Ocala Gazette | July 23 - 29, 2021

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 4

National Hot Fudge Sundae Day July 25

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JULY 23 - JULY 29, 2021

Heart of Florida to build free-standing clinic in west Ocala

By James Blevins Special to the Ocala Gazette

Heart of Florida CEO Jamie Ulmer said the $800,000 from the sale of

dental building, The Heart of Florida Health Center is ready to expand again, this time with a free-standing clinic near State Road 200.

clinic in west Ocala.

“It’ll be somewhere between 7,000 and 10,000 square feet,” said Ulmer.

“It’ll be somewhere close to State Road 200 and will

feature a drive-through pharmacy. It’ll be a major expansion for that west side location.”

There was no immediate timeline for the project’s completion.

But that’s not all the health center has on its plate.

“We’re also planning an expansion for our Dunnellon

in the process of purchasing land that’s next to us, and we’ll be expanding that building by approximately 2,500 square feet. That’ll be happening over the next month.”

Heart of Florida also has several projects currently underway and in various

Growing Interest

stages of completion.

At 1536 S. Pine Ave., the health center is presently renovating a former Wendy’s restaurant into a drivethrough pharmacy which Ulmer said was awarded by the city on July 16.

See Heart of Florida, page A2

City adopts proposed $9.2 million fire assesment plan

By Carlos Medina carlos@ocalagazette.com The Ocala City Council approved a plan to raise $9.2 million to help assessment charged to property owners, including those of vacant land.

The council voted 4-1 to approve the resolution. Council President Justin Grabelle voted against the plan. The council did not discuss the plan. There was no public comment either. fees was deemed unconstitutional last year.

The proposed plan, which must hearing, means homeowners would pay between $152.47 and $255.48, depending on the square footage of the home.

In January, the city passed a separate onetime assessment that only considered if the property was residential or non-residential.

Residential properties were assessed $190.77 regardless of size or type.

In that assessment, the city did not include vacant property. This time, each vacant parcel will be assessed $23.35.

Also, in contrast to the January assessment, multi-family property owners would have to pay $137.08 for each unit 1,000 square feet or smaller. Units larger than 1,200 square feet would be assessed $153.37 each.

[Alan Youngblood/Special to Ocala Gazette]

Mark III demolition begins ahead of marijuana project

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

A

has started on the site of a planned marijuana cultivation and processing hub on part of a former van conversion plant in Northwest Ocala.

This week, demolition of some of the buildings of the former Mark III plant located along the 5400 block of Northwest 44th Avenue began in earnest.

Green Thumb Industries (GTI) will lease a 28-acre portion of the site, which is near the planned Interstate-75 interchange at Northwest 49th Street.

The initial plans, announced in of the project to be ready by the end of 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic put a hold on the project.

GTI, a Chicago-based company specializing in medical marijuana cultivation, plans an estimated $20 million in renovations.

It is estimated that GTI will supply medicinal marijuana

products to approximately 35 dispensaries in the state.

Kevin Sheilley, president and CEO of the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership, said to begin as soon as demolition is completed.

“We hope to keep Green Thumb here for phase two of the demolition and rebuild,” Sheilley said.

“Additional capital investments will be necessary.”

The project will create about 100 See Green Thumb page A2

See Fire Assessment, page A3

Silver Springs swim area nearing construction phase

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

Silver Springs circa 1950 [Bruce Mozert Collection]

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An amenity improvements project that will add a swimming area at Silver Springs State Park is currently being developed and could begin construction in the fall.

Alexandra Kuchta, press secretary with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, gave an update on the progress of the project, which is currently in the design and development phase.

“The Florida DEP is committed to providing high quality, resource-based recreation to the residents of Florida and

visitors to our state,” Kuchta said.

The Florida Parks Service released a conceptual design of what the swimming area is expected to look like in 2020. It will have a similar layout to the swimming beach that many longtime residents of Ocala remember from when the springs were previously open to swimmers.

The swimming area will be constructed within the springhead and downstream paddle access, adjacent to the glass bottom boat docks. also been planned.

See Silver Springs, page A2

Inside: COVID-19 Update ................. A4 Development News................ A6 City Council Elections .......... A8 Art Show .................................. B1 Sports .......................................B2 Calendar .................................. B5

A2

JULY 23 - JULY 29, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

From Green Thumb, page A1 new jobs in the area, he said.

Recently another company, Green Ops Group, based in Columbus, Ohio, also started work on transforming an Ocala warehouse into a cultivation facility.

Green Ops has plans for a 60,000-square-foot grow facility in Ocala, as well as a storefront for distribution on Pine Avenue.

Ocala is home to several legal marijuana dispensaries including, Curaleaf, Trulieve, Surterra Wellness, Tierra Healthcare Concepts and Medical Marijuana Treatment Clinics of Florida. The

through a constitutional amendment in 2016. It wasn’t until 2019 that the state permitted users to legally smoke the drug. A doctor’s prescription is required.

The law requires companies like GTI to sell only what they grow and process, a concept known as vertical integration.

GTI operates retail locations in 10 states. In Florida, they operate under the name Rise. Currently, they have seven locations in the state but can operate up to 35 locations under its current license.

While medical marijuana use in Florida is legal, recreational use remains illegal.

For more information about Green Thumb Industries, visit www.gtigrows.com

While marijuana is still illegal on the federal level, Florida voters approved medical marijuana

[Alan Youngblood/Special to Ocala Gazette]

From Silver Springs, page A1

The shoreline is shown by the state proposed beach and swimming area near the Glass Bottom Boat dock at Silver Springs State Park. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

The plan for a swimming area has been in the works since the springs became a state park in 2014. Budget issues have caused the project to be delayed.

“The project will require permitting from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the St. Johns River Water Management District before selecting a contractor,” Kuchta said.

Once permitting is complete, the selection of a contractor will take approximately 60-90 days, according to Kuchta.

The design and development

phase will tentatively be completed in the fall of 2021.

As of now, there is no timetable set for the completion of the project.

“Permitting for this project is in the early stages,” Kuchta said.

The swimming area is expected to cost approximately $1.5 million. number of people that will have access to the swimming area. the springs from overuse and potential environmental damage.

From Heart of Florida, page A1 According to his estimates, it should be up and running within the next two to three weeks.

Another pharmacy project in Belleview has recently completed construction, and Ulmer expects it to begin moving medications as early as next week.

All of this expansion, said Ulmer, is a result of meeting the needs of the community.

“What we found out is that with the COVID-19 pandemic, we really

increased access to patients who didn’t know much about us. And now, we’re living up to the needs of patients who request more from us.

We want to make sure that we’re providing services that will accommodate them,” he said, including COVID-19 vaccinations.

Ulmer stressed they have vaccines available at each of their seven locations in Marion County.

“We’re capable of giving amount of people,” Ulmer

Dr. Cristen Dietz, DMD, examines the teeth of Kollette Bethea, 9, in the dental area at the Heart of Florida Health Center. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

said. “Please, don’t hesitate to come and get vaccinated if you can. We’re here to serve you.”

The health center is open to all patients but was founded to serve the uninsured and underinsured.

The organization opened its new headquarters last June at 2553 E. Silver Springs Blvd. The space was once an Albertsons grocery store and consolidated

several locations once spread across the city. Some locations, including the former dental clinic, became unnecessary.

But for local chiropractor Beau Makarewicz, who bought the former dental Roman David Enterprises, it was a chance to expand his practice.

Makarewicz, who has practiced chiropractic medicine in Ocala since

2011, said the new practice will be named Mack Chiropractic and Injury. He hopes to open in about two months.

“I just took the opportunity to grow,” said Makarewicz. “I saw the opportunity to grow my business in a great location and took advantage of it.

Now I’ll have more space and ownership in the building. And I think that’s a big thing.”

County recognizes longtime employees Others recognized included: The Marion County Commission recognized several employees for their years of service on July 20.

The most senior employee recognized was Clarke Allen, a park ranger that has served with the county for 30 years.

25 Years Craig Damien, Marion County Fire Rescue division chief – 25 years.

Carrie Hyde, utilities develop 20 Years Deirdre Gray, library technician Nanette Diaz, logistic manager Robert Rivers, facility trades technician John Meza, IT systems manager William Liverman, MCFR captain Timothy Fish, facility trades technician 15 Years

Clarke Allen [Submitted]

Miguel Rioseco, MCFR battalion chief Joshua Nichols, MCFR Juan Yupanqui, MCFR Robert Williams, MCFR

Charles Ryan, parks operations supervisor Daisy Diaz, veteran services supervisor Jeremy Walker, solid waste dispatcher Wesley Wallace, solid waste operator

Glendeliris Johnson, solid waste dispatcher Heather Ringo, customer service specialist assistant Scott Bullard, equipment operator Steven Jacobs, veteran services technician

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JULY 23 - JULY 29, 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 Joel Bronson, Reporter joel@ocalagazette.com

Marion law enforcement visit Mexico border

By Carlos Medina carlos@ocalagazette.com

causing chaos in Reynosa and across

Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken

June 19, gunmen killed 14 people in separate attacks.

Tamaulipas state Gov. Francisco

Woods were shown in a video reacting to the situation at the July 14.

In the video, the two area law enforcement leaders are seen

Sadie Fitzpatrick, Columnist sadie@ocalagazette.com

separates the two countries near

Lisa McGinnes, Editor lisa@magnoliamediaco.com

people on the southern side of the

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

talking as U.S. immigration and people standing outside of a wall wanting to get into this country,” Balken said.

Woods agreed.

“It hurts,” Woods said. “We don’t want to leave the human leave their children out here. Bad guys don’t do good things and they and the innocent are standing right here.”

The trip, which was organized meant to give law enforcement a deeper perspective of how

McAllen.

Lee Kerr lee@magnoliamediaco.com

Reynosa. It is known as a key drug

Distribution Inquiries info@ocalagazette.com

illicit fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine are in the the country.

“That’s the root cause of the

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 heard and to chronicle our community’s history.

one gang killed Balken Woods. [Bruce Ackerman/OG] issued a written deaths reached the previous year response for why he was making and amounts to a 29% increase. the trip.

While prescription painkillers we’ve responded to well over 900 overdose incidents which resulted in the deaths of nearly 140 Ocala into these deaths has convinced me that the heroin and fentanyl

home,” Woods said. “I’m trying to The cartels running the

once drove the nation’s overdose epidemic, they were supplanted

fentanyl, a dangerously powerful opioid, in recent years. Fentanyl was developed to treat intense pain

is entering the United States why this is occurring at such an allocate resources and develop

Ralph Grandizio ralph@magnoliamediaco.com

Follow us @ocalagazette

de Vaca called the victims “innocent citizens” rather than

Fentanyl was involved in more than 60% of the overdose deaths last year, CDC data suggests.

In addition to Balken and Michael Chitwood, Bradford

into our community,” according to his response.

In the U.S., overdose deaths soared to a record 93,000 last year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government reported on July 14.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed death certificates to come up with the estimate for 2020 drug overdose deaths. The estimate of more than 93,000 translates to an average of more than 250 deaths each day, or roughly 11 every hour.

That estimate far eclipses the

DeLoach and Flagler County

trip, including hotel stay is $800, department travel and training fund, OPD stated. immediately state how it paid for the trip.

Both Balken and Woods are The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From Fire Assessment, page A1

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

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Ackerman/OG]

Non-residential property is industrial warehouse and institutional categories. As an $145 for a property smaller than assessment tops out at $43,500.

The proposed rates were

assessment roll, sets a date for

to property owners notifying them of the proposed assessment.

The Ocala Fire Rescue of which the assessment will pay for $9.2 million, according to the study. The city will pay for the sources. to what was collected using the previous fee strategy. a monthly fee to every city resident’s Ocala Electric Utility

service. The intent was to have onto property owners.

The court eventually agreed and ordered the city to refund upwards of $81 million to those who paid the fee. The city is challenging the amount due in refunds.

multi-million-dollar refund.

A4

JULY 23 - JULY 29, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

COVID-19 cases spike

By Carlos Medina carlos@ocalagazette.com The number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Marion County were up sharply last week as the area and the country continues to see an increase in cases.

For the week ending July 16, hospitalizations nearly doubled. The number of people in the area’s three hospitals rose to 61 from 33, according to numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Of those hospitalized, 60 were unvaccinated.

Ten of those are in COVID intensive care units, according to a local dashboard operated by Dr. David Kuhn of Trinity Clinic.

Still the number of hospitalizations is well below the peak of more than 170 in January.

Kuhn has published his dashboard, which includes local numbers reported by the Florida Department of Health (DOH) and the CDC, on his Facebook page since early in the pandemic.

It’s the same story across

Florida as COVID-19 hospitalization numbers also are increasing, ending months of steady decline that began when widespread vaccinations became available.

About 3,200 COVID patients are hospitalized in the state, a jump of 73% since June 14, when 1,845 were hospitalized.

For the week ending July 16, Marion County reported 652 positive cases and a 14.7% positivity rate of tests. That was up more than double from 251 new cases and an 8.6% positivity rate the week before, according to the DOH. The recent uptick is about half the nearly 1,500 cases reported per week locally during past surges.

Vaccination in Marion increased last week to 1,384 from less than 1,000 the week before, according to DOH reports.

The county is reporting 167,284 residents have received at least one dose of the two-dose vaccine series or the one dose Johnson & Johnson version. That is about 51% of the eligible population in Marion

County. The vaccine is approved for those 12 and older. The state’s average is 59%.

Demand for vaccination has fallen steeply since state.

Dr. Shamarial Roberson, the state’s deputy health secretary, said the case increase is mostly among younger people who are less She said more than 80% of residents 65 and over are vaccinated.

Marion County is reporting similar numbers with more than 72% of those 65 and older vaccinated. They hope to reach the 80% mark by September.

In late January, about 180 Floridians were dying per day of the disease, just below the peak of 200 per day last August. Last week, the average was about nine per day, according to the state, a 95% drop.

Overall, more than 38,000 Floridians with COVID-19 have died since the pandemic began in March 2020. The state stopped reporting county

deaths in June, but the CDC reports less than 10 deaths in the county for the previous seven days ending July 15.

Gov. Ron DeSantis reiterated that even with the increasing cases, there will be no mandates requiring vaccinations, masks or social distancing. He has pushed for the state to be fully open.

Dr. Frederick Southwick, chief of the University of Florida medical school’s infectious disease division, said computer simulations show the delta strain will create “a marked surge in cases over the next three months.”

“The delta variant grows faster in human cells and can spread to others particularly in closed spaces even when wearing a mask,” way to be protected from the delta variant is to get

vaccinated.”

Last week, Marion case of the delta variant in the County.

Roberson, the health department chief deputy, said the state has a “robust” outreach program to churches and rural communities pushing the message that vaccines are safe and readily available.

Ultimately though, it is up to each person.

“People have the right to choose,” she said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The Centers, SMA merger final front and center for us to work on, and capacity is a concern in some areas.”

Cosimi, who spent part of his early career at Marion-Citrus Mental Health— the forerunner of The Centers—says bringing SMA to the area feels like a “homecoming.”

By Max Russell Special to the Ocala Gazette

of both organizations.

The addition of Marion County brings SMA’s service

collaboration and due diligence, The Centers, a long-time provider of substance abuse and mental health services in Marion with Daytona Beach-based SMA Healthcare on July 1, a joint decision by the boards

central Florida counties, including Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia. All operate under the SMA Health brand.

“We’re excited to become a part of meeting this community’s need for expanded behavioral health services,” said SMA CEO Ivan Cosimi. “Access is

that the merged organization will continue to provide the same array of crisis, residential, outpatient, and community-based services, and that current clients should not notice any material change in services they receive.

“On July 1, all we did was change the signs and badges,” he said, adding that SMA plans to make a measured transition to its administrative systems, including medical records.

hotline, which replaces the previous Monday through Thursday, business-hoursonly line. The enhanced response times and ease access to services.

The Centers’ children’s crisis stabilization unit also represents a new addition to SMA’s overall complement of services.

Cosimi said that SMA has planned some major capital improvements for the 60th Avenue campus, renovations and upgrades.

“We’re excited about all the possibilities to expand and improve services,” he of that enthusiasm. They’re feeling a sense of optimism, and that’s a good start.”

Robin Lanier will continue to head the management team as SMA’s Vice President for Marion County Services. She was appointed to that leadership

position in January.

As noted in earlier reporting, the Marion County provider employs more than 400 people, sees about 15,000 clients each year, and has a budget of more than $25 million and is headquartered at 5664 SW 60th Avenue.

Both SMA Health and the newly merged The Centers are nonhave been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, a national quality of care review organization.

CARF notes, “Providers that meet our standards have demonstrated their commitment to being among the best available.”

The Centers was founded in 1972 as Marion-Citrus Mental Health Center. SMA dates back to 1960, when the Stewart Marchman Center and Act Corporation combined to form Stewart Marchman-Act.

City council approves plans for nearly 600 apartments The Ocala City Council on July 20 gave its unanimous approval to the development of a 360-unit apartment complex across from the College of Central Florida campus.

The nearly 35-acre property, located at 3527 SW 20th St., was approved for 116 homes in 2005. The owners, listed as Williamson Linda Ann Trust and Hillpointe, LLC, expanded the scope of the project.

Plans now call for 12 three-story apartment buildings. The conceptual plan for Pointe Grande also features a pool, clubhouse and 622 parking spaces.

In May, the council voted to transmit the proposed policy amendment required for the development to

the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) for review. The DEO completed the review in June and had no comments.

The proposed Ocala Southwest 20th Street behind Paddock Villas, a deed-restricted community.

Hillpointe is based in Winter Park and lists Steven Campisi as its manager in A website detailing complexes either just opened or opening this year uses the same Winter Garden address, but spells the apartment complexes Pointe Grand. The site features several properties in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Apartments in Kingsland and Savanah Georgia are leasing and feature two-bedroom, two-

from $1,492 to $1,662 per month. Proposed rents for the Ocala project were not immediately available.

apartment complex.

The council voted unanimously on July 20 to change the zoning from

In other action: The city council approved a zoning change for 23.18 acres in the 4000 block of Southwest 48th Ave. that would allow for a 320-unit

business to multi-family residential.

The applicant is Development Inc., which specializes in luxury

apartments, according to its website.

The company has residential properties around the country, under the Watermark brand.

This site is currently undeveloped and lies south of the Wynchase Townhomes subdivision.

A5

JULY 23 - JULY 29, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Dr. Fernandez is a bilingual, Spanish speaking Cardiologist who just relocated from Buffalo, NY to be closer to family! He will provide comprehensive Cardiac care and has extensive expertise in managing arrhythmias and implanted cardiovascular devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators, loop recorders, etc. We are very excited to have Dr. Fernandez join our Provider team here at OFMC and look forward to seeing his impact not only on our patients, but also in the community!

Our highly skilled Cardiology team here at OFMC, Dr. James London, Dr. Yasmin Amin and Dr. Jorge Fernandez specialize in the prevention, treatment and management of various heart and vascular diseases.

The focus of our Cardiology department is to develop treatment plans to help patients live heart healthy lives. Our Cardiologists encourage their patients to take an active role in their health and believe that preventing a disease is better than having to overcome one. We have in-house diagnostics that allow us to provide one-stop Cardiology care and treatment in one location!

Our Cardiology services include, but are not limited to: Preventive cardiology Coumadin Management Permanent Pacemaker/Defibrillator Checks Calcium Scoring Echocardiogram (ECG) Studies E l e c t r o c a r d i o g r a m ( E K G) Holter Monitors/Event Monitors Nuclear Cardiac Studies & Stress Testing Cardiac Clearance for Surgery

A6

JULY 23 - JULY 29, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Development plans approved by county

By Carlos Medina carlos@ocalagazette.com The Marion County Commission approved a plan for a new development proposed developer came to community.

On July 20, in favor of the plan to

Group, who developed the initial phase.

never developed. The property is currently owned

representative, at Tuesday’s Eventually, the developer

proposed developer of the new community, they wanted to move forward restriction.

That plan did not sit well with the current residents, who came out to the Marion

The commission split The community was

what they had to say,” said

Milton Andrade of

residents a few days later.

and update and enhance the phase.

In other action: The commission voted to approve plans for the West The application for the community came from family development on a located near Southwest Street Road.

The development, which

the residents). We heard

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a main house used for team functions.

the stadium, a restroom and concession area, internal roadways and additional professional soccer team

The commission also voted to approve a plan seat soccer stadium and additional facilities on

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The property is home

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to 100 units until is develops a second entrance. Currently there is a plan for one access

on the property and and school.

A7

JULY 23 - JULY 29, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Marion unemployment Plan would allow Rooms To jumps to 6.2% in June Go expansion The Marion County unemployment rate jumped to 6.2% in June from 5.3% last month but was still lower compared to 9.7% a year ago, according to numbers released by the Department of Economic Opportunity on July 16.

The current Rooms To Go building at 2832 SW State Road 200 is shown on July 21.

[Carlos Medina/Ocala Gazette]

A plan that would allow the expansion of the Rooms To Go location on State Road 200 was approved by the Ocala City Council on July 20.

The council voted 5-0 to change the zoning of the current site of the store at 2832 SW SR 200 and the neighboring vacant parcel at 2800 SW SR 200 to shopping center.

The move allows for a retail location larger than 35,000 square feet on the combined nearly 7.5 acres.

The current building occupied by the furniture retailer is approximately 26,700 square feet, according to property appraiser records.

The vacant lot was the former location of Toys R Us, which closed in 2018. The building, which went up in 1990, was torn down in May 2019.

RTG Ocala Properties acquired the 5.23 acres in April via a special warranty deed, according to county records.

The property is adjacent to the 2.47 acres where the furniture store now stands.

That building went up in 2006.

The plans for the expansion were not immediately revealed.

A standalone Rooms To Go Kids located nearby at 3701 SW SR 200 closed previously.

Rooms to Go, based in Seffner near Tampa, is the nation’s largest independent furniture retailer with more than 150 showrooms in 10 states throughout the Southeast and in Texas.

The company recently introduced 50,000-squarefoot superstores to Tampa and Orlando that include Rooms To Go, Rooms To Go Kids and Rooms To Go Patio under one roof.

the drag the COVID-19 pandemic had on the economy in 2020.

Locally, the labor force was 146,663 in June compared to 135,711 a year earlier. The number of people with jobs was 137,511 compared to 122,586 employed a year earlier. The number of people unemployed was 9,152 in June compared with 13,125 a year ago, according to the DEO. “The good news is we know there are businesses out there eager to hire,” he said. “Last month, we had 40 businesses recruiting at our the pandemic, next week we’ll hold a Healthcare Job Fair and on July 28, we’re partnering with neighboring workforce regions on an Agriculture Job Fair. No one needs to be out of work in our region if they want a job,” said Rusty Skinner, CEO of CareerSource CLM. On June 26, the state stopped the $300 federally funded weekly subsidy to those receiving unemployment compensation.

Gov. Ron DeSantis urged the end of the subsidies to spur people back to work.

The state also recently reinstated the requirement for those unemployed to show evidence they were seeking employment. Florida

pays a maximum of $275 per week in unemployment compensation. As more people enter the job market, the unemployment rate can increase.

Combined with the seasonal spike in summer jobs, the increase in the unemployment rate is no surprise, according to CareerSource.

But the area continues to see some of the state’s fastest annual job growth including an 8.6% increase in the manufacturing sector. the area also added more than 1,000 jobs in trade, transportation and utilities, and more than 800 jobs in leisure and hospitality, according to a CareerSource press release.

The state’s unemployment rate was 5% in June, up .1% from May. The U.S. unemployment rate was 5.9%.

File [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

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A8

JULY 23 - JULY 29, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Elections The race is on

By Carlos Medina carlos@ocalagazette.com With the qualifying period ending at noon on July 16, the ballot for the Sept. 21 Ocala city election is set. charter amendments.

Only residents of the city can

for all seats, regardless of their residence.

This year’s ballot also includes a special election for District 4, which Matt Wardell.

Wardell announced he would

six candidates for the position. The winner of the Sept. 21 election will term, which runs through 2023.

In the District 5 seat, incumbent Justin Grabelle decided to not seek re-election.

increased business and educational responsibilities. The election drew

The races, which are all non-partisan, include: Mayor - Incumbent: Kent Guinn

Kent Guinn

District 1 - Incumbent: Brent Malever

Manal Fakhoury

District 5 - Incumbent: Justin Grabelle

District 3 - Incumbent: Jay Musleh

Rusty Juergens

Jay Musleh

(not seeking re-election)

Ty Schlichter

James Hilty

Gregory Steen

District 4 - Incumbent: Matt Wardell (not seeking re-election)

Kristen Dreyer

Barbara Fitos

Charter amendments: One proposal would replace masculine pronouns in the charter with both feminine and masculine pronouns.

In the current charter, terms begin the

and special elections to happen during a 30 to 60-day window. The amendment would change that time to “as soon as reasonably practical.”

The current timeframe does not allow The third amendment would clarify when

Dreyer becomes sixth candidate in City Council District 4 race

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com The number of candidates

the special election on

do for communities,” Dreyer said. “I felt

remainder of his term which runs through 2023.

Dreyer earned a

to restore faith in local

in sociology from the now up to 6.

Kristen Dreyer, a local real estate consultant for

Florida in 2003. board at GraceWay

in Ocala, include an

the appropriate paperwork and will contend for the

17 and was a member

Ocala Main Street Board of Directors, board member and co-chair with the Ocala Historic

Matthew Wardell.

Wardell announced

September 2020 through September 2021.

Dreyer’s work with

Dreyer has held a

Kristen Dreyer

showed me what being a

Board, and steering committee member with

Master Plan. with Habitat for Humanity International.

Dreyer says her focus will be on “continued support of our city’s collaboration of community, keep the city headed in the right direction.” announced their candidacy

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JULY 23 - JULY 29, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

CITY OF OCALA - Organizational Chart

Citizens Boards/Commissions

City Clerk

City Attorney

Angel Jacobs

Mayor

City Council

Robert Batsel Jr.

City Auditor Randall Bridgeman

City Manager

Police Department

Sandra Wilson

Mike Balken

Human Resources & Risk Management

Office of Strategic Engagement

(Jared Sorensen)

(Jeannine Robbins)

Assistant City Manager

Assistant City Manager

Ken Whitehead

Peter Lee

Fire Rescue

Assistant City Manager/CFO Bill Kauffman

Budget Department

Airport

(Clint Welborn)

(Matt Grow)

(Tammi Haslam)

Fleet /FacilitiesManagement

Growth Management/SunTran

Finance/Customer Service

(John King)

(Emory Roberts)

(Tye Chighizola)

Public Works (Darren Park)

Community Development (James Haynes)

Water Resources/Engineering

Procurement and Contracting (Tiffany Kimball)

Fiber Network/Telecom

(Sean Lanier)

(Mel Poole)

Recreation & Parks

Information Technology

(Preston Pooser)

(Winsome Jacobs)

Electric Utility Revised 7/7/21

(Marvin Ayala)

Charter Offices

Q & A with the candidates Editor’s Note: Leading up to the city election, we’ll be asking candidates to weigh in once a week on a question about city government. The candidates are given almost a week to respond to the question in writing and we do not edit their answers.

These candidates did not answer the question: Alex Everts, Curtis Jones, Brent Malever, Lori Martin Gregory, Gregory Steen Kristen M. Dreyer: At this time, I do not feel that it is from city council to the mayor. It is not necessary, nor prudent, to reorganize and entire organization because of the mistake of one person. Furthermore, secure that any changes within their organization are made based on empirical data and not political opinion.

Manal Fakhoury: I believe that the council should our other critical services. Our city, and our democracy, depend on conversation and debate about our goals and our needs. That debate happens in our city council.

Our government should promote our principles, and Ocala believes department should be managed by a deliberative body, not an ever our respect and the tools necessary to do their jobs. City Council members who must vote on the record and can be held accountable by voters are best positioned to understand the needs of to our community.

Barbara Fitos: No, authority over Ocala Fire Rescue should be retained with City Council at this time notwithstanding the Fire Chief ’s abrupt termination and subsequent July 15th public reaction (and City Council’s) regarding the City Manager.

1) Proposal requires a charter amendment. Given that the September 21st ballot, inclusive of three proposed amendments has been set, it is ill-advised to attempt to insert an amendment of such magnitude without utmost consideration; 2) With four seats/Mayor up for election, prudence dictates that any such consideration be deferred until the new council/Mayor are seated; 3) Reprecussions regarding the Chief’s termination continue re: citizen polarization, former Chief’s legal counsel’s assertions, and Commissioner Gold’s appointment of the former Chief to the Marion County Fire Rescue EMS Advisory Board;

4) The still unresolved issue of the

manager that would oversee both the

and the potential $80M liability in

would serve in the capacity of management of both departments. this person would answer directly to the mayor. Therefore instead of

Ocala Fire Rescue has a rich historic legacy dating to 1885 as established

by City Council. To hastily dismantle that oversight and assign the Mayor the dual authority over both police diligence to address systemic issues, is counterproductive.

Kent Guinn: I think under the correct circumstances it would make sense.

However the reason it’s being

city manager, who has to deal with multiple departments and may or services experience. This would then allow for a seasoned manager with both public safety and management experience. I think that would be a

Kevin Lopez:

of the Former Fire Chief, Shane Alexander. So how would that work?

City council would have to put this issue on the ballot for the voters to decide. Unless it would be a special election it wouldn’t occur until September of 2023. If it were designed like the Police Chief, the Mayor would nominate the Fire Chief, Council would have to approve the choice.

Then the Chief would report directly to the Mayor.

The Mayor would then have two people reporting directly to him.

The Mayor would then be overseeing approximately half of the City employees and approximately half the General fund budget. Things have a way of working themselves out. A change in the charter isn’t necessary every time there is a perceived wrong.

Fire Chief and the resulting City Council meeting, I believe there needs

Jim Hilty Sr.: I do not believe that the City Charter

majority vote from the City Council.

This provides a checks and balances approach where each council member can be the voice of reason for their individual district and act as a group consensus for the city.

By requiring City Council approval for a major action it provides an opportunity for discussion and evidence to be presented.

This is based on past experience as a councilman, and a belief that the management of the Police Department under the Mayor was in the charter based on the time it was formed Ocala was considered A Second class city by population at that time.

The population growth has obviously continued to grow.

Rusty Juergens: Although I’m not normally in favor of making changes to the city charter, I do feel that adding a public safety City.

My reasons for this are, a public safety

of the Fire Department in our city charter. Currently the city manager oversees the Fire Department which includes the power to appoint and dismiss the Fire Chief. The city manager does report to the City Council, however there is no approval needed from the council for those actions to be taken.

I think a revision to the city charter where the management of the Fire Department follows a similar process to that of the Police Department would be the best solution. In the city charter, ARTICLE II Sec. 2.08. - Chief of police, the Mayor has the power to nominate and suspend the Chief

his termination, Chief Alexander received an “Outstanding” review from his immediate supervisor and the city manager.

As President and CEO of CullisonWright Construction, I place tremendous value on long-term, “outstanding” employees. What business owner wouldn’t? Especially treat an “outstanding” employee that way, it sends a powerful message to every other employee in the organization that you don’t value their contribution and that they’re disposable.

With that context, back to the original question. No, I do not support the charter change proposed here by the Ocala Gazette. What I do support is a city hall run on merit and free of petty politics. Where up and common sense is applied. We need leaders who understand this on the Ocala City Council and in City Hall.

Jay Musleh: I think our City Charter has provided an excellent framework for running our city. I would not want to remove the Ocala Fire Department from the oversight of the City Manager and Ocala City Council. My concerns and reasons are as follows: The Fire Chief would still need to be approved by City Council as the Police Chief is.

The Fire Chief would be subject to removal by City Council as the Police Chief is.

Currently the Police Chief submits a budget as the Fire Chief would do and City Council is tasked with approving the budget.

I don’t see how changing our charter Ty Schlichter: I think changes to the city charter thought and consideration. Governing

may be, Ocala residents should understand why this question is even being asked of city council candidates. to the City of Ocala, Fire Chief Shane any due process or corrective actions taken. At his most recent performance evaluation, less than six months from

as the result of a singular event. A thorough understanding of the intent behind the separation of powers between the city council and the mayor would need to be discussed and understood before making any changes and consolidating so much power in the hands of a singular individual.

A10

JULY 23 - JULY 29, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Fire chief termination still burns at council meeting

By Carlos Medina carlos@ocalagazette.com Sentiments over the recent

County reorganizes ahead of Rickman’s retirement

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JULY 23 - JULY 29, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

County seeks to offset hospital Medicaid shortfall

By Matthew Cretul Special to the Ocala Gazette The Marion County Commission unanimously approved an ordinance earlier this month that would create a non-ad valorem special assessment on county hospitals to help them cover Medicaid shortfalls.

But only three of county have signed onto the plan, threatening its implementation.

Ocala Regional Medical Center and West Marion Community Hospital are the the holdouts. Both are owned by HCA Healthcare and operate under the Ocala Health name.

The proposed assessment would allow the hospitals to receive federal funds from the Medicaid Directed Payment Program (MDPP) through the Local Provider Participation Fund (LPPF), a fund-matching program

Mike Tacke, CEO of The Vines Hospital also expressed his support during the meeting and detailed how the funds “One of the biggest challenges at The Vines is we try to keep up with the growing behavioral health demand needs of a growing community in Marion County...[we] try to attract licensed clinicians, nurses, psychiatrists to our community, and so having access to these matching funds would allow us to keep pace with and to compete with communities like Orlando and Gainesville, and out of state,” Tacke said.

He went on to note that “67% of our overhead at The and so that money would help us target that initiative.”

Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Ocala, sent a letter to the county stating they had no objections to the proposed ordinance.

Absent from the

meeting, however, were representatives from Ocala Health.

In order to join the program, all county hospitals must agree to participate.

Commissioner Kathy Bryant proposed continuing the public hearing through their next meeting in order to hear from all health systems involved, however, Gold pointed out the county made several attempts to contact the hospitals.

“They’ve chosen not to reply at this point.

It is my read on this, to see what happens,” said Commissioner Michelle Stone.

The two Ocala Health hospitals can still decide to join the program as the legislative process continues. Ocala Health did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the program.

Bryant did express concern that Marion County might not get back what

“Medicaid gap,” or the experience when they treat patients who are enrolled in the Medicaid program.

“Medicaid on average covers only 60% of the cost of the healthcare services provided by hospitals to Medicaid-eligible persons,” said Joe Johnson, AdventHealth Ocala CEO. Johnson expressed his support for the proposed ordinance during the meeting.

“This program would allow us to continue our partnership with the county in providing care to those in with the greatest need,” he said.

it puts in. The funds are collected from hospitals in participating counties and then sent to the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), the state agency tasked with managing Florida’s Medicaid program.

AHCA then provides the money collected to the federal government, which in turn delivers matching funds to AHCA, which then disperses it back to the hospitals.

Bryant’s worry is that AHCA divides the state into eleven regions, and the funds collected are dispersed back throughout the AHCA regions they came from rather than from each individual county.

Hospitals would not support a program where they don’t

President of Adelanto HealthCare Ventures

counties within Maron’s region – Region 3 – are currently considering the same program. The counties in Region 3 include, Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Putnam, Sumter, Suwannee, and Union “It’s pretty common these days as a way to fund the safety net” he said.

The assessment would

that collaborated with AdventHealth and Marion County on the proposed ordinance said “the math has to work” for the hospitals to be interested in taking part in the program.

While the MDPP has been around for some time nationally, it’s relatively new to Florida. Johnson pointed out during the meeting that AdventHealth hospitals in Texas have been using the program for some time and were pleased with the results.

Even if the two holdout hospital do eventually decide to participate, there is still a chance that Marion County hospitals do not receive matching funds this year.

Multiple counties within an AHCA region must also agree to take part in the program.

hospitals in the county, meaning no residents or local businesses would be subject to the assessment. eventually agree to join the program and agree to a uniform rate of assessment set by the county, the county would pass resolutions announcing the rate. The sometime in September or October.

More information on the DPP and LPPF can be found

hood lace on nclude didates mation

The Ocala Gazette will host a Candidate Forum, sponsored by Neighborhood Storage, for candidates running for Ocala city office.

Location: Marion Theater

6pm

6pm

Candidates running for seats 1, 3 and 5.

Candidates running for mayor and seat 4.

Visit https://bit.ly/3rpLAvq for more information about the event, along with procedures and rules.

Concessions will be open for drinks and snacks.

Hot Wheels Ready, Set, Go exhibit on July 17 with a special “Feel The Wheels” event. Children and their families got to look over a SWAT Team vehicle from Ocala Fire Rescue, a sanitation vehicle from the City of Ocala, a bucket truck from Ocala Electric Utility and a 1957 Chevrolet Nomad station wagon from Burnyzz. The Ready, Set, Go program runs through Sept. 25 [Bruce Ackerman/OG] Clockwise from top right: Kinsley Johnson, 5, sits behind the wheel of a 1957 Chevrolet Nomad station wagon.

Bella Louis, 5, right, and her brother, Matthew, 3, look under the hood of a 1957 Chevrolet Nomad station wagon.

Christopher Mills, 5, his brother, Brandon, 7,

battering ram from Roger Wissinger of the Ocala Police Department SWAT Team.

There’s more strength in your little finger than in all the rest combined.

Find out how to let go of hand and wrist pain.

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A weakened grip, or pain in your joints shouldn’t cause you to write off the things you love. AdventHealth’s orthopedic experts provide minimally invasive surgical solutions to reduce pain and improve function so you can once again grab life with both hands.

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JULY 23 - JULY 29, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

People, Places & Things premieres with an opening exhibition at the Magnolia Art Xchange, 531 NE 1st Ave., on July 24, from 7 to 10 p.m. The event is free to attend.

to be at the Art & Autos show. [Submitted by Teddy Sykes] [Submitted by Joe Egizio]

Art Power ‘Art & Autos’ show to rev up downtown scene

By Julie Garisto Special to the Ocala Gazette

T

urbo-charged with emerging talent, the Magnolia Arts Xchange’s new “Art & Autos” show will test the limits of what we can expect from a public art experience this Saturday.

MAX resident artists Ryan Neumann, Andres Garcia, Brendon Wade, Amanda Lyon, and Teddy Sykes, will be showing their latest works inside the downtown arts incubator’s gallery while car collector Joe Egizio parks his vintage beauties outside. MAX and The Culture Curators are co-presenting the event.

Touted as a yin and yang muscle-meets-the-mind aesthetic experience, Art

& Autos was conceived to appeal to people with wide-ranging tastes, said Jesse James, The Culture Curators co-founder and Magnolia Arts Xchange interim director.

The online publisher and arts leader aspires to incite interest and enliven downtown pedestrian life with his organizations’ events, catalyzing the city’s reputation as a cultural destination.

“The whole premise behind Culture Curators is matching together cultures and lifestyles and everything that includes,” James said.

Two years ago, the Ocala native joined forces with friend and photographer Dave Miller to start the lifestyle and arts publication that merges journalism appealing to people of all ages and interests. Miller

is a frequent contributor to Ocala Style and his photos have appeared in the Ocala Gazette, which are both owned by Magnolia Media Co. The duo has co-presented shows with MAX in the past including the recent “Native Aliens” exhibit; “Creative Soles,” a sneaker-themed exhibit (James says he has a massive shoe collection) and “Inked,” a tattoo-art event.

On July 22, the Curators hosted Art Meets Real Estate II, a showcase of local art and homes for sale, providing exposure for artists at open houses.

According to James, tapping into a multifaceted civic life with the arts will hopefully bring up Ocala’s arts imprimatur a few notches.

The idea of diversifying

and collaborating is very 21st century, according to Company. Their researchers call the emerging generation “hypercognitive” and they’re comfortable with collecting and cross-referencing many sources of information and integrating virtual and The city’s recent arts implementation plan, approved by the Ocala City Council in November, piggybacks on this theory. It partnership’ opportunities entities.

The arts and culture industry generates $27.5 billion in revenue to local, state and federal governments—a yield well beyond their collective $5 billion in arts allocations, according to the Florida Department of State, citing

the nationwide study, Arts and Economic Prosperity 5: Economic Impact of the Ocala’s arts scene continues to evolve in establishing its own cultural footprint like other metros on the rise, including the emerging St. Petersburg metro art scene.

With groups including the Culture Curators, MAX, the Marion Cultural Alliance, NOMA Gallery, the Appleton Museum and others, the local art scene continues to expand.

“We kind of draw from all over the place as far as and I’m carrying that over into the MAX,” James said.

“What we’re doing here essentially is bringing in and aspects. As you know, there’s art in everything.”

How bargain shopping helps needy families sale franchise, said their local sales support Centers.

By Susan Smiley-Height Ocala Gazette Everyone loves a bargain– and even more so when it can help families and charities.

The Just Between Friends pop-up consignment sale model is set up so everyone wins. Sellers of children, teens and maternity items get 60% of the sales. Buyers can get savings of between 50% And when the sale is over, the unsold items can go to charity.

Julie Worsham, who, with her mother-in-law Myra Worsham, owns the Just Between Friends (JBF) Ocala consignment

charged by the State of Florida to treat and prevent child abuse in Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter counties.

“The neighborhoodbased resource centers were created to engage families in services that promote family well-being, safety and health,” Worsham explained.

“The resource centers involve residents, families and resources from the community to assist families to reach their full potential.

The goal is to strengthen families and build strong neighborhoods. Local families who are in need can shop the resource center closet for clothing and shoes.

The Ocala JBF event has donated more than $35,000 in in-kind donations and $5,000 in cash donations.”

The next JBF event

will be held July 30-Aug. 1 at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion at 2232 NE Jacksonville Road. The event is free, but there is paid admission for a July 29 presale event. Items are half-price all day on Aug. 1.

Worsham said she began consigning with JBF in 2012.

“I made about $500 hooked,” she recalled. “I always loved consignment to open a consignment store and began looking into the possibility about 20 years ago. In 2017, my motherin-law decided to make the investment with me, and we bought the Ocala franchise.

We started the Ocala event from scratch, and now we expect about 1,000 shoppers at this next sale.”

She said the sale is a good way to help families stretch their money.

“JBF sales carry just about everything you could need for kids and expectant mothers, including clothing

and shoes (sizes newborn to teen), baby equipment, children’s furniture, books, sporting equipment, baby swings, strollers, cribs and lots of toys,” she said. consignors as it puts money back in their pockets.

“The average consignor check is $350,” Worsham said. “Consignors can also work at the event. They are paid an hourly rate, and it is a great opportunity to meet local families.”

Jocelyn “Casey” James is the Ocala sale coordinator.

She started as a volunteer with JBF about three years ago.

“As my friendship with Julie grew and I moved into full-time self-employment, my availability to help with the sale increased,” she said.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed being more involved in the the last sale, we donated extra-large SUV.” Worsham said the JBF

franchise system started as a living-room sale in 1997 in Oklahoma and grossed $2,000. Today, there are more than 160 sales in 32 states. Sales typically two times a year. Each sale supports at least one local charity with in-kind donations and, in many cases, cash. Since beginning, Just Between Friends sales have donated more than $28 million in in-kind and cash donations to hundreds of charities across the country, Worsham said.

To learn more, go to Ocala. jbfsale.com. For information www.kidscentralinc.org.

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JULY 23 - JULY 29, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Sports Forest Football sets sights on huge season under Williams

By Joel Bronson

Ocala Gazette

The journey to becoming head football coach at Forest High School has included several stops over the past 15 years.

Robin Williams, going into his third season as the head football coach at Forest, started out playing his high school football for Vanguard High School.

“I played quarterback at Vanguard for (then head coach) Phillip Yancey,” Williams said.

He was the starting quarterback for the Knights from 2002-04.

Williams signed to play college football at Charleston Southern, where he redshirted his personal reasons.

From there, Williams

began his coaching career.

He has been coaching high school football in some capacity since 2006.

Multiple coaching stops as an assistant at Forest, Belleview, Vanguard and Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg have helped prepare Williams for his current role.

Experience as an coordinator and strength and conditioning coach have given Williams invaluable experience across the coaching spectrum.

“I learned a lot along the way from a number of roles,” Williams said.

A promising 2020 season has given Williams and about. The Wildcats lost three regular season games by a total of 15 points.

Robin Williams, the head football coach for the Forest Wildcats, poses for a photo in the weight room at Forest High

going to bring high energy to our players,” Williams said.

“We need to bring it every day, practice hard every day, encourage our younger players to put in the work…

We like our district, and our numbers (of players) are going to be good.”

Forest opens their 2021

Mullen, Gators adapting to life with new QB, playmakers

By John Zenor

representing Mississippi in

AP Sports Writer

for Mississippi State’s Mike

HOOVER, Ala. — Florida coach Dan Mullen puts a positive spin on losing his three

Shane Beamer’s father, Frank, never ventured into the SEC as a coach but the overtures did come — even from Alabama.

The Crimson Tide had the head job come open fairly frequently before landing coach

Trask at quarterback and two wide receiver Kadarius Toney and tight end Kyle Pitts. It Tigers’ struggled defensively

fun of coaching is being able to adapt and change and build around the players that we have,” Mullen said Monday at Southeastern Conference media days.

and personnel. Emory Jones, the likely starter, is more of a dual threat than Trask.

“I don’t know what my bread and butter is because we’ve been all over the place quarterback,” Mullen said.

“If you go back, even being a coordinator, you go back to the Alex Smiths and the Chris Tyler Russell and Dak Prescott. variations.

“I think the key to it is, and one of the reasons we’ve been successful is, never try to take a square peg and put it into a round hole.”

Face To Face Ed Orgeron made sure he didn’t hire his new coaches without interviewing them coach didn’t do that in hiring defensive coordinator Bo Pelini,

7:30 p.m.

Florida’s women’s hoops coach resigns for ‘personal reasons’

Pittman.

The Gators are replacing

nation in passing en route to the SEC East title.

campaign against Belleview.

The teams will play in a

Orgeron said he still would have made that particular hire, but got plenty of face-toface time with a new group of assistants that includes Peetz and defensive coordinator Daronte Jones.

“I believed in him, and it just didn’t work,” Orgeron said of Pelini. “I said I would never do that again. Every one of these guys, I interviewed them in person. I had a long interview that I asked, things that I maybe should have asked or shouldn’t have.”

Orgeron said he did a thorough job of vetting before making the latest hires, including calling their former players.

New Faces There are only four new SEC head coaches but seven are making their media days debuts, at least with their current teams. The event was canceled last year because of the pandemic.

South Carolina’s Shane Beamer took the media days The league’s other new coaches include Auburn’s Bryan Harsin, Vanderbilt’s former Volunteers coach, is

through coaches like Mike DuBose, Dennis Franchione, Mike Price and Mike Shula. coach Frank Beamer did get contacted, his son said.

“I can remember a couple times that the Alabama job came open, Alabama reaching out to him at Virginia Tech for sure,” Beamer said.

for “personal reasons,” the school announced, signed a three-year contract extension. failed to turn around the school’s only sport to never win a conference championship.

The 43-year-old Indiana native was 46-71 overall and 15-47 in Southeastern Conference play, including three three-win seasons in four deal that paid him $500,000 annually. portal, another indication the program was far from being on the right track.

Athletic Director Scott Stricklin named Kelly Rae Finley interim head coach for the 2021-22 season. Stricklin said he plans to hire a permanent replacement following next season.

Florida Bound visit to Gainesville in a decade on Sept. 18. Mullen would like more such games, which are relatively rare because of the teams each having annual dates with an opponent in the other division.

The Tide plays Tennessee from the East annually and

the Gainesville community have accepted me, my wife Sarah and our three daughters from the day we arrived. We will greatly miss all of the people that have made our experience and make this place so special.

“There are many people who I am forever grateful for, but I especially want to thank all of the players who I had the privilege to coach. I have no doubt that the program we built is poised for great success.”

“I’d love us to maybe do away with the permanent crossover team so you get these Mullen said. “I think for the players, for the fan bases, I really think it’s exciting to see some more of maybe mixing up the teams from the west teams each year instead of a permanent crossover. I think that would be really exciting so you get this matchup.”

The teams have met a whopping 10 times in the SEC championship game, including last season. Alabama won that one 52-46.

stepped down as the Gators’ womens’ basketball coach on July

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JULY 23 - JULY 29, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Cover Art Custom-painted awning panels were installed on July 16 at the Brick City Center For The Arts on Southwest Broadway Street. Nichole Westfall of South Charleston, W.V. painted the 10 panels that make up the mural that includes an evening pond scene with frogs and humans. [Bruce Ackerman/OG]

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JULY 23 - JULY 29, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Correction & Clarification The First Christian Church in Ocala is located at 1908 E Fort King St. An item in the July 16 edition stated otherwise.

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Timber Ridge Medical Center 9401 Sw Hwy 200, Suite 403, Ocala, FL 34481

• Prostate Ultrasound • Image-guided Prostate Biopsy

2850 Se 3rd Court, Ocala, FL 34471

(352) 310-8281 ui .com

EARLY BIRD PROGRAM

SIGN-UP TODAY! BEGINNING AUGUST 9TH, THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB WILL OFFER MEMBERS A SAFE ENVIROMENT BEFORE SCHOOL. All youths will be served a light breakfast and have the opportunity to work on homework and interact with other members, prior to boarding their assigned school bus.

DUNNELLON CLUB 20077 SW 110TH ST, DUNNELLON 352-462-9797

DR. H.L. HARRELL CLUB 800 SW 12TH ST, OCALA 352-690-7440

HOURS: 6:30AM-8:30PM

HOURS: 6:00AM-9:00PM

The Early Bird Program is included in the weekly fee and there will be no extra costs. *All transportation sign-ups are done at your home school.

Call 352-671-7050 for more information on bus assignment.

B5

JULY 23 - JULY 29, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Community

7/23 -25

Summer Horse Show Series

7/23

Marion Oaks Farmers Market

7/23

Marion County Friday Market

7/23

World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave. 8am Hunter/jumper competition at all levels with a weekly $50,000

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

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

Reading With Rangers and Friends

7/23

Cooks and Books

7/24

Yoga in the Park

7/24 -25

Partners of the Park Schooling Show

7/24

7/27

Community Conversation

7/27

The Shores Market

7/28

1 Million Cups Ocala

7/28

Open House

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ocala, 4100 SW 40th St. 9am

Marion County Public Libraries 10:30am At this casual and considerate exchange of ideas, share a time

Silver Springs Shores Community Center, 590 Silver Road 5-7pm This new weekly indoor farmers market includes farm fresh

Virtual 10-11am

7/23

7/24

75 West Networks Group

Interview Strategies That Get You Noticed

stand out from the competition in behavioral interviews at this

7/24

7/27

Power Plant Business Incubator, 405 SE Osceola Ave. 9:30-10:30am Two local startups present their business idea to an audience

Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E Fort King St. King Jr. Ave. 11am

Virtual 3pm

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

Florida Horse Park 8am Equestrians will compete in dressage, stadium jumping and

Ocala Downtown Market

out how to start their college journey at CF and complete an

7/28

Power Hour Book Club

7/28

Wednesday Midday Market

7/28

Agriculture Job Fair

310 SE Third St. 9am-2pm

Bikers for Backpacks

War Horse Harley-Davidson, 5331 N US Highway 441 Bring donations of school supplies and backpacks for local children in need and enjoy a food truck, live music and a bike

College of Central Florida, 3001 SW College Road 12-5:30pm

Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE County Hwy 484 4:30pm

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St. 1-6pm

World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave. 2-5pm

Summer Sunset Polo

Florida Horse Park, 11008 S County Highway 475 6pm This week’s Horsepower Cup will include a bonus Porsche

be ideal for those with farm or ranch experience but will also include other career positions related to agribusiness that

and bring chairs and a picnic for a family experience watching

7/26 7/26

7/28

FUNd Raiser

7/29

Interview Strategies

7/29

Farmers Market

7/29

The Customer Experience

7/29

Reading With Horses

7/29

Teacher Appreciation

Job Specific Resume Development Virtual 10-11am

Connections With a Purpose

Tamarian Farms, 4615 NW 110th Ave. 5-7pm The Ocala Horse Alliance is hosting a silent and live auction

The Firehouse Urban Axe Throwing Ocala, 1043 NE 14th St. 4pm This team challenge event invites individuals and groups

CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion, 2703 NE 14th St. 9-11am This free, in-person workshop will help jobseekers learn

Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St. 9am-1pm

CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion, 2703 NE 14th St. 9-11am This free, in-person workshop will help jobseekers learn about

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St. 10-11am Gentle Carousel’s miniature therapy horses share books and

Paddock Mall, 3100 SW College Road 11am-1pm

B6

Now -8/5 Now -8/6

JULY 23 - JULY 29, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Arts 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 Kids Film Series

7/24

Classics and Cocktails

Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave. 2pm mariontheatre.org for details.

7/26 -30

Summer Art Camp: Art Animals

Now Summer in the Sun -8/27

7/27

Drawing in the Galleries

Now Ready Set Go -9/25

7/29

Coffee, Cake & Community

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: “Moana” and “Ratatouille.” Visit mariontheatre.org for details.

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.

Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm This new, hands-on exhibit explores the many modes of transportation that move people and goods around the world with experimentation stations and activities including a toy engine auto garage and a kid-sized drag race strip with food-powered cars. Visit mydiscoverycenter.org for more information.

Now Countenance -9/26

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.

Now -10/2

7/26

Works

Ocala Recreation and Parks Administration, 828 NE Eighth Ave. Monday-Friday 9am-5pm This art exhibit showcases the works of Aliye Cullu, a painter and graphic designer who specializes in plein air landscape oil

Virtual 9-11am In the last week of this free camp, the Appleton Museum invites kids ages 7-12 to create art inspired by animals. Visit appletonmuseum.org to register.

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.

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

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

7/26

Marion County Hospital District Board

7/26

Marion County Planning & Zoning Commission First Hearing

7/27

Marion Oaks Recreation Services and Facilities Advisory Board

Now Highlights from the Equine Collection -10/24

7/27

City of Belleview Site Plan Committee

Now -11/7

7/27

City of Belleview Code Enforcement Board

7/28

Land Development Regulation Commission Meeting

7/29

Marion County Development Review Committee Staff Meeting

Now -10/2

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 The Game of Life -10/18

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. Monday-Friday 8am-5pm This new exhibit features works by Jacksonville-based illustrator and painter Elena Øhlander, who explores identity, gender issues, org/culturalarts for more information.

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.

A Breeze Through Fertile Gardens Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Now Alison Saar: Works from the Permanent Collection -1/22/ 2022

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.

7/23 -24

Art in the Attic 10am-5pm For this annual art resale fundraiser, the Marion Cultural Alliance invites the community to purchase “previously loved”

5pm Call (352) 622-3662 for more information.

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. 5:30pm The Planning & Zoning Commission conducts hearings for zoning changes and special use permits. Call (352) 438-2600 for more information.

Marion Oaks Community Center, building B, 294 Marion Oaks Ln 9:30am The Board helps determine the budget and projects for the Marion Oaks Community Center. Call (352) 438-2828 for more information.

City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 2pm Call (352) 245-7021 for more information.

City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 5:30pm Call (352) 245-7021 for more information.

Growth Services training room, 2710 E. Silver Springs Blvd.

5:30pm Call (352) 438-2611 for more information.

8:30am Applicants may discuss proposed or current projects with Development Review Committee. Call (352) 671-8686 for more information.

Current Adoption Specials: Let freedom ring! ALL pet adoptions are FREE in July.

Adoption includes up-to-date vaccinations, county license, microchip and spay/neuter surgery.

Nala

Blue-Eyed Beauty Beautiful 4-year-old female cat seeks a simple life. These ocean blue eyes have to sprawl out by a sunny window.

View more adoptable pets at Marion County’s website: MarionFL.org/Animal This database is updated every hour.

352.671.8700

Julius

True Companion Handsome 4-year-old mixed breed male dog seeks companion who knows how to enjoy life. He loves playtime and experiencing the great outdoors but also appreciates relaxing and just being together.

B7

JULY 23 - JULY 29, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR 23

23

4pm Charity Cox Swampy’s

23

23

6pm Becky Sinn

23

6pm Conrad Marcum

23

6:30pm Steven Lopez

8pm Just Plain Bob

24

8pm Comedian James Yon

24

6:30pm Miranda Madison

10:30am Becky Sinn

24

6pm Chris McNeil

24

6:30pm Noah Hunton

25

7pm Kiss America Tribute

7pm Charity Cox

24

2pm Eaton’s Beach

1pm John Johnson The Crazy Cucumber

25

Ocala Downtown Market

7pm Fareeza

9pm Brandon Dull The Lodge

Circle Square Cultural Center

24

8pm Chadwick Pierce The Corkscrew

World Equestrian Center Yellow Pony

24

7pm Ken Mellons Orange Blossom Opry

Locos Grill & Pub

Bonkerz Comedy Club

World Equestrian Center Yellow Pony

23

24

The Corkscrew

The Crazy Cucumber

23

8pm Caly Bryan

24

6pm Grass Campers The Anchor

The Keep Downtown

Locos Grill & Pub

23

24

Orange Blossom Opry

Ocala Downtown Square

23

7pm Friday Night Live

2pm The Big Bad Gator Joe’s

24

7pm Fareeza

29

Horse & Hounds

7pm Orange Blossom Showcase Orange Blossom Opry

Then....and Now

The view looking west on Ocklawaha Avenue, now Silver Springs Boulevard, from Orange Street, now Southwest First Avenue. The photo was taken on June 4, 1956, by the then State Road Florida]

The same intersection is shown looking west on July 2. The road has become a main artery of the city and has expanded to four lanes with a wide median and sidewalks.

In the distance is the overpass that extended the road past Pine and merged it with Broadway, which was once the historic main road into

Answers for pages B4

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