VOLUME 1 ISSUE 26
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Christmas
DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31, 2020
First COVID-19 vaccines arrive in Ocala By Brendan Farrell Ocala Gazette
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olanda Cooke, a registered nurse at AdventHealth Ocala, was calm and steady as Norma Cuervo, another registered nurse, stuck a needle in Cooke’s arm. Behind them, a socially-distanced group broke out in a round of applause. Cooke received the first COVID-19 vaccine at AdventHealth Ocala on Tuesday morning. The event was part of Florida’s rollout of the first wave of the Pfizer vaccine. “I felt very honored,” Cooke said. “I do feel safe. Like with any other vaccine, we get it because we want to eliminate what’s causing an issue in our community. So it does make
you feel safer knowing that there’s something out there to help protect what’s actually attacking us.” Cooke hopes her participation will help increase public trust in the vaccine as it becomes more available. “The fact that the vaccine is here is a positive spin on things,” Cooke said. “They shouldn’t be afraid to get it, and let’s do it all together.” Moments later, registered nurse Barbara Rabenda administered the vaccine to Rafick Black, a respiratory therapist and Cooke’s husband. Black said the vaccine brings with it a sense of relief. “My family will be safe, and my coworkers will be safe,” Black said.
Yolanda Cooke, a registered nurse at AdventHealth Ocala was the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccination on Tuesday. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]
See Vaccine, page 13
Ocala weighs bankruptcy in fire fee fallout By Carlos Medina Ocala Gazette
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Wreaths Across America Ralph Mueller, 87, a Korean War veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force, plays his 55-year-old Hohner harmonica as a tribute during the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Highland Memorial Park. The event held in Ocala on Dec. 19 saw more than 1,400 wreaths placed on the gravesites of military veterans. The local event was part of a national effort that included more than 2,100 other locations, including Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. The country’s largest military cemetery was decorated with more than 250,000 wreaths. All the wreaths are paid for through donations. See more photos, page 2
Marion County faces looming deadline for CARES Act Funding By Jennifer Murty Ocala Gazette
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he Marion County Board of County Commissioners must spend almost $63.8 million in CARES Act funding by the end of the year, prompting them to try and sweep tens of millions into county coffers less they lose the money. With over $29 million already spent, the county anxiously awaits a decision from the state on their plan for the final draw of the
money, totaling $34.5 million. If not approved, the county could find itself over-extended by several million dollars thanks to spending and commitments already made for the funds. County Commissioners recently decided to request the final draw be put it in their general fund on the basis that it was reimbursement of personnel costs for all public safety employees in the county. At the same time acknowledging that it was yet to be decided how the final draw would be spent.
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With only a week left to spend the money, Assistant County Administrator Jeannie Rickman confirms the county application for the final draw “is still under review and we have not received an approval as yet.”
How we got here On June 17, county commissioners entered into an agreement with the Florida Division of Emergency
acing the potential of having to pay back millions in illegally collected fire service fees, the city of Ocala is not discarding the possibility of declaring bankruptcy, according to recent legal filings. The prospect is the latest wrinkle in the years-long case disputing how the city chose to fund fire services. In June, the Florida 5th District Court of Appeal declared the fee unconstitutional. The city appealed, but in November, the Florida Supreme Court declined to hear the case, allowing the decision to stand. Now, attorneys for the plaintiffs in the class-action suit want the city to deposit more than $81.4 million into a common fund ahead of a plan for reimbursement to as many as 76,000 current and former Ocala Electric Utility customers. The city bundled the fee into the monthly electric bill of every city resident. But the city disputes the $81.4 million total and wants the court to determine the actual amount owed. Once that occurs, and the city decides not to declare bankruptcy, it will decide how to establish the common fund, according to a Dec. 18 filing by the city. “I can tell you we are legally obligated to explore all (of the city’s) options. We are looking at it (bankruptcy) if there are no other options,” said Pat Gilligan, the city’s attorney handling the case. A hearing is scheduled for Jan. 4, before Circuit Judge Robert Hodges. For Derek Schroth, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, the city is dragging its feet toward the inevitable. He said the $81.4 million figure came from the city’s own records. But Ocala is arguing the court never established the amount owed and wants the court to consider options for refunds, including
See Relief Funds, page 11
See Fire Tax, page 16
Inside: Made With Love...................... 7 Holiday with the Herd........... 9 Basketball................................. 12 Vaccine Numbers.................... 13 Calendar................................... 15 CF Receives Gift...................... 17