Ocala Gazette | December 30, 2022 - January 5, 2023

By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Commissioners will consider pausing new development

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

At a Dec. 21 special meeting of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners, Commissioner Kathy Bryant asked that the board set a time to discuss pumping the brakes on approving proposed developments considering the county’s increasingly stressed infrastructure or the budget to improve it.

“I would like to challenge our board to take the next few weeks to really think about what we are doing with planning and zoning,’’ Bryant told fellow commissioners Michelle Stone and Craig Curry at the close of the meeting. “I really think it would be worthy of us to consider a pause, as was brought up before, when it comes to approving new development.”

“We have so much infrastructure that we are behind on and that we have no idea where it’s going to happen, how it’s going to happen, how we’re going to fund what we need for all of the growth that we’ve already approved. And I’m not saying a building moratorium. There is plenty of stuff out there that’s already been approved,“ she said.

Bryant pointed out that the commissioners don’t know how they are going to fund much of the necessary infrastructure improvement, including transportation, public safety, wastewater utilities and other issues. Bryant pointed to the board’s conversation about a huge residential project near Silver Springs Shores, Maricamp and Baseline Road the board did not approve just the day before. She described it as a mess when it comes to traffic and asked how the board could approve more building when “we have no plan to fix that situation out there.”

Bryant suggested a sixmonth pause on approving new development while the county worked on their planning.

“There has to be a lot of discussion on that, particularly with the Builders Association and Realtors, and everybody else involved in that industry,” replied Curry, the board chair.

Bryant responded, “With all due respect commissioner, it is not up to them. We are here to plan that, and

10 big legal battles to watch in 2023

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

From abortion to Big Tech to guns, Florida heads into 2023 with courts weighing high-profile legal fights.

Here are 10 issues to watch:

— ABORTION: The Florida Supreme

Court is considering a challenge to a new law that prevents abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. But the case could have broader implications, as the state wants justices to reverse more than three decades of legal precedent that has said a privacy clause in the Florida Constitution protects abortion rights. The outcome could help

determine whether Republican lawmakers pass more-stringent abortion limits.

— BIG TECH: The U.S. Supreme Court is expected in early January to decide whether it will take up a highprofile case about a 2021 Florida law that placed restrictions on major social-media companies such as Facebook and Twitter.

Florida went to the Supreme Court after the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in May upheld much of a preliminary injunction against the law on First Amendment grounds.

— ELECTIONS: After a federal

Photos

Alexis Riley,

left, during the weigh-in for the Swine Show

Thursday, March

right: A large pelican rests on a fountain with two cormorants in Lake Tuscawilla

steers together as members of the Marion County Cattlemen’s Association lead cattle past the Ocala

Saturday, February 12, 2022. Middle right: Four-year-old Harper Gladney was surprised to find Tootsie Rolls under the lid of a toilet that was set up as a joke display at the new Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop on the Ocala Downtown Square in Ocala on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Bottom left: Lorraine Carroll, 95, wears

period dress as she poses for a photo at Fort King National Historic Landmark on East Fort King Street in Ocala on Saturday, July 9, 2022. Bottom right: Vanguard players celebrate their win over Ridgeview in the FHSAA Class 5A Region final at Vanguard High School in Ocala on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022.

Development pause

Continued from page A1

it falls on our backs when we have created a mess that needs to be cleaned up.”

County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes and the commissioners agreed the subject would be included in a Jan. 19 strategic planning workshop. Curry agreed it should be added to the agenda for discussion but expressed doubt that development could be summarily paused as Bryant suggested.

Curry told Bryant that even with a six month pause, “You are not going to be any different than you are the first day of the study. You are going to know a little more, but you’re still going to be in the same ditch. So, what we’ve got to figure out when we do our strategy sessions is how we’re going to fund these things but to shut it down in the process, I don’t know.

Curry and Stone both felt analyzing each development as the board now does is a better choice. Stone called for the county to dust off all the old tools and consider new tools for better planning.

Bryant gave an example of a planning issue that could be worsened without a pause: the need for new corridors.

Bouyounes agreed that new corridors were necessary, but they should anticipate public disagreement because “Who wants them in their backyard?”

Bryant said putting off the decision for new corridors would only make it more complicated with continued building because there would be no place for the corridors.

“Well, that’s where we, too, need a backbone. In those geographical areas, and I mean I’m just talking straight up, that’s where we come in. We got that opportunity every time it comes before us,” Stone replied.

“But in that same vein, be careful where we’re opening new problems,’’ added Curry. “Like (County Road) 318. You know we’ve already got the first couple of dominoes falling and you know people are beginning to buy land and do things seeing what’s going on out there, and I can just see it. We have to really be careful about opening these new areas and creating a problem.”

He and commissioner Bryant were the only members of the board to vote against the Ocala Jockey Club plans at the World Equestrian Center that would bring development into the Farmland Preservation Area and require widening CR 318 through extreme government measures such as eminent domain.

Legal battles to watch

Continued from page A1

district judge ruled that a 2021 elections law was intended to discriminate against Black Floridians, the state and Republican groups want the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn the decision. A panel of the Atlantabased court heard arguments in September on the law, which included such things as placing additional restrictions on ballot drop boxes.

— GAMBLING: Gov. Ron DeSantis reached a deal in 2021 that would give the Seminole Tribe of Florida control over sports betting in the state. But the deal, approved by the Legislature, drew a challenge from the owners of two pari-mutuel facilities. A U.S. district judge ruled that the deal violated a federal law about gambling on tribal lands, but the issue is now being considered by an appeals court in Washington, D.C.

— GENDER AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION: Federal judges in Tallahassee and Orlando are weighing challenges to a law that restricts classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation. The law prevents such instruction in kindergarten through third grade and requires that it be “age-appropriate … in accordance with state academic standards” in older grades. GOP lawmakers titled the measure the “Parental Rights in Education” bill. Opponents labeled it the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

— GILLUM: Former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum was a rising star in Democratic Party politics when he narrowly lost the 2018 race for governor to DeSantis. But now, he awaits trial on charges that he lied to the FBI, took part in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and committed wire fraud. A trial is scheduled in April for Gillum, who has pleaded not guilty. The charges stem, at least in part,

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

from a corruption probe into Tallahassee city government.

— GUN AGE LAW: Responding to the 2018 mass shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, state lawmakers prohibited sales of rifles and other long guns to adults under age 21. The National Rifle Association quickly challenged the law on Second Amendment grounds. A federal district judge upheld the law, but the issue is now before the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

— GUN RESTRICTIONS: After the Parkland shooting, more than 30 cities and counties challenged a 2011 state law that threatens stiff penalties if local officials pass gun-related regulations. The 2011 law is rooted in a decades-old measure that bars cities and counties from passing regulations that are stricter than state firearms laws. The Florida Supreme Court heard arguments in June in the challenges to the 2011 law, which was upheld by the 1st District Court of Appeal.

— RACE-RELATED INSTRUCTION: DeSantis dubbed it the “Stop Wrongs To Our Kids and Employees Act,” or Stop WOKE Act. But pointing to First Amendment issues, a federal judge has issued two preliminary injunctions against the law, which restricts the way racerelated concepts can be taught in the education system and in workplace training. The state has taken the cases to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

— REDISTRICTING: When the GOP-controlled Legislature this spring passed a DeSantis redistricting plan, it ultimately helped Republicans win four additional congressional seats in the November elections. But voting-rights groups have challenged the constitutionality of the redistricting plan in state and federal courts. A trial is scheduled in September in the federal case, less than a year before the 2024 primary elections.

Joe Harding Unfairly Targeted?

By Jan Cubbage

Ryan Chamberlain has announced that he is running for the Florida House District 24 to represent the people of Marion County, after Joe Harding resigned from the position following indicted by the Dept. of Justice for wire fraud, money laundering and making false statements on his application to the Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

The DOJ indictment states that the two businesses that Harding applied for loan relief were not active at the time of his application nor did he have employees on the payroll of the two inactive businesses and he submitted contrived bank statements as evidence of his losses in businesses that did not exist.

Ryan Chamberlain, the candidate who desires to take Harding’s empty seat in the FL House for region 24, Marion County, publicly stated that Joe Harding is “a target of the left and the Biden Department of Justice”. I wonder if candidate Ryan Chamberlain knows that

thousands of persons who played the fraud game with the Small Business Administration Covid relief loans have been “targeted” in virtually every one of the our 50 states. Every day the Department of Justice is adding names to a very long list of individuals that got caught with their fingers in the big piggy bank of the US Dept. of Treasury.

Marion County’s Representative HS 24 Joe Harding (R) took advantage of a very week vetting system set up to help businesses survive the COVID-19 disaster in order to borrow $150,000 under false pretenses. Harding will have his day in court and is facing six felony accounts. Serving as a state representative, Republican or Democrat, does not exclude an elected official from being investigated for unlawful acts they knowingly committed against the United States Government.

It appears that candidate for HS 24, Ryan Chamberlain who desires to take Joe Harding’s now vacant seat in the Florida House of Representatives believes otherwise.

“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@ocalagazette.com

Evelyn Anderson Account Executive evelyn@magnoliamediaco.com

Bruce Ackerman Photography Editor bruce@ocalagazette.com

Allen Barney Reporter allen@ocalagazette.com

Caroline Brauchler Reporter caroline@ocalagazette.com

Rosemarie Dowell Reporter rosemarie@ocalagazette.com

Ron Eddy Account Executive ron@magnoliamediaco.com

Julie Garisto Reporter julie@magnoliamediaco.com

Makayla Gray Reporter makayla@ocalagazette.com

Greg Hamilton Editor greg@magnoliamediaco.com

Amy Harbert Graphic Designer amy@magnoliamediaco.com

Susan Smiley-Height Editor susan@magnoliamediaco.com

Belea Keeney Reporter belea@magnoliamediaco.com

Morgan Ryan Reporter morgan@ocalagazette.com

Cheryl Specht Client Services Guru cheryl@magnoliamediaco.com

News tips tips@ocalagazette.com

Distribution Inquiries info@ocalagazette.com

Follow us @ocalagazette

Our mission is to inform and uplift our readers by reporting on the events, issues and stories that shape Ocala with accuracy, fairness and passion. We also strive to serve as a forum where all voices can be heard and to chronicle our community’s history.

ocalagazette.com

©2022 Ocala Gazette, LLC

Ocala Gazette is published weekly by Magnolia Media Company, LLC, PO Box 188, Ocala, FL 34478. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at Ocala, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Ocala Gazette, PO Box 188, Ocala, FL 34478.

Share your news

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

Honorable Mentions: 150 words or less about an individual or organization accomplishment in the business, education, community service, athletics or other area of endeavor. Attach a photo of the individual or group being honored, if available.

Upcoming events: Are you holding a charitable or community event that is open to the public? Include the organization hosting the event as well as the time, date and a brief description of the event, along with registration information or other important instructions.

• News tips: Include whatever information you consider relevant.

File photo: Kathy Bryant, the chair, at a Marion County Commissioner meeting in the McPherson Governmental Complex in Ocala on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. [Bruce Ackerman/ Ocala Gazette] 2020.

The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to decide whether to take up a case about a Florida law that would place restrictions on large social-media companies.

Exploring

Zoning changes proposed for overcrowded schools in southwest

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

The Marion County School Board is considering a proposal to change the zoning for several schools that are overcrowded in the southwest area of the county.

Students who attend Horizon Academy, Liberty Middle School, Sunrise Elementary School and Marion Oaks Elementary School may have the school they are zoned for change in the 2023-24 school year.

“I do want to say very clearly that this is a start,” said Superintendent Diane Gullet. “It does not address all of our localized overcrowding, but it is the beginning.”

One-hundred and eighty-four rising 5th grade students will be rezoned from Horizon Academy, a 5th-8th grade magnet school, to Sunrise Elementary School.

Regrouping certain grade levels will allow for students to attend school in an ageappropriate learning environment. Elementary school will include 5th grade, rather than it being looped into middle school, which has a different classroom format and curriculum, said Stephen Ayers, director of school choice.

Two-hundred and ninety-four middle school students from Liberty Middle School will be rezoned for Horizon Academy.

To alleviate the number of 5th grade students that Sunrise Elementary School will receive, 179 K-5th grade students from Sunrise will be rezoned to attend Marion Oaks

All families affected by school rezoning will be notified by U.S. Mail, email and targeted phone calls, said Ayers.

“Any rezoning needs to take into account potential students that live in the zone, not just students that are currently attending those schools,” he said.

If the proposed zoning changes are made, then Marion Oaks Elementary School would be the only one of these schools that would need additional classroom space. If no new classroom space is added, then the school is projected to reach 113% capacity, said Ayers.

“The district is exploring the following options for that classroom space: a swing site for short term use while purchasing a modular building or constructing a permanent wing, portables for short term use while purchasing a modular building or constructing a permanent wing, or portables for long term use,” said Ayers.

These changes would bring Marion Oaks Elementary back down to 98% capacity, with a projected enrollment of 1,123.

Another public hearing will be scheduled to give the public an oppor tunity to offer their input to the school board on the proposal. Then, a final public hearing and vote on proposed zoning changes will take place on Feb. 28.

For information about the district, visit marionschools.net

“Any

needs to take into account potential students that live in the zone, not just students that are currently attending those schools.”

Stephen Ayers Director of school choice

10 stories that shaped Ocala in 2022

By Ocala Gazette Staff

A fight for farmland 1 2

Residents of rural northwest Marion County and the conservation group Save Our Rural Areas (SORA) tenaciously fought against proposed projects within the Farmland Preservation Area (FPA) and outside the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) this year, ultimately filing lawsuits to stop two massive developments from proceeding after the Board of County Commissioners approved them.

On March 1, the commissioners approved a rezoning request by B. Smith Hialeah, LLC., for the 453-acre Sunny Oaks Regional Activity Center PUD on County Road 318, just east of Interstate 75 and across from the Petro Travel Center. The project would virtually surround Black farmers who have lived and worked their properties for generations with industrial warehouses.

Then, in a 3-2 vote on June 21, the commissioners approved the 1,029-acre World Equestrian Center (WEC) Jockey Club PUD, also on CR 318, but west of I-75. The property is owned by Golden Ocala Equestrian Land, LLC., which is owned by billionaire longdistance trucking magnates Larry and Mary Roberts of Ocala, the developers of the World Equestrian Center (WEC) Ocala.

Both approvals came despite vehement opposition by dozens of area residents and SORA during the public comment portion of the respective meetings, who said the projects

would destroy the rural character of the FPA, while threatening wildlife and damaging the environment. Commissioners who voted yes said the projects would bring vital jobs and increase economic activity in the area.

The local nonprofit group Horse Farms Forever, whose stated mission is to protect the Farmland Preservation Area, acquiesced to one project and advocated for another, to the dismay of residents who felt betrayed by the organization.

Attorney Ralf Brookes, a land use expert, filed lawsuits on behalf of adjacent property owners, residents and SORA, in April and July, respectively, to stop the developments.

A formal administrative hearing on the WEC Jockey Club PUD challenging amendments that were made to the county’s Comprehensive Plan to accommodate the development is set for 9 a.m. Jan. 12-13.

Court dates for the Marion County lawsuits had not yet been scheduled as of press time.

In an end-of-the-year move heralded as a victory for those trying to protect Marion’s rural character, commissioners on Dec. 20 vetoed a rezoning request for a PUD development on CR 318 in the FPA, nixed a proposed sand mine in Orange Springs, and one commissioner--Kathy Bryant, who voted against the CR 318 developments--asked her fellow board members to consider a pause on approving more development.

In a somewhat shocking announcement in early August, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, part of the Florida Department of Transportation, said it was pausing plans for a proposed Northern Turnpike Extension due to immense backlash from residents in Citrus, Levy, Marion and Sumter counties, and would instead shift its focus on improving the I-75 corridor.

backlash

Harding, an Ocala Republican and member of the state House since 2020, earned national attention this year as the sponsor of the controversial Parental Rights in Education Act, known by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. His rapid political rise ended on Dec. 8 when he resigned one day after he was arrested on federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering related to a COVID-19 relief loan program for small businesses.

The six-count grand jury indictment alleges Harding falsely claimed two defunct businesses of his--The Vak Shak Inc. and Harding Farms, LLC--were active in 2019 and 2020 to obtain more than $150,000 in loans.

Prosecutors allege the two businesses had been dormant from May 2017 through Dec. 16, 2020, and therefore had no employees or gross revenues for the 12 months prior to the COVID-19 disaster, a necessary element to qualify for the loans.

In announcing his resignation on his Facebook page, Harding, who was re-elected

without opposition in 2022, said he wanted what’s best for Floridians, “And I believe their leaders need not be encumbered by distractions that are mine alone.” He added he had repaid “every penny of the loan I obtained, and I have done my best to cooperate fully with all authorities.”

The Parental Rights bill, which was supported by Gov. Ron DeSantis and signed into law March 28, prohibits discussion on sexual orientation and gender identity issues in K-3 classrooms. Opponents of the law say it creates a hostile environment for the LGBTQ community.

Harding’s trial is set for Jan. 11 at the federal courthouse in Gainesville. He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of wire fraud, two counts of money laundering and two counts of making false statements.

DeSantis has scheduled a March 7 special primary and a May 16 special election to fill the House District 24 seat.

City of Ocala’s fishy firing of its city manager, and a new legal team

In an unexpected move April 19, the Ocala City Council fired City Manager Sandra Wilson and voted in Pete Lee as interim city manager shortly afterward.

Council member Barry Mansfield made the motion to terminate Wilson, and he, Kristen Dreyer, who seconded the motion, and James Hilty voted to fire Wilson. Council President Ire Bethea and Jay Musleh voted no.

The sudden decision to fire Wilson took place at the end of the council meeting and the topic was not listed on the agenda, drawing criticism from Musleh who said it should have been scheduled for the next council meeting and listed as an agenda item. He questioned the timing of the discussion and why it was brought up at the very end of the meeting and expressed support for Wilson. Bethea also said he supported Wilson.

The surprise firing raised questions among Wilson’s supporters about why she was being dismissed after 22 years of combined service. Some suggested that certain council members knew in advance the dismissal vote was coming. Also, two prominent Ocala businessmen, Doug Cone and Rich Bianculli, board members of the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership, showed up and took front row seats just as Mansfield brought up the topic of firing Wilson, leaving some to believe their appearance was not a coincidence.

Questions also arose about why Lee was picked over two other assistant city managers

who had considerably more experience, leading some critics to conclude the “fix was in,” for Lee, widely seen as a friend to the business community.

The City Council officially hired Lee as city manager Sept. 7, without opening the position to outside applicants. Lee’s promotions in the year prior to becoming city manager increased his salary from $85,000, to $150,000, and finally $225,500 annually as city manager.

For her part, Wilson, who became the city’s first Black city manager in 2020 and was a city employee for more than 20 years, said she, “appreciated the opportunities that have been provided to me as a city manager of this awesome city.” In April, council members unanimously approved a payout of nearly $295,000 in severance pay to Wilson. Her salary was less than $240,000 but outstanding paid time off, administrative leave and other perks drove up the cost.

Leading up to Wilson’s dismissal, council departed from its 30-year history of automatically retaining the Gilligan, Gooding, Batsel, Anderson & Phelan, P.A law firm to serve as the City Attorneys and instructed city management to advise the council on the pros and cons of building an in-house legal department.

In the Feb. 1 workshop presentation led by then-City Manager Sandra Wilson, it included complaints from several city departments about working with the Gilligan firm,

Criticism of the proposed project also came from grassroots organizations, such as the No Roads to Ruin Coalition, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and environmental groups including Audubon Florida that objected to the four potential routes publicized by FDOT that would extend the turnpike northwest from its end in Wildwood at I-75.

Multiple city councils and county commissions had also voiced robust opposition to the extension as well, joining the chorus of the “No Build” option that said each of the proposed routes would destroy crucial wildlife habitat and conservation lands, disrupt rural lands, and negatively impact the area’s vital natural water resources as well as area residents by bringing more traffic and more development.

However, the Marion County BOCC did not follow suit of their counterparts and instead expressed “a desire to have a seat at the table during the process.”

The Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership each expressed a willingness to assist FDOT in exploring the routes and the Citrus Chamber received backlash for their position

including concerns the firm was taking cases to court rather than seeking a settlement because doing so would increase billable hours. Concerns also included long waits for document and contract reviews and unanswered emails and phone calls, delays that department heads said hurt their units’ efficiency.

Concerns about conflicts of interest were also raised in the presentation, citing a Gazette report from December 2021 about how the firm inserted a conflict-of-interest waiver in its contract. The clause had not been discussed with the council or city manager when the contract was signed

The proposed Northern Turnpike Extension is a result of legislation that repealed the 2019 Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance toll road mandate requiring FDOT to build three new turnpikes in 2023 while allowing the agency to evaluate a northern extension.

The planning phase for the extension began in Oct. 2021 when FDOT publicized the proposed routes and asked for community feedback. Roadway extension proponents, including Florida lawmakers, said it was needed to alleviate traffic congestion, address future growth concerns, and speed evacuations during hurricanes.

Two of the proposed routes cut north from Sumter County through portions of southwestern Marion County, a third was south of Marion Oaks, and a fourth impacted portions of Citrus, Levy and Sumter counties.

Although FDOT said it was shelving the four proposed routes for now to shift its focus to I-75 improvements, FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue, guest speaker at an annual summit held by Horse Farms Forever on Nov. 14 indicated the Northern Turnpike Extension was still in the agency’s plans. Work on the proposed extension, he said, will start up again in the “next year or so” with the agency re-engaging the potentially affected communities.

and only became public because of the Gazette story.

Attorneys Patrick Gilligan, Robert Batsel and Jimmy Gooding pushed back at two areas of the presentation: first, that it included concerns about the firm’s billing practices; and second, the suggestion of any conflicts of interest.

Council members hired attorney William Sexton as its new in-house legal counsel during a Sept. 1 special meeting. The city’s $1 million annual contract with the previous law firm ended on Oct. 31, however they continue to provide legal services under Sexton’s supervision.

State Rep. Joe Harding, sponsor of the Parental Rights in Education Act, resigns House seat after indictment

The on again, off again, on again Northern Turnpike Extension and the public

from residents of their respective communities.

Michael McGrath of the Sierra Club talks as people hold signs during a “No Roads To Ruin” coalition from Citrus, Levy, Marion and Sumter counties press conference to talk about their opposition and fight against a Florida Turnpike extension outside of the Marion County Commission in the McPherson Governmental Complex in Ocala on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Dunnellon City Council worried about the damage the proposed turnpike extension would cause for Dunnellon near the Rainbow River on Tuesday, February 1, 2022. [Alan Youngblood/Special to Ocala Gazette]

Fire fee litigation

The eight-year legal battle over the City of Ocala’s fire service user fees finally began to get some closure in May of 2022 when Marion County Circuit Judge Robert W. Hodges entered a judgment ordering the city to issue $80 million in refunds.

The first refund checks began rolling out this summer to thousands of Ocala utility customers who for years had paid monthly fees that the court later determined were illegal.

The final judgment was a culmination of events that started in 2006, when the Ocala City Council decided to impose the fee on roughly 89,000 utility customers, prompting the 2014 class action suit that challenged

the legality of the fee. Three appeals later, an appellate court ruled the fees were an illegal tax and directed the local trial court to enter a final judgment.

The city struggled to find the money, at one point even exploring bankruptcy.

Ultimately, council pulled $20 million from reserves and took out a loan for $60 million. Millions of dollars in refund checks have already been issued and cashed; some people owed money cannot be located.

A second round of checks will be issued in 2023 so that the majority of the utility customers will receive 100% of what they paid in the illegal tax.

The city now must pay down a $60 million note.

Elections: Some things changed, and others stayed the same

After the partisan bickering over redistricting lines, local Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox oversaw a general election with significant changes to state level representatives but no changes to county commission district lines.

Longtime incumbent Marion County Commissioners, Carl Zalak III and Kathy Bryant won fourth terms as county commissioners. Both have served since 2010.

While Bryant ran without opposition in the primary, Zalak’s primary race drew criticism as he leaned heavily into the advantage he held as chair of the board during the election. This included giving a State of the County address prepared by county staff at both county planned events and political election

forums and appearing in videos alongside the Marion County Sheriff, Billy Woods to imply endorsement.

Zalak raised over $157,000 for his campaign, a substantial portion of which came from local developers, including developers of controversial projects he voted to approve such as the WEC Jockey Club while campaigning.

Zalak won the Aug. 23 primary, defeating challengers Rachel Sams and Keith R. Poole by only 1,371 votes, but then went on to easily defeat two write-in candidates, Brian Donnelly and Seth Posner, with 90% of the vote during the Nov. 8 General Election.

The Marion County Fire Union endorsed Sams, a former Ocala police officer, over Zalak-asserting Zalak was never a big supporter of first responders.

Historic downtown building will be restored to former glory

Lifelong residents of Marion County, history buffs and Ocala business leaders were elated following the March announcement that a historic downtown building would be restored to its former glory as The Marion Hotel.

Local philanthropists and real estate developers David and Lisa Midgett hope to soon start construction on the exterior of the seven-story, 95-year-old landmark Marion Sovereign building at 108 N. Magnolia Ave., eventually turning it back into its original life as a hotel in the coming years.

The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. In recent years, it has been turned into office condominiums.

The new boutique Marion Hotel will feature 48 rooms with painting by local artists, fine dining, a coffee shop/ cocktail bar, a high-end boutique, rooftop deck and a second-story club lounge overlooking North Magnolia Avenue.

Constructed in 1927, the 95-foot-tall Marion Sovereign building originally had 100 rooms and was the tallest building in the area until the Hilton Ocala was constructed in 1987.

The Midgetts expect demolition and construction to begin in March 2023, and the new hotel to open in the fall of 2024.

Construction costs are estimated at $1 million for the exterior and roughly $12 million to build the hotel.

March tornado caused $15 million-plus in damages

A line of strong thunderstorms produced an EF-1 tornado that barreled through parts of southwest Ocala and Marion County in the early morning of March 12 causing more than $15 million in damages to buildings, car dealerships and homes in the Country Oaks, Saddleworth Green and El Dorado neighborhoods.

No injuries were reported.

The Paddock Park Animal Care Center on Southwest 42 Street and the nearby Sullivan GMC and Cadillac dealerships had visible roof damage, with dozens of residents reporting power outages and damage to their homes and vehicles, along with uprooted trees, downed fences and other property.

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jacksonville confirmed the tornado March 13 and said it started at 7:45 a.m. and traveled more than 25 miles from Dunnellon through Southwest Ocala before dissipating off Baseline Road. The tornado had a maximum sustained wind speed of 110 miles per hour and a 65-yard-wide path of destruction.

In the storm’s aftermath, many Marion County residents wondered why they did not receive an AlertMarion text warning of the impending tornado. Although the National Weather Service issued a tornado watch at 3:30 a.m., no tornado warnings were issued as the storm approached the area because the radar at the Jacksonville NWS office was offline as part of a scheduled maintenance. Had it been online, however, the radar likely would not have picked up the tornado because of its relatively small width, officials said.

Community helps elderly widow 8

The home has become so dilapidated in recent years that it was officially deemed beyond repair and unsafe to live in several months ago.

Soon, though, Cunningham will have a new home to put her heart into, thanks to a unanimous vote in November by the commissioners, who approved the legally blind resident for a new county housing program under the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program.

Cunningham--a mother of 11, grandmother of 18, great-grandmother of 26 and great-greatgrandmother of 12--thanked the county and the community for everything after the vote.

The county commission vote means Cunningham will receive a SHIP loan up to a maximum of $150,000 to build a 1,350-square-foot home on the same lot her current home sits on. Cunningham will be required to pay $364 each month, representing 30% of her monthly income. Upon ownership transfer, the mortgage will be due to the county.

A

n elderly widow and lifelong resident of Ocala will soon have a new home built on land she has lived on for decades, thanks to the community and the Marion County Board of County Commissioners.

Allean Cunningham, 97, has resided in the modest home on Southeast 31st Street her late husband, Lester, built for them since 1963 but has struggled with its upkeep since his passing in 1992.

School capacity

Walter Cunningham, the fifth of Allean and Lester’s children, and his wife, Audrey, along with other family members raised $40,000 through a GoFundMe campaign this year and will use the money for construction costs.

Marion County Community Services is assisting the family in choosing a construction company to build the home, and groundbreaking should happen early in the new year. Cunningham will be allowed to stay in her current home while the new one is being built. When it is finished, her old home will be demolished.

I

n the spring of 2022, the discussion of school capacity started to come up in development decisions before the City of Ocala and Marion County Board of County Commissioners.

Marion County school officials began to notice around this same time that enrollment at some of its county public schools, particularly in southwest Marion, was vastly higher than they had projected making some schools overcrowded.

West Port High School, for example, was at 112% capacity.

One rental development proposed across the street from Saddlewood Elementary, brought families to city council meetings multiple times to express concern about overcrowding and lack of road structure to absorb the car pick up line and hundreds on new residents using the same road.

Despite the concerns, the Marion County commissioners and Ocala City Council members continued to approve new housing developments, mostly in that popular–and congested–corner of the county while they agree to work on their outdated interlocal agreement with the school district governing how they share development information and resources.

Around the same time, State Sen. Keith Perry, without knowledge of local school crowding but motivated by an instance in another county moved to amend statutes in an effort to protect developers in the instance of school capacity becoming a roadblock to development projects.

This change to legislation allows for developers to offset their development by paying the school district but would require the MCBCC and City of Ocala to implement school concurrency into their comprehensive land use plans, and they don’t want to.

At a meeting of the key players in this drama in December, there was little interest shown by county, city or business leaders to bring back concurrency.

To make matters more complicated, the school

district experiences funding shortfalls and restrictions on spending that prevent it from meeting the need of increased enrollment.

The school district responded by implementing a study with the intention of supporting building impact fees, but that revenue is a drop in the bucket to the need and plans for redistribution of students.

Meanwhile, the people keep coming. By one estimate, 192 people are moving into Marion each week, and they are more likely to be families than retirees. Countywide, at least 34,000 residential units (single-family and multi-family) already have been approved for development.

The math to meet our need for school capacity, like other infrastructure needs, just doesn’t work.

The question of how Marion County leaders square this circle will shape not just how the district fares in 2023 but for years to come.

On a brighter note, however, a tuition-free state of the art public charter school, Ina A. Colen Academy, established by The Colen Family Charitable Trust opened in August. The Colen family developed the retirement community of On Top of the World.

However, the latest development venture, Calesa Township, is a residential family community being built at Southwest 80th Avenue south of 38th Street.

Large trees devastated many units in the Saddleworth Green apartment complex. [Alan Youngblood/Special to the Ocala Gazette]

Traffic was shut down on SR 200 after tornado devastated homes, businesses and apartment buildings on Saturday March 12, 2022 in Ocala. [Alan Youngblood/Special to the Ocala Gazette]

Allean Cunningham, 96, becomes emotional as she talks about her home which needs major repairs or rebuilding, on Southeast 31st Street in Ocala on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

In response to Saddlewood Elementary parents, Allison Campbell of the Marion County Public School Board speaks during the Ocala City Council meeting in Ocala on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

State tax collections top projection

By Jim Turner Florida News Service

Hurricane recovery efforts helped November tax collections in Florida, as housing sales waned and people continued to dip into savings amid high inflation.

A report released Wednesday estimated that general-revenue collections were 14.1 percent higher than projected for November.

The report by the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research estimated the state collected $3.625 billion in general revenue in November, $447.2 million over the projection issued in August.

The office said its preliminary analysis indicated that Hurricane Ian recovery and rebuilding efforts resulted in about a quarter of the higher-than-expected revenue. The Category 4 storm made landfall Sept. 28 in Southwest Florida

before crossing the state.

“This means that most of the final reported overage reflected the continued reliance on savings to support personal consumption and first-round inflationary effects,” the report said.

For months, state economists have said people were reducing the amount they were saving. Inflation has helped increase tax collections because it causes higher prices, but the report cautioned that is a short-term effect.

“Persistent inflation conditions, however, ultimately suppress collections as consumers begin to spend more money on non-taxable necessities like food and health care,” the report said.

The personal-savings rate stood at 2.4 percent in November, up slightly from 2.2 percent in October.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the savings rate in the 2018-2019 fiscal year was 7.9 percent. The rate ballooned to 33.7 percent in April 2020 as people cut back on spending and started receiving

federal stimulus checks.

Meanwhile, documentary-stamp tax collections on real estate transactions were $32.8 million, or 23.9 percent, below a projection for November.

Last week, the industry group Florida Realtors indicated that the housing market is struggling against interest rates that remain above 6 percent --- “a rate level not seen since late 2008.”

November figures showed existing single-family homes sales in Florida were down 38.2 percent from a year earlier, while condominium and townhouse sales were off 38.9 percent.

“The effect of these higher rates on homebuyer demand throughout the U.S. this fall was not a positive one,” Florida Realtors Chief Economist Brad O’Connor said in a Dec. 21 statement. “Here in Florida, we could already see that conditions were worsening in response to the rise in rates above 6 percent in October’s housing market data. Based on those figures, it’s not surprising that

the newly released November figures for closed sales from Florida Realtors exhibit similar declines --- and we should probably expect similar declines in closed sales in December, as well, given that rates were at their recent peak near 7 percent for much of November, when many of the homes scheduled to close in December were going under contract.”

The report released Wednesday by the Office of Economic & Demographic Research showed that sales-tax collections --- a major part of general revenue –-- topped a projection by $412.1 million.

Sales-tax collections related to tourism topped expectations by 11.3 percent, while auto sales were 24.4 percent above a projection. Meanwhile, corporate income taxes were off by 22.6 percent.

General revenue is closely watched in Tallahassee because it plays a key role in funding education, health-care programs and prisons.

Court backs state in union dispute

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

Adivided appeals court has backed the Florida Department of Management Services in a dispute about whether a union representing state workers engaged in unfair labor practices.

A panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal, in a 2-1 ruling, overturned a dismissal of the department’s allegations against AFSCME Florida Council 79.

The case involves information that the union mailed to state employees in 2020 after lawmakers approved a 3 percent pay increase in the state budget. After the raise took effect in October 2020, the union sent a postcard to state employees indicating they needed to approve the raise, according to the ruling Thursday by a panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal.

The Department of Management Services said such approval was not necessary and alleged that the postcard was an attempt by the union to boost membership. The state Public Employees Relations Commission, however, said the department didn’t have legal standing to pursue the unfairlabor practices charge and dismissed it.

In an eight-page majority opinion Thursday, appealscourt Judge Brad Thomas wrote that the department, which oversees human resources for the state, had standing and demonstrated a “prima facie case” of unfair labor practices. The Legislature approved the 3 percent raise to resolve an impasse in negotiations between the department and the union, the ruling said.

“Here, the department asserted a prima facie case that

AFSCME failed to bargain in good faith by sending the postcard containing the misrepresentation that the pay raise would be in jeopardy unless employees ratified the collective bargaining agreement,” Thomas wrote, in an opinion joined by Judge M. Kemmerly Thomas.

But Judge Scott Makar dissented, writing that the union corrected the information that had been mailed in the postcard. He also wrote that “communications are protected free speech and cannot form the basis for sanction as an unfair labor practice with very limited exceptions.”

“Allowing the claim in this case to proceed seemingly opens the barn door to strategic claims attempting to cast routine communications (even those temporarily erroneous) as unfair practices, thereby creating a potential chilling effect on the

bargaining process itself,” Makar wrote.

Makar also wrote that the “oddity is that bargaining for the pay raise was over and done and the pay raise had already been implemented, such that the postcard was simply like a postscript to a letter already written and delivered; it could have no substantial effect on a legislative process that was already completed and in effect.”

“Public employees who felt they were misled had an individual remedy: an unfair labor practice on their own behalf, which did not materialize,” Makar wrote. “Employees, not the employer, are in the best position to assert whether they were coerced, restrained, or adversely affected by what the union did in this case.”

But the majority opinion, which sent the case back to the Public Employees Relations

Commission, said that “even were we to agree with the commission’s arguments regarding standing — which we do not — the department showed that its interests would be substantially affected by the unfair labor practices proceeding.”

“AFSCME’s postcard provided incorrect and misleading information concerning the effect of the agreement on the 3% raise and encouraged state employees to ratify the agreement in order to protect the raise, when the raise had already been approved by the Legislature,” the majority opinion said. “This misleading information affected the negotiation and ratification process, and the department had to expend its resources to try to refute the misinformation. The department, therefore, suffered an injury in fact that was substantial and sufficient to confer standing.”

REHEARING DENIED IN UF SHUTDOWN CASE

The full 1st District Court of Appeal on Tuesday refused to hear arguments in a potential class-action lawsuit contending that the University of Florida should return fees to students because of a campus shutdown early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Attorneys for graduate student Anthony Rojas asked the full appeals court to hold what is known as “en banc” hearing after a divided three-judge panel ruled in November that an Alachua County circuit judge should have dismissed the lawsuit. An online docket said Tuesday that the en banc request had been denied but did not provide more details.

The case sought refunds of fees paid for transportation, health-care and athletics services that were not provided because of the shutdown. Rojas alleged that UF breached a contract when it did not provide the services. But in the appellate panel’s 2-1 decision on Nov. 22, Judge Rachel Nordby wrote that “assorted documents attached to the complaint do not constitute an express written contract.”

Numerous similar lawsuits have been filed against colleges and universities in Florida and other parts of the country.

BRIEFS

SUPREME COURT SAYS NO NEW JUDGES NEEDED

Florida lawmakers in 2023 should not add more judgeships and should consider trimming some, the state Supreme Court said Thursday as it made annual recommendations.

The Supreme Court said “we certify no need for additional county court, circuit court, or district court of appeal judgeships.” At the same time, it recommended eliminating a county-court judgeship in Brevard County and reducing the numbers of judges on the 1st District Court of Appeal and the 2nd District Court of Appeal.

The appeals-court recommendation came after the Legislature this year approved creating a 6th District Court of Appeal and revising the jurisdictions of the 1st District Court of Appeal, the 2nd District Court of Appeal and the 5th District Court of Appeal. The changes will take effect Jan. 1.

“Based on the workload analysis

the (Supreme) Court conducted for this first certification since the creation of a Sixth District Court of Appeal, we have determined that there is an estimated excess capacity of one judgeship in the First District and three judgeships in the Second District,” the recommendation said.

“To address this situation, this (Supreme) Court recommends that during the 2023 regular session the Legislature consider enacting legislation that provides for reduction in the number of statutorily authorized district court judgeships based on attrition and without requiring a judge to vacate his or her position involuntarily.”

The Supreme Court is required each year to make such recommendations to the Legislature. In addition to revamping the appealscourt system this year, the Legislature approved adding a county-court judgeship in Lake County.

IAN INSURED LOSSES NEAR $12.6B

With the total continuing to climb, estimated insured losses from Hurricane Ian have neared $12.6 billion, according to newly posted data on the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation website.

The data showed an estimated $12,576,696,298 in insured losses as of Wednesday, up from $10,271,655,453 a month earlier.

The new data showed that 669,639 claims had been reported from the hurricane, including 463,979 claims involving residential property. Other

types of claims included such things as commercial property and auto damage.

As of Wednesday, 310,233 claims had been closed with payments made, while 153,309 claims had been closed without payments.

The Category 4 Ian made landfall Sept. 28 in Southwest Florida before crossing the state. Lee County has had the most claims reported, with 238,633 as of Wednesday. It was followed by Charlotte County, with 100,052 claims, and Sarasota County, with 68,173 claims.

GASOLINE PRICES CLIMB

The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Florida jumped about 8 cents Wednesday after dipping below $3, according to the AAA auto club.

The average price was $3.07, up from $2.99 on Tuesday. It also was up from $3.01 a week ago, but far below the $3.38 average a month ago. Florida hit an all-time high of $4.89 on June 13, but prices steadily declined during the rest of the year. The national average Wednesday was $3.13 a gallon, according to AAA.

LAWMAKER PROPOSES TELEHEALTH CHANGE

A

House Republican on Monday proposed a measure that would allow the use of telephone calls in providing telehealth. Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes, filed the proposal (HB 79) for consideration during the 2023 legislative session, which will start in March.

Telehealth, or telemedicine as it is also known, generally involves using the internet and other technology to provide care remotely. Under current law, however, the definition of telehealth excludes “audio only telephone calls.” Fabricio’s bill would do away with that exclusion. The definition would continue to exclude email messages and faxes.

DeSantis joins call to end health emergency

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

Gov. Ron DeSantis last week joined 24 other Republican governors in asking President Joe Biden to end a COVID-19 emergency declaration that has helped lead to a surge in enrollment in Florida’s Medicaid program.

The governors sent a letter that urged Biden to allow a federal “public health emergency” to expire in April. The emergency declaration was initially issued in 2020 and has been repeatedly extended. The letter said it has been extended until at least Jan. 11, though states believe it will be extended to April because they have not received notification that it will end.

“We ask that you allow the PHE (public health emergency) to expire in April and provide states with much needed certainty well in advance of its expiration,” the letter said.

Medicaid is jointly funded by state

and federal governments. During the emergency, the federal government has increased its share of the tab by 6.2 percentage points through a formula known as the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage.

But at the same time, state Medicaid programs have not been able to drop beneficiaries who might otherwise be ineligible for coverage. That has helped swell Medicaid rolls in Florida and other states.

For example, Florida had about 3.76 million people enrolled in Medicaid in March 2020, when the pandemic slammed into the state. In November 2022, it had nearly 5.58 million people enrolled, according to data posted on the state Agency for Health Care Administration website.

“The PHE is negatively affecting states, primarily by artificially growing our population covered under Medicaid … regardless of whether individuals continue to be eligible under the program,” the

governors’ letter said. “While the enhanced federal match provides some assistance to blunt the increasing costs due to higher enrollment numbers in our Medicaid programs, states are required to increase our non-federal match to adequately cover all enrollees and cannot disenroll members from the program unless they do so voluntarily.”

In an October decision to extend the public health emergency to January, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services pointed to the “continued consequences” of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Medicaid, which serves low-income Floridians, seniors and people with disabilities, is a massive part of each year’s state budget. Lawmakers in March approved a 2022-2023 budget that included $38.6 billion for the Agency for Health Care

Administration, which operates most of the program.

Other governors signing the letter were from Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.

New Year Brings Lobbying Restrictions, Toll Breaks

By Jim Turner Florida News Service

Beefed up lobbying restrictions and breaks for motorists who frequently use toll roads are among state laws and other changes that will arrive with the new year.

The laws, passed during this year’s regular legislative session and special sessions, also include making available landpreservation money, allowing local governments to publish legal notices online instead of in newspapers and ending a longcontroversial practice in the property-insurance system. Most of the bills that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed this year took effect on July 1 or upon his signature. But here are some changes that will take effect Sunday:

--- LOBBYING: New laws (HB 7001 and HB 7003) will carry out a constitutional amendment that voters overwhelmingly passed in 2018 to expand from two years to six years the time that certain officials will have to wait to start lobbying after leaving government positions. The restrictions will apply to lawmakers, state agency heads, judges and many local officials.

--- TOLL CREDITS: During a special session this month, lawmakers approved a measure (SB 6-A) that will provide 50 percent credits to motorists who record 35 or more toll-road trips in a month. The program will last for a year, with lawmakers agreeing to spend $500 million to help toll agencies cover lost revenue.

--- DISASTER ASSISTANCE: Responding to the devastating 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside, lawmakers approved making property tax rebates available when residential properties are rendered uninhabitable for 30 days. During the December special session, lawmakers passed a measure (SB 4-A) to offer similar rebates to property owners who sustained damage in Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole. Property owners will be able to apply to county property appraisers between Jan. 1 and April 1.

--- LAND PRESERVATION: Part of the state budget will free up $300 million within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for land acquisition.

--- PUBLIC NOTICES: Lawmakers approved a measure (HB 7049) that will allow local governments to publish legal notices on county websites instead of in newspapers. Local governments in counties with fewer than 160,000 residents must first hold public hearings to determine if residents have sufficient access to the internet.

— PROPERTY INSURANCE: Lawmakers during the special session this month approved ending a controversial practice known as assignment of benefits for property insurance. The practice involves homeowners signing over claims to contractors, who then pursue payments from insurers. The prohibition on assignment of benefits (SB 2-A) will apply to policies issued on or after Jan. 1.

— WORKERS’ COMPENSATION RATES: An average 8.4 percent decrease in workers’ compensation insurance rates will take effect in January, marking the sixth consecutive year that average rates have decreased.

--- APPELLATE COURTS: Florida’s appellate courts will be revamped Jan. 1 under a law (HB 7027) that created a 6th District Court of Appeal and revised the jurisdictions of the 1st District Court of Appeal, the 2nd District Court of Appeal and the 5th District Court of Appeal.

--- MIYA’S LAW: Lawmakers passed a measure (SB 898) that will require apartment landlords to conduct background checks on all employees. The bill, dubbed “Miya’s Law,” came after the death of 19-year-old Miya Marcano, a Valencia College student who went missing from her Orlando apartment in September and was found dead a week later. The suspected killer, who later committed suicide, worked as a maintenance worker at Marcano’s apartment complex.

--- SCHOOL BOOK SELECTIONS: As part of a broader education bill (HB 1467), lawmakers required that a training program be available as of Jan. 1 for school librarians, media specialists and others involved in the selection of school library materials. The program is aimed, in part, at providing access to “age-appropriate materials and library resources.”

--- NEWBORN SCREENINGS: A measure (SB 292) will require hospitals and other state-licensed birthing facilities to test newborns for congenital cytomegalovirus if the infants fail hearing tests. The virus can cause hearing loss in infants.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 42-2022-CP-2365

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF RICHARD A. SIEKLUCKI, Deceased.

JONATHAN P. SIEKLUCKI, Petitioner.

/

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the Estate of RICHARD A. SIEKLUCKI, deceased, whose date of death was July 3, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE the later of 3 months after the time of the first publication of this notice or 30 days after the date of service of a copy of this notice on them.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court within 3 months after the date of the first publication of this notice.

All claims not filed withIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL be forever barred.

Notwithstanding the time periodS set forth above, any claim filed two (2) years or more afteR the decedent’s date of death is barred.

The date of first publication of this notice is this 23 day of December, 2022.

Personal Representative: Jonathan P. Sieklucki

Attorney for Personal Representative: Stephen G. Murty PO Box 4319 Ocala, FL 34478 Tel (352) 351-1411 steve@murtylaw.com ashlee@murtylaw.com

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF YVONNE H. MONTSDEOCA, Deceased. FILE NO.: 2022-CP-002872

NOTICE TO CREDITORS (Summary Administration)

The administration of the estate of YVONNE H. MONTSDEOCA , deceased, File Number 2022-CP-002872 is pending in the Circuit Court of Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. An Order of Summary Administration was entered on December 12, 2022, and the name and address of the persons assigned the asset are ANN M. McCOUN and ALICE M. ROBBINS, 1025 S.E. 10th Street, Ocala, Florida 34471, the daughters of the decedent and their attorney is R. William Futch, R. William Futch, P.A., 2201 S.E. 30th Avenue, Suite 202, Ocala, Florida 34471.

The total value of the non-exempt assets of the estate is less than $75,000.00.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court, WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS DECEMBER 23, 2022.

Attorneys for Petitioner: R. WILLIAM FUTCH Florida Bar No.: 0319856

DAVIS R. WATSON III Florida Bar No.: 117996

R. WILLIAM FUTCH, P.A. 2201 S. E. 30th Avenue Suite 202 Ocala, Florida 34471 (352) 732-8080

Email Address: bill@futchlaw.net

3rd case brought by DeSantis’ election police dismissed

By The Associated Press

Athird case of a defendant who was arrested by an elections police unit created by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and a Republicancontrolled Florida Legislature has been thrown out.

Terry Hubbard, 63, was among 20 people arrested last August on criminal charges of illegal voting in 2020 in what was the first major action taken by the the Republican’s controversial new Office of Election Crimes and Security.

A judge in Broward County this week tossed out the case on the grounds that the Office of Statewide Prosecution does not have jurisdiction to prosecute since it can only prosecute crimes that occurred in two or more counties. Two other cases were dismissed on similar grounds.

The elections police unit drew widespread criticism from Democrats and voting rights groups who feared it would serve as a political tool for the governor.

The arrests of the 20 defendants last August targeted people who were convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense and therefore exempt from a constitutional amendment that restores voting rights to some felons. Most of those charged were from Broward, Miami-Dade or Palm Beach counties, all Democratic strongholds.

DeSantis, a potential 2024 presidential candidate, pushed the state legislature to create the election police unit to address voter fraud concerns that have proliferated in the GOP following former President Donald Trump’s false claims that his reelection was stolen.

Voter fraud is rare, typically occurs in isolated instances and is generally detected. An Associated Press investigation of the 2020 presidential election found fewer than 475 potential cases of voter fraud out of 25.5 million ballots cast in the six states where Trump and his allies disputed his loss to Democratic President Joe Biden. DeSantis has previously praised Florida for carrying out a smooth election in 2020.

Florida police officer drags woman into jail, is fired

By The Associated Press

Apolice officer in Tampa, Florida, who was videotaped dragging a handcuffed woman into jail has been fired, authorities said.

An internal investigation determined that former officer Gregory Damon violated department policies during the Nov. 17 incident, the Tampa Police Department announced Tuesday in a news release.

The woman was being arrested for trespassing, according to the release. A body camera video shows her refusing to leave Damon’s vehicle while parked at the Orient Road Jail and telling the officer, “I want you

to drag me.”

Damon then removes the woman from the vehicle and pulls her by the arm across a concrete floor, stopping once to tell her to get up but the woman refuses. Damon drags the woman to a doorway then buzzes for additional officers to assist him before the body camera video released by the Tampa Police Department cuts off.

The agency said it revised policy in 2013 to forbid officers from dragging uncooperative suspects on the ground. Officers should instead seek assistance from jail booking staff or other law enforcement, police said.

Damon had been with the Tampa Police Department since 2016.

EDITORIAL

The fight to save manatees reaches a desperation point

By the Orlando Sentinel

Just five years ago, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared a small measure of victory in the fight to save Florida’s beloved manatees, downgrading its protected-species status from “endangered” to “threatened.” And now the gentle creatures are literally starving to death under the horrified, despairing gaze of waterfront residents and visitors to this state.

The immediate solution is barely deserving of the word. Lettuce, hundreds of thousands of pounds of it (purchased at a time when national lettuce prices are at an all-time high) will be fed to manatees clustered around the warm-water discharge point of a Titusville power plant. Under normal circumstances this would make state and federal wildlife officials shudder. But they grimly acknowledge that there’s no choice: The seagrass beds in the Intracoastal Waterway where many East Coast manatees usually graze during winter months have all but disappeared.

Caught in the snap

There’s no point in asking what happened. Everyone knows. After years of incessant talk about cleaning up water bodies such as the Indian

River Lagoon — talk, but little action — things finally hit a snapping point. Waters that were once crystal clear and teeming with life continued to be fouled by failing septic tanks and runoff from over-fertilized lawns and heavily traveled roads. The toxic combination of nitrogen overload and lack of sunlight killed the seagrass, and now starvation is killing the manatees even as frantic rescue attempts continue. Meanwhile, other factors drive manatee mortality, such as boat strikes (it’s a grim fact of life that many manatees can be identified by the patterns of scars and maimed flippers and tails) and entrapment in human-built structures like locks and dams.

The only consolation in this year’s tally: There’s still a chance that, if the weather stays relatively mild, manatees will be able to endure colder waters and reach seagrass beds that can offer them enough food to struggle through. But that’s not much cause for celebration, says Save the Manatee director Pat Rose, because. 2021 was the most lethal year on record for manatees, with more than 1,100 deaths. So there are fewer manatees left to die. And manatees fighting for their own survival are far less likely to produce offspring.

For military veteran caregivers, caregiving often starts earlier in life and lasts longer. To better care for your loved one, you must also care for yourself.

In this image taken from video released by the Tampa Police Department, police officer Gregory Damon drags a woman across the floor at Orient Road Jail in Tampa, Fla., on Nov. 17, 2022. Damon, who was videotaped dragging a handcuffed woman on the floor has been fired, authorities said. An internal investigation determined that former officer violated department policies during the Nov. 17 incident, the Tampa Police Department announced Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022 in a news release. [Tampa Police Department via AP]

Innovative Orthopedic Care That Gets You Back in Motion

Take your first step to pain-free. At AdventHealth, we’re moving orthopedic and spine care forward. Using the latest innovations and minimally invasive techniques for joint replacements and highly specialized spine procedures, we provide comprehensive care for knees, hips, shoulders, hands and every joint in your body.

Take your first step to feeling whole at OcalaOrthoExperts.com.

Scan the QR code to learn more.

People, Places & Things

Historic home restored

By Andy Fillmore Correspondent

Joe and Kelli Carvalho have transformed a century-old house in the Ocala Historic District from a trash ridden eyesore and suspected haven for drug use to a tidy part-time family home and AirbnB property.

The single story, three-bedroom, one-bath, 1,100-square-foot, wooden bungalow-style house at 719 SE 2nd St. has undergone major changes since the Carvalhos purchased it in March of 2019.

“Joe’s done a beautiful job,” said neighbor Sheri Taylor, who has lived in a circa-1929 house within view of the Carvalho’s residence since 2004.

Taylor claimed that prior to the Carvalhos acquiring the property, the site was “neglected (and) in pretty bad shape” with what she described as transients occasionally milling around the property or sleeping on the porch.

Joe Carvalho spent six months in an intensive cleanup and restoration project shortly after he and his wife purchased the house. He said they found trash of all kinds around the residence, including possible drug paraphernalia.

“It took a crew of four people a week to haul the trash away,” said Carvalho, 41, a

native of Toronto, Canada.

A check of City of Ocala Code Enforcement records revealed a January 2019 letter from the Code Enforcement Division that refers to violations for junk and debris, and overgrowth. A 2016 report uses the words “rooming/boarding house” in connection with the property. The 2019 letter details three liens in the amounts of $162.44, $13,682.64 and $175.71 against the property.

Carvalho said the total for the house purchase, payment of liens and cost of restoration was “in excess of $100,000.”

The Carvalho family’s journey to the home can be traced back to 2000, when Kelli, a Marion County native, and Joe first met in Belize while both were serving as volunteer missionaries with the Catholic outreach, the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLTS). They married in 2007 and moved into a circa1890s home in the 200 block of Southeast Sanchez Avenue, which is in sight of the house on 2nd Street.

The Carvalhos were aware of unusual activity at the 2nd Street house over time, but the situation boiled over in 2019 when their Sanchez Avenue home was burglarized. A neighbor’s surveillance video allowed Joe and Kelli to observe the thief run into the 2nd Street house

carrying items stolen from the other residence. They contacted police and some materials were found in the 2nd Street house.

The couple began to follow the situation with a desire to rescue the house and it wasn’t long before an opportunity arose in which they could pay the liens and purchase the property through a third party.

The house was first built as “rustic” with no-frills construction, Joe Carvalho said. The home has three fireplaces. He said dark paneling that most likely was installed in the 1970s was removed and that the walls and floors are all the “original, local wood.” A bathroom was added some years ago.

The house was one of the stops on the 2022 Historic Ocala Preservation Society’s (HOPS) Heritage Home Tour on Dec. 17. The couple estimated that about 500 people toured the home, which was awarded third place for holiday porch decorations.

Pamela Stafford with HOPS praised the work by the Carvalhos.

“I met Joe shortly after he purchased the house and it was in horrible condition. It looked like a ‘lost cause’ for rehabilitation,” Stafford wrote in an email. “He and Kelli have done an amazing job

of bringing the house back to life and becoming a home. Vision, recycling, repurposing and time have resulted in a showcase for the neighborhood.”

The couple’s three children, Gabriella, 12; Elijah, 10; and Tobias, 7, all seem to enjoy living in the bungalow.

Since purchasing the house and completing the restoration with modern appliances, the family has spent three months a year in Ocala and nine months in Benque Viejo Del Carmen in Belize, where Joe and Kelli continue their missionary work at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish.

Kelli is a high school biology teacher in Belize and Joe is a construction supervisor currently overseeing the building of a junior college. The couples’ housing is provided in Belize and when they are away, their Ocala home is rented as an AirbnB.

Meanwhile, Joe Carvalho said, in a note related to their missionary work, the generous nature of the people of Ocala showed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when they were involved in a food drive for people in the area of Belize in which they do their missionary work. Six pallets of food were sent from here and the freight cost was mostly donated.

“The donations had a huge impact on the people in our area,” he said.

Joe and Kelli Carvalho pose outside their home on Southeast 2nd Street in Ocala on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. The Carvalho’s, who are missionaries and spend most of their year in Belize, have resurrected the 1922 bungalow house in the Ocala Historic District from a neighborhood blight, which had numerous city code violations, to a restored residence and a part-time AirBnB.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Blight is shown outside the Carvalho home in old photos before they purchased it and restored it in 2019.

A bungalow built a century ago in Southeast Ocala has been restored to its original “rustic” glory. Left: Elijah,

Tobias, 7, and Gabriella Carvalho, 12, left to right,

Crosses are shown hanging over one of the fireplaces in the Carvalho home on Southeast 2nd Street in Ocala on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022.

“He and Kelli have done an amazing job of bringing the house back to life and becoming a home. Vision, recycling, repurposing and time have resulted in a showcase for the neighborhood.”

Pamela Stafford With HOPS

Taking stock

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

Rosemarie Stock has never been the type to feel sorry for herself. Though she’s experienced some heavy losses and setbacks, she doesn’t lament her problems for too long nor does she dwell on her misfortune.

Over the past three decades, Stock has helped others in need, from assisting family members and friends to taking care of her husband for 15 years before he died two years ago.

Before Roger fell ill, Stock had helped him take care of his ailing parents when the couple moved to Ocala from Pennsylvania in 1994. He was 86 when he died, and her first husband died at 40. She had three children from her first marriage and worked in the restaurant industry until moving to Florida.

Now 80, Stock’s only surviving child, 52, suffers from irreparable respiratory complications. Her other children, a daughter and son, died in the prime of their adulthood.

Despite a number of staggering setbacks, Stock has pushed through “I had a couple of lady friends that I took to the doctor,

and I’d clean their house and do stuff like that.”

To make ends meet after Roger’s death, she put her manufactured home for sale in Rolling Greens, an Ocala 55-and-older community where the couple had made friends and enjoyed what she considered a happy life together.

The monthly land lease attached to the home she owned became unaffordable on her fixed income.

“The lot rent went up over $800,” she said. The higher expense forced her to sell her home.

The Realtor wrote everything up and said he needed to check on things.

“When he came back, he told me that the house was not mine, that Roger electronically turned over the house to his son, who took the house over,’’ she said. “I had no home, and I was devastated. I was absolutely devastated.”

Though Stock got her house back, the experience took its toll. Lingering questions remain about her marriage, her husband and the fraudulent transaction that took place.

“He left me nothing,” she said of her second husband.

“I had no insurance and, though Roger was a veteran he wasn’t in a war, and there was nothing that the VA would

give me. So, I’m living on my Social Security.”

After an extremely trying period, the final straw came by way of the breakdown of Stock’s van, which she took to Oscar’s Auto Center in northwest Ocala. When she found out about the staggering list of repairs, which cost around $2,000, Stock broke down and cried.

Moved to help, owner Oscar Agudelo referred Stock to Community with a Heart (CWAH), which helps Marion County residents with emergency expenses. Her sister helped her with a loan for the rest.

“It’s a very good organization, wonderful people, that might be able to help you,” the mechanic said of Community with a Heart.

“And that’s how it came about,” Stock said. “(CWAH case manager) Cleve Butler came to the house, and I told him about everything going on.”

CWAH assists with outstanding mortgage and utility bills and needed home repairs. Local charities and members of the CWAH board recommend families for consideration, and up to $1,200 in expenses can be covered through the fund. Often local businesses, churches, and volunteers donate their services to stretch the giving even further. All donations received go directly to help individuals and families living in Marion County.

Aside from a sore knee, Stock is now able to get around now and hopes to get an operation soon. She also hopes to stay in her current Ocala residence but needs another stroke of luck to make that happen.

“If I could pick up a parttime job, that could help me,” Stock said. “I would just stay here and wouldn’t have to move again.

To donate to Community with a Heart visit ocalafoundation.org/ community-foundation-funds/ community-with-a-heart.

Community With A Heart

Now in its 36th year, CWAH has collected more than $1.8 million, of which $31,531.80 was raised during the 2021-2022 campaign.

All of the donations go directly to help individuals and families living in Marion County.

“This program is not a handout, but a hand-up. CWAH assists individuals and families from all walks of life. We don’t want people who used to help others or never needed help before to feel embarrassed or ashamed because they now need assistance to get back on track. Life happens, and this program exists to help people in our community that need a little help,” said board chair Monica Bryant, the Family Violence Prevention Coordinator with the Marion County Children’s Alliance.

“CWAH is a remedy for the gaps that our local nonprofits can’t fill. All of the assistance goes for those needs that are outside of the normal services available in our community,” said Karla Grimsley-Greenway, CEO of Interfaith Emergency Services, one of the county’s largest social services agencies, who serves on the CWAH board. “For the families that receive assistance, it’s often their only hope.”

Those who are seeking assistance must apply through one of the agencies on the board, present recent documentation of the need and demonstrate self-sustainability. The CWAH board members meet once a week during the campaign to review applications that have been vetted by board members. The board member must make a home visit and the applicant must show some certification of need, such as two estimates from a certified car repair shop, if they are requesting help to get their car fixed.

To support the Community With A Heart campaign, make a donation online at ocalafoundation.org/community-foundationfunds/community-with-a-heart/ or mail a check to CWAH Fund, P.O. Box 1777, Ocala, FL 34478. Donations are tax deductible and go directly to help residents in Marion County.

How to apply for CWAH assistance: To seek help from Community With a Heart, contact one of the following agencies for a referral to the program to receive assistance: Marion County Children’s Alliance, Brother’s Keeper, Interfaith Emergency Services, Marion County School Social Services, Salvation Army Ocala/Marion County, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida Inc., Ocala Housing Authority, Isaiah Foundation, Central Florida Community Action Agency, Marion County Community Services, Habitat for Humanity and Cleve Butler and James Jackson, who are Community-at- Large members.

Ongoing needs for CWAH:

• Marion County Children’s Alliance: Funds for emergency shelter in motel/hotel for victims and survivors of domestic violence, gas cards and new, unwrapped toys or gift cards for youth 12 to 18 years old. (352) 438-5993.

• Brother’s Keeper: Gas cards, bus passes, non-perishable food items and unwrapped toys for children ages 1-12. (352) 622-3846.

• Salvation Army Ocala/Marion County: Towels, twin-size sheets, blankets, bus passes and canned food items. (352) 732-8326.

Interfaith Emergency Services: Towels, gloves, bus passes, new underwear and non-perishable food items (352) 629-8868.

Youthful yet historic Wurzburg

was the seat of a bishop, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa came here to get the bishop’s OK to divorce his wife. The bishop said “No problem,” and the Barbarossa thanked him by granting him secular rule of the entire region of Franconia. From then on, Wurzburg’s bishop was also a prince. And the prince-bishop of Wurzburg answered only to the Holy Roman Emperor.

While devastated by WWII bombs, it has been painstakingly restored. This Franconian Versailles features grand rooms, 3-D art, and a massive fresco by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.

By Rick Steves

Surrounded by vineyards and filled with atmospheric wine gardens, small, tourist-friendly Wurzburg (just 70 minutes by train from Frankfurt) is easy to navigate by foot or streetcar. Today, one in five of its 130,000 residents are students - making the town feel young and very alive.

Standing on Wurzburg’s venerable bridge - the second-oldest in Germany - I squint up at a statue of the town’s favorite saint, an Irish monk named Kilian. I wonder why he still has his head on. Kilian was one of three Irish missionary monks who dropped by in AD 686 to Christianize the local barbarians. Overreacting, inhospitable locals beheaded them. Later their relics were planted in the town’s church, putting Wurzburg on the pilgrimage map.

About 500 years later, since the town

The prince-bishop dominated the town. The late-Gothic Marienkapelle, the merchants’ answer to the prince-bishop’s cathedral, is pretty humble. Since Rome didn’t bankroll the place, it’s ringed with “swallow shops” (like swallows’ nests cuddled up against a house) - enabling the church to run little businesses.

Wurzburg’s City Hall, also humble because of the power of the prince-bishop, is interesting for a room holding the “Gedenkraum 16 Marz (March) 1945” memorial. This commemorates victims of the 20-minute Allied bombing that created a firestorm, destroying the town just six weeks before the end of World War II. Pondering models of the bomb damage and the seemingly endless list of names of those killed on that day is a sobering experience.

The prince-bishop’s Residenz palace, in the center of town, is one of the most impressive royal palaces in all of Germany.

In 1752, the Venetian master Tiepolo was instructed to make a grand fresco illustrating the greatness of Europe, Wurzburg, and the prince-bishop. And he did. The four continents are each symbolized by a woman on an animal and pointing to the prince-bishop in the medallion above Europe. Americadesperately uncivilized - sits naked with feathers in her hair on an alligator among severed heads. She’s being served hot chocolate, a favorite import and nearly a drug for Europeans back then. Africa sits on a camel in a land of trade and fantasy animals (based on secondhand reports). Asia rides her elephant in the birthplace of Christianity. And Europe is shown as the center of high culture - Lady Culture points her brush not at Rome, but at Wurzburg. The prince-bishop had a healthy ego. The ceiling features Apollo and a host of Greek gods, all paying homage to Wurzburg and its leader.

The sumptuous Hofkirche Chapel, adjacent to the palace, was for the exclusive use of the prince-bishop and his court. The decor and design are textbook Baroque. Architect Johann Balthasar Neumann was stuck with the existing walls. His challenge was to bring in light and create symmetry - essential to any Baroque work. He did it with mirrors and hidden windows. The chapel is slathered in real - if paper-thin - gold leaf. But the

“marble columns” are marbled plaster. This method was popular because it was cheap and the color could be controlled. You can tell if a “marble” column is real or fake by resting your hand on it. If it warms up...it’s not marble.

The prince-bishop was as proud of his wine as his fancy palace and chapel. The hillsides around town are blanketed with grapevines - destined to make the famous Stein Franconian wine. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the German Shakespeare, ordered 900 liters of this vintage annually. A friend once asked Goethe what he thought were the three most important things in life. He said, “Wine, women, and song.” The friend then asked, “If you had to give one up, which would it be?” Without hesitating, Goethe answered “Song.” Then, when asked what he would choose if he had to give up a second, Goethe paused and said, “It depends on the vintage.”

Wurzburg has several large wineries that were originally founded as homes for the old and poor, and began making wine to pay the bills. Today these grand Baroque complexes, which have restaurants and wine shops, still use part of their proceeds to help needy seniors. I’ll drink to thatand you can, too, in Wurzburg.

(Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This column revisits some of Rick’s favorite places over the past two decades. You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)

Rosemarie Stock has dealt with staggering loss and betrayal, but Community with a Heart helped her get back on the road and ready to start over.

Rosemarie Stock with her 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan at her home in Sweetwater Oaks off Northwest 44th Avenue in Ocala on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Sink into some local art and music

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

Olivia Ortiz, the singer for Left on Broadway, drew inspiration for the Couch Sessions Ocala series from fond memories of the early 2000s, when her and her friends’ living rooms brimmed with gatherings of artists and musicians. Bandmates and pals would gather to socialize and create new work.

Ortiz recreates that comfycozy, creative feeling while hosting Couch Sessions Ocala events, which feature a reprise of the musicianand-artist jam sessions but in a public setting. During the events, singers and musicians perform and chat with the audience while visual artists create live works.

The newest installment will kick off the New Year at Marion Cultural Center’s Brick City Center for the Arts. Olivia and her cohorts are taking over the Brick with a slew of events, both free and ticketed, throughout the month of January (Jan. 6-28). The opening reception for Couch Sessions follows the MCA tradition of coinciding with the First Friday Art Walk, taking over the Brick

“We have a bunch of amazing artists and musicians here in our community,” said Ortiz, the series’ founder. “When we found out that the MCA had an available gallery opening for rentals, I got really excited. My husband (Anthony Ortiz, creative director for the Couch Sessions team) and I discussed it, and we decided to pull the trigger.”

Ortiz said all of the visual artists who painted live and performed in past installments will have work featured at either the event or in the gallery in January. As for who will perform and when, Ortiz is mum. She said the element of surprise and improvisation is an essential element of Couch Sessions.

Past headliners have included Tyrus Clutter, Jessi Miller, Joel Downing, Ryan Neumann, Teddy Sykes, Jordan Shapot and several other visual artists and musicians of local renown.

“We have three events there that are ticketed in January,

and the rest of them are ticketed through Eventbrite, but they’re at no cost to the public,” Ortiz said.

“We just ask that people tip the musicians and the artists; that’s the most important thing. That’s how you can support them. Like their Facebook pages, like follow them on Instagram, follow them on Facebook, follow them on TikTok. That’s the support portion of our sip, sit and support.”

At the first-ever Couch Session at the historic Taylor house in May 2018, artist Mel Fiorentino painted in tandem with singersongwriter Becky Sinn, who played her pink guitar for the crowd while sitting on a chair decorated with a portrait of David Bowie painted by Fiorentino.

As detailed in a story in the Ocala Star-Banner, a creative interplay, a call-and-response of sorts, took place as the singer and painter talked about their creative process.

Ortiz auctioned the David Bowie chair Fiorentino created and all couches and chairs painted for the sessions, donating proceeds to local arts organizations such as the Reilly Arts Center. Headlining visual artists paint couches and unveil them during the shows.

“We’ve been trying to track down all of the couches and chairs to put them in the exhibit,” Ortiz said.

Interactive games and activities have been added to the mix. During the opening reception on Jan. 6, a scavenger hunt will be featured. The series’ Heart of Art fundraising event on Jan. 10 will feature a speed-dating-style mixer where patrons get to rotate from one person to the next and get to know the artists.

“It’s such a fun, cool experience,” Lisa Midgett, owner of Noma Gallery wrote in her Facebook review of the event series. “Everyone is laid back and just happy to be together watching artists create.”

For more information visit facebook.com/ couchsessionsocala or search “Couch Sessions Ocala” on eventbrite.com to acquire tickets.

Couch Sessions Ocala takes over the Brick to introduce the community to artists and musicians in a comfy setting.

A Beatles tribute and first couch painted by artist Tyrus Clutter during a previous Couch Session. [Supplied]

The Greg Snider Band performs during a Aug. 2, 2019 Couch Sessions while artist Maggie Weakley paints. [Maven Photo + Film]

The Greg Snider Band performs during a Aug. 2, 2019 Couch Sessions. [Maven Photo + Film]

Olivia

“We’ve been trying to track down all of the couches and chairs to put them in the exhibit.”

Olivia Ortiz

Creator of Couch Sessions

Olivia Ortiz uses this vintage chair at each Couch Session. [Maven Photo + Film]

Residential home sales slowdown statewide

Staff report

According to a recently released report by Florida Realtors Association, the November statewide median single-family home sale price was $400,000, a 12% year over year increase and townhouses and condo median sales price, $310,000, a 19.2% year over year increase.

In the same report, Ocala/Marion County’s November median sale price for single family homes was $275,000, up from $250,000 a year before. Local townhouses and condos median sales prices came in at $177,000, up from $162,900 a year before.

Ocala/Marion County has seen a drop of 27.7% in single-family home closings in over the past twelve months, however, that drop is less than the 38.2% experienced statewide.

Higher statewide inventory for single family homes, townhouses, and condos is impacting how long properties are staying on the market according to the Florida Realtor’s Association

“In many local markets across the state, we’re starting to see more for-sale inventory, which gives previously frustrated buyers more opportunities,” said 2022 Florida Realtors President Christina Pappas, vice president of the Keyes Family of Companies in Miami. “Homes in Florida continue to go under contract quickly, though the time to contract continues to increase: The median time to contract for single-family existing homes last month was 29 days compared to 11 days during the same month a year ago. The median time to contract for existing condo-townhouse units was 27 days compared to 15 days in November 2021.”

The association reported the supply of single-family existing homes increased to a 2.8-months’ supply while existing condo-townhouse properties were at a 2.7-months’ supply in November.

According to Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor, Freddie Mac’s weekly national mortgage market survey showed that the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate remains above 6% – a rate level not seen since late 2008.

“The effect of these higher rates on homebuyer demand throughout the U.S. this fall was not a positive one,” O’Connor says. “Here in Florida, we could already see that conditions were worsening in response to the rise in rates above 6% in October’s housing market data. Based on those figures, it’s not surprising that the newly released November figures for closed sales from Florida Realtors exhibit similar declines – and we should probably expect similar declines in closed sales for December, as well, given that rates were at their recent peak near 7% for much of November, when many of the homes scheduled to close in December were going under contract.”

A house that is for sale on Southeast 4th Street in Ocala, Fla. is for sale on Realtor.com for $283,000.

The average single family home sold in Marion County for the month of November was $275,000.

THROUGH DECEMBER 30

Christmas Light Spectacular

Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala 6pm-10pm

The drive-thru Christmas light show includes kids’ activities, live music, train rides, slides and inflatables and a visit with Santa. Food trucks will be onsite for the walk-around area and new this year, ice skating. Ticket prices are per carload. For more info, see ocalamarion.com/events/ ocala-christmas-light-spectacular

community

DECEMBER 30 & JANUARY 6

Marion County Friday Market

McPherson Governmental Campus Field, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am-2pm

Shop locally fresh fruits and veggies, baked goods, jerky, freeze-dried treats, olive oils, seafood and more; recurs every Friday.

DECEMBER 30-JANUARY 3

Florida Cutting Horse Show

Florida Horse Park 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala 8am-close

Cutters specialize in removing a cow from a herd, then keeping it separated as the rider drops the reins and lets the horse shine. For more info, floridacuttinghorseassociation.com/index.html and flhorsepark.com

DECEMBER 30-JANUARY 1

Stopanio

Memorial Barrel Race

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala 11am-close

A classic rodeo event, barrel racers race around

DECEMBER 31

Ocala First Night

Downtown Square, 1 SE Broadway St., Ocala 5pm-10pm

Activities for kids, face painting, dancers, musicians, food options and more are set for this New Year’s Eve celebration. First Night event locations include Jenkins Amphitheatre at the Reilly Arts Center, Discovery Center, Magnolia Art Xchange, Tuscawilla Park, downtown square, Citizens’ Circle, Marion Theatre, Brick City Center for the Arts and IHMC. $15 for event access button; free ages 5 and younger; go to ocalamainstreet.org/firstnight

DECEMBER 31

Salsa Night New Year’s Party

Crazy Cucumber, Market Street at Heath Brook, 4414 SW College Road, Ocala 10pm-2am

DJ Johny Rocket will feature salsa, merengue and bachata for this night of dance to ring in 2023. Dressy clothes encouraged; cover charge is $5. See facebook.com/events/847145709864582 for more info.

three barrels without knocking any of them over. This is the 11th annual run of this event. Learn more at gobarrelrace.com/11-stopanio

DECEMBER 31 & JANUARY 7

Ocala

holidays government

Farmers Market

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

A variety of vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, jewelry, baked goodies, and arts and crafts. Check out some local food trucks and the occasional guest entertainer. Rain or shine; recurs every Saturday. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more info.

DECEMBER 31 & JANUARY 7

Farmers Swap Meet

Rural King, 2999 NW 10th St., Ocala 9am-2pm

A true farmers swap meet where chickens, ducks, quail, goats, turkeys, rabbits and sometimes even ponies are available along with horse tack, home-grown plants, produce and hand-crafted items. Booth types vary with occasional meat

vendors, food trucks and other goods. Saturdays, weather permitting.

JANUARY 5 (RESCHEDULED)

Feliz Navidad from Spain

Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala 5:15pm

Celebrate the holidays Spanish style with entertainment from the Don Soledad Music group with guitar, violin and vocals performing seasonal favorites. Food and beverage will be available from Paella Anywhere prepared by Chef Pablo. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Tickets are $15; see sholompark.org for more info.

JANUARY 6 & 20

Master Gardener Plant Clinic

Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE Highway 484, Belleview 11am-2pm

Staffers from the Master Gardener program and UF/IFAS Extension Marion County will act as plant doctors if you have questions about how to care for your houseplants, yard or garden. Free to attend.

JANUARY 7

First Saturdays Market in the Park

Ernie Mills Park, 11899 Bostick St., Dunnellon 8am-2pm

A variety of vendors set up their booths at Ernie Mills Park. Many Dunnellon stores also offer Saturday Specials, and you can pick up a map of participating merchants.

JANUARY 7

Meet the FIDO Project dogs

Mojo’s, 4620 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10:30am-2pm

If you’re looking for a dog to adopt in the new year, come meet these dogs looking for a forever home. The Money Mutts will be available for a meet and greet this month as part of the Florida Inmates & Dog Obedience (FIDO) program. They are dogs that have been trained and are living at the Marion Correctional Institution. They know basic commands and often a few tricks. To learn more, animalservices.marionfl.org

JANUARY 3

City of Belleview City Commission Meeting City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 6pm-8pm Meets the first and third Tuesdays; Belleview agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/Agendas-Minutes

JANUARY 3, 2023

City of Ocala City Council Meeting City Hall, 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala 4pm Meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Agendas are usually posted the Thursday prior; agendas, minutes and video available from ocala.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

JANUARY 4, 2023

Marion County Board of County Commissioners Meeting McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am Meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Agendas are usually posted the Thursday prior. Agendas, minutes and video available at marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

JANUARY 9

City of Dunnellon City Council Meeting City Hall, 20750 River Drive, Dunnellon 5:30pm

Meets the second Monday of the month; Dunnellon agendas, minutes and video available at Dunnellon.org/89/Agendas-Minutes

JANUARY 9

City of Ocala Planning & Zoning Meeting

City Hall, 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala 5:30pm

Meets the second Monday of the month; agendas, minutes and video available from ocala.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

JANUARY 9

Marion County Development Review Committee Office of the County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala 9am

The first step for projects, the committee reviews and votes on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans, and subdivision plans. Meets weekly on Mondays; agendas are usually posted the Friday prior. Agendas, minutes and video available at marionfl.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

DECEMBER 30

VFW Year-end Lunch

Angela S. Santos FVW Post 4781, 9401 SW 110th St., Ocala

11am-2pm

The dining room is open to the public and meals are prepped by VFW Auxiliary volunteers. Proceeds benefit veterans in Marion County. The Dec. 30 lunch menu features a Philly cheese steak for $12. Regular Wednesday dinners resume Jan. 4 and 11. For the weekly menu, call (352) 873-4781.

arts

THROUGH DECEMBER 30

civicDECEMBER 30 & JANUARY 6

Chess Club at Freedom Library

Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala

10am-12pm

Meets weekly on Fridays; new members welcome. Please bring your own chess set. For more info, Walt Lamp at (352) 854-9378.

DECEMBER 30 & JANUARY 6

Kiwanis Club of Ocala Knights of Columbus Building at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 1510 SE 3rd Ave., Ocala

12pm

Meets weekly on Fridays. Supports Camp Kiwanis, children’s literacy and Habitat for Humanity. More info at ocalakiwanis.org

JANUARY 4 & 18

General Francis Marion Stamp Club meeting

Public Library Headquarters, Room B, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 1pm The club meets the first and third Wednesday of each month; newcomers welcome. Meetings include stamp swaps, dealer info and supply options. For more info, elliotn27@aol.com or ocalagfmstampclub.com

JANUARY 5 & 12

Ocala

Lions Club

Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 12pm Meets weekly on Thursdays; newcomers welcome. The club supports vision health and diabetes prevention. More info at e-clubhouse.org/sites/ocalafl

THROUGH JANUARY 31

“Trains at the Holidays” art display

College of Central Florida, Webber Gallery, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala Daily 10am-4pm

This tradition of displaying model trains built and maintained by the local Ocala Model Railroaders’ Historic Preservation Society and is in its 26th year. Many of the model layouts are based on real-life Marion County landmarks, like Six Gun Territory. Free to attend. For more info, CF.edu/Webber

THROUGH JANUARY 8

A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 12pm-5pm

The Urban family’s premiere collection of Christmas decorations is on display on the first floor of the museum and includes beautiful trees, the popular miniature Dickens Village plus nutcrackers, handmade caroler dolls and Santa dolls. The second floor has trees decorated by area community groups and businesses. For more info, appletonmuseum.org

THROUGH JANUARY 9

Looking on the Brighter Side by Jennifer Weigel Recreation and Parks Building, 828 NE Eighth Ave., Ocala Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm

Weigel’s multi-media artwork includes drawings, fibers, installation, paint, video and more to explores themes of beauty, identity and memory. For more info, ocalafl.org/artincityspaces

Colorful Pleasures by Christine Dozier

Ocala International Airport, 5770 SW 60th Ave., Ocala

Hours vary per airport operations

Dozier exhibits a variety of work including landscapes, abstracts, still life and animal portraits. This is part of the City of Ocala Art in City Spaces program. For more info, visit ocalafl.org/artincityspaces

THROUGH JUNE 9

Blessed Be the Birds

Clerk’s Office, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala

Mon-Fri; 8am-5pm Courtney Kravig-McGuire is a local artist with a special interest in showing the connection between nature and spirituality in her works. Visit ocalafl.org/artincityspaces

IT’S COOKIE SEASON! GRAB THE KIDS AND GET READY TO BAKE (AND DECORATE)

Glazed Sugar Cookies

Makes 12 to 18 cookies (depending on the size of your cookie cutters)

For the cookies:

1 1/2 cups (7 1/2 ounces) all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) sugar 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces and chilled

For the glaze:

1 1/3 cups (5 1/3 ounces) confectioners’ (powdered) sugar

2 tablespoons milk 1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened 1-2 drops food coloring (optional)

For the cookies:

By America’s Test Kitchen

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together egg and vanilla.

M

aking dough for cut-out cookies can be tricky. The dough needs to be soft enough to roll out but not so soft that it sticks to the counter or your shapes turn to blobs in the oven.

Most sugar cookie recipes use a mixer to “cream” room-temperature butter and sugar before adding the other ingredients. All that mixing makes the dough warm and sticky, so you need to refrigerate it before you roll it out. But rolling out cold cookie dough is tough!

Plastic fantastic

In this recipe, we use a special technique called “plasticizing the butter.” Plasticizing means making cold butter soft and moldable, while still keeping it cold. How do you plasticize? In this recipe, we use the food processor! The food processor lets us combine the sugar and the cold butter in just 30 seconds because the processor blade spins so fast. It creates a cold, bendable, and shapeable paste (like plastic!) that’s a cinch to roll out, straight from the food processor. No arm workout required!

Plasticizing the butter means you don’t need to refrigerate the dough before you roll it out. Instead, you refrigerate the dough AFTER you finish rolling. That time in the fridge firms up the dough, which lets you make clean cuts with your cookie cutters and helps the cookies keep their shapes as they bake.

Color craze glaze

You can use food coloring to turn white glaze into a rainbow of colors! If you have red, yellow, and blue food coloring, a whole world of colors can be yours. Red, yellow, and blue are primary colors. You can mix them in different combinations to make secondary colors.

Red + Yellow = Orange

Red + Blue = Purple

Yellow + Blue = Green

Here are two tips:

1. Play around with how many drops of each color you add. What happens if you add 2 drops of red and 1 of yellow? What about 1 red and 2 yellow? Start by mixing just 1 or 2 drops of each color into your glaze. If you want a deeper color, you can add more, a drop at a time.

2. To make more than one glaze color, divide the glaze among several bowls and add desired food coloring to each individual bowl.

2. In a food processor, process until sugar is finely ground, about 30 seconds. Add chilled butter and process until smooth, about 30 seconds. Add egg mixture and flour mixture and process until no dry flour is visible and mixture forms crumbly dough, about 30 seconds.

3. Use a rubber spatula to transfer dough to the center of a large sheet of parchment paper on the counter. Use your hands to pat dough into a 7-by-9-inch oval. Place a second large sheet of parchment on top of dough. Use a rolling pin to roll dough into a 10-by-14-inch oval (1/8 to 1/4 inch thick), rolling dough between parchment.

4. Slide dough (still between parchment) onto one baking sheet. Refrigerate until dough is firm, at least 1 1/2 hours.

5. While dough is chilling, adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 300 degrees. Line a second baking sheet with parchment.

6. When dough is ready, remove dough from refrigerator. Gently peel off top sheet of parchment. Use cookie cutters to cut dough into shapes.

7. Use spatula to transfer shapes to parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced about 1/2 inch apart. (If dough becomes too warm and sticky to transfer shapes easily, return it to the refrigerator to firm up again, about 10 minutes.)

8. Bake cookies until beginning to brown around edges, 18 to 22 minutes.

9. Transfer baking sheet on cooling rack and let cookies cool completely on baking sheet, about 30 minutes.

For the glaze:

1. While cookies are cooling, in a second medium bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar, milk, softened cream cheese, and 1 to 2 drops of food coloring (if using). Use a clean rubber spatula to stir until very smooth.

2. Use a small icing spatula or the back of a spoon to spread glaze in an even layer on each cookie, starting in the middle and working your way to the edges. While the glaze is still wet, sprinkle it with sanding sugar, sprinkles, crushed cookies or candy. Serve.

(For 25 years, home cooks have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 at-home recipe testers. The family of brands -- which includes Cook’s Illustrated, Cook’s Country, and America’s Test Kitchen Kids -- offers reliable recipes for cooks of all ages and skill levels. See more online at www.americastestkitchen.com/TCA.)

Current Adoption Specials:

Gray

Four-year-old Gray needs a job. He is part of the Working Whiskers program, which pairs less social cats with people who need rodent control at their business or farm. If you have unwanted critters, Gray will gladly keep them at bay for free room and board.

Danish Danish is a five-year-old, striking girl who is wishing for a new home in the new year. Her perfect home would have the biggest toy box on the street. If you love to shop in the pet section, Danish wants to get to know you!

Ocala Gazette regularly brings you two furry friends that are available for adoption from local animal rescue organizations.

“The best part for me was decorating the cookies, except eating them, of course,”said 8-year-old recipe tester Christopher. [Ashley Moore]

music nightlife

DECEMBER 30 & JANUARY 6

Courtyard Jams

MCA Courtyard 23 W Broadway St., Ocala 6-9pm Music, dancing, drumming, poetry and limbo. Free to all, Friday nights weekly.

DECEMBER 30

Steve Lopez

Crazy Cucumber Market Street at Heath Brook, 4414 SW College Road, Ocala 6:30pm-9:30pm Live acoustic music, food and drink.

DECEMBER 30

Noah Hunton

Homestead Park 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston 6-9pm Live music, line dancing, food and drink.

DECEMBER 30

Tim McCaig

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks and entertainment.

DECEMBER 31

Ecliff Farrar/New Year’s Eve Bash

Homestead Park 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston 6-9pm

JANUARY 6

Brent Jackson Homestead Park 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston 6-9pm

JANUARY 6

Nate Mercado

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm

JANUARY 7

Justin Lee Partin Homestead Park 1050 NE 6th Blvd., Williston 6-9pm

JANUARY 7

Uptown Music

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm

What you should know about hand, foot and mouth disease

By Pritish Tosh, M.D. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have 4-year-old twins and a college-bound teenager, so I am accustomed to dealing with the various ailments that affect children. After COVID-19, I became more diligent about hygiene and kept my kids home if they had symptoms of any illness. Recently, I have heard that cases of hand, foot and mouth disease are on the rise. What do I need to do differently to protect my youngsters? Also, am I or my older child at risk?

ANSWER: Hand, foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious viral infection that commonly affects kids ages 5 and under. However, anyone can become sickened, especially those residing in close living environments, such as on college campuses. Hand, foot and mouth disease is most commonly caused by a Coxsackievirus. Most outbreaks in the U.S. occur in summer or fall.

Initially, those infected with hand, foot and mouth disease present with fevers and other symptoms, including sore throat, a general unwell feeling or fatigue, irritability in infants and toddlers, and loss of appetite.

As the disease progresses, many people develop painful sores on their hands and feet, and in their mouths. Red, blister-like lesions can appear on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks. Other people may develop a red rash without itching, but sometimes with blistering, on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and on the buttocks.

A day care setting, school or other setting where there are a lot people in close contact are great breeding grounds for an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease. That’s because the infection spreads by person-to-person contact, and young children are the most susceptible. Unfortunately, some people, especially adults, can pass the virus without showing any signs or symptoms of the disease.

The virus that usually causes hand, foot and

mouth disease often is spread person to person through contact with an infected person’s nasal secretions, throat discharge, saliva, stool or respiratory droplets sprayed into the air after a cough or sneeze. It also can be spread through fluid from blisters. The most common way of contracting the virus is through saliva or contact with stool.

Although your child is most contagious with hand, foot and mouth disease during the first week of the illness, the virus can remain in the body for weeks after signs and symptoms are gone. That means your child still can infect others. Keep children with hand, foot and mouth disease out of child care or school until their fever is gone and mouth sores have healed. If you have the illness, stay home and limit your contact with others.

There is no vaccine to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease. Frequent hand-washing and avoiding close contact with people who are infected with hand, foot and mouth disease may reduce your child’s risk of infection.

There is no specific treatment or medication for hand, foot and mouth disease. Most people who become infected get better without any intervention. Good supportive care is essential, including ensuring patients have plenty of fluids. Dehydration is a common complication. The disease can cause sores in the mouth and throat, making swallowing painful and difficult. Rarely do those sickened with hand, foot and mouth disease require hospitalization.

Although rare, the Coxsackievirus can cause more severe issues that can involve the brain, such as viral meningitis and encephalitis. If you notice that symptoms are not resolving, but rather are worsening, or if you notice other issues such as confusion, seek prompt medical attention.

-- Pritish Tosh, M.D., Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota (Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org.)

He wanted to change the channel to watch the game but didn’t have a -REMOTE CHANCE

OCALA GAZETTE’S FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

Tae Floyd: Defensive Player of the Year

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

Tae Floyd wanted to make a change for his senior season and get prepared for the next level.

After three years at West Port High School, the 6-foot-3-inch, 240-pound edge rusher decided to transfer to Forest High School for his final season.

Floyd and his mother, Chenika Brown, decided Floyd would attend Forest based on how comfortable they felt when talking with head football coach Eoghan Cullen and Principal Lamar Rembert.

Floyd had to hit the ground running at Forest since he did not join the team until the end of the summer and had to ingrain himself within the team and program quickly. It did not take long for Floyd to make an impact on his teammates, however, and they elevated him to a leadership role after a few weeks.

“We had been working as a team from February to August, so we had team captains established by the time Tae came in. Through his actions and work ethic, he earned the respect of his teammates and was made a team captain through a silent vote by his teammates,” Cullen said.

“They started to look up to him because they saw what he could do on the field and how serious he was about practice,” he added.

Great players like Floyd make an impact beyond the playing field and always look for ways to make their team better. According to Cullen, a loss in the preseason classic and first two games of the regular season put pressure on the team, and Floyd was among the leaders to step up and right the ship.

“We weren’t finding much success; we just didn’t finish those games. As we got into week four against Belleview, Tae and VJ (Vimel Poole Jr), their actions swung the team to show them what they need to be doing. We started seeing results on the field with wins so his leadership is something that I can point to and say contributed to our success,” Cullen said.

After a 1-3 start, Floyd and the team won four of their final six games to finish at 5-5. The five wins were the most for the program since 2017.

Floyd was cognizant of the lessons he

learned from the process of becoming a leader during the season and feels he can use them for the rest of his life.

“Just becoming a leader and knowing my role on the team. It’s going to take me a long way, as far as the workplace, I’m learning how to be a leader and how to cooperate with any future managers,” he said.

His skills on the field were easy to see as Floyd dominated any offensive line he faced and was a force to be reckoned with. He set the school record with 36 tackles for loss and 22 sacks, both of those numbers were the highest among Marion County high schoolers.

Floyd said he could not have done it without the support of his mother, siblings, coaches and staff at Forest, including Rembert and guidance counselor Shirley Thomas.

“This year has been tough, but I have a great support system. They all helped me through a lot and can’t thank them enough,” Floyd said.

The senior credits his mother as being his rock through adversity as he juggles school and two sports.

“She is my number one and is my everything,’’ he said. “She has always been there for me and if I ever need anything, she is there to help without any hesitation. Words can’t explain how much she means to me.”

Floyd is currently a starter for the boys’ basketball team at Forest (averaging 14.3 points and 9.8 rebounds per game) and is working hard academically to be eligible to play football at the NCAA level next season. His GPA now stands at 2.6, but Floyd said it will be over a 3 by the time the school year ends.

Floyd has big plans for himself after high school and said he is aiming for a football scholarship at the Division I level and getting a degree in kinesiology with a minor in marketing.

Cullen knows that whatever college lands Floyd will not only get an outstanding football player but an overall fantastic person.

“I tell every coach that I speak to there is always a kid who is a great athlete but…. when it comes to Tae, there are no buts. He is a great young man, great student, he participates in church every Wednesday and Sunday. There is just a lot of positives for him and whatever school gets him will be getting a gem,” he said.

Cullen compared Floyd to Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente because of his ability to go from a gentleman off the field to an uncaged animal on the field.

“It’s not the finish line for him, it’s just the starting line. He’s about to go out and start his life and this kid can play football for as long as he wants to. He’s one of those kids where in four to five years we are retiring his jersey number here,” he said.

Beau Beard: Offensive Player of the Year

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

The journey hasn’t always been easy for Trinity Catholic running back Beau Beard, the Gazette’s Offensive Player of the Year for high school football players in Marion County.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior had to wait his turn behind upperclassmen his freshman and sophomore seasons. In 2021, as a junior, Beard started to take on the lead back role as he ran for 786 yards and five touchdowns.

For Beard, 2022 was a make-itor break-it year, and did he ever take advantage of it, exploding for 1,478 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. His totals were the highest in the county by a far margin.

Trinity Catholic head coach John Brantley III knew it was coming based on the work he saw Beard put in over the past two years.

“I’m not surprised at all,’’ Brantley said. “He’s a four-year kid at Trinity and he has done it the right way. He’s seen some great examples before him, and he bought in. He has been a big part of Trinity Catholic football.”

Throughout the season, Beard was counted on as the leader of the offense while Brantley and his staff were breaking in a new starting quarterback. Beard averaged 134 rushing yards per game and routinely went over 20 carries per game.

Those workhorse type of games are where Beard thrived, and knew he had to come through for his team. His most memorable performance came in the 1S State Semifinal game against John Carroll Catholic where he had 35 carries, over 200 yards and the game-clinching touchdown to send Trinity Catholic to the 1S State Championship game.

Trinity came up short in the title game, losing 21-3 to Naples First Baptist Academy on Dec. 10.

“For a lot of those games, it was about focusing, keeping my teammates on the right track and standing tall when adversity happens,” Beard said.

Brantley echoed the same sentiment and showed appreciation

for the player Beard has become.

“He always wanted the ball. He had a great offensive line, but some of those runs were on his own, too. He’s a great package and likes to go hit somebody,” Brantley said.

As for playing at the next level, Beard has not committed to any colleges or universities, but he said he does have his eye on a couple of schools as he works to get his diploma. He currently has a 2.9 GPA, and he plans to major in business in college.

Off the field, Beard is one of a kind with a smile on his face and a positive attitude that is infectious.

“He’s always got a smile and he’s always happy,’’ Brantley said. “It’s hard for him to get down. During the year, if we had any adversity on the football field, he was the first one to step up and tell everybody to get on his back because he knew he could lead us out of the situation.”

As the wins and accomplishments stacked up for Beard and his team during Trinity’s 9-3 season, Beard learned a lesson along the way that he said he will keep with him forever.

“Whether it’s football or life in general, I’ve learned to trust your teammates. That’s what I had to because you must have the trust in your teammates,” he said.

As Beard finishes high school and begins to embark on the next chapter of his life, Brantley spoke with pride and is excited about the possibilities ahead.

“He knew it was his last ride with Trinity Catholic and he had to make it happen this year. He did everything he needed to do to be successful and be the complete football player he turned into. I’m happy for him, he’s doing well in school and now we just need to try and find the best available situation for him at the next level,” Brantley said.

Forest’s Tae Floyd, 17, a senior, the Ocala Gazette’s football defensive player of the year, at Forest High School in Ocala on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Trinity Catholic’s Beau Beard (20) celebrates his final touchdown on John Carroll Catholic to make the score 22-10 in the FHSAA State Semifinal at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Trinity Catholic’s head coach John Brantley III, is doused with ice water by Beau Beard after Trinity Catholic defeated John Carroll Catholic 22-10 in the FHSAA State Semifinal. [Bruce

Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

The Vanguard Knights boys basketball team improved to 6-3 on the season after beating the Belleview Rattlers (3-8) 66-50 on Thursday night.

Vanguard, coming off back-toback wins, opened the game with points from Jewmaris Jones and Isaiah Bethea. Belleview would answer back with five unanswered points as Cori Johnson (23 points, three assists and two steals) drained a three-pointer from the right corner and followed up with a steal and layup on the ensuing possession for Vanguard.

Junior point guard D’Mareon Manning drilled a three-pointer from the left wing to give Vanguard a 7-5 lead with five minutes left in the first quarter. Vanguard would finish the opening stanza on a 14-4 run aided by points from Bethea, Manning, Cameron Powell, Jemiah Gallion and Rickey Harrell.

With a 21-9 lead, Vanguard continued their hot streak to start the second quarter as Javon Norman, Lamont Snyder and Stefon Colbert all made buckets within the first two minutes of the period.

With his team trailing 27-9, Belleview head coach Jason Hasson called a timeout with five minutes left before halftime. Hasson decided to change the strategy and employ a press defense.

“We changed to a smaller lineup so we could be quicker with the press, and it really changed the momentum,” Hasson said.

The decision by Hasson paid off as Belleview went on a 16-8

run in the last five minutes of the first half. During the run, Johnson led the way with seven points while Antoine Armbrister, Jadiel Jimenez and Brandon Woode pitched in with a combined nine points.

Belleview’s run cut Vanguard’s lead to 31-25 at halftime. Coming out of the break, Cori Johnson sank a pair of free throws to pull the deficit to four points.

Bethea and Jones hit layups on consecutive possessions to bump Vanguard’s lead to eight.

Belleview had an opportunity to make it a three-point game but Vanguard took advantage after a missed three-point attempt from Jimenez and the Knights knocked down their own three courtesy of Gallion.

Johnson would hit a pair of free throws to bring the score to 4233 in Vanguard’s favor with two minutes left in the third quarter.

The final 90 seconds of the period went by at a frenetic pace as the two teams combined for 17 points. Stepping up for Vanguard was Harrell as he scored eight points in the last minute and change of the third quarter.

“I just had to keep my team on top by working around the basket and be a big-time athlete when the time calls for it,” Harrell said.

Harrell’s scoring prowess gave Vanguard a 53-39 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Vanguard continued to be aggressive on offense to start the final period as Bethea picked up his own rebound and secured an easy layup.

Armbrister answered with a slick finger-roll off a gorgeous bounce pass from Johnson to cut the deficit to 14. Harrell would

go on to score six consecutive points for Vanguard to give them a 16-point lead with four minutes left in the game.

Belleview kept fighting as Johnson scored five points in a two-minute span but Vanguard’s balanced offensive attack and feisty half-court defense snuffed out the final rally attempt for Belleview to pull off a 66-50 win.

Vanguard had 10 different players score at least two points in the game and head coach Todd Davis was pleased with the effort and feels his offense can score from anywhere on the court.

Harrell led the team with 20 points and eight rebounds, Bethea was a force in the paint with 10 points and seven rebounds. Cameron Powell added nine points of his own and Jewmaris Jones scored eight.

“Each coach wants the luxury of not having to depend on the same guy every night. It’s great for me and I love coaching guys that can score in different ways. I call it a triple threat, they can score from three-point, mid-range and inside,” Davis said.

On the other side of the coin, Belleview had to fight all night to stay in the game and did so with three starters out with injury. Hasson spoke with optimism when talking about the younger players battling through adversity and not giving up when falling behind by double-digit points.

“I’m proud of our guys, we had guys that hadn’t got a lot of minutes this year and they came in and stepped up. It got away from us a little in the first half but our guys decided they weren’t going to let it get out of hand and they fought back,” Hasson said.

One of the players on Belleview who had a solid performance was Armbrister, the senior forward scored eight points, grabbed seven rebounds and notched three blocks.

“He (Bethea) had me on size so I had to figure out ways to get around him by using angles or jumping in front of him to get a block,” Armbrister said.

Armbrister spoke with optimism about his team’s chances once they come back from Christmas break as they will look to right the ship after a 3-8 start to the season.

“We can’t keep starting games slow and then decide to turn up. We just have to get out there and go from the start,” he said.

Vanguard is on a hot run with a three-game win streak and the all-important Kingdom of the Sun Tournament at their home court next week. Davis is happy with where the team is at and feels confident about their chances.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Vanguard’s D’mareon Manning (1) drives to the basket past Belleview’s Jaheem Shannon (5) during a basketball game at Belleview High School in Belleview on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022.

Vanguard’s Jewmaris Jones (5) passes the ball past Belleview defenders Jadiel Jimenez (11) and Julian Ramos (0).

Belleview’s Jaheem Shannon (5) lays on the floor as he battles for a loose ball with Vanguard’s Breon Sanders (33).

Vanguard knocks off archrival North Marion in the first round of the Kingdom of the Sun Tournament

By Allen Barney allen@ocalagazette.com

The Vanguard Knights and North Marion Colts reignited their heated rivalry on Tuesday night in the opening round of the Kingdom of the Sun Tournament at Vanguard.

Vanguard came out swinging in the first quarter as Jeremiah Gallion (six points and three rebounds) and D’mareon Manning drilled three-pointers to give their team a 10-2 lead after four minutes.

North Marion would answer with a pair of buckets from Jermaine Jackson Jr. (team-high 12 points) and a crisp 12-foot jumper from Jerdarrius Jackson (6 points, two rebounds and two steals) to shrink the deficit down to two points.

Manning knocked down his second three-pointer of the opening stanza from the left corner. The first quarter finished with Vanguard leading 13-8 after neither team hit a shot in the final 90 seconds of the period.

North Marion started the second quarter with five consecutive points on a three from Brenden Barber and a sweet 14-foot jump shot by Jermaine Jackson Jr. Manning would score the only points of the second quarter for Vanguard with a 10-foot jumper.

The final three minutes of the second

quarter featured a handful of missed shots from both teams but North Marion would get points from Elija Walton (10 points and eight rebounds) and Jerdarrius Jackson in the last 30 seconds to give North Marion a 17-15 lead at halftime.

North Marion opened the third quarter with a bucket from Caleb Rollerson, but Manning answered with his second threepointer of the game.

The pace of the game picked up in the second half as the two teams combined for 29 points in the third quarter. Manning got into a rhythm as he hit his third threepointer later in the quarter. Rickey Harrell (two points and four rebounds), Khalil Morgan and Cameron Powell (nine points and two rebounds) also contributed for Vanguard while both Jackson’s, Walton and Barber scored for North Marion.

For a rhythm shooter like Manning, all it took was a couple of made shots to get him in a groove.

“So if I hit the first one or two, I just know to keep shooting,” Manning said. He finished the night with a team-high 24 points to go along with three rebounds and two steals.

North Marion held a one-point lead heading into the fourth quarter but Powell sank two free throws in the opening seconds of the final stanza to give Vanguard the lead.

Walton and Powell both had the opportunity to give their team the lead but both players missed a pair of free throws. A three-pointer by Rollerson gave North Marion a twopoint lead with just under five minutes left to go in the game. After Rollerson’s three, Vanguard gained its

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

second wind as Manning scored five unanswered points, including his fourth three-pointer of the night to extend Vanguard’s lead to five with 3:52 left on the clock.

Gallion came up with a momentous steal at half court and secured the layup in transition to put Vanguard up by seven with about three minutes left. North Marion clawed back to within four after a fantastic putback slam dunk by Walton and another gorgeous jumper by Jermaine Jackson.

Vanguard would continue to answer every comeback attempt as Jewmaris Jones hit a pair of free throws to put Vanguard up by five with two minutes left to go.

North Marion had a chance to tie the game over the final 90 seconds but three missed free throws forced them into desperation mode by fouling Vanguard. Manning would sink two free throws with 58 seconds left and Gallion followed with a point from the charity stripe to put the nail in the coffin and give Vanguard a 51-44 win.

The Kingdom of the Sun Tournament is the longest-running 16-team high school basketball tournament in the country and the rivalry of the two schools led to packed gym with a energetic crowd.

North Marion head coach Tim Yarn said the crowd and the environment may have affected the way his team played on Tuesday night.

“Hats off to Vanguard first and foremost, Kingdom of the Sun is a great environment. Good rival and Vanguard’s pressure, it’s just the way it goes sometimes,” Yarn said.

Yarn is optimistic about his team bouncing back in their matchup against Hawthorne on Wednesday (9 a.m.).

“It’s a great opportunity for us to build from this. Just told the guys that it’s over and done, lets just move forward and focus on Hawthorne,” Yarn said. North Marion is now 5-3 on the season.

For Vanguard head coach Todd Davis, the rivalry with North Marion is always fun to be a part of and tends to bring a

ton of passion.

“It feels good, I’m good friends with the coaches over there and we always go back and forth talking about rivalries. It’s always good to play against North Marion, they always bring out the best in us and Vanguard always brings out the best in North Marion,” Davis said.

Tuesday’s win is a great start for Vanguard but tough challenges lie ahead as they will face P.K. Yonge on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

“We’re going to go in and battle and grind and hopefully get a win, can’t let nobody outwork us on our home court,” Davis said. Vanguard improves to 7-3 on the season.

Vanguard’s D’mareon Manning (1) gets hit with a forearm to the face by Belleview’s Jaheem Shannon (5) during a basketball game at Belleview High School on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Vanguard’s Breon Sanders (33) finds a way to the basket past Belleview defenders Jaheem Shannon (5) and Wyatt Brooks (25) during a basketball game at Belleview High School on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Vanguard’s D’mareon Manning (1) shoots a 3-pointer from outside the ring on North Marion during a basketball game in the Kingdom of the Sun basketball tournament at Vanguard High School in Ocala on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022.