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NOVEMBER 6 - NOVEMBER 12, 2020 | OCALA GAZETTE
News in Brief Veterans Day ceremonies set for Wednesday Marion County government and Marion County Public Schools join forces to honor local veterans with two Veterans Day Ceremonies set for Wednesday, November 11, starting at 11 a.m. Held at the Marion County Veterans Park on Southeast Fort King Street and Southeast 25 Avenue, this ceremony serves as Marion County’s official Veterans Day ceremony. This is the 14th consecutive year the school district has participated in this event. This year’s event features a Color Guard presentation by West Port High School’s JROTC, music from the Belleview High School jazz band, student essays, a family wreath presentation and 21-gun salute by the Ocala Police Department, and more. Those attending in person should bring their own seating and follow COVID-19 safety precautions that may include safe social distancing and face coverings. Those who don’t want to attend in person may watch a virtual ceremony featuring students from around Marion County on the district’s YouTube channel (MCPSmedia) and the Marion Education Channel, available on Cox 12 and Comcast 99 along with a handful of local cable systems. This virtual ceremony also starts at 11 a.m. and includes a West Port High School JROTC Color Guard presentation, Hillcrest students sharing the Pledge of Allegiance, music from the Belleview High School band and Forest High School chorus, a Missing Man table presentation by Belleview High’s JROTC team, essays from students at Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary, and much more.
Ocala changes trash collection schedules for Veterans Day City of Ocala business offices will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. There will be no residential collection for sanitation, yard waste or recycling routes that day. Residential sanitation collection regularly scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 11 will occur instead on Thursday, Nov. 12. Thursday’s regular collection day will occur Friday, Nov. 13. Waste Pro recycling collection for City of Ocala residents regularly scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 11 will take place Thursday, Nov. 12. Thursday’s regular collection day will occur Friday, Nov. 13. For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Residential Sanitation Department at 352-3516697.
COVID testing center in Reddick Saturday The state Division of Emergency Management will host a one-day, free drive-through COVID-19 testing event in Reddick on Saturday, Nov. 7. Testing will be held at the Reddick Community Center, 4345 N.W. 152nd St., Reddick, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To be tested, individuals should bring a valid photo ID. Minors under age 18 will only be tested if they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. People should be prepared to stay in their vehicles while waiting for testing; restroom facilities will not be available. Only people who are being tested should be in the vehicle, with the exception of parents, guardians or caregivers. No pets are permitted in the vehicle during tests. Testing will run until 4 p.m. or until all available samples are used, whichever comes first. For more information, call the Marion County COVID-19 Hotline Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 352-644-2590.
The Mary Sue Rich Community Center, depicted in this artist rendering, will feature a fitness center, walking track, basketball courts, meeting rooms, an indoor playground and more. [Courtesy of the City of Ocala]
City OK’s contract for Mary Sue Rich Community Center Multi-purpose center in west Ocala will cost almost $10 million, span 41,750 square feet By Brad Rogers Ocala Gazette
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fter years of planning, the Ocala City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to begin construction on the Mary Sue Rich Community Center, a nearly $10 million project city officials say will be a centerpiece for the revitalization of the city’s west side. The council voted 5-0, without comment, to award the construction contract to R L Burns Inc. out of Orlando to build the 41,750-squarefoot, two-story community center. It will be built on the former Royal Oak charcoal plant site, across the street from the now-closed Pine Oaks Golf Course. City Councilman Ire
Bethea said after the meting that the community center, the first true facility of its kind in the city, will be a benefit to the entire city, although it will be located on the west side. The community center will include a health and wellness area with an open fitness area; indoor walking track; two multi-purpose studios with a partition for larger groups; a mind, body and dance studio; two full basketball courts in a gymnasium with 120-person bleachers for each court; an indoor playground that connects to one of the courts, which will be used for camps; a senior studio and multipurpose room; and a library and media center. There are
The lobby of the Mary Sue Rich Community Center is shown in this artist rendering. The 41,750-square-foot facility will be built on the site of the former Royal Oak charcoal plant in west Ocala [Courtesy of the City of Ocala]
also huddle rooms for tutoring and health advice. In addition to the health and wellness areas, the center will have designated indoor spaces for senior, youth and family programs; a 400-seat banquet/ event space that can be divided into three rooms; and a kitchen to serve seniors and children after school, in addition to being available for catered events. When asked how big of a deal
Honorable Mentions Ocala’s Austin Little honored by Statewide Insurance Professional Association Ocala insurance and financial advisor Austin Little has been selected by NAIFA-Florida as one of this year’s Top 4 Advisors Under 40 in Florida. The Top 4 Advisors Under 40 award each year recognizes excellence and achievement in the insurance and financial services field by measuring business production, longevity in the business, professional association involvement and community involvement -- for professionals 40 years of age and younger. The award is based on an advisor’s achievements in the industry, NAIFA
membership and involvement, community involvement, and volunteer efforts in other organizations. Little is a life and property-casualty agent with Farm Bureau Insurance of Marion County. He was recently recognized statewide as the 18th most successful Farm Bureau agent. NAIFA-Florida is the statewide professional association for those in insurance and financial advising, since 1932. “We are delighted and honored to have Austin as one of our four winners this year – and to recognize him
for his professional achievement and success,” said NAIFA-Florida President Joe Chalom, of Coral Springs, FL. The formal presentation of the award will take place at NAIFAFlorida’s Annual Awards Ceremony, to be held virtually on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 4:30 p.m.
the community center was for west Ocala, which he represents, Bethea said, “I think it’s a big deal for the city in general. We need to spread out things that benefit the whole city. ... I think, all in all, it’s going to be a great benefit to the west side as well as the whole community.” Bethea, who used to work for the city as a recreation supervisor, said he approached former city Recreation and Parks Director
Kathy Crile with the idea of a community center about eight years ago. The two of them developed a plan and convinced former City Manager John Zobler to get behind it. The city administration figured out financing by borrowing money from the city itself that will be paid back over 10 years at 2 percent interest with See Rich, page 6
Historic Ocala Preservation Society welcomes two new board members The Historic Ocala Preservation Society (HOPS) recently welcomed their newest board members, Stephanie Howard and Giorgio Berry. Howard said she joined the organization because she feels it is important to form a connection to the neighborhood in which you live. Berry stated that he has an interest in old houses and values the preservation of history. Both members reside in Ocala’s historic districts and look forward to their involvement in the community. HOPS is a a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to the heritage education of the community and the preservation of historic structures and sites.
