what they can do. Florida bars athletes from endorsing gambling.

For now, the NCAA has hands of more than 1,100 member schools.

“The current environment — both legal and legislative — prevents us from providing a more permanent solution and the level of detail student-athletes deserve,” Emmert said.

In a letter to member schools last week, Emmert stressed the high court still

Florida State University quarterback McKenzie Milton, standing right, poses with a DeSantis jersey. [News Service of Florida]

puts authority to govern college sports in the hands of the association. However, he warned schools that “existing and new rules are subject to antitrust analysis and we should expect continued litigation., particularly in the area of ‘play for pay.’”

The NCAA said the temporary policy addresses “play for pay” and the continued ban on improper inducements tied to choosing a school.

“The new policy

preserves the fact college sports are not pay-forplay,” said Division II Presidents Council chair Sandra Jordan, chancellor at the University of South Carolina-Aiken. “It also reinforces key principles of fairness and integrity across the NCAA and maintains rules prohibiting improper recruiting inducements.”

The Associated Press and the News Service of Florida contributed to this report.

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JULY 9 - JULY 15, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

People, Places & Things

A New Start Homeless veteran gets new tiny home

By Susan Smiley-Height Ocala Gazette

Veterans Services, emceed a program that included

A

CEO of Arnette House, Aimee Pfannenstiel with Cox Communications, Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn, Sen. Dennis Baxley and Al Lugo, director of the VFW Veterans Village.

In addressing the gathering, Ham said, “I’d

s Craig Ham, president of the Marion County Veterans Council, opened the front door of the tiny house built by students at Arnette House Inc. on July 1, former US Marine Jerry Maples eagerly stepped his new home.

“This is awesome, very nice,” exclaimed Maples. “I can’t believe it was built by tiny house, which is on wheels, was built by youth in a vocational program at Arnette House, which serves youth ages 10 to 17 and their families in the 5th Judicial Circuit. The vocational program is funded by The Sexauer Foundation.

Providing the home to a veteran was the result of a partnership between several organizations.

During the unveiling event at the Marion County the youth who helped build the dwelling were perched director of Marion County

into perspective. When you real tangible things that you’re going to see today government entities, but the community.

“You have the Arnette House, which taught these young men and women

mission of that organization. house to the Marion County Veterans Council so we can maintain ownership and we have the VFW Veterans Village, which has agreed to provide a place in its RV

to be a functional residence.

And, of course, there were many private companies that were part of this.”

“We are honored to be a partner,” Lugo told the audience. “I appreciate that 1% – our veterans – that allows the rest of us - 99% - to do the things we want to do. That 1%, every day, they stand up, they go, they deploy all over the world.

As we celebrate the 4th men and women that have come before us that have paid the ultimate because, as the saying goes, freedom is not free.”

As Denise Paradis and David Ulloa with Arnette House shouted “Move that bus,” a bus belonging to the veterans away, revealing the tiny home, patriotic wreath on the front door.

“It’s so

exciting,” said Pettit. “These and they have been excited as well about being able to Maples, who is from Tampa, said part of his military duties included securing the safety of an ambassador in 1998, when “a bunch of embassies were getting bombed.” He said before 9/11 and later moved to Ocala with his former

wife, who has family in the area. He said he has most recently been staying with a friend.

While exploring the inside of his new home, Maples said his friend had been interested in tiny homes and had been doing a lot of research about them.

“For me to be up for one was an amazing chance, and I am very glad they chose me to get this so I can help better myself,” Maples said.

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JULY 9 - JULY 15, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Creative’s Corner

A Love of Leather

Leatherworker and equestrian handcrafts functional art

By Lisa McGinnes

Ocala Gazette

Necessity was the mother of invention for leatherworker Maryann Abeles.

“My husband and I started cowboy mounted shooting,” the longtime equestrian explained, describing the sport in style revolvers, shooting at balloon targets while riding horseback. a really good set of holsters terrible leather. So I got this brilliant idea of maybe I’ll try making it myself. And that’s where it all started.”

That was 15 years ago.

Abeles watched YouTube videos about leatherworking and learned a lot by taking pieces apart to see how they were made.

“I keep my old set around as a reminder of how far I’ve come,” she said. “It worked for 35 years, the native New Yorker downsized from a large ranch to just

two horses when she and Hank and Gus, her quarter horses, are her biggest source of inspiration.

“My horses have custom nosebands. I don’t make things for myself,” she admitted. “Everything I decide I’m going to keep for my body,” she added with a laugh.

Leather line consists of gear – from cattle counters and spur straps to nosebands. She takes great care to make each item beautiful and functional, starting with the highest quality leather.

Abeles can get more laced tote bags, belts, phone cases, belt loop bags and other smaller items, such as carved bracelets, that she sells at Juniper General Store. She especially likes using embossed leather, western designs and sometimes, just a little bit of fringe.

“I’m not a very ‘blingy’ person,” she admitted. “I’m

not the rhinestone cowgirl kind of western. It all needs to be functional and what I call ‘classy bling.’”

had to get out of your saddle

was inspired by another of Abeles’ favorite pastimes.

“My girlfriends and I used to ride every Friday night, sorting cattle. And just as a goof one day, I made a bunch because these

piece and using carving and stamping techniques.

“To me, leather’s just like modeling clay – it’s amazing what you can do with it,” she said. “There’s no limit to what you can do with leather. Just be creative. I try to be out of the box a little.”

boot. I made one for each of my friends, so you never

A retired hairdresser, goods in a workshop at her

She enjoys experimenting with new designs, said Abeles, who recently took on a new challenge: creating a custom console cover for a customer’s pickup truck.

But her love of horses will always be her primary source of inspiration.

“I’ve always loved leather,” she noted. “And I’ve always loved good leather. There’s no better smell than leather on a sweaty horse.”

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JULY 9 - JULY 15, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Community Art

Appleton photo exhibition focuses on community participation

By Julie Garisto

Special to Ocala Gazette Smartphone cameras aren’t They allow us to unleash our inner artiste, to capture everything from expressive portraits to landscapes to The ever-advancing technology of phone cameras empowers everyday photographers to experiment and tell stories through visual imagery – a resource tapped by The Appleton Museum of Art while coordinating its Mobile Photography Contest Exhibition over the 2014, the Appleton’s annual photo exhibition provides free access to people of all of a trend toward increased community engagement at According to the American Alliance of Museums, a museum’s engagement should convey “a center where people gather to meet and converse

and an active, visible player in civic life, a haven, and a

in what was going on

Appleton, a campus of the College of Central Florida, has collaborated with the Magnolia Art Exchange and the Marion Cultural Alliance to enhance Ocala’s

adding that she was impressed with “how they were pushing the boundaries of creativity and what we think a cell phone

museum has expanded its

community-based ekphrastic exhibition at the Nova-Southeastern University Art Museum in Fort Lauderdale – where she used to work as an education associate – Billig noticed the excitement generated by artists of all

worked with the city and Magnolia to commission muralist Alex Brewer, known professionally as HENSE, to paint the side of Seminole Feed, which has This year, an anonymous donor has sponsored the museum’s First Free Saturday, which allows free of the month through Victoria Billig, the Appleton’s assistant director, initiated the Appleton Museum Mobile Photography Exhibition— which she emphasizes is a

personally interested

people were using mobile

popularity of the show demonstrated to her the potential of a more open “Every single photo that’s submitted gets printed and we put it on view, and that’s something that we’re really proud other museums’ mobile photo contests print the winners only or display photos in a slideshow on a This year’s all-inclusive

phone-photo exhibition will be up from July 13 all the participants will be hung throughout the exhibit space, and a winners wall will display enlarged prints taken by the winners of four

A total of 630 photos have been submitted by 170 Their works will be exhibited in a 576-squarefoot space in a “clothesline All of the entries will be judged by Tino Grana, curator of the gallery at World Equestrian Center

“We tried to make it very a photo of their dog on their phone or someone in their life who inspires them, a hero, but then we also try to pick things that are a little more creatively stimulating such as the black-and-white done color and shape, and So we always try to have something in there that maybe provokes a little

“Tino will be going through each of the four categories and picking two winners from each

Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333

asked him to take into consideration the category, so we’re looking for the best response to the prompt, but then we’re also looking for

Saturday and noon-5

Camperlengo 2020 Winner

Mobile Photography Contest Exhibition

2018 Black&White Category Winner

That said, proven artistic skill or experience has never been a prerequisite to submit images to the Appleton’s mobile photo

photographer exhibits large-scale color and blackand-white photographs at

2018 Potrait Category Winner

2019 Landscape Category Winner

creativity and originality and thoughtfulness, and obviously artistic merit to

call 352-291-4455 or visit

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JULY 9 - JULY 15, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Businesses unite to help sick colleague

By Emily Parada

Special to the Ocala Gazette

life.

ocalagazette

@ocalagazette

Follow us on social media to keep up with the latest news, events and more!

B5

JULY 9 - JULY 15, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Community

Now -8/6

Summer Kids Film Series

7/12 -16

Ageless Adventures

7/9 -11

Summer Horse Show Series

7/13

75 West Networks Group

7/9

Marion Oaks Farmers Market

7/13

Computer Essentials

7/9

Marion County Friday Market

7/13

Medicare Part C

7/9

7/9

Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave. 10 & 11am The Marion will show kids’ movies on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings throughout the summer. Playing this week: “Cars” and “The Sandlot.” Visit mariontheatre.org for details.

World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave. 8am Hunter/jumper competition at all levels with a weekly $50,000 Grand Prix. Spectators are welcome. Visit wec.net for more information.

Marion Oaks Community Center, 294 Marion Oaks Lane 9am-12pm

McPherson Government Complex, 601 SE 25th Ave. 9am-2pm Shop locally fresh fruits and veggies, cinnamon buns, jerky, freeze dried treats, olive oils and seafood.

Reading With Rangers and Friends

Heritage Nature Conservancy, 2005 NE Third St. 11am

7/9

Cooks and Books

Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE County Highway 484, Belleview 3pm Author Amy Paige Condon will share “A Nervous Man Shouldn’t Be Here in the First Place,” her biography of journalist William Calhoun “Bill” Baggs. The paired cooking demonstration from the Fiery Chef will be healthier Arroz Con Pollo. Call (352) 438-2500 to register.

Casino Night

7/10

7/14

1 Million Cups Ocala

7/14

Medicare Preventative Services

information.

7/10

skills in this competition featuring both Western and English styles. Spectators are welcome. Visit sunshinestatepleasureshowseries.com for more information.

7/10

Ocala Downtown Market 310 SE Third St. 9am-2pm

War Horse Warrior Fest

War Horse Harley-Davidson, 5331 N U.S. Highway 441 12-5pm This fundraiser for the 50 Legs Foundation, which provides prosthetics for amputees, will include music by The Chad three-legged races and other family-friendly activities.

Visit warhorseharley.com or call (352) 520-0845 for more information.

7/10

7/14

Lunch Bunch Book Club

7/14

Brown Bag Basics

7/12 7/12

7/15

Farmers Market

7/12

Let’s Talk Books

Reddick Public Library, 15150 NW Gainesville Road, Reddick 10:30am Join a discussion of Jon Krakauer’s “Into the Wild.” Call (352) 438-2566 to register.

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St. 1-6pm Shop a selection of produce, meat, natural and handmade products and food trucks. ocaladowntownmarket.com

Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St. 9am-1pm Locally grown seasonal produce, baked goods, plants and more information.

7/15

Long Term Care Planning

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) - virtual 10-11:30am Learn more about Medicare in this free Zoom workshop shine@agingresources.org for more information. www.

7/15

Be Scam Smart

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) - virtual 2-3pm Learn more about Medicare in this free Zoom workshop shine@agingresources.org for more information. www.

7/15

Business After Hours

7/15

Car Seat Class

7/15

Reading With Horses

Monday Morning Book Club

Fort McCoy Public Library, 14660 NE County Highway 315, Fort McCoy 10:30am Join a discussion of Jodi Picoult’s “Leaving Time.” Call (352) 438-2560 to register.

Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County, 324 SE 24th St. 11:45am-1pm

Wednesday Midday Market

Virtual 10-11am CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion will help you create careersourceclm.com to register or get more information.

Dunnellon Public Library, 20351 Robinson Road, Dunnellon 10:30am Join a discussion of Octavia Butler’s “Kindred.” Call (352) 4382520 to register.

7/14

Florida Horse Park, 11008 S County Highway 475 6pm Spectators are invited to tailgate and bring chairs and a picnic

Job Specific Resume Development

Forest Public Library, 905 S County Highway 314A, Ocklawaha 10:30am Join a discussion of Christopher Paolini’s “Eragon.” Call (352) 438-2540 to register.

demonstration of Canva for creating images and presentations.

Visit ocalafoundation.org for more information.

Summer Sunset Polo

sport of kings. Visit ocalapolo.com for details.

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) - virtual 10-11:30am Learn more about Medicare in this free Zoom workshop

Forest Readers Book Club

ocaladowntownmarket.com for more information.

7/10

Power Plant Business Incubator, 405 SE Osceola Ave. 9:30-10:30am Two local startups present their business idea to an audience of community entrepreneurs. Email ryan@ocalacep.com for more information.

7/14

Sunshine State Open Pleasure Show

Florida Horse Park, 11008 S County Highway 475 9am

Ocala Public Library, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd.

5pm Join a discussion of Mary Kay Andrews’ “Hello, Summer.” Call (352) 671-8551 to register.

shine@agingresources.org for more information. www.

Yoga in the Park

Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave. 9am Bring your own yoga mat for a free, relaxing class taught by a

SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) - virtual 10-11:30am Learn more about Medicare in this free Zoom workshop

Novels at Night Book Club

Ocala Ballroom, 108 N Magnolia Ave. 6:30-11:30pm The Marion County Building Industry Association (MCBIA) proceeds donated to the Friends of the Marion County Veterans Park. Visit mcbia.org for details.

CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion, 2703 NE 14th St. 9-10am Learn basic computer tasks and explore online resources that will support continued learning to compete in today’s techsavvy job market. Visit careersourceclm.com or call (800) 4345627 to register or get more information.

7/13

information.

7/9

SpringHill Suites, 4100 SW 40th St. 9am This referral networking group is a program of the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership. Visit cepocala.com or call (352) 817-6984 for more information.

shine@agingresources.org for more information. www.

Interview Strategies That Get You Noticed

Virtual 10-11am CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion will present strategies to stand out from the competition in behavioral interviews at this free workshop. Visit careersourceclm.com to register or get more information.

Master the Possibilities, 8415 SW 80th St. Times vary This generation-blending series of workshops, on a wide variety of art, science, history, wellness and entertainment topics, is open to youth participants and a parent or grandparent. Visit masterthepossibilities.org to register.

Burnyzz, 1 Aspen Road 5-7pm The Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership’s signature networking event includes refreshments and door prizes. Visit cepocala.com for more information.

Florida Health Marion County, 1801 SE 32nd Ave. 5:30-7:30pm Families who receive government aid and need a car seat are encouraged to sign up for this free class to learn about car safety, receive a car seat and install it correctly. Call (352) 6442751 to register.

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St. 10-11am Gentle Carousel’s miniature therapy horses share books and free activities through their Reading is Magic summer literacy more information.

B6

Now -8/5

JULY 9 - JULY 15, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Arts

7/12

Marion County Board of Adjustment Variances

7/12

Dunnellon City Council

7/12

Marion County Historical Commission

Now Countenance -9/26

7/13

Marion Oaks Recreation Services and Facilities Advisory Board

Now -10/2

7/13

Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District Board

7/13

City of Dunnellon Historic Preservation Board

7/13

City of Belleview Planning & Zoning Board

7/13

Marion County License Review Board

7/14

Marion County Code Enforcement Board

7/14

Marion County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee

7/15

Marion County Development Review Committee Staff Meeting

Now -8/27

Summer Spotlight XXIV

CF Webber Gallery, 3001 SW College Road 10am-4pm Monday-Thursday The Visual Artists’ Society presents the 24th annual juried exhibition of works in a variety of mediums Central Florida artist members. Call (352) 873-5809 for more information.

Summer in the Sun

NOMA Gallery, 939 N Magnolia Ave. 12pm-5pm Thursday-Saturday For this juried exhibition, artists were invited to submit works based on the theme “What Does Summer in the Sun Mean to You?” Visit nomaocala.com for more information.

Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm A selection of works from the permanent collection examine the ancient tradition of portrait-making through a new lens.

Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

ART-CALA

Barbara Gaskin Washington Adult Activity Center, 210 NW 12th Ave. Monday-Friday 9am-4pm Artworks from Art Army Ocala were created by participants at culturalarts for more information.

Now Highlights from the Equine Collection -10/24

Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm This exhibit of works from the permanent collection highlights more than 60 pieces which relay Arthur I. Appleton’s love of horses. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Now -1/22/ 2022

Alison Saar: Works from the Permanent Collection

7/9 -10

Seeing Peacocks Through My Eyes

Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm This exhibit of printed works curated from the Appleton’s collection showcases Alison Saar, an internationally acclaimed artist who incorporates spiritual and political themes. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

10am-5pm Tuesday-Saturday An immersive experience into Indian culture through folk art, dance, storytelling and culinary tastes presented by artist Dr. information.

7/11

Sip & Shop

Gallery B, 405 E Silver Springs Blvd.

11am-2pm Visit gallerybocala.com for more information.

7/12

7/12 -16 7/13

Expressive HeARTS: healing through the arts The Monarch Center, 2895 SE 62nd St. 2:30-4pm

McPherson Governmental Campus Administration Building, 601 SE 25th Ave. 6pm For more information, call Rolando Sosa at (352) 620-0944.

Annex Building, 280 Marion Oaks Lane 9:30am The board helps determine the budget and projects for the Marion Oaks Community Center. Call (352) 438-2828 for more information.

Growth Services Training Room, 2710 E. Silver Springs Blvd.

9:30am Call (352) 438-2475 for more information.

Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 River Dr., Dunnellon 5:30pm Call (352) 465-8500 for more information.

Belleview City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 5:30pm Call (352) 245-6532 for more information.

Growth Services Training Room, 2710 E. Silver Springs Blvd.

6pm The License Review Board hears and investigate complaints regarding competency of licensed contractors. Call (352) 4382428 for more information.

Growth Services Training Room, 2710 E. Silver Springs Blvd.

9am The Code Enforcement Board hears and resolves cases in which there is a code violation dispute. Call (352) 671-8901 for more information.

Green Clover Hall, 315 SE 25th Ave. 3:30pm Call (352) 671-8770 for more information.

8:30am Applicants may discuss proposed or current projects with

from 9:30-11am at The Cates House, 9505 SW 110th St. Visit monarchcenter-marion.com or call (352) 873-7456 to register.

Development Review Committee. Call (352) 671-8686 for more information.

Summer Art Camp: Sketch It

Virtual 9-11am The Appleton Museum invites kids ages 7-12 to look at a subject and learn to draw it. Visit appletonmuseum.org to register.

Drawing in the Galleries 1-3pm Bring pencil and paper or borrow them at the museum for a self-guided drawing session with optional instruction. No registration required. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Appleton Book Club

7/15

Coffee, Cake & Community

7/15

Artist’s Outlook: Kenda North

Virtual 7pm Join an online discussion of “The Museum of Lost Art”

by Noah Charney. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

7/15

Pine Run Estates Advisory Council

7/15

Brownfields Advisory Committee

7/15

West Ocala Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Committee

7/15

Rainbow Lakes Estates Public Advisory Board

NOMA Gallery, 939 N Magnolia Ave. 1-4pm Need a new space for inspiration? Bring your current project and enjoy some together time with other creatives. Visit

Virtual 7-8:15pm The Appleton Museum of Art will present a free Zoom talk processes and underwater photography to create her works.

Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Government Marion County Development Review Committee 9am The DRC votes on waiver requests, drainage/site plans, subdivision master plans, preliminary plats, improvement information.

7/12

Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 River Dr., Dunnellon 5:30pm Call (352) 465-8500 for more information.

art activities for adults working through grief. This program,

7/13

7/12

Growth Services Training Room, 2710 E. Silver Springs Blvd.

2pm Call (352) 438-2600 for more information.

City of Belleview Site Plan Committee City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 9am Call (352) 245-7021 for more information.

Kendra North

Pine Run Clubhouse, 10379 SW 88th Terrace 10am Call (352) 438-2650 for more information.

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. 2:30pm Call (352) 629-8550 for more information.

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. 3pm Call (352) 629-8311 for more information.

Rainbow Lakes Clubhouse, 4020 SW Deepwater Court, Dunnellon 6:30pm Call (352) 489-4280 for more information.

B7

JULY 9 - JULY 15, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR 9

9

6pm John Johnson Locos Grill & Pub

9

World Equestrian Center Yellow Pony

9

6:30pm Gilly & the Girl

9

10

10pm

10

7pm

10

10

The Keep Downtown

4pm Gator Joe’s

11

6:30pm

7pm

10pm Becky Sinn

3pm Gator Joe’s

14

Horse & Hounds

10

1pm Swampy’s

World Equestrian Center Yellow Pony

Ocala Downtown Market

10

8pm Becky Sinn

10:30pm

11

6pm Stephen Lopez

1pm John Johnson The Crazy Cucumber

Shuckin’ Shack

O’Malley’s Alley

The Crazy Cucumber

9

8pm Ken Miller

11

6pm Ocala Downtown Square

Bonkerz Comedy Club

La Cuisine

9

10

The Lodge

9

6:30pm

8pm

6:30pm World Equestrian Center Yellow Pony

14

7pm

O’Malley’s Alley

Then....and Now

The original Ocala National Bank was established in 1911 with John L.

and arched windows to match its classic is shown in this 1914 photo which is Archives]

operated as a bank for decades and been the

place. A recent photo of the bank shows the

Answers for pages B4

Ocala Gazette publishes fond remembrances of your loved one Visit ocalagazette.com to submit an obituary