Ocala Gazette | January 7 - January 13, 2022

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1

Don Garlits $2 turns 90!

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JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022

Home Sweet Home Interfaith helps two previously homeless women find their forever home

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

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ina Howerton and Lisa Dondero don’t always agree.

For instance, they each have a different name for the black-and-white cat that often slinks into their backyard and watches them read on their back porch – the Bible for one, mystery novels for the other.

“His name is Sweetheart,” said Howerton.

“His name is Patches,” countered Dondero.

But the roommates of more than four years do agree on one thing: if not for Interfaith Emergency Services, they wouldn’t be sharing a duplex off Northwest 26th Street in Ocala.

They’d probably still be homeless.

“I would be in a very bad way if not for Interfaith,” said Dondero. “They have helped me immensely.”

“I thank God for Interfaith every day,” Howerton said.

Fast Friends

“I was working with Sears for a while,” said Dondero, who moved to Ocala from South Carolina, her home of 30-plus years, to live with her sister.

When that arrangement didn’t work out, the now 66-year-old was forced to live on the streets.

“But then Sears closed; I never thought that would happen,” she said of her former job.

Howerton, 61, hails from Oklahoma but moved to Colorado following a bad See Interfaith, page A2

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Tina Howerton, left, and Lisa Dondero, right, pose for a photo on the back porch of the Interfaith Emergency Services Duplex that they share in northwest Ocala on Dec. 30, 2021.

Marion median house prices climb

Sheriff’s remodel request leads to workshop

By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com

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BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

This house at 817 SE 12th Street in Ocala is listed for sale by Roberts Real Estate for $350,000 as shown in Ocala on Jan. 4, 2022.

By Jennifer Hunt Murty

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ccording to a report by Florida Realtors Association, the statewide median singlefamily sales price for homes

in November was $364,900, up 19.6% from the previous year.

In the report, Ocala/Marion County’s November median sale price rose to $250,000, up from $195,000 just

arion County Sheriff Billy Woods and the Marion County Board of County Commissioners have agreed to hold a workshop after Woods sent the board a request for unspent funds from the 2019-2020 budget to be used on a remodel and expansion of the Sheriff ’s operations building.

“Working with County Facilities Management Director, Jared Goodspeed, it has been determined that the entire project will cost an estimated $5.2 million,” Woods said in the letter.

“Simply put, we have outgrown our existing office space and the remodeling needs to address issues which will help the layout of the building become more efficient,” he said.

The MCBOCC in April of last year approved shifting $2.1 million in unspent money from the 2019-2020 fiscal year that Woods’ office returned to the commission. The funds were reverted back to the general fund but earmarked for future improvements to the sheriff ’s campus.

In his letter, Woods mentioned that some of the funds requested were originally part of that fiscal year 2019-2020 year-end turnback monies and “In a letter dated November 2020, when I returned yearend monies, I asked for the use of those funds for this purpose…and as far as I know, this was approved, and the monies were set aside,” he wrote.

In a Jan. 3 written response to Woods, Commissioner Jeff Gold said he could not support the Sheriff ’s request and said the money should be used

See Median, page A3

See Sheriff, page A2

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JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Sheriff needs updated command center toward non-executive salaries and retention of “patrol deputies.”

Woods then countered with a letter Tuesday (Jan. 4) requesting a workshop on a date that all five commissioners can attend because Woods was unable to attend that day’s board meeting.

Gold referenced the letter exchange during Tuesday’s MCBOCC meeting.

“I saw this [Woods’ request] and thought ‘you know when we‘ve got such a hard time retaining deputies and bringing more police officers given our situation in the country it‘s kind of hard for me to say we‘re gonna spend a couple million dollars to gut out your building

“What concerns me about what I saw in this packet is phase three, phase four, and phase five.”

Craig Curry

Commissioner

and make it more efficient or whatever,’” he said.

“In my opinion, I think it should have gone back to the nonsupervisory deputies to try to retain them,” said Gold. “It can be laid out in a multi-year plan, which the Sheriff says he does…the sheriff wrote a good letter back, very respectful and I appreciate that, and we‘re always gonna have differences on it.”

Commissioner Curry said he received an information packet on the request the day before the meeting and he, “was not really prepared to sit here and vote on this today, and I’d like to hear more about it from the sheriff.”

Meanwhile, Commissioner Kathy Bryant said she had no issues authorizing the Sheriff ’s request, and “was fine approving the agenda as it was presented today and workshopping the remainder of things that have been identified.”

Curry agreed with Bryant and Woods on the idea of a workshop, and said his hesitations come from the later stages of the project.

“If the Commission back then agreed to send this money back, fine, we should live up to the word of the board,” said Curry. “But what concerns me about what I saw in this packet is phase three, phase four, and phase five…it‘s a little bit like getting in quicksand.”

Goodspeed explained to the board the phased approach was as result of needing the Sheriff ’s Office to remain active during the projects, and rather than being looked at as five separate projects, it should be looked at as one project with five phases.

County administrator Mounir Bouyounes indicated that while the turnback money Woods returned would fund part of the project, “Once you go beyond the $2 million, you‘ve got to take the money from somewhere else”.

MCBOCC Chair Carl Zalak III expressed hesitation over the

idea of building anything with costs rapidly rising.

Zalak also believes the current request is part of a larger conversation involving the MCBOCC and MCSO regarding the multiple building projects either underway or projected.

Gold made a motion to table the request until after the planned workshop. Commissioner Curry seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

After the vote, Curry asked if the decision ran counter to

previous board actions on the subject of turnback monies.

Bryant relayed that in the past, constitutional officers who requested turnback funds be put toward specific projects generally had their requests granted.

However, in an attempt to be more transparent and follow more of a process, the board has moved to scheduling workshops.

At the Nov. 16 MCBOCC, Woods asked for a total of $686,424 of unused funds from the 2020-2021 fiscal year,

requesting it be used to purchase a BearCat armored vehicle along with the remodel and expansion plans for the sheriff ’s operation building. At that time, the MCBOCC denied his request, but indicated that it would support purchase of the BearCat through penny sales tax.

According to Marion County spokesperson Stacie Causey, the proposed MCBOCC/MCSO workshop has not yet been announced.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette Capt. Jon Turner, the commander of the Marion County Sheriff‘s Office SWAT Team, describes some of the features of the Sheriff‘s Office 2006 Lenco Bearcat armored vehicle at the Marion County Sheriff‘s Office in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. Sheriff Billy Woods is trying to find funding so that the Sheriff‘s Office can buy a new, upgraded Bearcat for the SWAT Team to use. His last request was pushed out for future consideration funded by the penny sales tax.

Interfaith helps women long term “They are our family now.”

Karla Grimsley-Greenway Interfaith CEO

“When women come through our shelter now that we identify as someone who can’t live successfully alone, usually because of intellectual capacity, we allow them to transition [at our duplex],” Grimsley-Greenway said.

“We don’t force them,” she said.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette “But of course, most of them want A cat who Tina Howerton calls “Sweetheart” and Lisa Dondero calls to move in and they’ve all been just “Patches” looks on in the backyard as he visits them at the Interfaith Emergency Services Duplex that the two women share. wonderful tenants.”

A gift from Habitat for Humanity in 2014, Interfaith has remodeled the duplex over the marriage that ended in divorce. years, said Grimsley-Greenway.

“It was because of domestic violence,” “We got a grant from the county and said Howerton, who soon became then the Habitat team rehabbed it for us homeless and traveled from shelter to because it was not habitable when we got shelter.

A devoutly Christian woman, Howerton it,” she said. “They went in and fixed it up.”

Before moving any tenants into the would wind her way from Colorado to duplex, Interfaith staff vets them, making California for a couple more years, before sure they have basic life skills such as hitchhiking her way to Florida, and cleaning up after themselves and self-care eventually Ocala, where she has lived for routines like bathing. the last six years, most of that time in Most importantly of all, they must be Interfaith’s duplex. able to live in harmony with others.

Dondero joined her four and a half “And it’s permanent,” said Grimsleyyears ago. That’s when the two of them Greenway. “As long as they need housing, first met and began forming a quick they will be there.” friendship.

Howerton and Dondero live in one Neither roommate ever thought they’d unit of the duplex, while a mother and be living in a duplex, let alone have a bed of their own to sleep in, before coming into her daughter with disabilities occupy the second unit. contact with Interfaith.

“Before this, there was just no option “I had no idea something like this could for them,” she said. “They could make no happen to me,” said Howerton. income and weren’t hirable because of “I never thought I’d live anywhere but being low functioning. So, they volunteer a shelter,” added Dondero. “I feel very with us and that gives them a sense of fortunate; Interfaith has helped me so having a job or having a purpose. And they much.” seem to enjoy that; it also gives them a little bit of a community.”

Born Out of Heartbreak The duplex project started what Interfaith CEO Karla Grimsley-Greenway Interfaith is hoping to duplicate with explained that the reason the non-profit the 14-unit apartment complex it first acquired the duplex was to house as recently purchased from Arnette House many intellectually disabled homeless off Northeast 14th Street in Ocala for women as possible—many of which Permanent Support Housing (PSH). struggle to live independently—because The PSH program’s mission is to end it was breaking her heart to keep putting chronic homelessness for as many people them back on the street.

as possible through wraparound support services, on-site case management and trauma counseling.

“They need to stay housed,” said Grimsley-Greenway. “Because it’s one thing to get them off the street and get them a house, which is hard enough, but to keep them housed when they need so much ongoing support, is the real challenge.”

After receiving the duplex from Habitat for Humanity, Howerton was a major reason for Interfaith choosing to use the building for its current purpose, she said.

“Tina inspired me to go down this path [with this duplex],” said GrimsleyGreenway. “She was our first resident, which was so fulfilling to me because again, it always just haunted me that I had to put someone like her back on the streets.

“To be able to give them both a forever home was just probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me here at Interfaith,” she said.

“They are our family now.”

A Home of Their Own

After living together for nearly five years,

Howerton and Dondero have truly bonded, riding out the hard times together, sharing joys and sorrows.

But the roommates do have their moments, especially since Dondero began receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Mood swings are common.

“That short temper that Italians have, you know? I’m terrible,” said Dondero. “It’s always a challenge living with other people.”

“I don’t argue that much,” confessed Howerton. “I don’t like to argue. But I’ve been doing her laundry because cancer has gotten to her and made her weak.”

Dondero said she appreciates how much Howerton prays, especially for her; while Howerton feels that Dondero is a nice person overall, deserving her every prayer.

“I love her,” said Dondero.

Howerton was quick to second the sentiment.

The black-and-white cat with two names watched from the back lawn, sharing the same afternoon as the roommates, purring the contentment of one who knows where her home is.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Dawn Lovell, the mental health counselor for Interfaith Emergency Services, left, and Michelle Collier, the Interfaith case manager, right, pose for a photo with Tina Howerton, second from left, and Lisa Dondero, second from right, on the back porch of the Interfaith Emergency Services Duplex that the two women share in Ocala on Dec. 30, 2021.

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JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

The next hurdle in fire fee lawsuit “The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.”

- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) Publisher Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@magnoliamediaco.com Bruce Ackerman, Photography Editor bruce@ocalagazette.com James Blevins, Reporter james@ocalagazette.com Matthew Cretul, Senior Reporter matthew@ocalagazette.com Sadie Fitzpatrick, Columnist sadie@ocalagazette.com Susan Smiley-Height, Editor susan@magnoliamediaco.com Amy Harbert, Graphic Designer amy@magnoliamediaco.com Lisa Maliff, Graphic Designer lisa.maliff@magnoliamediaco.com Joel Bronson, Reporter joel@ocalagazette.com Kristine Nolan, Editor kristine@magnoliamediaco.com

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By Jennifer Hunt Murty

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he law firm that represents the class entitled to refunds of fire fees illegally collected through City of Ocala utility bills filed a motion seeking $6,480,957.75 in attorney’s fees after eight years of litigation, multiple appeals, and a ruling that found the city must refund $80 million.

The legal fees of the law firm that represented the class, Bowen|Schroth, are paid from the same pot of money that the city pays into for refunds.

This means the class who receives the refunds will pay for their attorneys’ fees, not the city.

In considering the reasonableness of the firm’s attorney’s fees, Judge Robert W. Hodges will review the history of the case.

The city has been directed by its attorneys not to comment on what source it will use to refund the $80 million. However, additional filings with the court by the city as well as documents obtained by public records request ref lect potentially another disagreement the court will have to referee- how the refunds will be distributed.

As previously reported, the city filed a motion on Dec. 8 indicating it was unable to fund the $80 million within the 60 days ordered by the court and requested an extension until the end of February. In the city’s request, it stated that it had identified $20 million in unrestricted funds but that the city needed more time to explore obtaining the remaining $60 million in loans.

Communications between the city and banks about how the city might utilize the $60 million in loans reflect the city’s intention to put in place an additional application process for the class to receive their refunds and a deadline to apply or forfeit.

However, the attorney for the class has filed a request Dec. 31 with the court proposing the following schedule and process for refunds: The City should administer the Common Fund, process all payments from the Common Fund, and separately pay all administrative and overhead costs related thereto. The City should pay all refunds owed and mail refund checks to all class members within 30 days of the Court’s order. Each refund check to each class member should be equal to 91.61272% of all illegal taxes collected from each class member since February 20, 2010, rounded down to the nearest whole cent (the “Initial Refund Checks”).

For example, if a class member paid $1,000 in illegal taxes, then that class member would receive an initial refund of $916.12 (1,000 x 0.9161272 = 916.1272). Prior to mailing each check, the City should verify each class member’s current mailing address though the United States Postal Service, Experian, Xverify, Accurint, or another nationally recognized address verification service. The City should send each check only with a notice which states: “The enclosed check represents a refund of over 91% of the illegal taxes

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Circuit Court Judge Robert Hodges speaks with attorneys during pre-trial conferences at the Marion County Judicial Center in Ocala on Jan. 5.

collected from you by the City of Ocala as part of your utility bill since February 20, 2010.

The City was ordered to pay you this refund as the result of a lawsuit filed against the City by Discount Sleep of Ocala, LLC, d/b/a Mattress Warehouse, and Dale W. Birch. This refund check is only valid for 180 days from the date of issuance.” The City should maintain an electronic log containing the following information for each of the Initial Refund Checks: (a) date issued, (b) payee name(s), (c) amount paid, (d), mailing address, and (e) date cashed or cleared. Within thirty (30) days after mailing the last Initial Refund Check, the City should file a report with the Court detailing the total number of Initial Refund Checks mailed, the total amount paid, and the anticipated Common Fund balance if all Initial Refund Checks are cashed.

No less than 270 days after the Court’s order or 30 days after the City mailed the last Initial Refund Check, whichever is later, the City should pay the remaining Common Fund balance (“Remaining Balance”) and mail supplemental refunds only to those class members who cashed their Initial Refund Checks. Each Supplemental Refund Check should be calculated by multiplying the illegal taxes collected from each class member multiplied by the Remaining Balance, all of which is divided by $72,633,228.36 and then rounded down to the nearest whole cent (the “Supplemental Refund Checks”).

For example, if a class member paid $1,000 in illegal taxes and the Remaining Balance is $500,000, then that class member would receive a supplemental refund of $6.88 (1,000 x 500,000 ÷ 72,633,228.36 = 6.8839).

The City should mail each of the Supplemental Refund Checks only

with a notice that states: “The enclosed check represents the final refund of the illegal taxes collected from you by the City of Ocala as part of your utility bill. The City was ordered to pay you this refund as the result of a lawsuit filed against the City by Discount Sleep of Ocala, LLC, d/b/a Mattress Warehouse, and Dale W. Birch. This refund check is only valid for 180 days from the date of issuance.” The City should maintain a separate electronic log containing the following information for each of the Supplemental Refund Checks: (a) date issued, (b) payee name(s), (c) amount paid, (d), mailing address, and (e) date cashed or cleared. Within thirty (30) days after mailing the last Supplemental Refund Check, the City should file a report with the Court detailing the total number of Supplemental Refund Checks mailed, the total amount paid, and the anticipated Common Fund balance if all Supplemental Refund Checks are cashed.

Within 30 days after the 180day expiration date of the last Supplemental Refund Check, the City should provide a copy of both electronic logs to Class Counsel and file a motion to close the Common Fund. The City’s motion should detail the total number of Initial Refund Checks issued, the total cashed or cleared amount of Initial Refund Checks, the total number of Supplemental Refund Checks issued, the total cashed or cleared amount of Supplemental Refund Checks, and the remaining Common Fund balance.

Efforts are being made to set this matter for hearing before Hodges.

The Jan. 4 hearing was canceled because the city agreed to a judgment requiring the city to reimburse the attorney representing the class action a little more than sixty thousand in costs.

Median house prices up a year before.

The year-to-date median sales price for Marion County was $229,000, up from $184,000 the year before.

Of all the metropolitan areas included in the report, there was only one other community that had a higher year-to-date increase - Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island.

Below are November’s median single family home prices for other metropolitans across the state:

— The Villages: $349,950 — Sebastian-Vero Beach: $349,000 — Punta Gorda: $339,900 — Panama City: $329,950

— Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island: $659,000

— Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville: $322,000

— Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach: $500,000

— Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach: $305,000

— North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton: $432,625

— Gainesville: $304,750

— Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin: $385,650

— Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent: $298,500

— Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford: $380,000

— Lakeland-Winter Haven: $291,500

— Cape Coral-Fort Myers: $376,500

— Tallahassee: $275,000

— Port St. Lucie: $360,000

— Ocala: $250,000

— Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater: $354,995

— Homosassa Springs: $238,000

— Jacksonville: $354,108

— Sebring: $219,900

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JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Goin’ back to Tally

a shoulder on the road there, but it was never meant for pedestrian traffic. And so, you have a lot of folks that cross over because Blue Run Park is right there and parking is very limited.”

The state funding is only part of the fiscal equation, he said.

“So, what we’re trying to do is get funding from the state,” said Harding. “There’s a county match and a city match as well, and so we’re trying to get the state funding piece for that as well,” Harding said.

A series

PART TWO

By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com

T

he first part of the series explored how an entity such as Marion County exists in a space where it has the autonomy and agency to legislate on local issues but is also beholden to the state (and federal) legislature on larger issues.

The second part of this ongoing series highlights two members of the Marion County Legislative Delegation from the Florida House of Representatives. The legislators give highlights of bills they have proposed, or plan to, as the session begins on Jan. 11. They also touch on subjects such as how they navigate diverse districts that may have competing priorities, the importance of committee assignments, and the role they see themselves playing in the overall political picture.

While the delegate members have priorities outside of Marion County, for brevity and focus, only priorities dealing with Marion County, or its interests are highlighted.

If a bill is listed below has been formally filed, it will be identified by its number and will have the committee or subcommittee it has been referred to for discussion in the subheading. If a legislator has a priority and hasn’t formally filed a bill, the subheading will simply be a title.

Florida House of Representatives1 House members, unlike their counterparts in the senate, are limited to how many legislative bills they can sponsor. Representatives are able to file seven bills (not counting appropriations, or funding, bills) where they are the lead sponsor.

While there is a limit on how many bills representatives can sponsor, there is no limit to the amount they can co-sponsor. A link will be available for a complete listing of the bills each legislator has proposed.

Representative Joe Harding

Visit https://bit.ly/hardingbills for a full list of bills sponsored by Representative Harding for the 2022 session.

Joe Harding represents District 22, which contains Levy County and parts of Marion County. In addition to being a legislator, Harding lists his occupation as the owner of a landscape and construction business. He attended the College of Central Florida from 2005-2007 and Florida International University from 2008-2010.

On Redistricting

On HB779 – Offers and Sales of Securities (Now in Insurance & Banking Subcommittee)

Florida lags behind states such as Texas and Georgia in recruiting banks & financial institutions, said Harding and this bill is designed to work with the Florida Office of Financial Regulation to update the state’s investment laws.

“It can be really hard for an entrepreneur to start a business and go get a loan from a bank without capital,” he said. “Typically, it doesn’t come with a startup company. And we have some burdensome regulations that really haven’t been updated for many, many years.

And, and so this is a big important issue.”

Harding first proposed the bill last session, and it was one of only two of his bills that did not move along in the process. This year, however, Harding says he believes it will get some traction.

On what he calls “The Right to Repair”

Harding believes farm equipment manufacturers are pricing out smaller agricultural operations with their expensive new models.

“What’s happened is the cost of equipment has gone through the roof, where you have tractors that cost half a million dollars now,” he said. “And what is happening is in the name of trying to comply with EPA regulations and exhaust and emission regulations, these tractors have become extremely complicated and hard to work on.”

The bill, Harding says, would allow a larger pool of farm-equipment repair technicians to work on a piece of equipment.

“Farmers are being forced to only use manufacturerapproved repair people to even just diagnose their tractor and so, they can be in the middle of harvesting peanuts, and John Deere cannot get a repair tech to them for three or four days and they’re out of business,” he said. “

On right to life

While he does not have any formal legislation filed on the issue, Harding says it is one of his core priorities.

“As a conservative, one of those the most passionate issues of the voters that elected me is the issue of life, said Harding. “And I believe that Florida this year is going to kind of follow the lead. And actually…I believe that we’re going to excel past states like Texas that have some pretty strong pro-life legislation, I think Florida is going to do something even bigger and better.”

He’s unconcerned about what his formal responsibility will be on the issue, and Harding said he’ll do what he’s asked to in order to advance any legislation on the issue.

On concealed carry

On the topic of carrying a concealed weapon, while nothing formal is in yet, Harding says it will be soon.

“I’ve got some legislation that’s coming; I haven’t filed it yet,” he said. “We’ve been working through the drafting process, really looking to reform our concealed carry process in Florida.”

He said the Department of Agriculture, the agency that oversees issuing concealed carry permits, isn’t being as efficient as it could be, and isn’t following the

“Obviously, [redistricting] is not necessarily individually a priority for me, but it is an important job we have this year,” said Harding. and it will take a lot of the legislator’s attention.”

Harding said it’s crucial that they tackle the issue early, as the compressed timeline Joe Harding could have an effect on their potential re-election bids.

Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2020 “So, we’ll get out of session in March, and then we’ll have new district lines we’ll be Committee Assignments: running in only three months later,” he said indicated.

• Local Administration & Veterans Affairs

On HB 3039 – Dunnellon Trail (Now in Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee)

Harding is seeking $2,537,000 from the State Transportation (Primary) Trust Fund be allocated for a pedestrian bridge over the Withlacoochee River.

It’s a project that Harding says has been needed for some time.

“I grew up going to the river there and it is extremely dangerous,” he said. “There’s

Subcommittee Vice Chair • Education & Employment Committee • Post-Secondary Education & Lifelong Learning Subcommittee • Congressional Redistricting Subcommittee • Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee • Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee • Regulatory Reform Subcommittee

prescribed policy.

“Florida statute says it’s supposed to take 90 days, but we have we have constituents that are at 170, 180 days,” Harding said pointed out. The process is too lengthy, he said.

Harding believes the process is too lengthy, and would like to change it, or totally do away with it.

“But it should never be the case, something that’s your constitutional right, you shouldn’t have to wait six months to get a government permission slip.

“So I’ve got a bill coming that’s going to majorly look at reforming, and we’re going to go one of two directions…we’re either going to put some really stiff guidelines to the department on how they turn around those permits, or we’re going to repeal that all together and to say that if you’re legally able to carry or buy a firearm in the State of Florida, you should be legally able to carry that,” said Harding.

On limiting legislation

As a conservative, Harding said he favors a limitedgovernment approach. His committee assignments, including one specifically, he said, help him keep government answerable to the people.

“I sit on a regulatory reform, which is one of my favorite committees,” he said. “And any bill that deals with regulation is going to come to that committee, and we have really good leadership on the committee.

Passing laws, according to Harding, is only half of his job.

“Because frankly, I think we have enough laws,” he said. “And we don’t necessarily need unlimited legislation. I think the most important job of the legislators, most the time, it’s not the bills you pass, it’s the bills you work to make sure that they never pass.”

On the proposed toll road

On the subject of the proposed toll road that may run through Marion County, Harding supports the county being part of the process, a process he said some might not fully understand.

“I would say in my district, between Levy and Marion [counties], is the biggest misunderstanding from the constituents in our district, not all, just some, is that by the county passing or not passing a resolution for against toll roads, somehow, it’s going to affect the outcome of the toll road,” he said.

“It’s really not. FDOT is currently doing a study, they’re not building a road. And that’s probably been my biggest frustration,” said Harding.

The misunderstandings, Harding says, stem from a distortion of facts that some might look to benefit from, and in the process of doing so, put residents in a constant state of anxiety.

“There is a lot of misinformation that people will look to take advantage of, a lot of chaos. And then in the middle, you have constituents who have a road drawn through their farm that’s been on their farm for 30 years are or they just built a house and there’s suddenly a study area that goes through their property, and they’re in a panic, and I get it.”

Harding said he’s heard from many of his constituents on the issue, and he would point out that the bill not only passed unanimously, but also that it was given high marks from outside advocacy groups as well as applauded by environmental groups because the right language was included to protect sensitive areas.

“I’ve had numerous, probably at this point hundreds of emails questioning why I voted for it [SB 100 repealing MCORES],” he said. “Every member of the Florida House voted for it, including the Democratic caucus. And this bill was championed and was applauded by environmental groups because they said we had all the right language to make sure that we’re protecting the right environment sensitive areas.”

While he understands his constituents may feel strongly about the toll road, or any issue they’re facing, their energy, anger, and frustration are all part of the job.

“I think that a good leader, a good elected official is someone that, at some point, all sides are upset at,” said Harding. “That means that you truly are making measured decisions, you’re not just picking a side and choosing.” ______________________________________________ 1 Interviews to Representatives Stan McClain and Brett Hage have been requested.

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JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Representative Yvonne Hayes Hinson

Visit https://bit.ly/hinsonbills for a full list of bills sponsored by Representative Hinson for the 2022 session.

Yvonne Hayes Hinson represents District 20, which contains parts of Alachua and Marion Counties.

In addition to being a legislator, Hinson lists her occupation as an educator. She received her BA in Education from the University of Florida (UF) in 1971 and her MA Education from UF in 1972.

Hinson says her legislative priorities haven’t changed since she first ran for office many years ago.

“Education, the environment, which had better be on every Floridian’s priority because we can’t sustain ourselves in Florida without environmental sensitivity,” she said. “Justice at large, I mean, not just criminal justice, but civil justice as well, and affordable housing”.

On affordable housing

Owning a home, said Hinson, is not something that should be reserved for a select few.

“I think everyone who wants to buy a home in America, but especially Florida, should be able to,” she said. “And we should be building homes that every level of citizen can afford to buy.”

She realizes there is a business to building homes but says designers should recognize the range of potential home buyers and target them at all stages.

“When I talk to developers and builders, everybody’s looking for the bottom line of profit,” said Hinson. “And of course, if the, if a builder wants profit, they should have profit, but they should understand that there will be different levels of profit for different levels of income and be willing to build for that level.”

“We all need the American dream; everybody wants to own a home,” said Hinson. But, her support on the issue does have its limitations.

“I’m not fighting for multifamily rental properties; those are for profit,” she said.

On HB 165 – School Teacher Training and Mentoring Program (Now in Secondary Education & Career Development Subcommittee)

Hinson first proposed the idea of teacher/mentors last session but said she didn’t have the language quite right in her initial bill. She said they worked on the language, and now a bill creating a program aimed at helping new teachers, among others, is ready to roll.

“We want to offer it to all schools that need it, every school in Florida that wants it. It’s three mentors who will be paid $2,000, a $2,000 stipend, to mentor and coach a new teacher on their staff, or a teacher who seems to be struggling with different demographics,” she said.

“We have that bill going, it looks like the chairman of that committee is interested,” said Hinson.

I’ve also talked to the Commissioner of Education, and he said if I’m proposing it for every school and the $2,000 ends up being something like $18 million, that’s not a big price tag for the whole state. I believe it’s going to get some traction this year. And I’m excited about that. So that bill is on the docket and ready to go,” Hinson detailed.

On HB 393 – Public Bathing Places (Now in Professions & Public Health Subcommittee)

Hinson says she is also excited about an environmental bill she is proposing aimed at alerting individuals that certain water is not suitable for swimming, which in statute language is called bathing.

Warning signs should be posted when fecal matter or other chemicals like phosphate and other nutrients gets too high in waterways where people often swim.

She hopes the proposed bill will lead to a larger conversation about clean water conservation.

“Truly, if it’s not safe swimming it’s not safe for drinking either,” she said

On HM 245 – National Infrastructure Bank (Now in Insurance & Banking Subcommittee)

fix can be fixed in a timely way,”

On HB 2319 – McIntosh Town Hall (Now in Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee)

Hinson said this legislation is designed to assist the Town of McIntosh in updating their governmental building, something that is sorely needed.

“I have one that McIntosh Town Hall wants to tear down their building. It’s really falling apart…it’s an old portable building, if you’ve seen portable classrooms, that’s kind of what it looks like.”

On drinking water contamination in Lowell As a result of soil contamination from chemicals used by the State Fire College, residents of the area have been supplied bottled drinking water since 2018.

Hinson says funds have already been allocated for the project, and while they have their differences, she applauds Governor Ron DeSantis for his commitment on the issue.

“There is a large pocket of money that’s already been put aside. And as much as I don’t always agree with our governor, this is one project that he has some real obligation towards. He’s very committed to clean water all over the state. They put this money in what they call a resiliency bill, and, yeah, I think we’re going to be able to get that passed,” Hinson stated.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Rep. Joe Harding on Oct. 7, 2021

On committee assignments

Hinson said that while she asked for committees that aligned with her priorities, what was requested wasn’t what was assigned.

I get nothing that I want; I get what I’m given,” she said.

At first, Hinson was wary of her committee assignments, but ultimately, she said she came to understand how valuable they were.

“Most of my committees are extremely important committees,” she said. “I didn’t know that when I got them. I really thought I was being punished in some way. But what I realized over time is that these committees are extremely important to the overall operation of the state.”

On being the only democratic member of the Marion County Legislative Delegation

One area Hinson stands alone is being the lone democrat on the delegation. She said there are times she sees a common goal with her GOP coworkers, but for some reason the differences in getting there stand out.

“I’m the only Democrat on both delegations, and I think our ideology is so different, but we all want the same thing. It’s the weirdest thing. Sometimes we miscommunicate so much that we end up fighting over things that aren’t even a fight.”

She said she feels an obligation as the sole member of the party opposite that in power to make sure she represents those who may not share GOP ideals and views.

“I do have to speak up though,” said Hinson. “I do have to speak for and be a voice for the different point of view. I do. I can’t sit quiet. Because otherwise, that point of view will never be heard.”

An example of the disconnect she sees is in how both parties view life. Hinson said she’s proposing legislation to help save babies’ lives, and in the process feels like she gets pushback from across the aisle.

“Not only am I trying to do bail reform, but I’m also trying to make sure pregnant mothers don’t have to be incarcerated, especially if it’s a misdemeanor, until after they have their babies because these babies are dying in jail.”

And I’m saying [to my republican colleagues] ‘you guys know you’re saying I’m going too far with this bill.

However, if you really care about life, and you say you do, this is a life that’s dying in jail’.

On the proposed toll road

Hinson did not comment extensively on the proposed toll road but indicated that she was keeping an eye on the situation.

“Let the process work itself out,” she said. “When, and if, I need to get engaged, I will certainly be there for the people,”

This legislation, Hinson said, was designed at the federal level, and is intended to provide an alternate outside funding source for needed local infrastructure projects. The National Infrastructure Bank Bill, Yvonne Hayes Hinson which is in Congress, is designed to set up a bank with Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2020 investments from individuals, different corporations and investors.

Committee Assignments: “So, this National Infrastructure Bank is • Joint Administrative Procedures Committee a bill that’s been filed in • State Affairs Committee congress, but they’re asking for resolutions at every • Government Operations Subcommittee state level, and even in large • Civil Justice & Property Rights Subcommittee corporations and some organizations,” she said.

• State Administration & Technology Appropriations “So, I filed it for the state Subcommittee of Florida, and I’m getting a lot of support from other legislators in terms of co-sponsoring.”

“They want to set up like $5 trillion so that states and rural communities, and anyone who needs it, can come to the bank, borrow the money, and pay it back over time so these roads and bridges and things that we’re not getting the money to

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson on Oct. 7, 2021

On redistricting

While Hinson attempted to engage in the process, ultimately, she was not selected. But she says that she, and her party as a whole, will make sure the procedures are followed.

On legalizing recreational marijuana

Hinson is a big proponent of legalizing recreational marijuana and described how she has encountered barrier after barrier in getting movement on the issue.

“Last year, as with this year, I’ve had great struggles with not only filing and getting a companion bill filed, but I’ve been trying to get marijuana, recreational marijuana legalized,” she said.

Hinson doesn’t see much difference between alcohol or cigarettes and marijuana and feels what she is proposing is similar to how other states have approached the issue.

“It’s legal in quite a few states, over 20 now, and I’ve had issues and problems from both sides of the aisle, she said.

Rather than a party being the issue, Hinson says she knows what’s really behind the obstacles she runs up against.

“But I’m learning, from last session, really, there is so much money to be made from this,” said Hinson.

“There are people on both sides of the aisle trying to control it. It taught me that this isn’t a Democrat or Republican thing. This is a money game.”

Despite the barriers she’s faced on the issue, Hinson remains determined to see it legalized.

“I mean, it ought to be legal enough that you can put it in a pot and grow it on your patio.” she said.

A6

JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Marion COVID cases up over 400% FDA EXPANDS BOOSTERS TO THOSE AS YOUNG AS 12

By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com

MARION COUNTY UPDATE COVID cases in Marion County increased dramatically from two weeks ago, as the county registered 1,543 new cases during the week of Dec. 24-30. The numbers are the highest in almost three and a half months, according to figures released by the Florida Department of Health (FLDOH) Friday evening. In the last report, the county reported recording 363 cases two weeks ago.

Along with the soaring overall number of cases, the county’s positivity rate and cases per 100,000 also rose drastically. The positivity rate climbed from 5.0% to 17.4%, and as with the total number of cases, the cases per 100,000 increased more than fourfold as well, from 97.5 to 414.3.

In Health and Human Services hospitalization numbers last updated Dec. 28, county hospitals reported 78% of inpatient beds filled, with 2% of those being COVID patients. Additionally, 84% of ICU beds were filled, with 4% being COVID patients.

While hospitalization numbers have been slowly declining over the past few weeks, if the Omicron variant follows the same trends as prior COVID variants such as Delta, hospitalizations are expected to rise again soon following the large increase in local new cases.

In Ocala, COVID Test FL is offering

testing at the Ocala First Baptist Church located at 2801 S.E. Maricamp Road.

COVID Test Express is offering testing in the Villages at 11714 N.E. 62nd Terrace.

Both locations are open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

STATE UPDATE

administering 326,728 doses of the vaccine last week, compared with the 567,748 doses two weeks ago and 508,044 doses three weeks ago. This brings the total state population of those ages 5 and up to 71%.

Specific to children ages 5-11, the state reported administering 18,230 doses of the vaccine last week, bringing the total number of children vaccinated to 255,362. The total population of children ages 5-11 in the state is just under 1.7 million, and figures released by the state showed 15% of them are now vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Associated Press reported the U.S. is expanding COVID-19 booster availability, as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared extra Pfizer shots for children as young as 12 in

Not only did new COVID cases quadruple in Marion County, but they also rose drastically across the state as a whole, with Florida seeing more than twice the number of new cases as it reported two weeks ago.

Florida recorded 298,455 new cases of COVID during the week of Dec. 24 to Dec. 30, an increase of more than double from the 128,186 cases during the week of Dec. 17 to Dec. 23.

With the increase in cases comes an increase in new case 3,500 Aug. 26: positivity as well as 3,228 cases per 100,000.

3,000 Dec. 30: Dec. 24 - 30 According to 2,500 the FLDOH weekly Source: report, the state’s Marion County 2,000 Health Department new case positivity is 26.5%, while the 1,500 cases per 100,000 is 1,358.1.

1,000 The state’s overall vaccination rates 500 dropped noticeably from the two 0 9 16 23 7 14 21 28 4 11 18 25 2 9 16 23 30 26 2 previous reports, as DECEMBER NOVEMBER JAN AUG. SEPTEMBER OCTOBER AMY HARBERT/Ocala Gazette the state recorded

New reported Covid-19 cases per week

1543

an effort to combat the growing number of cases caused by the Omicron variant.

Additionally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recently reported the isolation period for those individuals who are exposed to COVID but remain asymptomatic to five days, down from the 10 days it previously advised.

Moreover, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and also Chief Medical Advisor to President Biden stated over the weekend that the administration is in the process of determining whether a negative COVID test should be added to the recent CDC updates.

MCPS UPDATE Marion County Public Schools (MCPS) have been closed for winter break until January 3, 2022, and no COVID updates have been posted to their website since the beginning of the break.

With the latest updated figures, COVID numbers have once again moved above the threshold set for MCPS to consider having students wear face coverings.

According to FLDOH guidance, the county must be below 99.9 cases per 100,000 (currently at 414.3) and the new case positivity must remain below 10% (currently at 17.4%) for two weeks in order for coverings not to be required.

MCPS School Board Chair Rev. Eric Cummings did not return a request for comment.

Surgeon general points to need for ‘high-value’ testing

By Ryan Dailey News Service of Florida

to make the decisions they want regarding vaccination, to enjoy the fact that many people have natural immunity. And to unwind this sort of preoccupation with only COVID as determining the boundaries and constraints and possibilities of life.”

DeSantis also pointed to what he characterized as frivolous testing for COVID-19.

“What you are seeing is there are people going to the drug stores, buying all these tests. They’ll go multiple times per week to the sites and test, without symptoms. That is just going to contribute to some of the crunch that you are seeing,” DeSantis said.

The state health department published a report on Friday that showed 298,455 new coronavirus cases were recorded in the week that ended Dec. 30. The total more than doubled from the previous week, when the health department reported 128,186 cases.

The number of Florida hospital patients with COVID-19 also has more

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mid a surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the highly contagious omicron variant, Florida’s surgeon general on Monday indicated the state Department of Health would issue guidance that would “unwind the testing psychology” of the federal government.

Comments by Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and Gov. Ron DeSantis taking aim at mass testing came after President Joe Biden’s administration last month announced a plan to distribute 500 million athome coronavirus tests to Americans.

“We need to unwind this … planning and living one’s life around testing,” Ladapo said during a news conference at Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale.

“Without it, we’re going to be sort of stuck in the same cycle. So, it’s really time for people to be living,

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Gov. Ron DeSantis with Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo

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than doubled during the past week, according to data posted Monday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The agency reported that 5,700 inpatients had COVID-19, up from 2,406 a week earlier.

Ladapo acknowledged the rapid rise in cases but said omicron symptoms are generally less severe than previous variants.

“Everyone knows omicron is spreading extremely rapidly,” Ladapo said. “The good news is that it appears to be less virulent, and the hospitalizations are not increasing nearly at the rate that the cases (are) … it’s not close. There’s a very big difference between the change in cases and the change in hospitalizations.”

Ladapo said the upcoming shift in the approach to testing would put an emphasis on higher-risk people, though he did not give specifics of the plan.

He suggested that the new guidance “doesn’t restrict access to testing, but reduces the use of low-value testing and prioritizes high-value testing.”

“So, if your grandmother gets a test, that’s a much more valuable test than the 8-year-old third-graders that

Los Angeles County (Calif.) is sending in to get weekly testing. The first one is much more likely to change outcomes,” Ladapo said.

Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Simone Marstiller also said the state’s “seniors-first strategy still exists,” reinforcing DeSantis’ plan to prioritize the elderly population in addressing the virus. Seniors and people with underlying health conditions are far more vulnerable to dying from COVID-19 than other people.

The governor said symptoms of the omicron variant being less severe should encourage younger Floridians to conserve COVID-19 treatments, such as monoclonal antibody treatment, for seniors.

“It’s basically cold-like symptoms for a lot of those folks. That is not something you need to be coming in and getting monoclonals for. So, let’s look at our elderly population. Let’s look at folks that are immunocompromised or maybe things like diabetes that have shown to be a real serious risk factor,” DeSantis said.

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JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Local Briefs TRANSPORTATION MEETING ON JAN. 11, 2022

MARION COUNTY IS HOSTING JOB FAIR TO FILL 60 OPEN POSITIONS

By Gazette Staff

L

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

ocal Marion County government is experiencing some of the staffing shortages impacting the private sector since the pandemic.

“Prior to 2020, our monthly average was between 25 to 35 open positions.

Since 2020, our open positions have hovered around 60 open positions. For us, open positions include full-time, parttime and seasonal opportunities,” says county spokesperson Stacie Causey.

To fill the 60 open positions, spread across 18 departments, the county is hosting four career fairs throughout the month of January. Hiring managers and other county staff will be holding onthe-spot interviews for certain positions, and applications for other positions

Motorists drive on Southeast Maricamp Road east of the intersection of Southeast 25th Avenue in Ocala on April 6, 2021.

By Gazette Staff

T

he Ocala/Marion Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) board has scheduled a meeting of its Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC) and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for Jan. 11, 2022, beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Green Clover Hall, 319 SE 26th Terrace, Ocala, FL 34471.

The meeting agenda includes among other things, priorities of the board for 2022. Irby Shakayla, Administrative Specialist for the organization, confirmed that the controversial toll road issue was not on the meeting agendas for either committee.

The TPO is a transportation policymaking body responsible for the overall guidance of the transportation planning process in Marion County.

The board is comprised of 12 voting members- the Mayor of the City of Ocala, four members of the Ocala City Council; all five of the Marion County Commissioners; as well as one representative each from the Belleview City Commission and the Dunnellon City Council.

The Florida Department of Transportation District V Secretary is a non-voting member of the TPO board.

Both committees scheduled for meetings provide input to the TPO on local transportation issues, one is made up In the case of the Citizens Advisory Committee- Richard McGinley serves as Chair, Michelle Shearer, Vice-Chair, Davis Dinkins, Richard Howard, Travis Magamoll, Phyllis Silverman, Suzanne Mangram, and Steve Rudnianyn and Clark Yandle.

In the case of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Mickey Thomason of Florida State Parks serves as chair, Elton Holland of Marion County Engineering as Vice-Chair, along with these other members: Nancy Smith from the Ocala Planning Department, David Herlihy from Marion County School Board, Ji Li City of Ocala- SunTran, Kenneth Odom of Marion County Planning Department, Bob Titterington City of Belleview, Loretta Shaffer of Marion County Tourism, Eric Smith City of Ocala Engineering, Troy Slattery City of Dunnellon and Anna Taylor (non-voting) FDOT- District 5 Liaison.

WHEELER-GERDS NAMED DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT WITH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

A

shley Wheeler-Gerds has been named director of strategic engagement for the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County.

Wheeler-Gerds was born and raised in Central Florida and brings experience working for IMG College Sports, the Colonnade Group, the Masters Tournament, and ESPN to the Foundation.

Most recently, Wheeler-Gerds has been the general manager of the Paddock Mall and Gaitway Plaza in Ocala.

Wheeler-Gerds expressed her feelings about the new opportunity with the Community Foundation.

“I’m very excited about joining the Community Foundation team.

“Early on, when I moved to Ocala, it became a passion of mine to get involved and give back to our community. I’ve been blessed in my time here to connect with many businesses, elected and community leaders. I look forward to enhancing the awareness to the great work being done at the Community Foundation.”

The director of strategic engagement works with local nonprofit organizations and various pillars in the community.

Supplied

Ashley Wheeler-Gerds

Wheeler-Gerds will lead the team in engaging individuals, businesses, and grantors by encouraging them to partner with the Community Foundation and support the Foundation‘s vision of enhancing the quality of life in Marion County.

For more information visit www. ocalafoundation.org.

and volunteer opportunities will also be available at the fairs.

According to a press issued by the county, full-time positions that are eligible for benefits, such as health, life, dental, vision, and long-term disability insurance, and the opportunity to participate in the Florida Retirement System require working 35 hours or more per week.

Causey said the county is also undergoing an organization-wide comprehensive study of wages.

“Our goal is to remain in compliance with the state’s gradual increase of the minimum wage without experiencing compression; when employees who have been in a job for a long time makes less than new hires in the same position,” said Causey.

Career Fair Dates & Times:

Saturday, January 8: 10 A.M. – 2 P.M. – Belleview Library – 13145 SE County Hwy 484, Belleview, Florida 34420 Wednesday, January 12: 4 – 7 P.M. – Dunnellon Library – 20351 Robinson Rd, Dunnellon, Florida 34431 Thursday, January 13: 4 – 7 P.M. – Marion Oaks Community Center – 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala, Florida 34473 Wednesday, January 19: 4 – 7 P.M. – Forest Community Center – 777 S. Hwy 314A, Ocklawaha, Florida 32179

NAACP HOSTS DEMINGS IN OCALA

By Julie Garisto Special to the Gazette

U.

S. Senatorial candidate and Orlando-based Congresswoman Val Demings kicked off 2022 at the NAACP Marion County branch’s Jubilee Program on Jan. 2.

As the keynote speaker, Demings joined the NAACP chapter in commemorating the anniversary of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, which BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette heralded the end of U.S. Rep. Val Demings speaks during the NAACP 5114 Marion County Branch slavery in the U.S. Jubilee at the Greater New Hope Church in Silver Springs Shores on Jan. 2 Demings spoke about Congressional District representative her proposed legislation, called out the racism of her opponent’s the Every Vote Counts Act, and vowed base, the siege on the Capitol on Jan. to protect every American‘s right to vote 6, 2021, and Gov. Ron DeSantis’ easily, safely and securely at the voting mismanagement of the pandemic. booth, by mail or by drop box.

“Police officers were called the “We must come together and use N-word more than they want to our intellects and our feet to protect the remember,” she said of the Jan. 6 ballot box,” Demings exhorted. insurrection.

Touching on protecting the right Demings’ bid to unseat Sen. Marco to vote, Demings questioned the Rubio has emphasized “a tireless faith sincerity of the right’s recent moves to that things can get better” and her legitimize U.S. elections, calling their opponent’s failure to “show up.” rhetoric “politically motivated lies.”

According to her bio, Demings, Demings’ remarks spoke to current 64, grew up the youngest of seven voting procedures that legal experts say children raised in a two-room house disenfranchise Black and working-class in Jacksonville. Her mother, who was citizens. from Marion County, worked as a maid “What are they afraid of?” Demings and her father put in long hours as a said of those favoring the voting janitor. Demings has shared on different restrictions. “They should run on their occasions that she “washed dishes at records.” fast food chains” to pay her way through During her speech, the 10th Florida State University.

Her messages around faith and overcoming odds aligned harmoniously with the hybrid virtual/in-person Jubilee, which focused on human dignity, faith and African Americans’ continuing struggle. Greater New Hope Church and Bishop J. David Stockton presented the event at the church in Silver Springs Shores.

Faith-based speeches and other performances uplifted the Sunday event. The following afternoon, Demings praised the event on her Facebook page, BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette saying “it was truly a night of U.S. Rep. Val Demings smiles as she sits with her husband, Jerry Demings, the Mayor of Orange County, left. remembrance and reflection.”

A8

JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

City Council pushes vote on planned Maricamp development

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Tye Chighizola, the director of Growth Management, speaks during the Ocala City Council meeting at Ocala City Hall in Ocala on Jan. 4, 2022.

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

T

he Ocala City Council had its second of two public hearings on Jan. 4 in anticipation of approving a development agreement for 320 multi-family housing on

23.51 acres located near the 2400 block of Southeast Maricamp Road.

The first public hearing was held on Dec. 21.

Ultimately, the City Council voted for a continuance on the agenda item until its first meeting in February, so the council could properly review recent

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changes to the amendment agreement by the applicant (pending a legal review), as well furthering the discussion on possible traffic issues associated with the planned development.

The applicant’s lawyer, Chris Roper, voiced frustration to the council over the delay stating they had complied with all the requests of the city.

Roper told the council that he would submit a stack of traffic studies that his firm’s traffic engineer had conducted over the last year that the proposed adjustments to the road would resolve any feared issues.

“Mind you,” added Roper, “this is all without any extension of 25th Avenue down to the property. We’re not talking about that. That’s not associated with this project. That’s a different project to the north. Our traffic study says that we don’t need the extension. Our traffic study also says that we don’t need any bypass route through the fluid routing property. We’re good to go with 24th Street as it exists today, subject to being upgraded to city standards.”

Roper added some more to the question of extending 25th Avenue.

“We’re not going to [extend it].

However, we have monetarily agreed to donate our share of the ride-away that would be required to connect Southeast 24th Street to Southeast 25th Avenue,” he said. “So that’s in the agreement as well.”

Tye Chighizola, director of Growth Management for the city, stood up to the lectern and confirmed the accuracy of everything Roper had said. He also introduced a presentation to the council that brought context to all the traffic issues and solutions discussed by the applicant’s attorney.

Owned by the Albright Family Trust, the property is accessed via an 8-foot wide road that connects with the western terminus of Southeast 24th street.

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

There is currently one existing single-family residential home still on the property.

A traffic study was performed and approved by staff on Oct. 13. The study projected that, based on the adopted level of service standards of the city and county, the intersection of SR 464 and Southeast 24th Street will have inadequate capacity at peak hour to accommodate projected new traffic generated by development of property.

However, the study also identified “98 crashes reported within 500 feet of the signalized intersection of SR 464 and SE 24th Street between the years of 2016 and 2020. Over 50% of those crashes were rear end collisions, and approximately 33% were categorized as unknown or

other. All crashes categorized as unknown crash type (24) occurred in 2016 and 2017.”

The concurrency agreement stipulated that the density of the planned property shall not exceed a maximum of 180 singlefamily residential dwelling units or a maximum of 320 multi-family residential dwelling units—or any combination of residential types—as long as the traffic impact of whichever combination is chosen does not exceed the number of PM peak hour trips that would be generated by those assessed for 180 single-family units.

PM peak hour trips are the highest volume of traffic for a continuous hour between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. during a typical weekday.

All other future developments impacting the same roadways, according to Chighizola, would be required to count the Albright trips as well.

“There are multiple projects within the vicinity but do not affect Southeast 24th Street directly,” said Aubrey Hale, a Chief Development Official for the city.

However, Hale explained, the Maricamp Road project is located a near a development of approximately 4.5 acres, consisting of five commercial lots. Other projects in the area include Maricamp Multi-Family and Maricamp & 25th Avenue subdivision. These projects are located north of the Albright parcel and adjacent to SR 464 and Southeast 25th Avenue. These projects are all still under review.

Taking into account existing and background traffic, and the projected growth of both, the agreement established a proportionate share payment of $37,500 to be made by the developer to the city to mitigate the impact on public transportation generated by the proposed development of the property.

The money goes towards improvements to public transportation, including signaltiming adjustments to allow for additional green lights for the eastbound, left-turn lane; an extension of the eastbound left turning lane to allow for additional cars to queue; and installation of a “Right Turn on Red Must Yield to U-Turn” sign for the southbound right turning lane from Southeast 24th Street to SR 464.

Michael Lea spoke up at the first public hearing addressing his and many homeowners adjacent to the proposed development’s concerns regarding traffic on Maricamp Road.

“Traffic is a complete disaster at this time,” he said. “Solving this issue is going to be an extremely hard job. I’m not a traffic or civil engineer, but as my father once said, ‘Pants first. Then shoes.’ We need to get the traffic situation corrected before we start developing these parcels.”

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A9

JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

State University system seeks $800M for facilities work

By Florida News Service

T

By Florida News Service

L

argely mirroring a Senate proposal, a House bill filed Wednesday would make changes for public-employee unions, including preventing workers from having union dues deducted from their paychecks.

Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, filed the measure (HB 1197) for consideration during the legislative session that will start Tuesday.

Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, filed the Senate version (SB 1458) on Tuesday.

Both bills would bar payroll deductions for dues and require union members to pay dues directly to their

unions. The dues change would not apply to unions representing law-enforcement officers, correctional officers, correctional probation officers and firefighters.

Both bills also would require unions to report membership information.

Unions whose membership is less than 50 percent of the eligible employees would have to petition the state Public Employees Relations Commission for recertification as the representative of workers in the bargaining units.

Those requirements would not apply to unions representing law-enforcement officers, correctional officers, correctional probation officers and firefighters.

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BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Sen. Dennis Baxley speaks during the Marion County Delegation at the Klein Conference Center at the College of Central Florida in Ocala on Oct. 7, 2021.

he state university system’s Board of Governors on Wednesday approved a plan to ask lawmakers for $800 million that would go toward fixing a backlog of facility problems across most campuses. If approved during the legislative session that starts Tuesday, the money would cover roughly half of the universities’ collective needs.

The schools last month reported needing about $1.68 billion to fix aging buildings. Only Florida Polytechnic University, the newest school in the system, reported having no need for facility maintenance projects.

Kevin Pichard, director of finance and facilities for the university system, said $800 million would “go a long way in helping the universities address the most critical needs in that $1.6 billion figure.”

The money would be aimed at improving facilities such as classrooms, labs, gymnasiums and offices. The average age of those facilities across the

university system is 31 years.

“Using the analogy of a home ... if you bought a home 31 years ago and didn’t do any capital improvements, guess what?

It’s time. Your roof needs to be replaced, your air conditioner needs to be replaced, your furnace needs to be replaced. And that’s really what we’re dealing with,” Pichard said during Wednesday’s board meeting.

Money would be allocated through a calculation that takes into account the size and age of facilities at each university.

Marshall Criser, chancellor of the university system, said facility projects on the campuses will be prioritized based on how urgently they are needed.

“Whatever amount that the Legislature ultimately chooses to commit toward this, we’re going to be dealing with the highest and greatest needs of the system. It’s really prioritizing projects, maybe, rather than institutions. And from that perspective, it does have an equity to it,” Criser said.

For even more

House bill eyes public employee unions

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A10

JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Session to open without COVID-19 restrictions

By Jim Turner News Service of Florida

L

egislative leaders are monitoring the spike in coronavirus cases across Florida but haven’t made plans to reimpose restrictions on public access that were used during the 2021 session.

With the 2022 legislative session starting Jan. 11, people will be allowed to roam most of the Capitol complex and address lawmakers in person.

“In light of the pandemic, the Florida House last session made significant improvements to facilities, including adding hospital-grade HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters for better air quality, ample hand sanitizing stations and more,” House spokeswoman Jenna Sarkissian said in an email. “These improvements remain in place as the 2022 legislative session approaches and members prepare to do the people’s business.”

During the 2021 session, the Senate sharply restricted public access to try to prevent spread of COVID-19. For example, people who wanted to speak before Senate committees had to go to the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, a few blocks west of the Capitol at Florida State University, and appear through a livestream feed.

In the House, lobbyists and other visitors were required to register online at least three hours before committee meetings, show identification and pick up passes to gain access to meeting rooms.

Katie Betta, a spokeswoman for Senate

President Wilton Simpson, said in an email Monday that Simpson “continues to monitor the status of the pandemic,” but the Senate has not put in place plans to resume the 2021 restrictions.

On Dec. 20, Simpson, R-Trilby, advised members that the Senate will be open to visitors throughout the upcoming 60-day session. A memo from Simpson also said senators could request social distancing and masking within their individual offices.

“We should all be respectful and honor such requests,” added Simpson, who in October issued a rebuke to Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo for declining to wear a mask while in the office of Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton.

Polsky was being treated for breast cancer. Ladapo defended his action by saying he cannot communicate clearly “when half of my face is covered.”

Beside the option of senators requiring masks and social distancing in their offices, Simpson said the Senate will continue to conduct frequent cleanings of common areas and restrooms and provide wipes, sanitizer and other products for use in between routine cleanings of office spaces.

Also, hand sanitizing stations remain in place in common areas and HEPA filters will be used in committee rooms, the Senate chamber and the press gallery.

“We now have a better understanding of how our own personal health impacts others in the workplace,” Simpson wrote.

“Everyone is encouraged to monitor their health daily and to stay at home when sick.”

The Senate will make testing available to elected officials and their staff,

News Service of Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis gave his 2020 State of the State address in a crowded House chamber

Simpson’s memo said.

The Senate and House will hold a joint session Jan. 11 in the House chamber to hear Gov. Ron DeSantis’ State of the State address, the traditional kickoff for the session. Simpson will host a luncheon for senators and their families in the Old Capitol’s Senate chamber after the joint session.

The session will open against the backdrop of a spike in COVID-19 cases, as the highly contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus has spread across the state. It also will come two months after lawmakers held a special session that included taking steps to prevent vaccination and mask mandates — a key issue for DeSantis.

10 big issues to watch in 2022 session

By Jim Saunders News Service of Florida

W

ith the COVID-19 pandemic continuing and fall elections looming, Florida lawmakers will start the annual 60-day legislative session Tuesday.

Here are 10 big issues to watch during the session: — ABORTION: As the nation waits to see if the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade, Florida Republican lawmakers could consider placing additional

restrictions on abortions. Details of potential restrictions remain unclear, though GOP leaders have not signaled support for a proposal that would mirror a controversial Texas abortion law.

— BUDGET: Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed a $99.7 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year that includes funneling money to education, the environment and pay for law-enforcement officers. Florida is flush with cash because of a huge influx of federal COVID-19 stimulus money and higher-than-

expected state tax collections as the economy has recovered.

— CRITICAL RACE THEORY: Appealing to his Republican base, DeSantis wants to cement in law a prohibition on teaching critical race theory in Florida classrooms. The State Board of Education approved such a rule in June, as the GOP nationally takes aim at critical race theory, which involves a premise that racism is embedded in American institutions.

— EDUCATION: Lawmakers will consider a DeSantis

proposal to revamp the school-accountability system, moving toward what is known as progress monitoring.

The Republican-controlled Legislature also could continue years of efforts to expand school choice and will weigh a DeSantis proposal to give bonuses to public-school teachers and principals.

— ELECTIONS: After lawmakers passed a controversial elections bill in April that included placing restrictions on voting by mail, DeSantis wants additional steps, such as creating a state office that would investigate electionrelated crimes. DeSantis also has called for increasing criminal penalties for a practice dubbed ballot “harvesting.”

— HEALTH CARE AND COVID-19: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to dominate health care, and lawmakers will consider extending pandemicrelated legal protections for hospitals, nursing homes and other providers. DeSantis also proposed increased Medicaid funding that supporters say could help with staffing problems at nursing homes.

Lobby in front of the House of Representatives chamber at the Florida State Capitol building, Tallahassee, Florida

— IMMIGRATION: DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody have criticized the Biden administration for months about border policies, and DeSantis wants lawmakers to take up a series of immigration

issues. DeSantis has called for expanding a law targeting socalled “sanctuary cities” and bolstering use of the E-Verify system to check workers’ immigration status.

— INSURANCE: With private insurers dropping policies and customers flooding into the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp., lawmakers will again consider making changes to the property-insurance system.

Lawmakers in recent years have tried to address issues such as curbing litigation over insurance claims, but problems persist in the industry.

— SCHOOL BOARDS: Republican lawmakers could take aim at county school boards after upheaval about issues such as student mask requirements during the pandemic. Legislative proposals include shifting from nonpartisan to partisan schoolboard elections and setting requirements for school boards to take public comments during meetings.

— TAXES: Buoyed by federal stimulus money, DeSantis has proposed suspending state gasoline taxes for five months, starting July 1. The governor would use $1 billion in stimulus money to make up for lost gastax revenues, which go toward funding transportation projects.

Lawmakers also will consider a series of sales-tax “holidays.”

Feds ease requirements for school bus drivers Florida News Service

F

ederal transportation officials on Tuesday announced a plan to ease licensure requirements for school bus drivers in an attempt to relieve driver shortages in Florida and other states.

The U.S. Department of Transportation said the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which develops licensing standards for commercial drivers, has temporarily changed a portion of the licensing test for bus drivers.

The administration will give states

“the option of waiving the portion of the commercial driver’s license skills test that requires applicants to identify the ‘under the hood’ engine components,” according to the announcement. All other parts of the written and road tests will remain.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona praised the move.

“Today’s announcement will give states the flexibility they need to help increase the pool of drivers, who are a key part of the school community, and get kids to school safely each day where students learn best.

And American Rescue Plan funds can be

used to hire these critical staff, including offering increased compensation or other incentives to recruit and retain staff,” Cardona said in a statement, referring to federal-stimulus funds.

The waiver, which went into effect Monday, will continue through March 31. School staff shortages, including a lack of bus drivers, could be addressed by Florida lawmakers during the legislative session that will start next week. Rep. Andrew Learned, D-Brandon, filed a bill (HB 1017) that would require school superintendents to identify positions

within districts that have at least 20 percent of jobs vacant. The proposal would require districts, once shortages are identified, to “fund incentives to help recruit and retain educational support employees” in those positions, subject to funding from the Legislature.

A11

JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Fuchs to step down as UF president

By Jim Saunders News Service of Florida

U

niversity of Florida President Kent Fuchs announced Wednesday that he plans to step down at the end of 2022, saying he has fulfilled commitments he made when he took the helm of the state’s flagship university.

“When I was appointed in 2014, I was asked to make three commitments to the Board of Trustees and the (state university system’s) Board of Governors,” Fuchs said in a video announcement. “First, that I would work to raise the stature of UF to be among the nation’s top 10 public universities. Second, that UF would launch and complete a $3 billion fundraising campaign. Third, that UF would not increase its tuition while I served as president. Those promises were made and those promises were kept.”

Fuchs, 67, will work as a professor in the school’s department of electrical and computer engineering after leaving the presidency. He came to Florida after serving as provost of Cornell University.

The announcement said Fuchs told

UF Board of Trustees Chairman Mori Hosseini in August that he would like to shift from being president to a professor.

It said they agreed he would continue as president through the completion of a capital campaign in fall 2022 and until a successor is appointed, which is expected by early 2023.

“Kent Fuchs has been precisely the right person at the right time to take UF to the heights it has achieved,” Hosseini said in a prepared statement. “His sense of purpose, commitment to UF and warmth and love for the university have been a tremendous source of encouragement for me and for everyone at UF — while helping to lift the university even higher on the national stage.”

The announcement, however, came after Fuchs and UF have faced controversy during the past two months about a decision to prevent three politicalscience professors from serving as expert witnesses against the state in a lawsuit over a high-profile new elections law.

While the university ultimately walked back the decision, the controversy has drawn national media attention and a federal lawsuit in which six professors

allege a UF policy violates First Amendment rights.

The announcement Wednesday did not mention the controversy and focused on achievements during Fuchs’ tenure, including UF becoming ranked as a top 10 public university in the closely watched U.S. News & World Report rankings. UF was tied for fifth in the 2021 rankings.

Fuchs also has guided the university during the COVID-19 pandemic, an issue he briefly addressed in Wednesday’s announcement as the spring semester started.

“This semester we will enter our third year of living, working and learning in the midst of COVID, with seemingly unending surges and new variants,” he said. “I encourage all of us to continue to be diligent, to be fully vaccinated with a booster and to wear KN95 or N95 masks while in public indoor spaces. Although we will face challenges, I am certain that this will also be a semester of great achievements and joy.”

The UF Board of Trustees will conduct a national search for Fuchs’ replacement, with its decision ultimately needing ratification from the university system’s

News Service of Florida

Kent Fuchs

Board of Governors.

The search will come as the University of South Florida and University of North Florida also look for new presidents and after Richard McCullough became president of Florida State University in August.

Police boot protesters from Florida Gov. DeSantis’ briefing

By The Associated Press

P

olice in Florida removed a handful of community activists from a news conference with Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday after the group demanded to challenge the governor’s coronavirus policies.

A live video feed of the confrontation showed police handcuffing a protester and leading the rest of the group away after they refused to leave a state Health Department building in Jacksonville where the governor was set to hold a briefing.

“The governor is afraid to meet with the people,” said Ben Frazier, president and founder of the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville, as an officer handcuffed him. “When it comes to public welfare, this governor does not care.”

Frazier, 71, was taken away in the back of a police cruiser, according to a First Coast News reporter at the news conference. He was cited for trespassing and has been ordered to appear in court, according to records from the Jacksonville Sheriff ’s Office.

In the video, the group could be seen sitting in the news briefing room waiting for DeSantis to arrive, saying they wanted to talk to the governor.

A man who said he was a facilities manager at the building told the activists they were trespassing and asked them to leave.

“I want to talk to the governor about his polices regarding the pandemic, regarding critical race theory, regarding House Bill 1,” one of the protesters responded, referencing an anti-riot law championed by DeSantis.

After the group said they would not leave, a woman who said she was with the governor’s office told them they weren’t being appropriate and asked media to stop recording the group and instead prepare for the news conference. Police then led the activists from the room.

Florida Democrats were quick to criticize the incident.

“In Florida, the people come last. In Florida, the Governor runs and hides when the people demand to be a priority. In Florida, peacefully questioning authority gets you arrested,” Rep. Angie Nixon, a Jacksonville Democrat, said in a statement.

In a statement, DeSantis spokeswoman Christina Pushaw defended the removal of Frazier, saying he was blocking the public from hearing the governor’s news conference.

“Every citizen has the right to protest in public places -– but not to trespass in a secured facility in order to disrupt a press briefing and prevent essential information from being conveyed to the public,” she said.

MARTA LAVANDIER/The Associated Press

Christina Pushaw, press secretary for Gov. Ron DeSantis

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JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

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JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

People, Places & Things Full Speed Ahead

“Big Daddy” Don Garlits, one of the winningest drag racers of all time, has no plans to slow down as he turns 90 years old.

By Susan Smiley-Height Ocala Gazette

“B

ig Daddy” Don Garlits, who will turn 90 on Jan. 14, is racing into the future.

In late December, he was refining his new battery-powered electric dragster, with plans to do some “test and tune” runs in January in south Florida with an eye toward setting a new speed record during the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Gatornationals in Gainesville from March 10-13.

Garlits, known as the father of drag racing, is a pioneer who has designed numerous remarkable racing vehicles, engineered life-saving safety technology, established a long list of speed and timing records and set a high standard of excellence in his professional and personal life.

He established the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing south of Ocala in 1976. The sprawling campus includes two massive buildings that house an astonishing collection of vehicles and memorabilia, along with outbuildings in which Garlits still builds his Swamp Rat racers. The museum also is the home of the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame.

NHRA has called Garlits the greatest driver in its history. He is one of the International Hot Rod Association‘s career leaders.

Awards, including one for lifetime achievement, bestowed by the NHRA in 2018, fill his office and the museum. He has won thousands of races, including the highest-level championship events in the sport, achieving speeds up to 323 mph.

In 1989, he was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, in 1997 into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, in 2004 into the Automotive Hall of Fame and in 2014 into the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame.

The still lithe automotive guru with gnarled hands and a toothy grin remains eager to talk about his sport, his family and his burning desire to keep doing what he loves. A bout with the coronavirus in the fall “did a number” on him, but he has bounced back with the impressive energy that has sustained him for nine decades.

The Gazette visited Garlits at the museum recently for a lengthy interview and behindthe-scenes look at what he’s working on now. So, pull up a comfortable chair or a shop stool and settle in while we do a little

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Drag racing legend “Big Daddy” Don Garlits poses with his NHRA Lifetime Achievement Award in front of Swamp Rat I (1956-1961), his first World Record drag racing car, at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing south of Ocala on Dec. 21, 2021.

“bench racing” with one of the greatest gear heads of all time.

Family Ties

Donald Glenn Garlits was born in Tampa. He was working on cars under oak trees in his teens, swapping motors and transmissions and other parts to create roadsters and, eventually, “rail-job” dragsters.

He was a good student and served as captain of his school’s bookkeeping team, which won a state championship.

“I got my pick of jobs,” he See Big Daddy, page B2

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

The engine of Drag racing legend “Big Daddy” Don Garlits’ first Swamp Rat I (1956-1961), is shown at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing.

A CONCERT FOR GOOD Caleb Lombardo, left, plays the keyboards as Raenard Manaois, right, plays the drums during A Concert For Good at the Marion Theatre in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. The concert was organized by six students from Trinity Catholic, Blessed Trinity, West Port and Belmont University and was held as a fundraiser for both Brother's Keeper and the Marion County Children's Alliance. The event raised about $7,500 and 265 tickets were sold with the assistance of numerous local BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette businesses and organizations.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Students and a teacher perform for people during A Concert For Good at the Marion Theatre in Ocala on Dec. 29, 2021. The students and teachers are, from left: Caleb Lombardo, Adam Pryor, Raenard Manaois, Olivia Fries, Isabelle Martinez and Matthew Manassian.

By Rosemarie Dowell Special to the Gazette

A

holiday concert organized by two benevolent teenage brothers raised some much-needed funds for two local non-profits recently.

Siblings Luke and Caleb Lombardo, ages 13 and 16 respectively, organized the Dec. 29, “Tis Always the Season Concert for Good,” as a way to give back to the community during the Christmas season.

The fundraising concert, held at the Marion Theatre in Ocala, raked in an amazing $7,500 that was split evenly between two charities, Brother’s Keeper and the Marion County Children’s Alliance.

Featuring more than a dozen Christian and inspirational songs, along with a few Christmas tunes, the concert lasted an hour and 15 minutes.

“It was such a cool experience; I’m really proud of everyone that came and

Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette

Olivia Fries, Isabelle Martinez and Matthew Manassian, left to right, sing together during A Concert For Good at the Marion Theatre in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021.

helped,” said Caleb, a sophomore at West Port High School, a visual/performing arts magnet program of Marion County Schools, who sang vocals and played the piano.

Luke, an eighth-grader at Blessed Trinity Catholic School, said he was surprised when he peeked at the crowd just before showtime and realized 250 people were in the theatre.

“I didn’t think that many people would show up,” said Luke, who emceed the event

and got to wear his beloved Crispy Crème sweater. “I was in awe; it was great.”

Other classmates/friends/musicians that cemented the concert’s success include drummer Raenard Manaois, as well as vocalists Olivia Fries and Izzy Martinez.

Also, vocalist Matthew Minassian, a freshman at Belmont University in Nashville, and Adam Pryor, a music teacher and choir director at Blessed See Concert, page B3

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JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

BIG DADDY

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Drag racing legend “Big Daddy” Don Garlits poses with Swamp Rat 38b, his newest, electric dragster that is being built by Chis Bumpus in Don’s Garage at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing south of Ocala on Dec. 21, 2021.

Continued from page B1 recalled. “I had a real good job at Maas Brothers in downtown Tampa as an accountant. I had worked with my stepfather on his dairy for eight years and one day he said, ‘I can see you’re not happy in your new job.’ I said look at my nice clean shirt and my tie.

I’m even making more money than you. He said, ‘Don, money isn’t everything. You love cars and that’s what you should be in.’

I said Mom thinks car mechanics are grease monkeys. He said ‘Your mother isn’t going to live your life. If you do what you love, you’ll be successful because you’ll spend so much more time at it.’”

His fate was sealed not long after that, when, at age 20, he met the girl of his dreams, Patricia Louise “Pat” Bieger. When he drove his hot rod Ford with a Cadillac engine to meet her parents, it didn’t go so well. He traded the cool car for a “plain Jane” 1950 Ford, which met with her father’s approval. It wasn’t long before the two were married.

One day they went on a picnic to Bok Tower and stumbled across a nearby airport that had a drag strip. He entered the Ford and won his class. He said it was a family atmosphere, which Pat really liked and, all of a sudden, he was back into racing, with her full support. He said that support continued throughout his career, even as they became a family with the births of daughters Donna and GayLyn. Pat Garlits passed away from complications of Parkinson’s disease in 2014.

“We were married 61 years,” Garlits said. “She is as responsible for any of this that you see as I am because she supported me 100%. For a marriage to work, it has to be a team, and this was even more so when I raced like I did. She supported me from the day we went to the first drag race until the very end.”

Donna Garlits said her parents instilled in their children that you don’t say you’re going to do something unless you mean to carry it out.

“He taught me that determination leads to success.

He was a self-made man. He didn’t have a college background.

He learned by doing and by

studying. He always had his nose in a book. At night after dinner, he wasn’t in front of the television, he was out in the shop creating something,” she said.

“I learned by his example,” she added. “He taught you integrity and honesty because that’s what he is, a man who believes your word is your bond. There was a work ethic in our home, and perfectionism and a competitive nature, and that was the drive that caused GayLyn and I both to be very driven to be the best we could be at whatever we did.”

Donna, who has two children, has excelled in business, including running the racing museum for a time as well as being a gifted math tutor whose at-risk students consistently achieved top honors under her guidance. She recently helped nurse her father through COVID-19, which he had at the same time as his partner, Lisa Crigar.

“Donna was here for two months while I had the coronavirus. She took care of me.

Lisa had it too. With me it was death defying,” he stated “I went through about seven days of really touch and go where I felt like at any time I could die. I just prayed a lot and talked to God. I said, it’s your choice Lord, if you want me to stay here, if you’ve still got work for me, fine, if you want me over on the other side, that’s fine too. He’s left me here so, evidently, I’ve got something more to do. I’m so blessed to have made it.”

GayLyn Garlits Capitano is a concert pianist, owner of Capitano Music Studio and adjunct professor of piano at the College of Central Florida. She and her husband, Greg, have three children.

“Dad has taught me, most importantly, to love and trust in Jesus and to get on my knees to seek God’s will,” she said. “I have seen miracle after miracle as Dad has done this. Dad has taught me to value family and hard work and to be refreshed by God’s beautiful creation.”

She said she has fond memories as a child of traveling the U.S. and other countries watching him “conquer the racing world.”

“Dad loves his children and grandchildren and loves to have

them with him. He has always supported and encouraged us to pursue and develop our gifts and passions and to use them for God’s glory. We are all so thankful for Dad’s 90 years and that he survived COVID. We are proud of his amazing accomplishments and inspired by him daily. We love him dearly,” she said.

Capitano said when she was about 12 years old, she entered a piano competition against high school-age students.

“Dad told me if I won, he‘d buy me a Steinway. He had to do that. And that piano is such an inspiration, even today,” she noted. “Dad took piano lessons for two years because he wanted to learn what I was doing. He‘s the father of drag racing and he also is a wonderful father.”

Donna said she believes one reason her father survived the coronavirus is “because he has taken such good care of himself all his life.”

“He has always eaten well, taken nutrients, supplements… both of my parents were like that,” she said. “We had organic gardens growing up and his dad was an advocate for healthy eating. He was one of the first guys to open a health food store, in New Jersey, back in the ‘20s and ‘30s. Dad grew up with that ingrained in him. Plus, he stays active. He is not going to be on the front porch in a rocking chair waiting for life to end. And that’s the key. He loves his life and what he does and his mind is always turning.”

In recent years, Don Garlits earned his real estate license and “got into flipping houses. I completely gutted a house from the ‘60s on Lake Henderson. Tore everything out of it put all new configuration in it and it’s just about finished.”

“Even after he was getting well from COVID, he had me out there helping him hang a door, all kinds of stuff,” Donna said. “I came home and rewired a lamp that had not worked for years and redid the faucet in my kitchen sink because Dad had showed me how to do it. He is amazing.”

Chuck Keppel, comptroller and general manager of the museum, and Garlits’ nephew, said his “Uncle Don” still acts like a teenager.

“He’s constantly on the go. He’s always working on something. I hope I have that much energy when I’m 90 years old,” Keppel said.

Keppel said the museum is doing well and that attendance has continued to grow.

“We still have people coming through. They’ll be here multiple times and say ‘I didn’t see that the last time.’ We recommend at least a couple of hours to walk through both buildings, but you have those drag racing fans who will be here all day because there is so much in here. And we have people walk in and say, ‘I’ve got this photo of you,’ and Uncle Don can tell you the place, the date. At 90 years old he remembers it.”

“The museum is doing wonderful,” Don Garlits said.

“We only had two months of bad times when we had to close because of the coronavirus but as soon as we opened back up, the very first month we were in the black. I’m really happy about this place and it is another reason I tell people, ‘Do what you love. Put everything into it.’”

National Museum of American History. It was the first top fuel dragster to combine a rear engine, streamlined body and enclosed canopy cockpit. In that car, he set a record speed of 272.56 mph during the 1986 Gatornationals and won the 1986 NHRA World Championship (which he also won in ’75 and ’85).

Garlits said that as his top fuel cars kept getting faster and faster, Pat told him she was frightened for him.

“I quit driving a top fuel dragster because she asked me to. She said it was scaring her,” he said.

But that didn’t end his racing career by any stretch.

“In 2008, Chrysler folks called and said they were going to build two prototype Drag Pak cars and would I like to test one for them,” he recalled.

The V8 Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak, the company’s first drag race, factory-prepped package cars in 40 years, included suspension and chassis upgrades for NHRA and National Muscle Car Association competition.

“I flew to Denver and Judy Lilly, Miss Mopar, and I tested them. I came home and my wife asked how I liked it and I said it was really fun driving the thing and getting back on the drag strip, and she said, ‘Well why don’t you get one?’ I said I thought it scared you and she said, ‘You in a 135 mph car is like walking; it’s 300 mph that scares me.’ So, I got Number 1 and had a lot of fun with it. Then they came out with the V10 and I ran that a for short period of time and then Pat got much sicker, so I was sticking around her pretty much.”

“In the meantime, we had done a fundraiser for Darrell Gwynn (also one of the sport’s top drivers, who was paralyzed following a crash in 1990) and presented him with an electric car that looked like a dragster,” Garlits said. “They gave it to him in at Indy (the NHRA U.S. Nationals) in 2001. The people went wild.”

“About a month later,” Garlits continued, “Darrell said why don’t we build a couple of those cars, one like your car in the Smithsonian and one like my car that I competed against you for the world championship and raise money for spinal cord injury research. And I said that sounds like fun.”

Their series of Garlits vs.

Gwynn: Match Races for a Cause helped raise money and awareness.

The cars later were auctioned off to raise even more funding.

Garlits said he asked the guy who built those cars how fast they would go “If we took the gloves off ?”

“He said 200 mph and I said let’s do it. And he built Swamp Rat XXXVII for me,” he added.

The speed record then was a little over 150 mph in the quarter mile, which Garlits soon pushed up to 185 mph.

“That car was built on a top fuel chassis and was heavy and the battery technology wasn’t as good as it is today, so I built Swamp Rat XXXVIII and right off the bat I raised it to 189 mph on just a warm up run,” he said. “The next run was really on the way but a hub broke because the weld failed.”

Things had changed with his welding rod supplier, then the coronavirus came along and the batteries went bad from non-use.

“And, in 2020, Steve Huff from Spokane went 201 mph and so all the edge was taken off and I just backed off,” Garlits said.

But not for long.

“About three months ago,” he said grinning widely, “I found a motor that makes more power and I’m moving the drive system like I had in Swamp Rat XXXIV, with the narrow wheels and the mono wing, to the electric car. I think it should be good for 215 mph, in that range. We’ll be on the track in January and hopefully run in Gainesville and go 200 mph at the Gatornationals.”

Life Lesson

When asked how he would define the meaning of life, Garlits said he believes it is that we are here to learn how to live with other human beings peaceably.

“In other words, when somebody does something mean to you, return it with something nice and sweet. Nothing disarms anger like goodness. If somebody does something really bad to you, pray for them,” he said.

He said he had a true example of how this can work, then talked about some fellow racers asking to use the shop he shared in 1960 in Tampa with Connie Swingle. He said they needed to stay late and so he left them in the shop and went home. The next morning, he found the shop locked up but two expensive gauges were missing from his and Swingle’s expensive new cutting machine.

“Those gauges were $500 apiece. We lost $1,000 worth of gauges that we were going to have to special order. Swingle flew into a rage,” he recalled. “I said you know God is vindictive. We did these guys a favor and God knows that.

He might really hurt them over this. Let’s just say a little prayer for them that we know it was wrong but be easy on them, we’ll get more gauges, everything will be fine for us, but let’s make sure they don’t get put in a wheelchair or something over this because He don’t fool around. So, we did that.”

With the pitch of his voice rising, Garlits continued, “Five minutes later, my wife says Don there’s a phone call for you from Champion Spark Plug. They want to use you in an ad in all the major magazines and give you $5,000. And I told Swingle, see there, how quickly we were benefitted. It changed the way he thought about things. And that is the prime example of what you’re supposed to do.”

To learn more, visit garlits.com

Still Innovating

Garlits was severely burned and lost part of one foot when the front-motor Swamp Rat XIII exploded in 1970. After a long convalescence, he perfected the rear-engine top fuel dragster that remains the standard today.

As one testament to his pioneering designs and engineering skills, his Swamp Rat XXX is in the Smithsonian’s

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Drag racing legend “Big Daddy” Don Garlits talks about Swamp Rat 38b.

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JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

NEW YEAR, NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO BE ARTISTIC

Appleton Museum now enrolling spring art classes, workshops for children, adults

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

T

he Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida in Ocala begins the New Year by offering a full schedule of inperson art classes and workshops for adults and children alike, beginning in January and extending throughout the spring of 2022.

“All skill levels are welcome,” said Hollis Mutch, museum educator for the Appleton, on Jan. 3. “Don’t worry about making any mistakes: that’s what art is all about.”

Upcoming classes and workshops this spring include: • “Intro to Wheel-Throwing” (Jan. 8-Feb. 12, Saturdays, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)

• “Art 101: Watercolor with Sue Primeau” (Tuesday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

• “Art 101: Glass Fusing with Beth Cox”

(Tuesday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

• “Intro to Drawing” (Feb. 19-Feb. 26, Saturdays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.)

• “Horse Silhouette Painting” (Feb. 19 and Feb. 26, both 1 p.m.-4 p.m.)

• “Art 101: Silk Scarves” (Tuesday, March 8, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

• “Hand-Building: Beginners and Beyond” (April 2-May 14, Saturdays, 10 a.m.12:30 p.m. No class on April 16) • “Art 101 Online: Spring Acrylic Painting” (Tuesday, April 12, free Zoom class for adults, requires pre-registration) • “Fashion Illustration” (April 23-April 30, Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.)

• “Matisse Painting” (April 23 and April 30, both 1 p.m.-4 p.m.)

The Appleton also has a full schedule of classes for children from pre-K to teen.

For children ages 2-5, the “Museum & Me” program helps introduce early learners to the museum. This one-hour class meets on the first Tuesday of the month, February-May, at 10:30 a.m.

Registration opens one week prior to each class date.

Children ages 7-12 can enroll in “Art Explorations”: six-week sessions that focus on drawing and painting; after school and weekend options are also available.

For the tweens and teens, a one-day workshop on glass fusing is scheduled for Feb. 12.

“We still have spots available,” added Mutch this past Monday, concerning the

“Art Explorations” program, “but parents should register soon if interested.”

All programs take place at the Appleton, located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40, and are led by experienced art educators. Parking is free. Advance registration via Eventbrite

is required for all classes.

Materials for most classes are provided; others are included in class fees. For more information, call (352) 291-4455, or visit AppletonMuseum.org for class descriptions, prices, material lists and registration links.

Alex Fagundo, 6, left, and his brother, Leandro, 8, right, learn to paint with other students on the first day of the Art Explorations class taught by Maritza Jauregui at the Appleton Museum of Art.

PHOTOS BY BRUCE ACKERMAN Ocala Gazette

Ava Gerlach, 8, paints some basic brush strokes as she learns to paint with other students on Jan. 5.

Katerina Brown, 9, paints a peace sign on Jan. 5.

Local kids raise money Continued from page B1 Trinity Catholic School who also sang vocals and played the guitar. Pryor mentors and leads the high school musicians in the Teen Life Band at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church too The concert’s genesis began when the brothers were thinking of ways to give to others during the Christmas season.

Each year, their parents, Adam and Lisa Lombardo encourage the siblings to take on a charitable project for the community, and in the past, they’ve chosen food and books drives.

This year, the music-and-performingarts-loving boys brainstormed and came up with a way to capitalize on their mutual passion in a unique way – a concert. After their parents agreed to cover the costs of the facility’s rental and other things needed to pull it off, the brothers did the rest.

“There were a lot of people saying yes in the spirit of Christmas; from their friends and fellow musicians to the 13 sponsors to the community that embraced the idea,” said Lisa Lombardo, chief people and culture officer at HDG Hotels.

Adam Lombardo is market president of Renasant Bank.

“I felt like I was listening to the JOY FM during the concert,” she said. “It was uplifting and inspirational.”

Maritza Jauregui teaches students how to sketch and visualize shapes on Jan. 5.

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As for the 2022 Christmas season, the brothers agree another concert should take place.

“It went so well we’ve already got people asking if we’d do it again,” said Caleb. “I think we will, but it will be a whole new concert with different songs.”

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM ocalagazette.com

B4

JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

PUTTING

Florida

ONE WORD

FACTOIDS

Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the same row, column or square.

ON THE YEAR 2021 As we transition to the New Year, all the pundits and academics scramble to come up with their so-called “Word of the Year” to best describe where we’ve been and where we’re going. This year’s entries include variant, buzzfeed, Youtube, jab and perseverance. But, my choice is a simple three letters suggested by the eminent dons at Oxford. It’s VAX. Get yours and it’ll make 2022 better than 2021. Let’s take a look at some upbeat (and offbeat) events around our neighborhood as we enter year MMXXII.

2.

3.

4

5.

Four years after his death, the University of Florida has awarded a PhD in music to this rock musician whose signature hit is “I Won’t Back Down.” He is: A. Gram Parsons B. Tom Petty C. Limp Bizkit D. Ray Charles

6.

7.

Upon her death last month at 95, Florida memorialized one of the first Black women elected to Congress since the Reconstruction era. She was: A. Gwen Cherry B. Yolanda Jackson C. Carrie Meek D. Shirley Chisholm

8.

Known locally as Furgy’s Natural Attraction, this historic gulf coast stopover is home to Monkey Island and a hippo named Lu. It is: A. Weeki Wachee B. Crystal River C. Withlacoochee Springs D. Homosassa Springs

9.

Established in 1850 and located on NW 8th Street in Ocala, it is one of the oldest public cemeteries in Florida. It is ________ Cemetery.

A. Evergreen B. Good Shepherd C. Oak Lawn D Tucker Hill

10.

Florida’s official state anthem, written This is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in any direction b for the inauguration of Governor always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and when you have com Charlie Crist in 2008, is entitled “Where pleted the puzzle, there will be 16 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle. the Sawgrass Meets the _______.”

A. Sea B. Surf C. Sky D. Sun

Road safety Solution: 16 Letters

This month Gainesville resident Andre Abrams faced felony charges when he tried to use a ________ to resolve a dispute over parking spaces A. Derringer B. Bazooka C. Slingshot D. Flamethrower

© 2022 Australian Word Games Dist. by Creators Syndicate Inc.

On January 1, 1914, the world’s first ever passenger airline flight was a 30-minute jaunt from St. Pete to: A. Orlando B. Tampa C. Ocala D. Disney World

Eric Ducharme is an artisan in Crystal River known as a “mertailor” who charges up to $5,000 for his work, which is making: A. Exotic lures B. Fish sculpture C. Boat art D. Mermaid tails Just three years old, this brilliant Ocala-born thoroughbred that won the 2021 Kentucky Derby died this month at the Santa Anita race track. It was: A. American Pharaoh B. Affirmed C. Medina Spirit D. Spectacular Bid A house on Tinsmith Circle in the little town of Lutz has been turned into a museum dedicated to a 1990 Johnny Depp movie filmed there. The movie is: A. Charlie & the Chocolate Factory B. Edward Scissorhands C. Finding Neverland D. Pirates of the Caribbean

Abide Approach Arrow Bend Bike Buses Calm Cars Closed Cyclist Danger Dark Destination

Detour Dogs Doze Exit Fall Gate Horns Injury Knock Lanes Laws Limit Negligent

Neon Noisy North Obey Open Ramp Slip Slow Smash Snow Speed camera Start

Step Stop Taxis Toll Trains Uneven Utes Vans View Walk Way in Youth

Answers are on page B7

COMING JAN. 14: Ten Tiny Towns Big on History.

Solution: Defensive driving

1.

WORD FIND

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ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE B6

Date: 01/14/22

B5

JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

community JAN. 7

JAN. 8

Marion County Friday Market

McPherson Government Campus Field, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am-2:30pm Shop locally fresh fruits and veggies, cinnamon buns, jerky, freeze dried treats, olive oils, and seafood; recurs every Friday.

JAN. 7

310 SE Third St., Ocala 9am-2pm A variety of vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, and arts and crafts. Rain or shine; recurs every Saturday. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more information.

JAN. 8

Sunset Cinema: Tesla

Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala 6pm Enjoy an outdoor movie experience under the stars at Sholom Park with “Tesla,” rated PG-13.

Bring your lawn chairs and pack some snacks.

Advanced registration includes one freshlypopped popcorn from the snack stand; other snacks will be available for an in-kind donation.

Visit sholompark.org for details.

Exploring the Sun

Sholom Park, 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala 11:30am-1:30pm Explore the sun in its finest details through a solar telescope. Members $15; Non-members $20.

Refunds will be issued if the session is cancelled due to inclement weather. Register online at masterthepossibilities.org or call (352) 861-9751.

G500 FL Nitro Explosion: Monster Truck Nitro Tour Bubba Raceway Park, 9050 NW Gainesville Road, Ocala 11am-5pm Monster Truck Nitro Tour brings the largest Monster Nitro monster truck event ever to Ocala. See custom-built monster trucks and four shows over three days. Preregistration is required. For details, visit gamber500florida.com.

JAN. 8

Ray Wayside Park, 9564 NE 28th Ave., Silver Springs 8am-12pm Weekend outing on the river, ideal for beginners and those interested in nature and wildlife-viewing.

Fee is $50 per person, which includes equipment and refreshments prior to the outing. Paddlers will meet at 7:45 am at the location provided. Register online at parks.marionfl.org/home-parks or call (352) 671-8560 for additional information.

Discover Ocala’s Horse Country Behind the Gates: Goldmark Farm

Live Oak Hall, 8415 SW 80th St., Suite 2, Ocala 10am-3:30pm Want to know about Ocala’s pristine horse country, and what’s being done to protect it? Go “Behind the Gates” of Ocala’s magnificent horse farms with a morning classroom presentation, twohour break, and a visit to Goldmark Farm to see why farmland preservation is so important. Paul Bulmahn, owner of Goldmark Farm, will give a tour of his 2400-acre, state-of-the-art facility that includes his Triple Crown Museum and a riding demonstration in the barn area by top-class riders.

Refreshments will be provided; wear closed toe shoes, as there will be a lot of standing and walking on this tour. For more information or to register online, visit masterthepossibilities.org.

JAN. 11

JAN. 9

JAN. 7-9

Kayak and Koffee

Ocala Downtown Market

JAN. 11

Ocala Polo Club Winter Games

Novels at Night

Florida Horse Park, 11008 S Highway 475, Ocala 1pm Matches start at 1pm. Chairs are suggested, food and drink are welcome. Tailgating at polo is the perfect venue to enjoy amazing equine athletes with your family and friends! For more information, visit ocalapolo.com.

Marion County Public Library Headquarters, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 5pm Make new friends and talk about books! Join in-person or call to join via Zoom. Call the listed library for more information. You are welcome to attend one or all! For more information, visit library.marionfl.org.

JAN. 10

JAN. 11

Let’s Talk Books

Reddick Public Library, 15150 NW Gainesville Road, Reddick 10:30am Join the club and turn the page! Make new friends and talk about books! Join in-person or call to join via Zoom. Call the listed library for more information. You are welcome to attend one or all!

For more information, visit library.marionfl.org.

The Shores Market

Silver Springs Shores Community Center, 590 Silver Road, Ocala 5-7pm The indoor farmers market includes farm fresh goods, artisan food products, and arts and crafts vendors; recurs every Tuesday. Visit fb.com/ theshoresmarket for more information.

JAN. 12

JAN. 11

LMS Network Breakfast Networking Meeting

Equus Inn, 3434 SW College Road, Ocala 8:30-10:30am Connect with other local business owners and professionals, share ideas, exchange referrals, and help each other’s businesses grow! Complimentary breakfast. RSVP at eventbrite.com.

Wednesday Midday Market

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala 1-6pm Browse organic produce, microgreens, freshbaked breads, and more. Food trucks such as Tom’s Taste of Chicago, Jimmy’s Philly Cheesesteaks, and Kona Ice Ocala join the fun; recurs every Wednesday. Visit facebook.com/ OcalaDowntownMarket for details.

government JAN. 10

JAN. 18

Planning & Zoning Meeting

City Hall Council Chamber – Second Floor, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 5:30pm If accommodations are needed for you to participate in this meeting, call (352) 629-8404 two days in advance so arrangements can be made.

JAN. 13

JAN. 12

Redshirt’s Log, Stardate 99631.78

Marion County Public Library Headquarters, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 4pm In the original “Star Trek” series, “red shirts” were unlucky, expendable characters. Join the Marion County Public Library and fellow “Star Trek” fans to craft your own story of red shirt woe. For more information, visit library.marionfl.org.

JAN. 13

Farmers Market

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 8th St., Ocala 9am-1pm Join us for a wonderful selection of fresh seasonal produce from local growers as well as baked goods, plants, handmade soaps, and much more; recurs every Thursday! Visit circlesquarecommons.com for more info.

JAN. 14

Spy Pilot: Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 Incident, and a Controversial Cold War Legacy Cypress Hall, 8415 SW 80th St., Suite 2, Ocala 10-11:30am Based on newly-available information, the son of famed U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers presents the facts and dispels misinformation about the Cold War espionage program that turned his father into a Cold War icon. Register online at masterthepossibilities.org.

JAN. 14-16

Majestic Oaks Ocala USEA Horse Trials

Majestic Oaks Ocala, 17500 N US Hwy 441, Reddick Watch United States Eventing Association horse trial divisions from starter through preliminary.

Vendor Village includes food trucks, tack stores, feed stores, and everything in between. Bring your own chairs. Visit majesticoaksocala.com for details.

JAN. 28

Ocala City Council Meeting

City Hall Council Chamber – Second Floor, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 5pm If accommodations are needed for you to participate in this meeting, call (352) 629-8404 two days in advance so arrangements can be made. For assistance accessing this meeting via Zoom, call (352) 629-8226.

Airport Advisory Board Meeting

Airport Terminal Aviation Building, 1770 SW 60th Ave., Ocala 3:30pm If accommodations are needed for you to participate in this meeting, call (352) 629-8404 two days in advance so arrangements can be made.

JAN. 20

Tourism Development Meeting

Tourist Development Conference Room, 109 W. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10am The Tourist Development Council makes recommendations to the county commissioners for the effective use of tourist development tax revenue to enhance, promote, advertise, and develop tourism in Ocala/Marion County. For more information, call (352) 438-2800.

JAN. 13

Municipal Code Enforcement Board Meeting

City Hall Council Chamber – Second Floor, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 5:30pm If accommodations are needed for you to participate in this meeting, call (352) 629-8404 two days in advance so arrangements can be made.

Board of Adjustment Meeting

City Hall Council Chamber – Second Floor, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 5:30pm If accommodations are needed for you to participate in this meeting, call (352) 629-8404 two days in advance so arrangements can be made.

JAN. 21

West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Meeting

City Hall Council Chamber – Second Floor, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 3pm If accommodations are needed for you to participate in this meeting, call (352) 629-8404 two days in advance so arrangements can be made.

JOHN JERNIGAN/Ocala Gazette

Shown left is the Ocala International Airport lobby.

COVID-19 cases cut cruise short, cancel other sailings

By Associated Press

H

undreds of passengers who embarked on an 11-day cruise from Miami were returned to port Wednesday after less than two days at sea because several dozen crew members got infected with COVID-19.

The pandemic also prompted a last-minute cancelation of another cruise that was scheduled

to depart Wednesday. Norwegian Cruise Line said it was canceling sailings on eight of its ships in the U.S. and abroad to protect the health and safety of guests, crew members and communities.

Cheryl Rogers, of Starke, Florida, was among the passengers that were returned to Miami on the Norwegian Pearl, which had only left port Monday. Rogers says travelers were told crew members fell ill with the coronavirus.

Matt Daly, of Surf City, North Carolina, said he flew into Miami and was supposed to leave Wednesday on the Norwegian Getaway for a five-day cruise. It was canceled late Tuesday, but Daly and his wife were driving overnight and did not see the notification until they arrived at the port Wednesday.

"I'm never leaving North Carolina," Daly said. "Too much of a hassle."

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Jim Harvey holds on to his bags and he and his wife Anita, second from right, of Ocala, Fla., wait for a taxi after disembarking from the Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, in Miami. The ship left on Monday on an 11-day trip to the Panama Canal, but it had to return after several crew and staff tested positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

B6

JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

arts JAN. 7

Cara Van Leuven: Horses With Long Legs

The Brick Gallery, 23 SW Broadway St., Ocala 5-6:30pm Brick City Center for the Arts is hosting its monthly Opening Reception Friday, Jan. 7, from 5-6:30 pm. Artist Cara Van Leuven will greet guests as she celebrates her first solo exhibit. Van Leuven’s lifelong obsession with horses inspires her onewoman art exhibit, “Horses With Long Legs,” on view through Jan. 29.

JAN. 7

First Friday Art Walk

Ocala’s Historic Downtown 6-9pm Art Walk is scheduled on the first Friday of each month, Sept. through May. Stop by for handson art activities and demonstrations for all ages provided by local nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, local artists selling their works throughout downtown, participating businesses with extended hours, musicians stationed throughout downtown, and a live musical performance on the Downtown Square. For more information, call the City of Ocala Cultural Arts Department at (352) 629-8447, email artinfo@ ocalafl.org, or visit ocalafl.org/artwalk.

JAN. 7

An Evening with Judy Collins

Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, 1051 Main St., The Villages 7pm Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Judy Collins brings her imaginative interpretations of traditional and contemporary folk standards and her poetically poignant compositions to The Sharon. Tickets start at $35. For more information, visit thesharon.com.

JAN. 8

Ocala Civic Theatre Garage Sale

Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10am-2pm The Ocala Civic Theatre is offering some of their past treasure at their theatre garage sale, including

costumes, furniture, props, scenery, dishes, and souvenirs of past shows. The garage sale will also include modern, every-day clothes for sale as well.

For more information, contact Melody Murphy, OCT Director of Marketing & Public Relations, at mmurphy@ocalacivictheatre.com.

JAN. 8

Free First Saturday

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10am-5pm Practice the art of staycation and visit the Appleton Museum of Art’s permanent collection and special exhibitions. Make art in the Artspace and enjoy beautiful outdoor space with large-scale sculptures. Big Lee’s BBQ food truck will be on-site for lunch, and photographer Juliet van Otteren will give tours of her exhibition, “Heart of the Horse,” at 11am and 2pm. Admission is free. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

JAN. 8

JAN. 8

The Lords of 52nd Street: Legends of Billy Joel

Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th St., Ocala 7pm The Lords of 52nd Street helped Billy Joel establish a popular music career, and the opportunity to perform and record in the most prestigious settings. To purchase tickets, visit csculturalcenter.com.

JAN. 8

SOLO: Art Exhibition & Reception of John Romaine

Rainbow Springs Art, 20804 W Pennsylvania Ave., Dunnellon 4:30-7:30pm View the new works and favorites from John Romaine’s personal collection. Romaine’s wonderful technique with colored pencil and various art subjects will be sure to delight, many of which are inspired from his walks through nature and drawing on-site. Join Romaine at his artist’s reception on Saturday, Jan. 8, from 4:30-7:30pm.

Visit rainbowspringsart.com for details.

&

Lisa Russo | European Elegance

Ocala Recreation and Parks Administration Bldg., 828 NE Eighth Ave., Ocala Lisa Russo studied under a traditional oil painter to learn the techniques and methods from the 1600s. Fun fact: She also holds a U.S. patent for a convertible canvas that creates 3D effects.

Visit ocalafl.org for details.

THROUGH APRIL 24

Heart of the Horse: Photographs by Juliet van Otteren

THROUGH JAN. 10 Art Remembers

Barbara Gaskin Washington Adult Activity Center, 210 NW 12 Ave., Ocala Mon-Fri 9am-4pm Hospice of Marion County partners with the Appleton Museum of Art to display works highlighting healing modalities of art in bereavement programs; details at hospiceofmarion.com.

Gallery Tour with Juliet van Otteren

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 11am and 2pm Join photographer Juliet van Otteren for a tour of her solo exhibition, “Heart of the Horse,” featuring 40 striking black-and-white photographs of horses. Tours are free as part of Free First Saturday; no reservation needed to attend. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

THROUGH JAN. 22

JAN. 14

Phil Dirt and The Dozers

Orange Blossom Opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale 7pm Everyone’s favorite good-time, rock-and-roll group returns with their tight harmonies, great musicianship, and high-energy show. Phil Dirt and The Dozers remains one of the Orange Blossom Opry’s most requested shows. Purchase tickets at the box office, obopry.com, or call (352) 821-1201.

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm The beauty and complexity of horses is revealed through 40 black-and-white photographs by Juliet van Otteren. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

THROUGH APRIL 24

Garden Party: Botanical Paintings

by Susan Martin

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm Florida artist Susan Martin’s photorealistic canvasses explore the botanical world by concentrating on small portions of plant life. Her detailed explorations, influenced by the photographs of Russell Lee, can be observed in her sharp, clean examination of the subject, her preference for strong contrast that reveals surface quality and detail, and an emphasis on composition that comes from years of work in blackand-white. Visit appletonmuseum.org for details.

THROUGH JULY 31 JAN. 14

Classic Albums LIVE: The Who— Who’s Next

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 7:30pm Experience Classic Albums LIVE as they perform the music of The Who—Who’s Next.

For more information, visit reillyartscenter.com or call (352) 351-1606.

A Strange and Picturesque Country: Etchings by Earl H. Reed

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm Prints from the permanent collection by Earl Howell Reed. Although a largely self-taught artist, Reed’s work can be viewed in the collections of the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Visit appletonmuseum.org for details.

music nightlife nig ghtlife JAN. 7

JAN. 8

JAN. 9

Elvis On Tour!

Elvis’ Birthday Bash

Urban Cowboy Reunion

Orange Blossom Opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale 7pm A 50th anniversary recreation of Elvis On Tour! Purchase tickets at the box office, obopry.com, or call (352) 821-1201.

Orange Blossom Opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale 7pm Join the Orange Blossom Opry as they celebrate The King’s 87th birthday in style! World champion Cote Deonath comes to the stage to pay tribute to some of the best eras of Elvis. Purchase tickets at the box office, obopry.com, or call (352) 821-1201.

Orange Blossom Opry, 16439 SE 138th Terrace, Weirsdale 2:30pm and 7pm Country music legends Mickey Gilley and Johnny Lee bring back some of their chart-topping songs, completed with memories of the 1980 hit movie “Urban Cowboy.” To purchase tickets, visit obopry.com, the box office, or call (352) 821-1201.

JAN. 7

Vince Taylor The Lodge, 36 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala 8pm Bonkerz Comedy Productions presents comedian Vince Taylor, as seen on BET and Funny Not Famous, with David Noboa. For details, visit bonkerzcomedyproductions.com.

JAN. 14

JAN. 8

JAN. 8

Carol Wolfe’s “Variety of Country”

Ken Miller

The Town Square, 8413 SW 80th St., Ocala 6-9pm Enjoy live music and dance to the Greg Warren Band! For more information, visit circlesquarecommon.com/entertainment.

Morgan’s Music Junction, 6981 SE 147th St., Summerfield 7-10pm Kick off the new year with a great country musical variety performance by Ms. Carol Wolfe. Visit morgansmusicjunction.com for details.

The Lodge, 36 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala 8pm Bonkerz Comedy Productions presents comedian Ken Miller, winner of Steve Harvey’s Standup Spotlight comedy competition and host of Real Laughs on Real Radio 104.1, with Dewayne Williams. Visit bonkerzcomedyproductions.com for more information.

Greg Warren Band

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JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

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JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

CF’s Ira Holmes International Film Series opens with French New Wave classic

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

T

he College of Central Florida (CF) Ira Holmes International Film Series kicks off on Jan. 25, opening its 60th season with Agnès Varda’s vérité melodrama, “Cléo from 5 to 7.”

Released in 1962, the French New Wave classic chronicles “the minutes of one woman’s life,” while expressively capturing “Paris in the 1960s,” according to CF’s press release. The film centers on a singer (played by Corinne Marchand) who is set adrift while waiting for the test results from a recent biopsy.

The film also features a score by Michel Legrand (“The Umbrellas of Cherbourg”) and cameos by new wave icons director Jean-Luc Godard and actress Anna Karina.

The French New Wave movement was an “explosion of vibrant, innovative and highly self-conscious films from France in

the late 1950s and early 1960s,” according to The Criterion Collection’s website, influencing cinema as it exists today.

“Cléo from 5 to 7” will be shown at 2 p.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art, located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., and at 7 p.m., at the CF Ocala campus, 3001 S.W. College Road, Building 8, Room 110.

The public is invited to the 60th Anniversary Kickoff Reception at 6:30 p.m. Professor Ira Holmes will introduce the film as a special guest at the 7 p.m. screening.

Dr. Rebecca J. DeRoo, author of “Agnes Varda between the Film, Photography, and Art,” will host an online film talk on Wednesday, Jan. 26, at 12:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Future films in the series, all from the year 1962, when Professor Holmes first began the long-running program, include: •“King Kong vs. Godzilla,” directed by Ishirō Honda, showing on Feb. 8 (special location: Ocala Drive-In), with a film talk by CF Associate Professor Jay Thompson on Feb. 9 •“Ivan’s Childhood,” directed by Andrei

Tarkovsky, showing on Feb. 22, with a film talk by Professor Delmar G. Jacobs Jr. on Feb. 23 •“Boccaccio ’70,” directed by Mario Monicelli, Federico Fellini and Luchino Visconti, showing on March 8, with a film talk by Dr. Silvo Gaggi on March 9 •“To Kill a Mockingbird,” directed by Robert Mulligan, showing on March 29, with a film talk by Dr. Gilbert B. Rodman on March 30 A bonus 1962 film shorts festival, featuring Chris Marker’s “La Jetée,” Louis Malle’s “Vive le Tour” and more, is scheduled for April 12.

Films at the Ocala campus are free and open to the public, while films at the Appleton are free to all museum and film series members; nonmembers must pay museum admission.

Be advised that some films in the series may contain mature content.

For more details, visit CF.edu/ filmseries.

'Mudi'? Try a toy: American Kennel Club adds 2 dog breeds

By Jennifer Peltz Associated Press

A

n athletic Hungarian farm dog and a tiny pet of bygone Russian aristocrats are the latest breeds in the American Kennel Club's purebred lineup.

The club announced Tuesday that it's recognizing the Russian toy and the mudi. That means they're eligible to compete for best in show at many U.S. dog shows, including the AKC's big annual championship and the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club show.

The mudi (whose American fans pronounce its name like "moody," although the vowel sound in Hungarian is closer to the "u" in "pudding") descended from long lines of Hungarian sheepdogs before a museum director took an interest in the breed and gave it a name around 1930.

Fans say the medium-size, shaggy dogs are vigorous, versatile and hardworking, able to herd sheep, hunt boars, snag rats and compete in canine sports such as agility and dock diving.

"They're very perceptive, and they have a subtle quality" and are very trainable, but they need things to do, said Kim Seiter, an Oak Ridge, New Jersey, dog agility trainer who has four of them. "They're not for the inactive person."

The dogs — the proper plural is "mudik" — were featured on postage stamps in their homeland in 2004, as were some other Hungarian breeds.

The Russian toy developed from small English terriers that gained the fancy of Russian elites by the early 1700s. The diminutive dogs — supposed to weigh no more than 6.5 pounds (2.7 kg) — have a leggy silhouette, perky expression and lively demeanor, breeders say.

"They're extremely affectionate" with

their owners but can be reserved with strangers and need to meet plenty of new people as pups, says Nona Dietrich of Minnetonka, Minnesota, a breeder and member of the Russian Toy Club of America. "And they're funny. They have quite an attitude."

The AKC is the United States' oldest purebred dog registry. It recognizes 199 breeds, including the two newcomers, and acts as a governing body for many dog shows.

Recognition requirements include having at least 300 dogs of the breed spread around at least 20 states and promulgating a breed standard that specifies ideal features, from temperament to toes. Many popular hybrid or "designer" breeds, such as Labradoodles and puggles, aren't recognized, but it's possible they could be someday if breeders decide to pursue it.

Some animal rights and welfare advocates deplore dog breeding and the market for purebreds, saying they spur puppy mills and strand adoptable pets in shelters.

The AKC says breeding can be done responsibly and preserves somewhat predictable characteristics that help people find and commit to the right dog for them.

Sandor Ujvari/MTI via AP

Shown above: A black Mudi, a Hungarian species of shepherd dogs, helps to drive a herd of 120 buffaloes from its summer pasture to its winter habitat on the premises of the Kiskunsag National Park, Budapest, Hungary, Jan. 25, 2017.

The American Kennel Club announced that the Mudi and Russian Toy have received full recognition, and are eligible to compete in the Herding Group and Toy Group.

Photo courtesy American Kennel Club via AP

Matheson History Museum

A Historic Treasure in Downtown Gainesville

Shown left: This undated photo, provided by the American Kennel Club, shows the Russian Toy breed. The American Kennel Club announced that the Mudi and Russian Toy have received full recognition, and are eligible to compete in the Herding Group and Toy Group, respectively. These additions bring the number of AKC-recognized respectively. breeds to 199.

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JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Sports After a remarkable 2020 season, Ackerman looks to continue Belleview rebuild

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

B

elleview football, with one win in its previous three seasons, was looking for a new head coach to inject excitement and confidence into a program that was seriously lacking in both.

Brady Ackerman accepted the head coaching job at Belleview in February, and quickly went to work.

The Belleview Rattlers experienced an historic turnaround on the football field in 2021. Belleview won eight games for the first time since 2004 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

Ackerman says he understood and appreciated the tradition of Belleview when he took the head coaching position.

“Belleview is a unique place because it’s part of Ocala, but it also has its own community,” Ackerman said. “The tradition of Coach Hall and what he did here plus the fanbase made it a great fit.”

“They have always had big, tough kids at Belleview, and I felt it could be a dominant program once again,” he added.

The Rattlers found great success in running the Air Raid offensive system. Air Raid was invented by former Valdosta State and Kentucky head football coach Hal Mumme and current Mississippi State head football coach Mike Leach.

Ackerman learned the Air Raid from his time at Valdosta State, where he worked with Leach to implement the innovative pass-happy system.

“I cut my teeth at Valdosta State where I first learned about the Air Raid system,” Ackerman said. “At the time, all I knew was the Steve Spurrier ‘Fun-n-Gun’ offense that we ran at Florida, so Air Raid was a new system for me.”

“Air Raid has been used for over 25 years now, so it’s stood the test of time,” he added.

Ackerman was a member of Steve Spurrier’s first Florida team in 1990.

Spurrier went on to win six outright Southeastern Conference titles and a national championship in 1996, beating in-state rival Florida State 52-20 in the Sugar Bowl.

“It was an honor to play for Coach Spurrier and to be one of the first ever SEC title teams at Florida,” Ackerman said.

“When Coach Spurrier first got to Florida, I knew it would be a different place.”

See ACKERMAN, page C2

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Brady Ackerman, the head football coach of the Belleview Rattlers, poses for a photo at Belleview High School in Belleview, Fla. on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.

Repeat or revenge: Alabama vs. Georgia, again, for CFP title

By Tim Reynolds Miami Gardens, Fla.

A

AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter

Alabama's Jameson Williams (1) holds up the winner's trophy after the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football on Friday, Dec. 31.

labama has a chance to repeat.

Georgia has a chance for revenge.

The rematch is set, and it will decide the College Football Playoff national championship. After a pair of easy wins in the semifinals last Friday night, the Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs — the only two teams to be ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25 this season — will meet again to decide the title on Jan. 10 in Indianapolis.

Alabama will be seeking a seventh national championship in the last 13 years under coach Nick Saban. Georgia is playing with hopes of claiming its first national title since Herschel Walker led the Bulldogs to the title in the 1980 season.

“I think we’re good enough,” Georgia

quarterback Stetson Bennett said in the din of the Orange Bowl postgame celebration.

“Obviously, they’re a great team. But we’re going to enjoy this one tonight and start preparing for them tomorrow.”

This matchup comes after Alabama — big underdogs entering that game — had little trouble in what became a 41-24 win over Georgia in the SEC championship game back on Dec. 4, costing the Bulldogs a chance at an undefeated season and giving the defending national champion Crimson Tide a trip back into the playoff mix.

Alabama needed that win.

Weirdly, Georgia felt it needed that loss.

“For our team, it was a wake-up call,” Georgia offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer said that night. “I think we needed one.

We got a wake-up call from a really good

team. If we get a chance in the playoffs, I think that wake-up call will help propel us forward.”

Oh, the Bulldogs were awake on Friday night.

They blew out Michigan 34-11 in the Orange Bowl, taking the field not long after Alabama had little trouble dismissing Cincinnati 27-6 in the other CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl.

“To have another opportunity to play for a national championship ... it’s like a dream come true,” Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr. said after the Cotton Bowl.

Predictably, the Tide didn’t do much talking about Georgia following their win. Most teams would never go down that road, talking about an opponent in See CFP TITLE, page C2

GAME OF THE WEEK

Forest boys host Wildwood in a battle of the Wildcats

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com The Forest Wildcats are set to host Wildwood, also the Wildcats, for a nondistrict showdown Friday night.

Both squads spent part of their Christmas breaks playing in holiday tournaments.

Forest participated in the Mosley High School Holiday Hoopfest in Panama City Beach the last week of Christmas break, where they won two of three contests.

Wildwood participated in the

Kingdom of the Sun holiday tournament at Vanguard High School. Wildwood lost both of their games in the doubleelimination tournament.

Forest is led by talented sophomore point guard X’zavion McCoy, who is averaging 9.8 points and 6.8 assists per contest.

Junior forward Naylan Rhem is averaging 10.3 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game for Forest.

Wildwood junor forward Zechariah Poyser leads his team in scoring with 16.4 points per game.

Poyser also leads Wildwood in assists

with 3.9 per game.

Forest head coach Mike Hoffmann is excited to play the out-of-county Wildcats.

“We have been talking about taking a next step in January and really focusing on competing for a district championship,” Hoffmann said. “This Friday against Wildwood is another opportunity for us to prove that.”

“Wildwood is a really tough opponent and they will be looking to beat us at home,” he added.

Tip-off between Forest and Wildwood is set for Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Forest High School gym.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Forest‘s Naylan Rhem (13) looks for a shot on the basket as he is defended by City of Life Christian Academy‘s Joel King (35) during a game at Forest High School in Ocala on Dec. 10, 2021.

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JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Ackerman and rebuilding Belleview Continued from page C1 Being a member of Spurrier’s first Florida team brings back memories of Ackerman’s first spring at UF. “At my first spring game, Coach Spurrier came up to me and asked my name. I said, ‘Brady Ackerman’, but he kept calling me Grady, not Brady.”

Ackerman then asked, “Coach, why do you keep calling me Grady?”

Spurrier replied, “Grady sounds tougher than Brady!”

“Coach Spurrier was the best to play for and he has helped me throughout my career,” Ackerman said.

Before accepting the Belleview job, Ackerman spent three seasons as an assistant at Jackson State University.

He credits his time at JSU for teaching him about connecting with players and building a culture.

“Being at Jackson State strengthened me as a coach but also enhanced my ability to connect with players and build a positive culture,” Ackerman said. “The fan support there was amazing; heck, we had more fans at our home games than

many D1 schools!”

Ackerman is very proud of his first team at Belleview and looks to continue the rebuild in 2022.

“We have some good talent coming back in senior quarterback Ernest Flythe (32 total touchdowns in 2021), running back Jaheem Shannon (10.9 yards/carry), linebacker Cornelius Bentley Green (team high 52 tackles), and wide receiver Andrew Lanctot (21 yards/catch),” Ackerman said. “Our young guys like offensive tackle Ethan Dodsworth, who is 6’ 4” and 275 pounds, two young wide receivers in JJ White and Juice Lawton, will help lead the way once again.”

Ackerman looks back fondly on his first Belleview team, much the same way Coach Spurrier looks back at his first Florida team.

“I am so proud of our 2021 team for winning eight games,” Ackerman said. “To go from no wins to the postseason was hard to do and I am very proud of our seniors and our team for how they bought in to a new way of doing things.

“The future is bright at Belleview, and I am excited for the next challenge.”

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Redeemer's Grant Phillips (3) drives to the basket past Cornerstone's Kayden Merrik (1) during a game at Redeemer Christian School south of Ocala, on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

REDEEMER

TOO MUCH FOR YOUTHFUL CORNERSTONE

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

T

72-32

he Redeemer Christian Lions boys’ basketball team used crisp passing and clutch shooting to overwhelm the visiting Cornerstone Academy Cougars 72-32 on Tuesday evening.

The Lions gained momentum from the start with a dominating first quarter to quickly put the game out of reach for the Cougars. After the first period, Redeemer held a commanding 29-9 lead.

The deficit grew to 54-14 at the half.

The game slowed down in the second half, with both teams unloading their bench to give reserves playing time.

Junior forward Grant Phillips led the Lions with 12 points in the victory while grabbing three rebounds and notching two steals.

Fellow junior center Andrew Powers chipped in 10 points and led Redeemer

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

with nine rebounds.

Redeemer head coach Dave Miller was pleased with his team’s performance against a very young Cornerstone squad.

“We moved the ball well tonight and were able to create shots through that ball movement,” Miller said. “Cornerstone is a young team with a lot of middle schoolers playing varsity. They battled the whole night and really forced us to make the extra pass.”

“Cornerstone is going to be really good when their players get older,” he added.

Cornerstone was led by 8th grade guard Kayden Merrik, who scored 12 points and added two assists.

Cornerstone falls to 1-5 on the season with the loss and is set to host Branford on Friday.

Redeemer improves to 9-2 on the season and will travel to Ocala Christian Academy on Thursday for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff.

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Redeemer's Luke Wakefield (10) and Andrew Parker (2) double-team Cornerstone's Kayden Merrik (1) during a game at Redeemer Christian School south of Ocala, on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

Brady Ackerman, the head football coach of the Belleview Rattlers, poses for a photo at Belleview High School in Belleview, Fla. on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.

CFP Title Continued from page C1 tournament play before the next matchup is actually set. But Georgia, playing the later game on Friday, probably could have let Alabama begin entering its thoughts probably somewhere around halftime when the Bulldogs had a 27-3 lead over the Wolverines.

“We’ve got a lot of things to fix,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said after the Orange Bowl. “We got to fix some of them over the break. They got about a five-, six-hour head start on us. We’ve got to get back and get to work for what is a really good football team.”

With all due respect to Michigan, by then, it was clear: The All-SEC rematch was happening.

The first CFP title game saw Ohio State defeating Oregon. All seven editions since have featured at least one SEC team — Alabama six times, LSU once and now Georgia twice.

“Well, the team has an opportunity to win the national championship,” Saban said Saturday in an appearance on ESPN’s “College GameDay.” “So you expect to play a good team. We’re still probably going to be underdogs in the game, I would assume. Georgia played an outstanding game last night. The part that I saw

against Michigan, they were dominant.”

Alabama has gone 3-2 in its previous CFP title game appearances, alternating wins and losses every time. Nobody in the CFP era has won back-to-back titles; Alabama is 0-2 in its opportunities to do so, and Clemson also lost when it had a bid for consecutive CFP crowns.

Georgia can only hope that trend continues.

Not only is this an SEC title game rematch, but it’s also a rematch of the best — or at least, closest and arguably most dramatic — title game of the CFP era, now in its eighth season.

Alabama and Georgia played for the CFP crown in Atlanta to close the 2017 campaign. Georgia led 13-0 at the half, but Tua Tagovailoa came off the bench and threw a gameending 41-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith that capped the Tide’s 26-23 overtime win.

The title game has been nothing but routs since: Clemson beating Alabama 44-16, LSU beating Clemson 44-25, Alabama beating Ohio State 52-24 last season.

Oddsmakers don’t expect a blowout this time around: Georgia was quickly established as a 2 1/2 point favorite over Alabama by FanDuel Sportsbook, that line being

set before the BulldogsMichigan game had even gone final.

“We think we play in the greatest conference in the world,” Smart said. “We’ve got an opportunity to play a really good football team in Indianapolis.”

And it makes tons of sense that these are the last two teams standing.

The Tide and the Bullodgs spent six weeks ranked No. 1 and No. 2, in some order, in the AP Top 25 this season. Big things were expected of both teams from the outset: Alabama started No. 1, Georgia began at No. 5.

But even though Saban is 25-1 against his former assistant coaches — including 4-0 against Smart, who spent 11 years with him in Tuscaloosa — history says a rematch for the national title is a great sign for the Bulldogs.

In the 2011 season, LSU beat Alabama in the regular season. Alabama won the rematch for the Bowl Championship Series national title.

In 1996, Florida State topped Florida in the regular season. The Gators rolled past the Seminoles for the national title in what was then called the Bowl Alliance.

Now, it’s Georgia with a shot at turning the tide.

All it has to do is beat the Tide.

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JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

John Madden, legendary coach and TV personality, influenced three generations of fans

By Joel Bronson joel@ocalagazette.com

T

he football world has lost one of its biggest personalities.

John Madden, Hall of Fame coach and announcer as well as the namesake for one of the most popular video games in history, has died at the age of 85.

As head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 1969-1978, Madden amassed an astounding 103-32-7 record. Madden’s Raiders played in seven AFC championship games and won the Super Bowl in 1976.

Greg Carr played college football for Florida State and is the current head coach at North Marion High School. Carr remembers Madden calling Monday Night Football games as well as the Madden NFL video game.

The Associated Press

Former Oakland Raiders coach John Madden practices the electronic charting device Telestrator on Jan. 21, 1982, in Pontiac, Mich., for the upcoming NFL football Super Bowl broadcast on CBS.

“I was a big Madden video game player,” Carr said. “Those games were a way of life for me. I remember in college going to get the game on early release nights.”

“I also remember him calling Monday Night Football games,” he added.

Emmitt Smith won the ‘Leg’ after the 1990 game.

Madden quipped that he wished the turkey had six legs so that the award could go to Smith along with his five offensive linemen, who made it possible for Smith to run for so many yards.

“Madden won the Super Bowl in 1976, was an all-star announcer and promoted the top video game. He excelled in everything that he placed his hand to.”

Jim Pierce

Ocala Christian Academy head football coach The Associated Press

After a successful run as Raiders’ head coach, Madden retired from the Raiders to pursue a broadcast career. He would find similar success in the booth.

Dunnellon head football coach Price Harris remembers the Thanksgiving games that Madden called for CBS. “He made football fun,” Harris said. “Everybody wanted a turkey leg on Thanksgiving!”

The turkey leg tradition began in 1989, with Madden awarding the top performer from the annual Thanksgiving Day game with the Turkey Leg Award. The winner of the first ‘Turkey Leg’ was Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Reggie White.

Dallas Cowboys running back

John Westol, who has coached football and basketball at St. John Lutheran for over fifty years, remembers Madden as a coach but recalls him more fondly as an announcer and analyst.

“To me, Madden was bigger than life as a coach and even bigger when he worked with (longtime CBS broadcaster) Pat Summerall,” Westol shared. “He refused to take himself seriously and thusly, to me, was even more genuine as an announcer.”

Ocala Christian Academy head football coach Jim Pierce, who has coached youth football for over thirty years, remembers Madden for how he influenced not only his generation of coaches but younger fans with

Fox broadcasters Pat Summerall, left, and John Madden stand in the broadcast booth at the Superdome before Super Bowl 36 on Feb. 3, 2002, in New Orleans.

the Madden NFL video games.

“John Madden was a big man who cast a big shadow on football for many years,” Pierce said.

“Madden won the Super Bowl in 1976, was an all-star announcer and promoted the top video game. He excelled in everything that he placed his hand to.”

“He was an inspiration to all who loved football,” he added.

Al Michaels was Madden’s broadcast partner on Monday Night Football. Michaels remembers the importance of Madden to the game.

“John Madden is as important as anybody in the history of football,” Michaels

said in a 2013 New York Times interview. “Tell me somebody who did all of the things that John did and did them over this long a period of time.”

Madden would win sixteen Sports Emmys during his broadcast career and would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

John Madden’s life was football. Whether as a player, coach or analyst, Madden lived and breathed football.

“Coaching isn’t work,” Madden once said. “It’s a way of life. I’m not into gardening or any other hobbies. I don’t fish or hunt. I’m in football.”

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12/13/21 11:35 AM

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JANUARY 7 - JANUARY 13, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

SCORE BOARD SELECTED MARION COUNTY

HIGH SCHOOL

SPORTS RESULTS DEC. 28 - JAN. 1 Results were gathered from FHSAA.com and compiled by Joel Bronson

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

West Port‘s Juan Santana (2) drives to the basket as he is defended by Vanguard‘s Austin Cornell (3) and D‘Mareon Manning (1) during a game in Ocala on Dec. 27, 2021.

BOYS BASKETBALL SCORES Dec. 27

Dunnellon Interlachen

60 52

Vanguard 63 West Port 41

West Port Wildwood

69 68

Forest Ezell-Harding

64 43

Trinity Catholic Godby

53 47

Belleview Tampa Bay Tech

53 52

Meadowbrook Aucilla Christian

72 29

Trinity Catholic Sandalwood

69 44

Dec. 29

Dec. 28

CA Quincy Vanguard

60 57

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

West Port‘s Osei Tyler-Gilkes (10) looks for a shot on the basket as he is defended by Wildwood‘s Malachi Martin (13) during a game in the Kingdom of the Sun tournament at Vanguard High School in Ocala on Dec. 28, 2021.

Braden River Vanguard

56 37

Trinity Catholic Sumner

Trinity Catholic Hernando

57 33

Dec. 31

Jan. 1

Dec. 30

North Marion Vanguard

52 42

Forest North Bay Haven

65 60

North Marion Suwannee

54 34

First Academy Ocala Christian

67 55

Godby Belleview

78 28

Dunnellon Eastside

63 60

Rutherford Forest

49 47

Dunnellon Seffner Armwood

74 67

Columbia Belleview

54 19

Trinity Catholic Columbia

57 49

64 46

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

78 32

Dec. 30

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

Wesley Chapel Vanguard

50 37

West Port‘s Lenard Hill (11) looks for a shot on the hoop as he is defended by Wildwood‘s Jah Munn (24) and Terriyon Bryant (21) during a game at Vanguard High School in Ocala on Dec. 28, 2021.

Meadowbrook First Assembly

Vanguard‘s Lionel Manning (4) drives to the hoop as he is defended by West Port‘s Cartez Casey (3) during a game in Ocala on Dec. 27, 2021.

Kathleen Vanguard

65 45

Riviera Prep North Marion

77 60

Meadowbrook Academy Ocala Christian

70 55

Belleview Fort White

64 63

Dunnellon Indian Rocks Christian

68 46

Trinity Catholic Santa Fe

61 43

Dec. 31 Bloomingdale Dunnellon

GIRLS BASKETBALL SCORES Dec. 27 Gainesville North Marion

57 48

Dec. 28 PK Yonge North Marion

62 42

West Ashley West Port

45 42

Trinity Catholic Northeast

47 46

Dec. 29 42 41

Hawthorne North Marion

BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette

48 46

North Marion‘s D‘marion Cooper (1) drives to the hoop as he is defended by Wildwood‘s Shane Solomon (23) during a game in Ocala on Dec. 27, 2021.